Unexpected Dinner with Senior
Bruce woke the next morning from dreams of Hulk getting mad at SHEILD, Jen, Coulson, Clint and a metal armed man staring at Hulk/him, and Jen saying Coulson knows now. He laid there thinking over everything and decided he didn’t care if Coulson knew-he didn’t care if ALL of SHEILD knew. He hated that Hulk was angry enough at her to go into SHEILD to find her and tell her-but then again he always gets as attached to certain people as Bruce does. He decided he was going to make Jen breakfast in bed as a way of apologizing-even though he knew he’d apologize to her as well. He climbed out of bed and softly tiptoed down to the kitchen to whip up something. If he had planned ahead-he would have tried something a bit more ornate-but settled on vegetable omelets and fresh fruit. He timed it just right- Jen was waking up as he entered the room with the tray of food.
Jen groaned stretching-the smell of food filling her senses.
“Good morning” Bruce said leaning over and kissing her.
Jen smiled “Good morning indeed” she said leaning up and kissing him again.
“I made us breakfast in bed” he whispered against her lips.
Jen smiled “I thought I smelled food” she said.
Bruce chuckled and pulled away “come on before the eggs get cold” he said putting the tray between them-cutting a piece of omelet and feeding Jen.
“I am sorry about yesterday” he said suddenly-watching her as she chewed.
Jen rolled her eyes as she swallowed “I won’t have you apologizing every time Hulk comes out-he was worried and had a valid bone to pick with me. End of discussion okay” she said.
Bruce gave a small smile “ok” he said. “Let’s talk about our trip-see if we need to finalize anything” he added.
Jen smiled “That I will discuss” she said leaning in for a kiss which Bruce accepted.
“I think we should drive-unless we borrow one of Tony’s planes” Jen began. “I have a feeling your name would flag at any airport right now” she added.
“Hmm didn’t think of that-but you’re probably right” Bruce said thinking. “I am a little leery of driving-if our last road trip was any indication of our luck with travel” he added with a smirk.
Jen laughed “oh hush-don’t jinx us-we don’t need any bad luck” she said. “Since you brought up bad luck-maybe we need to tell someone else our plans-phone number-itinerary address to the cabin-as a backup” she added.
Bruce just stared at her with a confused look “Jen I was joking-now you are kind of worrying me. Do you actually think something will happen?” he asked-not voicing how hypocritical that sounded-since Bruce was the one who normally planned for bad things happening.
Jen looked down embarrassed “I was raised by Hetty Bruce-you always have a backup plan” she said quietly.
Bruce nodded “Okay-so it probably needs to be someone outside of the team-someone who knows us but maybe doesn’t have the same last name? What about T?” he asked thinking out loud.
“DiNozzo would be great-he’s an agent so he could help without–hopefully-jeopardizing his job” Jen agreed.
“Since this trip kept getting delayed-Pepper told me to email her and she will make sure it gets put in. I’ll send her an e-mail in a minute-I assume I’ll get a call from Tony by the end of the day” Bruce said chuckling.
Jen nodded “Ok” she said. “Why don’t you call DiNozzo and make sure he’s ok with this before we decide anything else” she adds.
Bruce nodded reached for his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found DiNozzo’s number.
“Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo” Tony answered.
“Hey T” Bruce said.
PAUSE “Hey B what’s up” Tony said quietly.
“Well I was wondering-we are finalizing our trip. Mind if you are our backup? I’ll come by and give you Jen’s key and go through the bare necessities?” Bruce replied.
“No problem man-um-have to ask-what’s a backup?” Tony asked.
“Well Jen thought it would be a good idea if someone else knew of our plans and had a key-for precautions” Bruce answered.
“Do you need to be cautious?” Tony asked.
Bruce chuckled darkly “For most of my life T” he answered making Tony cringe on the other end.
“ DiNozzo” Gibbs voice barked on the other end.
“God T I am sorry-maybe we can get together when you are off” Bruce said.
“No-no man its ok-listen want to come by my place? I’ll text you the address whenever I get off okay” Tony said-not having to look up to know Gibbs was staring at him.
“Sure” Bruce said.
“Got to go man-I’ll see you later” Tony said and hung up. “On your six boss” Tony jumped up-grabbing his to go bag and running behind Gibbs.
“Everything ok” Gibbs asked once they were inside the elevator.
“Sure Boss-he just wants to give me a spare key for the trip” Tony said.
Gibbs looked at Tony as the doors shut “good” he said.
Bruce looked at Jen with a smile “T said he’s do it-he’ll text me when he gets off- we can swing by his place later on tonight sometime” he said.
