"In more local news, Norwegian star athlete Thor Odinson is in New York for the upcoming hockey match against the Rangers." Hearing was the first thing to return and it took Steve a bit to realize the speaker was a sports announcer, one he listened to on the radio when he didn't feel like actually watching a game on television.

The sound faded into the background as he forced his eyes open. He was in a hospital, that was immediately obvious. In his left arm was an iv, there was a cannula in his nose, and when he risked shifting he could feel bandages around his chest. But no pain, so either the damage hadn't been as bad as he thought or the hospital had given him painkillers. He was inclined to believe the latter.

As his heart rate picked up he became aware of the softly beeping monitor. He had enough time to take in that he was alone in the room before a nurse walked in, clipboard in hand. "Glad to see you're awake. How do you feel?" She asked brightly as she started jotting down whatever was on the monitor.

"Comfy. But confused." He admitted and she lowered the clipboard, obviously concerned. "How did I get to a hospital?" He continued.

She adjusted her grip on the clipboard, holding it loosely as she focused on him. "Do you remember what happened?" She asked and he nodded.

"I got beat up." He offered and she nodded. "And someone helped me. A man in black, I think." Steve added.

"Yes. He was the one who brought you here." She explained.

"Is he still here? I'd like to thank him. Wait, how long was I asleep?" He realized in a panic is could have been a few days and he would have no idea.

"You were only asleep for a few hours, Mr. Rogers." She promised and Steve let out a breath, relaxing a bit before he paused.

"How… how do you know my name?" Steve asked and she smiled.

"He told us. And we confirmed with the driver's license that was in your bag." She brought it over to him and he accepted it gratefully. He searched through it quickly; everything was there, including his sketch pad, inhaler, wallet (and everything that should be in it), and his phone. He immediately pulled the last item out. "Um, Mr. Rogers, before you begin making any calls there's something you should know." The nurse said and Steve looked at her.

"What is it?" He asked.

She hesitated before she finally spoke. "The man who brought you here… It was the Winter Soldier." She said.

The world ground to a halt for a moment as the words sank in. The man who had saved him, who had supposedly killed three men for him, was the Winter Soldier. The HYDRA assassin who kept order in their district. The one who could kill anyone at his own discretion without any punishment. Who supposedly made anyone who laid eyes on him disappear.

Steve had to admit that it did explain a few of the oddities about the situation, but it failed to answer a few very important questions. Like why had the Winter Soldier saved him and how did he know who Steve was? "I… thank you for telling me." Steve finally mumbled.

"I'll go let the doctor know you're awake. I imagine he'll be here soon to let you know how you're doing, but you should have enough time for a phone call or two." She added before she left the room.

Steve took a breath and winced as he was starting to feel an ache in his ribs. But he turned his attention to his phone. Three voicemails, ten or so text messages from Bucky, and over 50 texts from Tony. Steve couldn't help chuckling but called the first voicemail leaver back. It rang twice before Dr. Erskine answered with a "Dr. Erskine."

"Hey, it's me, Steve." He replied.

"Oh my god, Steve! Are you alright? You've never been this late to a shift and never without calling. I..." Dr. Erskine sounded ready to continue so Steve interrupted, as politely as he could.

"I'm very sorry, Dr. Erskine. I'm actually at the hospital right now and was unconscious until just a few minutes ago otherwise I would have called sooner." Steve explained.

"Are you alright? What happened?" He had sobered now and Steve smiled to himself at the concern he could hear in the elderly man's voice.

"I think so. I haven't talked to any doctors yet, but I've only got some bandages on my ribs so I don't think it's that bad. And it was gang members again, the Chitauri this time. But you don't need to worry. I was helped and it shouldn't happen again." Steve assured. "But I don't think I'll be able to make my shift. I could take the evening one…" He started.

"No, no. We'll handle it. You go home and rest. Take tomorrow off too. I'd much rather you heal, especially since I know you won't be taking Monday off." Dr. Erskine insisted.

