Steve was reading aloud to her, to Scottlyn. At first he didn't think the name fit her… But now looking at her he knew it did. He liked it.
He was reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to her, because in the file Natasha had given him he had seen that she enjoyed the book. Not sure why the file had that little piece of information, but he decided not to question Natasha's findings. So he had gone to the library where she checked this certain book out and made sure to get this exact copy. He felt like he needed to because she deserved to have something she liked.
As he read aloud, suddenly a movement caught his eye. He glanced up briefly and saw that it was nothing. He resumed reading until he saw another movement… Her arm had moved. Immediately he called to the nurse who came running in. "What is it? What is going on, child?" May asked him.
"She was moving!" He exclaimed as he pointed to her arm.
"Oh," May said in a softer tone as went over to Scottlyn and checking her vitals. Steve waited impatiently, a part of him flooding with hope. After a couple of minutes the nurse turned towards him. "Sweetheart, it was just a twitch. Sometimes when people are de—" She stopped herself, realizing what she was about to say. "Sometimes people in a coma twitch. I wouldn't get my hopes up." She said it in the softest, kindest way possible. He appreciated it.
"But that's a good sign at least, isn't it?" Steve asked, feeling like he had been punched in the gut by Hulk.
"We don't want to get our hopes up, sweetheart. All we can do is pray." May said to him gently, trying to give him comforting words and a smile but he could see right through it. Steve now felt like he had been punched by the Hulk.
Steve sighed, deciding that he was done with waiting around today. He was frustrated… And he just needed some time to cool down. He'd be back tomorrow and they could continue reading the book. He sat it on the bedside table and left, not expecting much anymore. He knew he needed to get back to work, but he was still so haunted by her last expression he knew it wouldn't be easy to focus on much of anything.
Steve was sitting in his normal spot, reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to Scottlyn just as the nurse – she finally introduced herself as May Parker, a last name he thought sounded vaguely familiar but soon dismissed the thought – suggested she should. When Steve formally introduced himself as Steve Rogers to her, she was in shock. Ever since the memorial for Captain America and his team at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, he was easily recognized so he had started to wear hats and glasses out. The nurse May had been happy to keep the fact he was Captain America a secret so he didn't have problems with people flooding him. He was here for Scottlyn, not for himself.
As he read, he didn't realize someone had walked in behind him. Well, not until they spoke. "Are you a family member?"
Steve stopped reading and turned to the voice. He saw the doctor he had met a couple of days ago, Dr. Strange. "We've met before, Dr. Strange. I'm the man who saved her from the fire." Steve said to jog his memory.
"Oh, right," Dr. Strange said as he walked over and checked over Scottlyn. Steve watched him carefully, not very trusting of the man. The doctor seemed… off. Steve just didn't like something about him. Maybe it was his outward arrogance and pride. Dr. Strange glanced over and saw that Steve was watching him with distrust. "Most people would have left her to die." He commented to the muscular man.
"Not me," Steve said as his eyes went to Scottlyn's face. "She got me to save someone rather than herself. Not many people would do that." Steve looked over at Dr. Strange. "I heard about her father being called. She doesn't deserve to be alone."
Dr. Strange didn't respond as he finished making sure all the machines were properly working. "If it were up to me, you wouldn't be allowed in here. But you have powerful friends, Mr. Rogers."
Steve looked at him again, uncertain how he had known his name. "You know my name?" Steve asked him, becoming more and more distrusting of this doctor.
"If he hadn't been for the Smithsonian for a charity event, I don't think I would've. Your nurse friend Mrs. Parker has been tight lipped on your identity, especially to your superiors." Dr. Strange explained as he stopped at the foot of Scottlyn's bed. "However as long as you don't mess up anything else or bother the patient, I suppose I cannot get my powerful friends to influence yours."
Steve was watching Dr. Strange with a hard expression. "I don't respond well to threats, doctor. The last time I was threatened was in a war." Steve said to him.
Dr. Strange held up his hands. "I don't mean any offense, it was merely a warning."
"Well, doctor, I am not the kind of man who would purposefully mess with anything I wasn't supposed to," Steve said to him. "Can you say the same for yourself?" He turned away from him and resumed reading out to Scottlyn. From his peripheral vision Steve saw Dr. Strange heading towards the door. Before he left, the doctor called over his shoulders.
"Even with friends like yours, Mr. Rogers, visiting hours still hold up."
Once he was gone, Steve sighed and closed the book. He didn't feel like reading anymore and sat back, rubbing his hand over his face.
"Aw, Steve, sweetheart, are you okay?" Steve moved his hands from his face when he heard May Parker's voice and the sweet lady had laid a hand on his arm.
"Yes, ma'am, I am," Steve said as he sat up. May nodded and removed her hand.
"Was it Dr. Strange? I saw him leaving the room."
"Yes, once again," Steve admitted in a small voice. He looked over at Scottlyn for a moment before back at May. "Ma'am, don't you think Scottlyn deserves a doctor who actually cares for her well-being and not getting his name in the news?"
"I think she does have one," May said after a moment of thought. "Dr. Strange is very caring for her. Of course he first took her case because of the getting recognition, but I believe she's growing on him. In a coma and she's grown on a lot of the hospital staff. Some maybe because they pity her and others for their own reasons... Plus, don't tell him I told you this, he had a sister who died that was around her age," May said, a pointed look towards Steve. "Anyways, I think things are looking up for her. She is moving around a lot, though her brain is still dead. Her body will sit up and other things. I'm not what sure to think of it, Steve. It's like she's no longer in there but her body thinks she is."
Steve was quiet, watching Scottlyn with a sad expression. "Do you think there's ever a possibly of her waking up?" He asked her.
May sighed, a sad look etching the woman's face. "I didn't want to tell you this because I knew you would be upset, but I think you should know."
Steve now turned to face May completely. "What is it?" He asked her.
"Her father was called, as you know, and was told of Scottlyn's situation. He ordered us to cut off her machines and let her die, that he wanted us to fax him the papers he needed to sign for his consent. He said he would be here within the week."