Chapter 2

"So when do you start working at Stark Industries?" Steve asked as he and Tracey walked back from Art class. He shifted his sketchbook in his hand. "You've already quit your job at the diner right?"

"Yes," Tracey said, squinting as the sun shone in her eyes. "They already had my replacement ready. Her name is Angie. Unfortunately I only got to see her briefly. She's sweet. Wished me luck and all," she said as they reached a cross walk.

"That's nice of her," Steve nodded.

"I started work with Mr. Stark at the beginning of the week. I'm really excited too," the blonde woman said, a large smile on her face. "He had me start out on his new project with him. He said he needs all the help he could get. He doesn't seem tolerate of a lot of the other workers. I'm not sure how he's tolerated me. You, Barry, and Bucky have called me stubborn. I'm waiting for Mr. Stark to say something like that to me."

"He hasn't yet?" Steve laughed, shaking his head.

"No, he seems to enjoy the fact that I at least know a bit about machinery. I mean before the diner I worked at some old warehouse, but that only lasted a month."

"But you also learn pretty quickly," he pointed out.

Tracey blushed lightly and chuckled. "Thanks. I guess it does help. I was able to comprehend his project in a couple days. It helped especially since I was late in joining the crew."

"That's great!" the skinny man exclaimed. "I'm happy for you Trace. You deserve this. You've worked hard for it."

"Thank you," Tracey said, smiling lightly.

Steve paused and check the watch on his wrist. "I'm sorry, but I have to get going," he said, tucking his sketchbook under his arm. "I have somewhere I need to be."

"Oh okay. I'll see you later, Steve," she said, waving as her friend hustled down the opposite direction she was heading.

"Please tell me he told you where he was going," Bucky sighed as he ran up to Tracey. He ran a hand through his hair, groaning when she shook her head. "Damn it. That punk."

"Is he still trying to get into the army?" Tracey sighed.

"Yeah, the guy is relentless. I've been trying to get him to stop, but he just won't listen." He placed his hands on his hips, watching as his best friend turned a corner.

"You're not going after him?"

"Not worth my time. Well, it is because I don't want the punk to get caught or worse they let him join," he said, shaking his head. "But he's most likely going to be turn down." He turned to Tracey and smiled as she began to walk away, following beside her. "So how's your dad? Heard from him lately?"

"Last week Barry, Mom, and I got a letter from him saying that he's still training the new recruits. He says that he likes some and then there are the stuck up ones he wants to teach a lesson to," she said, giggling at the thought. "You know my dad. He's one of the nicest people you will meet, but if you tick him off he will go at you."

"Oh I know," Bucky laughed. "I remember when we first met. He was causin' a storm. Hearing that some asshole kid was harassing you drove him up the wall."

"And then there was you, Steve, and Barry. My knights in shining armor," she teased, grinning at him. "He was mostly mad that the school put me in trouble for punching the guy. He was pretty proud of his 'baby girl'," she said, air quoting the phrase.

"That's definitely your dad. I think he was also mad at the guy for punching Steve. And then he got mad at me for getting into a fight. What was hilarious was when your mom left and he gave me a pat on the back. You're dad is something else. Hell, he got mad at a few of the men in my training group. Good Lord, he's tough," he said, chuckling at the memory.

"I keep forgetting you are in the 107th as well," she said, tucking some hair behind her ear. She paused, chewing her cheek in thought. She turned her head and gave the man a soft look. "Have you gotten your orders?"

Bucky nodded, flashing her a smile. "Sergeant James Barnes to report in a few days."

Tracey nodded her head. "Does Steve know?"

"Not yet. I'm spending the day with my family. I'm gonna take Steve with me to the expo tomorrow and tell him sometime then. Either before, during, or after. I'll figure out a good time to tell him."

"Have you told him that you were drafted?"

The future soldier blinked, slightly stunned. "I don't know what you're talking about? I signed up. I've told you and Steve this."

The blonde woman sighed and gave her friend a sympathetic look. "Bucky, we both know you wouldn't have signed up if it meant leaving Steve here by himself. You're only saying you enlisted so he won't feel bad. We all know how much he wants to join."

Bucky sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the ground. The weight of everything on his shoulders as he thought through what was to happen in the next few days. "Yeah… I don't want to leave the punk, but I have no choice. And if he heard that I was drafted he'd be upset knowing that he wasn't drafted and that I was. The guy is relentless. Even if I told him, he'd still try to enlist as much as he is now." He looked up at the sky, sighing.

Tracey stopped and looked at the dark haired man. She chewed her lip as she looked at his worn out face. His eyes and the rest of his features slowly losing the light they always held. This war was taking a toll on her friends. Even Barry didn't look the same as he usually did.

She placed a hand on Bucky's shoulder. "I'll keep an eye on Steve. Don't worry."

"Thanks, doll," Bucky said, smiling. He smiled a bit more at the sight of the light blush on her face, just as it always did whenever he gave her one of the nicknames he used on her.

"Just do me a favor," she said, smiling back at him. "Come back safe."

"Promise," he said, the smiling growing to a light one. "I actually have a question for you." He bit his lip as he heard the hum in response from the blonde, wringing his hands together. "Are you gonna be going to the science expo?"

"Actually, yes. Mr. Stark asked me to help with his demonstration there," Tracey said, a bright smile on her face.

The man's face fell for a second, only to light up at the sight of the blonde's smile. He nodded his head, scratching the back of his neck. "Right. Then I guess I'll be seeing you there…"

"That'd be nice. Are you going to be taking anyone besides Steve?" she said with a smirk. "I'm sure all the dames are just dying to get one last dance with Bucky Barnes before he leaves."

"Yeah," Bucky chuckled, grinning at the blonde. "A few hearts will be broken. I was actually hoping to take someone but I haven't been able to ask her. I think I'll just ask Connie Wright. I heard she has a friend that's looking for a date as well. Maybe I can set Steve up with her."

Tracey giggled. "Because he will love that," she said with a smirk. "Sorry about the first girl." She offered a sympathetic smile, receiving a small one from the man in return. "But hey, you said Connie was fun last time. I'm sure she'd love to go out on another date with you." She smiled and dug through her purse before extracting her keys. "I've got to get going. I have a later shift than usual today and Mr. Stark wants to go through his exhibit some more before tomorrow." She quickly hugged her friend. "Give my love to your family and have fun with the date tomorrow."

"Thanks," Bucky said, watching as the blonde hurried up the stairs to her apartment door. "I'll try…"

I'm honestly surprised I got chapter two done. I really hope you guys like this. Next chapter will begin the movie plot. And sorry this chapter was shorter than the last. I was thinking of putting the expo in this one, but thought I'd save it for the next.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out my post Winter Soldier story Winter is Ending.

And if you'd like to ask the Avengers and anyone else in the tower any questions, feel free to leave a message on my tumblr.

I also have a oneshot series called Life at the Tower (along with an AU one) and I accept any and all prompts. So feel free to send me a message on tumblr, on here, or leave it in a review.

My tumblr is winter-is-ending

I hope you like the story so far and would love to read some reviews. Feel free to critique me on anything you see fit. I love getting advice on my writing that will help me improve.

Thank you and I hope you liked it! And thank you to those who reviewed, favorite, and followed!