Extended summary: When Tony discovers he has a daughter from a tryst 23 years ago, he's understandably skeptical and sends Steve to investigate. Steve isn't thrilled at the idea but as a favor to Tony, he agrees to look into the man's long lost daughter. Stella knows nothing of her long last dad, but when a handsome stranger comes into the bar where she's working, she starts to let her guard down. That is, until Loki attacks and tries to use her as a bargaining chip against the father she didn't even knew existed. Against her will she's forced to hunker down at the Avenger's compound with the rest of the team. She's furious at Steve for lying to her and even angrier at herself for falling for his ruse. Steve is determined to earn Stella's trust again, but Stella has no intention of letting that happen. At the compound she meets another team member, the enigmatic Winter Soldier. Both Stella and Bucky have a broken past and the two form a bond no one could have predicted. The only issue is that Loki is still after her and may have teamed up with Hydra, not to mention the feelings she can't help feeling for Steve, and of course, dear old dad who she wants nothing to do with. BuckyxOCxSteve

Tony Perspective

Tony stared down at the letter from his position behind his desk. He had reread it so many times, at this point he was sure he could recite it by heart. Unfortunately, that made the words no easier to process.

He had arrived at the Avengers' Compound in upstate New York that day, exhausted after a day of travel. He didn't frequent the compound usually favoring his mansion in Malibu with Pepper, but it had been a while since he checked in on the residents. And he needed to debrief the team on the latest intel from SHIELD regarding Hydra's resurrection. It seemed no matter how many times Rogers fought and "died" to ensure the Nazi organization's end, Hydra found a way to come back. Cut off one head, two more will take its place, Tony thought to himself bitterly.

That on top of Thor's news about Loki's escape from Asgard had his anxiety at its limits. To top it all off, there was this letter which was the last thing he needed right now.

The letter had been waiting for him when he arrived, sitting innocuously on his desk. In all honesty, he had been expecting some sort of fan mail, but for some reason Friday had let this letter slip through her rigorous screening system for the mail he actually received. Tony hadn't recognized the penmanship on the envelope but decided to open the letter regardless. The man sighed, leaning back in his chair and running his fingers through his hair before reading the letter again.

Tony,

You probably don't remember me. We met 22 years ago at a New Year's Eve party in New York City. I was the pretty brunette cocktail waitress you took home. We spent one passionate night together, and I never heard from you again.

I'm not a jilted lover, I knew the deal when I got into bed with you. You were famous and a notorious playboy…and had an equally famous girlfriend at the time. I never expected anything more from you than the one night we spent together...That is, until I discovered I was pregnant.

I was frightened and alone, only 21 at the time…I considered terminating the pregnancy, but when the time came I couldn't go through with it. I ended up raising our daughter on my own. She never knew you were her father, and still doesn't know to this very day. I didn't want her to know about the dad she would never meet and to be honest I didn't want her to grow up with a father like you.

Sorry to be blunt but at the time you were a notorious womanizer and armed weapons dealer. I figured she was better off without you. Over the last few years I've followed your story in the media…becoming Ironman and forming the Avengers, shutting down the weapons manufacturing division at Stark Industries…It seemed you finally grew up. I was proud of the man you became.

Still, it didn't seem fair to tell Stella about you as I didn't know if you would even care about her existence. She was a happy and healthy young woman and I didn't want to take a chance of ruining that by telling her about you and you possibly wanting nothing to do with her. The years were tough as a single mom, but I wouldn't change a thing. Stella is amazing, beautiful and intelligent (I like to think she gets that from you). I never regretted my decision to have her.

The reason for this letter is that I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's stage 4. There's nothing the doctors can do, not even chemo. They say I only have a few months…And I'm terrified. Not of dying, but of my beautiful baby girl being alone in the world.

I've arranged for this letter to be sent to you on Stella's 24th birthday, one year and three months from now. I know I have no right to ask you for anything after all these years but I'd like to give you the chance I didn't give you 22 years ago. To know your daughter and have her be a part of your life.

I don't want Stella to go through her life without a family. It's a sad, lonely life and she deserves so much better. Please forgive me for never telling you about her and if you're going to be mad at anyone, let it be me.

I've enclosed the business card you forgot on the nightstand as proof I am who I say I am.

