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Chapter 23
The only thing heard in the bedroom was the tweeting of the birds. It was quiet, peaceful with the sun hitting the curtains. Simply put, it was a perfect summer day.
Emily was tangled up on the sheets, her hair falling over the pillow. She was peacefully daydreaming until a pair of arms snaked around her waist.
"Good morning handsome."
"Good morning, my love," Steve peppered kisses down his wife's neck.
Emily turned around, loving Steve's looped grin. She settled in his embrace, his hands rubbing her back and hers tapping along his chest. Even as eleven years had passed since they'd met, they were as madly in love as ever. Steve's kisses still gave her butterflies.
This was where he was meant to be.
"It's a quiet morning, isn't it?" Steve mumbled into Emily's shoulders.
"I wish it would be like this more often."
"Well, let's make the most of this then," Emily went up to kiss him, but was interrupted by the door flying open and two little figures jumping onto the bed.
"I spoke too soon," Steve whispered, Emily chuckling heartedly.
The two children clambered onto the bed, happily climbing onto their parents without due consideration. It wasn't like Steve and Emily were bothered, as they moved out of the way in order to let them on properly. Inevitably, it was a knot of limbs.
"Do you two not want to sleep a little longer?" Emily asked, "I suppose I must wait until you're teenagers."
James Phillip Rogers resembled his mother with dark brown hair and eyes. He was named after Bucky, of course, with his middle name after Coulson. Grace Audrey Rogers did not have familial namesakes, instead being called after Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Little Grace had her father's golden hair and blue eyes.
"We wanted to hear more of papa's stories about Uncle Bucky," James' eyes lit up at the thought of hearing about his father's tales.
"They're bedtime stories," Steve gently chided.
"But we really want to hear them papa," Grace looked up with her big blue eyes. These always worked- she was a daddy's girl through and through, just like Tom and Emily.
"How about I tell you about the shopkeeper's cat in Iraq?"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Climb up then," Emily encouraged.
Sandwiched between their parents, James and Grace stared up in wonderment at Steve as he began to tell an appropriate Iraq story for his children.
Emily smiled at the sight- her husband exciting their children with stories from his days in Iraq and Afghanistan. Between the story, Steve looked over and mouthed 'I love you' to his wife. There was nothing more perfect to them both.
Emily was still halfway between this bizarre dream and reality when she finally awoke. The lights above her were blinding, searing into her blinking eyes as her vision went from faded to sharp. It was still a blur, all of this, confusion reigning over her. She had no clue where she was or what was happening, except that the lights were very strong.
What was going on?
Hands on her arms frightened her.
"It's me, Em, it's me."
Steve's reassuring words snapped her back to a conscious reality. She felt instant relief as she threw her arms around his neck, her face buried into his chest. The embrace was warm and loving, he was gripping her so tightly in order to have her as close to him as possible. When Steve held her like this, it meant something had upset him and he needed her close to calm himself down. Steve's hands weaved through her hair.
He always loved playing with her hair.
"What happened?"
"It just happened so quickly. You started coughing up blood then you just fell and started seizing. It wasn't for very long, but I just felt like time stopped at that moment. Natasha called one of the SHIELD medical units and they got you here. It's been about an hour and a half, they've run some tests. I'm your medical proxy so they asked me if it as ok to do tests. I hope that's alright."
Emily suddenly realised she was in one of SHIELD's premier hospital rooms. Steve refused to let Emily go to a regular hospital, he wanted somewhere safe and secure, where she would get the best treatment the quickest. The medical team had to physically take Emily from him, he hadn't left her side.
"That's fine, of course. Do they know anything?"
"Not yet, they're still running it. How are you feeling?"
"Ok, a little spaced but I have only just woken up. I feel better than I did before I collapsed, I felt like absolute shit then."
"I'm glad. I felt sick; I really thought something really bad had happened. When you started seizing, I legitimately thought my heart was going to stop beating. You were so pale when they loaded you into the vehicle, deathly pale. I...I thought I might lose you. I thought of everyone else- my mother, Bucky, Peggy and I was just so scared that I might lose the woman I love. I haven't prayed so hard to the Lord above in a long time."
"You're stuck with me for the long haul Rogers," Emily smiled, a little colour returning to her face.
