A Blast From the Past
Disclaimer:
In this story, I own nothing with the exception of Shaelynn Banner.
Rating:
T
Genre:
Romance/Drama
Pairings:
ScienceHusbands (Tony/Bruce)
Stevelynn (Steve/Shaelynn) [maybe]
Lyrics Used:
Within Temptations "Memories"
Summary:
[for now the summary is] Shaelynn Banner finally re-enters her father's life-after letting him believe she has been dead for the last five years-when her new sister, Alice Cullen, has a vision of the Volturi going to New York to collect the Hulk to come work for them. The Volturi plan to provoke the Hulk out of Bruce and turn him-thus, getting rid of Bruce Banner for good-and recruit the Hulk to do their bidding.
Author's Note:
So, this idea just kinda came to me outta nowhere, today. It's kind of AU in that Bruce has a daughter (Shaelynn Banner) from when he was 17. ... Well, he sorta has a daughter. ;) I'm not sure what the response will be but I'm just just gonna throw it on out there and see what happens. So, if you want me to continue it, ya gotta read and review!
Memories
All of my memories | Keep you near | In silent moments | Imagine you'd be here | All of my memories | Keep you near | The silent whispers, silent tears
I hope there is a way | To give me a sign you're okay | Reminds me again | It's worth it all | So I can go on
I sighed as I looked down at the picture I held in my hand. It's October third. Today would have been her twenty-third birthday. That is, if she hadn't been stolen from me a little less than six years ago, now. As long as it's been, the memories are still painfully fresh in my mind. Shaelynn and I had been living in Forks, Washington, at the time. It was Christmas Eve and Shaelynn had gone out to a Christmas party with some of her friends, promising to be home to spend Christmas Day with me. That turned out to be the one and only promise she never kept. They showed me a couple of photographs of the wreckage. Her little Ford Focus never stood a chance against the giant oak tree it had been wrapped around. The car was burned nearly beyond recognition-it had exploded just after impact. Shaelynn's remains had gone up in flames with the car-there was nothing recognizable left. Part of me foolishly held out hope that-since no remains were ever recovered-that she could have escaped the wreckage and would find her way back to me. But, she never did. I was so lost in memories that I never heard Tony enter the room until the gentle hand on my back startled me back to reality.
"Wow." His voice was sincere. "She's beautiful. How do you know her?" He asked, quirking his head to the side, curious as he turned to face me.
"Thanks." I muttered, once I regained my composure. "And, yes...she was." I took Tony's raised eyebrow as a cue to elaborate. So, I worked it into the answer to his second question. "She was my daughter." My voice is becoming soft and almost wistful. Talking about Shaelynn always gets to me-even nearly six years later. Drawing a shaky breath, I began to explain everything I had just been thinking about. "The reason I talk about her in the past tense is...Well, it's because she passed away nearly six years ago."
Tony dropped his gaze to stare at the floor for a moment. "My God..." He whispered. Turning back up to me, he added "Bruce, I'm so sorry. Really, I am. You don't have to say anymore. No parent should ever even have to go through that, let alone relive it over and over again." I was surprised at how sincere Tony was being. I mean, sure, I'd gotten to know him rather well over the last year or so since I'd joined the Avengers. But, it was so rare that Tony displayed any real emotion. So, this display was...refreshing. And, definitely appreciated.
Shaking my head lightly, I replied. "No, it's okay. I mean, not talking about it won't change the fact that it happened and it sure as hell won't bring her back." Releasing a deep breath I hadn't even realized I'd taken, I continued on. "It was Christmas Eve. Shaelynn had gone out to a Christmas Party with some friends. It was late and it was Forks, so, it was more than a little icy out. She hit a patch of black ice and wrapped her car around a tree." My voice is growing thick with emotion and I feel Tony give my shoulder a gentle squeeze as I take a ragged breath-trying to steady myself. Setting the picture in my hands back on to the nightstand, I turn to face Tony and gaze straight into his eyes as I continue on. "Her car went up in flames just after impact." My voice is shaking beyond control, now. "They never even recovered any remains." The tears begin flowing freely as Tony wraps his arms around me, holding me close. I burrow my face into his neck as I hear him begin to speak.
"My God." Tony's voice is nearly as shaky as mine. "Bruce, I-I don't know what to say. 'I'm sorry' just doesn't seem like enough." A choked sob escapes my lips and Tony only tightens his grip on me in response. "But, I am. I truly am. I'm so sorry you had to go through that." I manage to calm myself enough to respond to Tony as he loosens his grip slightly.
Pulling back just far enough to look into his eyes, I replied "It's okay, Tony. It was an accident. It wasn't your fault." Drawing another ragged breath, I cast my gaze to the floor as I add-a little more brokenly than I had intended to "If anyone's to blame, it's me."
