Roses and Clover
They didn’t find him in Fiji. Nor in any of the little dirty forgotten corners of the world where they looked for him, knowing his proclivities.
Vision found him on the net, by feel, because he wasn’t leaving any material trace of being anywhere in the world, but a decent chunk of his consciousness was being modeled and interfaced with, dreaming on the net while his body presumably slept.
Somewhere. Frankly, unless the Other Guy was triggered, they stood little chance of finding him in meatspace. But his brain, even in an electronic jar, was a beacon.
Natasha is damp with sweat, sick with uneasy fear, the very idea of one person in her head, much less two…she forces one hand into Wanda’s hot slim grip, the other into Vision’s firm cool grasp.
“So you found me.” Bruce is sitting down to dinner in his mind, civilized and calm, and just as fake as his pleasant demeanor. "I’m surprised you aren’t giving me the personal touch, or perhaps shove. You know I’m a sucker for it.“
From Wanda, Natasha knows that Bruce has no idea he isn’t in reality. From Vision, Natasha understands he’s being held in stasis in a remote facility, and their best chance would be to pull the pin on the Hulk. All she has are her words, but she knows that’s not a problem.
“I would, but you’re so skittish these days…”
Bruce bares his teeth, not even pretending anymore that it’s a smile.
Natasha resigns herself to the task at hand, knowing this is going to hurt them both like hell.