Angel in love with the Incredible Hulk
Ch. 2:
Keep Yourself Alive
As Julie and Kris were curious about Kelly's past and eager to know more about David, Kelly and David just stood in front of each other, at a loss for words and in total shock. Kelly, like many others, had been under the impression that David was dead. David, on the other hand, had completely forgotten about Kelly, once he married Laura and later, Carolyn.
"David, I cannot believe I am seeing you, alive and well. I thought you were dead. I mean it said so in the papers, that you and a colleague had been murdered by a green thing called the Hulk, but, now, I see you standing before me and not a scratch on you. I am really confused." Kelly was still trying to process it.
"Well, Kelly, I think I have some explaining to do, but, you have to promise me that you will not blab a word out." David looked into her eyes.
"Anything, David. You know I would do anything for you. Also, I heard about your wives. I would have come out for the funerals, but, I stayed back, because, I didn't really think it would be appropriate of me to show up at the funerals of my ex-boyfriend's wives." Kelly told him.
"I wouldn't have minded. I could have used the solace at Laura's funeral. I didn't have one for Carolyn, unfortunately. However, I could have used solace after her death and comfort after the death of Elaina Marks, whom I had grown fond of." David looked down.
"David, what have you been up to, since the deaths of Laura, Carolyn, and Elaina? Just hiding? From what? Also, what brought you to Casablanca?" Kelly asked.
"Yes, Kelly, I have been hiding, because, well...you wouldn't understand or believe me. Plus, the reason why I am hiding would sound like a plot for Edgar Allan Poe to write or like the plot to Jekyll and Hyde. It would sound too fantastic and far-fetched for anyone to understand. Also, I am in Casablanca, because, I figured that maybe if I hid out for a while, Jack McGee would stop bothering me." David replied.
"David, I'll only understand if you would just tell me the start of it. Plus, who is this McGee person?" Kelly tilted her head to the side.
"Kelly, I have an illness that I am trying to find a cure to and I figured that being out here, I could have peace and quiet. Then, once I do find the cure, I'll cure myself and be on my way."David sounded a bit stern.
"David, if you wouldn't mind, I could help you." Kelly offered.
"How?" David asked.
"Well, I am not a scientist or anything, but, I'll be by your side, just like old times. Plus, you'd get pretty lonely in Casablanca, being all by yourself." Kelly suggested.
"Kelly, I would greatly appreciate it." David gave a smile.
"I'll make sure that Jack McGee character doesn't bother you when we get back to the states." Kelly told him.
"Well, I will be leaving after I produce the cure and rid myself of the illness, which will be soon." David's smile slowly disappeared.
"How soon?" Kelly asked.
"3 to 5 days, give or take." David replied.
"David..."Kelly paused.
"Kelly, you know I am going to have to leave soon. I can't put you in danger." David had a stern look in his eye.
"David, what kind of illness do you have? Like what kind of danger do you think I am in?" Kelly folded her arms.
"Kelly, I cannot tell you what it is. It must be kept a secret and plus, if you were to be-look, I don't want you to get killed." David told her.
"Killed by what?" Kelly was starting to get suspicious.
"Look, you and those other two ladies have a drug lord and his gang to catch. I have this illness that needs to be cured and if I don't cure myself, I'll be putting you and many others in danger. I can't bear to see anymore people dying. I saw enough. I just can't have a repeat of Laura, Carolyn, and Elaina. I just can't. I hope you understand." David looked at the ground with sadness.
"I understand, David. Do you have somewhere to stay?" Kelly put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"No, I'm looking around for another hotel." David replied.
"You can stay with me, if you'd like." Kelly rubbed his shoulder.
"Kelly, you really don't have to." David said.
"It's no trouble."Kelly gave a smile.
After that, David and Kelly began walking to the hotel where Kelly was staying, with Julie and Kris following them. Kelly couldn't help, but, notice that something else, besides the loss of Laura, Carolyn, and Elaina, was deeply bothering David and she was bound and determined to find out what it was. David, on the other hand, was happy to see Kelly, again, after so many years of losing touch, but, he was also bothered, because, he knew that he was putting her life and other lives in jeopardy, knowing that he could Hulk-out any time. Plus, he didn't want Mr. McGee to bother her or anyone near her. He desperately wanted to be rid of the Hulk, once and for all.
