Hey guys! I'm so so sorry for the lllloooooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggg update, I've literally had no free time at all. So to make up for the long update, I tried to make this chapter a little longer than the other ones. I hope you enjoy it. So without further ado, chapter fourteen!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination
Chapter Fourteen:
Bruce's POV
My hands shake almost uncontrollably as I decide what my best course of action would be in order to help my friends. Natasha is obviously better off, but if I let her leg to continue to bleed unchecked she could deteriorate quickly. Clint is a mess with gnashes covering his body and an unimaginable amount of other injuries. Quickly I turn to Natasha and wrap a thick bandage around the wound, it's the best I can do until we get back to the shield base and I have more supplies. Next I focus my attention on Barton. The man's injuries are extensive and I immediately begin working on the worst of it. My hands roam over the jagged piece of steel that has embedded itself into my friends stomach. Tony finally has come out of his daze and joins me to lend a hand.
"Should we take it out?" The billionaire's normally humorous personality has been overshadowed by guilt and fear for his friends life, his voice shakes with every word. The man's nearly at his breaking point. So I do the only thing I can do, I take charge.
"No. if we remove it we risk him bleeding out before we can get him proper medical care, but we'll have to be extremely careful as to prevent further damage to his internal organs. I need you to get me a knife." He nods and quickly makes his way towards the front of the Quinjet. Soon he returns with about a six inch blade and hands it to me. I thank him before turning back to Clint. I need to get a better look at the wound and the only way to do that is to cut through his shirt. Carefully I grasp the fabric and slowly try to pry it away from the wound, which is no easy feat considering that some of the blood has dried and pasted the shirt to his skin. Finally I'm able to pull it loose and can get a good look at the injury. It's not pretty. The edges are somewhat jagged from the metal moving back and forth and it's bleeding pretty badly. There's not much I can do from here because I lack the proper medical supplies, so I resort to the most basic of first aid. Gently I wrap thick bandages around his midsection with the steel still lodged in his stomach trying to at least slow the bleeding and keep the object from moving too much. I let out a sigh and look over my situation. I've done all I can for Clint and Natasha, they'll just have to hold on long enough to get them to the S.H.I.E.L.D base. Steve, Thor, and Tony all refused to be treated until I'd taken care of the two assassins, but by the looks of it they won't accept any medical help until we get to the facility. Realizing that nothing else can be done, I lean back against the wall and exhaustion slowly overcomes me; sending me into a fitful sleep.
Tony's POV
Rat Tat Tat
My foot constantly taps against the floor of the Quinjet as we edge closer and closer to S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters where a medical team will be waiting to transport Clint and Natasha to surgery, or at least that's what Steve was told when he radioed in to the base over half an hour ago. I look down and take in my appearance. My clothes are torn and tattered, the fabric covered in my friend's blood as much as my own. The sight makes me nauseous and I quickly divert my gaze.
Rat Tat Tat
My hands tremble as I run one of them through my hair in frustration. I intertwine my fingers together in an effort to stop the skating, but it does little good and only succeeds in making my whole arm quiver, whether in exhaustion or fear I'll never know. My head pounds from the days spent without food or water and the constant beatings my body took, but I immediately shake my head. I shouldn't be complaining about a little lightheadedness when my friends are dying only a few feet away.
Rat Tat Tat
I glance over at Clint and Natasha, they're limp forms lying unmoving on the floor. The only indication that they're still alive is the steady, albeit shallow, rise and fall of their chests when they breathe. There's only a slim chance that they'll make it out of this, and then all that we've done will have been for nothing. I immediately throw the thought from my mind, my optimism outweighing all logic. I take a deep, calming breath in an effort to ward off the anxiety that's slowly but surely creeping it's way into my thoughts. Now is not the time for another panic attack.
Rat Tat Tat
The incessant tapping of my shoe has become dull even to my own ears as the flight continues and it finally slows to a stop. My whole body is trembling by now and it takes everything I have not to just slip into unconsciousness. I fear that I won't be able to stay awake much longer, which is one reason why I'm so relieved when the Quinjet lands at S.H.I.E.L.D HQ not to long after.