“Sounds good to me-now go text Pepper-before something unexpectedly comes up” Jen said smiling sweetly.
Later that Day
Tony Dinozzo’s Apartment
Tony was pacing- checked his watch again-for what felt like the twelfth time in mere minutes. He heard someone at his door-expecting it to be Bruce went and opened it.
“Junior” Anthony Senior said startled at the sight of his son “I wasn’t expecting you-what are you doing home at this time of day?”
Tony cringed “umm Hi Dad-I’ve had a crazy couple of days-Boss gave me the evening off-so you’re back?” Tony asked surprised glancing around behind his father before shutting the door.
“I came to drop these bags off” Senior said putting plastic bags down and sitting down on the sofa. “To answer your question-Yes-my trip was canceled-Al had other business to attend to” he added with a frown.
A soft knock on his door meant one thing-Bruce had arrived. Being that Tony was still holding the doorknob-he opened it.
“Hey-umm-my dad’s here” Tony said in a rush-apologetically.
Bruce had a deer in the head lights look-Tony was pretty sure he was about to bolt.
“Junior are you expecting company-I can leave” Senior asked as he got up and headed to see who was at the door.
Tony sighed and turned revealing a scared looking Bruce. Senior stopped and stared until it clicked who the man was. Senior’s eyes got huge-looking between the two men.
“Bruce?” he asked in confusion. “No-You’re alive?” he added in wonder.
“Dad-umm yeah Bruce is alive” Tony said. “He’s was part of a case I was working on last month” he adds.
Senior looked between his son and Bruce- placed his hand on his shoulder “Let me look at you?” Senior said staring at Bruce.
Bruce sighed but met Senior’s gaze-going against years of conditioning. Senior searched Bruce’s eyes then smiled and pulled the younger man into a hug.
“It’s good to see you” Senior said into Bruce’s ear.
Bruce smiled and looked down “Thank you-um-“he paused not exactly sure what to call the man as an adult.
“Call me Anthony Bruce” Senior said.
He nodded “Thank you Anthony” he said.
Senior continued to smile at him.
“What?” Bruce finally asked.
“You have Becky’s eyes-and her smile” he stated squeezing his shoulder.
Bruce smiled and Tony let out a relieved breath.
Senior smiled and pulled Bruce inside the apartment-toward the couch “Come tell me what you have been doing with yourself” he asked.
Bruce immediately started to fidget as soon as he sat down. “Well I’ve been traveling around the world for about ten years now. Most recent though I am living in New York-I am employed by Stark Industries” he stated.
“Really? Do you know Tony Stark?” Senior asked with interest.
“No Dad” Tony said-taking a seat in one of the chairs.
“What?” Senior replied-looking at his son.
“Whatever scheme you are planning-stop right now” Tony said.
“I have become a short of entrepreneur in my old age Bruce” Senior replied-ignoring his son’s last statement. “Junior has a problem with it” He adds.
“No dad I have a problem when your “business partners” end up dead and you are a suspect in one of my cases” Tony shot back.
Senior ignored his son’s last statement instead looking at Bruce “What happened Bruce-we all thought you were dead?” he asked.
Bruce sat there not knowing how to answer that question-when his phone rang ‘Thank God’ he thought.
“Hello” Bruce said into his phone.
“Hey Hon I am still downstairs? Did you forget about me?” Jen asked. ‘Geeze Banner-how could you forget she was downstairs’ he chastised himself.
“Oh god-sure hon-sorry I’ll be right down” Bruce then hung up.
Tony busted out laughing “You forgot Jen was downstairs?” he asked.
“Yes-god-ok here’s the key and well the address of the cabin-otherwise we really don’t have a set itinerary- we are planning on being there for two weeks-but well you know how that might change. She just thinks it’s a good idea for someone else to know our plans in case something happens” Bruce said fidgeting as he handed Tony the key and a piece of paper. “Don’t worry Jen wrote it down-you’d never be able to read my chicken scratch-I am a physicists after all” he said with a chuckle. “Umm Anthony it was nice seeing you again-I am sorry I am have to run-umm” Bruce stuttered as he awkwardly sticking out his hand.
Senior looked between his son and Bruce “Good lord where are you going that you are afraid of something happening?” Senior asked.
Bruce looked embarrassed “We are just going on vacation-our first together-but-umm-we both tend to attract trouble and she was taught you always have backup” he said softly.
Senior looked at Bruce “Do you have plans tonight?” he asked.
“Excuse me?” Bruce asked confused.
