[[Song & photo listed above for chapter :) enjoy loves]]

I stand inside the lab, my phone held up to my ear as I listen to a ranting voice on the other line.

"You don't call, you don't text, you don't even fucking email—even though no one does that anyways. You have zero social media, I don't even know where you work for God's sakes. Is it really that serious?" My best friend Hannah whines, questioning me hard. I can tell by her tone alone just how upset she is with me.

I sigh, rolling my eyes to myself as I watch Tony and Bruce walking down the hall. Bruce is wearing a plaid button up today—which kills me. The sleeves of his shirt hug his arm muscles nicely. I can't help but drool every time I see him and those perfect chocolate eyes of his. He and Tony both carry iPads, ready to get to work.

"Hannah, I'm sorry. I really am. Yes it's that serious. Don't worry about it, okay? That's all you need to know." I lazily try to convince her—most definitely not in the mindset to lie to her some more.

"Look—I know you haven't been home since...since the funeral. But you need to see everyone. Your cousins, me. Please." She continues, pleading with me. I sigh, placing a hand over my forehead as the thought of actually going home makes me sick to my stomach.

Tony grabs Bruce, stopping him before he can walk into the lab as the two of them notice my intense demeanor, as well as my rising tone during this conversation over the phone. Bruce's expression changes to that of confusion as he looks at Tony in question. Both of them stop just outside the door, waiting. I watch Tony's mouth move as he talks to Bruce. Bruce doesn't take his eyes off me.

"All I want is for you to be my maid of honor. We've talked about this since we were kids. Don't flake on me now." Hannah begs, "Please Ari. Please. I will literally pay to fly you out and whoever else you'd like to bring. I'm begging you."

I take a deep breath, pausing for a moment as I consider my options. I haven't seen Hannah in far too long. Years, probably. I haven't even spoken a word to her in months. I've ignored her calls for far too long. I know it's not fair to her that I'm keeping so much from her but I feel like I'm doing what's best for her. I can't imagine what she'd do if she got all roped into what I'm roped into. Or how liable her life would be if she knew about what my job is. She could be used as leverage to get at me, which wouldn't be fair to her in the slightest. I won't allow it.

The least I can do is be in her wedding, though. Right? Harmless.

"...okay—okay fine. But you've lost your mind if you think I'm letting you pay for my flight." I say, sarcasm and excitement hidden within my voice.

Immediately my ear is met with shrieking and squealing. I begin to laugh, pulling the phone away from my ear for a moment before my ear drums burst. "Okay, okay! I promise I'm just as excited as you are but the screeching is not necessary." I return the phone to my ear, laughing into it once more. "How about you come a few days early? You and whoever you want to bring can stay in the spare bedrooms at my place. I'm living at dad's farm now. I'll invite your cousins, we can all catch up."

Hannah's words scare me but at the same time I'm so excited to see everyone that these words give me comfort—something to look forward to. It's much needed, if I'm being honest with myself.

"Okay—I think I will do that, actually. I'll fly in Monday, since the wedding isn't until Friday that'll give us plenty of time together." I reply after a few moments of thinking. I'm reluctant, but I'm ready at the same time.

"Who are you bringing with you?" Hannah questions.

I feel the nerves building in my chest—should I even bring anyone? My only friends are...the avengers. And then there's Bruce and I. How in the hell am I supposed to explain that one to her? Something tells me that wouldn't go over so well. Too much explaining. If I don't bring anyone, including Bruce, I could stay pretty incognito with the whole job description. We'll see.

"I think it'll be just me."

"Oh c'mon, no man? You don't have anyone?" She says, pushing. I take a deep breath, nervously looking over at Bruce who immediately reads the expression on my face as he looks at me through the glass. He takes my glance as an invite to come into the room but when he moves to come inside Tony holds him back.

"Nope. No plus ones, just me. Listen, Han, I really gotta get back to work, okay? I'll see you Monday!" I rush, hanging up quickly before she can get the chance to question me any further. I hang up the phone, Tony and Bruce make their way into the lab without hesitation as soon as I do so.

