After Natasha's words, a great silence took place in the room.

Soon after this moment of silence there was only a loud and exaggerated laugh from Maria Hill, who was shaking her head repeatedly.

H: Oh, Natasha!

Hill laughed even more hysterically, only reinforcing how much she was nervous about all of that.

H: She's crazy, she's just kidding.

B: I'm sure she's kidding. After all, no one in love acts like you.

H: See? That would be impossible. It was a joke, a bad taste joke indeed.

Hill was already serious and looking at Natasha now.

N: I just wanted you two to stop and listen to me!

H: See? It was just for that. There is nothing...

Hill looked at Natasha and gestured some death threat to her with her lips.

N: It's about Steve.

H: He died?

N: No!

Natasha frowned, glaring at Hill.

B: What happened? Is he getting worse?

N: No, no. He has shown an improvement, but in recent days, with these transfusions his state has stagnated.

B: What does it mean?

N: It means that with the treatment given to him now, his health will no longer evolve and is likely to regress.

H: What should be done now?

N: So that's what I want to talk to you about. To know what you think. They say that James's blood would be more compatible because he's Steve's son. Cho says he has serum in his blood.

B: But James already got sick, we know that. How would he have Steve's serum?

N: Yes, but Cho thinks his serum has only manifested after a certain age.

H: So the transfusion would be enough?

Natasha nodded.

H: Are you already doing it? What are we doing here?

Bucky looked at Maria Hill.

B: Natasha wants us to help her decide if she should authorize James to make the blood transfusion.

H: Is there any other choice?

N: Not that they have discovered yet.

H: Then do it!

N: I can't, James is only 3 years old.

H: Is not safe?

N: They say it is, but...

H: But what, Natasha?

B: Natasha is right.

Hill looked at Bucky.

H: Should she let Steve die?

B: I didn't say that. I said she's right to worry. James is just a kid. It's not common to transfuse blood from someone of his age.

N: I feel weaker after this long period of transfusion and I'm an adult, imagine him being a child.

H: If so, then I don't know what to say.

B: Are they sure this would work?

Natasha shook her head.

H: That's a problem, then.

N: Exactly.

Natasha walked around the room and then sat on the bed.

B: I think you should try.

N: Let my son be stuck with a needle several times and his blood drained?

B: Make a test, see how he reacts with one transfusion session. Any sign that he's feeling bad, you interrupt. Let's follow everything closely. This will be done by professionals, I believe it will be safe.

Natasha was looking at Bucky and her heart was less anxious now. Bucky had made the perfect suggestion, she herself had made up her mind, but she needed someone else's support.

B: But you should talk to James first. He can already understand some things, explain to him why he will undergo this procedure. I can talk to him if you want.

Natasha shook her head.

N: No, I'll tell him myself.

B: No problem.

N: I'll tell Tony about my decision now. Can you do me a favor? Get James and Sarah in Jane's room and bring them for me here, please?

Bucky nodded.

N: Thank you.

Natasha left the room.

Hill got up and walked to the door, but Bucky grabbed her arm, making her stop and look at him.

Hill looked at Bucky's hand on her arm and then looked at him. Bucky felt as if he were about to be murdered by her.

B: I'm sorry.

H: For what?

B: For all this, I...

H: Wait... You didn't take seriously what Natasha said, did you?

Bucky kept looking at Hill, trying to analyze her, but when Hill doesn't want to show what she is feeling, she doesn't fail.

H: I'm not in love with you.

Bucky kept looking at her, he nodded and let go of Hill's arm.

Bucky hoped Hill would turn and walk away of the room, but he was surprised when she actually turned her body fully in front of him and took two steps to be closer to him.

Hill Inclined her face a little and brought her face close to Bucky's, and as she did this, she kept her eyes open, staring at him to observe his reaction.

When her lips were very close to Bucky's, Hill watched him close his eyes and a slightly malicious grin formed on her lips.

Hill left her lips a few millimeters away from Bucky's, she just wanted to prove a point to Bucky and leave him there like a fool, desiring her.

Maria Hill is not a woman to compete for the attention of a man, even more Bucky, who has Sharon and Juliana on his list and he still seems to have some kind of a crush on Natasha.

