The flight to New York was long for Steve. The pain in his chest eased up at the sight of Emma alive and safe in Tony's jet, but worry was always in the back of his mind. The frost giants were coming to Earth for vengeance they wanted the world to kneel down to them and Loki was only a pawn in their game.
Once they arrived back at S.H.I.E.L.D's hellicarrier, Emma was taken into the hospital room to rest; Bruce checked her vitals and took a sample of blood for testing.
Steve sat in the small empty chair next to her bed, gazing at the various tubes in Emma's arms. Her heart monitors beeping gently in the background. Her eyelashes lay softly on her cheeks, her chest moving slowly up and down as she slept. Steve's heart thudded in his chest, his cheeks slowly glowing pink.
Leaning forward the blonde man rested his hand on top of her's slowly leaning his head down, his blonde hair falling over his eyes.
Bruce walked into the hospital room, careful not to disturb Steve as he checked on Emma's vitals. Glancing at Steve he saw how broken the man was.
"Is there anything I can do Steve?". Bruce whispered.
Steve looked up, his blue eyes landing on the kind man standing by the opposite side of Emma's bed.
"How long do you think it'll be before she wakes up?". Steve asked.
"I cant know for sure, her body's basically on shut down since she overworked herself last time.." Bruce whispered not wanting to finish his sentence.
Steve swallowed the lump in his throat, his heart beating fast.
"So.. so what you're saying is that Emma might not.."
"she might not be able to recover, resulting in a shut down of her senses". Bruce saw the confusion on Steve's face, "Basically it might result in a coma...permanent sleep".
Steve glanced back at the sleeping women in the bed below him. He pulled a loose piece of dark hair behind her ear, smiling at her peaceful face.
"Then no". Steve smiled slightly, "There's nothing you can do, but continue to check up on her". Steve looked up at the kind doctor, "Thank you so much Bruce".
"You're welcome". Bruce looked at the floor. "You know I've heard stories of people talking to patients in the same state as Emma and studies have shown that some of the patients could hear everything being said".
Steve smiled, looking up at the doctor.
"So Emma may be able to hear me?".
"Maybe. Why don't you try talking to her". Bruce smiled at the blonde soldier in front of him.
"What would I say?". Steve whispered.
"Well what would you want to say to her now?". Bruce said over is shoulder, leaving Steve alone with Emma.
Steve looked down at Emma smiling, chuckling he leant forward in his chair holding her hand again.
"This feels really stupid, If you can hear me I just want to let you know that I care so much for you". Steve swallowed, "and I'm so sorry that you ever got dragged into this mess of superheroes- you deserve better. Tony's actually been quiet for the better part of the day, I guess dying really puts things into perspective."
Steve licked his lips nervously, looking down at his feet.
"I'm sorry I didn't do enough to protect you, you shouldn't have had to take on Loki alone..". Steve looked up at Emma quickly. "Anyway hopefully I'm not going to bore you but I want to tell you about my life, you see it was quit a change for me to wake up in a completely different time- a completely different world, but I've learnt that things make living in this life easier, because I wasn't always like this- I'm not special, Tony was right everything special about me came out of a bottle.."
"I guess it all started in March 1942, I was in New York city with my friend called Bucky; we went to a exhibition of future technology which was show casing Howard Stark's new pieces, when I was there I once again tried to enlist in the army- this time was different though, the officer kept me longer after the physical exam I assumed that they had found out my previous enlistments. I thought I was going to jail. But instead I met a great man called Abraham Erskine, who believed in me and recruited me as part of his experiment".
Darkness. Nothing else but darkness.
Emma tried to open her eyes but nothing happened, she had no control over her body or mind. Was she dead? No wouldn't be able to think if she was dead.. would she?
Emma could feel something different, someone was close to her. Their presence did not seem harmful but pleasant, was someone beside her? Voices flowed through the darkness, two people.. far away. Did she know these voices around her?
Warmth touched her hand, frustration flowed through her, why couldn't she see the faces of the voices near her? Why couldn't she move her hand?
