I hiss as rubbing alcohol is poured down the several cuts on the side of my face. I look to the meal bowl beside me to see bloody chunks of glass that were pulled out of my head.
"Sorry." Peter whispers as he dabs a towel where the alcohol is sizzling. I can only nod as I let my head drop down a little further. Ever since my fight with Wanda my body has been fighting against shutting down or going full steam ahead. No thanks to the stone. I feel a hand on my shoulder and my eyes shoot open. I see Peter standing in front of me holding the alcohol and fresh gauze. I sleepily shake my head trying to stay awake but my eyes just get heavier. I feel a hand on my left cheek as more alcohol is poured on the right making me tense up. I find my head slowly falling more into his hand as he presses gauze to the cuts.
"After this you need to rest… if you aren't already…" He says in a soft voice grabbing the other side of my face.
"I'm not." I say in a slurred voice proving his point. My eyes flutter open to see Peter staring right at me while Camila collects the pieces of glass.
"Thank you Mr.Parker your help with Echo, much appreciated." Camila gives him a warm smile and pats his shoulder but he's still looking at me with concern. I watch Camila clean up the infirmary side of the lab before handing me a clean set of my baby blue pjs.
"Dr. Banner and Mr. Stark should be back soon, for now only me and Mr. Parker," She explains handing me a few blue pills. "These will help pain, I'll check again in morning. Buenas noches!" She waddles out of the room as Peter helps me off the table.
"Come on, Ned's waiting for us in kitchen." I grip onto my pjs with one hand and Peters arm with the other as I shuffle down the hall.
"You good? Damn how long has it been since you slept?" He asks as he wraps an arm around my waist to help me stand up.
"S…seven" I murmur feeling the stone warm up my arm like it's trying to lull me to sleep.
"Seven days! Echo I'm surprised you're not passed out on the floor right now! Why haven't you been sleeping-"
"It's nothing." I wave off as we step into the elevator and lean against the window overlooking the base. Lights line the runways and cars full of overworked scientists leave through the huge metal gates. The shine of the headlights remind me of the city and I find myself drifting off at the fond memory. I'm interrupted as the elevator lurches to a stop letting out a loud annoying ding before the doors slide open. Stepping into the kitchen I see Ned spinning around in one of the bar chairs while his computer screen lights up the room. Peter clears his throat causing Ned to stop spinning and jump up.
"Hey your head doesn't look like you got a ketchup pie to the face so... that's good." He gives me his cheery smile but I can see him staring at the large gashes still on my face.
"It's like 2am shouldn't you guys have gone home?" I ask shuffling over the one of the arm chairs in the living room and collapsing.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" Peter fires back giving me a know-it-all look. I roll my eyes sitting up further in the chair.
"Sleep is for the weak." I say holding my head up a little higher and hissing as the cuts brushes against the wool blanket hanging over the back of the chair. Peter takes a couple step forward but I stand up before he can get to me.
"See, that's what I get for trying to relax, oh well. Time to go."
"You're-you're leaving?" Ned whispers and I stop and turn around to see him staring at me in confusion.
"Well yeah I mean uh…" I look to Peter for help but he takes a step back giving me a disappointed glare.
"Ok come on guys I have to leave, the flying to Wakanda obviously isn't going to work and kinda need to go. You know the whole find Coulson, get my memories back thing, ring a bell?"
Peter crosses his arms and Ned gives me a dejected look.
"You ever think we might just be looking out for you?" Peter says nudging Ned out of his depressed state.
"Yeah! I mean were like a dream team or something. I'm the guy in the chair and you're the serious leader and Peters the bubbly sidekick."
Peter whips his head around staring at Ned, almost betrayed.
"Wait just one second, why am I the sidekick?" Peter questions looking between Ned and I.
"Um well Echos more experienced and… nothing she just a leader type."
I want to step into to disagree and make sure they don't really believe I'm a leader but I do enjoy Peter getting flustered.
"And what? You were going to add to that."
"Well… let's be honest she could totally kick your ass."
I quickly rub my nose to cover my chuckling as Peter takes a few steps back in shock.
