Luckily, my confrontation with Christine did not get Bucky in trouble with Fury. Unknown to the two of us, Clint had already informed the Director that he was using SHIELD facilities to train me. Fury had taken my incident with Deacon Lister into consideration when Clint told him and had granted him approval to continue my lessons.

When I had shown up to training on Tuesday morning, Clint had filled me in on what had happened during Christine's meeting. She had showed up in Director Fury's office that morning to see that Bucky and Clint were both there as well. The Director had been furious when he was told what had occurred. He informed Christine that she was not agent material and when he offered her a desk job she was too stubborn to accept it. The moment she started throwing a fit and screaming at the three of them, she had been escorted by Hill to the locker room to retrieve her things before relinquishing her access pass to the building. Even though I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Bucky would never betray me, I still felt better knowing that she was out of the picture.

During our training session that day, Director Fury had shown up...evidently the incident between me and his SHIELD trainee had piqued his interest. Clint and I were in the middle of an intense round when he had walked through the door. My usually completely focused instructor had gotten distracted when he saw Fury, allowing me the opportunity to connect a blow to his gut and sweep his feet out from under him. I had smiled when I heard the clapping coming from behind me. I had reached out and helped Clint up off the mat and he had led me over to make the introductions.

Bucky had expressed to me many times how much respect he had for the Director but as I stood in front of him, shaking his hand, I found myself a little intimidated. Fury had observed me while we did some target practice and I saw him raise his eyebrows in surprise when he saw the well-aimed shots. When he got ready to leave, he had asked Clint to give us some privacy for a moment.

I remembered how nervous I had been, standing in front of him as he looked down at me.

"Ms. Page..." he started.

"Please, call me Eden" I had interrupted.

He had given me a small smile before speaking again, "Eden...I must say that I am very impressed by what I have seen from you today. Either Barton is an excellent teacher or you truly have missed your calling in life"

I had chuckled softly, "Can't it be both?"

"Perhaps" He had nodded, "I would ask if you would be interested in joining SHIELD but I am aware of the feelings that Sergeant Barnes has for you. I know he would never allow it me to extend the offer"

I had been surprised, "Thank you sir. That is a great compliment coming from you. I imagine you are right thought...Bucky can be a little overprotective."

Fury had raised his eyebrows at me, "It is a natural instinct to protect the ones you love...human nature so to speak. I believe Barnes' affection for you is part of the reason he has been able to adjust so well after his days as the Winter Soldier. Would I be correct in assuming that you return these feelings for him?"

I had blushed and lowered my head, "Yes sir...I do."

He continued, "I have read Dr. Peters' notes on his sessions with Barnes...he is impressed very how much progress has been made. We have both come to the conclusion that it is because of you young lady"

I had nervously chuckled, "I would like to think so"

"With that being said Eden, I need you to understand that Sergeant Barnes is a very valuable asset to SHIELD...perhaps our greatest weapon against HYDRA"

I then narrowed my eyes at him, "Bucky is not a weapon...he isn't the Fist of HYDRA anymore. You think he's valuable to SHIELD? Well let me tell you something, he's a lot more valuable to me! I love that man and I'm not going..."

He held up his hands, "Please let me finish Ms. Page" he said sternly.

I had shut my mouth and crossed my arms over my chest to let him finish.

With a sigh he had said, "There are people out there that would not agree that he is not a weapon anymore Ms. Page. You are aware of the man searching for him? Milton Kaine?"

When I nodded my head he continued, "Kaine is doing everything in his power find the Winter Soldier and I am doing everything in mine to prevent that from happening. Like I said, Sergeant Barnes is an asset to me, to SHIELD. If Kaine finds Barnes, he will most certainly use you against him. I am known as a hard man Eden...but not a cruel one...I do not wish to find out what would happen if Kaine got his hands on you. Since your safety is a priority to Sergeant Barnes that in turn makes it a priority to me"

The Director of SHIELD is making my safety a priority!

Fury had rendered me speechless...I had stood there shifting nervously under his gaze before nodding my understanding, "I appreciate that sir"

He had glanced at Clint before turning back to me, "Continue training with Barton. I will do my best to keep your Winter Soldier safe Eden"

He had caught Clint's eye and with a final nod my way he had turned to exit.

