InsaneJournal

I find I am very glad to get out and talk to a certain redheaded doctor. She makes me smile, you see
Who: Bruce and Jean
Where: A restaurant and Her house
What: Dinner and snuggles.
When: 10/19
Warnings/Rating: PG-13 for making out.
Status complete


Bruce smiled as he settled to a seat opposite Jean. The restaurant was warmly lit, and the table settled with warm bread and white wine already, and Bruce felt at peace as he had not for some time. With Jean across the table from him, he knew that he wanted to be around her more. “How are you doing now?” He had heard about the weird happenings and been concerned, talking to her on the phone a lot the previous days.

“Better, thank you.” She smiled, tucking her napkin onto her lap. “I met with Ezio earlier, and he helped put my mind at ease. I’m not sure how much I want to post on the network, but at least I’m not checking the bushes at stop lights for stalkers anymore.” She was still a little shaken, but as time wore on she was able to talk herself down.

“Good. When I think about the things he said and how he did it? It makes me angry, and it makes me want to hit things, preferably him.” He sighed. “And I hate violence.” That was the worst of it. Bruce hated fighting, or even arguing, but Scott Summers had acted in a way toward Jean that made him truly angry.

He reached out and squeezed one of her hands. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”

Jean squeezed his hand back. “It’ll be okay, Bruce. But maybe I shouldn’t sleep alone tonight, in case something happens.” Flirting was more fun than worrying about Scott Summers. She hoped to forget about the network conversation and move on. “How has your day been, otherwise?”

Bruce grinned at her. “Oh really? Well, I do have a rather large bed.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. Then he nodded a little more. “Good. I worked on a chemical relaxant designer drug today. It’s a long term project, something I’ve been tossing around with a few people, that can actually target specific muscles, by tying in the nodes and type of muscle as well as the areas that are serviced by them.” He nodded.

Jean giggled and blushed. She wasn’t sure she would sleep with Bruce, but a little snuggling and making out wouldn’t be a bad thing. “That sounds pretty amazing. How does the drug differentiate between muscles? Is it applied directly to the muscle it’s meant to affect?”

“It uses a chromosomal and DNA special link, and a special biochemical transponder, for want of a better word, to home in on the muscle exerting the type of pressure and movement that you want to help relax.” He waved his hands in a slow diagram. “:Every muscle exerts a specific amount, type, and direction of pressure. And usually, no two muscles do the same amount of way. This chemical, if successful, will target the specific muscle, and relax it, without causing relaxation in any neighboring muscles.” He nodded. “It is a difficult task, but it is showing signs of likelihood.”

“That’s really impressive.” Jean said, with great interest. “What is your actual job?”

Bruce grinned at her. “I work in a think tank. We take on projects for businesses, and we also work on personal ideas, as well as ongoing projects such as the Cyborg Initiative, and others. I personally am the foremost biochemist at the tank, so I work on a lot of different projects.”

“That’s really fascinating, and I know you love your job.” She smiled brightly at him.

“I do love it, but I find I am very glad to get out and talk to a certain redheaded doctor. She makes me smile, you see.” He grinned back at her, eyes dancing. He might have been absorbing a few phrases from Jarvis and Tony.

Jean giggled. “I do like to see you smile.” She looked at the menu, finally. “We should order, huh?”

Bruce poked Jean and grinned, then nodded as he looked through the menu, sneaking looks at her. What was an amazingly beautiful woman doing here with him? He felt like he was in a dream. And did not want to wake up any time soon.

When he figured out what he wanted, he looked around for a waiter, and soon they had ordered, and he was sitting back, stretching. “Getting out is a good idea, especially with the right person.”

“I agree. I needed this a lot.” She smiled, sipping her drink. “You make me feel better about things.” She felt a lot easier about things.

“Yeah? Good. You deserve good things.” He smiled. “Would you like to see some movies, like some older ones? I find I would enjoy seeing classics, both silly and profound, and with you, especially.” He nodded.

“I’d love to.” Jean said with a bright smile. “I think I told you about how much I love classic movies. Even if they are cheesy and have horrible sexism.”

