Have You Two Talked About This
Pepper stormed into the room “Where have you been!” She all but screamed at Tony.
“What do you mean where have I been?” he shot back.
“Dammit Tony” Pepper yelled reaching for the nearest thing-a wrench- to throw at him. He ducked hearing the tool bounce off of something behind him and clatter to the floor.
“What the hell Pepper! Why are you pissed?” Tony demanded.
Pepper swung around her eyes blazing “Why am I pissed? I am pissed because my boyfriend doesn’t tell me where he is going! I have to hear from JARVIS when you’ve gotten called out to assemble and whether or not you are coming home at night. AND I am SICK OF IT! I used to have to sit around and withstand your obsessions-even had to escort them out on occasion. But I refuse to do that now” She seethed.
Tony looked confused at the switch in topics “What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“The sad thing is you don’t even see it” she added sadly.
“What am I not seeing” he yelled.
“Your obsession with Bruce!” She yelled back. “I had hoped that now that Genevieve is with Bruce you’d stop but you haven’t. It’s almost gotten worst! Are-Are you jealous?” She said.
“Jealous of Jen-Why?” he shot back.
“Because she has Bruce-she’s taking him away from you and there is nothing you can do about it” Pepper demanded. “I am not sure I want to be around for the outcome” she added softly.
Tony’s head shot up “So this is it? You are leaving me? There’s someone else isn’t there?” he demanded.
“No Tony there isn’t. But I don’t see the point in me being here if I am not wanted” Pepper stated with tears in her eyes.
“When have I ever told you- you weren’t wanted” Tony asked.
“You’ve never told me I wasn’t wanted-but you haven’t told me you needed me either-not in a long time. You go off the SECOND Bruce needs you-without even telling me-I have to hear it from JARVIS. Good things that happen to you-you tell Bruce first-then me. Did you even notice when I am in or out of the tower? Do you?” she demanded.
Tony’s mind was whirling trying to come up with an answer-but he couldn’t. His silence spoke volumes-to both of them.
A few tears fell Pepper’s cheek as she whispered “I thought so. I-I have to think things over” and fled the lab.
Tony stood there stunned. He knew he should go after Pepper but he couldn’t get his feet to move. She couldn’t be right-she was just angry and lashing out at him. Right?
“JARVIS where’d she go” he asked after a few minutes.
“She has left the premises sir” JARVIS replied.
“She’s not driving is she?” he asked.
“Not sir Mr. Hogan is driving her” JARVIS answered.
“Do you think she’ll want to talk to me” He asked.
“I cannot speak for Miss Potts but if you remember past fights the two of you have had -have resulted in more objects being thrown at you sir” JARVIS said.
Tony sighed “Tell her-I’ll go to New York. She can stay or go to Malibu or come back to New York-whatever she wants-when she decides” he said as he left the lab and headed for his room-more importantly his bar.
“Yes Sir” Jarvis replied warily.
“Dr. Banner” Jarvis replied 30 minutes later-waking both Bruce and Jen from an impromptu but badly needed nap.
“Dr. Banner” Jarvis said again.
Bruce groaned pulling Jen closer to him “What Jarvis?” he said sleepily.
“I apologize for waking the two of you but I am afraid I need your assistance with Sir.” Jarvis replied.
“What’d he do now” Bruce mumbled rubbing his face trying to wake up.
“I am afraid he is not taking his argument and break up with Ms. Potts very well” the A.I replied.
Jen’s head popped up “they broke up?” she asked.
The A.I actually paused “I am not certain ma’am but I surmised as much by their conversation and resulting actions” the A.I replied.
“Ok what is he doing?” Bruce asked worriedly.
“He has decided to go back to New York and I am afraid has had quite inebriated and is attempting to get into the suit” the A.I informed them.
“I thought Pepper made sure you locked the liquor cabinet?” Bruce asked.
“Yes sir in Malibu and in New York-but not here” The A.I answered.
Jen looked at him “what does Tony like to drink? Will you be ok-Do you want me to go talk with him?” she asked.
Bruce sighed “I’ll try-if-if- I can’t I’ll have Jarvis call you” he said leaning over to kiss her.
“Sure” she said watching him get up and leave.
Jen turned and stared at her phone and against her better judgment sent a text to Pepper.
GG: If you want to talk-call me
PP: not right now-but thanks
Jen waited a few minutes and decided since she wasn’t going to go back to sleep to get up.
“Jarvis do I want to know where they are?” Jen asked.
“Dr. Banner is down in the lab with sir” Jarvis replied.
Her phone rang alerting her that Gibbs was calling.
“Good afternoon” Jen said into her phone as she walked into the kitchen.
“How was it?” Gibbs asked.
“Well I got to see Pride and Christopher-team met them-Bruce flipped out-the usual” she replied.
Gibbs sighed “I am sorry” he said.
