A Firey Meeting
Jen knew she needed to get on the road if she was going to make it back to D.C before Friday. She made the announcement after the meeting-making sure she said good-bye to the team. Bruce had walked her out to her car and was leaning against it- watching her as she threw her bag in the backseat.
“Stop staring” Bruce said after the fifth time she glanced in his direction.
She just stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed making her smile. She loved making him laugh-something she knew he didn’t do often enough. She was dreading this drive back-and this occasion on Friday. If Bruce wasn’t going to be there she would made sure to be doing ANYTHING else.
“Are you that worried?” Bruce asked breaking into her thoughts.
She shook her head “what?”
Bruce chuckled “you just spaced out and was staring at me for a few minutes. Usually that means you are more worried than you are letting on.”
“Just thinking” Jen said looking at the passenger seat, “random question here- do you have plans before Friday?”
Bruce didn’t even blink at the rapid change in topic. He was used to it by now being best friends with Tony Stark. He’s been guilty of it himself from time to time-part of the burden of a fast mind.
“No I really don’t have any plans. I was going to start a few small experiments but nothing that can’t wait- why? He answered.
“DO you want to come back to D.C with me? Jen blatantly asked fidgeting then started talking again “I could use the help opening the house and well I would love the time to really catch up-it’ll only be a day earlier than the team –“
Bruce was in front of her in no time hands on either side of her face kissing her forehead interrupting her ramble “Out of the two of us you should not be the one that’s fidgety and stuttering. That’s my thing.” He looked at her waiting for her to look at him. “I would love to ride back with you Jen. I am still a nervous flyer-and (he looked down blushing) I’d love to spend the time with you too.” He whispered.
Jen’s face broke out in a huge smile. She wasn’t expecting Bruce to agree to come with her. She thought he’s back out claiming he had to work or something. Her face must have shown her surprise because Bruce burst out laughing.
“You thought I’d say no” he laughed.
“I figured you’d have to work or not want to be away from Tony for that long.” She said with a shrug,
“How about this-I’ll go fill up while you go pack. Then I can help when I get back.” Jen continued.
Bruce nodded and smiled pulling her into a quick hug and unconsciously pecked her on the cheek “I’ll see you in a minute.”
Bruce walked into the Tower and was heading to his room when he literally ran into Tony.
“So Jen’s gone back to D.C huh?” Tony asked.
Bruce raised an eyebrow and fixed his glasses, “No actually she’s just gone to fill up,” He said as continued to his room knowing Tony was going to follow.
“I thought she was leaving-pretty sure that’s why she said good-bye to everyone.” Tony continued watching as Bruce pulled out a suitcase.
“She asked me to drive back with her.” Bruce stated knowing Tony was watching him.
Tony stared in shock at his Science Bro, “AND?”
“I told her I’d go. We both know how much I hate flying and I would love to spend time with her.” Bruce said quietly. He looked back at Tony as he started pulling clothes out, “It’s only a day before everyone else and I didn’t have any S.I obligations until next week-right JARVIS?” Bruce asked.
“That is correct DR. Banner” JARVIS answered.
Tony was silent which always unnerved Bruce and caused him to try and fill the silence “Tony I am not leaving-I am just going a day earlier. You will see me in two days.” He replied as he finished packing.
Tony wasn’t liking these feeling that were stirring so he tried to push them away by breaking into his traditional public smile “Oh course buddy. I hope you have a good time. Maybe we all will meet for dinner or something before this shindig on Friday. Here I’ll walk you out.” He turned to leave when Bruce grabbed his arm stopping him.
Tony turned and looked at Bruce’s concerned face “It’ll only be two days.” Bruce said.
Tony nodded his mask slipping “OK” he whispered.
Bruce made sure to tell JARVIS to explain his plans to the team whenever they got back and that he would see them Thursday as he and Tony walked outside.
“Oh course Dr. and if I may I hope you and Miss. Gibbs have a safe trip.” JARVIS said.
“Thank you JARVIS” Bruce said.
Jen was waiting outside- laughing when she saw his suitcase, “Thank god you actually have a suitcase now!” she exclaimed, “not that sad little duffle that Mike gave you.”
Bruce laughed “I used that sad duffle until it literally fell apart.” He said.
