AN: thursday was my birthday and I just finished chapter 11 so I am giving you all a belated hobbit birthday gift, of two chapters! yay! onto the story

Chapter 7: Facing the Music

It took over two hours for base command to arrive at the fortress, and Steve was right there at the gate to welcome them. Col. Philips had a slightly more irritated scowl on his face than normal, so Steve knew he was in for a hell of an uphill battle. He saluted the man and introduced their temporary host.

"Colonel, sir," he said, "This is Lord Avery Elfstar, the lord of this estate and fortress. He has been generous enough to lend us the majority of his house to set up base." Col. Philips took the Elf's hand and shook it.

"Welcome, Col. Philips," Avery said, his face not leaving the pleasant and knowing expression behind, "to the Valley of Imladris. My halls are welcome to you and your men. My captain of the March Wardens will escort you and your men to your quarters and where you will be allowed to set up your equipment." Haldir stepped forward with a bland smile and gestured the men in the trucks full of equipment to follow. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have other duties to attend to before we make council in the war room." With that, Avery turned and walked towards the forges where his private workshop was kept.

Steve smiled nervously and steeled himself for the onslaught, before he led the SSR commanders to the house. Not a word was said in the group. Even Stark was strangely silent as Steve led them into the large hall that was now bustling with activity. The mobile command unit turned the large dining hall into command center, and Steve led Philips and Peggy into the more secluded study to talk. Once the doors were closed, Steve turned around and found Philips gaze hard.

"You have got just ten seconds to explain to me why you canceled that ground assault on account of your buddy," he said. "And I want a better explanation than what Private Morita gave me over the horn." Steve swallowed hard and began. By the end of it Stark's eyebrows were up high on his forehead, and Agent Carter's eyes were wide with shock.

"Look, I know you don't believe me, but it's the truth," he said to try and convince them. Philips looked unimpressed and Steve sighed with a grimace as he ran his hand through his still damp hair. "Bucky's in the Healing Halls, if you want to see it for yourselves, but I ain't lyin'! Buck had a baby out there and it nearly killed him. We called off the mission and were on our way back, when the truck broke down. For God's sakes, Falsworth had to deliver the baby in the back of the truck! If you want proof, go ask him. Or, better yet, get that video film developed, and see for yourselves; I am not lying!" Philips glared at Steve for a moment with tight lips, before he turned to Stark and nodded at him to go. Stark fled the scene posthaste to get the film from Jones.

"You do realize, Captain Rogers, that if you are right and the doctors confirm this, you might lose your buddy to a Blue slip," Philips said a bit sadly. Steve's shoulders sagged, but he squared them and tightened his jaw.

"If they want him gone, they'll have to slip me too," he said with hard eyes, "'cause I ain't leavin' my best friend to the wolves again. SIR! I need Bucky! He is the best sniper we have got, and I trust him with my life. I think Schmidt is more dangerous than this is, to the Army, right now, and I don't need a special degree to tell you that. We can't afford to be picky, when it comes to HYDRA. We need the best of the best, and right now, Bucky's it." Steve's eyes were hard and his voice cold, as he spoke; fully expecting to have to put up a fight to keep Bucky in the army and at his side. He was pleasantly surprised, when the sharp line of disapproval fell from Col. Philips' shoulders and the fight went out of the man.

"That's what I thought you'd say," he said. Steve blinked in shock, and looked at Peggy. He found a smug smirk on her face, and couldn't help but return it. "I was hopin' that you would pitch a fit like this, it gives me all the more reason to keep this little incident to ourselves." Steve felt his jaw drop before the Col. gave him a sharp glare. Steve straightened his features and nodded. "Now, if you are done here, Captain, please lead the way to the infirmary. I want to have a look at Barnes myself."

Steve swallowed down his apprehension, and led the way to Bucky. The Army docs were already there, Steve realized, by the sound of someone's shouting. Steve led the way, but bent his hearing to find out what was going on.

