As I come to, my head throbs in pain and I groan, trying to open my eyes not knowing where I was or quite how I got here. Struggling against the wires stuck to my body I scramble to sit up and clutch the sides of my head.

`Damn it that beeping is fucking annoying,' I grumble to myself.

`Sorry about that,' a voice says from behind before the machines turn off and the room goes silent. `I had to ensure you didn't die on us there and hadn't suffered any kind of permanent physical damage from being in the hands of Hydra.'

I just shrug and glance around the disgustingly white room and my eyes land on Peter asleep in an old recliner in the corner. I smile and roll my eyes, he should have gone home to May and had a proper sleep after all that went on yesterday.

I think to myself, was it even yesterday? How long have I been out?

I look around and find the guy who was speaking to me before, hunched over a desk, scribbling something out on a clipboard. He glances up at me and smiles quickly before throwing the pen he was using in a little cup at the back of the desk and making his way toward me.

`Your labs have all come back clear so you just need to rest now and take it easy. You have been out for a few days now though only due to extreme exhaustion and dehydration so you are seriously to spend the next week at least, doing nothing more than resting,' the guy motions towards Peter, `he hasn't left. He is pretty adamant he was the one who put you in trouble like that and no one has been able to convince him otherwise. He is pretty torn up about it.'

I nod and keep my eyes on Peter, his mouth hanging open and chest rising and falling calmly. I may still be pissed at him for keeping Spiderman a secret from me but mostly, I am scared for him. How long has he been putting himself in danger and how much longer does he think he can do it before something serious happens to him?

`I know you from somewhere don't I?'

`I don't know, do you? My name is Bruce, Bruce Banner. You would probably know me as the Hulk.' He shrugs, `anyway, I will let you out of observation in a moment I just need to run a few more tests to be sure you are almost back to health and then you can head upstairs with Peter and get settled into your room.'

I raise my head in agreement but stop and turn to face him.

`My room? How long are you expecting me to stay in,' I glance around the room once to make sure I wasn't missing anything, `wherever we are?'

A familiar voice chimes in behind me and I spin around quickly, in shock, almost headbutting him.

`You will be living here now. Indefinitely. You will have your own room and you will get to know and love everyone here and they will protect you. Aunt May went to tell Adaline the story we fed her about what happened and after a while of stalling, Sarah told May the truth even with her mother threatening her. Have you really not been living with them for over three years!? What the hell Lore, why didn't you say anything? Where the fuck have you been staying if not with Adaline and Sarah?'

`Slow down Peter, jeez. You're giving me more of a headache than I had before. I will not be living here, I have a place to live and I have a life of my own that will not be controlled by you or any of these strangers.' I look back at Bruce, `no offence.'

Bruce just shrugs and continues working.

`Like hell, you aren't! I do not care what little hole you have decided to crawl into for the last three years but you will not be going back, especially when Hydra will be looking for you!'

`I have made a life for myself, it may not be amazing but it's mine! You will not take that from me!' I yell at him, my head burning and eyes watering before I lower my voice, suddenly tired, `I made it, from nothing. I escaped hell and survived. You cannot come into my life and decide to upend it for me. You have no right.'

Peter, noticing the hint of whisper in my voice realises the mistake he made and his eyes soften. He walks forward and goes to put his hand on my arm before I turn away, curling my arms close to my body and look down at the floor.

`Please, leave me alone. I just want to get these tests done and go home.' My voice, barely audible.

Peter looks at me, hurt but turns slowly on his heel and sulks over to the stairs before glancing back once more and making his way up them. Once he is out of sight I let the tears that were building up fall and I pull my legs up, hugging my knees to my chest. I stare at the wall in front of me at the other end of the room and take deep breaths. I am stronger than this.

A sturdy hand is placed on my shoulder and I quickly wipe my eyes and look up at Bruce in front of me.

`Don't worry about any of this now but soon enough you should really consider hearing him out. Staying here, even for a little while is definitely the best safety precaution you can take given everything that has happened.'

I nod and he pulls away, grabs a few things from the tray to the side and finishes the testing. Bruce finishes up and offers me his hand, which I take and he helps me stand up. My legs shake and I have to grip the bed with my spare hand to stop from collapsing to the ground. I hear footsteps descend the stairs, which I ignore, assuming Peter had calmed down and returned to get me to see things his way. I wasn't in the mood for another lecture from my brother today. But a different voice, one that I recognised, speaks instead.

`Let me,' the voice offers, 'I will take her to her room -'

I go to interject but he ignores me and continues.

`until she is well enough to leave and go home.'

Bruce looks at me in question and I nod my head, getting too tired to care who or how I get to somewhere I can rest. The other man wraps his arm around my back and takes me from Bruce, helping me take small steps towards the stairs which I was not looking forward to going up. Halfway across the room I have to stop, my brain fogging and my eyes heavy.

`I just need a minute.' I say, my eyes closing.

As I do, I feel almost weightless and don't have the energy to question it or thank him as he carries me up the stairs and to wherever I am supposed to be staying for now.

I feel still a little groggy but mostly rested when I open my heavy eyes to find myself in a decently sized bedroom with a large window in front of a simple, elegant desk. It is mostly empty except for the desk and the beyond comfortable, soft double bed I am currently lying in. Smiling, I sit up and notice a glass of water and a note on the desk beside me that I reach for and take a small sip whilst I read the familiar scribble on the typical yellow sticky note.

If you are up for it, dinner will be at 7.

You will find the kitchen if you go left out of your door, walk down the hall for a bit and you will find frosted glass double doors on the right.

You will find us through those doors.

~ Your very sorry twin. P

I smile, shaking my head. I do love that weirdo.

I take a few steps to the other side of the room and open the door to leave but when it opens I see not the hallway, but a beautiful ensuite with a huge bath, vanity and everything someone would dream of in an ensuite bathroom. I see a pair of spare clothes and a towel on the vanity and decide that dinner could wait. I still have about forty minutes until it was officially seven so I can definitely spare time for a shower.

As I undress and step into the shower I promise myself I would take advantage of that bath before I head home.

I turn the water on and let the gentle, warm water run down my back and soak my hair. I close my eyes and laugh, for the first time in almost three years I really laugh. Combing my hair behind me with my fingers, I tilt my head back and let the water shower down my face and stomach. I lather my body with soap and foam up my hair, properly rinsing all the grime, wear and tear from the last three years and the traumatic events from the last week away, down the small silver drain.

Stepping out of the warm shower and into the cool air I shiver lightly and quickly rub myself dry before twisting my coconut smelling hair up into the towel and throwing on the spare clothes sitting on the vanity. I stand in front of the vanity and catch my reflection in the mirror. I sigh, I don't see me anymore, more like a sad hollow shell of a girl who can't get her shit together. Untangling my hair with my finger and scrunching it dry I slowly walk out of the ensuite and get myself together enough to walk out of the bedroom door and head towards those stupid double doors.