“I think we should have dinner together-I’ll cook” Senior said.
“Dad-maybe Bruce and Jen have other plans-and I already told you I’ve been busy. Not sure what I have in my fridge is even edible” Tony said.
“You think I don’t know that Junior? What do you think are in those plastic bags-my luggage? I haven’t seen Bruce in 35 years and I know I would LOVE to meet this women of his” Senior said staring at Bruce.
Tony groaned as Bruce tried to politely say no.
“Anthony really-umm” Bruce began.
“It’s just dinner- Don’t worry I’ll talk to her-get her to agree. Just call her back-or I’ll follow you downstairs and talk to her there” Senior said with a smile.
Tony laughed “Dad don’t threaten him” he said.
Bruce rolled his eyes and handed Senior his phone and listened in awe as the man chatted with Jen and got her to come upstairs for dinner. He continued to stare as Senior handed him his phone back and walk away.
“How did he do that?” Bruce asked Tony as Senior took the bags into the kitchen.
“Dad has a way with convincing women to do stuff he wants- he’s been married A LOT” Tony said as they waited for Jen to come up.
“Hi” Tony said as he swung the door open when he heard her knock. “Come in and I just want to say beforehand I apologize” he adds with a smile.
Jen laughed as she was lead inside “its fine Tony-your father seems very-charming” she said.
“Junior where are your manners? Let the women in” Senior said coming up beside Tony.
“Well you must be Jen-I am Anthony DiNoizzo” Senior said walking into the room and kissing Genevieve on the cheek. “I hope you like red wine” he added as he hands her a glass.
“Hello Mr. DiNozzo-I am Genevieve Gibbs” she said with a pleased smile. “And thank you” she said as she accepted the glass-following both men inside.
Bruce was waiting for them in the living room-looking nervous and out of place as usual. He smiled and visibly relaxed when he saw Jen.
“Hi” he said.
Jen laughed walked up and kissed his cheek “I am sorry I interrupted –but the guard was kind of eyeing me and he said he was going to call the cops” she said.
Tony looked at her “I am sorry about that he’s new-I’ll talk with him” he said apologetically.
Senior paused staring at them “I am sorry did you say your last name is Gibbs? Are you related to Jethro Gibbs?” he asked.
Jen smiled “Yes I am-it’s a long story” she said as she took a sip.
“Well maybe you can tell it during dinner-I do hope you like Italian food-I am making my late wife-Tony’s mother-favorite meal” Senior began as he led Jen into the kitchen.
Tony rolled his eyes “Dad’s going to be flirting with her all night-I’ll warn you right now” he said to Bruce as they trailed behind-making Bruce chuckle.
“So Genevieve my dear-how did you meet Bruce? Have you been together long?” Senior asked as he walked back in carrying a pan and other items that Tony had no idea were in there.
“Well Anthony- Bruce and I actually met on a beach in Mexico” Jen said smiling at Bruce.
“Oh were you on vacation?” he asked as he started to prepare the food.
“No-a –umm-Uncle brought him home and that’s when we met” Jen replied.
“Wait a minute-Mexico-You two met because of Mike Franks?” Tony asked looking between the two.
Bruce chuckled and nodded “yes” he said.
“Who’s Mike Franks?” Senior asked.
“Mike Franks was boss’s mentor and best friend. Pretty cool guy-he was killed a few years ago” Tony said.
Senior nodded as he turned on the oven “how long have you two been together?” he asked.
Bruce flushed a little and started to fidget “Well-we’ve been off and on since we met 9 years ago” he said.
“Really?” Senior asked.
Tony chuckled “well I am impressed-I’ve never been in a relationship that long” he said.
Bruce shook his head “well no-we haven’t been together the whole time-umm-circumstances happened and well-we’re together now so” Bruce said earning a smile and a kiss from Jen.
“Ok dinner is served” Senior announced-placing the covered dish on the table.
Everyone sat and immediately dug into their food.
“Oh wow this is wonderful” Genevieve moaned.
“So I assume you know we-junior and -I have known Bruce his entire life” Senior began looking at Genevieve.
Both Bruce and Tony shared a concerned look over their plates.
“Yes Anthony I do know that” Jen replied smiling sweetly.
Senior smiled “my late wife and Becky were the best of friends. They of course had different as night and day-they had different taste in careers-in where they chose to live-in the men they decided to love. But despite all of that they were ALWAYS there for each other” Senior said not seeing the looks going between the other three.
Jen decided to try and derail the conversation-obviously reading the room “That’s wonderful Anthony-I am sure those memories are something to cherish. Aunt Shannon never really had many friends-an Army Wife and all-and well- Hetty NEVER had friends” she said smiling.
