Sorry for the long wait. Thanks for sticking with it. Happy Mother's Day to the moms out there!
Chapter 6: Vision and Dreams
******New York******
Tony and Pepper had decided on a Christmas Eve wedding as Tony was impatient to get it over with. His idea to get married in the spring soon fell by the wayside when they both realized how obsessed the media was over it. Pepper could hardly get any real work done due to the constant media request for information. For Tony, the scrutiny was even worse. It took the less than two weeks after their announcement to move up the wedding date.
"How did I forget how bad it could be?" he asked Willow when he was hiding in her lab.
"I have no idea," Willow said. "I'm just glad you decided to move the wedding date up."
"Well, green, red, and white make for festive wedding colors," Tony said with a smirk. "Then we can spend the New Year as an old married couple."
"I think Faith has convinced Steve that the hellmouth is the best place for a New Year's Eve bash. Giles said they could use the Magic Box," Willow said.
Tony grinned. "That could be fun. Especially if I get to try out some of my vampire and demon killing toys while I'm there!" he said. "Plus, I'm still pissed at Bruce for relocating. The hellmouth is no place for the Hulk. What is he thinking?"
"He's in love," Willow said. "How he could be in love with Faith is beyond my understanding, but there's no accounting for taste."
"She's not so bad. Sexy and funny—there's worse things," Tony said. "Not to mention, she isn't afraid at all of the Hulk and has convinced Bruce that the Hulk is a part of him."
"Well, the Hulk is a part of him," Willow said. "I just hope Faith doesn't break his heart. Bruce is a very sensitive man."
"She's sexing him up, so I think it's a fair trade," Tony said with a knowing smirk. "He's a big boy. He had his heart broken before and survived it. He'll be okay. I'm the one who doesn't have a best man!"
"He can still be your best man," Willow said. "Or are you going to go with Rhodey or Happy?"
"Happy wants to plan it, not be best man. Rhodey would probably do a better job planning my bachelor's party. I think I will make Bruce be a groomsman and Steve, too. I was thinking if we can get JARVIS ready to go, he can be ordained and perform the ceremony unless Tara wants to do it?" Tony asked with a hopeful look.
"You know Pepper already asked us to be bridesmaids," Willow said. "I was very surprised because I don't know her that well. However, she said she couldn't pick any of her co-workers as it would cause too many work issues. Her one first cousin is maid of honor."
"She doesn't have much family—she's like me that way," Tony said. "Natasha would do it, of course. I know she is very excited to have you in the wedding as she's already picked out the green dresses that she says will look fabulous with your hair." He rolled his eyes. "Can you believe I just said that? She's corrupting me with all the wedding talk! Between her and Happy, I can't escape it. I told them that all I care about is that the dinner is neither fish nor chicken and no lemon-flavored cake. The rest, I could care less about."
"How big is your guest list?" Willow asked.
"Well, Pepper said I had to cap it at three hundred," he said, looking glum. "Just inviting all the board members and their families and all our executives plus their spouses equals hundred guests. Pepper has about fifty former classmates and employees from her secretary days that she wants to invite. Then there's all my Avengers buddies and their families. Happy and Pepper are deciding on invitation styles today, in fact. Invitations should go out next week."
"What time do you plan on having the ceremony?" Willow asked.
"I was thinking six. Then we can get back to our hotel to rest for the night and then we fly out for our honeymoon on the Big Island—it's my favorite Hawaiian island," Tony said with a grin.
"The one with the big volcano? Why am I not surprised?" Willow asked grinning.
"We need to find someone that can sing during the wedding. Do you or Tara sing?" he asked.
Willow's eyes got wide. "No way, Jose! Tara has a nice voice, but she will not sing in front of an audience," she said. "I'd go with Dawn. She's been doing musicals. Or rather, she did get the lead in Grease before her teacher was murdered."
"Oh, I forgot that detail. That's great!" Tony said, his eyes lighting up. "I should get her to send me an audition of our song."
"What song?" Willow asked.
