The Tower had gotten quite busy in the past month. It was four days till Christmas. Tony had already gone a little crazy with the decorations, he had Pepper's help of course. Tony had gotten a hug tree and had it placed in the living room, it almost touched the ceiling. Clint had been taking it easy lately, since the last mission he did ended with bruised ribs and a cracked collar bone, he had officially been staying in his 'Nest'. They actually haven't seen him for some time.

Steve actually got Natasha to become an expert in making breakfast. He taught her all he knew and now she made breakfast in the mornings instead of him. He offered to have a rotation, but Natasha declined and she said she liked cooking. When she said this it was in the evening and Tony who couldn't resist threw a tease at them "Don't tell me he's making you soft red"

That ended with Tony escaping to his lab, but only after a coffee mug hit him in the face. He came out the next afternoon with a dark purple bruise on the side of his face. Every time Natasha saw it she smirked. Steve had to admit, it was amusing. Maybe Tony would learn one day, but most likely no. Jane was in the tower as well, but she spent most of her time talking to Thor, who by fact just told her things about the cosmic, which he somehow always made it sound interesting.

Steve caught himself listening whenever he passed them. Steve was enjoying the whole family thing. Even though sometimes, they could barely stand each other. Bruce was spending most of his time drinking tea and meditating, Steve guessed with all the exciting tension in the tower made him nervous. Steve tried to talk to him a few times, but he always seemed distracted by something.

Steve wondered what Bucky was doing, he had to guess nothing. Bucky hadn't always been the most cheerful of people to be around at Christmas. Steve knew why, but even if Bucky couldn't remember why, he knew. Steve had been trying to pick a day to go see his friend, but every time Bucky was either busy, or Steve was caught up in his own problems. Steve had been stressing on buying Natasha something for Christmas. Yet he never knew what to buy her. Steve walked past a jewelry store a week ago and he saw these ear rings that Natasha would look good in. If she ever wore any, unless she was supposed to on mission. Otherwise nothing, Steve had been trying to break her out of her shell. It was hard work, but he knew he was making progress, when she wants to go out and do something, he knew he had something to do with it. Steve thought about going to that jewelry store and getting her those ear rings, if they were still available.

One thing that Steve knew that made Natasha happy was that no one knew they were together. She likes her privacy and they had gotten good at hiding it to. Steve just acted like himself, and Natasha tried her best not to corner him and start a make out session. Even though Steve wouldn't have complained, but they both agreed to keep their relationship a secret. Steve had to admit, it was actually exciting to be keeping it a secret from everyone, and Tony's theories were getting weirder as time went on. He seemed to be holding onto the Romanogers; that's what he called them, a little too tightly. Steve was surprised to actually want to hear a theory, then it would be crushed when he went off and told a theory of how Steve and Natasha weren't together and since Steve would disappear at random at night, that he went to gay bars.

Steve always wanted to kill him whenever he brought up the possibility of him being gay. Steve knew that Tony only did it to get a reaction out of him, it worked most of the time. Steve was prepared to go back to his apartment for two days and take a break from the wild theories and the crazy tension slowly building in the Tower.

Steve had now had a full beard, he kept it trimmed, but he looked rather different, it helped him go out in public more. He talked to Natasha about wanting to go to his apartment for two days and asked if he could go alone, she reluctantly agreed. Only after Steve told her to hang out with Pepper or something. Steve had spent the day trying to say goodbye to everyone and the only person he couldn't find was Clint.

"Hey Bruce, where is Clint?" Steve asked walking into the living room after a good hour looking for Clint.

"Up in his 'Nest'" Bruce said

"How do you get to his room?"

"Beats me, ask Jarvis"

Why didn't Steve think of that in the first place? Steve walked into the hallway and he leaned against the wall.

"Hey Jarvis"

"What can I do for you Mr. Rogers?" Jarvis asked

"Can you tell me where Clint's room is?"

"It is in the highest part of the Tower"

"How do I get to it?"

