"Izzy! Do the thing!"

Natasha jumps over the familiar green energy Izabella is all too keen on presenting in front of the team gathering in the lab. She chooses to close her eyes while Steve commends, Tony applauds and Fury huffs quietly over the show.

Natasha bites at her lips and rocks back on her heels, somewhat negative even though she's trying, "So you can bring back...writing utensils?"

Stark shakes his head and drops his hand, "Seriously woman; Does nothing impress you? I mean really…!"

Rhodes calls out and lowers his palm, "Tony! Calm."

Izabella seems disappointed over Natasha's lack of a response when she shares something in Russian directed toward the agent.

Romanoff just nods over it, "Yes I know that, thank you for telling me."

The redhead is quick to stand, "It's a great start- toying with rubber bands and all that."

Clint spins in his chair, speaking up for Natasha's sake, "Have we tried life? You know, a mouse or something…"

Izabella frowns, "No! We not test on living thing!"

"No? Why not."

Izabella thinks to herself, her eyes low when she reaches into her pocket. In her hand lay a broken fork, burnt and hardly there. She hesitantly reveals it to Clint with a mumble;

"You remember dinner?"

Barton looks up to spot borderline unrecognizable item, "What's that…!"

"I'm out! I'm going back to tech support!" Rhodes steps back.

The girl shakes her head, "Not everything come back okay."

Tony drops his head backward, complaining to the ceiling, "Oh come on! Really?! When were you planning on showing me THAT!"

"I was not?"

"...you know what? I respect it."

Natasha shakes her head with tears in her eyes and storms out of the room with the door slamming behind her. Fury follows with nothing but concern.

Clint frowns with a nod. He thinks for a moment and moves to exit the lab, "..And now I'm being summoned by Fury. I've gotta go…"

"Clint?"

The archer stops, pausing over the meek call of the ten year old, "What."

"Um."

He's frustrated, "What."

She shrugs, "Do Natasha hate me?"

He nods, "Yeah, kinda."

Izabella takes a shuddering inhale, the tears about the flow.

Tony panics and rushes to her side trying to make light of the world, "Woah woah woah! We talked about this! There's no crying in baseball!"

"She hate me!"

"She doesn't hate you, I mean come on, who would hate you?!" Tony tries with his eyes wide, searching for Barton to help.

Clint just shrugs, "I mean- Nat kinda does, we just said that."

"Not right now!"

"It's true!"

Izabella yells with tears in her eyes, "Stop! Ty razdrazhayesh' !"

Clint shakes his head and glares, " Ya Znayu! Durak !"

"Mudak!"

"You've got a mouth…"

"You have mouth!"

"Fine."

Izabella shakes her head with a nervous grin, "Fine."

"Fine!"

Tony laughs, "Are you arguing with a little kid?! You're not allowed near Antonia."

"You shut up!"

"Yes,' Izabella interjects and glares at Tony with her arms crossed, 'Shh."

The engineer holds his glare, "And then you take his side?!"

The girl shrugs, "I am not little kid. You more little kid! Clint honest."

Clint laughs to himself, "Oof! She just roasted you."

Tony is unimpressed, "Get out."

Elizabeth coughs a bit, leaving a transcript on the table, "This just came in."

"Okay," Bruce reaches for a water glass in anticipation of her needs.

Elizabeth takes it carefully, "Thanks. Can we talk?"

She coughs again so he moves to refill her glass from the nearby water dispenser;

"About what?"

"This morning? Look, I care -it just felt like a lot of tension and negative energy…"

He nods, handing her back the glass, "That's true."

Elizabeth rests her elbow on the table, "You wouldn't, actually hurt anyone, right?"

He bites his lip. He doesn't see Elizabeth Ross, just Betty. He nods and quickly tucks his head to hide his face.

Bruce only sees Blonsky taking away the woman he loves, crushing her with his alter ego.

He turns away quickly and moves to stack a holographic tablet above the rest. It slips and crashes to the ground, the glass shattering against the floor.

"Well shoot," he grumbles, genuinely upset.

Elizabeth contorts her mouth over his awkward avoidance and clumsy maneuver. His lack of a swear doesn't go unnoticed.

She crouches beside him to help pick up the mess.

He disappears for the broom, lucky to find one in the first closet he opens.

She lifts a shoulder and tries to smile, "You are quite clumsy. I swear I'm not evil, I just…"

"You're not wrong. I trip over air," He starts sweeping around her, his voice soft.

