The week after was hell, constantly seeing news articles about the Avengers and about "Hawkeye," who was heralded as the most dynamic and charming hero on the team. Tony got so angry watching a news clip that featured Clint and Steve laughing that he destroyed a TV testing out new arm cannons.

The worst part of it was that no one called him. No one begged for him to reconsider, no one called to ask why he left, nothing. Not even Rhodey or Pepper, who were both mysteriously quiet about the whole thing but Tony caught Pepper giving him sad looks quite a few times that she hurriedly looked away from.

It had been seven days when he finally got someone and it was the one person he least likely expected.

"Clint Barton is at the door, sir. May I let him in?" came Jarvis's voice, startling him as he worked.

Tony pondered, wondering why Hawkeye of all people would come and bother him now after so long. He didn't want to see him but craved the attention of the Avengers.

"Go ahead, Jarvis."

More than five minutes past and he was about to inquire what Barton was doing when a voice assaulted his ears. "If it isn't whiny robot man."

Tony looked up from his work and glared openly. "Barton."

He'd met the man months before when he had been trying to infiltrate the lair of a group of notorious thieves. Barton had been there and Tony had mistakenly thought he was one of the group and Nick Fury had chewed him out quite thoroughly afterwards, still annoyed with his botching of the mission and they had not been able to successfully get that close to the thieving ring ever since.

Clint Barton was younger than Tony and he couldn't say that didn't bother him as well, but a lot of things bothered Tony about him. Part of it was they were too similar that it was like looking into a mirror, but his was made of diamonds and Barton's coal. So he had that on his side. He smirked slightly. "So, what brings you here?"

Hawkeye walked around, taking in the sights. "Curiosity, maybe. Steve's been awful quiet about you since I got to the mansion and while I know why you left," he grinned at Tony, "I was just wondering if you would….reconsider."

Tony blinked, dropping his tools and crossing his arms nervously. "Why?"

Clint did look lost then, stopping in front of him until they were almost nose-to-nose. He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Steve's depressed and I've been sent here to bring you back, okay? Nick didn't send me, the ladies who work at…"

Tony laughed then, long and loud. "You came here because you want to get into some chick's pants? Really?"

Clint laughed a bit. "That's kind of part of it, I guess. The other is because I really like the guy and he really doesn't have many things left, you know? I mean," he ran his hand through the hair again and Tony was beginning to see a nervous tick there, "I've heard him talk about the war, about Bucky and about his girl and they're all dead, Tony. He really…"

Tony tried to squash the part of him that was insanely envious that Clint had been privy to knowledge about Steve's life but failed, saying briskly, "Needs someone who makes him angry all the time? Someone he doesn't even care to c…"

He tried to catch himself but failed and watched in horror as Clint filled in the blanks.

Hawkeye's face lit up like it was Christmas and he laughed even louder than Tony had.

"IS THAT IT? You're jealous? Oh this is GREAT! Oh wow, you like him dontcha? Oh man, I owe Banner five hundred bucks! I mean, I know you hated me but I didn't get why…"

Tony felt his face redden and he tried to scramble away but Clint caught his arm. He sighed. "Don't say anything, okay?" Tony whispered.

Clint instantly sobered and let go of him, patting his arm. "Of course, man. I'd never even think of it. Although," he grinned, "You owe me."

Tony groaned.

"Fine."

He clapped Tony on the back and laughed. "Man, I wish Steve were gay since you'd make a perfect couple. A couple of damn softies, the both of ya."

"I'm not gay either I just…"

Clint grinned. "I know, man. I've met him too, don't think you're alone on that but I haven't had the urge to kiss him before but I'm sure you have."

Tony hung his head down, his hangover suddenly kicking in.

It was gonna be a long night.

When the two of them pulled in front of the mansion it was past eleven since Tony had Happy pull them into a bar where he preceded to get lightly buzzed for the next four hours. Clint enjoyed flirting and drinking as well but not nearly as severely.

The whole place was dark and they were both laughing when they opened the door, stumbling and nearly falling into the wall. Tony laughed and Clint burst out soon after, trying to keep them together and when they fell again the noise was loud enough that there was a sleepy, "Clint?" that startled them both.

Steve stood there in nothing but loose-fitted blue pajama pants, and Tony paled. He had realized at this point that he had a crush on the man, but seeing him in his glory sent a shiver down his spine. He licked his lips and slurred, "Sgeevemback!"

Hawkeye laughed at that, falling in the meantime and pulling Tony down on top of him. They both laughed for several minutes before Steve's voice cut through again.

"Well, it's good you're getting along but it's late and I'm going back to bed." Steve said stiffly, turning and leaving them both.

Tony frowned, resting his head on Clint's chest. "Hapesme."

"M'Sorry."

Tony sighed and stood, somewhat shakily and made his way to his room. "T'anks."

When he got to his room he paused, knowing Steve's room was not three doors up from his but decided against it seeing as how he was not at his best now. He turned the knob and stumbled in through the dark, falling onto the bed with a thunk.