Steve nodded sadly, still scared. He was terrified that she'd suddenly go into cardiac arrest or throw up blood, like in hospital movies. She looked better, but he wasn't stupid enough to think she was suddenly magically cured of whatever was done to her.
All he could do was hold her hand.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Emily recognised the woman who entered as Dr. Stafford, someone she had probably never interacted with before.
Steve jumped up as though someone had stuck a spring up his butt.
"Agent Collins, how are you feeling?"
"Better, I guess."
"Do you know what's wrong?" Steve asked, reaching for Emily's hand.
"We ran every panel of tests we could, as well as an ECG whilst you were unconscious. Everything came back perfectly normal apart from one thing. Your blood had a pretty large level of toxiodine."
"What's that?" Steve immediately questioned, bristling at the deadly sounding name.
"It's a rare chemical. It is little understood in terms of practical nature, hence why it's only found in top research facilities- such as here. In smaller doses, it can cause a vague sense of illness and confusion, though with no specific symptoms. The levels in Agent Collins' blood were not high enough to cause worry regarding serious illness; it was enough for her coughing and seizing. It would not have been deadly anyway, so we were never that serious. Fortunately, we do know that broad spectrum medicines get it out of the body pretty much instantly. If you would like, we can set it up immediately. It's just three shots to the arm."
Steve jumped in, "What about side effects?"
"Unless Agent Collins had hidden allergies, I wouldn't be worried, it's broad spectrum stuff."
"Will I be able to go home after?" Emily hated hospitals.
"We'll keep you in overnight, but you should be able to go home in the morning. We'll run some blood tests when you get up, just to be sure that it's all gone. If it's not, we'll just give you some more medicine."
Emily nodded, "Ok. Which arm?"
"Whichever arm isn't your dominant one."
Emily rolled her left sleeve up, placing her arm on the side. She didn't even wince as the needles went into her arm.
"We're done," Dr. Stafford confirmed with a smile, "The spare nightgown is here. Bathroom and everything else is there. If you need anything, the call bell is up there. It's probably best that you sleep, you'll be exhausted. Do you need anything before I go?"
"I'm good thanks," Emily turned to Steve, "You go home and get some rest honey. I'll call you in the morning."
"I'm staying here."
"Oh no, hospitals suck, you don't have to stay."
"Emily, you're in hospital, there is no way in hell that I am leaving you alone. I will be by your side; I would never leave you when you need me most. I am not going home."
"The chair isn't comfortable."
"I have slept on the ground in Nazi-held France, this isn't a challenge. I'd do it again if that means I am by your side. Stop making excuses for me to leave, because I'm not. The chair is fine, so long as I'm with you."
How is he so incredibly sexy but so adorably cute at the same time?
Emily had to give into him when he had his sad eyes. Besides, she knew he was absolutely not going to move. She'd once had a minor cold (Emily never got sick, so this was rare), before they were living together. Steve had immediately come round with soup and cough syrup, batting away Emily's assurances that it was just a snuffle that would go away the next day. He'd wrapped her in blankets and watched an old romance film with her. Emily had been fine the next day, but Steve wouldn't budge.
"Ok."
"I'll leave you two alone," Dr. Stafford knew it was best to go, "Goodnight."
They bid her goodnight.
"Are you going to have a shower?"
"I'm just gonna brush my teeth and change, I'm beat," Emily let out a huge yawn, slipping out of the bed.
Steve was immediately up to help her out of bed, but Emily swatted his hands away. In an attempt to pacify him, she pecked him on the cheek.
"Don't lock the door!" he yelled after her.
Steve stripped to his underwear and shirt, throwing the rest over a spare chair. Emily came out in the loose gown, immediately climbing into the bed.
"That doesn't look comfortable," she indicated at the chair.
"It's fine, I'll manage."
"Come sleep with me."
"The bed's tiny Em, there won't be much room."
"Don't be silly," she moved to the side, patting the space beside her. It didn't take much convincing; Steve wanted to be near her.
The squeeze was admittedly tight, but it was manageable. After putting the blankets over them, Steve wrapped both arms around Emily and nestled his face in her dark hair. She smiled as she felt his skin against hers. After the evening they had, she needed the comfort of her Steve.
