Chapter Thirty-Six
Runa groaned, turning her head to get away from the foul, burning smell that filled her nostrils.
“That’s finally bringing her out of it. Wave the smelling salts under her nose once again.” She heard someone order, before the smell assaulted her once more. She groaned again and tried to move onto her side, her stomach roiling.
“Move. Quick.” The same familiar voice ordered, and then there was a gentle hand on her head, guiding her over a clean chamber pot as she began to retch. Nothing much came up, just bile, and she didn’t feel better when she was done; her stomach still churned rather violently. She collapsed back down, letting out a little whimper of pain as she did, every breath she took absolute agony.
“Is she going to be all right?” Steve asked, his tone laced with worry. Runa almost let out a sob of relief at the sound of his voice, and fought harder to pry open heavy eyelids.
“She’ll be fine, with care and plenty of rest.” She was finally able to recognize that voice, and realized it was Doctor Banner. “She’s coming out of it now. She’s out of danger. Well. Danger from the ether. The amount he must have dosed her with to keep her out this long… It was damned dangerous.”
Runa managed to get her eyes open, finally, and tried to lift her head, which was throbbing with pain, almost every throb making things go dark and fuzzy around the edges.
“Hey, it’s all right. Stay down.” Bucky instructed, smiling down at her. He was standing behind Steve, who was seated beside the bed, both of them looking so happy and relieved to see her.
Steve reached out and took one of her hands. “Hey there, General.” He smiled down at her, and she was so confused, thinking she could see tears in his eyes. “Gave us all a scare.”
“What…?” Her throat was scratchy, her mouth feeling like it was filled with dry cotton. She closed her mouth, tried to swallow so she could speak. Doctor Banner passed a tin cup to Steve, who moved to hold it to her lips. She sputtered on the cool water at first, before drinking greedily, letting the water moisten her mouth and soothe her parched throat.
“Gently.” Doctor Banner instructed. “Go a little more slowly.”
She didn’t want to listen, but she forced herself to do so, until Steve pulled the cup away from her lips.
“Thank you.” She whispered. “What… Where are we?”
“We’re in Doctor Banner’s office. You’re safe here.” Bucky explained. Runa looked at him in confusion. Why wouldn’t she be safe? But then memories started to trickle through her fogged mind and her eyes widened somewhat, though one felt swollen shut.
“Brock.” She said, “He came to the ranch, he…” Her breath was coming hard, and it hurt to breathe, hurt so badly.
“You’re safe now. Brock is sitting in the jail.” Steve promised her, “I promise. He’s not going to hurt you again.”
“Bucky is going to go get the sheriff, if you feel up to speaking to him, while I examine you. I couldn’t do much while you were under the influence of ether, you couldn’t tell me if it hurt or didn’t.” Bruce pointed out. “Is that all right?”
Runa hesitated, before nodding. Bruce looked to Bucky, who had a frustrated look on his face, but he nodded, before looking to Runa. “I’ll be right back with the sheriff.” He promised her. She gave him a tremulous smile, though she didn’t want him to go. She needed both Bucky and Steve next to her, to help convince her this wasn’t still some sort of dream that was going to fade away soon.
Bruce saw Bucky out of the room and then hesitated. “Would you like me to wait outside while you undress?” He asked. “Just down to your underclothes.”
Runa’s cheeks burned, and Steve shifted uncomfortably. “I can go too-”
A spike of panic raced through her. “Don’t leave me alone.” She demanded, “Don’t. I don’t… I can’t…”
“All right. All right, I’ll stay.” Steve assured her, reaching for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll stay.” He looked to Bruce, “I’ll let you know when you can come in.”
Bruce nodded, before stepping out and shutting the door behind him, leaving Steve and Runa alone.
“Do you want me to turn my back?” Steve asked Runa quietly. She bit her lower lip, torn, before finally shaking her head.
“Just don’t leave. Please don’t leave me.”
“I won’t. I’m right here.” Steve looked uncomfortable as she pulled her hand away, shaking hands going to the buttons down the front of her bodice. “Did he hurt you? After he took you, I mean.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t… I don’t know what happened, or how long it’s been, or…” Her breathing started to speed up, despite how it hurt, and she could feel panic rising inside her.
“Runa, Runa, it will be all right.” Steve said firmly, though there was some urgency in his tone. “Calm down. You’re safe now.” He reached up and guided her to turn her head so she could look at him. “You’re safe now.” He repeated. “I promise. I don’t break promises.”
She was silent a moment. “Then what about our wedding vows?”
Steve winced. “All right. I deserved that. I haven’t exactly been cherishing, honoring, or protecting you very well.” He agreed as she continued to unfasten the buttons running down the front of her bodice. Once they were undone he watched her wince as she tried to slide the fabric off her shoulders, and he moved to help her. “Here.” His hands were gentle as he helped pull her arms free. Then he got her to move so he could work at the laces of her corset, pointing out that he didn’t like seeing her wince like that just to move about. He helped her to stand, and got her out of the remainder of her clothes before helping her sit again, noticing that her face was a rictus of pain with almost every movement.
