Disclaimer: Captain America:The Winter Soldier does not belong to me.
"I swear," Sam mused, taking a bite of pizza, "if I have to look at one more celebrity site, my brain might start to come out of my ears."
Steve smiled and reached for another slice. "Well, its a little eye opening. I never realised Bucky had had so few girlfriends."
"Really?" Sam raised an eyebrow. "Thought he would have had more, did you?"
"Well, he's always liked women," Steve shrugged, "and always got more attention from them than I did, so the fact he's been out with so few indicates how controlled he's been."
"Yeah." Sam squinted at the laptop's screen. "They all seem very much the same. All models, all into the healthy lifestyle-"
"He needs someone real." Steve shrugged. "Someone to bake him cookies. Feed him properly."
Sam smiled. "Fatten him up."
"Not even that - just make sure he eats properly. Stops starving himself. Stops damaging himself." Steve shook his head in frustration. "Once he's eating properly and healthily, he'll start functioning again. Live life."
Sam looked at him. "Might take some long, painful therapy for that to happen."
Steve sighed and took a bite of pizza. "What does the website say?"
Sam blinked. "Only that he had one relationship that lasted a year - she left him. All been very non committal."
Steve leaned forward. "This is a mess. There's nothing solid, nothing for us to really work on. If he actually had friends, a girlfriend, people - we could try and help.. But all we've got is rumours, celebrity gossip-"
"Pierce." Sam spoke suddenly. Steve looked up. "What?"
"Alexander Pierce." Sam looked at him, seriously. "He's the connection. If you spoke to Pierce, you might find a way in."
"But I'm not sure Pierce will talk to me." Steve bit his lip. "But I need to know where he is- you can't just take someone and-"
Sam blinked. The sound of a cell phone was ringing. Steve put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out his iPhone. "One moment. Hello?" His eyes widened. "Are you serious? What, now?"
Sam stood up. "Steve-"
The other man's face had tightened. "Well, yes. In fact, might be for the best. Yes, both of you. But please remember, this is my place, and I have the right to ask yo to leave."
Sam looked at Steve, as he clicked off. "What is it?"
"Pierce." Steve swallowed. "He's outside, right now."
Sam looked stunned. "Why is he here? What does he want?"
"I don't know." Steve's jaw was set. Suddenly, the intercom buzzed. "Hang on." He pressed the button. "Come on up."
Sam sat down, and waited. Steve opened the door, his face set. Pierce walked in. "Steve Rogers. Good to see you."
"Wish I could say the same." Steve's voice was edged with venom. "Where is Bucky?"
Pierce blinked. ""I wouldn't worry about him, Mr Rogers. Really."
"He's ill." Steve shook his head. "You know this."
"He's egotistical, and he's hysterical. Its best you leave him."
"Never." Steve shook his head. "You need to tell me where he is."
"I'm here to make you an offer."
"Really? What's that?"
"Steve." Alexander Pierce looked at him. "I'm here to ask you to model for me. Would you consider it?"
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