A/N: MONDAY! Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney or the Avengers.
"No extra treats, don't mention baths, and if she hops into the tub anyways, just let her play in like two inches of water," I said to Tony the next day.
"You've had her all of three days. You already sound like a parent."
"Not for awhile. She's my baby right now," I smiled at the ball of fur at my feet.
"I see you're taking the bike today," Tony noted, as I had just set my helmet down.
"It's not the first ride, and a few of the other doctors think I'm crazy with how many head trauma cases we get from cyclists." I said, packing my lunch into my bag.
"She's in safe hands. I won't let her anywhere near a ledge of any sort." He promised.
"No running experiments on her either," I said with narrowed eyes.
"Bruce is the mad scientist here," Tony joked.
"Goodbye sweet girl. I love you," I said kissing the top of her head as I bent down. She responded with a lick to my ear, and sat back down.
"Don't spoil her Tony," I warned as I walked to the elevator.
"I won't. I'm not all that fond of her." He joked as I pressed the button for the garage.
"Have fun," I replied as the doors closed. As I felt the elevator shift and descend, I began to reflect on what Tony had said yesterday. He was trying to be mature, but also trying to look out for me like an older brother normally would. I still wasn't convinced that he needed to act like a Neanderthal to do so, but I rationalized that he wasn't emotionally capable of thought at that moment.
As I rode to the hospital, I wondered what Steve was doing. He had texted this morning to say he'd keep me updated, but that was the only form of contact we could have while he was following Bucky. Quickly parking, I took off my helmet, andshook out my curls. I waved hello to a couple doctors as I was coming in, but kept to myself, as I was deep in thought. I re-focused myself to my brain tumor case, going over my plan in my head. I was running through the procedure with not only my residents, but with the patient.
"Mia," I heard as Gwen ran up beside me.
"Hey, I didn't see you leave last night." I said, noticing her still in her scrubs.
"Well, I don't have a hottie to go home to, so I stayed back to help in the ER."
"Well Steve left last night for D.C., so I'm by myself for at least a few days." I explained as we got in the elevator.
"Is it classified, or can I ask what about?"
"Classified. I'm not sure if I can tell other people quite yet." I said confused.
"Well, I'm waiting for your answer about his cute friend," She laughed as the doors opened.
"A really cute one came over yesterday, taking him away from me."
"Have you sealed the deal yet?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"We're taking things slow. Though he did promise me the day he gets back, he's giving me a bubble bath, feed me wine and chocolate covered strawberries, and then taking me to bed. It was borderline cruel to say that before leaving," I muttered.
"You have all the luck," she sighed.
"You mentioned that you did a tour in Iraq. I think his friend was part of a Pararescue," I said, as she perked up.
"Do you know which division?" She asked, a haunted look to her eyes. I held up a finger and quickly texted Steve. He was confused as to why I was asking about Sam, but he was a sport about answering.
"58th Rescue. Steve talked about him the other night, and I could tell he's better for having Sam as a friend." I said, putting my phone away as we approached my office.
"Wilson?" She asked, stopping in her tracks. Stopping as well, and turning I saw the look in her eyes.
"You knew him?" I asked softly.
"My brother did. They were partners," She said, as her eyes started to water. Quickly sending Steve a text off, my phone rang two seconds later.
"Hello?" I asked, not recognizing the number.
"Put her on," I heard Sam demand.
"It's for you," I said, pulling Gwen into my office, and handing her the phone.
"Hello?" She asked shyly.
"Gwen, what the hell are you doing in New York?" I was surprised I could here the other side of the conversation, but I just went with it.
"I moved here after the alien attack Sam. I needed to be away from D.C. for awhile," She said, dropping onto my couch, as I grabbed my clean scrubs and quickly changed. I was happy I only had one window in my office, and that I kept the blinds closed most of the time.
"I've been looking everywhere for you. Don't run off like that again. Now I'll be in town soon, so I expect you to stay put until I can see you." He said, as Gwen wiped a tear from her face.
"I'll be here," She said, sighing.
"Good. And Gwen?"
"Yeah?" She asked sounding hopeful.
"I'm… I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm glad you're okay too," She said, a fake smile plastered on her face. She mumbled an "Okay", and handed me the phone. Quirking an eyebrow, I put it back to my ear and said, "Sam?"
"Don't let her out of your sights. Take care of her. I promised her brother I would and I've failed so far. Will you please do that for me Mia?" Sam asked, sounding worried.
"You got it Falcon," I promised, teasing him slightly.
"Now Cap wants to talk to you," He said as I heard the phone being passed.
"Mia, we're most likely going to be a week," Steve said, sounding out of breath.
"Okay, I'm waiting for you Captain Rogers. Come home to me, and I will help your friend."
"You aren't mad at him?"
"I'm furious with HYRDA, so no I'm not holding Bucky responsible. I do have to go now, but I await your next call," I said, watching Gwen trying to keep herself calm.
"Okay, give Athena a cuddle for me." He said to which Sam chuckled.
"I will. Bye," I said, hanging up, and sitting next to Gwen on the couch.
"I know we aren't close enough yet, but if you ever feel comfortable enough around me, you can unload without any judgment. You're my friend, and I'm going to be here for you." I said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She nodded, obviously holding back tears.