Senior blinked at her “You weren’t raised by your mother?” he asked.
Tony rolled his eyes-abandoning his plate to intervene if needed.
“No-umm-my mother died after I was born” she said honestly.
“I’ve been meaning to ask-when did you go live with Hetty Lange?” Tony asked jumping in. “I’ve wanted to ask Boss Man-but I value my life and my job” he adds with a smile.
Bruce and Jen laughed at that “I went to live with Hetty after the wreck-I was kidnapped and when I was rescued-it was decided Gibbs was in no condition to raise me so I went to live with her” Jen replied.
Senior shook his head-and jumping right where he had left off-as if no one else had talked “Well I must say I feel a little protective of Bruce”- he began.
“Dad” Tony warned.
“No I am glad we got to meet her-I was worried at first-but I think she is a wonderful fit for Bruce” Senior said sipping his wine.
“Dad-HOW were you were worried in the 10 minutes you saw him before she came up? You haven’t seen Bruce in over 30 years-you have no right to say that to either of them! Yes I think she’s great for him-but he is a grown man! He can see whomever he wishes. Good lord he doesn’t need us to protect him” Tony exploded. ‘Especially now’ went unspoken but understood.
Senior stared at his son “I enjoy seeing the children I helped raise with good strong women” he replied evenly.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Tony demanded.
“Children you helped raise?” Bruce asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You had a perfectly good women-a partner-who you let leave without telling her anything” Senior replied calmly looking at Tony.
Tony was practically seething “How many times do I have to tell you- she-Ziva- left because she had too. I tried to get her to come back-Begged her to come back with me but she didn’t. What else was I supposed to do?” he growled glaring at his father.
Suddenly the beginning bars of iron man could be heard could be heard from the living room-interrupting the fight. Which meant Tony Stark was calling.
“Think he got the e-mail?” Jen asked-amused and relieved.
Bruce sighed-rolling his eyes “excuse me” Bruce said-leaving the table and answering his phone.
“Hello Tony” Bruce said.
“Hey buddy what are you doing?” Tony asked.
“Jen and I are having dinner with Tony and his father” Bruce replied.
SILENCE
“Oh ok man-sorry-I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just got an e-mail from Pep-Are you really taking two weeks off effective tomorrow?” Tony asked.
Sigh “Yes Tony-I am” Bruce answered.
“Well—what if we need the big guy-or what if I need your help with one of my projects or what about work?” Tony asked.
“Tony-I have enough assistants and interns that work will be ok. IF you all truly need the other guy then you will be able to find me. It’s only two weeks Tony-I think you will be ok without me for that long” he said softly. “You know Jen and I have been planning this trip since she was in the hospital” he added.
“Yeah-you’re right. I am sorry- Have fun man. Go fishing or skiing or-dog sledding- you do up there” Tony said in a rush.
“I have to go Tony-I can’t leave her in there by herself to long” Bruce said quieter. “I’ll call you later ok” he added.
“Yeah ok” Tony said hanging up.
Bruce stared at his phone then shook his head and put it back in his coat pocket.
“Everything ok” Dinozzio asked-having time to calm down.
”Yeah-sorry about that-Tony must have just gotten the e-mail about my trip” Bruce said as he sat down.
“Can’t be without you for two weeks?” Jen said smiling.
“He will have too” he replied with a smile.
“What time is your flight tomorrow” Senior asked.
“No we are driving-umm-I don’t fly well” Bruce said-not exactly lying.
Tony whistled “You are driving to Alaska?” he asked.
“You have always loved the scenic route-I wouldn’t be able to sit still for that long” Senior replied. “Now go sit down in the living room-I’ll bring out coffee and dessert” he adds shooing them away.
Bruce and Jen went and sat on Tony’s couch. Tony brought out coffee with dessert shaking his head.
“What?” Bruce asked with a smile.
“I think he’s brought all this stuff with him-I KNOW I don’t own any of this” Tony said motioning to the dishware. “I am sorry about the questions in there-Dad has a way of knowing what buttons to push” he adds.
“Bruce” Anthony called from the other room. “I’ve been meaning to ask- Have you seen Elaine since your return?” he asked.
Bruce had that deer in the headlight look again-both Jen and Tony saw it. Lucky for them Senior kept talking from the kitchen.
“She was always a very nice women-how long has it been since Morris’s death? I wonder if she would like to have coffee if I called her” he wondered out loud as he walked into the room.