She sits back in her heels, "I think you're kind and that you're a good person. Even if that man tried to say otherwise. It's not like that hospital you claimed to be at is out looking for you...unless...your name isn't 'Romanoff'?"

Banner bites his cheek and drops his shoulders heavily. Suddenly they're in couples counseling again and he feels the need to ask for permission to elaborate, "I think I'd, appreciate the opportunity to explain my side of the situation?"

"Alright," she's kind in her response.

"When I arrived, I woke up in the hospital. I don't remember anything before that happening in this universe. But uh…prior to that. I work with- I guess, I do projects with an organization that frequently does things undercover."

"Illegal things?"

"No, good things. Sort of. It's- SHIELD, it's what I was talking about yesterday."

"Oh! Yes, the logo on your jacket."

"Yeah."

She nods, cautiously asking, "So, do I get to hear your real name?"

He keep his head down and focuses on the glass, "It's 'Bruce'."

She accepts what she already knows, "Alright. Bruce. Well, the team here has cleared your request to replicate the energy."

"Really?" He looks so full of hope.

Elizabeth tucks her hair behind her ear, "Yeah. With the team's supervision of course."

He crouches down to lay the dust pan, "As long as things keep moving forward."

She nods quietly, "Are you anxious to, go back?"

Bruce forces his exhale, face still hidden away from her view as he finishes the clean up. She's far too close for comfort. The way Elizabeth looks at him does nothing in the way of mistaking her for Betty.

"I mean…it'll just be nice to go home. You know," he answers quickly, running a hand through his hair post cleanup and stands back at his borrowed desk to turn away from her.

"Yeah, of course," Elizabeth follows suit and gives one more brush over the desk, her foot sweeping over the floor, to ensure they've cleaned up every piece.

Bruce is biting his lip when she settles behind him at her own station. Elizabeth mutters something incoherently.

She wants her glasses, he doesn't know how or why he knows this, he just does.

Bruce hands them over his shoulder without turning around, "Here."

"Thanks," she answers in a breathy tone.

Bruce jumps a bit when she taps his shoulder and asks, "I'm getting a little hungry. I might grab something. Do you wanna walk with me?"

He wants so badly to say yes. Bruce tucks his chin with a sad smile;

"No thanks."

She laughs lightly and tucks her head, "Are you sure? I usually grab a soup and a salad. I can never finish it."

"I should keep working," he laughs lightly and lifts his head in a panic over her quick return and the way the door swings back open, "What'd you forget?"

She smiles, "Just my wallet."

He nods, immediately making eye contact. She would always forget something.

At the rate they're working, he'd be back in his world in no time. Their days together are numbered...again. And that brings up a hint of guilt for the physicist, even if it's not actually Betty.

If Blonsky is as threatening as he says then letting her alone seems unsafe. He tugs his fingers and raises his volume, changing his mind;

"Hey. Do you mind if I walk with you?"

Elizabeth shakes her head, grateful for his change in plans, "No at all. I can pick your brain over lunch."

He grins, "Yeah. Actually, I want you to tell me about your research in third degree burns. Is it true you can speed up the healing process-? You can create new tissue in a matter of minutes?"

"You read my bio?"

"I saw an award on your desk...that organization doesn't exist in my world so I did some digging,' he reaches to pull and hold the door for the woman, 'After you."

The redheaded spy is deeply involved in a Russian only phone call, furious to be interrupted by Steve. Rogers lingers in the doorframe and waits patiently for her to finish up;

"I'll be brief-."

"You have two minutes. Not to rush you or anything."

He stays quiet and hands her a folder, "That's everything. Every name, lost soul from the incident nine years ago. Agent Barton helped."

"Great," she answers abruptly.

"So what now?"

She laughs, her smile wide, "No offense but I think you should avoid all technology right now. Clint told me you were talking to the computer?"

He nods, "In my defense, no one told me otherwise."

She smirks only briefly, "My focus needs to shift back to Ivan and Alexei. I'll have Clint try to track them. Ivan's going away for life after I get my answers but I'm well...if you're looking for a job."

Steve nods, "Are you asking me to do something?"

"..I'm going to ask for your help in forming a team to help in tracking those two debily …I want them taken into custody,' She stammers, uncomfortable with her impending request, 'I wouldn't ask you to defy Fury's orders."

Rogers just smiles kindly with an understanding, "You're the one giving them."

She retorts quickly, "Just make sure your team knows to leave Alexei for me to deal with."

