Chapter 25

Bruce's POV

 A few hours later...

 Liz has just woken up from being unconscious for quite a few hours. She's very groggy and out of it mentally. She asked me three times where she was, which concerns me a lot. "B-Bruce?" I look at her with concern. "Yes baby girl?" She sighs. "What's wrong with me? Am I dying?" I laugh nervously. "The truth is I don't know what's wrong with you other than the fact that the serum Fury injected you with is harmful. The doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to get it out of your body as quick as possible. I have yet to be informed and/or figure out all of the side effects it could bring on." 

  Just then, a doctor walks in. He smiles at me before checking Liz's vitals. "Dr. Banner, I can imagine how worried you are about your girlfriend here. I finally have some answers for you both. The serum Fury injected her with is Furiside. It's a new serum that just got out on the market a few months ago, courtesy of Fury himself. When it gets into the human body, it causes short term memory loss and provides its host with a virus that's like the flu but more painful. It seems that Liz is beginning to receive the virus, which will take her a few days to fight off. I would like to keep her in the med bay for the next week for both treatment and observational purposes. Do I have your consent Dr. Banner?"

   I nod. "Call me Bruce and yes you do. Do I have to sign any forms?" He hands me two forms to sign quickly. The doctor seems to be a good man and I'm going to instill faith in him to take care of my baby girl. "Doc, you do whatever it takes to make her well again. Okay?" He smiles at me softly and extends a hand for me to shake which I do so gladly. When he leaves the room, Liz reaches for my hand and squeezes it rather tightly. I return the gesture and stay by her side, even long after she falls asleep. The only time I step away is to freshen up once and use the bathroom a couple of times. 

   I watch all of the Avengers come and go out of the room throughout the night and well into the morning. All of them urge me to get some rest but I can't. My mind is too active and I'm too upset. Sleeping is the least of my worries right now. I'll sleep when Liz is better. Until then, I'm here. I'm not leaving her for any longer than I have to. I love this girl, no this woman. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. 

   As the days go by, Liz gets a lot sicker before she gets better. I've been running on no sleep whatsoever. I know I'm just days away from getting really sick myself but I just can't focus on myself right now. That feels selfish and wrong. Tony enters the room, startling me while doing so. "Bruce, you haven't slept in five days. Go to bed. That's an order, not a request." I look at him manically. "Tony, you know I can't. Liz isn't better yet." He looks at me sadly. "Yes that's true but she needs you. You can't be there for her properly when you're like this. You look like you're on the verge of death. You're also my best friend, please do this... for Liz and I. I don't normally beg but you've gotten me to. Please get some rest, even just for a few hours." 

   The sadness on Tony's face breaks my heart. It's so rare for him for him to look at someone the way he's looking at me. I sigh. "Fine Tony, but I'm doing it right here." I grab a cot in the corner of the room, tiredly set it up, and fall asleep on it in an instant. Who knows how long I'm out for...

Hoped that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary