"Rainlily, your next appointment is here!"

"Thanks, Sheila!"

Rainlily smiled when she walked over to the waiting room, looking at the clipboard when she saw the familiar name on the clip board.

"Bruce Benner?" she called out, smiling when she saw Bruce Banner himself. He normally came in with a slight change in his name every month, but still loved his attempt to hide from a simple gesture.

"Yeah, that's me." He said with his classic awkward smile, and she smirked, nonetheless.

"Welcome back, Bruce. Follow me." She said, leading him towards the back room.

Bringing him to her workspace, she pulled the curtain around them, knowing he preferred it when no one saw him.

"How have you been doing lately? I hope you're eating all your meals." Rainlily teased but he chuckled, watching her as she clasped the salon cape around his neck but buttoned it lost for him.

"I try to. Have you been eating and resting enough?" Bruce asked her, but she smiled sadly.

"I took a third job. It's a side job but it's helping me pay for groceries. But I have to eat or sleep; I chose to eat more." She answered.

"You know, if you want, I can get you a job at the compound?" Bruce offered, but she shook her head.

"And never have you visit me again? I'm afraid I'll have to turn that down but thank you."

"You'll never let me pay you back, will you?"

"Nope."

Rainlily remembered meeting him many years ago when he shifted into Hulk. She never learned what happened, but she was home alone at her trailer home back in the day. She had helped healed him, born with the ability to heal others. Once Bruce was healed and the law enforcement were no longer looking for him, he left but he would start checking on her periodically. When she moved to New York for a new life, it took him a couple of months to find her.

He would come for monthly haircuts, and even at her restaurant she worked at. Rainlily refused all his attempts to pay her bills, refusing his small attempted gifts but she had to admit that she saw a friend in him. Bruce was a bit of a quiet and careful man, but he was always comfortable with her.

The big guy liked her too, she was a good kid. But he worried that someone would take advantage of her, or Hydra finding her to use her abilities.

"So, same cut as before, or do you want a new look?"

"A new look? What was wrong with this look?" Bruce asked her.

"Honestly? It makes you look older than what you already are." She answered.

He hesitated for a moment, and she smiled, "Just trust me, okay? Your friend Nat will love it."

"Oh, Nat and I aren't, we're not…"

"Not yet, you're not." Rainlily promised, getting straight to work.

Once she was done, he had to admit, he liked the cut. It was sophisticated, short, and he felt good about himself.

"You like it."

"It's nice. It'll take a while to adjust," He said imply, but she merely smiled at this, "I'll see you tonight?"

"Of course. Same shift time and everything. You know don't have to though." She reminded him.

"I know, but I know you enjoy it also," Bruce said, putting money in her tip jar, "have a good afternoon!"

"You too!" Rainlily exclaimed, waving at him as he left.

He left through the lobby, noticing two men leaning against the wall, noticing their earpieces. He took a mental note of this and left the salon.

When night came, Bruce had walked into the restaurant, heading towards the bar area. Immediately, he saw Rainlily handing a drink off to someone when her eyes looked u. to him. Her eyes widened in excitement, waving at him excitedly.

Bruce smirked; this kid was his favorite person: not many were excited to see him.

"Mr. Banner, I hope you're having a pleasant evening. Did you want your usual?" Rainlily asked.

"Thanks, is it a slow night again?" he asked, noticing the few people in here.

He paused for a moment when he saw the same two men from earlier at the salon, and he couldn't shake the feeling was off.

"Sure, coming right up!" she said, preparing his drink.

He pulled out his phone, calling Tony immediately.

"What's up, Jolly Green?" Tony's voice spoke.

"I need a favor…"

"You? A favor? It must be serious."

"I'm hoping not. I'm at Round Table Bar, I need you to check the cams. Two men in the corner of the booth; do you think you can find out who they are?" Bruce asked in a low voice.

"On it now. Friday?"

"There files seem to be classified. I'll need a moment."

Bruce smiled when Rainlily handed him a drink and leaned forward on her elbows.

"Checking on those two men?" she asked in a whisper.

He looked at her in bewilderment, "You knew?"

