Author's Note:

We are finally out of the woods! No triggers for this chapter. Just some good Bucky bonding, Steve fluff, and a tiny smidge of sexual tension. As always please review and let me know what you think.


"You do know it's him, right?" Bucky asked. "He's the same stupid punk that got in back-alley fights. Always in over his head. Still completely, totally, and madly in love with you."

Astrid let out a sigh. For the past few days, Bucky was busy trying to convince her that Steve was Steve. She figured if anyone could help her close that final gap it would be him. Steve giving them their space. Something that Astrid appreciated. With Bucky, she could completely relax around him. Didn't have to hide anything. Even if his main focus was hyping up Steve. He hadn't quite sold her on it.

Yet.

"I am talking to him," she pointed out. Which was progress. Good progress.

Bucky signed. "Come on. We both know your still holding back. Normally you would have your hands all over him. And not only in the fun way." He was right and she knew it. Finding herself both hesitant for Steve's touch and craving it. "Even when you first started dating you always had a hand on each other. Almost like you were reassuring yourselves that the other person was still there." Bucky was really perceptive when he wanted to be. Unfortunately, this wasn't one of the times Astrid wanted him to be. "And now. Now it's like you're both observing each other. Waiting for the other one to make a move before deciding what to do next."

Astrid crossed her arms. Forcing herself through this conversation. As much as she wanted to run away from it. "What's your point?"

"My point is both of you are miserable. Even if you don't outwardly show it. What are you so afraid of anyway? Because I can tell you that his biggest fear right now is losing you."

Well, that was really sweet. But it could just be Bucky saying that. Steve could be incredibly convincing after all. Now even more so. Bucky took ahold of her shoulder. His voice going soft. "He's not going to hurt you. Not purposefully. Not… physically." There was that. Steve was now bigger than her. Much bigger. But for whatever reason, that wasn't her biggest worry. Because even now she knew, somehow Steve would never lay a hand on her. Not like that.

"I know."

Bucky lifted his hand off her shoulder. "Then what are you concerned about?"

She had to answer the question. Despite how heavy the words felt on her tongue. "My father couldn't be described as a good man. Even before everything… He was a flawed man. But he loved his family. He loved me. And when I got kidnapped it destroyed him. Pushing him far enough to form Hydra. To fully adopt the ends, justify the means mentality. But it's when he took the serum that everything became worse. So much worse. His obsession… well you've seen the results." There was no hiding it. Red Skull was a monster. "If that's what the serum did to my father. What…what could it have done to Steve?" She hated how her voice broke at the end. But also grateful for the sense of relief. Finally, it was all out in the open.

"So, you believe that the serum has done something to change who Steve is and that he's is outright lying? Or that he's at least concealing the truth." Bucky looked at her absolutely flabbergasted. Her fears completely unfounded. And maybe they were. But Astrid had experienced enough pain to never be too careful. "You really think the most honest man we know is lying?" He did have a point there. Bucky scoffed. Trying to come up with a response. "Okay despite the fact that you started out with saying that Red Skull was crazy, to begin with… Can't you basically tell if someone is lying?"

Astrid bit her lip. Bucky wasn't wrong. Again. But her anxieties ate at her brain. "I don't know if he's actually telling the truth or if I want to believe him so badly that my mind is trying to convince me that he's telling the truth." She shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, he may not know himself."

Bucky looked like he wanted to strangle her. Somehow having the wherewithal to resist. "Astrid. You need to know. No matter what you do he's always going to wait for you."

She closed her eyes for a moment. Steadying her breathing. "I know that too." She truly deeply did. It was obvious just from looking at him. "But I don't want to one day wake up next to him and be unable to recognize him. Because the serum can do some incredible things. But it can also destroy." Her voice rising in volume. "It destroyed whatever good was left in my father. I literally watched it happen in front of me, Buck." The moment she watched her father plunge that needle in his arm, it was like she was witnessing her mother die all over again. Losing what little family she had left. " I watched my father die and that monster born. And to think that the same serum was injected into Steve. My perfect loving Steve. A good man by all accounts. A man willing to-" It was like a lightbulb went off in her head. She starting laughing. Oh, how she was such an idiot.

Meanwhile, Bucky was looking at her as if she had gone insane. Rubbing her back. "You okay there?"

"Yes," she slowly stopped laughing. "I just realized something." The look Bucky gave her made it clear that wasn't an acceptable answer. "Erskine fulfilled his promise to me in the end. By doing exactly as I asked." Bucky was even more confused by the answer but Astrid had hers. She was an idiot. Now all she had to figure out was how to let Steve know.

"Did I miss anything?" Steve asked coming back up to the front. Joined by Dugan, Falsworth, Jones, Dernier, and Morita. Bucky on his right side. Astrid on his left. The others fanning out beside them.

