Dust hung in the air, as Bruce opened his eyes in the near darkness of their cage. The only light came from a fist sized hole over their heads, and from that, Bruce could barely see Natasha's face. He could still feel her beneath him with her hands clutching his shirt.
"Are you okay?" She asked from under him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about you?" Bruce stood to give her space and search her for other injuries.
"I'm good." Natasha tried to look strong, but Bruce could see the pain in her eyes.
"We have to get out of here. You've lost too much blood." Bruce looked once again at her leg. He didn't have anything to stop the bleeding.
Or did he.
Bruce began to unbuckle his belt and pulled it free of the loops on his pants. "I don't think now is the best time, Doctor." Natasha smiled seductively.
"A dark space. Blood. Death threats. This is just like my Saturday nights." Bruce smirked leaning in with the belt in his hands.
Natasha raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Interesting." She let him tighten the belt around her thigh, slowing down the bleeding.
Reaching up, she pulled him to her lips giving him a quick kiss. "We should get out of here."
"Agreed." Bruce began to push on the concrete trying to move the solid rock. Struggling with the weight, Bruce wasn't making any progress and stopped to catch his breath. Natasha looked at him ready to give her idea. "Don't even think about it." Bruce warned.
"Why not? He could lift it easily and get us out of here." She exclaimed.
"With the possibility of killing you in the process. I'm not taking that chance." Bruce shot down the idea once again.
"You won't hurt me, Bruce." Natasha stood up in the small space.
"I almost killed you on the helicarrier. I am not risking it." Bruce was trying to convince her to keep the Other guy out of their current situation, but she was stubborn and wouldn't be dismayed that easy.
"I trust you." Natasha put her hand to his cheek, and, in one swift motion, drew it back and slapped him.
"What the hell are you doing?" Bruce was stunned.
"Making you angry. Or you can turn yourself. Your choice." She drew her fist back, making it clear that she would punch him.
"All right." Bruce grabbed her fist and lowered it. "Just stand back as far as you can."
Natasha nodded then pulled him to her lips once more. They stayed together for a long moment, then she pulled back. "For luck." She explained before moving as far away as the space would allow.
Bruce took a breath then another and another until his breathing quickened and his eyes flashed green. His muscles began to inflate, tearing apart his shirt, and he squeezed his eyes closed in pain as the transformation continued. A growl escaped his lips as Bruce changed into the Hulk.
Once he reached his full height, the creature no longer fit the space and a primal yell came from deep within as he pushed against the concrete. The ceiling piece was lifted into the air and sailed across the room. When the Hulk was free to stand straight, he turned to Natasha. She wasn't threatened by him because she knew that it was still Bruce, but she was ready to move incase he forgot.
The creature stared down at her, his breathing heavy like a bull's. He was so different from Bruce; she didn't know how they could be the same. Then he moved toward her and before she could react he held her in his massive arms and jumped from the hole in the floor. They landed soundly on the platform in front of the elevators. Natasha was breathing heavy now - the quick jump from the hole taking her breath.
The Hulk set her down gently then began backing away with a few grunts. She got to her feet, watching as the green creature in front of her started shrinking. He sunk to his knee's in pain and yelled one last time before hitting the ground with his fist. The damage might have been greater had he not been halfway to Banner at that time, but soon she could see the green give way to tan and the muscles go back to their normal size; the creature was gone.
Bruce was on all fours, panting in his dizzying state. He wobbled slightly, but Natasha was in front of him, holding him up, before he could pass out onto the ground. "Hey, come on now. You can't pass out on me when I didn't pass out on you." She said quietly.
"We made it." Bruce acknowledge, still taking deep breaths.
"I told you he wouldn't hurt me." Natasha remarked. She helped Bruce to his feet slowly.
"Yes, you're always right." Bruce agreed. He held onto her to steady himself. "It was different this time. Like he knew it was you."
"I think he did. I never felt like I was in danger, or that he would hurt me. It was just you." Natasha squeezed his arms. "Albeit, a ten foot tall, green colored you. But still you." She jested as she leaned in closer.
"I'm glad you're having fun with this." He retorted, grabbing her sides quickly making her wiggle in amusement.
"I'm a barrel of laughs." Natasha grinned.
Bruce looked away and she could tell something was on his mind. He stared at the ground thinking things over in his scientific head. Natasha could practically see the wheels turning over and over. "Bruce? What's wrong? If this is about the Hulk hurting me, we don't need to talk about this. He didn't hurt me. You didn't hurt me."
"I would never hurt you. Because I love you." Bruce had never been so honest in his life. Even before he was the Hulk, he kept to himself and tried to stay out of the limelight even though he was the top researcher in his field.
Now, standing here in front of Natasha, he had never felt more exposed. She seemed to be processing his words. Her face was stuck in a shocked expression; then it shifted and she spoke. "Bruce, we live in a dangerous world. We can't have - "
"Look," Bruce interrupted, "I don't want the white picket fence dream. All I want is to help people and have you there beside me, doing the same. I know we live in a dangerous world, but I don't want to live in fear of it. I will do whatever I can to protect you. And I trust that you will do the same for me."
Natasha listened carefully to his idea of their future and she nodded her agreement. Bruce broke out into a wide smile and pulled her to him. The hug acted like a handshake to their business deal, but the kiss that followed was saved completely for pleasure. He kissed her with fervor, needing the connection between them and not worrying about turning if his excitement became too great. She returned the intensity, unafraid of the creature lurking inside him. They knew it was one of the few quiet moments they would have, and they would treasure each one.
A/N: When I first wrote this story ( like actually wrote it down in a journal) this was the end, but now that I have typed it and you guys have seen it I'm tempted to keep going. Let me know what you think. Thank you again to all of you who have been keeping up with this. I appreciate your support!
