I had to do some research on WW2 and the conditions soldiers lived under, specifically with bathing. I got a lot of different answers. So, I had to delve into comic book knowledge slightly :S

Please read and review :)

…..

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Oliver! Happy Birthday to you!"

Oliver looked very confused by what was happening as he twisted his head in order to see everybody. Almost everyone was present although several soldiers were only there because of the fresh food that was guaranteed to be there.

"C'mon kiddo, time to blow out the candle!" cheered Bucky as Steve held Oliver up. A few seconds passed with Oliver trying to reach for the pretty light that was just out of his reach, so Steve surreptitiously blew it out for him. Everyone cheered as though Oliver had done it….which made the one year old grin, his arms now reaching out for Bucky.

Bucky gently took the child into his arms and bounced him up and down, making Oliver giggle with the sensation. Steve glanced around, "I can't believe how this has turned out…" he chuckled, "…fresh cake, new toys and no Hydra agents making a surprise appearance…I think we've outdone ourselves!"

Bucky nodded, wincing slightly as Oliver tugged on his hair. "Yeah, well we couldn't let him spend his first birthday with no presents now could we? Not that he'll remember this mind you…"

Steve shrugged, "It's the thought that counts…"

"Damn straight it does, and I think that this cake is a little dry. I know he's not gonna remember it, but Pip's first birthday shouldn't be with dry cake, isn't that right kiddo?" Dugan laughed, taking Oliver out of Bucky's arm.

Glancing around, in order to make sure that nobody was around, Dugan held Oliver up and pointed at Bucky, "Hey Pip, can you say Momma for me?"

Bucky rolled his eyes, "Knock it off Dugan, I ain't the kid's mom…get him to call me Papa instead, that makes way more se-"

"Momma!"

They all stared at shock at the one year old, who just giggled, holding his arms out for Bucky. "Momma!"

Ignoring Dugan's hysterical laughter, Bucky lifted Oliver out of Dugan's arms and looked him in the eyes, a serious expression on his face. "Papa…say it with me….Pa-pa"

Oliver stared at him in confusion before giggling and patting Bucky on the nose, "Momma!"

Bucky sighed, glaring at Steve as the man laughed. "S-sorry Buck…" he gasped in between breaths, "…but I don't think you're going to have any effect here!"

Bucky scowled, but before he could say anything, a scout ran into the camp. "Captain! Captain! Hydra agents are coming in from the north woods!"

Steve nodded, his whole attitude instantly transforming into his Captain America persona. "Bucky, quickly take Oli to Howard…he'll be in the lab and Hydra won't get that far."

Bucky nodded and ran towards the lab, taking only a second to stroke Oliver's hair before handing him over to a very shocked Howard and then rushing off towards the battle. Howard stared at the doorway for a bit before staring at the baby in his arms.

"What the hell am I meant to do now?!"

….

The fight between the Allies and Hydra didn't last very long. An hour at the most really, but the Allies lost a few good men during it. As they entered the camp, their steps a little sadder than from earlier that day, Bucky found his attention drawn to Howard, who was ducking into every tent and then coming out looking very panicked.

"Howard!" called out Bucky as they walked closer, "This is a strange sight…I didn't know you were even able to leave your lab!"

The man in question span around to stare at the commandos, "I-I didn't expect you back so soon…how was it?"

The commandos twisted their heads in confusion. Steve glared suspiciously at Howard, "We were fighting Hydra Howard…how is it meant to be anything other than a necessary evil?"

Howard shrugged, glancing around frantically. "I heard it was polite to ask somebody how an activity went…social niceties aren't really my thing."

Bucky rolled his eyes, "Tell to that to all the women who enter this camp, practically swooning at your touch."

"Well maybe it's just heavily armed men I have an issue with…."

Bucky smirked at this before glancing around, but as the minutes passed his face grew tight in confusion and concern. "Howard…" the scientist looked up in guilty, "…please tell me that Oliver is safely napping in your lab, completely unaware of everything that has been happening?"

Howard avoided Bucky's gaze, "Yeah, yeah of course he is…I'm okay with him staying there for the time being so you guys can have some time to yourselves for bit, okay?"

Bucky and Steve glanced at each other. Howard was clearly lying, despite the winning smile on his face. Steve frowned, "Howard…where's Oliver?"

There was silence for a few minutes before Howard threw his hands up in despair, "I looked away for a few seconds! You didn't tell me the brat had learnt to walk! I thought if I just left him on the floor then he'd find a way to keep himself occupied!"

