Hey ya'll! So here's chapter 15, no Tony, I'm sorry, but he is mentioned. No, we get to see a lot of HAMMER and HYDRA, and we get to see a little of Bruce's past. He's quite hesitant to talk about it, I'm sure you can understand. Anyways, I hope ya'll enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any Marvel characters. If I could own one, it would be Bruce. =)

"Sir," Norman looked up at the young man who had just burst into his office. So far it had been a good day.

His coffee wasn't burnt, he hadn't needed to have anyone towed from his parking spot, Brian and Fleischer had apparently had a breakthrough, and Tony Stark was apparently in a coma.

Okay, the last thing was a little bit of an inconvenience, but only because Nick Fury managed to get a black superhero to say the registration act was the next step to slavery, which made a lot of people very unhappy and worried about being considered politically incorrect.

Sigh. Politics.

"Sir," the young man said again breathlessly.

"What is it, Agent... Whatever?" he asked sharply.

"It's the Hulk sir." he said and Norman waited for the boy to continue.

"Are you waiting for an invitation?" Norman asked and the kid jumped. "What about him!"

"Well he- He's... Freaking out!" the kid threw his hands up. "He's at the ship yards, being all... Green and big and stuff." he shrugged, looking upset.

"What the hell set him off?" Norman asked as he jumped up and switched on the news.

"We're not sure." the kid answered the obvious rhetorical question. "How do you think he itches his back like that?" Norman slowly looked at him and the kid looked back, suddenly growing nervous again.

"Why don't you make yourself useful, and get the car?" Norman asked, he was seething with anger. The young agent ran off and Norman scowled when he saw the Avengers trying to calm their big green friend down.

"What are they playing at?" Norman asked Leona who was moving around her office.

"It was a distraction you idiot." she scoffed as she went to the closet and opened the doors. "Bring me that chair." he looked over at the chair she was pointing at and then brought it over. "All of this bitching and whining, and you still won't do the hard job." she said as she stood up on the chair, and pushed at the ceiling. Part of it moved and Norman watched with interest as she pulled herself into the ceiling.

"And what is the hard job?" he asked loudly.

"We work together for the same reason." she said from in the ceiling. "We want the perfect soldier, and you want the perfect system. It only makes sense to combine forces. However, I am finding you to be not much of a source. You are... Childish- and safe. Who was it that collected the Hulk's DNA? Us. Who was it that found the woman's DNA? Us. You are an idealist Norman. You court power but you do not think of the consequences. You leave all of the dirty work to me." she handed something down and he took it, he set it down, and caught her by her slim waist as she slid out of the attic. He pressed her up against the wall, holding her there with his hips as his lips got to work on her neck and collarbone. "I don't mind, I like the dirty work," she continued, as if she didn't feel his mouth on her skin. "But don't pretend to be naïve."

"What do you mean?"

"While you were fascinated by the show the Hulk and his little friend put on, you failed to notice the missing Avenger. Tony Stark's plane took off from Laguardia five minutes after the Hulk started to destroy an empty warehouse." she scowled as she looked down at him. "You are pathetic." she said casually as he slowly backed away.

"I- I need to go to LA." he said in realization. "Tony can't hide from me- I know he knows-"

"Good luck." she scoffed. "Hans got Tony's medical records from the hospital after his little "Accident"," she used finger quotes as she picked up the long case Norman had helped her bring down. She brought it to her sparse desk and put it down, opening it she smiled at the long rifle. "They say," she said as she opened up what looked like a poster tube. "He has amnesia, from the shock." she looked at him and he stared at the wall, no emotion on his face.

"That little shit..." he whispered. "He- He wiped his mind?" he looked at Leona who rolled her eyes.

"Welcome to the game Norman," she said as she dismantled the rifle and put the pieces of it into her poster tube.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, is the real problem? Are you not always upset about him blocking your attempts to get to Stark, or going to the summit with some reason for why you are wrong and he is right, he brought them together, and without him, they will all crumble. I am going to take care of the problem, you will not." she said as she closed the tube and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "

"You're going to kill Nick Fury?" Norman asked softly and she put the tube over her shoulder, adjusting the strap.