She's the best thing I ever did with my life. I hope you find she's the best thing to happen to yours. Please look after her.

Sincerely,

Camilla

Tony let his head fall forward into his hands. He remembered Camilla. She was young and beautiful and her story was true. Tony had met her at a New Years' party he had attended back in the late nineties. She had been one of the cocktail waitresses at the event. He had been charmed by her humor, wit and beauty and at the end of the night he invited her up to his hotel room. They had shameless, passionate sex all throughout the night.

In the morning he hadn't even waited for the woman to wake up before sneaking out. He had been dating some high profile actress at the time and hadn't wanted the story to get leaked to the press. He had liked Camilla, but he knew the press would tear her to shreds if they discovered his infidelity so he had spared her that. At least that's what he told himself at the time.

He knew he hadn't used a condom with her…a regret from his younger years he had repeated with many women…It seemed however, he was finally about to pay for it.

Fuck.

The first thing Tony thought of was Pepper. What would she say? Things had been good between them since they got back together after the blow out with Cap in Germany. The thought of telling her this made him sick to his stomach.

Tony ran his fingers over the faded and worn business card carrying his name…He recognized it well from the years he had spent as a weapons manufacturer for the military and thanks to Obadiah, terrorists too.

She could be lying. Maybe the kid isn't mine…He thought to himself. We only spent that one night together.

One night in which you screwed her multiple times all over that hotel room…

Camilla never struck Tony as a liar. Still, he had to be sure. For Pepper.

"Friday…" He started, leaning back in his chair as he studied the business card.

"Yes boss?"

"Can you ask Romanoff-no, Rogers actually, to meet me in my office?"

It took less than ten minutes for Steve to arrive. He was wearing gym clothes and a light sheen of sweat covered his flushed face. Most likely from doing laps in the training facility.

"Tony? Friday said you needed me."

"Come in Steve." Steve did as told, closing the door behind him and taking a seat at one of the chairs in front of Tony's desk.

"Is it Hydra?" Steve asked, his tone serious.

"No…well, yes and no. I heard from Fury and the trail went cold in the Ukraine. It seems Hydra has gone back underground for now." Tony fiddled with his thumbs.

Steve processed this. Tony was sure the man was reliving his long history with the Nazi organization. "Was there anything else?" Steve asked after a moment.

"Yes actually. This is…more of a personal matter." Steve raised a brow.

"Go on."

Tony let Steve read the letter, studying the man's expression as he did. Steve's face remained neutral the entire time.

"You have a daughter."

"Supposedly."

"You think she's lying?"

"Not necessarily. I looked into her. Camilla did die last year of breast cancer and her story matches up…I remember her," Tony clarified after a moment. Steve watched him impassively, not saying anything.

"…I need to know if she's the real deal."

"You mean…if this girl is actually your daughter." Tony nodded. "I'm not sure how I fit into this." Steve continued, clearly confused. Tony took a deep breath. Moment of truth.

"When Barnes came to live here you said anything I needed, however you could make it up to me…that you would do it." Steve's face hardened. Tony knew it had been difficult for Steve ask Tony if Bucky could move in, especially after the events at the airport in Germany, but Steve hadn't had much of a choice. He needed somewhere Bucky could recover away from the public eye.

"So you want me to do what, exactly? Kidnap her?" Steve said sarcastically.

"Not at all. I just need some DNA to get tested to see if she's really mine. And for you to look into her a bit. See who she is." Steve sighed.

"Tony, I don't know…Isn't this more Natasha's thing?" Maybe but Natasha doesn't owe me a favor, Tony thought grumpily.

"Rogers, I wouldn't ask if I didn't need this." He implored. "Not for me…for Pepper. Enough of my past mistakes have blown up in my face. If this girl is my family, I need to know for sure before I tell her." Steve studied him for a moment before sighing.

"Alright. Where can I find her?" Tony plucked a file off his desk and handed it to him.

"I did some preliminary digging. There's a picture of her, along with some basic info." Steve flipped open the folder, briefly examining the contents before nodding. He stood.

"When do I leave?"

"Tonight too soon?" Steve looked annoyed, but agreed.

"Fine…But I'm taking the R8. My stuff won't exactly fit on the back of my bike."

