My sincerest apologies for taking so long posting this chapter. Unfortunately not long after I posted my last chapter, I ended up having a miscarriage and it has taken me some time to get back into my writing. I am fine and the hubby and I are already trying again. However, since it has been so long since I posted, I would ask that everyone give me some feedback. It's hard to delve back into the story after such a long hiatus and I want to make sure I am remaining true to both the story and the characters. Reviews are greatly appreciated and needed...it makes me happy hearing from you, the readers. Hope you enjoy!

-Ecorley

Eden POV

The moment I opened the door and saw Brooke standing there, clinging to Steve's hand like her life depended on it, I knew that I could never truly blame her for everything that had happened. The swell of relief I felt in my chest was a more than welcoming feeling and I instantly threw my arms around her. For just moment I felt her stiffen against me, a wave of uncertainty radiating from her body, but I only squeezed her tighter against my chest. When I felt her body finally relax and her hands tentatively wrap around my shoulders to return the hug, I looked up and saw Steve smiling down at the two of us.

"Thank you" he mouthed silently.

I gave him the barest of nods and returned a small smile of my own.

He finally tore his eyes away from the two of us to look at something behind me and his smile only widened more. Even without turning around, I knew it had to be Bucky he was grinning at that way. I closed my eyes for a moment as Brooke and I hugged, a wave of memories suddenly flashing through my mind.

(10 years old): Riding our bikes over to Jill's house for our weekly sleepover. Brooke's red hair was flying over shoulders as I pedaled after her, that mischievous glint in her eyes as she glanced back to see me racing to catch up.

(13 years old): It's the end of the school year dance; Jill and I are leaning against the wall sipping punch as we watch Brooke slow dance with Evan Peyton, the boy she'd had a crush on for months. Brooke looked positively graceful next to Evan, who was swaying awkwardly to the music as he shuffled his feet side to side. When the young boy's back was facing me and Jill, Brooke threw us a thumb's up sign, that same devilish glint in her eyes.

(18 years old): The three of us at the airport on the day Brooke was leaving for college on the West Coast. The last 13 years we had spent nearly every single day together and now she was getting on a plane to fly to the other end of the country. I didn't know it at that moment, but it would be months before we would see her again and that the period of time between visits would get longer and longer each time. Right before she walked through the doors, she glanced back and gave us a small wave and a wink.

I finally stopped squeezing and let my arms fall at my side gently. Brooke was slower to let go but she eventually stepped away, taking a deep breath and lowering her eyes slightly. I pretended like I didn't notice the stray tear that slipped down her cheek and turned around to smile at Bucky while she composed herself.

He stood there, hair still wet from the shower and smelling of his body wash, with a small smile of his own on his face as he too watched us. I felt my cheeks flush with heat as the briefest image of what had happened between us not more than half an hour ago popped into my head...a tangle of naked flesh, sweat, and the sounds of our lovemaking. News of my plans to halt my training temporarily had put Bucky in the best of moods, evidenced by his vigorous display in the bedroom earlier. His smile quickly turned into a smirk as he noticed the red now flooding my cheeks. I wondered for a moment if he could actually hear how quickly my heart beat had sped up from just that one memory. I shook my head at him, rolling my eyes and taking a deep breath. I took a small step closer and placed my hands on his chest as I stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek gently. His hand slid to the small of my back and I felt the warm touch of his fingers against my skin as I pulled away to see him staring down at me. He was watching me so intently, his blue eyes boring into my own and for a moment I stared back wondering what he was thinking. I opened my mouth to ask but quickly closed it, knowing that inquiring in front of Brooke and Steve would be less than appropriate. As close as he and Steve were and as much as he adored my little red headed best friend, I knew Bucky was still very much a private person and his thoughts were for him and him only...and maybe even occasionally for me. Instead, I nudged him with my body and snuggled up to him until he put his arm around my shoulder and rested his chin on the top of my head.

My sweet Bucky...my Winter Soldier...the love of my life.

I couldn't wait for my parents...for my family as a whole, to meet the man who had changed my life. Bucky was nervous...I could always see it in his eyes each and every time the upcoming trip was mentioned. I knew it was an odd situation...introducing your family to your boyfriend the first time was always supposed to be a little nerve wracking but in our case, Bucky's past was going to take some time to explain and maybe even for them to accept. I didn't doubt they would warm up to him though...my parents had raised me to be a compassionate person, a quality the two of them shared as well.

I finally glanced over at Brooke to see Steve had his hand on the small of her back and the two of them were looking at each other...Steve was smiling down at Brooke who in turn was looking up at him with a hopeful smile. The two of them were having a moment of their own and I almost felt like Bucky and I were intruding on something sacred. It was nice, much nicer than I could ever imagine, seeing my friend so enamored with someone...to see that look of adoration on her face. It was the same look I saw reflected in Bucky's eyes when he looked at me and it was in that moment, in that small fleeting moment, that I realized the most amazing of truths.

