For The Love Of A Captain Book 2

Planning Again

"Lacerated spinal column, cracked sternum, shattered collarbone, perforated liver, and one hell of a headache," Fury said, as though that explained anything.

"Let's not forget about your collapsed lung," the doctor said, checking on me and wrapping up my shoulder.

"Let's not forget that," Fury said sarcastically. He looked like hell but, I was just amazed that he was alive. "Otherwise, I'm good."

"They cut you open, your heart stopped," I said to him, my voice breaking a little.

"Tetrodotoxin B," Fury explained. "Slows the pulse to one beat per minute. Banner developed it for stress. Didn't work so great for him, but we found a use for it." 

"Why all the secrecy? Why not just tell us?" Steve demanded.

"Any attempt on the director's life had to look successful," Maria replied. 

"Can't kill you if you're already dead," Fury finished. I snorted. Maria looked at me smirking a little. "Besides, I wasn't sure who to trust."

"Does Nat know you're alive?" I asked him.

"She was here a little while ago but she had something to do. She should be back soon. So yes, she does," Fury replied. I only nodded. I was still so tired although, I was starting to feel a little better.

"Baby? Can I talk to you for a minute?" I called to Steve. He was at my side in an instant. Fury was helped out of his bed and he left with the others. The doctor was rambling on about getting him out of bed to walk and something about blood clots. After everyone was gone, Steve spoke.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" he asked, crouching down to look me in the eye.

"I'm sorry," I replied.

"What on earth are you sorry for sweetheart?" he asked, shocked.

"I'm sorry for getting shot, for Bucky, for everything you are going through," I replied, tears falling down my face. He gathered me in his arms and held me.

"Oh honey none of that is your fault. I'm actually really proud of you. You went toe to toe with the Winter Soldier. Again. That's badass if you ask me," he replied, pulling back to look at me. I laughed slightly and he wiped the tears from my face. "And don't worry about Bucky. I'll find a way to get him back to who he was."

"Are you ok with everything going on?" I asked, standing to head into the other room with the others. He wrapped and arm around my waist to support me.

"I'm ok. As good as I can be considering the fact that my best friend, who I thought was dead for over seventy years, is actually alive. That's enough to make you wonder about things," he replied, looking ahead as we walked. "I'll be ok." Right before we walked in to where the others were, Steve took my face in his hands and kissed me passionately. I pulled away after a moment to breathe and he smirked at me. Then we walked into the room and sat down at the table where Fury was looking at a picture of Alexander Pierce.

"This man declined the Nobel Peace Prize," he said, a look of distaste on his face. "He said that peace wasn't an achievement, it was a responsibility. See it's stuff like this that gives me trust issues." 

"We have to stop the launch," I said, still feeling a little weak. I felt much better, but getting a concussion and being shot in the shoulder all in the span of less than forty-eight hours is enough to make someone a little tired. 

"I don't think the council's accepting my phone calls anymore," Fury said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at him and sat back in my chair hard, only to let out a hiss of pain. Dad and Steve were at my side instantly but I waved them off. Dad backed away but Steve stood right beside me. Fury put his hand on a case that was sitting on the table and pulled the lid open. Inside were three mechanical chip looking devices. I looked up at Steve, confused.