Thank you so much for the encouraging reviews! They made my day! *jumps around happily* I really hope that I don't disappoint you!

It had been a week since Steve had first seen the teenager named Bucky before he finally saw him again.

It was a different area this time but the dark figure that was sitting at one of many Manhattan coffee shops holding an untouched coffee mug was most definitely Bucky.

A week before, Steve had mentioned Bucky to Peggy when she had gotten home late the night he first saw him; needing to tell someone about what had just occurred, but she looked worried when he mentioned how an expensive car had picked Bucky up and the way that the younger man was acting.

"Did I miss something?" Steve asked confused when he saw his wife's apprehensive expression.

"Saying things like that is why I feel you are from the 40s." Peggy tried to joke but her worry was still obvious because Steve's concerned expression never left his features. "Steve, I think he was a one of the victims in my case...the sex trafficking one..." Peggy's voice was low, like it always was when she was discuses something from a case of hers. She usually did talk to Steve about her work; Steve may just be an artist for papers, but he was someone whom Peggy always thought would have been a good soldier. The kind of soldier who would defend every man until the death. Yet, she was happy he didn't have to see the horror of everyday crime.

Like the one he was hearing about now.

Steve blinked rapidly before his brain caught up with what she had said. "What?" He barely forced the one word out of his mouth. In a rush, his mind went back to the different style of clothing that Bucky was wearing, the pricey car that picked him up, and the shutter-worthy older man that Bucky must have been forced to go with…

"I'm sure of that," Peggy nodded regretfully. "But I'm wondering if from how you say he acted, if he is one of the kidnapped Russian children that are in this trafficking ring we're investigating…" She trailed off, lost in thought over this new development in this horrendous case.

"Kidnapped children?" Steve whispered, feeling bile start to creep past his lips. This monsters had taken children?

"The age works; if he's in his late teens. Over a decade ago, a Russian put together victims to force into prostitution. Some he even went to "adopt" them. Even signed the paper work. This Bucky could have been one of them." Peggy's expression was full of righteous fury, looking like she was ready to put on some red lipstick and slaughter the whole ring down in one day. "Tony in the computer building said that the ring had come here a few years ago. They had been almost discovered back at their home and came here. They take anyone; men, women, any age works for them...but children are mainly used…"

"Oh God…" Steve felt like he was going to be sick. His stomach turned uncomfortably and all he could see was that scared expression on that kid's face. The boy old enough to be his little brother, and he was being…"How did I not see this?" Steve whispered in disgust. How could he not see what was so wrong? He could have done something and he failed.

"If it helps, you did hide your key to the house under a stray brick before we met." Peggy's accent had her voice seem light but Steve knew what she meant; he knew his wife was feeling just as bad as he was.

"Do you know who did this?" Steve growled, his fingers gripping the edge of their kitchen table.

"Loki got some DNA on one of the girls who came to us. We have a name but no proof. I know it's him but all we can prove is that the guy went to see a hooker…it's not enough for a jury…"

"What's his name?" Steve asked in a dangerous low voice. When provoked, Steve was just as dangerous as Peggy.

"Alexander Pierce." Peggy said with hate. She knew it was that bastard from the beginning but she could never prove it.

"What can I do to help Bucky?" It wasn't an offer, it was a demand. He was going to Bucky and he was going to make sure no one ever hurt him again.

"Steve…I don't think you'll see him again…"

Peggy was a realist who longed to be an idealist. She couldn't bring herself to say that they could save this one person when they were busting their asses off in the police department trying to catch Pierce before he brought in anymore people from other countries. Everyone in the department were feeling irritated that they weren't any closer to this bastard. But accepting that they might not be able to save all of the victims? This was something that Steve couldn't bring himself to let go.

Which is how he found himself inside the department building when Peggy was on lunch break, knowing that he had time to go see a certain someone before Peggy returned.

"Hello Captain Liberty, can I help?"

Steve felt compelled to roll his eyes at the snarky tone that Loki always tended to responded with when he saw, well, pretty much anyone. He had met Loki many times, and he most likely would have disliked the man if it wasn't for the first time he had very met the younger Odinson. It was when Thor had invited Steve and Peggy out for drinks at a local bar in order to celebrate Peggy's promotion. Thor's wife Jane was there and also brought along was his kid brother, Loki. Steve had a hard time believing that they could be related. Thor was loud, extroverted, and was rarely seen unhappy. Loki, however, looked uncomfortable being around people he didn't know and would have probably ran off if Thor's arm was not swung around his back.