"Look up Sir"

Steve looked up and he noticed a long tunnel up with ledges that he never noticed before.

"Thanks" Steve said still amazed

"My pleasure sir"

Steve jumped up and he grabbed one of the ledges. He pulled himself up, and he jumped to the next one. Clint had to do this every time he wanted to go to his room, Steve now understood why he didn't come down. Steve found the hatch and he opened it and he heard Clint's voice, he was talking to someone. Steve didn't want to intrude, but he had to say good bye to him.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I have to miss another Christmas" Clint said

"Tell them I love them, and that I will see them soon"

"I love you to, and please take it easy. I don't need you to have to be rushed to the hospital. Yes thank you, love you to"

Steve wondered who he was talking to and he lightly knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Clint asked surprised

"It's Steve"

"Cap, what are you doing up here?"

"Just coming to say good bye, I'm leaving for two days"

"You're buying Natasha something aren't you?"

"Uh… how'd you know?"

"Good guess, well good luck, you're going to need it"

"Thanks, and Clint?"

"Yeah Cap?"

"Nice room"

Clint chuckled "Thanks, see you on Christmas Eve"

"Yeah you to"

Location: S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier, seven miles above D.C

Agent: James 'Bucky' Barnes

Bucky was sitting at his desk and he had papers all over the place, He had spent the past month looking for Niko. He couldn't find him though, apparently Morse and Barton fought him. He got away and then he went dark. Bucky knew he would strike again, but he didn't know when. Bucky had become frustrated enough having to read file upon file, he was literally drowning in paper. Bucky put the paper in his hand down on the desk and he rubbed his eyes and he yawned. He needed a break, Bucky leaned back in his chair and he closed his eyes and he yawned again. Bucky breathed in and out slowly. He slowed his heat beat and he tried to think about nothing.

Bucky could smell the awful, but great smell of New York. The warmth of the summer and then the cold of the winter. Bucky lightly chuckled and he heard a knock on his door, he opened his eyes and the memory went away. Bucky sat up and he looked back at the door. He stood up and he tip toed around the papers.

Bucky reached his door and he opened it, the door slid away and Hill was standing in front of him. Bucky was slightly surprised to see her, he always was when she came to his door. He always expected Fury. Hill lightly smiled and greeted him.

"Hey Barnes" she said

"Hey" Bucky said plainly

"Can I come in?" she asked

Bucky looked around behind him and he could see the only clear area was around his bed. He didn't want to be uncivil so he invited her in.

"Yeah sure come in"

Bucky side stepped and he got out of her way. Hill walked into the room and she saw the huge pile of papers everywhere. She smirked, his room looked a lot like hers at the moment.

"I hope you didn't come for a change of scenery?" Bucky said closing the door.

The room was dark and Bucky slightly cursed and he flipped one of the switches and the room became dimly lit.

"You like the dark don't you?" Hill asked kindly

"I guess, or I just like the fact of the constant mood" Bucky said jokingly

Hill chuckled lightly and she stood completely straight, perfect posture.

"The only clear space is around the bed" Bucky said

"Oh, that's one way to get a girl on your bed" she said teasingly

Bucky smirked "I don't need help getting a girl on my bed"

"Oh, so you have moves?"

"Back in the forties I did, I'm sure none of them would work now"

Hill sat down on the edge of his bed and she became slightly more relaxed. She could see Bucky, but it was very poorly lit and it was more of a silhouette. She could see the broadness of his shoulders and the chiseled abdomen. She snapped out of it and she looked back at his face.

"Well, maybe you should learn some new material"

"Yeah, I don't think this would help" Bucky said lifting his metal arm up and looking at it.

"Wear long sleeves"

Bucky chuckled and smiled at her "You know someone told me that once"

"I'm just saying it could help"

"It might" Bucky said walking over and taking a seat next to her, but an appropriate distance away.

Hill looked at him and she kept asking herself why she always put herself into these situations, her and Barnes alone, not to mention in a dark room.

