Back in the comfort of my own home to post this one.

Chapter 218: Into the OR

SHIELD Hospital, Manhattan - 5:30 AM

Merida wasn't sure if it was the all-nighter and worry mixing together and playing with her brain, but Blake just walked into the waiting room. She sits up as he looks at her and starts heading her way. She can feel the cold from the outside on him, red biting his cheeks and foggy glasses since he's now inside. It doesn't help that he's wearing a vest with a sweater and jeans.

She needs something else to pass the time when she ran out of things to mindlessly scroll through.

"What are you doing here?" Merida asks him.

Blake stands in front of her, removing his glasses so the fog would disappear. "I caught the first flight and took a cab here."

"Why?"

Blake puts on his glasses again and stares at her to see if she was really asking that, not for dramatic effect but because he couldn't actually see. "Mer, are you serious?"

"Yes."

Blake continues staring and Merida leans forwards to stare back. Eventually, he leans down to kiss her forehead before sliding into the seat next to her, draping his arm over her chair.

"What about your job?" Merida asks.

"I can work remotely," Blake responds. "I left my editor a message saying my girlfriend had an emergency. He didn't respond since it's the middle of the night. It's fine. He probably doesn't want to see me anyways."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I have that kind of job." He pauses. "Are you okay?"

Merida nods. "Thank you for coming. Why are you in glasses?"

"I was in a rush."

"No, you weren't."

He grins, kissing her temple. "You know me so well. My contacts expired and I'm waiting for new ones. I also forgot it was colder this time of year here and couldn't find my jacket since I don't need one in California."

Merida laughs a little but stops when Janet flies in front of them and grows to her normal size in front of them. Blake jumps a little, still not so used to James doing that and Merida smiles. She hopes that specific reaction never fades.

"Oh good, someone competent," Janet says. "Blake, can I ask you to do some favours for me?"

"Yes, of course," Blake says.

Janet digs through her pockets (which Merida didn't think she had in the body-con Wasp suit, but it's probably thanks to Pym particles). "James' surgeon said they'll start early in the morning, or a few hours since it's already early in the morning, so I need to grab some things but I don't want to leave."

Janet hands him James' car keys which also have a key to his place looped to them. Blake stands and puts them in his vest pocket. She tells him which car, where it's parked, and where he lives with directions he doesn't understand since he's neither from here nor knows the Upper East Side well. But he nods anyways. GPS exists for a reason.

"Janet, do you need anything for yourself while I'm there?" Blake asks. "Or for Hank?"

"Um …" Janet hesitates and starts shaking when she turns around, probably to look for Hank but he isn't there.

Blake holds her arm, calming her. "You know what, I'll figure it out or Mer could text me." He looks at Merida. "Wanna come?"

Merida thinks about it. "No. I should stay here. James might go in soon and I want to see him."

Blake nods. "Alright. Do you need or want anything?"

"I want you to take one of James' jackets," Merida responds. "It's cold and should fit you."

Blake looks at her for a second longer. He smiles and takes her hand to kiss the inside of her palm. He holds her hand to her mouth and watches her.

"Do you know if James has generic enough contacts I could borrow?" He whispers into her hand. "You know, the disposable ones."

Merida grins, shaking her head.

"You two are cute," Janet says, beaming.

"Blake!" Apollo exclaims, bursting out of some staff-only door that he wasn't allowed in. "I'll accompany you." He sees Janet and jumps when she frowns at him and puts Blake in between him and her. "Besides, I know how to get there."

-o-

James and Angela's Penthouse, Upper East Side - 5:15 AM

Blake has never driven such a nicer car in his entire life let alone drive it to the underground parking of the most beautiful condo he's ever seen. He feels bankrupt being in its presence. He can't afford a car with his crippling student debt since it was either that or rent he's lucky to be able to pay and still buy groceries.

And everything smells so nice. The car smells brand new and Apollo told him that it probably is.

Not to mention that Apollo also told him everything that happened with their mission, the hospital, him telling Angela about the proposal, and how Janet is now mad at him and will be for the rest of his life. He also advised him that if he wanted to avoid the bad side of any of the parents, it's Janet. Forget Loki, Janet is scarier.

All on the elevator ride that had the best music Blake's ever heard. There was even a doorman at this place. It's like a hotel he can't afford to look at.

Apollo leads Blake down the hallway to James' penthouse and they're both confused as to why the door was unlocked. They look at each other and Apollo walks ahead, slowly opening the door. The lights are on and there's a rustling sound coming from upstairs.

