A big shout out to BoNkY for the review! Thanks for it! I'm sorry this took a while to get out.

I don't own Avengers or Captain America.

Chapter Two: CEO

(Bucky Point of View)

Bucky was wandering in his sleep. He was in an unfamiliar cave. The walls were dark and dank, and thick icicle like hangings hung from the ceiling and stood on the floor.

In the distance, someone was muttering. The closer he got, the more surprised he was. It was a man speaking in an unknown language, dressed in green robes, wearing a ridiculous helmet that looked like it had golden horns on it. Moreover, he had long hair.

He must have sensed Bucky, for he turned around rapidly. His expression was one of someone caught doing something they weren't supposed to. He gasped. "You again. What are you doing here, human?"

Barnes frowned. "Who are you supposed to be?"

Immediately, there was hesitation. "Don't you recognize me?" the man cautiously responded.

"Should I?"

A nervous chuckle escaped. "On the other hand, human, it's well that you don't recognize me."

Bucky took an uncertain step forward. "I bet if I mention you to Steve, he might know you, by the way you're talking."

The man held a cautious hand up. "Now don't go there just yet, human. I'm a figment of your imagination and you are to forget me as soon as you wake up."

"Should I?" Bucky doubted.

At that moment, everything faded to black, and Bucky sat straight up, panting. He was in a dark room in the unfamiliar "Avengers" tower, or so Steve had called it.

'Uh,' Barnes groaned. 'I guess I'd better ask Steve about it.' But, as he looked at his arm, he was suddenly met with such doubt.

'Or should I?'

(Loki Point of View)

Loki was pacing nervously. His hair was freshly trimmed short again, and he was in a business suit. As far as he was concerned, he was inconspicuous, and no one knew he was on this dreaded planet, let alone masquerading as a powerful CEO of a brand new company worth in the billions. His "human" name was Daren Stone, a normal name, not one to pick up attention.

As much as he disliked his corporate desk, or spending time with these humans in an enormous skyscraper, having the entire upper floor as his office, he saw this as a necessity. That was, until he got quite the start last night. Now he was beginning to question this sanity plan of his.

'What on earth was the Winter Soldier doing in my dream?' Loki thought. There was no reason for any Avenger to be invading his dreams. As far as they were concerned, he wasn't on earth. And, they had bigger problems to deal with. 'They don't know that I have the time stone, do they?'

But how was that to explain the Winter Soldier and his strange actions?

It was true, Loki had been keeping an eye on the Avengers with his new time stone. He'd even installed spies. However, he had to admit, the one time he had been spying on the Avengers, trying to find out the secret project that Stark was creating, for some reason, the device, as he was spying on it, using the time stone like a movie screen, had malfunctioned. But, was that the time stone's doing? Was this accidentally his fault?

Regardless, he didn't want Barnes interfering. The last thing he needed was the Avengers discovering him or his new latest plan.

He was barely fortunate that Barnes didn't recognize him, since they'd met. Why, that was curious. He was in his Asgardian attire at the time. It was peculiar, and thus he knew he'd have to keep an eye on it. At the same time, he was going to distance himself as much as possible so that he wasn't detectable.

(Bucky Point of View)

Bucky had a headache. Ever since the strange dream, or encounter, whatever you wanted to call it, he'd had a nagging feeling that it was important and might explain his current condition. So much was it that when he had breakfast that morning, he was strangely silent. Steve was staring at him with that worried look. But he did his best to ignore it.

"Bucky?" Steve finally said.

Bucky reluctantly looked up, rubbing his eyes.

Steve's eyes were concerned. "Is everything all right?"

Bucky smiled as good as he could. "Yeah! Of course everything's all right!"

But Steve could see right through it, he knew. Steve knew he was faking.

The man was frowning at him. But, finally, he must have decided to leave the subject alone, for he got up. "I'm sure you want to go to the gym?"

"The gym," Bucky frowned. "What's there to do at the gym?"

"Oh," Steve was swinging his arms. "Lift weights. Play dodge ball. That's pretty popular here."

"Dodge ball?" Bucky asked in confusion.

"Yeah!" Steve ignored him with a smile. "Personally, I like the hogan's heroes variation."

