A/N: In honor of the 10th anniversary of Captain America: The First Avenger and meeting our beloved James Buchanan Barnes for the first time I present to you Chapter 17.

As the gala wound down, people started to filter out and some stopped by to thank Ruth and wish her a good night. Bucky stepped up behind Ruth and wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned over to kiss her neck.

"Hey beautiful."

"Mmm. Hey handsome."

"What do you say we blow this popsicle joint and head back to my place?"

"I like the sound of that. Let me just tell Vi and we can leave."

Bucky watched Ruth walk across the big room to where Violet stood with Steve, Pepper and Tony. The burgundy dress fit her perfectly, the skirt danced about her feet when she walked and the tulle long sleeves floated and it was perfectly offset by the fitted and boned bodice. Her dark hair was pinned up in curls that reminded Bucky of a pin up girl.

"Hey Vi. Bucky and I are heading out. You have the key to my apartment, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night Ruthie."

"Good night Vi."

The two women hugged.

Back at the Tower in Bucky's apartment, Ruth set her clutch by the door and wandered over to the windows to watch the city lights below. Bucky stood by the door and just watched her for a few moments. He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket and took a photo then crossed the room. Wrapping his arms around her waist he leaned over and rested his chin on her shoulder. The glittering lights of the city were captivating, but Bucky had other plans for finishing off such a magical evening.

He kissed the bare skin at the base of her neck and continued in a line, nudging the sheer, floaty sleeve off her shoulder as he went. He heard her hum as she let her head tilt to the side allowing him unobstructed access to her neck. After a moment, he stepped back, catching Ruth's hand as he did. He walked backwards towards his bedroom, guiding Ruth by her hand. His eyes never left hers.

"You look absolutely stunning, Ruth. I saw you standing there when I walked in and haven't been able to take my eyes off you. You are the kindest, most caring person I have ever met and I would really like nothing more than to spend the rest of the night showing you how much I love you."

They had reached his room and he twirled her into the room, closing the door behind them. Still at arm's length, Ruth looked at Bucky.

"Thank you for being there tonight, Bucky. It meant so much to have you there with me. And I have to say, I felt like the luckiest girl there to be with you. Don't think I didn't notice all the heads turn every time you passed. You look absolutely divine and it's a good thing I'm not a jealous woman."

She took a few steps forward to close the distance between them and wrapped her hand around the burgundy tie tucked into his vest. She looked up into his eyes, gave a tug on his tie and whispered,

"Take me to bed, Sergeant Barnes."

She saw his pupils dilate and he leaned in to kiss her.

"As you wish, doll."

They took their time undressing each other and Bucky spent the night proving to Ruth how lucky he felt to have her. When they finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning, Ruth was curled up along Bucky's side with her head on his shoulder, his right arm curled around her.

The next morning, Violet arrived at the Tower with a change of clothes for Ruth and coffee and pastries for all four of them. Ruth came out of Bucky's bedroom in one of his t-shirts a few minutes after Violet had arrived to find Vi and Steve sitting on the couch together.

"Good morning!"

"Morning Ruthie! I brought you a change of clothes and there's coffee and pastries on the counter."

"Have I ever told you you're amazing? Because you truly are perfect and I love you."

Vi laughed,

"Oh I know."

Bucky appeared a few moments later and wished everyone a good morning, thanked Violet for the breakfast and joined Ruth in the kitchen. Ruth went to change into actual clothes. When she returned, Violet was about to start a video projected from her phone.

"Whatcha watchin'?"

Violet just shot her that mischievous smirk.

"Oh god. Please tell me it's not what I think it is?"

Violet just smiled.

"Violet Collette Malcolm don't you…"

The threat died and her face burned red as an announcer came over the speaker,

"Next up is Ruth Wood performing a tribute for all our World War II veterans."

A younger version of Ruth appeared on the stage in a dress with a red and white stripped skirt and blue halter top with sequined lapels and wearing a blue pill box hat atop Victory curls. The opening notes of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters came through the speaker and the girl on stage broke into a choreographed dance and perfectly lip-synced routine.

Ruth covered her face with her hands, completely embarrassed. Halfway through the song she dared a peek at the two men sitting on the couch on either side of her best friend. Both men watched the screen with rapt attention. No one was laughing much to Ruth's surprise. As the song came to an end and the girl on the screen snapped to a salute, Ruth kept her eyes on Bucky and Steve.

There was a slight smile on both men's faces and Steve looked over to her and asked,

"Was that dress…"

"An authentic replica from the real ones from your war bonds tour? Yeah."

Steve was smiling and leaned back into the couch, threw his arm around Violet, relaxed and said,

"That was pretty great, Ruth."

Bucky asked,

"How old were you?"

"18."

Violet chimed in,

"It was the last of our high school talent shows."

"I was a dancer so it was practically obligatory that I be in the talent show. I also clearly had an obsession with the era."

Bucky stood off the couch and approached her,

"I think it was real sweet and you did an incredible job."

He leaned in and kissed her then said,

"Though it kind of makes me feel like an old man."

Steve laughed,

"Yes it does."

Ruth smiled back at Bucky.