Natasha stood with her back toward Bruce, looking out into the New York night. It was nearly 3 in the morning, yet the streets were still filled with people having a good time and enjoying the night life of the city.
"It's pretty. Isn't it." Bruce offered as he took the place beside her. "When I was on the run, I always thought of New York."
"It's nice." Natasha didn't offer anything else.
Bruce watched her as the silence continued, trying to judge her expression. Finally, he broke the silence, "Natasha, if you ever need to talk about something...I'm a good listener."
"Thanks, but I don't need a shoulder to cry on."
"Everyone needs to talk sometime." Bruce involuntarily touched her arm.
"I'm not like everyone!" Natasha pulled away. "I'm an assassin."
"You're still a person. You can't bottle up your emotions." Bruce replied.
"Coming from the man who is nothing but bottled up emotions." Natasha shot back. That struck a nerve in the doctor.
"Is that how you see me? Nothing more than a monster," Bruce stepped toward her, "am I just here to destroy what Fury deems unnecessary? Am I just a monster? Am I?" Bruce stomped his foot to accentuate his anger. His eyes flashed green and his breathing quickened.
On instinct, Natasha drew her gun, though Bruce wasn't sure were she had hidden it in her pajamas. Bruce stared at the gun unfazed.
"Go ahead," he moved forward pressing the gun to his chest, "shoot me. It wouldn't be the first time the monster saved me." At this point, his eyes were back to their normal coffee color.
Natasha knew she was safe and put down the gun. "I killed a man two weeks ago." She stated plainly. Bruce waited for the explanation. "Fury sent me to the Middle East to kill a business man who had done some bad things."
"Seems like a mission for an assassin." Bruce shrugged.
"Yes, but this was different. The first time I tried to kill him his wife got in the way. I didn't take the shot. The next time I was about to pull the trigger, when his son stepped into my crosshairs. I couldn't do it. I told Fury, but we needed the target neutralized. On my final attempt, I had a clear shot. I readied my rifle and right as I fired his son leaned in the hug him." Natasha wiped away a tear from her cheek. "I killed a kid, Bruce. The worst part is I was trained to kill no matter what. No feelings just killing, and I'm losing that part of me. What do you do with an assassin that can't kill?" Natasha had moved to the concrete ledge of the balcony.
In the blink of an eye, she had climbed to the top and was standing over the New York street. "Natasha, please get down." Bruce said.
"I killed a child, Bruce." She replied staring straight ahead.
"But you saved so many other people. That man was sure to kill again. You stopped him. You're the hero." Bruce stood slightly behind her close enough that he thought he could reach her. "Give me your hand, Natasha. You don't deserve this. Let me help you." Bruce reached out and took her hand.
Before she could react, he pulled her toward him and caught her in his arms. "One accident does not make you a bad person. Trust me. I know." Bruce smiled and Natasha laughed. A real laugh. "If I put you down, will you promise to stay on this side of the of the ledge?"
"Yes," replied Natasha. Bruce set her feet down on the balcony floor, but kept his other hand at her back. Natasha still had her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thank you, Bruce."
"You're welcome. It feels better knowing Bruce Banner can help sometimes, too." Bruce replied.
Natasha pulled back to look into his eyes. "Bruce, you are not here just because you're..."
"The Hulk?" Bruce offered.
"Yes. You're more than that. You're a brilliant scientist and an excellent listener." Natasha told him.
"I'm flattered," laughed Bruce. He looked into the eyes of the master assassin standing in front of him and saw a beautiful, temporarily insecure, woman. He couldn't help what he did next.
Leaning in quickly, Bruce planted his lips on hers. A moment passed before Natasha kissed him back. She pulled herself into Bruce feeling him pressed against her. They stayed locked in the embrace until Natasha pulled back. "I should...go to bed now." Fury has Clint and I shipping out early." Natasha stared at her hands on his chest.
"I understand," Bruce lifted her chin to look at him, "just be careful. Okay?" Concern radiated from his body.
"I'm always careful." Natasha tried to lighten the mood with a laugh but Bruce was unconvinced.
Instead, he raised a hand to her cheek and brushed his thumb across. He leaned in for one more kiss which Natasha accepted. When Bruce pulled back she was crying; he knew she was crying this time. He wiped her tears and she smiled. "Goodnight, Bruce."
"Goodnight, Natasha." Bruce watched as Natasha disappeared into the shadows from which she came.
Bruce listened to the sound of the city from his spot on the balcony. The cars hummed across the crowded streets and people paced the sidewalks mesmerized by the bright lights. He remembered when he was one of those people. In awe of the sheer size of the city. Back when he was just Bruce Banner and not the monster who sometimes controlled him.
Finally, the power of sleep took over and Bruce went back to his room. He laid down thinking of Natasha. He wasn't sure why he kissed her, he had never thought of her in that light, but he was glad he had. Since their first meeting, Bruce had felt a connection with her that had only grown since moving in to the tower. Bruce was consumed by his thoughts of Natasha and was soon asleep without nightmares to keep him awake.
A/N: Let me know what you think. How many people actually like Bruce and Natasha together?