“I know. So many of them are silly. Hopefully we can find one or two that will be fun to watch together, possibly while snuggling?” He winked at her, blushing some. She brought out a flirtation in him.

Jean giggled. “That sounds like fun to me. Maybe tonight? Netflix has a lot of good movies, and I would enjoy curling up with you and watching an old favorite.” She wondered if he’d object to hot chocolate. Probably not. He seemed willing to enjoy the simple, childish pleasures of life.

“I like that idea. You and me and a night in after our night out.” He reached out to take one of her hands, and squeezed it. “Thank you for making this life better.” He grinned at her.

“Well, the most recent part, anyway.” She squeezed his hand back, smiling brightly. “I really like your company.” He was very respectful, even when he was flirting with her.

“And I like yours.” He grinned at her. “And all we have really is the most recent part. The past is memory, the future unknown. All we can be and do is be here and now and be ourselves.” He nodded. “We can plan and remember, but that just is part of being here and now.”

Then he grinned. “And I like this here and now.”

Jean smiled. “That’s very philosophical. You’re a surprising man, Mr. Banner.”

Bruce blushed, then shrugged. “I think it is part of being an inventor; It helps one think about things if one has an open mind.”

“I guess that’s true. You just come off as this intense man of science, so seeing a deeper, more thoughtful side is nice. You’re full of surprises.” She smiled sweetly at him. He was a very interesting man.

Bruce blushed. "Thank you. I find that I'm inspired to be more and better. Especially in present company."

“I’m happy to inspire you.” Jean said, certain she must be bright red. “You’re too much, sometimes. Any woman would be lucky to date you.”

“I’m sorry if I’m too much. I just… am me?” Bruce was internally flailing. “And thank you. Any man would be lucky to date you.”

Jean smiled and shook her head. “No, you’re fine. I just don’t know how to take so many compliments.”

“Ohhh. Well, I will try to not give so many, then.” He nodded. Bruce smiled to her. “So, tell me about you. Where did you grow up?” He sipped his water, intrigued by this woman.

“New York State. I went to college in the city for my BA so I could be close to my family. What about you?”

“Back East some, around New Jersey, but mostly here in Orange County, between Los Angeles and Irvine.” He chuckled. “I’ve attended a few different colleges, getting my doctorates.”

“Which was your favorite college?” Jean asked, curious to hear his answer. She’d had a bit of culture shock going from NYU to UCLA.

“The one right here in town. CSU: Irvine.” He grinned, remembering that crazy place. “I had three good friends, and a lot of learning happened.” He nodded. “Pepper and Tony and Jarvis are three of the best friends anyone could ever want.”

Jean smiled brightly. “Awww, that’s so sweet. It sounds like fun, too. I didn’t have many friends when I was doing my doctorate. I tried to date but it wound up being too much.”

“Dating wasn’t on my scope at all. Just surviving. Those three helped me get through the worst of it.” He shuddered. “Now, one is a multi-billionaire, and the other two sort of work for him. Well, one works for him and is solo, too.” He nodded. Jarvis did a lot of brain work on the side.

“Sounds like you’re all doing well, then. And still friends, too. That’s all very impressive.” Jean smiled brightly.

Bruce smiled a little. “Its nice. We don’t talk that much, because I work all the time, but… its nice.” He reached out for one of her hands, and tentatively squeezed it. “I’m sure you’ll find plenty of friends here. You’re a good woman.”

“I’m making friends now, thanks to the network. Ezio has been a big help to me.” She smiled at the thought of him. If she hadn’t met Bruce first she’d likely be on a date with him, now. Luckily he wouldn’t have much trouble finding another interested lady.

“Good.” He smiled at that. “Making friends is important. “ He had no idea who Ezio was, and felt a stab of jealousy, but shoved it away. He had no right to feel that way.

“It is. I met a social worker named Ororo, too. She seems pretty interesting. Intense, but that’s not a bad thing. She truly cares about her work.”

