Till The End

Chapter 17

*Bucky*

I pace the same corridor countless times, refusing to stay still as my mind buzzes. Running my metal hand through my hair, I take deep breaths as the hospital races around me like it's in fast mode.

Kitty sits on a plastic seat beside me, staring at the Captain America teddy in her hands. Natasha has wandered off somewhere and the Avengers are sat in the waiting area.

I haven't seen him.

It's been an hour and I haven't seen him.

I need to see him.

"Come on, Steve." I whisper.

"James Barnes?"

I snap my head up, looking at the surgeon dressed in blue scrubs with a what looks like a shower cap on his head. My heart skips a beat when he offers a sympathetic smile.

"He's stable for now." he announces.

I sigh deeply in relief.

"We got the bullet out but that doesn't mean he's clear of any danger. He is asleep right now but we are going to keep a close eye on him to ensure he doesn't get an infection or contract another illness." He explains.

"Okay."

"Do you have any questions?" He offers.

"Can I see him?"

"Sure. Just be careful."

I nod and watch him walk down the corridor. Natasha walks towards me and I'm about to take Kitty's hand and take her into the room when Natasha pulls my hand away.

"What's wrong?" I quiz.

"Can I have a word?"

She strides down the hallway and stops at the end. I follow and she looks at me with a confused expression.

"Do you think it's a good idea for Kitty to see Cap like that?" She questions.

"Why not?"

"She looks up to him and right now he's really weak. If he doesn't make it, that's how she is going to remember him." Natasha points out.

"Fine. But I'm going to see him."

Walking back down, Kitty jumps off the seat and stands there. She looks up with wide, hopeful eyes. I slowly crouch down in front of her.

"Listen, Kitty, I don't think you should see Stevie right now because he's really sick and I don't want to see you upset. But, I promise that the second he is well enough, I will come get you and you can see him. Okay?"

Kitty nods slowly but looks down. I lean forward and twirl a curly strand of her hair around my finger.

"You're a brave girl, Kitty and I'm proud of you. But I need you to be a good girl for Natasha right now, can you do that for me and Stevie?" I ask.

"Yes, Bucky."

"Good girl." I praise.

Standing up, I kiss her forehead and glance at Natasha stood behind her. Turning around, I take one more deep breath before pushing open the door.

The loud constant beep of the heart rate monitor fills the small, white room. Steve is lying on the bed, wearing a white gown with his hands on top of the blanket. There's a needle in the back of his left hand and a transparent tube snaking under his nose.

Stepping slowly into the room, I stand at the end of the metal framed bed. His back is up so he's facing me, his eyelids tightly closed and hiding any emotion. I sigh, gripping the rail at the end of the bed so tight that my knuckles turn white.