Avenging Justice 2:

Caught Between an Ultron and a Doomsday

Part XXI

Earth, New York, New York City

Bruce sat beside Jennifer's bed, Janet beside him. She really didn't need to be here, he told her that, but here she was. She gave him that smile, the one she gave to everyone that needed it. It was a kindness, not a flirtation, but rather a comforting gesture. One that read, "you are not alone, and have a friend here for you." It scared him, because those around him tended to get hurt.

Dr. Reubenstein, the attending for Jennifer, walked in, "Good news, Dr. Banner. Ms. Walters is doing well and I expect we can release her soon. We're only being cautious, due to the unknown nature of the venom found in her system."

"Thank you, Doctor," Bruce said. "Were there any other oddities on her tests?"

Dr. Reubenstein shook his head, "We did do the radiation testing you requested, and took precautions. They seem to be for nothing though. We discovered nothing more than a person who might spend a few too many hours flying. So, no more radiation than I'd expect for anyone."

Bruce let out his held breath, "Thank you, again."

"Anytime, by the way I hate to ask, but my kid is a big Hulk fan," the doctor smiled. "Runs around the house growling and being adorable. Mind signing something for him?"

Bruce nodded, and tried to hold back his nervous laugh. If only the kid realized being the Hulk wasn't something to want to be. Just one moment, one push, one wrong poke from letting loose a monster that could destroy whole city blocks. No, if he could find a way to excise himself from it, he would. However, it seemed the big green guy and he were bound together, for now.

No sooner than he had signed some Avengers photos for the good doctor, Steve came looking for him. Bruce didn't need to hear what he said, he already knew. He looked at Jennifer, and then back to the world out there. The Avengers didn't need him out there, he was a liability. At least that was what he was thinking, but he knew that was him being selfish.

"Nat and Tony think they've found Ultron," Steve said. "We've the Quinjet on the roof."

Moments later Bruce watched the hospital dwindle into the distance. An around the clock team of security were on standby, kindly paid for by Tony, and annoying the staff of the hospital. Across from him, Janet finished checking her gear. They were all geared up, all but him. Because he didn't wear a suit, or have gadgets, he was a live nerve, always ready to go off. A bomb, that was what he was, he was a gamma bomb ready to go off at a moment's notice.

Jennifer woke up in the hospital bed, feeling different. The closest she could relate to it, was the feeling of waking up as a kid. There was a sense of possibility, of unknown energies around the next corner, all fueling the inability to sit still. As a near lawyer, she hadn't had that problem in quite some time. She still had the fierceness of a young adult, but she hadn't had this "ants in the pants" feeling in years.

It was more than the restlessness, something was inside her. Not in the sense of a physical something, but another aspect given form. Just below the surface, ready to be brought forth, and she found herself both curious and enthralled by this. How she so wanted to explore this right now, but the hospital wasn't the ideal situation. No, she needed somewhere to do this, where people wouldn't be looking, prying.

It was probably nothing, and in a few days she'd feel normal. Back to her daily grind and need for monthly coffee to get up and moving. She groaned at the thought of all her stuff being lost, till she saw her belongings carefully stored in the corner. That made Jennifer smile, Bruce probably made sure they went back for them. Despite his infamy, he really was a caring guy.

She also made out her guards, and groaned. That was the other side of Bruce, but another thought hit her. What if more attackers came? She should feel reassured by the presence of those guards, she didn't though. She felt like it would be better if she were on her own. That new thing inside of her agreed, this new gut sense.

Despite herself, she resigned to the ministrations of the doctors. They were immensely kind, taking very good care of her. For some reason, it rubbed her the wrong way. She wasn't this meek little thing to be protected, she could take care of herself. That struck her as new, she should be welcoming the extra protection. She had just gone through nearly dying, so why this sudden boldness and assuredness?

The problem with questions, it has been said, is that they tend to be answered. Maybe not immediately, and sometimes even after you forget what the question was. Queries always seem to be found out one day, and if one is lucky, it'll bring you satisfaction and wisdom. If you are unlucky, cursed to knowledge you wish to be rid of for the rest of your days. Then there are the answers that no mortal should know, and end you.

Outside Tombstone pulled off his hood. Kingpin's money had brought him here, to finish the work Norman Osborne's lackeys couldn't finish. That is why you always paid the professionals, and he always took half up front. He almost felt sorry for this Jennifer Walters, but at least she had been paid to make it quick. Tombstone wasn't necessarily against making it hurt, but it was better quicker.

In his hand was a special grenade, one that would ignite at a level to melt titanium. He was to use it and the others on the whole room. Whatever evidence Ms. Walters had, was to be incinerated, destroyed, and all around erased off the face of the planet. What she had didn't matter to Tombstone, he had been paid to do a job. That and one didn't renege on a deal with the Kingpin, even one who was as hard to kill as himself.

Making his way up to the level where Jennifer was being housed, he kept his hood up. It didn't particularly make him blend in any better, about the opposite. However, running around with his very obvious looks and chalky skin, would have caused trouble long before he needed it. Now, this being New York City, most times you could go most places as long as you looked like you belonged. By the time the guards noticed him though, it would be too late.

