A/N: So this chapter is a little shorter, but it means I have the next chapter all planned out. Hope to get it up in the next few days. I'm happy to see people are reading! Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Making Friends with Coworkers Part 1
Lilliana Hudson did not go to sleep the night after she was given her first assignment. She stayed up organizing her ideas and making several different outlines for her articles, as well as creating at press release about the Thanos situation, which gave just made her anxious and restless. At 3am, when she thought she would get some rest, she found her mind racing, and she got up and started wandering the base. It was quiet, and the lights had been dimmed, and she was able to wander around in the dark and reflect on her thoughts, until she noticed a light on down a hallway. She felt like she probably shouldn't be nosy, but who knows what she could find. She tiptoed down and peered in the corner of the window. It was Bruce, he was scribbling in a notebook of his own, working on his part of her article.
She watched him for a moment, his forehead crinkled with concentration, admiring how dedicated he was to covering his bases, knowing the other Avengers wouldn't be. She thought about his conversation with her earlier, and made the decision to knock on his door. He looked up, startled by the disturbance, his eyes flashing green, and had to take a few breaths before waving for her to come in. She came in and stood by the door, sort of smiling at him.
"Why are you up so late? You're going to be too tired for your first day of training tomorrow." Bruce asked her, looking back to his writing, correcting some parts.
"Stupid really, I can't sleep."
"This whole Thanos thing is really bugging you isn't it?"
"Sort of, I haven't spoken to my parents since I left for school." She sighed, and he looked up at her, concern starting to overwhelm his features. He felt that at 22, she was far too young to be alienated from her family.
"They didn't want you to go to the city."
"Bingo. It sucks not being able to go home, and just knowing I'm a disappointment and things are in jeopardy, makes me wish I could talk to them. You know?" She voice cracked, she was getting emotional, and hating herself for it. She didn't understand why it was so easy for her to open up to him, maybe she felt like he would help her, or maybe it was desperation for some sort of friendship here. Bruce was growing frustrated with her parents, and he could hear the big guy in the back of his mind.
"Yea, I understand. Have you tried calling?"
"Not since summer of my freshman year, when I was told they don't feed homeless actors." Her breath hitched as she replied, and Bruce cracked his knuckles.
"You've changed your major since then."
"Not really, journalism is my minor. I'm creative writing and theatre."
"So why aren't you in a theatre internship then?"
"Well, I didn't get called. Besides, this is an amazing opportunity. I love writing these sorts of things, getting to show a new perspective and investigation." She brightened up when she started talking about her writing, Bruce noticed, and he smiled a little, still frustrated with her parents.
"Well, maybe theatre isn't the career for you. Have you thought about journalism and creative writing? Seems like that would be more your thing. If this is what you really want to do with your life."
"The feeling of being on stage is even more amazing."
"So this is your backup plan."
"You could say that."
"Your parents can't respect that you at least set up a backup plan? That's ridiculous." Bruce fumed, slamming his pen onto the desk. Lilliana saw his eyes go green and she tensed up a little, ready to run from a power he couldn't control. His eyes grew sad as he looked at her, and then he looked down ashamed. Lilliana felt guilty for being afraid, and grabbed his arm in the same reassuring way that he had done for her earlier.
"We should change the subject Dr. Banner. I'm sorry to get you worked up. How's your writing going? Do you want any help?"
"You're too young to be exposed to all of this. I don't know what Stark was thinking. You're too innocent and trusting at this age. Everything isn't okay. Don't you understand?"
"I know what you can do. I'm not stupid; I'm afraid yes, because I know you can barely control him. I know Dr. Banner wouldn't hurt anyone."
"I'm not the only monster on this stupid base!" Bruce growled, slapping her arm away and getting up to pace the room, trying to control himself.
"I know all about SHIELD's inconsistencies, and I know about the nuke. I know that the government would destroy us before it would allow us to be destroyed. Why do you think I'm so nervous? Down there, they're all sheep! I want more than that, even if it's for a little while. Don't underestimate me Dr. Banner; I get enough of that down there." She was starting to get angry too, and stood up to face him. He looked at her, bewildered that she knew, and felt his control come back. He grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Do not underestimate Nick Fury. He's not a good man. You are too young to lose your life over some stupid internship, you need to go home and make up with your parents. It's no fun to have regrets, so don't start before you even graduate college."
"I don't plan on it. I know more than SHIELD acknowledges that I do." She smirked at him. He shook his head with a small smile, floored at how calm she made him after he was getting so angry. She played with the big guy, and won.
"Good, now go get some sleep. You'll be begging for it when they're kicking your ass tomorrow in training. They don't play."
"I'm not that out of shape. Good night Dr. Banner. Thanks for letting me talk to you."
"It's Bruce, and thank you Lilliana, for confiding in me. I'll have this writing for you in the morning, and sorry I got a little green on you."
"It's Lilly, and you have nothing to be sorry for." She smiled at him again before she turned and went back towards her room. She sighed as her door closed behind her, and sat down on her bed, taking out her phone and texting "Thanks" to Peter before she decided to get a little sleep.