Chapter Three – The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth
The night flew by easily. Pepper and Stark did all they could to welcome Gen, ordering pizza, providing her with a glass of red wine, and keeping up light, playful banter. Gen needed it. It took her mind off the thoughts that whizzed around her mind; for a moment, she stopped worrying about the future.
"So Gen, what do you do?" Pepper asked in a light tone, grasping her glass of red wine tight, before lifting it to her lips and taking a small sip.
"Since I came to New York, I've worked at a garage. I'm a mechanic". It reminded her all too much of Tyler and her guilt. She'd never blatantly lied to him before. Although he never knew the whole truth about her, she never made anything up.
Since arriving, there had been no attempt at sustaining a profound conversation; Stark was saving that for the following morning. He didn't want to scare Gen off and he figured the least she deserved was a relaxing night.
Pepper smiled before standing, removing he empty bottle from the table, and clearing the three empty glasses that were situated in front of Stark, Gen and herself.
"Well come on, we'll get you ready for bed".
Gen was well cared for; she was taken to a well-stocked 'spare' bathroom, and was given a set of flannelette pants and a tight tank top as nightwear. The room she was shown to was the only other bedroom on the tenth floor and it stood decorated with plush and expensive furnishings; the large king sized bed stood as the center piece. Sleep was evasive that night. Once alone, Gen's mind wondered, continuously running over an array hypothetical situations. In none of those situations did she 'win'. It all seemed hopeless. After a few hours of restlessness, Gen finally drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep.
Similarly for Stark, after kissing Pepper briefly on the lips, he too felt incapable of sleeping. Unlike Gen, he didn't stay in bed, rather he got up and walked into the lounge room clad in his short, Iron Man boxers (he thought they were just too cute to pass up).
"Jarvis, please call director Fury". He waited for a few minutes, flipping through a magazine that was sprawled carelessly on the small coffee table.
"Damn it Jarvis, I said, call Fury!".
"I'm sorry sir, I've tried both his work phone, his personal phone, and his home phone. It appears he is ignoring your calls".
He smacked his palm against the table in irritation. Fury tended to do that; ignore his calls. It was a harsh reminder that Agent Coulson was no longer around; that man would bend over backwards for any one of the Avengers; Stark was convinced that Fury didn't consider him, or the rest of the Avengers, anything more than soldiers that he could manipulate and command.
"Would you like me to call Banner, sir? Perhaps he could help". Stark pursed his lips before agreeing. Jarvis was right; Banner was definitely the man for the job.
Dr. Bruce Banner answered on the third ring. It was refreshing to find someone who actually bothered answering his calls. Their conversation was brief, but it was easily concluded that Banner was to arrive at Stark and Potts tower at 8am.
Morning came all too quickly, but it wasn't the sun that was streaming through the partially open blinds that awoke Gen, rather it was the smell of breakfast and loud chatter. Waking up in an unfamiliar room felt odd; it was nothing like her room at Tyler's, there was a lot less clutter, and it lacked the comforting atmosphere that she was accustomed to. She pushed the bundled blanket off of her and slipped out from between the sheets, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. She slowly stood on her feet, gently padding along the smooth, cool marble flooring towards the delectable scent and conversation. She walked into the kitchen to find Pepper, Tony and another man sitting at the large bar bench with a steaming plate of pancakes. All talking ceased when it came to their attention that Gen was in the room. Pepper was the first to react.
"Gen! How did you sleep? Grab a plate and stack it up", she said, breaking out into a wide smile. Gen reflexively smiled back; it was almost impossible not to as Pepper's enthusiasm was basically infectious.
"Yeah, good thanks", she whispered shyly, walking towards where the plates were. The man that she didn't recognize followed her with his eyes, observing the way she interacted with her surroundings, trying to decipher how much of Stark's assumption had been true. He was average in the simplest sense, with short curly brown hair and a five o'clock shadow. As Gen sat herself at the end of the bar, the man cleared his throat standing and extending his arm.
