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"New York has been declared a state of emergency by the United States government."

Steve listened numbly to the wind-up radio as Natasha quietly treated the lacerations on his arm. Steve never even noticed them until the blood was dripping from his fingertips. He was still in shock, it felt like he wasn’t present in the room. Like he was only silently observing. His mind briefly wandered to a past conversation with (Name) and himself that seemed...relevant.

“Hey, where have you been all week?” Steve asked from where he was, leaning against the information desk as (Name) strode into the hospital, pleased smile on her face.

“Got back from Texas yesterday.” She informed, offering Carol a wave as she leaned up against the desk next to Steve. “Tony sent me to meet with Bruce Perry.”

“Who is Bruce Perry?” Steve asked, suddenly intrigued.

“He’s a psychiatrist. Specializes in child trauma. I went to his conference. He was amazing! I learned so much. You know how right after a traumatic experience, the person typically goes into shock?” (Name) began.

“No, but I’m following you.” Steve replied.

(Name) chuckled, “well depending on the personal effect of the experience, the brain can completely shut down.”

“Wow, that’s something.” Steve said, smiling at (Name)’s enthusiastic nod. “I’m gonna talk to Tony about briefing the staff about it. I think we should be more prepared for a situation like that.”

“You’re really smart, (Name), and there’s no way Tony would say no. I think he might care for the kids in here more than you.” Steve told her with a fond smile, recalling all the extravagant Christmas gifts children received from “Santa” or better known as Anthony Edward Stark.

“That’s debatable.” (Name) replied, waving her finger in front of Steve’s face. “Anyways, I better be off, I have to catch up on a lot. But are you gonna be going to Nuch’s on Saturday with the rest of the crazies?” She asked, Steve was drawn in by the bright shine of her eyes. He nodded dumbly. “Yeah, if you are.”

(Name) dug her heel into the ground as her cheeks turned a reddish hue. She nodded, “yeah. I will be. So, I’ll see you there?”

“Definitely.”

Carol tutted as she watched Steve’s eyes stare longing at (Name) as the nurse walked away.

“Steve.”

Natasha’s voice brought him out of his thoughts and he glanced at her. Her eyes were red and raw, it took her a long time to stop crying after she figured out what happened. “You did everything you could.” She told him, grasping his hand in her own. “Please don’t close up.”

“Depending on the personal effect of the experience, the brain can completely shut down.”

Steve shuddered, he couldn’t shut down, but it hurt so much. “She just let go."

"She wanted to save the boy."

"I know.” Steve replied, eyes locked on the floor. If it caved in right now, he wasn’t sure he’d even notice.

"Hey, punk."

Steve glanced up again as Bucky entered the room. He exchanged a look with Natasha who nodded. She leaned forward and pressed a burning kiss to Steve's forehead before slipping out of the room.

Bucky sat down in the chair next to Steve and offered him a couple protein bars from his hand. “Sorry, but this is all we have right now.”

"Give it to someone who needs it."

"You need it." Bucky urged, pressing the bars into his friend’s hands.

"It's just like Peggy." Steve blurted, squeezing his hand into a tight fist, feeling the wrappers burst and granola fall through his fingers.

"Steve."

"I couldn't save her either."

Bucky slung his arm around his friend’s shoulder, pulling him into his side. "Peggy's death was an accident, there was nothing you could have done. (Name) would not want you to think this way."

"But I-"

"Steve." Tony gasped as he burst into the room. "Now's not a great time, Tony." Bucky warned as he motioned to Steve. Tony shook his head, "they found her, Steve, Rhodey found (Name)."

•••••V•••••

They were still doing CPR when the helicopter touched down. Steve was on the ground long before the blades stopped spinning, despite the worried protests from Bucky. He made a dash for (Name) who was surrounded by medics, but was quickly intercepted by Rhodey.

"Take it easy, Steve. I don't think it’s a good idea to go over there right now." He told him calmly.

"I have to!" Steve protested, trying to shoulder past the man. Rhodey blocked him, "Steve please, she's not in good shape." He explained, placing his hands in Steve’s chest in order to keep him back.

"My god." Steve breathed, falling to his knees in the mud. Bucky was at his side in an instant. "How did you find her?" Bucky asked.

Rhodey leaned down next to him and Steve, "she washed up a few miles away from the hospital. We spotted her from the chopper."

Steve sobbed.

"We've got a pulse!" Shouted one of the medics. Steve looked up through watery eyes as they loaded (Name) up into the medical helicopter. "I have to go with." He said, lunging towards them. "Just slow down." Tony said as he approached Steve, placing a steadying hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Tony, please."

"You're gonna shower, because you smell horrid, then you're gonna eat, and then Rhodey will fly you, Bucky, Natasha, and I over." He informed and Rhodey nodded.

Steve sighed and buried his face in Bucky's neck, who just held him tightly.

