Enjoy the rewritten chapter two!

"Captain, you're good to go. Just watch the burns for the next few days, and if your head wound starts bleeding again, you need to come back here so we can keep an eye on it. But those stitches should hold up just fine, I wouldn't worry about it." The doctor had just finished taking care of Steve, who luckily wasn't badly hurt. The worst wound was a gash at the base of his skull, a few stitches fixed that up though. Steve was so consumed with fear and guilt he had hardly felt the pain as the needle had darted in and out of his skin.

"Now Captain, I strongly recommend that you remain here for the night so we can keep an eye on you, make sure you are ok to go. It isn't necessary but if we could observe you then-" As soon as he heard "isn't necessary" Steve hopped off the examination table, and pulled on the shirt that had been given to him after he showered and changed out of his uniform. "Doc, thanks for the concern, but I really don't have time to be monitored right now. I promise if I feel worse, or if anything starts bleeding or killing me, then I will come back and let you check me over. But now, if you don't mind I have a team member I need to check on. If anything goes wrong I'm pretty sure I'll know where to find you." Steve smiled politely at the Dr., who looked extremely unhappy, and left the room before he could be lectured. Or worse, before the Dr. changed his mind and ordered Steve to stay for observation. He really wasn't in the mood to have to break out of an observation room tonight.

Walking through the halls away from the Dr.'s office, Steve realized he had no idea where Natasha was right now. He had been on edge since he and Natasha had been separated, trying not to think of all the things that could be happening to her when he was stuck having mundane injuries examined and taken care of. Was she in surgery yet? Had she been diagnosed throughly, did they know all of her injuries? Had she woken up, said anything? What if she did and there was no one there for her to see? No friendly face to help her? What if she had spoken and no friend was there to hear it? What if she called for Clint, what if Maria hadn't found him yet, what if Natasha was de- No! He had to stop thinking like that. She had to be fine, or else Hill would have come to get him. She would do that, right? She was probably fine. If the worst had happened he would have been informed by now….

Steve blinked hard, refocusing himself. He saw red for a split second and the floor dipped beneath him.. He looked down at his hands, imagined they were still drenched in her blood. He had taken a fast shower, scrubbed at his hands and arms fiercely, but felt he could never get that blood off. Never. If she died, everyone would look at him, and see her blood staining him for the rest of his life. The captain shook his head, and began scanning the faces around him, looking for someone from whom he could learn the whereabouts of Natasha. He hoped to find someone he at least recognized, he hit the jackpot when he saw her striding swiftly towards his direction.

"Agent Hill!" Steve called out, the hall was crowded, so when Maria didn't respond Steve thought maybe she didn't hear him. He walked closer to her, maneuvering through the crowd of people before he called out again. "Agent Hill! Maria!" Still, she ignored him. Was she suddenly deaf? Dread sparked within Steve as he realized, maybe she was avoiding him. Maybe she had something she didn't want to tell him. Cap darted to the side, leapt forward and placed himself directly in the path of the agent.

She was walking briskly, and when Steve so suddenly appeared in front of her, she almost fell over him. She looked into his eyes, and Steve couldn't help but gasp. Maria was as white as paper, her usually neat hair was falling into her face rather than styled around it. And her eyes, they looked to be both overflowing with emotion and dead at the same time. She didn't say anything, just stared at him for a few long moments. Steve had never seen her this upset, and he realized that maybe she hadn't been avoiding just him, but everyone. She wasn't the kind of person who liked to show what she was feeling. And right now, anyone could read the dread and heartache on her face. Steve paused trying to tactfully phrase his question.

"Natasha... Is she...?" He asked, dreading the answer. Maria shook her head. "No, no. She's alive. It's just; it's not looking too good, captain." She took a shuddering breathe before she continued. "I'll let a Doctor tell you all the details, but they think something's wrong with her spine, she has some internal bleeding." Maria glanced around, and seeing the many employees in the hall (many dawdling trying to listen in on the conversation) shook her head, and met Steve's eyes again.

"Captain, please follow me." Steve really just wanted to see Natasha, ask a doctor to explain to him everything that was wrong with her. He wanted to be by her if- no. When, she woke up. She should be able to see a face she knew once she awoke. He should be there now. But Agent Hill was his superior, he had to follow her. Besides she might have something important to tell him.

