The Healing Process

Nick Fury was more than happy to offer SHIELD’s services...for a price. Tony and Steve had had to sit through a rather lengthy debriefing and at the end of it Nick wasn’t particularly pleased that Dr. Doom walked away with an ancient book of Black Magic and a bar of Uru. It was a shame that Thor and Pharoah weren’t there or likely this entire thing would have likely gone the opposite way.

Serena was in a hospital bed and there was a heart monitor and IV attached to her. The infirmary looked like any other hospital by all accounts though perhaps a bit more high tech. There were several nurses and 2 doctors who oversaw the small line of rooms and in some of the other rooms SHIELD agents were there recuperating after being injured while on duty.

Serena had lines all over her body and face that looked as if her veins had turned a dark gray in places. Some of her skin had second degree burns as well but for those, twice a day she is submerged into a large bath like apparatus that Fury said would repair her skin without scarring. For the other problem they had called in their Dark Matter Specialist Dimitri Cullen. He was tall and thin with brown and gray hair. An older man with dark eyes that held a vast amount of intelligence. His son Evan was also there, a younger version of himself with longer, wavy black hair and darker skin. An attractive young man that could actually manifest and control Dark and negative Energy. While Dimitri was dressed in his usual lab coat, white shirt and black trousers, Evan was in a tight knit black long sleeved shirt and black cargo pants bloused into black leather boots.

Across the hall Malcolm was there, the right side of his face was badly bruised and a facial bone had been fractured. He had a severe concussion as well and they had to put him into a coma to help reduce the swelling of his brain. In some ways he was in more danger than Serena but the oddness of her injuries required a specific kind of treatment.

Natalya, Peter, Steve, Isabella and Kate were all seen to for their far lighter injuries and all of them were released within the same day that they were seen. Natalya did not have a concussion it turned out, her heightened durability from the soldier serum had protected her from any lasting effects of her head wound. She did need stitches though.

As the doctor was finishing up on her Logan was there in his usual Jeans and white t-shirt. “You’re gettin soft Nat, did ya get a lil boo boo?” he teased, trying to lift her spirits but it appeared to him that she was still worried about Malcolm. There was a short silence then he began again. “His face was always to pretty, and considering how much you two argue I’d say his head’s to hard anyway for ya,” He added.

Isabella was extremely worried about Serena. Serena continued to fall in and out of consciousness, but at least she didn't seem to be getting any worse...at least she hoped that was the case. The skin that had been burned she know could be healed, but it was the dark grey lines all over her body that Isabella was worried about. And so was SHIELD it seemed because they had called in a Dark Matter Specialist named Dimitri Cullen.

Isabella had gotten through the fight with a fractured wrist and a cut on her right side. She and Tony spent hours by Serena's side and when they couldn't be there Peter was always ready to step in and take their place. Isabella had known that the pair had grown very close recently, but was starting to wonder if there wasn't something deeper between them. She didn't question Peter about it though. She would just watch him as he sat close to Serena and took her hand into his own. There was something in the way he looked at Serena though that reminded her of how Tony would look at her.

Kate was one of the few who had gotten through the fight with very little injuries. She hadn't turned over the shield she had taken from one of Doom's guardian's and instead had kept it and hidden it in the Tower. Natalya was also pretty well off. She had hit her head pretty hard, but didn't have a concussion. She did have to get a few stitches in her left arm from where she had been hit by falling debris. The wound would heal quickly though thanks to the Super Soldier Serum in her blood.

The doctor had just finished stitching her up when Logan appeared. Natalya rolled her eyes a little at his comment, but was too worried about Malcolm to really say something back. "I should really go check on him," she said as she hopped down off the table. She stepped out of the door just as someone was passing by and the two of them collided. Natalya quickly regained her balance. "I'm so sorry....Evan?”

Natalya had come into Evan’s life as sudden as she left. He had been working for SHIELD when he met her and she had been working for the SSB and they were both being hunted by a mutant that they had never heard of or seen before. At some point in their desperate fight for survival and evasion they had fell for one another hard. At least, Evan had fell for her. Evan was a few years younger than she and he possessed a dark disposition at the time that seemed to call to her. A side effect from his particular affliction and kinship with Dark Energy and Shadows. One morning however she had gone and he had never saw her again...until now. Without thinking he took hold of her face and kissed her...quite deeply. He felt her hand and with a soft, but firm shove she managed to push him off of her but there was something he saw in her eyes. A mix of emotions he could not discern right then. It was then that he noticed that they weren’t alone. Whenever he was even close to her she ignited his passions.