“Yeah? Sounds interesting.” He grinned, a bit at sea, but glad to know more about her and those she liked. He sipped some water, then spoke softly. “Do you ever find yourself just sitting down and reading and finding that you could wish you lived in the world of the book? Maybe just temporarily?”

“Oh yes.” Jean said with a laugh. “Have you read His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik? It’s a world with dragons who act as a kind of air force during the Napoleonic wars. It’s amazing.”

“I have not. Most recently, I read Stephen R Donaldson’s The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. A rather odd and severe fantasy series with two worlds laid over each other. Not for the faint of heart.” He chuckled. “Not a place to visit, ever, I think, but an interesting read.”

“That sounds interesting. Do you like to read a lot of fantasy, then?” They’d definitely have that in common.

“A mixture of fantasy and science fiction. I do that some in the lab when electrical devices would be a distraction or a problem. So I read a book..” He smiled at her. “I also read a lot of technical manuals. I learned how to build a motorcycle last month.”

“Really? That’s impressive. I have a friend who’s a motorcycle mechanic.” And her ex, but really they were both long over that.

“Oh yes? Well, you can see it some time, if you like? Its in my shed. I take it out for a spin now and then.” He nodded. Just then the food came, and he sat back, before lifting his water to her. “To making each other smile, and finding other neat things.”

Jean tapped his glass with her own. “And to a wonderful night of snuggling. Did you really build a motorcycle in one month?”

“Actually, I built it in a few weeks, during last month. “ He blushed and grinned as he sipped his drink. “I like making things, and it was fun.” He nodded.

“Wow.” Jean said with a laugh. “That’s. . . . I’m really impressed.” He was so smart! She hoped she was smart enough to keep up with him.

He blushed bright red. “Don’t be. I’m an inveterate tinkerer. I just do it. Its not smarts so much as stubbornness.”

“Still, all my stubbornness gets me is faux pas, yours gets you motorcycles you built by hand. At the very least I admire the way you’ve harnessed your stubbornness.” She winked at him and started in on her food.

Bruce smiled a little. “Thanks!” He started eating, grinning at her around his food. After a few minutes of dedicated munching had devastated most of his plate, he sat back and swallowed a sip of water. “How do you like it?”

“It’s very good.” Jean was only moderately slower. She had good manners, but with Bruce concentrating on his food she was free to do the same.

“Good.” He smiled as he sipped his water and finished his food. When it was all done, he settled back and grinned. Definitely a snuggle night. “We should find something silly to watch, and make out and snuggle at your place.”

“I am definitely looking forward to that.” Jean said with a nod. “Why not an old Marx brothers movie? I know those are on Netflix and they hold up pretty well.”

“Sounds good to me.” He nodded. “A good ending to a good day.” He raised his drink to her, then sipped it, and settled it down, waving for the check.

Jean laughed and finished her drink. “It’ll be a good end to a stressful day to me, but that’s okay. I think it will be good enough to balance out.”

“As long as you’re happy.” He paid, then held out a hand to her as he rose. “Lets go, shall we?” He smiled warmly. “I’m looking forward to it.”

She took his hand and nodded. “Too bad we both drove ourselves here. I suppose I’ll have to write down anything I think to talk about and share it with you when we get to my place.”

“Sounds like you will have to.” He grinned. “Me too.” He bounced a little. “I like this plan.” And he kissed her softly.

She laughed and kissed him back. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Good.” He parted from her and slipped into his own vehicle, and watched her getting into hers until she was going, Then, starting up, he sent the car arrowing out, smiling. He arrived at her house a little later, happy, bouncy, and smiling, knocking on her door.

Jean beat him to the house by a minute, so the door was still cracked when he knocked. “Come in! I’m opening some wine!” She yelled from the kitchen.

He was carrying a basket as he stepped in, and closed the door behind him. In it was a bottle of pinot noir, wedge of brie, jar of fig spread, and pita crisps. “I brought some pinot noir. Wasn’t sure if you had any wine here.” He grinned as he stepped into the kitchen. “Hello, oh Doctor Gorgeous.”

