Heyo, readers! Here is chapter two! I know in the movieverse that Bruce and Betty don't actually "do the do" because of heart rate and what not, but I'm altering it to my purposes ;) So enjoy this chapter and don't forget to leave a comment! Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Marvel Universe *curls up and cries in ball* leave me be

Chapter 2

Bruce's eyes were widened in disbelief as he watched the young man stand up and give his rather poor and sheepish introduction to the team. As soon as his face came into view though, Bruce stiffened and had become as still as a statue; his eyes fixed on the boy and his mind began whirling with a flurry of thoughts.

Him and every other member of the Avengers stood there in absolute shock; all of them staring at the unbelievable sight before them.

Bruce's eyes met with the kid's eyes for a split moment, but he swore it felt like an eternity to him. Looking at him was like looking into a freaky mirror… from a long time ago. There was no denying it, the kid looked a hell of a lot like him, and a pit of anxiety began to grow steadily in his stomach the longer he looked at him.

This had to be some kind of a sick joke that Tony had thrown together. There's no way that that boy could be related to him. I haven't…No…It's not possible, Bruce thought in a panic. I haven't seen anyone in ages! I've never been interested in anyone! I've been on the run for the last 20 something years for god's sake! The last time I've ever…Bruce's thoughts halted, and his breath hitched in his chest, eyes wide in realization.

"How old are you," he blurted out unexpectedly; making his team jump and turn their questioning gazes at him, but he didn't care. He just had to ask…he needed to know. He had to hear it from the kid, not the guards or Jarvis or anyone else.

The silence after his question was beginning to turn incredibly long and awkward. The young man started to shift uncomfortably from the number of people's eyes burning into him, and he tilted his head down to avert his gaze to his beat up sneakers. He mumbled awkwardly and ran a hand nervously though his hair, "Uh…I'm eighteen, sir…" He fell quiet again, but glanced upwards to look at Bruce since he had been the one who questioned him.

This kid literally looked like him. He had his brown eyes, his tan complexion, build, height, everything!

Except for his hair…it's darker and less curly, like Betty's.

A new wave of panic rushed over Bruce as he went over what he just thought.

Like Betty's hair….Betty?! Oh God!

The color began to drain from his face and he backed away slightly, stumbled a little over his own feet. If he was his kid, what if…what if he was like him! What if he had inherited his awful condition!? His heart rate started to rise with his panicked thoughts, and he could feel the green monster stir on the edge of his consciousness, urging him to run. A low growl rumbled in his head, rearing to rise to his defense, and Bruce berated himself for letting himself freak out so much. I need to stay calm…I-I can figure this out…I'm sure that's not the case…

He jumped a little when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked to see Tony, whose eyes were filled with comfort and concern. "Hey, are you okay there, Bruce?"

A lot of people believe Stark to be a cold, sarcastic ass, which he is most of the time, but Bruce trusted nobody more than him; he was his closest friend. He wasn't afraid of him like the others were, and he had grown to understand Bruce a lot in the time they spent together after the invasion.

If anyone could tell that Bruce was distressed and needed counsel, it was Tony.

"I'm not going to ask you questions right now, Bruce. You already look as freaked out as we all are, judging by your face right now," his whispered in a hushed tone and smiled comfortingly while giving him a small clap on the back, "But whatever this is…you need to chill. No need to freak out Junior over there. I'm sure this will all blow over real quick."

Bruce swallowed and bit back at Tony rather sharply in a panicky tone, "Chill? How do you expect me to be calm when some kid has just come barging into the tower and looks exactly like me! Tony, this isn't the sort of thing that just blows over," his voice waivered and he said quietly, "what if…what if he's like me?"

Tony tensed a bit and then he shook his head in confirmation, "Don't think like that, Bruce. I don't think that sort of thing just passes on like that. The kid looks perfectly normal, hell, he's even good looking! If he is your kid, then we'll just find out who his mother is and then we can send him home if you want. No big deal!"

Bruce winced. "But…Tony…"

"Hey!"

The team looked to the source of the interjection, and it was the kid. He was standing a little straighter, trying to show a little confidence, but he still looked very nervous when he spoke up again.

"I'm not deaf you know! I can hear you talking about me."

His cheeks were pink from the embarrassment of speaking up, and he nervously bit his lip. He closed his eyes and breathed in and out to steady himself; not realizing that doing so made Bruce cringe…that's exactly what he did to calm down the other guy, and seeing the boy do it was only fueling his fears.

