A Start of Something Great
Jen and Bruce woke to the smell of bacon wafting through her house.
Bruce chuckled “I guess Steve is awake.” He mumbled from beside her.
She smiled and stretched then noticed that Bruce was still staring at her.
“What?” she asked.
He just stared at her- leaned in and kissed her. 'hmm this is nice to wake up to' Jen thought as she kissed him back. She let him start to pull her closer to him to feel more of each other. He moaned and pulled away when they were a little out of breath.
“Not-Not that I am complaining honey-but what brought that on?” She said with a smile.
Bruce looked at her and blushed “I wanted to” he said softly.
She leaned in to kiss him again when Thor’s booming voice called from downstairs.
“Doctor Banner, Genevieve -Steven has made breakfast for your nourishment! Come Down and partake in it when you are finished!”
They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Oh god I forgot about Steve and Thor’s hearing” Bruce mumbled into her shoulder as he continued to laugh.
“All they heard was one or two moans between last night and this morning. It’s not like they heard screams and a moving bed.” Jen laughed as she rolled out from under him and got up to change for breakfast.
Bruce snorted “A moving bed?” he said with a raised eyebrow.
“Something to look forward to-“she said as she pulled an old NIS sweatshirt from Mike on.
When no response happened from the bed she turned and saw that Bruce hadn’t moved from his spot. He had a deer in the headlights look and she immediately thought maybe she had overstepped somewhere.
“Bruce-calm down it was short of a joke.” She started to say but stopped when he winced and looked away.
“You don’t want to be with me then?” he asked the bathroom door-making sure to not look at her. “What was all this then?” he asked his voice betraying his hurt.
She stalked to the bed and got right in front of him so he couldn’t look away “That is not what I meant at all. I would never have kissed you last night if I didn’t want to be with you. I was afraid I was assuming more than what you wanted? The beginnings of make out sessions is the start of something great-but I know with our past- I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Bruce’s hands went to her waist and quickly pulled her on his lap. He smiled and leaned in and kissed her. “I am sorry. I just-this is still new for me. My experiences with romance I can count on one hand. The first was Betty-then you came into my life-for the second time now.” He paused and shook his head. “I want-I think I want you-this. I feel calm and safe with you. But I am more afraid of hurting YOU then you hurting me. But I don’t know if I can DO anything else. This might be all I can give you.” he said blushing but making sure he didn’t break eye contact in his discomfort.
Jen just looked at him in surprise. Only Bruce Banner would give this big declaration before she even had her coffee. Her emotions were jumping all over the place-from happy to nervous. Bruce’s face started to fall taking her silence as a bad sign. Her hand covered his mouth as he opened it to say something.
“Don’t-let me talk. I am a little shocked-I haven’t even had coffee yet Bruce! I have always felt something for you-I love our friendship-I think I want more too.” She took her hand off of his mouth and stroked his cheek. “But I don’t have a good track record-I don’t want to lose you when I scare you away.” She finished.
“What makes you think that will happen?” he asked.
“Because it’s always happens” she added softly.
Bruce looked at her “I didn’t mean to throw us into this big discussion-that wasn’t even my intent. I just wanted to know that we felt the same and that we were heading toward maybe the same outcome” he said.
“Not to sound like a cheesy sitcom but it’s not like we just met-we’ve know each other for 7 years now-we just short of hit pause between then and now.” Jen added with a smile.
Jen wanted to talk some more but her stomach growled at that moment-making them both laugh. So she climbed off of him and finished getting dressed. She grabbed his hand as they descended the stairs and went to the kitchen. Surprisingly only Steve and Thor were in the kitchen when they got there.
“Good morning” Jen said as she went straight for the coffee. “I hope everyone slept well.”
“Yes the bed was very comfortable Jen thank you.” Steve said.
“I can sleep anywhere-but the accommodations were very comforting.” Thor added.
“Are the others actually still asleep?” Bruce asked in slight amusement.
“Nat and Sam are out running-Tony has been on the phone with who I can only assume is Pepper arguing all morning-and Clint is-well-sleeping it off.” Steve finished with a slight grimace.
Bruce looked up “Tony and Pepper are fighting again?” he asked.
Steve turned a slight shade of pink “well-it is not like me to gossip-but from what I heard-he never actually told her about what happened to Bruce when we left yesterday. She came home to an empty house-and JARVIS had to tell her what happened” he finished.
Jen shook her head “well I’d be pissed too” she said as she reached for two plates and started to place food on it.
She sat the plates down and started to dig in when the door slammed open and Tony stormed in. She raised her eyebrow and Bruce flinched at the sound.
“Good Morning Tony” she called from the kitchen causing him to freeze on the spot.
“Morning Jen-Brucie” he said a little embarrassed at them seeing his outburst.
“I hope you slept well” she continued smiling as she sipped her coffee.
