The lab
I was left unbothered till nine, when Bruce came knocking on my door. He stood awkwardly in front of my bed after I told him he could come in.
“So, already got caught sneaking around?” Bruce broke the silence.
“I guess so.”
“Rat me out?”
“Had to if I didn’t want to get shot.”
“Shot?”
“Your live-in assassin may or may not have pulled a gun on me when I was walking back to my room.”
“Don't hold it against her. That’s just how Nat is.im sure you get it.”
“I do,” I smirked, “Now, you said so,etching about a lab day?”
“Oh, right. Come on. Tony’s at some meeting so we have it to ourselves.”
I followed him to the elevator at the end of the hall.
“To the lab FRIDAY.”
“I would like to confirm you are aware of Mya Anderson in the elevator with you.”
“I am. Thank you FRIDAY.”
The elevator whited to life and made its way upwards.
“That robot really can do everything, can't it.”
“Not everything Miss Anderson. If you would like me to list what I am and am not capably I would be happy to. And I actually prefer the term A.I, or artificial intelligence.”
“We’re good, thanks.” I turned to Bruce , having proved my point. But he just laughed.
The elevator came to a stop, and the doors opened. But instead of what I expected. Identical blank metal tables, bright fluorescent lighting, breaking filled with mystery substances, papers stacked evenly and white boards whipped clean, it was seemingly the opposite. Instead, every space was cluttered with a variety of things: papers, spare parts, loose pens, what appeared to be some kids chemistry homework, the white boards were filled with equations and doodles, and the tables were wooden and colored and different sizes and filled with more doodles. Bruce himself took a seat at the least cluttered desk, it was a simple grey wooden desk with a few papers and pens scattered on it, he motioned to the chair across from him.
“You ever play with spare parts?”
“No, I didn’t really have time. You know, working for Hydra and everything.”
“Oh, right. Well I guess this is your chance now.”
He stood up from his desk and strides across the room. After opening several cabinets and drawers he came back with a box.
“Here’s a box of parts me and Tony kinda just throw in if we don’t need them. There shouldn’t be anything too dangerous in there.”
“What, all of a sudden can’t trust with things to kill you with.”
“Still don’t think you would do anything on purpose.”
“Have it your way.”
I pulled a few things out of the box and started taking them apart and putting them back together. We sat there in mostly silence for a while. Eventually the elevator doors dinged. I turned around, Stark was walking in with a kid about my age.
“Oh hey Bruce. And, you are?”
“None of your business.”
He looked hurt, like a kicked puppy. But it faded when attention was drawn to Stark.
“Don’t talk to her. She’s dangerous. Bruce, what the hell is she doing down here.”
“I invited her. I don’t know why your so insist on locking her in the room. Fury says he wants us to get her on the team, and how are we supposed to do that if she’s locked in her room all day.”
The older man looked taken aback at Bruce’s outburst. Obviously not used to rage. Which was weird considering the doctors alter ego. And if you looked closely you could see his vines had turned green.
“Ok, Bruce. I get your point. But just not today. I still don’t trust her.”
“Hey, Mya. How about we go for a walk,” Bruce suggested staring at Tony like a challenge for him to say no.
“Sure.”
I put down the tools and followed a steaming Bruce to the elevator. The doors closed behind us, and an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Ever since becoming nightmare buddies silence didn’t seem to bother us. But this time it did, and I somehow cared.
“You ok, Bruce.”
“We’re going a little green over there.”
“I’ll be fine. There’s a coffee house down the street, wanna join me?”
“Yeah. I’m down, anything to get out of this stuffy tower.”
He smiled.
The coffee shop was small and cramped. But it was cute. The barista smiled at us when we entered and motioned a Bruce over to her.
“Hey, doc. How’s it going. You haven’t been in in a while.”
“It’s good. Yeah, sorry, it’s been really busy over at the tower.”
“Yeah I bet. With all the crap popping up I’m sure there’s lots to be busy about. Any insider info you can give me for my blog?”
“You know and can't do that Kate.”
“Well, it was worth a shot. Anyway, whose your friend.”
“Oh, this is Mya. She’s a friend from work.”
“Cool. Nice to meet you Mya. I’m Kate. You look out for him when he’s in that lab.”
I nodded.
“Well, I’ll guess you’ll have the usual,” Bruce nodded. “And how bout you.”
“Black coffee.”
“Got it.”
She then walked over to compete the order and we took a seat in the back corner away from the crowds.
“Your such a cliché you know.”
“Whatever. I’m just surprised we haven’t been bombarded by a million people. Aren’t you supposed to be famous or something.”
“Hulk is famous. No one recognizes Bruce Banner.”
“Huh. Lucky you. Get to have fame with the privacy.”
“I’ve, I’ve never actually thought about it that way before.”
“Anyway, who was that kid.”
“I don’t know. Tony will be pissed if I tell you, and when he’s in a bad mood so is everyone else.”
I glared at him.
“Geez, you're scary with that glare. His name is Peter, kinda of a mentee to Tony.”
“Huh. Good to know when I report back to the boss.”
A look of terror fell over Bruce.
“I’m kidding. Kidding. You really think I could even find a way to reach them.”
Bruce calmed down, but looked silently unsettled. But by that time our drinks had arrived, my coffee and for him and cup of tea and a croissant. (and he calls me the chiché.) We are our food making light conversation. Mostly just about him, but it was still fun. After we finished he brought me back and walked me to my room. Once again I did not hear the click of the lock.