“Natalya?! I never thought I’d see you again,” he said and looked over toward Logan who scowled at them. Logan caught Natalya’s eyes. “Seriously? Him to?” Logan said and she’d know what he was thinking of calling her right then but thankfully he didn’t. Logan looked sincerely puzzled. An older man with glasses and a lab coat poked his head from Serena’s room. “It’s time son, she’s prepped for another treatment,” he said plainly and didn’t take Natalya nor Logan into his gaze at all. Evan did not look at him he only had eyes for Natalya. His large, dark eyes seemed to drink her in she would know he wanted to kiss her again...badly by how he was looking at her. “I’ll be right there father,” Evan said. And then his demeanor changed as thought and remembrance finally came into his head.

“So, you’re no longer with…” He began but stopped realizing they were not alone. “Evan!
His father called annoyedly from the room. “I’ve got to go...a young woman is dying from…” He had started to say but stopped not knowing why she was there. Was it for the young woman or the man in the next room? He wondered silently. “I want to talk later...alone,” he said demandingly and spared Logan a neutrally cool look before he turned and stepped away into Serena’s room.

Natalya was stunned to see Evan. He was just as she had remembered him and just as handsome...if not more so now. They had had a fast, passionate relationship that, much like her relationship with Malcolm at the moment, had been built on desire alone. Before she could say a word he put his hands on the side of her face and kissed her...hard and passionately. She could not stop herself and did kiss him back, but only for a moment before she managed to push him away. Feeling his lips on her own again and looking up at him she felt...something stir inside of her that was beyond desire. She wanted to say something to him...to tell him she was sorry for leaving in the middle of the night as she had...to ask him how he had been. Suddenly, she saw a man that she recognized from a picture as Evan's father pop his head out of Serena's room and call for Evan. She knew his father was a Dark Matter specialist and it concerned her that he and Evan were here for Serena. What had Doom done to her? She nodded a little when Evan said he wanted to speak to her later and watched as he walked into the room.

She stood there for a moment as the realization that Serena might not make it through this began to sink in. She then looked up and saw Peter and from the look on his face she knew he must have also heard what Evan had said. She walked over and put a comforting arm around him. "She's gong to be fine Peter. She's in the best hands she can be at this point."

Tony and Isabella has gone back to the tower to oversee repairs, shower, eat and get a few hours of sleep. Peter was a godsend being completely available to watch over their daughter. Tony’s respect for the kid had grown tremendously over the past few days and he could see how much he cared for Serena, their daughter.

Peter looked at Natalya and Logan uncertainly and he looked like someone who hadn’t slept much that last few days.

“Natalya...is Serena going to die?” He asked plainly though his voice broke in the middle of that sentence. Logan frowned at him. “Ofcourse not kid. She’s a Stark through and through,” he said and clapped him on the shoulder. “You go get a bite to eat, I’ll watch over her for you,” Logan said. Peter had that look of loss and profound sadness as he looked up at Natalya.

Evan couldn’t get Natalya out of his head one moment they were lovers and the next she was gone. He didn’t blame her for leaving, he knew what she was up against. The SSB were ruthless. Seeing her again was amazing for him. And he hoped she didn’t pull another disappearing act like last time.

“Evan, I want you to try drawing out the Dark Matter from her flesh. Not quickly mind, very slowly,” Dimitri said. From out in the hall, they heard Serena begin to scream.

Natalya honestly didn't know the answer to that question. She hoped not. Serena meant a lot to everyone in that Tower. She couldn't even imagine what Tony and Isabella would do if Serena didn't make it through this. But they couldn't give up hope and she needed to be strong for Peter...just as she was strong for everyone else. She glanced over at Logan as he reassured Peter and felt a wave of gratitude come over her.

