Keeping one hand on the trigger, James prepared himself to spring into action when something that didn't look at all like any Hydra agent he had seen stepped through the door. Wood splintered under the feet of the machine-man, who had his fist aiming at James and what looked like some kind of missile sticking out of his arm. Movement behind the metal-man drew James' attention to the two others. One being the shocked face of the man from the helicarrier who once again murmured the name Bucky when he saw him, and the other being his winged sidekick.

"Tony? What are you doing here? How did you even find us here?" Anna asked confusedly from behind James. She was still half asleep and trying to process what was happening. However, when she tried to slide around James, his right arm kept her pinned behind him. Damn but he was strong. His arm was just dislocated two days ago and he could still keep her stuck behind him.

"Step away from Anna, Tin Man," Tony demanded, ignoring Anna's questions. He wasn't exactly thrilled with her right now. She managed to make a phone call and who did she call? Pepper. Okay, so she'd called the tower, where Pepper was staying while he was out of town, but she should have called his cell.

"Put the missile away Tony," Anna commanded before turning her attention to James, who seemed confused at her interaction with the intruders. He was still tensed for a fight, which Anna couldn't blame him for, seeing as Tony had a freaking missile pointed at him.

"James it's okay." Anna assured him, resting her hand lightly on his shoulder. "That's my idiot brother Tony in the metal suit. And Steve, we talked about Steve. And…Sam from the VA?" She said the last as a question, not really understanding Sam's part in all of this. Sam simply shook his head and said he'd wait for them outside.

That time when Anya tried to move from behind James, he let her. Though he still kept the gun pointed at the two who remained. The metal man who was apparently Anya's brother still had his weapon aimed at them, meaning he was still a threat. Anya seemed to notice him glaring at the missile because she immediately spoke up about it.

"I told you to put the missile away Tony. And for God's sake remove the helmet." Anna always found it difficult to talk to Tony in his Iron Man suit. And it probably wasn't helping James' trust him, looking like a robot.

"Not until he lets you go." Anna was confused for a minute until she realized he thought James was holding her hostage. Which might make sense, if it wasn't for the fact that she wasn't handcuffed. Hostages were normally kept tied up.

"He's not a threat to me Tony. And right now you seem very much a threat to him. Steve, please tell my brother to stop being an Ass." Anna implored, turning her attention to Steve only to find his face beaten, bruised, and stitched up. "Oh my god Steve, what happened to your face!?"

"I backed down from a fight," Steve shrugged as if that explained everything. His eyes drifted towards James, making Anna's eyes follow. Oh. That's right. Steve was on the helicarrier with James. Which meant the fight he backed down from was the one against James. James had done that to Steve's face. As if he felt her gaze on him, James eyes flicked to hers for a moment, showing slight remorse when he realized why she was looking at him, before he turned his attention back to Tony.

It reminded Anna that it was the Winter Soldier who had hurt Steve. The Soldier following his mission. When he met up with Steve on the helicarrier, he didn't remember him at all. He hadn't remembered the details of their conversation before the wipe. James had barely been able to remember her. That's why she didn't blame him. And noticing the glance Steve sent him was anything but accusatory, Anna figured that's why Steve didn't blame him either. Her analysis of the situation probably would have continued, if it wasn't for Tony's response to her earlier statement drowning out her thoughts.

"Oh, I'm the Ass?" Tony exclaimed, finally listening to Anna on one point and removing the face of his helmet. "You want to know how I found you. You called Pepper. And instead of telling her where you were when you heard I was looking for you, she had to have Jarvis trace your call to get a satellite image and send me the coordinates."

James didn't appreciate the hostile tone Tony was using with Anya. Nor that he was insinuating James would hurt Anya. The fact he was willing to put Anya in harms way by continuing to point the missile in their direction didn't win him any points either. From what he'd seen so far, James didn't really care for Anya's brother in general. Tony was trying to take Anya from him, and it had him wanting to pull her behind him once more. The thought of her leaving without him had a sick feeling of terror twisting in his stomach. Especially when he thought how she had no reason to stay now. With her brother, she wouldn't need James to help keep her safe.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to bring you in on my 'on the run from Hydra' situation. I didn't realize that made me an Ass." Anna snapped, crossing her arms over her chest, frustrated that Tony would think she would do anything to purposefully hurt him. Annoy him, yes, but hurt him, never.