Hill was telling herself in thought to retreat now and leave Bucky as he is now, with lips parted, eager to feel her lips. She had to step back, that was only to teach Bucky a lesson, but some command in her brain failed, and for Hill's misfortune, her mouth was already touching Bucky's.

Bucky still tried to make the kiss slow to get to know her kiss better, but she seemed to be in a hurry, so he just tried to keep up with her.

As Hill curled her tongue over Bucky's, she put her hands on Bucky's wrists and made him wrap his arms around her waist. And Bucky, slid one of his arms lower and grabbed Maria Hill's butt with some strength.

Hill could feel that it was the metal arm, because it was cold, she quickly moved her lips away from Bucky's and placed her hand over Bucky's hand and made him squeeze her buttocks even harder.

H: Harder!

Bucky bit his lower lip as he squeezed harder and Hill threw her head back and still squeezed his hand on her.

H: More.

Bucky placed his mouth on Maria Hill's neck, then he started to nibble her skin while he spoke.

B: I can hurt you, if I go stronger than that.

Hill moved her head down to stare into his eyes.

H: That's exactly what I want!

Hill said, already breathing heavily.

Bucky froze for a few seconds and watched Maria Hill to see if she was being serious and she was.

Bucky let go of Maria Hill's body and stepped back.

Hill thought she had scared him and that he would give up now and walk away of the room, but she smiled when she saw Bucky taking off the shirt he was wearing.

Bucky held on the cleavage of her jumpsuit and pulled her in a single movement, making her body bump into his. Hill gave a short laugh and pressed her lips to his again.

...

Meanwhile, Natasha was talking to Tony and Cho about accepting the proposal on her terms. Tony agreed immediately and said that she was making a good decision and that he is confident of Steve's recovery with James' blood.

N: I need to go now. The children are waiting for me.

T: Do you need some help with the little girl? Pepper loves kids and we have to train for our own, you know... So...

N: It's okay. I already have help and Pepper occasionally helps me too, but thanks for the offer, Tony. I appreciate that.

T: All right, good night then.

N: Good night.

Natasha stepped out of the wing where Tony was and headed for the elevator, she went to Wing A and walked back to her dormitory, already hoping to find James and Sarah there and sleeping.

I hope they are already sleeping. Natasha wished in her thought as she walked down the hall toward the dorm.

When Natasha arrived at the door of her dorm, she heard the noise of things falling in there and her first reaction was of fright.

Natasha opened the door sharply and widened her eyes when she saw Bucky and Hill, naked and in full activity.

They both stopped and looked at Natasha.

N: What? But...

Natasha was open-mouthed and couldn't form a sentence.

B: Natasha, I'm sorry, I...

Bucky pulled the sheet over to cover himself.

H: She's seen us both naked before, it's not news for her.

N: In my room??? Really? I sleep here with my kids

Natasha looked around.

N: What about James and Sarah?

B: God, I forgot about them. I'll get them now.

N: No! There's no way you're going to touch those kids now. And...

Natasha shook her head.

N: And you can stay here, I'm going to sleep in Steve's room, tonight. And please clean it up or burn those sheets and that rug and whatever you two do or have already done this thing... Just burn it.

Natasha closed the door and left the room, she went to get James and Sarah in Jane's room and apologized for the delay.

...

The next morning, when Bucky woke up, he was alone in the room, he searched for Hill, but she had already left.

Bucky cleared Natasha's room, then took a shower and headed straight for the breakfast line.

When Bucky got in line, Natasha and Hill were already in line and they were the last ones.

Bucky approached the two.

N: Good morning, Barnes. Sleep well?

Natasha smirked.

Bucky looked at Natasha and then at Hill, he nodded.

N: I go to the other queue because James is starving. See you both later.

Natasha walked away from them with the kids.

Hill turned to stand with her back to Bucky and he looked at her.

B: Good morning?

Hill just nodded to respond, but avoided eye contact.

B: I didn't see you when I woke up.

H: Why would you see me?

Bucky frowned.

B: I don't know, maybe because we made love and you...

H: Love?

Hill laughed.

H: We had sex, Barnes. It was good and that's all.

B: That's it?

H: Yes, I said I'm not in love, you believed in Natasha because you wanted to.

