The next chapter! I'm sorry that it took me so long to write it, but in the past weeks, my life got me back. I had to learn again for my last exam at university, so I didn't have the time to write. I hope you don't mind that. And I hope you like this chapter. Thank you very much for the reviews and the support, please let me know what you think of this as well! And what do you think? Will Bucky be himself again, or is he still the Winter Soldier?

I don't own the characters or places!

They spent most of the flight back to New York in silence.

Tony had activated the autopilot and the three of them were sitting in the back, all lost in their own thoughts. Steve was still pale and his throat was red where Bucky had grabbed him, but he'd ensured them that he'd be fine again soon. After all, he was healing fast. Sam looked unhappy, probably because he'd been following Bucky for so long and now he'd escaped either way.

To be honest, Tony wasn't sure how he felt about the whole situation. He still regretted that he had to leave Pepper the previous night and the events didn't help to cheer him up. Bucky escaped and it looked like Hydra had been able to turn him into the Winter Soldier again. Which meant that his next goal was the peace conference. And Steve looked unhappy since his best friend was lost to him again.

Or maybe…

Tony had hit him hard with the shield. Could it be possible, that maybe he'd reversed the control of Hydra? He glanced at Steve and saw that he was looking at him with a frown on his face. Tony decided not to tell Steve about his thoughts, he didn't want to give him false hope.

Tony raised his eyebrows. "You alright, Steve?" He asked, trying to sound lightly.

Steve looked at him silently a little longer before he sighed. "Just tired, I guess." He muttered slowly.

"I still can't believe that he escaped!" Sam's loud voice made them both flinch. "I mean, we nearly had him! And just in that moment, those idiots from Hydra had to show up. We were so close! And now we have to start at the beginning."

"Not completely." Tony threw in. "After all, we know where Bucky will go."

"The peace conference in Vienna." Steve agreed. "We'll be there before him. And then we'll find him and stop his plans."

Sam didn't look convinced. "And how will we do that? Yes, we're three and he's alone. But you two nearly haven't been able to take him down together. And I don't think that I can make a difference in that fight."

"Of course you can. But someone had to deal with the other Hydra agents." Steve explained. "And we're not just three." He glanced at Tony and smiled slightly.

Tony knew what he meant immediately and grinned. "The others will be eager to help. I bet they weren't too happy when you left alone last night."

Steve nodded. "They respected my decision, but I know that they wanted to help."

"Next time, they can join us." Tony agreed. "However, I don't think that we should let out the Hulk on a piece conference in Vienna. Could make the wrong impression."

Steve chuckled and his lips twitched. It was the first time he really smiled since their encounter with Bucky and Hydra. "Maybe you're right. But Bruce can help either way. I bet there are cameras everywhere."

"Most probably." Tony ran a hand through his hair. "So it's settled." He turned to Sam and grinned. "You should be proud, Sam. You're going to work with the Avengers."

Sam chuckled. "I don't think that there's still anything that can surprise me."

Tony exchanged a glance with Steve and he knew that they were both thinking of New York. "In your position, I wouldn't say something like that." He whispered and stood up slowly. A glance at the monitors told him that they'd arrive in New York in thirty minutes.

"How hard did you hit him?" Steve's sudden question took Tony by surprise. He turned around and raised his eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

"When I was lying on the ground, you hit Bucky with the shield. I've been wondering how hard you hit him." Steve explained. There was hope in his eyes and Tony knew exactly what he was thinking.

"As hard as I could." He answered. "But Steve, I'm not sure if –"

"If it was enough." Steve muttered quickly and nodded. "I know, but what if it worked?"

Sam looked back and forth between them. "You mean that you cleared his head?" He asked and Tony nodded. "Do you think that it can work?" Sam asked slowly, but Tony heard that he also wasn't convinced.

Steve shrugged. "I don't know. But he recognized me before. Maybe this was enough to get him back?"

