Who: Maria Hill and John Blake. What: Waking up. Where: A hospital in Las Vegas. When: Tuesday evening.
It's far away, at first, the constant beeping, and she's not sure where exactly it's coming from.
Her brain tries to grasp onto it, but it's a bit like fumbling for something in a dark room; her mind reaches out but finds nothing but air. But Maria Hill is a stubborn woman, so she tries again and again and again until she finds something, anything, to pull herself up with.
It's the simplest thing: a touch on her hand, warm and soft but firm, and it's enough. The touch yanks her up through what feels like water and her eyes flutter open with a gasp for air.