Clint watched the two Hulks go at it and cheered his green friend on as he helped to hold Bruce up. He wasn't sure what had just fueled Hulk's newfound strength but he was glad of it! He looked at Bruce and noticed the amazed look and the pride shining in his eyes.

Tony helped hold up his friend as he watched amazed as Hulk fought the Red Hulk back. The ferocity was incredible as the battle raged on.

Finally Hulk had Red Hulk on the ground pinned. He used his entire body to hold him down as he met the monster's eyes.

Red Hulk glared at him. "How? Hate strong!"

"Love stronger! Bruce and Hulk separated! Red Hulk stupid! ROSS stupid!" Hulk growled. "Red Hulk know nothing!"

Red Hulk stared at him and growled as he tried to fight back. "Ross hate stupid Banner! Banner monster!"

Wrong thing to say. Hulk roared angrily before throwing punch after punch!

"Hulk stop! He's not worth it!" Steve said going over and getting his attention. Once Hulk looked at him he continued. "He deserves every bit you just gave him but if you keep going it will only make you as bad as him. Bruce taught you better than that."

Hulk nodded as he calmed himself down and got off of Red Hulk. He glared. "You or Ross come near him again and Hulk will smash you!"

Red Hulk growled as he shrunk down to the General. He was about to speak but Steve went over and yanked him up by his arm and met him glared for glare. "Stay away from Doctor Banner and Hulk. Stay away or I will use my status to make your life a living hell."

"I am a general…" he growled.

"Son…just don't," Steve said glaring and shoving him back down. He then turned Hulk to the Avengers and they walked over.

Hulk went over to Bruce and knelt in front of him before pulling the man to him. He felt Bruce return the hug as best he could. He stood up with the man in his arms. "Bruce needs fixing."

"Heh and he'll have the best care," Natasha said as they made their way out.

Hours later found them gathered around Bruce in the medical bay. The scientist was in a bed and bandaged up and was now sleeping the rest of the drugs off.

Hulk stayed by the bed and watched him sleep. The rage was gone by now and was replaced with relief and worry.

"He's going to be ok," Tony said putting a hand on the massive green shoulder. "Right now his body just needs to rest and fix itself."

Hulk nodded. "Hulk no leave."

Steve nodded. "Why don't you talk to him? The best medicine is given by loved one."

"Hulk…not know what to say."

"Speak from the heart," Natasha said gently.

Hulk turned back to the bed and put his massive hand on Bruce's. He was silent for a moment as he looked at him. "I understand now. Hulk love Bruce. Bruce get better."

Hulk looked down and shut his eyes when Bruce made no move to indicate he had heard him.

All of a sudden he felt Bruce's hand turn under his own and his smaller fingers curl around one of his massive ones. His head shot up and he smiled when he saw tired brown eyes that were regaining their life.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The first thing Bruce saw when he woke up a few days later was Hulk's massive form leaning against the bed. He smiled gently as he reached over and brushed Hulk's black hair away from his forehead. 'Needs a haircut,' Bruce thought idly.

Hulk rumbled a bit in his sleep as he slowly woke up. He blinked but didn't move. "Fixed?"

Bruce chuckled. "Getting there. Are you hurt?"

Hulk shook his head. "No."

Bruce looked down at his broken and bruised body. He winced. "They must have me on the good stuff."

Hulk frowned as he placed his hand on Bruce's chest gently. "Lay down. Doctors say Bruce needs rest to heal. Tony says meds working overtime."

Bruce cringed. "Yeah I bet they are. Ross did a number on me."

Hulk shut his eyes. "Hulk saw. Why?"

Bruce looked at him. "He was trying to make me change into you. I had no idea what he was up to until he changed into that red Hulk." He frowned in worry. "He's dangerous Hulk. He won't leave us alone. Not until one or both of us are dead."

Hulk growled. "Steve told Darkman that. Darkman promised Bruce be safe and hunt Red Hulk."

Before Bruce could respond Fury came in. "Ya damn right I do. How do you feel doctor?"

"Like I got run over by a train," Bruce said with a lopsided smile.

Fury stood beside Hulk and nodded. "You look a little better than when you were brought in. I had to threaten the others to get them to go back to the tower. I wasn't suicidal enough to do the same to Hulk here."

Bruce grinned as Hulk smirked.

