Disclaimer: I don't own Hulk

AN: I actually had this chapter written but had an idea that I really liked so I had to start over. I finally found what it was that, to me, was missing. I hope you enjoy this chapter. There should only be a couple more and there is finally a good tie-in to Neptune Initiative. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 7: Daddy Issues

Death Valley

Days since last incident: 0

Time: 0500 h

Bruce and the other Hulks woke early to continue their training. Jen waited patiently as Rick and Bruce turned into A-bomb and Hulk. Bruce was still in control and he was thankful for that. They began with Ricks training.

Jen caught on extremely quickly but Bruce had a hard time. Rick was patient though and did his best to help them along. After a few hours of training they took a break for lunch. "Have you put any thought into what our triggers could be," Rick asked as he at his sandwich.

"Yeah but I haven't come up with much. It has always been anger for me. But it doesn't seem like that is what it is for either of you. And Jen," She-Hulk looked up at the sound of her name, "She has more control that either of us. I'm not sure that she even has a trigger. With how fast she is picking up your fighting skills I think she is going to be a force that can contend with the Hulk."

Jen beamed at the praise and Bruce realized how much more confident she had become. Maybe becoming a Hulk was a good thing for her. She certainly wouldn't ever have to worry about being attacked by a gang again. Bruce hadn't told them the whole truth though. He thought he had a pretty good idea what the trigger was for Rick. Guilt.

Rick had always felt a little guilty for encouraging Bruce in his research. He had said that it was a good idea to help make a soldier resistant to gamma radiation. When Bruce had become the Hulk Rick felt that it was his fault. Bruce had tried to convince him otherwise but he had yet to succeed. Bruce figured that was part of the reason behind Rick making the trip to Gamma Base. He felt that it was is chance to correct his mistake.

At the end of their lunch they all agreed to take a rest for a while under the shade of the canopy provided by SHIELD. Soon they were all asleep.

Gamma Base New Mexico

Prisoners Barracks

Time: 1200 h

General Ross had watched from his cell as his daughter and Leonard Sampson were brought in. He was captured before he even reached the end of his hallway. He hadn't gone quietly though and his appearance showed it. He had trouble moving around his cell because of his injuries. Now after several hours he heard Betty's voice.

"General," she whispered loud enough that it carried to him.

General Ross groaned but went over to the cell bars which he used to support himself. "Hey baby," he said to his daughter.

She gasped. Whatever her anger with her father was she didn't what him beat this badly. "What did they do?"

"Nothing I can't handle," Ross said. "Listen Betty, I'm sorry. I never thought he would…"

"I know," Betty said, "We'll get through this though. Bruce will come now and save us."

"Maybe you but the Hulk would leave me here without a second thought."

Betty couldn't think of an argument. The General was right, the Hulk would leave him here in prison. The two heard a second groan and knew it was from Leonard. "Where…" Leonard began.

"Middle of New Mexico," Thunderbolt Ross said before Leonard could finish.

"Why did you kidnap your own daughter?" Leonard asked now alert.

"In case you haven't noticed I am in a cell too. I'm not the one in control here," Thunderbolt growled.

"No you're not," said a voice for the entrance to the prison barracks. They all looked toward the sound and were met by the sight of Leader, Titania, and Abomination.

"You're out of your mind," Betty roared as she saw Abomination free.

Blonsky chuckled, "Now now Betty, don't you want to see your dear Bruce again."

"He is ten time what you are. You are nothing more than an abomination," Leonard said

Blonsky struck like lightning. The bars of Leonard's cell buckled. "I am a god among insects, Sampson. I could rip you limb from limb."

"Yes and Hulk could rip you limb from limb," Leonard said.

Blonsky ripped the bars from the cell and grabbed Leonard by the leg. "I think we have a volunteer for the next experiment, Leader."

Titania exploded with laughter and Leader smiled. "Then let's make our way to the lab." The three villains turned and walked from the room as Betty screamed after them.

Hellicarrier over the Northern Pacific

Quinjet Hanger

Time: 1300 h

Agent Phil Coulson stood waiting for Director Fury. Just as he arrived on base he was informed that Fury was on his way to the hanger. That had been ten minutes ago. It didn't usually take Fury this long to go somewhere. Just as this thought occurred to him Fury rounded the corner in a rush.

