It had been over a year since Bucky left and everyone but Sam had gotten replies to their letters.

Sam hadn't expected a reply but at least hoped.

It was a beautiful summer Saturday and everyone was at a cookout as usual.

Sam had been a little depressed since he learned what Bucky was out doing and Rhodey was in fact jealous for Bucky getting shot up so fast. But also made sense considering what he did for so long.

He was sitting at a table thinking when they all heard a taxi stop and saw someone come out.

"Thanks." they said and the taxi drove away to see Bucky.

"Bucky." Sam whispered.

"Uncle Bucky!" Cass and AJ said and ran over to Bucky who smiled and walked over to them.

"Hey guys." Bucky said, put down his duffel bag and hugged them both tight.

"We missed you!" AJ said.

"I missed you too. Thanks for the letters."

"Are you OK?" Cass asked worried and Bucky smiled.

"I'm just fine Cass. You know what I am guys. I'm not a normal guy. Besides, I've been through more than one war and you know it. I'm a fully trained soldier and have over seventy years of experience with this."

"Come on Cass, AJ, don't hog the soldier to yourselves. He's got a whole town to hug." Sarah said and Bucky chuckled but they did as told and he walked over and was welcomed by everyone.

"I'm fine guys. Stop worrying. I may be a hundred and eight but I'm fine." Bucky said smiling and saw Sam looking at him.

"Bucky?" Sam said and Bucky just stared at him. "I-is that really you?"

"Unless there's another assassin with a vibranium arm that used to save your ass on every mission yeah."

"D-did you get my letter?"

"Yeah. Yeah I got it."

"And?"

"I'll, I'll think about it." Bucky said and Sam nodded. "For now let's just focus on me being here and try to be civil during this cookout." he said and Sam nodded.

Then Bucky went to put hid duffle bag down and offered to help Sarah.

"Oh no. You just got here from fighting and being a soldier, now it's time for you to relax, Colonel Barnes." Sarah said smiling.

"If you insist Private Wilson. But a Private listens to a Colonel in reality." Bucky said smiling and went to sit down.

For the next few hours everyone was happy to have Bucky back and Bucky told them what went on while he was gone.

Cass and AJ had stuck with him most of the time and Sam had wanted to be close but knew better than that so stayed away.

Finally it was time for everyone to head home and Bucky was heading to his hotel.

"You sure you don't wanna just spend the night?" Sarah asked.

"Nah, I'm good. Thanks anyway." Bucky said and she nodded.

"It was great to see you Bucky. We missed you." she said and gave him a hug.

"It was great to see you to." he said and hugged her back then did the same with Cass and AJ.

"Come visit soon uncle Bucky!" Cass said.

"I will." Bucky said and left.

A week later Bucky was back in New York watching Sam fight something with his arms crossed.

He watched the shield go flying out of his hand while Sam fell onto his back.

Then Sam slowly got up to see the shield go flying at the guy and was confused.

"What?" he said and looked up to see Bucky catch the shield again.

"The Winter Soldier." the man said.

"That's Colonel Barnes to you Ross." Bucky said.

"How?" Ross said.

"I know the voice anywhere." Bucky said. "Now you can come quietly or it can be a Super Soldier versus whatever this is."

"Let's see what you've got."

"Fine."

Sam slowly got to his feet and watched Bucky start fighting Ross as a red Hulk.

The more he watched the more he realized that if Bucky hadn't been there he'd be dead by now.

When they were done Ross was back to his normal form and unconscious with Bucky looking at him.

"He better be in jail for all this Sam. If not then I'll do it myself." Bucky said, turned to look at Sam and tossed him the shield.

"Thanks." Sam said and caught the shield.

"You needed help. Steve told me only Natasha could fully control their Hulk before Bruce figured out how to turn it into what he is now. God only knows what that was."

"More like how he made that. I really hope this isn't a Super Soldier repeat."

"I don't think it is. You can probably talk to Bruce or Dr. Ross about it. See if they have any ideas for what the hell he's trying to do." Bucky said and Sam nodded.

"If you want, you can tag along like old times." Sam said. "Unless you have another tour soon or you just don't want to." He said and Sam looked at him.

"If it's big like Hulk, you're gonna need an enhanced guy." Bucky said and smirked. "So I guess we better get started." he said and Sam smirked back.