Maria Hill chapter 7

Chapter 7

A week had passed and Maria was back at work, Alexa never seemed to stray too far from Sam they were in the lounge area both reading. The snow had started yesterday now a constant flow and the temperature had dropped to really cold almost freezing but in the tower was warm. Maria made sure that when Sam was sitting in the lounge she was to have a blanket on, she had Jarvis keeping her informed of what was happening at the tower.

Skye had come to the tower with May and Fitz-Simmons to see Sam they had finished Sam's device it looked like a smart watch but it picked up dialect and it would vibrate if someone was close. Skye had spent an hour with Sam while May caught up with Alexa and Fitz well he and Tony got along really well it seemed that Tony had adopted him. Sam was told by Alexa later that Tony tried stealing him from SHIELD much to her entertainment with May's reaction. Tony seemed scared of May which Alexa found hilarious. Simmons was talking with Bruce she seemed fine being left alone with him. Everyone was surprised though that Skye got Sam to talk vocally again. Sam had said she had promised Skye if they completed her design. She was happy with it and Tony once again found himself fascinated with her designs. He got her blueprints and was impressed. Skye Fitz-Simmons and May had to return to the bus as they had a mission but Skye had been wanting to see Sam now that the watch was finished. Sam seemed disappointed that Phil hadn't come, May had made the excuse that he was in a meeting. But promised he would come and visit next time and she would drag him there if she had to.

Several days later the Avengers had been on their mission which was a success in more ways than one, they ended up rescuing two kids (teenagers) that were experimented on. Cleared by SHIELD they were moving into the tower they were also twins (guess who) Wanda and Pietro. Sam moved away from Alexa who put her book down as Sam moved, she went over to the corner and picked up her guitar, Maria had agreed to let her have it back seeming she was stuck indoors. Then moved back over to the couch, she pulled out her headphones and placed them around her neck she connected them to her guitar. She began strumming a slow beat and slowly picked up the tempo. Alexa was watching her and smiled recognising the song that she and Jimmy constructed together. The elevator opened and Steve walked in with Natasha and Tony they froze once in the lounge and listened to her play.

"How is she playing I thought she was deaf?"

"She is, the piece of equipment beside her is diverting the vibrations through her headphones and she's feeling the music on her neck."

"Where did she get that?" Tony asked noting the device looked like a cell phone

"She made it." Nat stated moving over to her and Alexa, sitting next to Alexa she tapped her leg. "How's your leg?"

"Fine." Alexa replied but Sam had looked up and watched Nat so she chirped in.

"It's been bothering you still, you just don't want mum worrying." Sam stated smiling as she saw Alexa frown.

"Is this true?" Nat asked, Steve and Tony had come over Tony more fascinated with the device Sam made.

"It's just a little sore no problem."

"We can get Bruce to look at it…"

"No, I mean…"

"She's worried about what the doc said."

"Now that you speak again you don't know when to keep quiet?" Alexa asked glaring at her sister for telling Nat this knowing that their mother would find out.

"How long did you think you could keep this from us?" Natasha asked looking over her leg and seeing Alexa wince in pain.

"Honestly… longer than this."

"Al…"

"I know, but I think all it needs is rest."

"You're coming with me, Jarvis is Bruce in his lab?"

"Yes Ms Romanoff."

"Right, Al you're coming with me, Sam are you staying here."

"Yes, a moment of peace." Sam said but was smiling so the others knew she was joking.

"Okay but Clint will be coming with some new people."

"Well then I will be in my room. Unless you want me to come with you."

"I'm not a circus, you can go to your room, just make sure you stay warm." Alexa said as Sam got up grumbling something that nobody picked up. Tony had gone to his lab while Steve was in the kitchen getting food. He was smiling still from the other night, he finally went on his date with Maria and had an amazing time. They had planned on going out again but with Alexa and Sam so would most likely be doing a dinner in the tower. Sam was not happy being trapped in the tower, she had spent the first few days stuck on bed rest but now she could move around the tower within reason she spent some time in Tony's lab. She had tried leaving once, and that was how she was introduced to Jarvis. She couldn't hear him so now with Tony's help he programmed Jarvis into her watch so she could understand him.

Natasha helped Alexa down to Bruce's lab he looked up surprised to see who had come in, when he realised it wasn't Sam he looked to Natasha questioningly.

"Alexa's leg is still playing up can you take a look?"

"I said its fine. You really don't need to waste your time. I don't want to be a bother. Nat…"

"No bother at all, come and sit over here I can scan it and see if there is something wrong." He replied he noted how nervous she looked. "It won't hurt."

"It's not that. It's just what if something is wrong?"

