Tony: Guys, if Bucky remains in the bunker, he has to stay here in F-Wing.

S: Tony!

Hill: He's right, Steve. We've just gotten rid of an epidemic that has wiped out 35% of our children, he can't stay between us all like it's normal.

S: He can be tested, as Natasha was.

H: Yeah, that's what the doctors will do, but until the results, he will remain here and we have the protocol to keep him here for at least 72 hours for observation.

Hill looked at Natasha who was facing Bucky's chamber, watching him sleep.

H: Natasha, do you agree?

Natasha nodded.

N: Whatever that is better for everyone.

Natasha glanced at Steve.

N: I'm sure he's okay.

Steve nodded.

T: Well, we're all in agreement. I need to get back to the command center. Steve, I need you, too. It got more complicated without Sharon and Sam in the Command Center.

S: Sam... Where is he?

T: If you who are friend of him doesn't know, imagine me.

H: I'm going up too, are you coming, Natasha?

Natasha crossed her arms and stared at Bucky Barnes.

N: I'll stay here.

S: I wanted to stay too.

T: We need you there.

S: Are you going to be okay?

Steve asked Natasha, but she was slow to notice that the question was to her. After a few seconds, Natasha nodded.

Steve remained in silent and watching the way Natasha looked at Bucky.

How much does she care about him now? It's true that he helped her and James, but all this concern that she is now, that look of who needs to help Bucky... It was at least strange, since before that, she also wanted to see him dead or behind the bars. Of course she could have seen that Bucky is actually a good person, as he knows he is, but... Did they have something when they got together at Bunker South? Is it possible? It's totally possible, she's beautiful and attractive and Bucky is a nice guy, he always had lucky with the ladies, but no, she has a child, she couldn't have be with Bucky. Could she? Am I angry? Why?

Steve stepped into the elevator with Hill and Tony, and continued to watch Natasha until the doors closed.

Inside the elevator, Hill seemed to have thought about something, and her expression showed it.

T: What?

H: I've been thinking...

Steve looked at Maria Hill.

H: I haven't seen Sam for more than two weeks.

S: I don't remember the last time I saw him. Every time I think about looking for him, something appears and I get distracted.

T: I saw him this week, at the refectory. He was late for the meal and I was finishing eating. Oh and I remember that he wanted to eat and the kitchen staff said they wouldn't serve more food, but I intervened and asked them to give the meal for him.

S: That's weird, he didn't come and talk to me after the Hulk accident. Was he okay?

T: He seemed normal to me.

S: Do you mind if I go to his dorm first?

T: Actually yes, we have urgent matters to solve at the command center.

H: I can go check him out, Steve, go help Tony.

S: Thank you, Hill. Tell him to look for me as soon as possible.

...

Hill went to Wing B, the wing of Sam Wilson and hers as well. Hill went to Sam's room and knocked on the door.

H: Sam? Are you there?

Sam: Yes.

Hill frowned.

H: Is everything okay?

Sam: Yes.

H: We're in need of you at the Command Center. We haven't see you a few time... something happened? Are you hurt?

Sam: No.

H: Sam?

Sam: Yes.

H: Could you open the door?

There was a long pause in response.

Sam: Yes.

Hill waited almost five minutes until Sam opened the door. Hill looked at him.

H: Sam, are you sick?

Sam: No.

H: You...

Sam: If I am, will you come in here and take care of me?

Hill was with her hand on her gun, she was serious, finding his behavior, before opening the door, very strange, but now that he flirted with her and smiled, she was relieved.

H: Idiot. You scared me. Did you know what happened to Sharon?

Sam: Yes.

H: Steve got really bad, why did you...

Sam: I tried to talk to him, but he was visiting her and I thought it was best talk to him another day.

Hill narrowed her eyes and watched Sam, she nodded, but she didn't believe Sam's story much, and he noticed.

Sam: You know, it's hard to be here...

H: I know.

Sam: I think I'm too stressed.

H: All right, everybody is, that's why we have medicines that can help.

Sam: I have here, I've been taking, I just...

H: Do you need space?

Sam: Yes.

H: Okay.

Sam: But I'm going to work tomorrow, I'm feeling better already.

Hill gave a small smile and withdrew from Wing B.

...

After 72 hours of isolation of Bucky Barnes, it was found that he was in good health, no illness was detected in him and he was released to join the Bunker community.

Who came to get Bucky, it was Steve, to introduce him to the Bunker's facilities.

S: You'll have to stay in my room.

B: Anywhere I can stay it will be fine.

Steve touched his friend's shoulder and smiled.

S: It's good to have you back.

Bucky smiled and nodded.

B: I heard about what happened to Sharon and your daughter, I'm so sorry.

Steve was silent and looked away. He was fine, as long as no one touched on the subject.

Once a week, Steve used to tell a history to the children of the Bunker's school, but he stopped after Maggie's loss because any girl reminded him of Maggie and hurt him immensely.

Steve closed his eyes and then reopened to ward off any memory of his lost daughter, he smiled again and looked at Bucky.

S: Come on, I want you to meet Professor Xavier.

...