“Yeah-the bed was comfortable-thanks again.” He said slowly coming into the room.
“Everything ok?” Bruce asked quietly.
Tony looked at him “well Peps a little mad at me.” He admitted, “I umm might need to leave soon and try to smooth things over. Steve would you all mind staying another day here? If Jen doesn’t mind of course.”
Steve smiled “I am sure no one will mind-if Genevieve doesn’t mind us another day.” He added looking toward her.
“I don’t mind at all Steve. I was thinking about cooking a big dinner tonight for everyone. Tony ask Pepper if she would like to come-I understand if she doesn’t-but you both are invited.” She said with a smile.
Bruce looked at her with an amused expression “Do you have enough food? You have three people with enhanced metabolisms plus add 6 adults to that.” He said with a smile.
Jen smiled “enough food for an army-got it.” She said finishing her food. “Thank you for breakfast again Steve.” She added as she put her plate in the dishwasher.
A groan got everyone’s attention. They all watched as Clint stumbled into the kitchen and stared at everyone in confusion.
“Good morning sunshine” Jen said loudly causing Bruce to snort.
Clint just groaned louder “shhh my head is going to explode” he mumbled and plopped himself down at the table.
Steve looked at Clint’s bowed head “let me make you some food Clint” he said getting up.
“Thanks Cap” he mumbled into his arm.
Jen looked at Clint’s bowed head “do I need to make a liquor store run? How much did you drink?” she said walking out to inspect her liquor cabinet.
“Not sure I wasn’t the one making the drinks” was Clint’s mumbled reply.
Jen came back with a shrug “Nothing looks like it’s missing-must have been something they brought from Hetty.” Then she walked and opened her fridge rummaging through it trying to decide what she wanted to cook for dinner.
Gibbs Basement
Tony started down the stairs to Gibbs basement making sure to make some exaggerated noise to let Gibbs know he was there.
“Hello Tony” Gibbs said his back still to him.
“Hey Boss” he answered.
“What do I owe this pleasure?” Gibbs asked with a smirk.
“I just needed to clear my head” Tony said.
“About Banner?” Gibbs asked.
Tony just nodded sitting down on the bottom step.
“My mom and Aunt Becky-Bruce’s mom-were best friends. They grew up together and then went to separate colleges. Aunt Becky was into science and my mom was into the arts.” Tony started to say.
Gibbs nodded “That would explain her taste in men” he said.
Tony snorted “yeah-I never understood WHY she married him-or even STAYED. My mom just loved her-tried to protect her in her own way I guess. My mom would make us go visit as much as we could-it was always just the five of us-Brian never made an appearance. One time I remember it was summer-hot as hell- and Aunt Becky had on long sleeves. Now as an adult I know what she was hiding-but I didn’t at the time. I asked Dad why Aunt Becky wasn’t hot in that long shirt. Dad looked almost sick and told me to go play with Bruce. I think they were coming to live with us when Aunt Becky tried to leave-my mom just screamed and threw a glass against the wall sobbing when she heard. Her illness came light a month after. My dad said she lost her spunk when Aunt Becky died.” He rambled.
“What happened to him after his mother died?” Gibbs asked.
“Once Brian finally ran his mouth and told on himself-he went to two homes for a few months-then went to live with his aunt.” Tony said.
“Call him and try to meet up while he is here” Gibbs said then hummed in thought.
“What?” Tony asked.
“She’s going to need her car back-I can get her address easy enough. How about I follow you and we take her car back to her-give you an excuse-and me too.” He said quietly ignoring Tony’s look.
Tony smiled “That would be nice Boss” he said.
Jen was smiling-the night was turning out to be fun. The food turned out ok and there seemed to be enough. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves talking and drinking. The beep of her intercom at the front gate got her attention.
“Hello?” she said hitting the button.
Static “Genevieve? It’s Gibbs-mind if we come in? “Jethro’s voice came over the speaker.
She paused “Umm-sure come on in.” she said hitting the open button.
“What’s wrong?” Natasha asked hearing the buzzer.
“Gibbs is pulling in” Jen answered.
“Is that a bad thing?” Natasha asked.
“Not sure yet.” Jen replied and headed for the door.
She opened the door as DiNozzo and Gibbs climbed out of the cars. She had to laugh-she can’t believe she forgot about her car.
“Figured you might need this” Gibbs said as he tossed the keys to her.
“Thanks” she said catching the keys easily glancing inside “come on inside-we are just having a team dinner. Please I insist.” She added nervously.
DiNozzo and Gibbs looked at one another “Sure maybe for a few minutes.” Gibbs conceded.
They followed Jen as she walked into the house and was surprised at the group that greeted them. The team was the Avengers.
“Everyone meet Jethro Gibbs and Anthony DiNozzo” she said as she walked them around and made introductions to everyone-then hung back to see how everyone would interact.