"My name is Ben…Ben Ross," he paused and licked his lips anxiously, "I…I'm not really sure how to go about this…so…let's, uh, cut to the chase."

He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out an envelope. He held it up and met each member's gaze. "I'm looking for Bruce Banner…My mom said that I'd be able to find him here…This is for him."

His eyes looked distant and sad for a moment, but they hardened and his back straightened once more, "She didn't tell me who this person was to her, but I'm not stupid…she's mentioned you all my life…So-so I'm pretty sure I know exactly who you are." He stuttered the last part and added quietly, "She wanted to give this to him…" He held his hand with the envelope towards the team, and waited, averting his eyes down to the floor.

Everyone stood still, waiting for Bruce to step forward.

But he was frozen; his thoughts and emotions were all over the place. Was the kid his? Did Betty really talk about him? Did she still care? Why hadn't she written sooner? Why wasn't she here herself? Was she okay? Maybe the kid wasn't his… Then why did he act so much like him?!

"Bruce," Tony hissed quietly so Ben wouldn't hear him, "this is getting kinda awkward."

Bruce jumped when his was awakened from his stream of thoughts and he opened his mouth to give an excuse to Tony, but he was fixed with a shrewd look from his friend. Feeling a gentle nudge in his back made him look at to his left at Natasha; her eyes were soft, but she nodded firmly to Bruce, "Move, Banner."

With some hesitation, he approached Ben, his footsteps resounded loudly on the tiled floor, and he came to stop quietly in front of the boy. He cleared his throat, "Uhm…I'm," he inhaled shakily and breathed out, "Bruce Banner…"

Ben's eyebrows furrowed and he shoved the letter into his chest rather harshly, he said unsteadily, "take it…" His eyes glistened and Bruce backed away a little so he could examine the letter.

Bruce grasped the envelope with shaking hands, barely taking notice that the seal was already broken, and slipped the letter out. Familiar small and neatly curled hand writing was scratched onto the page…Betty's handwriting.

Bruce smiled softly and read the script slowly…

My Dearest Bruce,

Nothing makes me happier than to know that you are safe and have found a new home. When I saw you on the news during that invasion, I was so worried, but I'm happy to know that you're back after all these years. I understand why you didn't contact me sooner, and I'm sorry if you were hurt by the mere thought of me moving on. But you need to know that I didn't and I don't plan to either. I love you, Bruce. I always have. And I know that this is sudden and that we haven't spoken in ages, but I decided that it was about time I've told you some things. You've probably met Benjamin. He brought you this letter. I'm not sure how I could put this lightly, so, I'll just tell you. Benjamin is your son. About two weeks after you left the Harlem incident, I realized I was pregnant with him. Now, I know what you're thinking, and I want you to know that he is completely normal. I've been checking his blood for signs of radiation every month. He doesn't know about you. As far as he's deducted himself, he thinks that you had some sort of condition and that I'm worried he might get it. He's such a smart boy, Bruce. He's always been the top of his class, and now that's he's graduated from high school, this summer, he's gotten dozens of scholarships. You should be so proud. Every day since the day he was born, he's reminded me of you. He grew up to be a brilliant young man…just like his father.

No matter how I put it though, this is still a huge shock for you, I'm sure, and I'm sorry I had to do it this way. You see, Bruce, I'm sick. I've been quite ill for some time now, and I'm not allowed to leave the hospital. But I don't want you to worry about me, Bruce. I need you to worry about Ben. He's devastated, and he rarely eats or sleeps anymore; he never leaves my side. It breaks my heart to see him like this, and I'm not sure how long I'll be able to take care of him any longer. I decided that he deserves to know who his father is. I know I should have told you this sooner, but I'm just too short on time now. Please, talk to him. He might be a little distant…he's always had a bit of a hatred for his father since he's never been in his life; he claims that he left me alone, but don't let him discourage you. He's just hurting, Bruce. He's going to need someone to help him with life. It's a lot to ask of you, but I know that you can do it. He's going to need a safe place to stay now.

