Natasha comes into the lab holding a medium sized gift wrapped in shiny sparkly paper with a huge crimson bow on top. "Dr. Banner, when I came in today this was in the downstairs lobby. It's addressed to you."

"Ooh lemme see!" Says Tony, already making grabby hands for the present.

Natasha snatches it from his grasp with a roll of her eyes, "Are you deaf? I said it has Dr. Banner's name on it."

Bruce removes his lab coat and glasses and makes his way toward Natasha. "Are you putting me on Tony? It's from you, isn't it?"

"Don't look at me. I'm just as curious as you are. Open it up!"

"Oh wait, it had a card." Natasha takes a tiny enveloped card from her pocket and hands it to Bruce.

"It's from Steve." Bruce says, clearly surprised after reading the note.

"What's it say?" Asks Tony.

" ''Just a little something to thank you for your kindness. I don't know what I'd do if you hadn't helped ease the reaction to that horrible itching powder. Much appreciated, Steve.'"

"Hmm, funny how he so pointedly forgot to mention that you originally assisted me with that itching powder idea ."

"I suggested, not assisted."

"Whatever. So, are you gonna open it or what?"

"Well..."

Natasha's gaze darts between Tony and Bruce. "Wait a minute, is that why he's hesitating before opening a gift, from Steve of all people?"

"Yep. He thinks Cap's out to get him."

"No Tony, you think he's out to get me."

"Well, prove me wrong and open the damn thing."

Bruce sighs before unwrapping the gift to reveal a box of chocolates.

Natasha leans over to peek inside and notes the brand name. "Mmm, those look good, and pretty high quality too. See guys, harmless gift."

"Yea they could be harmless," Tony agrees, "… or Cap could have put laxatives in them or something equally awful."

"Oh quit it, Stark. Bruce don't listen to him. You know Steve would never do something like that."

"Yea…right of course he wouldn't." Bruce says as he eyes the chocolates suspiciously.

"It's late, Dr. Banner. Didn't see you at dinner. Aren't you hungry?"

Bruce startles to find Steve standing in the lab's doorway. He glances at the clock. It was almost 11 and Tony had left already to drink some rounds with Clint. Bruce had been alone for some time now.

"You're almost as stealthy as Natasha, you know that? And yes, I should probably eat, but was working on something and you know how hard it is for me to step away when I'm on a roll."

" Ah yes. Well did you get my gift at least?"

"Oh yes the chocolates, thank you. You really didn't have to though. I did have a uh.. a few earlier." Bruce mumbles.

"Ah, you tried some. Well that's just splendid." A satisfied yet sly smile appears on Steve's face, so peculiar that Bruce was glad he only had two chocolates.

"Is that what brought you to the lab tonight?"

"No actually." Steve brings a large paper bag that Bruce had failed to notice from behind his back . "I made you a sandwich and brought a drink up since you missed dinner. Thought it would be a nice little snack break for you."

"Oh, thank you Steve. That's really kind of you." Bruce takes the bag and grins politely.

"No problem, Bruce. You eat up now. Good night." Steve nods before stepping out of the lab.

Bruce bids Steve a goodnight in return and waits until he's gone before peering inside the bag to inspect the sandwich and beverage.

"I'm not very hungry after all." Bruce says to himself, putting the bag and its untouched contents on a nearby desk.

Friendly gestures from Captain America had never looked so ominous.

It's another day, and Bruce was just getting into his book before getting interrupted by a certain someone.

"Hi Dr. Banner."

"Oh, hello there Steve."

"How are you?"

"Just fine thank you. Yourself?"

"Great."

Bruce smiles through the awkwardness, and after Steve starts quietly rummaging through a book stack , he decides to return to his own book.

"So Bruce, are you returning to the lab sometime today?"

Glancing up, Bruce notices Steve is now leaning on one of the book shelves. "Umm maybe so, later on. "

"You spend plenty of time doing research projects there and the like. Do you usually do a lot of a chemical mixing or are you mostly utilizing Tony's computer gadgets?"

Bruce closes his book to give Steve his full attention. "A bit of both I guess, it depends on what I'm doing."

"Oh good."

"Hmm?"

"I mean I suppose it's good you can go about your research with a bit of …variety. " Steve clarifies in an almost absentminded manner.

"Oh. Uh, Steve, may I ask why the sudden interest in science?"

"Nothing really. Just curious. Well, good luck with your project, Dr. Banner." Steve says, pushing off the shelf and making for the exit.