"So? Where are we going?" Tony asks, taking a seat at a computer.

I raise my brows, my eyes widening as I shake my head. "Excuse me? We aren't going anywhere. How do you even know I'm going anywhere?" I say with confusion as I make my way over to Bruce who stands by his desk, his plaid button-up clinging tightly to his biceps. Damn he looks good today.

I lean against him, he wraps an arm around me—embracing me tightly.

"I read your lips—it's not hard. Aren't you two cute." He comments, raising a brow as he prances over to his desk. He opens up a few screens, swiftly muffling through different stats. "My best friend's getting married. I've known her since...like the 2nd grade. I can't bail on her because of my job, but—I don't know, I get a bad feeling in my stupid gut when I think about going or bringing anyone along with me. Don't you think that'd be a bad idea?" I ask the both of them, but I look up at Bruce. He half smiles warmly as he looks down at me, his eyes admiring mine.

"It's a great idea." Stark says, still searching through his stats.

"It's up to you." Bruce says in his sweet voice. "Don't do anything you aren't comfortable with. But I'd...honestly love to meet your friend; your family. It could be a nice getaway, no?" He raises a brow. I sigh, half smiling at his suggestion. He leans in, kissing the top of my forehead softly. His lips feel warm against my cooler skin. He squeezes me a little tighter before letting go, walking over to his own desk. I cross my arms, taking a deep breath, and then sighing deeply as I look down at the floor.

"Sarcasm aside—I think Bruce may be right on this one. It may be a good getaway. A break from...all this." He suggests, looking over at me carefully. "I think we all could use a little vacation. I'm sure she wouldn't mind my crashing the wedding." He chuckles to himself, boosting his own ego. I roll my eyes, shaking my head

"You love yourself more than anyone else I know." I poke fun at him.

"Aw, man. Now you're starting to sound like Cap." Tony replies.

"Speaking of Cap, where is he? I haven't seen him for a few days." I question, walking over to Stark as I watch him studying what looks like Bruce's heart stats. Why is he doing that for?

"I think he's—." Before he can finish I interrupt. "Wait, wh-what is this? Bruce's stats? For what?" I question. Tony raises a brow, turning to look at me like I just asked him the dumbest question on planet earth.

"Uhh...you are aware when I get angry and my heart rate gets too high I turn into a giant green rage machine. Right?" Bruce jokes from his desk, his hands flipping through papers in a vanilla folder. I narrow my eyes at him, sticking my tongue out.

"I'm just making sure he's doing okay after that emergency sedative I gave him. It's not so easy on the heart. Just want to make sure he's not...in congestive heart failure or something." Tony explains sort of sarcastically as he flips the screen onto something else.

"Oh...okay. Is he doing okay?" I say worriedly.

"I'm fine, Arielle. Don't worry." Bruce reassures me, but I still don't believe it.

I sigh, "okay." I pretend his reassurance is good enough.

"So where is this wedding anyway?" Tony brings up my tough decision again. I dodge it, "Wait—where'd you say Cap was." I question.

"I didn't. He's been off the grid for a few days. He does that every once in a while. Nat thinks it has something to do with his love life." Tony laughs under his breath. "His love life? What?! He has a woman?" I gasp, beginning to laugh with excitement.

"We don't know. Apparently he's been chatting it up with some brunette that he works with. I can't remember her name. You'd have to ask Nat." Bruce says, sitting down at his desk now.

My jaw opens wider, "You knew too? What the hell? Where have I been?" I cross my arms. "Too busy trying to have sex with the hulk." Tony smirks as he says this, snorting at his own joke. He's proud of this one.

I look over at him almost shocked, feeling the hot blood rise and fill into my face with anger. My eyes widen.

Bruce clears his throat, clenching his jaw as perhaps this one angers him too. "Another comment like that and the hulk might have to come out and kick your ass." Bruce warns as he shakes his head, keeping his slightly embarrassed eyes glued to his paperwork for only a few moments before giving Tony a look of awkwardness.

Tony ignores our reactions, popping a blueberry into his mouth. "So when are we leaving for this wedding?"