"But, but you've seen me fight and- and I'm good at it..." As Peter continues to try and stutter his way out of another conversation I feel my eyes beginning to close as I rest my elbows on the back on the chair propping my head up with my hand.
"But she has an Infinity stone dude, and you have well…"
"Um super strength?!"
I slightly smirk as their words become distant and soft and I feel myself fading in and out of sleep. I dig my nails into the palms of my hands but the pain isn't enough to keep my awake anymore. I feel my elbow slide off the blanket and as soon as my head hits the softness of the wool I'm already asleep.
The moment my eyes shut I know I have to face my fears. The nightmares have be keeping me up for, well, days. As I reopen my eyes I brace for the worst expecting Jane Foster or Wanda but instead I find myself on a quiet beach. I shift in the sand and feel my large swimsuits and Hawaiian shirt. In front of me is the beautiful ocean, small waves calmly wash up barely sweeping over my toes. I reach down to feel the cool water, it all felt so real but it was too good to be true. I turn around to find large palms trees surrounding a small cabin fitted with a mini bar and two hammocks. The sun sets behind the cabin causing me to squint because the light. I turn back to the ocean to find I'm not alone, I jump at the stranger making them laugh.
"Oops sorry dear," the man laughs before handing me a drink with a tiny rainbow umbrella. I take it from him cautiously trying to block out the sun which was covering his face.
"Is- is everything ok?" I can hear the worry and sympathy in his voice making it sound so oddly familiar. I quickly stand up and so does he, without the sun I see clearly his face.
"Love, what is it?"
I stare back at Agent Colin taking his new Hawaiian attire including a matching shirt and star shaped sunglasses.
"I-I don't… uh" I barely stutter a sentence before he take my hand guiding me back into the sand.
"I know, I know but this mission is important and I trust Coulson-"
"Coulson?" I ask suddenly making him jump.
"Yes and this shapeshifter they both need you but after that you're all mine." He smiles and cups my check leaning in. My stone begins to shine as I feel his lips softly press against mine. I'm frozen in my spot as he pulls away clicking our drinks together.
"After you find her we should come back here, it's peaceful, simple-"
"It's a magical place." I interrupt surprising us both.
"To Tahiti." He says raising his glass and, again, an almost instinct like feeling takes over.
"It's a magical place."
As our glasses hit I bolt up and headbud Peter in the process.
"Ow what the hell?" I snap at him holding the now open cuts on my head. He looks at me with concern but I don't have time to question it, I throw off the blanket on me and practically fall off the couch.
"Ok woah, woah slow down." Peter says helping me up.
"No you don't understand I have to find Agent… what happened to my clothes?" I look down to see me soft blue pajamas.
"Oh well um Wanda thought you'd be more comfortable in those so she well magically kinda-"
"We weren't like there or anything and we didn't like see-"
"Whatever I gotta go." I interrupt Ned pushing past both of them in a beeline for the elevator.
"No!" Ned yells before being elbowed by Peter.
"Um no the elevator is broken." He explains rubbing the back of his neck. I turn towards him and Ned crossing my arms at his terrible lying skills.
"The elevator is broken?" I ask raising an eyebrow. Peter glances back to Ned in panic before giving me another nervous smile.
"Well," I smirk playing along " I guess I'll take the stairs."
Both boys jump in front of me jumbling random excuses over each other. A ding behind us interrupts them as we all turn to see the elevators doors slide open to reveal a group of very aggravated superheroes.
"Broken?" I whisper to Peter giving him a nudge. He laughs nervously causing his face to heat up.
"E-Echo you're um up…" Banner concludes looking at Peter and Ned who take a step back.
"Yep but I'm actually about to um run down and check on some stuff so… bye."
I walk past the group only for Vision to grab my arm stopping me. I send him a glare causing him to instantly release his grip.
"Echo staying here is the best option for you at this time-"
"I think I'll decide that for myself," I pause for a moment before looking at Banner. "Nope I'm good see ya."
"Echo we have some things to discuss with you and…" Romanoffs voice becomes just background noise as I carefully watch the elevator doors waiting for the right time.
"And don't you think that's better?" Barton finishes smiling at me. I look to the doors one more time to see them shutting.