He nods, "Yes ma'am."

Natasha moves for the door, spotting a frozen figure standing opposite Romanoff in the hallway. Natasha crosses her arms, "What are you doing?"

Riley shrugs mid exploration.

Romanoff rolls her eyes, "You're really testing everyone's patience, do you know that?"

"Hey, that's exactly what you were thinking-,' she points with an equally sarcastic response, 'You're the only one who doesn't lie to me."

"Get out of my head. Right now. Why are you wandering?"

"Because Violet is starting to like her powers a bit too much. She's bouncing off the walls." Riley crosses her arms, "…why are you sad?"

"When did you start mind reading?"

"How come I have to stay in my room and Izabella doesn't?"

"-Izabella has an aunt who keeps an eye on her. You need supervision so go back to your room."

The girl dramatically rolls her eyes, "Please don't make me go back to Maria."

"Well it's Maria's room or Jennifer's- Thor's is full."

"Well-,' she stammers, 'I can hang out in the lab."

"No you cannot hang out in the lab."

"What about the cool archer guy?"

"I asked you to go back to your room. So go to your room!"

"Okay! MOOOOM."

Natasha offers a solid glare that threatens murder. Riley runs faster than she ever has and speedily returns to her 'sister' in her shared quarters under Maria Hill's supervision.

They're laughing outside the lab, waiting for the timer to go off. Their conversations for the past few hours have gone from science, to college, and landing on family.

Elizabeth is sharing a story about her mother and how close they still are. Bruce is only half listening, understanding that Elizabeth's family is still together and that she is truly happy is enough for him.

"…daddy was way angrier about the car at first, but mom always takes over. He finally broke down and started laughing about it. Daddy's one of those who is very standoffish when it comes to meeting new people but he's really funny once you get to know him. Anyways, that was so many years ago...and I'm rambling and being annoying."

Bruce forces a grin and sips the tea from his foam cup, "You're not annoying."

"I suppose I'm anxious to go home too. I think the first thing I want to do is…hold my cat."

"Soon," he's trying to be comforting.

"What about you?"

He scoffs, "I have a dog. I'm sure he'll be mad about us being gone for so long."

"'Us'? Your friends?"

He pauses. Suddenly it's strange to tell 'Betty' that he's moved on. That he has a wife to go home to. For as much as he misses Natasha, there is something strange about telling someone he's never gotten closure with. Even if it isn't her .

He crushes a finger against the cup with a haunting thought over how long he's been away, grateful for the timer going off;

"That was loud."

Elizabeth taps over the table, "I think our tests are ready."

The twosome head back into the lab and open their compound of 4 vials, "Alright Bruce, which one resembles your green energy best?"

He's distracted over the shades that pull a memory to the forefront of his mind. The last time he saw the redhead she was seconds from getting crushed. Bruised and bloodied.

He swallows hard and points to the second;

"That looks the closest."

Elizabeth nods and carefully lifts the vial, "Well, that's not the best news but it's better than nothing. We're low on this exact compound- so. This doesn't give us room for error."

He twists his jaw, trying to breathe. He takes it and starts twirling carefully, "Please hand me number 3?"

She tilts her head to watch him work, leaning forward so that her face is inches from his. It's triggering the physicist but he lets it go, "Give me number 1 please?"

"What about 4?"

He scoffs, "I've worked with radiation my entire life, we can scrap it. That shade is nowhere close to what I'm looking for."

"Alright. Consider it 'scrapped'."

Banner lifts the second, "I like this one the best."

"Frustrating."

"Very, but not impossible," Bruce squirms in front of the station, searching for a clock.

Elizabeth briefly brushes his shoulder with her own, "Hey. Let's get started. You're in no rush to leave the lab right?"

"Nope. I'll stay here 'til midnight...literally until midnight. I just want to make sure you don't feel obligated to stay-."

"It's no big deal,' she is biting her lower lip, oblivious to his reference when she nods, 'You know, I really believe in us. We make a good team. I think we're going to figure this out. We're going to get you and all these people home."

He sighs, eyebrows raising and his eyes lowering with a whisper, "…no pressure."

"None,' she pivots, 'I still haven't earned a real last name?"

"What do you mean?"

"You stopped answering to Romanoff…unless I repeat it twelve times."

Bruce rolls his tongue over his inner cheek. He is either going home soon or on his way to die tonight. His headstone should at least be accurate;

"Banner, it's Banner."

"Truthfully?"