"I don't care if he is an Army Sergeant," a man's voice in a full shout drifted to his ears, "he was admitted to my care, and he is my patient! So you can take your army regs and shove 'em where the sun don't shine. Now, get out of my infirmary!" Steve and Col. Philips arrived at the door just in time to see the same Army doc that had treated Bucky before, get booted out of the Healing Halls. The man stumbled and had to grab the floor before he gathered his wits and fled. Steve, Peggy and Col. Philips stared down the hall way in shock at the fleeing doctor, before they all looked back to the open doors to find a very irate looking man glaring down the doctor's assistants and Nurses.

The man was as tall as Steve, with ebony black hair and not a hint of scruff on his face. His hair was wavy and long, and tied back with intricate braids; showing off the points of his ears and putting his face into stark relief. He had sharp, angular features, with wide cheekbones set on an oval shaped face. His lips were drawn thin from his anger, but his mouth was wide set. His nose was long and straight with a slight upturn at the tip. His square chin, deep-set blue eyes and strong brow painted the picture of a classically handsome man. His anger made his nostrils flare and his eyes flash, and Steve could see his jaw grinding as he clenched his teeth behind closed lips. In short, the man looked angered personally by the mere presence of that doctor, and partially insulted. And if he was anything like his grandfather under his loose fitting clothes, he very well might have killed that doctor, rather than just yelling and shouting him out of the infirmary.

Steve stepped forward and cleared his throat politely. The man's face snapped over to Steve and Steve was pinned under the full force of his scrutiny. Steve restrained the urge to squirm under the man's gaze, until the elf sighed and his face softened.

"Yes," he said to Steve, revealing a slightly graveled tenor voice that was pleasant to hear; when it was not being shouted at you. "What do you want?" Steve squared his shoulders and held out his hand in greeting.

"I'm Captain Steve Rogers, sir," he said, "of the Strategic Scientific Reserve. This is my commanding officer Col. Chester Philips, and my colleague Agent Margaret Carter." The elf smiled wryly and shook Steve's hand.

"It's nice to know some of you bullheaded Army men know how to be polite," he said back and Steve grinned. "I'm Fingon Elfstar; Lord Avery's grandson. I also happen to be the chief physician here, and the only one best suited to deal with your Sergeant; without making him feel like he is in trouble." Fingon's sharp smile was all teeth and false politeness. Steve smiled pleasantly and tried to sooth the doctor's irritation.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Steve said. Steve looked around at the assistants and nurses before a more hopeful smile graced his face. "I hope you aren't going to kick us all out, doc. We still need to get to the bottom of what happened, and I am sure you could use some assistants." Fingon raised his eyebrow and smirked. His face softened and he smiled.

"Where on earth did they find you, Captain?" he asked, grinning, "Washington; because you certainly have the silver tongue of one of those types." Steve grinned further, and pulled his head up high.

"No, Sir," Steve said, "Brooklyn."

"Brooklyn!?" Fingon asked incredulously. Steve grinned and Fingon barked out a laugh. "Well, you sure are full of surprises, aren't you, Captain?" Steve shrugged sheepishly and ducked his head to hide his reddening face.

"Doctor, we are here to debrief Sergeant Barnes, and possibly get that baby looked at," Philips said, "so if we could just skip over the niceties, and go see Barnes, I think we all might agree with that." Fingon's face closed off in slight irritation at being ordered but the kind look returned as he gestured them to follow.

"Might as well have your doctor's assistants and nurses help me," he said as he reached the door. "But I want this made perfectly clear: Sergeant Barnes and that baby are my patients, and I will not have anyone bullying them while so soon after the birth. You are to be quiet, and respectful, and are not to upset them. If you do, Col, I have the authority to kick you out just like your doctor. Is that understood?" Steve nodded, and Peggy followed suit.

"Crystal," Col Philips said.

"Good," Fingon said and carefully opened the doors.