The bar was packed with fake adults, actual adults, and some shady looking men in trench coats. Jane and Peggy instantly hit it off. Jane enjoyed talking about her work in the scientific field and Peggy was completely fascinated. Thor naturally was bragging about his wife's work. Which left out both Steve and Loki. Rogers didn't mind listening but he noticed the youngest of the group. Loki avoided talking. Steve was concerned at the anxious composure that Loki was giving and was thinking of trying to say something helpful but Thor saw him first.

"Brother?" Thor asked in a low tone. Steve looked pointedly at Jane and Peggy who were still talking excitedly but he stayed close enough to hear what the brothers were saying.

"I'm fine." Loki answered quickly, a fake smile on his thin lips to cover his nervousness over the condition that he was in.

"No you're not." Thor whispered knowingly, bringing his fingers up gently to rest on Loki's shoulder comfortingly. It looked so normal, like he had done it a thousand times before and it always had the same result.

Loki stared at his brother for a full ten seconds before his shoulders sagged lowly in admission. His blue eyes looked down at the bar, fiddling with is untouched drink as he carefully thought his words through. "I don't like being around so many people…" Loki confessed in a small tone; a light bit of pink appeared on his cheeks in embarrassment.

"Okay, let's go home." Thor said in a strong voice, like if he could, he would attack Loki's social anxiety head on to keep his little brother from feeling so disgraced.

"…No…No let's stay. I'll stay." Loki would stay…but only for Thor.

Standing in front of the lean young man now, Steve brought along his best tough face and tried to look in control. From that memory of the bar, he knew that Loki would only ever allow emotions if it was with Thor. "Actually yes." Steve answered Loki question. Loki's blue eyes held a hint of concern at Steve's presence. Loki had this annoying habit of knowing everything. So if Steve was here purposely when Peggy wasn't he was hiding something.

"I need a-a tracer or something. Something that can follow someone."

"Trouble in paradise?" Loki ridiculed; his British accent strong as he leaned against the packed with evidence forensic table.

"I'll owe you a favor." Steve drawled with a hint of a smile. You couldn't help but like this jerk.

"Good enough." Loki nodded happily, his white lab coat twirling around along with Loki as he scooted his chair towards the other side of the room to which Steve followed him. Loki trailed his finger through dozens and dozens of white boxes labeled Loki's: Do Not Touch until he stopped and pulled out one of the containers. Rummaging into it for a few seconds, Loki turned back to face the other man. 'It's old but it will do." Turning to face Steve, Loki dropped a small black object in Steve's open palm.

This scene was what was playing through Steve's head as he gazed open-mouthed at the sight of Bucky gulping down a mug of black coffee at an empty table at seven in the morning; looking repeatedly at the cafe's window for presumably another client. Silently debating for all of five seconds if he should call the police or go talk to Bucky, Steve quickly walked towards the dark haired man before Bucky could get up and leave.

"Steve?" Bucky gasped as he looked, at least Steve hoped, pleased to see him. "I didn't see you there."

"I just came for the coffee." Steve wanted to sound casual but it was hard when his entire senses were practically yelling at him to take Bucky out of the building and send him somewhere safe until they put the monsters who kidnapped Bucky behind bars for good. "Do you mind if I sit with you?" Steve asked gently, making no sudden moves.

Bucky looked inclined to say yes but he kept looking out at the window. "I don't know…my ride is coming here soon…"

Hate filled Steve's being as he remembered the last "ride" Bucky had to deal with. Before Steve could come up with an excuse, Bucky spoke first. "I'm a prostitute." It was said in a rush; like the words were forced out of his mouth. Steve was upset by Bucky's terrified look. It as if Bucky expected Steve to turn around a run in repulsion at the words…maybe from past experiences…

"I know." Steve answered lowly, silently sitting down across from Bucky, his eyes insistent. "I know and I want to help you." Steve folded his hands in front of him; calm and quiet to show Bucky that Steve was not going to force him to do anything.

