It's Nice to See You Again!
Present Day
The battle was already raging when Genevieve rolled onto the scene. She was trying to help while trying to stay under anyone’s radar. She realized the Avengers must be close when she heard the unmistakable roar of the Hulk nearby. She figured by the presence of the Hulk the bad guys were moving in this direction and she needed to be nowhere in sight before he saw her. Unfortunately a car she was taking cover behind was picked up and thrown over her head and she came face to face (well face to knee) with the Hulk. Both looked surprised to see the other which made her smile.
“Hi sweetie” she said softly then out of the corner of her eye she started noticing black cars showing up.
‘Shield’ she thought with a sigh. “I have to go sweetie” she turned to slip away when a Hulk leg blocked her path.
“Puny Banner” he growled.
“What about puny Banner?” she asked.
Hulk huffed in annoyance “Stay talk or puny Banner Hulk sad”.
It took Jen a minute to mentally translate what he was trying to say. He didn’t want her leave before she talked to Bruce. It would upset the both of them apparently.
“Sweetie I am not leaving I just need to get away from here before Shield gets any ideas.” She said.
Hulk squinted his eyes in thought. Jen knew it was hard for the Hulk to articulate his thoughts at times. He finally said “Come to tin man’s house. Big Tall and Shiny. Come see Puny Banner and Hulk there” he finished proudly.
She nodded “ok sweetie I’ll come to the tower to see you.”
“And Banner?” he added
“Yes of course and Bruce.” She replied.
“Tonight?” he asked hopefully.
“Maybe “she answered.
He nodded when an explosion caught their attention.
“Go on sweetie they need you” she shooed him away “maybe I’ll see you tonight.”
Hulk smiled roaring and jumping back into the battle.
She pulled into the parking lot and just looked up at the building. Except for the A instead of STARK the building looked just as it did when she worked here 8 years ago. She knew Hulk had invited her but she was still nervous. She wasn’t sure if either Bruce or Tony would even want to see her. She took a deep breath and got out of her car and headed inside.
Jen entered the elevator and hit the floor she wanted and waited. J.A.R.V.I.S voice came over the speakers as expected.
“Hello. Welcome to Avengers tower. My name is JARVIS and I will be assisting you today. May I ask to identify yourself?”
“Hello Jarvis it’s been a long time.” She said with a smile “This is Genevieve Gibbs and well I was actually invited here by the Hulk.”
There was a pause before the A.I spoke “Yes Miss Gibbs it’s a pleasure to see you again. I am afraid Dr. Banner is asleep at the moment and I have been programmed not to interrupt his slumber unless a dire emergency. But I will alert Mr. Stark of your arrival. Once the elevators open if you remember you will walk into the living room please take a seat and Mr. Stark will be right there.”
“Thank you” Jen said as the doors opened and she walked into the room.
She immediately knew she was being watched but figured it was Tony through the numerous cameras he has in this building. She decided to sit down on one of the plush chairs and try to be patient. She heard someone whistling coming up the hall toward her but was surprised when Steve Rogers came around the corner. He froze when he saw her in the chair blushed but smiled.
“Hello I am sorry I didn’t realize we had company. My name is Steve Rogers” he said coming up to her with his hand outstretched.
Jen smiled and shook his hand “Yes Steve hello my name is Genevieve Gibbs.”
“Are you waiting for someone?” he asked politely.
“Well either Bruce or Tony. Whoever comes up first I guess.” She said.
“You’re waiting for Dr. Banner?” he asked worried.
“Bruce and I have known each other for years now and sweet- um the Hulk saw me in the middle of the battle today and kind of invited me here to clear the air with Bruce.” She replied
Just then they heard Tony coming down the hallway arguing with Pepper.
“Pep it’s been years and she’s here to see Bruce not me so no we are not calling the police.” Tony said.
Steve and Jen just looked at one another “Do you think they know I can hear them?” she asked with a smile.
Tony came into the room and froze making Pepper bump into him.
“Tony, Pepper It’s nice to see you again” Jen asked with a smile, “Pepper I hear congratulations are in order! The promotion and all.”
Pepper used her best CEO smile “Thank you Genevieve”
Jen continued “I guess I also need to thank you for not listening to Obadiah and have me arrested. “
Tony looked between the two women. Jen just stared back while Pepper looked uncomfortable.
“Someone want to explain?” Tony asked.
Jen shrugged “Obadiah was getting worried I was getting to close and I was going to find out his plan. So he tried to have Pepper have me arrested but she luckily never did.”
Pepper just stared at her “I just thought you were another disgruntled employee. I didn’t listen when you tried to warn me about Obadiah.”
“You warned her about Obie?” Tony asked
“Pepper I didn’t give you much reason to believe me back then.” Jen answered.
“But it could have saved us so much trouble and saved Tony from the arc reactor.” Pepper trailed off.
“I guess everything does happen for a reason” Jen suggested.
Tony nodded sensing that was the end of the conversation.
“Well we are about to order food and the big guy should be up soon so do you want to stay for food?” Tony asked
“I don’t want to impose” Jen said.
“Plenty of room, plenty of food. Don’t worry about it.” Tony said with a shrug “JARVIS you know what to do." He walked toward the bar "Jen do you still drink manhattans with a twist” he asked as he reached for the bourbon.
Jen smiled “you remembered.”
At that moment Clint Barton jumped down from the rafters causing the occupants to jump.
“Dammit Barton I’ve told you stop doing that!” Tony snapped.