Jean laughed. “You just randomly had a,” she peered out, “entire basket of wine and cheese? Wow.” She moved over to greet him with a kiss.

“No, actually… there’s a story to that.” He grinned at her and kissed her back, one hand sliding down her side to her waist. “Mmm, it’s a gift for us.”

She shivered, putting the basket on the counter. “From who?”

“My cousin. She and I made contact again, just shortly after meeting you at that conference. I told her about meeting someone and she said she wanted to give us a gift. Hence the basket.” He grinned at her.

Jean giggled. “Awwwww. That’s sweet.” She kissed him again, for good measure.

Bruce blushed and kissed her back. “Someday, maybe you can meet her. She is amazing, and one of the few of my family I actually want to know and see again.” Then he concentrated on kissing her again, in turn. He was pretty sure if was his turn, anyway.

His cousin sounded nice, but Jean didn’t want to talk about her very much right now. His lips felt good against her own, and she groaned softly into the kiss. Over time it broke, though she was very reluctant to let it happen. “I think I’m going to change into something more comfortable.” She grabbed the wine, a set of glasses, and a knife and small plates for the cheese. “Follow me, my laptop is already in the bedroom.”

He lifted the basket and followed along after her. She hadn’t said wait, right? Okay then. He grinned and nodded. “Sounds like a fun thing.” He was hoping for a nice evening of snuggles and movies.

She smiled and led the way back to her bedroom. There was an attached bathroom, and the place was clean. She lit a large candle and the room filled with the smell of cinnamon. She opened a drawer on her dresser and pulled out some clothes. “Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be right out.”

Bruce smiled and nodded to her. “Okay.” He studied the bed and where her laptop was and settled himself, arranging things so they could reach everything, both of them, comfortably, and snuggle together all the while.

Jean came back out wearing a white camisole with no bra and navy yoga pants. She smiled shyly at Bruce before going to the laptop to start up the movie. “So Duck Soup sounds good, right?”

Bruce’s mouth went dry and he swallowed, and nodded, eyes wide, then smiled softly. “Very good. You are a very beautiful woman, Jean.” He settled in and grinned at her.

Jean blushed and laughed. “Thank you. I know this is a little. . . unorthodox for a second date, but I really do want to be comfortable.” She started the computer up and grabbed her wireless mouse before climbing into bed.

Bruce smiled softly, and snuggled her close, one arm sliding around her. “I’m not objecting and I still want to just snuggle. No matter what you’re wearing. Okay?” He kissed her cheek.

“That’s fine with me.” She scooted closer to him and started the movie. Her heart was racing a little. The last time she’d been in bed with a man she’d been trying to set up her practice and there’s been considerably less snuggling. She was a little nervous.

He hugged her one arms and poured the wine, then grinned as he settled back. “So what are we watching again?” He had forgotten in all the more interesting distractions. Yes.

“Duck Soup. Marx brothers.” Jean said, her voice lower and huskier. It wasn’t on purpose, but laying bed next to a man reminded her exactly how long ago she’d broken up with Logan. she tugged Bruce’s face down softly and kissed him, her hand resting on his arm.

“Perfect.” He grinned at snuggled her close and kissed her quite readily, his hand around her stroking her side. “Mmm, you do still kiss quite well.”

Jean moaned softly, her entire body shivering as he stroked her. She had to get some space or she was going to jump him and ruin the night. She scooted away a little, meeting his eyes. Her expression was full of lust. Her lips were slightly parted, and she was breathing a little heavier. “I think I should have some of that wine.”

He liked it, a lot, but he too, needed space. Bruce nodded and handed her the glass he had poured for her, then took up his own as the movie started. “This is a good one.” He grinned at her. She was a beautiful woman.

She nodded and sat up, showing her pillows against the headboard. “It is. I really like it.” She offered her glass for a toast. “To a lovely evening in bed together.”

He grinned at that. “Sounds like a nice ending to every day. To finding nice things to do together.” He winked, then clinked his glass with hers and sipped his drink.


~fin~