That dream though. She knew that he wasn't from the past in that dream, that he was a normal man from this age. They were married with children, living in a suburban house. It was far away from what they had. Emily lived a life of adrenaline and danger that she loved. She felt like she had dreamt an alternative reality, where Steve was a regular guy.
"Steve."
"Yes?"
She paused, wondering whether to bother Steve with it. It wasn't their life and it wouldn't be. She was ok with that. He was ok with that. There was no need to labour the point that they'd made when Emily had the pregnancy scare.
"I'm glad you're here."
"I would never leave you."
"I know. Goodnight Stevie, I love you."
"I love you too, my darling, rest well," he kissed her cheek.
Emily fell asleep a second later; she always fell asleep straight away. Whilst she slept the night away in peace, Steve couldn't sleep a wink. He lay wide awake, listening to Emily's gentle breathing. Images of her seizing and coughing blood played through his mind like a movie theatre. He was terrified that she would just stop breathing in the night.
Steve was blessed with the fact that he didn't really need sleep; otherwise he'd be a zombie in the morning.
Emily awoke with a smile, twisting her body around so she could kiss him.
"How did you sleep?"
"Fine," he lied, "Not too bad. How are you feeling this morning?"
"The sleep did me well. I think the shots worked."
"Great," Steve pecked her on the top of the head, shifting up to give her room, "I'm ready for breakfast."
"Me too, I am super hungry."
Steve showered and dressed as Emily read the news on her phone. When he came out of the shower, he saw Dr. Stafford talking to Emily.
"Good morning Captain," Dr. Stafford smiled, "We're just talking about giving you both breakfast before doing the blood test. One of the cafeteria staff will come in just a few minutes."
"Fantastic," Steve sat by Emily's bed, gripping her hand.
Breakfast was welcomed by both, Emily looking at the coffee as though God himself had brewed it. Steve wolfed down everything in sight, though refusing when Emily offered anything to him. It was a peaceful moment for them both, with all the chaos around them.
Dr. Stafford arrived to check the bloods. Not only a minute later and there was a knock on the door.
"That was quick," Emily remarked.
It wasn't Dr. Stafford, however, who entered. It was Pierce.
Steve sprung up again, going over with an outstretched hand, "Mister Secretary."
"Oh no need to stand on my account," Pierce shook the offered hand, "I heard that Agent Collins was hospitalised by some noxious substance from the lab and wanted to see how she was."
"Well that's very kind of you," Emily straightened her bed sheets, "Erm, I guess I feel better. They'd pumped me full of medicine and they've just run a blood test to see if I'm clear."
"That is good to hear. I assure you that I will be speaking to the scientific team tomorrow to ensure that this never happens again. I can't pretend to know science like they do, but I'm sure that they will be able to keep this substance in a more secure facility. Perhaps we can send it to the Science and Technology Academy, it's more their thing. It won't happen again. Are you able to return to work this week?"
"I'm not sure," Emily shrugged, "I'll see what the doctors say to me."
Steve had also planned to go speak to the scientists, but not probably in the calm terms Pierce was. He was seeing red and though he'd remain polite, he would make it clear he blamed them for not storing the toxiodine properly. Dr. Stafford had said it wouldn't have killed Emily, but seeing her hurt made him beyond angry. No one hurt his girl, accident or not.
He wouldn't tell Emily though; she'd tell him not to cause trouble. What he did know was that if he was in the hospital bed, Emily would not be shy about raising hell.
"I imagine they'll ask you to rest. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to speak to the WSC, the day is busy. The scientists will be spoken to."
"Thank you for coming, we're really grateful for your help," Steve thanked him.
"Yeah, thanks," Emily smiled.
"I'll speak to you tomorrow," Pierce smiled politely before turning around. As soon as he walked down the eyes, he rolled his eyes at their starry-eyed lovers routine. God, he couldn't wait til he'd conquered Captain Rogers and forced him to spend the rest of his life in a federal penitentiary. Watching Agent Collins sob for him would make his day.
They waited a little while longer, chatting aimlessly. Steve couldn't help but eye the heart monitors and everything else, praying to God that they wouldn't suddenly spike.
Dr. Stafford arrived with Dr. Reznik, the senior medic at the base. A tall, broad man with friendly eyes, he stood with his fellow doctor at the foot of Emily's bed.