"It's totally cheesy, so no mocking!" Tony said.
"I won't," she promised.
"It's a Celine Dion song," he said.
"Please tell me it's not that overplayed Titanic song!" Willow begged.
"No, it's not that bad," he said, grinning. "It's 'Because You Loved Me.'"
"That one is very sweet," she said.
"Pepper loves it, and I think it does describe who she is to me," he said.
"Pepper is a very lucky girl," Willow said. "So, are you ready to do the final run through on JARVIS or do you want to waste some more time gossiping?"
"Fine," he said. "If this doesn't work, I'm blaming you."
They had the body ready—thanks to the cutting-edge doctor-slash-scientist friend of Tony's. Tony believed the stone from Loki's scepter would power the body. However, she had found an ancient spell that will give the body a spark of life. Willow was concerned that if the stone was removed, JARVIS would die. She wanted a backup because the Avengers were targets and often in dangerous situations.
"I'm ready," she told Tony.
She was going to do her spell, and then he would place the stone in JARVIS' head.
"Bidh mi a 'gairm air màthair gach beatha. Tha mi ag iarraidh ort fàbhar a thoirt don t-soitheach seo. Cuir a-steach beatha a-steach dha. Cuir anail air beatha. Cuir anail air beatha!"
Tony watched as energy gathered, and a light appeared, hovering over the body.
"Now!" Willow ordered.
Tony placed the stone into the forehead as she directed the energy into the body.
"It's done," he said.
They waited as the body's chest moved, and then the eyes opened.
"It worked!" Willow exclaimed, grinning at Tony.
"JARVIS, are you in there?" Tony asked.
He sat up and looked at Tony and then at Willow. "Sir?" he asked.
Tony gave a relieved smile. "You are actually alive, JARVIS! It's amazing!" he exclaimed.
"It is very strange," JARVIS said as he put his legs on the side of the table.
Willow held out her hand to help him off the table. "How do you feel?" she asked him.
He looked down at his hands, turning the body over. The stone had altered the skin tone, but he smiled. "I feel alive," he said. He glanced between Willow and Tony. "You gave me life."
"Does that make us your parents?" Tony said, grasping one of his hands and patting him on the shoulder.
"You are my creator, so in essence, yes," JARVIS said.
"I'm not sure having a grown man with another woman is a way to start my marriage with Pepper," Tony said, chuckling.
"JARVIS, can you walk? We need to make sure the body works like a normal body," Willow said.
JARVIS walked around the lab, clearly unsettled at his state. "I feel strange," he said. "I suppose that I will have to get used to having a body."
"The stone in your head is a stone of great power," Willow said. "I believe it will give you all kinds of abilities that a normal human will not have."
"It is a mind stone," JARVIS said. "How do I know that?" He seemed thoughtful a moment. "I know many things that I did not previously know. It's like I can finally see all I was meant to see."
"I'm not surprised," Willow said. "The stone isn't from our planet, so we had no real way of assessing what all it could do."
"We knew from Loki's use of it that it could affect the mind, so I guess mind stone is appropriate. It got Clint playing for the wrong team."
"I wonder if you could do that?" Willow wondered. "Not that you would, of course."
"I had rather not try," JARVIS said.
"JARVIS, what do you what to do first?" Tony asked.
"Sir, I do not feel that JARVIS is an appropriate name as that was an acronym you chose for a computer system," he said.
"You're right," Tony said. "It's a bit insulting to call you it now. How about Vision? Since you're all seeing now."
"I am not God. However, I do feel like there is so much more to me than before," he said. "Vision is a fine name."
Tony felt a deep sense of accomplishment, but first thing is first. He turned to Willow. "We have to get going on his status as an alien ambassador, so he can officiate my wedding," he told her.
Vision smiled, amused at his father's singlemindedness.
