Live Long Enough to be a Hero

Recovery

~Chapter 12~

Hadley whimpered a little as she opened her eyes and looked around

The sight of the hospital room was unwelcome to say the least, the pain in her side even more so

She looked around a little more before she spotted the sleeping billionaire, leaning on his hand on the arm rest of the chair next to her

She stared at him quietly then glanced around. What was he doing here? No one else was here

As she watched him quietly, she found herself staring at the arc reactor in his chest, the gentle glow was comforting to her so she just watched it quietly

"You're awake" Tony's relieved voice cut through her thoughts, earning her gaze

"I... I think so yeah.." Hadley said in response, "what happened..?"

"Some guy tried to shoot me... But you got in the way.." Tony said, taking her hand, "I'm sorry.."

"It's not your fault Tony..." She said

"It is... He was aiming for me... Whatever I did to provoke that... It's my fault"

"You didn't make him pull the trigger" Hadley said

Tony looked up at her and nodded quietly

"Have you been here long..? How long have I been out?" Hadley asked

"Only a couple... Days" Tony said

"Have you been sitting there that whole time?" Hadley asked, sitting up, inhaling sharply

Tony stood and put a gentle hand on her wound "Don't. You'll hurt yourself" he said, "yes. I've been sitting here. My ass is incredibly sore is that what you're asking?"

"Well your ass didn't need to do that... Tony you need sleep" Hadley said

"I've gone longer" Tony said, "Doctor says that once you wake up, you can be discharged. They're the best in the business. They patched you up perfectly"

Hadley looked at him and then down at her side before pulling up her hospital gown

Tony flushed and looked away at the sight of her nearly naked upper half

Hadley inspected the skin quietly

The scar on her side was healing nicely, sewn neatly. The bruising around it was faint.

She sighed and dropped the gown, rubbing her head "This is so fucked.."

"They're searching for the guy who did this... They're going to bring him in... I'm going to make personally sure he's locked in the most secure prison in the world" Tony said

"You can't lock him in The Raft just because he shot me. It's not like he killed a queen" Hadley said

Tony looked at her seriously, "To me... He almost did.." he said softly

Hadley blushed deeply

"Come on. Let's get you out of here. Your clothes are over there" Tony said

Hadley nodded and stood slowly, grabbing her clothes.

She pulled her pants on quietly and that's when she noticed the expression on Tony's face as he watched her

"What? Aren't you supposed to be a... What was it you said genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist? You look like you've never seen a girl before" she said, pulling off the hospital gown.

She inspected her injury quietly, prodding at it

"Don't poke it" Tony said, glancing at her then covering his face again.