Lucky Thirteen

"It's just like speaking to your students," Bruce mumbled to himself in the hallway outside the lecture hall he'd been allotted to. "Of course, your students are paying to learn and for you teach them and these people are already giants in the community and…" He sighed and shook his head. "No, no. You were invited. People want to hear what you have to say. Just focus."

Bruce took several breaths and paced back and forth some more. "What was I th—" Bruce ran into someone and nearly felt his heart stop.

He didn't dare look at the person's face; he only knew it was someone very decidedly male and well dressed and oh god strong hands were on his arms to help steady him and this was certainly not the time to be attracted to the male species. He kept his head ducked, cringing internally at his being clumsy and trying to calm his heart beating out of control from embarrassment; at least he was sure it was only embarrassment.

"Are you okay?" The hands let go of him and the body stepped back slightly which was the opposite of what Bruce wanted – wait, what? The space around him became crowded instead with a silky timber that was not helping.

"I, um… Uh, yeah… I'm sorry…" Bruce stammered and closed his eyes tightly in further embarrassment. "I'm going to, uh, just risk further embarrassment and go… Again, I'm very sorry." Bruce hurried into the lecture hall, still not making eye contact with the mystery man, as his flight response overwhelmed him.

Near the stage, he stopped and willed himself to calm down or else he would be useless during his lecture. As if he hadn't already been nervous. There was a tap to his shoulder and he turned to see an old colleague. He was grateful for the distraction.

Or at least he was until said colleague said in humor, "I saw your run-in out in the hall."

"So embarrassing," Bruce muttered and shook his head.

"Oh, I'm sure you're not the first person to get star struck over Tony Stark."

Bruce's eyes widened and he darted his eyes toward the door. Tony Stark was indeed standing there and looking at him. Bruce looked away again and quickly ran through his list of options. He could go grovel, but that seemed extreme. He could just go talk to the man and explain the situation like a mature adult, pointedly leaving out that he had been superficially attracted to his… uh… male presence. Or he could go on with the lecture and let things take its course and maybe with any luck not even run into him at all again and avoid any awkwardness. In the end, his flight response still spoke loudest at the moment.

Bruce finished speaking with his former colleague and then moved to the stage to focus on his lecture. As he gathered his notes, he glance out on the audience again and flinched slightly when he realized Stark had sat down front and center.

He told himself to remain calm. It was Tony Stark. The man would have sat front and center regardless. It was more or less one of the things he was known for. He came into a room and made sure to fill it with himself so nobody would leave it without knowing he was there.

Bruce quickly looked back at his notes when he realized he'd stared a few seconds too long.

He had a feeling he might be sick.

And he could go ahead and cross Stark Industries off his list of potential employment options. It was a shame really. He had submitted a portfolio and application on Tuesday. It was Thursday morning and already he had made the worst impression ever on the CEO of the company. It had to be some new lame record as he wasn't even sure anyone had reviewed his application yet. Par for the course it seemed.

Bruce looked at his watch and decided it was probably as full as the room was going to get and that it was best to be prompt rather than allow for stragglers. It would also take his mind off of the situation. Or so he thought.

Throughout the course of the lecture, Bruce had a hard time keeping his eyes from straying to Tony Stark. He wasn't sure if it was the incident in the hall, the fact that he was front and center making him an easy focal point, or the fact that the man seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say. Stark was a genius and it was clear that he was following along with ease. Bruce mused he was probably already leapfrogging off of the information and advancing it in his mind while he listened. To collaborate with someone of Stark's genius, even if the man was more of an engineer than Bruce was, would be a fascinating experience no doubt.

Of course, thinking about what it would be like to collaborate with Stark only made him remember that he'd probably blown any chance of that ever happening by playing hit, stammer and run. Then again, he was giving a speech on clean energy and the man was now in the clean energy business so maybe, just maybe, he could redeem himself by attempting to prove what he lacked in people skills he could make up for in a lab.

Tony wasn't sure how long he stood near the entrance to the bar, staring at the backside of Dr. Bruce Banner's head. If Pepper or Happy had tagged along they both would have probably told him it had reached stalker levels of creepy.