"Whatever you need. And Rogers? Your discretion is appreciated." Steve nodded again before heading to the door. When his hand paused on the handle, he stopped and turned to look at Tony.

"What happens if this girl isn't your daughter?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it doesn't exactly sound like she's had an easy life. If she's not your daughter are you just gonna turn a blind eye to her?" Tony pondered Steve's words. To be honest he hadn't given much thought to what would happen to the girl if she wasn't his. Regardless of his relationship to her, she was still Camilla's child.

"If she's not mine…she'll inherit some money from a long, lost relative she's never heard of. Enough to help her get by," Tony replied, thinking it was the least he could do for Camilla. Steve shook his head.

"Not even money can replace family Tony." With that he walked through the door, closing it behind him and leaving Tony to his thoughts.

Steve's Perspective

Steve found Bucky in the gym, right where he left him when Steve had been summoned to Tony's office. Bucky was going to town on a punching bag, pounding it mercilessly with his fists. The punching bags at the compound were reinforced with heavy duty material, but regardless the bag had started to show noticeable signs of strain.

"Hey Buck," He said to the man's back. Bucky's pace slowed and eventually stopped. He looked over his shoulder at his longtime friend.

"Steve."

"Everything okay?" Steve questioned, nodding at the pummeled bag. Bucky nodded and accepted the towel Steve handed him.

"Yeah."

"You sure? You know you can tell me anything."

"I'm fine Steve." Steve studied his friend for a moment. He considered himself lucky that Bucky agreed to stay at the Avenger's Compound while in recovery and even more so that Tony had let him, especially after the events in Europe. However, after Hydra resurfaced in the past few months, both Bucky and Tony agreed that they were the real threat and to temporarily put aside their differences. Still, things were strained between the two men to say the least.

Despite their best efforts, the trail Steve had been following the past few months had gone cold. And apparently SHIELD hadn't been able to find anything on the Nazi organization either. That, on top of Thor's news about Loki's escape had made the past month a bleak one.

And now Tony was sending Steve on a mission he wasn't comfortable with to look into his long, lost daughter? It was too much but Steve wasn't in a position to say no right now. Steve felt he owed Tony, especially after Germany so he had agreed. And now he was regretting it. He wasn't thrilled at the idea of leaving Bucky alone, but Sam had agreed to look after the man in his absence.

"I'm going on a mission," Steve started.

Bucky looked up from unwrapping his hand, his interest peaked. "Hydra?"

"No…it's something else." Tony's words echoed in Steve's head. And Rogers? Your discretion is appreciated. "I can't really get into it." Bucky studied his friend.

"You need backup?"

"No. I'm actually going alone." Bucky raised a brow.

"Covert op?" Steve nodded. "Isn't that more Romanoff's thing?" He asked. Steve sighed.

"Technically yes, but I was requested specifically." Bucky nodded in understanding.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Hopefully only a few weeks." Bucky nodded, though he looked slightly disappointed.

"Hey, I'll be back soon," Steve said. "In the meantime Sam said he'd look in on you."

"I don't need a babysitter, Steve."

"I know you don't but I don't want you to feel like you're on your own while I'm gone." Bucky sighed.

"When do you leave?"

"Now." Bucky nodded again.

"Good luck."

"Thanks Buck." Steve hesitated before giving the man a quick hug. Bucky stiffened. He still wasn't used to physical touch. "I'll see you when I get back." Steve released him before clapping him on the back and heading out.

XXX

That night Steve found himself standing outside a bar in New York City. He looked around. New York had changed a lot since the 40's but it was still as bustling and busy as ever. He pulled his baseball cap low over his brow. Normally he would wait a bit longer on a mission before pulling a move like this, but he was eager to get back upstate to Bucky. He knew the man was fragile right now and Steve wanted to be there to support him.

Besides this wasn't an actual mission, it was a favor for Tony. Odds were this girl wasn't related to him and in a week things would get back to normal. Getting her DNA would be tricky though.

He headed inside, following a group of business men in suits. While the men got a table, Steve headed to the bar and took a seat. The file Tony had given him had named the girl as Stella Rivera and said she worked at Russo's, a restaurant in lower Manhattan. While he waited for the bartender he scoped out the room. There were a few waitresses milling about but none of them matched the picture in the file. The photo was of a girl with dark hair and brown eyes with olive skin. Her mother had been Camilla Rivera, Tony's ex-fling. Maybe she worked in the kitchen? Or she was off that day?