He threw off his shoes, shirt, pants, and was just about to take off his underwear when someone coughed. In the dark he couldn't see but he managed, "Light," and the automatic turned on to reveal Nick Fury sitting in an armchair near the wall.

Tony turned his head and looked at the blurry Nick. "Msleepy."

"I see that. I also notice you're back, I assume for good this time. There are no third chances in this kid, and I'm only letting you back in because he's so…"

"Sad?"

Nick sighed. "Yeah, I guess that's it. Understand?"

Tony nodded, his eyes quickly drifting. "Udertad."

Nick laughed lightly. "Goodnight Tony," he said, walking to the door.

"Ninick. 'Sides, canleenow."

Nick stopped. "Why is that, kid?"

Tony closed his eyes and said dreamily, "Love him," before crashing.

Nick stared at him for several minutes before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Damn," he whispered before leaving and locking the door behind him.

When Tony woke the next morning he felt insanely good for having been on a bender.

"Injected you with a new drug," one of the SHIELD girls said when he mentioned it at breakfast with Banner.

He rubbed the back of his neck and Bruce laughed, chewing on an organic apple that he'd only grown hours before with one of his new projects. "I see you're getting along with Clint now. I was worried," he said, smiling.

Tony sighed. "Yeah, we're good."

They were quiet and then Clint was there, followed by Steve who looked more tired than usual. Tony and Clint exchanged looks and Clint shrugged, sitting down beside him and grabbing one of his pancakes, purposely shoving it into his mouth before he could protest.

"Mhungry," he mumbled.

"So am I!"

He was about to poke him in the side when Steve suddenly coughed, getting their attention. "If all the childishness is over with, we have something to discuss."

Tony felt his own blush and hated himself for it.

"We have found our sixth and final member," he announced, "She is very dedicated and has been working for SHIELD for years. She is someone I consider…" the rest of his speech was tuned out because Tony saw the new member walking up behind Steve, grinning at him.

"Natasha Romanof, otherwise known as," Steve started but Tony cut him off.

"The Black Widow."

Steve looked at him, surprised. "Yes. I didn't know you two," he was again cut off by Natasha herself as she sat at his side with a secretive smile.

"Tony and I know each other very well Steve, almost intimately," she cooed, causing several of the others to look his way with amused looks.

Steve on the other hand looked quite taken aback, almost flustered.

"I see. Well, as you can see we have our five and with Thor that makes the six that were the ideal for the team. There is no urgent matter to deal with right now but when there is, you will be told."

They all started talking then and Tony again took the opportunity to stare at Steve as he spoke with Natasha. They were close enough to whisper and he smiled more than Tony had ever seen in the months since he'd known the man.

Bitter jealousy was very unbecoming, he had told several women over the years those very words and here he was desperate to know why she was putting her hands on Steve's arm like she had the right.

"Gotcha choking, huh?" Clint said, interrupting his obsessing.

Tony sighed. "No."

"Liar."

Clint looked over at them and said simply, "She's no good, right? I can tell she's shady."

"Natasha is her own person, I can tell you that. But inside she's good, just a little cloudy and can sometimes be," he paused, noticing her lean in and nearly kiss Steve's cheek then look at him and wink, "Up to no good."

Clint laughed. "I saw that. I think I'm in love."

Tony left breakfast that morning and went back to his room to research. Nothing important really because his obsession needed a fix and with Natasha swarming Steve and the man avoiding him at all costs, he had to use the SHIELD database instead.

Steve's file was nearly a mile long and he spent the next several hours reading it in depth, not wanting to stop if his life depended on it.

It was nearly one thirty when he stopped and that was because he fell asleep in front of his laptop, his head on the keyboard.

That was how she found him, eyeing the file he read and scrolling through it a bit herself, her hand running over a particular picture with fondness and if he had been able to see, a single tear.

"Lapochka," she whispered.

Tony suddenly stirred and his slurred, " 'tasha?"

She wiped her eyes and smiled at him. "Busy reading, Tony?"

He sighed, looking at her sadly and not attempting to sit up. "Yeah. Not that it helps much."

Natasha lay down beside him and smiled, kissing his cheek. "Steve is very jealous of your newfound friendship with Mister Hawkeye, yes?"

Tony blinked, surprised. "He is?"

She laughed a bit, looking up at the ceiling. "Yes, Tony. He is."

"Why?"

Natasha looked at him fondly and patted his head. "You should know this, Tony," she said softly, kissing his forehead.

Just as she did there was a soft click and they both nearly fell off the bed when Steve stood in the doorway, frozen. Tony wanted to swear out loud because this looked real bad for the both of them but Natasha quickly recovered and draped over him, smiling at Steve.

"We knock here, don't we Captain?"

Steve's face was a frozen mask. "Yes I….there's a situation and Nick wanted to speak with Tony. I'm sorry," he said quickly shutting the door.

Tony swore, banging his head on the pillow and groaning. Natasha laughed and kissed the back of his head. "It seems you are forever to be seen in a bad way with him, yes?"

