The limo pulled up outside the building. Lights glowed, cameras flashed, media personnel called out the names of celebrities, and all this despite the clouds above threatening snow and the wind making the evening feel about 20 degrees, if that.

"You have got to be kidding me," Bucky said, trying to take it all in, as the car came to a stop at the top of the red carpet. He had been unsure about this party from the offset, and now felt as nervous as ever. This was the first time he was out in public in this sort of - situation. Almost a thousand guests, a 24-piece band, a six-course dinner - surely it was a recipe for disaster.

"The Stark's celebrate Thanksgiving a little differently," Natasha said, popping up the collar of her coat.

"We had Thanksgiving dinner the other night," Bucky said, thinking he would have preferred to stay at Stark Towers and watch the game with a pizza and his housemates, such as they were.

Natasha shrugged. "Just enjoy it."

"It's ok, Buck. It is every bit as mental as it looks," Steve smiled. These gala events hosts by Tony Stark and Pepper Potts had been completely foreign to Steve at one stage, but his was beginning to understand them.

A porter opened the door to the car and Natasha slide out gracefully, followed by Steve and an extremely apprehensive Bucky.

"I didn't realise it was quite this mad," Bucky murmured through a forced grin.

"Everyone who's anyone is invited," Natasha smiled, as they squeezed past the head of some company who was enjoying the free publicity and more than enjoying hearing himself speak.

"And everyone accepts," Steve said.

"What if I…"

"You won't, Buck," Steve said, patting his friend on the back and giving a wave to the cameras.

"Even if you do, Steve and I are here," Natasha smiled and led the way up the stairs into the foyer, away from the noise and flashing lights of the paparazzi in the street. They removed their outer garments, handing them in at the cloak room.

"Oh no," Bucky muttered, seeing what was ahead.

"Oh," Steve said.

"Shit," said Natasha, "Seriously, Tony? God, I could kill that man sometimes."

The three Avengers stopped and looked at the guards standing beside the metal detectors, checking guests as they walked through.

"There's less security at JFK."

"That's it. Let's just go home."

"Steve! Natasha! Bucky!" Pepper appeared positively glowing, completely in her element, wearing a very glamorous, full-length floaty navy blue dress. Pepper walked past the guards and the barriers toward the Avengers. "This way," she smiled. The three followed her straight through the metal detector, setting it off. The guard went to stop them, but Pepper stopped him first. "They're with me," she said briskly and continued walking. Steve, Bucky and Natasha almost found themselves breaking into a run to keep up with her. "It's impossible to find decent staff these days."

"Miss Potts, just checking you are aware I have a metal arm?"

"Sorry, Bucky, I should have let you guys know. With everyone who's attending, it's hard not to have these events so secure." They followed Pepper into the ballroom. "Your table is at the front on the left. The space crew are already here."

Steve was about the thank Pepper, but she quickly disappeared into the crowd to meet other guests, the rich and famous and those that she didn't share a building with.

"Hey, I can see Thor over there," Natasha said, pointing to where Thor, Jane, Ian and Darcy were sitting, leading the way around the tables and small groups of people.

"Hey Steve," Bucky said quietly, trying to force himself not to stare at Natasha as she weaved around the tables to where they could see Thor sitting, "Did you notice that Natasha set off the metal detector too?"

"How many weapons do you think she has on her?" Steve asked, eyeing Natasha. He had to admit that she looked stunning in a sleek black full-length dress, her red hair piled on top of her head, with a few loose curls falling across her face and the back of her neck. Steve also noted how Bucky could hardly keep his eyes from her.

"At least six," Bucky replied, feeling himself relax as they approached the table, "Well, four actual weapons, and another two things that she could use. I've seen her in the training room, Steve. She's deadly. Brilliant, but deadly," he smiled, thinking that perhaps the evening may be alright after all.

"This sucks," Clint muttered, sliding into the chair next to Steve. "I mean, it's one thing if Natasha decides to dance with him, but Maria Hill too?" Agent Barton reached across and grabbed a bottle of champagne and emptied it his glass.

Steve smiled, "Jealous?" The evening had been huge success. The food had been good, the band was great, Bucky had been seated next to Natasha and all were happy. Apart from Clint Barton.

"He's like 90! And he has a metal arm! It's so unfair."

Steve watched as Bucky effortlessly twirled Natasha and Maria at the together, perfectly in time with the music. "He is good."

"Good?" Clint grumbled, "It's totally unfair. Man, he even looks attractive. His suit fits better than mine, his hair looks good combed like that, oh no, surely not Pepper too. Oh good, she's - oh no, She's coming over here."

Pepper approached their table and sat down on Steve's right. "You two should be up dancing."

"Bucky stole all the partners," Clint grumbled, sipping the champagne.

Pepper smiled. "He's a good dancer."

"I don't think the Soviet's taught him that," Clint said.

"No," Steve smiled, "That's 100% Mrs Bryant and classes in the St Luke's Parish Hall. Getting partnered with Margaret Bailey or Roberta Thomas or Eleanor Parr."

"You can remember the names of the girls you went to school with like 100 years ago?" Clint asked, and downed the last of his drink.

"What?" Steve asked.

"Oh man," Clint moaned, "I can't even remember's Thor's girlfriend's intern's intern's name."

"Ian?"

"That's not it."

"Yes it is." Pepper said.

"Is it?"

"It's right here on his name card."

"Oh. Huh. Oh man. Now look at Bucky. That's so unfair."

Steve looked out across the floor to where Bucky was clearly having a brilliant time with his dance partners. Bucky caught Steve's eyes and gave a nod and a grin. Steve grinned and nodded back. Bucky may still end up in Steve's room most nights, or visa versa, but at least the flash backs during weren't as severe, and Bucky had found ways to cope with certain triggers. They still and a long way to go, but tonight - tonight Bucky Barnes was on the dance floor with one girl on each arm. Tonight, the world seemed a little more back in order. "No," Steve said, signalling to a waiter to get another drink for himself and Clint, "Everything is exactly as it should be."

A/N: And that's all for this story, folks! Thanks so much for reading. Please favourite or comment if you enjoyed it.