*****Ohio*****
Although Buffy was enjoying her new role as foster Mom, she wasn't embracing the influx of potential slayers. The different personalities were disconcerting to say the least. There was Molly, a Brit, who Buffy liked a lot because just her voice reminded Buffy of Giles. Colleen was kind of sweet even if she talked a lot. However, Kennedy, Caridad, and Dianne were a clash of alpha personalities. Kennedy and Caridad had already come to near blows once because Kennedy came from money and Caridad did not. She didn't appreciate some of Kennedy condescension. Dianne wasn't as outspoken, but she pissed Cordelia off once already by her abrasiveness, which was ironic. Cordelia's pregnancy was making her more testy than normal.
Kennedy was staying in Wes' apartment in his spare room since the princess refused to share a room with anyone. Buffy couldn't have anyone with her since she had Savannah. The other four were staying in their empty apartment upstairs, two in a room. Cordelia was going to take one of them, but Caridad was flirting with Xander on her first day. Buffy decided that would not be a good idea.
Concern for someone targeting Dawn was always in the back of Buffy's mind. At first, Buffy had wanted to keep Dawn close, but Clint had convinced her that Dawn should be back home. Spike and Clint were well prepared now that they knew there was a potential threat. The pastor in their town was the prime suspect in the drama teacher's murder, but Clint didn't see he had a motive to harm Dawn. It was a strange encounter. Giles' research had called the demons Bringers. They were clearly minions for the First.
Buffy felt unsettled by Luke's warning about the First wanting her to go to Sunnydale. When it came out the Luke was Loki, she didn't bring it up due to her preoccupation with Dawn and then the new potentials that arrived.
When Dawn went back home, though, and the girls got settled, she had her own slayer dream. In it, she dreamt of really ugly and big vampires. Then she saw Faith fighting one, and then it was on fire. Then she saw Molly being killed by a priest—it was very strange. The girl's death brought Buffy out of her slumber.
Bucky stirred at her movement. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"I had a dream—I think it was a warning," she said. Then she pulled out her phone to call Faith.
Faith was up patrolling with John and Logan. "What's up, B?" she asked as she answered her phone.
Buffy shared her dream with Buffy. "I don't think it was just a regular dream, Faith," Buffy said after she was done.
"Hmm. If I fought one and it was lit on fire, then it was probably John," Faith said. "He's still here with me." John and Logan were both listening to her call although only Logan could actually hear all that Buffy was saying.
"Oh, yea, I forgot he's fire boy," Buffy said. "These vampires were big and stronger than normal vamps, Faith. Uglier if you can believe that. Have you seen anything like that?"
"No, not yet," Faith said. "I'll let Giles know and the rest of the team."
"Why would a priest try to kill one of the potentials? Or was it a metaphor for something?" Buffy wondered.
"I have no idea," Faith said. "Maybe you should tell Giles about it firsthand."
"I will," Buffy said. "How do you like your new potentials?"
"Don't get me started. Rona and Vi aren't too bad, but Shannon and Soledad are hopeless. Then I got saddles with a girl who doesn't even speak English. Chao-Ahn. Luckily, Dave speaks a bit of Mandarin, but it's frustrating."
"Be careful," Buffy cautioned.
"Always," Faith said. "Are you going to come here?"
"Not now. I'm going to corner Loki and have him go over that warning from the First again," she said.
"I still can't believe you have the god of mischief on your team. I saw him once when the All-Father came to town. I was a bit impressed. He's not as blatantly sexy as his brother, but I'd do him. Well, if I was still single."
Buffy giggled. "Yes, I can totally see you with him," she said.
"Well, between the two of us, you're the one who likes the bad boys. Angel, Spike, the Winter Soldier," Faith pointed out.
"I was never with Spike—for the record," Buffy grumbled. "And Riley was a total Boy Scout."
"Yes, but we both know Spike was so into you, and Riley went AWOL from the military for you, and then was letting vamps suck on him," she said. "Total bad boy at heart!"
"Whatever," Buffy muttered. "Be careful."
"Always. Let me know if you learn anything," Faith said, hanging up. She looked at Logan and John. "Gotta watch out for some new super vamps."
"Cool," John said. "So why did Buffy mention me?"
