Masquerade

Chapter 4

'Come with me
And you'll be
In a world of
Pure imagination..'

I softly sing to myself as I clean the kitchen. After inviting all the Avengers up for lunch, I'm left with a huge mess. Not that I mind cleaning, of course. Steve's offered to help twice already. I tell him to buzz off and go back to cleaning, this song coming to mind as I do.

"How wonderful, I didn't know this was lunch and a show!" Bruce comes in and wraps his arms around my waist, kissing my neck.

I laugh, leaning into him a bit. "Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination." I turn to him and wrap my wet hands around his neck, "We'll begin, with a spin, traveling in the world of my creation."

"Two and a half months, and I still can't seem to get over you and your voice."

"What we'll see, will defy, explanation," I smile, quickly pecking his lips, "Thank you Bruce."

"You're welcome Ashlynn. You want help sweetie?" He grabs a couple plates from next to me and starts piling

"I guess I don't have a choice," I laugh, turning and wiping the stove off. Within ten minutes, the entire kitchen is clean. Bruce grabs my hand and leads me to the couch. We collapse next to each other, sighing in content.

"I've never seen you this way Bruce, it's quite surprising." Tony says, taking a sip from his beer. The others nod in agreement, laughing as I lean over and kiss his cheek.

"Two months of all this mushy-shit, but I'm loving every second. I'm happy to see you like this Banner." Steve says quietly.

"I'm glad you two are happy together. You both deserve the most happiness," Pepper smiles, "I wish Tony was as smooth as you, Bruce."

"Oh Pepper sweetie, I'm so much more romantic than Bruce." Tony scoffs.

"Really, it didn't seem that way the other night when-" Pepper starts, but Tony jumps up and covers her mouth, scooping her up and running to the elevator.

"Bye guys!" He calls as the doors close. We all fall into a fit of laughter a moment later. Soon they all start exiting, thanking me for the lovely lunch. After a few minutes, Bruce and I are left to ourselves. I slowly turn my head and look at him, finding him always staring at me.

"Shit.." He mumbles, "I've got lab work to do today."

"I'm sure I'll find someth-" as if on cue, Jarvis alerts me of an incoming phone call. I pick it up to find Fury on the other end.

"I need you over in France." He says shortly.

"When, where, and why?" I say quickly, standing up and going to my room.

"Before 11:00 pm tonight, so you've got a few hours until then. I'll find a jet and get you on in thirty minutes. We're going set you in the capital."

"What's going on?" Bruce walks in after me, asking quietly.

"Paris?" I gasp, smiling.

"Paris?" Bruce repeats.

"Interrogation, and the buying and selling of illegal S.H.I.E.L.D. weapons. We're sending two others over with you. You've got 26 minutes." Fury says. We hang up and I start packing, throwing everything in at once.

"A mission in Paris!" I say excitedly, running over and jumping into Bruce's arms.

"Really? Holy shit, that's amazing. You ever been there before?" He smiles, kissing my head. I shake my head and jump out, running into the bathroom.

"Its fantastic. No specific times, all I know is I have 23 minutes to pack. I'll be there by 11 tonight, their time."

"I see." I walk by, him leaning against the door frame.