Bucky stood there for a moment, taking everything in before walking slowly up to Howard and striking him in the face, knocking the man to the ground. "You…IDIOT! YOU SELF-OBSSESSED BASTARD!"

Howard lay there in shock as Bucky leapt over him, already calling out Oliver's name in a desperate attempt to find him. He was quickly joined by the rest of the Howling Commandos and Steve and they raced all around the camp, calling out for the one year old.

Bucky felt like they must have been searching for hours. Every place they searched turned up a dead end. Every time they called out Oliver's name, they were met only with silence. Every minute that passed by, Bucky felt his heart break just a little more.

This couldn't be it.

They'd only spent a year together, this couldn't be it!

Shaking his head, Bucky re-focused his thoughts on trying to find his kid. By this point, he had ventured slightly out of the camp, which had been set up near a farm. Whilst the farm house was quite far away, the abandoned barn wasn't too far from the camp. Hydra agents often tried to hide out in there in order to take the Allies by surprise, but thanks to hourly patrols, they were soon sniffed out.

"Oliver!?" called out Bucky as he stepped closer to the barn, his gun raised as he prepared for the worst. "Oliver?!"

There was a slight rustling sound, within the barn which prompted Bucky to aim at the large pile of hay that was at the back of the barn. The rustling continued, before a small face popped out from behind the hay, large beaming grin on his face. "Momma!"

Bucky could have cried in relief as he gently holstered the gun on the ground and held out his arms as Oliver slowly toddled over. Once he reached Bucky, the man picked him and span him around, smiling as Oliver giggled in delight.

"O thank god! Why? Why did you choose today to show us that you knew how to walk?!" scolded Bucky, as they walked back towards the camp, Bucky picking strands of hay out of Oliver's clothes and hair. "Look at you buddy! You're all messy! You know what that means…"

Washing wasn't easy in the army, especially as this particular squadron moved all over Europe, taking down Hydra bases. Generally they tried to camp near a lake in order to keep the uniforms clean and give themselves a quick wash down at least once a week. The water was always cold unless you happened to do Howard a favour. He had a kettle in his laboratory and using an old tub, hot water could be made available….but he didn't let many use it.

Oliver was a special exception. Due to Howard's involvement in Oliver's existence, Colonel Phillips insisted that hot water be made available for bottles and bathing when necessary. The only issue was that Oliver hated baths. Every time Bucky or Steve got the tub out, Oliver would wail and struggle with whoever was carrying him until he was actually placed in the water, where he would just sulk until he was out.

Bucky entered the camp, with Oliver still firmly in his arms. "Steve! Steve, it's okay! I've got him!" he called out, grinning as Steve and the rest of the commandos rushed over, relief evident on their faces.

Steve lifted Oliver into his own arms, smiling widely. "Silly boy! Where was he Bucks?"

"In the barn…"

"The one near the camp?! But the Hydra agents-"

Bucky nodded, "I know…we were lucky today. The attack must have required everyone, so there was no-one in the barn to spot Oli"

Steve sighed in relief, "Thank God…maybe we should reconsider having Howard as a babysitter?"

Bucky raised an eyebrow, "Gee you think?! Tell you what, you can give him the good news and I'll give the runaway a bath. Dugan, you wanna help?"

Dugan shook his head quickly, "I swear I still have a bruise from the last time I helped. Falsworth will though won't you?"

The rest of the commandos, aside from Falsworth, nodded quickly before rushing off, probably to tell everyone else that Oliver had been found. Steve grinned and handed Oliver over, patting Falsworth on the back before striding off towards Howard's lab. "I'll go fetch the tub and water Bucks…good luck Falsworth!"

The Englishman turned to Bucky in despair, his mouth open in preparation to protest but it was too late. Bucky held a hand up and shook his head, his shoulders shaking in silent laughter. "Sorry Falsworth, but there's no way I'm doing this on my own."

Falsworth glanced down at Oliver, who was beginning to frown….as though he realized what was what going on. "Heaven's help us…"

….

The bath went about as well as could be expected. Oliver shrieked his head off, with tears streaming down his face and water splashing all over both Bucky and Falsworth as the baby struggled. Thankfully, they managed to finish and put Oliver down for bed.

Night fell and soon and everyone who wasn't on night-watch soon fell asleep….that is, until the watchmen called out a warning.

"HYDRA! HYDRA AGENTS INCOMING FROM THE NORTH!"