Natasha was still in a coma. Today everyone was planning to visit, other than Steve of course, who had vanished. 

"Where's Lord Steven?" Thor asked can

No-one said anything so Tony just shrugged his shoulders.

"Dunno." He mustered.

They went in the room and saw Natasha eyes roam around the room.
She was awake, yes, but looked confused.

"Natasha?" Bruce asked in disbelief.

She gasped and forced herself to sit upright, with the support of Tony.

"Hey, it's ok. Do you know who we are?" Tony said slowly.

She observed his face closely and the rest of the team. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, preferably to try and remember, who they where.

And so it thankfully did. She opened her eyes again and nodded and tried to speak, but couldn't.

"Nat? What's going on?" Clint asked whilst siting by her side.

She could move her hand because it was wired to a machine that hurt her arms.

"You can't speak?" Thor said.

The door opened and her nurse came in with her clip board and pen writing something down.

"Natasha, I see your awake. How are things? How do you feel?"

"She cannot talk." Thor said to the nurse.

The nurse remove of the pipe from her mouth and nose and put it in the bin.

"How about now?" The nurse asked.

"Yeah. Thanks." Natasha said whilst clearing her throat.

"So Natasha, the situation is this. Your back had suffered a traumatic dent that would damage your walking. You would have to use a crutches for about 3 weeks. And I understand, that means you off the field  for 3 weeks. And you with your head, you may forget a few things, but with the help of these tablets, they would help. They would only be minor things, barley recognisable. Finally, you'll be discharged from the hospital tomorrow night, maybe the day after that. Are there any questions?"

"Nothing, Thanks Doc." Natasha croaked.

"Doc, is there any chance of her coming home tonight? We've got a doctor, here already." Tony said whilst gesturing towards Bruce.

"Why yes. Dr. Banner, I read your theory of the human mind and gamma radiation therapy levels, and how the brain cells function invest and incessant with your nucleus. May I say that was impressive." The nurse said whilst shaking his hand.

"Thank you, Dr. Cho." Bruce replied whilst reading her name tag.

"Is she stable enough?" Tony asked.

"You must keep her insight 24/7. Mark your calendars 3 weeks from now. Bring her back here, and we'll discuss further details. Other that, she can go home tonight."

Natasha got changed into a spare change of clothes and was cleaning up everything, when she came across a letter, to her, from Steve.

It read:

Dear Natasha,

You'll probably be aware that I'm not there. And you'll probably be aware that it was Lance that did this. But, I could bare the fact just seeing you there. It killed me in and out. Yes I saw the car coming and I should have warned you. But I swear to God, I didn't know that it would hit you. And I'm so sorry. I should be in your position, not you. And this may seem cheesy, but I hope you'll be alright. Don't fret over me, I was just another mistake. That you feel for. I've lost so many loved ones, Peggy, Bucky, and now I felt like I've lost you to. And that's why I left. I know I was and still is a coward, but I couldn't bare it. And in sorry, from the bottom of my heart.

From Steve, x