I flicked the kettle on in the kitchen and dining area and hefted myself up to sit on the counter and wait for the water to boil so I could make myself some tea. I had been in a strategy meeting with the Asgardians and the other Avengers. But I had got so bored and frustrated with them at the same time that I decided that it would be better for me to leave and let them come up with some sort of plan. They would tell me later whatever it was that they wanted me to do. I sighed, looking out of a window across the lush fields outside when I heard a floorboard creak and turned to face the door. Bucky was standing there, frozen in place and staring at me like he was prepared to either run away or slaughter me. I frowned. "Don't stare at me like that; you're creeping me out," I complained as the kettle switched off and I poured the water. "Would you like some tea, Bucky?" I offered without looking up at him as I put a sugar cube in my cup and stirred it around to make it dissolve faster.

"Yes, please." I almost jumped out of my skin at the quiet reply. I hadn't really expected him to respond to me. I blinked at Bucky pensively and went about setting up another cup for him. When I looked up again, I jumped back, bumping my head on the cupboards. Bucky had traversed the room and was now sitting on a stool on the other side of the counter just in front of me. I sighed, rubbing my head.
"You're going to shoot my nerves to Hell if you keep doing this," I told him, pouring the water into his cup. "You are not a phantom; it's okay if you make some noise! You know; drag the stool out; clear your throat, scuff your toes, just something to let me know that I'm not dealing with a bloody poltergeist! Please!" Bucky's expression didn't change from the serious, cool expression he'd worn since after he'd tried to kill me, but he murmured,
"I'll keep that in mind."

"You can speak above a whisper, too," I pointed out. "Sugar?" Bucky nodded.
"One, please." I sighed at his still just above a whisper tone and put a sugar cube in his cup, stirring.
"Milk?" Bucky nodded again and I poured milk into both out cups, stirring once again before sliding the cup towards him. "Here you go." Bucky carefully cradled the cup in his hands and pulled it closer to himself without looking at me again. I pursed my lips, eying the man off closely. "Am I that hideous?" I wondered darkly. Bucky blinked, staring up at me sharply. I quirked an eyebrow at him and he shook his head.

"No."
"'No' what?"
"No, Ma'am?"
"My name is not Ma'am." Bucky thinned his lips and looked down into his cup again, frowning. I shook my head. "My name is Ellie, Bucky. Ellie Jean Carter. I don't mind if you want to call me Carter, but I have a name. Use it, please."
"Why is it important?"
"Do you prefer being called Bucky, or The Winter Soldier?" I asked. Bucky glared at me and I smiled warmly. "See my point? A label is… impersonal. Lifeless. I am a person. I have a life. And I have a name; as you have." Bucky scrutinised me and I watched him, sipping my tea.

"My name is James Buchanan Barnes," Bucky said softly, more to himself than to me. He looked down at his metal arm and frowned, clenching his fist. I could see all sorts of raw, conflicting emotions boiling in his eyes and stretched out my hand to place it over his fist. Bucky flinched and blinked at me, unsure.
"You're a person, Bucky," I told him earnestly. "Not a soldier; not a weapon. A person."
"Am I?" he demanded, growling at me. "Am I a person? I can't even remember anymore!" He tore his arm from my grasp and punched the counter, cracking it.
"Bucky!" I shouted over him, leaning over the counter and cupping his face in my hands, capturing his attention. "Of course you are a person," I told him firmly. I rubbed his cheek with my thumb. "Flesh and bone, like the rest of us. You have a cybernetic arm, sure. But it's a limb, Bucky. Only a limb. Not you." I pushed his long hair out of his face, combing through it with my fingers. He closed his eyes and held still under my touch, trembling slightly with a faint frown still on his face.

"Breathe, Bucky," I hummed. He inhaled deeply through his nose, opening his eyes and looking at me again. I ran my hand down his arm and took his hand, pressing it to my shoulder. "Feel that?" I asked, lifting my arm so the metal cable pressed up under my skin. Bucky nodded, breathing out through parted lips and staring at my arm. "I have those all through my body. To make me stronger; faster. To make me a more efficient weapon." Bucky met my eyes again, shocked. "Am I a person, Bucky?" I asked him. Bucky nodded, swallowing. I smiled at him gently and clapped him on the shoulder, friendly. "Then so are you. Drink your tea." I picked up my cup and sipped again, smiling as Bucky did the same.

When Steve found us later, I was sitting on the couch with Bucky, chatting with him about his memories. I was laughing about something he had told me about Steve and Bucky was smiling faintly, watching me as I rocked back and forth on the couch. "What's going on?" Steve asked. I glanced up at him and laughed harder, falling over sideways so my forehead rested on Bucky's knee. He patted me gently on the back and looked up at Steve.
"I was just telling Ellie about that time you and I went on camp with that obstacle course."
"Aw, Buck! Did you have to tell her about that?" Steve complained. Bucky shrugged.
"She wanted to hear about my memories; I remember you hanging upside down off a rope ladder with your trousers split up the center."
"Stop! Stop! Can't breathe!" I squeaked, shoving Bucky with my weakened arms as I struggled to stop laughing. Bucky chuckled at me as I tried to calm down and suck some air into my lungs.

Steve sat next to me as I started to breathe again in between fits of giggles. "So, you two have been… talking?" Steve wondered quietly. I nodded.
"Ah huh," I confirmed, beaming. Steve glanced at Bucky, smiling cautiously.
"You two are getting along then?" I looked over at Bucky curiously and he nodded, staring back at us. Steve gave a relieved sigh before looking at me seriously. "Ellie, might I have a word?" I nodded.
"Sure. I'll be back; don't drink my tea," I told Bucky as I stood and walked out. "Is everything okay?" I asked Steve, crossing my arms and tilting my head curiously. Steve nodded.
"Yeah, yeah, just… It's Bucky."

"What about him?"
"How does he seem to you? I mean... is he… okay, do you think?" I smiled at Steve's concern for his friend. He was such a sweet man.
"He is… damaged… uncertain… untrusting… But he will heal."
"With you around, I'm sure he will," Steve agreed. I looked down, smiling shyly.
"You flatter me," I mumbled, shifting awkwardly as pleasant tingles traveled up my spine.
"No," Steve told me firmly, reclaiming my attention and staring into my eyes. "I know you, Ellie. Bucky is lucky to have you with him now, when his whole world has changed… I know I was." I had no idea how to respond to such extreme sweetness, but the door opened and Bucky peeked through.
"Ellie; your tea is getting cold," Bucky murmured, staring at me and Steve intensely.
"Right; thanks. Good talk, Steve," I said, clapping him on the shoulder and following Bucky back inside.
"Yeah," Steve sighed behind me. "Good talk."