"So what's up?" Bucky asked

"Nothing really, I just needed a break from all the paper work" Hill said tiredly

"I was about to take one before you knocked"

"Sorry if I ruined it"

"Nay, so what was your plan?"

"Ok, don't take this the wrong way"

"Why would I take it the wrong way?"

"You haven't heard it yet"

"I'm all ears"

"I was wondering if you wanted to join me for a drink"

"A drink, so Hill is this a date?" Bucky asked teasingly

Hill slightly opened her mouth "No, you took it the wrong way" Hill said putting her head in her hands.

"I'm just teasing, sure a drink, I need to get out anyhow"

"Ok"

"Well, you're leading, because all the drinking places I remember are either closed or a weird looking club thing."

Hill chuckled and she looked at him and she stared at his eyes. She blinked damn.

Bucky followed Hill and before he knew it they were walking around in the streets of Washington D.C. Bucky followed the advice of two women and he wore long sleeves with gloves, he was lucky it was winter. Bucky had never seen Hill in normal clothes. She had he hair down to and she was wearing red lipstick. She had a wool coat that Bucky has to admit, she looked stunning in. Bucky wasn't updated on modern dating, but this seemed like a date, just by what she was wearing, then again this could be the only time she could go out so she wanted to look nice. In Bucky's opinion, she didn't need the makeup. He did like her hair though, and he wished she wore it like that more often, then again not exactly the kind of hair you want on mission. It was his hair color and it came down to her shoulders.

Bucky had a hard time not staring, then again who wouldn't? Bucky followed her into a bar and Bucky stood waiting for her to find a table. He looked out of place, but he hid it better than Steve would. Bucky sat across from her and he ordered a vodka. He wasn't hungry or thirsty, but he wasn't going to pass up alcohol.

The night went rather smoothly. Bucky had complained that it wasn't Russian vodka.

"Well Russian vodka is illegal in the U.S."

"Really, why?"

"I think it has to do with something of how the percent of the alcohol is higher than is allowed here, then again I'm not sure."

"I guess, I'll live with it" Bucky said

Hill was actually fun to be with, which somehow surprised Bucky. He guessed that he always saw her as the fancy restaurant type. Bucky didn't like that scene too much, he would much rather go to a diner. He was relieved when he learned diners still existed. Bucky couldn't help but stare every time she smiled. Bucky shifted a little uncomfortably.

Bucky felt his ears go warm when he saw her slightly move her arm and eh breasts came together and they looked like they were going to burst out of her grey sweater. She was wearing a very nice sweater and Bucky had the thought of ripping it off of her. He blinked and he looked back at her face. He saw her smile and he felt his throat become dry. He felt oddly warm. He wasn't helping himself.

Hill leaned forward slightly and her breasts touched the table and Bucky inhaled and he could smell a brown sugar perfume. His heighten senses weren't helping him. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest and it was in his ears. Hill seemed not to be noticing, well it could be the fact that Bucky was hiding his emotions. He wanted to take her home and spend the night with her, but the only home he had was the helicarrier. Bucky exhaled softly and he could feel his erection pressing against his pants. He was having a hard time. She just looked so beautiful. Bucky started to breathe shakily.

Hill noticed that something was wrong "You ok?" she asked

Bucky smiled and he was yelling at himself for the situation he had put himself in.

"Yeah, just a little warm"

"You're over heated?"

"I guess" Bucky said uncomfortably, he needed to get himself out of this.

"Well, it is midnight, we can leave if you want"

"Can we?" Bucky asked

Hill nodded and she stood up and grabbed her coat and she paid for the drinks and she put her coat on and walked toward the exit. Bucky followed her and he wished he was ahead. He had a perfect view of her ass. Bucky exhaled ruggedly, the cold air helped him a little. Bucky decided to stare anywhere but right at her. He needed to stop his feelings. Bucky closed his eyes and he inhaled slowly and a memory flashed before him and he felt a painful pulse in his head.

