A/N: This is a long and dialog heavy chapter. I apologize, but it is an important chapter. Some of it may be a bit confusing, but it will make sense later in the story. I hope you enjoy and I looooove feedback :)

"You are NOT putting rodents in my lab!" roared Tony.

Ignoring him, Perry continued transferring white lab mice into the new cage that was constructed on the edge of her freshly stocked work area. On her first day in the lab, Perry immediately staked out a corner and demanded that it be reconstructed to meet all of her research needs. Tony grumbled, a lot, but complied with her orders.

"I mean it, Perry. I can't think with all of those rats squeaking and scampering and being rats…"

"They're mice, Tony, said Bruce quietly from his computer.

"You stay out of this!"

Bruce chuckled, taking off his glasses so he could watch the scene in front of him. Despite all of Tony's big talk and shouting, he knew that Perry would win this argument. In the week that she had been there, Bruce noticed that she had Tony securely wrapped around her little finger.

Snapping the cage door shut, Perry rounded on her uncle. "You are the one who is making me work in this lab when I could be downstairs with the other bio-heads!"

"Bio-heads?!" Tony's voice had jumped up in octave. "Where the hell did that name come from?"

"I believe you are the one who came up with that name, just as you call engineering 'nuts and bolts', and geology 'dirt bags', and us 'sci-bros'…" piped up Bruce. Tony glared at him, getting another chuckle from the doctor.

"Seriously, Tony, I am a scientist, not a child. I can work without having someone stand over my shoulder. It's not like I am going to accidently to kill myself or something."

"Aren't you though?" he asked darkly.

The color drained from Perry's face, and for a moment she looked as though she might slap her uncle. Bruce began walking around his desk just in case.

"Leave me the fuck alone, Tony," she said coldly, pushing past him and leaving the lab.

Bruce's eyes followed her, one eyebrow raised in confusion. Tony and Perry usually bickered, but he had never seen either of them react in cold anger. He suddenly felt like the third wheel of an inside joke that wasn't funny.

Tony let out a sound of frustration, slamming his fist down on the table. Without a word, he too stalked out of the lab.

Steve Rogers was minding his own business, walking down to Tony Stark's rather amazing garage, when he was apprehended by a crazy woman.

For the past year, Tony had graciously allowed Steve to borrow a corner of the garage for a little remodel project. The captain may not have been up to date with all of the latest technology and most current sports cars that Stark Tower held, but he had caught up to at least the 50's. In this garage sat a beautiful 1957 Chevy Bel Air that Steve was rebuilding from the frame up. It was such a lovely piece of machinery, and despite being teased relentlessly by Tony for his old fashioned All-American tastes, he admired the advancements in vehicles from the time he was frozen to 1957.

A little over week after the arrival of Tony's niece, Steve finally got to meet her. He was almost to the end of the hallway, where it stopped with the door to his workroom, when he saw a young woman struggling to open the door before it. She was a pretty lady with dark hair and eyes. In some ways she reminded him of Darcy Lewis, although she was a few years older.

"You!" She shouted, turning to face him as he approached. "You look strong, maybe you can help me get this door open. It sticks."

Steve looked down at her with surprise. Women were so forthcoming in the 21st century. "Yes ma'am, I can try." He said politely.

Bracing his shoulder against the door, Steve pushed as hard as he could, but it would not budge. "Hmmm, it is really stuck," he muttered.

"Maybe if you take it at a bit of a run," suggested the young woman. Her brown eyes had a sweet, innocent look that Steve could not resist.

Taking a few steps back, he slammed into the door with his shoulder, but it still would not budge. Frowning, he wiggled the handle experimentally.

"Are you sure it isn't locked?"

The girls shook her head. "It definitely isn't locked. I just came out of there and now I can't get back in." Giving him a sly look she added, "If you can't get it open I will just have to ask Thor."

Steve's frown deepened. There was no need to get Thor involved with a little door opening. Walking all the way across the hallway, he took off toward the door again with a run. Turning just as he reached the door, he landed a heavy kick right in the middle of it. The door splintered open and the door handle landed on the floor with the deadbolt securely in the locked position.

Steve picked up the handle and inspected it. "It wasn't locked, huh?"

