Hey guys, here's the next chapter, it gets a little tense, but it all smooths out. Next chapter will have... Dun dun dun- Captain America! That's right! Okay, well I hope you enjoy this chapter. Bruce and Minnie kiss again. =)

Disclaimer, I own Minnie.


I don't know why but I had been afraid of the next time I saw him being awkward. It was anything but. I was in Tony's kitchen, talking to my travel agent. "So, my layover is in Memphis?" I paused to listen to her chatter on, and wrote it down. "Okay, thanks so much. Bye." I hung up and wrote down a few things before I turned and started to type on my open laptop, writing an email to my little sister. I looked up when I heard footsteps, and smiled lightly seeing Bruce walk in, his hair was a mess, he was wearing pyjama pants and a tee shirt and he was rubbing his face.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"It is currently 9:15am Dr. Banner." Jarvis replied.

"What time did you fall asleep?" I asked as I poured him a cup of coffee.

"Sleep, what's that?" he asked and I laughed as I walked over to him and set it down. He gently took my hand and ran his thumb along the back of it, even tired he was unbelievably gentle, and almost shy about showing affection. What had happened the other night, it surprised me.

"Hey?" I jumped and turned around seeing my sister's face on my laptop.

"Hey." I said as I walked over to the computer. "What's up?"

"You didn't put what time you're landing in New Orleans."

"Uh, I'll be there around three." I said. "I've got a two hour layover in Memphis."

"Oh will you see Steve there?"

"Yeah, we're going to get lunch." I nodded.

"Can he do that?"

"Oh come on, him?" I asked and she laughed. "True, true. So you picked up the dress right?"

"Yeah, what's the deal with shoes?" I asked. "You never said.

"Oh god, Antonia wants to wear these hideous purple stilts with like gold studs on them, they're so bad!"

"That sounds disturbing." I muttered.

"Just do something cute, preferably blue, but if you have to, white is fine."

"Understood." I nodded. "I'm sure Dallas will know where to get something."

"If he doesn't, then that's a first." she said and I laughed.

"No kidding."

"Soo..."

"Oh god what happened?"

"Well Gwen may or may not have invited someone I really don't want at my wedding." She said referring to Chaz's mother.

"Who?" I asked and she sighed.

"Simon." she said and my face fell. "I am so so so sorry! You know how she is, she's even paying for his ticket down there, I tried to tell her I don't want him there-"

"Just... Is he," I glanced back at Bruce who was scrawling something out with his eyes half closed. "Is he still using?" I asked softly.

"Everyone says he isn't, but I don't know." she said.

"Look, just keep him away from me, and everything will be okay." I said.

"Hi there Tiffy." Tony said as he walked in.

"It's Tabby." she replied.

"Meow." he smirked. He poured himself some more coffee and looked at Bruce who was resting his chin on the palm of his hand, looking close to being asleep. He walked over and smacked his shoulder, jolting Bruce out of his near sleep. "Oh, I'm sorry, does that make you angry?" he asked and Bruce took his glasses off. I was about to say something when the gate bell rang.

"I believe those are the packages you ordered sir." Jarvis said.

"Minnie, will you go get those." I looked hesitantly at my computer where Tabby raised her eyebrows. "Go on, I'll keep kitten occupied." he grinned. I sighed, and then rang the FedEx guy into the yard. I walked outside as he pulled up, signed for the packages and had them brought into the living room before he left. I quickly went back to the kitchen where Tony was leaning on the counter in front of the computer screen.

"Yeah, but New Orleans, what does that have to offer but mosquitoes and a bad hair day?"

"They're called hairstylists Mr. Stark, something you should consider seeing some time." I couldn't help but laugh, Tabby had been so pleased when Chaz agreed to New Orleans, and then with a little bit of name dropping from me I was able to help them book Oak Alley Plantation as the place they would have their wedding and reception.

"So, who's your plus one?"

"Dallas." I said. "He made a very convincing argument."

"Oh, I'd love to hear that."

