A/N; Sorry for the short chapters. They will probably be getting longer.
Chapter Eight
Elena's POV
The first thing I notice when I come back into consciousness is the beeping of a heart monitor. The second thing- the fact that I'm in a hospital bed. The blackness fades away as I'm able to take in the room. I recognize the medical bay.
The room is empty, but only for a moment as Dr. Cho walks in.
"You're awake! You gave everyone quite a scare." She tells me. "I'll go let everyone know you're up."
She walks out before I have a chance to tell her that won't be necessary.
I didn't really want to see them.
I didn't realize I would feel like this.
I didn't realize how much I had hoped that I wouldn't feel anything ever again. I had hoped that this would be my last task.
I couldn't tell if I was sad or angry or something else. Mostly I felt a numbness and a longing to rest.
I'm not given much time before Steve and Tony walk in. Their faces look sad, and I my first thought goes to the fact that I have failed. That Pietro wasn't back.
I didn't know him long, even if I had, would I ever really know if he was worth sacrificing my life for. As much as the Avengers have helped me, I still worry that I've been made a fool of.
I guess it didn't matter, nothing really did, I just wanted to be done. Perhaps he was just the excuse I needed to-
Tony interrupts my thoughts, "What were you thinking, kid?"
"Pietro? Is he…?" I asked.
Tony sighs, shaking his head, and Steve answers, "He's good. You saved his life."
"Then what's the problem?" I ask. "I managed-"
"You could have died!" Tony snaps. "You've been unconscious for a week! We didn't think you were going to make it!"
Steve gave him a look, but didn't say anything to the contrary.
Steve turned his attention back to me and repeated Tony's question, "What were you thinking?"
I look down, my face giving away the answer and the thoughts that I was having early. I needed to say something, but I couldn't.
"You wanted to die? Didn't you?" Steve said gently.
For once, Tony was silent, looking between me and Steve.
I didn't say anything. I couldn't even lie at this point. Something I should be used to. Perhaps I was just too tired.
"I thought things were getting better. You seemed to be doing good. Why would you want to do this?" Steve asked.
I really didn't know how to answer that. I was scared a lot. Something I was good at hiding after years of always being afraid. "I know what you found out about Hydra."
Tony and Steve looked at each other probably wondering how I know.
"I overheard you talking before the party. I was never under the impression that Hydra would give up and not look for me." I continued. "I know how Niklaus is. He's… obsessive."
"We can protect you." Steve said.
I look down at my hands. It's only a matter of time, but I don't tell them that.
"Let's look at the positive." I say, trying to change the subject. Perhaps a way to stop the pressure that was forming behind my eyes. I haven't cried in years, but there was a loss I felt. Dying was a hope that I had lost. "Pietro's alive and a brother and sister are reunited."