The day of the Good Morning America interview came far too soon.
Jennifer was up at four am that morning, dresses and outfits spread all over her bed, shoes tossed all around the floor. She'd tried on at least ten different things that did quite fit what she was looking for, and she'd all but given up when a soft knock sounded on her door.
"Come in?" She called from the spot on the floor she'd curled into.
The door slowly cracked and Pepper and Natasha both peeked in. Natasha looked over at Pepper and mouthed a small 'told you', before both women came on into the bedroom. Natasha came over first, handing Jennifer a warm cup of cinnamon coffee. Pepper waited over by the door, a dry-cleaning bag hung over her arm.
"You good, Doc?" Pepper called as Jennifer slowly stood and sipped at her morning beverage.
"Nope!" She laughed nervously. "Very, very not."
"Well, it's going to be okay. Because we are here now!" Pepper assured her. "I see that Natasha was correct in her guessing that you were in here panicking over what to wear- so I took some liberties..." She held up the bag. "And I already went in and laid something suitable for Steve, who by the way is a surprisingly heavy sleeper."
Jennifer laughed. "Only when he's been put to sleep." She said with a wink. "Let me see what you have!"
"It is from a place called 'Rock-a-Billy Wears', they specialize in revamped vintage styles." Pepper unzipped the bag to reveal a beautiful baby blue and white polka-dot dress with white ribbon trim. "What do you think?"
"Pepper!" Jennifer squealed. "It's gorgeous!"
"Glad you like it, Doc." Pepper boasted with a grin. "We thought it would go so well with those pearls Steve got you, and your mom's. Wear both, extra elegance!"
"How are you feeling, Natasha? You're awfully quiet over there." Jennifer said, looking over where Natasha had settled on her bed.
"Well, I pissed my pants and my bed last night for the first time, so that was fun." She groaned. Jennifer had to stifle a snort.
"Better get used to that. Probably not too bad of an idea to invest in some panty liners, darlin'." Jennifer explained. She looked sadly at her friend, who was dressed in old leggings and one of Bruce's cable knit sweaters.
"Yeah, yep." Natasha sighed. "Enough about me and my pissy pants. Let's talk interview. Pepper and I want you to know- It is okay to interrupt them. They will be kinda rude to you- that is normal. Steve is good at bringing the topic back where it needs to be, but you don't need to be afraid to take the reigns either. They're all going to be listening to you. They're going to be there specifically for you. They've been advertising this interview for two weeks- its got mass coverage. It is all about you and Steve, don't let them try and sway you off where you want to be for it. They need you for their views more than you need to be there."
"I don't need to be there at all!" Jennifer protested.
"It will be good for you!" Pepper reminded her. "And for the team. And Natasha- I've started to see media coverage of her absence- A few tabloids have published old pics of her in sweats or street clothes talking about her being out of the limelight for some reason or another- So you're a good distraction from her."
"Yes, please help me with that!" Natasha all but shouted. "Now go- go put on that dress!"
Jennifer did as she was told and stepped into her en suite bathroom and slipped on the dress, which she assumed Pepper had tailored to her measurements, as it fit her as if it was made specially for her. She spun around in the mirror, watching the flare of the skirt billow around her. She giggled and spun again. She stepped out and Pepper and Natasha both gave their complete approval. Pepper had already went through and chosen some white stiletto heels for her, and she gently guided the doctor to her seat at her vanity for Natasha to do her makeup while Pepper soothed her curls out into a halo of dark ringlets. The other women were just finishing up when another knock sounded from the door.
"Come in!" All three called at once, and Steve opened the door, slowly.
"Is it safe?" He ask, looking away. Natasha burst out laughing.
"No, Steve. We're naked pillow fighting in here!" The spy snorted sarcastically.
"Oh hell yes, out my way Rogers!" Tony called from behind Steve, shoving him playfully into the door before following the Captain inside. The two men came into the room, and Tony let out a wolf whistle. "Look at you, doc!"
"Pretty good?" She ask, standing and spinning. Steve stepped over and steadied her as she spun back around, landing in his outstretched arms.
"Perfect." He smiled, taking her hand in his and bringing her wrist to his lips for a kiss. "As always."
"Good morning, Captain." She whispered in return, and he dipped down for a quick, sweet kiss. "You've cleaned up pretty well yourself."
"Yeah, I woke up and this was laid out on the bench at the foot of my bed- I thought maybe you did it when you got up this morning?" He guessed, but Jennifer shook her head.
"Pepper." She said. Steve raised and eyebrow and cast a look over where Pepper had been wrapped into Tony's arms. She smiled and winked.
"You came into my apartment and I didn't even notice?" Steve chuckled nervously. "How-"
"Years of practice. I've been babying Tony for over a decade now." Pepper explained with a smile. Steve simply shook his head.