"I'm Dr. Bruce Banner. I suppose you're Gen?" He spoke in a soft, tentative tone, as if he was afraid of how she'd react. Gen slowly nodded, her mouth twitching into a half smile as she similarly extended her arm, shaking Banner's hand.
"I've heard quite a lot about you Dr Banner. My father followed your work closely".
It was then that Tony interrupted, "Was he a fan of how Banner turns into an enormous green rage monster?" Gen rolled her eyes as Banner let out a small chuckle. He'd learnt to tolerate Stark after working with him to defeat Loki.
"Stark told me what happened yesterday, I'm just here to talk to you and maybe run some tests if you would be okay with it". His voice was hopeful; it was clear that he was itching to find out what made Gen tick, and unlike Stark, Banner seemed less superficial and a lot more genuine.
"Too easy. We can get to that after breakfast". Banner broke out into a wide smile, grinning before turning to Pepper.
"So how has this egomaniac been treating you?" Banner asked.
"Ha, do you know how much I begged to get my name on the tower?" she replied, shaking her head in mock disbelief.
"Hey, I offered", Stark yelled, eyes wide like a lost puppy.
"And you know, he didn't let me anywhere near the lease".
Banner and Pepper started laughing as Stark pouted.
Breakfast was soon over, and it wasn't long before Pepper excused herself, leaving with a warm smile before going for coffee with friends. It was clear to Gen that she was just trying to give them some privacy, she mustn't have been involved in much of Stark's work with S.H.I.E.L.D..
"Let's get this party started!" Tony said, shaking his body in what looked like an attempt at dancing. Both Banner and Gen grinned before Banner led her to the elevator, with a dejected Stark following. They were off to visit Stark's research center, where he had set up a large workshop for building and repairing his suits, along with a small medical lab. As the elevator door opened, Gen's mouth dropped in astonishment. Her father would have loved it; large holographic computer screens littered the room, and the Iron Man décor roughed up the place quite nicely.
"Iron Man memorabilia? Really?" Gen asked, astonished that it was possible for one man to love himself so much.
"Well, I am quite amazing. I think it brightens the place", he replied with a snarky grin, rushing over to the nearest wall to straighten a signed poster.
"You never sell yourself short you?"
"I'm a genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist. What isn't there to sell?"
"Don't forget modest, humble and charming", Banner muttered sarcastically, leading Gen by the elbow to the small set up in the corner. She was then seated upon a metal-framed chair before a sphygmomanometer, a computer, and numerous other medical contraptions.
"Let's get started then", Tony stated clearing his throat.
"Let's get some bloods done whilst you explain to me what happened", Bruce said, gently holding onto Gen's arm, whilst Tony handed him a package containing a syringe and a few vials. Gen took a deep breath, before nodding.
"My father…he was one of the many who wanted to replicate Erskine's serum; he wanted to enhance humans, make it possible to broaden forces like S.H.I.E.L.D.". She paused, averting her gaze from Bruce opting to stare at the floor. "He mainly followed your work, Bruce, he always said he wanted to create a 'stable' serum that would create a stable version of you; he wanted something controllable. He dedicated years of his life to researching, and testing and hoping that someday he would find what it was that could safely enhance human abilities. We were being watched though. We didn't know it at the time, but we were". Gen's voice wavered, she was still struggling to come to grips with her father's death. He was the only family she'd ever known.
"He documented everything except for his final formula, because the day he found it, they stormed into our house". She was shaking, tears now freely falling down her face. Bruce pulled the needle out of her arm, sitting on the arm of the chair and enveloping her in a half hug. She was so wrapped in her story she hadn't even noted that Bruce had even taken her blood. "They had guns, and we could hear them yelling, but before they came into his lab, he injected me with his serum, he was certain that the formula was perfect, and when they came in, he told them it was gone. They…they killed him, and took me".
