He awoke to dark silence. He wasn't even sure he was awake. He had no idea how long he'd been in this blackness. He wasn't sure how long ago he entered Sygma, thinking it was a normal mission. He wasn't sure of anything.

There was an IV. He could feel the cool liquid entering his veins. More tests. Why didn't they just kill him and get it over with? It'd be easier than keeping him alive.

Steve tried to sit up, to move, maybe even offer some resistance. His mind hadn't been this clear since he was first captured. He was in control of himself and he was relishing it. He didn't know how long it would last.

A hand grabbed his arm, pushing him back down. He tensed under the touch. He wanted to jerk away, but the hand was so smooth and small. It wasn't the Examiner's or one of the dozens of Enforcers or scientists who had been with him over the weeks. He knew this touch.

Both of his hands were taken in the smaller ones. His fingers were brought up and lightly brushed against smooth skin. This person was letting him feel their face, her face. It was a woman. He let his fingers run across the face and eventually falling to run through her hair.

He knew her. He knew her. But if he was right then...

"Natasha?" He wasn't sure if any sound came out. He hadn't tried to communicate in such a long time. There had been no point. But if she was here... If he was home...

His right hand still tangled in the woman's hair, his left was turned palm up. Then he felt a finger run across it, then it was poked once, two more lines. Y. It was Morse code. There was a pause before a single dot. Then another three dots.

Yes.

It was Natasha. He felt tears running from his sightless eyes.

"Came for me?" He wasn't sure how much made it past his lips, but apparently enough.

Course. Friends.

Did they come for him? They actually... "Home?" He could only imagine how horrible he must sound. But it didn't matter, it didn't matter because...

Yes.

Because he was home.

In a quick change, ice gripped his heart. What if it was a trick? Another illusion?

Then he didn't care.

He didn't.

He wasn't drugged. The air was clear. He could breathe normally. There was no smell. And Sygma wouldn't waste their time with an act.

No, he was home.

He didn't know exactly what that meant. But he was home. Home with Natasha.

He laced his fingers with the ones resting on top of his. Then slowly, shakily, brought it up to his mouth and gave it a small kiss.

He was home.

~A~

Steve woke up several more times, gasping awake. The hand in his own tightened in a reassuring manner. He would always squeeze back, relieved to be home.

One time he awoke and the hand was gone. He forgot where he was. Panicking, he jerked his body up and felt a tearing sensation in his stomach.

He gasped out in pain and suddenly hand were on him, pressing him down. Steve fought against them, not sure what was going on.

A hand grabbed his own, frantically typing on it.

Calm.

Home.

His body stilled as he took the hand in his own. The pain in his stomach was growing and he could feel a shout passing his lips.

There were hands. So many hands. So many people were touching him.

But Natasha's was there too. He slowly slipped back into unconsciousness.

He didn't wake alone again.

~A~

He had been asleep longer than usual. He wasn't sure how he knew that, but he could feel it. And he wasn't in so much pain. He didn't feel completely healed, but he felt better.

His eyes blinked open slowly, quickly shutting at the sudden brightness of it all.

Wait.

He squeezed his eyes shut then slowly opened them. It was blurry and bright, but he could see!

He turned his head to the right. Natasha was sitting there, her head resting on his bed.

His right hand claimed, Steve brought his left up to Nat's face.

She stirred slightly, opening her eyes. When she saw the soldier looking at her, she jerked awake.

"Steve!" He saw her lips move.

"Hi," the captain whispered.

She tried to say something, but it looked distorted. At his confusion, she grabbed his hand and tapped, See?

He nodded, but immediately regretted it. "Some."

Hear? She tapped, though she had to already know the answer.

He squeezed her hand and shook his head. 

She squeezed back.

"How long?" He asked, almost thankful for the silence. His head was pounding and the light was piercing his brain.

Last awake five days ago.

Oh. "Before that?"

Back for twelve days. Gone three weeks.

"Oh,"

Another tight squeeze.

Sleep. He felt the warm fingers tap out.

And he did.

~A~

Ok, I really love this chapter. It's probably the most straight forward Romanogers I've ever written.

I hope you liked it!

Steve can see!
But what about his hearing?
Where's Tony through all of this?
Will there be any more complications with his healing?

Next chapter coming soon!

God bless,