Bruce and Tony Stark had been sitting at the end of the couch with Pepper-Bruce got up to shyly shake Gibbs hand and give Tony DiNozzo a hug. She watched as Pepper wore a pleasant smile and asked all the appropriate questions as to DiNozzo and Bruce’s history-Bruce was smiling and Stark feigning interest.
Thor’s booming voice interrupted them “Doctor this Anthony was a friend of yours since you were young?” he asked.
“Yes Thor-T-um Tony and I have known each other our entire lives.” Bruce said smiling.
Jen watched as Gibbs attention get pulled to her photos and meandered over to look. She had asked Gibbs for a few photos over the years and made sure to proudly display them-knowing he probably wasn’t. Gibbs back tensed when he noticed one photo and she knew exactly what photo it was. She hadn’t gotten framed yet-a old tattered photo of two men in army fatigues standing outside a plane in ww2-a young Jackson Gibbs and James Buchanan Barnes the one time they ran into one another during the war-frozen in time.
“Uncle Jack gave it to me-I hope you don’t mind” she said walking up to him.
Gibbs shook his head “No-want a copy though” he added.
Steve had walked up to tell them food was ready-but noticed the photo as well. He was so shocked he made a small sound between a gasp and a whimper-alerting EVERYONE of his mood.
“That -That’s Buck.” Steve said quietly.
“Yes it is” Jen said glancing around seeing everyone’s eyes on them.
“Why-Why do you have a picture of Buck-I though Shield took all of them.” Steve said.
“All that they knew about” she said, “the other man is his cousin Jackson Gibbs” she added.
Steve shot his eyes to them “You are related to Bucky?” he asked quietly.
She looked at Jethro who kept quiet the whole time “Yes we are” she said.
Steve smiled weakly-suddenly looking like the Steve Rogers before the serum. Sam came over clearing his throat.
“Why don’t we eat-everyone’s got to be hungry” He said.
“Good Idea my friend” Thor said coming over and clapping Steve on the back-causing him to stumble.
Steve nodded and allowed Sam to guide him into the kitchen.
“We surprisingly have plenty of food-still not sure how-but please come eat something.” Jen said.
“I’ll wait till everyone’s had something” Gibbs said.
“Then there won’t be anything left.” Stark said as he got up “There are three men in here who have enhanced metabolisms then there are us-so if you wait there won’t be any left.” He said as he led Pepper into the kitchen.
Gibbs looked at him with a raised eyebrow she just shook her head and walked into the kitchen.
After dinner people had broken off into smaller groups. DiNozzo being a DiNozzo was making the rounds-making sure to chat with everyone. Whenever he was near Bruce though-Tony Stark would come out of nowhere-making sure to stand in between them-the more he did it the angrier Pepper’s face got. She politely excused herself and walked outside-no one seemed to notice except for Jen. She walked up behind Tony as he was explaining something to DiNozzo and Bruce.
“Tony” she said quietly.
“Yeah” he replied.
“You need to go check on Pepper” she said.
Tony looked around trying to locate her.
“She’s outside-she’s been outside for 10 minutes-you didn’t even realize she was outside-did you?” she said stopping any explanation he was about to say.
Tony looked outside sighed nodded and excused himself to go check on her. They saw Pepper and Tony go off to the edge of the deck-away from most prying eyes-to argue. After a few minutes they come in saying their goodbyes and that they would be back for breakfast-then left without touching one another.
Bruce just stared at her with a raised eyebrow “She went outside and he didn’t even realize it” she said-like that explained everything.
Gibbs and DiNozzo stayed for a little while longer but left when they got a call from Vance.
“You know how to throw a party Jen” Clint said from his spot on the couch, “what was up with Tony tonight? He added.
Jen couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Natasha smacked him on his leg. Bruce even gave an amused snort.
“He was acting a little jealous wasn’t he” Bruce said.
“Yeah Doc he was” Sam said from his spot.
“I guess I need to talk to him about this-I know he’s a little territorial but this this getting a little ridiculous.” Bruce said.
“A little? I thought he was going to push you away from DiNozzo at one point.” Natasha said dryly.
Bruce chuckled “Stop. I’ll talk to him. I am sure he doesn’t even realize what he is doing.” He said.
With that everone went to bed needing to rest up for the next day. Jen and Bruce were upstairs getting ready for bed themselves.
"I hope Tony is ok tonight-Pepper seemed pretty upset when they left." Bruce said as he climbed into bed.
"Well she was already mad at him before dinner-and he barely paid any attention to her once Jethro and DiNozzo got here." Jen added gently- omitting the fact Tony was acting all jealous and territorial to Bruce.
Bruce hummed in thought then asked "Do you think he was acting jealous?"
"yes I do" she replied.
He nodded "I'll talk to him-I am sure he's just having control issues. He probably doesn't know that's how he's coming across." he said.
They both laid there falling asleep in the silence knowing what he said was a lie.