"Bruce, come back to us."
Loki could see it, how the fight went out of Dr. Banner. His eyes softened, his shoulders dropped, and he hung his heavy head.
Slowly, the green faded away from his skin as his size decreased. Bones cracked and skin shrunk as he returned to his true form. He collapsed, naked and unconscious, onto the glass-riddled floor of the laboratory. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Loki felt a tingling on his hand and looked down to see dark blue slowly fading away. He glanced around, making sure nobody saw, and hid the limb behind his back before anybody took notice.
Tony rushed forwards and covered Bruce with a blanket.
"Hey, big guy." Stark said, lightly tapping Bruce's cheek with his fingertips.
Banner groaned and his eyes fluttered open.
"I did it again, didn't I?" His voice sounded hoarse, weak from the Hulk's growling.
Tony gave a short laugh, "Ya, you did."
Banner swallowed and sat up slightly, glancing around the room but not meeting anyone's eyes. "Did I...," he swallowed again, "Is anyone hurt?"
"Well, you messed up the lab and dealt a blow to JARVIS's pride when you smashed the speakers when he was speaking. But other than that, no."
"Well, that's good." Bruce stated, seeming distracted.
Tony nodded, and stood up from his place kneeling beside Bruce, and held out a hand for his friend.
Bruce took it with a grateful smile. He tugged the blanket closer around himself as he faced the room.
"I'm sorry." He apologized, looking at the floor, before shuffling out of the lab.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Loki made his way back to the shelter/bedroom where Jaxon, Aine, and Caoimhe were hiding. Thor had stopped by the kitchen, grumbling about being hungry.
He knew he had a lot of explaining to do, a lot of questions to answer. Jaxon would want to know everything, and she was stubborn, wouldn't give up until she got the answers she sought.
Loki came to a stop on front of the spot where two slabs of concrete met in the middle. The protective concrete shell could only be actives by the small, concealed button on the interior walls of the room.
There was no way Jaxon would be able to hear him through the thick walls, no matter how loud he raised his voice. No sound would reach her. Not if he was speaking aloud, that is. Loki straightened. Of course!
He closed his eyes and concentrated, trying to reach his wife in her mind. It didn't take much, their bond was strong, stronger than any Loki had ever experienced before.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jaxon." I jumped at the voice in my head. Holy crap, what was that?
I heard I light chuckle, "It's me, love."
"Loki?" I asked out-loud.
I received no answer.
I tried again, this time in my head. "Loki?"
"Yes, love?"
My mouth gaped open, "So are we telepathic now? Or have you finally driven me to madness?"
He laughed again, "Love, I was able to reach you through your dreams. Is telepathy really such a stretch?"
"I suppose not." I mumbled, both out-loud and in my mind.
"You know, it's nice talking to you, it's not like there's much to do in here. It's literally an empty, plain room. Not even a T.V." I sighed, "The Walking Dead was on and I'm pretty sure I missed it because you were off doing whatever it is you were doing. What were you doing, by the way?"
"There was a giant green beast running around downstairs. He tore up Stark's lab."
I snorted out-loud, "Yea, okay." I paused a moment, and got no answer. "You're serious?" I asked, disbelieving.
"As serious as a heart attack."
I smiled at his use of a 'Milgardian' phrase.
"So, is this giant green beast taken care of?"
"Yes. Bruce is probably somewhere resting right now."
"Why does he have anything to do with it?" I paused, the truth sinking in, "Is he the giant green guy?"
"Yes."
"Wha, how-?"
He cut me off, "I'll explain it to you later, as soon as we get you out of this room. It's always lovely to talk to you, weather it be in person or through telecommunication, but right now I would prefer face-to-face interaction."
I scowled at the wall, in spite of the fact he couldn't see me. "You're the one who locked me in here."
"For your protection. And I'm trying to tell you how to get out, but you won't hush."
"Well, then. Please, do tell."
He laughed, "No need to get snippy. By the door, hidden in the framework, are two small buttons. One is gold and one sliver. Can you see them?"
I nodded, now standing at the door.
"Love, can you see it?" Oh duh, it's not like he could hear my brains rattle.
"Yes, sorry."
"I need you to push the golden one. Hold it in until you hear the slabs unlock, retreat, and fall back into place."
"Okay," I said and did as he told.
Once I heard the thump of the slabs sliding back into wherever they came from, I threw open the original door and wrapped my arms around Loki.
"Don't worry me like that again." I ordered, mumbling into his shoulder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The girls weren't even phased by the incident. In fact, as soon as they were fed, they went right back to sleep.
Loki had explained to me, in full, what had transpired downstairs. Bruce was basically a lab accident. He was exposed to gamma radiation and that exposure resulted in some serious anger management issues. To say I was taken by surprise would be an understatement. I didn't matter to me. I could already tell Bruce was the kind of person who wouldn't hurt fly. When he was in his right mind, anyways.
Now, Loki and I sat on the couch in the living room watching T.V. As it turns out, I didn't miss The Walking Dead.
Thor still had yet to make an appearance. He was probably scouring the kitchen for pop-tarts.
I felt Loki wince beside me, "I haven't a clue how or why you watch this. It's disgusting."
"It's fake, Loki."
He wrinkled his nose, "Still gross."
I shook my head, "To answer why, Daryl Dixon." I said, knowing it would get a rise out of him.
"What?" Loki asked, looking confused.
"Daryl Dixon. He is the main reason I watch this."
"The redneck guy?"
I nodded, "Mmm...yes, the redneck guy."
"You're attracted to him?" he spat the word attracted like it was a dirty word.
I gave a small smile, "What's not to like? He's a bad boy. I've always had a thing for them."
Loki scowled down at me, "I'm a bad boy." he sounded pained.
I decided to put him out of his misery, "Loki, I don't think there is anything remotely boy-like about you."
He drew himself up, "Exactly."
I shook my head, trying to hold in my laughter.
