The Next Step
NCIS-Naval Base- Washington D.C
Leon Vance sighed as he re-read an e-mail from the accounting department. They were wondering why they were reimbursing the L.A office for one of the agents going to a science seminar. He was wondering the same thing so he grabbed the phone and dialed Hetty’s number.
“Hello Leon” Hetty said as she answered.
“Hetty why are we reimbursing you for someone going to a science seminar? Anything you’d like to tell me?” Leon asked.
“Damn Owen” she muttered into the phone-of course the man would go by the book.
“Hetty” Leon warned.
“Owen called me-there is chatter that General Ross is up to something again. I sent Nate to that seminar to try and get information” Hetty replied.
“Information from whom?” Leon asked.
“His daughter Dr. Elizabeth Ross” Hetty supplied.
“Was Nate successful?” Leon asked.
“I am not sure- I haven’t heard from him yet” Hetty stated. “But even if he wasn’t successful in connecting with Dr. Ross-I believe the assignment will still be a success” She added stubbornly.
Leon leaned back in his chair “How is that?” he asked-not sure if he really wanted to know the answer.
“When word gets back to Tha-um-General Ross-he will act” Hetty said.
“Why wasn’t I told about this?” Leon asked.
“I know you need to keep political anonymity Leon which was why I never told you” Hetty answered.
“Hetty-even though I try to keep myself in political circles I will always try to catch the bad guys” Leon said. “If you believe whatever your plan is -will work-I will back you or turn a blinds eye-whatever you wish. But make sure it works-he can ruin you if he gets wind of it” Leon warned.
Hetty laughed on the other end “Oh Leon- far worse people have tried and failed. I am NOT afraid of Thaddeus Ross” she said.
S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters
Helen had given Bruce permission to take Genevieve out of the hospital for the day. They decided to surprise the team and showed up at SHEILD to see them off-which shows how stir crazy Jen was if she was willingly going to SHEILD when she didn’t have to. Everyone was having their own conversations-going over checklists-packing equipment-and not paying them any attention-until Thor noticed them.
“Friend Bruce-Lady Genevieve –what are you doing here?” Thor exclaimed.
Tony turned “Did you break free?” he asked with a laugh.
Bruce laughed “We wanted to come say good-bye” he said-his hands in his pockets.
Jen smiled “Helen gave me-well Bruce- the okay to leave for the day” she adds.
“So you came here? Willingly? You must be going stir crazy” Natasha said smiling.
Jen smiled back laughing “you have no idea” she said.
That made Clint laugh as he passed by squeezing Bruce’s shoulder in greeting. Jen noticed Steve or Sam were there.
“I am assuming Steve and Sam are staying?” she asked quietly to Clint.
“yeah-Steve is staying for obvious reasons-and Sam-well-he figured Steve would need support” he responded.
“Do they need a place to stay?” she asked.
Natasha thought for a minute “Not sure where they are staying quite honestly” she said.
“Well they are welcome to stay at my place if they need to-or want to” Jen said.
Natasha smiled pulling out her phone “I’ll text Sam and Steve and tell them” she said.
Tony walked up to Bruce as Jen was talking to Clint and Natasha. He handed Bruce a laptop case- Bruce could tell he was nervous-his hands were moving-snapping his fingers.
“So-we have a meeting Monday morning-you have everything you need to telecommute from this here” he said tapping the laptop bag.
Bruce nodded “Thanks Tony” he said.
Tony shrugged “Yeah well-I figure we are going to need to come back here every couple of weeks-either for S.I business or SHEILD. Plus you will be running out of clothes-so I figure I’ll come back at the end of the week with more of your clothes” he said.
Bruce looked up -surprised that Tony would do that. But then it hit him-this would be the longest they have been apart since they met. Tony doesn’t do separation well-unless he is the one who decided on the separation. Bruce figured Tony will make those “business trips” until he got bored-or Pepper put a stop to it.
“That’s sounds great Tony-thank you” Bruce said.