They arrived to the hotel where Kelly and the girls were staying and checked in. After that, they headed to Kelly's room and went inside. David sat down on a chair as Kelly shut and locked the door.
"So, this is it?" David asked.
"Yup, this is it, for now until we go back to the states. Which reminds me, I better remind Kris to get a hold of Bosley and tell him that we found Sholto and his gang." Kelly went over to a phone and dialed up the room Kris was in.
David stared at her and got a little smile on his face. To him, this felt like old times from when he and Kelly first met and dated for a while. He couldn't help that he found her attractive, again, but, he also knew that he couldn't possibly rekindle their relationship due to the fact that he could Hulk-out and put her in danger. He didn't want to do that and he knew Kelly would understand, but, at the same time, he was fighting with himself as his feelings for her were resurrected.
David's POV
I think I am starting to find Kelly attractive, again. I feel as if my feelings for her , have been resurrected. I never thought I would start having these feelings and I also never thought I would see Kelly again.
Wait a minute, David! You cannot possibly rekindle your relationship with her, because, you'd put her in danger! Yet, she wants to know what this thing is, but, I cannot simply tell her, because, it would sound too far fetched.
Then, again, maybe she would understand. I only hope. I also hope I could settle down and have a normal life where I am happy and where I no longer have to hide. I thought I had it with Carolyn, but, she ends up dying. I had it with Laura, but, I didn't save her. Maybe I could have had it with Elaina? After all, she also understood me, but, you can't always get what you want.
Maybe, once I find the cure, but, maybe, I could settle down with someone. I just need to find out who that someone is.
As David continued to battle with himself, Kelly hung up the phone, looked at him, and started to battle with her inner self. She too had begun to develop feelings for David, again, after so long. She knew there were tragic events that were still fresh in his mind now as they were, when they happened. She was curious to know more than what he was letting on, because, she thought that she may be able to help him in any way she possibly could. However, what she didn't know was that he was the Hulk and had been the Hulk for sometime now. Despite her sudden resurrected feelings for him, Kelly didn't want to put it on him, because, she didn't know how he may react, but, she didn't care. She still had the same feelings for him now after barely seeing him as she did when they first met.
Kelly's POV
Look at him, still handsome now as he was on the first day I met him.
Wait, am I starting to have feelings for him, again? We just barely saw each other after years of losing touch!
Oh, fiddly dee! I still care about him and I want to help him the best way I can, because, there are tragic events that are still fresh and etched in his mind now as they were, when they happened.
Poor David! I feel absolutely sorry for him!
I wish he would tell me what his illness is, so, that way I could be here for him at all costs.
I cannot believe I have these feelings for him, again! I can't believe we remembered each other after so long, but, thank the good lord that we did!
I am so sorry that he has suffered a lot of tragic events and has been in hiding.
Then, again, who can blame him?
Not me!
As Kelly kept battling her sudden feelings and everything inside her inner self, she went over to David and sat next to him. They were both unaware of each other's rejuvenated feelings towards one another, but, they knew that sooner or later, they'd have to confess them. However, they decided to wait for the right time to confess their feelings.
"You know, Kelly, you still look just as beautiful now as you did then." David was beginning to be mesmerized by her beauty.
"Oh, you!" Kelly jokingly slapped his arm.
"No, it's true, Kelly. You know, I'm glad to see you." David smiled.
"I am too, David. I'm glad you're alive and well. Did you know that I had been shot?" Kelly asked.
"Goodness, Kelly! I didn't know. Where were you shot?" David got a look of concern on his face.
"It was back in '81. Bosley and I were on a stake out to catch Joe Danworth. When I confronted him, he pulled out a gun and shot me point blank in the head. I still have the scar, if you want to see it." Kelly pulled some of her hair back, revealing the scar.
"Dear God!" David looked at the scar and winced at the sight of it.
"I'm OK now and want to continue my job as Detective as long as I can with Townsend." Kelly fixed her hair.
"If I were you, I would be a little more careful, because, you never know when it could be fatal. I mean you got lucky in '81." David put his hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, I know, but, when you become a Detective, danger is part, if not the full time of your job." Kelly told him.
