A/N : Thank you for the review :3 And here's another chapter, I'd say three in one day isn't too shabby for being absent nearly two years.

Heather's POV

I woke up in a cold, sterile room, the scents of disinfectant and blood assaulting my nose. I hated the sick bay.

My memories rushed to the surface, each fighting to be the foremost in my mind. Bruce, the explosion, my injuries, and oddly enough, blue eyes. Finally I settled on seeing how well I'd been stitched back together.

A very painful idea, despite the excellent medication I was on.

When I tried to sit up my muscles screamed in protest, and I fell back onto the mattress with a muffled thud. I continued my quest for a more comfortable placement and soon my breath came in short ragged gasps, finally I managed to ease myself into a sitting position without sliding back down. I noticed the array of notebooks and papers by my bed and smiled, Bruce was here.

I debated the pros and cons of trying to reach the pitcher of water on the table and made to stand when the doors slid open to reveal an extremely distraught Bruce. Startled, I lost my tentative balance and fell gracelessly to the floor with a muffled groan of pain. The water forgotten.

Bruce frantically rushed to my side, and gently put me back up on the bed, "Are you all right? Do you need me to call a nurse? You didn't tear any of your stitches did you?"

And yet the only thing I could register was his hair. It was sticking up from just about everywhere.

I snorted. He paused and looked at me strangely. I giggled. His eyebrows furrowed. And then I lost it, and after a moment he joined in, the look on his face telling me he was questioning how sound of mind the both of us were.

Then he sobered up and I could see the guilt plain as day.

"I am so sorry-"

I flicked my friend in the nose to quiet him, chuckling softly, "Oh no you don't. I'll live, and the explosion wasn't your fault. If you are under any other misconception you'd better leave till you regain your senses."

The doctor shook his head at my antics and sighed, concern written across his face, "You're want crutches or a wheelchair?"

I made a face, then grinned impishly "Crutches, I don't need to look any smaller than I already do.

Bruce grinned, I had a point, standing at the oh so intimidating height of 5'5", I would look like a middle schooler in a wheelchair.

"So how long have I been here?"

Bruce's smile dimmed, his voice somber and quiet "You've been under for several hours, for a moment there the doctors weren't sure you'd make it. If Steve hadn't found you I don't even want to imagine what would have happened."

Oh. Wow. Well, it isn't every day you hear you almost died.

I reached out and placed a hand on his arm, smiling gently, Bruce was like an older brother to me, I had no desire to see him punish himself, "Hey, none of that."

I poked him in the side teasingly, and he yelped in surprise, a few moments later we were both fighting back laughter again. Soon our mirth faded and I found myself looking out of the window, wondering if my father had heard of what had happened.

I glanced at Bruce, the question burning in my eyes, and his jaw clenched, lips forming a tight line. That was all I really needed to know Tony hadn't come by.I didn't really think he would have, doting and worrying was not his style, but my heart hurt at the thought of him truly not caring whether I lived or died.

A tear made its way down my face, and I sniffed, startled, I wasn't usually this emotional.

Bruce hesitantly put a hand on my arm, and gave it a slight squeeze of reassurance. Someone cleared their throat at the door, and we both turned to see Natasha standing there.

Bruce sighed a, before departing, and I quickly wiped away my traitorous tears.

Looking at me in concern Natasha pulled me into her embrace, and I went willingly, my shoulders shook with sobs as I tried to get them under control. Remember when I told you my best friend was an assassin? Yeah. It's her. Bruce is amazing, but emotionally awkward, Pepper is wonderful, but she's in love with Tony, and I can't risk driving a wedge between them.

When Natasha showed up, she was my life line.

The most dangerous assassin and spy in the world practically became my sister.

Finally the tears subsided and Natasha pulled back,not saying a word. Silently she held out her standard S.H.I.E.L.D. issued phone and handed it to me. I scanned it briefly, a smile lighting my features, a new mission, "When?"

Natasha smiled softly "As soon as you are able."

I returned her phone, and managed a small grin of my own, this was exactly what I needed.

A distraction.

Bruce came back with a pair of crutches and strict instructions to stay in bed as much as possible for the next few weeks. I felt kind of bad for lying to him, but the last thing I wanted was to be cooped up, so I hung my head like a good patient and agreed grudgingly.

Once he left we made for the elevator and then my room. Natasha helped me change, something about meeting with a bunch of high-and-mighty agents in a thin hospital gown did not bode well with my dignity.

Returning to he elevator we headed for the roof, but before we had gone maybe two floors it came to a halt for another passenger. The elevator doors opened to reveal a rather angry looking Captain Rogers, who quickly regained his composure upon seeing us.

Rogers glanced at me curiously, and I could see he had been talking with Tony, I mean, why else would he look so pissed off?

Tony tended to have that effect of people.

I think it's a family trait.

"Miss Stark, Natasha." Ever the gentleman he nodded politely in greeting. After a few minutes I sighed, feeling his eyes shift to me for the thousandth time.

"Ya know a picture will last longer, right?"

I looked up into his blue eyes, a blush coloring his cheeks. How cute.

The girly teenager in me wanted to giggle and tease the poor man, but thankfully my IQ won out. After all, this was our first official meeting, And I'm not one to turn to putty in the presence of a handsome face.

Even if they were extremely polite and had saved the world.

And had blue eyes.

"I u-uh."

Ok, I couldn't help it, I laughed, then gave him a reassuring smile. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Natasha hide a smirk.

"It's fine, I'm assuming today's the first time you've even heard of my existence. And you know, I am pretty good looking."

I maintained a straight face for approximately 5 seconds. Hell, I looked like someone put me through a blender.

Natasha and Steve both joined in after an awkward moment of debating my sanity.

Finally we reached the roof, and when Steve stepped out with us heading towards the waiting helicopter we looked at each other in confusion.

"You going on the mission too, Cap?"

"Are you coming along?"