Steve introduced Bucky to Professor Xavier and Dr. McCoy, then he presented Bucky to Jean Gray, Scott and Rogue.

Steve also tried to introduce him to Logan, but he didn't seem to be in a good mood. As always.

After making the proper introductions and installing Bucky in his room, the two of them headed for the refectory, because it was already dinner time.

As they waited in line for the meal, Natasha approached with James on her lap.

N: I bet someone will be very happy to see you, James.

Bucky and Steve turned to look at Natasha.

Bucky looked at James and smiled.

Bucky caught James on his lap, but he immediately started to cry.

J: Papa!

James held out his arms to Steve.

B: Don't you recognize me anymore, James?

N: Of course he does, he just needs to remember.

B: He's so big now.

Steve picked James up and pointed at Bucky.

S: It's okay, James, don't you remember him? It's Uncle Bucky.

James laid his head on Steve's shoulder, but kept an eye on Bucky the entire time.

After picking up their food trays, the three of them went to sit at a table.

N: Where are you going to stay, James?

S: Huh? Oh, you're talking to Bucky, I'm not used to hearing someone calling him that.

N: You can stay in my dorm with me and James if you want. Those collective dorms are a bit uncomfortable and you would have to share a bathroom with a lot of people.

B: No, I'm in Steve's room.

S: Yes and he couldn't stay in your room anyway.

N: Why not?

S: B-because... He's a man.

Natasha shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, indicating she didn't understand the meaning of this motive.

S: I mean y-you... You need privacy. You and James. And I'm alone there, so no problem having my friend with me.

B: Now that I am realizing that James called you a "Papa"... This is very good, since she didn't want to talk about James at all for you, but I knew that when he got here, you would end up finding out . He looks a lot like you.

Steve was still with James on his lap while Natasha was fedding him.

B: You know what, James?

James looked at Bucky.

B: You have the coolest parents in the world.

J: Bu...

James pointed his finger at Bucky.

J: Buck.

N: Bucky, James. That's right, it's him, your Uncle Bucky.

J: Buuck.

N: Bucky!

Natasha looked at Bucky.

N: At least now he recognized you.

B: Buck, huh?

Bucky held out a hand to James and James grabbed Bucky's finger and smiled.

Steve didn't know exactly what he was feeling at Natasha's change of mood, she was much happier now that Bucky was with them, and James seems happy to be back with him as well.

Steve, somehow felt left out, they looked like a family, where the father, who was traveling and is back now.

Bucky participated in James' life from birth and he didn't. And now Steve had no more family to be formed, he had lost his daughter and his fiancée, he had James, but he lived with Bucky more than he did, probably will want him as his father, probably always saw him as a father.

A stupid thought, but it's what Steve was feeling, mixed with the pain of his unborn child.

While Natasha wanted to know why Bucky had left the South bunker, Steve passed James onto Natasha's lap and stood up.

Natasha looked at Steve, surprised that he was standing so suddenly.

N: Steve? Are you alright?

Steve just nodded his head.

S: Yes, I just lost my appetite.

Steve looked at Bucky.

S: Do you remember the way to the dorm?

Bucky nodded.

Steve picked up his tray, returned it to the kitchen counter, and left the refectory. Natasha watched every move of him.

B: What happened?

N: He's upset.

B: I noticed, but why?

N: I think it's because of his daughter, it's not the first time he's like that and he doesn't want to talk about it. I've been trying to make him talk, but he pushes me away.

B: He has to recover from that. He needs to talk about it.

N: I know what would help him.

Bucky walked around the table and sat down in Steve's seat.

Bucky pulled James into his lap, and this time he didn't complain, he really recognized Bucky.

N: James?

Both Bucky and James looked at Natasha, but she was talking to Bucky.

N: Could you finish giving him his food? I'll talk to Steve.

B: Of course. We'll eat all of that, won't we, James?

N: If you're done and I'm not back, you can take him to Steve's room and I'll pick him there.

B: Are you sure? He just recognized me now, he's going to cry.

N: He won't, he loves you.

Bucky looked at James, who was clapping his hand on the table.

B: Okay.

N: Thank you.

Natasha left the refectory and went to Steve's room, she knew he would be there.

Natasha knocked on the door and entered the dorm.

N: Steve?

Steve was sitting in a chair with his arms folded on the table and his head on his arms.

Natasha knew he was crying and her heart couldn't bear to see him in pain.

S: Is James with you?

Steve asked, not lifting his face to look at Natasha.

N: I left him with Bucky.

S: They get along, don't they?

N: Yes.

Natasha approached Steve's chair, she reached out to touch Steve's back, but she didn't dare touch him.

S: That's good for James.

N: It is. Steve?

S: I'm fine.

N: You're not, I know you're hurt, you need to talk about it.

S: No.

Natasha crouched beside Steve.

N: You'll feel better if you talk.

S: She didn't have any chance.

N: It wasn't fair to her, I know.

Steve was no longer crying, but his red eyes indicated that he was, he lifted his head and looked at Natasha.

S: I didn't want you to see me like this, I know you miss Bucky, you should be with him and James.

Natasha shook her head.

N: He's not going anywhere, now and I'm worried about you, I'll stay with you.

