"Jen," Bruce's voice started hesitantly, "I know you're pissed at Tony but Stroker is dead and we are looking through the paper records which Tony forgot the pin code to open the cabinet." He was leaning against the door way to my computer lab when I spun around.
"He can ask me himself." I said, even noting how petulant I sounded.
Bruce gave me an incredulous look, "He was going to take a blaster to it."
I sighed, "Jarvis, tell Tony it's 5891. His birthday backwards."
The silence that greeted her was palpable and Bruce nodded unsure what to do as she stared at him, "I'm sorry Jenny." He walked forward to kiss her gently before leaving her to the silent room.
It's funny, never know the worth of a thing till it's gone.
She stared at the computer occasionally trying to block it off from anything Ultron could possible reach. But mostly, she knew, she was feeling sorry for herself.
Jarvis was not a real person.
But to her, he might as well have been.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Then we were at it, again. I pointedly did not speak more than needed to Tony and everyone knew better than to push it. Tony seemed content to roll his eyes at my "childishness".
Then came the twins. When we raided the ship it did not matter how fast or strong we were.
Not when I was suddenly walking through NYC, sporting a white dress and black heels.
Jon walked next to me and was chatting, "Jenny, are you even listening to me?"
I paused and looked around at the building and streets I knew so well now, but this looked all too familiar, "Not really."
The blonde man rolled his eyes and took my arm, "Don't worry, I am handling everything." He was texting while we walked, even as my eyes strayed, looking everywhere.
The cars. The people. The buildings. They all seemed normal. But I felt like I had just woken from a nightmare.
"Handling wh-" A crash came from ahead, and my eyes narrowed.
Jon's grip tightened, "Don't worry about a thing, the tower is being rebuilt, and the remaining avengers are all taken care of." He was not looking at me but his death grip on my arm gave no comfort. Something had fallen up ahead and people were gawking at it, pointing.
Remaining avengers. My heart stopped in my chest, "Jon, what's-" But Jon was gone, in fact no one was in these streets. The cars were all smashed and building falling to pieces. I ran then, heels and white dress collecting dust as I ran.
Tone was in his business attire but it looked as if he'd jumped from a building, he'd fallen. His eyes stared up, unseeing, and his mouth was opened in a speech he'd never give. There was blood even though there was no wound and I tried to say something, anything but no words left my throat.
My brother.
I felt for a pulse unsurprised when I didn't find one and tried CPR, what some I knew. I wished Natasha was here, or even Bruce, either would be better than me.
"You don't get to leave me, Anthony Edward Stark!"
Just as the tears began to come and I heard my voice wail as I have on the tapes from the battle for New York, a hand grabbed my arm- Jon.
"Don't worry, let's go Jenny."
People were walking around us without a care to the girl in a white dress now stained red and black heels now chipped. As I stared down at Tony it was very clear to me.
People were always walking around us.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
When I managed to realize I was being lead to the ship once more, my surroundings came back. We were fighting the twins. The girl- she has mind breaking.
Damn. I wish I did not think that as cool as it was.
Steve was helping me, or I was helping him. Maybe we were struggling together. It was a nice throwback, "What was your's?" I asked so quietly I wasn't sure he heard it.
He didn't look at me but shrugged, "A swing club after the war, but-" He stopped himself as we went up the ramp and I nodded into his shoulder.
"NYC with people and familiarity and then-" I let myself drift off too. It was easier to tell the dream than the nightmare.
Steve met my eye as he let go of me into a seat and nodded. She looked for Bruce then and found him on the floor next to her, leaning on the table. His face screamed pain, but his eyes were closed tightly trying to forget.
I did not have to look up at Tony to know that they got the Hulk.
But I did anyway. Tony was already staring at me and when I met his eye neither of us smiled, oddly. No, I think I tried but I knew it looked nothing like a smile. If I trusted my legs I might have hugged him and cried. Instead I shrugged and loosed a sigh and he walked past me to scruff up my hair which was already a mess. He closed the hatch and the ship took off.
Slowly, I slid to the floor next to Bruce. His body was warm still, and he wore a gray top that was too big for him, I thought it might have been Tony's. He looked at me sharply when I touched his leg but his eyes softened as I laid my head in the crease of his shoulder.
I felt him relax under my touch and I sighed.
It's okay, or it will be.
It can be.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Clint, is this what I think it is?" I asked with a smile, my first smile. At this home, because it was. It was a home. You could feel it.
He looked over his shoulder trying to hold Nat up, and I caught the smirk, "Hopefully, a safe house."
We walked through the front door and I whispered to Bruce who still hadn't shaken the recent hulk attack, "Wanna bet on the number of children?" He looked at me with an incredulous look and I smiled encouragingly, "I think Clint has 3 kids, you?"
He shook his head at me and then stared at the homey living room and dining room.