"Yes. It's Bruce Banner…well. Robert Bruce Banner,' he laughs, 'And here's where you tell me you know my doppelgänger?"

"No,' she huffs out a laugh, 'I've never met anyone quite like you."

"That sounds like an insult."

"It's not."

Bruce toys with the compound, back to gnawing on his inner cheek. Elizabeth tilts her head and pauses in her work. And he's well aware her eyes are fixated on him, grinning awkwardly and circling in avoidance to keep the hulk from growling like an alarm.

"Agent Romanoff?"

Natasha doesn't flinch over her unexpected guest, skimming through an old file on her computer.

The agent calls a little louder, "Agent Romanoff."

No answer. He coughs;

"Mrs. Banner?"

She looks up, her eyes wide. She almost regrets answering to the name by a complete stranger.

Shifting subconsciously, she snaps;

"What do you want."

"This just came for you," the boy hands over an envelope.

Natasha flips it forward and backwards, locking the door behind her unexpected guest the second she opens it;

'дорогой Natal'ya…'

With an abrupt crumpling she eyes the shredder...it's not enough.

I'm a panic she punched her communicator for Barton;

"Clint? Keep an eye out for Alexei? I just got a letter…"

'That said what.'

"I'd rather not…"

'Got it. Where are you?'

"I'll come down."

She switches off her com and moves to open the door. She groans over her two unexpected guests. Tony pushes forward ahead of the girl;

"You're going to want to see this, trust me."

"I really don't want to be bothered right now. I need to find Clint and talk to Fury."

"I know, that's why I brought the girl to prey on your sympathy. Izzy?"

Izabella steps forward, softly petting a mouse in between her hands. She pouts slightly through her sniffles.

Natasha crosses her arms coldly, crumpled page still in her hand. She can't help herself;

" Voyna kholodnaya, vsegda yest' tsena. ubedites', chto lyudi… If you love that mouse more than me, more than Vrach I don't want you here anymore."

The girl glares, choosing English so that her new friend can understand their dialogue, "I think...all thing are worth being safe. Animal not meant for...test."

Natasha scoffs with a smirk, "Yeah? Is that what you believe or is that something Bruce taught you."

"Both."

Natasha nods, softening her voice, "…where did you find that rodent?"

Stark brushes Natasha off, "Save your questions! You didn't want pens, you wanted life, we have life."

The girl gives her mouse one more pet before closing her eyes. She takes a breath to calm herself and to concentrate. Natasha watches vacantly as the mouse disappears in the green energy far too easily created inside of the girl's palm.

Romanoff tugs at the end of her top and watches Izabella reveal an empty palm.

"Come on, come on…" Tony is whispering a chant in the corner, clenching and unclenching his fist.

Izabella shuts her eyes once again and tries to focus. The hope in Natasha's stare finally drives her forward. The green energy reappears within Izabella's small hand, taking up every inch of her palm. She contrates until the very last second, the mouse reappearing in full before the girl reopens her eyes and causes the green to disappear.

The animal squeaks in her palm, eager to explore. Izabella smiles and pets its head.

Tony points, "Well?!"

Natasha holds her forehead, opposite hand held tightly against her chest. She focuses on Izabella, "What do you think?"

Her hands tremble slightly. She lifts her head up from the mouse, "I...need trust. Vrach ; He believe in me."

Romanoff tugs at her elbow next, shifting her lips together in a bite, "I want to."

"You hate me."

Natasha sighs and shakes her head, "I don't hate you. Look; I want you to be stronger and to push through but at the end of the day you're still ten. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all of this. I hope, we can get the security that you need and send you and your aunt home soon."

"But Vrach !"

"I'm not going to make you do something you're not ready for. Obviously I want him back but. It might be too much for you, and there's a lot more people missing than just…our Vrach ," Natasha keeps her head down and gives Izabella's shoulder a squeeze as she exits.

Izabella gives a dark sided glare. She lowers her chin just a bit. With a hint of anger her eyes flicker in their own shade of green. She is suddenly far more determined to earn back Natasha's confidence.

Izabellalooks up calmly over Tony's pat on her shoulder, "Welp. Back to work? Don't let her get to you. Your mentor is a strange duck. Where's your mouse friend?"

Izabella looks down and tries to focus. In her mini rage she subconsciously sent it on another trip.

The green energy reappears to bring the animal back, safe and secure.

Stark mumbles, "You're getting good at that. Let's try not to misplace Margie here, Fury would murder us if we lost his pet."