"Same thing goes for anyone who becomes a Scientist, because, you do all kinds of experiments. Some that are safe and some that are dangerous. It all depends on the stuff you have. I mean you could have-" David stopped mid-sentence as he got a flashback of how he became the Hulk and quickly got off the subject, "Hey, Kelly, I'm tired from being in the desert. I think I ought to get some shut-eye for a while."
"OK, David. You can use the room I am in, if you'd like. I might go out and look for Sholto and his gang." Kelly opened the door to her room.
"OK, thanks, Kelly." David walked into the room, but, quickly walked out, "You sure you don't mind me using this room?"
"Of course, I don't mind. If I did, I wouldn't have offered it to you." Kelly replied.
"Thanks, Kelly." David smiled and shut the door.
Moments later, while Kelly was waiting around for Julie and Kris in order to discuss a game plan on how to nab Sholto and his gang before they possibly leave Casablanca, she was internally battling her feelings for David. She knew this couldn't and shouldn't be the time to suddenly go head-over-heels for someone, especially an old flame and be on a mission at the same time. However, she just couldn't help finding David attractive, again and sad at the same time. Surely, she wanted to help him overcome this fear that had taken control over him and had controlled his life ever since. She wanted to help him slowly move forward from the past, but, for now, she wanted to stay focused on bringing Sholto and his bunch to justice for all the crimes they had and continue to commit.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and she answered it. Kris and Julie walked in, pulled up two chairs, and sat down across from her. They discussed their plans on how to trail Sholto and his accomplices and fast, since Kris found out that they do plan to board a flight out of Casablanca to Rio De Janeiro early the next day. However, Julie came up with the plan to board the same flight, but, stay far behind them and split up in order to locate him. Kelly was nodding in agreement, but, not paying any attention due to the fact that her mind was laser focused on David. Kris and Julie noticed this and decided to ask her what was going on.
"Kelly, what's the matter?" Kris was concerned and knew there was something and someone on Kelly's mind.
"Why do you think there is anything the matter with me?" Kelly sounded as if she was a bit peeved at the question.
"Well, Julie and I noticed that you haven't been yourself since you saw that David guy and we just want to know if there is anything you haven't really told us." Kris tried to explain to her, in the hopes that Kelly would tell them more.
"How have I not been myself? I mean I-" Kelly was immediately cut off.
"Oh, cut the pretending, Kelly! Was there something that went on between you and David? I mean when I talked to him and mentioned your name, his eyes lit up and when Kris asked you if you remembered his last name, you acted as if you didn't remember and yet, you did. So, I am speaking for both Kris and myself when I ask, Is or Was there more about you and David? Don't say that you both are old friends, because, old friends do not react the way you and David did when you saw each other. Also, is Benson his true last name?" Julie was not about to go for any more nonsense from Kelly or David and wanted the truth just as much as Kris did, since they all believe in not keeping secrets from each other.
"Julie, that was a little stern." Kris didn't think Julie's confrontational tone was necessary.
"Well, I come from a no nonsense family and since, we're all fellow angels and friends, I believe there shouldn't be any secrets." Julie was standing her ground on her belief.
"That's true, so, how about it, Kelly?" Kris agreed with Julie and folded her arms.
"Why do you guys care about what went on between David and me?" Kelly was a bit annoyed.
"Curiosity." Julie bluntly told her.
"Well, if you-Now, wait a minute, you two! What went on between David and me, is really none of your business. I mean it is private. You've also heard of privacy and respecting one's privacy, right?" Kelly stood up and turned away from them.
"Kelly, if it hinders your ability to catch a criminal and if there is something bothering you, then it'd be better to just come out and tell us. I mean we are here for you and have been here for you for a while." Kris stood up from her chair.
"Yeah, so, tell us and maybe we can help, if we possibly can." Julie shrugged.
"Ok, well, if you want to know the answer to whether David and I were more than just friends, the answer is yes. We were once a couple a while back, before I joined/co-founded Townsend Agency with Jill, Sabrina, Bosley, and Charlie and before even going to the Police academy. After joining the police academy and all, we just lost touch and that was that." Kelly turned her attention to them.
"Aww, you two were a couple once? How romantic!" Kris put her hands together.
"See, Kelly, that wasn't hard, but, there's still something missing." Julie rubbed the back of her head.
"What is that?" Kelly turned to her.
"Is Benson his real last name?" Julie asked.
"If you really want to know, then ask him, because, I wouldn't feel right telling you without his consent." Kelly tilted her head to the side.