Tony nodded and gave Bruce a big hug then climbed into the plane. Everyone else said their good-byes and climbed into the plane-Bruce and Jen waved and watched as the lifted off and flew towards New York.
“What do we do now?” Jen asked as they were leaving SHEILD.
Bruce smiled “Let’s go sight see-maybe stop by NCIS and visit-actually look around” he suggested.
Jen smiled “sure-that sounds like fun” she said.
NCIS
“Robert, Genevieve what brings you here?” Ducky asked-noticing them first as they stepped from the elevator.
Bruce smiled “Just seeing the sights” he asked.
“We thought it be nice to come visit-when we aren’t suspects” Jen added with a smile.
“Genevieve are you out of the hospital now?” Tim asked.
“I am hoping by the end of this week” she said.
“Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs!” Abby called as she came running around the corner in her plateforms. “Are they here? Are they here! They are!” and threw her arms around Jen and Bruce.
Everyone laughed at Abby’s enthusiasm-it never got old.
"How did you know they were here Abby?" Tim asked.
"I saw on the security cameras" Abby said-not missing the worried look Bruce shot Jen.“I was hoping if you have time you would like to see my lab Dr. Banner-I mean it’s probably not as good as yours but I would really like for you to see it” Abby adds.
Bruce looked over at Jen-then at Abby “I would love to come see your lab Abby” Bruce said smiling as Abby jumped up and down then pulled him toward the elevator.
Gibbs laughed then looked at Jen “Are you healing alright?” he asked.
Jen shrugged “I am still in pain-but we’re keeping an eye on it. I am hoping to go home at the end of the week-I don’t want to jinx that” she replied.
Gibbs looked thoughtful “well if you need to stay-you should stay” he said.
“Really Jethro-are you actually suggesting to LISTEN to the doctor’s orders-you?” Ducky teased. Ducky smiled at her “Well since Abby has robbed you of Robert-would you like to accompany Jethro and me to the lab?” he asked.
Jen laughed “I’d love too” and followed Ducky to the elevator.
“Do you and Robert have any plans once you are healed?” He asked once inside.
“Well we were thinking about a vacation to Alaska-but he won’t do it until I have the all clear” she said.
Ducky looked Jethro with a smile “Alaska is a beautiful state to visit-I am sure the two of you will have a wonderful time” he said.
“What about when you get back?” Gibbs asked.
Jen tilted her head in thought “Honestly I haven’t thought that far ahead. It’s something we need to discuss-I mean he works for Tony-which is based out of New York”. She said.
“I thought Stark Industries was based out of Malibu?” Gibbs asked.
“Well Bruce’s research is based out of New York-Pepper runs the main offices out of Malibu” Jen replied as they walked out of the elevator.
Ducky smiled “I am sure once you two discuss it-you will come up with a plan” he said patting her hand as they walked into Abby’s lab.
She was a whirlwind of motion. Showing Bruce all of her machines and computer software. In true Abby fashion she was talking a mile a minute-bouncing from one object to the other. Bruce as polite as ever smiled encouragingly at her whenever she looked at him with excitement-asking questions or commenting at the appropriate time.
Gibbs chuckled “I would have thought Doc wouldn’t be able to keep up with her when she’s this excited” he said.
Jen laughed “Oh this is nothing-you don’t know this but Tony Stark is his best friend” she replied. “I’d love to see if they ever meet” she adds.
“So I’ve been thinking-anyway I can go see him” Gibbs asked-switching topics.
Jen turned and looked at Jethro “Him? As in Barnes? Umm possibly” she said.
Gibbs raised an eyebrow while everyone else stared at her. Which she immediately noticed and rolled her eyes.
“It’s a secret government agency that deals with keeping things quiet-I don’t know if they will LET you in or if you would even come OUT if you do go in” she replied.
“They let me in before” Gibbs commented.