“I have no doubt” she said as she put the suitcase in her backseat then looked at Tony, “Thank you for letting me stay Tony, it was wonderful. Thursday night how about everyone come to my house for dinner-I’ll cook.” She finished with a smile.
“Sure that would be great!” he said with forced enthusiasm that everyone could feel.
Jen stepped up and gave Tony a small hug then climbed into the front seat giving them privacy. Bruce stepped up and hugged Tony whispering ‘two days’ trying to calm him down.
Tony just nodded “two days” he repeated back and watched as Bruce climbed in and the two drove off.
He stood in front of the building until he couldn’t see the car anymore then fled to his workshop.
“I am on Tony’s shit list now I guess” Jen said as they drove away.
Bruce looked pensive “Tony doesn’t like change.” He said.
“He didn’t like change when I worked for him.” She agreed, “I can turn around if you want to go back?” she added.
Bruce shot a look at her “No-I meant it when I said I wanted to spend this time with you. My best friend can live without me for two days.”
She smiled at that “I am glad-I just don’t want to cause trouble between you and Tony.”
Bruce grabbed her hand that wasn’t on the steering wheel brought it to his lips and kissed it. “Tony and I bring trouble on ourselves-you have nothing to do with it.”
Instead of letting go of her hand he threaded his fingers with hers and let them rest on the middle console. He was a little surprised at his actions-but then Genevieve has always done that to him. She made him act differently than he normally would. From the beginning of their friendship when he was in a bad state of mind-the Hulk-Betty-being a fugitive-she accepted him and wouldn’t take his self-pity or self-hatred. She made him feel safe-which was something he’s hardly felt in his life.
“Put your seat back and take a nap” she said quietly interrupting his thoughts.
“Huh?” he asked
“You are falling asleep-make yourself more comfortable.” She replied.
“No I am not” he said childishly, “I am supposed to keep you company-catching up” He said.
“Bruce it’s a long drive-you can sleep a few hours-I’ll be fine.” Jen said watching out of the corner of her eye as he lost his battle.
“If you say s-“he slurred as his head fell back succumbing to sleep.
Bruce jerked awake a few hours later when Jen stopped to fill up again. She smiled when she saw he was awake-she knew he didn’t have a normal sleep schedule-he never has. But she loved it that he felt comfortable and safe with her to relax enough to fall asleep.
She stuck her head in the car “want anything? Drinks? Snacks? Bathroom?”
He laughed “Yes” he said as he climbed out of the car and walked inside with her.
The rest of the drive was spent catching up. They talked about what they had been up to in the years since they had last seen each other. Bruce talked about his travels and his time caring for the sick in third world countries. He told her about Natasha finding him and convincing him to come join the fight against Loki-which ultimately resulted in him joining the Avengers. Jen talked about the few cases and missions that weren’t top secret. About spending time with Mike Franks in Mexico before the whole Bell fiasco and his place getting burned to the ground- and later his death. She talked about how she had spent some time with Uncle Jack and the fact that he actually had a renewed relationship with Jethro before he died.
“I am glad Jack got to spend time with Jethro” Bruce said smiling.
Jen nodded in agreement glancing in her rearview mirror with a frown. That car had been three cars behind her for two hours now. There was still enough light out for her to notice them. Warning bells started going off in her head and she automatically was calculating an escape route.
Bruce must have noticed the change because he asked quietly “What’s wrong?”
“You might need to call Tony-I think we are being followed.” She answered.
As those words left her mouth she watched as the car changed lanes and speed up beside them from the passenger side. Bruce was pulling out his phone and already dialing when she reached into the console and pulled her gun. As they lined up she saw that the passenger had a gun aimed to fire at them. Her arm automatically shot out across Bruce and fired. They sped down the road exchanging random shots shattering both side windows of Jen’s car.
“Bruce moved your seat down.” She demanded needing more room and not wanting him to get hit and make the Hulk appear.
Bruce did as instructed realizing he still had his phone clutched in his hand- hitting the one number that was programed in it.
“Hello Dr. Banner” came JARVIS’s voice from the speakers of Bruce’s phone.
“JARVIS we are the being followed and shot at- we need the team-“Bruce began but was interrupted by sounds of gunfire and screeching tires.
“Bruce hold on” Jen called as she whipped the car around and shot out the tire of the other car causing the car to veer from the road-sailing over the embankment down into the woods-resulting in a firey crash.