Blake takes a step back to stay behind Apollo who looks around him.

"Open that window," Apollo says, pointing at one in the living room.

Blake quietly steps over and cracks it open. When he looks back at Apollo, he gestures for the window to be opened more so Blake opens it all the way. Apollo waves downwards and Blake ducks as lightning fills the sky outside. Apollo stretches his hand out and jumps up to the second-floor landing as his axe flies through the window and lands in his hand.

Pillows fly off the couch and curtains fly around at the impact. Blake holds onto his glasses as he runs up the stairs to join Apollo.

Apollo charges ahead, swinging his axe behind him. He holds it high as he walks into James and Angela's room, the source of the sound, but lowers his axe when he sees Imanu holding his hands up.

"Oh, it's you," Apollo says.

"Yeah…" Imanu mutters, glancing at the sparking axe on the floor. "What are you doing here?"

"Janet sent us to get over stuff because I'm competent," Blake explains.

"Hank sent me because I'm competent," Imanu tells them.

"Janet's mad at me right now, but I'll carry everything," Apollo offers.

Blake and Imanu hold out each other's lists which were scribbled on the back of doctor's notepads. Hank had the nearly illegible penmanship of a doctor while Janet's writing looked like calligraphy. Funny enough, both of their lists had the same items in the same order, but ended with a footnote of "ignore Hank/Janet's list if they give you one."

For a moment, they consider looking for James' engagement ring, but figure that James has it on him since he was planning to propose, or that he hid it so well that Angela won't find it.

"Apollo," Imanu starts, "did you hear Iqadi-"

"Try and take responsibility?" Apollo asks and Imanu nods. "Yes. We all argued about it in a hallway." He looks at Blake. "Merida blames herself, by the way, that's why she's being meaner than usual."

"Did she break James' knee?" Blake asks.

Apollo hesitates, looking at Imanu who shrugs. "From my understanding since I wasn't there, maybe indirectly."

"Wasn't there either," Imanu adds.

"Look, she's just like this. She got mad at me for disappearing without a trace for eight years and tazed me when I returned. Well-deserved but rude."

"If it's any consolation, you did deserve it. You were about to kill Xavier."

"He attacked me in the middle of the night."

"You attacked first."

"You weren't there."

Imanu laughs. "Iqadi told me."

Apollo balls his fists. "She wasn't there either!"

Blake steps between them and holds their lists up in their faces. "Okay, enough arguing. Let's pack everything, tidy the living room, and go."

-o-

James knew his dad was right when he said he wouldn't be listening to his surgeon, but he caught onto most of what he said. She walked in and told him that he'll be prepped for surgery soon. It should take up to 3 hours, maybe 4. Nurses will prepare him and wheel him to the OR. After that, they'll keep him here for about a week unless they need to monitor him for longer, but he should be home for Christmas.

"Did you get all that?" Hank asks him, knowing damn well that he heard every other word.

"Maybe," James says, grinning.

Janet ruffles his hair before fixing it. "We're gonna be here till you're out. I had Blake and Apollo get some things for you."

Hank looks at her. "I asked Imanu."

"Oh, that's where he went. I was looking for him first. I wrote down to ignore your list."

"I said the same about your list." He grins at her. "Stark's gonna be here too."

Emily smiles from the foot of the bed. "I won't be in the OR but I've been consulting with your surgeon and orthopedists."

James gasps. "Gonna get a Stark-Banner knee!"

"Oh god," Hank groans.

"Woo! Let's do this."

Angela holds his hand. "I love you."

James grins. "Thank god."

Angela leans down and holds his head to kiss him. He brushes her hands with his own, wincing for a second due to the IV.

"Your lips are so chapped," Angela tells him.

James laughs a bit before giving her another quick kiss. "I love you too. Go home. Take a nap and a bath. In that order if you want."

"I'm serious. It's stale and smells like drugs and vinegar in here. And drag your brother out before he shoves paperwork in my unconscious face."

"James-"

"Come back in three hours … and tell everyone else it'll be at least eight hours."

-o-

On the way to the OR, the nurses wheel James out past the waiting room where all of his friends stand. James has never felt more honoured in his life, not even when everyone stands for him at his graduations or his doctoral defence. When he had to go into emergency knee surgery after battling The Hulk, he just remembers doctors and nurses yelling at each other while James was thinking about Xavier, Angela, and Merida (mostly Merida since she broke some ribs and the first two could heal faster).

