Rescue Mission (Stark's Daughter 8)

Chapter 18

Gently, I flick my fingers on the blue blanket and glance down at the transparent drip in the back of my hand. I rub my eyes quickly, but I notice a pull on my hand. Looking down, Zeke has his fingers locked with mine and he squeezes them. I follow up to see his eyes closed and his lips parted slightly in a dream. I trace my fingers up his arm and then along his jawline. He murmurs something in his sleep and I can't help but smile. Zeke is back.

But, something is different. I feel empty. Like I'm not myself. Something has changed in me. I look around the hospital room. Everything seems brighter and it causes my eyes to ache.

Suddenly, the doors swing open. Looking up, I instantly gasp. Jumping off the bed, I ignore the sound of Zeke rolling off and landing on the tiled floor. Captain walks forward until he's in my reach, I wrap my arms around his neck and hide my face in the crook of his neck. He seems shocked at first, his body tense, but then I feel his arms slip around my back and his hand hold my head just under my neck.

"I'm so sorry, Steve." I whisper.

"What for?" He asks. "Wait, did you just call me Steve?"

"Don't push me away...please." I beg, my nose brushing the skin on his neck.

Captain tightens his grip on me, his arms slipping around me and pulling me closer. I hear Zeke curse beside me and groan.

Gently pulling away, I smile up at Captain then squeeze him one last time until I step away from him. Looking over at Zeke, he sits up on the tiled floor and rubs his head. His eyes dart up to me with confusion and hurt.

"I'm sorry, Zeke. I just. I had to make sure this was real." I admit, looking back at the floor.

"My head hurts." Zeke grumbles, standing up slowly and rubbing the back of his head.

"Sorry." I repeat.

"What do you mean making sure this was real?" Captain questions.

"Things happened that I thought was real, but I am so relieved it isn't." I say, not giving away too much.

"Ward found a DVD in that room. Does that show everything you saw and happened?" Zeke asks.

My head snaps towards him. A DVD. What I saw. What I said. Everything is on that disc.

"Where is this DVD?" I question.

"At S.H.I.E.L.D." Zeke replies.

I have to get that disc. No one can see what happened. I can't stand the thought of everyone seeing it.

*

I bite on the edge of my nails as I slip the phone against my ear.

"Hello?" The small and innocent voice asks.

"Jake?"

"Mrs Stark. How are you?"

"I'm good thank you. Actually, can you do me a huge favour please?" I ask.

"Of course."

"I need you to go into the department office and see if you can find a disc." I whisper.

"What type of disc?"

"It's a DVD. I don't know what it looks like."

"There's a silver disc in a clear sleeve that says Skye Stark and the date. Is it this?"

"Yes." I exclaim, a smile on my face.

"Okay. I have it."

"Can you drop it around my house please, I'm still at the hospital."

"Of course Mrs Stark, see you soon."

"Goodbye."

Closing the phone, I slip it back onto the bedside table. The door is pushed open and Zeke walks in, hands in his pockets. He's wearing a plain black t-shirt with his band logo on the back, a pair of red boxing gloves with a blindfold. He walks to my side and sits in the red plastic chair, slipping his fingers between mine and kissing them gently. I see the tears swim in the brim of his eyes.

"Morning." I smile.

"Morning, Skye." He whispers, Zeke's voice low and laced with fear.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing. I'm just so happy you're back. I mean...Im more than happy, there's no words for what I'm feeling right now, Skye." He admits, staring at our locked hands.

"Zeke..." I breath.

I feel a tight tug inside me. Zeke continues to stare at our hands, placing my hand under his chin. I raise his head to my level, his eyes meet mine and I see a tear escape his emerald shining eye. Placing my free hand on his cheek, I wipe the tear away with my thumb. Leaning forward, I kiss him and feel the familiar shiver run down my spine as he kisses me back.

"I missed you so much." I whisper against his lips.

The disc is now mine. No one will see the pain and depression I felt over those few weeks. They won't see the guilt force me to jump off a roof. They won't see me being broken.