"I will, next time I see him." Julie nodded.
"Well, for now, let's go and try to stop Sholto and his goons before they board the next flight out of Casablanca." Kelly changed the subject.
Julie and Kris nodded and headed to the door. They were about to leave, when Julie turned her attention to Kelly, who wasn't budging.
"Aren't you going to come?" Julie had a weird look on her face.
"Yes. I just need to change." Kelly told her.
Julie nodded and shut the door as Kelly made it seem like she was about to go into her bedroom. However, she didn't go into the bedroom due to not wanting to disturb David's sleep, but, she ended up changing her mind and went inside the bedroom, real quietly. After shutting the door, she went over to one of her suitcases and went through it, in order to pick out something to change into. It wasn't long until, David started to toss and turn in his sleep. Kelly stopped what she was doing and watched, in concern, her old flame having what appeared to be a nightmare.
Inside David's dream
The year was 1977, again and David was trying to help Laura get out of the car, despite knowing he wasn't strong enough, but, this wasn't stopping him. He kept on trying and trying in order to hopefully save his beloved wife, but, was unsuccessful.
The year switched to that of 1978, Carolyn was about to die and David was rushing to her aid, but, by the time he got to her, she collapsed and died in his arms.
Next, the year switched back to his childhood on the day his mother died. He kept trying to wake her, but, she wasn't waking up. Then, he ran out to get his father and demanded that his father save his mother, but, he was too late. His dear mother was already deceased.
Back to 1977, while escorting Mr. McGee out, the lab had exploded and Dr. Elaina Marks was trapped inside, yelling for David to come help her. After he and McGee were knocked off their feet and unconscious, David managed to get back on his feet and looked in the window in order to see if he could locate Elaina.
"Elaina! Elaina!" David yelled, putting his hand out as if he were about to reach her, but, was on the other side of the window and couldn't.
There, she lay, wounded and unconscious. Looking like a corpse, despite some labored breathing.
As these memories kept running back and forth and left and right in David's mind, Kelly kept wondering what was going on and debated on whether or not to tap him awake. Soon enough, it was a good thing that she didn't, because, David jolted awake, his eyes glowing, shirt beginning to rip, and skin turning green. Kelly could not believe what was happening before her eyes; her old flame was now turning green and getting bigger. Not wanting to leave his side, she went out to the living room area, locked the front door, and went back inside the bedroom. David was beginning to growl as his transformation continued. Finally, he let out a loud, "Rrrrraaaahhhh!" as he was now fully transformed into the Hulk. Kelly was in between horrified and feeling sorry for him, because, she now knew why he had kept it a secret.
"Oh my God! David!" Kelly said, horror and sympathy filling her eyes.
The Hulk punched a hole in the wall and tore the clock off of the wall. He then proceeded to flip a table and smash a couple of chairs. As he continued his rampage, Kelly stood there, not knowing whether to leave or stay there. She knew that if he saw her, he wouldn't kill or harm her, at least she had hoped. However, it wasn't long until he did see her and tilted his head to the side, before coming toward her. Kelly decided to guide him toward her instead of being afraid and running away.
"Oh, David, now I know why you wouldn't tell me. I still believe you, either way." Kelly told him.
The Hulk stopped in his tracks and did a double take on her. It didn't take him long to realize that she wasn't a threat, but, still, confused, he stood there and looked her over.
"David, can you speak?" Kelly asked.
The Hulk grunted and growled in response.
"OK, well, can you walk towards me?" Kelly held out her hands and guided him.
The Hulk stared at her, before continuing to walk toward her and follow her guidance. He now trusted her and knew that she wasn't going to hurt him or anything. He got close to and right in front of her and stared at her hands, not knowing what to do next.
"OK, now grab my hands." Kelly nodded.
The Hulk continued staring at her hands and tilted his head side to side.
"It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you or let anyone hurt you. I would never do those things to you, David. Now, please grab onto my hands." Kelly motioned for him to do so, while talking in a soothing tone of voice.
The Hulk understood and grabbed onto her hands, real gently. She then guided him toward the couch and helped him sit down. She sat down next to him soon afterward and rubbed his hands with her thumbs. She was really feeling more sorry for David than before and understood why he couldn't just simply come out and say it, but, she would have believed him either way. The Hulk kept looking into her eyes and she kept looking into his eyes and she saw the child-like gentle giant he was, instead of a monster. His eyes looked so human, but, he growled and grunted like a monster. She didn't care, though, because, this was David. The same David she once and still loved and cared about.