Bucky had been reclining in the bed they had given him, resting his tired body, when little Steven woke up and demanded attention with the start of cry. Bucky snapped awake with a start and looked down at his baby, who was fussing and grasping at his jacket. Bucky smiled tenderly at his son, and ran a finger lightly over the baby's cheek. Little Steven's mouth opened and his face scrunched up in frustration. It took Bucky a second to realize that his baby wanted food, and not knowing what else to do, he stripped his jacket off. He pulled the jacket from his chest and off his shoulders, before his set the crying baby on his raised knees. He quickly stripped off his under shirt and pulled the baby back to his now bare chest.

"Shh, shh, it's okay, baby," he said softly as he rocked the baby. "It's okay. I'm right here, sweetie. I'm right here. Hush." Little Steven continued to whimper and whine, before he opened his mouth and began to cry. The small, but quickly growing, wails, brought tears of pain to Bucky's eyes. Not knowing what else to do, Bucky acted on instinct and brought the baby up to latch onto a breast. Almost as soon as Steven felt the warmth on his cheek, he turned and latched his mouth around Bucky's left nipple.

Bucky let out a small, startled sound, which he would deny to his dying day, was a squeak, when he felt the steady suction and wet warmth of the baby's mouth on his breast. He looked down at Steven and saw him nursing contentedly on his breast. There was a slight milky look to the spit around the baby's mouth and Bucky felt a spark of shock that he was producing milk, and actually nursing his baby. He had never produced milk from the other pregnancies; there was tightness to his chest for a few weeks after he gave birth, but no milk. Bucky looked down at his chest and noticed the difference from before, and could have kicked himself for not noticing the signs: the swelling of his pectorals and the darkening of the areola around the nipples, the definition of his abs receding, and of course the light fluttering he had felt the month before. Bucky looked at his baby and felt a soft and loving smile stretch over his lips. The baby was making little grunting sounds and sucking steadily on his breast, his fingers softly grasping at the softened pectorals and massaging the milk out of him.

Bucky settled down again on the pillows and absorbed himself in watching his baby nurse. After a moment he felt the room's slight chill, blazing fire or not in the hearth, and pulled his jacket over his shoulders and threaded his arms back through the sleeves. Once done, he simply lay there contented, watching his baby. He felt his exhaustion but dared not drift to sleep, wanting to watch his baby for a little longer. Soon he felt his eyes drooping, as the strain of the day taking hold and pulling him towards rest. Through his half sleep, he could hear raised voices outside his room and wondered if Steve would be back to put the baby in the cradle by his bed. For a second he thought he heard Steve's voice, but he was far too tired to care. Bucky's eyes drifted shut and he drifted off into a light sleep.


Steve and Fingon stopped after passing the door's threshold, and gazed at the sight before them. Philips and Peggy moved around them, but also stopped, when they Saw Bucky. Bucky was passed out on the bed, with little baby Steven latched onto his bare breast. There were black and purple smudges under his eyes and a deep gauntness to his face, which spoke of a complete drain of all energy reserves. He was pale and nearly lifeless on the bed save for the arm wrapped around his baby, and the soft rise and fall of his chest and belly as he breathed.

Fingon looked over at Steve with a scathing glare and then turned his fierce gaze on Peggy and the Col. Col. Philips pursed his lips and ignored the Elf's glaring and Peggy did the same. Fingon let out an undignified snort, before he went over to Bucky's side to wake him.

"Ungrateful Army Men," he grumbled under his breath. "They've got no respect for life and mental health." Steve rolled his eyes upwards to ignore that statement and went to Bucky's side.

"Doc," Steve said, "Bucky doesn't take to well to bein' woke by many people lately but by me and the fellas, so I think it might be best if I wake him." Fingon glanced at Steve and then to the baby held carefully in Bucky's arms to his breast, before he nodded. Steve gently grasped Bucky's shoulder and gave it a light shake. "Hey, Buck." He whispered, "Bucky, come on; wake up." Bucky stirred softly and his breathing became deeper and less even. He groaned lightly and opened bloodshot blue eyes.

