"I'm not sure," Bruce admitted. "It's possible, but I really can't say for certain." He was quiet for a moment. "I think he might, though."

"Well, that's going to be interesting." Kae smiled a bit. "I'm surprised you've never tried testing how much you two share."

"It surprises you?" Bruce asked. "When I'm constantly fighting to keep him from breaking free? I hardly ever have a reason to let him out intentionally, and there's a good reason for that."

"I know, but you've never tried talking with him," Kae pointed out. "I know you can tell when he's grumbling, which seems to be as close to actual words as he gets most of the time."

"I can't imagine it would be a good idea to let him out just to see if he can talk," Bruce said quietly. He shook his head a bit. "Maybe the others have noticed something on missions. I can ask later."

Kae nodded. She knew better than to push.

"Well, like I said, try not to stay up in the lab all night. Go sit in bed and read for a while, please."

Bruce chuckled slightly.

"Alright, alright," he said. "I will. I won't stay in the lab all night."

"Good." Kae grinned briefly. "You've been fussing over me, I get to do the same to you once in a while."

"Turnabout is fair play, I see," Bruce replied with a small grin.

"Oh definitely. As is bribing." Kae grinned.

Bruce chuckled a bit.

"I see," he said. "Well, rest assured, I'll make sure not to spend all night in the lab. I can't guarantee Tony, though."

"I know. I'll wait until tomorrow night to demand he sleep." Kae smiled a bit.

Bruce couldn't help but grin. She knew them too well.

"Alright," he said. "You, on the other hand... I think you should go get some rest. I think you'll need it."

"I'll see if I can sleep." Kae smiled, amused. "I'll call you after classes tomorrow, Bruce. And Xavier's keeping track of me too."

"I know he is," Bruce said. "I look forward to the call. Sleep well, alright?"

"I will." Kae smiled a bit. "Night, Bruce."

"Night, Kae," Bruce replied.

The next few months passed in relative peace. Bruce and Tony were still overbearing but Kae got used to it. She was also just starting to show, which made the two males even more rabidly protective than normal.

But she didn't complain when they both ordered her to stay put when a call came in that the Avengers were needed in Central Park to deal with a Jotun issue.

Elaine kept Kae company while everyone else was out. The guys (and Natasha) had even taken Loki with them, since there wasn't anyone better suited to helping against Jotun than he was. Everything was quiet enough for the time being, although that was likely to change at any given moment.

Loki knew who was behind this as soon as he felt her draw on her magic. But he was in a different area dealing with Jotun when that happened, so he didn't get there until after the damage had already been done. And then he stayed a very careful distance away from the Hulk.

Kae blinked when she got a call from Tony. "What's up?"

"I need you to go down three floors and open the door to the Hulk room, and then you and Elaine need to stay upstairs." Tony's voice brooked no argument, and he swore as he dodged to the side.

Bruce blinked when he realized he was himself again. That wasn't right. He'd given control over to the Hulk, it usually took elephant tranquilizers to put him out if the battle ended before his rage eased. So what--

He flinched backwards violently when he heard the Hulk roar, and an enormous green form launched itself over his head at the remaining Jotun. That was the last thing Bruce saw, though, because something hit him from behind and knocked him out.

Elaine watched Kae as her friend got up and headed for the elevator, and she followed.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Kae said with a frown. "Tony just said to open up the Hulk room. I'm guessing something went wrong." She worried her lower lip as she headed down and opened up the appropriate room.

Tony got Bruce safely off to the side and away from the fight, his brain still reeling with the implications of what he was seeing. The Jotun were almost gone, Bruce was near Barton knocked out cold, and Hulk was bashing on one of the remaining Jotun.

"Barton," he said, glancing at the archer, "have one of the tranqs ready."

"I'm sure everything will be okay," Elaine soothed as she followed her friend.

Clint nodded and pulled out one of the special tranqs that Bruce had developed specifically for the Hulk. "Call it."

Kae nodded, though she was unconvinced.

Tony waited until the Jotun were all down and Hulk was still raging. "Do it."

Clint immediately released the arrow, and it struck the back of Hulk's neck. Hulk roared and reached back to pull out the arrow, but only managed to snap it in half before the tranqs knocked him out. He wavered, and then fell to the ground with a shuddering thud.