Those Who Fall: Falling Series 3 (Modern Domestic Stucky AU)

Forty-Eight

Only once Sarah fell asleep for an afternoon nap did Steve leave her room. And even then, he was reluctant. Especially about leaving the hospital as a whole. So, Steve found himself in the cafeteria drinking stale coffee and trying to keep it together just a little longer.

Deciding that he should head back to the hotel room so he and Bucky could get to work cleaning up the house, Steve left the cafeteria. Sending a quick text to his husband that he'd be back soon. Even though all he wanted was to stay with Sarah so she wouldn't have to spend another night alone in the hospital. After all, it would've been the least he could've done.

On his way back to Sarah's room, commotion broke out. There was yelling of orders. There was shouts of agony. And despite it being a deeper voice, Steve's stomach twisted into knots at the fear that it was Wanda. That she was being rushed into emergency surgery and bleeding out.

Shaking his head, Steve continued on his way to Sarah's room. The hand holding his coffee shaking the whole time. Glad that he had grabbed a lid so it wasn't sloshing around on his hand and the pristine floor. But that pit in his soul was quickly turning into a black hole of anxiety.

"What's wrong?" Sarah asked when he entered her room. Her grogginess dissipating as she looked over Steve.

"Just," Steve shook his head to shake the dread from it while he gestured behind himself, "An emergency."

Sarah's mind clearly going to the same place his own had went, she brought her hand to her chest, over her heart, as she questioned, "Do ya think...?"

"I don't know," Steve honestly answered, his chest clenching because he didn't know and he needed to know. Having trouble pulling air into his lungs, he removed his inhaler from his pocket and brought it to his lips. Breathing in the medication while his head spun with all the things that could shatter his world even more.

Before anything else could be said, Steve's phone rang in his pocket. Ready to just ignore it like he usually did when it came to unknown callers, he hesitated. That little voice in the back of his head hoping that it was good news and urging him to answer. So, he did.

"Hello?" Steve's brows furrowed.

"Steve?"

"Wanda?" Steve dropped the coffee and narrowly stepped back before it could splash up and stain his jeans. "Where are you? What happened? Are you okay? Is the baby okay? Did they hurt you? Where are --"

"I, uh," Wanda exhaled deeply, "I'm fine. We're fine. But, um... I'm, uh... I was brought in... to the police station."

"What?!" Steve's eyes bulged out of his head, "Why? What happened?"

Although Steve couldn't see her, the silence was heavy in her hesitancy before she finally answered, "I shot Ultron."

Steve's stunned silence must've been just as heavy and loud as hers had been to him because Wanda clarified, "He was stabbing Vis. It was in self-defense. But, um... I know that this is all a lot and I get it if you don't want to, but I was wondering if you could come get me."

"Of course," Steve immediately agreed, not even needing to think about it. Going to get paper towels to clean up his mess and make it easier for the janitorial staff, Steve asked, "How much is bail?"

"Actually," Wanda trailed off before admitting, "I'm being released on own recognizance."

Pausing in his cleaning, Steve questioned, "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm just as surprised as you."

"Okay," Steve tossed the soiled paper towels away and assured, "I'll be there soon."

"Okay," Wanda sighed in relief, "See you then, pops."

As the phone went dead from her hanging up, Steve just stood there for a moment. His heart soaring at hearing Wanda refer to him as her pops. Soaring just as it had the first time that Jonas and Luke had said it. Just as it had the first time Katie used it. Or when Sophia and Ethan used it. Steve knew that Wanda was meant for their family. They were her forever family.

"That was Wanda," Steve told Sarah. Shoving his phone back into his pocket, he washed his hands and explained, "I gotta go pick her up."

"Where is she? Is she okay?"

Sarah moved to sit up and Steve stopped her as he crossed the room and said, "She shot Vis's brother to save Vis."

"Oh goodness," Sarah touched her chest, "Are they alright?"

"You know that's a loaded question," Steve smirked, leaning over to give her another hug. Promising, "I'll be back tonight."

There wasn't any time for Sarah to argue and tell him that he didn't need to come back. Steve had left the room before even giving her that option to stubbornly argue. Especially when they both knew that there wouldn't be a point to it since Steve would come back regardless of whether she wanted him there or not. Just as Sarah would -- and had -- do the same.

Quickly, Steve made his way to the police station. Possibly speeding on the way, but that was just Steve and the road's secret. He couldn't help it though. Wanda had been missing and hurt. Even if not physically, Steve knew that one didn't watch their loved one being stabbed without being harmed emotionally. Steve also knew that one didn't shoot someone in self-defense without being hurt.

Entering the police station, Steve attempted to slow his rushed movements as he walked up to the front counter. Before he could even ask to see his foster daughter, a deep voice greeted, "Mr. Barnes."

Giving the female officer a polite smile, Steve turned in the direction of the voice and found Officer Hoskins. Beside the kind officer, Wanda stood. And Steve couldn't cross the space fast enough. Immediately pulling the teen into a hug.

Wrapping her arms tightly around Steve's petite frame, Wanda assured, "I'm okay."

Pulling back, Steve sniffled and looked over her dirty face where mud and dried blood marked her fawn skin. He couldn't imagine what she had gone through. Steve took her for her word though and decided not to push too much. Deciding that she could discuss it at her own pace if she wanted to.

With tears building in her eyes, she asked, "Can I see Vis?"

"We can try," Steve promised, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Looking over at Officer Hoskins for permission, the man confirmed, "You're free to go."

"Thank you," Steve said, absolutely meaning it.

Officer Hoskins nodded in acknowledgement and reminded, "Just be back for the court hearing."

"Of course," Steve willingly agreed, herding Wanda outside. Not dropping his arm from her frame until they reached the vehicle. And even then he helped her into the passenger seat.

As Steve climbed in behind the steering wheel, Wanda broke down. Her tough exterior finally cracking in the comfort of the vehicle's cab. Leaning over the center console, Steve pulled her into a hug. Soothingly rubbing her back as she cried into his shoulder.

Pulling back, Wanda wiped her tears away. Her voice broke as she softly asked, "What if I lose him?"

Wanting to give her some advice, but not immediately having any, Steve helplessly said, "I don't know. But I'm gonna be here. Dad and I are here. No matter what."