A/N: Hello everyone! I don't know how many people are still around but I am so so terribly sorry about the year-long(or more) delay. I've been very busy with Uni (and will continue to be) so I'm not going to make any promises, but I will try to finish this eventually.

I am also in search of a BETA because I don't know where CaptainPollux is again. Having a Beta really does help me get my stories out quicker, so if you're willing, drop me a message yeah?

I love you guys.

Chapter 9

Emily floated gently between consciousness and unconsciousness. She could feel the pains in her body, but they seemed really far away now; like she was feeling them through a pile of marshmallows. Mind groggy, she barely registered being carried about by someone considerably larger than she was. She could hear the sounds of battle going on about her but could not muster enough effort to open her eyes. She was jolted suddenly, causing a sharp pain to flare up in her right hand before blacking out once again.

Emily awoke to a steady beeping noise and cool sheets. The last thing she remembered was the Doombots invading the tower. She opened her eyes slowly before squinting. Someone had removed her glasses. All she could see were blurry shapes, one of which was moving around quietly. "Hello?" she tried, pushing herself into a sitting position. She must have been out for quite some time because as she tried to speak, all that came out was a raspy sound followed by coughing. The figure hurried over to her side and she realized it was Bruce. He looked at her worriedly as he handed her glasses over.

"JARVIS?" Bruce called.

"Yes Sir?"

"Please inform Tony that Emily is awake."

"Yes Sir"

Bruce returned his focus to the battered girl in the bed, feeding her a glass of water since her right hand was currently in a cast. Emily sipped some water through the straw before speaking.

"What happened? How long have I been out?" she rasped, voice hoarse from lack of use.

"About 3 days." Bruce tells her, peering into her face. "How do you feel?"

"Like I got run over by a train. Surprisingly, this is the first time I've been this seriously injured. You'd think that with my clumsiness I'd have broken something before, but noooooooooooo. At least I-"

Emily was interrupted by her uncle, who had just barged in. He grabbed her into a tight hug.

"Well, you should be fine, seeing as you're talking so much." He said once he released her, looking at her more closely to assure himself. Emily pulled him in for a long hug, inhaling deeply, the smell of her uncle comforting her.

Bruce cleared his throat awkwardly, not wanting to ruin the tender moment between them but at the same time feeling horribly out of place. "Hate to interrupt," he began as the two broke apart and Tony settled in a chair next his niece, "I'm going to have to do a few basic medical checks. You know, make sure everything is healing properly and that you don't have a concussion or any visual or hearing impairments."

"Sure. Thanks Dr. Banner" Emily replied, giving him a small smile.

Once Bruce had declared that there was nothing seriously wrong with Emily, Tony left in search for food for his hungry niece, crashing into the Captain on his way out.

"70 years on ice impair your eyesight Capsicle?" Tony snapped, before stalking off, leaving Steve too stunned to form a reply.

After watching Tony walk off, Steve shook his head to clear it before entering Emily's bedroom. He sat down in the chair Tony recently vacated while Bruce insistently shoved another glass of water at Emily, asking her to drink.

Steve reached out and touched a cut on her cheek. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly. Emily shivered from the contact as Bruce observed them quietly.

"I'm fine." Emily said, mustering up an awkward smile as she leaned away from Steve's touch, causing Steve to drop his hand as if burned. Bruce winced in sympathy.

"We were all really worried about you." Steve told Emily, glancing in Bruce's direction for some support. Bruce took pity on Steve and came over, sitting himself on the end of the bed.

"He's right you know. Everyone was really worried. Even Clint." He said, patting her leg.

Emily grimaced. "How bad was it? I remember trying to take on one of those freaky robot things."

Bruce and Steve exchanged a look. "Well," Steve began, "I have no idea what went down in Tony's lab. When we heard you scream the Hulk dashed off and came back with you."

Emily turned to look at Bruce, who smiled sheepishly. "I guess the 'other guy' likes you enough." He muttered, polishing his glasses nervously. Emily reached for Bruce's hand and squeezed it comfortingly, not noticing Steve's slight frown.

"How are You and Dummy? Are they alright? Did Butterfingers get hit in the crossfire?" Emily asked worriedly, she loved those robots as much as her uncle did.

Before either one could answer her, Tony slammed the door open and strode in, followed by Dummy who was making happy chirping noises.

"Well, that solves the question about Dummy. Hey boy," she cooed as Dummy dumped a wrapped burger into her lap. She patted his 'head' fondly. "How are Butterfingers and You?" she asked her uncle, who handed her a cold bottle of isotonic drink.

"They're fine. Took You some time to stop wheeling around the lab in circles. I threatened to re-program him if he didn't. Was a while before Dummy would leave the extinguisher alone too. I just repainted some scratches from where the Doombot tripped over them."

"I'm glad they're alright. Dummy was a great help back there." She said, patting Dummy as he chirped happily at the attention.

Steve shifted awkwardly in his chair, catching Tony's attention. "Hey," he said, shoving Steve out of the chair, "you're in my seat Cap."

Steve stood up and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh, I'll just leave then." He mumbled, eyes darting between the occupants in the room.

"Well? Leave!" Tony said, making a shooing motion with his hands.

"Tony…" Bruce chided, "Be nice."

Tony rolled his eyes. Emily smiled awkwardly at Steve before he turned to exit the room.

Bruce gave him a look once the door closed behind Steve.

"What!" Tony exclaimed, raising his hands in surrender, "I didn't DO anything!"

"Never mind." Bruce muttered, polishing his glasses on his shirt again as he moved off to fiddle with Emily's IV drip.

"Did you figure out why Doom sent those over here?" Bruce asked.

Tony shrugged. "So far, I haven't found any nefarious connections. He's probably trying to steal one of the suits again. I wouldn't be the first time."

Emily stifled a yawn. Bruce noticed it and started trying to shuffle Tony out of the room.

"Brucey!" Tony protested, barely struggling against his friend as he was gently pushed out of the room.

"She needs to rest. She's still recovering. We have to let her sleep. Come on, we'll go out and bring some food back for her, alright?"

Bruce looked back at Emily before shutting the door. She was already asleep. He switched off the lights and shut the door behind him.