“Well we haven’t talked in detail about it yet-we need to go to Xavier’s for that. But all in all I think we’ve handled it well” she said.
“Why do you need to go to Xavier’s?” Gibbs asked.
“There’s a doctor there that we both trust-Hank McCoy-not sure if you ever met him-but he is one of the few people who could give us some guidance” Jen replied.
“McCoy-don’t think the name rings a bell” Gibbs replied.
Jen giggled “Oh believe me-Hank is not someone you easily forget” she said.
Gibbs chuckled “So Bruce panicked huh” he asked.
Jen laughed “well so did I-at least he hasn’t ran yet- at the moment I consider it a win” she replied.
Gibbs paused “You expect him to run?” he asked.
Jen started at her refection in the microwave “yes-I do” she said softly. “It’s his MO. When he gets really scared-he thinks he’s doing the right thing-He thinks he’s protecting the ones he loves” she replied.
“If he does?” Gibbs asked.
“Then he will have a spot when he comes back” she replied then heard Bruce coming back up the stairs. “Jethro I have to go-I’ll call you later” and hung up before he could say anything else.
“Who was that?” Bruce asked as he clasped down on the couch staring over at her.
She got up and walked into the living room plopping down next to him “Jethro checking in” she replied. “Tony passed out?” she asked.
“Yes-thank god” he mumbled.
“I guess we are going to New York?” Jen replied.
Bruce sighed “I guess? Do-you want to come? Or is that going to affect your case? Just because I go-it doesn’t mean you have too-you know” he replied.
Jen smiled at him “Why don’t we get Tony back to the tower-go visit Hank and then we can decide about living arrangements then” she said.
Bruce sighed nodding “That’s a good plan-see what we are dealing with” he replied.
“My thoughts exactly” Jen thought. “I’ll just text people that I will be in New York for a few days” she replied grabbing her phone and started sending out texts to the appropriate people.
Jen decided she didn’t need to wait for responses-since she was going regardless of their answers. “Bruce I am going to go pack a bag-Will you pick me up?” she called after a few minutes.
“Sure umm Happy is with Pepper-so-I’ll call Clint since I assume he’s the one who’s going to be flying us” he replied.
Jen paused “I hadn’t thought of that-well call him and let me know I’ll drive back if I need to” she replied and pecked him on the cheek as she left.
MEANWHILE IN SHEILD HEADQUARTERS
“Boss just got off the phone with Banner-Stark is going back to New York and they need a ride. Am I supposed to be their glorified chauffeur until this mission is over?” Clint asked as he leaned against Phil’s office door.
Phil paused looking from his computer to Clint “I’ll run it by Fury but for the moment yes. It will help with the mission if he assumes you are there as the driver” Phil commented.
Clint nodded “I thought the same thing-just wanted to run it by you” he replied.
“The problem I see is having two drivers” Phil replied.
“It’s my understanding Hogan is staying with Pepper” Clint replied.
Phil raised an eyebrow “Well that’ll help us then” was his only response.
Clint smirked “My thoughts exactly” he said.
Phil nodded “Keep my informed” he said and turned back to his computer-silently dismissing Clint.
Xavier’s School the next day
Genevieve and Bruce sat in Hank’s lab watching as he read the numerous test results the next day. Like most doctors Hank wanted to run his own test-as a third opinion-which they were grateful for.
"Have you two talked about this-about children?" Hank asked as delicately as he could after he closed the file.
"No" Jen said as she shook her head.
"Neither of us thought it was ah-needed-with our backgrounds" Bruce said after clearing his throat.
Hank nodded his head "You are correct Doctor- with what I know of Genevieve's past procedure and the radiation you were exposed to-normal humans wouldn't be able to reproduce" Hank said. “The next question is what are your plans Genevieve?" Hank asked.
Jen just shrugged "not sure Hank--how did this even happen? She asked still confused.
Hank looked back at her files adjusting his glasses "Honestly I am not sure until I do more research. I know you were in the hospital recently--did anything odd happen while you were there?" He asked.
Bruce sucked in a breath "Helen's procedure" he choked out.
"Helen? Helen Cho was your doctor after the incident in DC? When you were in the coma?" Hank asked.
"Wait you mean that laser not only regrew tissue but actual organs? Jen asked incredulously.
"I guess so? God I should have listened to you when you still saying you were in pain" Bruce chastised himself.
Jen looked at Hank and rolled her eyes. "Bruce I am a grown women-IF I had thought it was THIS -I would have gone to someone sooner." She said.
"Ok" Bruce said hold out his hand trying to ward off an argument. "That point aside this shouldn't have happened.
"I know that" Jen said slowly with effort to keep calm.
Hank was trying to stay out of it but felt he needed to intervene. "I feel the need to mention we still don't know what we are dealing with. There are unique variables that most couples who have unplanned pregnancies don't have to deal with" Hank said. "I would like to do some tests regardless of your decisions" he replied delicately.