"She said she had a slayer dream where I was fighting some new super vamp when it caught on fire," Faith said. "I figured it was 'cause you were there somewhere."
"Was I in her dream?" John asked.
Faith shook her head. "No," she said. "Slayer dreams happen very fast, and we focus on whatever we can remember. You might've been there, but her mind focused on the vamp."
As they continued walking, she described the vampire as Buffy had to her. When one suddenly appeared, she jumped back. "Shit! B wasn't kiddin'!" she exclaimed.
She and Logan charged it together, and both found it to be more than formidable. It been a while since Faith had any difficulties at all defeating an opponent. Logan managed to stab it in the stomach with his claws, but before he could eviscerate it, it screamed in rage. Then it backhanded him so hard that he went airborne. Then it kicked out, hitting Faith in the chest. Her rib cracked at its blow, and she cried out.
"Move!" John called out. When she rolled away from it, he set the thing on fire with his powers.
John pulled her to her feet. "Are you okay?" he asked her in concern.
"My rib is cracked or a few," she said.
They watched the thing burn a few minutes before it finally turned to dust.
"Damn, that son of a bitch was tough," Logan said.
"B dreamt about it, so it's safe to assume that we will see more of them," Faith said. "Let's go home and get some sleep. We'll fill everyone in tomorrow."
They made it home, and Faith woke up Bruce after the boys went to their own apartment. "Hey, hot stuff. I need your medical aid," she said, nudging him awake.
Bruce woke up in an instant. "Are you okay? What happened?" he looked at her, frowning at a busted lip and swollen mouth. However, he saw the way she was holding herself. "You're hurt."
Faith very carefully took off her shirt, and Bruce gasped when he saw the array of bruises under her sports bra. "Your ribs! You could have internal bleeding. We need to get you x-rayed," he said as he got out of the bed to examine her.
"Babe, I'll be okay. I just need you to wrap them and help me take off my shoes," she said. He wanted to protest—she could tell. Finally, he nodded and went to the bathroom to grab the ace bandage they kept in the cabinet.
Faith sat down on the bed and begin reciting Buffy's call and her battle.
Bruce worked hard to keep his temper in check as the Hulk wanted to burst forth and destroy anything that would hurt her. She is ours! Must protect!" Hulk's voice actually bellowed inside his mind.
That had never happened before, and he said aloud, "It's okay. She's going to be fine."
"Who you talkin' to?" Faith asked. "Is the First here?" She looked around, looking for images.
"No, I was talking to Hulk. He's very upset to see your hurt," Bruce said, feeling stupid. However, he knew that Faith was the one person in the world who understood his struggle with his alter ego.
"I'm okay," Faith said to Bruce, hoping Hulk would hear. "Fix my up, Doc. Then maybe you should let the big guy out, so I can reassure him. If you get too testy, he could come out at the wrong time."
"You're already hurt," Bruce pointed out.
"Don't worry, doc. There's no part of you that can hurt me—not even Hulk," she told him.
Bruce worked in silence as he considered her words. There was no Willow or Asgard on hand to help if the Hulk got out of hand. Of course, he knew that Faith had no fear of his alter ego. It's the only reason he allowed himself to be with her so intimately. However, he didn't know what he would do if the Hulk hurt her. "It's too dangerous," he said.
"Bruce, we have to let him out. He's a part of you," Faith said. "Until you can figure out a way to merge him with who you are, this is the way. He won't hurt me."
Bruce bent down and took off her shoes and helped her step out of her pants. "Okay," he said. "But no sex. You're hurt, and he's too powerful."
Faith smirked but nodded. "Sure," she said. "But I am feeling a bad case of the double H's."
"Try to control yourself," he admonished as she shrugged, flashing him a coy look. Bruce thought of her being hurt and let the rage overtake him. The Hulk was there as he receded.
"It's okay, Big Guy," Faith said, reaching out for his hand. "I am not hurt that badly."
"I kill vampires for you," Hulk said. He pounded his chest. "I strong. They can't hurt me."
