Aida Agar spent a good portion of her time doing work. What kind of work? Well, for the past three years Aida had been an employee of Stark Industries. Her job was to develop medicines or chemicals that medics could use in the field to better or further aide fallen soldiers. She had a PhD in Chemical and Physical Biology from Harvard University; Aida had even discovered a molecule capable of storing energy or being capable of having some form of nuclear capacity(they were still trying to narrow it down), by the time she was 11. When it came to things like chemicals and molecules and everything else that made up a person and all of the things they could do, Aida was more excited about it than a child was about going to Disney World for the first time. Aside from the whole high brain function and really smart thing, Aida thought was relatively normal. Appearance wise she stood around 5'6"-probably closer to 5'8 1/2" when she wore heels(like she was today), dark mahogany red hair that hung down just over her breasts, and the ends falling in wisps at her layers some days. Aida had hazel eyes, overpowered by a lot of green. Like a typical redhead she had freckles, only hers were more or less scattered sporadically over shoulders and maybe a few on her cheeks, but mostly on her shoulders and arms. Tony must have found her attractive, she wouldn't have gotten the job based solely on her brains.

Today, however, was a strange day for Dr Agar. A childhood friend of hers was planning on getting married, she had also come down to New York to handle a few business things and thought she would give Aida a call to have lunch so they could catch up and Aida could meet the soon to be ball and chain before they went back to Massachusetts. They had to go eat at fancy restaurant - so instead wearing a v-neck and a pair of Vans like she normally would, Aida actually decided to put forth some effort. She put on a sleeveless green dress that meshed out once it passed her bust, making her cleavage noticeable. She paired it with a gold belt, a pair of sparkly black heels and some gold jewelry.

Lunch was great, however Aida was pretty exhausted. Mostly because yet another one of her friends was getting married, and she knew she wasn't going to hear the end of it from her mother. Her mother was constantly on the 'You're almost 30 and without a family' kick. Not to mention, Aida had also been asked to be a bride's maid, so this was one of those cases where she would hear 'Always the bride's maid, never the bride'. In order to take her mind off of the thought of that, Aida went back to Stark Towers to do some lab work.

The lab was pretty quiet, seeing as how it was one of the underground levels she didn't really hear much going on upstairs. Pepper had gone away to DC for business, though due to a text she received earlier Aida knew Pep was on her way home. Half the time she had no idea where Tony was, but as long as he was out of her personal bubble and not hitting on her, she didn't care.

After a few hours of being in the lab, Aida went up stairs to talk to Tony, to see if he was around. She stepped out the elevator, swiping and poking around at things on a tablet.

"Hey Tone, I think I figured out a new method of-who the hell are you?" She asked, dropping the tablet as she stopped dead in her tracks in a doorway to the balcony and looked at the man before her. Shit, not even just the guy but the the chaos that was happening beyond him.

This guy was decked out in black, green and gold sorcerer type armor. He was tall, thin, with green eyes and slick black hair that was in some desperate need of a cleaning. Standing, as he just fallen there it seemed, the man looked at her with a smirk and began walking toward her with some kind of glimmer in his eyes. "You think you can speak to a King like that? A god?" He asked, obviously trying to intimidate her. She couldn't take him seriously with that outfit.

"What, are you the King of the Forest?" She asked, the look on her face probably looked as though she was just saying 'Are you kidding me?'. "Seriously though, who the hell are you?" Aida wasn't known for sugar coating or beating around the bush, she was blunt and to the point.

The guy was now inches away from her, towering over her like a giant. "I'm Loki of Asgard! I am a God, I will not be talked to as such by mere mortal!" He shouted, though he had now taken the time to look her over, personally pleased by her color choice. This guy is not checking me out right now. "No matter how appealing they may seem."

Pursing her lips in a straight line, Aida quirked an eyebrow, closing her eyes. "Please back up." She requested, flatly.

"I will do no such thing."

"You're going to get out of my space." Aida told him, raising her voice. Her hands balling into fists and her eyes now open, staring him angrily straight in the eyes.

