The Fangirl that Saved the World

Chapter 7

Steve's POV

I rush onto the landing pad the second the quinjet lands. My legs shake as the ramp is lowered. I can see the woman I love in the arms of my best friend. He looks absolutely distraught.

The medical team I called came rushing to Bucky's side with a gurney. He gently placed Natalie onto the mobile bed and looked up at me. Tears slowly dampened his skin.

I walk over to his side and walk with him and Natalie.

"Will she be alright? Do you know what's wrong?" I ask one of the doctors currently caring for her.

"She's just unconscious. We'll run some tests when she's awake to see what's keeping her under for so long, but my guess is the lack of oxygen to her brain. I expect she'll be awake within the hour," she answered.

I nod as they wheel her away. I feel guilty for leaving her side, but I know she'll be okay. I have a best friend in need of support right now.

"You heard the doctor. She said Natalie will be okay. It's alright, Buck," I say and pat his back.

"Except it's not, Steve. I did this to her."

When Bucky initially told me this on the phone, I was shocked, and honestly, a tad bit upset. I knew it wasn't him though. I knew that it was no time to dwell on blame either. I just needed to get her home.

Now that I have time to think, I'm still slightly taken aback by it all, but not angry or sad. Maybe a little disappointed.

Disappointed he still feels guilty for what HYDRA did to him.

Bucky still feels as though he's unworthy.

It pains me that he thinks this way.

I pull him into my arms and hug him tight.

"You didn't do a damn thing," I whisper in his ear.

You didn't do anything but love her.

~~~

Bucky and I wait in her room until she wakes up. It's been about an hour, but still nothing. It worried me because the doctor said she would be awake by now. I look over at Buck, who is also very stressed.

His knee bounces up and down due to the tapping of his foot. He carves a symbol into the wooden chair he is sitting in with his fingernail, and yet he never looks away from Natalie.

"It's going to be okay, Buck," I state.

He doesn't reply. He briefly looks at me, but it only lasts for a second. It's as if something might happen if he doesn't watch her.

I keep my eyes on her as well. I know that she'll be okay, but I'm just looking for any sign she's waking up soon.

Part of me feels like she'll never wake up. I can't let Bucky know I feel that tinge of worry though. I have to ensure he'll be okay too.

That's when I saw it.

Movement.

I stand from my chair in the corner and rush to her side.

"Bucky, go get the nurse," I say and he nods and runs out the door.

Her hand shifts like it's looking for something. I place my hand on top of hers. Her eyes open and wander around the room. When they land on me they practically pop out of her head.

"Holy shit! What the hell just happened? Where am I? Why are you here? Are you doing one of your little charity thingys? I thought those were just for the kids. Am I just going crazy?" she freaks out.

Natalie tears her hand away from mine and grabs a pillow. I thought she was going to throw it at me, but she just holds it. She just holds it and stares at me.

"Natalie?" I ask.

"Yeah, how do you know that?" she asks.

She doesn't remember.

"Because I, we're-" I can't manage to find the right words.

Or any words.

"Well, while you think, can you hand me my phone?" she asks.

"Yeah, sorry," I say and hand her the cell phone.

"This isn't my phone. I don't have a 6 I a 7 and this isn't my case either," she says after I hand her phone from this earth.

"You got a new phone recently."

Natalie looks at me as if I'm stupid, but she doesn't say anything. She unlocks the phone and dials a number. I start to panic. She can't call anyone. No one knows her here.

"Wait, Natalie, you shouldn't call anyone," I say and reach for the phone.

She pulls away, but I can see that she feels bad when she does it.

"Fine, sorry, but will you tell me what is going on?" she snaps.

I take a deep breath and sit at the foot of her bed.

"Alright, I just need you to answer some questions, so that I know how I can help," I say and she slowly nods.

"Go on," she commands.

"We both agree that you're Natalie. Can you tell me who I am?"

She scoffs, but can't seem to hold back a blush.

"You're Chris Evans. Why are you here, exactly?" she smiles, confused.

This is not good.

"Where do you think you are?"

"Uh, a hospital," she says looking at me like I'm crazy.

"Okay, where?"

"I don't know. Cleveland?" she shrugs.

I sigh and try to figure out how to tell her slowly. I just have to be...vague for now.

"Natalie, you're in New York."

Her body snaps up and she stares at me. She starts to panic and I grab her to calm her down.

"I'm where?!"

This is when things get extra crazy. It's also when I realized my best friend had really awful timing.

"Steve! I got the - "

He just stood in his place and looked at Natalie with a sigh of relief.

"Natalie! I'm so glad you're okay!" He ran up and embraced her.

"Um, will you please explain why Sebastian Stan is hugging me?"

Bucky lets her go and looks at me with worried eyes.

"Steve? What is she talking about?"

Oh boy. 

This is going to be interesting.