After a brief respite, Betty took the initiative to suggest a second round of their intimate evening together.
She hadn't been with anyone since Banner's disappearance years ago. Initially, her abstinence had been due to genuine grief and complete disinterest in the men who surrounded her at the university. Later, when she had finally adapted to life without Banner, she simply hadn't encountered anyone who could make her heart race with genuine excitement.
While many men had pursued her over the years, none had met her standards or sparked the kind of attraction that could overcome her emotional barriers.
Until a week ago, when she had met Richard on the university campus.
Although he hadn't used any supernatural abilities to influence her—relying instead on natural charisma and engaging conversation—his combination of striking appearance and sharp wit had quickly captured her interest. Compared to her previous suitors, he was obviously more compelling in every measurable way.
This wasn't particularly surprising, of course. If even Richard's enhanced features couldn't impress her, it would have suggested that her aesthetic preferences differed dramatically from normal human standards.
8:00 AM - The Next Morning
Betty's alarm clock rang at precisely eight o'clock, its persistent chiming cutting through the peaceful atmosphere of her bedroom.
After their activities had continued well past midnight, Betty's eyes opened with an expression of considerable displeasure at being forced awake so early.
Then she saw Richard lying beside her, already awake and watching her with an amused smile.
"Good morning," he said warmly.
"Good... good morning," Betty replied, taking several seconds to fully process her surroundings. As the memories of their passionate evening returned, a shy blush spread across her features.
While she was certainly an experienced adult, this was the first time she had brought someone home for the night since Banner's departure. More significantly, she and Richard had known each other for only a week—a remarkably short courtship period compared to the months Banner had spent pursuing her before she had agreed to become his girlfriend.
Noticing Betty's bashful expression, Richard smiled and asked, "Do you have classes this morning?"
Betty shook her head slowly. "Not until this afternoon."
"Since you're free..." Richard's hand began tracing lazy patterns along her skin, his intentions unmistakable.
Rather than objecting to his advances, Betty pressed closer to him, answering his unspoken question through action rather than words.
Soon, the sounds of their renewed intimacy filled the bedroom once again.
Noon
After sharing lunch at Betty's house, Richard drove her to Culver University for her afternoon classes. He watched until she disappeared into the campus buildings, then parked his vehicle and simply vanished via teleportation.
Greyburn College, New York - Biology Department
"Has he responded to your email?" Richard asked Dr. Samuel Sterns, who was dressed casually in jeans and a simple shirt rather than his usual professional attire.
"Yes, he confirmed that he'll be here at the scheduled time," Sterns replied quickly, his nervousness about the situation evident in his clipped responses.
"Good. Now take me to see your laboratory," Richard continued. "I know you've been synthesizing large quantities of his blood."
During his telepathic examination of Sterns's memories, Richard had discovered the extensive collection of Banner's blood samples that the scientist had created through careful replication and concentration processes.
In the original timeline, Sterns had injected Emil Blonsky with Banner's blood at a 14.56% concentration, transforming the super-soldier serum-enhanced soldier into the monstrous Abomination.
According to Sterns's research philosophy, gamma radiation possessed unlimited potential for human enhancement and disease treatment. He believed that continued investigation could lead to antidotes for various illnesses and ultimately make humanity immune to most forms of disease.
Without further discussion, Sterns led Richard to the secure laboratory where Banner's blood samples were stored.
The space matched Richard's memories perfectly—an entire room filled with carefully organized storage units containing Banner's blood in various concentrations. The samples were displayed with almost reverential care, like precious artifacts in a museum collection.
Sterns began providing detailed explanations about the different samples and their potential applications, but Richard cut him off with a simple command.
"Destroy them all."
Sterns stared at him in shock. "What?"
"I said destroy them all," Richard repeated firmly.
While he understood the tremendous research value these samples represented, Richard had no desire to see the Abomination emerge in this universe. The creature's rampage through New York had caused enough destruction in the original timeline.
Sterns opened his mouth to protest, but the serious expression on Richard's face made him reconsider. Reluctantly, he began the process of disposing of Banner's blood under Richard's watchful supervision.
Initially, Richard was content to observe from the sidelines. However, Sterns's cautious, methodical approach quickly became frustrating.
"Forget it, I'll handle this myself," Richard declared.
He activated his omega-level matter manipulation abilities, systematically decomposing every sample of Banner's blood along with their storage containers. Under Sterns's horrified gaze, the entire collection transformed into harmless atomic particles and dispersed into nothingness.
Within seconds, decades of research had been completely eliminated, leaving the laboratory empty of both Banner's blood and several other experimental samples that had been stored in the same area.
Without bothering to acknowledge Sterns's obvious distress, Richard teleported away, leaving the scientist to contemplate his empty laboratory in dismay.
High Altitude Above S.H.I.E.L.D. Facility
After departing from Sterns's laboratory, Richard materialized at an altitude of several thousand feet above the secret S.H.I.E.L.D. facility where Captain America was being held.
Perhaps motivated by the attack on Alexander Pierce, Nick Fury had finally made the decision to awaken Steve Rogers from his decades-long suspended animation. The process had been completed successfully, and Rogers was now undergoing intensive rehabilitation training.
