Title: Gold Rush

Pairing: CaptainAmerica-WinterSoldier-FemaleOC (poly)

AU story because Steve came back after returning the stones, meaning he is still Captain America and Tony is still alive. And Natasha is also still alive. When I started writting this story I had meant for it to happen after Endgame, but I completly forgot she didn't make it. I only realized that after a few weeks.

First language isn't English, so please point out spelling or grammer mistakes. Be specific when pointing them out so I can correct them.

Feedback is always welcome.


Chapter 2

"So Mini boss, have you thought about who I should invite to your birthday party?" I asked Morgan as we sat on the bench waiting for her soccer practice to start. Morgan wasn't happy yesterday when I asked about her birthday party, probably realizing her mother didn't take care of it herself. We ate ice cream in silence and she threw a small tantrum when we got home. I told her I would pick her up again the next day so we could organize it together. She agreed reluctantly realizing no party means no presents. Happy dropped us of at her soccer practice and I promised I would watch her practice until Happy would pick us up to take us home.

"Can't we just skip the whole party thing?" Morgan asked and I looked confused at the little girl. I knew she wasn't the socialist of children and it can't be easy being the child of Tony Stark, but to ask to not throw a birthday party for her was weird. She caught my look.

"It's just that I want to spent some time with mommy and daddy," she said but I could tell she was withholding something from me. But I knew not to push the kid, she tends to shut down when she's pushed.

"Well just mommy and daddy isn't much of a party. So I guess Happy will have to join, else it's just sad kiddo," I pointed out and noticed her lips turn up slightly. Happy is her godfather and she looks up to him a lot. I pretended to think about who else she could invite: "And maybe invite James Rhodes too. I think he could use a break from all the therapy he's doing and he and your dad are really good friends."

"And Peter too," Morgan chipped in and a smile appeared on her face. I knew her favorite Avenger was Spiderman and she looked up to Peter as well. He picked her up from school sometimes to play in Central Park. He'd become a sort of big brother for her. Mister Stark acts like he isn't happy with it, but I've learned to see past his lies.

"What about Natasha? I think your mom likes her. Maybe she could use a friendly female adult face at the party?" I pointed out. I knew that Miss Pots wasn't happy when she lost Nathalie, a.k.a. Natasha, as her assistant. She was apparently very good at her job. Not to mention she was a trained agent so she could offer protection if Miss Pots was attacked. I don't come with that package.

"Could we invite Wanda too? She's weird. I like her," Morgan asked and I wrote it down. Of course the kid liked the witch. Not many people do. I haven't met her so I didn't have an opinion about the woman. The only thing I knew about her was that she's my age and also had a twin brother.

"So that is a bunch of adults we are inviting, but maybe we need some people under 18 to attend as well?" I pointed out and showed her the list I had made with her guests.

"Peter will be there," Morgan pointed out with a smirk that reminded her of her father a lot. She had a lot of his personality traits. I pretended to think again and then said: "I was thinking about inviting Cassie. Remember her?"

"Antman's daughter? Oh yeah, she's weird too. I liked her," Morgan nodded and I wrote down her name as well.

"Do you think she could bring one of her dads ants?" she asked and I wrote down 'invite giant ant' and the girl giggled. She liked that I took all her requests serious. Who wouldn't want a witch and a giant ant at their birthday party?

"I'll do my best. Anyone else you want to invite?" I asked and noticed she wasn't mentioning anyone from her school. I wonder if something happened again. She had difficulty with making friends and I knew she got bullied sometimes. She could stand up for herself, but other kids didn't like to be around her.

"What if we just make it an Avengers party?" Morgan asked and I looked surprised at her. Why on earth would she want that? Well probably every kid would want that because they are superheroes but still: "But it's your birthday?"

"So? They are mommy and daddy's friends? And doesn't Hawkeye have kids too?" Morgan said and I was surprised that she knew that very secret detail. Even I wasn't supposed to know and I only found out by accident. Miss Pots wanted me to make a dinner reservation with mister Barton's wife, Laura and their daughter had picked up. It was a very confusing phone call.

"I'm pretty sure that you are not supposed to know that, but I can ask them," I said and wrote down their names and other Avengers colleges I'm sure my bosses wouldn't mind having around.

"Oh and can we have ponies too?" Morgan asks suddenly and I raise an eyebrow at her slowly: "What do ponies and Avengers have to do with each other?"

"Does their have to be a link?" the girl asks me and lifts her shoulders.

