Natasha's POV

"Asshole." I spat. A muscle twitched in his jaw but quite frankly I couldn't have cared less. Part of me was screaming GO AHEAD! TURN INTO THE HULK! The rest of me was slightly unsure but I didn't show it.

"I deserved that." He winced rubbing his redenned cheek. Sadly for him I was finished yet.

"Where were you?" I whispered angrily. I watched as he crossed his arms defensively over his chest.

"A hello would have been nice." He growled. His simple words made my blood boil. Who was he to say that? Wasn't he the one who flew off in a stupid little jet to God knows where, without a single good bye? Planting my hands firmly on his chest I shoved him, hard enough to make him stumble.

"You honestly think that you could turn up hear out of no where? 'Oh, a hello would have been nice,' well what about a good bye, or maybe an explanation?" He paused for a moment and opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Closing it he set his jaw and listened to my rant. It didn't take long for his breathing to pick up and now it came in quick ragged bursts. I knew I should have stopped, but he didn't, he didn't stop and turn the plane around. His skin had taken on a green tinge now a vein pulsing in his neck.

"I left for a good reason. I wanted to find peace, to learn how to control the Other Guy.." Despite myself  I flashed a wicked grin.

"Let's see then, how long can you stay you?" Shoving him again his knees buckled and he twitched for a moment. Storming over I grabbed him by the shirt, yanked him to his feet, and pushed him yet again. This time he let out an angry roar, one that wasn't his own. "There we go. Come on."

All to soon he became another person, a thing all to familiar and terrifying. I couldn't help but smile, I knew what I did was wrong but there was something about this that pleased me. I knew it caused him pain to turn into the Other Guy and somehow his pain made it worth it. I watched for a moment as he twisted and shook in agony before deciding that maybe I had gone to far. No, he needed to know what it felt like.

"Natasha!" A voice boomed. I turned still with the same grin plastered on my face. Clint, Steve, and Scarlett were coming towards me alarmed expressions on there faces.  "What were you thinking?"

I was pulled backwards by Clint a furious expression on his face. A loud ear splitting roar errupted from Hulk's mouth spit flying everywhere. He was angry, very angry. Good. A flash of metal and and a loud followed as Thor tossed his hammer.

"You all heard Fury tell us not to draw attention to ourselves right?" Tony questioned sarcastically coming to land in front of me. His visor lifted revealing his stony expression. " What the hell were you thinking?" He whispered angrily stepping towards me.

"Look Tin Can I wouldn't expect you to understand." He rolled his eyes.

"No, you don't get do that." Tony waved his hand around before pointing a finger at me. There was another this and an angry roar. The team had jumped into action with little hesitation knowing the severity of the situation. A loose Hulk was like an elephant on a rampage only you couldn't coax it back with a few peanuts. I looked over his shoulder to see the others doing their best to contain his movements. " See you aren't letting us understand. You try to blame this on the team. Well I'm done with it. Either you do your share and I'll do mine, or you can stop whining like a two year old. Got it?"

"Incoming!" Clint shouted. Tony and I sidestepped a large clump of earth that had been tossed at our heads. Clint dodged in and out of range shooting arrows all the while. Steve and Thor were working together and trying to keep him in one place by knocking him back every time he took a step.

"Let me make one thing clear Stark, I'll talk him down, not for you, but for everyone else, and if you ever talk to me like that again you will have hell to pay?" We held each other's glare until he lowered his visor and flew off the ground. I watched him zoom in and out of Hulk's view shooting little bolts of light. Setting my jaw I marched forward determined to end this fiasco. Bruce had suffered enough, it was time I set things straight.

"I don't think it is wise to approach him just yet!" Thor called as I walked briskly past him. Shaking my head I stopped directly in front of the giant who was busy trying to bat Tony away. He really is a pesky little bug isn't he?

"Hey Big Guy! The sun's getting real low!" I watched as he swatted Tony away half heartedly. Good I got his attention. He contemplated me hesitating before slowly lowering his hand. For a moment all of the fighting stopped, sighing I reached out to touch his when a gift look flashed across his face. Yanking his hand away he stomped his foot roaring loudly. It was almost like slow motion, watching his large green hnd coming straight at me. Before I could move something hard slammed into my back sending me sprawling into the green grass. Slightly winded I turned to see Thor holding Steve's shield intercept the blow and go sailing backwards. He disappeared into the tree line and the sound of splitting logs followed.

"Great, what now?" Clint asked hunched over and clearly winded. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. My heart sank a little at the realization that I had no clue.

"I- I don't know." I breathed looking up at Steve and Tony fighting like never before. For the first time I realized the extent of what I had done. I just put everyone in danger over my own selfish reasons. What's worse is that not less than a few meters away rested Clint's house. Inside was his family.

Snapping back to reality I ducked another blow jumping onto his hand and running up his arm. If we could just stun him enough for Bruce to gain control again. Reaching his shoulder I unclipped a small circular device. Ripping off the back panel I stuck it to his skin. Wobbling due to his sudden shift I stumbled before regaining my balance. Using another one of the objects I tossed it so that it landed on his other shoulder. I repeated the process three more times. One on the back of his neck the other two were on his legs. A flash of blue caught my attention as it slammed into Hulk's shoulder. Losing my footing I toppled off his shoulder in a complete freefall. Looking desperately around I tried to find something to slow my fall. Thanks Tony.

I managed to snag the ripped leg of his pants only to let go as to not get squashed. The fall wasn't bad but it was enough to send a sharp pain through my shoulder. Dazed I was nearly stepped on but thankfully I was dragged away. Blinking away the spots that swarmed my vision I jolted into a sitting position.