"David, you poor thing, what have you done to yourself? Whatever it is, we can get through it. I know we can. I know you may or may not understand this, but, I still care about you now as I did back then. I really wish we hadn't lost touch with each other, but, what do you do? Well, I'm just happy to have found you after many years. I really wish you would let go of what has been troubling you and quit hiding. You need to, at some point, settle down and not be on the run so much. However, I do understand why you have been and why you didn't tell me. I just want you to know that I will help you in any way I possibly can." Kelly's eyes glazed over as her heart was broken for him.
The Hulk stared at her and tilted his head to the right side.
"David, I mean it when I truly say I care about you now like I did then. I mean it from my heart and soul and I would be a liar if I told you otherwise. I know we barely saw each other, but, my feelings for you have been rejuvenated like a lamp getting a new light bulb or like a...oh, I don't know...like a...like the electricity once a power outage is over. I just hope that you feel the same way towards me, but, if you don't, then I understand, but, just know that I will always care about you." Kelly rubbed his hands with her thumbs.
The Hulk kept looking back up at her and back down at her hands.
"You can let go of my hands now, David. It's OK, nobody will hurt you. Now, I'm going to hug you and you can hug back if you'd like." Kelly offered, as she slowly let the Hulk's hands drop from her grip and made a hugging gesture.
The Hulk slowly let his hands drop, titled his head, again, in confusion, and had a confused look on his face. However, Kelly slowly gave him a hug in order to show him and make him understand that he wasn't alone and nobody was going to hurt him. Feeling comfortable, safe, and somewhat loved, the Hulk slowly put his arms around her and gently embraced her in a hug. As she started to rub his back, Kelly also kept talking to him in a soothing tone of voice in order to continue showing him comfort and reassurance.
Soon enough, there was a knock on the door. This startled the Hulk to the point of starting to lose his calm and content feeling to that of protectiveness. He started growling and even snarling a little. Kelly saw this and immediately tried her best to calm him down, despite his protective side already dominating his calm side. She knew that if someone heard him, they'd be suspicious and would probably hurt him. She had to think fast in order to gain his trust, again, fearing that she may have already lost it. The knocking soon turned to intense banging, causing the Hulk to stand up from the couch and start toward the door.
"No, no, David, don't go to the door. Come with me to the couch." Kelly tried to instruct him to no avail.
The Hulk looked at the door and continued growling. He thought that he sensed danger and was going to protect Kelly at all costs. He had it in him to protect and help others, yet, he was always misunderstood when in the process of doing so. He did his usual pose and started knocking and throwing things around. Kelly went up to him, grabbed his arm, waved her finger as if she was saying, "No.", and motioned for him to follow her into the bedroom. The Hulk understood and followed her into the bedroom. Once they were inside the bedroom, he sat down on the bed and she put her hands on his shoulders and began rubbing them with her thumbs in order to help him calm himself. The knocking continued to intensify, but, seeing as Kelly wasn't afraid or feeling threatened, the Hulk began to feel the same way and even gazed at her, lovingly. Relieved to see that the Hulk had finally managed to calm himself, Kelly returned his loving gaze with a smile.
"See, David, there's nothing to be afraid of. For all we know, that knocking could be coming from my friends Kris and Julie. Now, just stay here and remain calm, while I check." Kelly gently told him, before getting up from the bed, "Remember David, just stay there and remain calm."
The Hulk looked as if he understood what she was saying and remained sitting on the bed. With confidence, Kelly shut the door to the bedroom and answered the front door. Thankfully, it was only Julie and Kris, again. She let them in and lightly shut the door behind them. As soon as she turned around, she couldn't help, but, notice that Kris and Julie were staring at the bit of wreckage the Hulk caused.
"Uh, Kelly, if I could ask, um, what happened in here?" Kris saw two chairs that had been thrown.
"It's a little disorganized." Kelly shrugged.
"We see that, but, what happened? I mean, you know, chairs don't throw themselves and I don't think you wo-" Julie was cut off.
"So, any news on Sholto and his gang?" Kelly quickly changed the subject, wanting to keep David and the Hulk her safe secret.
