Gravity - B. Barnes

-11-

AN: Trigger warning - bodily injury, panic, anger, mentions of trauma and attack

Six hours later, Bucky was pacing the interrogation room when the door opened. Officer Blakely held it open and stated, "Come with me."

"Where are we going?" Bucky, ever skeptical, didn't move until he knew what was happening.

"Hospital. Captain America said to bring you."

Bucky nodded, striding past the officer with his hands fisted. He was offered the front seat of the patrol car this time, causing Bucky to presume Sam had cleared up Bucky's whereabouts in the time before Kat's attack. As they pulled up to the hospital, Sam stood outside. He approached Bucky's door, barely acknowledging the officer who also exited.

"I didn't know you'd be coming yourself." Bucky shook Sam's hand as he exited the car.

"Well, you and Kat were in trouble. I wanted to be here." Sam clapped Bucky on the back as he led him toward the hospital doors.

"Thanks, Sam." Bucky followed as Sam led the way into the hospital and up the elevators.

"Of course. Torres flew me out himself, made things a little quicker. You okay?"

"No."

"Did the cops do anything?"

"Other than suspect the Winter Soldier of attacking Kat? No."

"Shit, man. I'm sorry." Bucky followed Sam off the elevator and down a hall.

"Not your fault. Did they tell you anything about Kat? When can we see her?"

"Investigation is in full swing at her place. Not sure you'll be able to get in there for a while."

"Fine. How's Kat?"

"Concussion, broken ribs, nasty black eye, bruised neck. She was definitely strangled. And the stab wounds. Three. Two to the abdomen, one in the chest. She's in surgery now but they should be done soon.

"Damn." Bucky ran a hand down his face. "And she's been alone this whole time."

"There's been a cop stationed with her the whole time, nurses have been with her since she arrived as well. She hadn't exactly been conscious anyway."

"So when do I get to see her?"

Sam shook his head. "They're not letting anyone in until she's awake and can tell them who she wants to see."

"Sam-" Bucky stepped toward him.

"Not even me, Bucky. We're all on even footing here. It's for her protection. Kat was the one attacked. She gets to dictate how this goes. She gets the control."

"But she's here?"

"Yeah."

Bucky nodded, leaning against the wall and sliding to the floor. "It's her birthday, Sam."

"I know." Sam settled on the floor beside Bucky and they sat in silence, neither of them aware of the passage of time.

"Captain? Sergeant?" They both stood as a female officer approached, an empathetic smile on her face.

"Officer. Any update?"

She nodded. "She's awake. I've just taken her statement. She's authorized me to allow you both in her room, but we'll be keeping an officer posted outside the door for the foreseeable future. Any trouble, one word from her, and visitation privileges will be revoked."

"There won't be any problems, Officer." Sam glanced at Bucky, who nodded.

"I didn't expect any, but I wanted to make sure you were aware. Her safety and comfort is our top priority. She's not spoken yet since she woke. I had to take her statement on a computer. The doctors did tell her to rest her voice, given the strangulation she experienced, but they're not sure if she's just following doctor's orders or..."