So our story begins...


Victoria was a bundle of nervous the whole flight. She hadn't been back to New York in over 3 years. Not since she left Bruce. Her leg kept tapping, and she couldn't stop flexing and clenching her fingers.

"Its ok." Matthew soothed reaching out and grasping her hand. "We were made aware that he'll probably be there. And I know it'll be hard on you. But I'm here. You dont have to talk to him if you dont want to. And if you do want to, you know thats ok too."

Victoria squeezed his hand and smiled back at him. Her husband was always so understanding of her past with Bruce. She had told him everything, well everything that wasn't classified anyways.

Tony had called them a few months ago to invite, or rather beg, Victoria to come out to New York again. He was getting a big industry award and wanted her to see the presentation and come to the reception. It had been so long since anyone had seen her! After she agreed, of course, he told her Bruce was back. And had been for about six months. She assured Tony that was ancient history and she had moved on. It was a lie, but no one other than her had to know that. So off they went to New York, Victoria and her new husband.

As soon as they arrived in the tower, Bree ran up to meet her squealing her name like a school girl. "I can't believe it's you and you finally came back! I've missed you!"

After introducing Matthew to everyone, Victoria gently untangled herself from the conversation the couple retreated to Victoria's old room to change for the award presentation. Victoria hesitated before she entered and glanced down at Bruce's door.

"He stays right there then?" Matthew questioned, noticing her hesitation.

"Yes does, did. He used to, any way."

"Maybe I should talk to him…."

"No!" Victoria snapped, eyes going wide. "Just leave him be. You can't make him upset, he, well he…"

"OK, ok. I'll let it go sweetheart." Matthew placated her.

As she opened the door to the suite of rooms the sound of Bruce's voice calling her sweetheart echoed in her ears, it used to happen every time Matthew called her by that pet name. But as Bruce's memory dimmed so had the echos. Being so close to all of it again must be bringing it back. Thankfully, she was able to quickly shake it off as she showed Matthew around.

Bruce's 1st glimpse of Victoria was watching her walk over to sit with Tony and Pepper at the award presentation. There was a tall, blond man walking with her. Tony shook his hand and Pepper hugged him.

Her husband He thought as he watched them sit down. She's not your Victoria anymore Banner, she's with him now. God, she looks even more beautiful then I remember her. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and tried not to stare at her as the speeches began.

Victoria had noticed him too. As the speech makers droned on her mind wandered and she scanned the crowd. She was only a little surprised to find how quickly she found him.

Oh Bruce she thought. What am I doing here? What a mistake I've made.

Almost like he knew she was watching, he turned to her. He stared as her eyes widened and her face flushed. She stared back at his ruddy, blushing completion. Until Matthew took her hand and whispered in her ear. She watched Bruce take of his glasses and pinch his nose right before she turned to answer her husband.

They left to dress for the reception, a formal affair. Victoria realized with a laugh that she had chosen a green dress for the evening. Bruce would have found this funny…

"You ready, Babe?" Matthew asked, interrupting her thoughts. "Wow, you look gorgeous."

"Thank you baby. Yeah I'm ready lets go."

The small talk went on forever. Natasha would suddenly vaporize when Matthew and Victoria got within 20 feet of her. Matthew didn't know who she was and didn't notice, so Victoria decided not to mention it.

It seemed to happen all of a sudden and without warning, even though they had both been monitoring each other all night.

"Bruce," Victoria shaikly greeted him. Matthew noticed and took her hand in concern. Victoria smiled at him. "This is my husband, Matthew. We came out for a few weeks. To visit with Tony."

"Victoria, Matthew. Nice to see you both." Before he could stop himself he added "You look wonderful, Victoria. Green suits you."

Victoria's eyes snapped up to his and she gave a humorless chuckle.

"Yes, at least it used to. Excuse Me" she said, her voice starting to crack as she turned to leave.

"Sweetheart?" Matthew questioned, not releasing her hand. She gave him a pleading look and he nodded as he let go and she walked away.

Matthew turned to watch Dr Banner walking out to the veranda. One glance at his wife's fleeing back and he knew what needed to be done.

Hearing him call Victoria sweetheart and then witnessing their silent conversation had nearly put him over the had to leave to find some space to calm down and clear his head.

"Excuse me, Dr. Banner?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes," Bruce had stepped outside for some air and turned around to find Victoria's husband.

"I'm sorry to impose on you, but I'd like to speak with you." Matthew insisted

Brue narrowed his eyes. But nodded him to go ahead.

"I know Vic says she's over you, but I think we both know that's not true. Sure, she loves me in her way, but I saw the way you looked at each other at each other at the Tony's presentation. Please let me finish and I'll leave you alone…" Matthew requested, as he could see Bruce getting ready to walk away from him. Bruce paused, frowned, and gestured for him to continue.

"There is a part of my wife that she thinks is a secret, but it's not. A part of her that will always wait for you. She still calls out your name in her sleep. We've been together for 3 years now and she still dreams about you. Do you know how long it took her to stop trying to soothe me when we made love? She'd go into these deep breathing rhythms and sort of shush me. I can only assume that that had something to do with you and whatever issues made you leave those times.I'm almost finished Doctor please hear me out…" He insisted, as Bruce again tried to leave. Matthew hurried to finish his speech.

" I have come to terms with the fact that she settled for me, settled for this life we've built. A life that's a dream come true for me. But you were gone to no one knew where and had had no contact with her so she made a decision. She still gets bored sometimes, and complains that life is lacking excitement. So we travel somewhere exotic and chalk it up to wanderlust. But I know she misses the life she had with you. I try to love her enough for both of us, but I know one wink from you and she'll be gone. I won't blame her when it happens, and I'll be there to pick up the pieces,again, when things get too real and you take off on her, again. "

"Have you talked to her about this?" Bruce snapped, angry that this man, this stranger, was talking to him like this.

"About settling? No, some things are better left unsaid for everyone's happiness. But about you? Of course I have. I know all about you, well she told me what she could. So I do know somethings about you are classified secrets. I know she left the 1st time because of unreciprocated love. But you convinced her somehow and she went back to you. Then you cheated on her, she never did find out if it was physical but it was definitely an emotional affair. So she left again, for good she thinks. We meet about 6 month later. We are married, Dr Banner. We don't have many secrets from each other." Matthew explained.

Bruce scoffed as he kept speaking "So I guess I'm asking you a favor, not for me but for her. Don't take this opportunity, don't give her any signs you're still interested. Dont do it, just stay away from her and let us live our life together."

Bruce turned away and pinched the bridge of his nose and nodded. When he got himself under control Matthew was already gone. He frowned as he realized he wasn't going to get a chance to respond to the speech. But how do you go about telling a man you're still in love with is wife?


Thanks for reading!