Chapter 11
I do not own The Avengers in any way.
Madison woke up one. She reached for the button that would alert someone that had woken up.
Steve was the first to rush into the room. "Madison!" he said, "You're awake!"
"Uh, yeah", she said, "How long was I out?"
"Madison, it's been 3 months", he said, in a gentle tone.
"What?" she asked softly.
"No one was even sure you'd wake up", he told her.
She was silent for a while, before asking, "My father?"
"On a mission right now", he told her, "Fury thought it would give him a good distraction from your condition". He walked towards her and kissed her forehead. "I'm so glad you're okay", he told her.
"What do you mean, they weren't sure if I would even wake up?" Madison asked.
"Nearly every bone in your body was broken and you suffered a traumatic brain injury. Loki healed you", Steve said.
"Loki healed me?" Madison said, "Where are Thor and Loki now?" She always felt like Loki had a soft spot for her.
This just confirmed it.
"They went back to Asgard", Steve told her.
"Oh", Madison said softly. She kinda wanted to thank the God of Mischief for saving her life.
"He offered to", Steve said, "I was so scared. I've never been so scared in my life".
Direction Fury entered the room. "Good to see you Miss Barton", he said.
"How much longer do I have to stay in here?" she asked.
"We'll have Dr. Banner come in and look you over and then you're clear to go", Fury said, "Oh and your father has been informed of your condition. He'll be returning in a couple of days".
Then Steve and Madison were left alone again.
Steve sat on the bed next to Madison and took her small hand in his. "I don't what I would've done if you hadn't woken up", he told her.
"Don't talk like that", she said.
"But it's true Madison. I love you", Steve said.
That took Madison's breath away.
He had tried to tell her before the battle, but she wouldn't let him.
"I love you too", she breathed.
Steve smiled at her.
Madison leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. She tried to pull away, but Steve put his hand on neck, holding her there. Madison's heart monitor starting beeping faster as she fisted Steve's shirt in her hand.
They heard someone clear their throat.
Steve let go of her and stood up.
Dr. Banner stood there.
"I'll just…" Steve said pointing to the door. He left the room, leaving Madison and Dr. Banner.
"How do you feel?" he asked her.
"Fine. I guess", she said, "I have a high pain threshold".
"Can you stand?" he asked.
Madison struggled to get out of the bed, wincing at the slight pain in her ribs.
"It seems you may have to be on bed rest for a couple of days, but you're clear to go to your own room", Dr. Banner said. He left and sent in a female nurse to help Madison dress.
Steve ended carrying her to her room.
A couple of days later, Madison was in good enough shape to get up and move around. She grabbed her bow and went down to the training room. She had trouble firing the first couple of arrows.
It seemed lying in a bed for 3 months had weakened her arms.
She stopped when she heard the door open. She slowly turned and saw her father standing there. She dropped her bow and ran into his arms.
He caught her and held her to him. Clint closed his eyes to hide his tears as he kissed her head. "I was so scared", he told her, "I thought I was going to lose you".
Madison held onto him for dear life.
Director Fury entered the room and cleared his throat.
Madison let go of her father as Fury walked up to her.
"This is one of the hardest things I've had to do, but Junior Agent Barton, you're being relieved of your duties as a S.H.E.I.L.D. agent", Fury said, "This is mine and the board's decision".
"You're letting me go?" she asked him.
"Think of it as a leave of absence", Fury said, "In a few months, we'll reevaluate your case and decide if you're ready to become a true field agent". Fury left the father and daughter alone.
"Baby Bird, we need to talk", Clint told her.
What do think Clint wants to talk about with his Baby Bird?