Remembering Romanoff

Chapter 2

     Steve woke up, head pounding and chest pain. As he readjusted to the new light everything went blurry. Once he adjusted he realized where he was. The high pitched beeping of the heart rate monitor next to him, the IV in his arm, and the indistinct voices in the hall gave it away. He was in the hospital. All the events of a couple hours ago came back. The bar, the shooting and the car crash. A vivid image of his wife, head resting on the dashboard, blood falling down her face, not moving and barely breathing filled his head. "Natasha," Steve mumbled to himself. "Natasha," he said again, this time much more concerned. 

     "Mr. Rogers," Steve looked up to see a nurse at the doorway. "How are you feeling, sir?"

     "Where's Natasha?" Steve asked the nurse. She looked up and Steve saw something was wrong, especially when the nurse didn't answer. "Where's my wife?" He asked again; a lump formed in his throat.

     "We need to run a few tests before you can see her. Plus, you should probably rest up a bit more."

     The nurse walked out and Steve laid his head back on the pillow. The lack of knowledge about Natasha was killing him and after about an hour it was unbearable. Steve sat up and pain shot all through his body, starting in his chest. The searing pain went more and more unnoticed as Natasha became the only thing on his mind. He pulled out the IV out and used the side of the bed to help himself stand up. The second he put weight on his left leg the pain was so immense it caused him to get dizzy and almost pass out. He laid back down hoping an idea would come to his head.

     About five minutes later doctors rushed past his room pushing a bed. They were talking about surgery and Steve just brushed it off until he saw Natasha's unmistakable red hair flowing as the bed was rushed through the hallway. He sat up ignoring the pain that was coming from his broken ribs. A doctor walked into his room and before he could get a word out Steve asked, "What's going on?" Tears forming in his eyes. 

     "She suffered immense brain trauma from the lack of an airbag. She has internal bleeding and they are going to drain it."

     "Is she going to be okay?" A tear slipped from Steve's eye as he pictured having to tell Scarlett that her mother had died.

     "We have our best doctors working on her."

     "Is she going to be okay." Steve asked slowly and firm, letting the doctor know he wanted a direct answer.

      "I wouldn't worry, Mr. Rogers." The doctor walked out and Steve let out a sigh.

      Every minute that went by Steve was growing more and more worried about his wife. He began think it was his fault the whole thing happened.

     I shouldn't have kept pushing. I should have left when Nat told me to. So many thoughts were running through his mind but his main concern was Nat. Is she going to be okay? Will she ever forgive me for doing this to her? What will I tell Scarlett if Nat doesn't make it.  Steve tried to shake these thoughts and closed his eyes to try and fall asleep. He drifted off and before he knew it a doctor was knocking on the door frame to his room. Steve opened his eyes and sat up, "How is she?"

      "She's out of surgery and awake. If you would like to go see her we will bring you a wheelchair."

     "Yes...please." The doctor left the room and quickly came back with a wheelchair. He helped Steve into it and walked him into Nat's room.

      "Nat!" Steve wheeled over to her and grabbed her hand.

     A nurse walked in and pulled the doctor to the side. Steve tried to make out what they were saying but could only make out a few words. This didn't matter though, he was just happy Nat was okay.

     "Nat...Im so, so, so sorry honey. I should have listened you." Steve held back his tears of guilt. "I should've left when you told me to. I'm sorry" 

    The doctor walked back in the room and noticed the bewildered look on Nats face. He allowed Steve a minute or two more before breaking the news.

      "Mr. Rogers, it seems as if your wife is suffering from amnesia." Steves eyes widened. "She will probably remember with time but-" 

      Steve cut him off, "How much time? We- we have a daughter how am I supposed to explain to her that her mom doesn't even remember her?"

     "We don't know how long sir, but the important thing is that you don't try and force it." Steve gave up on holding back his tears. He let them all fall out of his eyes as he looked back at his wife. She had no idea who he was. The doctor kept explaining but Steve was too distracted to pay attention. The doctor pushed him back to his room where his leg was placed in a cast and he was brought to the waiting room.