To Me...

"Tell that to the Multiverse. Sorry folks, but it's kind of universal. Banner goes green, he's Hulk. Ask them." He pointed to the X-Men. "They have their own Hulk named after him. And then there is the cousin, Change it now and she ain't a She-Hulk no more." Jamie reminded them. "If he wants a name change, it's up to him." He turned to Hulk. "You can try talking if you wanna, it's ok. They wanna listen. I know it's hard buddy. No one really has asked you. Some of the rules are different right now. You might be able to...if I am helping." He put his hand on him. "What do you wanna say Big Fella?"

"I thought this version couldn't?" Xi'an asked.

"I just bloody hinted that I am kinda giving him a lesson here by altering reality enough to allow him the capacity. Besides, it's only a matter of when, not if. Guy is part of a physicist. Technically he is also a PhD. He just has to get there over time and grow. Just like the other ones." Jamie explained.

"Well...multiverse Theory Mate. You and...more often than not, a fella by the name of Bruce who is born instead of you most times...not all. the brother you never had basically...usually go through a variation of the same ordeals that lead to you getting Gamma Mutated." Jamie said. "Of course I grasp this stuff easy now. Like I said. My types problem is we see everything at once and have to...find a way to pick and choose. i mean it's like...some places someone else is born, some places you are a girl, some places you got a different heritage...or just ain't. All options exist."

"So is choice irrelevant?" Meanstreak said.

"Mate, just because other choices happen elsewhere, don't mean it ain't. What if option B means death? So what if someone else somewhere decided to eat out instead of making a sandwich? He got hit by a car. He's dead. His future is over. You exist so the options can exist. they exist so yours does. You don't exist when you should, it's a missing thread, and then the whole blanket looks like shit." Jamie said to him. "Most people don't see it like that when they ask that question. Now him, David's are less common, is that bad? No. They stand out more, are more special than a sea of Robert Bruce Banner's. He is what happens if his Mom doesn't marry that arse Brian Banner...cuz he didn't get born either....at least...not the abusive version. Not really looking into Geneology here."

"Hulk, look at me. Try saying Hi." Krytalin said. "That is a good start. Like this, Hi." She said as she waved.

"You are having fun with this." Skullfire said.

Jamie looked at him. "That's a greeting big guy. And don't worry. You gotta copy fer a while to understand, but see, he is capable of speaking. He just hasn't developed enough to put meaning to it. But he can...cuz his brain is yours." He looked at David. "He has the capacity to learn. So the question is...what do you take from that? What if you can take this further...and teach him what you think he needs to know?"

"That basically is how it starts with infancy, mimicry opens up their mind to cognition. Now that he can say Hi...he will want to learn what it means, how to use it and such." Meanstreak nodded as he stared. "And now my mind goes to the CEO's cloning works." He looked at Hulk. "Basically Jamie sped him along a bit mentally I assume to get to the point where he can begin the process."

"Indeed, usually they are at least at Hulk Smash levels of talking. Crude third person verbal dialogue, which hides the greater intelligence." Jamie stared. "Nah...not gonna cheat it anymore. You both need to learn together. David needs some growin' too." He looked at him. "Hulk...do you know who he is by name?" He pointed at David. "You know in your heart and your mind. Say how it sounds."

Jamie held out his hands. "STOP!!" He focused his power to immobilize him. "Hulk. I made you physical, I can put you back in. Yes, that is Banner. But that is also you. You are him." He looked at David. "Look in his eyes. Do you see it, behind the rage? The fear?"

Shakti put his hand on Hulk's cheek. "Relax, you are safe Hulk. Listen to my voice. I am a friend." She spoke in a soothing tone. "It's ok."

"Fear?" Meanstreak asked.

"Well, David is trying to keep him locked away and basically kill him with a 'cure'. How would it make you feel if someone you are close to tried to shank you with an X-Gene cure?" Jamie said to him. "He doesn't want to die."

"He understands." Jamie said. "I wanted you to see this David. You keep seeing him as a disease. But when was the last time you saw a virus cry?" He looked at him. "You didn't gain another psychosis or a health issue mate. That brain is literally room for two. You're trying to abort a second life, only it'd be lying saying you are doing that to a 5 year old with a baseball bat. And one you cannot separate from, most because I could but then Mr. Blue Skinned Bloody Space Rock would come in and undo. Because that is an ending not earned...to speak like that fat toad Mojo."

Jamie looked at him. "Trust me, I got a different brain too. I don't got another bloke innit but...my brain scares me too. But you are lucky. You ain't alone. He's in there too. He doesn't hate you because you exist. He wants you to understand him, he wants you...to want him." He then hugged him. "It's ok to be different mate. It don't make you a monster. That's up to your choices."

He let him go. "And I am doing this to help you find the real choice...cuz I want you to be the best you. Cuz if you are dating my Dear Betsy...you gotta meet my standards mate." Jamie smiled. "Dad ain't here to weigh in, and Brian is too bloody soft hearted. We both see the good in ya, no doubts there, but my angle...is closer to home." He unfroze the Hulk. "There you go big fella. I think he's processing this well. It's ok Mate." He looked at Psylocke. "I mean you got from fer two in that heart of yours, don'tcha Betsy?"

"Like I was fun in my confusion. But it is a first good step. You saw it too huh? For a second, I think they locked eyes and it's begun to click. Maybe they are beginning to see a person instead of a problem in the other. Hulk is wrong too in his own way. Lashing out. But his is a crime of ignorance. He doesn't have a lifetime like Davey does. He wants help but he don't know how to ask, so it's a crime of ignorance." He looked at her. "He needs what you tried to give me once, a hand. Just to be told...it's ok to be him. Shockingly, you gotta see it like them two." He pointed at Donald and Thor. "No one is asking you to become drinking buddies, but...you really think Donny Boy is gonna leave Thor hung out to dry...or the opposite?"

"Even I know that lesson." Bloodhawk spoke. "He does speak truly David Banner. You always sought someone who could understand your situation. Did you ever stop to think he was too? And he needed it to start...with you?"

Xi'an smiled. "See, if he can learn that from us, you can too."

Bloodhawk sighed. "Yes, yes. Get it out Xi'an." He smirked.

Jamie smiled. "I had a guy who tried to help me who took some clases with him. Didn't unmake that one. He was polite and sincere." Jamie paused and waved a hand. "Baby steps, just remade all the bad shrinks I ever unmade, with warnings to be more honest and care...cuz I on;y zapped people in it for cash." He looked at Betsy. "See, already on a curve upwards. Now, I could come along so he can be there too. Might even talk with him about the pills. Would be good to get a buyer fer the old Krakoan coffers to fiil."

He looked at Betsy. "Don't worry, I'm still a son of England at heart. Just...gotta pay what I owe."

"I think it is good. David, you are handling this well. If only more people can face themselves like this and be so strong." Cerebra showed a small smile.

"Holy shock. Shakti smiled." Henri said.

She rolled her eyes. "Shut up Henri."