Another month passed as Bucky made more progress. He was finally being completely open about his feelings where his past was concerned.

He was still spending his free time in Sasha's office. She didn't even try to get books from her top shelf anymore while he was around. She would ask him for the book she wanted and he would get it himself.

One day she stood in front of her shelves looking for a book that was well within her reach. So, when Bucky's arm brushed against hers as he reached around her, she froze. His hand covered hers on the spine of the book, and he stepped closer, pressing himself into her back.

"What are you doing, Bucky?"

"Not settling."

He brushed his nose against her temple from behind, and Sasha closed her eyes.

"Bucky-"

"You make me want what I thought I shouldn't want."

"I'm glad you're starting to think about that, but it can't be with me."

"Why not?"

"Because you don't want me."

"I think I do."

"It's called 'transference.' You're projecting these feelings onto me because I helped you find them again, and we've spent so much time together. It happens to people with their therapists more often than you think."

His metal hand rested on her hip, and her breath stuttered.

"Then why haven't you pulled away?"

She slipped her hand from beneath his and turned to face him. He took a step forward, but she put a hand on his chest to stop him.

"I could lose my license."

Bucky's hands fell to his sides and he took a step back. He stared at Sasha for a long moment.

"What if I weren't your patient?"

Sasha shook her head. "You're doing too well to stop, and we both know you'll take forever to open up to someone new."

He ran his hand through his hair. "I messed up, didn't I?"

"No. No, we just move forward. Though it might be a good idea if you don't spend time in here outside of your sessions."

Bucky bit his lip and nodded. "Then I messed up. Truth is, your office is the only place I can really clear my mind."

Sasha's brow creased, so he explained.

"When I'm alone in my room, I can't stop thinking about things."

"You can always go to the common rooms."

"Where everyone stares at me like they're waiting for me to explode. You're the only person who's taken the time to see me, and not the Winter Soldier."

"That's not true."

"Steve doesn't count. He knew me before."

"We can't let this go beyond transference."

"This isn't transference."

"Bucky-"

"Sasha..." It was the first time he said her name. "You wanted me to be open and honest about how I feel. This is me being open and honest. I won't act on it. I don't want to cause you trouble. But when it's just us, I won't hide how I feel. I won't pretend anymore. Not with you. Not about anything."

He walked to the door, but stopped.

"Seeing Steve again... recognizing a friend... I needed that. I badly needed that. I started really remembering who I was. But you got me feeling like myself again. Big difference."

"Yes, it is. An important difference."

He nodded. "See you tomorrow for the session."

Bucky left, and Sasha fell into her chair. She put her head in her hands and took a deep breath. She hadn't missed that Bucky was an attractive man. Having him pressed into her that way sent a flush of warmth through her. His admission of want only served to make her question her own attraction. Was it more?

It didn't matter. She couldn't pursue it. It would only hurt her career, and possibly keep Bucky from truly moving forward.

Bucky kept his promise about being open and honest. They talked about his dreams in detail for the first time in his next session. The killings haunted him; a form of PTSD that sometimes kept him awake at night. It was no wonder he looked so tired when they first met.

Bucky seemed to put his romantic notions aside. They went two weeks without either of them mentioning it again.

Bucky sat in the chair, replaced since he broke it, and waited for Sasha to finish a few notes. When she stood to return a book to the shelf Bucky sighed, and she turned around.

"Everything all right?"

"You look amazing."

She blushed at the unexpected answer.

"Bucky..."

"You wore that exact same outfit last month when I had a visit from Steve, and I told him then how beautiful you are... and that I was thinking about telling you."

"You told Captain Rogers?"

"He won't say anything. He was actually happy for me."

"Bucky, we can't-"

"I remember what you said."

"Good."

"I also remember what you didn't say."

"What does that mean?"

Bucky just grinned. "I think we're into my session time now."


Sasha shook hands with Steve and motioned for him to sit.

"Thank you for meeting with me," she said. "Sergeant Barnes says that he told you about some feelings of attraction."

"Towards you, you mean?"

"Yes. I want to make sure you understand the delicacy of this situation. What he's feeling is called 'transference.' It's a-"

"Beg your pardon, ma'am, but I've already talked to Bucky. I got here early to see him."

"Then he told you I could lose my license?"

"Yes."

"Good. That's the concern for me. My other concern is for Bucky. I worry that if he gets too attached to me then he won't truly get better."

"Bucky is getting better. He's more like his old self every time I see him."

"That's good, but this kind of transference can be-"

"All due respect, Doctor, it's not transference."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"Because I know Bucky. When we were growing up, Bucky never lacked female attention. I used to wish I had even half his charm. I saw him with girls he liked, and I saw him with girls he really liked. I'm telling you, he really likes you."

She shook her head, struggling to find words.

"He can't."

"But he does."

She put her head in her hands. "I'm going to have to refer him to another doctor."

"Actually, Doctor, I was wondering what you thought of Bucky joining my team."

"The Avengers?"

"Yes. He seems to be so much better, and I wonder if helping people would help him work out some of his guilt."

"It could. He is very aware of the needs of others, and willing to help. Field work might not be the best idea right now, though. I'm sorry, I can't say why."

"I know why. His nightmares."

"Yes, actually. Killing someone, especially by accident, could set him back."

"The guilt."

"Right. Still, I don't think he'll stand by while you and your team go fight bad guys."

Steve nodded.

"So, at this point, Sergeant Barnes should remain here. But I need a favor from you."

"What favor?"

"Talk him out of this attraction he thinks he has for me. Don't encourage it."

"Look, Doctor-"

"For his sake. Believe me. It may seem harmless, but I've established a trust with him. If he feels like I'm rejecting him it could set him back."

"Are you saying you don't see him as anything more than a patient?"

"I'm saying it's this or I hand him over to another doctor, and his treatment starts all over. It would be a major set back."

Steve nodded. "I'll talk to him."