A/N: This is the big one guys, although it really doesn't get 'interesting' until the end. There's another cameo in this one, thrown in just for the fun of it. :) So, as far as the hulk's adventures go, I can't possible write about everyone of them. If there's one that you would like to see, please tell me. If possible just give me a brief summary and chronologically when it would have happened. I'm currently looking for stories that could have happened before the Incredible Hulk (2008) (aside from Jennifer/She-Hulk). Sorry if you liked it, but I'm pretending Hulk (2003) never happened.
Actually! There's a subtle reference taken from the Incredible hulk movie 2008, which happens in the sequence before the movie even starts. I'm not expecting you guys to catch it, but let me know if you do. If not I'll say what it was in the next chapter. It's little, nothing big. :)
E: Same. I never really liked that he killed his father. I always felt like he should have just done himself in or died in the hospital from a natural cause. Eh, I don't own the characters. :P As far as SHIELD goes, I kind of see it as Fury's interested in Banner's mind and how he can exploit it as opposed to the bomb. Once the hulk comes into the picture, then he starts to see him as a weapon. But I'll clarify that as we go along.
Sam: Aw. Thank you so much. LOL I'm glad Brian's not around too. It would be so epic to have the last name Fury. Yes you go jump on that helicarrier with your Coulson-style sunglasses! But you have to wear them at night. :)
Guest: Oh goodness! I wasn't about to make it gory. No need for detailed descriptions when it comes to him and his wife's grave stone...no no. That doesn't sit right with me. So you're done with school by now! :D Happy summer! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. They mean a lot.
Kelly: Thank you so much. I like how you worked in Bruce and Betty's married life into the Avengers. lol. you're really into this. I'm going to think about doing this for you. You're an awesome fan and it wouldn't be fair if I didn't consider your request. And seriously! The comics NEVER gave him a happy ending. :'( But thank you for bringing the topic to my attention. :)
N The Zombie Girl: Hulk's appearance!...In the next chapter. This one's the bomb... :) Smashing will be coming soon, I promise.
beastheat: Wow. I'm honored. Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my story. It means so much to me. Planet Hulk story line? Hum..I should, but I haven't given too much thought to it actually. Would you like me to do it? :)
Chapter 35
It had been at least 3 days since the 'loss' of his biological father and the confusion, messy emotions, and frustration were getting the best of him.
Bruce laid a hand over his damp cheeks, glazed with sweat and tears from another nightmare. His heart was palpitating, having only recently calmed down now that his sensing were slowly 'waking up.' For a brief moment he was waiting to hear his father screaming at him or throwing him out of the bed like he had done only one week ago.
He felt a chill running down his spine when he could've sworn he heard his mother crying, haunted by that same dark shadow on the wall that had stalked him since the night of her murder. His eyes close, pinching his inner arm to snap out of whatever memory was plaguing him. He sat up slowly, hands trembling from another restless night when he tried to start his day. Without his father to yell and push him around, this should've been filled with relief, but this felt like just the opposite.
Bruce didn't know how to feel having spent all of his childhood hating the man for putting both him and his mother through that needless torment. It had messed up the rest of his life in more ways than he knew. For him, self-loathing, deep rooted anger, guilt and anxiety were all just normal daily struggles he wasn't even aware of.
Right now, having the day off was all he cared about, eager to tear the bandages from off his wounds and to have the time to double check his equations and chemicals in peace. Without his boss and Igor around, it would no doubt be easier to focus. The morning after the incident he had been ready for work out of pure obligation, but whoever the 'director' was, had been kind enough to make sure he had a few days to recover.
After showering and cleaning a bit, he flipped the news on in the opposite room for the sake of noise after realizing the silence was not helping those voices in the back of his head.
He's quick to locate the file on his gamma bomb, the one Igor has been pestering for since day one. The fact that he had been so persistent left him with an uneasy feeling, determined to keep the specifics of the bomb from everyone in that base.
God forbid his creation should get into the wrong hands.
Bruce makes his way into the kitchen, setting up a small area to double check one of his ideas for the project. His eyes stay fixated on his work and chemicals, glasses coming on and off his face depending on the distance between himself and the various objects sprawled over his table.
With his mind so fixed on science, his stomach started to protest. He didn't seem to care about the fact that he hadn't eaten in three days, paying aboslutly no attention to the signals his body was giving him for more rest and more energy. His mind wasn't about to stop for anything, enwrapped in his project and the possibilities of using a different, far less dangerous chemical on Ross' bomb.