•••••V•••••

The first thing Steve noticed was how small (Name) looked, surrounded by machinery. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She was supposed to be caring for the person in the hospital bed, not be the person in one. It felt so wrong.

Steve collapsed into the chair that had been set up next to her bed. He grasped her hand gently, being mindful of the wires. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

This was one of the few hospitals in New York that didn't have any water damage. Tony pulled some strings to get (Name) a bed and Steve was thankful. The doctor in charge of (Name) seemed to know Tony personally, which made Steve breath a sigh of relief.

"Maybe when you wake up I'll get the courage to tell you how I feel? Just like a movie." Steve joked weakly, finally feeling the exhaustion kicking in. "It feels like it didn't happen, like it was just a dream." He said, perching his chin on the edge of (Name)'s bed. The only reply he received was the steady beat of the heart monitor, which was just fine for him.

He didn't even realize he had fallen asleep until he had woken up to hushed voices.

"-ood. The asphyxiation could cause brain damage."

"How will we know?"

"We won’t, not until she wakes up."

"When will that be?"

"That’s for (Name) to decide, Tony."

"Thanks, Rumiko, really."

"Not a problem."

The door closed and a blanket was draped over his shoulders. "Hang in there big guy."

•••••V•••••

It took two weeks for (Name) to open her eyes. It happened while Bucky and Steve were playing gin rummy in the corner of the room, half-heartedly listening to the news on the TV. The reporter was talking about how the water level began to decrease and how many areas were being declared safe again. Stark General was one of those places.

“Natasha went to check on her and (Name)’s apartment yesterday, and it was completely gone.” Bucky told Steve who shook his head. “Jesus.”

“Natasha’s gonna stay with me until she get’s it sorted out. (Name)’s always welcome to stay with us too, but Natasha mentioned it might be a good idea if she stayed with you. Only if you’re comfortable.”

Before Steve could reply, (Name) began to gag on her breathing tubes. Her eyes flew open and she thrashed in the bed. Bucky threw down his cards and ran to get the nearest nurse while Steve flew to (Name)’s side.

“Hey, it’s okay.” He cooed, smoothing back her hair. Bucky returned with Natasha which Steve thought was even better. Natasha quickly removed the tubes and helped (Name) sit up, rubbing her back gently as she coughed.

Everyone held their breath as (Name) looked at all of them.

“Did I grow a unibrow?”

“You’re such an asshole.“ Natasha snapped and (Name) grinned. Bucky laughed so hard his sides hurt. Steve perched on the edge of the bed next to (Name), his heart beating wildly in his chest. “I’m really mad at you.” He blurted.

“We’ll go get the doctor.” Natasha said, grabbing Bucky’s arm who was still laughing and pulling him out of the room.

“You can’t be mad at me, I almost died.” (Name) protested. “(Name), you did die. You were dead for 12 minutes.” Steve said fisting the white blankets tightly.

“...Oh…”

“Yeah, oh.”

“Steve, I had to save Ben.” (Name) explained. “But at the cost of your own life? How could you do that? You looked right at me and then you-” Steve looked away, taking a shaking breath.

(Name) leaned forward, ignoring the weakness in her body. She wrapped her arms around Steve’s waist, tucking her head against his shoulder. “I’m really sorry.”

“Please don’t do it again.”

“Okay.”

•••••V•••••

“How you feeling?” Carol asked as (Name) checked in. “Finally like normal.” She replied with an easy smile. “Just glad it’s over.”

“I hear you there. Overseeing the cleanup crew the the absolute worst way to spend my Monday.” Carol said. (Name) chuckled and grabbed her ID card, putting it around her neck.

“How’s the living situation?” Carol asked with a teasing smirk. “It’s going just fine thanks. Steve’s been very kind to me.” (Name) told her, rubbing at her eyes in mock tiredness so she could attempt to hide her blush.

“I’ve heard that a lot from you.” Carol grinned. “Oh give me a break would you? I’m staying with Steve until Natasha and I find an apartment, and that’s it.” (Name) said, stomping her foot for emphasis.

“Whatever you say darling.” Carol replied with a roll of her eyes.

(Name) would have spat out a smart ass remark, but her pager pinged for her.

“Duty calls.” She shrugged.

“That’s what Steve says-”

“Goodbye Carol.”

•••••V•••••

“Nurse (Last Name)!”

(Name) turned just in time to catch an armful of an excited Ben. “Hello, Ben, how are you?” She said as she knelt down to his level. “Look, I got my cast off!” He informed, motioning to his bare leg. “That’s great, Ben!” (Name) replied with a smile.

“Nurse (Last Name)?” Ben asked, eyes boring into hers. “Hm?”

“Thank you for saving me.”

(Name) quickly hugged the little boy to her chest. “You’re welcome, Ben.”

Neither of them noticed a certain blond police officer smiling at them from down the hall.