The eyes glared at him for disturbing his rest, before Bucky's blurry gaze drifted over to Fingon. Fingon smiled softly at Bucky's tired confusion and placated him by placing his hand on his shoulder and easing him back down to the gentle reclining position.

"Steady, Sergeant," he said softly, "I think it might be best if you just rest an hour and gather your strength, before we have a look at you. But I first need to measure and weigh the baby for the record; my I," he asked and gestured to the baby that was now contently nuzzling Bucky's breast. Bucky tiredly nodded and handed the baby to Fingon.

Fingon all but cooed at the little baby and brought him to his shoulder. A few gentle pats to the back and rubs, and the baby burped and sighed. Fingon smiled and moved to the scale placed in the room. He gently placed the baby on the soft padding, bare of all cloth covering, and weighed him.

"Was it a difficult birth, Captain," he asked a moment later. Steve started and blushed for not paying attention.

"He fainted at least three times before the baby was out," Steve answered. Fingon hummed an agreeing tone as he measured the baby.

"Three times?" Peggy asked and Steve nodded.

"Yeah," he said, "we had to use the smelling salts twice; once, when the head crowned, and the second time, when it came out. Bucky passed out the third time, when the shoulders passed." Steve looked back at his friend's tired but smiling face. Bucky may have looked like death but he was happy. "He screamed like we were guttin' him," he said and Fingon whistled. Philips eyes were wide and shocked and Peggy looked sympathetic.

"Well it's no wonder you screamed like you did, Sergeant," he said as he wrapped the baby back in his blanket, with a diaper underneath, this time. Fingon lifted him into his arms and gently went back to Bucky and placed little Steven back in Bucky's embrace. "Your little Steven weighs 8lbs 3oz, and is just over 22in long." Bucky and Steve's eyes widened, and Bucky's mouth dropped open in shock. "Yes, 8lbs. You had a very big baby, Bucky. It's a miracle you didn't tear, but you are a resilient one, and so is your baby. Congratulations, Serge."

Bucky smiled at his baby before the two of them, both Ada and Son, yawned big and wide. Steve laughed and Fingon gently lifted the baby out of Bucky's tired arms, to place him in the cradle. The doctor glared at the Agent and Col, making it clear that they were to leave and let Bucky rest. Before he could turn his glare on Steve, he found the man lying on the bed next to Bucky's and already fast asleep. Fingon shook his head and left Steve and Bucky to rest for an hour, so they could recover their lost strength.


Steve woke to a hushed argument between Bucky and the doctor. He was slow to wake, but he slowly stretched and blinked the sleep out of his eyes. Bucky was sitting upright in bed and was cradling the baby very closely to his chest. Steve gave him a dopy smile and yawned off the last of his sleep. Once he finally was awake enough, he noticed Bucky's distress. Bucky's lips were pulled tight and thin and a little crease had appeared between his brows and on his forehead. His eyes were red from repressed tears and his face pale.

Steve sat up straight and looked worriedly to Fingon. Fingon looked strangely aged and weary. His face was paler and his eyes filled with a sorrow that brought years of age to his youthful face. His face was sympathetic and sad all at once, and Steve knew that something was wrong. Steve slid his legs off the bed and moved to sit in the lone chair. He gently reached out and touched Bucky's arm to get his attention. Steve's concerned and curious gaze met Bucky's look of complete despair and agony.

"Buck," he asked softly, "what's wrong?" Bucky let out a hysterical giggle, before he managed to clamp down on the sob that came out at the end. His breaths came in ragged gasps as he tried not to fall apart and cry.

"What's wrong," he said, and a tear finally escaped his eye, "is that my baby won't live to see his first birthday." Bucky rubbed the tears that had escaped from his face and looked down at his sleeping baby with love and despair. "I don't want to lose him. I love him so much!" Steve turned his shocked gaze to Fingon, and found exasperation and weariness instead of sorrow.

"Doc," Steve asked, "what's goin' on? What does he mean?" Fingon let out a heavy sigh before he pulled a chair up to sit down beside the bed. For a moment he looked as if he were gathering his thoughts before he looked back at Bucky with determination and affection.

