Chapter 13
Third Person’s POV- Malibu, California
Tony was in his lab like he always was when he started feeling the mark on his arm burn up. It felt like a stabbing pain that wouldn’t go away.
“Jarvis can you call Hayley.” Tony said.
“There is no answer sir.” Jarvis said.
‘Hayley never misses a call.’ Tony thought. Suddenly the pain from his mark got worse.
“Jarvis Call Bruce.” Tony said.
Bruce answered on the first tone.
“Tony.” Bruce greeted.
“Is Hayley Okay? Her mark’s…”
“She’s in surgery.” Bruce said.
“What?!” Tony said. “I’m on my way.”
“Tony wait…” Bruce said but before he could answer he had hung up.
“Jarvis the Mark 42 set course for New York and let me know when Hayley’s out of surgery.” Tony said stepping up to the platform.
“Of course sir, estimated time of Arrival two hours.” Jarvis said.
“Put everything into the thrusters.” Tony said as he suited up and flew off.
Third Person’s POV- New York City
“Tony?” Natasha asked.
“Yeah he’s on his way.” Bruce said.
“Did he give you a chance to tell you it’s just a ruptured appendix?” Clint said.
“Don’t think that’d really make much of a difference.” Will said. “Hayley is so damn stubborn.”
“I should have noticed something was wrong.” Bruce said.
“There was no way to know.” Steve said.
“She was feeling ill but she said she would go see a healer soon.” Thor said.
“Well she’s seeing one now.” Will said.
“Did you call Nate?” Natasha asked.
“Yeah, he was visiting his mom, he’s on his way.” Will said.
“We have to tell her.” Steve said
“You mean…” Will started.
“Yeah, we could have lost her. I already lost my chance once I won’t do it again but not while she’s dating someone else.” Steve said.
“Five to one.” Clint said.
“Unanimous but like Steve said not while she’s dating someone.” Bruce said.
“And no interfering.” Steve said.
“So how are things with Hayley and Nate?” Clint asked Will and everyone turned to look at him.
“Uh, don’t know. Hayley’s pretty hush hush about it. Nate adores her, I mean I walked into them getting pretty hot and heavy during Les Miserable but after she was off.” Will said.
“Off?” Thor asked.
“She actually thanked me for cock blocking and then said she had to think about life.” Will said.
“What does that mean?” Steve asked.
“I don’t know dude Hayley’s weird sometimes.” Will said. “Kind of like her need to avoid hospitals and doctors like the plague even if she knows she not okay.”
“Maybe she’s just afraid.” Bruce said.
“Who knows.” Will said looking anxious.
“Will.” A tall brunette with bright blue eyes wearing a navy v-neck sweater under a black coat and some jeans called out.
“Nate hey.” Will said.
“How is she?” Nate asked.
“Still in surgery.” Will said.
“Oh hi.” Nate said.
“Nate these are… the avengers, guys this is Nate.” Will introduced awkwardly.
“Hayley talks about you guys all the time. It’s great to finally meet you.” Nate said.
“Same.” They all said sizing him up. They all had to admit; he was Hayley’s type.
“What happened?” Nate asked.
“She got to the tower after her last final and we were having breakfast when she passed out.” Steve explained.
“You were all there?” Nate asked.
“Yeah we have breakfast and lunch everyday.” Thor said.
“Dinner if she’s working late.” Clint added.
“You guys are close.” Nate said.
“We spend a lot of time together for work.” Natasha said. “Hayley said you’re a political Science major?”
“Yeah, I’m a senior just finished applying to law school.” Nate said.
“What branch?” Bruce asked.
“Environmental Law.” Nate said.
“What is that?” Thor asked and Nate gave him the lengthy explanation and the type of work he’d like to do. By the end of it they couldn’t find anything wrong with Nate. Crap now they felt bad for wanting Hayley to break up with him.
“Emergency contact for Hayley Adams.” A doctor asked.
“That’s us.” Will said.
“Are you all her family?” The doctor asked.
“Uh… no we’re friends.” Steve said.
“Well your friend is out of surgery and in recovery. Her appendix burst, we went in and removed what we could along with everything we could find. We’re going to start her on a course of antibiotics that she’ll continue to take after she’s discharged. She’ll make a full recovery.” He said and with that everyone let out a sigh of relief.
“Can we see her?” Nate asked.
