*How the Avengers get a Therapist*

Chapter 4: Not-so-secret Niece

Hey-o. I'm back. I've got another chapter for y'all. This is really where the story starts to pick up, but it's still moving a little slowly. I do have the entire story typed out and ready for posting, so I've started the one-shots that go with this book. Do you guys want me to start posting as soon as I've gotten to the part of the story they fit into, so like, now? Or do you want me to finish the book first? Up to you guys. Also, the photo is my cousin. She is who I based Dakota off of. Back glasses, the hair, etc. Anyway, on to the chapter.
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It was several months later that the Avengers were needed again. Some villain in New York, with alien tech. The usual.

Steve Rogers was calling everyone together, getting them suited up and moving out. He turned to Bruce and opened his mouth, ready to give him his usual assignment.

"I'm coming," Bruce said before Captain America could say anything,

"What?" The Captain was stunned for a minute. "No. Bruce, you're on comms, we don't need the Hulk. Not a Code Green."

"I'm coming," Bruce said again walking away with the others. Steve was confused.

"You heard him Capsicle, he's coming," Tony said, walking up behind Steve and clapping him on the shoulder.

---Time Skip---

Let's just say the entire team was super confused when Bruce instantly turned into Hulk and got to work. Hulk was even being cautious of the destruction he was causing.

They were nearing the end of the battle, they had the villain in a holding unit, but he wasn't done. The villain - we'll call him Fred - Fred smiled that smile that only villains can and pressed something on his wrist. The Avengers watched in horror as a grenade launched itself into the air towards a cluster of office buildings. Office buildings with people, people who hadn't evacuated because the fight didn't reach that far.

But Bruce was already on it. He, or rather the Hulk, started running, the Avengers giving chase after a second. Because Bruce had seen the direction of the grenade. Bruce knew what was in that direction, and neither he nor the Hulk liked that. With a roar, Hulk gave a final leap and grabbed the grenade from the air and crushed it before it went off. (yes I know that's not how it works, but bear with me) He skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, right by the gym he had been secretly visiting for months.

As the Avengers arrived, they saw the Hulk squatting in front of a building, looking curiously - and worriedly - at it. They watched as several kids poured out and ran up to Hulk. Their words mixed together until it was just noise. They all seemed to take a breath as one before starting over.

"Thank you, Mr. Hulk."

"Yeah, thanks."

"You saved us!"

"Hug attack!"

The Avengers cried out as the kids ran forward to hug the Hulk. But nothing happened. The Avengers looked shocked. The Hulk, big green and angry, was smiling. What. Then came what would be the most shocking part of the day. Hulk looked down at kids and then at the teenager that had come out of the building. She was tall, with golden-blonde hair shaved except for the top, which was pulled into a small ponytail (Think into the Spider-verse Gwen Stacy, only shorter and shaved all the way around.) She looked up at Hulk with a smile on her face. Hulk smiled back.

"Hulk... do... good?" He grunted. The Avengers blinked. So did she. Then she broke into an even bigger grin.

"Hulk did great. Hulk saved us. Thank you."

Hulk frowned. "Bruce... n-ne-need... hug... too." Was all he said before shrinking and becoming Bruce Banner. This caused the kids to get even more excited.

Cries of:

"Mr. Bruce!"

"Hey, Mr. Bruce."

"Thank you!"

Were heard as the kids swarmed the man and hugged him. The girl looked amused.

"And what is so funny?" Bruce asked, "You just almost died!"

"And you saved us. But now you can't even save yourself from a swarm of ninjas."

Bruce waded his way through the kids to the girl and swept her into a hug. "I'm glad you're okay, Dakota."

"Me too, Uncle Bruce."

Now the Avengers were really confused. Since when did Bruce have a niece?

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There you go. See you on the next page!