What's Left Behind

Welcome Home

The first time Tony Stark had the honor of being called 'Uncle Tony', it was a mere three days following the battle of New York.

Tony had immediately taken to his new team- The Avengers, so much, that he rededicated his Tower, Stark Tower, to the Avenger's Tower.

Bruce had been living in India, but when ask if he would like to come back to New York, to work for Stark Industries when not working with the Avengers, the other scientist immediately accepted.

It was then he told Tony the only complication he had to this plan- and it was not the Hulk.

It was Bruce's nine year old daughter, Isabelle. Or, as she preferred, Belle Banner. And she was probably the cutest little girl Tony had ever seen. When he and Bruce traveled back to India to the family friend that Bruce had left her with while working, and then again while with the Avengers looking for and battling Loki, she ran into his arms sobbing, and the sight made Tony smile. The family had kept the news on the BBC, covering all the happenings in New York with the Chitauri; Little Belle had been absolutely terrified.

Bruce knelt on one knee as she slammed full speed into his open arms, and he held her just as tightly as she did him.

"Daddy I was afraid you weren't going to come back!" She sobbed, as Bruce stroked her long, dark chestnut curls.

"Hey, shh." Bruce tried to sooth his child, "Hey, now. What did we tell you?"

"You'll always be back for Belle." She echoed, Bruce mouthing the words with her.

"Always, Bella-Bear." Bruce soothed. "Remember that." Bruce stood up, the tiny girl still clinging to his neck like her very life depended on it. He turned and started to walk over toward Tony. Tony, who was grinning from ear to ear, waited patiently over by the garden gate of the home they'd come to in order to pick the girl up, intending not to be intrusive in their reunion. "Hey, little one. There is someone I want you to meet." He whispered, gently putting her down.

Tony crouched down and smiled. Belle shied back against Bruce, clinging to his arm.

"It's okay, babydoll. This, this is Uncle Tony." Bruce felt unsure of himself as he said it- he was not used to trusting people this way, the way he almost automatically trusted Tony; but with Tony, he felt like he was a brother. A true and trust worthy friend. Hell, even Hulk had trusted Tony, and even rescued him. When he looked up to meet the other man's eyes, he thought he saw a bit of emotion swimming there, and the smile only grew on Tony.

"Hey Belle. Nice to meet you." Tony said in a small, gentle voice.

"Hi." She peeped, looking Tony over skeptically.

"She's shy..." Bruce chuckles, ruffling her ringlets. "Belle, do you want to go back home?" Bruce ask, and she looked up at him with large, excited eyes.

"Home? Or HOME home?" She ask, trying to figure out if he means their small, one bedroom apartment in the city outskirts, or back to the states. Bruce and Tony had already been to the apartment, and packed what few things they had up and put them on Tony's jet.

"Home home." Bruce grins, and when Isabelle smiles back, Tony wonders if there are any features the little girl has she inherited from her mother. She gives a small squeal and tugs at his hand, toward the gate.

"Home!" She cheers, and Bruce lets go of her hand to let her run ahead on the path. He looks over at Tony, who is now back on his feet.

"I hope that was okay." Bruce says nervously. "We don't... she's..." Bruce sighs and shakes his head.

"It is an absolute honor to be her Uncle Tony, Bruce. I will live up to that for her." Tony laughs, slapping a hand on Bruce's shoulder.

"Thanks, Tony." Bruce replies sheepishly. Tony takes out his cellphone and begins to type a message, to who, Bruce isn't sure.