"Nothing much," Bucky answered glancing at Astrid. "Done setting up our dramatic entrance?"

Just as Steve was about to answer the question the sound of excited shouting signaled their arrival as the camp came into view. They were finally here. After all this time they were finally here. It didn't take long for their presence to be noticed. Men lining up all around them clapping. It was a hero's welcome. Pouring out of the tents to see them. Half dressed. Just wanting to welcome them back. Steve glanced at Bucky and gave him a pat on the back.

They all headed straight for the dead center of camp. Though it was when Astrid saw Shamira standing next to Phillips that she let out a big smile. Breaking away and running up to hug her. Earning herself a bone-crushing hug in return.

"I knew you would make it back," Shamira whispered into Astrid's ear in German.

"Like anything could stop me," she whispered back. The two of them turned to face Steve who stood right in front of Phillips. Looking stern as usual.

Steve saluted. "We need more medical supplies," he said. "Astrid used what we had."

"Get the wounded to the medical tent," Astrid called out. "You'll be looked after." The men moved into immediate action. Long used to following Astrid's orders. A lot of them thanking her. She did what she could but in their eyes, a lot of them would be dead without her.

"I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action," Steve continued.

"That won't be necessary," Philips replied looking around at all the men Steve saved. Astrid smiled. Expecting this reaction.

Steve let out the breath he was holding in and gave a small nod. "Yes, sir."

Philips moved out of the way. Allowing for Peggy, Shamira, and Astrid to stand in front. Peggy gave Astrid a small smile and squeezed her shoulder. She missed Peggy. She really did. Peggy was truly a one-of-a-kind woman.

"You're late," Shamira said chastising Steve.

He fished the transponder out of his pocket and pulled it out. Showing it to them. "Couldn't call my ride."

"Hey!" Bucky shouted. "Let's hear it for Captain America!" Astrid groaned. Hating that the nickname caught on. The men cheered for him but instead of reveling in it Steve looked stunned. As if he couldn't believe it was actually happening. Men patting him on the shoulder and back. Despite all the attention raining down on him he still managed to brush it off. Looking towards Astrid for help.

"Kiss him you moron," Shamira whispered lightly shoving her. The final piece of confirmation Astrid needed. "It's clearly him."

"I can see that now," Astrid stated softly back. She really did. Whatever the serum did it clearly didn't change who he was. He was still the stupid kid from Brooklyn who kept getting into fights. The one who stood up against injustice. The one she turned to during the night. The one she fell in love with. Peggy caught wind of the conversation and smiled. Moving slightly. Allowing for Astrid to stand in front. Men parting for her. Walking up to Steve so that there was almost no distance between them. Snaking her hand to the back of his neck she pulled his head down for a kiss.

For a second, he didn't respond. Reminding her slightly of their first kiss on the beach. What felt like forever ago. Warm and slightly chapped. Causing her blood to race. Fireworks.

Steve was only frozen for a moment. Swiftly responding. Wrapping his arms around her and dipping her. Having enough strength to hold her up. The cheers got even louder and soon Lady Liberty was mixed in with Captain America. But Astrid wasn't paying any attention. Rejoicing in being in her beloved's arms once again.

"Lady Liberty?" Shamira asked.

"It caught on during our journey," Bucky responded. Astrid and Steve too busy focusing on each other. Catching up on lost times. Ignoring the wolf whistles. "Steve rescued us and led us to safety while Astrid kept us all alive. Not a single one of us died on our way back once we escaped.

"Captain America and Lady Liberty," Peggy stated. "It does have a nice ring to it."

"Just don't tell Astrid that. She hates the nicknames."

"Damn right I do," Astrid said after they broke off the kiss. Steve lifting her back up. Astrid turning to face Shamira and Peggy. Slightly panting. Flushed red. "I'm going to be in the medical tent. I can actually treat these men properly now that I'm not working with string and booze." Both of them shook their heads. Staring as Astrid headed straight to the medical tent. "And don't let anyone bother me. Not until I've seen to all the men." A fond look came across Steve's face as she left. Before he was pulled away by Phillips. Wanting a full debrief of the situation. That was one thing he could not escape.

Astrid wasn't sure how long she was in there. It was like time had stopped. All that mattered was treating the next injury. She had lost track of how many patients. Ignored the pain in her hands as they started cramping up. She kept on working until she saw to every last man. By the time she left the tent, it was dark. She was guessing past midnight. Astrid let out a sigh. Massaging the cramps out of her hands.