The girl gave him a wicked grin, one that he was sure he had seen before. "Oops," was all she said. Moving past him, she started to step into the room.

"Who are you?" he asked, still holding the door handle.

Slowly, she turned to face him again. "I'm Perry Stark. It is a pleasure to meet you Captain Rogers. And don't worry, Tony won't blame you for breaking his door." With a final wink, the slammed the remains of the door shut.

Steve stood frozen to the spot. Of course that was Tony's niece. He should have known right away, she had Stark written all over her. That meant she was going to be nothing but trouble, he was sure of it.

Finally dropping the door handle, he headed on into his workshop. Being around Tony, he quickly learned that the man could be his greatest friend or biggest enemy. After meeting the niece, he decided that she was not too far off from her uncle. It was time to make a new friend.

Bruce was alone in the lab for the first time in ten days. It was incredible just how lonely it seemed without Perry there, even after such a short time. Before she came, he regularly worked alone while Tony was off doing whatever Tony does. After Perry arrived, she struck up an immediate rapport with Bruce, making his quiet days working much more interesting. Since she was dividing her time between her independent research and Hulk research, he found himself subject to her pokes, prods, and questions on a daily basis. Of course he didn't mind because she had an uncanny way of making the unpleasant tests downright enjoyable.

But despite the easy banter they had in the lab, and despite the fact that Bruce was inexplicitly drawn to Perry, he kept her at a distance rather than falling into friendship. It undoubtedly wasn't easy for him to keep her away, but he was certain that it was necessary. She was confident, smooth, and friendly – all the things that Bruce could not resist. That is how Tony had wormed himself into Bruce's life and got him set up at Stark Tower. He could easily see Perry worming her way in and causing all sorts of havoc.

No it was better to just remain cordial lab partners and nothing more.

But it was just so damn lonely without her there.

Bruce's quiet thoughts were soon broken by Tony, as he came whistling into the lab. Glancing around, he quickly noticed the missing element.

"Where is Perry?" he asked slowly, looking at the doctor as though he might be hiding her behind him.

Bruce gave him a concerned look. "I haven't seen her today. Is she missing?"

Tony scowled. "JARVIS! Call Pepper!" he shouted. Bruce raised an eyebrow. And they thought he had anger management issues.

"What is it, Tony," came Pepper's voice over the intercom. She sounded tired despite it being early in the day. Living with Tony could wear a person out.

"Have you seen Perry today?" he asked sharply.

"Isn't it one of her headache days? "asked Pepper. Her voice had changed from weariness to concern.

Tony furrowed his brow in thought. Silently, he counted on his fingers. Bruce was beyond confused at what they were referring to.

"Shit, that is today," he said, finally coming to the answer he wanted. "But she wasn't in her room…"

Just then JARVIS announced that there was a security breach on the garage level. A surveillance video showed Captain America himself busting down the extremely locked door to Tony's newest creation (a high speed motorcycle) while Perry stood by.

"Why would Steve break into your garage, Tony?" asked Bruce. It defied all logic that Mr. Morals would be committing a little breaking and entering, although he had done it before. "Tony?" asked Bruce again when he didn't get an answer. Turning, he saw that Tony's face was redder than his metal suit.

"I'm gonna kill her," he said.

"No you are not," replied Pepper in her tired voice again.

"JARVIS!" Shouted Tony. "Where is Perry now?"

A new surveillance video, a current one, flashed onto the screen and showed Perry running her hand along he smooth lines of Tony's shiny red motorcycle.

"Do not activate the bike for her under any circumstances," Tony ordered JARVIS. "Even if she overrides the system."

"I don't think she wants to ride it," said Bruce as he continued to watch her. "It seems like she is just looking at it."

Tony rolled his eyes. "I am not going to risk it. You go down and talk to her, I will make sure she doesn't try to take out JARVIS or something."

Bruce shook his head. "Why me? Why don't you go talk to her. You're the one who knows what the hell is going on."

"Na-uh, she actually likes you. If I went down there she would run me over with that bike."

Bruce couldn't disagree with that. "I am pretty sure sending someone with my rage issues isn't going to help matters any," he muttered. It was a last ditch effort, but he had to try.

Unfortunately, Tony wasn't taking the bait. Throwing his head back, he let out a loud laugh that scared Bruce as much as it annoyed him. Scowling, he stood up slowly and shuffled towards the door.

