~*~ 5 Years Later ~*~

Charlotte's POV

I pulled my rucksack onto my back wiping the sweat from my forehead. I was waiting for the other person to arrive so we could go to Furaha. Daniel sat next to me twiddling his thumbs, whilst my clothes were slowly becoming drenched due to the sweltering heat.

"Are you alright miss?" He asked.

"Yeah, just not used to the heat, I didn't realise it's be so hot here," I sighed drinking more water from my canteen.

He let out a deep chuckle.

We waited a while longer before a man arrived carrying a rucksack.

"Hello, are you Bruce Banner?" I smiled readjusting my glasses, which kept falling down my nose.

"Yes, and you are?"

"Dr Charlotte Monaghan. I'm going with you to Furaha, to help," I smiled.

"Oh, I didn't realise anyone was coming with me," he stated.

"Yeah, No one else wanted to come with me, and I was supposed to come next week but I heard someone else was going this week, so I thought two people are better than one."

"Dr Banner, Dr Monaghan, shall we get going to Furaha?" Daniel asked standing up from the bench we had been sat on to stand next to us.

I looked at Dr Banner and smiled softly, "is it okay if I come with you? It's fine if you don't want me to come, there are hundreds of places that sadly need help, so I can find somewhere else to go to."

"Oh no, it's fine Dr Monaghan."

The three of us got into the jeep before Daniel began to drive us to the small village of Furaha. It was a couple of hours drive to get there, which wouldn't be too much fun, but I survived the plane journey here, and the car ride to the city, so this couldn't be the worst thing in the world.

"So Dr Banner, what brings you to Zambia?" I asked from the back of the jeep leaning on the back of Daniel's seat.

"I want to help people. I've made many stupid mistakes and done some bad things helping those in need is my way of making it all right," he explained, "what about you Dr Monaghan?"

"Please call me Charlotte. I used to live in a lavish home with a man who cared about nothing but himself, and I feel as if, I have spent my life thinking only about him and myself, so I decided to become a doctor and actually help people, outside of working on a ward," I shrugged.

We talked for most of the journey, although he didn't really delve much into his life, and it was definitely more of a one sided conversation.

This was the first time I had travelled for the purpose of helping cure disease in a village, but from what Bruce had told me he had travelled many times for this purpose.

I was glad that I had come here with him, no one I knew actually wanted to help, so it would have been a solo mission, but at least I had some sort of company, even if he avoided talking a lot.

When we reached the village, we were told about the worst cases of the illness in the village, and we instantly began to work.

Even though Bruce seemed to be extremely shy, he was surprisingly very good with those we were treating, he had a comforting tone, and was able to calm down everyone we spoke, to whilst we administered medication, and made sure we did everything we could to make the people we worked with happy and healthy.

As it became dark, a fire was lit and we ate dinner. Once I finished eating, I noticed Bruce sat alone by the fire away from anyone who was sat outside.

I took a seat on the floor next to him.

"Hey, you alright?" I asked softly.

"Yeah."

"So where are you from, you sound American, but I am probably wrong," I stated attempting to make conversation.

"Yeah I was born in New Mexico, but I don't live there anymore. I'm guessing you're from England?" he said quietly.

"So where do you live now? Yeah, I was born in London, but live in Yorkshire now."

"I don't really live anywhere I generally just travel between villages that need my help, I don't really like living around people anymore, so secluded villages seem fitting as generally they are quiet and don't have lots of people," he sighed.

I frowned. That seemed kind of sad not having a home. I understand the appeal of moving around and not being stuck in one place, but not having a home just didn't seem great.

"So you don't have a home? But if you like secluded places without people around, you'd like my house. I live in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, no cold callers, no loud neighbours, the closest neighbour is about ten minutes away. It's nice. Well getting to work isn't great but I like being away from the loud cities and stuff," I shrugged.

"Not really. It sounds nice."

"Don't you get lonely? Like you don't have a place to settle down in, you travel a lot, don't you have any family or friends or a girlfriend?" I asked, "Or boyfriend?"

"Not really. My parents died a while ago, and I'm an only child. I don't really have any friends. And I don't have a girlfriend," he stated.

"Well you have me," I said before re-evaluating what I said, "As a friend, not a girlfriend. Wow you probably weren't even thinking that, and now I'm just digging myself a bigger hole. I really need to learn when to be quiet. I don't really think before I talk. I'm sorry."

He laughed softly.