"Is everyone that is going ready to go?" Tony said with a clap of his hands.
"No." Jennifer groaned as Steve gently began to guide her toward the door.
"Well, too late. Happy is out front with a car. We have to go!" Tony cheered. Jennifer groaned as they headed out toward their ride.
Steve was bizarrely comfortable in the spotlight; Jennifer was almost unnerved by it. She kept in the back of her mind his words about the USO tours and the 'dancing monkey' he was forced to be- so this was just a second nature he'd developed. Jennifer smiled brightly and held Steve's hand as the questions kept coming. It was all very tame at first- sweet even. They'd ask who made the first move, who kissed who first, the usual sort of thing, but Jennifer knew it was coming.
"So, tell us. How do you feel, seeing America's reaction to Captain America being taken, Dr. Ford?" The hostess, Gwen, ask with a huge, television ready grin. Jennifer took a deep breath and she felt Steve's thumb stroke over her knuckles in support.
"Well." Jennifer started, looking over at Steve, "It was a lot, at first. I mean, I think Steve and I both would've liked to keep a lower profile for a little longer, honestly. But being Avengers- That really wasn't too much of an option for too long, I guess." She started, and Steve nodded in agreement. "And of course, I knew it would be like dating... a rockstar, or superstar. Because... Captain America!" She laughed, and the hostess and audience laughed along. Steve gave a small smile as she spoke. "And its like- Who am I? A mechanic's daughter from East Tennessee?"
"And an Avenger." Steve reminded her firmly. "As much as any of us."
"But there wasn't only positive feedback, your relationship becoming public." Gwen added, still giving that fake, tv cheesy smile.
"Of course, that comes with the territory." Steve replied sternly.
"How did that feel?" Gwen pressed, holding Jennifer's eyes. "Tell us about that."
"About what? About America's collective freakout?" She laughed nervously. "Yeah, I tried to tell him that was coming. I'm a biracial, black passing woman. I am a dark skinned woman of color; My sweet Steve, he really was... More shocked and upset than I was. It's not like this is my first rodeo with racism, you know. Again, I'm from Tennessee. But Steve was-" She paused and looked over at him.
"Livid." Steve said, brow furrowed. "Disappointed in my country. Hurt." He added. "This woman right here, Gwen, she is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. She's so smart and selfless, kind and compassionate. And beautiful..." He added, and he picked up the hand he was holding and kissed her knuckles, and the crowd all fawned and awed on cue. "I just- I couldn't believe how backward and ignorant people were here in the twenty-first century. I really had hoped I had left that trash back with all the Nazis I punched."
The crowd laughed, but Jennifer knew it was more of a warning on Steve's part. She gave a shy smile.
"So, what do you want to say to your fellow Americans, Captain Rogers?" Gwen ask, sitting forward. "You have a pretty captive audience."
"I say this-" Steve said, adjusting in his seat. "America, do better. I am not asking, I am demanding it. Do better. Teach your children better."
"I agree." Gwen said, nodding. "Firm words from Steve Rogers, the Captain America in these times. I do just want to thank you both for taking the time to come here today, I know it was hard to find the time, keeping us safe from threats we don't even always know about. We appreciative you, both of you and all the Avengers."
"Thank you for having us." Jennifer smiled. Someone off camera counted and called them 'all clear', and Jennifer let out a huge, deep breath. Steve stood and held his hand out to help her up from her seat.
"Are you okay?" He ask, walking her off stage.
"I am." She nodded. "Did I do okay?"
"You did great!" Tony called from just off stage. "It is just what we needed, a big positive PR boost!"
"Always happy to help, boss." Jennifer rolled her eyes.
On Sakaar, Thor Odinson was getting ready to fight a friend.
Helmet, shield and hammer all at the ready, he could already hear the outside crowd beginning to cheer and chant for the Hulk. He knew he had the distaste of the crowd from the start, and he tried to tune it out. He needed to focus on the task at hand. Try to speak to Hulk, try to get Bruce back in control. If he could get him to transform back and yield, they could both go, unharmed. Otherwise, Thor feared he would truly have to fight his friend.
The gates opened on his side first, and he stepped into the arena to a barrage of boos as the Grand Master made his introduction. Thor gave a bright smile in spite of their jeers, and he even gave a friendly wave and bow, which prompted even more displeasure from the crowd. Thor simply shrugged it away, as it started to fade anyway.
The Grand Master then began his usual, formal introduction of the Hulk, and the crowd went wild with excitement. Green banners and confetti filled the air and began to drift down onto the fighting ring floor, before he'd even made his way out of the gate. Thor could hear Hulks bellowing from behind the closed iron doors. He swallowed his nerves, wondering how Hulk would react to seeing him on the opposite side of the battlefield.