"All the more reason to contact me. Did you forget I'm part of the Avengers? So even if I couldn't protect you, I know five other people I could call to help." Tony's words just increased the feeling of terror for James, even though he didn't understand most of what he was saying. He understood the part where Anna had more than enough people in her life that were willing and capable of protecting her.

"Is that what you think you're doing right now? Helping?" Anna exclaimed in disbelief. As far as she could tell, Tony had only created a hostile environment since he busted down the door.

"I'm saving your unappreciative ass, that's what I'm doing." Tony was starting to get frustrated. Anna was making this much more difficult than it was supposed to be. She was supposed to be all happy to see him and then they were supposed to go on their way back to Stark Tower. When she asked him if it looked like she needed saving now he almost blew. "Have you not noticed the assassin with a metal arm beside you?"

"I would never hurt Anya." James insisted, speaking up for the first time as he sent a cold reproachful glare at Tony. He had had just about enough of Anya's brother assuming Anya was there against her will and that he was just a second away from harming her.

"Tony, I have to agree. I don't think Bucky means Anna any harm," Steve spoke up on behalf of his old friend. He might not be the man Steve knew, but if he was the assassin he had originally come up against he wouldn't have saved him from the Potomac and he would be using Anna as leverage to walk free right now.

"Who the Hell is Bucky?" Tony asked in exasperation. He didn't like Capsicle taking the assassin's side over him, and this whole discussion was just prolonging their stay at the run down motel.

"My best friend from the war," Steve murmured, before nodding his head towards Anna and James. "Him."

"I thought he died," Tony commented, scrunching up his face in both confusion and annoyance.

"I didn't die." James' comment had a glimmer of hope flittering through Steve. Was he starting to remember? Who he was, who Steve was?

"You have got to be kidding me," Tony remarked, not exactly happy with the turn of events. "Another 95 year old super soldier? I have enough trouble with you. And you're a good one."

"James is good," Anna insisted, just as exhausted with Tony's dramatics as Tony was with her lack of cooperation. The sincerity and assuredness in her conviction that James' was good once again took James by surprise. He never thought of himself as good. Looking at all the things he'd done, all the people he killed, James was pretty sure no one would count him as a good guy. And even with knowing that he had innocent blood on his hands, Anya still thought he was good. Would she never cease to amaze him?

"I thought his name was Bucky," Tony corrected, pointing one metal finger at the super soldier turned assassin who still had his gun pointed at him.

"His name is James Buchanan Barnes. Steve calls him Bucky. I call him James." Anna explained as simply as she could. There was no time to go into details. Like how Hydra never gave him a name, and they would have put a bullet through her head had she called him Bucky.

"Because that's not confusing at all," Tony muttered sarcastically. "Whatever your name is, I don't care. I'll just be taking my sister here and going." Taking a step forward he noticed the Tin Man tensing in anticipation.

"I'm not leaving without James," Anna announced, digging in her heels on that one. Not only did she owe him for saving her life on several occasions, but just the thought of leaving James alone, never seeing him again, had her heart pounding in anxiety.

"Like Hell you aren't." Tony was so done with all of this. Enough talking, it was time for action. If Anna Banana wouldn't come willingly, he'd just have to take her by force. He was her older brother, he knew what was best for her. Closing in Tony grabbed a hold of Anna's wrist, ready to pull her out of the room kicking and screaming, until the Tin Man's metal hand wrapped around the suit's wrist.

"Let her go," James grunted, his eyes boring into Tony's, warning him not to test him.

"Or what Tin Man? You might have a metal arm, but I've got a metal suit." At that comment James pointed the gun at Tony's face only to have Tony point his missile at James'.

"Tony what did I say about being an Ass?" Anna muttered, tired of him treating her like a possession that was his to take back. "Put the missile away and let me go."

After a moment of consideration, Tony listened to Anna. It was becoming clear that it would be easier to get her to come if she thought it was her decision. And that might just mean giving her what she wanted. So he let her go. As soon as he released his grip on Anna's arm, the Tin Man released his grip as well, though he still had his gun at the ready.

"Fine, Tin Man can tag along. But we're leaving now. I promised Pepper I'd be back in time for dinner." Tony announced before filing out the door, dragging Steve out behind him. Leaving first was all part of the plan of having Anna think it was her choice to follow.

"I'm sorry. It's important for Tony to feel as if he won," Anna commented as she finally stood from the bed to grab the backpack from the floor. "But I meant what I said. I'm not leaving without you." She added as she came around the other side of the bed to stand before James, holding out her hand.

