I'm Iron Man, And I'm Agent Coulson

Chapter 59 So Much has Happened

My legs were moving, and warmth enveloped my hand, disturbing the deep sleep I was in. The pain had noticeably lessened, and my jaw was more or less achy, rather than agonizingly painful. I didn't know how much time had passed, only that it had to be quite a bit, with how weak I felt.
I moaned as my eyes opened, only to see a blurry Natasha moving one of my legs in a bicycle motion and Rhodey holding my hand.
Neither had noticed my eyes had opened, they were both too busy jabbing each other.

"Does Tony know you're in here, making (y/n) exercise while she's unconscious?" James asked, raising his eyebrows at Nat, but smiling.
"Of course he does, he's usually the one helping me. Plus, this will keep her muscles from atrophying, that way when she does finally get up, she won't have to re-learn how to walk again. She's been in this hospital bed over three months Rhodey, she needs the exercise, Cho said it was good for her too," Nat snapped, looking harried, more so than usual.
"Th..ee..mo..nths..?" I croaked, gingerly clearing my throat. I cracked a small grin when both their heads snapped up and their worried brows softened.

"Oh thank god, do you have any idea how worried I've been!?" Rhodes questioned, "I have half a mind to lock you up somewhere, and throw away the key. Mom's gonna kill you too, by the way."
I squinted at the sheer volume of Rhodey's worried voice, but shakily grabbed his hand and gave it a weak squeeze. Fatigue made my vision hazy, and my body seethed with weakness, but everything seemed to be clearer than last time.
Yet, my eyes widened when images of Steve loomed over me, trying to hold my jack knifing body down on the bed. The information he gave me sent my mind into a downward spiral of confusion, and a desperate need for answers. I remembered Tony laying a hand over my chest, whispering to me.... before I felt a slight pinch in my arm.

"We can answer some of your questions (y/n), but Tony really should be the one to..." Nat admonished, meeting my gaze, "he and Steve are doing some recon right now, but should be back some time next week."
My mind tried to swim through everything she was saying.
"Everyone else made it though, right?" I croaked, trying to swallow, but my throat was dry, "Sam?"
"Yes, and Steve said he told you about Fury staying in hiding, for now. At this time the Avengers are on their own," she stated, sitting down next to me, "Tony's taking his consulting job very seriously."
"Pfff," Rhodey snorted.
I struggled to wrap my mind around what she said.
But three months had gone by, and...
"What about Bucky? Pepper..." I tried to ask before a soft voice interrupted.

"Good you're up," Bruce announced, making his way towards me.
"Bruce?" I asked, struggling to keep my eyes open.
"Hi, you look so much better today, stronger," he stated, smiling brightly  "can you guys give me a minute with my patient please."
He nodded at Natasha, and stepped near the head of my bed.
"I'll be right back, okay?" Rhodes sighed, patting Bruce on the arm and pushing Natasha out the door.

Bruce's hands were warm and gentle while he quietly checked my heartbeat and blood pressure, "on a level of one to ten, how's the pain today?"
"Uh, um, maybe a five, low six," I squeaked, still unable to clear or coat my throat, "I feel more achy rather than any actual full blown pain, and I'm thirsty."
"That's good, I'll have Cho get you some ice chips, your awareness seems to be at full function today, which is surprising, but welcomed," he added, assessing the bandage laying over my collar bone, "thanks to the doctors at Medstar and Dr Cho's new medical advances, you're on the tail end of being all healed up. Your spleen looks good, your ribs have healed, your collar bone may need another week or so, and your jaw and replaced teeth, should be good to go," he added, moving my bed into sitting position, "I know you're very confused right now, and probably have a million questions, but I still need you to rest, do you understand?"
I heard what he was saying, and I struggled to take in the knowledge three months had gone by, while I was here, stuck in this bed.
My friends lives had changed, I could tell by the way they spoke and how they looked, they were all adjusting.
I tried to filter through all the information I was receiving only to feel the tears rise up and wet my eyes.
"Hey you're alright, you'll be out of this bed in no time, I promise," Bruce continued, warmly, "Natasha and Tony have been keeping your muscles in constant motion, so your..."