"I noticed them a week ago. Last week I saw them only twice…but I've been seeing them every other day." She confessed.

"Ah, for a girl? Does Nat know?" Tony teased, but Jarvis intervened.

"I forwarded their information to your phone sir. They appear to work for Life Foundation as personnel." Jarvis explained.

"Why follow her?" Bruce asked.

"Life Foundation wanted to work with me. Their goal was to help humanity, but were vague, and they don't give me good vibes; too risky," Tony explained, "I'll have SHIELD look into it."

"Can you take a few days off?" Bruce asked her but she shook her head.

"If I do that, I'm more prone to being taken from my apartment. More public, the better." She told him, but he knew she was partially right.

"What if you come with me for a few days?"

"It's not a permanent resolution." She warned hi, but he was still unhappy to leave her alone.

"I'll be fine." Rainlily tried to assure him, but he wasn't happy with that.

"Are you working tomorrow?"

She nodded, "I'm giving free haircuts to the homeless and veterans at the community center down street during the day. But I'll be here at night, why?"

"I'll have something for you but tonight: I'll stay until closing."

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

Rainlly sighed heavily but she smiled at him gratefully, "Thanks, Bruce."

"No problem, Lily." He said, grateful that she accepted his help.

Rainlily had arrived at the community center in the center, mindful of her surroundings but she knew she was safe in this setting. On the first Saturday of each month, the community would have a festival of sorts. With face paintings, a fresh produce market, a cookout competition and mainly little market stalls, Rainlily liked to do her part for the community. Help those who needed help in any kind of way.

Finishing set up, she had already people lined up and smiled.

"Please, sit. Water?" she asked, opening her water cooler.

"Thank you…" the elderly man said, taking her offered hand as she guided him onto the chair.

Bruce climbed out of the car with Nat, Bucky, Steve, and even Tony joining him. He normally didn't like public places, but he was happy they were here for the support. Walking through the market they build.

"Thanks for coming with me you guys, but I really could've met her alone."

"It's not often someone can get close to you; I wanted to meet her." Nat said with a smile, "Besides, it helps if I see her. Know what to look for."

"Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, we'll keep an eye on her." Steve answered, Bucky already surveying the area.

"You said she was giving free haircuts? I don't believe that." Tony stated but Bucky pointed over to the area.

"Is that her?"

Bruce looked to where Bucky pointed and smirked when he saw her only a few feet away.

She had just finished with a little kid before a man approached her. He wore a USS cap, clearly, he was a veteran, his beard and hair both long but she continued to smile. He took off his hat and dug into his pocket.

"I know the sign says free, but I scrunched up some money just in case- "

"No, no," she pushed his hand down that had money, helping him put it back in his pocket, "please, let me. Why don't we cut your hair, hmm? And I can help shave your beard if you'd like? Or a trim, even."

He nodded as Rainlily handed him a water bottle before she took his hands, guiding him onto the chair before she got cape around him.

"So, tell me, what are your favorite spots in the city?"

The man began to talk with her, and she smiled, listening to him as she got to work.

"What do you know? Free haircuts." Tony said, standing corrected.

"You're right though, she seems kind." Nat said.

"She's also busy. Why don't we come back another time?" Steve suggested.

"You guys can go; I'll stay and wait for her." Bruce told them.

"And have you wait for a free haircut you already got yesterday? No, let's wait together. She must take a lunch, right?" Nat encouraged it.

"Sure, thanks."

After a few hours of bringing the line down, she notified her customers of her lunch break.

She needed food.

Walking towards the food area, she froze when she Bruce stands up from his picnic table, waving at her.

"Bruce! I honestly wasn't expecting you until tonight! How are you?" she asked, giving him a brief hug.

"I wanted to give you these." Bruce said, holding out a box for her.

She looked at him curiously but smirked happily when she opened it. Inside was bracelets, necklaces, rings, and even a writing pen.

"Is this what I think it is?"

"Yes, just push the jewel twice in the middle and we'll be notified immediately. Wear one, if not two of them for me, kay?" Bruce asked of her.

Rainlily smiled and nodded, sliding a bracelet on her, "I will, thank you. Really, I appreciate this."