Bucky was looking at Steve like he was crazy. "What?" Steve said.

"Never mind," Bucky muttered. When Steve pushed him further, he kept on, "Never mind."

Due to the fact that dodge ball apparently required teams, they were left to lift weights together. Steve spotted him first, allowing Bucky a chance to go against the gruesome looking machines.

He was very surprised at how easy it was for him to lift weights. When did he have all this muscle? As he put the weights down and looked at Steve, he saw that his friend was amused. "What?!" he demanded.

Steve piped up, "You usually have a lot more weight on there, Bucky. A lot more."

"Oh." He didn't know. He thought he was pushing it with the weight he put on as he normally couldn't even lift that much. He was normally struggling at ten pounds less, but he'd wondered if, with some of the new strength he'd noticed, if he could lift a little more. He hadn't expected it to be that easy, though. This strange new body was odd.

Steve stepped up and increased the weight measurements by ten times the amount. Bucky's jaw dropped. "Uh, Steve, I can't quite lift that amount!"

Steve looked at him in worry a bit and then shook his head, a grin on his face. "Yes, you can! More than that even! Trust me. Try it out!"

Wary, once more Bucky picked up the weights. Once again, it was easy. He put it down and Steve stepped forward again, this time increasing the weight by one hundred times. Once more, Bucky had a clench in the pit of his stomach at how much he was going to have to lift. But, he trusted Steve this time.

When Steve stepped back, he tried once again. This time, there was resistance, but not a whole lot. It was just right.

Bucky put the weights down, and he looked at the total, he saw that he was lifting one hundred pounds under Steve, well more than a normal human could lift.

He looked at his muscular flesh arm in wonder. How was this possible?

Seeing him like this, Steve got worried. "Bucky?" he asked.

Bucky turned to Steve. "I'm not used to lifting this much," was all he would say.

Steve was expressionless, though Bucky was sure he felt worry coming off of him. So, he decided to distract him. "Steve!" he gave a quirky smile. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"

Steve shook himself out of it. "Maybe I have!"

At this point, Bucky realized that maybe he should do something else with Steve. "Hey," he asked his best friend. "Are we actually able to leave this place?"

Steve smiled.

"Yeah!"

(Bucky Point of View)

Revisiting World War II wasn't what Bucky had in mind. Much less being without his enhanced strength. He knew the other commandos, whom he barely remembered (apart from Steve of course) were giving him odd stares. Bucky did his best to temper himself, knowing it wouldn't be wise to attract attention to himself until he figured out what was going on.

The colonel had briefed them all on a mission (one that Bucky was familiar with), and they were about ready to head out. But, when Steve saw him, (Bucky had been trying to avoid him, knowing Steve would be able to spot the difference), he walked right over.

Taking Bucky aside into a private tent, Steve asked him, "Are you okay, Bucky?"

"Of course!" Bucky pretended, putting on his best smile. "Why would you ask?"

"Because I know you," Steve let his worry for him show in full. "Everybody's noticed how odd you've been acting. I've noticed how odd you've been acting. What's more, I know that you're avoiding me." Steve seemed to hesitate, and then he asked, "Did I do something to offend you?"

"No!" Bucky burst out quickly, as that was the last thing he wanted Steve to believe.

Steve seemed to relax some, and Bucky was relieved. "What can I do?" Steve asked his friend.

But Bucky shook his head. "I'm just having a bad day," he said. More than a bad day, really.

Steve didn't quite believe him. Eyeing him suspiciously, he added, "You can trust me, you know."

"Steve!" Bucky protested. "Will you just drop it!"

Shock spread over Steve and that was when Bucky realized something: he'd never been annoyed with Steve in this era. Only in the new era was he ever. "Sorry," he apologized.

Though he was reluctant, Steve dropped it. But he kept throwing him concerned glances.

It turns out, Steve wasn't the only one to stop him. Colonel Phillips stopped him with the most concerned look he'd ever seen on the man. "Sergeant Barnes," he pulled the man into the tent. Bucky stood at attention. He wasn't quite sure he remembered how, as the stance was different from the one Hydra had taught him (probably for a reason), but he must have gotten it right.

"Yes jSir?" he answered his superior.