Once he had her seated back on the bed, he went to the door and opened it slightly. “Doc?” He called, though he didn’t need to, as Bruce was waiting outside the door.
“How is she?”
“Hurting pretty bad.” Steve said as he stepped aside and let Bruce into the room.
“I figured as much, with what little I saw earlier.” Bruce said grimly, before moving to the bedside. “This will just take a few minutes.” He assured Runa, before guiding her to lift her chemise up just high enough that he could see her abdomen, reaching to probe the area and wrenching a cry of pain from her when he did. “I’m sorry.” He apologized, repeating the words every time he did something that hurt her. He checked her head as well, peering into her eyes, gently feeling for swelling that made her wince.
“Concussion, at least two cracked ribs, and a lot of bruising.” He finally said. “I’ll give you some laudanum for the pain. You need to make yourself breathe deeply or cough frequently. I know it hurts with your ribs, but you don’t want to develop pneumonia. And no heavy lifting or hard work for at least two weeks. I want you resting for a while.”
“All right.” She whispered.
“Now, Rumlow swears he didn’t violate you, but I have to ask-”
“He didn’t.” Runa said quietly.
“I should still check.” Bruce said gently.
“Iris said it would hurt.” Runa kept her head down, her cheeks flaming scarlet. “And it would feel sticky and messy and sort of like my monthly afterward… I think that’s the one place I’m not hurting, and it doesn’t feel different.”
Something clicked for Bruce, and he drew back, surprised, “You two still haven’t-?” He started to ask, before clamping his mouth shut and shaking his head. “Never mind. Your relations aren’t any of my business, outside of how it concerns your health.”
“We’ve been holding off. Wanted to get to know each other better.” Steve said, just as embarrassed as Runa.
“As I said, that’s not my business outside of how it concerns your health. That said, you two need to hold off for at least three more weeks, but I’d prefer six. Time for her ribs to heal.” Bruce looked back to Runa, who kept her head bowed. “I’ll let Steve help you back into your clothes before we let the sheriff and Bucky in. I won’t wrap your ribs; your corset will take care of that. Not too tightly, though.” He warned them both as he stood. “Just as tight as a hug.”
Runa bit her lower lip. “I need to make a visit to the privy.” She said quietly.
“Steve can help you get there and back once you’re dressed.” Bruce promised, before letting himself out of the room.
Steve didn’t say a word, but helped her to dress, leaving off her shoes and stockings before scooping her up in his right arm. She gasped in surprise and wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her from the room.
“You shouldn’t be lifting her.” Bruce said waspishly when he saw Steve carrying Runa, “I don’t want you even driving the wagon with that shoulder-”
“-What shoulder?” Runa asked, bewildered.
“I’ll explain later.” Steve told her, before looking to Bruce. “I’m using my right arm, not my left. She’s light enough to carry with one arm easily.”
Bruce frowned. “No lifting with your right arm.”
“Yes, Doc.” Steve said, before carrying Runa out the back of the house to the outhouse. When he finally carried her back inside, she was resting her head wearily on his shoulder, the short trip having taken far more energy than it should have in her opinion. Bucky, Sheriff Rhodes, Bruce, and another man were waiting for them. Steve carried her back into the bedroom and placed her gently on the bed, the other men filing in behind him. He sat in the chair beside her bed like a faithful guard dog, Bucky moving to stand behind him, placing one hand on Steve’s right shoulder and smiling down at Runa before looking to the other men just as warily as Steve was.
“Missus Rogers, I am glad to see you awake.” Sheriff Rhodes smiled kindly at her. “I know you just want to go home and get some rest, but I need to ask you a few questions, have you tell me what happened in your own words. Can you do that?”
Runa nodded, before looking to the man she didn’t recognize warily. He gave her a warm smile.
“I’m Agent Phil Coulson, with the Pinkerton Agency. We can talk later.”
“Pinkerton Agency?” She asked in surprise.
“I’ll explain later.” He promised.
Runa nodded, then looked down at her hands. “What day is it?” She asked plaintively, looking up at them. “I don’t… I don’t know how long he had me, how long I was asleep…”
“It’s Tuesday. The eighth.” Bucky said helpfully. “He only had you for part of the day, but you spent the night here at the Doc’s.”
“We came as soon as we were told you were here. Coulson brought the news to us this morning.” Steve explained.
“Thank you.” She kept her gaze on her hands. “Should… Should I start with the fourth? When I found out Brock came to town? Or just with yesterday?”
“Start with the fourth.” Sheriff Rhodes prompted. Runa nodded, and slowly began to recount everything that had happened, how Brock had led her off while she waited for Steve on the fourth, how he had tried to talk her into leaving Steve during the dancing. How he had shown up with someone the day before, had made belittling comments that made her want to prove him wrong, invite him into the house. She told about how Falsworth and Happy Sam had run in to protect her, the horrors that had happened in the kitchen afterwards, and what little she knew of what was going on around her after he drugged her.