"But right before that, Hydra turned him again." Sam argued. "I mean, it would be great if it worked. But Steve, maybe you shouldn't get your hopes up. Because when we'll meet him again, and he tries to kill you, you must defend yourself. You can't just assume that he knows you."

"I know. But let me have this small hope, alright?" Steve asked, his voice pleading.

Tony exchanged a glance with Sam, but they both remained silent.

It was already dark when they arrived at the tower. Tony wondered if the others were still awake, but he got his answer as soon as they entered the living area.

Pepper and Natasha were sitting on the couch, while Bruce was reading a book in his favourite armchair. Clint was typing on his phone. The only one missing was Thor.

"Finally you're back!" Natasha was the first one to notice them and stood up immediately. Her eyes narrowed when she got a closer look at them and Tony understood why. Steve still had the marks on his throat, which were rather purple than red by now, and Sam had a cut on his arm. Tony himself was covered in dust from the explosion, otherwise he was unharmed. "What happened?" Nat's voice was concerned now, but Tony didn't look at her anymore.

He locked eyes with Pepper, who stood up from the couch slowly. Her eyes were wide and Tony thought that he could see worry in them. Next to something else he recognized immediately. Relief.

He heard Sam telling their story behind his back, but he didn't really listen. He crossed the room quickly and wrapped his arms around Pepper. Then he kissed her and hid his face on her neck. They stayed like this for a few moments before he let her go again.

He smiled slightly but didn't say anything. It was obvious that Pepper was listening to Sam's story now.

"So you lost him. And you have no idea if he's still the Winter Soldier, or if he's Bucky again." Clint summarized when Sam finished his tale.

"That's all." Steve agreed, sounding tired.

"And what now?" Clint raised his eyebrows. "You can't just give up."

"He's going to the peace conference." Tony threw in. "So that's where we'll go too."

"All of us." Steve added and exchanged an amused look with Tony when the others just looked at them in surprise.

"So now it isn't just the three of you anymore, huh?" Natasha asked slowly and Tony noticed the sharp tone in her voice. Apparently, she'd argued with Steve about this before.

"We need your help with this." Steve admitted. "That means if you want to come with us. Bucky is dangerous."

"And you really think that bothers us?" Clint asked and grinned. "I can't wait to use my bow again. When is this conference?"

"In two months." Steve explained and frowned. "However, I don't know if we can get in. After all, it's exclusive. And we weren't invited."

"Maybe I can help with that." Tony offered immediately. "I've got an idea how to get us in."

"Tony Stark on a peace conference?" Pepper asked sceptically. "I can't wait to hear your idea."

He rolled his eyes at her. "We don't produce weapons anymore. And I really have a plan. Just trust me with this."

"We do." Steve offered his help, but Tony kept looking at Pepper.

Her expression softened. "I always do."

He kissed her softly. "I love you. Mrs. Soon-to-be-Stark."

"Get a room!" Clint called loudly, which made the others laugh.

"Oh no, I didn't gratulate you!" Steve muttered and smiled at Pepper apologetically. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to forget this."

She smiled at him. "It's alright, Steve. I know that it was a long day for you." When she looked at Sam, her eyes narrowed. "For all of you."

Sam smiled sheepishly. "I don't think that we've been introduced properly, Mrs. Potts. I'm Sam, Sam Wilson."

She smiled back. "It's Pepper, please."

"And now our lovebirds should really get a room." Clint muttered again when Tony wrapped his arm around Pepper's waist. Then he stood up. "If I think about it again, I'll just go to bed now. It's late and we've just been waiting to hear your story."

They all said good night and an hour later, Tony was lying in bed with Pepper. She was already asleep, and he looked at her for some time before his eyes closed as well.

The next morning, Tony was in his lab again. This time, it wasn't Steve who was there with him. On the chair next to him sat Pepper.

"You'll just make a few calls and that will get you all to that peace conference?" She asked sceptically after he'd told her about his plan. "Do you really think that they want you there?"

Tony grinned. "Everyone wants me." He said lightly and Pepper rolled her eyes.