"Honey I'm home!" Clint shouted and a pregnant woman with long brown hair walked out of the kitchen with a surprised smile, "Sorry, I didn't call ahead."
Bruce's voice came into my ear, "2."
"Guys this is Laura." He kept an arm around her waist as she waved at us.
"I know all your names." She said nervously and I smiled as feet could be heard coming down the staircase and we all looked to see a boy and girl run straight in and jump on Clint.
Tony looked to me and Bruce, "Smaller agents?"
I stifled a laugh and shook my head, "And these are?" I asked taking initiative, eager to forget the horror of my vision.
Clint smiled as he put them down, "Lila and Cooper these are the Avengers."
The girl, Lila, shouted, "Auntie Nat!" And went running to Natasha's open arms to the latter's happiness. It was good, Natasha had been rough since the twins and I didn't try to imagine her horrors.
Thor walked out in a storm and I watched as Steve followed.
Laura was speaking to Natasha and I eyed the house.
Would a house like this bad?
Tony nudged my shoulder, "Do you get the feeling that there are cameras everywhere?"
I laughed outright this time, "I do not! Tony is this life so unbelievable?" He appeared to think about it before nodding.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The rooms were given and I needed out of this outfit. Unfortunately, plaid seemed to be the only thing in aboundance here. Nonetheless I was intent on rocking it. I was still talking with Laura and thanking her for lending clothes when I heard the shower in our room (Lila's room) turn off.
I returned and knocked on the bathroom door, "Bruce?"
He opened the door slightly and I smiled at his shaving cream covered face, "Can I come in?" The hesitation was there and it spoke volumes more than us lightening the mood did. But the door opened wider and I closed it behind us.
He was refusing to meet my eye and I tried to think of the best approach. Perhaps, just no approach.
I turned on the shower and relished that there was warm water but knew it wouldn't last long. Usually I'd leave my ring on the sink when I showered but right now I feared he'd take it back- silly as it is. Quickly I threw my dirty clothes in the corner and jumped in- for once I don't think Bruce even looked my way.
So I washed with soap and ignored my hair and when I got out he was almost down shaving and still wouldn't meet my eye. I wanted to kiss him, hold his arm, run my fingers through his hair and convince him everything was fine- but I didn't.
No, I got dressed and only when he opened the bathroom door did I choose to speak, still only in my borrowed pants and dirty bra, "Bruce Banner, please don't walk away from me." The door closed behind him.
He paused in the bed room, I could hear him. Quickly I buttoned up the green and navy button down plaid borrowed and stepped out, shaking my hair out, "Can we talk about what happened?"
Bruce's hand flew into the air and I didn't flinch as he started pacing, "What is there to talk about?" He never shouted, I appreciated that, "The world finally saw the real hulk and now I'm going to have to run, again- just when all my life seemed right."
He kept pacing as I sat on the bed and watched, "It's not the worst thing that could've happened-" I tried lamely and his sardonic laugh made me cringe.
The wry laugh brought on the voice I hated next, the self-loathing one, "No, no you're right. I could've been loosed in L.A. or here. I could've killed more, hurt more, done more damage- because there is always more damage to be done. Hell I could've killed you and I would have made it painful and not given a damn!" He met my eyes finally and I understood his vision.
It didn't stop a bit a fear in me at the words said so truthfully.
We sat there, me on the full bad of a child's room, and Bruce standing over me still seething at himself, just looking at each other.
"What a pair we are," I said not understanding why my voice felt raw or like cracking, "Bruce, I love you. It is okay to say what you feel; I am not going to back away from you. I believe in you and the kindness in your heart. Hell, you're a more compassionate human being than I've ever been. The fact of the matter is that we each have our dark sides and yours can get destructive."
Bruce scoffed but I could see how tired he really was. With a small smile I took his hand and tugged him onto the bed next to me and sat sideways to look at him better even as he fiddled with his glasses, "If you want to run, run. But just, let me go too."
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/3rd person\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Bruce stared at Jenny again, at her request.
She gave another small smile, "If we are going to share a lifetime, anywhere you go let me go too." He wanted to laugh at her Phantom reference even as he could read the nervousness in her eyes. As if she thought he'd say no.
"I cannot have a life just like this- with children and just a country home-"
She cut him off, "Are you kidding this life make me extremely uncomfortable!" He chuckled and finally reached to hold her closer, leaning back onto the bed. Her head fell onto his chest before looking up at him, "Seriously."
Then Bruce smiled.
"I know," And that fact surprised him. Jenny was a woman who had everything, or could have everything. The fact that she chose him was already surprising but the fact that she'd chose his life too was remarkable. When she barged into his meeting with all the self-confidence of someone whose name opened doors of grandeur- willing to give it up, for him.
But would he let her?
