BlackHill | If only

Chapter 4

Natasha's POV:

The next time I awoke it was to the sound of a steady mechanical beeping. My eyes could barely stay open as they adjusted to the blinding fluorescent lights, beaming down at me.
I finally managed to peel my eyes open all the way, attempting to get a glimpse of the room.
By the looks of it, I seemed to be in Banner's lab.  As I finally gained feeling in my body a slight twinge in my hand made me flinch and I noticed a long tube protruding out of my hand.
It took all my energy to push myself upright, my arms shaking under the strain. Whilst I settled in a sitting position I was stunned to see who was in the corner.

Agent Hill lay curled up on a chair, fast asleep, Her breaths coming out slowly and deeply. A leather jacket was draped over her like a blanket as if she had been there the entire night. My movements must have disturbed her as she momentarily stirred and her eyes fluttered open. As we locked eyes It felt like time stopped. Breaking the silence she quickly sprung up from the chair, flinging her jacket on the floor in the process as if flustered. She began checking the heart monitor and my drip.
I managed to croak out "Hill... It's good to see you".
My raspy voice stopped Maria in her tracks. Her eyes finally resting on me, slowly scanning across my battered body, lingering on my face. Eventually, her eyes flicked to mine, I could detect nothing but concern radiating out of her icy blue stare.
Her voice came out gently almost like a whisper, "It's good to see you too Romanoff, you had us worried for a second". I then realised what this must be doing to her, seeing me like this again. Or maybe she didn't care, maybe this was just an order from Nick.
Attempting to lighten the mood I grumbled "I am going to kill Fury".
She let out a brief chuckle whilst gingerly resting her hand on mine as if she was afraid to do any more damage.
My gaze shifted to her hand delicately atop mine, heat flushing in my cheeks the heart monitor slightly quickening its electronic beat, instantly giving me away.
My sigh of relief was almost audible as Banner walked through the door. Hill practically snatched her hand away, making me wince.
She rapidly launched into a conversation with Bruce, who was currently checking my vitals. He adjusted my catheter while saying "Nat you're looking much better already so I can discharge you within the hour. However I would recommend that you don't partake in any vigorous activities for a while". His gaze briefly flicked over to Agent Hill but he wisely turned his attention back to the medical report. My eyebrows raised at Banner's comment, trying my best to avoid Maria's stare.
This time it was Hill's turn to be embarrassed her face slightly reddening.
I was going to punch him for that.

Maria's POV:

Nat looked like sh!t. Her face was covered in cuts and a dark bruise was blooming on her forehead. I tried to restrain myself from looking at the rest of her body. Her suit had been taken off so all she wore was her training gear, a bulletproof bra and some biker shorts. I had to drag my focus away from the ever-darkening bruise covering her toned stomach. Fury had told me to check on her but I needed to see her for myself. I tried to keep the conversation work-related whilst Banner gave me a copy of his notes for Fury. But every so often I glanced at her face, remembering how similar it was to the night of the crash.

As Banner was finishing up I decided to see myself out. Before reaching the door I turned to get one last look. I tried to open my mouth to say something to Romanoff but decided against it.
Instead I began marching towards my room, the only sound coming from the heavy thud of my combat boots.

I heard Stark holler at me as I approached the door, "Party tonight Agent Hill, you in?".
I turned and allowed a brief nod of my head before practically slamming the door and sinking to the floor with exhaustion.