Captured by Death

A Long Night

Oh my God. I just shot James! Shit shit shit. But it worked. Keres yelped and toppled backwards. She then gathered herself from the floor and tried to make a run for it. She was too late though. I shot her leg and she fell once more. She cried out in pain, but then fainted on the floor.

I ran to James' side where he was lying in a heap on the ground unconscious. "No no no no. James look at me. Look at me." I pleaded as I gathered him up in my arms. His eyes were fluttering, but he was otherwise unresponsive. I looked him over. He was in the worst shape I'd ever seen him in. He had a black eye and bruises and cuts covered his body like paint on a canvas. I was surprised he wasn't dead. But he might be soon if I didn't get help soon. He then coughed."Oh my God, James," I cried. "You're going to be fine. I already had someone send out a beacon for S.H.I.E.L.D to come and get us. Help is coming. Just-just hold on." He then put a hand on my face. I looked at him, battered and beaten. Tears sprung to my eyes. He did his best to look me in the eyes. "I love you, Natasha." he said, his voice thin and weak. I began to cry. "I love you too, James. We're going to make it out of here."

"I can't make any promises." he murmured. I would normally fight tears until I couldn't hold them in at all costs, but right now, I didn't care. My tears fell onto James' chest. He tried to smile at me. "Hey, don't cry. It's okay. You're okay."

"We both know I'm not James. Just...just talk to me. Please."

"You can't do this to yourself. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is. I know that Keres tortured you for what I did. It's all my fault." I sobbed. It was the first time I'd sobbed since I was a little girl. James caressed my face. "But I agreed to it. She made that deal with me. I said yes. You didn't make me. Don't make this harder for yourself, Natasha. It was my choice. I'm so sorry that I might have to leave you, but I might, and that's okay." I was an absolute mess of silent tears. I couldn't remember a feeling like this ever before.

Before I could say anymore, the doors burst open. At least twenty agents swarmed in, a few of them with stretchers. One went to Keres, who was still unconscious on the floor, and one went to James. His eyes closed as the agents lifted him onto the stretcher. My arms remained outstretched towards him as he was wheeled to a place where he could get medical attention. "It's okay." he mouthed from the stretcher. I stayed sitting on the ground for a moment. Not moving. Unable to breathe. After a few moments, I felt a tap on the shoulder. I turned to see Maria Hill. Her expression was stern as usual, but her tone was soft and comforting as she spoke to me.

"He might make it." she said to me. I shook my head. "Please do give me false hope. She now shook her head. "I'm not. There's a chance. You aren't really supposed to do this, but why don't you go jump into the transport vehicle with him. They'll take you to the hospital." she smiled slightly. I gave her a quick embrace which was rare for either of us. "Well, be quick. Oh, but one more thing," she started. She then gestured to the woman behind her. It was the nurse who had helped me escape. "Is this who you told to call us?" Maria asked. I nodded. The woman frowned at me as if to say sorry. "Thank you." I said. She nodded.

Then I jumped into a van with James and a few doctors. He was still out cold and had an oxygen mask on. The sight of it made me tear up again. I reached out to his hand on the stretcher. I grasped it tightly. I almost felt him squeeze back. A solitary tear escaped my eye. Without letting go of his hand, I asked for a phone and called Steve. I kept finding myself thinking "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me." As if James had a choice. It was mostly because I don't think I could live without James. He was one of the only good memories in my world of bad. "Please don't die. You can't die." I whispered.  It was going to be a long night.