Chapter 4 Vital Communication
Disclaimer: Still the same as before; much as I love these guys, they probably don't love me, or the angsty crap I put them through. Do not own, please don't sue for an overactive imagination that needs a hamster wheel.
Bruce made his lonely way back to his apartment. Tony and Pepper had left him at the elevator, retreating to their own place at the top of the tower.
He needed to consider the revelations he'd been handed that evening. Stark wanted to employ him, keep them around for whatever humanitarian reason he could concoct that week. And for what? No discernible reason that Bruce could see. Engineering wasn't his thing. Sure, he could probably come up with new ways for the Iron Man suit to keep Stark safe, but really? Tony did just fine on his own. As for the nuclear power research. That idea was fascinating, but fraught with danger for him. While it was wonderful to entertain the idea of a life of research, Bruce knew as long as the Army still wanted him, wanted them. They weren't safe, staying in one place for too long.
He arrived back at his apartment and went in to collapse on the couch, deep in thought. He avoided the meditative state, knowing the Hulk would have no input to this situation beyond the usual concerns. No, Bruce had to figure this one out on his own.
"JARVIS, could you give me an overview of the contract I signed with Stark Industries?", Bruce asked the AI.
"Of course, Dr. Banner. Shall I display it on the wall, or put it on the tablet?", the AI's melodious voice answered promptly.
"The tablet is fine, thank you," Bruce said, reaching for the small pane of glass as it lit up with the incoming file. He scrolled through the contract information, finding nothing out of the ordinary in the language, except for the missing 'non-compete clause' as Tony had mentioned. That was definitely different, in his experience. It meant that whatever Bruce found, but hadn't published for SI, Inc. could be taken with him in the event that Banner and SI parted ways.
Even the benefits were in Bruce's favor. A high pay rate, higher than he'd ever gotten before, with an unusual clause for undisclosed back pay he'd have to discuss with Tony at some point. Health benefits he was sure to never need. The gamma radiation paid off weird dividends for his immune system, the complete opposite of someone who was normally afflicted with radiation poisoning of any kind. Or it was the successful part of the super soldier serum he'd been able to recreate in effect. He could never figure that out.
Eventually, he put the tablet down beside him, took off his glasses and rubbed his face, quite tired. All he could do at the moment was accept it and hope for the best. He finally went to bed, but dreamed of fear and uncertainty. His sleep was not restful.
Tony and Pepper retired to the penthouse bedroom and fell into bed.
"Tony, are you sure this will work out?", Pepper asked him, rolling onto her side to face him.
"He needs to feel safe, Pep. I think we can give him that. Besides," Tony smirked, pulling her close, "That sexy science brain needs peace and quiet to be let loose on the world. The changes he could accomplish!" He kissed her, silencing further protests. She sighed against his lips, and deepened the kiss. Somehow, this had to work out. Or neither man would survive the experience.
Reviews welcome!
AN: Sorry it's so short y'all. It just would not go out past this point, and I didn't want to go off on a tangent that meant nothing to the overall feel of the story.