Friday arrived and Steve had met the team that would be helping him restore the mural. At lunch they talked about how they wanted to do it properly. Of course they were told they had as much time as they needed. Steve's own hope was that when this was completed it would lead to more jobs like this. As they now knew when they were going to start and how they wanted to proceed, the team broke up to meet again on Monday. As he arrived back home, Bucky was already waiting to drag him out shopping for the party.

"No rest for the weary, pal. You need a new suit for tonight. I'm not letting you go to this party looking like you're dressed for a barn-raising."

Even after all these years, Bucky still picked on Steve for his plaid button down shirts and blue jeans.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with the way I dress. At least I don't look like I just threw whatever was somewhat clean on after waking up five minutes ago."

"Touché, that's why I'm getting a new suit as well. You'll only turn thirty-five once. Might as well do it in style, right?"

"Except, I'm only thirty-four, Bucky."

It's been a long time since Steve has seen his friend this excited. He knows Sharon is a good influence on him. Even though to his knowledge they've only been on one date, she just might be the one for his best friend. For the next two hours they hit every store in Brooklyn, and put together several new suits for the both of them. After the two friends finish their shopping trip they get, showered, shaved and dressed.

"All right man, we're looking good. You ready for the best night of your life?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, Buck. Let's go."

When the hour of the party arrives they walk into the bar and all of their friends are waiting. Bruce, Betty, Tony and Pepper are there. Sharon is behind the bar, but was given the rest of the night off once the party began, and Lance took over helping Sam. It wasn't a private party, but a few of Sam's regulars had to be turned away, they have a tendency to get out of hand at events like this. For the next hour they all celebrated. Tony was the butt of several jokes, mostly about being tied down to one woman. In their corner booths, Steve is having the best birthday he can remember. With his back to the door, neither he nor any of his friends notice when she walks in. At the bar, Carol is the first to speak.

"Sounds like they're having a good time back there. Think they'll let us join in?"

"Let that group have their fun. Tonight is about the job we just got Carol. This is our celebration."

"You're right, Nat. You were also right about this place. It's got a nice atmosphere. I mean aside from all the noise coming from back there. You know I think we should make this our weekly Friday night hang out. What do you say?"

"That's not a bad idea. The owner is really cute by the way. Wait until you see him."

"Don't. Don't try and set me up with him. Peter and I are just on a break while he is a consulting scientist in France."

"All right, I was just kidding anyway. Peter is a really good guy. I know how happy he makes you."

As another hour passes, Carol and Nat sit doing more talking than drinking. As they sit there they get a whiff of cigar smoke and cheap whiskey. Both of them remember the smell from two days ago at their lunch. With slightly slurred speech, the guy who Natasha tripped is standing behind her.

"Hey pretty lady. I don't believe you gave me an answer the other day when I asked you out."

"Really, because I thought you falling on your ass in front of God and everybody would have been answer enough."

"Nat told you once, Rumlow. She's not interested. You're drunk, why don't you go home and sleep it off."

"I don't think I was talking to you, blondie. So why don't you shut your mouth and mind your own business. Me and Red here, we're going to have a party."

"She is my business. She's my friend. If you don't get out of here, I'm calling the cops."

In the back of the bar, Steve's party can hear the confrontation at the bar getting louder. When the volume reached the highest point, it drowned them out. When Steve started to get up, Sam stopped him.

"You stay here. I'll handle it. I'm not going to let this guy harass one of my patrons."

As he walks over, he places a hand on the guy's shoulder.

"I believe the ladies asked you to leave. If you can't behave yourself in a civilized manner, I'll have to escort you out."

"Get lost man. This doesn't concern you either."

"Actually it does. This is my bar. And I don't take kindly to people insulting and hurting my customers."

Rumlow is now annoyed. He doesn't verbally respond to Sam, he just elbows him in the stomach, then hits him with a knee to the face.

"I told you to stay out of it. Come on Red, you're coming with me."

He grabs Nat by the shoulder, pulling her along with him. Steve and Bucky heard more than saw their friend go down. All they can think now is to help him and the girl. They split up, with Buck going to check on Sam, and Steve turns to catch the assailant. He can't see the woman's face; her auburn hair is obscuring his view. So he can't be sure if she's hurt. It doesn't matter to him though, she's in trouble and he's going to help her.

"Hey, loudmouth. Let the woman go. You want to fight someone, take on someone your own size."

"Seems to me that all the guys in this bar want to get beat up tonight. I have time to beat one more up before I take the girl with me."

Rumlow pushes his captive down, and turns to face his new challenger. He has a brief thought that he may have just bitten off more than he can chew. The guy in front of him is easily six foot three and looks like he could bench press a Buick.

"All right blondie. Come get some."

When he is charged, Steve is already a blur of motion. He grabs his opponent's arm and flips him over his shoulder. Stunned, but undeterred Rumlow gets back up and attacks again.

"Nice throw, bet you can't do it twice."

He charges again, but is caught with a low sweep to the legs and is on his back again.

Infuriated now, he tries to taunt Steve into making a mistake.

"Let me guess, you studied kickboxing in college, or maybe in the army? I bet you were just a lowly grunt. I used to kick the crap out of guys like you before breakfast."

With another punch, he thinks he can catch his opponent off balance. The Soldier doesn't fall for it, and sidesteps. Now standing behind the adversary, a strong push knocks him down and Rumlow cracks his skull on the edge of the bar.

"Actually, I was a Captain. Hey Tony, call the cops."

"You got it buddy."

Before the fight began, Hunter had already reached for the gun like he was trained to. After all was said and done he vaulted over the bar with a roll of duct tape in hand. With Rumlow restrained, he takes a seat with the shotgun back in hand as they all wait for the police to arrive. With Sam now recovering on a bar stool, Steve turns his attention to the woman, still kneeling in front of him.

"Excuse me, Miss? Miss are you all right?"

Before she looks up, Nat thinks she knows the voice speaking to her. She's still shaken, but she reaches up and runs her hand through her hair pushing it away from her face. When she raises her eyes, she finds herself staring back at a pair of blue eyes that only show concern for her. For a moment, she thinks the tears are keeping her from seeing clearly. She wipes her face to find it totally dry, and realizes there is no mistake at who this man in front of her is. When he speaks again, the way he says her name confirms it.

"Nat?"