"Don't be smarter than me kid. So Avengers, ponies, maybe a make-up artist? I know you like to play dress up," I pointed out and continued writing down her wishes. She had a closet filled with costumes ranging from Disney princess gowns to firefighters and even a Spiderman onesie. Mister Stark hated the thing.

"Do you think I could get everyone to dress up for my party?" Morgan asked me and she looked up at me. I gave her a look while saying: "Don't push it kid. I think they would much rather enjoy your party in comfortable clothes."

"Yeah, you're probably right."

"Any wishes for you birthday cake?" I ask and Morgan gives me a look this time. Stupid question Alex, the kid has had the same birthday cake since she was three and she always insist on having the same cake whenever they throw a party at their house: "Chocolate and bananas?"

"Emphasis on the chocolate part but put some bananas on it so we can pretend it's semi-healthy," she says and I laugh at that last part: "You are too smart for your own good kid."

"Oh can I invite some Disney princesses?" she asks when I calmed down and wrote down her wishes for her birthday cake. I added in big bold letters 'emphasis on chocolate'. That made her smile.

"Do you really think that Avengers and Disney princesses are a good match?" I ask and she thought about it for a minute: "Maybe not?"

"I'm thinking the princesses won't leave the hero's alone. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see that scene unfold in front of my eyes, but maybe we shouldn't push it," I confessed and the girl giggled at the thought: "Mommy would be able to fight them of for daddy."

"That's why they call her Rescue, but who will protect Captain America from Snow White or Spiderman from Elsa?" I asked and we both laughed as we envisioned it.

"So to wrap this up you want an Avengers party with ponies and a make-up artist and your birthday cake has to have a lot chocolate and one banana to pretend it's healthy. Am I forgetting anything else?" I summed up her wishes and she immediately pointed to the giant ant I had written down: "Don't forget to ask for the giant ants!"

I circled the word multiple times to satisfy her. Her coach blew his whistle and Morgan got up: "You'll come too, right?"

"I don't think I would fit in with your party crowd," I said and she gave me a look that told me I would never find any excuse to turn down her invitation. I haven't been invited by the family to any family parties so it felt invasive to go to their daughter's birthday party.

"Sure you would. I'm having a witch and giant ants on my party. How could you not fit in?" Morgan said and her coach blew his whistle again signaling her to hurry up.

"Are you comparing me to that? Not very flattering for me," I said and notted to her coach telling her to get going. She ran out but called over her shoulder: "Besides, you always get the best gifts. Don't worry, I won't tell and you can use daddy's money so make it a big gift."

Smooth kid, very smooth. I pulled my phone out and started searching for gifts while keeping an eye on the kid while she began her practice. One of the fun things I get to do is shop for this family and man do I love spending money that isn't mine.

Happy called me when practice was almost over telling me he was needed at the company for Mister Stark: "Mister Stark told me he arranged someone to pick you up in fifteen minutes at the Stone Arch on West 77th Street."

"And for who should I be looking?" I asked not liking that mister Stark had sent someone to pick us up.

"Boss said it would be obvious," Happy said and hung up on me. Great, last time Mister Stark send a driver he was a total creep. I reported him to Miss Pots and she got him fired. Turns out there were multiple complaints from female works but because he worked for Mister Stark no one dared to complain to him about it.

"Morgan, time to go," I called the kid when practice was over. She graphed her bag and I handed her a bottle of water. By the time we were at Stone Arch she had emptied it. I looked around the street and noticed a blue car rolling down it's window. The Captain stuck his head out and called Morgan. Ah great, mister-over-politely-friendly.

"Hi Steve!" Morgan yelled excited and ran to his car. He got out and took her bag from her and laid it in the trunk of his car.

"Hi Morgan, Happy couldn't make it. I think your dad messed something up again in the lab," the Captain informed us, but Morgan didn't mind: "Daddy needed saving again?"

"I think he did," the Captain said and he held open the door for Morgan and me to get in: "Good evening miss Taylor."

"Good evening Captain," I greeted the man and slide in after Morgan. The Captain closed the door for me and got in behind the wheel. I noticed his hair was slightly damp and a bag was laying on the passenger seat. It looked like a gym bag. He must been at the gym before he came to pick us up. He was only wearing a t-shirt so I couldn't help but notice his very fine arms.

"Steve, Saturday is my birthday party and I am inviting you," Morgan said and she pulled me from my thoughts and I signaled the kid to buckle up.

"Do you really want an old man at your party?" the Captain asked and drove into traffic.

"Sure!" Morgan answered excited and it made the Captain smile: "Someone has to be the oldest."