There was no hesitation when it came to him taking her hand. Hearing Anya say, once more, that she wasn't leaving him behind had his heart speeding up and had him rising to join her. He only released her hand when he slipped on the blue button up shirt he'd discarded before their self-defense lesson the night before. Following her outside, they made their way out to where the three men were already seated and waiting in a black vehicle. It's similarity to Hydra vehicles had James hesitating.

Anna was a step ahead before she noticed James had stopped. Turning around, she found him staring at the car in uncertainty. It had her recalling his comment about why he hadn't wanted to take a cab to the museum: he hadn't wanted to be in a confined space when someone else controlled where they went. Understanding his hesitation, she closed the distance between them, moving away from the car.

"Hey, you okay?" Anya asked. It barely registered with James as he kept his eyes on the three men in the car, two of which he'd already fought against. And one who had threatened him. He didn't like the idea of getting in a vehicle with them.

"I don't trust them," James admitted. None of them had given him the best basis for trust. Tony had tried taking Anya from him, and the other two had engaged him in battle twice.

When her question didn't garner his full attention, Anna reached out her hand, pressing it against his cheek and turning his face so he was forced to look down at her. She didn't pull away once his eyes met hers. Instead she kept her hand in place, brushing her thumb across his skin in a soothing pattern.

"Do you trust me?" Anya murmured lightly. Her touch was distracting, sending a rush of warmth through him, and making him want to close his eyes at the sensation. He fought that urge, keeping his eyes on hers as he nodded his head. Of course he trusted her. With everything she'd done for him, how could he not trust her?

"Good," Anya smiled up at him, making James happy he hadn't closed his eyes. "I promise, these guys are friends. Tony might be an idiot at times, but he's my brother. And right now he's only trying to help."

…

What the Hell was Anna Banana doing? That was Tony's thoughts when he saw his sister place a comforting hand on the Tin Man's cheek. God please don't say they had a thing going. He wouldn't have invited the Tin Man along if he knew that. Tony could handle Steve. Steve had signed a contract that laid out exactly what he was and wasn't allowed to do with his sister. He didn't have any of that with this Bucky or James or whatever his name was. The Tin Man was a loose cannon that Tony couldn't control and Tony didn't like that. He was an assassin, what was Anna even thinking?

"You have to do something," Tony commanded as he turned in the driver seat to look at Steve in the backseat.

"What do you propose I do?" Steve asked as he continued to stare out the window at Anna and Bucky. He was having a little difficulty processing what he was seeing. It wasn't just the slight show of intimacy that he had trouble processing, it was also the fact that Bucky with Anna looked more like the Bucky he had known. He never got to finish processing it as Tony was quick to respond that he win Anna back.

"We're friend zoned," Steve reminded Tony, making Sam's about give himself whiplash to send a curious look at the two.

"She doesn't know that. And she can't date an assassin." Honestly, Tony would have thought Capsicle would jump at this opportunity. He had been under the impression Steve had a thing for his sister, that's why he drew up the contract in the first place.

"They're on the run together, I don't think that qualifies as dating. And he's not an assassin." That was one thing about Tony that Steve would never understand: he always jumped to conclusions. Especially when it came to Anna. Steve had never started hanging with Anna with the intentions of dating her. And Bucky wasn't an assassin, he was a good man.

"Look at them, there's totally something there," Tony spat out. "And I've read the files. The Winter Soldier is an assassin." He might have been thought of as a ghost story, especially with the number of deaths he'd racked up, but he was more than real. He was an assassin and his sister had her hand pressed against his cheek as though he meant something to her.

"He's not just the Winter Soldier. They may have wiped his memory, but it's coming back." Steve insisted, recalling how he had let Steve go, he had saved him. And the way he was looking at Anna, though it sent a wave of confusing emotions through Steve, meant that Bucky was in there somewhere.

"And when it does, he'll back off, right?" Tony asked hopefully. "Because of the bro code. Don't date your best friend's girl and all." He knew there was a good reason he still let Steve hang out with Anna. He could be the bargaining piece to make the Tin Man leave Anna alone.

"You said we weren't allowed to date. Clause 1 of the contract." Up until that point in the conversation, Sam was just watching in disbelief. But he couldn't hold his shock in after that comment.