Stark had never really dealt with feelings, particularly not girls', but he was certain that no one deserved to go through that. He knew the price of knowledge though; Stark knew it all too well. He took a few confident strides forward before crouching down in front of Gen, resting his palms on her knees. He hadn't the faintest idea on how to comfort girls, not really, but for some reason he felt protective of her.
"How old are you?" Stark asked.
She smiled ruefully, wiping her nose with her sleeve, before wrapping her arms around her chest.
"I–I turn eighteen next month". Stark's eyes widened. She looked a lot older, but he knew how any given experience could age someone. It was in their eyes, it made them look haunted.
"Hey, I gave you wine yesterday!" He exclaimed, playful accusation in his eyes. Banner sighed as Gen released a small giggle.
"Is that really all you gathered from all that?" Banner asked exasperated before turning to face Gen. "Where did they take you?"
Gen breathed in again, bracing herself. Those three weeks could easily be considered the worst point in her existence thus far.
"I spent my seventeenth birthday in a laboratory in Jackson. They wanted information out of me so they stuck me in a broom closet, and pulled me out once a day to feed me and interrogate me". A ghost of a smile wisped across her face. "They never got anything out of me. I was there for almost three weeks. I was exhausted, and I felt like giving up. I felt like my father had died for nothing.
"I met the boss that day, and that's when I realized how desperate they were. That was when I stopped feeling so scared and desperate. I calmed down, closed my eyes and then I moved the table…but I didn't touch it!" Gen glanced at Bruce; she was so scared that he wouldn't believe her, that he would assume that she was just a silly girl making up stories in a frantic scramble for attention, but his expression was nothing but reassuring. Nowhere in his eyes, did she see even a thread of doubt.
"I ran away, and made my way to Manhattan; figured it would be easier to blend in than disappear. I got a job as a mechanic, and my boss ,Tyler offered me a place to stay. Yesterday was the first day I've used my powers in close to a year, and even then, I didn't want to".
Stark narrowed his eyes thinking, before squeezing Gen's knees lightly to get her attention. As she looked at him and he began talking swiftly.
"Did the boss tell you his name? And if so, do you remember where it was? We'll have to get talk to Fury straight away and get a team out there because they could be working on your father's formula and the last thing we need is for –", Gen cut him off.
"He introduced himself as Justin Hammer".
Banner and Stark looked at each other in alarm.
"How is that possible? Isn't he meant to be in prison?" Banner questioned.
"No. No, a man of his status, of our status, has many ways around the law. That bastard has given up on producing Iron Man suits for the military, and moved on to genetically mutating soldiers, like our very own Capsicle".
Gen was confused, and as Bruce caught sight of her wide, red-rimmed eyes he rubbed her shoulder comfortingly before saying, "Hammer is one of Stark's old enemies. Capsicle is just Tony's way of expressing his love for Captain America". Stark scoffed at that before abruptly standing and pacing.
"Jarvis, find me every warehouse in Jackson and bring it up on screen upstairs".
"Right away Mr. Stark", Jarvis said.
"You two can focus on that. I'll get to work on getting through to Fury. This is all a lot worse than I originally thought".
Stark pulled his cellphone out of his back pocket as he proceeded towards the elevator. After stepping in, he peeped up at a bewildered Gen and Banner, flashing them a smile and an exaggerated thumbs up. After the doors closed, Banner moved off of the arm of the chair, nestling into the seat that was situated in front of the computer. He emptied the small vials on blood into a special container and placed it in the small machine that was situated next to the computer Banner was using.
"Let's check your blood pressure, just to make sure that everything's okay". She nodded, allowing him to attach her to the sphygmomanometer. As he watched the numbers fluctuate before rapidly declining, he smiled, looking up at her encouragingly.
