His Detka

16. Recovery

I had to stay in the hospital wing of the compound per Bruce's instructions. I was never alone for long if at all while I was there..

Papa, Nanny, Bucky, and Steve were always nearby if I needed them. Steve in turn called Sharon who called Maria. Both women were here faster than I could say "Don't worry about me. I'm okay,". Both women scolded me for not being more careful. While it was slightly annoying to hear it come out of their mouths, I understood that it was coming from a place of love and that they care about me.

What I was hoping was my last night here in the hospital wing, Bucky had promised to stay with me. Evenings and nights were the hardest. While I didn't want to talk about it to anyone but Dr. Raynor, I think Mama had an idea of what was going on mentally since she had stayed with me the last couple of nights.

I was having nightmares of the incident over and over again in my sleep. Sometimes, I fell to my death off of the ledge instead of Bucky, Clint, or Tony being able to catch me. Sometimes, I dreamed that HYDRA had gotten their grimy, sleazy hands on me and ran experiments on me until I died from everything they had done. I would wake up from these nightmares practically screaming, drenched in sweat.

"Did you want me to see if Dr. Raynor could by tomorrow before Bruce discharges you?" asked Papa.

"That would be great, I think," I said. I looked down at my hands. I'd been playing with them thanks to the anxiety of everything. The fact that everyone was having to help take care of me, worry about me. I should've called Erin and Linda. They would get a little upset if they found out what happened from someone else.. I'll give them a call tomorrow after my session with Dr. Raynor.

As I was playing with my hands, a large, firm, callused hand reached over and placed it on top of both of mine. I follow the arm of this foreign hand to realize that it is none other than James Barnes. The man that I was falling hopelessly in love with, with every little thing that he did.

"You're okay, doll. I've got you. We've all got you," he says with compassion and love.

"Thank you, Bucky."

Papa walked over and leaned in for a kiss on top of my head, and Mama walked over and kissed me on the same spot that Papa had just kissed me. "We'll see you in the morning, honey. Sweet dreams," she said.

Cooper, Lila, and Nate all came over for a hug. Lila was pretty bent out of shape that I had been hurt at work but she tried not to show it. She was 8 after all. Cooper was definitely trying to hold it all in, and he'd probably cry or punch something later, he was 10 now.

But the one that broke me the most was Nathan, he was 4 now. Nathan was so scared to touch me, afraid to hurt me more than I was. So when he came and tried to air hug me, I leaned over my bed and grabbed him. At first, he tried to push me away and then once he realized that I wasn't going to let go, he embraced me back. He sobbed in my arms. Mama teared up at the sight. I just held him and I repeated over and over again that I was okay.

Once he finally calmed down, I looked him in the eyes and said "Nathan, it's' all going to be okay. I'm healing now. That's why Uncle Bruce has me here. I'm only going to be here for one more night and then I'll be able to sleep in my suite again, and I'll be able to come back and visit the farm soon. Does that sound okay?" He nodded his head and gave me one last hug. With that, Papa, Mama, and my siblings walked out of the room.

Now that they were gone, I leaned back into the bed and closed my eyes for a second and let out a deep breath. Seeing my siblings after something like this really hit home, but I was doing this for the greater good. I was doing this so that hopefully they could live in a world where they don't have to worry about things like HYDRA, or Aliens, or men like Dreykov who have places like the Red Room.