Thor's POV
The plane lands roughly on the ground when we finally reach our destination and I watch as Barton and Lady Natasha are whisked away on hospital beds the second we arrive. I watch as Dr. Banner, Ironman, and the Captain exit the vessel and begin to follow our comrades into the building. Unsure of what to do, I remain outside watching for any threats that might've followed us from our our enemies hideout. Every quick movement or flash of light sends my senses into overdrive from the fear that has been instilled into me over the past few months. Fear of what could happen to me, to my friends, my family. My thoughts suddenly turn to Loki, the brother that I once trusted with my life, that I confided in, that used to always have my back. I remember all the times that he had tried to save me from father's wrath when I had been foolish, or when he would try and help me with math and science when we're were in school. He was the brother that would always smile when I arrived after a successful battle, or comfort me when we lost. My hands clench into fists and I shake my head in anger. That brother is no more, all that's left of my once faithful sibling is a monster that has just attacked my team mates, my family. All of those memories mean nothing now, the happiness they once brought is now only overshadowed by pain and regret. My little brother was lost long ago and now it's time that he pays for his crimes. Without hesitation I purposefully make my way to where Fury and the Son of Cole are standing. I offer them a nod and immediately propose my request.
"I wish to join the search party that has gone to retrieve the bodies and survivors from the compound." At first Fury seems hesitant, but Son of Cole answers before he has a chance.
"Go Thor. The search team will need all the help they can get." Without another word I fly into the air and set a course for the remains of the compound where we were held for all those days.
Director Fury and Agent Coulson watch as the God of Thunder flies away into the night.
"I'm amazed that he's still standing considering the condition of everyone else." Coulson says. Fury shakes his bald head, his one good eye still watching Thor leave.
"He is an Asguardian, Phil, I'm honestly not sure whether I'm surprised or not. As for the rest of the Avengers, they're chances are slightly less inviting." There's a long pause before Coulson speaks up.
"What do we do now, sir?"
"Pray."
Steve's POV
I watch helplessly as Clint, Natasha, Tony, and Bruce are all wheeled away into their respective rooms for treatment on their injuries. Thor left long ago and now I'm left alone in the hallway, the super soldier serum had healed most of my wounds on the plane ride back, well except for the dehydration and malnourishment. My leg is still pretty tender from the beating it had taken during our staying in the cell, but otherwise I'm on the mend. Slowly I make my way to a water fountain and take a few generous sips to quench my ever-present thirst. Some of the liquid drops down off of my chin onto my shirt and it's when I look down to wipe it away I see the red blood covering most of my upper body. Dried patches peel off of my skin when I move and some still drips from my clothing leaving little red droplets all over the floor. My breathing quickens when I realize that most of it isn't mine, it's the blood of my team mates, my friends, my family. I feel sick to my stomach and quickly stumble over to the bathroom before I have the chance to vomit all over the floor. Luckily I make it to the toilet in time to keep from making a mess on the tile and I quickly empty the meager contents of my stomach into the bowl. The sudden exertion causes me to feel lightheaded and weak spans I have to sit on the floor to keep from passing out. I stay that way for about ten minutes before I finally have the strength to stand to my feet. Carefully I make my way to the sink and lean, shaking, against it. My fingers reach for the knob and soon hot water flows over my trembling hands and I water as it slowly turns red, the blood making swirling patterns in the sink until it's washed down the drain. I try desperately to wash the blood of my friends from my skin. Blood drips from my hands. The red substance flows down my arms, covering my body like cancer. I can't get it off, it stains my skin even after it's washed away. Eventually the flesh on my arms has been rubbed raw from the vigorous scrubbing in my effort to cleanse it, exasperated I pull my hands away from the sink and turn the water off. Slowly I look in the mirror and the face that's greets me is one I don't recognize. I no longer see the strong, confident man that went after Red Skull all those days ago. I no longer see Captain America. I see the scared kid from Brooklyn. The weakling that got beat up in back allies by bullies and thugs. I never thought I'd see that kid again, I didn't want to. I can't find even a remnant of the man who could hold the weight of the world on his shoulders and still stand tall and proud. My shoulder slump from the terrible gravity of my situation. It feels as if ten tons has suddenly been dropped on top of my shoulders and it gets heavier and heavier until I can bear it no longer. My knees buckle and I slide slowly down to the ground, my back pressed firmly against the stone wall. I take a deep breath and slowly fade away into unconsciousness, that is until I hear the terrified scream of Natasha Romanoff piercing through the stale air of the hospital. It only takes me a moment to figure out what's happened when the shrill cry of a heart monitor filling the area signaling a flatline. One of my friends' lives has just ended. I haul myself to my feet and throw my body out the door to see which member of my family I've lost. I thought I was prepared for what would come next, but the second I see their lifeless face I nearly collapse. Tears stings the backs of my eyes as I stare in horror at my friend lying in the hospital bed while doctors try frantically to revive him. It seems as if Clint's luck has run out.