Here Bucky scoffed disbelievingly. "Help? Yeah, I doubt that."

"My wife, she's a detective. If you go to her-"

His head turned in sadness, Bucky sighed so mournfully that Steve sworn he felt his own heart crack. "They'd find me." It was fact. Bucky's eyes held no slimmer of hope. There was no doubt in his words. It was just plain fact. "They always do."

"No they won't. I won't let them." Steve growled. If he could explain why he was so protective over this stranger, he would; but there were no words for it. He just knew that he needed to save Bucky; and nothing was going to stop him from doing just that. "I know my wife and her coworkers can help you and the others. Please don't go back."

Bucky raised head to look at Steve with a sad smile. "They would hurt anyone who was in their way. You aren't the first who tried to catch him and he was able to slip past their fingers. Why do you think this place is any different?"

"Because they already know who is behind all this." Steve whispered, leaning closer towards Bucky as they sat opposite each other. "All they need is proof that he is in charge of this, and they can bring him down."

Bucky's eyes never left Steve's. He wanted to believe him, God he would give anything for this to be over with…But then his mind flashed to the one who once tried to help him before and his heart sank. "Back in Russia…" Here Bucky's accent was stronger than before, his face tense as his memories flashed back to his home country. "There was this other agent who promised to help me...She was strong…brave…smart…" The smallest hint of a smile was on his lips yet it quickly faded when he continued. "But they caught on to how close to being compromised they were…" Bucky blinked rapidly; he would not cry here. He hadn't cried in front of people since he was thirteen and he was not going to lose that streak now. Remembering the agent with red hair. He prayed every night that maybe…maybe she was still alive. "I don't know what they did to her but they moved all of us in this country months ago."

Before Steve could reply, the door to the diner opened up, causing Bucky to jump slightly until submission laid deep in his eyes. Steve snapped his head towards the door to lay eyes on a tall, muscular man, with black hair and stubble covering his jaw bone.

Like the man was a silent order, Bucky quickly stepped out of the booth and stood straightly in front of the new man. "I-I'm sorry Rumlow…I didn't hear you." Sounding childlike, Bucky gulped nervously as he seemed to shrink into himself.

"Get in the car." Rumlow said slowly, his dark eyes never leaving Steve's face.

Without a word otherwise to either of the men, Bucky went past the silent Rumlow cautiously and headed towards the door, but not without looking at Steve with apologetic eyes. Blue eyes met each other and Bucky left the building as silently as a ghost.

Yet Rumlow did not follow the boy.

He stayed rooted, his strong arms crossed contemptibly in front of his chest. "You were with him last time. A week ago." He sounded like it was just a friendly observant but Steve knew it was anything but.

Steve frowned darkly at this new member of people he was going to watch Peggy maim when the department solved this case. "Yeah." He said simply, surprised that no one else in the diner could feel the dangerous atmosphere that surrounded the two men.

"You interested in him or are you a troublemaker?" Rumlow inquired. He was emotionless, all except for the glare that practically screamed "if looks could kill…" directly at Steve Rogers.

"Concerned citizen." His voice menacingly low, Steve had to hide his tight fist in his hoodie pocket to keep from punching this man in the jugular.

Rumlow seemed to be waiting for this reply because he took a step forward, to which Steve held his ground sternly. "Bucky is good…the right type that everyone likes," Here Rumlow grinned so sneeringly that Steve could feel blood spill from his palms from where his nails were currently pressing into. "But he is expendable. I see you near him again, you might just see him next in the obituary."

It took Steve all of his will power not snap this bastard's neck with all his strength. Taking a shaky deep breath, Steve forced a fond smile on his face. He just needed to get through this..."Won't happen again." Steve tried lightly, patting a surprised Rumlow on the back before heading out the door of the diner as quickly as he could before he headed back to that bastard.

Walking as fast as he could, Steve looked back and felt his heart lift slightly when Rumlow ended up in the car without knowledge of what had just occurred. Steve would have felt proud of himself if he wasn't so busy yanking out his cell to call Loki up. Rumlow didn't detect the tracer that was currently settled securely under Rumlow's collar jacket. Wherever he went, Loki would know. They would find the rest of the victims…and Bucky.