"I also want you to meet some people I work with. They might drop in from time to time to check on you at work." Bruce said, waving for her to follow him.

She smiled, following him over to the picnic table as the people stood up.

"Everyone, this is Rainlily. Rainlily this is-"

"Tony Stark,"

She shook his hand, "Big fan." She said, making Tony smirk.

"Steve Rogers,"

"A pleasure, sir." She said, shaking his hand as he smiled to match hers.

"This is Natasha Romanoff."

Rainlily gasped, looking back at Bruce in awe before shaking Nat's hand.

"Wow, I've heard great things about you. You're…very beautiful." Rainlily said.

"Thank you, so are you."

"Oh no, that's kind of you to try though." Rainlily said, hearing Bruce clear his throat.

"And this is Bucky Barnes."

"Oh my gosh, Bucky Barnes!? I'm so happy to meet you. I'm Rainlily, but you can call me Lily, if you'd like. You have...really pretty eyes."

Steve cleared his throat, Rainlily blushing hysterically, catching Bucky's small smirk, "I mean. Handsome. Not that you're not- You know what? I'm just not. Hi."

"Please sit. We got you some food for you, please. Anything you like." Bruce offered, saving her as Bucky was confused by her but he appreciated the flattery. Not many were comfotable with him but was pleasantly surprised to hear someone actually excited to meet him.

Rainlily looked at the spread of the variety of foods, but she felt guilty, "Oh, I couldn't. It's only fair I pay something." Rainlily offered but he stopped her.

"Allow me to do this, kid. Besides, you're doing a very selfless thing here." Bruce countered.

"Are you sure?" she asked, still worried.

"If you don't, Steve will, and there will be nothing left." Nat warned her, making her chuckle.

"Well, when you put it like that…thank you." Rainlily said, bowing to them gratefully before she reached for a few pieces from the onion blossom and sausage hot dog, and a single beef rib.

"That's it?" Tony asked.

"Don't misunderstand-I'm a meat girl. But I don't want to overstuff and get sluggish. Or really smother my face with the delicious BBQ sauce." Rainlily confessed before eating, making them all amused by her easy-going personality.

The rest of the team grabbed various times as they ate and Rainlily couldn't help but enjoy this a bit.

"So, how did you meet Bruce here?" Tony asked, "I'm dying to know."

Rainlily smiled, looking fondly over to Bruce before she looked back to Tony.

"He crashed in my backyard a few years back when I used to live in Texas. I had just bought my first trailer and was setting up everything when he landed right on my pickup. Hulk was injured and roaring at me rudely, but once I got my hands on him, he came down at Bruce."

"She means that literally, the big guy doesn't seem to be as angry with her." Bruce explained.

"Wait, this small woman did that? How?" Steve asked, curious now.

"I'm…gifted. Enhanced." Rainlily answered with a shrug as she popped a piece of fried onion in her mouth.

"Enhanced? What are you capable of?" Bucky asked, surprised SHIELD didn't know about her sooner.

"Anyone injured?" she asked suddenly.

"I am." Bucky spoke.

Removing his sleeve, he revealed on his right arm a cut on his forearm, and she smiled. She reached over, opening her hand to him.

"Take my hand." She said with a soft smile.

He looked her suspiciously but removed his glove, placing his hand into hers.

"Watch the cut." She told him.

The team watched as her hand slightly glowed, Bucky feeling her hand become warm but then he saw his cut slowly disappear, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Why the hell have you been hiding her? We could use someone like her in the Avengers, even as medical personnel." Tony said, his mind already swirling with possibilities.

"I'm sure her family wouldn't her in harm's way, Tony." Nat said not seeing Rainlily's smile drop.

"I'm a foster kid. Got put into the system when I was 6 years old," Rainlily said, "They put me in a housing when I was old enough at the end thankfully, but no. No one to care,"

"Besides, I doubt I'd be of any use. I know martial arts but I've never even held a gun before, so…" Rainliy further said before stuffing herself with more food.

"Think about it will you? For now, not to worry," Tony spoke, "if you ever need anything, just say the word and it's yours."

"Oh no, I'm happy but thank you. This box, it means a lot to me. It's nice to know I have acquaintances." Rainlily said.