“Only family or in this case her emergency contact for now. That’d be a Mr. William Turner.” He said.
“That’s me.” Will said.
“If you’ll follow me.” He said.
“I’ll keep you guys updated.” Will said
They watched as Will followed the doctor to Hayley’s room they sat down and waited for any news of when they could go in and see her. About twenty minutes later Tony ran in and went straight to the nurse’s station.
“Hi I need to know in what room Hayley Adams is in.” He demanded.
“Tony.” Steve called out.
“Hey what’s the news?” Tony asked.
“She’s out of surgery and in recovery.” Bruce said.
“Can we see her?” Tony asked.
“Immediate Family or Emergency Contacts only.” Nate answered.
“Who’re you?” Tony asked.
“This is Nate.” Clint said.
“Hayley’s Nate, Nate?” Tony asked.
“I’m her boyfriend. It’s nice to finally meet you Mr. Stark. Hayley talks about you all the time.” Nate said.
“You…too.” Tony said awkwardly. Hayley mentioned him briefly, the entire team knew he existed they just didn’t know anything in particular about him. They all sat there awkwardly until Tony had enough and went to go see who he had to bribe to get Hayley a private room they could all visit her in.
He found the hospital administrator talked for a minute, he may or may not have flirted then made a donation. Before they knew it Hayley, who was still unconscious was moved to a deluxe suite where they could all visit comfortably and Will could even spend the night if he wanted to not that he was going to ask anyway.
They sat around in shifts since they wanted to make sure one of them was there when she woke up.
It wasn’t until about an hour or so later when just Clint and Natasha were in her room that she started to stir.
Hayley’s POV-
“You did this.” He said.
“I didn’t.” I cried.
“If I ever see you again I will make you regret the day you were born.” Her snarled.
“You’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember.” I spat in his face. I felt a sharp pain in my side before I was falling. Everything went black and the only thing I could hear was a very annoying beeping. Probably Will’s alarm.
“Will turn off your alarm.” I groaned.
“Nat.” I heard someone say.
“Hayley, can you open your eyes.” Someone else said.
I tried opening them but everything was really bright, “Too bright.” I groaned. My mouth felt really dry and my throat was sore. What the hell happened?
“Just keep trying.” Someone said holding my hand.
‘That’s a really depressing ceiling.’ I thought. “Hey guys.” I said greeting Clint and Natasha.
“How are you feeling?” Clint asked.
“Like I’m on a cloud.” I said.
“That’d be the morphine.” Natasha said.
“It’s nice.” I said feeling oddly relaxed. “What happened?”
“You scared the crap out of us Hayley. You’re appendix burst. Why didn’t you say anything?” Clint asked.
“I thought it was cramps also I hate hospitals.” I said. “I love your hair Nat It’s like fire and it really brings out your eyes.” That made her smile.
“You sure you’re alright?” Clint asked.
“Yeah I just feel so light, can we cuddle the best nights sleep I’ve ever had was when I fell asleep cuddling you on the couch during movie night on Thanksgiving.” I blurted out having no idea why I said that.
“What’s happening?” Clint asked.
“I’ve seen this before. She’s so hopped up on pain killers she’s can’t differ from her thoughts and what she’s saying. It’s like someone injected her with a dose of truth serum.” Natasha said.
“So right now whatever she can’t lie.” Clint said.
“Pretty much.” Natasha said.
“We should let everyone else know she’s awake.” Clint said.
“We could or…” Natasha started.
“Is that a good idea?” Clint asked.
“My soulmates are up to something.” I giggled as I felt some weird feelings from the marks on my arms.
“I’ll text Steve to keep everyone downstairs for a bit.” Natasha said. “Start asking questions.”
Natasha sent a quick text before setting her phone up to record Hayley.
“Hayley, where are you from?” Clint asked.
“Not really from anywhere, I moved around a lot. I always liked the rain though.”
“Where’s home?” Natasha asked.
“My apartment or the Tower, I know it’s just a job but I feel at home there.”
“She’s being really vague.” Clint said.
“We’re not being specific enough. Hayley where were you born?” Natasha asked.
“Seattle according to my birth certificate, who knows if it’s actually true.”
“What does that mean?” Clint said.
“Mom dated a forger and by date I mean they banged bang bangity banged.” I said laughing.
“Where’s your mom?” Natasha asked.