“I am glad you finally decided to show yourself. I’ve sensed you when I came in and it was starting to annoy me.” Jen said from the couch.
Clint turned and looked at Jen. “It’s you”
She just smiled at him “Genevieve”
“Clint”
“Wait a minute do you two know each other?” Tony asked bewildered.
Clint looked at her for a second. “I met her when I was first came to Shield.”
“You worked for Shield?” Steve asked.
“Not exactly” Jen answered.
At Steve’s confused look she knew she needed to elaborate.
“I was more of a consultant. They called me on occasion when they needed my talents.” she said.
Everyone had varying looks of confusion on their faces but luckily the food arrived to distract them. They went and got their plates and sat back down in front of the television.
“So did I hear Jade Jaws invited you here?” Clint said from his spot.
“Bruce and I have known each other for a while now and I guess Hulk smelt me earlier or something so he made me promise to come see them.”
Steve looked across at her “How did you and Bruce met?”
“A beach in Mexico” was her response.
Clint look at her “You met Bruce on a beach at Mexico?”
“I met who on a beach in Mexico?” Bruce asked as he walked through the room in route to the kitchen without stopping.
Everyone looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Bruce came back into the room with his own container of food. He paused when he felt everyone’s eyes on him.
“I was hungry” he said in way of an explanation, “So who did I meet in Mexico?”
“Me” Jen said from her spot.
Bruce froze smiling when he heard her voice. “Hello Genevieve”
“Hey big guy why don’t you come and sit down and eat” Tony said pointing to the spot by Jen.
Bruce chuckled “subtle”
But he came and sat down near Jen and dug into his food. They ate in semi comfortable silence-both Bruce and Jen felt the numerous eyes shifting between the two of them. The elevator opening made those eyes turn and see who was coming up.
Natasha walked in silently and smiled when she saw the food.
“Did you leave any for me?” she asked as she walked into the room freezing when she noticed the new occupant.
Jen and Natasha just stared at one another. Natasha looked like she saw a ghost and Genevieve just looked relieved. The color drained from Natasha’s face and everyone thought she might go down (not faint- heaven forbid).
“I am glad to see you alive” Jen finally said.
Natasha just stared at her after a while time she finally said “you too.”
“Wait you know Natasha too?” Tony exclaimed ignoring the elbow from Pepper or the pointed looks from the others, “How?”
Both women turned as one to look at Tony. He shrank away and had the good sense to shut up for the moment (everyone knew it wouldn’t last).
“That’s really none of your business Tony.” Jen said looking back at Natasha.
“Sorry Stark it’s classified.” Natasha added.
Clint jumped in to once again defuse the situation. “Nat foods going to get cold go and get some.” He said motioned toward the kitchen.
Tony shook his head as Natasha walked out of sight. “Good lord do you know everyone?” he said looking at Jen.
She looked back at him and laughed sipping her drink “Tony how am I supposed to answer that?”
Bruce smiled and whispered “you might want to say yes it’s just easier”
Tony looked at Bruce with mock hurt “wow buddy that hurts really pain right here” he said pointing to his arc reactor.
Bruce laughed and threw his plastic fork at Tony.
“See I am keeping this now” Tony said sticking the fork in his pocket.
“Here you can have mine Bruce” Jen said licking her fork clean and handing it to him.
Bruce smiled “Thanks Jen” and laughed at Tony’s disgusted face, “its ok Tony we’ve shared saliva before.”
Everyone looked surprised at Bruce who just shrugged. Tony and Clint laughed while Pepper and Natasha shared a knowing look.
Steve’s phone buzzed catching his attention. “Sam says he’s done with meeting at the VA and wondered if there’s any food left.” He said reading the text.
“Cap I told you to tell Wilson he’s always welcome here-he doesn’t need to ask permission.” Tony said.
Steve smiled “I did but he’s hard headed.”
Natasha smiled “I think JARVIS ordered Sam’s favorite right JARVIS?”
“Yes Agent Romanov- it’s in the kitchen” JARVIS answered.
“I’ll tell him” Steve said preceding to send the text.
‘Sam Wilson? Why does that name sound familiar’ Jen mumbled to herself.
“What?” Bruce asked
Jen chuckled “Sorry I was wondering why the name Sam Wilson sounded familiar to me.”
“Do you know him too?” Tony asked.
Jen shrugged “I’ve met lots of people in my life Tony- won’t know until I see him.”
The team as a whole was starting to run out of steam. It had been a long day and everyone was exhausted after their participation in the battle. Tony decided to put on a movie for everyone to relax to.
Bruce smiled shyly as Jen “There’s plenty of room” motioning to the spot next to him, “Besides you can see the TV better from here.”
Jen smiled back got up and plopped herself next to him and cuddled into him “Thank you” she said quietly as the movie started.
Bruce was asleep in no time still exhausted from his time as the Hulk and Jen relaxed by his warmth and the food and drinks was right behind him. Clint noticing them first and when he felt Natasha’s eyes on him cocked his head in their direction in way of an explanation. The rest decided to leave them and go to their respective rooms. Steve was the last one to leave- he was in the process of draping a blanket over the sleeping couple when Sam came in from the elevator.
“Hey Steve-“he began
“Shhh” Steve said “you’ll wake them.”
Sam paused looking at the couple “Doc’s got a girl? When did that happen?”
Steve looked over his shoulder “three hours ago.”
Sam laughed “good for him” (he looked at Jen again) “hmm I think I know her”
Steve laughed “She said the same about you. Come on I’ll reheat your food.” He said turning toward the kitchen and leaving the living room for the night.