"Yeah, in his words, 'bitch, you know that hair belongs to me, and anyone else who even thinks about touching it will face the consequences'." I said making her laugh. "Besides, due to recent development regarding people best left unmentioned, I don't think I could handle it without him there." I sighed.

"Hey do you mean that junkie you married?" Tony asked and I looked at him quickly.

"We- I- I never married him okay, we were just engaged!"

"Uh huh." he said and I looked at Bruce who was looking at me curiously.

"Uh, hey Tabby, I have to go. Say hi to everyone."

"Sonny's here, he wants to say hi-"

"Can't, super busy, love you, bye." I said before I turned off the program. I sighed, and looked back at Tony. "And you wonder why I never tell you things." I said as I closed my computer and walked past him quickly.

"Hey, did we get that painting?" he called after me.

"It's in the living room!" I shouted back. I walked outside, ready to go do some work from my office at Stark Towers when the door opened behind me. Tony ran out in front of me and picked me up by my legs, throwing me over his shoulder. "Tony!" I shrieked at him as he carried me back inside. He usually only did this when he knew I was pissed.

"It's fine, it's fine, I got her!" he called as he carried me back to the kitchen. I sighed impatiently as he put me down and then smiled at Bruce. "She's fine." I hit his chest, making sure to avoid hitting the arc reactor.

"You okay?" Bruce asked.

"Fine." I said as I glared at Tony.

"Sir, Ms. Potts is on the line for you." Jarvis said suddenly. Tony looked up and sighed.

"Did you call her just to get me out of the room?"

"Why on earth would I do that sir?" Jarvis asked and I smiled as Tony walked out.

"Jarvis, have I ever told you you're my favorite AI." I smiled.

"Not that I imagine you've met many, but thank you Ms. Strong." Jarvis said and I laughed lightly before looking at Bruce who looked very awake suddenly.

"Tony doesn't know how to keep out of other people's business." I sighed.

"You don't have to talk about it." Bruce said quickly.

"No, it's fine, it's not much of a story, I was engaged to be married, I had known him since High School, I cancelled the wedding when he lost his job and started using." I said easily. "It's not something I particularly care to talk about." I explained.

"I understand." he said.

"And Tony knows that, he just, I don't know, he doesn't believe in keeping things secret, which is stupid, because did he tell us when he was dying that one time? No. He kept it a secret, but he likes to know every little thing about everyone, and then pretend like anything is a fair topic of conversation." I said quickly, and sighed. "I'm so sorry Bruce." I said and he held his hand out to me. I walked over and put mine in his allowing him to pull me closer.

"You have nothing to be sorry about."

"I just, I'm laying all this stuff out there, and I'm sure it's just making you want to back away screaming, which I don't blame you because I mean we only kissed that one time and this isn't-" I was cut off by him standing up and kissing me. When he finally pulled away I looked up at him.

"Now we've kissed twice." he said. "Better?" I laughed lightly, and rested my head on his shoulder. "Look, I understand everyone comes with some baggage, I mean, I'm a scientist who's lived in third world countries for the better part of the past decade, I never know how long I'll be in one place, I have very little to my name, SHIELD is always on my ass, and my closest friend is a textbook narcissist." he said with a small shrug. "Scared yet?"

"No." I said and he smiled.

"Let's see, you have an ex fiancé who you broke up with because he became a user. You did the right thing leaving him. Now you have... Dallas." he paused. "Actually, I'm a little scared now." I smiled and hit his shoulder making him laugh. "Feel any better?" I sighed, then wrapped my arms around him and nodded into his chest.

"Hey, believe it or not, I don't actually pay you to flirt with him." Tony called as he walked by the room. "Rhodey keeps calling about me doing some presentation of the new suit, can you call him back and tell him no way, not after last time he decided to do a 'presentation'." he called. "Thank you." I sighed and then pulled away from Bruce with a smile.

"I'm gonna go get dressed." he said and I laughed realizing he was still in his pyjamas.

"I'm going to go call Rhodey." I said as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed the number.