"Let me," Steve said softly walking up to her. Seemingly out of the darkness. She gave him her hands. Allowing him to take care of them. Just as he used to back home after a hard day of surgery. It was a wonderful comfort. That even out here they still had the intimacy of husband and wife.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" Astrid asked. "Seems like everyone else is." She looked around. The camp was almost entirely dark. The men getting their first good night of sleep in two weeks. "I assume Shamira is with Bucky now?"

"Yes, on both accounts." She let out a moan as Steve worked out a kink. After teaching him a few tricks his hands were like magic. "But I wanted to stay up and wait for you." Once again Steve made her heart melt. Using her free hand, she guided his face towards hers. Softly kissing him. Relishing it. Because while a whole lot has changed kissing him was exactly the same. He kissed back eagerly but slowly. Astrid could have stayed out here with him forever. But her body was definitely not going to let her.

"Why don't you take me to bed?" she asked breaking off the kiss. "I'm sure the men won't mind if we share a bunk."

Steve smirked. Leading her towards their quarters. "Actually, we have our own tent." Well, that was nice but then Astrid suspected that no one wanted to hear the two of them go at it like rabbits. Still, it was a little bit odd. Steve let out a sigh. "A lot has happened while you were treating people. We're all heading back to London tomorrow. I'm supposed to receive the Medal of Honor when I get there."

Astrid let out a laugh. "It's not like you don't deserve it. You did save all of us."

"We did." He stressed the word. "We saved all of them." He opened the flap of the tent and Astrid walked inside. Not sure what to expect. It wasn't much. Just a single cot but it was enough. Honestly, Astrid could curl up on the floor at this point.

"Do you just want to sleep tonight?" he asked. "We're both pretty worn out."

Astrid connected their minds just so he knew how grateful she was for that. As well as just how much she loved him. She felt his love too. And almost crying tears of joy. It was the same since she left. Maybe a little bit deeper due to missed time but the same feeling nonetheless.

"I love you," she murmured as she curled up into the bed. Steve swiftly joining her. It was tiny so they had to be pressed up close. Astrid basically on top of Steve. His arms wrapped around her. One hand resting on her ass. Not that she minded. Bringing as much comfort to her as it did Steve. After all, Steve always had his hands on her. What was more out of the ordinary was the feeling of Steve hardening against her. Normally he would be completely dead to the wind at this point.

"Sorry," he stated. "It's just…"

"Been a really long time." Astrid understood. They hadn't seen each other for months and then the two weeks. In better circumstances, Astrid would have slept with him in the woods. And if she had the energy, she would actually do something.

"I promise you, Steve, as soon as I can really move my body again, I'm going to completely ravish you.' He let out a groan. Already picturing it in his mind. "Though for right now… Do what you need to do.'

'You sure?'

Astrid nodded. 'I'm your wife Steve. If you want to do the work I won't complain.'.

He shook his head. Biting his lip. 'I can wait. I've waited this long. I can wait till both of us are in the mood.' He scoffed. 'Heck, I waited forever when we were dating. And you do not make it easy.'

'You really did wait forever.' Astrid smiled. Thinking back to those fond memories. 'And then technically we waited some more. Though it made for one spectacular wedding night.' Steve tightened his grip on her ass.

'Maybe we should talk about something other than how spectacular that night was. Or the following days.' Steve really didn't want to do anything until Astrid was more alive. Fine. She could respect that. If that was her husband's wish.

She nestled closer to her husband. Ignoring the obvious to the best of her ability. 'What do you want to talk about?'

He chuckled. She could feel the rumbling in his chest. 'I thought you wanted to sleep.'

She looked up at him. 'True. But it's been months since I've seen you. And then I was an idiot for two weeks.'

He shook his head. Trailing his hand up and down her back. 'No. I was an idiot for not telling you.'

'Why didn't you?'

Steve was quiet for a moment. Trying to sort through his thoughts. Astrid pulled back out of his mind. Letting him have that moment. "Honestly? I was hoping to surprise you." He scoffed. Hand trailing down her back. "I thought it would be this big romantic gesture. I'd walk in while you were working, we would lock eyes. I'd take you in my arms and kiss you. And then once you could break away from work, we would…" She was still ignoring the obvious. Even as the obvious was starting to grind into her. Steve shook his head. "I wanted to sweep you off your feet for once. Show you that I was healthy. Give you everything you deserved." He huffed. "I didn't even think of what you've been through."

Astrid smiled. Placing her head back on his chest. "You've been sweeping me off my feet since the day we met. Though now I guess you can do it literally."

"There is that." He kissed her forehead.

She closed her eyes and let her body drift off. "You are the love of my life Captain Steve Rogers."

"You're the love of my life, Dr. Astrid Rogers." If he said anymore, she didn't hear it. Falling asleep in his arms. They still had a few things to work through but Astrid knew. They could do anything together.