"Maybe. Why don't you try talking to her?". The soft voice said loudly.
"What would I say?". Emma recognised the whispering voice close to her.
Steve.
"Well what would you want to say to her now?". The other voice faded away, Emma could feel herself alone with Steve.
Emma could feel the warmth of Steve nearby.
"This feels really stupid, If you can hear me I just want to let you know that I care so much for you". Emma wished she could open her eyes and see Steve. "and I'm so sorry that you ever got dragged into this mess of superheroes- you deserve better. Tony's actually been quiet for the better part of the day, I guess dying really puts things into perspective."
Emma thought of Tony, the last time she had seen him he was dying on the floor in Stark towers. She remembered wishing with all her might to save him. Had she saved him?
"I'm sorry I didn't do enough to protect you, you shouldn't have had to take on Loki alone..anyway hopefully I'm not going to bore you but I want to tell you about my life, you see it was quit a change for me to wake up in a completely different time- a completely different world, but I've learnt that things make living in this life easier, because I wasn't always like this- I'm not special, Tony was right everything special about me came out of a bottle.."
If only he new how special he was, she thought.
"I guess it all started in March 1942, I was in New York city with my friend called Bucky; we went to a exhibition of future technology which was show casing Howard Stark's new pieces, when I was there I once again tried to enlist in the army- this time was different though, the officer kept me longer after the physical exam I assumed that they had found out my previous enlistments. I thought I was going to jail. But instead I met a great man called Abraham Erskine, who believed in me and recruited me as part of his experiment".
"All right everyone, we have signs of the Frost Giants travelling here telekinetically". Director Fury stood staring at all of the Avengers. "Which means you're all going to have to defend New York city again".
Tony sat slumped in his chair staring out off the glass door.
"Do you think we can do it". Tony said rolling his eyes. "I mean we nearly died just because of out of control kid over here". He said pointing at Loki who sat awkwardly next to Thor and Natasha who looked sadly up at Tony at the mention of his name.
"I apologise". Loki whispered.
"Yeah yeah yeah, because we're all going to forgive you like that". Tony said snapping his fingers.
"Quiet Stark, this is serious". Fury shouted. "I suggest you all head down to the busiest part of the city, you will receive orders then".
"Will you be here..?" Steve whispered.
"Yes, Agent Hill and I will stay in touch here, a range of other agents will keep an eye on any occurrences involving the Frost Giants, and Loki will be on board at all times".
Nerves built in Steve's stomach as he thought of Emma without him, but he had a job to do.
The Avengers suited up, and prepared to face their hardest challenge yet.
It had been a while since Emma had been listening to Steve, she no longer felt his presence near her.
The darkness surrounded her once more, leaving her lonely.
Emma.
A voice rang through her mind. A voice which once had petrified her and haunted her nightmares. But now it seemed worried rather than angry.
Loki was calling her.
"Loki?". Emma thought unable to speak.
Emma you need to wake up. You need to help the Avengers.
"Why do you say that?". Emma thought suddenly angry "You tried to kill all of us before? What's different now? How do I know this isn't some sort of trick?".
Things have changed. But you have to believe me. Everyone you love is in danger, they've all gone to face the Frost Giants but they have no idea what they're up against you need to help them.
"I can't open my eyes.." Emma thought frantically.
You have the power to do so. You need to wake up now, or you'll never see the man you love again. Please they're all in danger.
Emma felt herself grow impatient. If they needed her help then they would get it.
A light blinded her eyes as she slowly forced herself awake, ignoring the feeling of pain in her head Emma turned quickly to look into the worried eyes of Loki hovering over her bed, his face showing no sign of hatred and evil. He looked different. Mortal.
"Loki.." Emma whispered afraid.
"Do not be afraid, I am not here to cause you more pain for I wish to undo my mistakes. Everyone is in grave danger and you need to help them".
"How to we get there?" Emma said sliding out of the bed.
"I have an idea.."