As the gates flew open, Hulk stormed out, ran a few feet, and stopped short in his tracks. He made no sound, simply looked at Thor, mouth slightly agape. He looked completely confused. The arena grew so silent, you could've heard a pin drop. It was almost as if the entire crowd collectively held their breath.
"Hey, buddy." Thor greeted, stepping forward. "We've been looking for you. Worried about you." He said softly. Hulk took a step back and shook his head.
"No." He growled.
"Come on, its me!" Thor smiled, stepping forward, his hammer and shield held loosely at his sides. "We're friends, Banner. You know me."
"NO!" Hulk screamed. "NO BANNER! HULK NOW!"
"Okay, okay." Thor said, laying Mjölnir and the shield to the side, then raising his hands. "Well, I'd like you to remember that Thor is Hulk's friend too. Even after Hulk punched Thor on the helecarrier when we met, when we fought my brother."
At this, Hulk began to laugh. It was a hard, genuine guffaw of laughter, and Hulk even wrapped one arm around his ribs as he laughed.
"Hulk remembers. Puny Gods." He smiled, and Thor returned the gesture.
"Yes!" Thor chanted. "Yes exactly! We've all been worried about you, my friend."
Hulk's friendly demeanor faded at this comment.
"Worried for Banner. Not for Hulk." He growled.
"That is not true." Thor said, shaking his head. "We're worried for you both. Banner is Thor's friend, too. But Hulk, too. Hulk is who went missing, Hulk is who we were searching for!" Thor explained.
"No. Thor lies." Hulk growled again. Thor sighed, and he stepped forward again.
"Thor lies not." He defended. "Hulk, listen. I know you feel hurt and betrayed, but Natasha-"
Hulk bellowed with all his might at the mention of her name. Thor stepped back toward his hammer.
"Okay, I understand something happened. I don't know what, and it isn't my business, I get it." Thor said, watching Hulk just as carefully as he watched him. "And I can tell you aren't up for talking about it now. But trust me when I say- They all really need you back on Earth. Please, let me take you home."
"NO!" Hulk bellowed, hitting the sword he carried against his shield in challenge.
"Then prepare to fight me, friend. Because I am afraid you are needed more desperately that you know." Thor opened his hand and Mjölnir flew up into his hand, and he threw it in Hulk's direction before dipping down and grabbing the shield. The hammer crashed into Hulks shield and bounced back to Thor, who caught it just as Hulk began to charge him.
Thor rapidly swung his hammer handle and flew up into the air, high in the arena. The crowd had began to cheer and scream as the fight got underway. Thor hovered for a moment, then dove down, Mjölnir held ahead of him. He dipped toward Hulk, who swatted him to the dirt with ease. Thor rolled and jumped back to his feet.
"Hulk, please. You know what this hammer can do." Thor reminded him. "Yield, or prepare yourself."
"Heh." Hulk snorted. "Puny Gods not scare Hulk."
"Suit yourself." Thor sighed, beginning to swing Mjölnir once again. He lifted from the ground much faster this time, and summoned lightening through the ceiling, which crumbled where the bolts struck. The lightening charger through his hammer, down into his arm, and to his chest, until his eyes began to glow. "Sorry, buddy, the sun's getting real low." He said, releasing the electricity toward Hulk, who attempted to cover with the shield, which splintered in the force of the striking lightening. The electricity stunned Hulk, who tensed as the voltage traveled the length of his body. He seized up and slumped to his side in the dirt.
"Puny God has new trick." Hulk groaned.
"Yield." Thor demanded. Hulk snarled and shook his head, and again, Thor sighed. He walked over to his large, green friend and pushed him from his side to his back, where he laid Mjölnir in the middle of Hulk's chest. The crowd's sneers and boos filled the air again as Thor raised his arms in victory. He looked up to the balcony where the Grand Master stood, shaking his head. Thor smiled and waved, and the Grand Master simply walked away, as did the crowd, who quietly began to file out in disappointment.
Thor came back over and sat down beside Hulk, against his shoulder.
"Natasha is pregnant." Thor said quietly. "It's- It's Banner's baby."
The noise Hulk made was somewhere between anguish and terror. Bones could be heard cracking, and Thor knew the transformation was coming, and he quickly picked up Mjölnir,knowing the hammer would hurt Bruce in his much smaller form. Without the hammer on his chest, Hulk flipped over onto his hands and knees in the dirt, where his body twisted and shrank until Bruce was curled up in the dirt, shaking all over.
"Thor?" He ask, eyes squinted, voice squeaking. "Thor, where are we?"
"That, my friend, is a long story." Thor sighed, sitting back down in the dirt next to the man. "So let's just start at the beginning."
Hope you enjoyed this update! Please let me know, and thank you for reading!