Both men groaned-only Jen noticed that Bruce’s was a tad deeper and more of a growl. She lovingly squeezed his hand-hoping to distract and calm him.
“DAD-you are NOT calling Elaine Walters and going on a DATE with her” Tony replied.
“Why?” Senior asked.
Tony sighed “How do you think she will take someone who she hasn’t seen in 30 years-calling out of the blue for coffee?” he asked.
Senior thought then shrugged “Is her daughter still single?” he asked with a smirk.
“DAD” Tony exclaimed disgusted.
Senior laughed “I was just joking-calm down” he said.
Tony shot a warning look at his dad “Stop it” he gritted out.
Senior laughed and squeezed Bruce’s shoulder as he passed “I am sure Bruce knew I was joking-didn’t you Bruce?” he said.
Jen knew she needed to get Bruce out of there-the way it was going Hulk was going to make an appearance-either by the rising tension or the jokes Anthony kept making. She decided to play the tired cranky girlfriend card.
“Umm I hate to be this way-dinner was wonderful but we have a long trip tomorrow and I am getting tired” she said standing up-signaling to the others that the dinner was over.
After thanking both DiNozzo’s and promising to get together again-they were alone in the elevator heading down to the parking garage. She leaned against Bruce as leaned against the wall of the elevator-his eyes closed taking calming breaths.
“That was interesting” Jen deadpanned once he opened his eyes again.
Bruce barked out a laugh “Yes it was- Anthony DiNozzio hasn’t changed” Bruce said.
“Which one?” she asked with a smirk.
“Either” Bruce replied smiling.
“They must be trying to—reconnect” Jen said choosing her words carefully.
“They’ve had a strained relationship since Aunt Linda died” Bruce began. “Anthony promised her he’d watch out for us. But he –couldn’t. He was crushed when she died and couldn’t deal with his own son-much less me. Then Brian was arrested-finally- and I had to go with social services-eventually Jennifer and her parents took me. I don’t think Tony has ever forgiven him for that” he added quietly.
Jen nodded keeping quiet “Why haven’t you called them yet?” she finally asked.
Bruce stared at her “I am scared of how they will react” he said honestly.
Jen leaned against him kissing him “They might be mad for a minute-but if they love you they will be more relieved than mad” she said.
“And if they are more mad then relieved?” he asked.
“Then they are stupid-and you still have us” she replied.
Bruce shook his head stroking her face “I love you” he said quietly.
Jen’s head snapped up looking at him a small smile on her face “I love you too” said kissing him-then pulling him out of the elevator and towards the car.
Two men walked out of the shadows once they were sure the coast was clear- eyeing the security guard silently.
“You sure Mr. DiNozzo and his father aren’t going to be harmed?” the security guard asked.
“We just want to know about those two that left” the one man asked.
“Her name was Gibbs-must be a last name. It’s what she said when she answered her phone. Don’t know his name but they were all clingy and kissing when they left so I would assume they are a couple” The security guard replied.
The other man nodded and handed the guard an envelope with numerous undisclosed bills “This is for your trouble and we never spoke” he said eyeing the security guard.
“Yes-Yes sir” the guard said.
The man picked up his phone and dialed his employer not liking this new bit of information. ‘If we have to track this women as well-the price was defiantly going up’ he thought to himself in annoyance.
Los Angeles
Owen hung up the phone and sighed-he knew he needed to call Hetty-otherwise she would be pissed. ‘Iam getting too involved in this’ he thought as he dialed.
“Yes Owen” she said when she answered.
“I think you should know I just got a call from my informants that General Ross has been visiting a psychiatric penitentiary every month for the last six months” he said.
Hetty chuckled “For a repeated consolations I hope” she replied.
“The penitentiary is in Ohio” Owen continued.
“Why would I care-oh bugger” she said when the pieces clicked. “Why is he visiting Banner?” she asked.
“Not sure exactly-but rumor has it that the penitentiary is having money problems and will probably be closed within the end of the year” he said.
“What are they going to do with all of the inmates?” she asked.
“Transferring most-but they are trying to release those that have been “rehabilitated” he said.
“They don’t want to waste their time with the elderly who have been there for years” Hetty clarified.
“That’s my thinking as well” Owen said.
Hetty sighed “Thank you Owen-I appreciate the call” she said as she hung up.
With further investigation she found out all the major Ohio papers were going to run the story about the penitentiary closing the next day. She had copies sent to herself-as well as Agent DiNozzo and Stark Tower-maybe between the three of them this can be dealt without Bruce knowing. Hetty shook her head hoping she hadn’t just jinxed herself and did what she does best-waited.