A Promise

Okay, so I have messed around with the storyline a lot here with Steve being given the serum a lot earlier and rescuing Bucky earlier than in the canon film. This gives them a couple more years with each other before the fall and the subsequent plane crash.

…

"Stark's up ta something…."

Steve rolled his eyes as his best friend and lover grumbled beside him. "You always say that, in fact, even when Howard's just sitting there, you assume he's up to something!"

Bucky scowled as Howard Stark rushed by the Howling Commandos and into his personal lab, "This time I mean it Stevie! Ya gotta admit, he's been shifty…more than usual!"

Steve just shook his head and grinned, "Leave Howard alone Bucks and come and help us review the plan." He then turned his attention back to the maps of Southern Germany. Bucky glared at Howard's lab before paying attention to what Steve was saying.

Whatever Howard was up to, it could wait.

Or so he thought….Two months later, Bucky's original statement was proved to be right.

…

The day had started off as normal. Bucky woke up next to Steve in their shared tent. They got dressed, had breakfast and then they began their morning training with the rest of the Howling Commandos.

During the push-up sets, Dum Dum Dugan glanced over at Bucky and nodded his head in the direction of Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter, who were speaking in hushed tones by the command tent. "What d'ya think they're gossiping about?"

Bucky finished his set and shook his head, "Probably another mission for us…maybe we'll go somewhere a little less rainy this time around!" he glanced up at the sky, where dark clouds were beginning to form overhead.

Their conversation had attracted the attention of the rest of the commandos, including Steve. Falsworth followed the direction of Bucky and Dugan's gaze and nodded in thought, "Yes. They do seem to be rather distressed about something…and I don't think it's mission related."

Gabe frowned at this, "What makes you say that Falsworth? I mean, tell me you don't have super hearing because otherwise, that makes last night really awkward…"

Falsworth glared at the man who had begun to laugh at the look on his friend's face, "No Jones, and to be quite frank, the less I know about your night-time activities the better! I don't think it's mission related because of the look on Agent Carter's face."

They all frowned at this and Falsworth grinned, "She only has that particular expression when she's talking about Mr Stark and his antics. A mix between anger and exasperation, with a tiny hint of disappointment."

Dugan slapped Falsworth on the back, propelling him forward a bit. "Are you going to use those powers of understanding women for good or for evil? Can this skill be taught or is it just a British thing?"

Falsworth shook his head at Dugan's antics as Bucky scoffed. "Well it's no surprise Stark's involved….but Phillips's usually lets Stark do what he likes. I can practically see steam coming out of the top of his head!"

Steve nodded, "Which means that Howard may have crossed the line this time. I'm going to see what the matter is, you guys stay here…look busy okay?"

His team nodded reluctantly as Steve marched over to the pair, a curious smile on his face. "Colonel. Agent Carter. Is everything alright, this seems like an intense conversation?"

Colonel Phillips sighed and gestured towards Howard Stark's lab, "Soldiers have reported strange sounds coming from his lab…stranger than usual. Agent Carter wants to investigate…and I'm inclined to agree with her. Stark's been acting suspiciously for a little under a year now and quite frankly I'm getting sick of it."

Peggy nodded, "Colonel Phillips wants to force his way inside Howard's lab, but there is always the possibility that whatever Howard is doing, is perfectly innocent! Storming in there, guns blazing may do nothing but push Howard away. You know what he's like, if he thinks that we don't trust him, he's going to pack up his stuff and leave. Say what you want about Howard, his inventions have helped us win a fair number of battles. We can't do this without him…"

Steve frowned, "What sort of sounds did the soldiers hear?"

Colonel Phillips sighed, "A few loud bangs…and apparently, what sounds like a kitten, or a trapped cat. Stark swearing a lot…noises like that."

"Well, what's so suspicious about that? No offense to him, but Howard swears a lot, especially when he's working. Bangs aren't that suspicious and maybe the soldiers misheard the cat sound? It could have been the wind?"

Colonel Phillips reluctantly nodded before glaring at the lab that Howard was working in. "Hmmm, maybe…but I don't like it. My gut's telling me that something is wrong and I'll be damned if I let Howard do anything Frankenstieny in my camp!"

Steve suppressed a smile at this and saluted, "Me and the commandos will keep an eye on him if you want?"

Phillips was about to agree, but Peggy beat him to it, "Sorry Captain, but we need you to take a reconnaissance mission out into the south woods. There have reports of Hydra agents roaming about around there. Check it out, see if there's any truth in that and then report back. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary, understood?"

"Understood Peg- I mean Agent Carter."

Steve quickly made his way back over to his team, gesturing for them to pack up their stuff and get ready to move out. As he entered his tent to grab his shield and uniform, he felt a familiar presence behind him. Smiling to himself, he turned around to see Bucky's eyes focused a little lower than what was necessarily proper. "My eyes are up here Bucks…" he chided gently.

Bucky smirked, "But I've got such a nice view from here!"

Steve felt his face flush a little, "Just grab your gun and uniform…"

Bucky grinned at the embarrassed look on his partner's face, "Yes Sir!"

As he holstered his rifle, Bucky couldn't help but stare at his best friend. It seemed like only yesterday he was helping the punk get home after yet another fight with some street bullies….and now look at them. War heroes of America.

"Sooooo…" began Bucky, "…what did Phillips and Carter have to say?"

Steve shook his head, "Some soldiers heard suspicious noises but it's probably nothing. Colonel Phillips is keeping an eye on him though."

"Good…so what's the mission?"

Steve flung an arm around his lover's shoulders, "Simple reconnaissance. Also known as James Buchanan Barnes giving Steven Rogers a heart attack by scurrying up trees without any regard to his safety!"

Bucky laughed as they strode over to the rest of the commandos, "Says you! I swear you've spent half of your life trying to give me grey hairs! Besides, how else am I supposed to get a good vantage point in the woods?! The trees are the highest things out there!"

"Well, you could at least not leap off the branches when we're done. You're going to hurt yourself one of these days!"

Bucky shook his head and sighed, "O how the tables have turned Punk!

"Jerk"

…..

The mission went off without a hitch…sort of. The Howling Commandos managed to gather Intel on the movements of a large number of Hydra agents. The only problem was that a few members of this large group wandered a bit too close to the team…they didn't last long, but thankfully they weren't quick enough to inform the rest of their group.

The real problem occurred when they arrived back at the camp.