He had read all of the man's papers after his article in that science magazine gotten his attention. He had sat in rapture when the man shared his brilliant theories on gamma radiation and its use in clean energy. He thought the man was clearly more brilliant than ninety-eight percent of the room, maybe even ninety-nine. And, honestly, he was about to make the man an offer to come bring that brilliance to Stark Industries where it belonged. He had maybe even followed him around the conference between his three scheduled lectures, and sat in on two of those said lectures – in the back the second time, waiting for an opportune moment to strike. So, yes, he was acting a little bit on the creepy side of professional interest.

Then again, that was maybe why he had yet to strike. Somewhere along the way it had stopped being professional interest. Pictures had been sparing and hadn't done justice. Sure he looked good, like a ruffled scientist, in those photos he had seen when reading his articles. But the man in real life was as attractive physically as mentally. There was something enigmatic about him that drew Tony in.

Pepper had been nagging him to go on more dates and suddenly Tony wasn't quite sure he could go over and talk to the nuclear physicist without that kind of question blurting out of his mouth. Hell, it had almost been on the tip of his tongue when he'd merely run into the man on accident on his way into the lecture hall. He had been absolutely stunned, dazed, not sure what had just happened as the physicist shied away just as much like a deer in headlights as Tony had felt. Tony couldn't get it out of his mind as he looked at the scientist at the bar. That moment was maybe when it had stopped being a professional interest.

At the very least Tony thought he should probably find out if the man was single and into men. And there was still the fact he wasn't sure how well 'Oh, hey, come work for me and maybe go on a date with me, by the way I have six kids' worked on fellow scientists.

After a few more moments, Tony finally managed to regain his, practically trademarked, 'Stark Strut' and make his way over to the bar, pointedly ignoring the siren call of an alcoholic beverage. Even if he hadn't been sober for the past four years, he would still want to be sober for this.

"You know, I don't approach just anyone at a bar these days so you should consider yourself special. Forgive me though if I don't join you for a drink."

The physicist startled a little, but didn't turn to face him. "Funny, I'm not accustomed to being approached by people at a bar so I might just wonder a little at your sanity. And you're forgiven as I don't drink. I'm just sitting here to avoid someone."

"Not me I hope," Tony offered, thinking of their awkward run-in.

"No, no…I…" Banner finally turned to acknowledge him, and Tony noticed a small intake of breath to steady him right before he did. "Oh my god, I'm talking to Tony Stark again," he said with an even tenor though his features betrayed that he knew that already and was attempting to play it off.

Tony smiled widely as he met with the man's chocolate-y eyes, round in disbelief and a slight hint of panic.

"Funny, that was sort of my reaction to talking with Dr. Banner." He held out a hand and Banner took it, though looking more surprised than before. Ignoring mentioning the previous run-in, he went straight to praising his work. "Your lecture was brilliant. As is all of your research. I have to say, you haven't been on my radar long, but I've quickly become a very big fan." He let go of Banner's hand a little reluctantly – which was odd even if the man was attractive. "In fact, I've been trying to get you alone – well not earlier because that was an accident – so I can extend an invitation for you to come put that brain of yours to work at Stark Industries. I think you'd be right at home in our R&D at Stark Tower. If you've got other offers, I will not hesitate to go over and beyond those prospects. Name the incentive you need to say yes to my offer and it's done."

Throughout his spiel the doctor seemed at a loss if his blinking eyes were any indication. Banner furrowed his brow. "I… Uh, I apologize for my manners," he finally said, regaining himself apparently. "I just wasn't expecting a job offer. Especially not after… Never mind. I actually submitted a portfolio and application to Stark Industries the day before yesterday."

It was Tony's turn to blink. "You're kidding? Well, that's…" Tony considered it. "…incredible timing. I guess you can consider it accepted," he added with a slight bark of laughter.

"You're serious?" The physicist looked at him incredulously.

"Very serious," Tony answered. "When I see talent that I want working for me, I pursue it diligently. Honestly, if you say yes, you might be my easiest recruit to date. You haven't even tried to negotiate yet," Tony pointed out as he leaned an elbow against the bar casually.

"Oh, well… You see, I'm not…" The man tripped over his words for a moment much like before – it was endearing really – before letting out a breath. "I'm actually very much in need of a new job. I'm working with Culver University until no later than the end of July."