Brooke is in love with him...

I glanced over at Steve only to see the same look reflected in his eyes.

...and he's in love with her too.

I guess had already realized that Brooke was very special to Steve. You could see it...in every action...in every word spoken to her...in every touch. I had seen it since the beginning...just a spark between them, similar to the same spark Bucky and I had shared on that bench just a few months prior. They might not be at the level Bucky and I were at since the two of us had both fell so hard and so fast for each other but I could still see that it was possible for them to have what we had someday.

Bucky had told me about Peggy Carter and the memories he had of her and Steve. The two of them had never gotten the chance at a real relationship and it seemed that Steve wasn't willing to let that happen again. Brooke had gotten her heart broken a couple times before, which is why I think she was so flippant with men now...she didn't want to get hurt...not Brooke Donovan. Maybe, just maybe, Steve was the man she had been waiting for all these years.

I wonder if either of them has told the other yet. Curious...very curious.

I gave them one last look before finally clearing my throat, "Well, are we going to just stand in the hallway all night or are we going to eat that delicious smelling food" I said, motioning to the sack Steve held in his hand.

I watched as Steve reluctantly pulled his gaze off Brooke to smile at me and Bucky.

"Well I don't know about you Bucky, but I'm starving after that workout earlier" he said as he wrapped his arm around Brooke's shoulders and followed us into the apartment.

"You should be" Bucky said with a snort, "I'm sure one builds up quite an appetite after getting their ass kicked all afternoon"

I plopped myself down on the couch and Brooke slipped down beside me, nudging me with her knee to get my attention and then grinning wide. Steve's mouth had dropped open and he looked between the three of us...first Bucky, then Brooke, and then me. Brooke and I had both quickly stifled our laughs with our hands and watched as Steve placed his hand on his hip and glared at Bucky.

"I don't seem to remember it going down that way Bucky Barnes" Steve said, eyeing Bucky. Brooke and I sat back on the couch and began unpacking the takeout while the two of them argued quietly about who had beaten who. For once, things felt like they were exactly as they should be.

Bucky POV

"I'm glad you called" Steve said quietly as he helped me carry empty food containers to the kitchen.

I could hear Eden and Brooke still giggling together about the movie we had just watched and I couldn't help but turn around and smile at the sight. The two of them were side by side on the couch leaning against each other with the brightest of smiles on their faces.

"Brooke really needed this" he continued, "She's been miserable all week"

I turned away from the girls and continued behind him, "It wasn't my idea...it was hers" I said, turning my head to get one glance at Eden's smiling face before entering the kitchen, "You were right Steve, she just needed some time"

After throwing away all the trash and putting the dirty dishes in the sink, Steve and I leaned against the counter.

"So she's really taking a break from training...for the rest of the year?" Steve asked.

"That's what she says. I'm not sure it's what she really wants or if she's just doing it for me. Either way, I'll take it. After what I saw Monday, I just..." I let my sentence end there, unsure of how to explain what I was feeling.

Worry...unease...fear?

Eden's intensity that day...her aggressiveness...it was unnerving. When we had met, Eden was this pure and innocent being...someone I knew I didn't deserve but who I quickly found I couldn't live without. The latter was still true and I was working on becoming someone who did deserve her but more and more, I was wondering if I was somehow tainting her with my darkness. The emptiness in her eyes that day reminded me of what I had seen reflected back at me in the mirror each morning not long after Steve had found me at the Smithsonian. The idea that I was ruining her had crossed my mind more than once this last week and the thought sickened me to my core. I knew if it was true...if I was tainting her...that I had to do something about it but I was much too weak at this point. There was no way I would ever be able to survive without her, not now...not after all that we had shared.

I felt Steve pat me on the back, "Just take it as a good sign Bucky. Spend these next few weeks with her and enjoy yourself...let things get back to the way they were before..."

"Before Kaine?" I interrupted him, suddenly fuming. Remembering that monster was after me caused a surge of anger to course through my blood. He was partially to blame for Eden's intensity, for the maddening drive she had about learning to fight.

...for learning to protect you Bucky.

It was almost silly to imagine me, the Winter Soldier, the assassin, needing someone else's protection. It was a ridiculous notion. I was a killer.

No, you were a killer but not anymore

We could be...we would kill again...for her, but only for her.

Steve let out a sigh, "Yes Bucky, before Kaine. You know we're keeping an eye on him...he won't step foot on U.S. soil without us knowing"

I opened my mouth to speak but a fit of giggles suddenly erupted from the living room and I closed my eyes instead and enjoyed the sound of it.