"What is it Coulson?" Fury growled as he continued to walk to a quinjet that was ready to take off.

"We believe that Betty Ross has been kidnapped along with Leonard Sampson," Coulson said quickly.

"What makes you think that?"

"I was trying to get in touch with Selvig for some assistance with…"

"Short version," Fury growled as they reached the jet.

"We hacked into Selvig's voicemail and found a message from Sampson as he was being kidnapped."

"I will send Barton to check it out. I want your team to remain here on standby. Something is going on with our Alaskan problem and if things go to Hell I want you there to help as a buffer."

"Yes sir."

Death Valley

Days since last Incident: 0

Time: 2000 h

Bruce was exhausted. Rick was already sound asleep. Even Jen had reverted to her normal out of fatigue. It had been a tiring day. But something was bothering Bruce. He just wasn't sure what.

"Bruce," Jen whispered from his left.

"Hm?" Bruce said.

"I want to thank you."

"For what," Bruce said in shock.

"For saving my life…"

"I'm not so sure I really helped you that much though," Bruce mumbled.

Jen was silent for a minute. "I don't see it like you do though."

"What do you mean?"

"I think there is a reason we have these powers."

"Oh and what's that? To smash?" Bruce growled.

"I don't think that is how the Hulks view things." Bruce waited in silence. "I notice that my view-point changes slightly from when I am She-Hulk and when I am me. Nothing near like you but there is still a difference there. I think the Hulks just want to be accepted for what they are. A little unstable maybe but I think they just wish people would realize that they just don't want to destroy. They do want to help they just aren't always sure how to deal with things."

Bruce sighed and rolled onto his side facing away from Jen. "I also want to thank you because you have given me a chance to really do something meaningful. Something that will be far more important than being a lawyer."

Puny human, Hulk grumbled in the back of Bruce's mind.

Jen isn't trying to make you angry, Bruce though in exasperation.

Was talking 'bout you, Hulk growled. Should listen to She-Hulk.

Bruce sighed and fell into an uneasy sleep.

He dreamed about the day when he had first created the Hulk. He watched as wires were hooked up and then as the machine began to whir to life. He watched as his eyes began to turn green. The image changed.

Bruce was hiding under the table in his parents' kitchen. His parents were arguing about him. They always had. Brian Banner said his son had inherited the gene. He was always talking about the "Monster Gene" that the Banner men all had. Their argument escalated. The memory was too old for Bruce to make sense of it. But he still knew what the memory was of.

This was the day his father had beat his mother to death. The mother that loved him had been killed by the man who hated him.

Brian Banner was not convicted though. Instead he sat in a mental institution. And as far as Bruce knew he was still there.

But in this memory there was something different. Something he didn't remember. It was the Hulk's voice. "Stay here, stay hidden," it said. Bruce looked around but didn't see anyone. Still he stayed hidden from his father until the police arrived.

The image changed again.

Bruce stood in a white room facing Hulk. "Now do you see, puny human," Hulk said.

"You were always there," Bruce said.

"I have always protected Bruce," Hulk said.

They continued to stare into each other's eyes. "Why didn't you save my mother then?" Bruce asked bitterly.

"Hulk had no body. Hulk was weak," the monster said looking angry.

"That was why you happened" Bruce said, "The radiation didn't create you. It gave you a body."

Hulk nodded. "Hulk protects what Hulk cares for."

Bruce looked at Hulk then held out his hand. "Puny Human," Hulk growled as they shook hands.

Gamma Base New Mexico

Office of Leader

Time: 0800 h

Leader was almost ready. He had a small army of monsters. He had Titania, Abomination, and Sampson. The doctor had been less than cooperative. In the end Leader had to place him under mind control. But he was only as strong as Titania. He was no match for the Hulk.

There had to be something in Banner's blood that could answer the question. Where did Hulk come from? Just then there was a knock on his door. Or rather the door was smashed to splinters as Abomination knock. Leader scowled.

"Why are we waiting?" Abomination said. "We know where the Hulk's are. Why don't we attack?"

