Remembering Freedom

The Hospital

The drive there was horribly silent and May for once wanted someone...anyone to start talking. She wanted the quiet broken by technological babble or sarcastic quips, but the people who were usually so talkative were clutching each other as if the world was ending and for them it probably was. Phil caught her glance in the rearview mirror and gave her the smallest of smiles.

He, of course, ignored the fact that Captain Rogers would see him and was willing to risk the others finding out for the sake of Jemma...that man was really stupid sometimes. Melinda wasn't going to argue this with him, couldn't really. He'd been such a mess after their 'message' from Doctor Volkov and she knew he wanted to be by her side. "Call her parents?"

"They just left London. Should be here in about four hours."

"That soon?" A normal flight from their current location would take twice that long. She understood a moment later. "Romanov called Stark didn't she?"

"God no. She called Barton, he took the Quinjet."

"What'd he tell them?" She relaxed when Barton's name was mentioned. He knew how to fly under the radar, to handle delicate situations with care. She returned her focus to the road. They didn't need any more injuries today.

"The truth. That she was shot by a HYDRA agent trying to protect her team."

She hid her shock. "How did that go?"

His crestfallen expression spoke volumes and once again the car was silent as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. They quickly made their way into the emergency room and the receptionist looked up. Her expression turned grim as she stood up and guided them into a private waiting room where Captain Rogers sat with his head in his hands.

He hadn't changed out of his blood covered uniform and his hair looked as though he'd run his hands through it multiple times. He did just that as he sighed. "She's still 'n surgery."

May watched his tired eyes widen when he finally looked up and met Coulson's gaze. The weariness went away in a heartbeat, replaced with suspicious anger and shock as his face paled for a moment before flushing an angry red. May fought the urge to back away as he got in Phil's face. No way she wanted to be on the end of that expression...

"How?"

"Alien blood. Ask Fury for the details." Phil didn't look away. "How is my friend?"

May could see the Captain compartmentalizing, pushing away his feelings for the sake of the other agents watching the confrontation. She noticed Bobbi and Hunter tense up. She warded them with one look. The hospital didn't need a brawl right now. They didn't need it right now. "As I said. Still in surgery. They were able to remove the bullet, but...there were complications." He spared a glance at the huddled forms of Skye and Fitz on a nearby couch. "She coded twice and the internal bleeding was severe. And I honestly didn't understand most of the medical talk, but what I got was if the bullet had been a few centimeters to the left she would be dead."

"They told you this?"

He shook his head and tapped his ear. "Heard it."

A chill crept down her spine. "She's lucky."

He shook his head. "No. Somethin' happened. The Winter Soldier doesn't miss."

"Are you all here for Jemma Simmons?"

The sound of the doctor's voice had everyone on their feet. The young woman was shocked to find Captain America standing a few feet from her, but managed to school her expression if only slightly. "She's stable for now."

"For now?" Skye had finally spoken, her voice cracking. "What do you mean for now?"

"The damage done to her lung is extensive and she needs to be on a ventilator until she can safely breathe on her own. We're continuing blood transfusions and she will be under heavy sedation. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will be touch 'n go."