past prologue.

Who: Natasha & Bruce
Where: Stark Tower
When: Friday, August 7 - very early in the morning
What: Conversation
Warnings: n/a
Status: Complete in gdocs

( Warm milk oughta help with that insomnia... )

I'm reading the same papers you're reading. I see the shootings and the terror; I see the flash point, the fever pitch. And what I think we need, more than anything, is a minute to sit back and talk to each other. Everybody is afraid of what they don't know. Everybody casts aspersions when its all they have. But knowledge is a good, strong righteous right arm. And not everybody can stare truth in the face and with a lie on their lips.



A lot of intangible stuff up there, I know. But it's a formula.

You scared of something? Find somebody, talk about it. You wanna talk? I'm always going to be here to listen.

[SAM]

How's Mom? I got her a thing.

[TONY]

What's the news from DC?

[AVENGERS]

You wanna stretch your legs? Cause I think we oughta stretch our legs.

TEXT TO STEVE ROGERS:

» I'm in your old neighborhood. You want a milkshake from Brooklyn's Old-Fashioned?
» Or one of those Gluten-Free Organic Wraps from the stand that used to be a news vendor where you earned a whole dime for selling papers?

AFTER THIS:

SHARON CARTER:

Golden Corral?

VISION:

I need you to pull all the transmissions that were intercepted that allowed for Dr. Banner's rescue. Everything that came from that part of the ocean, along that trajectory. I need satellite surveillance. I'll need them to follow a trail.

WHO: James & Natalia.
WHEN: A few days after this, and some time after.
WHERE: All over.
WHAT: The end.
STATUS: Some nudity, but mostly it's just severe beatings and horrendous outcomes.

( Two days later saw plans changing once more. )

WHO: The Winter Soldier, Black Widow
WHEN: Some time in 2003. The span of 5 months.
WHERE: All over the place.
WHAT: The Black Widow moves to the next level: training with the Winter Soldier. Things do not go as their handler's planned.
STATUS: PART 1.
WARNINGS: I mean, they are a couple of assassins so talk of murder (in this case, of a child), fighting, bruising, and finally, a whole lot of smut.

( ''The girl interrupted. No survivors.'' )

Bucky if you're out there
please How are you all dealing with the heat?

[AVENGERS]

We're training double-time. You all did well working together to rescue Bruce but it's important we work fluidity; anytime we're in public, we're a single entity. The barbecue in Central Park was good but the next time there is a level threat, we need to be seen as the team that gets things done with minimal loss of property and minimal loss of life. I'm counting on all of you to be on your A-game.

[SHARON]

I probably shouldn't be doing this.

[SAM]

That chopper on the boat.

A lot of exciting announcements are coming down the pipeline here at SI. Stay tuned.



[Steve & Natasha]

Things are changing in Washington. Demands for more transparency are finally taking shape: they want the Avengers to answer to somebody now. A committee or council of some sort. I don't know who will be on it but I suspect it will be a mix of Congress, military, and whoever has enough money to throw around. Not so much WSC though, at least.

I don't yet know when it will be formalized. Definitely before the year's out, though.

Bruce's status needs to be kept a secret though. No one can know he's back on U.S. soil. They'll make him into a example.


[Cho]

I need your analysis on the chemicals HYDRA used to subdue Banner. Full work up. Our moonshot is finding a formula that can counteract a Hulk transformation after the fact, but we'll take prevention.

[Private to the Avengers + Tony]

I've been staring at this blank screen for hours, trying to think of how to begin. But I owe you all an explanation and an apology.

I left because I was overwhelmed. I didn't want to fight any more, I didn't want to release the Other Guy again. What happened in Johannesburg cinched it. Even though it wasn't technically my fault, my mind had been fucked up with, it was still me who caused all that destruction and the loss of lives. I could've killed Tony. And it could happen again.

So I ran. I admit, I'm a coward. It was a reflex reaction. Hey, it worked before, right? I managed to stay hidden for nine years. Or at least SHIELD let me think that way. It was a blissfully ignorant nine years, where all I had to worry about was myself and dealing with my anger issues, and helping other people as best I could. I hoped to return, or recapture, that simpler time.

The reason why I didn't didn't contact any of you - I've been asking myself that, because I know you'd be asking, too. The only answer I could come up with is that I was punishing myself. I'm a monster, I don't deserve kindness or friends or lovers. Anyways, I figured that since SHIELD knew where I was the first time I was hiding, it wouldn't be that difficult to locate me if I was needed.

Thing is, HYDRA found me first. And I always took it for granted that the Other Guy was strong enough to protect me, that he was invincible. But somehow they've come up with that drug to put the breaks on my transformation and knock me out. Now I'm even more scared, because I can imagine the damage they could cause if they could get a hold of my blood, sample my DNA, make clones or perform experiments to create other monsters, as bad as Emil Blonsky, or worse.

I'm sorry I ditched you guys. I really am. I don't know what else to say. I've learned my lesson that I can't run away from my problems, I'm here to face them. Or at least try to.

