This was my first try at chapter 7 and I liked it but as soon as I reached chapter 8 I hit a dead end and rewrote it to the version that you know and is orientated on the movie.
...It's kind of sad since I liked it but if my muse strikes: what can I do?

"Blah blah" = words in Bengali (spoken language in Calcutta)

Original Chapter 7: Gathering new Friends

Tony had already heard of Dr Bruce Banner aka the Hulk – the scientist that had experimented with gamma radiation and had an accident while testing his theories a few years back and now turned into a green rage monster – before he had turned twenty-four but hadn't had the chance to approach him.

This Dr Banner was being hunted down by the military and since Tony didn't really like the military after having to live for six years with SHIELD he wanted to invite Bruce Banner into the tower. And when he tracked him down to Calcutta, his damaged and science-loving heart skipped a beat. Finally someone who could at least understand most of what he was saying!

Tony had decided to recruit their first possible member himself and was now walking through the dark and dirty streets of Calcutta, wearing his favourite dark blue hoodie with the hood concealing his facial features and worn out jeans as well as comfortable sneakers. He also had some of his knives hidden on himself just in case that some thugs trying to muck him on his way to the good Doctor.

The building – if you could even call it that – was extremely run down as Tony could observe but on his missions for SHIELD he had seen even worse so that didn't bother him as he stepped into it. Inside a few women were trying their best to nurse the sick back to health and in the middle of them all stood a man who seemed to be in his element but in the same time didn't really fit in.

Tony stepped towards the dark haired man and asked in perfect Bengali: "Excuse me, are you Dr Bruce Banner?"

The man stiffened, then whirled around and eyed Tony suspiciously. "Who wants to know? I'm busy here." Tony could see the slight hidden twitch that signalled him that the man was ready to run as fast as he could if Tony didn't tread carefully.

"Of course you are and I am sorry to interrupt but I wanted to talk to you. If you don't mind then I can help you out here and we can talk afterwards without hectic." That offer made the other man blink in surprise and the suspicion receded slightly. "Do you have proper medical training?"

Tony nodded. "Yes I learned by a really good man." As he said that, he couldn't suppress the proud tone that had slipped into these words since it wasn't a lie: Yinsen had taught Tony everything he knew in the medical area and Tony had even studied medicine while he studied other things at the same time to improve his skills in various areas (he is a genius so that was no real problem for him). "All right, my name is Bruce Banner – as you already know."

Tony gave him a small amused smile. "Nice to meet you Dr Banner. Just call me Iron for now." At the name one of Banner's eyebrows went up in disbelieve but he didn't comment and instead instructed Tony what he could do to help. Together they worked till deep into the night and only stopped once they were exhausted – Dr Banner more than Tony who could go on for days without sleep or a break.

They walked side by side through the moonlit streets. Finally after what seemed like forever, Dr Banner turned his head towards Tony while they continued walking. "Why did you help? You're not military – even if you seem like someone who has seen death already close-up. Who exactly are you?"

"You are correct with your assumption, Doctor. I am not military. My Boss wanted to make you an offer." "Who is your Boss and what kind of offer?" "I was coming to that Doctor Banner, don't worry. I already told you to call me Iron, there was a reason why I chose that name. During my 'normal' work, I usually wear a suit and people tend to call me Iron Man when I am using it." You're Tony Stark's bodyguard?!" "Yes and Mr Stark wanted to offer you a place on a team he is creating." "…What kind of team? I am sure that your boss knows that the Hulk – other guy – can't be controlled by others, so what would you want from me?"

"Just for the record Dr Banner, you don't have to take part in this team if you feel uncomfortable with it but Mr Stark would be really happy if you even agreed to just give scientific opinions to help… He also made clear that he would force you to do anything and wants you to know that you can live with him in the tower and have his protection from others even if you don't want to work with him…" Here Banner interrupted him: "Why?"

A very small smile graced Tony's features as he said quietly: "Let's just know that he knows how it feels when others try to control you and he doesn't wish that onto other people." The light bitter undertone sounded to Bruce as if he was including himself as well as said these words and filed it away for later. Tony continued his speech from before Banner's interruption, now in a normal volume: "But as I wanted to say before you interrupted me Doctor: if you decided to live in the tower, he could offer you protection from the military. Most people tend to be wary of Mr Stark because he hasn't been that long in the eye of the public as he would have been if he hadn't been 'gone' for almost seven years. Despite this they still know that you shouldn't mess with him: the public loves him for stopping weapons manufacturing and helping people with medical advanced that can be afforded by everyone and through charity events, which is why the military can't afford it to anger the majority of the world."

He smiled at Dr Banner who was looking at him as if he was trying to find out what made him tick.

"Before I decide, answer me one other question."

"Ask away!"

