A/N: Okay, so I was writing and writing with this chapter and it just kept getting longer. I gave up at 6000 words and decided to split it. LOL

Now, a big warning with this chapter – a lot of sugary, sappy sweetness going on, but I'm continuing to try and hand out pay offs for the different shippers out there. ;) So, insulin shots by the stand by before you delve into this chapter, okay, guys? :D

And I've worked out that there will be two more chapters and an epilogue to go for this story, just in case anyone was curious.

So, on with the show, folks and thank you once again for your patience.

Chapter Seventy-Five

Bruce slipped into the vacant hospital room and made his way quietly to the window and looked down. He'd needed a break from the cloying atmosphere of the hospital. Looking to stretch his legs and get some fresh night air, Bruce had tried to leave the hospital but found every single exit being covered by a horde of reporters. The last thing he wanted to do was to deal with them. Instead, he was taking a gamble. Bruce walked up to the window and looked out at the scene below. It looked to be the garden area of the hospital grounds, with trees and hedges dim shadows below. He was four storeys up but could see there were no pesky reporters to bother him. Bruce pulled on the window, surprised at how easy it was to open. He quickly climbed out and stood on the ledge, looking at the ground below him. This had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now Bruce wasn't so sure. If he got this wrong, it was really, really going to hurt. The idea of harnessing the Hulk and directing his power was still a new one to Bruce, but he knew the only way to get better at it was practice. And possibly some dumb luck. His lips quirked. Well, he was providing the dumb, hopefully someone else would provide the luck. It was hard not to worry about not keeping the other guy in control, he'd been doing it for so long. A hospital was no place for a rampaging beast but at some point, he had to do what Tony kept nagging him to do – have a little faith.

Bruce blew out a long breath, calming himself down and reaching out for the Hulk. He found him quickly, clawing at the door, eager to be let out as always. "Just give me a little bit," he muttered to the creature inside. "You've had your fun for the day." Bruce took another deep breath and stepped off the ledge. The adrenalin raced through his body as he dropped to the ground like a stone. Muscles swelled, power coursed through every fibre of his being and then Bruce was landing with a thud on the ground. Unfortunately, it was in a clump of bushes, but the important thing was he hadn't broken every bone in his body. "Down boy," he ordered the other guy in a low voice, feeling a surge of power at reining in the beast inside. Bruce felt the Hulk back off, retreating into himself and Bruce felt his muscles deflate to normal size. He hadn't even ripped his shirt he realised in amazement. It was early days, but with some ongoing practice, Bruce was beginning to see a real chance to have some kind of directed control over the Hulk. A smile actually touched his lips at the thought.

"Nice landing, I think the Russian judge is going to give you a 10."

Bruce started at the sound of the woman's voice and jerked around abruptly. He was still standing in the bushes and the sudden movement caused him to catch his foot on a root. Bruce lost his balance, tumbled forward and ended up rolling out of the shrubs, onto his back.

Betty Ross' amused face appeared above him. "Although he might have to deduct half a point for that round off."

"Betty," gasped Bruce, unable to believe his eyes. Surely this was a trick of the moonlight?

Betty gave a little laugh. "I think it was your smooth moves which I fell in love with first," she teased him.

Bruce scrambled to his feet and looked at her in amazement. "What, how, when, why-?" The questions tumbled out of his mouth.

"So many questions," she tutted with a smile, "always a scientist first, hmm, Bruce?"

"It's you," he said raggedly, unable to take his eyes off her.

"It's me," she agreed huskily. Betty pulled her red coat around her more tightly and smiled up at him. "Hello, Bruce," she said softly. "You're looking good." Betty pulled a stray bit of foliage from his hair and the teasing was back in her tone. "If a little leafy."

"I'm really afraid this is a dream right now," Bruce rasped, "and I don't want to do or say anything that might wake me up."

She nodded approvingly. "That's a good plan and makes it easier to do this." Betty stepped forward and grabbed the lapels of Bruce's jacket, pulling him into a deep kiss.

Bruce's head was spinning as he took a moment to register to realise this was really happening. Then he was grabbing her waist and pulling Betty closer to him. He was torn between wanting this kiss to go on forever and asking the million questions running around in his head.

