Susie West restaurant was the perfect place for first dates. The atmosphere was very relaxed, and the lighting was rosy and warm but not too intimate.

Nat, Sam, Bucky and Steve were sat together comfortably around a classic round wooden table, sipping wine from tall fluted gasses and chatting easily. There was a single, long white candle in the middle.

"I like this place," said Nat, glancing about her at the other diners. "Its nice and cosy, but not over the top. Good choice!" she smiled at Sam, who visible puffed up with pride at her praise.

"Glad you like it." Was all he said though, and he tapped his wine glass against hers. She snuggled into his shoulder.

"You two look so great together." commented Bucky, taking a massive swig of wine in one gulp.

"Bucky!" admonished Nat. "Its not beer, you know."

Steve and Sam shared a look. "Oh, that's not how he drinks beer." began Sam gleefully. "I remember one tim-"

"-this better not be embarrassing story time. " interrupted Bucky warningly, " cos I know some crackers about you Sam."

Nat leaned forward eagerly. "Oh really?"

Just as Bucky opened his mouth to reply, Steve let out a yelp and dived under the table.

"What the hell are…" Sam trailed off as he caught sight of a pretty blonde woman leaning casually against the bar and chatting to a friend. "Oh." He breathed.

Steve was now trying to take shelter beneath Bucky's long legs, until Nat kicked him for treading on her toe.

"What is going on?" asked Bucky in bewilderment as Steve hissed in pain. "Why are you hiding under the table?"

"Look over there!" whispered Steve frantically to Nat, and a finger emerged to point over at the woman.

"Oh, its Sharon!" said Nat with a grin as she began to understand. "You're ex!"
It was Steve's turn to kick Nat.

"What?" said Bucky.

"Oh, didn't you know?" asked Nat in surprise, as Sam winced and face-palmed. "I assumed Steve would have told you."

Beneath the table, Steve had gone very quiet and still. "Is that true?" Bucky asked him in an expressionless voice. "Was she really your girlfriend?"

Steve shuffled awkwardly. "Erm…maybe?"

"When, and how long for?"

After a significant pause, Steve replied hesitantly "Well, a couple of months ago I guess. It ended, like, 6 weeks ago, though…"

"Why didn't you tell me about it?"

Steve was silent for a few moments. "I thought that you... might mind, somehow. We didn't exactly get along though, because…err…" he trailed off into silence.

"…because?" prompted Bucky.

There was no reply.

"Fine," persisted Bucky. "do you still like her?"

"NO! Of COURSE not. I never did, really. Its just-" but Steve suddenly clamped his mouth shut to avoid saying any more.

Throughout this exchange, Sam and Nat had sat completely still, watching avidly with bated breath.

Bucky sat frowning for a minute or two. Then he stood up. "I'm gonna go talk to her."

Steve gasped and tried to stop him. "No Buck, PLEASE don't!" he cried imploringly, but it was too late. Bucky was already striding towards Sharon. He buried his head in his hands.

"Sorry, Steve." said Nat sympathetically. "I really thought he knew about it."

"Cheer up, pal!" said Sam cheerfully. "I'm sure he's not actually mad. I guess it just looks a little suspicious cos you never told him, even though he's your best friend."

"What's he doing?" asked Steve in a tiny voice.

Both Nat and Sam craned their knecks to look over at the bar. At the same time, a waitress arrived with four plates. She looked a little confused at the two empty places, but set them down anyway.

When she had gone, Sam said "he's chatting with Sharon."

"She's just laughed at something he said." dupplied Nat.

Sam gulped. "Err, now he's pointing over at us."

"What?!" hissed Steve.

"And now their both heading over." concluded Nat.

"Save me, someone…" muttered Steve.

A second later, a pair of white high-heels came into his view. The person knelt down, and Steve found himself face to face with Sharon. "Hey Steve." she said gently.

"…hey." muttered Steve, feeling very small and ridiculous in his crouched position beneath the table. He was going to kill Bucky.

"Sharon's been telling me that you dated her out of a sense of obligation, but she let you go because she felt she wasn't the real person that you wanted." Bucky's voice floated towards him from somewhere above.

Steve felt he could die from shame.

Sharon laughed softly at his expression. "I was never angry with you, you know Steve."

Steve blinked. "Really?" He hadn't expected that.

"No. I'm glad your happy with Bucky now, so don't beat yourself up over it. Its not like we were serious…"

"But, I just used you to try and get over Bucky…" he said in a tiny voice.

"I wasn't like that really. You didn't know how you truly felt about him then. I won't hold it against you – I can understand why. You're a sweet guy Steve. I wanted to be friends but you've been avoiding me."

"Oh…okay. Thanks you, though I don't deserve it. I'd love to still be friends." He whispered.

Sharon smiled. "Always so self a depreciating.. Goodbye then, Steve. See you, Bucky, Nat, Sam." she stood and Steve watched the white high-heels disappear amongst the crowd.

" You can come out now, Steve!" sang Bucky.

"I'm going to kill you now Bucky!" sang Steve as he reemerged and settled into his seat.

"But I didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I helped heal a rift between two people. Plus, now you won't have any regrets about being with me…"

The last bit made Steve's anger melt away. Bucky gave him a soft, sweet smile and it was completely gone.

"Fine, "Steve sighed. " You did good. Though at first I thought it was a punishment for lying to you!"

Bucky grinned mischievously. "That too."

Sam was watching them. "So, are we gonna eat now or not?"

"fascinated as this has been to watch." added Nat.

They all tucked into the meal, which was completely delicious.

"Mmm…" Nat smacked her lips together in appreciation. "If this is the kinda place you take a girl, Wilson, I'm dating you more often!"

Sam smiled. "Good, but in that case I'm entitled to something in return…"

Nat tilted back her head, the corners of her mouth curling up into a smirk and her eyes dancing. "Oh yeah? What would that be?"

Sam grinned even wider, and bent across the table to give her a gentle kiss on the mouth. Then they both stared at each other like love-struck idiots for a few moments.

Steve muttered into his glass to Bucky "this is why you don't go on double-dates Its too awkward."

"I'll bear it in mind for the future." Bucky replied out of the corner of his mouth.

By the time they had left the restaurant, Sam and Nat had already agreed to become a couple, despite it being their first date. Steve and Bucky also shared a passionate kiss on the doorstep, causing Sam and Nat to whoop and cat-call.

"I can't believe this all came from a stupid competition between you and me." Sam said to Bucky, his hand firmly and warmly linking with Nat's.

"Yeah," said Bucky, throwing a tender glance over his shoulder at Steve. "I'm still better looking than you."

"…I'll kill you one day terminator."

"You admit it then?"

"Never."

THE END

END OF THE LINE FOLKS. THANKS FOR READING! JUST A SILLY BIT OF FLUFF THAT DEVELOPED INTO A STORY DURING A COUPLE OF HOURS OF BORDEM AND INSOMNIA.