"You made him sign a contract not to date your sister? That's harsh man. And so wrong. Bet you're regretting that now she's all lovey dovey with the one armed assassin." Sam's smirk fell at the look Tony shot him. Turning to Steve for support he didn't find any. Though he wasn't glaring at Sam, Steve was still fixing him with a serious look.

"I'd be willing to renegotiate the contract, if you win her back." Tony offered, once he figured he'd glared at the Pigeon long enough and he turned his attention back to his conversation with Steve. When he did, he found Steve had returned to looking out the window at the topic of said conversation.

"I can't do that." Steve stated, focusing on the way Bucky was looking at Anna. "Not if she's what he wants. He's by best friend. Besides, she's the only one of us he trusts. She's what's letting him let go of the Winter Soldier. I'm not going to stand in their way." Anna was bringing his best friend back. And Steve would forever be grateful to her for that. There was no way he was going to compromise that and risk losing Bucky and Anna. Not even for Tony. Tony was a fellow Avenger, and they had come to form an odd friendship, but getting Bucky back was worth more to him.

"You know I kind of feel like I shouldn't have threatened that doctor for you so they'd discharge you early." Tony muttered, turning back around to sulk out the windshield.

…

Although James still didn't relish the thought of giving the man in the robot suit control, he trusted Anya that it would be okay. So, reaching up to where her hand rested against his cheek, he took her hand in his before taking the first step towards the car. He needed to do more than tell her he trusted her, he needed to show her. When they reached the car he opened the door for Anya, using the hand that was holding hers to help her up into the vehicle.

In order to slide into the center of the backseat beside Steve, Anna had to let go of James' hand. It had her hoping that breaking that contact with him wouldn't cause him to rethink his decision to get in. When he slid in right after her, closing the door, it had Anna breathing easier. It didn't last long, because as soon as everyone was in, Tony stepped on the gas and veered left onto the street. It caused Anna to lurch to the right, as she didn't have her seat belt hooked yet, landing her halfway in Steve's lap.

"Sorry Steve," Anya exclaimed as she attempted to right herself. Eventually she managed with the help of James who pulled her up by her left arm. Once she was steadied James reached around her to pull the seat belt across and hook it into place. He didn't want a repeat of her flying around the car. It could result in her injuring herself. Or it could result with her landing in the lap of the man from the helicarrier again. James wasn't too keen on either one. His actions had Anya sending him a thankful smile before wrapping her hand up with his on the seat between them.

"Hey Tony where did you get this car?" Anna asked after glancing around the interior, which looked brand new.

"Bought it about two hours ago. Capsicle wouldn't let me fly here. I think it's because he's the only one who couldn't fly and he didn't want to be left behind." So it was brand new. Anna should have known Tony wouldn't settle for renting a car or taking a cab. Of course he'd buy a new car. Hearing that Steve refused to be left behind came as no surprise either. Knowing the reason he would have been left behind was his injuries, lead to the conclusion that he had come straight from the hospital. By the looks of just his face earlier, he shouldn't have been discharged at all.

"You should still be in the hospital. Why did you come with Tony?" Anna scolded Steve, turning her attention on the beat up soldier beside her. Even with his superior healing, he was still pretty banged up. The last thing he needed was to be up and moving around.

"Why do you think?" Steve asked her, fixing her with the look he usually reserved for when she'd ask questions she knew the answer to already.

"I think it's because you were being stupid," Anna answered truthfully, pinching him lightly on his arm, which didn't seem as bruised or injured as the rest of his body. Not near as bad as his face.

"How could I be stupid, you took all the stupid with you," He smiled lightly down at her as best he could with his stitched up cheek. It had a worried frown pulling at Anna's mouth, he really should still be in the hospital. She didn't dwell on it too long though, as James' hand twitched in hers, making her glance back towards him. Immediately she noticed the look on his face, the same one from the museum. Something Steve had said had lit a spark of recognition in him, had triggered a memory.

It didn't last long, and once it had passed, Anna rubbed her thumb over his hand to help calm him. She didn't know if coming out of a memory left him disoriented or not, but if it did, she felt some reassurance might help prevent him freaking out at the unfamiliar surroundings. When he gave her hand a squeeze in thanks it resulted in a smile, happy to know she had helped.

"Are we driving all the way to New York then?" Anna asked, noticing James' shifting his position to try and get more comfortable. It had her wondering how long James and Steve would have to be crammed in the backseat. Being on the short side made it bearable for Anna, but the two men on either side of her were much taller than her, and didn't fit as well back there.

