Healing Process
S.U.G.A.R.S
Bruce climbed out of the taxi and walked into the hotel where the seminar was being held. He went and signed in-got his nametag- his pass- and goodie bag. He was a little star struck at all the different scientist that he recognized. His phone beeped with a text message.
Jen: knock them dead Doctor Banner! She wrote.
Bruce chuckled and text back
Bruce: New at 11-an auditorium of dead scientist’s! With an 8 foot Hulk size hole in the wall!
Jen: LOL Stop it!!
He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going since he was not looking up and ran right into someone.
“Oh god I am so sorry” he mumbled steading the women after the impact.
“Bruce?” she whispered shocked.
The world stopped and the air was sucked out of his lungs at the sound of her voice. Betty he heard the Hulk mumble in his mind-as if he didn't already know that. He slowly looked up at her face-knowing he couldn’t continue to stare at her shoes. She was staring at him in surprise. He realized he was just staring and others were noticing as well.
“Hi” he said nervously-giving her a smile.
She smiled and threw her arms around him-hugging him.
“I am SO glad to see you-that you came! Everyone will be so happy you’re back!” she gushed then seeing someone coming up behind them she smiled and pointed. “Bruce this is Nathan-Nathan this is Dr. Bruce Banner” she said smiling.
“Most call me Nate-Nate Getz-it’s a pleasure Dr. Banner” he said extending his hand.
Bruce looked at his hand then took it in his “Please it’s Bruce” he said.
Someone came up and pulled Betty away-leaving the two men together. Bruce had never done well in social situations-he was just about to make his exit when Nate spoke.
"Is Jen still in the hospital?"
Bruce looked at him oddly “You know Jen?” he asked.
“Yes we used to work together-I heard what happened” Nate said.
“She’s doing better–still in the hospital-but doing better-thanks” he said then noticed Betty coming back-knowing she caught at least part of that conversation.
“Can I be noisy and ask who Jen is?” Betty asked.
Bruce tensed looking up at Betty “well she-umm” he stuttered knowing he was turning red. “She and I are kind of a couple?” he said vaguely.
Betty smiled and chuckled “was that a question Dr. Banner?” she teased.
He chuckled in return “well I find it’s easier to tell others than her apparently” he said smiling.
Betty smiled and hugged him again whispering “I am glad you’ve found someone” in his ear.
“You too” he said in return.
Betty pulled back in shock "Oh No-No. Nate's just my date for the evening. Leonard is overseas doing a round of research lectures" She said with a nervous laugh.
Bruce could tell she wanted to say more but was interrupted with the blinking of the lights meaning the seminar was about to begin.
Unfortunately he was so busy the rest of his time there he never got a chance to talk to Betty or Nate again.
Hospital in D.C two days later
Bruce tried to listen as Helen rambled on and on about what her plans for Jen were. All he was trying to do was grab two coffee’s and head up to Jen’s room. He had noticed Helen Cho-one of Jen’s doctor’s- in line at the coffee stand and when she noticed him she began telling him her opinion of Jen’s condition-in detail. Any other time when he NEEDED their input he wouldn’t have been able to find ANYONE. ‘Stop it’ he silently reprimanded himself. Helen was an old friend and colleague and he was quite relieved when SHIELD had called her in to help when their doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with Jen. But he had just got back from the seminar-and all he wanted to do was go see her. He finally decided he needed to interrupt her.
“Helen-I am sorry. I am very jet lagged at the moment. I think we need to continue this conversation later-when I am properly caffeinated and had some sleep-and obviously with Genevieve present-since ultimately it’s her decision-not mine.” he said as they walked toward the elevators.
Helen blinked at him “oh of course Bruce-If you will be around after her x-ray we can all discuss the options” she said as the doors opened.
He smiled “I will-thank you again” he said as he pushed the floor button and the door shut-separating them.
He got to Jen’s door and peeked inside. She was reading with her head propped on 3 pillows. Suddenly all he could think about was the story of The Princess and the Pea-his mother used to read it to him when he was a child.
“Hello Princess in the Pea I brought us some coffee” he said as he walked in.
She looked over her book and broke into a huge smile when she saw him.
“You’re back” she said with a smile “I missed you” she adds giving him a kiss.
Bruce blushed and smiled at her- handing her a cup and kissing her cheek before he carefully sat down.
He leaned back and sighed “I can relax now that I've seen you" he said.
She laughed and leaned against him-making sure not to spill her coffee.
“I ran into Helen downstairs—she has some alternative options on ways to get your wound to heal. She was trying to tell me-but she’s going to come up after your x-ray later and discuss them in detail for you to decide” Bruce said.
“Alternative options?” Jen asked.
Bruce snorted “well-SHEILD called her for one-so that should give you an idea of what alternative means.” he said. “No-she’s good-we used to work together-before-Hulk. She’s a legitimate doctor. She tried to explain it to me-it’s like a CAT scan but it helps rejuvenate the tissue or something” he added.