"Director Fury!" I had called after him and when he turned back I had said, "You know his life is more important than mine. Make sure he doesn't sacrifice himself...not for me"

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that" he had said before disappearing from the room.

I had been thinking long and hard about that conversation for the last two days. I only hoped that if it came down to it, Fury would respect my wishes. I would never be able to live with myself if something happened to Bucky...especially if it was to save me.

I shook my head and tried to stop thinking morbid thoughts...today was a day of giving thanks and I had a lot to be thankful for. I was in the middle of stirring cake batter while Brooke and Bucky sat on her couch watching the Thanksgiving parade on TV...my best friend and the great love of my life. I glanced over at the clock, Bucky and I had arrived at Brooke's almost two hours ago and the two of them had been watching TV for nearly the entire time.

While you slave away over a hot stove!

We had decided on Tuesday that Brooke would handle cooking the turkey and I was in charge of everything else. Honestly, I was okay with it...I knew Brooke's culinary skills were less than average.

Who in the world nearly fails Home Economics in school? BROOKE!

When we had arrived at her apartment earlier with two huge bags of groceries, she had answered the door with a super proud look on her face. She had laughed at the nervous expression on mine when she said she had already put the turkey in the oven.

"I swear I followed your instructions to the letter" she had insisted.

I had decided to do all the cooking at her house so we could at least spend the day together. So far, I had been left alone in the kitchen the entire time but seeing the two of them getting along so well more than made up for it. A commercial came on and Brooke jumped up off the couch and made her way into the kitchen to check the turkey that was currently baking away in the oven. I had peeked over her shoulder with a smile while she checked it...she saw me and stuck her tongue out at me before closing the oven door again.

Brooke had been pretty bummed out ever since Steve had left for his latest mission. He had promised to be back today but she still hadn't heard anything from him and I knew she was upset. I only hoped that he managed to make it back in time for dinner.

She was now leaning against the counter with a frown on her face and a faraway look in her eye. I put my spoon down and scooted over to slip my arm over her shoulder and pull her close to me.

"He will be here Brooke. Steve always keeps his promises" I told her.

Come on Steve! Don't make a liar out of me! She'll be heartbroken if he doesn't make it.

She had told me what happened between the two of them the night we left them at the bar. I knew she was disappointed that he got called away for a mission on the night she had finally decided to take things a step further in their relationship. She looked over at me and forced a smile on her face before nodding at me and making her way back over to the couch to sit next to Bucky. I went back to stirring my cake mix and humming to a song that was playing on the radio. I kept my eye on the two of them, smiling when I heard Bucky asking Brooke what the big yellow square float was supposed to be.

I tried to suppress a chuckle when her mouth dropped open and she said in disbelief, "That's SpongeBob Square Pants Bucky! You can't honestly tell me you've never heard of him"

He shook his head, "SquareBob who?"

"You're unbelievable Bucky...how have you not heard of SpongeBob Square Pants?" Before he could reply she had turned to me and yelled, "Eden, how has he not heard of SpongeBob?!" I just shook my head and laughed before returning back to my cooking.

Brooke picked up the remote and started flipping through channels until she found one playing her reruns of SpongeBob. Brooke had a slight obsession with the cartoon character...I'm sure if I went and dug through her dresser I would find her beloved SpongeBob pajamas folded neatly inside a drawer. It was her secret guilty pleasure. I bet if I showed up at her house on a Saturday morning, she would be dressed in those pajamas watching the cartoon and eating those gummy crabby patties she had stuffed in the back of her pantry.

She threw the remote down and patted Bucky on the leg before exclaiming, "Watch and learn my friend"

When the first episode was done, Brooke begged him to watch another with her, pouting at him when he initially shook his head. He didn't exactly look enthralled but he knew she was missing Steve so he sat with her and watched another episode.

I let my cake mix settle in the bowl while I looked over a recipe for chicken and dressing. I smiled when Dust in the Wind came on the radio and started quietly humming the song. I gathered all the vegetables I needed and started chopping them while it played. As the song progressed, I stopped humming and started to sing it softly.