Eden was laughing. She was smiling. She was happy again. Maybe Steve was right and I should stop worrying and enjoy it.

After hearing the good news that Eden wasn't going to be training or working for the rest of the year, I immediately starting my own planning. If she wasn't going to be working or training then neither was I. First thing tomorrow morning I would stop by Director Fury's office and let him know. After the last couple of weeks, I deserved a break too. After Jill's wedding this weekend, we would be able to spend a few days alone before she flew to Colorado to see her family.

By herself Bucky...you're sending her alone.

When Eden and I had begun discussing our holiday plans, she had suggested it would be better for her to leave a few days early so that she could explain my complicated past to them before I arrived. I knew she was right. I knew it made sense. I also knew that I absolutely did not feel comfortable with her going across the country without me by her side. I had already been contemplating asking Barton to do me a favor and fly her to Colorado in one of the SHIELD jets. Yes, I knew it was a little over the top but I didn't want her flying commercial, especially alone. I also knew that Barton would agree to it...he wouldn't even hesitate to do it.

I opened the fridge to pull out another bottle of water and upon closing it, noticed the picture stuck to it. The same one I had noticed the first night I had met Eden. It was the one of her and her parents when she went to visit them at Lake Tahoe...the three of them smiling together, a perfect little family. A part of me was excited to meet them. That's what normal couples do...they introduce them to their family. I didn't have a family, only Steve, so the task was left solely to Eden. I knew this would be one of the most important moments in our relationship and I didn't want to fuck it up. The other part of me...a huge part...was scared shitless. Eden described her parents as "reasonable" and "loving" and assured me more than once that everything would be okay. Even the best of parents would be wary of their only daughter dating a known assassin, a genetically modified super soldier killer...that's what I am.

That's what you were...it doesn't have to be that way...the Winter Soldier agreed...

I'll always be a part of you Bucky...but you have my word, I'll only come out when I'm needed.

I walked over to the door of the kitchen to stand there silently and watch Eden. She was talking quietly with Brooke now, her hands flowing around gracefully as she spoke. I felt Steve step up behind me and lay his hand on my shoulder.

"Forget about Kaine for now...forget out everything but HER" he said reassuring, "Look at the two of them Buck...we are two of the luckiest men ever"

A grin suddenly appeared on Eden's face and I felt a smile of my own suddenly spread across my own.

"So have you told her yet?" I asked Steve quietly.

"Told who what?" he asked in a confused voice. I could feel him staring at me but I only looked straight ahead at the blonde woman on the couch. "Told who what Bucky?" Steve repeated impatiently, nudging me in the back.

I shook my head and let out a small laugh, finally tearing my eyes from Eden to glance at him, "Have you told Brooke you love her yet?"

Steve's mouth dropped open but no words came out. He tried to speak but nothing happened...he just stood there, opening and closing his mouth, no sound escaping his lips. I had to clamp my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing at him. He had no idea. In fact, from the look on his face, he didn't even realize it himself until I pointed it out. I glanced over at Brooke and Eden and wondered if either of them knew it yet. I had known for weeks now. Every time he looked at her...it was the same look I imagined I had on my face each and every time I saw Eden. And Brooke...well, she looked at Steve with the same look Eden held in her eyes when she would look at me and tell me how much she loved me. It was so obvious...right there for anyone to see if they really looked hard enough.

Steve was in love with Brooke.

She was in love with him.

Had none of them figured it out yet? Really? Why was I the first one to see it?

I actually felt a surge of pride inside at that bit of knowledge.

"She loves you too you know" I said, watching as his eyes widened in surprise.

He glanced over at Brooke for a few moments and then back at me, "She does?" he asked.

I gave him a cheeky grin and nodded my head, "Yep"

I watched as the realization finally hit him. He nodded his head and a big, goofy grin popped onto his face, "She loves me...I love her..."

"Yep...now the question my old friend is, when are you going to tell her?" I asked gently.

I watched Steve, almost seeing the wheels in his head turn as he thought about what I had told him.

"Soon..." he said gently, "...very soon. I want to wait for the perfect moment"

I nodded my head, "Don't wait too long, only an idiot would let that one get away. I mean, you are an idiot...just try not to be one this time..."

"Jerk" he whispered, punching me in the shoulder hard.

"Owww! Punk" I whispered back, rubbing my shoulder.

We smiled at each other for a moment before I turned my head to face the girls again.

There she is...my beautiful Eden...my angelic savior...the love of my life.

She suddenly looked up and caught me staring at her. She tilted her head at me questioningly and mouthed, "What?"

"I love you" I said wordlessly.

"I love you too" she mouthed back silently before giving me a wink and resuming her conversation with Brooke.

"Come on buddy" I said, slapping Steve on the chest, "Our women are waiting"