"Why don't you come shopping with me and my sister-in-law? It's ton of fun," I sing-songed.
"Retail therapy, of course," she laughed as a few tears fell.
"I'll let her know I have a plus one. Hey and this is an excuse for you to come over and see my place. Not that I'm bragging," I said defensively.
"I would love to. I feel like I'll be there a lot more now that Sam knows where I am."
"You've got a smile hiding in your voice. What do I not know?" I said, giving her a goofy smile.
"I had a huge crush on Sam, but I never told anyone. And that means you can't tell anyone either, including your superhero boyfriend." She said as we stood up.
"Come on, we have a spinal fusion, " I said evading the promise.
"Mia," she laughed as I quickly rushed from my office.
Gwen and Pepper got along famously, which made things easier for me when I had to sneak off to buy lingerie. I was a little nervous about my night with Steve. He'd already seen me bare to the world, but now it was about more than sex.
A week came and went, with no word from Steve or Sam. I was beginning to worry, but knew that Steve had things under control. I was about to go into my 17 hour surgery when I got a message from Steve, saying that they were close to getting Bucky to come willingly. I texted him back before taking a quick power nap.
"Dr. Stark?" An intern timidly said, knocking on the door to my office.
"Is it time?" I said, sitting up, and pulling my curls into a tight bun atop my head.
"The patient is prepped and heading down to the OR."
"Don't let them sedate him until I talk to him," I said motioning him to run. Breathing deeply, I focused on my plan. Emptying my head of everything else, I ran over the steps in my head as I pulled on my baby blue, brown polka-dotted scrub cap.
"I kick ass and take names. I am a Stark," I whispered, before closing my office door.
"Brian, I need to go over something with you before we start." I said to the patient on the table.
"You've already explained the risks."
"I'm not talking about risks, I'm talking about the quality of life you could have if this doesn't go our way. I am very good at what I do, but I can't always predict what the brain is going to do, how tumors are going to react. You could be blind; you could possibly not be able to talk. But are those outcomes going to change your answer today. Cause in a few minutes, there is no going back." I said, taking his hand.
"I've got 3 months to live if I don't take this thing out, right?" To which I nodded.
"So it's either 3 less months with my family, or another 40 years regardless of the possible outcomes. It's a gamble I'm willing to take." He said nodding.
"Okay, now do you want me here as they put you under?"
"Wouldn't hurt if the last thing I ever saw was your pretty face," he joked.
"I'm spoken for, Brian. And it will do my best to ensure it's not the last thing you see. You haven't even seen your bill," I teased, nodding to my anesthesiologist.
"Count backwards from 100 for me," I said softly, to which he started the count. As he faded off, and the mask was placed over his face, I released his hand, and went to scrub.
"Dr. Stark, there is a phone call coming in from your brother. He's in the gallery," one of the residents said, making me look up.
"Don't mess up," He said, to which I shook my head.
"You're supposed to be watching my dog." I said, hands on my hips.
"Pepper has her, and Bruce is taking a shift with her. I'm here to see what is so fascinating about being a doctor," he said as a few more people entered the gallery.
"Sit in the back and don't say a word," I laughed, before heading back into the scrub room. Tying a mask around my face, I took a fresh soap sponge, and shook out my shoulders.
"Hey," Gwen said, coming into the scrub room.
"Hey," I said through the mask as I began to clean under my fingernails.
"What's your scrub song?" She asked, randomly. Looking up at her in bemusement, I laughed, "All of Me by John Legend."
"I've got a playlist ready for you, if you feel like you need something in there," She said smiling.
"Thanks, I may need it about halfway through. This isn't my longest surgery, but it will be the most intense." I sighed, humming the lyrics to my song subconsciously.
"Hey, I'm looking out for you. I'll be your sounding board, and make sure you take breaks." She offered.
"I've got my nurse here," I nodded in the direction of Anne, "But I could use a conversation in there every now and then. Besides, I need something to distract me from knowing my brother is in the gallery."
"And that's a problem. You were complaining just last week that he was acting like a dick. Show him what you're made of."
"We're made of the same stuff apparently." I scoffed, "I'm a Stark, through and through. Hard-headed, arrogant, and reckless. But today I'm careful, considerate of others opinions, and thorough."
"Then we ask the Chief to turn the one way on, so you can't see them, but they can see you, and you can talk without being nervous."
"I'd like that," I laughed, "Not that I'm nervous, but I need to know that it's just me in that OR. I talk to myself when I operate, I mumble, but I explain what I'm doing, regardless of their being a resident or intern in the room."
"I'll go do that. I'll scrub, and be in there before you know it." She said, winking saucily, and leaving the room. Snorting, I looked back into the OR. Brian was propped on the table, at the angle I requested, and intubated.
"God, I know I've never asked you for anything, but please let this work. For Brian's sake," I whispered as I finished scrubbing, and entered the OR again.
"Gown please," I asked a scrub nurse, who also provided me with gloves when someone else tied up my gown.
"Who's ready for some fun?" I said smiling up at the gallery as the windows turned back to mirrors. Sighing contently, I moved up to my place.
"10 blade," I said holding my hand out towards my scrub nurse. When the surgical steel blade was placed in my hand, I focused my mind.
"Okay," I said to myself, as I went to make the first cut. No turning back now.