"Nope, but, we did get a hold of Bosley and he will be out here tomorrow morning. He is boarding the next flight to Casablanca." Julie told her.
"OK, good. So, Sholto and his little friends haven't left?" Kelly asked.
"So far, nothing. Just on the edge and look out for any moves he makes." Kris replied.
"Anyways, besides that, uh, does Bosley know about you and David? Does Charlie know?" Julie asked.
"Nope and if you guys don't mind, I'd like to keep it that way. For now, at least." Kelly looked to the side, briefly.
"Kelly, may we ask you something? Well, may I ask you something?" Kris walked up to her.
"Yes, Kris, what is it?" Kelly turned her attention to Kris.
"Do you still have feelings for David?" Kris asked.
"Wha-what makes you th-think that?" Kelly immediately felt her heart begin to beat fast.
"The way you both gazed at one another after not seeing each other for so long. I mean you gazed at him, the way Ilsa gazed at Rick in "Casablanca"." Julie had a smile beginning to form.
"I never saw that movie, but, you and David do remind me of the couple in the film, "Love Story". So, what is it? Yes or no?" Kris also had a smile beginning to form.
"Well, I may as well come out and tell you the truth...yes, I do still have feelings for David. I would be a liar and cheat if I said no." Kelly quickly looked down, expecting laughs or something negative.
"Awww! I wonder if he'll reciprocate the affections." Kris replied.
"That's so terrific! I hope you guys could get back together." Julie was smiling.
"You really think I have a chance?" Kelly gave an odd look.
Kris and Julie exchanged glances, turned their attention back to Kelly, and nodded their heads.
"I don't know. I mean, he may not return the affections." Kelly looked away.
Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, the Hulk could hear what they were saying and smiled when he heard Kelly confess her feelings for him/David to them. He surprisingly still kept calm, since Kelly didn't feel threatened and wasn't scared.
"Oh, come on, Kelly. He needs you and you need someone in your life." Kris hinted.
"Yeah, but, I don't know. I mean it was long ago that we were an item and now, things may be different." Kelly shook her head.
"Oh, just be patient and give it time. He'll realize it, sooner or later." Julie patted her on the shoulder.
"Maybe, you guys are right." Kelly shrugged.
"Of course, we are." Kris gave her a side hug.
"Well, let me get changed and then we can try to trail Sholto and his creeps." Kelly made a move to her bedroom, but, was stopped by Kris. "What?"
"You sure that you can handle the case with us? I mean maybe you should find David and confess your feelings to him?" Kris openly suggested.
"Of course, I can handle the case. I mean after all, I have to put my emotions and feelings for David aside and deal with it, later." Kelly tried to put on a straight face, despite knowing that her feelings for David were taking over her whole attitude right now.
"Kelly, you can't handle a case when you're in love. Go find David and spend time with him, we can handle this and when Bos gets here, he can handle it with us." Kris rubbed her shoulder.
"But, I-" Kelly was immediately cut off.
"Kelly, it's fine. I mean Charlie will understand, Bos will understand, and we understand." Julie added.
"I mean we have handled cases without you, before, so, this won't be any different." Kris told her.
"So, what do you say, Kel?" Julie asked.
"You guys, I'm fine. I mean I don't want anyone thinking I am a wayward detective or anything. After all, I am a co-founder of Townsend and I-" Kelly was at a loss for words.
"Look, Kelly, go to David. We can see it in your eyes that you are still crazy about him now as you were long ago, even though it has barely been two or more hours since you saw each other, but, listen to your heart and tell him how you feel. We're sure he feels the same way, but, is waiting for you to say it first, so, that way he won't come off too strong or you won't think of him as weird." Kris' eyes glazed over as she said that to Kelly.
"She's right, Kelly. You cannot deny your feelings, because, your heart still desires the one whom you did call the love of your life. You cannot try to bury it away in your mind, because, you know you still love David and David probably still loves you. Plus, you two would make a perfect couple, I mean it has been a while since you fell in love or were even in love, let alone, a relationship. Think about it, Kelly." Julie added.
"Well, you guys are right, I still love and care about David. I just hope he feels the same way towards me. After all, it has been a while since we last saw each other and to be perfectly honest, when I saw him, again, I felt that warm fuzzy feeling and I usually don't feel that way around just any guy. You know what? I will go to David and tell him." Kelly nodded her head.
