Hope Found

Aftermath

Steve POV

I can't believe my eyes and I have seen some crazy things over the years. For instance, an alien invasion and a floating country but this was something else. She healed him. During the fight her powers were red but this time they were golden like the sun. I could see a golden ring of light in her pupils. The light seemed to flow from her and into Clint. The bullet were pulled out and the holes slowly closed leaving no evidence that they were ever there. Being so focused on Clint I almost missed what was happening to Hope. She grew pale and began to shake slight at first and then harder.

Right as she finished, the elevator opens showing an exhausted looking Thor, Nat, and Bruce who quickly run to the scene in front of them. Clint slowly opens his eyes looking around in wonder touching his abdomen only to not find a wound. Suddenly Hope begins to tilt and crashes to the floor shaking violently. I run forward to her but as soon as I touch her skin I pulled my hand back in surprise I have never felt anything that cold. Bruce runs forward as well also seeming surprised about her temperature.

"Guys she's hypothermic. We need to get her body temperature up fast," Bruce states and looks to me, "Get her and come on. We need to get to a bathroom." I pick up the girl no questions asked and follow after Bruce.

Tony POV

I can't understand this girl. She plays the victim well but they probably trained her. I know she might actually be telling the truth but she's Hydra so I know it isn't likely. But I can't explain this one away. She healed Clint. I mean a little golden light later and he doesn't even have a scratch. Why would she do that? If she is with Hydra then she should want us dead. She wouldn't risk her life saving one of ours. I move to Clint who is just sitting up.

"What happened?" he asks thoroughly confused.

"Hope healed you. I don't know how. I don't know why but she did."

"Why is the lady this hypothermic Banner spoke about?" asks Thor. I shake my head.

"I don't know but it seemed like she was almost transferring her body heat to Clint to heal him. But that's just a guess." Clint looks troubled. He will blame himself if she is hurt because of him. Kind of a hypocrite since he just did the same thing, just saying. "Come on, let's see if they need help."

I help him to his feet as we head down the hall after Bruce and Steve. Natasha waits for the SHIELD clean up team and Thor says something about checking something on Asgard and flies out. We head toward the bathroom. As we gets closer we begin to hear the sounds of the shower, and I turn to Clint confused. He matches my expression as we head into the bathroom unsure of what is going on.

Steve POV

I pick up Hope, her body like ice biting at my skin, and follow Banner down the hall. He hurries us into the bathroom and heads to the huge walk-in tiled shower.

"You need to get in and hold her under the hot water," he explains, "It's the only thing I can think of in order to get her temperature back up fast enough." I know better than to argue with the doctor. He knows way more about this than me. I step into the shower as Bruce turns on the water. The water warms quickly until it was almost scalding to the touch. I ignore it and focus on Hope. Her lips have turned blue and her body is deathly pale. She whimpers slightly as the hot water runs down her body. She is just a kid. It hurts to think about everything she has had to go through. He hears the door open and glances back. Tony and Clint enter talking softly to Bruce. Tony leaves as Clint walks up to the shower looking at the girl with guilt.

"It was her choice," I say looking at him. He glances up at me. "I don't know a lot about her but I doubt she would want you to feel guilty since you took three bullets for her. I bet in her mind she was just repaying the favor." He nods looking a little less guilty. It is a start.

"I'll go help, Nat, " Clint states as he exits leaving just Bruce, me, and the kid. I look at her again. She seems to be getting some color back but she is still shaking. Just then Tony bursts through the door holding a shiny silver blanket.

"Thanks," Banner says taking it from Tony. Tony nods and leaves just as fast as he had come. It is weird for him to be so quiet. This would be a perfect time for some sort of Capiscle joke or smart comment. He must be shaken since his secure tower isn't all that secure tonight. Also, I have a feeling his opinion over our most recent house guest is changing.

I lose track of time as I stand under the spray of the hot water watching Hope slowly regain her color and stop shaking. Once she is out of danger, Bruce turns off the water and leads us to her bedroom. I lay her on a towel on the bed, but we need to get her out of her wet clothes.

"Natasha I need you in Hope's room as soon as possible," I say into my com. Within minutes the red head is present and assesses the situation. She shoos us out and takes over. It is barely five minutes later that she opens the door and lets the doctor and me back in. I stand to the side not wanting to get in the way. Bruce and Nat place Hope under the covers and drape the silver blanket over her.

"This will help keep her warm," Banner says stepping away. "Now it's a waiting game until she wakes up. I think someone should stay with her in case she is confused when she awakens." I step forward.

"I'll stay, you guys go check on the others." With that they leave, shutting the door behind them. I sit down in a chair across the room and watch the young girl in the bed realizing how much we have all come to care about her and just how powerful she probably is.