Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Nine

     "I've got the new reference books that Fury sent up," Banner huffed as he rounded the table, dropping the stack of Viking reference books to the table with a reverberating thud. I hummed a response without looking up from my paper. I'd separated all the sentences out and had been working for a week straight to translate them, "Hey Lucy, when's the last time you took a break?" Banner asked taking in all my discarded coffee cups.

     "What's today?" I asked continuing to write.

     "Friday,"

     "Then Sunday," I smirked up at Banner. He shot me a serious look as he sighed and sat down heavily across from me.

     "I'm being serious,"

     "So am I! I'm so close to breaking this tablet. If I can just get one or two letters," I trailed off as I leaned back over my work.

     "You're going to burn yourself out if you don't take a break," Banner nagged. I rolled my eyes.

     "Okay mom," I teased. He pursed his lips at me in annoyance. I pushed back form the table and crossed my arms over my chest, "Bruce, I'm kidding. What's gotten into you?" I asked.

     "I'm just worried about you and Tony keeps hounding me about your well being a-"

     "Stark concerned about me? Impossible," I shot back.

     "Really, he's not horrible if you just give him a chance," Banner said. I rolled my eyes again and smirked.

     "You expect me to believe that?" I asked.

     "Yes, I do. If you don't trust me on anything, trust me on this; the team's really not that bad if you give them a chance to be themselves,"Banner said.

     "In case you haven't noticed, all my interactions with them have been slightly catastrophic," I said spinning my pencil thoughtlessly in my fingers.

     "Well Tony's throwing a party tonight, why don't you come so you can meet them and take a break from work," Banner offered.

     "I don't know Bruce, I'm not really the party type," I started. Banner nodded and looked down briefly.

     "I understand, but the offer still stands if you want to come," I smiled appreciatively at him, "Fury has a job for me today, you gonna be okay alone today?" he asked.

     "Oh boy! Alone in a lab! What am I ever going to do!" I teased dramatically. Banner finally cracked a smile and laughed once.

     "Behave yourself and try not to blow anything up," he warned as he stood up to leave.

     "Darn, there went my day's plan," I teased. He laughed and looked over at me, suddenly serious again.

     "And try not to work yourself too hard," he warned.

     "Don't worry about me," I smiled and waved at him as he left.

     "You know he's just trying to help," JARVIS piped up from the computer on the table next to me causing me to jump.

     "JARVIS! I was beginning to think you were mad at me!" I said going back to my scribbles on the paper in front of me.

     "Of course not Ms. Scaffer but you've seemed busy and I didn't want to  disturb you," his British voice was something I'd actually missed

     "Well thank you J, that's so thoughtful of you," I cooed as I turned to the stack of new reference books in front of me. I suppressed a groan as I pulled them toward me. I took the first book off the top and flipped it open.