"We have good news," Dr. Stafford had a huge smile on her face, "Your blood tests haven't just come back with a reduced count, but they're completely gone. You never know, you could have immunity, but we'll have to see what the medical community has to say about that. Now you can get dressed and head home."
"Thank God," Emily looked jubilant, "Thank you so much, for all of your help. Medicine is amazing."
"With your consent, we'd like to test some of your blood to send to the science team, in order to study the toxiodine. I know you must be pissed about the whole situation, but it could help. We'd use your bloods with the toxiodine in, the one from today then perhaps a couple from the coming week."
"Yeah, that's cool. Perhaps it'll help other people," Emily scrunched her nose up, "But yeah, you're right that I'm pissed. I'm not going to take it out on those who might need it."
"Great, we'll schedule in for Tuesday and Thursday," Dr. Stafford scribbled on a pad.
"So I'll be able to get back to work?" Emily's eyes lit up.
"You will," Dr. Stafford told her with a smile.
"There are some conditions though," Dr. Reznik spoke for the first time, "We'll have to get you off active duty for a week, just so make sure that you don't get overexcited and do something. The command centre can be sent a doctor's note if needed, just go to them tomorrow to explain and if they ask, we'll send it along. After next weekend, you'll be able to go back on assignments. This goes without saying, but no strenuous activity. Minor activity is fine, but no full gym sessions or the like."
"Well that means sex is out of the window for a week, right honey?"
Steve hid his shock behind a forced cough. Dr. Reznik raised his eyebrows slightly whilst Dr. Stafford tried to rearrange her face from a smile to a neutral expression.
"If you'd like to shower and dress, we'll come back in fifteen minutes with your discharge notes," Dr. Reznik interrupted the awkward silence.
"Great, thank you both," Steve was still red with embarrassment, "You shower Em, I'll sort our stuff out then we can get home. Don't lock the door."
Emily was glad to have a warm shower. She'd keep her party clothes on until they got home, which was when her sweats would go right on. Steve was dressed and packed when she came out.
"Are we gonna get a cab to the tower then drive our car home?"
"Tony had one of his staff drive it over, we're sorted doll," Steve smiled at her, taking her hand, "The discharge papers are here, you just need to read them and sign at the bottom. We can go home and relax, your uncle is going to visit later to check his favourite niece is ok."
"Aww, my two favourite guys," Emily read the discharge notes, scribbling the bottom, "I am going to eat my weight in crap when we get home."
"Sounds good. Are you ready doll?"
She nodded, taking Steve's hand and squeezing it tightly. Dropping the discharge papers off, they headed out into the car park.
"I'm going to get them some desserts or something, to thank them for looking after my girl so well."
"I'll chip in, make it a joint one. A thank you card as well, I think that works. I can tell you one thing, I would not have predicted this twenty four hours ago. Man, it's good to be going home."
"You had to make the sex comment, didn't you?"
"Well, our sex would never be classed as minor activity, it's always strenuous."
"I'm sure the doctors didn't need to know that, darling."
"Ugh I'm gonna have to wait a week to be with you. God you're sexy when you're all protective and cute, you know that?"
"I don't doubt it Em," he held the car door open for her; "Shall we have a movie marathon when we get home? There's popcorn in the cupboard, we can wear our sweats and cuddle under a blanket. I can cook dinner tonight."
"God, I don't want to be back with food poisoning tomorrow."
"Yeah, maybe I'll get something out of the freezer," Steve laughed, before going serious, "I'm glad you're ok though, really. I was terrified when you started coughing up blood. You were there on the floor, seizing, and I was helpless. I couldn't be your knight in shining armour. My job is to keep you safe and look after you."
"You're not medically trained darling," Emily touched his cheek, "You can't protect me from everything. You're an Avenger, but you can't deal with every threat. It was a freak accident that no one could have seen coming. You may not be a knight in shining armour, but you're a hot guy in shining spandex that really shows off your ass."
"Emily Collins, you are the worst," Steve laughed, "I love you, but you're the worst."
Pulling out of the parking lot, Steve felt even more determined to marry that girl. Unfortunately, there would be more than a few obstacles in the way.
Hi guys, sorry for the wait. I hope that you all enjoyed it though.
Next Time: Emily spends time with her friends, whilst Steve has a very bad mission.
Thanks again, don't forget to review to let me know what you think. See you on the other side on Chapter 24 xxx