I watched as the the nurse and Steve talked. The doctor stood next to me and looked down from me to the chart, then back to me. The nurse occasionally nodded and then Steve would glance over at me. I shifted uncomfortably, the cold hospital floor burning against my feet.
"Okay, Miss Florence," The nurse began walking over to me smiling, "Ste...Mr. Rogers, confirms your story, however Doctor Garnett would like to keep you for observation overnight."
"Steve, can you stay with me for a while?" I asked quietly rubbing my arm nervously, "And could help me figure out what has happened since?" I offered trying to make it a more normal request.
"Of course Florence." Steve smiled, "I had Stark help me figure everything out, so it is only fair."
"Stark? As in Howard Stark?" I smile standing up a little more excitedly. Howard Stark was my role model, everything that he accomplished was brilliant. Even though he was framed by H.Y.D.R.A., I never believed it.
"No, his son. Tony Stark." Steve shook his head, "Is your memory returning?" He asked
"I feel like I remember the most random things, they just pop into my head randomly. I was not trying to remember anything in particular, it just happened." I sighed wishing I would remember something more useful rather than Howard and H.Y.D.R.A. tried to frame him.
"It's okay Florence." Steve smiled and put his hand on my arm comforting me, "If you remember anything else, just make sure you tell someone okay?"
"Don't baby me, I know how this works Steve." I laughed a little, "I went to medical school remember? I understand memory loss." I continued simply losing the teasing tone quickly.
"Can I take Florence with me Doctor?" Steve asked Doctor Garnett not looking at me, acting if I was not there. I sighed looking down and to the side dejectedly. I thought about what it would be like following him back to where ever Steve was living to speak with Howard's son.
"I'm sorry, you can stay here with her during visiting hours, however I think it is a good idea to hold her for observation. From the tests we have run already have indicated no physical injuries, other than minor injuries that have healed almost thirty years ago, which once more is conducive to her condition and story." Doctor Garnett explained giving Steve and I a calm smile.
Steve placed his hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him giving him a half smile trusting him and the Doctor's advice, or rather instructions. I looked down, the feeling of being on the receiving end of medical treatment odd and foreign to me. I was use to helping others, especially with mental treatment. I stood up a little straighter.
"I can tell when people are lying, I am a trained psychologist, not exactly a doctor I believe." I spoke quickly and clearly smiling a tiny bit proud of myself for remembering this.
"You're remembering things, that's great." The nurse smiled brightly, "Did anything trigger the memory returning?" She asked and I slowly nodded
"Doctor Garnett, you do not want to keep me for observation, but you have to. Are you required to by someone?" I asked looking at him cocking my head to the side slightly confused
The doctor sighed and nodded, "Yes, that is true." He smiled a little, "the moment that we ran your finger prints to attempt to learn your identity, and when they came up with your name, we were contacted by S.H.I.E.L.D. Naturally, I did not believe the men, however it was enough to make me believe them." He explained and I glanced over at Steve who looked annoyed and in slight disbelief.
"So, you did know who I was?" I asked not sure how I felt about this. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and the idea I was here, and would have to remain here because S.H.I.E.L.D wanted to know more about me.
"I had my suspicions, however I chose not to make any assumptions miss." Doctor Garnett did not look happy with me and my questions and I took a small step closer towards Steve, the sinking feeling in my stomach growing. There was something that I did not trust about this man, and the more I stood with him the less I trusted the doctor.
Steve moved his hand from my shoulder to grab my hand and tug me slightly closer to him protectively. Whatever this man's intentions were, they scared me. "Florence is going to come back with me Doctor Garnett, I know a very competent doctor who can observe her condition." I could tell by the edge on Steve's voice that he had the same feeling I did. I had no idea what to do, or how I was supposed to respond to this feeling, and because Steve seemed to have the same feeling I did, I was even more nervous.