"Yankees fan huh?" A voice said from the other side of the bar. He looked up to see the bartender had spoken to him. Brown eyes stared back at him from a heart shaped face surrounded by dark hair.

Stella. Steve took a moment to recover and realized she was referring to his baseball hat which donned the Yankees logo.

"Don't tell me you're a Mets fan," He managed after a moment. In person, it was surprising how much the girl looked like Tony despite her delicate feminine features. Those were unmistakably Tony's brown eyes staring back at him from the other side of the counter.

"Can't stand the Mets," She responded honestly. "Not that they ever win anything. Besides, I grew up in Washington Heights. That wouldn't go over well there." Steve processed her words. It matched the information in the file, although her current residence was listed as an apartment in Midtown.

"So you're a Yankees fan too?" He questioned. She nodded and grinned.

"Sure am. What can I get you?"

"I'll take a Budweiser." She reached into the cooler in front of her, pulling out a bottle and deftly popping the lid off.

"A fan of the classics huh?" She slid it in front of him.

"Excuse me?" Steve replied before taking a swig.

"It's been a while since someone's ordered a Bud. Most people who come in here are a fan of IPAs or pilsners."

"IPA?" Steve questioned. The girl quirked an eyebrow.

"India Pale Ale. It's pretty popular. I'm surprised you've never heard of it."

Shit.

"Oh. I guess you could say I'm a little old fashioned." The girl observed him before leaning against the counter.

"Old fashioned? You can't be older than 35." Steve swallowed. Clearly, he was not good at this. More like 105…He was grateful when she continued. "Are you from the city?"

"Originally, yeah. Brooklyn."

"What part?" She questioned.

"Red Hook." Steve was grateful he didn't have to lie about this.

"Nice neighborhood." Was it? Steve couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or not. When he had grown up there it had been one of the poorer neighborhoods in the city.

"Thanks." He took another sip of his beer and was surprised it was almost empty.

"Another?" Stella questioned. Steve nodded.

"Do you have a recommendation?" He asked. She watched him for a moment, thoughtful.

"Feel like trying one of those trendy IPAs?" Steve smirked.

"Why not?" This time she procured a can from the cooler and cracked it open for him. Steve took a look at the label.

"Merman IPA?" He questioned.

"It's local. From Coney Island. Ever been?"

"A long time ago," Steve said before he could stop himself. He and Bucky had gone almost every summer when they were kids well into their twenties.

"Ever ridden the Cyclone?" Steve groaned.

"Unfortunately." She laughed.

"Oh come on. It's not that bad."

"Not that bad? I threw up. My buddy made me ride it three times in a row." That wasn't a lie either. Bucky had been quite the adrenaline junkie back in the day. Stella laughed again and Steve found he liked the sound of her laugh. He took a sip of the can she had given him.

"What do you think?"

"It's not bad. A little heavier than Bud." She nodded in agreement. "Nice flavor though." Stella noticed someone take a seat at the opposite end of the bar and excused herself. Steve watched her as he sipped his drink. She greeted the couple who had sat down and took their order. He was surprised how easy to talk to she was. After their interaction there was little doubt in his mind she wasn't Tony's kid. After all, she did look like him.

That could be a coincidence. He thought to himself. Tony will still want proof. A pang of guilt erupted in his chest. He felt bad deceiving the girl, but he had a mission. He debated once again the best way to get her DNA. A fingerprint wouldn't do…It would have to be hair, skin or saliva. Blood would work too but that was out of the question.

After she helped the couple Stella made her way back over and began typing a few items onto her bar computer. Then she turned back towards him. "How's the IPA?"

"I like it more than I thought I would." She smiled.

"I'm glad. You work around here?"

"Uhh…" Steve could've kicked himself for not establishing an alibi before coming into the bar. This was what he got for rushing the mission. "Just moved back actually. Haven't had a chance to look for work yet."

"Oh? Where from?" Steve knew Stella was just being friendly, but he was having trouble coming up with answers to her rapid fire questions.

"Upstate?" He said weakly.

"I hear it's beautiful up there," She replied, grabbing a rag and wiping down the counter. "Are you back in Red Hook?"

