A/N: Major Action.*The end of this chapter is extremely intense. Violence, Brief mentions of past abuse and Death.*
I'm jumping for joy over all the reviews! AnimationImagination is extremely flattered! *blushes* Give yourselves a hand! :D
!SPOILER ALERT ~Okay, so I found this little blurb that said Nick Fury had been watching Banner similar to the way Ross had been. Fury supposedly had the same idea of using Bruce's intellegence as a weapon before the Hulk came into the picture. I sort of found that interesting, so I incorperated what I found into the story and blended it with fact. I threw in Maria Hill because I figured why not? Hope you like it and it makes sense. ~END SPOILER ALERT!
Sam: Aw, yes. I need to move there. Bruce needs a break. Poor boy. And on the subject of Brian, this chapter's really intense so you might not want to read it at night, but it's...well...Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D
Guest:Ross wants to instill fear in his enemies but Brian Banner has managed to instill fear in the world. lol. He's such a jerk. You read Beauty and The Beast?! :D I'm so happy right now and I'm so glad you liked it! Hope you like Moon River when you get around to it. It's still a work in progress. But thank you so much for those compliments. :) Thanks for the Jennifer summary. That will definitly come in handy.
E:His death will come very soon. *coughs inconspiculously.* Aww, don't you just want to cuddle Bruce like, all the time? :) Thanks for reviewing!
DevinathePikachu: I Read minds ? Wow! I have a hidden talent! haha. Ross knows about Brian's history and what he put his wife and son through, at least what the jury decided to put down after he murdered Rebecca. General Ross may be an idiot, but he doesn't approve of what Brian did. Hope this clarifies it a little. :) Thanks for leaving me a comment!
Kelly:Welcome! :D So happy you found my story. Thank you for all the sweet comments. They mean a lot. I know that part of Bruce's life that you are requesting I alter. Like you, Bruce is my favorite and I agree he's been through a lot. I haven't decided how I'm going to approach that particular event, but I will take your idea into consideration. I just have to figure out exactly where that would happen in relation to the 'Avengers' and such. I have this head canon where Bruce may have tried to- you know, taste a bullet- *cries* -after losing his baby and seperating from Betty. Also if they make more hulk movies, they're planning on basing them after the Hulk Universe. Correct me if I'm wrong, but unfortunatly that seems to make my assumption about right as far as time is concerned. BUT this is Fanfic, and alternate endings are very possible as well. I'll keep you posted on what I decide. Don't forget, the hulk does end up having two twin boys later on. (yeah, I know, it really doesn't count. And why does Hulk get a better life then Bruce Banner anyways?!) Thanks for reviewing my fellow Bruce lover! :)
Banner'sLove: Yaye! You pretty much caught up. Sorry for making you read about Betty...You're starting to like the hulk better? Hm. I have no comment on that. lol. Don't forget Bruce is the one with the pretty brown eyes and chocolate curls my friend! Um...I can't get into Tony Stark. I mean he's nice, but Bruce is my hero. :) Thanks for updating me with your stories your working on. Love hearing about them.
N the Zombie Girl: Thanks for reading and Reviewing! I am updating right...now. Enjoy! :D
Chapter 34
Igor's mouth had been running off since he got to the base, complaining about anything and everything. Bruce had been smart enough to tune him out for the day, nodding politely at every comment and smart retort made in his direction.
His assistant just snarls, rolling his eyes as he reaches for a paper;
"Banner you idiot, you've been at this for long enough. Let me see it."
Bruce let's him take the paper, only to have it crumpled and thrown back towards his head;
"Not that one! I wanted the sheet on the gamma rays!"
The younger man just sighs, letting Igor do the venting;
"I don't have it. I'm working on phase 2 right now."
He growls, jumping up from his chair after hurling a book onto the floor in a fit. Igor wraps his hand around Banner's bicep to turn him around aggressively;
"Phase 2?! Without my permission!"