Bruce shakes his head when he hears something on the television about some genius taking over Stark Industries, bragging about some advanced weaponry. He rolls his eyes, still believing that more things were needed to fix and rebuild as opposed to destroy. He was still hoping Ross would think about what he said as far as the beneficial uses of his creation were concerned. It made more sense to the young Banner to make something that would keep people safe as opposed to causing mass destruction like that man on the television was bragging about; Star? Stork? Or whoever it was.
Bruce couldn't help but smirk when his vial slips from his grip and tumbles to the floor. He almost heard Betty's sweet chuckle in the back of his mind, eyes widening when he quickly glances at the clock. Miss Ross had to be home by now, and he knew he owed that girl at least five minutes of his time.
He heads back into his room, leaving his chemicals in a safe place so that nothing would accidentally blow up while he was away. Bruce had purposely left her number on his phone as a reminder to call, but lately, his mind had been elsewhere. And who could blame him?
He dials her number, rubbing his forehead over the possibility of the General answering the call. Bruce shoves the wireless over his shoulder as he heads for the bathroom mirror, forgetting to remove the bandage on his forehead that morning. He cringes when he sees the bruises over his cheeks, the cut over his lip, and a fading black eye. He slips his thumb and forefinger over the corner, ripping the sticky substance from off his skin with a swift pull. It burned, but Betty's voice seemed to make that pain just vanish;
"Hello?"
"Hi Betty, Miss Ross, it's Bruce. How are you?"
He can hear her gentle sigh as he holds a forefinger over another bruise over his temple;
"Oh Dr. Banner, you're the one whose been missing from work. How are you feeling?"
Bruce tugs at his head, fingers trenched through his thick mop of hair until he feels another bruise. he heads back for his room, taking the phone back up into the opposite hand to give his aching shoulder a break;
"I'm alright Betty...been better, actually."
"My father told me what happened to your father Bruce. I'm so very sorry. You've been on my mind but Daddy's been keeping me excessively busy...I've been meaning to get in touch with you, honestly."
"It's- to be honest everything feels like a blur. I keep waiting for someone to pinch me and tell me that it was just all just nightmare."
"You poor thing. Can I do anything for you?"
He snickers on the brink of tears, hand over his face as he sits on the edge of his bed. He gnaws at his lower lip, looking up at his light to chase the tears away and feeling completely lost;
"Can you come over and shoot me?"
"Stop it! Don't talk like that!"
She must have heard him take that shuddering breath, her voice switching to a much softer tone;
"Bruce? Are you with me? Are you alright?"
His hand was shaking when he pounded a weak fist into his bed. Eyes closing to take another deep breath;
"I'm- I'll be alright Betty. I just- I guess, I just- needed to hear your voice."
"Oh Bruce. Listen, I was actually on my way to the store. Can I come by? Just for five minutes. I'd love to see you."
He runs a hand over his head. He leans back on his bed in an attempt to fix a sudden nauseas feeling, unable to say more than one word;
"Yes."
"I'll be right there Bruce. Daddy has your information. And, you're...apartment 16, is that right Dr. Banner?"
"Y-yes."
Betty's voice expresses her panic and concern, picking up on his cracking voice;
"I'll be right over Bruce."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
His head still hurt, heart palpitating like he had just run a marathon. Bruce was curled up in a ball, hugging his knees into his chest as he tried to breathe. His chest hurt and his fingers were starting to tingle when he hears the bell and a gentle knock on his door.
He's slow to get up, disgusted with how weak he feels. Betty's smile seems to ease the anxiety, even though it disappears the instant she sees his face. Her heart drops, quickly entering when he invites her in;
"Oh my word!...Bruce, what happened?"
He shakes his head, moving back for her to come in, "Honestly, I- I, don't even remember."
Her eyebrows lift, raising a hand at the height of her elbow, "Your eye Bruce!"
He shuts his brown orbs without thinking twice, leaning his head back when she slowly raises her hand. Bruce knows she's about to touch him, heart beating twice as fast at the thought of any contact. Betty sighs, keeping her voice calm when she picks up on his anxiety. She slips her opposite hand over his in an attempt to ease his fears;
"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you."
He squeezes her hand despite the trembling, letting her run her opposite forefinger over his eyebrow;
"Betty...I-I'll be alright."
She warns him before gently laying her hand over his forehead;
"I'm just going to feel for a temperature, please try to hold still."
He jumps at her touch, squeezing her hand when he's uncomfortable. Betty slowly adds gentle pressure, opposite thumb rubbing over his hand and wrist;
"Oh, you feel warm."
Bruce shuts his eyes tighter, letting go of her hand to cover his face;
"I'm- so sorry Betty. I'm- I-feel awful."