"Besides, you'll fit right in with the Witch and the giant ant she's also inviting," I said and the Captain laughed at that: "Well I'm sure Wanda would love to come to your party Morgan."

"Can you also bring mister Robo-man?" Morgan asked innocently. I doubt she had any idea why it would be inappropriate for him to be there, but I wasn't going to explain that to her. Not that I knew the details but I knew that mister Stark and the Winter Soldier weren't on speaking terms: "Maybe you should run that one by your dad first, kiddo."

"Why?" Morgan asked and I had to smile because sometimes I forgot how young and innocent she is.

"I don't think he would like an ex-assassin at his eight year olds birthday party Morgan," I tried and she took my explanation: "Okay, I'll ask daddy."

My eyes met the Captains unintentionally as he looked in the rearview mirror at me. That was one conversation I was not looking forward to having with Mister Stark when I returned to the compound, but I probably should give him and Miss Pots a head up.

"So who else did you invite Morgan?" the Captain asked and Morgan began telling all about her party with a smile. I was pleased to see she her mood for the party had changed. She was looking forward to it, although I think she was most excited about playing with a giant ant.

"Wow that's quite the A list invite you have their Morgan," the Captain said and took a right. I avoided looking at him for he had a very piercing stare and it made me slightly uncomfortable. I never knew how to read this guy with his righteousness and over friendly and polite ways. An asshole I can handle, but not this man.

"Well I am kind of a big deal," the kid joked and laughed at her own joke. I rolled my eyes and said: "You are kind of your dad's daughter."

"I'll pretend to not have heard that if you make sure I get a really big present from you," Morgan said with a sly smile. She really was her dad's daughter. Last year I got her a big teddy bear because she dared me. It was about my height and she thought it would annoy her parents because she heard mister Stark bought miss Pots a huge bunny once and she was not happy about it.

"One giant teddy bear will do?" I asked and she added quickly: "Bigger than last year. It didn't receive the right response I was hoping for from mommy and daddy."

"Obviously," I rolled my eyes dramatically and she laughed again. I took out my papers again and wrote in big letters what she had asked for. She smiled while I wrote it down: "Good."

"So I am guessing we have to bring gifts to this party?" the Captain asked and looked at us in his rearview mirror. I made the mistake of looking up as he spoke and he caught my eyes. God his blue eyes are intense. If I was a romantic person I would have noticed my heart started pounding faster, but the man is probably one of the most gorgeous men on this plant so I chalked it up to that.

"How else do you think my bouncer will let you in?" Morgan said jokingly and I managed to break the eye contact. I clicked my pen and Morgan watched as I wrote down bouncer on my paper.

"Can you give me any hints to what the birthday girl wants?" the Captain asked and pulled up in front of the building the Stark family lives in. Miss Pots was waiting at the curb for Morgan. Camille was standing next to her, on the phone and carrying bags for Miss Pots.

"Miss Taylor can help you out with that. Wouldn't be much of a surprise if I pick out all my gifts," Morgan said and the porter walked over to our car to open the door. I turned to Morgan and gave her a look: "What's with the Miss Taylor routine?"

"I got to suck up to you if I want good presents," Morgan said with a smirk that made her look so much like her father.

"I'm pretty sure I also taught you to be less obvious about it," I said and put my papers in my folder and the folder in my bag.

"I'm a kid, I still got a lot to learn," Morgan told me. Wise ass. The Captain laughed at our interaction, while the portiere opened Morgan's door. She ran up to her mother and hugged her. Miss Pots turned to the Captain: "Thank you Steve for picking them up."

"That's alright Pepper, I was on my way out anyway," the Captain smiled at my boss. Yeah I could understand why most women would go weak in the knees for this guy. Camille's eyes grew big as she noticed who was driving the car but they narrowed as she noticed me sitting in the back. Great, I'll be hearing about this tomorrow.

"Say thank you Morgan," Miss Pots say's to the kid and the little girl turns back to the Captain: "See you Saturday Steve."

"Saturday? And that's not what I said," Miss Pots asks and Morgan sends her a sly grin. She walks to the back of the car and the Captain pushes a button so the trunk opens for her. The kid takes her bag out and the portiere closed the trunk for her.

"How about I run the details by you?" I ask my boss and want to get out of the car, but she stops me by waving her hands: "We can do that tomorrow. I'm beat for the day. How about I call you a cab to drive you home?"

I wanted to thank her but was interrupted by the Captain who said he would give me a ride. He turned in his seat and leaned his arm on the passenger seat: "It would be no trouble at all."