Bruce feels his heart pounding at the contact, fear kicking into high gear as he tugs away defensively;
"I'd really appreciate it if you could keep your hands to yourself."
He clenches a fist, hovering in the air and poised to strike;
"You annoy me!" He sighs, dropping his fist as he storms from the room.
Bruce sighs, removing his glasses to clean the lenses. He mumbles under his breath, still upset over something his father said that morning as he walking out the door.
The physicist wastes little time in collecting his supplies and situating his chemicals in a precise location. He re-checks at least two more times before settling down in his workspace, unfolding the crumpled paper that had been thrown at him only moments earlier. He sets it aside, analyzing the first step he'd have to make in building the bomb.
An empty vial slips from his grip just as he was about to pour,cringing while he awaits the collision of the glass with the tiled floor. He's shocked at discovering it did nothing but roll under his table, immediately coming to his hands and knees to retrieve it.
"Dr. Banner?"
Bruce jumps at her tender call, head pounding into the table above him. He instinctively reaches up to hold his throbbing body part, cringing out of pain and embarrassment as his tool slips from within his grasp a second time.
Betty initially covers her mouth after gasping over his clumsy mistake and loud thump. She comes to her knees, taking the vial as it rolls into her hand;
"Are you alright?"
His eyes crack open, huffing out a laugh as his cheeks flush a bright red;
"Betty, you scared the living...heck out of me."
She stays on her knees while he crawls out from under the table:
"Oh I'm sorry Bruce."
He smirks, brushing off his white lab coat while she comes to her feet. He quickly looks at her, refocusing on a downward tilt;
"I uh, I miss you."
Betty blushes, realizing she hadn't seen him in a few days due to her father keeping her extra busy and far from the 'college boy'. She lowers her focus after coming back up to her feet, fingers twirling over the vial within her grip;
"You, well...You didn't want to call?"
He contorts his mouth, tongue pressed against his cheek. What he couldn't tell her was that his father had gone through much of his belongings, throwing out what he didn't think was important. It was obviously a time consumer being that Bruce kept his living space immaculate. His father had to search for faults and purposely dig through his belongings to find anything specific. Brian had been quiet for the most part, but when he did open his mouth, it was usually some cutting remark or action. In this case, he had found her number, read her name and snorted, telling Bruce in an uncharacteristically calm voice 'not to waste his time' and that 'no one would care about an introvert like him.' At that point, the boy just let his father talk; too frustrated to even bother putting her contact information currently torn into a million pieces back together.
And of all the days to be pushing Bruce to his limits!
Had today just been like all the others he probably wouldn't have cared so much. But since he woke up this morning he had wanted to cry, or at least have some time alone to remember his mother.
He sighs, wringing his hands together;
"Aw Betty, I do, well, I did-I swear. It's just been...busy."
She nods, offering him the container she picked up from the floor;
"And, how's it going?"
Bruce shrugs, taking it from her before pouring his inital chemicals;
"Well, if I can keep my stuff on the table we'll be fine. You're father will get his bomb by the end of the week."
Betty exhales slowly, petting the ends of her long hair;
"Bruce, I meant you."
The blank look over his sweet features prove there's a need for clarification. Betty breathes a heavy sigh, hands dropping at her sides while she gives him her full attention;
"Daddy told me about your father. That he's with you now. You haven't exactly been yourself since he moved in."
He offers her a reassuring smile, trying to muffle that heavy sigh;
"I'm alright, really. I just have to adjust that's all. Unfortunately we're like, hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite, it's a toxic combination."
Her hand tugs at her opposite elbow, head tilting slightly. She backs up slowly, searching through a freezer in the far corner, "I'm sorry Bruce."
He watches her abrupt disappearance, refocusing on his work to avoid making her uncomfortable.