Fury smirked a bit as well. "I'll tell them you're awake. Hulk's right. Those five years you spent on the run and in hiding are going to look like fun in an amusement park by the time I'm through with EX-General Ross."

"Heh thanks but…why?"

Something truly rare happened then. Fury put a hand on Bruce's unhurt shoulder and smiled at him. "Because after everything you've been put through you should be a monster. You've got more strength in your little toe than anyone could ever imagine having. I know a monster when I see one…and right now I'm looking at a true hero." He patted his shoulder. "Rest up Doctor. Brace yourself for some very relieved Avengers."

Bruce watched him leave speechless.

Hulk grinned at Bruce. "Darkman right."

Bruce looked at him. "Hulk…"

Hulk held his hand. "Hulk's hero."

Bruce's eyes filled and he smiled a little.

Thirty minutes later the room was filled with relieved, worried, and even angry Avengers who told him of all the torture they planned to unleash on Ross!

Bruce just laughed and shook his head with a grin.

After a few hours they were forced to leave…Hulk included.

Bruce smiled. "I'll be fine Hulk. No one can get me here. Go get some real rest."

Hulk didn't look too convinced. He blushed and looked down. "Can't."

Bruce frowned. "Why?"

Clint smiled. "Because…It's not the same. Routine is great but if it's done with someone different than it's not the same."

Bruce softened. "Well…Clint you have a laptop? Does it have Skype?"

Clint nodded. "Sure do. Heh got it. We'll get you one here too."

Bruce nodded. "That'll work." He looked at Hulk. "You probably know all of the stories in the book by now."

Hulk shook his head with a smile. "Not the stories that put Hulk to sleep."

"Its…not?" Bruce asked confused.

Steve smiled. "Course not. While you were gone we all tried the night routine with him but nothing we did could work. It's a parent/child thing. It's not the stories and songs that soothe him its your voice and presence. It's your love."

Bruce nodded and pat the large green hand that was still on his chest in comfort.

That night Hulk listened to the story that Bruce told over the computer. Clint was there listening as well as he provided an ill substitute for Bruce's comforting touch. It was the best they could do and Hulk really did appreciate it.

Once the story was over Bruce sang a song that had become their song. Hulk settled as he listened remembering the first time he had heard it.

The song itself was from an old cartoon movie that they had watched a few weeks ago. It had been chosen by Tony after he had heard of someone insulting Steve with extremely hurtful words and the paparazzi had eaten it up of course. On the outside it had looked like the words hadn't affected the super soldier but his eyes heavily betrayed him. Tony, who had developed quite the soft spot (who didn't?) for the man out of time, mentioned that he was a lot like Wilbur from Charlotte's Web.

Steve, of course, didn't get the reference. That night all seven of them had gathered around the big screen TV and watched the 1970s musical. It was for children and it was a classic and quickly became a favorite among them.

Bruce had noticed how much Hulk seemed to like "Mother Earth and Father Time" and had worked to learn it by heart. A few nights later he grinned at the delight on the giant's face when he sang it word for word.

From then on it had become Hulk's lullaby.

Clint stood beside the Hulk as he listened and stroked his hair. He would never admit to the real reason he stayed in the vents above the room during this time. Ever since he finally got to meet Bruce after the first battle he had been taken in by the disheveled man. As time wore on Bruce was instrumental in helping him with his guilt over what Loki had done to him. He found comfort in Bruce that he had only found in Phil Coulson. That comfort cemented the older man in the archer's heart and Clint found himself getting not only close to the scientist but to the monster within the man as well.

Only Natasha knew his routine. After Hulk went to sleep he would use the vents to go to Bruce's room and watch the man there as he got ready for bed and lay down. Clint would wait and not move until he was sure the gentle soul was asleep before going to his own bed.

Bruce nodded to Clint as his voice got softer. The archer looked down at the sleeping Hulk and pulled his hand away. He smiled and shook his head as he turned to the computer. "Out like a light."

Bruce nodded. "Thanks Clint. For taking care of him."

He shrugged. "Eh no big deal. I like the big guy."

Bruce chuckled. "Good night Clint."

"Night Bruce."

Clint watched the screen vanish and he closed the laptop before picking it up. His eyes landed on the sleeping massive form and his expression softened. Right now the fierce, terrible, and frightening face that was in every battle now looked more childlike and calm in sleep. This was the side he wished the world could see.

He backed away slowly so as not to wake him but stopped when he heard a sleepy voice.

