Banner watched them both, a faint relief settling in his eyes. For the first time in years, there was a plan that didn't involve running.
The next day, Bruce Banner was flown quietly back to the United States. James stayed behind in the hotel, deliberately attracting attention—leaving a trail for whoever was watching to follow. If Hydra wanted a target, he'd make sure to become a big bright target.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
James stayed at the hotel for three days. His four field teams of twenty agents in total—spent that time drifting around the city, unsure of what their commanding officer was planning. But none of them dared to question him outright, but they couldn't hide their confusion. Bruce Banner was classified as a global-level threat, and yet their superior had abruptly called off all surveillance.
Banner had already gone dark—disguised, with full makeup applied to dull his features—and slipped away to get to Tony Stark's private jet. The extraction had gone perfectly. No one outside their group knew a thing.
James, meanwhile, stayed behind as bait. He acted as the most visible target in the region, allowing any watching eyes to focus on him while Bruce escaped unseen.
Three days later, a call came through on a secure line.
"Banner's landed safely. With no one knowing of his arrival." Tony said on the line.
James ended the call with relief. His job here was done.
He stepped out of the hotel lobby and called out to his men. "Pack it up. Inform headquarters to arrange transport. We're returning to Washington."
The order startled them. A team leader hesitated. "Sir, what about our mission parameters?"
James gave a small smile. "Our mission's over. If HQ asks, tell them I'll report directly to the Director."
He didn't elaborate further, and they didn't ask. Orders were orders.
Back at headquarters, confusion rippled through the chain of command when his report came in. But procedure demanded compliance, and by evening, a S.H.I.E.L.D. transport jet was dispatched to bring them home.
Washington, D.C.
The familiar chill of polished metal and bureaucracy filled the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. James stepped off the transport ramp. Minutes later, he was called straight into the Director's office.
Nick Fury was waiting, in his black leather trench coat, with a cold stare in his one good eye. "You mind telling me what's going on, Agent Gibson? You abandoned your post and came straight back. Where's Dr. Banner?"
James didn't bother with formalities. He dropped into the sofa opposite Fury, leaning slightly back with his arms resting along the backrest, and legs crossed casually
"Relax," he said. "Banner's safe. No need for further surveillance. Tony and I reached an agreement with him. He's on board—with us. We're building a private research facility for the three of us."
Fury's brow furrowed. "You convinced him? That man doesn't trust anyone."
"A talk over tea," James simply replied. "You ever tried that, Director? The way of tea's about patience and clarity. Once you calm a man's mind, the rest follows. I just let him talk—and listened."
Fury let out a quiet grunt, half amusement, half disbelief. "You and Stark, running recruitment drives now? Fine. What about the Hydra contact you brought back?"
"He's a pawn," James said. "Doesn't know much, but I confirmed an intent. They're after me. My presence in the field has cost them heavily. They'll try again."
Fury nodded slowly. "Keep your head down for now. They won't risk a large-scale hit, but they've still got remnants. Be careful."
He paused before continuing. "Phil and I will be away for a while. You don't have any new assignments until further notice."
James flicked ash into a tray. "Perfect timing. Tony and I need to lock down the lab site anyway. Where are you going, by the way? I didn't see Hill when I came in."
Fury's expression gave nothing away. "You're cleared for a lot, but not that. It's classified."
James shrugged, pretending indifference. "Suit yourself."
Inside, though, his pulse quickened. 'The Tesseract.' He knew it had to be. Even though it's already passed the initial date, The Plot will find a way. The Battle of New York should come at any moment. The thought made his blood hum with anticipation. Better late than never Loki.
He rose, and left without another word.
As he walked down the corridor, Cortana voiced her opinion.
[ Analysis made: likelihood of Fury and Coulson traveling to the Tesseract research site—eighty-two percent. ]
"Yeah," James murmured. "Feels like that time's coming. Our actions with Thor must have delayed Loki's arrival."
[ Acknowledged. Evelyn Salt's timeline already diverged. Future predictions carry increased uncertainty. ]
"Exactly. We adapt when necessary."
By the time he reached his apartment, his thoughts had settled into focus. The place was dusty, but the staff had maintained it in his absence. The fridge was empty, which suited him fine. He had no plans to stay long.
He opened his laptop and pinged Tony Stark through a private line.
"Yo Tony, found a good site yet?"
"Not yet, but California's promising. Close enough for me to oversee. Remote enough for Banner to go green without wrecking the neighborhood."
"Makes sense. We'll need his approval—he'll be the one stuck there full-time."
"Fair. Come by my house tomorrow, we'll map it out. You still in D.C.?"
"Yeah. I'll fly out in the morning. Meet you in Malibu."
The call ended with the faint sound of Stark's glass clinking in the background.
The next morning, James booked a direct flight to California. The timing was deliberate—he didn't want his movements logged through S.H.I.E.L.D. channels. Commercial flights left fewer traces.
Meanwhile, far from Washington, Fury and Coulson's convoy cut through the desert toward a high-security installation buried beneath the rock.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Tesseract Research Facility.
"Director," Coulson said quietly from the passenger seat, "shouldn't we tell James about this? Maybe even bring Stark in? Between the two of them, progress would triple."
Fury's expression grew serious. "It's not about capability, Phil. It's about control. Those two are brilliant—but impossible to contain. Give them access to the Tesseract, and they'll try to mount it inside their suits before we can blink."
Coulson gave a wry smile. "He's got a point. But progress is dragging."
"Let it drag," Fury said. "I'd rather be slow and stable than fast and glowing."
When they arrived, the air inside the underground base hummed with raw energy. Blue light pulsed faintly behind reinforced glass.
Maria Hill was already there, her posture sharp and her expression grim. "Director, the readings are climbing again. The Tesseract's becoming unstable."
Fury frowned. "I know. Start the evacuation protocol. You and Coulson coordinate topside. I'll go down and see it myself."
He descended the final ramp into the chamber as the pulse of alien light reflected in his eye.
Above, alarms began to blare.
The prelude to the Battle of New York had begun.
And miles away, James Gibson was sitting in Tony Stark's glass-walled home, sketching plans for a research compound that would one day house both Iron Man and the Hulk.
Three geniuses, three paths—all about to collide with the same storm.