"No," The doctor clenched his jaw and pushed his sleeves up his arms to his elbows, "She will be staying here, and you will leave." I looked at the doctor's arm and then it hit me.
"You are a member of H.Y.D.R.A." I stated, fear lacing my voice. I tried to sound confident, hoping that the supposed doctor would at least be slightly intimidated by me, and if not, he would not try anything with Steve beside me.
"That is correct." He replied simply, "We've known who you were since you arrived here, and you have been here for a very long time Miss Florence." I stepped back and tightened my grip on Steve's hand terrified now. Whoever this man actually was, I had been in this hospital for a long time.
Within a matter of seconds, Steve had grabbed my arm pulling us into a sprint away from the doctor, if he even was a doctor, and out of the hospital. I was in tears, my legs wobbling but strangely strong enough to run. If I had been in a coma for any longer than a day or so, my legs would have been extremely weak and running would be nearly impossible.
We kept running for a while until we reached a massive tour with a huge glowing 'A' circling the roof. I was panting heavily, the bottom of my feet bloody and cut up throbbing in pain. I felt a sharp burning pain in my chest and I tried to calm myself down Steve still clutching my hand tightly, all the adrenaline masking the pain from Steve nearly crushing my hand.
"Cap...what's wrong?" A man stood in front of us. He was black and had short black hair, appearing to be a military cut and was wearing a light grey sweatshirt with the faded words "Air Force" printed on it and a pair of mesh shorts, as well as black socks and sneakers. "Who is this?" He asked glancing over at me, "Did you kidnap someone from a hospital?" He demanded shocked.
"This is Florence Elliot, she is a friend of mine from before the war." Steve said simply. His hand was wrapped around my arm behind my back and I was staying very close to his side. I could feel the warmth of his skin through the thin hospital clothing and I felt much better. I still was shaking slightly, but I calmed down significantly.
"How?" He asked looking at me but he appeared calm, as if he already knew the answer.
"I do not remember. I believe I have suffered trauma induced memory repression at the hands of H.Y.D.R.A." I spoke quickly and quietly cutting off Steve before he could explain my situation.
"Memory repression?" He nodded understanding, "Similar to Bucky then. At least we know how to get your memories back then." The man walked up to me and smiled sympathetically
"Was Bucky controlled by H.Y.D.R.A. as well?" I asked Steve looking up at him near positive I would be correct.
All Steve did was nod sadly and I bite my lip feeling guilty for bringing it up, "Do you think that is how he is still alive? Unless someone else is now Bucky." I muttered
"No, Bucky is alive." Steve nods smiling happily, and for good reason. Steve and James were extremely close and always were with each other whenever I saw either of them.
I nod and smile a little to myself. James and I were close, but I never really spent much time with him since he was always with another girl. I smiled to myself even more, once again proud that I remembered something more.
"Steve, I believe that the memory loss is only affecting my memories surrounding S.H.I.E.L.D or H.Y.D.R.A, or more importantly, what happened to me." I sighed. Steve spun me around a little placing both hands on my shoulders this time
"If you remember anything, anything at all, it's progress and it is great." Steve smiled brightly and the other man seemed excited as well, "This is Sam Wilson he worked with those with PTSD, and along with a few others he helped Bucky with remembering everything that he forgot." he explained and the man, Sam, waved slightly and I reciprocated the gesture smiling a tiny bit.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Sam." I smiled not paying full attention to him or what I was saying, my attention was fully drawn to the man who just stepped out of the massive glass doors. "Stark…." I mumbled looking at him, tears welling up in my eyes
"Tony, go back inside, please." Steve called out and Tony looked at Steve confused and continued walking down the steps towards us
"What's wrong Capsic...oh my god you look exactly like her!" Tony yelled pointing at me, "My father had pictures of a woman who looked exactly like you."
I shook my head, "I do not just look like her Tony," I began walking closer to him, ignoring Steve tugging lightly on my hand pulling my back away from him, "I am her."