A/N: Bruce is on edge which means Hulk is on edge! And that is never a good sign...
Avamys: Yes, trouble for Tony and Natasha will definitely be miffed. :) Thanks for reviewing!
RFK22: Haha, yes poor Romanoff is definitely not going to think twice about Avenging her best friend.I'm honored that you continue to read my work and always comment. You're the best!And thank you for the song suggestions! I love them! :D
La Madone: Trouble is in the air...thanks for reviewing! :)
She was half asleep when she woke up, going through the motions almost mechanically. Putting on that tight uniform was the last thing she wanted to do at 5:30 in the morning, still damp from her shower. She couldn't help but fall face first onto her bed after dressing, arms flung out in front of her. Her fingers knocked subconsciously against those random papers and one envelope. Natasha was too tired to even feel anything other than her eyelids closing, body ready to shut down for another four hours.
Romanoff can't help but scream when she hears her phone go off, reaching sleepily for that darn cellular;
"What!,' she freezes, realizing she's holding it upside down, 'Yes Fury I'll be out in a minute."
She groans, stretching her arms out before she heads out the door. Natasha slips into the elevator, eyes closing until she reaches her main floor. Romanoff grins when she spots Clint on sofa, head and eyes fixed towards the window. She was too tired to pick up on his discomfort, or recognize that he had spent the entire night in the same spot;
"I'm leaving Clint. Can you just let Bruce know what's going on? I didn't get to fill him in on the details. Thanks Barton."
He looks her way, mouth opening to tell her what was going on. She closed the door behind her before he could even get a word in. Clint sighs heavily, running both his hands over his short light brown hair.
Tony would kill him...
Pepper would kill him...
And Natasha would have him skinned alive if they ever knew he let Banner just walk out like that. Barton tugs on his cheeks, mind set on heading back to the hospital to check on Pepper.
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Bruce clenched his jaw, anger building as he waited for Ross to hit him just one more time. One more slap would be all it took to get his rage to a boiling point, and after a good two hours, he was beyond ready to vent.
The heartbroken physicist needed a release, especially if he was to be treated like some lab rat for the rest of his life. Between the cage he'd be living in, darkness he'd be surrounded by, only to be tossed around and abused until 'Thunderbolt' decided to dispose of him. To have his dignity stripped, freedom taken...
...And Natasha! That kind gentle woman who offered him more than just some ordinary friendship.
To think he'd never see that tender smile again just made his heart sink even further. But hell if something ever happened to that girl!
Bruce cringes, ready to spit when he feels another slap across his cheek;
"Well Banner!?"
He growls. It's a deep gutteral noise that causes Talbot to check his rearview mirror at least twice. Glen is honestly shocked, unable to spot a hint of green over the skin of their 'captive'. Bruce had climbed in willingly and if it were up to Talbot, he would've avoided pushing his buttons. He had been well controlled, but even the Colonel took that animal type snarl as being nothing less then a warning. Bruce was like a domesticated tiger waiting to snap and Glen already knew not to push him too far, especially so soon. He glared at Ross when he went to punch him again;
"Sir, I think he's had enough for now."
The general narrows his focus, hand raised as it brushes the skin of his purpled cheek. Ross managed to cut him this time, nails catching the wrong place on his tender muscle. Talbot jumps at the sound, pulling over instantly when Banner growls a second time. His defensive noise was stronger and much for firmer then his inital warning. His eyes were dilating, anxious to get out of the car before he exploded. Ross had no problem pushing him out of the vehicle onto the pavement, yelling for Glen to shoot him with a tranquilizer.
By the time Talbot stepped out of the car, the green giant was in front of them, ready to take a swipe as he screamed for revenge. The General ducked, remaining firm in his orders. His assistant wasted little time in locating the weapon, completely irritated when the hulk threw whatever he could find towards his two worst enemies.
People on the road began to pull over, a few running from their own vehicles with nothing but fear. Hulk didn't care who he trampled at this point, with every emotion spilling over the top with his mind gone completely blank. All that green giant cared about was revenge, real revenge.
His eyes were sharper then usual, screaming and carrying on as he threw things with remarkable accuracy. Talbot couldn't help but admire the creature but only until he aimed his tranquilizer.
Ross panicked when the hulk got up close to him, taking a swing in his direction. 'Thunderbolt' screamed when his vision started to swarm with colors. He had taken a severe blow from that monster, purely from what the beast would've considered a 'miss'.
The General lifted a hand to his mouth, blood pouring from his cut received by the strike. He snarled himself, glowing with a victories grin when Glen shoots his target with a precise hit. The hulk cries in his defeat slowly crumbling back to the ground.
There were plenty of casualties on that highway including overturned cars, though no one bothered to perform a headcount of all those who were injured in his little rampage. A policeman eventually made his way to the army General, demanding an explanation. Ross just smiled devilishly;
"Don't worry, we'll take care of him."
He snapped, shorter then the both of them but full of enthusiasm;
"Destroy it! We have 46 being transported by ambulance, 5 fatal injuries and 2 pronounced dead in a matter of 30 minutes!"
"Be glad it wasn't more! But I can assure you that he will never make an appearance again!"
"You better be right about this! Or I'll have you all arrested!' The cop nods, satisfied with his threat, 'Are you alright Sir? Do you want to visit a hospital?"
Ross scoffs at the idea, only now realizing his aching neck and inability to move his left wrist and fingers;
"No! Just go about your business and I'll go about mine."
Glen tosses an unconcious Bruce Banner into a cab he called for his leader, urging Ross to jump in. Once inside, hand hands him a handkerchief;
"That thing got you good. And that was a miss! Imagine getting hit from that mutant!"
He clutches the cloth to his mouth;
"Remind me, the first thing I'm going to do when we get to New Mexico is tie him to a table and break his arm!"
Talbot checks his bag for tranquilizers, "Okay."
"And you're still tracking Natalia Romanova?"
"Trying to Sir. She's in the middle of San Fransisco, engaging an engineer in some serious manipulation/combat."
"And Ivan?"
"Just got word from the base. We have him."
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"Oh guys, that's...that's great.' Barton tugs at his neck before offering Pepper a helping hand, 'I'm glad you're alright."
She smirks, "Me too, but I'm even more happy to be getting out of here."
Thor generously carries her stuff to the car, smile on his face as he helps her in. Tony nudges Barton on the shoulder, phone to his ear;
"Where's Banner? He's not picking up."
Clint sighs, "I've been trying to tell you all morning-"
He cuts him off, eyes wide, "Where is he Barton-"
"He left, 2:00 this morning-"
Steve chimes in, worry in his stare, "Where?"
"I don't know he wouldn't tell me."
Stark takes a step forward;
"And you let him go?!"
"He's a grown man Tony! He can make his own decisions!"
Rogers crosses his arms, "But at two in the morning?"
Tony clenches his teeth pointing to the Captain;
"Get Pepper home. I'm calling SHEILD. Barton, track his cellular..."
"He's not an idiot Stark! I bet a million dollars he doesn't have it!"
"Just try! Because if he's not being watched you and I both know who will have no problem taking advantage of the unprotected situation!"