Bruce jumps when Betty reappears behind him, pulling away defensively when she brushes his skin with her ice pack. She lets him react, startled by his manuever. There's a look over his face that does nothing but break her heart, as if he's afraid she might hurt him in some way. His skittish and distrusting nature leaves her beyond concerned, slowly laying a hand over his shoulder. Betty can feel his tense muscles slowly easing up the longer she lingers. His eyes slowly crack open at the sound of her soothing voice;
"I'm sorry, I just want to make sure your head is okay. That was a loud thump before."
He breaks out a laugh when she smiles eyes reclosing with embarrassment. She was so pretty and so smart, his father was right. She probably though he was nothing more than a stupid introvert.
The physicist reaches an open hand to take the ice from her, "Thanks Betty."
She just smiles taking a step behind him, "I'll take care of it, just tell me where."
He can't help but cringe when she first runs her fingers through his hair, having had enough physical contact for one day. And yet, when she hits a tender spot, it almost feels surprisingly comforting.
She knows when she hits the spot that bothers him, gently laying her pack over his thick chocolate curls, "Your hair is so thick, can you even feel it Bruce?"
"Yeah I feel it." He shivers, eyes closing over the chill running down his spine. Betty picks up on his discomfort, rubbing the back of his neck with her free hand. She squeezes gently over those pressure points, hearing him exhale a heavy sigh. He seems to relax, letting his forehead rest over his stacked arms.
Bruce can feel all the stress slowly evaporating for a while. Her gentle touch reminds him of his mother, and the way she would hold him when he was afraid. Miss Ross had a sort of calming effect over him, the kind he desperately needed.
Betty eases up on her hold when he starts to fall asleep, listening to him breathe in a soft and quiet rhythm. He'd been deprived of such a necessity since his father showed up, never comfortable enough to shut his eyes for more than a few minutes.
She smirks, lifting the ice from off of him. Her hand brushes the remaining drops of water from the pack through his hair, giving the back of his neck one more rub. She snatches up a scrap piece of paper, scribbling a 'Call me' with her number, signature and a smile face. She folds it in half and slips it into his front pocket before returning the ice pack to the freezer and leaving the room. Betty closes the door behind her deciding to let him rest. She nudges a scientist outside the door;
"Don't let anyone inside please."
He snickers, "Whose in there, Banner?"
She nods, "Yes. He'll be out in a minute. Please don't let anyone bother him."
He smirks, "Okay Elizabeth. You getting coffee?"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Betty jumps when she hears a knock on her opened door, hand over her heart;
"Oh! Bruce, you startled me."
She urges him inside, quickly closing the door of the small office, "I'm sorry, Daddy's not in a good mood. You look alive again."
He smirks, reaching in the front pocket of his suit jacket. She lowers her head when she realizes he moved her note into his personal attire;
"I wanted to thank you Betty- I mean, I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but well, I enjoy your company...Miss Ross."
Betty bites her lower lip, clasping her hands behind her back, "Same here Bruce."
He tries to look her in the eye, "I, can't say I've, really felt like this before."
She chuckles, "Me neither."
He lowers his head as he reads off the contents of her note;
"So, it's '720-8361'?"
The girl gives a nod, finding it hard to maintain eye contact with his bright brown eyes, "Yes."
"Just making sure,' he folds the paper back into his pocket, 'I'll call you Miss Ross."
Betty tilts her head, "Please do. Um, tonight maybe?"
He nods, shaking his head after a minute;
"Yea- No, I can't- I...well.- If, I can I will."
She nods, trying not to be too pushy;
"Whenever Bruce, I'm here."
Banner lowers his head, smirking as the lock falls just above his eye. He stuffs his hands into his pockets;
"I've got to run Betty. So, I'll, see you tomorrow?"
She nods with a smile, "I'll be here."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
He runs straight for his room the instant he gets into his apartment, checking the pamphlets stuck inside his top drawer. They're underneath the picture of his mother, generally left untouched for 364 days out of the year. Her picture, on the other hand, is very rarely left hidden within his nightstand.
Bruce lets his eyes go straight for the numbers on the bottom, hoping that where he wants to go is still open. He exhales with less anxiety upon realizing the place is still open, running a hand through his hair.