"All of you, home," James orders. "Do not wait for me. Come back in eight hours. Bye!"

He throws up a peace sign as the nurses wheel him away and his parents follow. Angela and Emily are still in his hospital room so the others all look at each other to figure out what to do next.

"I'm gonna go report this with SHIELD," Xavier says.

"Yeah I'll join you," Sigyn adds.

"Imanu and I will grab a bite to eat," Iqadi tells him. "Breakfast places should be open."

"I'm gonna talk with Stark first and play by ear," Daniel says, starting to head over to James' room.

Apollo looks at Freya. "Freya, darling, what do you want to do?"

Freya shrugs. "I guess we could walk around town and find something to pass the time. Or go home and battle giants. I brought my sword."

She smiles at him as Apollo takes her hand and they head out.

"So I'm going to my parents' house and tell them all of this," Merida says to Blake. "I'm probably going to crash there and wake up in time for mimosas. Wanna come?"

Blake nods. "Yeah, of course. I didn't make a reservation anywhere."

"Cool, cool."

Blake pauses since she didn't start heading out. "Did you want to leave now?"

"I don't know?"

"Okay. Whenever you're ready."

-o-

Emily turns around from the array of James' x-rays illuminated in front of her and a hologram in her face from her phone. She keeps it up as she smiles at Daniel walking in, his eyes immediately looking at the x-rays. She watches him bite the inside of his cheek and although she knows this is a touchy subject for him, he's still thinking about possible strategies or suggestions.

"There you are," Emily says. "I know you only have a Master's in Medicine and it's focused on field injuries, but maybe you can input on what our plan is before they really start in there. Angela went to join James' parents but come here and look at this."

Daniel shakes his head. "I don't-"

Emily looks at him when he cuts himself off. "Daniel?"

"He's my best friend, Em, and told me not to worry and he's going in there with a smile." Daniel starts tearing up and Emily puts her phone in her pocket to hug him.

Tears start forming in her eyes as well as she holds him tightly, rubbing his back as he cries into her shoulder. She parts a bit just to take his glasses from him to hold.

"Tell me you're not using pins," Daniel whispers to her.

"Don't worry," Emily reassures, "no more pins. Hey, so my dad will be flying in from California — hell Blake could've just tagged along with him — go pick him up and hang out with him at home or go with your parents."

Daniel doesn't move from her embrace. "Yeah, yeah, good idea. I'll get him when he's closer to arriving. Why's your dad flying in?"

"Hank wanted to talk about … things."

Daniel doesn't say anything and Emily knows he's thinking. Her breathing is shaking and she looks up at the fluorescent lights to avoid crying the closer Daniel is to getting to the conclusion she doesn't want to think about and hasn't formulated to a tee.

"That's not happening, is it?" He whispers.

Emily shakes her head. "Actually, I'm not completely sure since Hank wouldn't tell me exactly what he wants with my dad, but I'm guessing. It's one thing for Hank to call my dad and another for him to actually show up for Hank. Maybe my mom will be here too since the holidays are coming around. Look, we're not there."

"Emily…"

"Yeah, yeah," Emily takes a breath, "I know."

-o-

Xavier and Sigyn cut through the hospital and went up to the upper floors to walk through the overpass to the SHIELD Headquarters neighbouring them. Before he scans his card and enters his pin, he stops in front of the door and turns around

"Need me to enter your pin?" Sigyn asks. "Mind you, I don't know it. I doubt it's my birthday or your mom's birthday. It's definitely not your banking pin or your phone one because I know those."

She looks at him and his mind is elsewhere, even when she snaps beside his head he doesn't react.

"I have to tell you something," Xavier says.

"What?" Sigyn asks. "Your pin?"

"I haven't done any of my 'required' paperwork since the camp year before I officially became a field agent," Xavier admits. "I've done the debriefings and so have the others, but haven't signed off on anything."

"That's nearly two years."

"Yeah," Xavier exhales a laugh, "I know. There are just some things in there that I don't want to revisit even right after when it was still fresh in my mind. Ivory Gates, Iqadi's plans, Daniel and his Hulk, all the missions in between with Mojo and The Serpent Crown, Hel and Pym particles, whatever the convoluted fuck happened after Stark-Banner's wedding, and this recent bullshit. So many close calls with only so much more to come. And then there's every little nuance with us. Stark's clearance, Daniel's revoked status, Iqadi's arrival, yours and Apollo, James' resignation and sick leave; not to mention getting married on SHIELD property. Shit, babe, I think I have to renew our lease. I haven't even touched my mail in a year."