Perry was still downstairs when Bruce finally got there. He had walked very slowly, hoping that she would have escaped before he got there. What was he supposed to say? Be a good girl because your uncle gets angry? You are a grown woman but we're going to treat you like a teenager? This whole situation was ridiculous. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that he would be talking down a couple of oversized adolescents.

Shaking his head when he saw the broken door, Bruce quietly entered the room and quickly spotted Perry. She was now sitting on the massive motorcycle, leaning forward so her chest rested on the gas tank, and her arms dangled over the handlebars. She was dressed in a green tank top and her favorite cutoffs, the ones that gave Bruce the best view of her legs. He froze momentarily, unbearably distracted by the view.

"Tony sent you," she said quietly, breaking Bruce from his study.

Clearing his throat to erase any embarrassment from his voice, he stepped forward so he was standing beside her. "He did."

Reaching out to run his hand over the rear fender, Bruce continued. "He is worried about you. That's why he acts like that."

Perry sighed loudly. "He is smothering me," she muttered.

Bruce bit back the urge to laugh. He really was dealing with a teenager. Moving in front of her, Bruce crouched down so he could meet her gaze.

"You are essentially Tony's only daughter. It is no wonder he works so hard to keep you safe."

Perry frowned. "I am 30 years old and I have been dragged away from my happy life to live with my 'dad'. Surely you can't blame me for being a bit unhappy about it."

Bruce sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He hated to admit it, but he could see both sides of their argument. "Look, I don't know why they made you come here, but I do know that there are things that you and Tony aren't telling me. What I am telling you is based on observation only. Whether or not it is safer for you to be here is not the issue. You have an opportunity to live in the most impressive building in the country, to work in the best labs in the country, to have the biggest budget you will ever get, and to experiment on the most volatile member of the Avengers. Being good and appeasing Tony for a bit is worth all of that. I know, because that is exactly what I am doing."

Perry stared down at him, her eyes narrowed as though she was trying to think of an argument. Realizing that there was no good rebuttal, she sighed and gave Bruce a small nod. He understood that to mean that she would be good.

Giving her a smile he stood and ruffled her hair, to which she stuck out her tongue. Chuckling, he turned and started walking away.

"You're his son," she called after him.

Bruce paused mid step. "What?" he asked, not turning around.

"If I am his daughter, you are his son," she answered.

Her words were true, he knew it. That didn't mean he liked it. Bruce had agreed to start working with Tony thinking that they would be partners. But lately he was feeling like the relationship was unbalanced, like Tony's primary focus was making sure he was fed and clothed and calm. Bruce wanted to be respected for his mind rather than treated like a ticking time bomb. Tony was the first person since his accident who could see past the other guy, but lately the relationship had reached a level of affection that was beyond friendship. And with Tony slowly moving the other members of the team into Stark Tower, he was creating his own pseudo-family.

Without a word, Bruce left the room.

Perry was sitting in her work area taking Bruce's blood pressure when Tony came barging in, thrusting his custom-made tablet device in front of her. His face was contorted in an expression that was nothing short of rage.

"When exactly were you planning on telling me about this!" he shouted.

Perry glanced down at the tablet and saw the image of the alien that invaded her home swirling on the screen. Clearly he had hacked into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s records.

"Why would I tell you about that? It is classified information. Fury threatened me with federal prison."

Bruce remained silent. He tried to look as though this was news to him, but acting was never his strong suit.

Tony glared at both of them. "You told Bruce! That is hardly keeping it confidential!"

Perry rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I told Bruce. So what? Fury made sure to lock me up here, just like you would have done."

"GODDAMNIT!" shouted Tony. "This kind of reckless behavior is just what I have been talking about! You could have been killed!"

Bruce gave each of them a terrified glance, feeling horribly awkward sandwiched between the fighting Starks. Despite the talk he had with her a few days before, he was sure she would be too ticked off to be good.

Despite Bruce's speculation, Perry started laughing. Both men stared at her completely bewildered.

"HAHAHAHAHA! You sound like Molly Weasley!" she said, bending over with laughter. "Perry Stark!" she screeched like the famous howler that Ron Weasley received. "If you step one toe out of line…"

Tony scowled. "You make me feel so freaking old. Come on, Bruce, we've got some shit to stir."