Phillips was blunt and to the point. "Are you all right? Or do I need to put you on medical leave?"

"I'm fine," he told Colonel Chester Philips without emotion.

Philips eyed him, not quite satisfied, but apparently that wasn't enough to keep him off of the battle field. "Very well," he finally considered. "But if I have to pull you off the battlefield, I will. We need our men in top shape, not distracted."

Bucky was about to say he wasn't distracted when he remembered to keep his mouth shut. Though this wasn't Hydra, this was still the military. So, instead, he opted for another answer. "Understood, sir."

Philips glanced at him briefly. "Very well. Off you go, sergeant."

Barnes saluted before heading out of the tent. That said, Steve and the others were eyeing him carefully. "You've been cleared for duty?" Steve asked, in his Captain America uniform.

He frowned. He should have known Steve had been behind this. "Of course!" he snapped, and everyone looked at each other, not too sure of the sergeant's volatile mood.

Sighing, Steve led them out, and they were off. Meanwhile, Bucky, who was in the army truck with them, did his best to keep his anger in check. He was tired of people asking him, and he was tired of being seen through.

Steve sat beside him and tried to engage in small talk. "So, what do you think about her offer?"

"Offer?" Bucky was puzzled. As it was, he barely had memories of this time. Those memories were still fairly fuzzy.

Frowning, clearly worried again, Steve said, "Agent Carter's offer? A double date to go dancing during our time off?"

"Oh!" Bucky nodded, pretending like he knew what Steve was talking about, even though he obviously had no idea. Trying to remember back, he was pretty sure that a guy like him wouldn't say no to a date. "Will she bring the date?"

Now Steve was really worried. But, he decided to cover it with teasing. However, Bucky saw right through him. "What? You afraid that just because I'm Captain America I'll keep you from snagging a dame of your own?"

"No!" Bucky played back, trying to figure his way around. The truth was, he wasn't sure if he could snag someone because he hadn't dated in a long time. "I'll get a girl," he cleared his throat and corrected, "Dame for a date on my own." 'I'm not sure how, though,' Bucky thought to himself. He wasn't sure he remembered how the dating game worked. And why would anyone want to date the Winter Soldier?

Oh, that's right, it hadn't happened yet.

His friend knew his mishap immediately, he was sure. But, he nodded. "Sure thing."

He had no idea how he was going to snag a date.

(Bucky Point of View)

Bucky was wandering around the Avengers facility when he saw a beautiful dame with red hair standing by a desk, going over paper. Looking left and right, making sure no one saw him, he marched straight up. There was no need in having Steve snag her instead.

Putting his swagger on, well aware and conscious of his medal arm, he stopped beside her. "Hey there, milady? What's a beautiful dame like you doing all alone without someone to bring her coffee?"

The red dame looked at him in puzzlement and confusion. Then she smiled and laughed. "Really, Barnes? I didn't know you had it in you to flirt."

At this point, Bucky realized she must have known him. It was awkward, because he didn't know her. "I don't know how anyone can reject me," he replied. Then, offering her his arm, he said, "Want to make it a date to lunch?"

The red haired dame was staring at him suspiciously. "I don't date," she finally said, and walked right passed him.

"Ah, come on!" Bucky caught up to her. "How about between friends, then?"

The red haired woman rolled her eyes and turned around. "Since when do you turn the charm on, Bucky?" She folded her arms.

Bucky was really confused. He rubbed his head. Instead, she continued. "You don't really remember me, do you?"

Awkward. Uncomfortable, Bucky scratched the back of his head. "No?!" he practically admitted.

She nodded. "That's what I thought." And she walked off.

Bucky turned around, and to his horror, there was Steve, who was holding back a laugh. He walked forward. "Bucky?"

"Yeah?" Bucky's cheeks were red.

Instead, Steve seemed delighted. "Do you know how long it's been since you've asked anybody on a date? Let alone flirted with anyone?"

"No?" Bucky responded. But even then, he was confused at this information. Why wouldn't he go on a date? "Am I married?" he asked, feeling immediately guilty if he was.

Steve shook his head, and Bucky was relieved, until he heard the next part. "But you haven't been up to dating anyone, either." After that, Steve gave him a funny look.