"I close my eyes only for a moment and the moments gone. All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity. Dust in the wind. All they are is dust in the wind. Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea. All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see. Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wind"

I sat my knife down when I finished chopping everything and threw it into my bowl before I wiped my hand on a towel. It suddenly occurred to me that I didn't hear the TV any longer and I looked up to see Bucky and Brooke both smiling at me. I realized that I had gotten so wrapped up in the song that I had begun singing it loud enough for them to hear me. I stopped singing and lowered my head in embarrassment, feeling the blush in my cheeks. Brooke knew I had a thing about singing out loud in front of people so she promptly unmuted the TV and went back to watching her cartoon. I peeked up though and saw Bucky was still staring at me, a sweet smile on his face. He picked up his empty water bottle and made his way in the kitchen to throw it in the trash.

I was pouring my batter into a cake pan when he came up beside me and whispered in my ear, "Your voice is almost as beautiful as you are"

I set the bowl down on the counter and turned to face him, knowing that there was a blush on my cheeks. He pulled me into a tight hug and kissed my forehead sweetly. When he pulled away, he placed a hand on my cheek, staring at me with those beautiful blue eyes of his for a long time.

I finally asked, "What are you thinking?"

He smiled mischievously, "Nothing...just admiring the view"

He quickly leaned over to stick his finger in the cake pan full of batter, licking it off and smiling wide, "Yum" I shook my head at him and laughed...secretly pleased that he thought it tasted good.

I smacked his hand with a wooden spoon when he tried to go for another taste, "No sir, get your finger out of the cake pan!" I handed him the nearly empty mixing bowl instead and he happily leaned back on the counter to dip his finger inside.

"This is delicious...I knew there was a reason why I liked you so much" he teased.

I scoffed at him and turned back around to the counter, "Thanks a lot...I'm still trying to figure out why I like you"

I felt him come up behind me and press himself against me, "You know exactly why you like me" He bent down and kissed my neck softly, wrapping his arm around my stomach as he did it. I leaned against him and laid my hand over his, turning my head so he could brush his lips against mine.

"Cut it out your two! No hanky panky in my kitchen" I heard Brooke call from the living room.

Bucky pulled away with a laugh, "Jealous?" I heard him call to her.

Brooke flipped him off without even turning around, her eyes glued to the TV as she watched SpongeBob.

I watched as Bucky dipped his finger in the bowl again but before he could lick it off, I grabbed his wrist and pulled it into my mouth. He eyes widened as I sucked the cake batter off his finger and swirled my tongue around it, playfully moaning in the process.

I saw him swallow hard when I pulled his finger from my mouth and then I casually turned around to get back to cooking. I glanced over my shoulder and he was still standing there, a sly smile had replaced the shocked look on his face.

"Go keep Brooke company" I said quietly, "Keep her mind off of Steve"

He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before heading back to the living room and plopping back down on the couch to watch cartoons with Brooke.

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BUCKY POV

I sat back down next to Brooke on the couch and looked over to see her with a small frown still on her face. I knew she was worried about Steve...to be honest, so was I. I hadn't told the girls, but I knew Steve was actually supposed to have been back last night.

Something had to have happened! Dammit Steve, you better get your ass back here!

I had called Barton this morning while Eden was in the shower to see if he had heard anything. Unfortunately, he was just as much in the dark as I was. I knew if anything terrible had happened, Fury would have called me but it still bothered me that he hadn't shown up yet.

Steve's tough, he'll be fine! Stop worrying Bucky!

I looked back over at Eden and smiled as she unconsciously started singing softly again. She caught me staring and threw me another sweet smile. I sat there and watched her as she moved around the kitchen cooking. I loved watching her do the simplest things...cooking...cleaning...it didn't matter. I had sat on the couch last night helping her fold our laundry, fascinated as I watched her small hands work. It all made me think about how I wanted to watch her do that for the rest of our lives.

