Then it begins to smoke

Chapter 9
Peter’s Point of View
“I don’t like this.” I say, as Bruce leans over her, the needle in his fingers.
“Neither do I Peter, but sometimes, it’s not about what we want. Anna is in pain, and I can’t figure out why. I have no idea what Hydra used on her. What they did to her. She’s not exactly in any shape to tell us. This is for the best.” He says, as he readies the needle.
I look away.
Please be okay Anna.
Anna’s Point of View
I’m awake. But in a hospital room. No. the medical wing of Avengers Tower, but why am I here? I already woke up. I thought Peter and I-. I stop that train of thought abruptly, feeling my cheeks heat up.
This time though, I’m not alone. In fact, speak of the devil; Peter himself is asleep in the chair next to my bed. I lift my hand up to reach out to him, to wake him up, when I notice something.
The ring isn’t on my finger.
The ring Peter gave to me, the engagement ring from his Aunt May. It’s not there.
“Peter! Wake up!” I hiss, as I reach over and shove his shoulder (given it’s the only thing I could reach).
He jolts awake, jumping up. He looks around the room as if waiting for someone to appear. Then he looks at me.
“Anna? You’re awake?” he asks as he sits on my bed.
“Um, yeah.”
“Oh thank god. Um I’m going to-no Jarvis?” he intones as he runs his hands through his hair, looking at me curiously
“Yes Mr. Parker?” asks the AI
“Can you send the gang down here. Anna’s awake.” He says, as he looks at me again.
Peter’s point of view
It almost didn’t seem real.
She was awake.
She was alive.
But at what cost?
I want to hold her; to tell her she is never allowed to leave my side ever again. I have so much to say to her. So many things. But for now I just look at her. Take her in. She’s so beautiful. My little Pixie.
“Peter? What’s going on? I already woke up, there were the alarms and. “she says as she lets her words trail off. When Bruce sedated her.
“Um, it wasn’t real Anna.”
“What?”
“I think maybe I should let Bruce explain.” I say as Bruce walks into the room.
“Anna, I see you’re awake.” He says as he sits at the foot of her bed, looking at her charts.
“Bruce, what’s going on? I don’t understand.” She says, as she looks from me to Bruce. He sighs, rubbing his eyes.
“Well. Tell me, what do you remember?” he asks, she frowns
“I remember being taken by Hydra. The whole the Madam-being-my-mom-thing. Then nothing. For a while. Then I woke up here, and I hurt so much. And then there was that time with Clint and Brenda. Something about Nat. Then I woke up. It all felt so real.” She says, her eyes wide.
“You’ve been out for two weeks.” Bruce says, gently
“What? I thought- “
“We had to sedate you, it most likely caused the dream to seem real.” He says,
“Nat on the other hand, has been fully functional for about a week. Her and Clint are out of town for right now. I told them to take a break from this all.” He gestures to me and the hospital bed.
“what about Brenda? Is she okay?’
“Yes, she’s awake and with the girls right now.” Peter says,
“Well you two have a lot of catching up to do,” he looks at Peter “I’ll let you get to it.” And with that he turns and leaves the room.

Notes