"Come on Peter," she said after Logan suggested he go get something to eat. "I'll go with you." However, in that moment she suddenly heard Serena begin to scream. She looked at Logan and then looked back at Peter. "Stay here Peter."

She quickly walked into Serena's room and looked at Evan. "What the hell is going on?"

The hospital room was like the others. Monitors and devices on the wall. A bed, a bedside table and a rollable table moved to the side. There were a few other chairs as well as a door that led to a small bathroom. One of the nurses was there trying to hold down Serena’s arm. No...trying to restrain her left arm. The right had a leather restraint on it already. And her ankles. She was in a white, hospital gown and the white sheet and blanket had been kicked to the side of the bed. Dimitri was on the other side of the bed putting something by syringe into her IV while Evan was at the foot of the bed. Something hovered over the bed, a dark cloud it looked to Natalya. Evan was connected to it as if by a tendril and a tendril of it was connected to Serena as well. Evan’s eyes were solid black and she knew he was using his power. For she had seen it before.

“Get out!” Dimitri said angrily but it was clear that Natalya was going nowhere. The black tendril that touched Serena seemed to be flowing out of her while the one that touched Evan flowed into him. With the dark cloud between them roiling like it was alive. As moments passed Evan’s flesh took on that same look as Serena’s did where his veins seemed to turn black. Her veins appeared less black, paler then they had been but it was obvious she was in agony as Evan drew out whatever it was that poisoned her. After a few more moments Evan stopped and clutched his forearm. Serena fell silent and still and the dark cloud began to dissipate in wispy waves that flowed up into the room.

Evan’s eyes were still black and as he clutched his forearm he seemed to be struggling with...something. He was absorbing the dark energy and he winced as if he were in real pain. His face was slick with sweat and as he appeared to struggle with whatever was happening to him he fell to his knees. His father only stood there and watched s he scribbled emotionless on his clipboard. Eventually Evan seemed to succeed in whatever he was trying to do and as the blackness in his veins faded away he fell onto his side and his eyes turned back to normal. He panted as he rested his head on his arm, as if he had just ran a marathon. Serena’s already looked better but her eyes were closed and she had sweat through her gown.

Behind her Peter darted in and covered her up with the blanket. “What the hell are you doing!” He said angrily as he began to release her from the restraints. When the nurse tried to help him he shoved her back. “Don’t you touch her!” He growled. Logan was still in the hall. “Is..everything alright?” he asked concernedly as he frowned as he looked at Evan on the floor.

Natalya was not one to normally feel fear. Fear was considered a weakness as far as the SSB was concerned and they did not create her to have weaknesses. However, that day she did feel fear. She felt fear that Serena was going to die before her eyes...and she felt fear that Evan was going to die before her eyes. She did not move...or perhaps could not. She just watched in silence as Serena writhed in pain while Evan drew out the Dark Matter from her body. She had seen Evan do this before but that did not make it any easier. She felt helpless and unsure of what to do, a feeling she wasn't used to. It was a feeling she did not like.

Finally, it was over and right before her eyes Serena's color began to return to normal. She was drenched in sweat and unconscious, but her vitals were holding steady. She was glad that Tony and Isabella hadn't been here to witness that. She wasn't sure how they would have reacted. As it was she could not hold Peter back from going to Serena. He seemed extremely upset, an emotion she wasn't used to seeing in him. His feelings for Serena were clear to her now and she tired to comfort him. "She's alright Peter. It's over now and she'll be fine...back to her normal self before you know it. She just needs to rest and recover."

Natalya glanced over at Logan, who was standing in the doorway and then looked back at Evan. No longer caring what he thought, she quickly walked over to Evan and knelt down beside him. "Evan, are you alright?" There was genuine concern in her eyes for him.

Evan looked up at Natalya as she knelt down in front of him. He looked pale, sweaty and exhausted but his eyes looked clear. Their eyes met and he looked into her dark eyes and didn’t want to look away. Just her being this close seemed to give him strength and calm.

“Remarkable,” Dimitri said as he looked over Serena. He didn’t even glance at Evan as he began writing again in his clipboard. “Help me up,” He asked and was thankful Natalya did. “It takes time to absorb...that much…” He said in a throaty voice. “Nick told me what had happened. It is a wonder there were only 2 casualties. We’ve all heard of Dr. Doom,” He said and his throat appeared to be clearing. Even as she held onto his arm he seemed to waiver and Natalya brought her other hand over to steady him.