Bucky was looking at Maria Hill with confusion in his eyes.

H: If I'm attracted to you? Yes! Very much! But love? Nay.

B: So it didn't mean anything last night?

H: Was it supposed to meant something?

B: It's expected that.

H: Oh please, we're adults and we both know this is not true. And you still have that sparkle in your eyes every time you see Natasha. And I probably remember you, of her. I'm not that kind of woman who is to replace the woman you have a fetish for, but I can be to have what I want.

B: So you just wanted to go to bed with me?

H: Yes. Be relieved, you are still free to flirt with the little girl and the crazy one.

B: But...

H: No grudges, Barnes.

Hill smiled and glanced briefly at Bucky. It was her turn already in line, so she just took an apple from the basket and left the refectory.

...

After the breakfast, Natasha asked for Bucky's help to talk to James about the blood transfusion.

Natasha entered her room, looking at everything with a certain disgust.

B: I cleaned everything up, Natasha, and we didn't use that much space. I apologize for what happened. You know I'm not like that, I respect you and the kids, it's just... I didn't expect to feel attracted that much for her.

N: Well, I guess it's fair, after all we did the same in her room, once. Remember?

B: Yeah, I do.

Bucky smiled a little uneasily.

N: I think it's safe to put her here.

Natasha approached the crib and put Sarah inside.

Natasha tickled Sarah's belly and she gave a short laugh and when Natasha walked away, she grunted.

N: James.

James rolled his eyes and grabbed his toy and handed it to Sarah.

J: Do not drool on it!

Sarah took the toy and stopped grunting.

B: Come here, James. I want to talk to you.

Bucky held out his arms to James, who came to him and hugged him. Bucky placed James on his lap and sat with him on Natasha's bed.

J: I didn't do anything.

B: Who said you did something?

Bucky laughed.

B: We just want to talk to you.

Bucky looked at Natasha.

Natasha shook her head.

N: I can't do that. I can't.

B: Okay, leave it to me.

Bucky looked at James.

B: James, the truth is we have a request to make for you. But this request requires you to be very brave and strong. Are you brave enough?

James nodded.

B: You know that your father Steve is sick.

J: Where's Daddy?

B: Daddy is being treated and he needs your help. There's something that can help your father to get better and involves a needle.

James frowned.

J: James don't like needle.

B: I don't like it either, but that's why I said we need someone strong and brave.

J: James is strong!

James lifted his arm, showing the muscle in his arm.

B: Yes, you are very strong, buddy. Stronger than me.

J: And brave!

B: Yes. So much more brave. That's why I think you can help your father.

Natasha came over and crouched next to them.

Natasha looked at James and stroked his hair.

N: James, if you don't want to, nobody will get upset.

B: But it will just be a slight sting in your arm, you won't even feel it and this will help your dad to get better.

N: But if you're scared, you don't have to. No need, okay?

Bucky looked at Natasha.

B: Let him decide, Natasha.

N: Sorry, I just...

B: I know, but I explained it to him and now he can decide. Do you want to see your father, James?

James nodded.

B: So we can count on your strength and your courage?

James nodded again.

Bucky and Natasha looked at each other, breathing in relief.

N: I'm leaving Sarah with Laura, she usually feels better with her around. You go down with James and I'll meet you there in ten minutes.

Bucky nodded.

...

As soon as Bucky arrived at F Wing and passed the pit hall, he heard beats on the glass from one of the chambers.

Bucky was with James on his shoulders and looked at Sharon in the chamber. Bucky smiled and Sharon smiled back.

Sharon's smile faded as Bucky stepped to another sector than hers. Bucky stopped at the entrance of the antechamber and waved at Sharon, meaning for her to wait that later he would return to visit her.

...

When Natasha arrived at F Wing, she walked into the room where Bucky and Tony were.

N: Where's James?

B: They are preparing him for the transfusion.

T: It won't be like yours, it's too risky if Steve has an outbreak.

N: How will it be done?

T: Let's collect and store his blood and then transfer to Steve. But since he is a baby, we have to respect the limits of his body, so each blood collection will take longer than yours and smaller quantities will be withdrawn. I think it will take almost a month for us to actually have our first transfusion.

N: But today is just a test, I didn't approve of it being done several times. I want to see how he'll react and if he'll be okay.