Jen nodded slightly worried but if Bruce trusts her-she will as well. He knew how much she hated hospitals and doctors in general-so she knew he wouldn’t pressure her into something if she wasn’t comfortable with it.
“How was the seminar?” Jen finally asked-trying to change the subject.
“Oh it was fine-I talked with some old colleagues of mine-all fake smiles and questions of where I have been” Bruce said. “Actually I met a friend or colleague of yours as well” Bruce added.
Jen looked at him confused “I really don’t know many scientist-except for you and Hank” she said.
Bruce smiled “He was actually a date of one of the scientist-a Nate Getz?” he said.
Jen smiled “Nate? Oh wow-I haven’t seen him in a couple of years” she said. “I met him through Hetty” she adds thoughtfully.
“Well she must have told him what had happened-because he asked how you were” he said smiling.
“That’s nice of him” she said with a yawn.
Bruce smiled “Sleepy? Want to take a nap?” he asked.
“Yes-don’t sleep well here” she mumbled.
He chuckled and laid down-he omitted that he too hadn’t been sleeping well-but that probably had more to do with the lack of bed partner-then said bed. A quick nap couldn’t hurt either of them. Right before she fell asleep Jen reached out and pulled her phone to her.
“Thought you were sleepy” he mumbled.
“Need to send this before I forget” she responded hitting send then snuggling into Bruce.
A few seconds later Hetty received a text she had expected-earlier than she thought-but none the less expected.
GG: Care to explain to me WHY is Nate at a gamma radiation seminar?
Hetty debated on whether to send a response or not-but knowing if she didn’t it might cause more problems.
HL: All in due time-nothing to worry about at the moment.
Later that day the orderlies came and took Jen to her x-ray and meeting with Helen. While she was gone Bruce pulled out his tablet and caught up on e-mails and random S.I business. He jumped when suddenly Tony Stark was in the room and talking-without knocking.
“Hello to you too Tony” he said dryly.
That made Tony stop-repeat the conversation in his head and realize he actually never said a greeting-or knocked even.
“Sorry Buddy” he said walking back over to the doorframe knocking then looked at Bruce. “Hi buddy-glad to see you’re back. How was the seminar? See any new research or promising minds we can steal-sorry EMPLOY?” he asked.
Bruce cocked his eyebrow “I didn’t realize I was supposed to scouting bright minds for you Tony” he said with a smirk. “I have some papers on the stick and some online portfolio’s-I’ll let you know if there’s anyone promising” he replied.
Tony looked at him and nodded. Not that he even really cared-but he’d rather bright minds be employed by Stark Industries than anywhere else.
“Listen man-I think Clint, Natasha Thor and I are going back to New York in two days” he said-jumping topics like only Tony could.
“We just wanted to let you know-we figured you’d probably stay until Jen gets out-or she’s back on her feet-or whatever. Not sure what your plans are after this-what the two are going to do-she can move in the tower-or if-if you’re staying here-which is cool too-whatever” Tony said-not looking at Bruce.
He was trying to sound like an understanding friend-but feeling like he was failing. It’s not like he can force Bruce to stay in the Tower or even New York for that matter. He was his friend-and technically his employee-not a prisoner. He wanted to remind Bruce that if he stayed here-he would be closer to Ross-and even though Tony would still protect him with every asset he had-it would be harder if they were in different states. But he’d do it-if Bruce truly wanted to stay.
“Tony” Bruce said-making sure he had Tony’ attention before he continued. “I can’t say how long I will stay. You’re right-I will stay until Jen gets out-and back on her feet. After that-I don’t know yet. I was thinking about a trip somewhere-just us-somewhere quiet. But that might be wishful thinking” he said with a shrug.
Tony looked at his friend “Will you-do you want to stay if Jen does?” he dared to ask-not sure he wanted to know the answer.
Bruce looked at Tony “I am not sure-do I like D.C-no not at all. But there’s Maryland-there’s Virginia-we don’t HAVE to live in D.C. But I’d rather not broach the “where are we in this relationship-are-we-aren’t we question” in a hospital” he replied.
Stark nodded then checked his watch "Damn I have to go I am late for a date with Pep-Shit sorry Buddy-I'll see you tomorrow okay" he said as he left the room.
Bruce just watched him leave with a shake of his head and a fond eye-roll. The door opened again and Helen was wheeling Jen inside. Then she started on her plan-even before Jen was settled. She had made a machine similar to a CAT scan. As Genevieve was moved through the machine-it would scan her body then localize a laser to her effective area-rejuvenating tissue and having her body heal itself. If she agreed to it-she had an opening in the morning and if all went well she could leave the hospital by the end of the week.
Jen looked over at Bruce once Helen was done-he and Helen were chatting giving her space to think. Whatever technology was in that gun that shot her-she had not been able to heal. The bruises and scrapes had faded but the wound in her abdomen was still as fresh as if it just happened. Nothing else they had tried seemed to work-but she was willing to give this a try.