The kiss finally ended and Betty drew back, stroking his face lovingly. "You don't know how much I've missed being about to do that whenever I wanted," she said huskily.

Bruce's heart swelled with love for the woman in his arms. "If it's been half as much as me, it's been unbearable." He held her as close as he possibly could, drinking in the sight of her. "Betty, what are you doing here?" Bruce asked in amazement.

"I got this phone call where someone rang me and then said nothing." She gave a little smile. "I figured it was either teenagers playing a prank or you," she remarked. Betty gave him a warm look. "And I know your silences."

Bruce leant his forehead against Betty's, marvelling at how someone like her could love him. "I needed so badly to hear your voice."

"I know," she said quietly, "why do you think I'm here." Betty's face clouded over. "I was so worried about you today. The news reports coming out of Los Alamos were terrifying."

"But it worked out in the end. The Avengers, we worked as a team, we handled the situation." That was still somewhat of an amazing thought to Bruce.

"But someone was hurt?" queried Betty in concern.

Bruce gave a short nod, face serious. "Black Widow, Natasha." He grimaced. "She has a brain tumour and they had to operate."

Betty gave a gasp of distress. "Oh, Bruce, that's terrible. Is she going to be alright?"

Bruce thought about that question. "You know me, Betty, I'm not an overly optimistic guy as a rule but-"

"But you believe in her," she finished knowingly. "You believe Natasha can make it through this."

"I do," said Bruce sincerely. "She's got so many people on her side which may be a new concept for her, but we're all here to stay and we're going to do what it takes to help her get through this."

Betty was looking at him intently, the way she did when Bruce knew she was reading his soul. "Why do I think Natasha's not the only one having to get used to people caring about them?" she asked quietly.

Bruce looked at her in surprise.

Betty's tone was earnest. "I've been watching all the Avengers coverage on TV, I've seen how the Hulk is with them, how they are with him." She looked suddenly emotional. "You've found people, Bruce, you've found people who can really understand you and you have a place with them."

Bruce felt unexpected tears sting his eyes.

Betty gave a watery smile. "You've been alone for so long, Bruce and I don't want you to be alone anymore. When I saw you with the Avengers, I knew you weren't. Those people can be something to you that you've been missing for a long time, a family."

"But they're not you," said Bruce achingly. "Betty, I miss you so much."

"Then ask me to stay and I will," she whispered. "Bruce, I love you. I've always loved you and I want to be with you."

Bruce closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against hers again. "I know," he groaned. "It's been so hard to walk away from you."

"And I know why you did it," she said softly. "You did it to protect me."

"The other guy, if he ever hurt you-" Bruce's words were choked off with thick emotion. The thought was unbearably painful. He pulled back to be able to see her face. "All I could think about was getting rid of that thing inside of me, so you and I could be together again. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me, especially you. I was like the kid in bed with the covers pulled over his head, too scared to check for the monsters under the bed," Bruce confessed. "But now that I've finally peeked under that bed-"

"The monster isn't quite so scary?" filled in Betty with a knowing little smile.

"Yeah," said Bruce slowly. "How crazy is that?"

Betty put her hands on his chest, smiling up at him. "I've heard crazier."

"I've been doing this training with Tony," began Bruce. "Tony Stark that is. It was against my will but he was convinced I could direct the power of the Hulk to make him do what I wanted. Tony is completely crazy and reckless but he harnesses that insanity to do amazing things. I'm beginning to think I can do the same thing with the other guy. Tony was right." He gave Betty a quick look. "And if you repeat that to anyone, I'll deny it completely. He already thinks too much of himself, I'm not adding to that train wreck."

Betty laughed. "Your secret is safe with me." Her expression became more uncertain. "So, where does that leave us, Bruce?"

"Betty, I want you to be with me," said Bruce urgently, "so much that there aren't any words to tell you how badly I want that."

"But?" she prompted him.

"But it's still such early days with me and the other guy. I just need some time to make sure I can bring him under control properly. If there is one thing in this world which makes me lose all control, it's you, Betty, and I don't want to take any chances with that." Bruce made a regretful face, a sick feeling in his stomach. "I have no right to ask you to waste any more time on me, Betty. You've been so patient for so long, I can't ask you to-"

"I'd wait for you forever, Bruce," Betty interrupted him with the simple truth. "I love you."

