Victoria sighed when she saw the suitcase in the living area. " I suppose I don't have a leg to stand on, being upset that you were listening in?"
Matthew scoffed and answered, "No, I don't suppose you do."
Victoria opened her mouth to speak but then stopped what could she offer him now? What explanation could she give?
"I'm not even sure what to say to you. But I don't want you to go."
Matthew shoot her an incredulous look as he continued packing his bag.
"I mean it!" Victoria exclaimed. "When I'm with him, when he's close like this, I forget. I forget how bad it was. I remember all the good parts of our relationship, but none of the bad. Lets just go home. If we go away now we can be happy again. I'll forget all about him."
Matthew stopped folding shirts and turned to her "You know, being around these last few weeks, I think I figured out how Dr Banner fits into your brother's little group of special friends."
"Matthew, how…"
"It's not hard!" He interrupted. "Tony is obviously Ironman. Steve thinks he's got himself covered, but on more than just a passing acquaintance it's easy to tell he's Captain America. I've always known Thor was some kind of alien so he's not around. And there's enough shady characters around this place to be the 2 spies. So that leaves mild mannered Dr Banner to be…"
"That's a classified secret!"
"And you keep it for him?"
"I'll take it to my grave."
"And why is that?"
Victoria's shoulders sank as she raised her eyes to look at him. "Because I used to love him. And it's something you do for someone you love."
"Victoria, there is no used too! You love him!"
"Please stop this, Matthew. I'll leave with you right now. I'll pack and we can be gone in an hour. When we're gone it won't be a problem. We'll go back to normal. Please, I promise." She begged.
"You can't fight this, Vic. I'm going home."
"Matthew, no, I…."
"I'll have some legal stuff done." Matthew interpreted. "A one year trial separation. If, at that time, you want…"
Matthew's voice cracked, he took a deep breath and finished "I'll be waiting for you.
He smiled sadly at her, took his suitcase, and was gone.
Victoria was still sitting in the room when Pepper found her
"Hello?" Pepper called into the dark room.
"What have I done?" Victoria mumbled
"Vic?"
"Oh god, what did I do!" She said a bit clearer.
"What's going on Victoria?" Pepper urged, growing concerned
"He's leaving, I made him leave. I've gone and fucked everything up."
"What are you talking about?" Pepper prompted again.
"We ran in to Bruce, and Matthew told me to go ahead and talk with him, Why would he say that? Why did he trust me? And then I told Bruce…." Victoria rushed out
"Told him what, Vic?"
Victoria groaned and buried her face in her hands. "That I still love him and that I think I'll always be willing to give him another chance. Then Matthew…"
"What did he do? Should I call…" Pepper interrupted , hand going to her phone
"No, no!" Victoria assured him. "He had Jarvis listen in, he watched us. By the time I got back up here he was packed and ready to leave. He wants a 1 year trial separation. Legally, I think I have to give it him."
"Legally?" Pepper questioned, confused
"Our prenup. Tony had one drawn up, despite my objections." Victoria explained "Matthew didn't care, he was really sweet about the whole thing! All he wanted to add was the trial separation clause." She paused a minute, then continued, "Oh God! He knew! He knew all along that this could happen! He knew if I ever saw Bruce again I'd leave him."
Bruce happened to be on the elevator when Matthew went to get on.
"Banner," he greeted him shortly with a glare.
"Matthew," he returned noticing his luggage. "You're leaving?"
"I'm leaving. Alone, but I'm sure you realize that"
"What?"
"She's staying here, you know, because 'part of her will always give you another chance' Nothing to say for yourself? I had a clause put into the prenup Tony made me sign. A 1 year trial should she ever want to leave me."
"Get that look of your face, Dr Banner. I knew this day was coming. If she ever saw you again, she'd go back to you.."
Matthew laughed and shook his head sadly." I just want her to be happy. Make the most of this, Doctor. If you hurt her again, I'll be there to make sure it's the last time she ever sees you. I'll see you in a year."