Bruce and Genevieve just blinked at him.
"I just meant blood-nothing else. Other tests might need to be issued later on-but we will deal with that when and if it comes up" Hank began but was interrupted by an alarm going off. "I am sorry I need to go-I don't want to sway you one way or the other. I just want the two of you to way the pros and cons before you make any decisions. But I want you to remember you seem to have been given a chance that most don't get. But ultimately it's your decision" Hank said as he hugged her and headed out.
Bruce and Jen just stood there not knowing what to say to each other. "We-we probably need to go" Bruce replied.
"Stay" Charles said as he wheeled himself in.
"This is neutral territory here. Go up to one of the guest rooms-talk-rest-whatever you need" he said with a kind smile.
"Hello Charles" Genevieve said with a small smile.
"Genevieve how are you" Charles asked.
"I've been better-I've been worst" she replied.
Charles smiled "I mean it-go somewhere on the grounds and talk. We have rooms that can accommodate Hulk if you think it is necessary Dr. Banner" Charles added looking at Bruce.
Bruce shook his head "I hope that won't be an issue but we will see Thank you Professor Xavier" Bruce said.
"My pleasure" Charles said with a wink and left the room.
Bruce and Jen wondered the grounds until they got to a nice wooded area and sat down.
“I can’t believe this is happening” Jen said after a few minutes. “Up until 10 minutes ago I expected Hank to say the tests were wrong” she added softly.
Bruce nodded staying silent “I am going to be a father-how wrong is that” he said softly.
Jen frowned at him “Bruce you do realize I hear you right?” she asked.
Bruce’s eyes shot up at her “Said that out loud huh?” he said quietly.
“Yes you did” she replied.
“You know I love you right-this doesn't have anything to do with that?” Bruce said quietly. “I am just panicking” he added.
"I never doubted that" Jen replied softly. "And I am panicking too” she added.
“You can ask” she finally asked-knowing it needed to be said.
“Ask what?” Bruce asked confused.
“If I cheated or something" she replied.
Bruce sighed "I'll be honest honey-the thought briefly crossed my mind. Only because I shouldn't be able to have children" he rushed out. “But it’s been a couple of days now and I think you would have told me if something had happened by now” he added.
"You've always wanted kids right?" Jen asked softly-leaning on Bruce.
"Back with Betty-yes I did. I haven't thought about it in a long time” Bruce said.
“What do you think it will look like?” she wondered out loud.
“Someone with your eyes and your smile" he said softly.
"Hopefully they'd have your brain" Jen interjected.
"Stop you are very smart" Bruce scolded. "And they-do you know something I don't?" He added with a worried look.
"No- no calm down-I think its better than saying it" Jen said with a smile.
"What do you want to do?" Bruce asked as he started to ring his hands.
Jen sighed as she looked past him "I never considered this-motherhood. I probably won't be very good at it. But this was taken away from me-and as much as it scares the hell out of me-I want to keep it" she whispered as she turned to him tears in her eyes.
Bruce grabbed her face kissing her roughly. "I am sacred too. Neither of us had the best examples of good parenting, but I am glad you want to do this-with me" he added.
"Bruce there is no one else I would rather do this with" Jen said.
"Even with the problems-and people that will be after them? Going after the children of the Incredible Hulk" Bruce said self-deprecatingly.
"For one I have just as many powers and enemies as you do-so who's to say they wouldn't be after them because of me? And two it is your child-not Hulks." Jen said.
Bruce looked at her with wide eyes “I hadn’t even thought about powers” he said as the realization set in.
Jen shrugged “That’s why we are here-between Charles, Hank and the team-we have enough resources that will help us if they have powers” she replied casually.
"So we have to worry about people coming after our children as well as them being born with powers” Bruce said incredulously.
"They might be born with powers-they might develop later on-or they might not have any powers. Plus if anyone is going to go after our children it will be over my dead body" Jen vowed.
Bruce looked at her "That's what I am afraid of" he replied.
"Bruce you know I can take care of myself" Jen began. "I am not going to say that might not happen" she kissed him to soften her words. "But I won't go down without a fight-And I know you-hulk or anyone else on the team will not stop until he or she is found and home safely" Jen said.
Bruce sighed nodded “I want to argue with you-but I know I won’t win” he said smirking at her.
“Smart man” Jen replied dryly.
“So we are going to do this-we are going to be parents” Bruce said. “Oh god!” Bruce exclaimed.
“What?” Jen asked.
“We have to tell the others” Bruce moaned.
“Bruce don’t you think after New Orleans-the team already knows?” Jen replied with a chuckle.
Bruce thought for a minute then chuckled “Yeah I guess you are right” he added.
“what you should be worried about is telling Hetty” she replied sweetly watching as he paled ever so slightly.