Her eyes look him over, gently leading him to the coach. She parks beside him, rubbing her fingertips over his wrist;
"Shh, it's okay."
"I'm sorry Betty." His head turns towards her, cheek pressed against the back of his furniture.
She shakes her head, repeating herself consolingly in her sweet tone, "It's okay."
She takes a deep breath with a nod as if he should copy her. Bruce complies, sitting up straighter to bury his head in his open palms as they exhale. He mumbles after minutes of silence, frustrated with himself;
"I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner. And, I'm sorry-about...this."
Betty gives a smirk, laying her hands over her lap. He seemed calmer and much more controlled;
"Please don't apologize. You have a lot going on right now Dr. Banner."
His eyes shift upwards, cheek pressed on his clasped hands;
"Well, I think, we can test the bomb tomorrow..."
Her eyes widen, "Bruce, if you need the rest of the week off, I think you should take it. Honestly."
"I, appreciate it, but I doubt your father would be too keen on the idea. He wanted this thing done yesterday."
"Well, my father needs to learn patience. He treats you all as if you were machines...it's not fair to ask you to come in tomorrow Bruce. Wait just one more day, please."
He freezes, seeing the glow in her eyes. She reminds him of his mother in so many ways and it's almost impossible not to listen to her. He was vaguely aware of the incident that happened to his father on the job, working on a project he wasn't ready for. Brian had refused to listen to Rebecca's advice, and look at all the trouble it caused! Bruce didn't know the details, but he had heard enough about it to know better than to argue with someone who begged him to do something similar.
Bruce gives her a nod, "One more day."
She shrugs, brushing a stray hair behind her ear, "One or two."
He nods slowly, "...Or two."
Betty sighs, tugging at her fingers while he bites his cheek;
"You scared me Bruce...and please don't apologize. I just, want you to be alright. I do care about you, Dr. Banner."
"You, do?"
She nods, smile on her face, "Yes."
He smirks, tenderly reaching his hand down to take up hers, planting a careful kiss on her hand. She blushes, lowering her head over his sweet maneuver. Her fingers carry the chill down her spine, realizing his body temperature is still off from his panic attack;
"I care about you too Miss Ross."
"You do?"
"I, guess I should, confess that, ever since we met I- I've, cared."
She blushes, "Me too. Actually, I was, starting to worry you didn't feel that way about me."
"I do Betty. Honestly I've never felt, exactly like this before."
"Me neither." Miss Elizabeth gives an accidental glance at her watch, panicking when she sees the time;
"Oh my goodness! I hope the store- Bruce what time does the store close? Daddy wanted me to pick up- oh! I'm sorry Bruce I have to go."
"It's okay, I hope you're father's not upset. He...doesn't know where you are? Does he?"
He stands up after she does, watching her as she searches through her purse for her keys;
"No. Father, well, I'll tell you some other time. I'm sorry Bruce, I feel bad running out on you. Are you alright?"
He smirks, wringing at his fingers, "I'm alright Betty. Just do me a favor and let me know when you get home."
She smirks, cheeks flushed pink, "I will."
"And, thanks for coming Betty. It, means a lot."
"Oh, anytime darling. Feel better Dr. Banner. Goodnight Bruce."
"Goodnight Betty."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
By the time Bruce goes back to work, having taken one more week off at Betty's persisting, his bruises are pretty much faded with the exception of a small black and blue over his right eyebrow. He was nervous as it was without the help of Igor's complaining and the General's ranting, stationed behind bunkers with his fellow scientist and other qualified individuals from the base.
His fingers are busy, working out last-minute figures and his double and triple checking. Igor rolls his eyes when Bruce checks for a fourth time grunting as he crosses his arms;
"What is the matter with you?"
"Just give me a few more seconds Igor, I'm almost done."
His eyes follow the physicist, traipsing around the room to check other computers;
"I'm still mad you didn't show your calculations to me or anyone else. You're messing with Gamma Rays Banner, don't you think sharing those little details about the bomb would have been important?"
"Shush!" Bruce waves his hand, hearing Ross' mouth coming down the hallway.
The General storms in, eyebrows lowered with his eyes narrowed;
"What's going on Banner?! What are you waiting for?! My men have been stationed here, wasting time because of your infernal delays! Are you going to test that bomb or not?!"
He stammers, fingers tugging at one another while Igor stares him down;
"Of course I am General, I just want to make sure we've taken every precaution. We're toying with, powerful forces Sir and-"
He growls, clenching a fist as he raises his voice;
"Powerful forces?! A bomb is a bomb you milksop! You've got no guts! And why the hell is this taking forever?! My God it should have been done already!"