"James," he said slowly and carefully, "I didn't say that Steven was going to die." He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment as he tried to find a way to explain what was happening without a lot of complicated words. "Steven is showing signs of unusual, accelerated growth. Just in the few hours since his birth, he has shown signs of development that should be months away. I don't know what caused this, but it might have something to do with what happened to you, Sergeant Barnes." Bucky got a shifty look on his face and Steve knew that there was something that his friend was keeping from him.

"Bucky," he said slowly, "does this have anything to do with what happened in the back room?" Steve watched Bucky's face closely, so he saw the flash of fear and the shamefaced look that flashed over it before it was replaced with a look of defiance. Steve deflated and looked at Bucky with tired and worried eyes. "Buck, I don't care what happened, but if something happened to Steven because of what those nuts did, you have to tell me." Bucky dropped his gaze to little baby Steven, and worried his lip. For a long moment he said nothing and Steve waited patiently for him to answer. Finally Bucky's shoulders drooped and he let out a shuddering breath.

"The doc, Dr. Zola," he started hoarsely, and took a deep breath to steel himself, "he stuck me full of needles, and shot me up full of some shit that was blue and all glowing, you know. He kept asking me how I felt, but I didn't answer him. The stuff burned like fire in my veins, and he stuck me everywhere; including in the belly. Those shots hurt worse than anything. I thought I was gonna die!" Big, fat tears ran down the length of his face as he spoke, but the tense line of his shoulders eased; as if a great weight was being lifted with every word confessed. "I knew," he said softly. Steve waited for him to continue, but Bucky remained silent, unable to fully confess without being asked first.

"Knew what, Buck," Steve asked and slowly eased Bucky to look at him. Bucky gave him a heartbroken smile, filled with insecurity and fear, as silent tears ran down his face.

"I knew that I might have been pregnant," he confessed and braced himself for the anger and berating that never came. Steve stared at his friend in wide-eyed shock, before he found his voice again.

"You knew that you were having a baby?" he asked, and Bucky nodded, forcing himself to look at Steve or else lose his nerve. "Why didn't you say anything? Warn us that this was gonna happen? Bucky, why… why didn't you tell me?" Steve felt hurt by Bucky's lack of trust and it showed on his face like an open book. Bucky swallowed back more tears and sniffled.

"I was scared, I guess," he said quietly. "I thought I'd lost it, because of the … stuff. I wasn't even that far along. Steve, he shouldn't be this healthy. I couldn't have been more than four months. I wasn't even term, Steve. I was expecting to lose him." Steve's eyes widened in shock as Bucky's confession sank in and he looked over to find the equally shocked gaze of Fingon meet his own.

"Bucky," Steve said carefully, "do you mean that you conceived in the factory, at the camp?" Bucky nodded and Steve felt his shoulders drop in disbelief. "Who's the father, Buck? It had to be someone you met there. Was he another prisoner… did he die?" Bucky started to laugh hysterically and giggle. "Bucky!" Bucky looked up at his friend sharply with fear. "Who is Steven's father?"

"His name is Arion," Bucky said calmly. "I met him the first day there. I guess you could say he was a prisoner, just not in the way we all were." He paused and gathered his nerve before he continued. "He went by Adrian Shaw when I first met him… he's a lieutenant in the SS." Steve stared at his friend in shock, and a little bit of anger. "Before you say anything, Steve, he wasn't like that. He was nice. He liked me. Steve, he's a deep cover agent for the SIS, working inside the inner circle."

"SIS," Steve said dumbfounded, "British Intelligence?! MI6! Bucky, you slept with a SPY!?" Bucky sheepishly shrugged, and chuckled nervously.

"In my defense, I didn't know he was a spy, at the time," Bucky said and instantly regretted it. Steve turned his righteous fury on his best friend and Bucky squirmed under the heated gaze.