Marriage had been on my mind a lot lately...the reasons to do it just kept piling up. I had known for a long time that Eden was the only one for me...all I had to do now was grow some balls and ask the question. I hadn't told Steve but I was dying to talk to someone about it. I looked over at Brooke and saw her still watching the absurd yellow sea creature on TV.

I scooted closer to her and leaned in to whisper, "Can I talk to you about something?"

She looked over at me curiously and nodded, "Sure Bucky. What's up?"

"You have to promise not to say anything" I said.

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, what is it?" she said, leaning in closer with a smile on her face.

I glanced up at Eden and saw she was concentrating on the recipe book sitting on the counter. I smiled and whispered, "I'm thinking of asking Eden to marry me"

Brooke's eyes widened and she yelped excitedly, "Really?" She quickly slapped her hand over her mouth and we both looked over at Eden. Her head jerked up when she heard Brooke's squeal...she looked at us inquisitively. I shrugged my shoulders at her and then pointed to Brooke mouthing the word "Crazy". Brooke smacked me hard on the shoulder and I saw Eden chuckle and look back down at her book. When Brooke turned the volume up on the TV to drown out our conversation, Eden reached over to pull her IPOD out of her purse to stick the earphones in so she could drown out the cartoon.

Once I was sure Eden wasn't paying attention to us any longer, I turned back to Brooke. She was grinning, "Really?" she whispered.

I nodded my head, "Do you think she would say yes?"

She rolled her eyes and smiled, "Of course she'll say yes Bucky. That girl is head over heels in love with you. When are you going to ask her?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know. I've been thinking about it for a long time. I figured I should probably meet her parents first. We are spending Christmas with them so I thought I would ask her dad for permission before I proposed"

Brooke rolled her eyes at me, "That's so old fashion Bucky"

"That's how we did it in my day" I said simply.

She seemed to think for about it for a moment...I saw a look cross her face and then she grinned at me wickedly, "Yeah, you should probably talk to her dad first"

"What's that look for?" I asked suspiciously.

"That..." she said, pointing at Eden, "is Richard Page's only daughter...his little Nerys...the apple of his eye. My advice to you Bucky is to make a good impression on him. Fair warning, he isn't easily impressed"

I looked over at Eden, watching her mouthing words to whatever song she was listening to. She looked up and glanced my way, smiling the sweetest and brightest smile at me before looking back down at what she was doing.

I'll do whatever it takes to be with her.

I turned away and faced Brooke when she started talking again, "I'll tell you one good thing though...her parents despised Michael...like right from the start. Hell, even I hated him. Her mom always told me there was something about the way he treated Eden that rubbed her the wrong way"

The mention of Michael's name made me clench my fist tightly.

I felt Brooke's hand touch my arm and I looked over at her, "You're not like him though Bucky. I know they are going to love you. All they have to do is see the two of you together and they'll know...you'd do anything for that woman"

I gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand, "Thanks Brooke. When I get ready to start looking for a ring, will you come with me?"

Her eyes widened and she squealed again, "YAY! Of course" She slapped her hand over her mouth again and we both looked Eden's way. She had our back turned to us and was swaying to the music as she stirred something on the stove.

Brooke sat back on the couch and continued watching her cartoon. I tried to force myself to watch it too but I couldn't help but sneak glances at Eden every few moments. All I could think about was that dream I had a few days ago and that baby she had been rocking in her arms.

I'm going to make it come true...that dream is going to be real one day.

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Brooke POV

I had a hard time focusing on watching SpongeBob after Bucky told me he was planning to propose to Eden. I was so excited for her...for them both...the two of them were meant to be together. I respected Bucky and I knew he would do anything for Eden.

Hell, he killed for her.

I looked over at the clock and saw it was getting later and later. We had agreed to eat dinner at 5:00 and it was now 4:45. I picked my phone up off the side table and looked at it...no missed calls, no text messages.

Where is Steve? He promised me.

Bucky noticed me sigh and without turning my way he said, "Stop looking at your phone. He'll be here. Steve wouldn't dare miss it"

I crossed my hands over my chest and laid back again on the couch. I kept thinking about what had happened Saturday night and how close me and Steve had come to sleeping together. I remembered how it had felt when he had covered me with his body, the way his fingers felt on my skin, and the feel of his lips on mine. I let out a shiver and glanced at the clock again.

