Helen treated Barton.
The wound looked frightening, but it had missed anything vital.
With the Regeneration Cradle's printing technology, it would heal quickly.
Banner watched with keen interest.
"Is he going to be okay?" Natasha asked anxiously.
"His condition won't get any worse." Holding a computer, Helen smiled slightly. "The nanomolecules will take effect instantly, and his cells will gradually form virtual links."
"She's generating skin tissue," Banner said in amazement.
"If you brought him to my laboratory, the Regeneration Cradle could work even faster," Helen said proudly. "Just twenty minutes."
That made Banner even more interested.
He watched the machine work intently.
Tony walked in with drinks and heard her boasting. Without mercy, he said, "He's flatlining."
Helen rolled her eyes at him.
"No, no, no. I'm never going to die," Barton said with a smile. "I'm going to become a plastic man."
"You won't change at all, Mr. Barton," Helen said. "Even your girlfriend won't notice any difference."
Barton took a sip of the drink Tony handed him. "Too bad I don't have a girlfriend."
Helen couldn't help him with that.
But Helen hadn't forgotten to get her revenge. "This is new technology, Tony. Your old metal suits are about to become obsolete."
Tony glanced at the nanotechnology, rapidly designing his next suit in his head, but his tongue remained sharp as he replied dismissively, "Yeah, I've already put it on the agenda."
"I hope you can come to Saturday's party, Doctor."
"Unlike you, I don't have time for parties." Then Helen changed tack, her voice growing much quieter. "Is Thor going?"
"I don't remember Taran Industries working you that hard," Tony teased. "Thor loves parties."
Helen was sorely tempted.
After all, who wouldn't want to see the prince of Asgard? Well, except for the prince named Loki.