Xavier leans against the wall and slouches forwards. Sigyn wraps an arm around him, holding him for a few moments before kissing his cheek.

"I'll renew the lease and look at the mail," Sigyn states. "You better get on that work pile-up but not now. Let's check on Angela and head home for now."

"I love you for being calm during all this."

Sigyn grins. "That's when we know we're fucked."

Sigyn snags his card and swipes it. She looks at him to input his pin and she watches him type in the four numbers before opening the door for her. He holds it wide as she stands there processing the numbers. She walks through and lets the door close behind her, still unsure.

"What does it mean?" Sigyn asks.

"The day you met my mom," he responds, smiling. "The day you came to SHIELD for the first time."

Sigyn nudges him. "Fuck off, I was four."

-o-

"You know," Blake starts as he and Merida step outside onto the chilly New York streets early in the morning, "his cologne is all over this jacket. Hank and Janet even had it on their lists. I bet his cologne is worth more than my yearly salary."

He expects Merida to make some snarky response and add some comment on how her salary is pennies compared to James' cologne. Maybe even make a joke on how James is the only customer for that specific cologne bottle so he stocked up on it and its new rarity has increased its value.

But no, she's standing on the curb of the road. He doesn't think she heard him if he played her potential response in his head.

"Don't jump into traffic," Blake says, moving next to her. "There's not much of it anyways, but we're conveniently beside a hospital in case you choose to do so and I end up in there after attempting to save you."

Blake stands on the road in front of her in the bike lane.

"Mer," he says, getting her attention. "What are you thinking about?"

"We were in Nairobi," Merida starts, "losing against The Hulk. Daniel wasn't in there. That was some weird science contingency bullshit that separated them but that's a story for another time. Bruce was already down. Angela and Xavier were taking and making most of the shots cause they could handle them the best. I tried every plausible arrow in my quiver and James' blasts were relatively useless at that point. He's never grown bigger - that big - before. He said he can't hold it, but we were nearly dead on the streets. So he grew and tried to contain the Hulk but the Hulk broke his knee."

Merida sits on the curb and pulls Blake down beside her by the sleeve.

"But you know James?" Merida continues. "He isn't mad or sad or anything about it because he says it brought us together again. Apollo came back, Iqadi flew in, and then Sigyn showed up. He's also happy that I met you after that."

"So that's what you meant by Hulk crap when you said it was California or Stark," Blake says.

"Yeah…" she mutters, smiling a little. "Training Stark is mostly arguing with her cause she'll contest everything. Xavier had to handle that since I used my broken ribs as an excuse."

Blake wraps an arm over her shoulders and kisses the side of her head.

"God…" Merida mutters. "That does smell like his cologne. I hate it."

-o-

The Peninsula Suite, Manhattan - 7:43 AM

Imanu returned to his hotel suite with breakfast since Iqadi said she would prefer to eat together in their room. He thought it was so they could discuss private matters, but he walked in to her sitting straight at a table with an opened glass bottle of lemon-flavoured sparkling water and a spread of documents. Despite her ankles being crossed elegantly, she fiddles with a pen in her non-dominant hand.

"I wasn't sure what you wanted but some meal called breakfast burritos sounded interesting," he says, putting the food down next to her on a bare spot on the table. "I got two different kinds so we could split each and try both."

Iqadi looks up at him and smiles a little. "I ordered mimosas from room service."

Imanu pulls up a chair next to her and looks down at her paperwork. He doesn't read the details but sees the SHIELD logo and coloured tabs where she's supposed to sign. Most of the lines are still blank.

"Don't tell me I have to sign those," Imanu says. "Let me have breakfast first."

"No, no," she says, "I've been thinking of staying in America for a bit longer or, at least, coming here more often."

"For what? Missions?"

"Yes." She puts the pen down. "Imanu, I have a spot on this team and must do more of my part."

"You're not saying this out of guilt about James, are you?"

"My whole life has been obligations and priorities, Imanu, you know that better than anyone. It's challenging to balance everything and still have time for myself at the end of the day. And, yes, James being unable to participate is a reason."

Imanu nods. "I know. I'll support you, Prince Consort obligation or not."

"I'm your Princess. You'll have to either way." Iqadi leans forwards and kisses him. "Besides, Apollo and Sigyn are here to stay. Time to be a team."