"Why are you working for Tony Stark? You appeared with him when he came 'back from the dead' and in the first weeks you never left his side as if you were afraid to lose him. Why?"

"That are two questions Dr Banner but I can give you one answer for both: he and others saved my life and I saved theirs. We became good friends over time." Tony's answer wasn't even a, Iron Man had given him the chance to go back to his original life without endangering his family who had supported him.

Dr Banner's voice startled him out of his musing. "Okay I will give it a try." "Really?!" As soon as Banner nodded, Tony couldn't himself but beam at the Doctor – even if you could only see the wide smile and not the excitement that was shining in Tony's eyes because of the hoodie. "That's great! I will tell Mr Stark. He will organize things like getting a new doctor here so that the people won't have to go on without help and you will have to pack your belongings…" The out held hand stopped Tony in his rambling, blinking at it he shifted his gaze to the Doctor's smiling eyes. "Thank you." Baffled Tony blinked again and then took the offered hand, shaking it. "It's nothing Dr Banner. Mr Stark and I are honoured that you agreed." "Bruce." "Huh?" "Call me Bruce. 'Dr Banner' is just to formal if we're going to work together." "Okay."

Together they walked the rest of the way to Bruce's run down apartment in comfortable silence where Bruce packed his meagre belongings into a bag. They made their way to the airport where a small jet that Tony had built himself was waiting for them.

"Welcome aboard sir." The British voice startled Bruce as they stepped into the jet and spinned around on the spot while Tony talked seemingly to the air. "Hi Jarvis."

"Who was that?"

"Mh? Oh, that's Jarvis. Say hi Jarvis."

"Hello Dr Banner. It's nice to see that sir got you to join us without him causing chaos." "Hey! I'm not that bad! " Tony exclaimed mock offended while Jarvis only answered with a sarcastic sounding: "Of course sir." "I swear Phil or Clint got you on my case." Tony grumbled and Jarvis faked nonchalance: "I don't know what you are talking about sir." The still hooded young man waved at the air. "Yeah sure whatever… Well then let's get back home."

Tony moved to the cockpit and indicated for Bruce to follow him. "Sit down and enjoy the ride."

The still baffled Bruce did as he was told and after they had taken off, he had finally sorted through his overloaded and jumbled thoughts. "So… Jarvis, he is a real AI?"

"Yep. Mr Stark created Jarvis himself." Bruce didn't miss the proud tone and saved it like the other facts about Iron for a later point in time. "Jarvis is not only integrated in this plane but he also is the keeper of Mr Stark's tower. If you ever need anything, just ask Jarvis or Mr Stark directly, they will help you."

"What about you?" "What about me?" "Can't I just ask you?" "…Oh, uhm, well… probably not. You won't see me most of the time like this and I only appear as Iron Man if I am needed. I just made an exception for this since I was asked to…" "Oh…" "…and besides I wanted to meet you in person." Tony looked away from the horizon for a second to give Bruce a smile, which the other man shyly returned.

They flew the rest of the way in silence – Tony concentrating on flying and Bruce dozing in his seat. Bruce woke up when they had almost reached their destination New York City and broke the surprisingly comfortable silence that had settled over them. "Will you tell me your real name someday or do I have to call you Iron Man every time we see each other?" "You will learn it sooner than you think." And that was that. They landed and a car was already waiting for them. The driver – Happy Hogan as Bruce learned – took Bruce's bag and put it in the trunk.

Tony sat in the front and fell asleep during the drive to the tower. Once there, Happy turned to the still sleeping Tony – but didn't touch him. "Hey we're here." "Ugh, Happy… couldn't you have driven slowly just this once?" Happy smiled fondly at the younger man. "Nope. I got the instruction to get you into a proper bed for once and I am sure that a car seat is not the definition for such a thing."

Tony grumbled something that the other two couldn't understand but still stepped out of the car. Happy and Bruce followed him and together the three men walked to the elevator, which took them to the upper floors that were apartments. Once there Tony showed Bruce his own floor. "Make yourself at home Bruce. Night!" "Good night… Iron Man, thanks." A tired smile graced Tony's features. "No prob."

They parted ways and Tony was greeted on his own floor by the sight of his family. He was instantly swarmed by Phil, Yinsen and Pepper – Clint and Natasha also stepping closer and checking him through looking alone to not interfere with the fuzzing of the other three. They checked Tony for injuries of any kind while Tony tried to ensure them that he was fine. "Guys! I'm fine, really. Nothing spectacular happened. I'm just tired."

Phil looked him at him once again and once he was satisfied that Tony had spoken the truth led him to the gigantic couch where everyone tried to sit as close to Tony as they could. Tony was still thinking about when the best time to tell Bruce the whole truth about him and Iron Man (or most of it), when he fell asleep – knowing he could nowhere be saver in the world than in the company of his family…