"No, you thought you were just sleeping with the enemy," he said curtly, "literally!" Bucky smiled shyly and swallowed in shame.

"No, I didn't, Steve," Bucky said. "I thought I was sleeping with someone who was just as much a prisoner as I was. He told me he was forced into the Army, Steve. He didn't believe any of that Nazi dogma crap. And when he told me the truth, he said he was taken captive by Schmidt. He said he was insane, and needed to be stopped."

"Then why not stop him himself," Steve asked tightly. Bucky gave him a sour look and glared at him.

"Are you dense, Steve?!" he said shortly, "It would have gotten him killed. Arion is a deep cover agent. Observe only; gather data; that's his job. If they'd found out, he would have been shot!" Steve had the decency to look shamefaced, and blushed. Bucky glared at his friend and rocked his baby as he started to fuss.

Fingon watched the exchange with amusement, until the name of the father sank in. His shocked face stared at Steve and then Bucky, before he dared to speak.

"Sergeant, you said that the father's real name was Arion," he asked, "are you sure that was what he told you?" Bucky nodded, and Fingon sank back into his chair in complete shock. He knows the name but needs to confer with his Grandfather before jumping to conclusions. He smoothed away the shock and smiled pleasantly at the two friends. "Well, Sergeant Barnes, you are in perfect health for someone who has just given birth less than three hours ago," he said. Steve and Bucky stopped glaring at each other, and put aside their differing opinions to focus on the doctor's prognosis. "Whatever it was that you were injected with has affected your son and perhaps you as well. Steven is showing rapid growth, but it appears normal and healthy. I didn't mean to imply that Steven was going to die, quite the opposite actually. If I am correct as to who the father of your child is, then you will have many years of life to love and care for your son; just not a lot of childhood memories." Bucky took a long gasping breath and sighed with relief. He looked down at Steven, who had awoken again and was demanding attention.

"You mean, he's not gonna die in a month?" Bucky asked. And Fingon shook his head with a kind smile.

"No," he said warmly. "I think Steven is going to stop aging after he reaches physical maturity. He might not have a very long childhood, and will be quite the handful, but he is going to be just fine." Bucky gasped and grinned with tears in his eyes. He looked at Steve and found the anger gone and replaced by love and joy. Bucky laughed and bent to kiss Steven's forehead. Steven grabbed a lock of his hair and started tugging. Bucky tried to pull away but the child held fast and giggled. Bucky was unable to remove that joy and let him hold it for a moment before he let it go. Fingon smiled at the exchange and picked up the paper he had been working on. "I think my work is not needed here at the time being, but in the meantime, take this," he said and handed Bucky the piece of paper.

"What is it?" he asked and looked it over. The document looked official and important, but Bucky didn't know why.

"That is your son's original Birth certificate," he answered, and Bucky's and Steve's eyes went wide. "I suggest that you send that to your parents so that they might at least know the truth. It will be far too risky to send him back to the States, and he is going to need you, Bucky; for a lot more than just a figure of parenthood." Bucky nodded and looked at Steve in silent askance. Steve deflated and conceded defeat.

"Okay, Buck," he said, "he can stay. But we will have to tell at least Philips and Peggy the truth. Stark might as well be told: he'll just snoop until he finds out on his own. Better to have him in on the know, now, than not and have him blab on accident to the wrong people." Bucky nodded in agreement, knowing Stark all too well for his snooping. "They might be able to come up with a good story later about Steven's presence with us, and Steven will be safer close to where we can all keep an eye on him." Steve smiled and Bucky grinned.

Fingon slipped out of the room and went to talk to Col. Philips and Agent Carter to apprise them of the new situation with little Steven. He spotted his grandfather on the way and caught the knowing smile on his face. Fingon smirked and chuckled to himself. Very little escaped his grandfather's knowledge, and things like what was happening with Bucky, was things he always seemed to know before they happened. He spotted the Col. in deep conversation with Howard Stark, and steeled his nerves to deal with the grating personality that was Mr. Howard Stark: Genius, Millionaire, and Playboy extraordinaire.


