Hope ya'll enjoyed the last chapter

Infection

A very worried Bruce Banner hovered over a very sick Captain America. Yes, Captain America was sick, something that didn't happen very often. Or ever, really. And while Bruce had been fairly certain at first that the super-soldier serum coursing through Steve's veins would combat the infection, he wasn't so sure any more. They really didn't know much about the serum, or the infection for that matter. And the little they did know about the super serum still had huge, gaping holes. Like what to do if the super-soldier suddenly found himself sick due to an infection created by some mad scientist super villain.

It had all started yesterday, on a routine mission. The Infection (seriously, where did these people come up with their names?), had been sweeping through Manhattan and the Avengers had gone in hot. Hulk smashed, Thor smashed, Cap jumped in front of a stray bullet meant for Hawkeye; the usual. Only apparently the bullet had an infection contained within it. So after the battle had ended and they were in the quinjet headed home to eat schwarma and celebrate their victory, Cap started to get sick. Which no one really noticed at first, because hey this was Captain America and nobody had ever really seen him sick. Injured yes, sick no.

Bruce was the first to notice Cap was under the weather, once he had changed from the Other Guy and was seated on the couch next to his fearless leader. A harsh cough had caused him to cast a sidelong glance at Steve and he frowned. Steve's face was pale and his breathing slightly laboured.

"You feeling alright Steve?" Bruce asked with concern.

"Fine," he coughed again and closed his eyes then quickly opened them. "I think I'm going to head to bed."

"But we haven't even eaten yet," Tony protested indignantly as Steve slowly rose to his feet, swaying slightly and touching his head with his hand. "It's schwarma Saturday!"

Bruce watched as Steve pretended not to hear him. Or maybe he didn't really hear him because the next second he was muttering something about spinning rooms and flying monkeys. Being the closest, Bruce caught the Captain before he could hit the ground. He frowned at the heat coming off Steve's body. Despite this, he shivered in Bruce's arms, a quiet groan escaping.

"Jarvis, prepare the infirmary and cancel our schwarma order," Tony said as he came to kneel next to Bruce, taking in Steve's condition. "Stats on the good Captain while you're at it."

"Body temperature 103 degrees and rising. Heart rate: erratic. Annalysis: infection of unknown origin, with traces of what could be influenza."

"Influenza?" Clint scoffed. "How in the world does Captain America get taken out by the flu? This is one for the history books."

"Obviously, Infection had something in that little bullet of his." Bruce said. He didn't point out that it would have been Hawkeye laying there sick if it hadn't been for Steve. "The super soldier serum is probably helping. Let's get him to the infirmary."

Within a few minutes they had him hooked up to various machines monitoring his condition. Bruce took a blood sample and the super-soldier didn't even flinch. Tony frowned. "He's really out of it. Let's get analyzing that sample."

"He's going to be fine though, right? Jarvis said it was the flu." Clint asked, trying not to be concerned even though he was.

"It has traces of the flu; Infection made up his own little concoction, and it doesn't look good." Bruce replied as Jarvis pulled up the blood analysis.

"So what do we do?"

"We're doing it; analyzing his blood and hopefully coming up with an antidote. But this infection has a lot of traces in it. It could take awhile."

"Hopefully?" that came from Natasha. "Yeah, I don't like that word. I'm going to go question Infection. If he has an antidote, I'm going to get it out of him. Anyone want to come with?"

Hawkeye and Falcon came to stand next to her while Tony hesitated. Bruce spoke up, "Go with them Tony; if Infection needs an antidote you may be the only one who understands the science mumbo jumbo. No offense guys."

The other Avengers shrugged while Tony nodded. "I hate to leave you alone to figure this out, but you're right. We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Of course," Bruce returned to his computer screen. Natasha was the last to leave. "Take care of him Bruce."

He nodded, looking at the sick man on the bed. Then he returned once more to his work.

It had ended up being a very, very long night. Cap's fever had risen to 105 and his heart had stopped beating twice, which meant Bruce's had stopped three, and the Hulk had almost made a special guest appearance. Wearily he sank into a nearby chair. He was getting nowhere; actually he wished he could get to nowhere. He had absolutely nothing. He glanced at the still form on the bed, unable to breathe on his own any more. Captain America was dying. Bruce planted his head in his hands, feeling completely helpless.

"You…look tired…doc." A raspy voice spoke and Bruce raised his head. Blue eyes looked up at him. "Guessing I look worse."

Bruce had to smile. "You've looked better Cap. How are you feeling?"

Steve glanced away. "Fine."

Bruce removed his glasses and sighed in exasperation. "You're a terrible liar Steve."

"Did you…find a cure?"

"Not yet, but I haven't given up Cap." Bruce rose and strode back over to the computer.

"Don't Bruce; if this is the end then there's nothing you can do."

Bruce whirled around to face the man he'd followed into battle countless times. He saw only weary defeat. "You really think I'd just stop now? Think again pal; this isn't the end, not even close."

"I-I'm a little scared." The oxygen machine hissed as Steve missed a breath. Bruce came to stand next to him, resting a hand on the bigger man's shoulder. "I would be too."

Steve glanced up at him and it broke Bruce's heart to see him so vulnerable. "I used to get sick a lot."

Bruce nodded; he had seen the footage. "Bucky was always there."

"It helps to have a friend nearby."

"Yeah," Steve's eyelids slid shut as his heartbeat quickened once more. "Thanks…Bruce."

Bruce didn't respond as he got the difribulator ready once more. This time it took nearly two minutes to get the Captain back breathing again. Two minutes was too long. Bruce slammed his fist against the wall, staring hard at the computer screen. And suddenly he saw that one little piece of information he had been missing and his genius mind took over. Within ten minutes he was administering an antidote and hoping it would work.

The world came into focus slowly, much much too slowly and Steve Rogers found himself blinking several times. When his brain finally took in what he was seeing, he saw Bruce Banner sitting in a chair next to his hospital style bed, smiling.

"Welcome back soldier," Steve smiled at the reference then frowned a little. "I don't remember getting sick?"

"Not unexpected; you've had a raging fever the past three days. I administered the antidote yesterday and you've been sleeping since."

Steve shivered. He didn't like sleeping for days at a time. "Guessing I'm going to be alright?"

"Of course; you never give up on us Cap, and we've got your back too."

Two chapters in a day! Hope you enjoyed. I'm kinda going to be sad when I've finished this story lol.