Through his enhanced vision, Richard could observe Captain America engaged in physical exercises that would have been impossible for normal humans. Decades of ice preservation had not only prevented aging but had actually extended his natural lifespan significantly. Without the freezing process, Rogers would now be an elderly man with limited physical capabilities.
The mental conditioning Richard had implanted during his earlier visit to the facility remained undetectable, lying dormant in Rogers's subconscious until activated by specific triggers.
After briefly confirming the super-soldier's status, Richard teleported back to Los Angeles rather than returning to Virginia.
Los Angeles - Luxury Apartment
Richard materialized in the living room to find Wanda practicing her chaos magic while watching American television. She was simultaneously levitating five or six coffee cups in complex aerial patterns while following the plot of a popular drama series.
Pietro was nowhere to be seen.
"How's your training progressing?" Richard asked as he approached.
Wanda immediately turned toward him, her concentration causing the floating cups to gently settle onto the coffee table. "It's going well. I'm becoming much more precise with my control."
Following Richard's guidance, Wanda had focused on developing fine manipulation skills rather than attempting large-scale displays of power. This approach would serve her better in the long term, allowing her to use her abilities subtly and effectively.
"Excellent. Where's Pietro? Out playing superhero again?"
"Probably," Wanda replied with a slight frown. "He's rarely home during the day anymore. He only comes back to sleep."
While Wanda appreciated her brother's desire to help people, his increasing absence made her worry about his safety and well-being.
"If his constant absence bothers you, tell him directly," Richard suggested as he settled onto the sofa beside her. "He'll listen if you make your concerns clear."
"I've tried, but he just brushes me off every time," Wanda said with obvious frustration.
Perhaps because he felt she could now protect herself, or for other reasons, Pietro had become less attentive to her feelings since awakening his powers.
"Next time he dismisses your concerns, use your abilities to get his attention," Richard advised with amusement. "You're much stronger than he is, even if he is the older sibling."
While Wanda's current power level was far below her eventual potential, her chaos magic was already more formidable than Pietro's enhanced speed.
"Teach him a lesson?" Wanda asked, seeming to consider the possibility.
After a few seconds, she nodded decisively. "Okay!"
Following a brief conversation with Wanda, Richard retreated to the apartment's study to plan his next moves.
Banner had now returned to the United States and would arrive at Greyburn College in two days for his meeting with Sterns. Assuming no complications arose, this encounter would lead to Banner's transformation into the Hulk and their subsequent confrontation.
Even if Banner proved reluctant to transform, Richard was prepared to force the issue through appropriate provocation.
After some consideration, Richard decided to bring Betty along to witness Banner's return. The sight of his former lover in the company of another man would certainly trigger the emotional response necessary for a dramatic Hulk manifestation.
Beyond the immediate confrontation with Banner, Richard was also contemplating longer-term objectives. Should he travel to Asgard to eliminate certain individuals who might complicate his future plans? Should he preemptively deal with threats like Shang-Chi, Carol Danvers, or members of the Eternals?
After weighing various options, he concluded that eliminating certain future complications made strategic sense, provided such actions didn't interfere with the availability of the Infinity Stones.
Having reached his decision, Richard returned to the living room. "Would you like to go out for a while? Maybe do some shopping?"
Wanda's face lit up with immediate interest. "Shopping? Yes, absolutely!"
"Go change into something comfortable," Richard suggested.
"I'll be ready in just a few minutes!" Wanda declared, carefully setting down her levitating cups before hurrying toward her bedroom.
She returned wearing an attractive orange jacket with black and white geometric patterns, paired with matching shorts that showed off her legs to excellent advantage.
"Perfect," Richard said with an approving nod. "Let's go."
They spent several hours exploring Los Angeles's premier shopping districts, with Wanda displaying the same enthusiastic approach to retail therapy that Richard had observed during their first week together.
When they finally returned to the apartment laden with packages, Richard checked his watch and made an announcement.
"I have some business to attend to, so I won't be able to stay. Call me if you need anything."
"Understood," Wanda replied, choosing not to ask about his mysterious activities.
Under her watchful gaze, Richard activated his teleportation ability and vanished instantly.
Two Days Later - Greyburn College, New York
Bruce Banner approached the biology building wearing a baseball cap, jeans, and a simple shirt—clothing designed to help him blend into the college environment without attracting attention.
After asking directions from several students, he located Samuel Sterns's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Sterns called from inside.
Banner entered to find the scientist looking up from his desk with a puzzled expression.
"Can I help you?" Sterns asked.
While he had scheduled a meeting with "Mr. Green" for today, the appointment wasn't for another two hours.
"I'm Mr. Green," Banner replied simply.
The revelation caused Sterns's eyes to widen with surprise and excitement.
"I've been wondering what kind of person you might be," Sterns said as he stood and approached Banner. "You seem much more... gentle than I expected."
He extended his hand in greeting. "I'm Samuel Sterns, but you can call me Sam."
"Bruce Banner," Banner replied, accepting the handshake. "Dr. Sterns, have you really found a way to cure gamma radiation poisoning?"