"Let me guess, research funding cut? Faculty out on their ears?" Tony had heard the stories time and time again.

Banner sighed and nodded. "Yes. My only other offers have been from other universities, but I've been hesitant to accept because I really could use better income – especially if I'm going to relocate." Tony furrowed his brow. He hadn't read anything about the man having a family, since the man really didn't have a detailed personal biography, but usually that kind of statement meant family from what he'd dealt with in the past. "I put in an application at Oscorp first, but—"

"No, no, no," Tony cut him off. "You obviously belong at Stark Industries. You're into clean energy. We're into clean energy. So, tell me. What kind of income would induce you to relocate to Manhattan?" Tony may or may not have posed the question to get a better idea of the man's status, but nobody else needed to know that.

Banner's mouth opened slightly and his tongue moved slowly to wet his lips and he looked down as if mulling it over. "Honestly, and I'm not expecting you to accommodate this," he hedged, "my major concern would be relocation costs and enough salary to afford a new home in a nice enough area for my, uh… seven kids."

Tony would like to say his eyes didn't bug out, but they did and he straightened up immediately. "Seven? Wow, I… Beat me by one," he opted for a joke.

Banner blinked. "Oh, oh right." Then he smiled. "You do have six kids don't you? And…" Then the smile fell. "Oh. Uh, my very late condolences," he offered genuinely and Tony couldn't help but smile softly at the gesture.

"Thank you," he offered genuinely in return. There was a moment of silence before Tony broke it again, still a little flabbergasted. "So, wow. Seven kids? No wonder you don't want to move without incentive." Tony studied him carefully and tried to imagine the scenario. "Hell, I'm kind of wondering how you're managing it at Culver. Unless your partner makes a reasonable income?"

Banner huffed out a laugh. "With a lot of budgeting and bedroom sharing, believe me. And the cost of living isn't as high as it is in New York or New Mexico, which is where my concern lies given my job offers." Then he paused. "And actually it's just me."

Tony's eyes widened again; he was certain he was probably beginning to look like a cartoon character. "Just… you? I… I'm awed. I have six kids and billions of dollars at my disposal so I honestly couldn't imagine budgeting for seven and working a full time career as a university researcher and professor. Kudos, Bruce. Can I call you Bruce? Or do you prefer Robert or–"

"It's Bruce," the physicist replied. "And thank you. It's not an easy job, but we make do. Of course, I wouldn’t mind making do with a little more income," Bruce added with a small laugh.

"I'll bet." Tony also laughed. "Not to cross some line, but if condolences are in order… I'd like to extend them as well."

Bruce's brow furrowed for a moment as if confused by the sentiment before they widened in clarity. "Oh, uh, thank you for the thought, but no. They're adopted. Well, five are. Two are mine by surrogacy."

Tony was perfectly aware a normal person might have backed away slowly and then made a very quick exit. In fact, he could tell by Bruce's body language that many had probably done as such. He knew firsthand how that could be. But Tony was not normal by any definition of the word and the idea of a single man choosing to raise seven children on top of being breathtakingly brilliant was absolutely intriguing. So a wide smile spread across his face instead.

"Well, then, from one single father to another, you have absolutely nothing to worry about in moving or affording a home for your family should you accept the offer to come work for Stark Industries. Obviously I don't expect you to decide right here and now. I'll have our hiring department send you all of the usual information for you to look over."

Bruce gaped a little. "And to think I almost backed out of coming." He laughed nervously, looking away.

"Huh. Ironically, I wasn't planning on coming at all and changed my mind Friday." It was a little bizarre, but it apparently had worked out in the physicist's favor and SI's as well if he were to accept the job offer.

Their eyes met again and the urge to ask the somewhat stranger on a date returned. Tony, however, stamped it back down. Even he knew that it would be an extra special level of crazy, no matter how much he was in awe of the other man or found him physically attractive, to ask a man out who he had just learned had as many kids as his own with an extra to spare. On the bright side, he could tell they would at least be friends given their commonality, both being obvious geniuses and single fathers.

"Oh no," Bruce suddenly mumbled and looked past his shoulder.

