Avengers: Jedi Master (CWAC Book Two)

Chapter 17: Recovery

It's the beeping that breaks into Shea's consciousness first. Beep. Beep. Beep. Constant. And oddly calming. Matching her heart beat. It takes her a moment to realise why. Because it's meant to. She's in a hospital. Or adjacent. Guess that means she's alive then. She's surprised but glad. Of course then all the memories come rushing back. Jacen's death. Cade's betrayal. Clint's unknown status: she has no idea if he's okay. She groans and shifts where she lies trying to force herself to wake fully.

"Shea" a voice calls of her. "Shea, it's Bruce" fingers touch her arm. "You're alright" he assures her. "You're back at the Mansion" she moves slightly but he pushes at her shoulder. "Easy" Bruce warns. "You need to stay still, Shea" she opens her eyes to look at him, worry etched across his face.

"Tony?" she asks.

"He's fine" Bruce answers. "I've already sent for him" she glances to him. "You had us all worried sick" he scolds trying to hold in his relief. She may be awake, but that doesn't mean she's out of the woods yet, things can still go wrong.

"What happened?" she asks as he checks her monitors and wires.

"After you collapsed....the Rebellion arrived and took control of the ship...." he tells her, her eyes track him.

"Bruce" she stops him, that's not what she was talking about. "What's the damage?" she whispers, he looks down at her and swallows slightly.

"We should wait for Tony" he answers looking away from her.

"Bruce" she warns, he closes his eyes and hangs his head. "I'm a big girl, just tell me"

"You're very lucky" he tells her puling the stool closer to sit on it.

"Sure doesn't feel like it" she comments lifting up what's left of her arm, her elbow bandaged and wrapped. Bruce looks to her sadly.

"You're alive" he reminds her.

"My spine?" she asks.

"Bruised" he answers. "So take it easy for a few weeks....I'll be warning Tony too" he takes her good hand and squeezes softly, reassuring her just as the lab doors open and Tony hurries into the room, setting the box in his arms on the side before moving straight for Shea, his hands finding her face to brush away her hair, his eyes tracing every inch of her face, making sure she's okay.

"Shea" he whispers seeing her awake; eyes full of relief and pain. He thought she'd never wake up; despite how often Bruce assured him she would.

"Tony" she croaks out, he presses his lips to hers, then her cheeks before he rests his forehead against hers. His fingers desperately clinging to her hair. She wraps her arm around his neck.

"Careful" Bruce scolds them both. "She may be awake but she still needs to rest" Tony reluctantly releases Shea and she gives Bruce an apologetic smile as she lays back down. Tony sits at her side, his fingers resting on her right shoulder.

"How's everyone else?" she asks. "Clint?"

"He's fine" Tony answers. "Nasty chest burn but he's back on his feet already" she raises an eyebrow. "Promise" Tony adds. "Everyone else is okay...."

"Except Jacen" Shea corrects, Tony and Bruce share a look, Shea looks down a little; all of her family is dead now. Except for her. She takes a breath and looks to Tony. "Daysen?" she asks.

"Left with the others...." Tony admits, Shea nods a little.

"How long have I been out?" she starts looking between them.

"A week" Bruce answers.

"A week" Shea repeats softly looking to Tony who look exhausted, he brushes his fingers through her hair and gives her a small smile.

"How do you feel?" Bruce asks.

"Like crap actually" Shea admits, Bruce nods and checks the fluids next to her bed.

"You picked up a slight infection" Bruce tells her, Tony scoffs.

"Yeah because Sam came in and sneezed on you" Tony counters, Shea raises and eyebrow.

"That's not what happened" Bruce argues rolling his eyes and shares an amused look with Shea. She smiles and shakes her head.

"He still shouldn't have come in here when he knew he was sick" Tony complains.

"He had to sneak in" Bruce tells Shea who raises an eyebrow. "Gatekeeper over here wouldn't let anyone but me, Bucky and Selene in"

"Vampire and her pet mutt can't get sick...." Tony points out and then gives Bruce a look, Bruce smirks and sets his notes down.

"I'll check in on you later" he tells Shea touching her arm before he leaves them both alone. Tony leans closer and kisses her softly before pulling back.

"When you collapsed" he starts as he plays with her hair. "I thought I lost you" he admits. "Seeing you laying there; Friday couldn't find any..." his voice wavers slightly. "She couldn't find any life signs....I really thought I'd lost you"

"I'm sorry" she whispers, he shakes his head.

"Not your fault, you weren't to know that...."

"My brother turned into the biggest asshole in the whole galaxy?" she asks, he smiles a little and nods. She looks down and sighs getting upset. "Their all gone, Tony" she tells him. "My whole family..." he stands and brushes her tears from her cheeks. He leans down and kisses her forehead.

"You have me" he promises her. "You have all of us..." he corrects.

"What good am I now?" she asks. "One handed pilot....."

"I'll make you a hand" he offers. "And Bucky does alright..." she sniffles and closes her eyes. "It's going to be okay" he assures her climbing onto the bed with her careful of her arm. "I'm here" he wraps his arms around her letting her snuggle into his chest.