Stay With Me

21. Stay With Me

Harrisburg State Hospital. Harrisburg, PA. August 1, 2018

Steve sits alone in the waiting room, staring at the floor and waiting for news on Juliette. The doctors rushed her into surgery 4 hours ago after he landed the quinjet on the roof of the hospital. Her status was critical, her vitals low from three bullet wounds to the chest and stomach.

For the first hour, every time someone walked into the waiting room, Steve lifted his head, hopeful for news on Juliette. By the 3rd hour he stopped acknowledging everyone. No one would tell him anything, he wasn't listed as her emergency contact and they weren't married. The doctors also seem unfazed when he used the Captain America card.

He doesn't notice the group of people who march into the waiting room and sit down next to him until Natasha lays her hand on Steve's arm.

"Steve?" His clenched jaw tightens as his only response. "We got word on Juliette." She continues when he doesn't speak. "They're going to come talk to us in a few minutes."

Steve looks up into Natasha's face, confusion written all over his. He tried for hours to get information. Tried explaining who he was to Juliette. The nurse at the desk didn't even bother looking up. Even when he gave her his famous Captain America grin.

"How...?"

"Tony made a few calls, found out the doctor on Julie's case and paid for his research for the next 18 months. He'll be out to talk to you once they move her into recovery. But from what I understand, she's stable and we should be able to take her home tonight."

"Home?"

"The compound. Tony called Cho in. She's going to be taking over Juliette's recovery."

Steve nods, relieved to hear Tony is pulling all the stops to get Julie the best care possible. He wishes he could do more, he feels helpless and useless. He doesn't know where they stand, or what happened to her while she was held captive. He prays she wasn't violated. But the burning in his gut tells him she was. Why else would she be in a flimsy cami and panties when she came stumbling out of the cabin if she hadn't been.

He didn't protect her, he let this happen. He gave Landon the opportunity to take her away, to hurt her. She almost died and he did nothing to prevent it. Even if she makes it out of this, and she forgive him. He'll never forgive himself.

His knee bounces roughly, shaking the bank of plastic chairs. "Hey." Natasha reaches out to him again. "It's going to be alright."

"I wasn't there for her."

"She won't blame you for that."

"I'm supposed to be the one to protect her. And I couldn't even do that. I should have gone after her. And I didn't. She's shot and that's on me."

Thor interrupts. "No my friend. What happened to Julie is not on you..."

"Mr. Rogers?" A middle aged man in dark red scrubs slips a white jacket over his shoulders as he enters the room.

Natasha moves first. "It's Captain Rogers." She corrects the doctor as Steve stands and holds out his hand.

"Yes, of course. I apologize Captain Rogers. My name is Dr. William Bennet. I am the head doctor on your..."

"Fiancé" Steve answers for the man.

He nods. "On your fiancé's case."

The two men shake hands as the rest of the team stands behind Steve and Natasha. "Steve Rogers."

"Please, let's sit." The doctor offers, and points his hand towards the seat Steve has occupied for the last 4 hours.

"Is Juliette ok?"