(A/n) The only reason this story was ever made was because of one little scene in Avengers:

Bruce Banner talking to Natasha Romanoff in that little hut outside of Calcutta. She said something along the lines of that he didn't really want to break his one year streak since Hulking out. And Bruce says, "I don't every time get what I want..." while he's pushing the baby cradle made from an old crate and put together from old pieces of wood so that it could rock. The look on his face was so sad, so full of longing...

I remember I wasn't invested in the movie or the characters for much, not even so much with the comics themselves. I got the DVD just for shits and giggles. I heard it was good. It was fun while I watched the beginning but not anything that caught my interest... Until that very scene. For some reason it floored me. Bruce Banner, in that scene, caught my attention like nothing ever had in a long time. And of course, the Hulk would catch my interest. The rest is history. XD

Long story short: Over 73,000 hits in four months for a story I had warned in the first chapter would have qualities not favored in most fan fics. To those who alerted, faved, who added me to their communities, (AH!) and this is especially toward my favorite reviewers, and to Emily Everlasting, for reviewing almost each chapter. And, last but not least, Phantom's Ange for putting together this awesome pic of Cin. (You can find the link in my profile) All in all:

THANK YOU!

-0-

I long to feel
My heart burned open wide
'Til nothing else remains
Except the fires from which I came
Like parted souls
Divided for an age...

'Cause I've been waiting
All my life, just waiting
For you to shine
Shine your light on me..

~ Nova – VNV Nation

Chapter 37: The Door Had Opened

The door had opened wider and Thor and Ana were greeted by the sight of Jennifer Dupont, standing on her own two legs. Her body was supported by a metal suit similar to what Tony Stark wore as Iron Man except it seemed thinner, not meant for use in battle. It was a more subdued color, blue and silver, and the core of the arc reactor glowed brightly in the center of her chest. Her black hair hung long and loose about her face and, though she did not smile, her eyes were filling with tears that refused to fall.

"How do I look?" asked Jenn, taking another step and raising her arms out as if waiting to embrace someone. Her voice came out of a speaker located at the neck of the suit, which supported her head and allowed her to turn her head. "I hope it's not too bad. I do rather like the colors..."

Ana let out a choking sob at the sight of her aunt standing on her own two feet. Jenn was perfectly fine and seemed perfectly at ease in the suit that Tony Stark and Pepper Potts had designed. Her mother and Betty Ross had helped to implement the connection points of the suit to those of Jenn's non responsive nervous system so that it activated to the responsive parts of her brain. The end result was an almost fluid and natural motion that came to the suit when Jenn moved. Though it was the suit that was moving her dead limbs, it was her brain that made the commands to do so. Of course, Bruce's expertise in all matters of gamma radiation meant he was a shoe in for the final touches of the arc reactor while it was being installed into the suit.

"Ah, tante!" cried Ana as she ran over to her aunt and was quickly swept up into a tight embrace that threatened to creak her bones. Her tears were falling freely as she had the first real hug from her aunt. She could feel the urgency in the embrace as Jenn hugged her tightly, her own tears finally falling.

"Ana, it's so good to finally hug you with my own arms."

"Tante," Ana whispered as she tightened her own hold on her aunt. "My auntie... I'm so glad you're all right," she whispered in French and nuzzled the warm skin of her aunt's cheek, which elicited a giggle from Jenn and prompted her to hug her niece even tighter. Ana did not complain.

"So, do you like the suit?" asked Tony, watching aunt and niece hugging each other, the look in his eyes could be described as slightly envious. "I hope the colors work well. Jenn insisted-"

He was cut off as he was engulfed by the tightest embrace he had ever experienced. Ana had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck and she was openly sobbing as she pulled Tony out into the corridor and buried her face into the crook of his neck. "My brother... Thank you..." Ana whispered, hugging Tony ever tightly as she nuzzled his neck.

Tony Stark was never one to be called an emotional man. However, the moment the woman he considered a little sister hugged him close and whispered her thanks and her love... He swallowed back the tightness in his throat and returned her hug, though awkwardly. "I-It's nothing, Ana... You know tha-" He was cut off again as Ana's hold tightened around him and she snarled her protest to his words.

"It is everything," said Ana, her words a husky growl. "Everything... My family..." Her words were whispered at this point. "My brother..."

Tony knew that this was a part of Cin coming through. Ana was more reserved than this, unless he provoked her in some way. Yet, he had not done anything to provoke her and still, Cin shown through Ana. She was so emotionally bonded to him that no matter what he did, Cin would shine through. He smiled at this and returned her hug, his movements sure and full of conviction.