Maria led Steve into an empty room, containing nothing but a sterile hospital bed and some medical equipment that was turned off at the moment. She closed the door, and turned towards him. "Captain, I can't get ahold of Agent Barton, I can't find him. He is on a mission somewhere in Asia, so it's possible he is not somewhere that has an internet or phone connection. But if something is wrong with him, if he is injured or has been kidnapped, if we can't get ahold of him before…." Maria's shoulders suddenly crumpled and she began pacing around the small room. And Steve knew. She didn't think Natasha would make it. She felt responsible for Clint getting to say goodbye to his partner, in the same way as Steve did. He felt this way because it was his stupid fault that Natasha was injured in the first place, he wasn't sure why Maria felt responsible. But anyone could see the heavy load of guilt weighing her down.

Steve had never seen Maria like this, it was as if he was seeing her for the first time when she wasn't hiding behind her walls. What a pity it took fear (and maybe grief) to expose what a person is really like. He got up, and wasn't sure what to do. He had little experience with women as it was, but he could probably attempt to comfort a normal one. But Maria was not normal, she was one of the most self disciplined and maybe most terrifying people he had ever known. She never faltered, never stumbled.
She always helped the Avengers, but never got close to them (with the exception of Clint and Natasha). She was a complete mystery to Steve, what could he do to help?

Adding to his alarm, he thought he saw a tear steal down her face. Just for a second. But he must have imagined it, this was the last person in the world he thought he would ever see cry. Yet when she spoke, Maria's voice did sound unusually husky.

"Captain, we have to find Agent Barton. We have to. Because-" Maria cut herself off and closed her eyes. Steve moved closer to her and cautiously placed a hand on her arm, feeling like a complete idiot. Maria flinched, but didn't say anything. Didn't shove him away. Just stopped moving and listened to what he had to say.

"Hey, it's going to be fine. Can't you guys track him? I am sure as soon as he can Clint will contact you guys!" Actually Steve wasn't sure about that, but it didn't hurt to be positive. "When was he due to return anyway? He'll probably be back at headquarters soon!" Maria's lips tightened at this, her eyes narrowing thinly. Her arm jerked nervously under his hand, like she wanted to yank it away. But she didn't. Steve felt like an idiot, wished he hadn't said anything. What did he know about how long Barton's missions usually lasted, or when he'd return? Stupid.

"Captain, this is confidential information. Agent Barton was sent on a two week long mission a few days ago, he was supposed to check in with us last night before starting surveillance on his target. He never contacted us though. It may be that he was unable to make contact because it would risk blowing his cover, but we don't think that's the case. He could have been injured, but it is most likely he was apprehended." Maria swallowed and finally moved her arm away from under Steve's hand to run her hand over her face, taking a moment to swipe at her eyes.

"If we can't find Agent Barton soon, I don't know if he will ever be able to see Natasha again." Hearing these words, Steve couldn't hold back a gasp of horror, and of pain. "Is it- Is it really that bad Hill?"

Maria didn't meet his eyes. "The Doctor said that they will attempt operating once her condition has stabilized, but they think recovery is unlikely. It's essential we find Barton soon. If you'll excuse me Captain, I have to go back to my work."

Before Steve's eyes, it was like all of Maria's walls rose up around her again. Emotion was gone, her eyes were neutral and sedate. She swiftly pushed her hair out of her face, then she was just gone. Steve was alone. He wanted to process what had just happened, wanted to absorb this new side of Hill he had never seen before. But he didn't have time to think about that. He had to get to Natasha.

Yeah, I am dragging this out a bit! Because, oh my gosh what is happening to my story? I never imagined Steve and Maria together, but that does seem to be where my writing is taking them! Weird! I also never wrote a Captain America story before. He is a surprisingly fun character! So flattered by all the follows! Please review, suggest ideas, enjoy the story! I will update soon! What do you want to happen next? Should Hawkeye arrive in time? Should Natasha die? Should I have a chapter from Clint's point of view? Decisions decisions! (Fun fact- I decided Clint should be in Asia because I am going there for the spring term next year! Haha random fun fact…)

UPDATE- AS OF 2018 THIS CHAPTER IS UPDATED FOR THE LAST TIME