Agent Hill: New Beginnings

chapter twenty one

A/n: I know this took a while for me to update, but here is the next chapter. Hopefully, you all enjoy :)

With my one support now gone, the pain started to become more prominent. Not that it wasn't there prior, which I blame adrenaline for allowing me to miss. Despite this, I push open the doors and hobble into the lobby of Avengers tower. Which is quiet. Empty.

"Welcome Home Ms Hill, I am pleased to see your return" Jarvis announces, his voice loud, disturbing the quiet room, which I pass through making my way to the elevator and press to go to the floor my room is on. "Hey Jarvis, me too" I reply breathlessly.

"Would you like me to call emergency services for your injuries?" He asks I shake my head as the elevator dings. "No thank you, but where is everyone?" I ask, failing to hide my surprise that I haven't been reprimanded or jumped by Nat and Clint or anyone at all.

"Unfortunately, the team got sent off on an impromptu mission, if it matters they were reluctant to go after hearing you were returning" my shoulders slump before huffing out a chuckle. That makes this easier I suppose.

"That's... fair, at least they will see me when I am not covered in blood" I mutter, Jarvis hears of course.

"Ms Hill, despite most of the team is on the mission, Dr Banner is still on the premises. After refusing to have a code green, he will be in his lab if you wish to get your injuries checked" Jarvis rather politely suggests. Humming I quickly shower to asses the wounds and throw on a pair of shorts and a jumper.

However before I go down to the lab, I have an idea. Smiling I quickly go to the kitchen grabbing what I need and then finally I got to the lab. Stepping out of the elevator I am met with this feeling of relief for being back, the familiarity of seeing the lab the scribbling words of Tony and Bruce along the whiteboard and over papers scattered on the floor.

Not wanting to startle Bruce excessively, I look over at his bent-over figure glasses pushed along the bridge of his nose as he types something onto a computer. "Jarvis, can you grab Bruce's attention, please?" I ask whilst walking to the button on the side of the lab door, which acts as a microphone when pushed allowing me to speak into the speakers inside of the lab.

Bruce looks up confused, showing that JARVIS did grab his attention I then push the button holding it down whilst I talk. "Hey Bruce, would you fancy some company? I bought Ice-cream?" I ask holding up the tub of chocolate fudge as an offer as Bruce looks over at me, shock evident on his face making me smile. The doors open and I let go of the button and walk inside the room, setting the ice cream and spoons down as I approach Bruce, more so he comes and pulls me in for a hug.

--- Bruce POV ---

"You- You're HERE?" I stammer, pulling away. Blinking again I look at her, hoping my eyes are just deceiving me from being in my lab all day. "Tell me that is not a black eye," I say, she laughs nervously, before wrapping her arm around her torso and stepping away. With her now a few steps away I take in her full appearance.

Which is devastating. She is pale, sickly looking. With eye bags that could compete with mine or Tony's. Her face has lost a lot of its shape, and her cheekbones are now more prominent indicating she is potentially malnourished.

Her jumper hides most of her upper body but it also shows how much weight she has lost, which normally I wouldn't pick up on, nor judge. But this is an unhealthy amount and makes my concern grow. "Well you see-" I hold my hand up, not to be rude and cut her off but because my mind is running through so many thoughts and ideas as I am now looking at her leg which is bleeding.

Turning away I point to the table where I was working but this needs to be taken care of, she hums sitting up on the bench whilst I collect my things and take a seat rolling over to her. "So before you start yelling at me, and express your uttermost disappointment. Which I would not blame you for doing. Can I just say this is not that bad to what it could have been" She says, wincing as I take a clean cloth to the cut on her leg "What do you mean?" I ask