MARNIE WAS WORKING ALONGSIDE BRUCE IN THE LAB. Her work for Stark Industries was generally remote and she didn't have to go downstairs, so she was happy to set up in her own corner of the lab and get to work. She was also working on getting a degree in psychology, but that was taking a backseat for the time being, which was fine for everyone involved.

"I think I should start going back to my practice," Bruce said, and she raised her head to look at him, furrowing her brow.

"Do you want to leave Tony all alone again?" she asked, and the man sighed, reaching up to rub his face, because that was everyone's concern at the moment, because there was talk of everyone moving out, but the thought of abandoning Tony was far too strong a reason to stay.

It had been a great point of tension for Steve, who was contemplating moving down to D.C. to work for S.H.I.E.L.D., but he had yet to tell Tony, who had gotten rather used to seeing everyone around all the time, coming out more and more in order to spend time with them.

J.A.R.V.I.S. hadn't told Marnie too much, but he had explained enough, and the last thing she wanted was to leave Tony alone, but she also didn't want to be away from Bruce; she hardly stayed in her room anymore, always staying in Bruce's unless the man asked her for a night alone, having one of his off days.

"I'm considering it, it's not official yet, and I'll talk to Tony about it, but we'll still stay connected, it could be an on-season, off-season situation," Bruce said, his glasses still in his hand as he continued to rub his face, a clear indication he was tired, "And I don't want to leave Tony alone, no one does, but I feel like I have a duty to help people, I was helping them before I was taken in, and I appreciate it, but I feel it would be nice. And you don't have to come with me, I feel like it'll actually be better if you stay with Tony, just so you can get more used to the Western world before you head somewhere else."

Marnie frowned, unable to help the sharp pain that bloomed from her chest. "You don't want me to go with you."

Bruce sighed, dropping his glasses onto the table and making his way over towards her. "I don't mean it like that, I do want you with me, but if I do go, I'd rather you stay with Tony and stay safe than go with me and have to adjust to a new environment when you're still adjusting to this one."

"I'm just as adjusted as Steve is," she argued, but the look Bruce gave her was enough for her to relent, "Okay, fine, but...you'll come back, right?"

Bruce laughed softly, moving to crouch down in front of her, forcing her to look at him, taking her hands in his own. "Trust me. I'll always come back. Even if I die, I'll find a way to let you know. You don't need to worry about it, I promise."

She tried to muster up a smile, nodding towards him; even with the apprehension, she could feel within her that he was telling the truth, and that belief was enough to relax her. Either way, as Bruce said, he was only just considering it, but she also knew it would be selfish of her to force him to stay when he felt a duty to leave.

That didn't mean she couldn't want him to, however.

Before either of them could say anything, the doors to the lab opened, Steve walking in with an expression that Marnie hadn't seen since the day of the attack, his jaw set and eyes calculating, glancing briefly at Marnie before letting his gaze rest on Bruce who had stood, holding it easily.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. found something. They're asking for you."

— MARNIE BANNER WILL RETURN —