"You're all good there. Now it's just a case of checking your blood stream to see what the tests have found". It was then that Gen decided she liked Bruce. He was easy to get along with and more importantly, he didn't push her; he always asked if she was alright, or if she approved, and she was grateful for the sense of control she was granted. It was definitely welcomed.
The computer beeped, breaking Gen out of her train of thought, and zeroing her attention in on the large screen. Bruce skimmed through the information before frowning and rechecking what he'd read.
"Wow". It was a simple, yet effective word, however, whilst it may have communicated Banner's thoughts, it didn't articulate his findings.
"What is it?" Gen asked worriedly.
"Somehow your father had harnessed electromagnetic waves; I wouldn't have considered it possible, but the shot that he gave you must have enhanced the electrical signals sent from your brain, and in turn, it's given you the power to use electromagnetic waves to move objects. That's why you had to be calm to access your powers, you had to concentrate intently. It's truly remarkable". Gen was stunned. It sounded impossible, but somehow it had happened to her.
"Stark's right though, the ultimate concern now is that Hammer might using your fathers notes to create his own version of your fathers serum. The results could be catastrophic. We have to talk to Stark". Gen nodded, slightly shaken. She stood up with Banner, following him as he swiftly walked towards the elevator, and pressed the button. When the elevator opened they both stepped inside and Banner hastily pushed the button.
They found Stark sitting on the lounge with what looked like an iPad, with an interactive 3D hologram being projected from the screen. Stark looked up, before announcing his news.
"We're reporting into S.H.I.E.L.D. tomorrow. Everyone will be there, well except for Goldilocks. What did you find?" His voice was curt, and business-like. Gen had never heard Stark speak with such solemnity, but Banner replied in a similar fashion, reciting what he'd discovered in Gen's blood.
It was all becoming too much; there was so much change, it was all so sudden, and Gen began feeling overwhelmed. Dark spots danced across her vision, before she toppled over, inelegantly landing on the stone floor, propped against the lounge at Stark's feet. She could hear Tony and Bruce calling out to her, trying to capture her attention, but her eyes had glazed over whilst her blood pumped vociferously, almost deafening her. She was leaving, reporting to S.H.I.E.L.D. – wherever that was – but she couldn't stop thinking about Tyler, about what she'd say and what she'd do. Swallowing hard to lessen the lump that had formed in her throat.
"What about Tyler? What do I tell him?" She blinked rapidly, returning her attention to Bruce before sliding her gaze over to meet Tony's. Sometime after her fall, the two men had rushed by her side, squatting in front of her. Tony squeezed her hand whilst Bruce lightly clasped her shoulder.
"We'll go over tomorrow. Say your family needs you. Pack your things, and we'll go. Introduce me as your sexy Uncle Tone", Stark said with a wink. Bruce didn't even acknowledge Stark's attempt at a joke before disregarding Stark's advice and offering his own.
"No. Tell him as much of the truth as possible. Say someone's after you, and it's no longer safe; that in itself will make it more painless for the both of you". Gen nodded, as her eyes fluttered shut. She was so tired. It was only nearing noon, but it had been a taxing day; she just needed a break. She felt two strong arms wrap around her as she was carried away. She fell asleep before she reached her room and Banner laid her on the bed as the night before, covering her with a thin blanket before slowly backing out of the room.
Although he'd just met her, Banner empathized. He closed the door to her room, as walked into the living room.
"Jarvis, keep an eye on Gen. If she needs anything, let me know right away".
"Immediately", Jarvis replied.
It appeared that both men were on the same page; they both felt an unexplainable urge to protect the girl. They could both relate; Banner understood how overwhelmed she was, whilst Stark knew what it was like to be hunted for knowledge…and both agreed that a seventeen year old shouldn't have to live like that.
So that's chapter three! Hope you guys enjoyed it! It's moving a little slowly but bear with me! Won't be long before we get into the real stuff and Gen gets to meet a certain spangle-clad hottie ;)
Review and let me know what you think :) x