"What? The person you were hiding—" Tony turned quickly and was shocked to see Reed Richards heading their way. "Oh no is right," he muttered back before reaching for a media smile. "Surprise to see you here, Reed. Energy and tech isn't really your thing is it?"

Reed blinked several times and Tony could just read the 'everything is my thing' retort in his eyes. "That makes two of us. I wasn't aware you did the conference scene anymore, Tony." Tony's smile fell and he looked around uncomfortably. He had honestly been doing well since Dr. Banner's lecture, but he didn't like being reminded specifically of his issue with conferences. "I mean, I'm glad to see you around of course, but—"

"Are you here because of Susan's interest in energy?" Bruce suddenly asked and Tony got the distinct impression the physicist had picked up on his cues.

"Well, yes and no, Dr. Banner. I'm always invited to these things which would be exhausting, but I make it a point to come to all of the major ones." Tony only just managed to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "But, yes, Sue was particularly interested in this one."

"Right," Bruce said and he sounded just as exasperated as Tony felt in Richards' presence. "So, how are Val and Franklin?"

Reed smiled and Tony couldn't begrudge him that. "Great! They actually have a booth over in the junior conference." That he begrudged for five seconds before realizing it was partially his fault Skye's technical genius hadn't quite flourished yet. "In fact, I was just coming over here to let you know I met with your daughter like you asked." Tony looked over at Bruce to see if the comment was still directed toward him.

"Oh? Thank you. I appreciate it," Bruce said.

"Not a problem. I like making the rounds and inspiring the kids in the junior conferences. You have quite the future astrophysicist on your hands if I'm not mistaken, Dr. Banner."

Tony wasn't sure what he was more focused on – his surprise over Reed's actual compliment toward somebody else's kid or the way Bruce's face lit up at the compliment to his daughter. He almost looked like a completely different person and Tony briefly wondered if that's what he looked like when someone praised his own kids. If so it was an attractive look and it was a miracle Tony didn't get accosted whenever it happened on top of his already highly praised sex-appeal, he mused with slight egotism.

"I thought I saw your daughter too, Tony," Reed then said. "Is she still your tech protégé?"

Tony smiled sharply to avoid a scowl. "She is. She's good enough she could probably rig up this stuff and run it in a van."

"That's nice. I guess we can look forward to seeing her with a booth someday then," Reed said and Tony couldn't tell if it was genuine or not so he accepted it as such and let his smile soften. "Well, speaking of kids. Almost dinner time. I'll see you both around." Then the man left.

"I wish I could like that guy," Bruce said once they were alone again and Tony couldn't help the way his smile broadened. He looked over at the physicist and couldn't help but think he was somehow infinitely more attractive than he had been before making that statement.

"I'm sure you got a clear indication of my feelings," Tony replied with a snort.

He was even a little irritated that Bruce had somehow been on Reed's radar before his own. He was doubly irritated that Richards had done absolutely nothing about it.

"Yeah, I did." Bruce nodded. "Well, I'm going to go pick up my daughter so…"

"I'm heading that way too," Tony said, jumping at the opening regardless of if that was Bruce's intention. The physicist didn't object though.

As they headed for the other pavilion, he noticed the concerned sideways glance Bruce gave him and had a pretty good idea that the other genius had put the pieces together as to why he didn't do conferences.

"I met my wife at a conference," Tony explained. Bruce gave a small nod. "So it hasn't been easy coming to these things since her death. In fact… This is my first since before I lost her."

"Dr. Maya Hansen, right?" Bruce queried and Tony gave his own small nod. "I read some of her college papers on genetic engineering. The project that just got de-funded at Culver was actually in regards to cellular repair and protection. A lot of dead ends, but your wife's research was fascinating groundwork. That said I completely understand why she would give it up on ethical grounds."

"Well…" Tony hesitated, but then admitted, "It's a little more complicated than that." He left it at that for now as it wasn't an easy back story to recount, not even as a secondhand informant.

"I can understand that too," Bruce replied and there was a good deal of conviction in his voice. "But either way she seemed like a very intelligent woman. And she must have been pretty amazing since I seem to recall Tony Stark was a wild child until around the time you took over your father's company."