His body twitches with his eyes close upon hearing a crash and a call from his father in the opposite room;
"Get in here Robert!"
He sighs, tossing the pamphlet onto his bed, "I'm coming."
Bruce exhales louder than he wanted to, eyes roving about his small living room currently a disaster from his 'father's' reorganizing. He keeps his mouth shut, coming to his knees to restack the papers. Brian remains quiet, giving his son dirty looks as he cringes with disgust. Bruce tosses his papers on the table having had enough abuse for one day, he remains calm;
"Dad, what's wrong?"
Brian shifts his stare, voice slowly raising, "Don't talk to me like that!"
"I'm sorry."
Bruce instantly removes himself from the situation, checking the clock on his way back towards his room. He can hear his father mumbling inaudible phrases, turning around in his door frame. He watches his father mumble and growl for no apparent reason, letting his head rest against the wall beside him;
"You realize you've been acting stranger and stranger since I let you move in. Maybe you should go back to the hospital for a little longer." He reaches up to snatch his jacket from off the coat rack, making his way to the front door without an explanation.
Brian's chest is heaving, anger ready to reach a boiling point still frozen in the living room. He screams at his son without any restraint;
"You idiot! You're a freak Robert! I must've gotten better in the hospital because you weren't there!"
Bruce shakes his head, tears in his eyes as he closes the door behind him focused on one destination.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The quiet young man slowly made his way through the cemetary, head bowed low with his hands stuffed inside the pockets of his jacket. He took deliberate steps, knowing exactly where to find his mother.
Bruce had come here every year that he possibly could on the anniversary of her murder, a day he'd never forget for as long as he lived. He was so caught up in his broken heart, the forming clouds and light drizzle didn't even bother to phase him.
The fact that his apartment was in walking distance from the graveyard was no coincidence. It was for the sole purpose of being closer to the one person he loved the most, taken from him way too soon.
He wat back on his heels, soft expression over his face as he trailed a finger over the letters over her stone. Bruce could almost hear her crying or feel her gentle embrace. He missed the way she used to smile and laugh, long before Brian became completely irate and intolerable.
What he would give to have her back.
"I should've known you'd be here."
Bruce grimaces at the sound of his voice, as if he'd just been punched across the face. He sighs, remaining calm;
"And where else should I be. I was at my mother's side when it happened. Why would I abandon her on the anniversary of her murder?' he pauses feeling his blood boil at the memory, 'I find it hard to believe you'd have the nerve to show up here today."
He growls, gripping Bruce's wrist with a forceful attack;
"You monster!"
His son falls, tired of being abused by the man who caused his birth;
"You're delusional!"
Brian grinds his teeth, swinging a forceful punch across his jaw;
"Your mother was a fool! She knew what you were and yet she still protected you!"
Bruce lifts a hand to stop a second punch, "You tortured her- the both of us for years!"
"You're a mutant! An evil creature! I should've killed you a long time ago you worthless demon!"
Bruce shudders at his voice, ducking and covering over his head when his father takes another swing. He grits his teeth when he comes to his knees;
"I can't believe you call me the demon when you're the one who cursed your son and killed your wife!"
Brian grips him harshly, hurling his knee into his gut. Bruce winces, curling up as much as possible until his father swings his foot towards his skull;
"I wish you were dead! The world would be a better place without you! Unfortunately the world doesn't know it yet. Praising you for your intelligence! It disgusts me! You'll never be worth anything Robert!"
He squirms from his father's grip, "You always hated me! You've been trying to convince me that I'm a mutant for as long as I can remember! Every memory I have consists of pain, frustration, and a worthlessness! And why?! Just because I was smart!?"
"You're intelligence proves you're inhuman!"
He screams on the verge of tears, "I don't care! Say whatever the hell you want- God I don't care anymore! You took the only person I ever loved...the only one who ever loved me! You hated me from the day I was born and you made her pay for my existence!"