I wanted to protest. I mean I'm sure the guy had other things to do, but damn his gaze was very convincing and the way his muscles tensed up as they leaned on the passenger seat were hard to say no to. So I gave in without showing my annoyance. I could practically hear Camille's mouth fall to the curb like a brick stone.

"Thank you Steve, I owe you for today," Miss Pots said and they said their goodbyes. Camille sent me a glare and I couldn't help but smirk at her. Great, I'll be hearing about this tomorrow. I have heard her and Thalia gush over the good Captain many times.

"Would you like to sit in the front?" the Captain asked and waved at the passenger seat. He smiled at me and it reminded me of the smiles male models flashed at you on the runway or in magazines, a million dollar smile.

"I am good in the back," I said and pulled my phone out and went in search for some of Morgan's gifts. I'll probably have to buy an extra one for the Captain now. And maybe even one for mister Robo-man. That reminded me to text miss Pots that Morgan had asked to invite the man and that I told her she had to take that up with her and mister Stark.

"So where to ma'am?" the Captain asked. It felt strange to be referred to as ma'am. I guess not surprising but still old fashioned.

"Jackson Avenue, I can point you the way," I said and he pulled into traffic. I hope we didn't run into to many traffic jams on our way home: "And call me Alex. So Captain, what really happened that Happy couldn't pick us up?"

"Not really sure. I guess it had something to do with the company. Stark was rambling about some investor," the Captain explained and drove into traffic again, following my instructions. He looked at me in the rearview mirror and flashed me a grin: "And it's Steve."

"Must be the Japanese investors. I overheard Miss Pots talking about them threating to withdraw their support if Mister Stark didn't finish some project for them on time," I said to distract myself from that grin that made my stomach do a summersault. I averted my eyes and focused them on my phone . I remembered Morgan liked the Lego set I got her last Christmas. It was from the Harry Potter collection, which the kid likes a lot. New sets had come out, so she would like them.

"So you get to do some shopping for the kid huh, any change you could help me out with the present I have to get her for Saturday. I'm not exactly in with what kids like these days," the Captain asked and looked at me in the rearview mirror again. I kept my eyes fixed on my phone to avoid his gaze.

"Already taking care of that," I said and placed the order for the Lego sets. If Mister Stark would allow Robo-man to come, what wouldn't surprise me with Morgan's talent for laying on the guilt with her parents, I'll already have a present for him as well. In case he can't come, the Captain can just give her two presents. Happy will want to get her something himself. Now I only need to get her something from her parents. Parker will probably get her something himself and Cassie's dad will probably go shopping with his daughter to buy something for Morgan, but I wouldn't be surprised if the other invites would ask for my help too.

"You know her that well?" Steve asked and seemed impressed I had already managed to get her a gift from him.

"Yes now I only need to figure out what to get her from her parents. She has been begging for a pony since she's four, but I think a family weekend would be more fitting for the family, don't you?" I asked and looked up from my phone. I was prepared for his gaze and smirked because I could tell he was the one who was taken aback and he broke the eye contact first. I wondered if he was trying to be intimidating or if it was something else. This man is so hard to read.

"The family weekend does sound like a better present for them," the Captain said and stopped at a red light. He laughed suddenly: "Although I would love to see Tony's face when he sees Morgan is getting a pony from him and Pepper."

"She'll get one eventually, but she is a bit to young now. I already look forward to seeing their reactions," I said with a smirk on my face as I looked for tickets to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A trip like that will force her parents to pay attention to her. Knowing them they would be on their phones behind her back if they went to some vacation cabin or something.

"And where will you sending them of to?" the Captain started the car again.

"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Morgan will love that and it will probably annoy Mister Stark a lot," I said with a smile as I booked the tickets. I could just imagine Mister Stark standing in line for a ride. I give him ten minutes before he starts flashing his money to get a VIP treatment.

"Where would they be going?" the Captain askes confused as he takes a left. I notice he is a very careful driver. Everyone in New York practically has road rage, which is why I'm not interested in buying a car while I live here. But he is very calm and doesn't make any sudden dangerous moves.

"You're kidding right?" I ask and look up surprised. He looked confused so I continued: "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a theme park based on the series by J.K. Rowling. It's one of the holey three."

The man stopped in front of a red light again and leaned his arm on the passenger seat and looked at me. Damn that jaw line and those muscles: "The holy three?"

"Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, the biggest franchises in the world," I said and counted on my fingers: "The Harry Potter books will go down in history like the works of Tolkien, Shakespeare, Tolstoy etc."