Tony chortled. "Uh, yeah. I'm pretty sure everyone recalls my reputation. I hate to admit it, but that's essentially what I expected Maya to be." Before he could even stop himself from the spiel, since most people didn't ask about it, he started with: "It was Bern, New Year's Eve—"

"1999?" Bruce interrupted.

"Yes," Tony said, though it sounded more like a question.

"Huh. I almost went to that conference too. I was actually in the city, helping a Dr. Ho Yinsen at a local hospital, but there were extenuating circumstances and I decided to forego my… attendance. What?" Bruce clearly saw the way Tony's eyes had gone wide.

"That is incredibly coincidental," Tony said, looking at him in slight disbelief. "I actually met Dr. Yinsen at that convention. Probably should have known right then that Maya was different because I intended to blow him off in favor of... Well." He held up his hands guiltily.

"I think I can follow," Bruce said with a laugh.

"Yeah, but she wasn't having it and instead of chasing down the next available prospect, I stayed," Tony said with a fond smile as he recalled that night. "Sure, I still figured on just leaving her in the morning, but… She was talking with Dr. Yinsen and there was just something I couldn't take my eyes off of. She was so vibrant and wide eyed and had these, these theories," he gesticulated, "even though she'd been hurt by science before. It made me feel a little empty. Like the first 23 years of my life I had absolutely nothing until she came along. That I was living for nothing…"

Tony paused and stared off into the corners of his mind before continuing. "Dr. Yinsen pulled me aside right before I went back to my suite with Maya and told me that I would be a fool if I wasted my life and I knew he wasn't just talking about my aimless living and lack of interest in my father's company. He must have seen what I was feeling before I figured it out."

"Sorry I missed it," Bruce said softly and Tony felt himself pulled from his reverie with a stutter of his heart.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Sounds like it would have been nice to have heard her talk and maybe even watch the infamous Tony Stark fall in love," Bruce offered with a small smile.

Tony opened his mouth to say something, anything, or maybe nothing at all; he wasn't sure. However, a girl with long brown hair came flying towards them and flung herself at Bruce. He gave a small oomph that was certainly more adorable than it had any right being.

"Dad! I met Reed Richards!" The exuberant girl said.

"Did you?" Bruce looked down at his daughter lovingly and Tony had to smile.

"Mhm! But guess who else is here! Guess!" Bruce opened his mouth to do so, but didn't get a chance. "Tony Stark!" Tony practically choked on air at the surprise. "I met his daughter, Skye. She's so, so, so nice! She said maybe we can meet him! Wouldn't that be amazing?"

Bruce's lips quirked up into what looked like a playful smile. "You know, I think it would be pretty amazing."

Tony smiled in amusement and tried not to read too much into how flirtatious that had sounded.

"I think it would be amazing to meet you too," Tony announced himself to the girl whose vision was clearly tunneled by excitement since she hadn't already noticed him.

She startled and turned to look at him before her amber colored eyes widened like a fawn's. "It's… You're…" She looked back at her dad. "Dad, you already know him?" She seemed just as in awe of that fact as anything else.

Bruce chuckled. "Getting there." Then Bruce looked at him. "Mr. Stark, this is my daughter Jane."

"Happy to meet you, Jane. I hear you're on your way to being a brilliant astrophysicist." Her mouth fell open and he smiled.

"Oh, hey. That was easy," Skye said coming over, Sam right behind her. "I was going to ask you to meet Jane here, but I guess now I don't have to." She shrugged.

"Dr. Banner, this is my daughter Skye."

"Ahem. Uncle T?" Sam looked at him with a teasing grin.

"Right, right. And this here is my best friend's son, Sam. I'm his legal guardian. He sometimes stays with me. So sometimes I have seven kids," Tony gabbled and saw Bruce's eyebrows meet with his forehead in surprise.

"Well, nice to meet both of you," Bruce said then.

"I was actually going to ask if Jane could come hang out with us in our massive hotel suite for dinner, but since we all know each other now…" Skye prompted and Tony got the hint.

"Would you and Jane like to come back to our suite for dinner?" He asked the physicist. "The kids would love it."

Bruce smiled thinly. "Sure."