"My dear friend," Leader chided, "We won't need to. As we speak my scientist are hacking into the national broadcast system. We will summon the Hulk when we are truly ready."

"And we aren't ready now," came Titaina's voice.

"No my dear. We need…" Leader froze. It was so elegant, so simple. Who better to fight Banner than Banner? Leader walked over to the computer. After a few keystrokes he smiled. "Sampson!" Leader yelled over the intercom. Seconds later Sampson arrived. His skin had remained white but his hair was a deep green and his eyes almost black. He looked enlarged slightly. He was now six-foot six. His hair hung to his shoulders.

"Yes Leader," Samson said.

"Go to the University of New Mexico Psychiatric Center. Bring me Brian Banner."

UNM Psychiatric Center

Time: 0900 h

Sampson walked casually into the lobby and up to the nurse's desk. "Excuse me," He said in a falsely kind voice.

"May I help you, sir," the woman asked.

"Yes. My name is Doctor Leonard Sampson. I am here to speak with Brian Banner. Could you tell me where his room is?"

"I'm sorry sir I can't let you see that patient without a court order." Sampson smiled. "Do you have a court order?" the nurse asked in confusion.

Sampson shook his head. His body began to grow and so he stood in all his glory. He reached over the desk and grabbed the woman by the throat and lifted her into the air. "Which room?" he growled.

Fear shown in the woman's eye, "26G" she gasped.

Sampson chuckled and through the woman against the wall. There was a satisfying crunch as her bones broke. He made his way through the double door. The guards seemed to eye him suspiciously as he walked forward. Finally one of them approached. Before he could say anything Sampson through him through one of the walls. Guards began to come at him from all directions. None of them had guns. In a matter of minutes all the guard had been disabled. Sampson made his way to the room he was looking for.

The door to the room was solid steel with a one foot square glass window to look inside. Laying with his arms and legs strapped to the bed was a man that looked similar to Bruce. Sampson smiled and grabbed hold of bolt sides of the door. With a massive bang the door broke free of it hinges. Sampson through the door to the side.

Brian Banner looked up at him. "Mr. Banner," Sampson said in a joyful voice. "You're coming with me."

Gamma Base New Mexico

Testing Lab Observation Room

Test Number: 17

Test Subject: Brian Banner

Time: 1500 h

Leader, Sampson, Titania, and Abomination stood looking in on the man who was sedated on the bed. "We will be subjecting him to three times the amount of radiation that created the Hulk," Leader explained, "Along with a small dose of Hulk's, Blonsky's, and Titania's blood."

Just then the lab technicians began the procedure. The reaction was more immediate than any of them had anticipated. Brian Banner's eye snapped open. There were no whites or pupils, just a solid mas of glowing green. His body began to jerk and twitch as if he were having a seizure. His skin turned green and his arms broke free of their bonds. His clothes became shredded.

He was well over eight feet in height now and still growing. His neck grew longer and his head more elongated. Each of his fingers ended in a glistening black claw. His veins pulsed a glowing green. A long snake-like tongue dangled out of the monsters mouth. Two columns of spikes protruded from its back. Finally the changes stopped and the beast let out high piercing roar. The lab tech was dead.

"People call me the Abomination," Blonsky said, "But this…devil…"

With lightning fast reflexes the monster smashed through the glass. But as it pulled its hand back into the room adimantium walls dropped into place. When everything was done the Devil Hulk stood twenty feet tall.

Leader smiled, "Now we are ready."

Hellicarrier Medical Bay

Time: 2200 h

Fury sat next to the bed that held the unconscious Maria Hill. He was watching the news reports that showed the destruction from the Gladiator's battle in New Orleans. He was also watching the feed that showed the 20,000 foot tall mountain that had been dropped by Percy Jackson. Maelstrom they were calling him now.

Suddenly the Screen went black. Then it showed a man in a black suit. His skin was green and his head much too tall. He smiled. "Hulk," he said, "Bruce Banner. Come now to Gamma Base and face me. I have turn your friend into a monster. I have sent one of my monsters after you and you still cower away from me. You have three days to come to Gamma Base and face me.

"If you aren't here in three days I will kill Betty Ross. See you soon Bruce," Fury stood and ran quickly to the helm.