Inside the bedroom, the Hulk gave a smile and even had tears streaming down his face, since he too felt the same way toward her and was touched to hear her say that she still cared for and loved him. However, he kept listening, while waiting for her to come back into the bedroom.
"Well, we're going to go out and trail Sholto, you go on and find David." Kris headed out of the door.
"Good luck, Kelly." Julie said, before shutting the door and leaving.
With confidence, Kelly locked the door and went back inside the bedroom. She saw and knew that the Hulk had heard what she said and was crying, while smiling at the same time. Feeling as if she hurt his feelings, she sat next to him and hugged him, trying to comfort him, even though those tears of his weren't sad tears, they were happy tears.
"I know you heard me, David, but, I didn't say that I don't love you. I do love you and I still care about you now as I did then. I would be a damn liar if I said otherwise. Please don't be sad and please don't cry." Kelly said, while comforting him.
As the Hulk continued to hug her, he slowly began transforming back into David. Once back to his normal form, they still held each other in their arms.
"Kelly?" David said.
"Yes, David?" Kelly asked.
"Are we hugging?" David asked.
"Yes, we are and there's something I need to tell you, now that you're in your regular form and not all green." Kelly released him from her hug.
"Oh dear God! You saw me transform? I could have killed you!" David was horrified.
"No, David, you wouldn't have killed me. In fact, I managed to see the softer side of that thing you turned into and quite frankly, I now understand why you hid it from me and have been on the run." Kelly put her hand on his shoulder. "How did it happen, David?"
"Kelly, I cannot-" David stopped mid-sentence.
"David, I saw you transform into it and I managed to calm you down and even get some affections out of you. So, please, don't try to hide it and don't start the "I could have killed you!", "You could have been badly hurt!", or "The thing is a killer!" business, because, I will not believe it, for even a measly second and that would be insulting." Kelly sounded a bit stern.
"Well...if you promise to not give me up to Jack McGee or any reporter, then I'll tell you." David gave her a look.
"David, you really shouldn't even worry about me doing that sort of thing, I mean after all, I lo-I mean I still care abou-you're a good friend and I would protect you no matter what. So, please, tell me, honey, I mean David." Kelly almost let it slip about her feelings toward him, but, quickly covered it up.
"OK, Kelly, I'll-Wait, did you just call me, honey?" David got a weird look on his face.
"Skip it and tell me about how you became that green thing." Kelly tried her best to avoid the subject.
"Kelly, do you still-" David was cut off, again.
"David, can we not talk about it right now." Kelly slightly raised her voice.
"Kelly, is there something on your mind that you need to get out?" David had concern in his voice.
"Oh, who am I kidding? Yes, David, I do." Kelly quickly stood up and turned her back to him.
"Well, please, let it out." David also stood up.
"Tell you what? I already did." Kelly turned to him.
"No, you di-Wait, you mean you still have feelings for me?" David asked.
"Yes, David, I do. I still care about and love you now as I did back then. I never ever felt this way about any of my old flames before and when I saw you, I had that warm bubbly fuzzy feeling all over again and I never do for just anybody." Kelly quickly looked down. "If you don't feel the same toward me, I'll understand."
"Kelly, I-I never-I never forgot about the lovely times we had and quite frankly, I still have feelings for you, too. I know that we just saw each other, you saw me in that form, and despite my usual urge to go on the run, I don't feel that urge anymore, now that I see you and look into your eyes. I never thought I would ever fall in love, again after the deaths Laura, Carolyn, and Elaina, but, after seeing you, again, I have begun to realize that it's crazy." David put his hands on her shoulders.
"What's crazy?" Kelly asked.
"To think that I would never fall in love again, but, once I saw you, the feeling of love has since re-ignited itself and I feel...happy for the first time in...forever." David's face lit up with a smile.
"That's exactly how I feel, David. I haven't been in real serious relationships in a while. I always did wonder how we lost touch with each other and if you were alright. Once, I found out that you allegedly died, I was truly devastated, but, I don't have to be devastated anymore, because, now I'm here and have found you alive and well." Kelly smiled back at him.
"Well, what do you say, Kelly?" David asked.
"I say let's take it slowly, because, if we rushed into it and ended up either unhappy or heart broken almost immediately, we'd regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but, soon and for the rest of our lives." Kelly looked into his eyes.