General Ross has been suspicious of you being his birth father since they day I told him I was with child. I didn't tell him who the father was ever, but there really wasn't much I could do once Ben started growing up. He looks so much like you, Bruce, and it really put my dad on guard. When he turned five, he showed up on his birthday and told me that he wanted to take him in and check to see if he was like you. I told him that he wasn't and ensured him with my own personal tests, but he was relentless. He tried to take him, and I was forced to file a law suit against him. There's a restraining order that forbids him and any of his troops to be within 5 miles of Ben or me, but this becomes null once he's 18. He's only just turned 18, but the restraining order stays in place so long as I live. He's safe for now, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be around. My father stopped at nothing to get you, but now that you have protection, he's going for what he thinks is the next best thing. He's going to hurt him, Bruce, and Ben won't have any idea why. He doesn't know about your condition or why I never let him see his grandfather. He's clueless, but he can't be forever. I've told him that he can find you here at the tower, I didn't tell him that you're his father, but I talked about the "elusive Bruce Banner" all his life. He's probably already put two and two together. You can do this. You don't have to do it for the sake of me, but do it for the sake of Ben. You're his family too, and I know you'll get along eventually. I love you, Bruce, and if I don't get to see you before I'm gone, I want you to know that there was never a doubt in my mind that you'd come back.

With all of my heart,

Betty

Bruce's eyes glistened with tears and he stared down in disbelief at the letter. The team had continued to stand silently nearby, recognizing his sadness and distress. Bruce read the letter over and over, hearing Betty's voice as he read, but his thoughts were interrupted by a shaking, anguished voice.

"You left her," Ben choked quietly.

Bruce looked up from the paper and at Ben. He could see angry tears pouring down the boy's face; he was glaring at him with furrowed brows and his fists were clenched at his sides.

"Why did you leave her!" Ben shouted furiously. He stepped towards Bruce and shoved him back harshly. He then jabbed a finger at him and yelled, "Sure, you can leave me, but her!? She talked about you like you walked on water, but you left her! She had to raise me all on her own! And where did I find you?! Living in some massive fancy tower with some famous engineer! What? You couldn't bring her along!?"

Bruce backed away quickly, each accusing word burning into him. He opened and closed his mouth searching for something to say, but how could he explain to him about the reason he left so lightly? How was he supposed to tell him that he was forced to run because he could turn into a massive green rage monster that was being hunted down by his own grandfather? He'd sound crazy!

"And what was all that crap she wrote about some condition or yours!? That's no reason to leave her behind! Especially when she was always so worried I'd get it too! Even my own grandfather wanted to help, but she refused! Why would she do that!? What the hell did you do to tear up my mother's life so much? Just what exactly are you and my mom hiding from me," Ben was gushing now, and it just kept coming and coming until he was out of breath, "Well, Banner? Or should I call you DAD!"

"You….you read it," Bruce's eyes widened in shock. He knew! He would know something was up! The building tension had finally peaked and Bruce gasped when he realized that his heart rate was dangerously high. Grimacing, he fell to the knees on the ground, gripping his head. "Damn it…" he hissed.

"Bruce!" Tony cried out, and ran to the scientist's side.

"Clint," Steve quickly took action and ordered commandingly, "Take Ben downstairs, get him out of here. These two are gonna have to talk this out later."

Ben looked confused and rather surprised that Bruce had fallen over. "Wha-what's wrong with him," he asked with a tone of worry entering his voice when he saw the red haired woman speedily pull two fire arms from her side and load them with what looked like bullets filled with some sort of pale violet fluid.

"Tony and I have this, Clint. I shouldn't have to tranq him," Natasha said with a quick nod.

"Nothing we can't explain later, kiddo," Clint quipped as he grasped the boy's arm and yanked him towards the elevator. The silver doors slid open, and Clint dove inside with Ben. Ben fell onto the ground of the elevator, and quickly turned his head to see what was happening before the doors slid shut with a small ding.

Bruce was curled up on the ground tightly on his side, trembling, but not changing.

Tony put a hand on his shoulder and asked cautiously, "Bruce, are you alright?"

Sitting up abruptly, Bruce looked at Tony with wide eyes, still brown, and snapped, "Do I look alright to you! I just learned I have a kid, he hates me, and Betty is dying!"

Tony was startled by this reaction, but when he saw his friend's warm brown eyes fill with tears, he put a comforting arm around his shoulder and said quietly, "It's gonna be okay, man...he doesn't hate you, he's just confused. We'll get through this, alright?"

Bruce hugged his knees and muttered grimly, "I hated my dad…I don't want this kid to hate me like I hated him…"

"He won't," Tasha said softly as she walked towards the two and smiled, offering him a hand, "so let's go talk to him."