Once alone again in the library, Bruce starts to wonder if it's silly of him to be apprehensive about returning to the lab that evening. After all, Steve wouldn't have dared to tamper with any of his instruments and beakers, would he? Maybe he'd have JARVIS scan everything just to be on the safe side.

Bruce walks into the conference room where all the other Avengers were talking animatedly amongst themselves.

"What's going on!? JARVIS said you wanted me and everyone else to meet in here?"

Tony's grin calms Bruce's nerves, "Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to give you your tickets to the charity function we're tending Friday night. We're all special guests you know." Tony looks proudly around the room after handing Bruce his ticket.

"Oh right, how could I have forgotten about that."

"Dr. Banner!" Bruce flinched in surprise at Steve's hand suddenly grabbing his shoulder.

"Mighty jumpy there, Bruce." Tony remarks.

Bruce scowls at Tony but turns around to face Steve with a smile.

"Sorry Bruce, did I scare ya?"

"No that's quite alright, Captain."

"This function certainly sounds like a big deal, doesn't it? I'm already excited, though it's been a while since I've really dressed up like that. "

"It does. I'm sure you'll look just fine though."

"What suit are you wearing again, Bruce?"

"Suit? Why the one Tony had fitted for me a few weeks ago."

"Oh, so the navy one paired with the deep purple tie?"

"Yes… that one. How come you're asking?"

"Uh, well like I said, it's been a while since I dressed up . I wanted to see what you were wearing. Gotta make sure Tony didn't pick me out something horribly outdated on purpose just so I'd look like a square. Yours sounds really spiffy though." Steve grins at him and Bruce smiles back uneasily.

When Thor sidetracks Steve by engaging him in conversation, Bruce quickly makes his way over to Tony again.

"Tony… Tony!" He whispered in his ear.

"Why are we whispering?" Tony asked in the same tone once his attention was captured.

"Just listen, do you think you can have my black suit altered in time for the benefit Friday?"

"Uhh sure I can. But why? Aren't you wearing the Navy Blue one?"

"I might… I'm not sure. I just want a backup suit. I think I've changed my mind about it, that's all."

What Bruce secretly was worrying about was the possibility of Steve attempting to do something to his suit. More itching powder perhaps? Or something worst? He couldn't be sure, but he figured it wouldn't hurt to have a second option, just in case. Of course on Friday he ended up wearing the freshly altered black suit.

Bruce was in his bed finishing up the end of his book and just about to off the light and turn in. As he was removing his glasses JARVIS spoke.

"Dr. Banner, sir, I thought it necessary to report that Captain Rogers is currently outside your suite's entry."

"He…he is? Is he knocking?"

"No sir, he has only congregated around the doorway and outer halls. Do you wish me to invite him inside.

"NO!" Bruce almost shouts. He mellows out his voice and tries again. "No JARVIS. Just alert me if he knocks or appears to want to…get in."

"As you wish, sir."

Even some time afterward when JARVIS had told him Steve had left, Bruce still didn't get very much sleep, for he was obsessing over what Steve had been doing outside his door.

"Damn Bruce, you look like crap." Tony says, handing him a cup of coffee the next morning.

"I barely got any sleep. Steve is really creeping me out lately."

"Capsicle? What he do? Forget to call all the women 'mam' at last week's function?"

"I'm serious, Stark. I think you were right. Every time I turn around the Captain is lurking around, asking odd questions, being extra friendly, and popping up suddenly freaking the hell out of me. I am almost certain he's up to something."

"Wow, that bad huh? Why are you losing sleep though?"

"Because last night JARVIS told me he was sneaking around my suite's entry. It was around midnight. Why would he be out there?"

"That is weird. Did he ring for you or anything?"

"No, that's just it. He hung around and then left. I think he was casing my floor for something. "

"Maybe you're right. He knows you'll be leaving the tower with me this evening. He might try to set up something then."

"Tony, let's change our plans." Bruce blurts out abruptly.

"What?"

"Invite Steve to an art exhibit or something tonight. Get him out of the building. The less time he's here is the less time I'm fretting about him tampering with my things."

"But…"

"Please Tony?"

"Okay, fine. I'll change plans and go somewhere with Steve tonight."

"Thank goodness." Bruce sighed in obvious relief.

"But know this, whatever he's got up his sleeve in inevitable. You're bound to see the effects of it someday soon."