Steve tossed and turned all night. Finally giving up on sleep he noticed the time was five a.m. With Bucky still sleeping off his hangover, he decided to go for his morning run. Maybe he would wear himself out enough to sleep when he got back. He didn't expect to encounter Sam out that early as well.

"Morning, Steve. Couldn't sleep?"

"Hey Sam. Yeah, Jet lag kept me awake. What about you?"

Sam knew there were other reasons for his friends lack of sleep, but didn't press the matter.

"Old habits die hard. You know that one too though."

"Very well. So it looks like Bucky hit it off real well with Sharon last night."

"No kidding. But at least she knows how important her job is. She kept focused despite all the puppy dog eyes he was throwing her way. But she did say she liked him after you left."

"That's another first. Not even Maria threw him off his game that much back in college, at least until the break up."

Bucky was introduced to Maria Hill by means of a double date junior year with Steve and Nat. To this day they both call it just a fling, but Steve knew better. Bucky gave up drinking for her, and for the first time in the 10 years he knew Bucky, Steve finally thought his best friend would settle down. To the eye of an outsider, the break up was amicable. After a year-long relationship, Maria was offered a job overseas. Bucky was torn apart, he drank harder and longer than Steve ever thought possible. Eventually the break up even led him to enlist. Six months later, Steve followed him.

"Listen Steve, Bucky didn't mean any harm when he brought up…"

"I know Sam. He was just trying to get me over her like I tried to do for him. I better get back, he'll be waking up and he'll need some food after the hangover takes its toll."

"Yeah, and I've got a session with soldiers today. Sharon's coming along for this one. But next week man, is your birthday. I expect you to be at the bar so we can celebrate."

"Yeah, Friday July 4th. Whatever you've got planned, I look forward to it."

"Great, see you then. Oh, if you need a job, I could help you out with that."

"Thanks Sam, but I have a few interviews lined up in the next few days. Got some hits on my resume before I came back. See you later."

Sam and Steve part ways for the day. As he enters the door to Bucky's apartment he hears the aftermath of the night of drinking. As his friend comes out of the bathroom Steve can't help but admonish him.

"You realize we're in our thirties now. You can't get blind drunk like you used too. I'm making breakfast. You'll need some protein after all that. Coffee's on and I've got Tylenol next to your cup."

"Thanks, Dad." Bucky sarcastically replies. "How long have you been up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Just got back from my morning run. It's lucky you don't have to work today."

Bucky brightens up a bit at that memory. Since he got a job teaching, he has this month off.

"That's right, so what's the plan for today?"

"You're staying in and sleeping the rest of last night off. I'm going try and sleep off the jet lag. Oh and I hope you're calling Sharon."

"I can't call her. I made a complete fool out of myself last night. She'll think I'm some desperate schmuck who can't get a date."

"That's not what you said on the ride back. You wouldn't shut up about her. And from what Sam said this morning, she really liked you. Don't screw this up."

"All right, I'll call her. But I better eat and get a little more sleep first."

"Good boy, I expect that plate clean when I come back from the shower."

Bucky just stares at him for a moment. He's never heard his friend talk to him like that.

"What? You called me Dad, so I'm acting like it."

Before heading into the shower, Steve hits Bucky with the same smug smile he had after getting Sharon's number. Just as he is closing the door, he hears Bucky yell at him.

"Punk!"