"Thank you Charlotte. It's nice to actually have a conversation with someone."

I smiled. He seemed like a nice man. It seemed rather odd that he wouldn't have friends or a girlfriend for that matter. Although he did seem quite shy, and he certainly kept to himself, but he was definitely a sweet and decent guy. It was clear though, that I was the first person in a long while he had actually spoken to about something other than work related stuff.

"You're welcome. Thank you for being nice," I smiled.

He chuckled.

"So why do you live in the middle of nowhere? Do you live with anyone?"

"No. My parents died, no siblings. Haven't really got any friends, and I haven't been in a real relationship for a long while. I have a cat if that counts," I shrugged.

"What's its name?" he asked.

"Penelope. I know it may sound sad, but she's the closest thing to a friend I have. I had to hire a cleaner, so I had someone to feed her whilst I am here," I chuckled.

"It's not sad," he smiled, "But as you said, we're friends now."

I laughed softly.

~*~

We continued to help villagers, and this continued for a few of weeks until the disease wasn't in the village any longer. I was proud of our work. The village was happy and healthy, and we'd finished our job.

I finished the last check up, before heading back to the small hut that Bruce and I had been living in for nearly a month. As I grew closer to it, I could hear what sounded like muffled screams of pain.

Rushing, I got to the entrance of the hut to see Bruce doubled over.

"Are you okay?" I gasped.

"Charlotte, leave, it's not safe," he groaned.

He looked up at me, but he looked different. His eyes glowed green as he slowly began to transition from looking like him into a far larger green version.

I gasped backing away as the hut shattered around him, whilst the villager began to run around in shock.

Although it was clear I shouldn't stick around, I didn't want to leave. I didn't really understand what was going on but it was nothing that I had ever seen before. I wanted to be able to know what was happening.

"Bruce," I stated.

He looked at me but quickly ignored me again and began to walk away.

I did my best to keep up with him before he began to transition back into the Bruce I had met a few weeks ago.

Looking around there were no people as they had all fled, but surprisingly only the hut we had occupied had been damaged as he walked away from the village and just crushed the little vegetation there was.

Bruce sat on the ground letting tears fall down his cheeks.

I sat down opposite him.

"What happened?"

"Charlotte, please leave me alone."

"No. I've never seen anything like that before. Please explain it, I thought we were friends?" I smiled softly.

"Just go home Charlotte. This is too dangerous for you," he whispered.

I sighed reaching my hand out to take his hand in mine.

"Is that why you don't have friends? You don't want to hurt people accidentally. You think that you can be separate from the world and it'll all be okay," I stated.

He nodded weakly.

"Well you have to let someone in Bruce. I understand if you don't want to tell me anything, but I want to be able to help you in any way I can. That's what friends do," I smiled.

He sighed looking up at me.

"I tried to recreate the serum that created Captain America, and I used myself as the test subject, well it backfired. Now if I get angry, or my heart rate increases too much I become that. I can't control it. I've tried to cure myself, but nothings worked, that's why I just travel to help people, so I can make up for all the damage I've done," he explained, "You should go home Charlotte, the village is cured, I'm sure you want to be at home."

I chuckled, "Look I understand you want me to leave, but you need someone even if it's me. You're coming back to England with me Bruce. I understand you enjoy this going to help people, which I am more than happy to go with you to remote villages to help people, but you need a home, you need to have somewhere you want to go back to. Give it a try. Come live with me for a week, if you really hate it that much I won't make you stay any longer, but if you want to stay then you can."

He frowned and went to argue, but I gave him a firm stare.

"What if I hurt you? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I hurt you," he whispered.

"You won't hurt me Bruce. You didn't hurt me just then did you? Anyway, for all you know I'm a serial killer, I could be trying to lore you back to be murdered," I smirked.

"Charlotte-"

Before he could continue I pushed myself forward so I was on my knees and leant towards him pressing my lips softly to mine. He stiffened obviously not expecting the kiss, but softened slightly before I pulled away, with a soft smile on my face.

"Come on, we should get going, before people ask questions," I smiled softly.

 ~*~*~

A/N-

Hello.

So just to let you know there will probably be a lot of time jumping throughout the first part of the story, as this is currently 7 years prior to the main story. I am sorry for this but I will make sure it's clear where the time jumps occur.

If you have and questions comment below or PM me. Also if you want an imagine then PM me. Please check out my Marvel Imagines and Preferences book.

Thank you.

Charlotte.