"Did you just recite a line from "Casablanca"?" David recognized the line she recited.
"Yes, and I changed it a bit. After all, it was the first movie we saw on our first date." Kelly reminded him.
"Yupp, we always were Rick and Ilsa. It is fun to remember the good times we had. I believe we lost touch when we moved away from each other after graduating high school. Remember we tried to have a long distance relationship." David started reminiscing about the old times.
"Yes, I do remember that, but, afterward, we stopped writing each other. Then, I went on to go to the police academy and be right where I am now. I remember you went on to being a scientist." Kelly also started reminiscing.
"What kind of a scientist, I am? I lose my wife, Laura to a car accident, overdose on gamma radiation, turn into the green thing every time I am either stressed, angry, in pain, or whenever, have local reporter Jack McGee on my tail after encountering a little girl and her father and scaring them while I was the green thing, survive and get blamed for a lab accident which caused the death of Dr. Elaina Marks, go on the run, try to make amends with my sister Helen and my father, get married again to Dr. Carolyn Fields, have her die of a terminal brain disease, and then continue to be on the run until I came here to Casablanca and reunited with you. I'm still the green thing and haven't found a cure for it, so, I am not Albert Einstein or scientist of the year. I don't deserve the noble prize." David lamented.
"Well, at least you know how to keep your pants up and have a good hairstyle. Einstein didn't." Kelly started to chuckle.
"Kelly can I ask you something?" David tried to keep a straight face despite, a little laughter escaping.
"Yes?" Kelly said.
"What in the world do you see in me?" David asked.
"Why are you asking this?" Kelly chuckled.
"Because, I'm not Galileo or Einstein, when it comes to brains. I'm neither Valentino, Bogart, John Travolta nor even Freddie Mercury when it comes to looks and I am neither Apollo nor Hercules when it comes to strength." David told her.
"What would I need with them when I have you, David?" Kelly folded her arms.
"Well, Hercules was a lot stronger and saved Cassiopeia at the end, Freddie Mercury had beautiful long hair, Travolta could dance, and both Einstein and Galileo had brains and were good scientists or whatever they were." David replied.
"Well, you're Dr. David Banner and I love you for who you are and to be honest, I believe you should quit trying to rid yourself of the green dude, because, I like him too and he is also very cool. After all, it is like having my own version of "Popeye, the sailor man", only the green dude doesn't stutter like Popeye does." Kelly put her arm around him.
"You like the green thing I turn into?" David was confused.
"Yes, I do, because, I believe that I found a way to calm him down." Kelly told him.
"You really think you could calm me down when I turn into it?" David put his hand behind his head.
"I know so, because, I talked to you in a soothing and calming tone of voice and you were calm almost immediately. However, when you turn into it, you also save lives, too, so, if I were you, David, I wouldn't be so hell bent on "getting rid of" it. You can learn to live with it." Kelly nodded her head.
"Well...if you're willing to be in a relationship with a Jekyll and Hyde, then be my guest." David stood up, grabbed a shirt out of his bag, and put it on.
"Of course, I am willing to be in a relationship. We were together once, so, a second time wouldn't hurt, but, like I said, let's take things slowly." Kelly got off the bed.
"You know something, Kelly?" David said, with a smile on his face.
"What, David?" Kelly asked.
"I'm really lucky to have you in my life, again after so long." David gazed into her eyes.
"So am I, David. After all, you must Keep Yourself Alive, because, Honey, even though it'll take some time, you'll survive."Kelly gazed back at him, lovingly.
David gave a smile and zipped up his bag. He felt like a new man and happy at that, because, it had been a while since he felt this way and had feelings for anybody. He knew that he still cared for and loved Kelly and he wanted to respect her wishes to take this reborn relationship slowly, but, what he was going to have to understand was that he would have to live with being the Hulk and not be so hell bent on getting rid of the Hulk. Part of him was still confused on why Kelly liked the Hulk and wanted him to keep that side of him. He also knew that he had been living with being the Hulk and being on the run all the time, but, this time, he didn't feel the urge to run away anymore. "Maybe, Kelly's love and care for me might make me want to settle down and stop running. I mean I do deserve happiness and maybe I can live with being the green thing. Maybe." He thought.
What's next for these two?
To Be Continued...
