Chapter 27: Persuading Bruce

As Natasha slipped away from Stark Industries, her senses on high alert, she was unaware that Ethan had been quietly observing her every move. He decided to follow her, his instincts urging him to ensure her safety, which made him confused as for why he was doing it.

Keeping a discreet distance, Ethan trailed Natasha through the bustling streets of the city, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew where she was headed—to locate Dr. Bruce Banner, the brilliant scientist with a dangerous alter ego known as the Hulk.

Arriving at a remote location outside the city, Natasha approached Bruce, who was lured here by a young kid under the pretense of asking help of Bruce to treat her father cautiously, her demeanor calm yet authoritative. "Dr. Banner," she began, her voice steady, "we need your help."

Bruce regarded her with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. "What kind of help?" he asked cautiously, his eyes darting around to see whether he is surrounded.

"Dr. Banner," Natasha began, her voice carrying a sense of urgency, "we need your expertise in tracking down the Tesseract."

Bruce regarded her with a furrowed brow, his mind already racing with the question as for why they would need his help. "Why me?" he asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Natasha explained the situation, detailing how the Tesseract emitted small amounts of gamma radiation, a signature that Bruce was uniquely equipped to trace. "We need your help to locate it before it falls into the wrong hands," she added, her gaze unwavering.

Bruce considered her words for a moment, weighing the risks against the potential benefits. "And if I refuse?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Natasha met his gaze with a steely resolve. "Then we'll have to find another way," she replied, "But I'm hoping you'll see the importance of what we're trying to accomplish."

Ethan watched from afar, admiring Natasha's tactful approach. He could tell that Bruce was grappling with the weight of the decision, knowing it could affect the fate of the Tesseract—and possibly the world.

Finally, Bruce nodded in reluctant agreement. "Alright," he conceded. "But I'll need access to my equipment and some time to analyze the data."

Natasha nodded in understanding, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Dr. Banner," she said sincerely, extending her hand in appreciation. "Your contribution could make all the difference."

As Bruce and Natasha set off to S.H.I.E.L.D., Ethan lingering in shadows decides to go back as well.