"Night…Cupid."

Clint turned and grinned at him. "Night Jade Jaws."

The two shared a smile before Clint left and closed the door behind him.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

They had to do that for about a week before the SHIELD doctors permitted Bruce to leave and go home.

The scientist grinned as he entered the tower and went to the training room where he knew the others would be. He watched Hulk spar with Thor as Steve and Tony boxed in the boxing ring. Clint and Natasha were racing each other up a wall climb.

Bruce leaned against the doorway and watched them all smiling in content. He was so glad to be home.

Thor saw him first and grinned as he flew over Hulk and landed on the other side making the giant turn around. He laughed as Hulk saw the human, let out a happy roar, and ran over to him before scooping him up in his arms and hugging him!

Bruce laughed as he returned the hug as best he could. The crooning noises he heard warmed him to no end.

Once he was finally put down Bruce found himself with his arms full of a red headed assassin and a hug from behind from Thor! The others just grinned as they shook his hand.

Bruce smiled. It was good to be home!

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The next few days Bruce had to fight off a grin in amusement at how the others had taken to watching him like a hawk! If he so much as showed a tiny bit of pain a doctor was called and he was whisked to his bedroom!

It was annoying and heartwarming at the same time.

The nights though Bruce found himself reluctantly leaving the Hulk to rest. The reason was the vivid nightmares he'd get that would send him shooting out of bed and to the giant.

The fight with Ross could have gone so much worse. Bruce was well aware of that even if Hulk wasn't. He'd never forget the fear he had when Hulk…his Hulk was down and was damn close to getting killed!

The scientist hadn't realized how much the green man meant to him until that moment. Sure they had bonded but the thought of losing Hulk made his stomach churn and a horrible fear to come over him.

One night he sat on his bed with his head lowered and in his hands, fingers intertwined in his hair. Sleep was not coming as his mind whirled with thoughts and scenarios of how the fight could have gone.

Clint dropped down from the vent and went over. "Are you alright?"

Bruce looked up at him a bit in surprise. "How…?"

"Vents. What's wrong?" The archer sat down and looked at him.

Bruce sighed. "The fight. It could have gone so much worse. Hulk's not used to fighting someone that can match him. I've never been so scared in my life!"

Clint smirked a bit. "Spoken like a true father."

The scientist stilled. "Really?"

"Well duh…you've been taking care of him since the separation. A father teaches his kid right and wrong. A father teaches his kid to give him a good start in life. A father tucks his kid in at night and bonds with his kid."

He sighed. "I wouldn't know. I never had one. Mine beat the hell out of me."

Clint stared! "Wh-what?"

"Look up Brian Banner. You'll get the story."

Clint frowned at the doctor. "Bruce…hey listen. You're nothing like that. Hulk protected you since the accident for a good reason. He sees what others see: a kind person who has been through the ringer and still wants to help." He took a deep breath. "Coulson took a lost kid and changed him into an asset. He treated me like a son and comforted me the same way you comfort Hulk. He gave me hope and confidence and when I found out what happened I was heartbroken. Even Natasha couldn't help me."

Bruce softened. "You came to the Hulk cage as I was waking up."

Clint nodded. "You almost asked what happened before you looked at me and asked me what was wrong. In that instant I swear I felt Coulson guide me to the cage and open the door before shoving me inside. I stumbled and you sat up and caught me. You were there when I needed someone. You and Jade Jaws both."

"Clint I…I didn't know…"

Clint smiled. "I know. Listen…while you were gone Hulk was inconsolable. None of us could help. We all did the night routine with him but it didn't work. None of us could help take away the bad dreams or the tears he shed."

Bruce shut his eyes. "I thought about him the entire time I was there. I love him so much and didn't realize how much until now."

Clint nodded. "You need each other."

The older man only nodded. "Yeah…we do."

After Clint left Bruce returned to Hulk's room and looked at the sleeping giant. He just watched the rise and fall of the massive chest and the peaceful look on the slumbering face.

He had used movements to tell Hulk how he felt about him during the battle. Now he came out a said them.

"I love you Hulk. You are my son and I will protect you."

The words were said quietly but they were sincere. His gaze softened as he quietly shut the door.

Hulk's eyes opened as he stared at the door in shock. He had not expected those words!

He smiled gently. "Hulk love Banner." He shut his eyes and soon drifted off feeling better than he had in weeks.