Loki leaned closer to her face, "You've got quite the bit of attitude don't you, my dear?" He whispered, a devious smirk on his face.

Aida's nose twitched, eyebrows knitting together. The redhead hauled back and punched him square in the nose though. The hit caused him to stumble back a bit and hold his face. Aida turned around, hunching over slightly as she shook her hand, "Mother fucker..." she grumbled, straightening herself out only to get knocked back by what they deranged god. She slid, her back hitting the glass behind her. Aida sat up slowly, blowing her hair out of her face as she looked up at Loki with a bit of fear in her eyes as he towered over her. She swallowed hard.

"You dare strike to your ruler like that, you insolent little wench!" He was about to bend down to grab her when a large green man jumped onto the balcony, sending Loki crashing through the glass and into a wall. Wait-green man? Sure, that moment had been a little frightening, but she was more relieved that she was safe, and also very intrigued by this green beastly figure.

Standing, Aida looked into the room where the green beast and Loki now where. She watched as the man slammed his fists against the ground like an ape and began charging toward Loki, only to be halted by his shouting.

"Enough! I am a god, you dull creature! I will not be bullied-" Loki's speech was interrupted by the green creature as it picked him up and began swinging him around like a child throwing a tantrum, ending it by throwing Loki against the ground - leaving him in a Loki-sized ditch, completely and utterly shocked and more than likely in a great deal of pain.

"Puny god..." the creature muttered, making its way toward Aida. So it spoke. This was good.

The redhead simply starred up at the monstrous man before her. She wasn't frightened, this thing had basically just saved her from who knows what Loki was going to do to her. However, this was the second time in thirty minutes that an intimidating something was towering over her. The creature returned her gaze, lurching there as if he were waiting for something, like for her to scream or run away. When he received neither action, he snorted, releasing hot air over the scientist's face and blowing her hair about. He pointed at her. "You safe," he said, voice deep and somewhat barbaric. He then pointed over to where Loki lay, "Hulk smash."

Hulk. That's what he was called. Aida just continued to stare up at the Hulk, he had further clarified that he had, in fact, just saved her. She couldn't help but be in complete awe as he spoke. What a fascinating creature! Hulk sounded so familiar... Where had she heard it before...?

Hulk snorted again, getting impatient. Aida brushed her behind her ear, looking up at him with a small smile, "Thank you." Hulk nodded with a grunt.

"Hulk keep safe." That was the last thing he had said before jumping off of the balcony and latching onto the back of giant armored monster.

Oh yeah, that's right. New York was under currently experiencing an alien invasion. Right. Awesome. She should probably get off the balcony. With a heavy sigh, Aida picked up that tablet she had previously dropped when she had came onto the balcony and made her way back to the elevator, trying to avoid the massive amounts of concrete, bricks, and glass thanks to Loki's little tango with the Hulk. Speaking of the god, she completely avoided where he was laying in his hole, she wasn't dealing with that again. "Jarvis?" She called, the elevator going down. It took a moment but her employer's AI, Jarvis, had responded.

"Yes, Dr Agar?" The elevator doors opened with their electronic swish of a sound and Aida made her way into the lab.

"Could you please do me a favor and let me know when Tony is done saving the world?"

"Of course, Dr Agar."

"Thank you, Jarvis."

"It is my pleasure. Oh, and Dr Agar?"

"Yes?"

"Mr Stark would like to know what your wearing." With both an eye roll and irritated growl, if Aida didn't want to risk breaking a heel she would've stomped her feet like a child.

"If he wants to know so bad, he can find out when he gets back."

It had been quite some time since Aida had gone upstairs. The building had rattled a few times. Aside from the fact that it had broken a few of Aida's beakers it hadn't really bothered her.

"Dr Agar, Mr Stark has returned. The emergency elevator is currently operational for your use."

Aida sighed, "Thank you, Jarvis." The scientist made her way over to the other elevator and went up to the floor she had been on previously. When the doors open she found Tony, decked out in his Iron Man suit(minus the mask) and the Hulk, along with several others. A handsome muscular man in red, white and blue; a redheaded woman in a tight black jump suit; yet another handsome muscular man, this one with a large hammer and a long red cape; and another man with a bow. Where did Tony find these guys, and where exactly was he hiding them? Hadn't he heard of share the wealth? Of course not, he was Tony Stark, one of the greediest men she knew.