"You shouldn't exist! If anything I saved your mother from seeing the animalistic disgrace you've become! You don't deserve the live!"
The younger Banner makes eye contact with his father, rage boiling over for everything his father put him through. He could hear his mother's screams, the way she cried every time Brian would hit her over and over again. He kept a direct focus, brown eyes narrowing. He was too focused on his attacker to notice the gash over his eye, the bruises on his cheek or his agonizing abdomen on the verge of unconsciousness. The glasses had flown off his face, causing the rain to spill over his open wounds
Violence was never the answer, but here he was coming back towards Bruce, ready to lunge in for the kill. He ducked for a moment, yelling as he threw his foot back into his attack in an act of self-defense. He buried his head should his act backfire. The typically mild-mannered boy lashed out, driven by the pent-up fury and frustration came spilling over in that one single blow.
Bruce gasped when his father's head collided with the stone of his wife, mortified to see the blood and a lack of movement. He screamed, hands over his head as the dizziness set in. His voice muffled through the thunderstorm, eyes wide with his heart palpitating out of his chest. Bruce couldn't move, frozen too exhausted for the reality to set in. He waited in the rain waiting for the next attack that never came. No, he wouldn't have to worry about his father even trying to strike him for the rest of his life...or did he?
Bruce wasn't sure what was real anymore, feeling a hand over his shoulder. His eyes shift upwards heading his deep voice and urging;
"Come on Dr. Banner, come with me."
He was shaking when he came to his feet, being lead abruptly towards a vehicle parked within the cemetary. He collapsed, eyes closing the instant he jumps in at the urging of the man with the dark coat and eye patch. He had obviously been watching for quite a while...and how did he know who Bruce was?
He finds it hard to breathe, feeling a slender fingered hand run over his injury;
"He's cut up pretty badly Sir. We should get him medical attention."
"Can't risk it Hill. He can't build the bomb if he's in prison."
"Well he also can't do too much if he's injured Director. I think we should go to the hospital, just to double check and make sure he's alright."
Bruce tries to reply at hearing the word 'hospital'. Having too many negative memories in that darn location, he gently stops her hand from touching him again;
"No! I just- I just."
The driver finishes his statement;
"Forget it Hill, we're taking him home. The boy needs sleep. You'll be alright Banner."
Bruce shuts his eyes tighter clutching his gut;
"And- my father- my f-father. Oh God! I h-hit him-"
The man retorts a brilliant white lie while the girl lays a cloth over his forehead;
"You knocked your father unconscious. Police came to investigate and found your father had been killed by muggars,' he finishes his statement only half-heartedly, 'Sorry for your loss."
Bruce pants, hand subconsciously laid over the hand of his current caretaker;
"No, he's- it can't be- j-just-"
She brushes the lock from his eye after a few minutes have passed;
"You're home Dr. Banner."
The driver climbs out, carefully removing the weary physicist with assistance from the woman he referred to as 'Hill'. The man waits until he's laid inside his bed, still mumbling words about his confrontation. The 'Director' raises his voice, tone remaining concerned;
"You'll be alright Dr. Banner. Just get some sleep and we'll take care of the rest. Hill, we're out. Let's go."
Bruce mumbles, taking a heavy swallow. His slowly eyes crack open, two blurry figures quickly exiting his apartment without another word. He collapses back down, head hitting into his pillow with enough force to leave him with a headache.
. . . . . . . . .
When morning came, he could remember nothing but noise and the lie spilled from the mouth of someone who took him home.
Bruce lifts the paper he usually ignores, eye catching the cover story of a man who was killed by muggars in the cemetary after 'visiting' his wife. He held his head in confusion, fingers toying with the flat bandage left over his forehead. When his tongue hit the inner portion of his cheek, he could taste the blood. Seeing the obvious cuts and bruises left on his body proved something did happen last night, but the accurate details would forever be unclear to him.
And maybe it was better that way.