"Are you sure? I feel bad." Steve began, only to be interrupted.

"Go rest, Steven. You deserve it." Dr. Erskine insisted. "I hope you heal quickly and please let me know what the doctor says after you speak to him." He added before he hung up. Steve chuckled as he looked at his screen.

He glanced through the messages from Tony as he scrolled down to the bottom of the conversation. Another message came in just as he reached it. Steve! I had JARVIS track ur phone & ur the hospital?! I'm omw now but pls let me no ur okay.

Steve quickly called Tony and the man answered immediately. "Steve, thank god. What happened? Why are you at the hospital?" Steve could hear the sounds of a cars in the background. Obviously Tony was in the car on his way like he had said, not that Steve had doubted it.

"Chitauri. I got jumped, but I'm okay. Really. You don't have to come to the hospital." Steve promised.

"Of course I'm coming to to the hospital! First, you're my best friend and I want to be there for you. Second, I know you'll reject treatments you may need if you think they're too expensive so I'm covering your hospital bill. And third, you don't have a car and there's no way I'm letting you walk home or stay there alone." Tony countered and Steve couldn't help chuckling a bit under his breath.

It hurt, but at the same time Tony's concern made him feel warm and loved. "You don't have to do that Tony. You already buy too much for me." Steve objected and Tony snorted.

"God, we're not doing this again. It's not like I'm going to run out and I like helping you when I can. You deserve it. And besides, I've got more money than I know what to do with; what better to spend my money on than my best friend?" Tony said and Steve just sighed.

"I'll pay you back when I can." He finally consented. He said it every time and knew by now his bill to Tony was probably higher than he could ever repay, even in strictly monetary terms. "Listen, we can talk more once you get here, but I need to call Bucky if I can before the doctor comes in." Steve said before Tony could interrupt as he liked to do.

"Alright, alright. Go call your boyfriend and I'll see you in fifteen." Tony declared before he hung up. Steve just sighed again. He really needed to talk to Tony about spending so much money on him again. Not that it would do much good.

Steve quickly called Bucky, but he didn't pick up. "Hi, Buck, it's me. Um, I just thought you should know I'm in the hospital. It's nothing serious. Some bruises and stuff. I'll explain later. I am taking the weekend off work, but I still want to see you Sunday if you're still available. So, yeah, see you then." Steve hung up and slumped back against the pillows as he placed his phone on his stomach.

Someone knocked on the door and it opened a crack as a face popped in. "May I come in?" The man, a doctor based on his attire, asked with a warm smile. Steve nodded and he entered the room, closing the door behind him. "I am Dr. Stephen Strange. It's nice to meet you. How are you feeling, Mr. Rogers?"

"You can call me Steve. And not to bad. My ribs are starting to hurt a little, but there's no sharp pain, no deep pain, and I'm not having any trouble breathing." He answered diligently.

"Wonderful. I'm glad to hear it. I pulled your record so I'm aware of all your conditions." Strange said as he sat down on the chair next to the bed. "Any of them acting up?" He asked and Steve shook his head. "Good, that's very good. We took an x-ray of your chest; there are no broken bones, no internal damage to any organs. You've got a few bone bruises around your chest and a few bruises on your face and arms, but overall I'd say you were very lucky."

Steve let out a breath, relieved. "It's about what I expected. Thank you, doctor. When can I go home?" Steve asked.

Strange crossed his legs. "I'd be willing to release you within the hour, provided no headaches come up and you have someone who can stay with you until tomorrow morning at least. There is a small chance you have a concussion and you shouldn't be left alone." He explained.

"I have a friend whose on his way here. I'm sure he'll insist on staying with me, even if you hadn't." He said and Strange smiled.

"Perfect. I want to speak to him before you go, but for now I'll let you rest. Don't be afraid to call for a nurse if you need anything." Strange added before he stood and left the room. Steve let out a breath and leaned back against the pillows. He didn't mean to close his eyes, but he was asleep again the moment he did.