“It...takes alot out of me to do...what I just did. I need food and alot of it,” Evan said and he turned his gaze toward Logan. He didn’t know who the man was, SHIELD only gave out information when they thought it was completely necessary. He didn’t know who the young man was either...the sick woman’s boyfriend or brother? “She will sleep for a time but I may need to do this again to get rid of it all within her,” he said weakly.

Natalya listened closely to what Evan said about Serena and nodded. She looked over at Peter and could tell that there was not likely going to be any way of separating him from Serena's side at this point. "Logan," she said in a low, soft voice, "will you stay with Peter?" When he nodded she turned her attention back to Evan and helped him out of Serena's room. Together they went to SHIELD HQs dining hall and she got Evan something to eat before getting something for herself. She had chosen a table in a corner near one of the windows. It was away from everyone else. She sat down across from Evan and at first wasn't sure what to say.

"That was Serena Stark, Tony and Isabella Stark's daughter and only child. She was unfortunately targeted during the attack. To be honest I wasn't sure if she was going to survive."

The Cafeteria was actually quite nice. Painted in soft earth tones with a large salad bar which included the day’s selections, juice bar, soda fountain and a small mart area with drinks and foods ready to eat. Evan had packed alot of food on his tray and the contrast between what he had and what Natalya had was nearly laughable. He was thankful she chose a place away from everyone else. There were several SHIELD personnel in the cafeteria but they knew Evan if only by sight and seemed to ignore them.

“Oh...well..uh, she’s a strong young woman...I suppose that makes sense she’s a Stark. I won’t apologize if you were worried. I had to try or she would have died. Our bodies are not designed to absorb so much Dark Energy...similar to say radiation. She absorbed perhaps...as much dark energy as say.. Standing near the center of chernobyl during the disaster,” he said as he shook his milk. He opened it then gulped it down until it was gone. He closed his eyes for a moment and she visibly saw his color improve. Evan was normally somewhat tanned in his complexion.

“Ok..that felt good,” he said then looked up and saw her looking at him. “So...none of that explains why you’re here, though I am happy to see you again, Natalya,” he said almost in that way he did when they were last together. His tone carried the affection he felt for her. And she knew Evan did not hide his feelings unlike most men. He was confident in that way.

Natalya knew that it had been a lot of energy that Serena had absorbed but having that comparison was eye opening. She wondered if there would be any permanent effects from all of this, but at least it looked like Serena was going to survive.

Natalya opened up her bottle of water and took a sip before looking at Evan. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel...she wasn’t sure what the word was but she definitely felt it. “I’m apart of the Avengers team now,” she told Evan. “After I left you that night I went back to the SSB and began killing people again. Logan, the grumpy looking guy who was in Serena’s room with me, was sent to track me down and kill me. He made a different call and spared my life. He brought me back to talk to Steve Rogers and they decided to give me a chance to change. It hasn’t been easy and the SSB is now hunting me, but I think I’m doing alright.”

Evan listened intently as he ate. If it wasn’t her telling her story he would not have believed it. She was part of the Avengers. He would never have guessed that in a million years. As she talked Evan had managed to eat a pudding, half a sandwich. a piece of pizza and a piece of apple pie.

“So the SSB are still after you,” he whispered. “I suppose they might always be,” he said as he looked at her. “I know why you left that night. I..I just thought there was something happening between us. I guess we just didn’t have time,” he said but there was more to his words then that. He was fishing. Fishing for how she felt about all of that. She could have just been with him for convenience at the moment. Using him to evade the people chasing her…and himself.

Natalya wasn't feeling overly hungry today. She felt confused about her emotions at seeing Evan again. She and Malcolm had something between them, but she wasn't honestly certain what it was. She pushed her tray away, uneaten and looked at Evan. "There was something happening between us Evan, but I couldn't stay with you. I'm honestly still trying to figure things out in my life. I do still feel...something for you...but I also have something going on with another guy."