"Since you obviously won't do it. Apparently I must." she said before she started to walk out of the office. Norman caught her arm, and turned her back to him, pulling her into a long kiss. She didn't respond, just stood there until he pulled away. As soon as he did, she turned and walked out the door. He was left there in her office, before he smiled. By this time tomorrow, everything would be right on track.

"Agent Hill," I said to the approaching SHIELD agent from where I was sitting at an outdoor cafe, a few days after Bruce and the Avengers had put on their little show, successfully getting Tony out of New York City. "Please sit down."

"Minnie, I think it's time you got to know your case worker." Agent Hill said.

"Where's Director Fury? Doesn't he usually decide these things?" I asked and Maria sighed.

"Director Fury is... Unavailable." Maria said softly and I took a moment to look her over. This was the first time I had seen her in real clothes, and not the SHIELD uniform. She was wearing a pair of gray slacks, and a white short sleeved button down shirt with little poufy sleeves. I smiled lightly at that, it added a very feminine touch to a woman I guess I never really thought of as a woman, but always as a SHIELD agent.

"Agent Hill, what's happened?" I asked and she sighed lightly.

"Norman Osborn knows what happened." she said softly and I sighed gently.

"Agent Hill." We both turned to see Bruce walking over. He had gone to the bathroom right before she made her presence known. "What's going on?"

"Norman knows." I said softly and he sat down.

"SHIELD Agents are being arrested left and right, you all are now considered fugitives," her eyes flickered to the waitress who was talking to someone.

"You're kidding." I said softly and she shook her head.

"Directory Fury was shot last night." she said softly and I felt my jaw drop.

"Is he okay?" Bruce asked and Hill shook her head.

"No, he- He's alive. We've sent him away, to an undisclosed location. But HAMMER and HYDRA, along with the summit, they all think him dead." she answered.

"Who- Who's the summit?" Bruce asked and she shook her head.

"They're a group of world leaders and diplomats who make the decisions about our work." she said. "They're the ones who leaked information on your location, they're the ones who created HAMMER and put Osborn in charge and they're the ones who have no idea HAMMER is working with HYDRA. They think they're working to shut down HYDRA." she muttered softly. "Before he was injured, Nick- Directory Fury, he told me it was time for you to know your caseworker. We know you're wanted, he's written you up as fugitives who are evading questioning, and well, they're trying to pin Director Fury's death on the Avengers." she explained. "We think your best bet would be to go to Canada."

"Okay, what about our caseworker, if it's so important." I asked and she nodded.

"It is. She's in California; you need to go to her first. We can get you transportation, but it will be a car. You're going to have to go under the radar. In California, get rid of your car, you caseworker will help you get to Canada."

"How do we find her?"

"She'll find you." she said and stood up. "I've already spoken to the others. They're all on board, you'll travel together."

"Together?" Bruce asked hesitantly. "Isn't that a bad idea? I mean, if they catch us, they catch all of us."

"If they catch you," she said looking at him. "It'll be that much more of a fight to stop you." she looked from him to me. "There are safe houses on the way, you will stop at them, check in with our agents across the country, they will give you the next part of your itinerary, and you will go." she said and I nodded.

"Okay." Bruce said.

"What about the girls?" I asked softly and he looked at me, thinking about it.

"Well, it will be educational." he said with a shrug.

"Oh sure Bruce, it'll be all 'oh hey kids, this is how you evade suspicion from the police and the insane government who thinks that all superheroes and mutants are the devil's puppets'." I said and he rolled his eyes before he looked at Agent Hill who looked like she was holding something back.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Director Fury- he told me not to tell you, but you deserve to know..." she bit her lip, looking slightly concerned.

"What?" he asked and she sighed.

"It's your father," she said and his hand instantly found mine.

"What about him?" he asked; his voice tense.

"Norman had him released. He's most likely working with HYDRA." she said softly. Bruce just stared at her for a long, tense moment, before he stood up.

"Bruce-"

"No." he said simply.