She cleared her throat watching as they both cut their eyes at her “okay I am willing to try this” she decided out loud.
Bruce smiled-come over and kissed her forehead “oh good-I am glad. You are in good hands” he said looking over at Helen.
She smiled “Oh course she is-I’ll run down right now and grab the paperwork and try to push it through so you can be ready first thing in the morning” she said as she walked out the door.
Of course that night would be the time when Genevieve’s nightmares returned. In retrospect she was surprised it took them this long to return-since hospital stays always triggered them. But her mood had changed drastically by morning and she wasn’t sure she could go through with the procedure. Bruce was trying to calm her down-telling her how safe she was-that Hulk would smash anyone who tried to get her. She kept insisting he go in with her-Bruce gently reminding her that he couldn’t. If they were in a SHEILD facility that was one thing-but Helen would lose her job if she let him come in-since he wasn’t legally family. Lucky for them Jethro and DiNozzo were outside-both had been called about the surgery- came to sit with Bruce. He broached the subject if she wanted Jethro in there-since he was legally family- and was surprised when she agreed.
That was how Jethro Gibbs-in a bunny suit- was clutching Genevieve’s hand as the procedure started. He thought it was amusing and a little odd how all this doctor could talk about was Dr. Bruce Banner. At first he thought it was just because it was middle ground-common factor between the two-but all she did was sing this man’s praises. His brain-his accomplishments-his passions-everything. He met Genevieve’s eyes and chuckled as she rolled her eyes-apparently sharing his thoughts. He nodded but neither said anything and let Dr. Cho continue her diatribe on the wonder that was Bruce Banner for the rest of the procedure.
Afterward Genevieve was rolled back to recovery and smirked when she saw Helen pull Bruce separately to talk with him-DiNozzo and Gibbs saw it as well.
“Think that might be a problem?” Gibbs asked amused.
“Yeah-why is she doing that?” Tony asked.
“She has a crush on Bruce” she said looking at Tony.
“Really?” he asked.
Gibbs laughed “couldn’t stop talking about him during that procedure” he said.
Bruce walked back as the three were laughing-smiling himself-but knowing he was missing something.
“What are you three laughing about?” he asked looking between the three.
“Just making an observation B” Tony said.
“What kind of observation?” he asked-amused.
“How Helen has a crush on you” Jen said.
Bruce stood there stunned “What do you mean?” he asked.
That made Gibbs laugh “Come on Bruce-the women couldn’t stop singing your praises in there” he said.
“Really?” he asked-then looked at Jen.
Jen smiled “It’s just a crush Bruce-nothing to worry about” she said. “Besides I don’t mind hearing others gushing about how wonderful you are” she adds with a smile.
"Good lord how much anesthesia did they give you" He teased-making Tony and Gibbs laugh.
Bruce wanted to argue that they were wrong-but from what he observed in the last few days-they might be right. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do-he obviously wasn’t interested in Helen-but figured as long as it didn’t progress any further-he didn’t have to worry.
Jen was checking her phone when Bruce came in and sat down next to her. She raised her eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything-waiting.
“Tony and the rest of the team are heading back to New York in the morning” he said as way of an opener.
“Ok” she said trying to see where he was going with this.
“I am not going with them-want to stay here with you. I was wondering if you were serious about taking that trip with me-once you are allowed” he asked.
“Of course I was” she said with a smile-thinking he had spent too much time with Tony-jumping from topic to topic with no transition.
Bruce released a relieved sigh “Good because I was looking through some sites-Have you ever been to Alaska? We could drive to Washington-or drive through Canada-your pick. We can rent a cabin in the woods-hike-see the sights. What do you think?” he said realizing he had rambled on and not let her talk.
Jen looked over at Bruce “I’ve never been to Alaska-that sounds wonderful. But will you be able to take the time off?” she asked.
Bruce chuckled and nodded “I have enough assistants and colleagues that I can divvy up the workload” he said.
She nodded “Ok that’s great. Do we rent a car-I mean we could use my car-but I am not sure if will survive the entire trip. And what about the cabin-“she began but was cut off by Bruce’s lips.
“Stop-let me worry about all those details ok. Your job is to pick a time and to pack yourself-that’s all. I’ll deal with the rest” he said. "But this isn't going to happen until you are given the clear from the doctors" he added.
"yes sir" she said with a mock salute-causing both of them to start giggling.
Jen winced when her abdomen burned "stop making me laugh-hurts" she groaned.
Bruce reached down and gently rubbed the bandaged area as she asked "Is it supposed to hurt like this?"
He thought for a minute "well re-growing dead cells-should be painful-I assume. We will keep and eye on it and tell Helen if it doesn't get any better" he replied.
"This feels more like I am re-growing organs not tissue" she commented as an after thought.
Bruce looked at Jen-digesting what she just said. "I think Helen would have said something if the machine was THAT powerful" he said.
"I would hope so" She said as a nurse came in to check on Jen and the conversation was put on hold-and forgotten-for the time being.