"Easy." A voice warned. Turning I glared at Steve who held his hands up in a defensive manner. Getting to my feet I examined my shoulder and concluded that it was dislocated. Well, at least it isn't broken.

"Guys! Get him away from the house!" Clint yelled. Spinning I noticed Hulk stomping his way towards the home stead. Clint with a desperate look in his eye was giving everything he had and would soon be out of arrows. Tony was receiving the worst of the assault being hit around like a volleyball. No. Reaching for my belt my hand grasped empty air. Confused I glanced down to see that the detonator was gone. Panicked I studied the area in which I had fallen I realized it wasn't there. My vision tunneled as I realized that it was just under Hulk's stomping range.

"Steve?" Swallowing hard I looked briefly over my shoulder to see his shocked expression.

"Yeah?" Was his absent minded response as he peeled his gaze away to look at me.

"The detonator." His eyes widened as he too realized where it rested.

With horror painted on his face we took off towards the remote. With my heart pounding and my pulse sounding loud in my ears I closed the distance quickly. Racing forward I tried to go for the easy grab but slammed on the breaks when Tony rocketed between his legs. Dodging him I was forced away from the object. Steve rolled away from a punch only to be knocked aside by another. Irritated I went to grab the remote again when an explosive arrow detonated causing the green monster to stumble. Anticipating his foot strikes I lunged forward. Landing next to the remote I clutched it ready to spring out of the way when another cry was uttered from Clint.

"Laura what are you doing?" Clint yelled momentarily distracted and getting flung to the side. Raising my head I watched as Laura made her way towards us a silver canister in her hand.

"I can help! Just get me close enough!" She called.

"No! It's to risky! Besides we don't have an opening!" Scarrlet shouted flinging objects at the giant green mass.

"Then make one!" Laura called back.

"How?" Tony pleaded real desperation in his voice as he was smacked once again.

"With this!" I replied. Rolling onto my back I held the remote with shaking fingers and pushed the button. I knew what would happen next, his legs would give out, I would be crushed, and yet I wasn't scared. In fact I think I haven't been scared of death for a long time.

"Natasha No!" Clint yelled but it was to late. The shock had already rocketed through Hulk's body. He shivered and shook roaring in pain.Merely seconds later his legs gave out and I closed my eyes in anticipation. Slowly I counted the seconds in my head. One...two...three...fo-!

"Oof!" My breath fled my lungs and a searing pain crushed my side. Moments later I was slammed hard into the ground completing multiple somersaults before coming to a stop. Groaning I took a shallow breath propping myself up on my good arm and slitting out a clump of grass. Where I had once been was a thick smokey haze and not a single sound. I waited eagerly temporarily forgetting my pain. As the mist cleared I realized that the threat was gone, instead was Bruce slumped over in the grass. Sighing I fell back against the warm ground and opened an eye to see Thor resting next to me."Thanks."

"Don't mention it." With that he got to his feet and stumbled off towards the house. Un-able to bring myself to move I closed my eyes fighting the pain and focusing on my breathing. After a while a foot nudged me and I peeled my eyelids open squinting against the sun.

"Let me see your shoulder." I groaned rolling onto my side before flinching and jolting into a sitting position.  Crap, a bad shoulder and broken ribs? Reluctantly I gave my arm to Steve. He rested one hand on my elbow the other on my tender shoulder. "Ready?" With a nod he jerked my arm and a loud pop followed. Giving a small yelp I moved it around in a circle testing it. My shoulder rolled smoothly in its socket. Hoisting myself to my feet I turned to leave when he caught my arm. Glaring over my shoulder I yanked my arm out of his grasp.

"Don't." Was my first reply. With a glowering expression I marched lazily towards the homestead. Reaching the steps I thrust each foot down angrily, satisfied each time I heard a loud thump. Bruce sat on the porch fully clothed. Lowering my head I hoped to avoid him but no such luck was granted. He opened his mouth to say something but I ignored him heading straight for the guest house. I wasn't in the mood for talking.

Upon arriving at the small building I did not speak as I made my way to my room pausing when Scarrlet noticed me. Deciding agaisnt talking to her I continued until I reached the attic, something I had discovered and had not shared. Once inside the cramped musty walls I relaxed. There I stayed watching moths twirl about in the beams of sunlight until night fell. My stomach was the only thing that forced me out of my hiding spot.
Heading towards the homestead I was again greeted by Bruce who was in the same position as earlier. Maybe he hadn't moved as well. This time as I passed him he caught my arm.

"Why did you do it?" He asked. His tone was soft almost inviting but I did not meet his gaze.

"You needed to know the pain you caused me." With that I entered the house and sat at the table. I must have missed dinner considering there was only one plate left. I ate the cold meal slowly not really tasting it. When the lights went out in the kid's rooms I decided to tell them good night. Walking quietly down the hall I poked my head into Cooper's room. His night light was on and I could see him and Clint clearly. I smiled at him waving but instead of his usual expression of delight he flinched hiding his face in the covers.

"She's the monster lady! Daddy, make her go away!" He called. Stunned it took me a moment to register his words.

"Nat, he doesn't mean that." Clint said trying to reassure me.

"I know." With a fake smile plastered on my face I left quickly. Thankfully when I reached my room Scarrlet wasn't there. I percjed on the edge of my bed. Staring at my jands it was almost as though the word guilty  had been written on them. That's what I am isn't it? A monster lady. A monster. Just like they always told me. Why do you lie to yourself Natasha? Why do you believe you're something you aren't, a hero. You're good at lying but you can't lie to yourself. So stop pretending. Pulling off my sshoes I rested my head on a pillow staring at the moon outside the window. Monster. Hah! I was worse than that. With no one around I let my emotions out. It was the first time I cried myself to sleep in years.