"Bruce honey-"

"I'm sorry, uh, your credit card didn't go through." the waitress said suddenly walking outside. I looked at Agent Hill who cleared her throat.

"That's fine." I said as I pulled a few bills from my wallet. "Keep the change."

"Oh, uh, I can get change, it'll just take a second." the waitress said pointing her thumb over her shoulder. I reached over and plucked my credit card from her, she tried to hold onto it, but I managed to get it and shoot her a dark glare, making her retreat inside before I turned to Bruce. I put my hand on his arm and he looked at me, his eyes were bright green. I bit my lip lightly before I stepped in, putting my hands on his waist and looking up at him.

"He doesn't need to come out right now." I said softly in his ear. "It's okay." I felt his grip on my arms tighten slightly before I tilted my head up and lightly kissed his chin. "We need to go, and we can't go if he comes out." I whispered to him. He looked down at me and I reached up to cup his face with one hand. His eyes were fading from green to brown and back again until he leaned down and kissed me. When he pulled back, his eyes were normal again. "Let's go." I said and he nodded.

"Mrs. Banner, if I may..." Agent Hill said and I looked at her. "Stay in the mansion for the night. It's basically a fortress. We'll get in touch with step one of your evac. plans, okay?" she asked and I nodded.

"Okay." I said softly, and then paused. "With Fury out, does that make you Director?" I asked and she sighed.

"Temporarily." she said and I smiled as I shook her hand.

"Thanks for everything Director Hill." I said and she gave me a very small smile before I grabbed Bruce's hand and we walked to the curb. I hailed a cab and we got in, he had his arm wrapped around me tightly.

"Pack what you need," he said as we walked into the house. "And do it fast." he continued. I went upstairs and quickly started packing my clothes into a small duffle bag before I ran to Kayla's room; I packed her things and then went to Amanda's room and did the same for her. Amanda and Kayla were upstairs on the roof where there was a pool. As I finished packing I walked into the bedroom in time to see Bruce take a double dose off his EpiPen.

"Honey," I said softly and he looked at me. "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked and he looked back down at himself.

"I don't want to talk about it," he said and I walked over to him. I gently kissed the area on his arm, where he had given himself the shot and then looked up at him. He stared down at me, putting his hand on my shoulder. "My father," he said softly and I stared up at him. "My father is a lunatic." he said and I felt his grip on my shoulder tighten. I touched his hand and he let me to the trunk at the bottom of the bed. We both sat down on it and I waited for him to continue.

"When I was a kid, my mother was very attentive; but my dad took her out, made her work with him, and did almost anything he could to keep her from me. Uh, my father hated me, he grew to hate my mother, and soon that hate became physical, fueled by displaced anger, and a lot of alcohol." I touched his hand quickly and he looked down at me. I squeezed his hand lightly and he took a breath before he continued. "My mother decided to leave one day, and my father decided to become a widow that day." he said and I felt tears rising in my eyes. He squeezed my shoulder and I sighed gently.

"So wuh- what happened?" I asked after a long minute or two of silence.

"He uh, he told me if I testified, I would go to hell- mind you, I was a child, I was still scared of the idea of hell." he said holding his hand up and I smiled gently. "So, I refused to talk, I said I didn't know what happened, I lied to the courts, and kept my father out of jail." he cleared his throat and then continued. "Not for long though, I can tell you that. He may have been a genius, but he was an idiot, he went out, got drunk and boasted to everyone about how he got me to keep my mouth shut, and how he got away with... What he did. There were three off duty cops in the bar. He's been in the state hospital ever since." he finished and I sighed softly. I didn't say anything, I didn't need to say anything, he just needed me to be there for him while he told me what had happened.

"They uh, they won't be looking for you." he said suddenly and I looked at him. "You know that right? They want us. You- You don't have to go, you could stay here you know." he said as he lightly ran his thumb over my hand. "I'd understand." he said softly, before looking up, searching my eyes with his brown ones.

"Bruce," I said as I put my hand over his. "HYDRA kidnapped me, and tried to get our daughter's DNA. I'm pretty sure they still want said daughter's DNA." I paused and then cleared my throat. "Do you- Is that what you want Bruce?" I looked up to him. "Do you... Want to leave us?" I asked and his eyes grew instantly.