S: I don't really want to talk.

N: Okay.

Natasha got up, walked over to Steve's bed and sat down. Steve thought she was leaving and he was surprised that she had gone to sit down.

S: I said that...

N: I know. We don't have to talk, but I don't have to leave you either.

Steve looked at her and then looked at the table, he nodded and after a few seconds, he smiled.

S: Do you remember when we used to train together?

N: Of course.

S: Do you think...

N: Yes, we can do that.

S: Tomorrow?

N: Now.

S: Now?

N: Is there anything better to do?

S: But what about James?

N: He's fine with James... I mean with Bucky... Whatever.

Natasha smiled and got up.

Steve got up too and gestured to the door.

S: Ladies first.

Steve opened the room door for Natasha.

After leaving the room, they went to the elevators.

S: We can use the E Wing. Tony has turned into a kind of 5D simulator.

N: Great, I need this. And you too.

Steve and Natasha went down to E Wing.

As soon as they arrived, Natasha visualized three large rooms with computers in front, to program the type of training, whether beginner, moderate or advanced.

Natasha also noticed a small room with a sort of improvised boxing bag.

N: Did you do that?

S: Yes. As much as we have all this technology, I need my good old boxing.

Natasha smiled.

S: Do you want to try it?

Natasha nodded.

The two entered the room and Natasha looked at the boxing bag.

N: What did you use to do that?

S: Sand and fabrics.

N: Seems good.

Natasha struck the boxing bag and he barely moved.

N: What else did you put in there?

S: I put two weights here and here.

Steve indicated the top of the bag and the bottom of it.

S: It's really not that heavy, I think you're weak now.

Steve was right behind the boxing bag and when he said that, Natasha punched the boxing bag again and it moved, hitting Steve and causing him to lose his balance and stumble.

S: Good! Anger and competitiveness always improve your performance!

N: Don't tease me, Rogers.

S: If I tease you, what will happen?

N: You'll have to pay to see.

S: Oh yeah?

Steve raised both eyebrows as he wrapped a white mesh in his hand. Natasha raised an eyebrow and smirked.

Steve threw a mesh at Natasha, she held it and threw it away.

N: This is for weak.

Steve laughed and nodded.

S: All right, I'm weak, then?

N: It's what it seems.

S: All right, Romanoff.

Natasha smiled again and as Steve stepped toward her, she started to jump, like short jumps backward, just to warm up.

As soon as she moved to a freer area, Natasha bent down and stretched a leg toward Steve ankle, intending to hit his ankle and make him fall, but Steve jumped at time and at the moment Natasha stood again, he tried to kick her waist, but Natasha lowered herself quickly and slipped under Steve's leg, and before Steve's leg touched the floor again, she reached out and hit his neck with her forearm.

Steve was also prepared for this blow, even though he allowed to be hit, he held her wrist, twisted and moved it to Natasha's back, immobilizing her body. Steve had to leave his body glued to her, so she wouldn't be able to counterattack.

S: See? Weak.

N: Shut up!

Natasha threw her head back and struck Steve's mouth hard and he was forced to let her body go, so he could wipe the blood from his lower lip.

S: I thought it was just a workout.

N: What? Are you gonna cry now? What kind of man are you?

Steve laughed and shook his head.

The room was getting hot with their training, Natasha decided to take off her jacket, and stay only with her tank top and legging on. She throw the jacket on the floor and Steve couldn't avoid, but look at Natasha's body.

Natasha predicated that this would happen, she uses to do that to distract her opponents, so she took the chance to use her famous blow, she jumped and fastened her legs around Steve's neck.

After she managed to sit on Steve's shoulder, Natasha put her arm underneath Steve's chin and pulled hard.

N: Who is the weak now?

Steve didn't even try to stop the suffocation, he just grabbed Natasha's waistband and threw her away pretty easy.

Natasha's back hit a wooden bench and then she fell to the floor, she remained motionless and made an expression of pain.

S: You need to train your expressions more if you want to convince me that you really got hurt by that.

Natasha was on all fours and put her hands on her back in the area where she had been bruised.

Steve wasn't taking it seriously, because she likes to fake things, but he saw the bruise on her back and immediately became worried.

Steve felt so guilty, that he ran up to her and crouched next to her body.

Steve put his hand near the bruise.

S: Natasha? Are you alright?

Natasha looked down and shook her head, indicating she wasn't..

S: I'm sorry, I didn't measure my force! Come on, I'll take you to the infirmary.

At the time Steve tried to get Natasha into his arms, she rode over him again, but as he was still crouched, her weight made him fall to the ground, Natasha took the opportunity put her leg around Steve's neck and she kept his arm stretched to immobilize the movement of his body.

S: That's forbidden!

N: For whom?

S: You cheated!

N: Are you surprised?

S: Not really.

Steve said as he did his best to stretch his legs and try to get out of the blow, but it seemed that the more he moved, the more he got stuck.

Steve tapped his hand on the floor three times because he was already turning purple getting out of breath.

Natasha let go of him and stood up.

Steve stood up after her.

N: Do you want to stop?

S: I can do this all day.

**References**