He could see a house on fire and he was about eight years old and he was running toward it.

Bucky came back to the reality and he was on the sidewalk with Hill helping him.

"You ok?"

"No" Bucky said through gritted teeth

"Come on, my apartment isn't far from here" she said

Bucky would have declined, but his head was throbbing, so he nodded.

Bucky had spent the night with Hill, but in the way he really didn't want to, but his head stopped all those thoughts. He slept on her couch and he was now back in the helicarrier and he was staring at a file again. He rubbed his eyes and he exhaled.

This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Steve

Steve had returned to the Tower after his two day break. He bought Natasha those ear rings and he was going to give them to her in the morning; which was Christmas morning. He just hoped she liked them. That night ended with a drinking contest between Tony, Clint, and Thor. Steve stayed out of it. There was this funny reason, of he can't get drunk that Tony said he couldn't be part of it. Steve was fine with that though, that just gave him time to be with Natasha. The night ended with Thor sitting victorious, Clint gave up so he wasn't completely hammered in the morning. Tony went till he passed out. Thor could barely stand.

Pepper came home and she asked what the hell happened. Thor was the only one to reply.

"He challenged me to a drinking contest and he made his ancestors proud" Thor said trying to pat Tony's shoulder, but he missed and hit nothing but air. Thor looked and it turned out Tony was across from him, Thor rubbed his eyes. "It would seem, I am seeing two of everything" Thor said

Steve and Jane helped Thor get to his room and Natasha helped Clint to the couch. Steve came back and carried Tony to his and Pepper's room. Steve, Natasha, and Bruce were the only ones left standing. Bruce stood up and he smiled them.

"Good night, see you in the morning"

"Don't spend all the time in the lab" Natasha teased

Bruce looked at her and smirked.

Steve and Natasha passed out in Steve's bed and Steve had Jarvis lock down his room.

Steve opened his eyes and the sun was up and he looked at the clock: 7:38 am. He didn't have much time. Steve found Natasha resting her head on his shoulder and he did his best to slip away. He laid her head on the pillow where his head was so she was lying on something cold. Steve rushed to his dresser and he grabbed the case with the ear rings in them. He went back to the bed and he laid back down and he laid on his side so he was face to face to Natasha. Steve looked at the clock: 7:39 am. He smiled at himself impressed. He waited for the beautiful woman in his bed to open her eyes.

Natasha stirred and opened her eyes slowly and Steve was smiling at her. That's what he was waiting for, he had to look at those emerald eyes before he did anything in the morning.

"Morning beautiful" Steve said

Natasha smiled and she looked down at Steve's hand and he was holding a case.

"Steve?" Natasha asked questionably

"It's not a ring"

Natasha felt a rush of relief and she looked at the box slyly. "What is it?"

"Open it and find out" Steve said smiling, hoping to God that she liked them.

Natasha opened the case and she saw two ear rings and they looked beautiful and they actually looked like they would match her. Natasha's mouth fell open in shock.

"When did you?"

"My two day break" Steve said smiling

"How much?"

"Free, but they would have been twenty thousand if the woman didn't noticed that I was Captain America"

"For free"

"I was going to pay, but apparently I saved her store in the battle of New York and she said it was the least she could do for a young man like me"

"Wow"

"So you like them?"

"Like them? No, I love them" Natasha said smiling and she kissed him. Steve smiled through the kiss and he kissed her back.

"Merry Christmas babe"

"You know what this means?" Natasha asked

"No, what?"

"I have to reward you somehow" Natasha said taking the case and putting it on her night stand.

"You didn't get me anything?"

"Oh I did, but to let you see it, I have to give you something"

"My reward?" Steve asked still a little confused

Steve felt her hand grab him and he was startled by it then he smiled at her.

"So that's my reward" Steve said smiling

"I also bought some sexy lingerie"

"Oh you got me two things"

"You want to see them?"

"Later" Steve said and he put his arm around her and he kissed her and she smiled and laughed.

End of Act 2