Book Two - Part One: Spectre

Laurel sits leaning against the door frame to the balcony of the small apartment, she has her cellphone pressed to her ear listening to Tony talk, he's upset, things between him and Elena aren't really going all that well. And Laurel is Tony's shoulder to moan on. She doesn't mind. She loves that he still thinks of her as his sister after everything that happened with Howard. Tony could have easily tossed her aside much like he did but Tony just fought harder to keep her as his sister. Bruce appears in the bedroom doorway and raises an eyebrow at her, she offers him an apologetic smile.

"Brother" she mouths at Bruce who nods and rubs at his eyes before heading through to the kitchen. She can hear him pottering on in the next room as Tony rambles a little in her ear.

"I don't know what to do, Laurie" Tony admits. "It's like she's...pulling away from me"

"Elena's crazy about you" she assures Tony. "It's not that long since her dad died, so she's bound to be finding things difficult, everyone knows how close they were, just give her time to adjust, to grieve......for once think about someone other then yourself" she teases slightly. "This is your chance to show her how serious you are about her, about the two of you; be there for her; you know like a normal human being...." she smiles listening to Tony's reply. Bruce walks to her side and sets a mug of tea on the floor beside her. She smiles warmly up at him. He sits next to her resting his head on her shoulder, Laurie reaches up and strokes her fingers through his hair. He hums contently closing his eyes. "Tony, things with Elena will work out..."

"Yeah" Tony mumbles. "Maybe; thanks, Laurie"

"It's okay, Tony" she assures him. "You don't need to thank me......" she glances to Bruce who now sleeps against her, she smiles warmly.

"So how are you?" Tony asks.

"I'm perfect" she answers. "You don't need to worry about me"

"Where are you?" Tony tries, he just wants to know that she's okay, she knows this.

"I can't tell you" she admits. "It's just better this way...."

"Are you in trouble?" Tony asks her, more alert now.

"No; I'm trying to stay out of it" she admits. "Goodnight, Tony" she then hangs up not giving him a chance to argue with her, she looks to Bruce. "Bruce" she whispers, he hums a little as she draws her fingers down his back. "Come on" she adds standing managing to pull him up with her as he wakes slightly, just enough to move his feet.

..........

Bruce drops onto the bed and sighs softly laying back, Laurie smiles fondly at him, because in his sleepy state he is the adorable dork of a man she fell in love with all those years ago. She sees more of the old him in this moment. Bruce reaches across the bed for her.

"Laurel" he mumbles.

"I'm right here" she assures him, he peeks through his eyes at her.

"What time is it?" he asks.

"About 2am" she answers pulling her cardigan down her arms. He smiles at her.

"Hey" he calls softly, she raises an eyebrow at him. "Happy Valentine's day" he offers, she chuckles and crawls into bed with him, pulling the blankets around them both before turning to him.

"Happy Valentine's day, Bruce" she replies stroking her fingers over his cheek. "I'll make you pancakes in the morning" she promises, he smiles.

"You so good to me" he whispers with adoration, she kisses the tip of his forehead and then pulls back. He sighs as he starts to fall asleep, pulling Laurie closer to him, she rests her head on his chest and closes her eyes letting the sounds of Rio lull her to sleep. Ricky resting at their feet.