"Anything for you little sister," he whispered in her ear.

A sob was all he received in response and he smiled at the sweetness of the hug he received...

"So, Ana approves of the color?"

Tony pulled away reluctantly from Ana as he smiled at Pepper, who was standing at the threshold of the open door. Betty and Sido were standing behind her, watching the two with open affection and amusement.

"I would take it as a yes," said Tony as he pulled away from Ana and pushed her toward the doorway. Sido, Betty, and Pepper moved away from the doorway with smiles on their faces. Bruce was standing there, looking slightly apprehensive as he wiped his hands on his pants.

"I-I hope it's what-" He barely got a word in edge wise before he was tackled and his lips covered by the softest pair of lips that he ever hoped to feel for the rest of his days. Bruce stumbled back but held on tightly to his woman as she showed him just how happy she was with what he had done to help her aunt.

"Goodness, I still can't get used to that," said Pepper as she turned away and giggled against Tony's chest.

Tony wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, rather glad that his girlfriend was one of the most intelligent women he had ever been blessed to know. Without her, this entire work wouldn't have been possible...

"So," said a familiar cool voice that caught everyone's attention. "My niece and her man are supposed to go to Asgard... What are the plans to make that happen?"

All eyes turned back to the feral couple, who were standing in the middle of Jenn's bedroom and barely paying attention to the others. Ana was currently keeping Bruce's lips occupied and he was more than happy to oblige...

"I suggest we wait until they are done," said Sido, trying not to smile too much at the sight of her daughter and her mate. At this rate, it wouldn't be too long before she was dreading being a grandmother. She turned away and walked out of the bedroom, her steps light and full of bounce. "How about we all enjoy a nice breakfast? It has been a long night."

No one disputed this diversion. It was obvious that the couple they left behind would be enjoying themselves in a way that none of them wished to know of in a familiar manner. It was a blessed thing that the room was in a far end of the old home from the kitchens...

"I don't know about you all but a breakfast burrito would be good about now," said Tony, only to wince slightly as Pepper slapped him on the back of his head. "Ow! What was that for?"

Pepper frowned at her boyfriend and rolled her eyes in exasperation. "We're in old French Villa. Burritos aren't something they would have on the menu."

"Actually," said Sido with a bright smile. "We do." She glanced back at the couple and tried not to look too amused. "My daughter has very peculiar tastes considering who she is and what she is. It helped everyone involved to cater to her very specific needs. Her other self, Cin, rather enjoys the Mexican and Jamaican cuisine. A bit too spicy but," she shrugged as she led them toward the kitchens. "It keeps her calm."

"So... you have breakfast burritos?" asked Tony, looking expectant.

Sido laughed and nodded, "Yes, we can make them if you crave them."

"I just look forward to actually eating on my own," said Jenn, her movements rather erratic in the suit. Of course, she was quite excited so the jerky movements of her suit were to be expected. "I wonder how real food will taste while I actually chew on it on my own..."

No one commented on this.

No one could.

None of them could understand the complete freedom Jenn now experienced after being a quadriplegic for most of her life. To finally have the freedom to move on her own... Yes, she was not connected to the main frame to monitor LIFE at the moment... Still, this was a freedom she had yearned for and she was not going to waste it.

"Sido! Race you to the kitchens!"

She ran off ahead of her older sister, knowing full well she couldn't keep up. Sido stared after her younger sister and, knowing this was her inner child coming through, started running after her. "Attendez-moi!," cried Sido as she raced after her sister. "I'm not as young as I used to be!

Betty couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the two sisters and she was glad that she had taken part of this long and arduous procedure. She sighed softly as she hung back a little, watching Tony, Pepper and Thor walk ahead of her. She glanced behind her down the corridor of the old home, her yearning clear but her peace with the situation clearer.

"My lady, is everything all right?" asked Thor, who had been kind enough to stop and wait for her. The others had already followed after the sisters and were turning down another corridor. Betty glanced at Thor and gave a small smile.

"Yeah, thanks..." said Betty, turning her back and walking on, feeling stronger with every step.

-o-

(A/n) I apologize. I promised a long and fulfilling chapter but don't have the time, so just a filler... :'( I got a promotion at my job (Hurrah!) which drowns me in more work. (Huroo... :( ) But don't ever think I abandon you guys. I am thinking of this story as much as I can. Just the storyboard is a bit jumbled now. I have an idea where I want to go but there are so many paths to take. XD You guys help me out tremendously when you leave feedback so please, help me out! Love you all!