"Oh… then we will deal with that if there is something, but we will never know unless you…" he said tapping the chair, Alexa scrunched up her face but nevertheless moved over to the chair. She was amazed at the technological side of what he was doing. He smiled to himself, Maria must be doing something right if both girls are into science. He scanned her leg, but he saw the bruising and knew something was not right. The scans he pulled up on an ipad and frowned at what he saw.

"Don't play poker doc. How bad?" Alexa asked

"The tendons are inflamed. See here," he said pointing to the image "there is a small tear."

"So that's why it hurts?"

"That's why it hurts." He affirmed

"What now?" Alexa asked seeing his expression darken

"Well…" he stopped himself as he concentrated on the scan his frown deepening. "Now we need to call your mother." Bruce said this made Alexa pale. "Why? What is it?"

"The knee."

"What about it?"

"I think it may be best if I talk with your mother first, it may be nothing." Bruce said walking out telling Jarvis to contact Maria. Alexa looked at Natasha who wore a concerned look she held up her finger for Alexa to wait there while she went out after Bruce. Natasha caught up with him just as he was getting off the phone with Maria.

"Bruce what's wrong?" Natasha asked, he shook his head and handed her the scans.

"What is it?"

"I don't know it could just be a gap, or it could be a lump. Maria is on her way now."

"What would you do for it?"

"It depends if it is what I think it is I will need to get it out."

"If it's the other thing?"

"I will need to put a pin in."

"So surgery either way."

"I'm afraid so."

"I'm fine really… no need for surgery. See much better." Alexa stated as she had heard what they had said and stretched her leg barely flinching, but Nat knew she was in pain.

"Al…"

"No really, I'm going to my room." Alexa said making her way to the elevator, Nat looked at Bruce before going after her. In the elevator, Natasha made it before the door closed.

"I know it's scary." Natasha began

"It's not scary because it's not happening."

"You do realise by ignoring it you won't be making it better, in fact it will most likely get worse."

"I'm the healthy one." Alexa muttered

"What?" Natasha asked she caught it but didn't understand her meaning.

"Out of me and Sam, for mum's sake I'm the healthy one."

"Oh Al."

"No you can't change my mind on this." Alexa said moving out of the elevator that had stopped and walked to her room closing the door behind her. Natasha decided not to follow her she would wait for Maria to arrive she would talk to her.

Sam was in her room, she was waiting for Alexa to come in she asked Jarvis what was wrong, he didn't tell her so she hacked her phone and heard everything. Jarvis had told her that Alexa had gone back to her own room so instead of waiting for her she made her way to her room. Jarvis opened the door and she found that their mother had beaten her to the punch line. She found them hugging on Alexa's bed, Alexa had tears in her eyes and Maria was consoling her.

"What's going on?" Sam asked

"Nothing everything's fine." Alexa said before Maria could get a word in.

"You've been crying?" Sam said

"Don't worry, go back to your room." Alexa snapped this made Sam confused she turned her head on the side she missed what Alexa said because she looked down after telling her not to worry. She looked to her mum and she signed for her to return to her room. Sam took a step towards them but froze when Maria shook her head so instead she went back to her room. She went and sat on her bed picking up her guitar, knowing that her mum would come and talk to her afterwards. She started playing with the guitar not really feeling the music but more on memory. When she looked at the door she saw Natasha standing there watching her carefully. Maria had asked her to go and check on her.

"Is Alexa alright?"

"She will be." Natasha replied in sign

"She has to go in for a surgery doesn't she?"

"Yes."

"She doesn't want it." Sam said looking down, Natasha came over to her frowning she tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"Sam?"

"Yes?"

"Jarvis did she hack you?"

"She did not hack me Ms Romanoff. She hacked your phone."

"Jarvis." Sam cried out as she picked up what he said on her watch.

"Sam you know you're not allowed to hack… seriously."

"Are you going to tell mum?" Sam asked but Natasha sighed and that was when she saw it. "You think like Alexa that I'm causing her pain?"

"Sam…"

"No you're right. Don't worry, I'll be good, you don't have to worry about me. You should go back to Alexa she could use a distraction." Sam said turning her back on Natasha she started playing the guitar again. When she saw that she was gone she put the guitar down and hugged her legs in thought. Alexa's words ringing around her head. 'I'm the healthy one.' She was right, it was always her that got hurt or sick. She was the one that always seemed to worry their mother the most whether it be her health or her behaviour. Well now it was Alexa's turn, she would do whatever it took for her not to worry their mother. Right now Alexa should be her main concern. Thinking back over the years, they were well balanced when spending time with their mother but when she got sick she becomes the main focus. Right well not anymore, Alexa will be her top priority. Sorry Nat she had one more hack to do.