It was not even a half hour later that found Col. Philips, Peggy, Howard, and the rest of the commandoes with Steve and Bucky. Bucky looked at his friends for support after he finished telling them what had happened in the factory. A few of them looked disappointed but understanding, and the majority of them were looking shocked, but enlightened. His little story certainly filled in some holes in their knowledge from before. Steve looked sad but otherwise blank, like he was hiding his true feelings on the matter until he was sure of the command's reaction. Inside he was boiling with worry and fear that he would lose his best friend, and concern over the fate of the newborn child that was growing rapidly. Bucky looked over at the Col, because his reaction would be the only one that would count. Philips looked tired and somehow older than before. His eyes were riveted to the little bundle in Bucky's arms, as he puzzled over something for a moment. When he gaze finally turned to Bucky, there was resignation, and a little relief. Bucky felt his shoulders ease there tension just a little bit, and a soft smile spread across his lips.

"Well, Barnes, you sure do know how to put a man in a situation, don't you," he asked, and Bucky gave him a one shoulder shrug and a look that said 'eh, maybe,' before he grinned down at the giggling baby in his arms. Steven was wide awake and grabbing for Bucky's tags. Philips huffed out a laugh, when the boy caught them and pulled them into his mouth. Bucky glanced up at him and smiled happily, before his gaze went back to the baby.

"Oh no, little one," he said with a chuckle, "that's not for you." He gently pried the tag out of Steven's mouth, and kissed his forehead. There was a collective internal 'aw', when the baby giggled again and grabbed Bucky's hair. Bucky laughed and tried to pull away. "Ow! OW!" he exclaimed, "you really have a grip there, don't ya?" the baby giggled again and everyone snickered at Bucky's suffering, as he slowly pulled the pudgy fingers out of his hair. "There," he crowed slightly in victory, once free. Bucky had a merry twinkle in his eyes, and he let Steven grab his finger and hold onto it in compensation, so he wouldn't start to cry.

"Your little bit of 'trouble', Barnes," Philips continued, "is not only here, but is here to stay." Bucky's eyes snapped up in shock and widened. Bucky grinned and looked over at the others, who wore similar expressions of joyful shock. "Yeah, I know, but it is from a practical standpoint that you are even staying, Barnes; and don't you forget it!" Bucky nodded earnestly, and Philips huffed with a small smirk. "Besides, it's just easier to cover this whole thing up, then try to prove it and keep Barnes watching you back, Captain Rogers." Steve sagged in relief slightly and smiled softly at Bucky; a hint of triumph in his grin. Bucky rolled his eyes at Steve's smug ego and smiled down at his baby.

"So, what are we gonna do, sir," Jones asked, and all heads turned to him. "I mean, how, exactly, are we going to explain his presence in the camps and with the unit? If he's growing as fast as the doc here," he jerked his thumb over at Fingon, "says he is, then we'll need a solid story, to change as he gets older and more matured."

"I agree," Falsworth spoke up. For a while he was sitting pensively with his hand supporting his head and his pointer finger covering his lips, until he lifted his head up when he spoke. "We'll need a solid story to tell the press, and later the other troops we come in contact with." Falsworth stood and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Dugan grinned and nodded in agreement.

"Yeah," he said and wagged his finger as he thought it through, "somethin' easy to fake and believe." Dugan huffed out a laugh and looked over at Bucky with raised eyebrows. "I wouldn't have believed this if I hadn't been there and seen it happen," he said. "No offence, Buck." He said as he raised his hands in quiet placation.

"None taken," Bucky said back with a sarcastic and sour smile. Falsworth smiled and gestured to Dugan with a look that said 'see, I'm right' and settled his hands to set on his hips.

"You know," Stark said finally, and all eyes turned on the inventor, "if we spun it later, when he's older, that he was some civilian on holiday, trapped in Europe, when the War started and had gotten captured at Azzano, people might believe it. And for now we could say he's some orphan the guys found on a mission. It explains his presence, and where he's from without givin' anything away, and it will even explain why the kid is attached to Barnes. We could say it was Bucky who found him, and the kid latched on." The looks of surprised and pleased admiration had Howard preening like a peacock.