"Hey!" Tony's voice gentle yet firm all at the same time. So firm, in fact, that I snapped my head back up at the sound. Tony grips my biceps to keep my attention fixated on him. "Don't you ever say that! Okay? You said it, yourself. It was an accident! You couldn't possibly have known-" I didn't mean to snap. I don't know if it was the day or what the reason was but my guilt was eating me up more than usual as I shook myself free of Tony's grip.
"Oh, cut the crap, Tony!" I exclaimed. "I already told you! It was winter in Forks, Washington for Christ's sake! It doesn't take a damn genius to figure out that the roads might just be a little slick!" I was shouting, now. God, when did I lose so much control so fast. I drew in a deep breath, willing myself to be more rational. "I never should have let her go." I whispered, brokenly.
"Hey." Tony's voice was softer, this time, as his hands cupped either side of my face-his thumbs gently wiping away my tears. I hadn't gotten to see this kinder, gentler Tony much in the past. It was refreshing-not to mention just what I needed, right now. "Look at me." As I did what Tony asked, I saw unwavering compassion and support written in his dark brown eyes. "What happened to Shaelynn-while tragic-was not your fault. It wasn't anybody's fault. It was a devastating, tragic, accident. Nothing more, nothing less." Tony's voice was so sure, so sincere, I was actually starting to believe him.
Sighing lightly, I replied "Thank you, Tony. It really means a lot to me, to hear you say that." And, I wasn't lying. I really did appreciate everything Tony was trying to do. He was being a real friend and that was exactly what I needed, right now.
"Anytime." He replied, the corner of his mouth quirking upward ever so slightly. "I mean it." He went on. "Anytime you ever want or need to talk about Shaelynn-or, hell, anything for that matter-day or night, I'm here for you." His voice was so gentle and steady, I knew he truly meant every word he was saying. "I will always be there for you, Bruce. You can count on it." And, with that, he pulled me into another warm embrace.
And, as we sat there like that-just holding each other-and I inhaled the strong, masculine scent that was purely Tony Stark...I had one final meltdown. Burying my face in his neck, once again, I muttered "I just miss her so much." My voice was still thick and raw from crying. But, Tony didn't judge me for it.
"I know." He replied, softly, rubbing soothing circles into my back. "I won't stand here and lie to you-tell you I understand what you're going through-because I honestly don't." Another honest answer. "But, I do know that much."
"Will it ever stop hurting?" I mumbled, desperately. I already knew the answer, but, hell...I was already through the looking glass, anyway. A guy can always hope, can't he?
"No." Tony's voice had taken on a sad and defeated tone. I knew he didn't want to tell me that it wouldn't stop. But, he had promised not to lie to me, so...I guess he was just keeping his promise. "No, it will always hurt..." He paused for a moment-almost as if he were searching for just the right words. "But, it will get easier to deal with."
"It's been nearly six years, Tony..." I cried. "When the hell is it supposed to start getting 'easier'?!"
"I don't know, Bruce." He sighed, sadly. "But, I really wish I did. I wish I had all the answers that could somehow make this all okay for you. Believe me, I would love nothing more. But, all I can say is that when your heart is ready to heal, it will." That last bit did give me a little hope. After all, my own accident took place not that long after Shaelynn's. I had been so distracted by the Other Guy and trying to contain him that I had forgotten to let myself heal from losing my daughter. Maybe now...with a friend like Tony to lean on...Maybe now, I can finally start to heal.
Pulling away from me just far enough to look in my eyes, Tony wiped away a few more tears. He looked like he was about to say something else, but, was interrupted as his phone beeped with a new text message. I didn't know what it said, but, I was puzzled by the way Tony's brows furrowed together in confusion. I always adored his confused face. It was always mesmerizing, watching Tony working a complicated equation. His truly was a beautiful mind and definitely a privilege to watch in action. I'm pulled from my trance abruptly, however, when he speaks again. "It's Pepper." Right, his girlfriend. How did I forget about that? "I have to go. I gotta see what it is she wants. Are you gonna be okay?" He asked, his voice clearly concerned for me.
"Yeah." I nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'll be fine." I replied. Tony gave me one last skeptical look. "Tony, go. Go take care of business. I'll be fine, I promise. I've made it through the last almost six years, I think I can last a little while without you." I tried to keep my voice light so as to help convince Tony that I really would be okay without him for a while. Deep down, I really did hate to see him go. But, I knew he had to. And, I had to let him go.
"Well...all right." He finally conceded. "But, I'll have my phone with me, should you need anything." I was touched by Tony's concern for me. But, I could probably just go down to one of the many labs in the tower and find something to occupy myself with while he was gone. Surely, I could figure something out. With that, he turned and left the room. I stared at him for a moment longer, until he disappeared from my view before gazing at the picture on my nightstand one last time.
I was just about to take my leave before I froze where I stood as an all-too-familiar voice called out to me from the doorway. "I've missed you, too, dad."