Till The End

Chapter 12

The putrid smell of antibiotics fills my nose. I pace along the corridor, watching the doctors running tests on Bucky. Natasha is sat with Kitty, making promises about taking her on days out and a special holiday for being a brave girl. She was brave. She didn't freak out or anything.

A few minutes ago I was forced into a room, where they gave me painkillers that I gave back and put stitches on the cut on my cheek. But the second they left, I slipped out.

The door is pushed open and I stop abruptly when the doctor steps out. He's wearing a light blue uniform and carrying a clip board. He smells of bleach and antibacterial gel.

"How's Bucky?" I ask.

"Bucky?" He quizzes, looking down at the file in his hand.

"James." I correct.

"Oh. He's still under heavy sedation, but we have pulled his shoulder back into position and given him a lot of pain killers." He explains

"When is he going to wake up?"

"Anytime soon hopefully, but he might not remember much about the incident." He points out.

"Okay. Is there anything else I need to know?" I ask.

"He's going to be a little confused when he wakes up, so be careful." He advises.

I nod. The doctor walks away and I push up the hospital room door, then step inside.

Bucky is lying on the bed, his hand on top of the blue blanket. There's a tube up his nose, that snakes around his ears and trails down his chest. Around his right arm that is strapped to his shoulder is a blue brace. There's crocodile stitches across his eyebrow and his cheeks are red with heat. Behind him machines are beeping, measuring his heart rate and blood pressure. I notice both are quite low.

Stepping into the room, I grab the plastic chair from the back and place it beside the bed. Slipping my hand under his, I slide my fingers into the gaps between his and they fit perfectly, like they were made to fit together.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't looking out for you, Bucky. I'm never letting you out of my sight again." I whisper.

Leaning forward, I use a finger to brush back his long midnight black hair and tuck it behind his ear. Rubbing a thumb on his cheek, I watch his eyes move under his lids and his lip twitch every now and then.

A knock at the door grabs my attention. I pull my hand away as I see Fury stood behind the door. He takes a step back and nods his head to the side. Standing up, I walk out of the room and close the door behind me.

Fury stands in the corridor, looking unusual in a suit.

"I heard about the incident. Are you alright?" He asks.

I'm confused. I don't think Fury has ever asked how I am.

"I'm okay." I whisper.

"What about Kitty and Bucky?" He questions.

"Kitty's alright, just a few cuts and bruises. Bucky got the worse, he had a dislocated shoulder and they had to sedate him. But he's alive." I explain.

"That is good. I have spoken to Tony Stark and he has offered to build you a new house, you just need to show him how you want it." He offers.

"I want the house exactly the same, in exactly the same place." I state.

"Sure, if that's what you want. I've arranged for you, Kitty and Bucky to stay at the Avengers Tower until the house is ready, is that okay with you?"

"Yes, that's very kind, thank you."

"I have also sent a forensic and investigation team over to your house to figure out the cause of the fire." Fury informs me.