"Nope but this is." I sprint away from Barton's grasp and slide into the elevator right as the doors close. As it begins to move down I catch my breath rubbing my hands together nervously. These dreams have been haunting me ever since the stone but now I think I understand. Which is beginning to feel weirder than not knowing. All I need to do is find Agent Colin… how am I supposed to find Agent Colin? The elevator doors open revealing a dark and creepily quiet lab, looks like I'm finding out as I go. I step out feeling the walls for a light switch, my stone helping. But I'm beaten to it, the lights flicker on and I whip around to see Tony Stark standing in the doorway.
"Looking for a late night snack?" He smirks walking over to the table and leaning on it.
"Cause I'm right here."
I roll my eyes as he laughs.
"Did Peter teach you that?" I ask and he stops laughing nodding embarrassed. I chuckle joining him at the table.
"You actually might be able to help me with what I'm looking for."
"Alright shoot kid." He says sliding in a nearby chair.
"R-really?" I ask surprised he'd help me.
"Uh yeah why not?" I shake off the weird new situation and sit in the chair next to him.
"I um I need to find Agent Colin, it's an emergency."
I see that's not what Stark was expecting and seems taken back.
"Um can I ask why-?"
"No I just need to find him, now." I say standing up trying to speed up the process.
"Ok ok hold on just, just promise me you'll come right back?" I stare at him curiously seeing the fear and pain in his eyes I remember his soul and how much he wanted to be with the team. Even though I knew I would leave soon I gently touched his shoulder.
"I promise."
That seems to be enough for him as he leans in.
"He's in the hanger jet, hurry." He whispers looking at the cameras in the corners.
"Ok, ok!" I say running out of the lab and away from a broken Tony Stark.
I finally reach the hangers doors and bolt out onto the runway. Quinjets line the walls all dormant except for one that is waiting in the middle with Agent Colin right next to it.
"Agent Colin! Agent Colin!" I yell racing to him making him look at me terrified.
"Ahh! What? Don't come any closer. What do you want?" He yells back taking a few steps nearer to the other agents.
"You were in Tahiti, sitting on the beach drinking little drinks with tiny umbrellas and-"
"What the hell are you doing?" He says through clenched teeth his fists shaking in anger
"I had this weird dream and-"
"Oh I've had enough of your bullsh-"
"I'm not lying!" I yell as the stone turns cold trying to calm me down. "You were with someone in Tahiti and you were wearing dorky star sunglasses and had drinks with rainbow umbrellas and you said it was simple and beautiful and you wanted to go back and you were happy!" I scream pushing him into the quinjet causing a loud thud to echo through the large room.
"How- how did you… who told you…"
"I said I saw it, I lived it, in a dream. And I need to know-"
"Who it was?" He finishes holding his head in his hands. I take a few hesitant steps forward looking up at him.
"We were going to go back and I was going to-" he chokes up and tears begin to escape his eyes. This was in no way part of how I pictured this going. I turn to the agents behind me who are just as confused and some of them are even finding it amusing.
"Get lost!" I snap and I see the light from my eyes casting shadows which makes the other agents hurry away. Agent Colin behind me wipes his face and straightens his suit.
"I was going to propose, in Tahiti." He gives me a sad smile leaning against the jet and sliding to the ground. I follow sitting cross legged across from him. He takes out two shiny silver rings on a necklace around his neck.
"I thought maybe even the honeymoon, I don't know, I suppose I'll never know…"
"I'm- I'm sorry." I mumble not knowing anything except his pain.
"It was… " He pauses looking at me with a teary eyes before taking my hand. He turns it over to show the stone shining through the thin cotton pajama top.
"It was Juli- Blackburn I mean, he was with my in Tahiti."
I drop his hand shooting up and taking a few shaky breaths.
"And- and I killed him-"
"No no," He says standing up and looking down at me. "I blamed you for his death but the report, the investigation, it wasn't you but I wanted it to be and I'm- I'm sorry."
I hug myself taking a step back from him as I process everything.
"Memories…"
"What? Memories?" Agent Colin questions wiping under his eyes once again.
"My dreams, they're Blackburn's memories."