He sighed and stood, putting on some decent clothes because this was not something he needed to kick himself for now. As soon as he was dressed he sighed again, staring at Natasha clad in her skintight outfit and sprawled out on his bed like a meal.

"What is WRONG with me? A year ago I would be under the covers with you!"

She grinned and stood, walking over to him and kissing his cheek. "You grew up, Tony, and decided you want something a bit more."

Tony closed his eyes and mumbled, "It's horrible."

She looked at him and he was surprised at the sadness in her gaze. "It is worth it in the end, my Tony," she whispered, leaving him alone to think about the picture he'd seen her running her finger over earlier.

It seemed there were more stories here than he'd expected.

Tony got himself together and went to the situation room to see Nick sitting alone waiting for him. He opened his mouth to ask what was going on when he was interrupted.

"Take a walk with me, kid."

He nodded, following. They walked for a while, till they come to Nick's room and went inside the door automatically locking. He let Nick pass and stood staring at the room around him.

Nick laughed a bit, sitting down in one of a pair of identical armchairs. "You ain't in trouble, though from the cameras in your room I'd say your little thing with Steve has hit another snag?"

Tony sighed and sat down in the armchair across Nick's. "Yeah," was all he said.

Nick sighed and let out a breath. "There's something going on that I don't want Natasha or Steve to know about."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Nick sighed, running a hand over his face before saying softly, "It's Bucky."

Every nerve ending in Tony's body sprang to life and he nearly shot up from the chair but only moved some, turning to stare at Nick incredulously. "As in Barnes? As in the dead soldier I spent most of last night reading about?"

Nick nodded, "There's been…some sightings. And I may or may not have been face to face with him several hours ago and been nearly shot," he pulled back his shirt, revealing a bandage on his collarbone.

Tony looked at him, then at the floor. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're close to both of them, even though you don't believe Steve cares enough about you to feel that way," Nick explained quickly before Tony could protest, "And yes, Natasha trusts you implicitly, whether you believe that or not."

Tony looked at him. "She was in love with him, yeah?"

Nick smiled a bit. "Who said anything about was?"

Tony couldn't make himself smile. "So what is it that you…"

"We're going to take him down. He is working with the Russians, they were trying to kill the Prime Minister and we really need you on this, kid. I wouldn't be asking if we didn't," he said, never taking his eyes away from Tony's he added, "Clint and Thor have already been informed and they're on board."

Tony stood, pacing back and forth. "You're going to kill him? There's got to be some kind of explanation! He is supposed to have dead almost 70 years ago and now he's a Russian spy? I don't buy this, Nick," he stopped and when they locked their gazes he said quietly, "I can't stand by and let you do this without them. Natasha would never speak to me again, maybe even kill me."

Nick stood, grabbed the front of his shirt collar and growled into his face, "I don't CARE about your BULLSHIT, Stark. This is on a need to know basis and if you are implying what I think you are, I can make this all go away from your mind faster than you could BLINK."

Tony's breath came out in heavy puffs as he growled back angrily, "You didn't hear the way she said, "Lapochka, Nick. I DID. To deny her that would be…"

Nick cut him off and said simply, "I was there at the funeral, kid. I know how close, how her 'darling' affected her. She CANNOT be on this mission."

Tony opened his mouth to give his rejection to the offer but there was a knock at the door that interrupted them. He sat down in his chair again and Nick went to the door. Steve Rogers stood on the other side, along with Natasha and a very smug looking Clint Barton.

Steve angrily asked, "I hear you have a mission for us?"

Nick growled and went to grab for Hawkeye but Natasha trapped him with a knife to his throat, her eyes ablaze with fury and tears. "No, no, Nicholas. None of that. Tell us what is happening."

He struggled in her arms and said icily, "It's Bucky, he's…he's alive," he looked at Steve, "We don't know how this happened but he's with the Russians and he was speaking Russian. He didn't even recognize me, Steve, he shot at me but missed."

Natasha let Nick go, not protesting when he angrily pushed her out of the way and started to pace. "This isn't something we can just fix, kids. He's a killer," he looked at Steve, "The Winter Soldier."

Steve's eyes widened and he shook his head, "No, that can't be. It…"

Nick sighed, looking at Natasha again who seemed to be in shock. "It is. We've confirmed it from surveillance video and photos. It's him, Steve."

The room seemed to have gone silent at that and Tony looked at Clint, who shrugged.

"Um, I don't want to seem like an idiot here, but are we supposed to know who this Winter Soldier is? Cuz I don't remember ever hearing that name," Tony declared, confused.

"Me neither," Clint added.

"He's killed many important world leaders over the past ten years," Nick explained, sitting now and staring at the floor, "And he's lethal. He's a top class assassin."

Natasha whispered, "They keep taking everyone I love away from me, Nicholas. When is it going to stop?"

Tony went to her, pulling her close. "We'll fix this," he promised.

Nick looked up at him and he glared back, "I promise," he reassured her again.