“She’s dead.” I said tearing up.
“When did that happen?” Clint asked.
“When I was thirteen so about five years ago.” I said starting to cry.
“You were thirteen five years ago? How old are you?” Natasha asked.
“I turn eighteen in April.” I said.
“You’re seventeen?” Clint asked shocked.
“Uhuh.” I said nodding along.
“How long have you been living by yourself?” Natasha asked.
“Since the day after the funeral.” I said crying.
“Hey it’s okay.” Clint said rubbing my back. “Why were you by yourself? Where was your brother?”
“He hates me.” I said.
“When was the last time you saw him?” Natasha asked.
“Three and a half years ago.” I said sobbing and sniffling. My chest was tightening and it was getting really hard to breathe.
“What happened?” Clint asked.
“H-he tried to kill me.” I said choking.
“Hayley, calm down. Take a deep breath.” Natasha said.
“I-I’m tired.” I said.
I felt the bed dip next to me and Clint gently wrapped an arm around me. “It’s okay Hales go to sleep. You’re safe.”
‘I’m never going to be safe’ I thought as I dozed off.
Third Person’s POV-
‘I’m never going to be safe’ Hayley said as she dozed off.
“Turn it off.” Clint said.
“Already did.” Natasha said.
“What do we do?” Clint said.
“Besides find that brother of hers, try to get her to tell us this without being stoned.” Natasha said.
“The others are going to lose it.” Clint said.
“Then we don’t tell them.” Natasha said.
“Nat, she’s not just our soulmate she’s their’s too. They need to know, you know in case the asshole shows up.” Clint said angrily. Hayley groaned a bit in her sleep. “Sh, you’re okay.” Clint said.
“They’re on their way up, you may want to move.” Natasha said.
“Right.” He said. He loved the lock of hair out of Hayley’s face and kissed her temple before letting her go and moving off the bed.
“She really does sleep better.” Natasha said.
“Yeah. And she really likes your hair.” Clint said with a grin.
“The bond calls. She may not know it but she feels it.” Natasha said looking at Hayley lovingly.
“Hey, is she awake?” Will asked as he walked in followed by everyone else.
“She’s been in and out, dozed off a few minutes ago. Pain killers must be doing a number on her.” Clint said.
“She woke up that’s good.” Nate said coming to Hayley’s side and taking her hand. “Never seen that before.” He said looking at Natasha’s soulmark on Hayley’s arm. Everyone grew tense at that comment.
“You know Hayley, as mysterious as they come.” Will said easing the tension.
“Yeah.” Nate said with a smile. Everyone just looked at the interaction and could tell he adored Hayley
“We should get going, we have that meeting tomorrow morning.” Natasha said.
“We do?” Tony said and Natasha elbowed him. Everyone got the idea and went along with the idea.
“Right the legal team.” Bruce said.
“Bright and early tomorrow.” Thor said.
“Keep us updated and if you need us don’t hesitate to call us.” Clint said as they left the room.
“What the hell was that Romanoff?” Tony demanded
“We need to talk.” She said walking out of the hospital. They all got to the tower and marched up to the common room.
“Are you going to tell us what’s going on?” Steve asked.
“Yes I would much rather be at Hayley’s side.” Thor said.
“Hayley woke up.” Natasha said.
“Yeah you mentioned that, then she fell asleep again.” Bruce said.
“Not before she started talking.” Clint said.
“People do that sometimes,” Tony said anxious for leaving Hayley alone in the hospital.
“When Hayley’s high on painkillers she doesn’t filter herself.” Natasha said.
“She says exactly what she’s thinking.” Clint said. “No holding back.”
“What’d she say that has you both so… worried?” Steve asked.
“Show them.” Clint said.
Natasha took her phone and synched it to the TV in the common room.
The video showed Hayley lying in the bed at the hospital. Sitting to her left was Clint and to her right was Natasha.
“Hayley, where are you from?” Clint asked.
“Not really from anywhere, I moved around a lot. I always liked the rain though.” She answered with a nostalgic smile.
“Where’s home?” Natasha asked.
“My apartment or the Tower, I know it’s just a job but I feel at home there.” Hayley answered with a huge smile. That made everyone smile.
“So she likes being here, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” Tony said.
“Aye, it only means she feels as we do.” Thor said.
“Keep watching.” Natasha said.