"No, no, I just want you to be safe." he said and I smiled at him.

"I only feel safe when I'm with you." I said and he smiled. "But if you want us to go, you let me know." I said and he shook his head.

"Till death, remember?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer. He kissed my forehead lightly, then leaned down, and caught my lips with his. I kissed him back before he pulled away and got up. He looked into my bag and then looked at me skeptically. "When are you going to need these on the road?" he asked as he pulled a pair of heels out of my bag.

"No, Bruce, please, I need them." I pleaded as he started digging through the bag. "No, honey, don't- I need that too!" I protested as he started to remove several items from my duffel bag.

"Could you guys work any slower?" Norman demanded as he moved through the large lab, towards where Brian was working on a DNA sample.

"Listen to me, do not bother him." Dr. Fleischer said as Norman stormed up to Brian Banner.

"Well?" he demanded and Brian's eyes caught the large flash Norman was holding. He looked up at Norman, before he turned and picked up a remote.

"Congratulations Mr. Osborn, it's a mutant." he said as he turned on the TV screen. Norman's eyes lit up as he looked at the blood cells magnified on the screen.

"You were able to mix his blood with-"

"Oh no sir." he said quickly. "This is her blood." he said and Norman looked at him curiously.

"You crossed their blood?" he asked hesitantly.

"This should be the blood of my grandchild." he said as he looked at the screen approvingly.

"That's very good Dr. Banner." he smiled as he handed the flask to the older gentlemen. "When will you get started making a stable super serum?"

"With this DNA?" Brian scoffed. "I don't think so."

"Excuse me?" Norman asked and Dr. Fleischer frowned.

"Sir, the perfect serum was an idea based off of the idea that the woman, the mother was perfectly normal. After analyzing her blood- Well she's a mutant sir. I mean, not anything obvious... Obviously- It's just; we think she's a Zeta Class mutant. She's got the gene, but nothing to show for it." he shrugged. "Now, we're experimenting on crossing Dr. Banner's blood with the blood from another donor..."

Osborn stopped listening and stared at the blood sequences on the screen. He cocked his head slightly and stared at it for a long moment, before he turned and looked at Fleischer, pulled the gun from where he kept it under his jacket and shot him in the leg. Fleischer shrieked in pain and Brian chuckled from where he was standing, drinking the flask of whisky.

"Make it work." Osborn ordered before he walked out of the room. Fleischer looked up at Brian who was still chuckling with amusement as Osborn walked out.

"Pew pew." he whispered as he pointed his fingers at Osborn like a gun. He walked over to Fleischer and stared down at him for a moment before he handed the German national his flask. Fleischer took it uncertainly and Brian mimed tipping it towards his mouth. Fleischer took a hesitant drink, and let out a small gasp, before he took another drink.

"You a poker man?" Brian asked as he helped Fleisher up.

"No, not really."

"Well, in poker, you gotta have a poker face." Brian said simply. "You play it cool; you never let the other guy know what you got."

"This isn't exactly poker Dr. Banner-"

"Same principal when you work with a guy like that." Brian insisted. "Never let him know what you've got. You always let him guess, but keep 'em guessing until you know there's no way for him to win." he took the flask back from Fleisher and ignored the blood as he took a drink, and then got a towel. He handed it to Fleischer while he got what he would need to extract the bullet and sew up the other scientist.

"What should I have told him?" Fleischer asked, unsure to why he was suddenly interested in what the madman he had been forced to work with thought or had to say.

"That's not the question. The question isn't what do I say?" he said as he ran his hands under the sink. He took another long drink from the flask, and then handed it to Fleischer who took a drink from it easily. "It's what don't I say." he said as he took his belt off.

He wrapped it around Fleisher's leg, above the bullet would and tightened it as a tourniquet. "Ready?" he asked, and without waiting for an answer he plunged a thin pair of clamps into the fresh wound, to dig around for the bullet.

Fleischer's shrieks filled the room, echoing off the walls while Brian hummed quietly to himself.