Evan smiled at her when she said she was seeing someone. It meant that she was at least trying for some form of normal. If that was even a thing for people like them. “Well...that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Two men. maybe 3 want you and have no ulterior motives. Well, if other than just being with you,” he said. And his smile grew.

“For myself I’ve just been laying low. Working for SHIELD and helping my father with his research on Dark Matter,” he said. “Not very exciting..Not like being an avenger,” he said.

Natalya looked at Evan with affection in her eyes. Evan had never judged her and had accepted her for who she was without wanting to change her. He had just wanted to be with her...just as he did now.

She gave him a little smile when he talked about her being an Avenger. “Well, you know we are always looking for more help. The dangers the world is facing nowadays is greater than it has ever been. I could put in a good word for you with Tony and Steve..,”

“I might be interested...So what can you tell me about the young woman. What exactly happened to her? Only asking because we aren’t certain if there won’t be...side effects of such a large infection. What was the nature of her injuries?” He asked. When she explained and described what Doom did Evan was both intrigued and even more concerned.

“If Doom used dark magic...he could be tapping into powers that he has no idea of their effects. Touching such a source infects the one touching it as well. I can touch it without a lasting effect upon me but you saw what trying to take it into myself did to me. He’s like a child playing with fire. And I doubt he’d listen to anyone. He is likely strong to channel that much energy,” he said.

Natalya explained what happened to the best of her ability. She had not been conscious during the attack on Serena and only knew what happened through Tony, Isabella, and Peter. It sounded horrifying. It didn’t help matters that Evan didn’t seem to be sure what long term effects she might suffer as a result of this.

“Tony ended up giving Doom what he wanted just to get him to stop. It was a book of magic and a bar of Uru. We are all worried about what he might do with these, particularly if he is already strong enough to do what he did to Serena.”

Evan’s concern seemed to grow exponentially as Natalya told him what Dr. Doom was after. “Wielding that much...The man’s insane,” he said and he discovered he was no longer hungry. He also noticed Natalya’s thoughtful frown.

“Ok, enough talk about...unpleasant things,” He said and on impulse he reached over the table toward her and took up her hand in his. “I’m quite impressed you’ve joined the Avengers. I did not see that for you...before,” he said and smiled at her. He didn’t go into the implications of that. He knew her past and he also knew that SHIELD knew her and if they allowed everything to come to pass then she was in a much better place than she had been. He had read her file and though she had done horrible things what bothered him most was the pleasure it brought her, sometimes. Pride in one’s work in her case though involved violence and espionage. Difficult not to take her to task for the things she’s done but the SSB had taken her from birth and molded her in their image. Now, it appeared that she was eschewing that mold and he had to give her credit for that. He had seen her fighting abilities first hand. She had almost killed him after all and she pummeled him as if he were just a child. He had more hand to hand training since but one look at her solid physique and he knew, if anything she was harder now.

“So If I do decide to join I’ll stay where you stay?” He said with a grin that insinuated that he would be close to her then. His grin faded though recalling what she had said about another guy. “Perhaps we could...at least be friends,” he said and released her hand though he certainly didn’t want to.

Natalya watched as Evan reached out and took her hand into his own. She didn't pull hers back and felt his thumb gently caress her skin. She and Evan had been through a lot together in a short period of time. Even though he had known about her past and what she had done, he had protected her and for that she was eternally grateful. She knew that her past bothered him, but he had never said anything to her. Evan had come into her life when she had needed someone the most and she began to wish that things had ended differently between them...or not at all.

Natalya felt Evan release her hand and she found the sudden loss of it...painful. She felt confused about her feelings for Evan...and for Malcolm. Could she love them both? Her emotional turmoil was evident in her eyes for a moment before she managed to fight it back. "Yes...we can be friends." She paused a moment and looked into his eyes before looking away slightly. "The way joining the team works is that first Tony and Steve have to decide if they think you would be right for the team. Then, the entire team gets together and each person votes 'yes' or 'no'. The entire team has to say 'yes' for you to join. One 'no' and that's it...you're not apart of the team."

Evan walked Natalya back to the recovery ward. Tony, Isabella, and Logan were there talking with the SHIELD doctor that was taking care of Malcolm. “I have to go but if Serena Stark doesn’t improve I might need to repeat what I did. I hope to see you again Natalya,” Evan said and then hugged her before he left.