“She’s being really vague.” Clint said.
“We’re not being specific enough. Hayley where were you born?” Natasha asked.
“Seattle according to my birth certificate, who knows if it’s actually true.”
“What is she talking about?” Steve said.
“SH!” Everyone shushed him.
“What does that mean?” Clint said.
“Mom dated a forger and by date I mean they banged bang bangity banged.” I said laughing.
Tony laughed at that and everyone looked at him like he was crazy. “It’s from this show called family guy. She’s so stoned she can’t imitate it right” He said. “Oh right.”
“Where’s your mom?” Natasha asked.
“She’s dead.” I said tearing up.
“When did that happen?” Clint asked.
“When I was thirteen so about five years ago.” I said starting to cry.
“You were thirteen five years ago? How old are you?” Natasha asked.
“I turn eighteen in April.” I said.
“She’s seventeen?!” Bruce said shocked.
“Isn’t the legal drinking age 21?” Steve said.
“That’s really what you’re focusing on?’ Tony said.
“In Asgard if you’re old enough to go to battle you can drink.” Thor said.
“You’re seventeen?” Clint asked shocked.
“Uhuh.” I said nodding along.
“How long have you been living by yourself?” Natasha asked.
“Since the day after the funeral.” I said crying.
“Hey it’s okay.” Clint said rubbing my back. “Why were you by yourself? Where was your brother?”
“He hates me.” I said.
“Is this the same brother that…” Thor started tightening his grip on Mjolnir.
“She only has the one.” Natasha said.
“When was the last time you saw him?” Natasha asked.
“Three and a half years ago.” I said sobbing and sniffling. My chest was tightening and it was getting really hard to breathe.
“What happened?” Clint asked.
“H-he tried to kill me.” I said choking.
“Hayley, calm down. Take a deep breath.” Natasha said.
“I-I’m tired.” I said.
I felt the bed dip next to me and Clint gently wrapped an arm around me. “It’s okay Hales go to sleep. You’re safe.”
‘I’m never going to be safe’ I thought as I dozed off.
With that the video ended.
“That’s what you were doing while we were in the cafeteria.” Steve said.
“She never talks about her past or how she really feels, took a chance and we got that.” Clint said.
“And now we know why she doesn’t open up.” Natasha said. “We have somewhere to start looking.”
“She’s terrified.” Thor said.
“It also explains her medical report.” Bruce said.
“What are you talking about?” Tony asked.
“I read it when we got into the room there said there was a scar on her left side they thought it could be from a previous injury but there wasn’t a record on it.” Bruce said.
“Jarvis bring up Hayley’s medical record.” Tony said.
“Tony, we’re going a bit far.” Steve said.
“Romanoff and Barton already recorded her truth serum drunk we may as well get all our facts straight.” Tony said.
“Miss Adams’ medical record and history sir.” Jarvis said.
“Okay, she has all her shots. No anemia…” Tony started.
“Skip to today.” Natasha said.
“Here it is, they even took a photo for records.” Tony said bringing it up.
Natasha and Clint froze.
“What is wrong?” Thor asked.
“That’s not a surgical scar or from an accident, that’s a stab wound.” Clint said and everyone was shocked.
“Are you sure?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah, angle and location, it’s defensive she tried to move to avoid it.” Natasha said.
“It’s old, a few years at least…” Clint said.
“Three and a half.” Steve said remembering what Hayley had said in the video.
“She was a mere child.” Thor said.
“Starting to see why she never told anyone about her brother.” Tony said.
“A lot of things are starting to make sense.” Steve said.
“What do we do?” Thor asked. “Shall we go hunt down the vile beast that hurt out soulmate?”
“That does sound tempting.” Clint said.
“Not now though, he’s not important Hayley is.” Steve said.
“Does that mean…” Tony started.
“It’s unanimous but while she’s with Nate.” Bruce said. “And no interfering.”
“But if she knew…”
“Tony!” Steve chastised.
“I’m just asking.” Tony said.
“She can’t know about this or that we know.” Natasha said.
“Then what do we do?” Thor asked.
“What we’ve been doing up until now. We be there for her, get to know her and when she’s ready to tell us she will.” Bruce said.
“In the meantime we’ll also try to dig up as much as we can on her brother, we can’t let him hurt her again.” Clint said.
“He won’t get near her.” Steve said. “Not again.”