Unforgettable

Part 4 - Sleeping Beauty

Three Weeks Later...

'Let me guess. He still didn't want to leave her did he?' Tony stated matter of factly to Steve

'No. I offered to stay with Willow whilst he had a shower, grabbed something to eat and got some sleep but he wouldn't budge on it'

Tony sighed 'He's so stubborn. Does he realise that he was also seriously injured in the accident and that he needs to give his own body enough time to heal in order to support her when she does wake up'

'He's not thinking about himself though Tony. And to be honest I get it' Steve exclaimed 'If you were in his shoes and Pepper was the one lying in that hospital bed, would you leave her'

Tony slouched further in his seat, running his hands over his tired face 'No you're right. I wouldn't'

Before Steve could respond, Nat came storming into the room throwing her bag at the wall 'Oh my god, he is so infuriating' she turns to glare between Tony and Steve 'In fact you're all like this. Is there some genetic code you're all born with that makes you all stubborn assholes?'

'Umm no, not that I'm aware of' Steve muttered under his breath

'It was a rhetorical question Rogers. I'm just so frustrated with Bucky. I mean she's also my best friend. I also want her to wake up but she is going to be so pissed if she wakes up and sees him looking like he does.... no scrap that she will be pissed at us for not getting him to take better care of him'

Steve patted Nat on the shoulder 'Ah so he's still being stubborn and refusing to leave then'

'Ding ding we have a winner'

Steve frowned at Nat causing her to take a deep breath before continuing 'Sorry. It's just that he won't listen and apart from dragging him out of that hospital, I'm all out of ideas'

Tony smiled sadly at Nat 'Hey. We both know that Willow would be proud of you for trying. I fear that until she wakes up, he's not going to leave her side.

'We'll see. I'm heading up there now and I am determined this time to not accept no as an answer'

'Good luck Steve. You're going to need it' exclaimed Nat.

*********

Steve watched Bucky from the door of Willow's room. He looked exhausted and could barely stand on his own two feet

'You know it's creepy just staring at me' Bucky mumbled whilst turning to look at Steve

'I think me looking creepy is the least of your worries' Steve pulled up a chair next to Bucky 'Have the doctors said anything?'

Bucky held Willow's hand tighter 'Nothing that they haven't already said. There's nothing stopping her from waking up and that she'll do it in her own time'

'Buck... please go and have something to eat and get some sleep. You can barely keep your eyes open'

Bucky sighed 'We've been over this a hundred times. I'm not leaving her alone. What if she wakes up and I'm not here'

'I'll stay here until your back. I won't even leave this room'

'No Steve'

'I'll call you if anything changes and one of the others can bring you straight back'

'GOD DAMN IT STEVE!!! I said no... so drop it'

Steve stepped closer to Bucky 'Please Bucky. She wouldn't want you to be like this'

'Don't tell me what she wants. You don't know what she wants. No one does' Bucky tiredly rubs his hands over his face 'I appreciate you coming down but I need you to leave now...please'

'Ok.... I didn't mean to upset you Buck. I'll pop back later'

Steve hesitates and looks at Bucky one more time before dejectedly leaving

Still holding Willow's hand, Bucky suddenly felt movement. He looked at their entwined hands and saw Willow's fingers moving

'Hey sweetheart. Hey.'

Bucky shouted out into the corridor 'someone get the doctor please. She's waking up'

Willow groaned and tried to sit up

'No, don't move. The doctor is on his way' Bucky mumbled excitedly as he swept her hair out of her eyes

'How are you feeling?'

'Like I've just need hit by a truck. What happened?'

'You were in a car accident four weeks ago. We've been waiting for you to wake up' Willow groaned so Bucky helped move her to a more comfortable position.

'Sorry I kept you all waiting doctor. What injuries do I have?' Willow asked

'What?? Willow who do you think I am?

'You're my doctor aren't you?'

And with just those five words. Bucky's world collapsed around him. Willow doesn't even know who he is