Facing your own allies (Tony Stark/Iron man and Steve Rogers/ Captain America)

Epilogue (unedited)

The Avenger's held a private. little party for Banner's return. Well, as much of a party as you would assumed the man would enjoy. It was Thor's idea really. He had just come back to earth and had heard news from Lady Natasha, as he put it, of Bruce's capture. He was most relieved to hear that he was being brought back safely and insisted they celebrate. And so they did exactly that. Pepper would have assumed that Bruce would have wanted to rest when he got back, but she didn't want to deny the other's their happiness, so she soon joined in.

When the jet landed everyone wanted to rush to the door, thought they knew better than to crowd him. Bruce walked into the room, a grin immediately turned on his lips. He promised to shower, get cleaned up and come right back down. Bruce was utterly surprised when before he adjourned upstairs to his room, Natasha gingerly embraced him. That was a shock to everyone else as much as Bruce. Natasha wasn't known to show affection publicly to other's, or even at all. Bruce gratefully accepted the friendly gesture. Natasha flashed him a genuine smile as she slipped something into his pocket before walking off.

When Bruce returned, everyone was able to simply relax and enjoy the moment. However there were two big shocker's of the night. The first one was Steve confession of he and Natasha's relationship. To ease the shock and tension, Tony instantly shouted out "I knew it!" everyone accepted it with open arms. Thor held his mug high in the air, spilling beer on Tony's nice granite floor as he did, and proposed a toast to the couple. Everyone joined in happily, except Tony, who wasn't exactly happy about all the alcohol on his floor. He played it off and made some pun about needing to get the good stuff, since Thor clearly didn't like what he was given. Thor laughed hardily, getting the joke and subtle minder.

Pepper followed Tony into the other room. Tony was perusing the racks of wine, beer, etc. Tony plucked one from the rack on the far left and uncorked it. 

"Tony, there's some thing's that I need to clear up with you now," said Pepper, requesting his attention in a polite manner. Tony groaned and threw his head back like a little kid.

"Pep, come on, we just got Banner back, let's just chill for a minute," Tony practically begged whilst pouring some of the brandy into a shot-glass. Pepper placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow questioningly. 

"But I really-" She tried again before being cut off.

"This really calls for a celebration, don't you think? Maybe we should break out all the good stuff. How much of this do you think Thor could stomach?" Asked Tony, holding up another bottle and setting, the now empty, shot-glass down. 

"I don't know, I'm sure the brandy's fine. But Tony-" Pepper was cut off once again when Tony shoved a glass in her face.

"No, I don't want a drink."

"Why not? I think you could stand to loosen up a bit," he said, taking a swig from his own. Pepper was really getting annoyed of being brushed aside by her own husband! 

"No, I can't drink!" She said, bitterly. Tony smirked and rolled his eyes playfully.

"Sure you can, here," Tony, once again, pushed the glass towards her. Pepper took both glasses out of his hands and harshly placed them down on the counter. "Pep!" Tony whined.

"Tony! I can't because I'm pregnant!" And just like that everything just seemed to stop. Tony was happy now that Pepper had taken the alcohol away. He wanted to remember this.

"...You're what?" Pepper smiled nervously as she took Tony's hand.

"We're going to have a baby," said Pepper, gently. Tony instantly kissed her, putting her mind at ease. She had been worried about telling him for days. She found out the day he and Steve left to go find Bruce. One of Tony's hands moved down to Pepper's abdomen, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. Pepper smiled. Now this was truly surreal.

                                                 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bruce walked into his room, a smile still on his face from the event's of the night. He sat down on his bed, still all made up nicely how he had left it. He took off his jacket and was surprised to find that something fell out of the right pocket. A small, neatly folded piece of paper now laid a top his comforter. He carefully picked it up and unfolded it. His eyes scanned the paper fully. 

"Maybe before I would have considered this one of the stupidest line in the universe. Literally. But now I realize that maybe it's true. Everyone deserves a second chance, Bruce, maybe even you and I.

-Natasha."

Now Bruce understood. On the bottom of the paper there was an address and a phone number. The address was new, but the phone number he recognized. It was hers, Betty's. He didn't even think Natasha would have remembered that conversation. Bruce's finger's traced the writing. He just sat there for a few minutes, maybe longer. He finally picked up the phone and dialed the number. It was time. It was time to stop running.

"Dr. Ross speaking," was spoken casually over the phone. Bruce's breath hitched for a moment. Just hearing her voice was enough. There was a pause, Bruce didn't know how long. Time had no meaning right now.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Betty." Betty nearly dropped the phone onto the floor.

"...Bruce?" 

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TADA!

NOTE: The series itself is Not officially over. The next book will feature Thor and Clint in their own little adventure, Titled; Facing you own Legacy.