The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

thirty-eight - rise up

Tony gasped, Katherine's brown eyes meeting his. Pepper jumped with fright, not expecting to see life within Katherine again. Dr. Webb stood at the end of the bed in shock, running from the room and calling his emergency team. "Kat?" Tony questioned, intently listening to her heart beats. Katherine moved her eyes toward Tony. Katherine felt pain - all over her body. Katherine opened her mouth slightly, words unable to form, "That's okay. Take your time." Tony laughed while tears flooded his face. Tony didn't realize how much he was crying until he sniffled. Tony reached out and placed a warm hand on her forehead, "I love you, kid."

Katherine began regaining her senses. She looked between Pepper and Tony, a small smile forming on her face. Katherine's blinks were long, every blink Tony's heart jumped hoping they would open again. Pepper reached down and placed a hand on Katherine's shoulder. 

Katherine soon felt the pain take over the rest of her body - the feeling of death. "A -" Katherine tried to speak, "Am - I - dead?"

Tony shook his head, "No. You made it." 

Katherine smiled lightly to Tony, enjoying the feeling of the warmth from his hand on her forehead. Dr. Webb re-entered the room, shock still evident on his face. Katherine knew the three others in the room were ridden with shock - prompting her to believe that she had once again got herself in a dangerous situation. "Was - I -" Katherine paused trying to muster the strength to speak, "- the - damsel?"

Tony laughed while continuing to cry, "We got you." 

Katherine smiled knowing that once again she narrowly escaped death. Katherine lifted her head slightly, looking down at her body tucked under the blankets of her bed, her arms laying by her side, bruised and bandaged. Tony and Pepper removed their grips on Katherine as she examined her body. Tony looked worryingly to Pepper who simply swallowed hard. 

Katherine looked down, examining each bruise but something felt off. She noted the bandages around her wrists. Katherine tried to wiggle her fingers but nothing. She furrowed her brows and tried again - panic starting to set in. Katherine lifted her right arm, examining the white bandages around her wrist while trying to wiggle her fingers. But there were no fingers to wiggle, on either arm - there was no hand. Katherine gasped, tears stinging her eyes, "My - my - hands." Escaped her lips along with a sob.

Tony swallowed hard, shaking his head. Katherine looked to Tony with worry and fear but Tony couldn't come up with any words. Katherine's eyes met Dr. Webb's. The look on Dr. Webb's face told the whole story - a story he clearly didn't want to tell. Dr. Webb gulped, glancing between Tony and Pepper. "Katherine." He sighed, stepping to her side beside Tony. "The damage to your hands was quite extensive. By the time you reached us in surgery, they couldn't be saved. I'm sorry." 

Katherine didn't know how to take this piece of information. Her mouth fell ajar slightly, tears flooding her face, sobs aching her throat. Tony sat down by Katherine's side, taking hold of her forearm, "We'll get you a prothesis. I'll do everything I can -"

" - I have no hands, Tony." Katherine sobbed to her brother, strength slowly building within her. Her eyes were glassy with tears, "How am I supposed to do anything with no hands?"

Tony looked to the floor unable to answer her question. Tony couldn't lie to Katherine. As much as telling her that everything would okay seemed appropriate, Tony couldn't bring himself to fill her with false hope. Katherine was a realist. She knew exactly what he was thinking. Dr. Webb cleared his throat, "My team are on the way, Katherine. When they arrive we're going to run a diagnostics and some other tests, if that's okay?"

Katherine couldn't find any words. Her sobs slowly died down to a cry. She nodded to Dr. Webb who swiftly left the room. Katherine felt the energy build within her - adrenaline from hearing the news about her hands. Tony didn't think he would have to see Katherine like this - he wasn't expecting her to wake up.