“That was different-a shared mission is one thing. They will act differently if you just waltz in and ask to speak to a Russian super solider that has been working for the enemy” Jen replied.
“Steve stayed right?” Bruce asked-interrupting them.
“Yes” Jen said turning her attention to him.
“We both know he’s going to go see what Barnes is like. Maybe see what Steve says-Well Sam might be a more objective observer- and depending on what they both say then maybe we can convince them to allow Gibbs to see him” Bruce replied-ringing his hands the whole time at the attention.
“That’s a great idea-sound okay to you” she said turning to Jethro.
Gibbs smiled “Sure that sounds great” he replied.
Ducky checked his watch “Look at the time-what time do you two need to be back at the hospital?” he asked.
Bruce checked his own watch-feeling weird not having JARVIS remind him of things like the time “Jen we need to go-I had no idea it had gotten this late” he mumbled.
Jen pouted for a split second but then sighed “okay don’t want your other girlfriend to get mad at you” she teased.
Bruce flared red at the questioning looks but smiled as Gibbs laughed “Really? Why?” he said.
Jen smiled leaned over and pecked him on his nose “Because I like seeing you blush” she said as they said their goodbyes and started for the elevator.
“Other girlfriend?” Abby asked Gibbs.
“Genevieve’s doctor has a crush on Bruce” Gibbs supplied with a smile as his phone rang.
He frowned when he saw who it was “Yeah-Leon-sure I’ll be right up” he said.
Vance’s Office
When Gibbs entered Vance was sitting at his desk reading a file-making him wait. He slowly closed the file and looked at Gibbs.
“I just got off the phone with Hetty Lange” he began. “She believes that Thaddeus Ross is up to something and she has tried to get Intel from his daughter” he added.
Gibbs nodded “okay and what does this have to do with me?” he asked.
“That was Bruce Banner who just left this building correct? Did you know Ross has a vendetta towards him? He will stop at nothing to get him and those who stand in his way” Vance said. “You might want to tell him it is in his best interest not to show his face much around D.C for a while” he adds.
Gibbs cocked his head silently trying to figure out a way to destroy the security camera footage. When suddenly the lights in the building flickered-Vance’s phone immediately starting ringing.
“Vance” he said as he answered nodding for a second as he listened to whoever was on the other end. “That’s fine McGee thank you for telling me” he adds as he hung up.
Gibbs looked at Vance waiting for him to explain the call.
Vance smiled “That was McGee-apparently that power surge knocked out our security cameras and it appears we lost the last thirty minutes” he said.
Gibbs lips quirked “Not good” he said making a mental note to get a Café Pow for Abby.
Vance lips quirked in return “My thoughts exactly” he replied.
L.A
Nate got out of his car and slowly walked toward his home. He wasn’t sure what he was going to tell Hetty in the morning. The job-he felt-was a bust. He had befriended Dr. Ross easy enough-she had recently split with someone and she was extremely friendly. But he had found out pretty fast that she truly had no real association with her father-since whatever happened in Harlem a few years ago. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice anyone was inside his house until he noticed Hetty sitting in his living room-nearly giving him a heart attack.
“Hello Nate” Hetty said casually-like she was here to water his plants.
He gasped-clutching his heart “Damn it Hetty” he said.
She just smiled at him-waiting until he calmed down to continue.
“I was hoping you had the report for me” she said with a smile.
“Yes Hetty I do-is it THAT important it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” he snapped.
Hetty looked at him with a raised eyebrow “If it wasn’t Mr. Getz I wouldn’t be here” she said.
Nate sighed nodding-going to his fridge for a beer-then sat next to Hetty on the sofa.
“What exactly do you want to know? I talked with Bet-um-Doctor Ross. But she hasn’t been in contact with her father in years. I accompanied her to the seminar-talked with Banner as well-as did she-we left-I spent a few more days there just to see. When nothing else happened I decided to come back” Nate replied.
Hetty looked at Nate “Ross and Banner talked? Did others see?” she asked intrigued.
