Sometimes Sick Saturdays are Salutary

The group entered the Tower, covered in ash, dirt and anything else that you get covered with when putting out amusement park fires to discover that Bruce was sitting on the sofa. He was wrapped in a green blanket, surrounded by 20 or so tissues thrown around the table, and holding a hot cup of water with a lemon slice. They all took various seats on the sofa around him.

Bruce glanced at all of them before commenting. "You all look…dirty."

Tony glanced back at him. "You look green…and not the Hulk green, but green around the gills green."

"That's why I didn't come with you yesterday." Bruce nodded. "Not even the Other Guy can prevent a cold forever. Even with Gamma infused antibodies, I can still get sick."

"Lucky," Steve commented. "I haven't been sick ever since Erskine's experiment. Call me crazy, but I kind of miss that feeling."

Tony gave him a look. "Only you could be jealous that someone else is getting sick and you're not."

Steve shrugged. "It's been so long I've actually forgotten what one feels like."

"Your nose gets plugged up, your throat is sore and raspy, your eyes are constantly watering, and you feel so crappy you can barely move to get up and use the bathroom."

Tony nodded towards Steve. "That's what you're jealous of?"

"Maybe not so much anymore," Steve remarked.

"Speaking of being jealous," Bruce commented. "As I was lying around, I turn on the news and who do I happen to see?" Bruce grabbed the remote and clicked on the T.V.

"Jack, I'm standing at the remains of Coney Island, where last night, The Avengers decided to come and have some fun…their own way. Roll the footage."

Shaky footage showed Natasha grab the carnie of the Shooting Gallery and bring him close to her face. "I am the number one shot in my league so the fact that I have only shot 4 of the 5 targets EVERY TIME is just impossible so tell me what you did! HOW DID YOU RIG IT?! HOW?!" She shook him back and forth. The camera cut to static right as she took out her real gun.

Then it showed Thor smashing the Whack-a-Mole game. "Retreat back into your holes you disease ridden vermin! It does not matter if there are 5 of you or 20, you shall not defeat the Son of Odin!"

Then it cut to Tony. First, when he threw the ball in his Iron Man suit. The ball slammed through the bottles, then smashed through the back of the game. Tony then turned his repulsor to the carnie. "So, how many tickets will you give me to not report your cheating, game-rigging butt to - " Then, it cut to when he was asleep on the car. The car bumped into a Dunk Me tank, spider webbing the glass before the water spilled out, shorting out the wire, causing a spark to ignite the pole on the back of the car. Wherever Tony went, the flame followed shining as brightly as the Olympic torch. That's where the video ended.

"Seems like all of The Avengers got in on the mayham this time around," The reporter chuckled. "This Ned Leeds, reporting live from Coney Island. Back to you Jack."

Bruce muted the T.V. "I am so glad I didn't force myself out of bed when you knocked on my door yesterday."

Tony shrugged, getting up and walking towards his room. "Whatever. I'm just glad I wasn't the only one portrayed in a negative light." He grinned. "I must be rubbing off on you guys."

Clint nodded. "And that's what makes you such a bad influence Tony."

Tony beamed. "I'm so proud. Now if you excuse me, I have to prepare a gift for someone who loves black leather more than Natasha."

The others considered doing something about that before noticing Looney Tunes were on. "I'm sure whatever Tony's got planned will turn out okay in the end."

The others nodded half-assed, barely paying attention to what Clint said, as they were much more interested in what Bugs was going to Elmer Fudd this time around.

)()(

"'A gift from Tony Stark'?!" Nick Fury repeated incredulously. "For what?"

Coulson handed him a note. 'Thanks for handling the whole Amusement Park situation with such class, enjoy a special gift from me. Warning, don't drink too much.'

Fury eyed the bottle suspiciously. It seemed to glow and low-key gold/amber color. Taking it out of the bag, he pick up the bottle and examined it. "It is a beautiful looking color…maybe he's actually being sincere this time."

Coulson approached with two wine glasses. "It couldn't hurt to try it."

Fury popped the cork. "Why not?"

He poured the liquid into the glasses before taking a drink.

Now on to read L4J chapter 46…if you haven't already. ;)