4:55

I looked over towards the table that Eden was setting. I smiled when I saw her setting it for four people...she was confident that Steve would make it. She glanced up at me and grinned before continuing. I got up off the couch and headed to the kitchen to take a look at my first ever turkey. It had turned out perfect!

"Not too bad Donovan" I heard Eden say as she entered the kitchen again and began carrying food over to the table.

"Did you expect any less than perfection from moi?" I said.

She snorted, "Perfection? This coming from the girl who made a D in Home Economics"

I picked up a basket of rolls and carried it over to the table, sticking my tongue out at her in the process. Once everything was on the table I looked at the clock again and my heart sank.

5:05

Steve is officially late!

I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw Bucky standing beside me, "He probably just got caught in traffic. Let's wait a little while longer for him"

I looked over at Eden and saw her nodding her head...I shook mine, "No, it's okay...we can go ahead and start" I saw the look they gave each other and continued, "Really, it's fine guys"

The three of us sat down at the table in silence, looking around at each other awkwardly.

"Let's eat" I said, forcing a small smile on my face.

I was reaching for a roll when I heard the knock at the door. The three of us looked up at each other in surprise and I saw a wide smile appear on their faces.

I jumped up quickly and ran for the door, pulling it open eagerly. There he stood, smiling sweetly at me, a small bouquet of roses in his hand. I threw myself at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. His own arms circled my waist and as I buried my face in his chest.

He brushed his lips on my forehead, "Sorry, I'm late. Got a little held up" he said softly.

I stayed clinging to his chest, inhaling the scent of his cologne and feeling the warmth of his body, "I think I'll forgive you this time Rogers. Don't dare let it happen again" I tilted my head up to whisper in his ear, "I missed you"

"I missed you too" he said hoarsely, squeezing me a little tighter.

I pulled away to get a good look at him and let out a small gasp when I saw the cut above his eye and a scuff on his chin.

"...Steve...your face..." I murmured, reaching out to touch the spot on his chin.

He put his finger over my mouth and shook his head, "I'm fine Brooke" I pulled him inside and when he handed me the roses, I kissed his cheek.

I took his hand and led him to the table...I noticed he was moving slower than normal and his body seemed stiff with pain. I glanced over at Bucky and I knew he noticed as well. I caught the look that they gave each other and when Bucky raised his eyebrow at him, Steve shook his head.

He leaned down to give Eden a quick hug and patted Bucky on the back as he walked by him to sit at the table next to me. I noticed that he grimaced as he sat down in his chair. He realized that the three of us were staring at him and he finally chuckled, "Come on guys, let's eat"

After that, nothing could ruin my night. I had good food and even better friends surrounding me. After dinner, we decided to watch a movie. I let Eden and Bucky pick what to watch because honestly I didn't care for once. As long as I had Steve next to me, I was a happy girl. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me tightly to his chest, rubbing my back with his hand while the movie played. I had both of my hands wrapped tightly around his other hand, rubbing my fingers between his slowly. I looked up at him when I realized he had stopped rubbing my back and saw he was looking down at me.

For several moments, we just stared at each other...my heart was racing for some reason. He finally leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Can I stay with you tonight?"

I nodded my head, "Yes"

Waiting for the movie to end was torture and even when it was over, I did my best not to rush Bucky and Eden out of the apartment. They both had knowing smiles on their faces and I swear they hung around after the movie on purpose. I finally gave Eden "the look" and she patted Bucky on the back and said, "Babe, I think it's time for us to head home"

Bucky chuckled and gave Steve a quick glance, "Let's meet up tomorrow to talk"

Steve nodded his head, "I'll call you"

I watched as Bucky stepped up and gave Steve a quick hug, "Don't be late next time jerk"

I walked Eden and Bucky to the door and gave them both quick hugs before shoving them out the door with a smile. As soon as I turned around Steve was there, hands on my waist, looking down at me. I stood on tip toe and kissed him softly on the lips before taking his hand and leading him to the bedroom.