Bruce nodded and removed the blood pressure cuff. Giving Perry an apologetic grimace, he followed Tony toward the door.

"Hey, I'm coming with you," called Perry as she started to shrug out of her lab coat.

"No!" said Tony, his angry glare returning. "You are grounded until next year! If you step one toe out of line…"

A glass beaker flew across the room at Tony, narrowly missing his back, shattering against the door as it closed behind him.

Tony and Nick Fury were locked in a rather intense staring contest while poor Bruce stood by. Based on what he had seen so far, Fury was winning.

Leaning over to Tony, Bruce whispered, "What am I doing here?"

"Yes, why have you two come to bother me, Dr. Banner?" asked Fury, not looking away from Tony.

"Oh you know why we are here," jibed Tony childishly.

"Yes I do. Apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the goddamn tree! So you went poking around and found something you didn't like. Didn't you learn anything the last time you tried that?"

"Last time didn't involve my niece," snarled Tony. "I have the right to know what is going on, especially when her life is threatened by someone other than herself."

"Your niece handled the situation just fine without your help. Last time I checked, she is a grown woman."

A pained look crossed Tony's face. "You know why I worry about her."

Fury's expression softened. "Everything was handled as best it could be in this situation. You wanted her moved to Stark Tower, and you got just that. I wanted to catch any aliens before they started demolishing entire metropolitan areas and that's what happened."

Tony sighed loudly and sat in a chair, burying his face in his hands. "Why did this happen? Why did this thing show up at her front door?"

"We are trying to figure that out, but right now nothing makes sense."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Then why haven't you told the Avengers? Thor seemed to know about the last aliens; maybe Loki is pulling his shit again."

Fury frowned and crossed his arms. "Loki is locked up in Asgardian prison. He is not getting out anytime soon. For now we have one alien who was literally wrestled down by a young woman. When we have a real threat on our hands, we will let you know. Until then, enjoy your free time. I understand you and Dr. Banner are making some progress on your energy project."

Tony scowled. "Don't pretend to know what we are working on so we will spill all of our secrets." Turning, he beckoned for Bruce to follow. "Come on, Big guy, we have work to do."

The car ride home was silent and horribly uncomfortable. Tony was driving at break-neck speeds, weaving in and out of traffic. He jaw was clenched and his knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. Bruce was holding onto his seat belt for dear life, keeping his eyes closed so he could remain calm.

"You are not helping my heart rate any," He said quietly, breathing slowly to calm down.

"Your heart rate doesn't cause you to blow up," scoffed Tony, but he slowed down to a reasonable speed anyway.

Bruce glanced over at his friend. Tony's previous rage seemed to be diminishing and was replaced by an almost pained expression.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Bruce. Tony was always trying to get Bruce to play therapist, but the doctor was usually not interested in joining in.

"I wish I could, but Perry would kill me. She is just so damn frustrating!" Tony's voice was raw, nothing like his usual collected tone.

"Just imagine, Bruce," He continued," Imagine that you have given your heart, your whole heart to your last remaining relative, and then you have to watch as that relative does everything she can to get killed. It isn't even a matter of clumsiness or dangerous work anymore. She is just downright reckless. You haven't seen the crazy messes she has gotten herself into the last few years. It is like she is trying to test just how far her life can go."

Bruce pondered what Tony said for a moment. In some ways it wasn't so hard to imagine what he was saying. But this was Tony Stark, and although Bruce was privy to the gentler side of the man, he could never fully understand Tony's true emotional depth. "But don't you think you are being a little over protective? You heard Fury in there; he said that she handled the creature just fine."

Tony's expression darkened and he clenched his jaw once more. "If Perry dies, I have nothing left," was all he said. Bruce understood that completely. It was a reminder that he had no family left, no one to protect and save. But Bruce had survived despite that.

"You have Pepper," he replied defiantly. "You won't lose everything. You will be sad, but you will move on. Remember, I lost everything and yet here I am."

Tony shot him a glare and then looked away. "You gave up everything," he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" asked Bruce.

Tony rolled his eyes. "You are right, Big Guy, I am getting worked up over nothing."

Fun times resume in the next chapter, I promise :)