How'd you get this number?

19 - Asking For You

__Natasha__

I'm barely aware of anything other than the weight of Peter in my arms and the sound of my boots hitting the polished floors of the Tower. My heartbeat thrashes in my ears, drowning out the hurried footsteps and concerned voices following closely behind.

"Natasha, what the hell happened?" Tony demands, his voice rising with panic as he recognises Peter's face. "Why is my intern bleeding out in your arms?"

Clint limps along just behind him, his arm held protectively in a sling, eyes wide with alarm and recognition. He knows exactly who Peter is, and the fear in his eyes mirrors mine.

"The boy is injured!" Thor booms, confusion etched clearly across his features. "Why are we—"

"Is that blood?" Wanda whispers, voice trembling slightly, her wide eyes locked on Peter's limp form.

"Enough questions," I snap sharply, voice harsher than intended. "Bruce, I need you now."

Peter shifts weakly in my arms, his eyelids fluttering open for a second before closing again, mumbling something incoherent. His skin feels feverish. He's hallucinating. God, please hold on.

"Everyone move!" Bruce orders loudly, taking charge as we burst through the medbay doors. "Give Natasha space!"

I gently lay Peter onto the nearest medical bed, heart hammering painfully as I watch his breathing grow increasingly shallow. His skin feels unnaturally clammy beneath my fingertips, a fever clearly burning through him.

"Nat, what's going on?" Bruce asks urgently, stepping close as he immediately begins checking Peter's vitals, fingers quick and precise.

"Hydra found him," I say, trying desperately to steady my voice. "They stabbed him. It's poison."

"Hydra?" Sam repeats, disbelief coating his voice.

"Poison?" Tony blurts out, horror creeping into his expression. "What kind of sick—"

"We don't have time for this!" My voice rises in panic, slicing sharply through the noise. "Bruce, his pulse is erratic. Please don't let him die. I can't—Just, please, save him."

Bruce nods quickly, eyes serious as he gently lifts Peter's eyelids, checking his pupils with a light. "Symptoms?"

"Fever, delirium, hallucinations, weak pulse," I list quickly, pressing down the panic that claws at my throat.

"Bruce, he's dying," Wanda chokes out, eyes wide and fearful.

"I'll figure this out," Tony says frantically, already scrolling rapidly through holographic screens. "Hang in there, kid."

"Talia," Clint asks quietly, stepping forwards. "Why would Hydra go after him?"

I look at them all, their anxious faces staring at me, waiting for answers. My heart pounds painfully. I have to tell them. There's no other choice.

I swallow thickly, "It's Peter," I finally say, voice cracking slightly. "Peter from the group chat..."

Silence fills the room for a brief second, shock spreading rapidly.

"Peter? Our Peter?" Wanda breathes, eyes wide with disbelief and concern.

"The kid?" Sam echoes, visibly shaken. "Hydra went after the kid?"

"Why the hell would Hydra target Peter?" Tony demands, anger and confusion fighting for dominance.

"I'll explain everything later, I promise." I breathe, "But right now we need to focus on keeping him alive."