"Good afternoon, Steve," May, the nurse that looked after Scottlyn greeted with a smile. "How are you? You left abruptly yesterday and didn't return. I was afraid something had happened."
Steve shook his head and stopped in the hallway so he could speak to her. "I got tired of waiting around for Scottlyn's father so I went to him myself."
"You did? What did he have to say?" May asked with anticipation.
"He's going to keep her on the machines," Steve said with a happy smile.
"Oh, Steve, that's good! I'm so glad you were able to convince him," May answered with a bright smile. "Well, I have to get going. My nephew and I are going to spend some time together."
"The braniac one you mentioned?" Steve questioned.
"Yes, the one and only nephew of mine." May waved small and started to walk around Steve. "Oh, and honey. Your friend went in to visit Scottlyn a while ago. She was a bit skittish, so I don't want you to frighten her when you go in. Good-bye, Steve. I will see you tomorrow."
"Bye, May." Steve said in response, furrowing his brow. Friend? He knew it wasn't Natasha because of the 'skittish' comment, so who was it?
Steve walked with the sunflowers he held and went over to the door. Pushing open the door, he prepared himself for whoever waited with Scottlyn… And was thoroughly surprised when he saw who it was.
Theo Carlyle… Tony Stark's assistant.
Steve stopped and let the door close by itself. Theo was standing over Scottlyn's body, staring down at her face. Theo looked sad and even a little upset. When the door closed, it disrupted Theo and she jumped, facing him. Her face became stone hard and she straightened herself out.
"Ah, Mr. Rogers," Theo said as she turned to face him. "Pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise," Steve said as he put the vase with sunflowers down next to the other bouquets he had bring. He turned to Theo again. "Do you mind if I ask why you are here and how you know about Scottlyn?"
"I heard you speaking to Mr. Stark about her. I thought I could come down here to see…" Theo trailed off, her moss green eyes going back to Scottlyn's face.
Steve suddenly recalled what Tony had said about Theo. She had powers… She would be able to touch someone and gain their memories. "Tony said you could touch a person and… Er, did you touch her?" Steve asked with a bit of nervousness. He wasn't sure if Tony was picking fun or if Theo could actually do it. If so, he wasn't sure how else to ask her to touch Scottlyn to see.
"I did," Theo admitted after a moment. Her eyes were cast down to the ground. "I didn't see anything. No one seems to be home up in her head, as if her consciousness is gone… So I don't know anything. I don't know what it means either."
"Oh," Steve said in a small voice, looking back to Scottlyn. "Thanks anyways."
Theo looked up at him. She didn't have any expression on her face which kind of unnerved Steve, especially because she appeared to be scrutinizing him. "Don't thank me… I-I accidently brushed against you the last time we saw each other. I saw how much she means to you." She finally said to him, her bored expression making him feel as if she was being insincere, yet her voice said otherwise.
Steve now cast his eyes down for a moment before looking back up at her. "How much did you see from me?" He asked out of curiosity.
"Enough to understand you and all you've gone through," Theo responded and he looked back up at her. "I don't ever mean for it to happen, Mr. Rogers. I-I haven't ever been able to control it and I wouldn't have done it if I was able to."
"It's fine," Steve said to her as he studied her closely. She did seem skittish and so unsure about herself, yet she held that air about her that could be mistaken as pride, as if she thought herself above others. He knew that wasn't the case despite only speaking with her once before now. He didn't think Theo was like that. "Lots of people know what happened to me."
"But they don't know how you felt or what you feel now," Theo pointed out. She exhaled and looked out of the window. "I swore I'd never again step into a hospital." She murmured before she moved her green eyes back to him. "Depression is a serious matter, Mr. Rogers."
Steve didn't argue with the serious matter part, but he didn't like she was insinuating he was depressed. "I'm not—" Theo gave him a 'really' look that caused him to stop speaking for a moment. He looked over at Scottlyn. "She's the first thing that was away from SHIELD… The first person that I felt a connection to away from all the hectic. I haven't had more than three sentences between us and I felt – feel – drawn to her. I've not even had a real conversation with her. It's just… It's not fair she got this."
"I know," Theo responded as she picked up her bag. They held eye contact for a couple of moment before Theo spoke again. "I have to get going. Mr. Stark will be expecting me with his coffee anytime now. Good-bye, Mr. Rogers." She started to leave but Steve stopped her.
"Wait, Theo," He said and she turned to look back at him. "Tell Tony I said thank you for calling Mr. West… I really appreciate it." Theo nodded and started to walk out before he stopped her once again. "And Theo… You can call me Steve. You don't need to call me Mr. Rogers."
Theo nodded, the same blank and bored expression on her face. "I'll give Mr. Stark your message. Until next time… Steve." She walked out then, quickly closing the door behind her. Steve exhaled before he went to take a seat next to Scottlyn's bed. He picked up The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and began reading to her.