Natasha's POV
It takes me a moment to get my bearings when I finally come to, the sterile smell of a hospital filling my nostrils brings me back into reality. Why am I in a hospital? What happened? I only have to wonder for a few moments before the events of the past few days come crashing down on me like a tidal wave. My eyes fly open and I jolt into a sitting position, wide awake. The nurse who had been in the process of checking the IV that was imbedded in my arm jumps back in surprise. She takes a second to gather her thoughts and smiles at me.
"How are you feeling Mrs. Romanoff?" I just stare at her for a moment before compose myself.
"I'm fine. Where are the others?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that, it's confidential." Angers boils in me and it takes everything I have not to beat the living crap out of her right then and there.
"Confidential my ass. They're my team mates and I demand to know where they are, right now." My hands clench into fists and I takes deep, rapid breaths in order to keep my temper in check. I've been held captive for the past four days without food or water in freezing temperatures, was tortured, had to watch my friends be hurt, and stand there doing nothing while my best friend was basically blown away and now I have to deal with a fresh out of college nurse who thinks she has the right to keep my team mates location from me. I'm so done with today. Suddenly an image of Clint pops up into my mind. My best friend lying there bleeding out on the floor of the Quinjet, and I can't save him. It keeps replaying over and over in my mind. It's like a bad dream. But this time it's not a nightmare, it's really happening. The only thing that matters to me right now partner. "Where is Clint!?" I yell at the woman trying to restrain me. She ignores my question and tries to get me to stop.
"Miss you need to calm down. You'll aggravate your injuries!"
"Where is he?!" I scream in frustration before snatching my arm out of the patron's grip and harshly pushing her away. "I need to see him!" I pull my hand back and, without hesitation, punch the woman right in the nose and I feel the bones crack under my fist. Ignoring her shout of pain I leap from the bed, despite the heavy protesting of my injured leg, and head out the door into the hallway. It only takes me a moment to spot my partner being wheeled down the corridor towards one of the rooms. I sprint towards him and I can hear the doctors shouts of confusion when they see me approaching. I ski to a halt next to them. "How is he?" The Doctor gives me a skeptical look before opening his mouth to answer. But before he has the chance, a shrill cry sounds throughout the space and I turn towards the source of the sound. My breath catches in my throats when I realize that the sound was Clint's heart monitor flatlining. It's as if time stands still and all I can do is watch as my partners heart stops. I can't move, can't breathe, I can't even think, all I can do is scream in horror as the doctor's rush to Clint's side. Immediately they charge up a defibrillator and place it on my friend's chest before sending a shock through him, his body seizing up for a moment before going limp again. Someone suddenly appears next to me and I hear Steve's worried voice. He says something but I don't hear him, all my attention is on my partner. It takes three more agonizing tries before the doctors finally get his heart beating again and I nearly collapse when they start to take him away. Cap puts a hand on my shoulder and I struggle to hold back a sob. He takes me by the arm and leads me to Clint's room. The second we arrive I take my seat by his bed and begin the waiting process, hoping against hope that he can pull through for a second time.
Well that's all for chapter fourteen of Cold as Ice! Did you like it? I hope so. I'd once again like to apologize for the long update. Reviews are appreciated. Until next chapter!