"Is there anything you need to tell me Steve?"

"No."

"Are you going to explain the new bruises around your neck?"

Steve didn't answer. He kept his eyes low, avoiding the looks from nurses and other doctors.

"Dr. Sackler?" One of the nurses stopped them. "Is this your radiology patient? Would you like me to handle transport? I'm sure your busy."

"No, it's fine. I'd like to take this patient myself." The nurse looked at Steve for a long moment, and walked away nodding.

"What's wrong?" Steve mumbled just loud enough to be heard.

"Nurses usually take the patients to the imaging, then bring them back when the technician is done."

"Why 'r you taking me then?"

"Well, honestly, I figured you'd be more comfortable with someone you know."

"Oh." Steve lowered his head even more. His face flushed a light red from embarrassment. He ignored Dr. Sackler's attempts for conversations, only paying attention to how many people walked by them.

A door opened in front of Steve, and he was pushed through. The moving stopped, and Steve could vaguely hear the doctor talking to someone.

"So, we're going to lower the table. Lay on your back, and I'm going to drape a heavy material over you. We'll do your knee first and then you'll have to move for your jaw. So can you stand?" A loud buzz filled the room, and Steve flinched. He slowly pushed off the chair, ignoring the hand offered to him. When the buzzing stopped, he shuffled to the table, trying to hid his backside.

"So lay down- Yup like that." Dr. Sackler walked away and came back carrying the drape. "These are heavy, and if you start to feel uncomfortable or claustrophobic just say something." He gently set them on Steve's chest, and upper leg. Another smaller one was draped over his lower leg. "The camera will be set up, I'll go into the other room, and you'll hear a buzz. Then I'll come back." Steve nodded. "I can hear you in the other room so if you need anything let me know."

Steve shut his eyes, blocking out all the sounds and movements. He adjusted when told to, even when it hurt. Before he knew it, Dr. Sackler told him that all the imaging was done and he could get down.

They didn't talk on the way back to the room. Steve could hear the doctor occasionally greeting someone in the hallway, but he refused to let everyone see how ashamed he was.

"Steve? We're almost to your room, but can I show you something first?"

"I don't want to worry Tony."

"It'll be quick. I can have a nurse tell him that the line was backed up if it would comfort you." Steve just shrugged. "I'll do that." The wheel chair was pushed forward. They rounded a corner, and entered an empty room.

"Dad?" Peter's voice rang out clear in the small room. "What happened?"

"What is- Pete? Why 'r you here?" Steve still didn't look up.

"Steve. I brought Peter." Nat spoke up. "We worked out a plan. I talked to Pepper, and she has an apartment she's not using. It's a few blocks away from the tower, so Pete won't be far from his friends. I'll stay with you guys for a while, then my apartment is just down the street."

"Nat-"

"Dad please." Peter's voice shook.

"Peter. It's not that easy anymore." He looked away.

"Why not? Dad you're not safe. Nat and I figured it out. Sam and Bucky will visit often. And Pepper said-"

"Tony knows. He knows that your his son, and he's going to use it against us. So I can't."

"Steve. Pepper gets lunch weekly with some of the best lawyers in the country. All you need to do, is leave and everything will be fine." Nat knelt down lower, trying to grab his attention.

Steve didn't answer, just chewed his lip a bit.

"Dad. Please. I don't want to see you like this ever again."

"How?"

"Well, you'd go back and change, and I'll be waiting on his floor for you. Peter will be on your floor getting the rest of your stuff." Nat stood back up and backed away.

"I don't want him alone."

"Then he can go to the apartment and wait for us there. Is it a plan?"

"I- I guess."