Nate shot a sideways look at her “It was in the middle of the meet and greet. Whither they made the connection-well-I am a psychologist not a mind reader” he said.
Hetty nodded “Nate did you see anyone else there-someone who seemed out of place? Military perhaps?” she asked.
Nate thought for a minute “There was security there-undercover and uniformed-there might have been some undercover military as well” he said.
“They probably were” Hetty said-her phone beeped-distracting her for a second. “I know you feel this was a bust and a waste of time but you will soon find out that it wasn’t. Thank you Nate” she said getting up and left him to enjoy his beer.
In her car she re-read the text from Leon.
LV: Gibbs says you owe him- Do you still own that cabin in Alaska?
HL: I do
LV: Jen might need it soon
HL: Tell Jethro that can be arranged-just tell me when
Two Weeks later
Helen had discharged Jen at the end of that same week-with the promise of a check-up every three months-and her number in case they need it. Bruce had stuck to his promise and started looking at places in Alaska for them to visit. Jen was a weird combination of nervous and excited. This was a huge step for them-the first vacation together. Really their first time alone for any length of time-since they met. Which normally would have freaked her out-but she and Bruce have never gotten on each other's nerves before-hopefully that'll continue. She was excited because in all of her travels throughout the years she had never been to Alaska-and had always wanted to. Bruce told her he would deal with all the finer points-travel and lodging accommodations- everything like that. He was on his phone a lot-she assumed some of that was with rental agencies or what not. She was trying to trust him and to stay out of it. Which was another huge step for her-not having control of a situation. Bruce got off the phone and smiled as he came into the room.
"Guess what?" He asked.
"What?" She replied.
"I had been in discussions with this company-trying to get this quaint little place-and they were giving me the runaround. Apparently it's owned by the Alaskan government-and obviously since I am not in the Alaskan government -it was a problem. Well he just called me-we've been approved for two weeks!" He said.
"Oh wow that's great!" She said leaning over to give him a quick kiss. Then she thought for a minute "who do you think we need to thank?" She asked.
Bruce thought about it then shrugged "not sure-probably Tony. Shield probably has that clout as well-but I honestly don't think they would do that for either one of us do you?" He asked.
Jen laughed "no you're right -they probably wouldn't for us"
He smiled again "so I have the beginnings of a tentative itinerary-because who knows what we will feel like doing once we get there. But I figure we'd want to do some trails at some point- and of course go out and see the northern lights" he said.
She smirked at him "who knows we might get up there and be so preoccupied we won't leave the cabin at all" she said.
Bruce smiled as his face flared red. He had hoped that they could take the next step. But he wasn't sure if he even could-but for the first time since before Hulk he wanted to try. "Well um well" he stuttered. "I am not sure if -if I even could. But I'd -I'd like to try-if-if you do" he finally got out.
Jen smiled at Bruce-impressed that he actually got that all out. Years ago that wouldn't have been the case. There was so much she wanted to say to him-how she didn't want to push him -but she felt he knew all of that. She leaned over and kissed him gently-trying not to get too carried away in the moment. "You know I love to experiment with you" She said-deciding nothing else needed to be said
Bruce smiled cupping the side of her face and sighed in relief. "I am glad" he murmured.
His laptop beeped-indicating he had another video conference from Tony. Bruce groaned but got up glancing at the printout “oh isn’t that funny-the name of the house is called Vicious Pixie” he commented as he walked out of the room-not seeing the look on Jen’s face. She pulled her phone out and sent Hetty a text.
GG: thank you for this cabin
HL: What cabin my dear?
GG: Hetty
HL: Gibbs said you were going on vacation and I decided to help
GG: Since when are you and Jethro friendly?
HL: LOL we did co-parent for years.
GG: Not sure what’s more frightening that the two of you are friendly or the fact that you just said LOL.
HL: Have a meeting I need to go-Enjoy the cabin-don’t blow it up this time.
GG: I didn’t blow it up LAST time