"Hey! I meant that as a compliment. We need more strong, powerful women types to balance out the testosterone levels in the world," Darcy stated.
"Darcy truly meant no harm," Thor said, placing a hand on Jennifer's shoulder. "She often speaks before thinking. It can be quite refreshing."
"And irritating as hell," Jane added, before walking forward, her hand extended. "Hi, I'm Jane Foster."
Almost tentatively, Jennifer shook her hand, realising that she'd squeezed too hard by the wince on the other woman's face. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to my strength like, well, like this. I'm Jennifer Walters, Bruce's cousin."
Jane gave a nod to Bruce before turning and stepping forward and giving Thor a hug and kiss.
"I can totally see the resemblance," Darcy said. "Well, not now, obviously, but when he's all big and green and muscly, too. I like your hair, that green tinge is really unique."
Self-consciously, Jennifer ran her fingers through a lock of her hair that had fallen over her shoulder.
"So, why are you all big and green and he's not?" she asked, sticking her thumb over her shoulder at Bruce. "I thought that only happened when he was all angry and if you're angry, shouldn't he be, too?"
"That doesn't seem to work the same with Jennifer. It's something that we're still trying to work out," Bruce said.
"Well, if you're needing some extra opinions, we'd be glad to help out," Erik said to Bruce before reaching forward to shake Jennifer's hand. "Nice to meet you, Jennifer. I'm Erik."
"So, how's things been going down here?" Tony asked.
"Wonderfully," Thor beamed. "Jennifer is strong and quick. With a little training she has the makings of a fine warrior."
"Oh no!" Jennifer protested. "I'm a lawyer, not a fighter; I fight with words, not fists."
"Might not be a bad idea, though; girl's gotta know how to defend herself," Darcy said. "Me, I'm not a fighter either; that's why I always carry my taser. Works a treat."
"I can attest to that," Thor stated grimly.
"See? If it can stop a big guy like Thor, it can stop anyone," Darcy said happily.
Jennifer's eyes widened. "You tased Thor?"
"Well, at least I didn't hit him with a car. Twice!" she protested.
"I said I was sorry," Jane retorted.
"You … you hit Thor with … with a car. Twice. And you … tased him. One of the strongest Avengers, beaten by a pair of girls?"
At the start of Jennifer's summary, she's sounded incredulous but amused; by the end, she was outright laughing.
And that's when it finally happened. As she laughed, Jennifer's skin began to fade from jade green to a more natural skin tone. At the same time, she began losing height. Within half a minute, the jade green giantess had given way to a normal sized, human girl.
Seeing her put a hand up to her head and begin to sway, Bruce rushed forward to catch her the same time that Thor did. Together, the two lowered the now unconscious Jennifer to the ground. Bruce's fingers immediately reached out to check her pulse.
"She's fine. Just sleeping," he said, sounding relieved. "I go through the same thing."
"What happened? Why'd she change back now?" Tony asked.
Bruce shook his head. "I've got no idea. That was the first time I've heard her laughing though, so I'm guessing emotion played a part? Again, that fits with what happens with me."
"Will she stay normal or will she change back again?" Pepper asked.
Again, Bruce shook his head. "I've got absolutely no idea. I could make guesses but I'd rather wait until I can run some tests and I'll hold off on that until she's rested."
"If you wish, I can carry her to her room," Thor offered.
"Thanks, Thor, I'd appreciate that," Bruce smiled.
ooo00ooo
Tony led the three into the semi-revamped lab and spread his arms wide.
"I'm hoping that you'll find this satisfactory," he said.
"This is for us?" Jane asked, looking around in awe.
"Well, yeah," Tony replied.
"It's too much, this must have cost a fortune; the equipment in here, it's state of the art," Erik stated.
"Nothing but the best," Tony beamed, then, seeing that they were about to protest, explained. "Look, you're all astrophysicists, right?"
"I'm not," Darcy said, raising one hand. "I just do what they tell me. Well, most of the time."
Tony ignored her, focussing on the two vaunted scientists.
"If my facts are right, you're both studying Einstein-Rosen bridges?" he asked.
"Wormholes, yes," Erik nodded.
"And you both think that they're the same thing as that pretty light show that Thor uses to travel between here and Asgard and to make annoying patterns in the grass?" he added.
"Yes." Jane said. "From what Thor's explained, the Bifrost links the nine worlds of Asgard together allowing them to travel between them."
"Well, if we mere humans can create our own, then that gives us a little more independence, an extra option …" he said
"Option?" Erik questioned.
Tony shrugged. "In case we ever want to travel about and see the cosmos. Anyway, you're studying it and I'm all for it. This is my way of helping. Take a look at what's here and let me know if there's anything else you want or need and I'll see what I can do."
Jane's heartfelt, "thank you," barely preceded her dashing away to examine and touch it everything in sight.
"You're just a big softie, aren't you?" Darcy stated, poking Tony in the arm.
"Well, I do like to make people happy," Tony replied.
"That's not what I've heard. Still, you've made those two happier than I've seen them before; they're like kids in a candy store."
Tony grinned; that was exactly what they looked like. He couldn't wait to show them Candy Land and to see their reaction to that.
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