"No, of course not. I'm having the private jet meet us at a small airfield in Virginia." Tony scoffed, as if the thought itself was ludicrous. "Hope you don't mind flying Tin Man," he added, glancing in the rear-view at James, who stiffened a little at the comment. It had Anna once again rubbing soothing circles on the back of his hand, making him relax some as he glanced down at her. Noticing where the Tin Man's glance had moved to had Tony speeding up. The sooner they got to the airfield and the plane, the sooner he could put some space between those two.

A/N Hey everyone! So this chapter didn't have much action in it, but there was so much I wanted to put into the conversation and the reunion that I had to do it all in one chapter. Hope it satisfied all of you who were looking forward to the Stark reunion. QUESTION: I'm debating whether to add in some more Avenger cameos. I would like to know: would you like cameos of other Avengers in this story. If so, which ones? Thanks to everyone who reviews and favorites/follows this story. It really does mean so much to me. It keeps me motivated to push out the next chapter as soon as possible, knowing there's so many of you who are anxiously waiting for it. :)

Guest review responses!

To A Fan who reviewed Chapter 14: Haha yes, Anna got to see James in a towel. I feel ya, I'm sure we all wish we could see that. James is innocent in certain ways, as he doesn't realize why Anna is blushing and he doesn't realize he's jealous. Some emotions he's just never experienced as the Winter Soldier. And I agree with the comment about James ever seeing Anna in a bikini. Both him and Tony would have aneurisms if it happened, for two completely different reasons. I'm glad to hear you liked the memories I picked out for Anna to share, I took a lot of time picking what memory I would choose. Glad you didn't mind the slight cheesiness of James 'feeling' Anna's pain. And I'm sorry your brothers aren't as awesome as Tony. I don't have any brothers, but if I did I would hope they'd be a little like Tony. Thanks for reviewing!

To keshigomu: I'm glad you like the protectiveness from James. They are both rather protective of one another. Yeah, Anna calling Tony was inevitable. She would have done it sooner had it not been for the circumstances of not having a phone and the pressure of being on the run.

To the guest who wouldn't be able to deal with the cliffhangers if I didn't update quickly: I love cuddles too. Especially writing Anna and James cuddling. Rumlow is creepy, and major jealous. He's one character I'm taking some liberties with, as I feel his motivation for being Hydra and all could go a million different ways. I'm just taking it one way. As you've found out after reading this chapter, it was Tony and Steve at the door. Hope the interaction between everyone was squeal worthy. :)

To the guest who felt like it was either Tony or Steve at the door: you were right! It was both of them.

To An Avid Fan: Good news, it was Tony who busted down the door :) I'm not a huge fan of writing damsels so I'm glad you're liking that Anna is able to handle herself okay in the situations she's been in. Tony and James came face to face in this chapter, but the whole finding out about Howard and Maria Stark's death won't show up for a lil bit. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. As always, I endeavor to make you enjoy every chapter!

To ParisFan83: I never want this story to end either. I'm having so much fun writing it, as well as writing Anna and James that I feel sad when I think that eventually it will have to come to an end. Although, I'm not planning on ending it too soon. I'll hold on as long as I can. Thanks, I'm happy to hear you think I'm writing this story well! As you've found out, your first theory was correct, just add Steve and Sam in there. Can't really mention anything on the theory about what Anna was injected with just yet. I try my hardest not to give spoilers away. Hope you liked this little update!

To the guest who was ready for a reunion scene: I hope this didn't disappoint. I quite enjoy Anna defending herself as well (to the best of her abilities). It's always nice to hear people enjoying the sweet Anna/James moments. Hope you liked the update :)

To the guest who commented they hoped it was tony: You were right :) Tony, Steve and Sam to the rescue!

To Arwen: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for letting me know!

To Maddy: I love creating suspense, cliffhangers are fun for me. Thank you for sharing your idea for if it was Tony (which it was). I was already in the middle of writing the chapter, so I couldn't incorporate your idea. Although I had tried something like that at first, it just wouldn't fit as well. I hope you enjoyed how everything went down anyways!

To Hannah: Sorry the little insert of Rumlow in the last chapter made ya anxious. But there's definitely going to be some anxious parts in the story so brace yourself. Glad the last chapter was worth the wait. Hope you enjoyed this update as well!

Rach

xoxo