For now she looked up at him with a smile on her face and he tried to smile back. He kissed her, their lips happy to be otherwise occupied and jenny more than happy to be held once more, "Do"… "you"… "promise?" She said between kisses.
She stopped to lean over him on the bed and pushed her hair behind her ear and Bruce thought she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. The piece of light in his darkness, "I promise."
Her face lite up and as a result so did his as they kissed again and Jenny found a fascination with unbuttoning his plaid shirt.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/Jenny's POV\/\/\/\/\/\/
"Miss Stark, there you are!" Laura Barton commented and I descended the stairs in front of Bruce, "Dr. Banner would you mind if I stole her?" Bruce simply looked to me and shrugged, "Our tractor seemed to have not wanted to start. Clint said you wouldn't mind but-"
I smiled at the woman and nodded, "No worries, I'll try my best but I've never been much for tractors." Laura chuckled at this which was only the truth and I followed her outside.
Tony and Steve has started chopping wood but it looked tense and since they just starred at each other instead of chopping I walked backwards still following Laura but shouting to Tony, "Tone, let's go, there's a tractor that needs fixing." He turned towards me and after a moment followed us.
Laura was looking at me strangely so I shrugged, "He's the better mechanic, I'm the better theorist." She smiled at this and led us into their shed.
"Thank you both so much it's just this, I'll be in the house if you need me." She walked off and I eyed the tractor, one of the few I've ever seen.
Tony and I looked it over from opposite sides as he spoke, "Hello dear-"
I scoffed, "Tone, it's a tractor, not a mustang."
"Still a motor." He said calmly and I looked at the gauges over the seat.
"Do me a favor" A familiar voice said from the back and I sighed at the sound of it and jumped down, "Try not to bring it to life." Again, should have seen this coming.
I pointed at Fury, "Wearing cardigans now?"
"Mrs. Barton's the little minx, Maria Hill let you know where we are?" Tony said, obviously frustrated.
"It's a blazer, and you two didn't even bother to hesitate with artificial intelligence?" Fuy said coming forward, hands in his pockets.
"Well it wasn't lack of hesitation-" I spoke before Tony cut me off.
"Look it's been a long day- like Eugene O'Niel long, so how about we skip to the part where you're useful?"
I sighed and stood dutifully between them as Fury spoke only to Tony, "Look me in the eye and tell me you're going to shut him down."
Tony glared, "You're not the director of me." I rolled my eyes and kicked the ground.
"I'm not the director of anybody," Fury took a seat on the straw behind him, "Just an old man that cares very much about you two."
I looked between Fury and Tony but Tony just looked at me and I noticed him clenching and unclenching his fist, a nervous tick, "And I'm just the man that killed the Avengers."
My breath caught as his eyes left mine to look to Fury, "I saw it. I didn't tell the team, how could I?"
I reach out to take his arm but he shook it off looking at me with anger, "I saw you all dead Jay, the whole world too. Because of me." He pointed to himself and backed away from Fury and I. Turning his back on us, he walked to the tractor attempting to busy himself.
"I wasn't ready," he shrugged, "I didn't do all I could."
Fury spoke before I did, my mind still going to the Tony on the ground of NYC as if he fell, "The Maximov girl, she'd playing you Stark; preying on your fear."
Tony rolled his eyes, "I wasn't tricked, I was shown. It wasn't a nightmare it was my legacy." It looked to me, sadly even, "The end of the path I started us on."
"You didn't start us on the path Tone-"
"But I did," He turned, "And now I will leave war in my wake."
Fury stood, "You come up with some pretty impressive inventions Tony, war isn't one of them."
I watched as Tony just played with a wrench and looked away from us, "I watched my friends die you'd think that would be as bad as it gets, right? Nope, that wasn't the worst part."
I smiled, something hollow from years ago and shoved my hands in my pockets as I walked toward Tony, on the other side of the tractor, "No, no the worst part is that you lived." His brown eyes met my green and he looked away quickly.
"Jennifer, always full of wisdom. Why don't I meet you took in the house? I hear Mrs. Barton make a mean supper."
I waited till Fury left before I looked at Tony, "Dude."
"Kiddo."
"You did not tell me because?"
He rolled his eyes, "What was I going to say? 'Jay, one day I will be the cause of your and the love of your life's death. Sorry'?"
I laughed, "More like, 'Jay, I may have been in contact with one of the freak twins and had a vision of you all dying. I could use a hug'."
He laughed at that one, "It was the future, I'm sure of it."
"Then you can't change it, until then, let's not make any bigger messes alright?" I asked and as he walked towards me and the door, I stopped him with a hug.
Hugging me back he asked, "Are you no longer angry at me?"
"No definitely still angry," I assured, my arms still around his neck, "But Tone, I was in contact with one of the freak twins and had a vision of you dying. I could use a hug."
He chuckled and patted my back, "Why didn't you say so?"
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