"Don't exaggerate." She muttered. To his surprise, she took his hand and squeezed it. Then she leaned in slowly so that her lips nearly brushed his ear. "And I don't like to share, Mr. Stark." Her whisper made him shiver. "You should better remember that you belong to me."

She leaned back slowly and her eyes were shining mischievously. Tony raised his eyebrows slowly. "And if I don't?" He asked slowly, teasing.

"Then I will have to remind you of it." Pepper replied with a smile. "This evening, after work, of course."

Tony swallowed. Suddenly, his throat was feeling dry. "This evening, yes." When Pepper noticed the raw tone of his voice, her smile grew even wider.

She stood up abruptly. "And now I have to work." She announced and Tony groaned.

"You already have to leave?" He stood up as well and wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her close.

"Yes, and may I remind you that you have to make a few calls?" She kissed him and touched his cheek.

He kissed her back, but soon they were interrupted by JARVIS' voice.

"Mrs. Potts, it seems like you have a visitor." JARVIS announced.

Tony could see the confusion in her eyes when she frowned. "But I wasn't expecting anyone."

"He says that he is an old friend of yours. His name is Gerald Fink."

Slowly, the confusion left Pepper's eyes. Instead, they grew wide in surprise. "Gerald? But what's he doing here? I thought he went to Europe ages ago! And how does he even know that I'm here?"

"He did not explain his reasons for the visit. Maybe you should talk to him yourself. He seemed eager to meet you."

Tony didn't like this conversation at all. Especially not the happy look on Pepper's face. She never mentioned this guy before.

"Who is he?" He asked, trying to sound curious.

She turned to him. "I haven't seen him for years." She explained. "We went to school together. And after that, we still saw each other, until he was transferred to Europe because of his work. He's an engineer. I think he lives in Paris now." She smiled. "I think you'll like him."

Tony nodded thoughtfully. "Will I?" He muttered and already knew that he didn't like this man. Not when his sudden appearance after ages made her so happy.

Pepper frowned at him. "Tony, what's wrong?"

At her voice, he realized that he'd been staring at her darkly. "Oh, it's nothing." He replied quickly. "I just thought you had to work?"

Slowly, the smile faded from her lips. "Yes, I do. But I can't just let him stand outside, can I? At least, I have to ask him if he could come back this evening."

This evening. An evening which should have been just for the two of them. Great. Tony made a mental note to tell JARVIS that he should throw every man who wanted to see Pepper out immediately.

Pepper seemed to notice his change of mood since she took his hand and squeezed it. "I'll make it up to you later, I promise. But I haven't seen him for a very long time and we were very close back then, so I would like to talk to him. You can join us." She smiled. "After all, I have to introduce my fiancé."

At her words, he relaxed slowly. Probably, he already knew that Pepper was with him. After all, they were always in the media together.

"Alright. I'll meet him." He decided. He really needed to have a look at this man.

Pepper grinned. "Then I'll see you later." She kissed him again. "And don't stay in here for too long."

Tony ran a hand through his hair. "I think Steve and Sam will join me soon. They'll take care of me."

"I bet they do." Pepper laughed and then she left.

Tony looked at his phone for a few moments before he turned to his screens. "JARVIS, I want everything about this Gerald Fink." What a stupid name.

Five minutes later, Tony knew that he had to keep an eye on this guy. Especially when he was around Pepper. After all, they've been together for some time. Not for too long, but nevertheless together. When they were still at school, but that didn't change anything.

Tony sighed. "Keep an eye on them, JARVIS."

"Of course, Sir. Right now, he left again. He promised Mrs. Potts to come back later." JARVIS informed him.

"I want to know when he's back."

"Yes, Sir."

Tony sat down on his chair slowly. A fucking day after he proposed to Pepper, her ex showed up here. What the hell was wrong with his life?

He knew that thinking about this wouldn't to him any good. "JARVIS, call Everett Ross." He said instead.