『ᴀʀᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇʟ || ᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴠᴇʟ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ

Ch. 39: Safe House

"The news is loving you guys. Nobody else it. There's been no official call for Banner's arrest but it's in the air," Maria explained from where she sat at Stark tower, talking over the radio on the quinjet.

"The Stark Relief Foundation?" Tony asked, apparently one of the only people able to have found his voice.

"They're already on the scene," Maria hummed, "How's the team?"

"Everyone's... We took a hit. We'll shake it off."

"Well, for now, I'd stay in stealth mode and stay away from here."

"So, run and hide?" Tony questioned, leaning forward from his seat.

"Until we can find Ultron, I don't have a lot else to offer."

Tony sighed, "Neither do we."

He hung up the call and walked up to Clint, opting to drive the quinjet so Clint could take a break. Clint shook his head, "No, I'm good. If you wanna get some kip, now's a good time because we're still a few hours out."

"Few hours from where?" Tony asked.

"A safe house," Clint responded.

I shut my eyes, a headache coming on. I raised my right arm and pressed it to my forehead, eyebrows narrowing from the pain. Steph looked at me from where she sat, getting to her feet and walking over.

She knelt down in front of me, grabbing my hand and prying it from my head. She placed the back of her palm against my forehead, muttering under her breath, "You're burning up..."

I opened my mouth to respond, opening my eyes and looking at her. When my eyes met her face, all I saw was blurred colors. My head swayed side to side as I whispered quietly, leaning forward, "I don't feel so good."

I fell into Steph, my head against her shoulder as my eyes slowly drifted shut, my body falling unconscious.

. . .

"Nick, come on. Wake up."

I groaned quietly as I shifted around, feeling hands grab my elbows and lift me up. I opened my eyes slowly, seeing Steph leaning beside me. Steve was looking at me as well, relief swarming their expressions, "It feels like I got hit by a truck..."

"You should've said something you idiot!" Steph hissed, gesturing at the freshly bandaged and cleaned gunshot wound. I looked down at it, "Infection set in. You gotta take it easy."

"Not happening," I mumbled, wobbling up to my feet. I swayed from side to side, and Steph launched up, grabbing onto my right arm and draping it over her shoulders, "No, stop it. I can walk on my own."

"Everyone can walk, but Steve and I are bringing you to the safe house."

I titled my head slightly, "We're already here?"

"You were out for two hours Nicole. If your arm doesn't heal you'll have to sit out on the next mission," Steve explained, grabbing his shield and putting it on his back, gazing at me before walking to my other side, grabbing my bad arm delicately and together, they started to lead me out of the quinjet.

I looked around, observing the scenery. Straw grass and trees littered the area, large fields were everywhere. I noticed the others already walking towards the house in the distance.

Bruce was trailing behind them, turning his head once he heard footsteps behind him. He looked at the three of us before a small smile ghosted his face, "Gave us a scare Nicole."