Bruce
There was something special about the quiet doctor. She had heard about Bruce Banner in her early days at SHIELD, and what had happened when he experimented with gamma rays. She had heard about “the monster” and what he was like, then had experienced it firsthand on the Helicarrier. She loathed to admit she had been afraid then... but not anymore. The doctor was a genuinely kind and gentle soul, his calm demeanor had an effect on everyone around him. After their original altercation, and after the battle when they moved into the tower she specifically sought him out as he worked in the lab day and night. She would engage him in conversation, and ask about his work. He didn’t mind, he appreciated the effort she made though at first he had had his doubts.
“Why aren’t you afraid of me?” He had asked one day she had come down to the lab.
She took a beat before answering, “You’re not a monster Bruce. And neither is the Other Guy.” He had opened his mouth to interject, and she quickly cut him off “He’s just misunderstood. He’s a good guy. He just happens to have some serious control issues, and who among us doesn’t?”
He had looked dumbstruck, then smiled softly. She had smiled back. He nodded and went back to work.
General Ross was a known commodity at SHIELD, as was his obsession with the doctor and his alter ego. Natasha hadn’t given him much thought before the Avengers, but one day after a few weeks of living in the tower Clint had come to her in her quarters.
“Hey... we might have a situation.” She raised an eyebrow, prompting him to go on. “It’s General Ross.”
Natasha played the name over in her head, then an image of Bruce’s kind smile flashed in her mind. “What happened?”
“Reports are coming in he’s trying to get Banner in his custody. There’s a faction of the army supporting him, and apparently this isn’t SHIELD top priority because of, well...” She understood, the damage control from the Chitauri was still underway.
“Have you told Stark?”
He gave her a “really?” look, she almost smirked. If Stark knew, there was a chance a war between the Avengers and the army would be imminent.
“Nat...”
“Let’s go.”
——
General Ross was currently in Washington DC, he had been lobbying to get the monster in custody and he knew things were swinging in his favor. SHIELD’s resources were being exhausted elsewhere, and there would be no other ideal time to strike. He walked into his small apartment and closed the door. He hung up his coat and moved into the kitchen opening up his refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of beer. He closed the door and went to a drawer to retrieve a bottle opener.
“Hello General.”
Ross jumped, grabbing for his side arm, only to find it wasn’t there. He turned to see a woman standing next to the counter, his side arm in her hand. She wore dark clothes, and her face was partially hidden in shadow, but her red hair was unmistakable in the moonlight that shined through the window. It took him a moment to gather himself and realize who she was, he buried his shock and retrieved his bottle opener, cracking open the beer.
“Can I get you one?” She didn’t answer, he could feel her eyes on him glaring. He took a swig from his bottle, “What brings you to DC, Romanova?”
If she was surprised he knew her full name she didn’t let it show. She disarmed the weapon and threw it on the counter. “We need to have a chat.”
He put the bottle down, “Do we now? Must be important seeing as how you broke into my home, what can I help SHIELD with?”
“Not SHIELD...” she said smoothly. Her velvet voice rolled over him, and he repressed the shiver at the venom he heard in her tone. “No I’m here because you are pursuing a teammate of mine.”
Ross raised his eyebrows, “Teammate? It was my understanding the Black Widow worked alone. Goes with the title and all.”
She smiled coldly, “Recent change of scenery. I’m trying something new.”
Ross barked out a short laugh, he retrieved his beer again. “And they say a tiger can’t change it’s stripes.”
Natasha slowly approached Ross, though she was much smaller she seemed to tower over him as she walked closer. “You’re going to leave Bruce Banner alone, you’re going to drop this charade and walk away. Because if you don’t...”
He huffed “You’ll kill me?”
The cold smile was back, “Oh no. No I wouldn’t dream of killing you. But I will tell Tony Stark, I’m sure he’d have a field day with the news that you’re after the good doctor. We also have a Norse god, in case you didn’t know. And the original super soldier... Steve’s a gentleman and all but I don’t think he’ll take too kindly to the army meddling with his team. Then of course there’s the world’s best marksman, I’m sure he would love to take a shot at you. Then, finally... you would deal with me.” She was right in front of him now, “Compared to me, you’d find the other’s actions a kindness. You keep this up and I will do everything I can to make your life a living hell.”
Ross was pressed against the counter, shaking with fury. “I am a United States Army General... you cannot thre—“
“I can do as I damn well please. Legally I’m not here, and you’ll never be able to prove I was. Consider this a courtesy warning. Back off, or face the consequences.”
Ross was breathing heavily through his nose, Natasha took pleasure in the way he was squirming. He wouldn’t admit it, but she knew it had worked. He was terrified, army general be damned. She looked down at his hand, the beer bottle was shaking.
“Sleep tight General.”
Natasha turned to leave, she was halfway to the door when he spoke again.
“You’re just as much a monster as he is.”
Natasha paused, letting the words roll over her. She turned and faced him, “You’re wrong.” Before he could react she had crossed the room and wrenched his arm behind his back, the beer bottle smashed to the ground glass and liquid spilling on the floor. She slammed him into the counter, his cheek met the marble top. Her other hand pressed him into the cold top unrelentingly, and he couldn’t help the grunt of pain that escaped. “I’m much worse.”
Then she was gone.
——
Clint and Natasha never spoke of their rendezvous to DC, and life continued as normal. A few weeks after the visit Clint had called her from the farm to confirm all talk of Ross trying to apprehend Bruce had disappeared for the meantime.
“Good,” she said “now hang up the phone and spend some time with your family.”
Life continued as normal and she made sure to visit Bruce in his lab. She couldn’t be sure, but something had changed between the two of them. He seemed more kinder then usual, if that were even possible. He had been going out of his way to acknowledge her more and spend more time with her as much as she had with him. Stark teased him about it one day and Bruce had waved him off blushing slightly. He had then turned to Natasha, cheeks still slightly flushed and said “I can’t believe how lucky I am. Never thought I’d be where I am today after... everything. I just want her to know.... I’m grateful.”
Stark sarcastically rolled his eyes, but had let up on the teasing after that.