With the attractive group of heroes there were several SHIELD agents wandering around, some were putting restraints on Loki. Aida had known of SHIELD, she even worked for them for a few months before taking up her job with Tony. They had wanted her to do something she had no desire to have a hand in, so she left. Nick Fury was never really too keen on her after that.

"Hey there, sweet thing, are you all right? Jarvis showed me the footage." Tony asked, clanking his way over. If he weren't in his suit they'd be the same height right now. He eyed her up and down, smirk growing on his lips. "Did you get all dressed up for me? As a thank you for saving the world from an alien civilization?"

Aida snorted, "Are you kidding? Tony you'd be lucky if I felt like putting my contacts before I came to work in the morning." About 95% of the time, Aida wore her glasses to work. Today, since she was eating with her friends, she put in her contacts.

The billionaire's grinned remained, "You're prettier without your glasses, you should do contacts more often." Aida just rolled her eyes.

Both Aida and Tony looked over as they heard(and felt) the thuds coming their way. Hulk was making his way over. Once at Aida and the iron clad playboy, he lightly knocked Tony out of the way before taking another step toward Aida. He looked her over, not the way Tony did, but to make sure she was okay.

"Safe?" His tone of voice was curious as he took heavy breaths.

Aida nodded, "Safe."

It seemed like everyone had stopped what they had been doing to watch this exchange. This was the Hulk, a so called mindless beast, checking in on the safety of a civilian he had no relation to. This was bizarre.

Suddenly, the Hulk began to decrease in size, his skin returning to a light tan. In front of her now stood an average man in extremely baggy pants. She recognized this man. Slightly taller than her, dark hair with a little bit of gray here and there. She wouldn't have recognized his hairy chest, but she definitely knew his face and she definitely remembered why the Hulk was familiar.

"Oh god, you're Bruce Banner." She muttered, slightly in awe. Aida loved his work, prior to the whole big green monster thing. Bruce didn't respond, he was barely conscious as he fell forward on to Aida, who could barely support him. She wrapped her arms around him trying to support his body. This was also the part where, due to how they no longer fit, his pants fell from his body. She could feel her entirely body go on fire, it was taking everything in her not to have a nerdy science girl break down. "Tony." She called, her nervous state extending through her voice, making Tony Smirk.

"Yes, darling?"

"...would you mind giving me a hand here?"

"Why would I want to do to that?" He questioned, his amusement ringing in his voice as he lifted his hands, a giant grin on his face, "I'm enjoying the show from where I am."

One of the other men stepped forward, the one with the cape and the hammer. "Are you so rude as to ignore when a young woman requests your help, man of iron?"

Who are these people?

"Hey now, big guy, I just saved the world from your crazy brother's alien army, you can back off."

"We saved the world, Stark." Corrected the man in blue. The three stepped in closer to each other, the discussion getting heated. The redheaded woman that was with them marched forward.

"This is is ridiculous, we just went through hell and back and you guys are going to argue over how to treat a woman?" The man with bow, stayed back, watching. Once the redhead got involved he suddenly felt it were better to stay out of it. Aida stood there, trying her best to hold Bruce up as they argued.

"Guys!" The grouped looked over at Aida after her sudden out burst. "Stop it! You just saved the world, awesome! Great job! I'm so happy for you! But right now I have one of my all time favorite scientists unconscious in my arms and he's a lot heavier than my body can support while up right in these shoes!" She blurted out, her face bright pink and her eyes panic stricken, "And can someone please tell mister high and mighty over there to stop staring at me, it's really starting to creep me out!"

Loki, sitting to the side in his chains and new found muzzle to prevent him speaking, had just been starring at Aida since she entered the room. A strange combination of hunger and amusement festering in his emerald eyes. He snorted at her remark, which caused SHIELD agents to escort him out of the room. His eyes never leaving Aida as they did so, causing to chills to run down her spine.

