The spider and the parasite

Chapter 1.4

"The Gamma readings are definitely consistent with Selvig's reports of the Tesseract." Bruce says while he scans the scepter with a gamma ray detection scanner.

"But it's going to take weeks to process." Bruce adds.

"If we bypass their mainframe and direct route to the homer cluster, we can clock this at around 600 teraflops." Tony explains while he types away on the computer.

"All I packed was a toothbrush." Bruce laughs.

"You know, you two should come by Stark Tower sometime. Top ten floors, all R&D. You'd love it. It's candy land." Tony offers.

"Thanks, but the last time I was in New York I kind of broke.. Harlem." Bruce explains.

"Well, I promise a stress free environment. No tension, no surprises." Tony says and he stabs with his electric pen in Bruce, making him jolt up.

"Ow!" Bruce says and I snort.

"Hey!" Steve exclaims as he walks into the room.

"Nothing?" Tony asks Banner.

"Are you nuts?" Steve asks Tony.

"Jury's out. You really have got a lid on it, haven't you? What's your secret? Mellow jaz? Bongo drums? A huge bag of weed?" Tony asks Bruce.

"Is everything a joke to you?" Steve asks Tony.

"Funny things are." He nods.

"Threatening the safety of everyone on this ship isn't funny." Steve exclaims.

"No offense doc." Steve says to Bruce.

"It's alright, I wouldn't have come aboard if I couldn't handle pointy things." Bruce explains.

"Calm down Stevie, we're just having fun." I tell him and he looks at me unamused.

"This is how you have fun?" He asks confused.

"Yes." I answer.

"You're unbelievable." He shakes his head.

"Don't act so tough. Want me to buy you some Mellow jaz? Bongo drums? A huge bag of weed." I repeat Tony's words and Tony laughs.

"You're tip toeing, big man. You need to strut." Tony says to Bruce.

"And you need to focus on the problem, Mr. Stark." Steve tells him.

"Do you think I'm not? Why did Fury call us in? Why now? Why not before? What isn't he telling us? I can't do the equation unless I have all the variables." Tony says confused.

"You think Fury's hiding something?" Steve asks.

"He's a spy. Cap, he's the spy. His secrets have secrets." I tell him and he looks down.

"It's bugging him too? Isn't it?" Tong asks, referring to Bruce.

"Uhhh, I just want to finish my work here and..-" Bruce gets cut off by Steve.

"Doctor?" Steve asks him, just wanting answers.

'A warm light for all mankind.' Bruce quotes. "Loki's jab at Fury about the cube." He tells Steve.

"I heard it." Steve says.

"Well, I think that was meant for you." Bruce starts, pointing at Tony and Tony offers him a blueberry making Bruce get some.

"Even if Barton didn't tell Loki about the tower, it was still all over the news." Bruce finishes explaining.

"The Stark tower? That big, ugly..." Steve stops once he sees Tony's gaze.