"For once, Mr. Stark actually has a brilliant idea, "Peggy said and Howard squawked in indignation while the others chortled and laughed at his expense. Bucky giggled and smiled down at his baby sadly. "What is it?" Peggy asked, once she saw the melancholy look.

"Will he get to keep his name?" he asked, and looked up with hopeful eyes in askance. Steve stood and went to Bucky's side. He grabbed Bucky's shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze in encouragement. Bucky looked up at his friend and smiled, when he saw Steve's certainty and confidence.

"I'm sure he will, Buck," he said and pulled his hand off Bucky's shoulder to gently smooth his hand over Steven's soft skull. The baby smiled up at him and then yawned big and wide, before huddling down and burrowing into the blankets. "Steven Grant Buchanan is still a good name. And it's his so he should be able to keep it. Right, sir," he asked and looked over his shoulder with his wide blue eyes, and long dark lashes making him look the picture of innocence and sweet nature. Philips huffed at that thought, and nodded. Steve Rogers was no sweet little angel from the Hallmark cards. The Captain was more like the kind straight out of the Bible: a warrior and bringer of truth in words and deeds; the righteous wrath of God incarnate. "See, Buck: he'll keep his name." Bucky smiled gratefully.

"Thanks, Steve," he said so softly that only Steve could hear. "I want to send the real Birth Certificate to my family with a letter, so that they, at least, know the truth." Steve nodded.

"So we're all in agreement that this is to be classified so high that not even the President could see the documents regarding the baby, well Steven's, birth or origins?" Howard asked, and everyone nodded in agreement. "We'll get the details on everything sketched out later, but for now, I think we're all good."

The group relaxed with Philips' nod and gravitated towards the little family on the bed. Peggy stood up and dragged Howard closer. Planting herself in plain view of the baby, she pulled Howard to a point that he had a good view of the baby, quietly napping in Bucky's arms. Peggy all but cooed, when she set her eyes on the child and looked up at Steve, who was smiling down besotted at little Steven. Bucky glanced up at the two with just his eyes and not moving his head, before he looked up at Peggy and grinned.

"Do you wanna hold him?" he asked her and she froze like a deer in headlights, if only for a moment, before she smiled excitedly. She nodded and Bucky gently laid him in her arms. "Mind his head, and support his neck." Peggy adjusted her hold and the baby slotted right into place at her breast. Steven sighed and burrowed closer to her warmth. Peggy cooed and melted at the sweet sight, gently rocking him and smiling softly. She turned her body and shifted her hold to lift him higher, so that Howard could see.

The Inventor looked at the child with rapt curiosity and a little bit of awe. He took in every detail of the little boy's appearance and noted the long lashes and bud-like lips. The Commandoes on the other hand were completely in love with the baby boy, and noted even more things about the baby that reminded them of their sergeant. They were all so wrapped in their attention to the baby that they didn't notice the look of longing and love that shined in Steve's eyes as he watched Peggy cradle Bucky's baby in her arms. It was in this moment, which Steve knew he was going to marry that woman, the moment the war was over, and have a family with her. Steve wanted it all: the house, the yard, the dog, and especially the wife and kids. Steve wanted the dream he was denied for so long on his poor health, and sterility, and was now given the chance to have that. The Serum fixed so much, and it gave him a future. Steve was going to use that, once it was over, to have what he always wanted: a family.

Bucky smiled and cooed at Steven, when Peggy placed him back in his arms for a feeding. Bucky unbuttoned his jacket and the baby latched on the moment there was a chance. The sharp inhale and sigh, were all that escaped, when the baby started feeding. His little boy was a miracle that he was not going to waste, and he intended to give his child the best childhood he could possibly give him, despite it being on the battlefield.~*~*~*


End chapter TBC…