++++++ Time does not seem to be my friend right now! My mother injured herself last weekend so I've been babysitting her and now I've got laryngitis so I've been a right mess these past few days! Without any further wait - PART FIVE! Insert standard disclaimer here ++++++

The Avengers Part 5

Unsteadily I picked myself up off the floor just in time to be almost knocked over by Steve and Tony running out of the lab.

"You okay?" Steve called out, helping me off the floor.

"GO!" I shouted, pulling away. "I'm a big girl! I'm fine! Just go!" I pushed passed the boys and turned my earpiece on. "Status report!"

"Engine number three is down," came the reply. It was Hill, at least I think her name was Hill.

I stuck my head inside the lab, looking around for anyone. The only missing people were Natasha and Bruce judging by the big hole in the floor. "Fury?"

"What the hell is going on?" Fury snapped. "Coulson! Initiate official lock down in the detention section than get to the armoury!" He shot me a look. "Find whoever the hell is on my ship!"

"I think we have a bigger problem, Fury," I responded, staring down at the hole in the ground. "If Banner fell down there with Tasha I think she's in more danger than any of us." I pulled a strand of hair out of my face. "TASHA? BRUCE? IT'S ASTRID! IS EVERYTHING OK DOWN THERE?"

My question was answered by the ungodly roar of the Hulk-something I'd only seen on video reports and tapes. Fury came up beside me. "Can you handle that?"

"Is my middle name Ruth?" I asked with a sly smirk.

Fury cast a sideways glance at me before he swept from the room.

I jumped down into the darkness, landing on the ground in a roll before getting to my feet. The green glow of the soul gem lit up the darkness, shining light onto the lower levels of the helicarrier. I saw Natasha's feet disappear under the catwalk seconds before the Hulk slammed through a section of piping.

Oh this isn't good.

Not good at all.

"Shut up," I murmured under my breath. I ran forward and ducked underneath the Hulk as he swung a ginormous fist inches above my head.

And that was close, I thought to myself as I slipped in between some piping.

I could hear footsteps as Natasha ran over the metal grating followed by louder footsteps as the Hulk gave chase. I climbed out and followed the path of destruction. I was thankful that Natasha knew to keep the Hulk to the lower levels away from any essential systems but even I knew that that wasn't going to last.

I came around the corner, skidding to a stop as the Hulk swung his gigantic fist out, throwing Natasha into the wall. I jumped onto the Hulk's back. "TASHA GO!" I shouted. "FIND OUT WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!" Natasha looked at me and nodded as the Hulk tried swatting me off his back. She took off running just as I felt a strong iron, vice-like grip on my left leg.

Oh shit!

The Hulk squeezed and wrenched me off his back. He want to throw me but something hit him. The two of us went crashing through the walls of the helicarrier until I slammed into a series of crates and boxes in the hanger bay. I looked up and Thor helped me to my feet.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"Just my pride," I replied, brushing off my leathers.

The Hulk picked himself up and Thor moved in front of him.

"You should go see if your help is needed elsewhere," Thor suggested.

I flexed my fists, a ball of electricity appeared in one hand and a small blue ball of pure telekentic energy appeared in the other. "CLEAR THE HANGER!" I shouted at the lingering hanger bay crew.

The Hulk charged at Thor only to be greeted by Mjolnir, the heavy hammer hitting the beast in the face. I winced, having been hit with Mjolnir several times during violent training sessions. Several times the Hulk continued to swing and miss hitting Thor only to have the Asgardian finally grab his arm and hang on like a bucking horse.

"We are not your enemies, Banner!" Thor shouted.

The Hulk punched Thor in the face, sending him flying through the deserted hanger.

I threw a burst of electricity at him but all it seemed to do was piss him off. As the Hulk swung his fist, a managed to pull up a shield around me so all the creature hit was the telekinetic barrier I had up. I grinned as I held both hands up, using them to support the shield. "Come on Bruce, turn back! Even Jekyll had control of Hyde!" The ground beneath me cracked under pressure and I shifted just a few millimetres into the metal.

Then suddenly as if he was kicking a soccer ball, the Hulk kicked at the shield around me, sending me flying through the hanger. I crashed through the hanger walls-several of them until making myself stop in the middle of a storage room.

Lying there for a few seconds, I stared up at the roof before making myself sit up. After seeing the remains of the Battle of Harlem I could suddenly see how all the damage was made. I grinned at myself like a child.

Why are you smiling?

"I don't think I'd rather be anywhere else," I answered, running through the damage I'd made. I touched my earpiece as I was jumping over debris. "It's Ellis, does anyone copy?"

"Where's the Hulk?" came Fury's reply.

"Tearing up hanger's two, three and four," I answered back. "Thor and I are not doing much damage. We need a distraction."

"We'll get his attention," Fury answered smugly.

"Escort 606, proceed to 270 Main Shuttle. Don't get too close."

"Thanks, Hill," I grinned. As I came out into the open, the first thing I saw was the jet slowly edging its way into the hanger. "THOR!" I shouted. "TAKE COVER!"

I flattened myself up against the wall and watched the pilot open fire on the Hulk. All it seemed to do was piss him off.

The Hulk roared at the jet and took a running leap straight at the jet.

He landed on the jets nose and they both spun wildly out of control. The pilot ejected only for the Hulk to grab into his seat.

I ran for the opening in the hanger bay and threw out a bubble to safely wrap the pilot in before ripping it out of the Hulk's hands. As I pulled the pilot into the safety of the hanger, my body was flung straight out into the air.

Right into the Hulk.

Hi thick green hands wrapped themselves around me and the two of us started plummeting down towards the earth.