"Impossible!" Bucky tried to deny it. "How could I not have been on a date?!"

Steve continued giving him the funny look. Then, he shook his head and began leading him out the door the way the red haired dame had gone. "Never mind. Let's get some food. Then, maybe, you can ask someone other than Natasha on a date."

Steve wrapped his arm around Bucky, pulling him out, leaving Bucky no choice but to go with him.

When they were in the cafeteria, Steve grimaced. There was that red head again.

"Steve," Bucky began. "Are you dating her?"

"No!" Steve ground out quickly.

"Then how can you say she's off limits? Is she married?"

"No!" Steve emphasized and pulled Bucky over to the cafeteria line. "Drop it, Bucky!"

"Do you like her?" Bucky pursued.

Steve put his hand to his hand, exasperated. "I forgot how annoying you could be, Bucky."

Bucky chuckled, even though he found the statement a little odd. "Come on! I just don't see why you're saying I can't pursue that nice red head."

"Because she will kill you sooner than you can say "kiss me"," Steve warned, and at that, Bucky immediately became wary of her, casting a glance in her direction, not sure that he wanted to date her now. "Trust me," Steve continued. "I'm saving your life."

Pursing his lips in skepticism, not sure any more, Bucky responded, "She doesn't look so dangerous."

"Looks can be deceiving."

He frowned. "Pity. She seems really nice."

"Drop it, Bucky. It's for your own good."

While Bucky still wasn't sure, he considered himself warned. He'd have to be more careful. There were far more dangers than he realized.

When they'd paid for their food, Bucky went to take a bite. His eyes widened and he immediately gagged. "This is nothing like I remember!"

It was even worse when Steve started laughing. "This is actually top of the line, Bucky. If you're gagging on that, I'd hate to see how you'd handle ordinary food."

"This is top of the line?" Bucky was incredulous. "I can't believe the food is so bad!"

And his friend was laughing, head in his hands. "Honestly, Bucky, I can't believe you'd say that after you endured army food for a long time."

"This is an insult to memory!" Bucky defended himself.

"Don't let Tony hear you say that. He spends a lot of money on food to get his workers the best."

"I don't think he has a good definition of 'best'," Bucky protested.

"Well, taste has certainly changed," Steve admitted with a frown. "Even bananas taste different."

"Bananas taste different?" Bucky was horrified. He didn't know how he was going to live in this strange land at all.

Steve chuckled when he saw him and his expression. But for some reason, Bucky could detect that there was an underlying tinge of worry in there. However, whatever worry Steve had showed briefly disappeared, and he tapped Bucky on the shoulder. "Finish you're meal, and then we'll head somewhere else."

Bucky stared at the meal in horror. "I don't know that I can finish this."

After receiving a glare from his best friend, Bucky gave in. "Fine!" he muttered, and prepared to gag as he ate. He ate it as quickly as possible was relieved when it was gone.

Afterwords, they walked around the facility, chatting like they hadn't seen each other in years. All the while, he noticed that Steve was paying extra close attention to him.

That night, as he was back in the infirmary, sleeping, he heard voices outside his door. It was the voice of the red head and Steve.

"Something's off," Steve was worried.

"I'll say," the red head replied. "I never knew your friend could be as suave as he was." And the tone was filled with disapproval.

"He hasn't been like that for years, Natasha." Natasha. So that was the name of the red head. "He's not really... acting like himself."

"And you've gotten nowhere with the amnesia?"

"No," Steve replied. But by the sound of his voice Bucky could tell that Steve was torn. "And in all honesty, Nat... I don't know if I want his memories to return. You know what happened... Maybe this is good... him getting a fresh start, I mean."

"Steve," Natasha cautioned. "I know it's difficult, but you can't deny that this is fishy. He'll never survive in the world not knowing who he truly is."

"Are you saying you want him to remember?" Steve's voice was sharp. "Maybe it's better this way. He doesn't have to deal with all the baggage then."

"And can you tell me, honestly, that Bucky won't be bothered not knowing what's happened all these years that he can't remember?" was Nat's reply.

A long silence followed. Bucky could tell that Steve was having a hard time answering her, like he wasn't prepared to face it. Finally, after a long moment, Steve admitted, "No."