T: Of course, but if we continue, it will be that way.

Natasha nodded.

A nurse announced that the person in charge of James could enter to follow the procedure. Natasha volunteered and upon entering the room that James was, she noted that he was nervous but trying to disguise that he was fine.

Natasha smiled inside, she is very proud of her boy. So brave! Natasha thought. And this attempt to control what he is feeling is totally her characteristic, but mother is mother and she knows what his child is feeling.

N: Hey.

James looked at his mother.

J: Strong!

Natasha nodded.

N: Very strong, James. Good boy. I'll be here all the time. Whatever you feel, just let me know that I'll make everything stop.

James just looked at her.

The nurse approached with the syringe. Cho was also nearby.

James looked at the needle and Natasha took his hand.

N: Look at me, James. It will be done sooner than you think.

James looked at Natasha, and when his arm was stuck by the needle, he held tight in Natasha's hand.

Natasha saw his eyes get wet, but James took a deep breath and didn't let a tear fall.

J: Is that it? Is it over?

Cho: Yes. You were very brave.

Dr. Cho smiled at him.

- Congratulations, James.

The nurse helped to encourage James as well.

...

The procedure proceeded well, James was fine and agitated as always after the 1st collection, so Natasha authorized the continuity of the procedure.

The first transfusion with James's blood to Steve's body, only occurred after three blood-collection sessions of James to have a considerable volume to be transferred to Steve's body.

Cho asked Natasha to wait until the next day to visit Steve and for her have a full report of his evolution and whether the transfusion was successful or not.

Natasha had agreed to Cho's terms, but she couldn't sleep of such anxiety she was feeling, she'd already showered twice that night and stood by the crib, watching Sarah and James sleeping in the crib.

He's getting too big for this crib. Natasha thought. It wasn't really him that was big for the crib, after all Clint built a large crib for him, but it was because James was dividing that space with Sarah and she has grown a lot in the last months.

Natasha heard knocks on the door and walked to answer.

H: This is not time for that shit.

N: I'm sorry, I'll be quick. They're sleeping, you just have to stay here looking at them.

H: Why do I agree to do these things? Tell me.

N: Because you're a good person.

H: We know this is not true.

Natasha left the room.

H: Good luck.

Natasha nodded and headed for the elevator.

...

Upon arriving at F Wing, Natasha said she was authorized to see Steve. The guard nurse said he was going to call someone to lock Steve in his bed so she could get into his chamber safely.

Natasha said she would wait and as the nurse came out for help, she broke the access code to Steve's chamber and opened the door slowly. She didn't know if he was awake or not and when she saw the chamber, she saw that he was lying down, but there was no sight of his face.

Natasha came in quietly, she closed the door behind her and saw Steve move his head toward her.

Natasha leaned against the door and put her hand on the doorknob, ready to evacuate if necessary.

Steve turned his face and looked directly into Natasha's eyes and he was silent for a few seconds.

All Natasha could hear was the sound of her own breath, a little heavier from the fear to be there with him and fear for facing him, she knows how he reacts badly to it.

S: Natasha?

Steve said in a low voice. Natasha took a deep breath and took a step away from the door.

Those eyes gave a look that is familiar to her. The gleam in his eyes was back, she could see some kind of emotion in his eyes. Finally! Natasha celebrated in her mind.

Natasha took another step toward Steve's bed, but she was still a considerable distance away from him.

Ok, wait! Maybe it's my head wanting him to be fine but I already thought once he'd come back to be himself on other occasions and he tried to attack me anyway. I won't create false hopes again. Natasha thought.

S: Why do you...

Steve's brow furrowed, showing confusion.

N: Do you know who I am?

Steve nodded and then sat on the bed, which made Natasha walk back to protect herself, she thought he would stand up and try to attack her.

Steve stopped moving, immediately and watched her attitude. Steve gestured for her to calm down.

S: I... I'm sorry. It's all right. I just...

Natasha looked at him, still frightened, but now she was already relieved. He's apologizing, he felt bad for scaring her, he knows who she is and he understands where he is. All of that meant just what she wanted most: Steve is back!

**Steve is back! Yay! And about BuckyHill it's not his choice yet, so buckarter and julicky can also happen**