"No, just around the corner from here." Steve had temporarily taken up residence in one of Tony's apartments nearby. He could have stayed in Avenger's Tower but it was a little further North than he preferred and he was trying to keep a low profile. The Tower was anything but.

"Why'd you decide to come back?" She asked. Steve hesitated. "Home is home I guess," She answered for him. Steve nodded. "I hope I'm not bugging you with the questions. Normally people who come in alone want to chat."

"You're not bothering me," Steve said automatically. She cracked a smile in response.

"What's your name Brooklyn?"

"…Uh, Ted." Steve pulled a name out of his ass. Stella smirked.

"Old fashioned name for an old fashioned guy." She stuck her hand out for him to shake.

"Stella."

"Nice to meet you, Stella." Steve shook her hand. It was small in his palm and surprisingly soft, despite her firm handshake.

Steve watched Stella throughout the night and while she took care of her other patrons, she returned to talk to him a few times. She had a way with people. Sweet, but not a pushover. Talkative, but not annoying. He watched a couple of guys try to flirt with her and one even asked for her number, but she turned him down.

"Boyfriend?" The guy had asked.

"Just not dating right now," She had replied easily. After the guy returned to his table Stella was cleaning a few glasses with a rag when Steve spoke before he could stop himself.

"Not dating, huh? Some guy break your heart?" Stella snorted.

"Not exactly." Steve waited for her to go on but she didn't.

"Can I ask why?" He prodded.

"You looking for a girlfriend, Brooklyn?" Steve turned red despite himself. It seemed his many years of inexperience with women were still fresh. She laughed when she saw his reaction. "…No time," She replied. Steve raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"I have a day job in addition to bartending at night." Steve furrowed his brows. That hadn't been in the file.

"You saving up for something?" He questioned, wondering why she would want such a rigorous schedule.

"Actually yes." She didn't elaborate and Steve didn't press. Through the night he tried to think of a few ways he could get her DNA, but none of them were good. He would have to come back tomorrow. He paid his bill after she brought it over and tipped generously. It was the least he could do for spying.

"See you around?" She asked before he walked out the door. He looked at her, before smiling and nodding.

"You can count on it."

For the rest of the week, night after night Steve found himself at Russo's. And each night it felt like less and less of an obligation and more like something he looked forward to. Stella was hardworking, but not too uptight. She was easy to talk to and her customers loved her. Steve found her easy to talk to as well. Sometimes they would spend hours chatting about everything from the Yankees new pitcher to Stella's dream of becoming an architect.

Steve discovered after a few nights that was what she was saving up for. They even talked about Steve. He told her he had been in the military and that now he did freelance work in the same sector. Technically none of this was a lie, except for his name of course. Steve found he really enjoyed Stella's company and kept hoping more and more that she wasn't actually Tony's daughter.

It was a busy night at the bar, and Steve could tell it was getting to Stella. She had been running between guests all night. A bachelor party had come in and they were rowdy and loud, but she was holding her own. When she finally got a moment she came over to Steve, her look apologetic.

"Sorry Teddy. It's a little hectic tonight."

"Don't worry about it," Steve said easily. "Here," He gave her a twenty which more than covered the one beer he drank. "Keep the change." He stood. He would come back another night. He had gotten no closer to finding a way to get her DNA. He needed time to think away from the rowdy bar.

"Ted, this is too much," She said, seeing how much change he left her.

"Keep it. Please," He said after a moment. She sighed, then smiled. Her hair had come loose from her bun and dark strands hung loose around her face. Steve found her hair looked pretty like that. Stella pulled on the pin that was keeping her hair up and it fell loose around her shoulders. She tied it back up quickly into her regular, neater style before securing it.

"See you tomorrow?" Steve nodded. She took off towards the party of men again. Steve looked down at the counter where she had left the little black book his check had come in. Sharp, super soldier vision narrowed in on something on top of the check presenter. A short strand of straight black hair. Steve glanced at Stella who had stopped at the keg to fill a few pitchers. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small plastic baggy he had taken to carrying around with him. He picked up the hair and dropped it inside, before pocketing it.

a/n: Hi All! Hope you're liking the story so far...I had to reupload as the formatting got messed up so the first version had a lot of typos. Sorry, if you read that version! Please leave a review if you're liking the story so far and would like me to continue :)