The man in the cape stepped toward Aida, "I am sorry for any harm my brother may have caused you, m'lady." He told her, bowing apologetically.

"Yeah yeah, it's fine, but could you please get Dr Banner off of me? I'm going to fall over." With that, the man took Bruce from her arms, allowing her room to smooth her dress out and get situated. "Thank you for that."

"It is my honor, m'lady. I am Thor Odinson of Asgard, God of Thunder." Aida blinked. Well, that explained why he was so attractive. Thor's introduction initiated the rest of them to follow in suit.

"Steve Rogers - Captain America, ma'am." The super soldier. Pepper had a picture of Tony's Father with him some where, Tony had tried throwing it out but Pepper held on to it.

"Agent Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow." Can you say frigid? Well, she was probably tired. Aida knew she could be bitchy when she was tired, not to mention she just got done saving the world and all.

"Agent Clint Barton, you can call me Hawkeye or you can call me Clint, either is fine." Aside from Thor, he seemed to be the most welcoming.

Aida smiled at the group of heroes, "It's nice to meet all of you. I'm Aida Agar," She shrugged, feeling odd without adding a second title like each of them did. "Chemical and Physical Biologist?"

"She's like Bruce, without the big green guy." Tony added for her, letting the heroes know she was more than just another pretty face Tony kept around.

"So when Brucey here wakes up, you wanna go to the shawarma place a few blocks over?"

Aida shrugged, "Sure, I don't see why not."

Bruce had woken up shortly after Tony invited Aida to shawarma. They all ate in silence. Aida assumed all of them had been pretty exhausted after, well, everything. They definitely had more reason to tired than Aida did. Aida just had to deal with her mother, they had to deal with super villains and extraterrestrials. After shawarma the Avengers, as Tony had informed her, made their way back to Stark Towers. Aida trailed behind a little, just looking at all the debris.

"I'm sorry if I, um, hurt you or anything." A soft voice asked from beside her. A little startled, Aida looked to find Bruce Banner beside her. Oh no, the fangirl was bubbling up inside of her again.

"Oh no! It's fine, you didn't hurt me at all," she told him, shaking her head and waving one of her hands. She scratched the back of her head lightly, "If anything, I should probably be thanking you. You did kind of save me after all."

Her answer got a single chuckle and a small sideways smile out of him. "I guess I did, huh?" Apparently Bruce wasn't used to being the hero.

"Yeah, you did." Aida smiled. Bruce, the Hulk, whichever one it was - had saved her, kept her safe. "I'm a big fan by the way, this probably isn't the best time to tell you that, y'know since you're just had a really rough day, but I love what you've done for physics, it's kind of amazing."

Another sideways smile, "Aren't you the one who discovered an energy storing molecule when she was eleven?"

"The very same," Aida grinned. "We only know it's capable of stor-"

"Hey, you two." Tony interrupted, now in front of the two, "You'll have plenty of time to get cozy with each other later on, Bruce is gonna be in the labs pretty often."

"What?" Aida looked at Tony, confused.

"Yeah, I've decide to make Stark Tower the Avengers headquarters. Everybody's gonna have a floor. Since you have the best lab though, you and BruceyBoy might have to share."

"Uh, Tony, I don't thi-" Bruce started, playing twiddling his thumbs. Tony stopped him by pointing toward him.

"Nope, you're part of the team now. Nobody is gonna come near you, got it?" With a sigh, Bruce just nodded.

"Alright, good. Glad we're clear on this." Tony turned and continued walking.

Aida blinked.

So...

She was going to be working with Bruce Banner.

Holy shit.

Aida bit her bottom lip lightly and continued walking with the group of heroes, trying to contain her excitement.

A/N: My second story on FF! I hope you all enjoyed it! This is an extension of my Exceeding Expectations story, so you'll run into tidbits from that pairing every so often. Also, the bit about Aida when she was eleven, that's based on an actual event. I'm looking forward to just working with Aida and Bruce!

You can find her outfit here, as long as you replace -dot- with a period:

www dot polyvore dot com/safe/set?id=52607473

Thank you so much!