The team continued to eat and speak until her timer went off and Rainlily sighed, slumping a bit before she chugged down the last of her soda.

"Well, I really must get back…I can already see the line forming again," Rainlily said as she stood up, "but it was lovely to meet all of you. If you ever want a free drink, I work at the Round Table Bar."

"See you around, kid!" Tony exclaimed, watching as she left when he looked back at Bruce, "you should've introduced her sooner."

"She really does seem like she has a good head on her shoulder." Steve said.

Nat leaned towards Bruce, a smirk clearly on her face, "So, what exactly did you tell her about me?"

Bruce chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced around for a rescue, "We should get out of here, right?"

Night had come and Rainlily had taken a quick shower before heading over to her next job, where she saw her boss waiting for her at the bar area,

"You're late."

"My shift starts at 6:30, and it's 6:20- I'm early, if not on time." Rainlily said with her kind smile but was feeling annoyed by the sudden aggression. It was Saturday night, and the bar was busy, but still she tied her apron around her waist.

"I'll handle the booths, and you handle the bar?" Rainlily offered, knowing her boss had to mingle with the customers.

Her boss sighed heavily but smiled as she tied her hair back, "Yes, please. Do that."

The night had remained busy but by 1am, things were finally slowing down. Her boss had disappeared to the back, leaving Rainlily alone. She was wiping around the bar when she made her way to the corner end when she saw familiar blue eyes staring at her.

"Hello, again."

"Hey, Lily. Is it okay if I call you that?" Nat asked, smirking.

"Of course, please do. Both of you," Rainlily answered, looking over briefly to Bucky as well, "here to collect on my offer?"

"I won't say no to that," he said, "Beer for me."

"Same as him, please." Nat said.

"Coming right up." Rainlily said as she drafted their drinks.

"So, how long have you been working here?" Nat asked, looking around the bar.

He eyes glazed over the known two men, noticing they were still sitting there. Bucky didn't dare to look, knowing it'd trigger suspicion, but they've been here as long as them.

"About six months, give or take. Its not much but hey, whatever pays the bills." She said, serving their drinks.

"Excuse me?"

Rainlily excused herself when the customer approached the bar. She realized it was one of the men following her, but kept her cool as she kept her smile still.

"Hi, did you need another?" she asked.

"Uh, no but I've been coming here recently and I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Mark."

"Hey Mark, I'm Rainlily: as shown on the name tag." She joked.

"Cute, humor," Mark spoke, "but Listen. I know you are on the clock but I was wanting to know if I can buy you a late dinner or a breakfast after this?"

"That's really kind of you but I'll have to say no I don't do that with customers, but thanks for asking." She said.

"Well, I'll stop coming then. What about a number? I'd love to call you sometime."

"I'm not comfortable with that, so please stop." Rainlily warned him, her smile starting to wane.

"Is there a problem here?" Bucky asked, standing up as he slowly approached Mark.

"Everything is fine, why don't you get back to your drink?" Mark said, standing tall only stood a few inches shorter than him.

"Why don't I get you a drink on the house, huh? It's on me." Rainlily offered, looking directly at Mark.

He smiled at her gently, nodding as he leaned against the bar, "I'd love that. Thanks, beauty."

Rainlily smiled, already having finished making the drink for him, "Here you go."

Mark took the drink, glaring over Bucky with a cold look before he went back to his seat. Nat forced him to sit down, but he didn't like the way things were turning out. They finally approached her, a tactic he knew well, to help lower her guard.

"Thanks…" Rainlily whispered, giving Bucky a grateful smile.

"Anytime."

Over the next week, it was a repeated process of visits until Rainlily made the decision to quit her job at the bar. She would have to continue looking for something else but still, she was concerned about her own safety.

Rainlily didn't want to worry Bruce or his friends, and didn't notify them of her new schedule, but she still…this was her problem. It came time for her to purchase some groceries and left her apartment.

She had only stepped out onto the lobby when she saw the two familiar men from the bar last time. Their eyes widened and she quickly ran up the stairs. She double pressed the jewel on her bracelet when she felt something in her neck, losing consciousness instantly.