"How did I ever get so lucky to have you in my life?" asked Bruce, completely in awe.

"Dumb luck," she teased him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Bruce grinned. "I guess that must be it." They held each other's gaze for a long moment, both of them drinking in the sight of the other.

"So," said Betty huskily, "what's a girl got to do to get a little action around here?"

Bruce's heart skipped a beat and he instinctively tightened his hold on her. "Excuse me?" he asked, delighting in the wicked gleam he could see in Betty's eyes.

"I've come a long way to see you, Bruce," she chastised him, a mischievous smile playing around her lips. "I was kind of hoping you'd make it worth my while."

"You know I'm not that kind of girl, right?" he returned with feigned coyness.

"Of course you are," said Betty confidently. "Why do you think I fell in love with you in the first place?"

Bruce knew he was grinning from ear to ear. "I thought you loved me for my mind, Ms. Ross."

"Nope, it was your body the whole time," she sassed him cheekily, "especially your butt."

Bruce couldn't help but laugh. "Is that right?"

"Oh yeah," she purred, "I'm definitely all about Bruce Banner's butt, ask anyone." Betty arched an eyebrow at him. "So, know where we might be able to get a little privacy?"

Bruce glanced over his shoulder at the window of the vacant hospital room he'd just jumped from. "I might know somewhere. It's not very romantic though."

"The romance comes from the person, not the place," said Betty, leaning into him. "Think you can handle that, Dr Banner?"

"I'd like to give it a shot," he said throatily, moving into steal more kisses from her. "I love you, Betty and I'm so glad you're here."

"Prove it," she murmured against his lips.

"No force on earth could stop me," he declared before closing the small distance between them in a passionate kiss. Nothing ever felt as good as holding Betty in his arms and Bruce was determined to hold onto her for as long as he possibly could before he was forced to let her go, yet again. He made a promise to himself in that moment that their separation wasn't going to be for very long this time round.

oooOOOOooo

"And then, the guy melted into a disgusting pile of ooze on the floor!" exclaimed Darcy with an excited flourish. "It was the most revolting thing I've ever seen." She grinned. "It was so cool! This super hero thing kicks ass!"

Jane was listening to her friend's wild tale with a mixture of horror and disgust. When Jane had asked her friend to return to the Avengers' Tower to retrieve some personal items for her, she hadn't expected this. The reporters were following her every move, so it was easier for Darcy to move about unnoticed. But now Jane felt horrible that she'd sent her closest friend into such a life threatening situation. Jane couldn't believe Darcy wasn't rocking back and forth in the corner after an ordeal like that. Then again, this was Darcy. When Darcy had turned up at the hotel she and Thor were staying at, Jane hadn't been prepared for the story she had to tell.

Thor was looking at the animated little woman with real concern. "And you are unharmed, Darcy Lewis? This monstrosity did not hurt you?"

"He oozed on me which was all kinds of disgusting and will require me having an eight hour bath, but no, Mr. Blobby didn't hurt me."

Jane stepped closer. "What's that on your neck?"

Darcy scrubbed at her neck. "What? He was grabbing me by my throat. Is there something there? A bruise, what?"

Jane reached out a hesitant hand and pulled on the disc of material which was partially embedded in Darcy's skin. They both peered at it. "Is-is that-?" stammered Jane.

"A fingernail," declared Darcy, looking pretty excited at the thought. "Cool."

Jane made a distressed noise and immediately dropped the vile thing, scrubbing her hands on her pants' leg.

"Don't lose it!" ordered Darcy, quickly dropping to her knees to retrieve the fingernail.

"You're not keeping it!" declared Jane determinedly.

"You're not the boss of me!"

"It's disgusting!" protested Jane.

"It's a conversation starter," argued Darcy as she found the nail and held it up triumphantly. "Found it!"

"Thor, tell her she can't keep it," Jane ordered him.

"It is not uncommon for a warrior to keep something of his conquest to remember their victory by," reasoned Thor.

Darcy nodded approvingly. "You see, Thor's on my side." She grinned at him. "Out of all the bearded weirdos in a cape I've picked up in my life, you're my favourite, Thor. You know that, right?"

