Chapter 4:

Her mind was muddled. She had no idea which way was up or if she was even conscious. It was quiet except for a distant beeping coming from her left. She tried to force her eyes open, but they felt cemented shut. She felt like she took on the Hulk and lost… horribly. She searched her mind for answers, but it was a jumbled mess of cement walls, bullets, pain, and shouting. The distant beeping became louder and her eyes felt lighter and lighter by the minute. She began to grasp at her memories. Being held hostage. Drugs. Torture. Aunt Peggy. She moaned as she finally pried open her eyes.

She was met with a dark room. A rush of panic shot through her. Was she still in her cell? Her eyes focused and she was met with a familiar setting. She sighed realizing she was in a hospital room. Her eyes surveyed the room. It was dark and unusually quiet. She found the clock on the wall. 2:27 a.m. She let her eyes slip shut and took a few deep breaths before slowly opening them again. She was really here. She was really in a hospital. How did she get here?

She shifted in the bed and her body ached in protest. Her limbs felt like lead and she knew she'd never be able to reach the cup of water on the table next to her. She felt for the remote on the bed and pressed the button for a nurse.

A moment later a young Doctor entered the room. "Shield your eyes, I'm turning on the light." Sharon blinked, trying to adjust. The Doctor smiled brightly as she moved toward her. She seemed about the size of Sharon with chestnut hair pulled into a neat ponytail. She was wearing dark blue scrubs under her lab coat. "I was hoping you would wake up sometime soon Agent Carter." She reached in her pocket and pulled out a small flashlight. "Look this way." The Doctor examined her eyes before grabbing Sharon's chart.

"I…" Sharon croaked. She tried to clear her throat, but it only caused her to cough. She felt like she swallowed gravel.

The Doctor grabbed the water beside the bed and handed it to her. Sharon gulped it down quickly and sighed. "Thank you." She rasped out as best as she could.

"You had us pretty worried there Agent Carter." The Doctor set down the chart and moved to the IV bag. "We almost lost you when you first arrived. You coded in the ER." Sharon stared at the Doctor, shocked. "The drugs they gave you were stronger than we expected and your body wasn't handling it well. Not to mention your other severe injuries. Had you gotten here any later than you did, you'd probably be dead right now."

The Doctor finally turned back to her. "Three broken ribs, a broken wrist, various bruises, a couple major lacerations, drug abuse, dehydration, malnutrition, mild concussion and you had an infection that was starting to set in. Thankfully we caught the infection just in time." She gingerly raised Sharon's arm to inspect the bandage on her wrist before moving around the bed and doing the same to the other, this time checking that the skin was healing where it was chaffed raw from the chains. "I'm a medical Doctor with the CIA. You're my charge for the time that you are here in the hospital. I know it's a lot to hear, but I figured you would want to know the severity of your condition." She gave a small smile. "I'm Doctor Schimdt. But please call me Gabby."

"Sharon." Her throat felt raw.

"Yes, I know Agent Carter." She filled Sharon's cup again and handed it back to her.

"Will…" Sharon took another sip of water to clear her throat. "Will there be a lot of scarring?"

"There should be minimal to none. A specialist came in and took care of your major lacerations per Mr. Stark. She guaranteed no scarring." Gabby smiled. "It's pretty kick-ass." Sharon smiled at that.

"How long-" Sharon started.

"You've been asleep for four days. I'll report to the CIA that you are awake and they will debrief you and fill you in on all the details of your rescue." She answered before Sharon could finish the question. "You're safe now Sharon. I'm fully trained to take care of you medically and protect you if needed. You also have a guard watching your room at all times." She squeezed Sharon's hand lightly. Sharon felt hot tears well in her eyes. She still couldn't quite believe that she was home and safe.

"I'll let your parents and Aunt know in the morning that you finally woke up." Aunt Peggy. Her poor Aunt Peggy must be worried sick. Sharon opened her mouth to speak, but Gabby cut her off. "Your Aunt is fine. She's been notified of your rescue and condition. The CIA repaired all damages to her nursing home and an extra Agent has been staying on site for protection. Her nurse says she's been having some pretty good days, despite everything that has happened. Your Aunt put up quite a fight to come visit you at first, but with her condition and how weak she is, it wasn't an option. Her nurse promised to let her video chat with you once you awoke."

Sharon cleared her throat. "When do I get to go home?"

"Hopefully we can get you back onto solid foods by tomorrow afternoon so we can get your strength back. You'll have physical therapy here at the hospital until the CIA and I feel you are ready to go home. So hopefully only a week tops." Gabby replied with a small smile. She's an optimistic, it was easy to tell. "But you'll have to continue physical therapy and see a therapist at the Agency until they see that you are ready to be back in the field." She answered before Sharon could even ask. "Well, I can see you're tired. I'll let you get some more rest."

Sharon didn't realize how heavy her eyes felt. "I'll call your Aunt in the morning. Would you like me to notify Captain Rogers as well?" Sharon's eyes snapped open and she sat up a little straighter. Before she could ask, Gabby nodded her head towards the corner. Sharon turned to see a large bouquet of sunflowers on the table in the corner that she didn't notice before. Sunflowers were her favorite.

"Captain Rogers brought them in two days ago." Sharon turned back to the Doctor. "He's been here every day since the night of your rescue." A million questions flooded her mind. "He's been really worried."

"Why?" Was all Sharon could ask.

"He says he made a promise to your Aunt that he would take care of you." That sounded like Steve. So noble and loyal, especially to Aunt Peggy. His best girl. She felt a pang in her chest at that thought. "Would you like me to call him in the morning and let him know?" Sharon just nodded. Gabby smiled at her. "Get some rest Agent." She flipped off the lights and before Sharon could contemplate Steve Rogers any more, she fell asleep.