CHAPTER 8

*Beep...Beep...Beep...BEEP-BEEP-BEEP*. Those were the first sounds I heard when I woke up. The next sounds I heard was someone calling, shouting, my name. "Stark... STARK". Hey that was... That was Natasha... What was she doing here?... Where was here?... Slowly I opened my eyes, shutting them tight again when I was hit with a blinding light. "Hey, you're ok, you're ok" someone said softly. Was that... That was wasn't it...? Bruce was here too... Why were they here? Slowly I opened my eyes again. I was in... Where was I? "Hospital" Bruce said, realising my question, "you're in hospital". "Much against the others liking" Natasha muttered and I looked at her confused. "You're still in Brazil. We got you out before Fury arrived. He doesn't know where we are. He doesn't know where you are. He doesn't even know you're still alive" she explained sighing. "What... What about the phone call?" I asked my voice rough and hoarse. "We pulled it off as Steve on drugs. Fury's convinced he's the one who rang him" she continued, "and surprisingly, Caps ok with it".

"What they're not ok with is why you're going to disappear again when we only just found you" Bruce said. I didn't have an answer to that. What could I say? That I didn't want to be part of the Avengers? That's I never wanted to go back to New York again? That I actually missed them? They were all pathetic excuses, and none of them would work. "How long have I... Been here?" I asked instead. "Three weeks. And Four days" Nat replied sighing, leaning back in her chair, "We weren't sure whether you would wake up or not. Considering you did have a hole in your chest... Literally. But on the bright side, it caused no lasting damage and a wicked scar". "9 stitches on your chest. 9 stitches on your back. Directly across from each other" Bruce explained and i smiled slightly. A scar. Another scar. "And aside from the obvious, you'll make full recovery, free to run away from whoever you please" he continued. "I didn't run away... I left" I shot back, "you run away from things you're scared of. You leave out of choice".

"Then you may leave and go where ever you want. Under one condition" Natasha said and I smirked, finishing it for her, "That i stay in contact". "Exactly". "Well Widow, you strike a hard bargain, but I'm sure I could arrange something" I replied and she grinned, "I'm sure you will".

Two hours later, I finally convinced the doctors enough to let me leave... It all so helped that I set off the fire alarm and sprinklers twice. They couldn't put up with me. So they practically shoved me out the door. I had the stitches in my chest and back taken out, my ribs and minor cuts fixed up, and a crutch for my leg. I wasn't allowed to work for two weeks, like that would stop me, and I was to take it easy and get lots of rest... Yea right.

The hot midday air hit me when I stepped out of the air conditioned hospital, and I basked in the familiarity. "We're still in Rio; we weren't sure where you actually lived here so we picked the most central hospital" Bruce explained as him and Nat followed me out, "now I got a VERY important meeting I must go to in California so I have to go. See you around Stark". "Yea, later Bruce and... Thanks … For everything" I replied, shaking his hand. He grinning and pulled me into a hug, "I've heard Peru is quiet nice around this time of year. You should check it out". I smirked at him, "sounds good". "And wherever you end up... Send me a post card yea?".

I watched as he disappeared around the corner, talking on his phone to two people at once, before turning to the spy. "And I'm guessing you've got a top secret mission to take down some Russian Mafia or save the world or something?" I asked and she a smirked, linking arms with me as we began to walk down the street, "I do. But I'm sure I could delay for a while". "I could show you where I live, and introduce you to Pedro; he's a good mate of mine. You'll love him" I said and she nodded thoughtfully, "I can see that working...What about Fury? I'm sure SHIELD's got someone on your back". I grinned at her, "I'm sure they do. But hey, it just adds excitement to this life. I'm on the run from the government. Its sounds pretty awesome don't you think?" She nodded, grinning back at me, "it does. I always liked men being chased. Makes the relationship a lot more interesting". "Is that a proposal ?" I asked cheekily and she smirked, "it might be , or should I say ?" "Both work just as well. Though I unforcently don't have an ID for Carlos Brasillon". "I have some contacts who could sort that out". "I'm sure you do. But tell me, what was that whole relationship thing again?" I asked grinning and she patted me on the shoulder, "don't worry, there's no competition. After all, we might as well live like it's our last day". "Yea" I agreed, looking up at the rising sun, "A new day, a new start. We just gotta Live Like We're Dying".