"As I thought," was Nat's response. From the sound of her feet, Bucky could tell she was moving away. Then, Natasha's voice sounded again. "Don't make this any harder on him than it has to be, Steve. He deserves the truth. Even if he's got amnesia, he still needs to know what enemies he's likely to face from his past."

The red head's footsteps dyed down, and a little while later, Bucky heard Steve walk away as well.

Bucky turned to lay on his back, not sure what to think of the conversation. The truth was, he wasn't sure why he didn't remember anything, but by the sounds of it, something terrible had happened to him. He looked down at the metal prosthetic arm that moved so smoothly, it was practically a miracle. How had he lost his arm? And why were there scars on his chest where the prosthetic attached?

He didn't know if he really wanted to know the answers. But, at the same time, he had a nagging feeling like he had to find out. Though, he was also scared of the truth.

Bucky had a hard time sleeping that night.

(Bucky Point of View)

The whole way, Steve was staring at him the whole time, Bucky avoiding the conversations that the other Howling Commandos were engaging in. After the conversation about dating, Bucky hadn't really been in the mood to talk. For one, he was dead sure it would give away that he was off. However, by the looks the others were throwing at him, staying silent was also causing suspicion.

Steve bumped him in the shoulder, as they were sitting next to each other. "You're too silent."

"Just thinking," Bucky replied, trying to keep cheery.

"You never think," Steve laughed. "You only ever talk!" But, upon seeing Bucky's embarrassed red face, Steve replied, "Sorry."

"No," Bucky replied. "I'm... sorry I've been keeping silent and have been in a bad mood." It was better to let him think that than anything else.

"Nah," Steve replied, although Bucky could tell he wasn't quite convinced. Seeing as the others were sitting further away in the truck, Steve lowered his voice and asked him, "Is it Azano?"

Bucky froze. Those memories were fuzzy, but that didn't mean he wanted to talk about it. "It is, isn't it?" Steve asked him, looking at him in concern.

"Can we avoid talking about that?" Bucky whispered back, and Steve nodded.

"If you ever need time off-" Steve offered, but Bucky immediately cut him off.

"NO!"

At that, Steve ended the conversation, seeing his friend wasn't in the mood, and Bucky went back to thinking about his predicament. He still wasn't sure how to address it and get back home. But then again, did he want to?

Still, something wasn't quite right, and Bucky couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. It was tempting, the thought that he could actually change things. But, he wasn't too sure how to proceed. See, the problem was, even if he changed things, he still had the horrible fuzzy memories of what he'd been through and what he'd done. Could he really get redemption changing things?

It was something Bucky was beginning to consider. He wasn't sure how much time he had until the train incident. Meanwhile, maybe he could get a little revenge on Hydra.

Steve was staring at him again. "What?!" Bucky exclaimed.

Shaking his head, Steve replied, "Nothing."

"You were staring at me," Bucky accused.

"I'm just worried, that's all," Steve replied, and Bucky was taken back by how bold Steve was about his worry. It had an impact on him that he didn't expect, and that was when Bucky knew he needed to consider Steve's feelings more, and address their friendship. Perhaps he could try tempering his temper some...

"Sorry," Bucky murmured.

But Steve shook his head. "It's okay," Steve replied, concern for Bucky in his eyes. "I know things haven't exactly been easy for you."

Not easy was an under statement. Steve had no idea. However, Bucky wasn't going to let Steve know how bad it was, or rather, how bad it was going to get. So instead he offered, "If I told you it's not something I wanted to talk about, would you understand?"

Steve was hesitant, but he nodded. He didn't seem happy about it, and was still worried, but Steve could tell that that was best he was going to get. "All right."

Bucky softened up some. "Thanks," he replied.

Steve bumped his shoulder.

"No problem!"

(Thor Point of View)

He had long hair again. He was sitting across from the Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, Loki by his side. His mother and father were sitting on their thrones, and Loki seemed cheery, not unlike the doomsday person he remembered.

There was just one major problem: Thor didn't know how he'd gotten here.

Loki tapped Thor on the shoulder. "Lady Sif just asked you a question."

"Oh," Thor replied.

He hadn't heard the question.

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