Whatever you guys decide to do with me, I'm fine with it. But this awkward silence is driving me up the wall.

WHO: Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner
WHEN: Today.
WHERE: Bruce's room on the Avengers compound.
WHAT: Let the angsting begin.
STATUS: There's some rage going around. No Code Green though.

( ''Up for visitors?'' )

Who: Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, Dr Helen Cho
Where: Infirmary, Avenger's Base
When: A day after long after Bruce's rescue
What: Bruce regains consciousness
Warnings: PG-13
Status: incomplete Log, complete

( I think I can speak for everyone here, Bruce. We’re glad you’re back... )

Who: The Avngers, HYDRA NPCs, Bruce Banner
Where: South Pacific Ocean
When: Tueday, July 14, not long after this announcement
What: The Avengers rescue Banner from HYDRA's clutches
Warnings: PG-13
Status: incomplete OOC / IC

( Avengers Assemble... )

[Locked to the Avengers + Tony Stark]

I have been using my resources to find Dr. Banner since he left, and I believe I must sound the alarm. I intercepted an encrypted message from HYDRA and I believe they have Dr. Banner. They are moving him to a secure location. I have traced the signal to what I believe is the current coordinates, but I think time is of the essence. If they drop off the map with him, I cannot guarantee I will find him again. I am giving you the knowledge I have at my disposal.

[ooc: he e-mails them all the original message and vague location he has at the moment of a a commercial freighter ship that's sailing across the South Pacific Ocean toward Chile. It has a helpful green signature on the map that Vision designed himself to be thorough.]

Who: Natasha & Tony
What: Home Ec. Or late night restless cooking
When: Recently.
Where:Avengers Tower Kitchen

( Baking a hacksaw into that? Gonna poison it with arsenic? )

Avengers

Anyone else feeling restless?

Sam

Breakfast should happen.

[Avengers, Pepper]

If you guys didn't see it already, my Congress interview did not go well. I thought they wanted information but they want to shut down my research and are suspicious of Asgard and another attack. I refused to answer when they asked about my relationship with Thor. I'd really not like to have to do that again but they threatened to try again with a subpoena. It was so bad.

[Thor, Sif, Warriors Three]

Every year at this time, an organization called the Girl Scouts sell cookies and they're delicious. I got you guys each two boxes of Thin Mints (green box) and Samoas (purple box). They're in the lounge.

[Thor]

I have no idea if you can be called into Congress but it wouldn't surprise me if they tried. It almost sounds like they want to blame you for New Mexico and London at least, probably for New York too. I don't want you to be surprised if the government starts looking at you.

And they asked about you and me. We're linked together now and that means there's probably going to be attention on us now. Media attention. Publicly.

Despite my best intentions, I always did like Valentine's Day. And it isn't for all of the young lovers married in secret (as the legends say) or Lupercalia generally, it's because any day that makes you feel like someone is thinking of you is a good day.

Also, I really like those little candy hearts.

[AVENGERS]

It's been a while since we've had a check in. Why don't you spend a little time telling me about what you've got going and how you're doing. Let's make sure we're all keeping our goals in common and helping one another along.

[SHARON]

All right?

[Avengers, Pepper]

I've received something. It's not a subpoena but I've been asked by Congress to for my expert testimony regarding wormholes. Does this kind of thing happen a lot?

[Avengers]

We're seeing a lot more meta-humans coming up on the radar. It may be time to offer up training services. Think of it as a training academy, to help them control and focus their powers at the very least, and if they're interested in more, then they may make good candidates to support the Avengers as well. They can learn basic combat techniques for SGS personnel, but not how to deal with more unique challenges that could be provided by us truly. What say you, fellow Avergerites?

[Memo: Tower Residents, SHIELD, Avengers, etc]

On behalf of SHIELD, I'd like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Avengers for their hospitality and support these past few months while we regrouped. In particular, the assistance and resources offered by Tony Stark and Stark Industries have been of immeasurable assistance. However, now that we are back on our feet, it seems best to leave the Tower so that we can continue our mission of protecting the public.

Should you need us, you know how to reach us.

[SHIELD]

Wheels up at high noon.

Let's try not to burn any bridges. We may need them in the future.

[Bobbi Morse]

Do you have everything you need?

[Sitwell + May]

It seems the first mission was a success. Anything new to report from your end?

[Nick]

We're leaving the Tower before Stark turns us into a sacrificial lamb. Rogers passed on the chance to dismantle us a second time. We'll be in touch.

( State of the Company. )


[Avengers]
I see that both you and Coulson made it out alive, Cap. Good talk?


[Jan]
Hi. Hoping the flowers are still sitting in a nice vase somewhere and not at the bottom of your garbage bin.


[Science Brother from Another Mother]
Hey -- could use your medical expertise. I've brushed up on my bio/chem/physio in the last 12 hours but I'd like to not take chances.


[Jane]
I never did ask, but...dark matter detector?


[Barton]
One more game. Eight-ball.