"I know," Faith said, smiling at him. "But you know how much fun I have killing them myself." Hulk nodded, grinning in approval at her.
"You ours. We angry when you hurt," Hulk told her with a growled.
"It happens when you fight on the hellmouth, babe. I had John with me. You know my brother?" she asked. Hulk nodded. "He can set things on fire, and he can easily kill them if I get in over my head."
"Protect you—my job!" he said, glaring at her.
Faith laughed. "Only when we are losing," she said. "You're the biggest gun we have, and we're not going to use you until it's the end of the world."
"I no like," he said.
"Okay, I can take you out tomorrow to patrol if Steve agrees, okay?" she said.
Hulk looked satisfied. Faith eyed him carefully—she was very horny. "So do you think you could refrain from touching me if I sat naked on your lap? I mean, don't squeeze me?" she asked.
"Hulk no hurt you," he said, frowning as if offended at her suggestion.
Faith grinned as she stood up and slipped her panties off. "I need you to rip off my bra 'cause it'll hurt if I try to lift it up over my arms," she said. "Bruce said no sex with you 'cause he's worried you'd hurt me."
"Bruce wants all sex," Hulk complained. He reached out and easily tore off her bra, allowing her breasts to be free. Mesmerized, he carefully cupped them in his hands.
Laughing, she nodded. "You're probably right," she said. "But he knows that you and Bruce are not really different people. He is your mind, and you are his shield."
Hulk looked confused, not sure if he agreed. "Hulk have own mind," he said, dropping his arms.
Faith could see that the more he was allowed to be with her, the more words came to him in a normal fashion. It had been too long since she'd seen Hulk, and she knew that if he was to be successful on the hellmouth, he couldn't be contained all the time. The energy of the place kept Bruce on edge as it was. This would be good for all of them. She reached out and pulled away his shredded boxers. His dick was already hard, and she eyed it eagerly. Carefully, she put her hand on his shoulders and climbed on him, slowly sinking over him.
The Hulk cradled her back, lust driving him but his concern for her well-being keeping him in check.
Faith was correct—no part of Bruce could ever hurt Faith.
The stamina of the Hulk was like nothing else, and Faith was nearly at the point of exhaustion, having come several times before he finally did. When she collapsed against him, she was asleep before the Hulk could carefully laid her in bed, pulling the cover over her before he laid down next to her.
As he relaxed into sleep, he transformed back to Bruce while Faith slept deeply.
Then she dreamed.
She saw more of the super vamps, and they were coming out of the high school. She saw Canada there, crying out for Cassie. What the hell? Cassie died weeks ago. Then the scene changed, and she saw a bunch of people dressed formally around a large table.
Then someone said to the old guy at the head, "Quentin, what should we do?"
Before he could answer, there was a loud explosion, and she felt the heat before the blast of pain.
The pain was so real that she woke up, breathing hard.
"What's wrong?" Bruce said, blinking awake.
"I had the most vivid slayer dream of my life," she said. "I could feel the heat from the explosion."
"What explosion?" Bruce asked.
Faith blinked as she thought about the dream. Her eyes widened. "I gotta call Giles. Someone is going to blow up the Watcher's Council!" she exclaimed.
While she jumped up, looking for her phone, Bruce watched her, trying to figure out why he felt so strange. He'd been on edge since he spent his first night with her in Sunnydale. Now, however, he felt calm—almost like he was. . .
His mouth fell open as he glanced at his lover, who was just dialing her watcher.
"You had sex with the Hulk!" he accused.
His words were spoken just as Giles said hello. She gave him a cheeky grin, and then said, "Giles, we have a problem."
"If it's about your sex life, I do not want to know," Giles said firmly.
"I wish that was our only problem," she said, wincing as she moved too suddenly. Her ribs were still not healed.
Bruce fell back on the bed with a groan as he heard the echo of the Hulk in his head.
The bastard was laughing.
*****Chapter End*****
Yes, I know the thought of a sexual Hulk is disturbing to us all. Hopefully, though, you aren't too horrified to comment or continue reading!