"I don't think anyone has mentioned those books to me before," the Captain said and started the car again. He look a left: "Tolstoy rings a bell though."

"Anna Karenina came out in 1877 so you might have read it back in your day. And you have been poorly informed, but it is understandable. It is a children's book that grew into a multi-million success," I explained.

"I'll look it up when I have the time," the Captain said and he rode into my street. I was pleased we didn't end up in any traffic jams. You never know in New York.

"It's the brownstone on the right," I pointed out and stuffed my phone in my bag and my papers: "You should. The books are easy reads, but the story is very reminiscent of World War 2."

"Really? A children's book about World War Two? How so?" the Captain parked in front of my building.

"Read it and find out. I'm a nerd, we don't hand out spoilers," I said and opened the door to get out. I was looking forward to taking my heels of and resting my feet. I should have changed my shoes when I went to Central Park with Morgan, but I had forget my flats in my locker at the office.

The Captain got out as well and leaned his arms on top of his car. He had quickly put on his hat and sunglasses. I smiled at the appearance: "Does that really work?"

"Shockingly it does. People don't pay attention when they are out on the street," the Captain said and looked around. The people who were walking on the pavement didn't give us any attention.

"You know, I thought I read somewhere that Captain America didn't have a driver's license," I said and he looked down while smiling: "Yeah, not the coolest moment in my life when I had to get one and have my actual age printed on it."

"What? You don't like being associated with your fellow peers?" I asked as I went up the stairs to my building. I heard him laugh as I search in my purse for my keys: "And here I thought only women were self-conscious about their age."

"Now you are just mocking me," the Captain told me and I smirked at him: "Someone has to from time to time. Keeps you humble. But thanks for the ride Captain."

"It's Steve," the man said and I turned back before opening my door. He looked at me intently and a small smirk hanging on his lips. Damn he looked handsome like that. I swallowed before speaking again: "I'll remember that…Captain."

…

"Why are you smiling like that?" Bucky asked when I got home. He was watching TV, a beer in his hands. Even though it doesn't do anything for us, we still like drinking it.

"Nothing," I lied but not very convincing. Bucky picked up on it. I never could lie to him anyway.

"Tell that to your face. Why are you late?" he asked and turned around to look at me. I wanted to ignore him but he raised his eyebrow. He had pulled his hair back in a messy bun. He really needs to get it cut, but he keeps ignoring my comments about it. I wonder if it's because he doesn't want someone so close to him with a pair of scissors or if he doesn't want people to actually see his face or if he just doesn't really care.

"Stark asked me to pick up his daughter. There was some kind of commotion at the tower," I explained and sat down next to him, laying my feet on the coffee table.

"Why would he ask you?" Bucky asked and he handed me his beer.

"Because it's his daughter. He's not going to just sent some random person to pick her up," I explained trying to sound casual and accepted the bottle and drank from it.

"And why would you agree?" Bucky kept on asking.

"He needed help and I was of duty," I said and pretended to watch TV. Bucky turned his head slowly to me and I had to bite the inside of my cheek from blushing.

"She was with Morgan, wasn't she?" I choked on his drink, what made Bucky laugh. It always sounded weird to hear him laugh these days. It was when he laughed like this I realized how lucky I was to have him back. Maybe messed up, but at least he was alive and breathing.

"You actually jumped on the first opportunity you got, didn't you?" Bucky continued laughing as his hand roughed my hair. It felt warm as it laid itself at the back of my neck.

"Oh shut up," I said and laid down on the couch, my head resting on his leg, his hand laid itself in my hair stroking it. He used to do it all the time when I got sick.

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" he joked and we fell into a comfortable silence. We didn't talk about moments like this because they were rare. It depended on his mood and state of mind. Things had been calm this week, but in our line of duty that could change any at second.

"Oh and we're going to a birthday party this Saturday," I mentioned casually after a while of watching TV. It was some show I didn't recognized so it was hard to follow. Bucky's hand stopped and I looked up to see he was looking down at me with a raised eyebrow.

"You might want to get a haircut by then though," I pointed out and looked up at him with a smile.

"Don't I usually drag you to parties?" he asks and he looks at me.

"Times change my friend," I said and relaxed again as his hand started running threw my hair again and we both turn back to the TV screen.

"And to who's party are we going to?" he asked and took a sip from his beer.

"Morgan Stark," I chuckled because he choked on his drink: "She specially requested you, Robo-man."

"You're such a punk," Bucky sighed and ruffled my hair roughly.