“Are… Are Happy Sam and Falsworth all right?” She ventured.
“Falsworth didn’t make it.” Bruce said quietly. “With Happy Sam, it’s… He’s alive for now. All we can do at this point is wait, and pray.”
Runa bit her lips, tears welling up in her eyes at the news, before she broke out in sobs. Bucky shoved Steve’s shoulder, hissing at him to hold her, but Steve was already moving to sit on the edge of the bed so he could wrap Runa carefully in his arms and hold her while she cried.
“They were just trying to help me.” She managed. “Falsworth told me to run but I didn’t want to leave them like that…”
“It’s all right.” Bucky said quietly. “That hired man of Rumlow’s probably would have grabbed you the second you tried to get out the door.”
“Bucky’s right.” Steve told her quietly. “Once they were on the ranch, it was just a matter of time unless Falsworth or Sam had gotten onto a horse and gone to find us as soon as they saw them coming up the drive.”
“Even then it might not have been enough. They were willing to kill to get to you.” Bucky agreed.
“We think they were trying to make certain there were no witnesses left alive to tell us who had taken you.” Steve said quietly. “They didn’t succeed at that.”
“But why?” Runa managed to ask, “Why me? I’m not anyone important.”
All the men exchanged a look.
“That’s for me to explain, which I’ll do in a bit.” Coulson spoke, earning another confused look from Runa, who reached up to wipe away her tears before resting her head against Steve’s shoulder as he continued to hold her.
“I think we have enough to keep Mister Rumlow locked up until Judge Murdock comes through town in a few weeks.” Sheriff Rhodes sighed. “Missus Rogers, thank you for your cooperation.”
She managed a slight nod. “Can we go home now?” She asked softly. Steve winced slightly, looking over to Bucky, who looked sad.
“Runa… There isn’t much home left.” Steve finally said. “They set the buildings on fire-”
“That doesn’t matter.” She closed her eyes. “Bluestone Ranch is still home, even if we have to sleep in the dirt.”
Everyone smiled slightly at that comment. “Home is where the heart is.” Coulson said, sounding rather pleased, though Runa opened her eyes and gave him a pained look, while the smile left Steve’s face.
“Something like that.” Steve sighed. “Runa, would you be all right resting here for a bit? Bucky and I want to get a few things from the mercantile-”
“-Don’t leave me alone.” She pleaded.
“I’ll sit with her.” Coulson volunteered. “It’ll give me a chance to explain things to her.”
Steve looked down to Runa. “Is that all right?”
Runa hesitated.
“He’s good people.” Bucky assured her. Finally, Runa nodded.
“All right. But Doctor Banner will still be here?” She asked hesitantly.
“I’ll be in the next room, and we’ll keep the door open.” Bruce promised.
“Is that all right?” Steve asked Runa.
“All right.” She repeated. “That… All right.”
Steve helped Runa to get settled on the bed once again, making certain she was comfortable and propped up with pillows before he, Bucky, and Sheriff Rhodes left. Coulson settled into the chair beside the bed, still giving Runa a bland smile.
“I was sent by your lawyers to find you.” He said after a few minutes of silence.
“I think there might be some mistake. I don’t have lawyers.” Runa frowned.
“You have lawyers. They’ve been guarding your inheritance since your parents and then your uncle died.”
Runa shook her head. “Inheritance? But… There isn’t anything left. Mister Rumlow told me when he took me in that the money was all gone.”
Coulson sighed. “Theodore Rumlow lied to you. Before your parents passed, they arranged that, should anything happen to them, your inheritance would be placed in a trust. A basic allowance was arranged for your upkeep, but the rest was to remain untouched until your twenty first birthday, at which time it would pass into your control. Your parents were quite well off when they passed. When your grandparents on your mother’s side passed, they left you everything as well. Both your uncle and his close friend Rupert Madison left you all of their assets when they passed. You have a team of lawyers and account managers who have been taking care of your investments, and everything has been paying excellent dividends.”
“You mean…?” Runa felt overwhelmed.
“I mean that you are a very wealthy woman, Missus Rogers.” He told her gently.
“So… I can save the ranch?” She looked to him, uncertain how she should feel. There were so many conflicting emotions filling her that she was beginning to feel numb. She could leave if she wanted to now, if Steve made her go, or if it turned out he truly didn’t want her there.
The problem was, that even after everything, she didn’t want to go.
Coulson looked surprised at her question, before smiling. “You can save the ranch.” He agreed. “It’s going to be on the expensive side, all of the buildings need to be rebuilt. The house is sturdy enough, for now, but I don’t think it will take a repair job well.”
“Will you be able to help me get everything started? I don’t know the first thing about… Any of this.”
“You should talk to your husband about that-”
“No, I… I want it to be a surprise. And… And I’ll hire you. Until Brock is… Until the judge comes, at least. I don’t know how many other people he hired. There could still be someone.”
Coulson smiled reassuringly. “I’ll stay until everything is dealt with. You don’t have to be afraid, Missus Rogers. We’ll keep you safe. I promise.”