Tombstone was surprised that he was hit when he was. Two of the guards were already calling in reinforcements, and he had to admit this was unexpected. With all need for stealth gone, he waded into the guards. Despite his imperviousness to most damage, he still felt the minor stings of their weapons. He grabbed the first one and threw him into the others. Disappointedly, there was no snap or other sign of injury.

Two came at him from opposing sides, their tonfa sticks hitting him, and not affecting him one bit. He smiled, punched at the one on his left, only for her to be gone. Quick, this one was very quick. No matter, one can't run or move, if one is on the ground. Taking the other, he threw them in the general vicinity of the one who had dodged him. To his delight, he heard the air leaving both, and the bone shattering crash of the two bodies colliding.

"Leave them be!" the shout caused him to turn, expecting a small woman, his target, and laughing that sometimes they made it so easy.

Jennifer had seen the monster of a man attack the guards left behind for her. Again, she found herself not scared, but wanting to get out there and help. She was angry, frustrated and most of all incensed at the pain being sent towards her. All because people who were in power, who misused their power, wanted to gag her, stop her from bringing them to some type of accountability. They thought her weak because she preferred to use the law against them, instead of muscle. However, she was not prey!

"I said leave them be, you bastard!" Jennifer roared, her voice sounded just slightly off.

It came out more husky, not her normal gentle tone. That was fine by her, she would use whatever it took, to stop these people. With that change in voice, she felt power surge into her. The cool floor, that should have been freezing her bare feet, instead felt like a welcome relief to the burning inside. Her arms felt like nuclear generators were attached to them, she needed to release some of that built up energy.

Tombstone looked confused, "They said nothing about a green lady. But you'll fall just the same."

He threw a punch, with just a quarter of his strength. This would be more than enough to instantly kill most people. Instead the green woman caught it and threw him! As much as that was surprising, the rapidity that she was on him was even more so. She moved too fast for a normal human, so she must have been an alien.

"Well, this will be more fun than I thought it would be!" he shouted as she picked up the nearby desk and hurled it at the green woman.

Jennifer saw the desk and held up her arms to block it. A surge of adrenaline shot through her, a normal reaction for one that wasn't ready for the desk to splinter around her. She only took a moment, but it was enough for Tombstone to be on her. He hit her twice, and she felt those blows. However, she quickly repaid him, with three consecutive blows of her own.

She was no trained fighter, but she had taken those self defense classes that all colleges give to women. So, she aimed for sensitive areas, and even slammed her face into his. Much to her surprise, he backed off, while also calling her unkind names. Jennifer didn't care about that, in fact it just made her want to smash him into the floor more.

The only reason she didn't was due to all the innocent people around. Instead she grabbed him and threw Tombstone out of the nearest window. He went through two walls to get to that window, but that was a minor thing. The shattering glass caused everyone to back off, as Jennifer went over to verify he was down.

Outside there wasn't any chaos, though sirens were off in the distance. That should have been her first sign things weren't right. Jennifer was still new to all of this though, so when Tombstone grabbed her and yanked her out, it caught her off guard. The villain laughed as he did so, thinking it would be the end of her.

Much to his surprise, she twisted in midair, like a cat, and landed with a resounding thud on the street below. Cracks formed around her, and the street depressed a little as she landed, even more so as she launched herself back up. Tombstone's look of shock turned to a greedy look, this one was tough!

His mood changed immediately as her fist connected with his chin. Head knocked back, Tombstone felt something snap, and he saw stars. Not even Spider-Man had ever hit him that hard before. What was this woman? That thought ran through his head again, as she popped his ears with both of her hands. Like a bell, his head rung as if it were calling a congregation to pray. He landed hard on the ground, spitting out blood, amazed that he could be hurt like this.

Whomever this woman was, it seemed she was as strong as the Hulk, maybe Thor. Then again, he knew that might be wrong, but his head just wasn't working. All his battered head to get to, was escaping. Normally he'd like to stay and finish the battle, but something was wrong. Reinforcing this, was Tombstone's inability to stand. Every time he managed his feet, he instantly fell over.

"What do you want?!" Jennifer demanded.

Tombstone was in no shape to answer her though, as he was starting to slip into unconsciousness. She raised him up, her fist ready to strike him again, but she resisted the urge to smash him further. That as when she saw her reflection in one of the nearby windows. She dropped the villain in shock, and she felt a cold shiver go down her spine.

Gone was the small, petite auburn-haired woman. In her place was a fit, muscled, but still feminine woman. She looked like one an Olympian ready to compete in the Olympics, dressed in a barely there hospital gown. Immediately she rushed off, she needed to get away, needed to think. The green skin, green hair, it reminded her of Bruce's condition, of the Hulk he turned into.

It took several moments to find a quiet alleyway, but by then the adrenaline was wearing off, and she was starting to feel tired. So, very tired, like she had been running several marathons all at once. Jennifer couldn't relax though, there was still too much going on. The question was, where to go?

The answer of course came from an unexpected source, "Ms. Walters, if you would come with me, please."

She turned, trying to figure out how the man had snuck up on her, "Who are you?"

"Name's Fury," the bald man in the trench coat answered. "I'm a friend of Bruce's, and I think I can help you."