Jane shook her head, giving up. "Fine, keep the stupid thing. I just don't want to see it ever again."

"You should just be pleased it's not an ear or something," Darcy informed her. "An ear would have been the coolest."

Jane rolled her eyes. "There are times I really worry about you."

"Hey, I was raised in Brooklyn," returned Darcy easily. "We found body parts every other day on the street. I was a nose and an elbow away from making myself a real boy by the time I was sixteen." Her lips quirked. "But by then I'd found out there were easier ways to get boys."

"You're impossible," declared Jane but couldn't help but smile.

"It is very late, Darcy," said Thor solicitously. "You must stay the rest of the night with us. It is too late for you to travel the streets alone."

Darcy wrinkled her nose and looked between them. "As appealing as it is might be to stay and listen to you guys have noisy sex, I think I'll take my chances with the mean streets."

Jane blushed. "We don't have noisy sex," she huffed.

Darcy rolled her eyes. "Please, I was there the other night with the two of you." She looked at Jane. "You sounded like a duck in a blender." Darcy did her best imitation. "Hooonnnkkk... wheee... hhhoonk... whheeee-"

Jane slapped her arm and looked at her in horror. "I don't honk and either do ducks!"

Darcy was unfazed. "Sorry, my bad, I guess you're a goose in a blender."

Jane felt like her face was glowing bright red and cast an embarrassed look at Thor and then back at her. "Darcy!"

"Hey," said Darcy casually unapologetic, "the guy was there, he knows what you sound like."

"I do not know this goose animal, but your love making sounds are most delightful to me," said Thor, obviously trying to be helpful.

"Ohh!" cried Jane, beyond mortified. She pulled her sweater up so she could pull her head inside to hide her face from them both.

"Uh oh," noted Darcy, "she's turtled, the first defence of the uptight middle classes. I guess that's my cue to leave. I'll see you both in the morning, unless you haven't managed to coax her out of that sweater by then, Thor."

"Good night, Darcy Lewis," Jane heard Thor say. "We are glad you are unharmed."

"I'm not!" called out Jane defiantly.

"Big talk from a woman with her head inside a sweater," shot back Darcy and then there was the sound of a door opening and closing.

Thor's gentle voice was coming from in front of her. "Jane Foster, would you please allow me to see your beauteous face once more."

"No," said Jane emotionally, "I'm never coming out again." The low rumble of Thor's laughter made Jane pout but she still refused to show her face again. She couldn't. This went beyond embarrassment.

"Do you not fear you will bump into many things?" asked Thor in amusement.

"I'll get a seeing eye dog," said Jane rebelliously. "It'll be fine."

"Jane," said Thor softly and then she could feel him pulling gently on her sweater.

Jane resisted for a moment but then her head was popping back out the neck hole of her sweater. She still refused to meet his gaze though.

Thor reached out with a finger to her chin and directed her eyes to his. "Jane Foster, what is wrong, why do you hide from me?"

Fresh blush heated her cheeks. "I honk," she wailed, bottom lip trembling.

"The sounds which leave your lips when we make love are wondrous to my ears," said Thor huskily. "You delight me in a way no woman ever has, Jane." He cupped her head with his large hands and lovingly stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. "It gives me great joy to know that I might be able to return that pleasure to you in whatever way I can."

Jane bit her bottom lip. This man really was too good to be true. "Really?"

"Yes," said Thor, his voice low, "there is nothing you do that does not thrill me to the core, Jane Foster. I can only dream about being so embedded in your soul, as you are in mine. Every moment we spend together draws me more completely under your spell. I am yours to do with as you wish, Jane. I only exist to marvel at your every look and word to me."

Jane's head was spinning from Thor's intoxicating words and suddenly she didn't care if she honked the whole hotel down, she couldn't not be kissing him right then. Grabbing the front of his shirt, Jane pulled Thor into a deep kiss, wrapping her tiny frame around his much larger one. Thor made a pleased growling sound and then he was sweeping Jane off her feet. He looked down at her as he held her in his arms. "Come to bed, my beautiful girl," he said throatily, "I wish to hear my little bird sing."

Jane buried her head in his neck and sighed blissfully, more than happy to grant Thor his wish.