Kate stepped out of Serena’s room and joined the small gaggle in the hallway. As she arrived she had the sense that there was someone else nearby. Someone in Malcolm’s room. A woman with long, dark hair. Her back was to the door however so she could not see who it was. There were several MRI scans attached to the wall just outside the room and they were all lit up.

“So we found the bleed,” The doctor said as he looked at the newcomer. “Finally but the outlook is not great do to where it is located,” he said as he used a red dot pointer to explain the situation. “A damned if we do, damned if we don’t situation,” he said. “The aneurysm is moving slowly and right now it’s located into this cluster here, a delicate area to go digging around to remove it,” He said.

Logan watched Natalya as she arrived and his expression was completely neutral. “All of SHIELD’s technology and we’re still talking about traditional surgery?” Tony asked but it wasn’t really a question. “Mr. Stark we have several experimental methods we are working on but they are not ready for human trials,” he said. “What are his chances?” Isabella asked and everyone’s gaze shifted up to the doctor. Steve appeared at the door of Serena’s room and Pharaoh was behind him still inside the room.

Natalya hugged Evan back and watched him as he stepped away. She found everyone else from the team standing in the hallway outside of Malcolm's room. There was a doctor there as well and as she approached she could tell that he was talking about Malcolm. Her breath caught in her chest as she heard the doctor's prognosis. She didn't really know what to say and felt a wave of fear come over her at the thought of losing him. She did truly care about him and felt, in some way, that this was her fault because she had agreed to let him on the team when she could have just said no and protected him.

Kate moved over to Natalya and put an arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm as they waited for the doctor's response to Isabella's question. Kate was curious as to who the woman was that was in Malcolm's room, and wondered if she might be family.

“50/50 I would say,” the doctor said. The woman that was in Malcolm’s room had stood and heard what the doctor said. She walked up to him and her face was an angry glare. “50/50? Where the fuck is Nick Fury?! How did this happen to my brother?!” She nearly screamed. She had tears in her eyes and her lips trembled with the effort to not weep uncontrollably in front of these people. By the redness in her eyes and face she had done alot of that already.

“Nick Fury’s not at fault,” Steve said though he only guessed she was Malcolm’s sister. “I am,” He said solemnly. The woman seemed to recognize Steve even though he was in civilian clothes and her gaze took in the others. “Steve that’s not…” Tony began but Steve cut him off. “He was my responsibility and while we engaged a dangerous and powerful mutant, Malcolm was injured. Malcolm and the young woman across the hall,” he said softly but also levely. “I’m sorry,” Steve said sincerely and the woman ducked her face down into her hands and began to cry. “Not him...not my Malcolm!” She wailed.

Natalya’s expression became extremely solemn. Her gaze dropped to the floor as a mixture of emotions began swirling around inside her heart. She needed to hold out hope though that he would make it through this.

Kate looked over at the woman who identified herself as Malcolm’s brother and then at Steve when he tried to place the blame of what had happened on his own shoulders. “Steve, this is not your fault. Our jobs are risky and he knew that coming in. There is always a chance that something is going to happen to one of us. It was his choice.”

Natalya shook her head and then swallowed hard and looked up. “No, this is my fault. I could have voted no and kept him out of danger, but I didn’t.”

“Bullshit, we all voted yes,” Logan said. “This is on Doom’s head, no one elses and throwing around responsibility won’t change anything. No one made Malcolm’s choices for him and none of us have the right to take responsibility for them. A good man was hurt doing what he thought was right,” He said though he didn't really know why. He didn’t really like Malcolm but that had nothing to do with his sacrifice.

Peter Held Serena’s hand. Her veins looked paler then they had just a few hours ago and her general palor seemed to be turning into a more healthy color. “You have to stay with me Serena,” he whispered. “I won’t let you go so easily,” he said. Her vitals were getting stronger as well form what the doctor had said. What Evan did removed enough of the dark energy for her own body to absorb the rest. Not necessarily a good thing if she were exposed to it again but she would live.

Serena’s eyes opened and saw Peter there at her bedside.