None of them had even been aware of the fact the Betty had entered the room, gently tapping her father on the shoulder in Bruce's defense;
"Daddy, don't talk like that. Dr. Bruce Banner is one of the most famous and smartest scientists. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."
He waves his finger at his daughter, causing her eyes to widen and her pulse to race;
"You keep out of this Betty! It's not your place!"
Bruce lowers his eyebrows, disgusted with the way he talks to his child. She takes a step forward, holding her father's hand to calm him while she addresses the doctor, almost as if her father's comments didn't even phase her;
"It'll be fine Dr. Banner, I have faith in you."
Her father gives them both a look eyes narrowing on the boy as he replies;
"Thank you Miss Ross. Actually if you'll excuse me, I'll start the countdown."
She nods almost nervously, releasing her father's arm, "Good luck Dr. Banner."
He smirks, giving her a subtle wink while her father's back is turned. Betty doesn't reply, eyes fixed on her friend until she breaks the contact. There's an uneasy feeling pooling through her gut when she looks at him, a ludicrous idea that maybe this glance is her last. She tries to calm herself as best she can;
The bomb may be dangerous, but it's not that dangerous.
And Bruce knows what he's doing...
Ross snaps, ready to storm from the room and drag his daughter with him;
"Well it's about time! Come on Betty! And for the hundredth time, let the man work!"
She nods, hesitantly leaving the room with her grumpy father at her side. Bruce gives her one more glance before continuing with his project. In all honesty, he feels like screaming when Igor opens his mouth;
"Listen, Banner, you've still got time to tell me how you were able to harness those gamma rays! It isn't right for you to be the only one who knows!"
He tries to ignore him, eyes fixed on his work;
"Sorry Igor. The formula's are locked in my room and I plan on keeping it that way."
His assistant growls, losing his temper in a matter of seconds. There's a hand on the scruff of Bruce's neck, and a fist close to his jaw;
"You idiot! You don't let anybody check your work! If you made a mistake, do you realize you could blow up half the continent?! You little-"
Banner sharpens his focus, agitated with the contact as he tries to pull away;
"I don't make errors! I've double and tripled checked every little thing!-"
There's a voice that rescues them, causing Igor to release his hold faster than he picked him up;
"Dr. Banner, we've started the countdown."
Igor makes a mad dash to stand beside him as opposed to in front of him. Bruce gives him a look;
"And stop thinking with your fists! You know how I feel about that."
He snorts coldly, "Just do your job and I'll do mine."
That voice resumes, giving the doctor another glance, "60 seconds Dr. Banner."
The dark-haired boy studies his work from a distance, binoculars handy to double-check, no, triple check the details. Bruce's eyes widen, mouth dropping open in horror as he narrows his focus. He mumbles, loud enough for Igor to hear and take a step closer;
"Wait! There's a boy-A teenager! Jimminy crickets! He's driving onto the test area- Ugh!"
The assistant takes a step to nudge him, eager to look through the binoculars himself. Bruce pushes him from his way, making a mad dash for the door as he yells back;
"Tell them to delay the countdown until I get to that boy! Move Igor! Before it's too late!"
"Sure." He smirks almost deviously as an idea enters his mind, waiting until Bruce heads outside before situating himself in front of the computers. He had no intention of opening his mouth, choosing instead to get the 'best seat in the house'. It took control to keep himself from smiling from ear to ear. To him, 'the end of Bruce Banner' had a very pleasant ring to it.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bruce was out of breath, running to drag the boy from his car;
"Get out of here! you're in a forbidden test area!"
The boy gives him a smirk, knees crossed and as calm as could be;
"Cool it bro! The kids said I wouldn't have the nerve to sneak past the guards. Ha! And what are you doing? Trying to make them think I'm chicken?"
Bruce grabs his wrist without thinking twice, brown orbs fixed on getting him into the protective trench;
"There's a bomb that's going to go off! Come on!"
The boy's eyes widen, cooperating with the scientist as he reaches the trench. He gives a backwards glance when he hears a loud bang. His eyes widen when the doctor's wince turns into a painful scream, bathed in gamma rays. For both the boy listening from within the protective trench and his rescuer, it's all too much.
Banner's hands are over his head as the bomb goes off, kneeling to the floor when his vision goes. His body is burning and it feels like death. His heart is racing, his head pounding harder than any panic attack he's ever experience. The pain feels even more intense than the worst torture his father ever put him through, his body going numb when he feels like giving up. His world just comes to a stand still, as if everything just comes crashing down into a million pieces. And then...
...Blackout.