Jen stomped on her breaks making the car come to a screeching stop. She jumped out running to look over the side- gun still at the ready in case there was any survivors.
“Dr. Banner are you there sir?” JARVIS tried but all that was heard was gunfire, static and Bruce’s meditative breathing, “Don’t worry sir I will alert the others and they will be right there.
Jen stood there jotting down the car description and part of the license that she could read. When she got back to her car Bruce had straightened his seat but still meditating trying to calm his heart rate.
“Shit Bruce you got cut from the glass” she said reaching over to him.
That statement made him jump out of the car-away from her “Jen don’t touch my blood” He demanded.
Jen held her hands out in a pacifying manner “I was just going to reach into here”, opening the glove box, “for this” she said pulling out the first aid kit.
Bruce let out a calming breath and reached for the kit. She watched as he cleaned his cuts and wrapping the blooded swabs in a double layer plastic bag and put in his pocket. She went into the back seat and pulled out another shirt and handed it to him.
“Thank you” he said softly, “sorry I snapped”.
Jen looked at him “It’s ok-you are always need to be cautious.” She looked at the rapidly growing fire. “Damn I guess I need to call someone before half of these trees burn.”
All of a sudden a car drove up down the road and stopped. Jen cursed under her breath-at Bruce’s raised eyebrow she muttered ‘Jethro’.
Jethro climbed out of his car pulling out his gun.
“What’s going on here?” he demanded looking at them.
“Hello Uncle J” Jen said with a smile.
Jethro lowered his gun “Genevieve?” he asked surprised.
Jethro’s POV
He was glad he was almost home. He was really craving some cowboy steaks and a cold beer after the day he’s had. The sound of screeching tires and gunfire caught his attention and when he turned the corner he saw what he assumed was the aftermath. His headlights landed on a couple standing outside of a car and a bunch of trees burning on the side of the road.
“So much for going home” he thought to himself as he stopped his car.
He climbed out and immediately pulled his gun-the couple was too calm for his liking.
Before he even introduced himself he found himself raising his gun demanding “what’s going on here?”
The man jumped slightly but calmed when the women placed a hand on his arm turned and smiled at him
“Hello Uncle J” she said with a smile.
His breath caught in surprise “Genevieve?” he asked.
She looked beside her to the flames “There is a burning car down there that had at least two people in it. No one has come up this way but we haven’t heard any screams.” She said looking at her companion for confirmation.
“Why is it down there in flames?” he asked as he pulled out his phone and calling it in.
“It was either them or me.” Was her response.
“What?” he demanded.
She just shrugged her shoulders, “We were driving home-they were following us for 2 hours-then they attacked” she simply said.
“Two hours” Bruce demanded, “why didn’t you say something!”
Jen looked at him “I am always afraid I am being too paranoid”
“And you are?” Gibbs asked the man.
Bruce looked up at him “Bruce Banner.” He said.
Gibbs looked at them, “You two will need to come to the office to make a statement” he ordered.
Jen sighed looking at Bruce “I was afraid of that.”
After Bruce’s call
At the Tower alarms were going off-as the team assembled JARVIS told them what had happened and relayed the message from Banner.
“Where are they JARVIS” Tony demanded as he was climbing into the suit.
“The GPS on Dr. Banner’s phone has them in Maryland sir” JARVIS answered.
“Tony go-we are right behind you” Steve said climbing into the quint jet.
Tony nodded and flew off. His mind had been in turmoil all day-this just bumped it up a few notches. He was surprised and confused at how he was acting. He should be happy that his best friend was reconnecting with a loved one-someone he knew too-and generally liked. But instead he had been moping around his work shop ignoring everyone. He felt like he was losing his best friend-which was crazy because they had only just saw each other a day ago after not seeing each other for years. Bruce doesn’t run off with people after just meeting them-that’s more of what He himself would do. What did he expect Bruce to do-just be there just in case? That’s not fair to Bruce.
“Sir” JARVIS said interrupting.
“What is it J” he demanded.
“I am afraid a change of course is in order-I believe Dr. Banner is in another location sir” JARVIS said.
“Where is he?” he demanded again.
“I believe it is the NCIS naval yard sir” JARVIS said.
“DAMMIT” Tony snapped already changing course, “Tell the others.”
“Yes Sir” JARVIS said.
Tony flew as fast as he could. He needed to get Bruce out of there before a certain General got word of it.