"Hey," Stella greeted. Bucky looked up from where he sat on the patio, a book open on the table in front of him.

"Hey."

"What're you reading?" Stella took a seat beside him.

Bucky lifted the book to show her the cover.

"The Hobbit? Never took you for a Tolkien fan."

"I like a good story. How's training going?"

"It's okay. It's weird having this new part of me I know nothing about."

"Do you feel like you're starting to get some control over your powers?"

"I guess…" Stella's eyes drifted up to meet his. She put her hand on top of Bucky's. "…Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Are…we okay?"

Bucky eyed her. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"You've seemed a little distant."

Bucky ran his hand through his hair.

"Haven't seen too much of you these past few days," Stella continued. She looked down at her other hand in her lap. "I know we never got to finish our conversation from the other day."

"I figured with everything going on you probably needed to focus on training. Less distractions."

"You're not a distraction Bucky." Stella squeezed his hand. "There's more…isn't there?"

Bucky sighed.

"Why didn't you tell me about you and Steve?"

Stella bit her lip. She had been expecting this for a few days now, ever since the incident during training. It didn't make it any easier to hear.

"Bucky…It was back in New York, before I came to live here. Before I knew you."

"How many times were you together? One?"

Stella slowly shook her head.

"Two?"

"I don't think you're going to be happy with any number Bucky."

"You didn't just sleep with him, did you? You had feelings for him." Bucky's expression was solemn.

Stella nodded again.

"…He's the guy, isn't he? The one who broke your heart."

Stella hesitated.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me? After everything that happened between us, I think I deserved to know."

"Bucky…" Stella looked at him and was despaired to see he looked angry.

"You had months to tell me. Months."

"…I'm sorry."

"Tell me why, Stella."

"Because I didn't want it to change things between us! To change the way you looked at me," Stella admitted. Their eyes met. "I knew you and Steve were close and I didn't want my past with him to ruin what was happening between us. Steve is your friend and I was…"

"His girl," Bucky finished for her.

"Bucky, it's more complicated than that." How could Stella even begin to explain what had happened between her and Steve?

Bucky's face was pained. "You love him."

"…I was in love with him, yes."

"But not anymore?"

"Not anymore."

Bucky shook his head and let out a skeptical laugh. "Do you really believe that?"

Stella didn't answer.

"He loves you too. I've seen the way he looks at you. How he is with you."

"He has a strange way of showing it," Stella snapped before she could stop herself.

"Steve is his own worst enemy. But at the end of the day, he does what he does because he thinks it's the right thing to do."

"What're you saying Bucky?" Stella asked, fearing his answer. Bucky pulled his hand away from hers and clasped his together, staring down at his interlocked fingers.

"He's my best friend, Stella."

"I know," She whispered.

"And he's in love with you. You should have seen him when you died. I've never seen him like that before."

"What do you mean?" Stella's brows furrowed.

"He was devastated…Shattered. He was the one who asked Loki how to save you."

"Wait…" This was news to Stella. "They asked Loki how to save me?"

"Steve did. He was willing to do anything for you. To heal you. To bring you back."

Stella processed this. "Why do I feel like you're trying to convince me to be with him?" She asked eventually.

"Because you should be. He's better for you."

"I don't want Steve." She swallowed. "I want you, Bucky." It was harsh but it was true. Stella's feelings for Steve were complex and she was sure she would always feel something for him. But she needed to move on.

She cared about Bucky. They had a connection. He understood her needs, brought her back from the darkness surrounding her when she'd moved to the compound. And now she could feel him slipping through her fingers.

"If you knew the things I've done you wouldn't feel that way," Bucky countered.

"Try me."

Bucky shook his head. "You're so damn stubborn."

She gave him a small smile. "Right back at ya." She paused, steeling herself. "Are you telling me you don't have feelings for me?"

"I didn't say that. But Steve-"

"-got there first?" Stella questioned bitterly. "You can't look at me the same way because you know he's already fucked me?"

"That doesn't matter to me…But I owe him a lot, Stella. He brought me back from hell; Got me away from Hydra, brought me here…Saved my life. He went up against his closest friends for me…For a memory. That's what I was when he found me again. Hydra had wiped him from my memory, instructed me to kill him…and it didn't matter to him. He knew who I was and what I meant to him and that was enough for him to sacrifice everything to save me."

Bucky had never shared this with Stella before. Neither had Steve.

"…What does that have to do with us?" She asked. Bucky didn't respond immediately. "…You feel like you owe him," She realized.

"I owe him everything."

"And I'm just a pawn to make things square between you guys?" Stella snapped, getting to her feet. "He saved your life, so he can have me?"

Bucky grabbed her wrist before Stella could storm off.

"I would never use you like that." He met her eyes for emphasis. "…I just don't want to take you away from him."

"Bucky, you're not the only reason why I'm not with Steve."

"But I am one of the reasons."

Stella knew the underlying meaning behind his words.

"Does how I feel matter at all?" She asked bitterly.

"Of course it does."

"Do I make you happy?"

"You know the answer to that question. But you don't know what I've done Stella. I've killed people. Innocent people. There's so much blood on my hands…I don't know if they'll ever be clean."

"I know who you are now. And I know that you didn't have a choice when you did those things. Bucky…please don't do this."

"Do what?"

"Pull away from me. I don't know how I would have gotten through these last few months without you. You brought me back to life." Stella didn't mean this in the literal sense, even though it was technically true.

Bucky didn't respond right away. He was quiet for long minutes, merely staring at her. Stella would have walked away, but Bucky's grip was still firm on her wrist. She hoped it was a good sign.

"You brought me back too you know," He said finally.

"…What?"

"Before you came here I was…lost. I was going through the motions, but I wasn't living." Bucky paused. "Until you."

Stella smiled softly.

"Maybe the noble thing to do would be to bow out. But I can't. I can't give you up. You mean too much to me," Bucky finished.

Stella's heart pounded in her chest. Bucky was still gripping her wrist tightly, but not painfully. He drew her closer. Stella slid into his lap. He stared up at her, tangling his fingers in her hair. His thumb brushed her chin.

Stella leaned in, their foreheads pressing together.

"Don't scare me like that again. I thought you were going to break things off with me," She murmured.

"So did I. Guess I'm not as noble as I thought."

Stella smirked.

"Thank God." She leaned in, sealing her lips over his.

A Few Weeks Later

"Morning Sunshine."

Stella opened one eye and peered up at Natasha who was staring down at her, a Cheshire grin stretched across her face. Stella glanced at the clock on her bedside table.

"Nat, it's the weekend," Stella groaned, rolling over and covering her head with a pillow. "Steve said I could have the day off from training."

"I'm not waking you for training. I'm waking you for your birthday surprise."

Stella peered out from beneath her pillow.

"How did you know today was my birthday?" Nat took a seat on her bed.

"I did some digging."

Stella quirked a brow.

"Okay, Steve told me."

"And what does this birthday surprise entail?" Stella asked, still shielding her eyes from the sun.

"Well, leaving the compound for one thing."

Stella sat straight up in her bed, all tiredness evaporating from her body.

"Really?"

Natasha nodded.

"I've arranged for us to go on a small field trip; An island Tony owns in the Caribbean. Before you get too excited, it's just for the day. Tony said we could use the Quinjet."

"A private island? Really?" Stella was finding it hard to contain her excitement. A full day outside the compound…How long had it been since she'd been outside the compound's grounds? Months. Many months.

"The whole team is going. Plus…" Natasha trailed off and looked over her shoulder at the door to Stella's bedroom which was creaking open.

"You still in bed Rivera?" Jace teased as he stepped through the door, his face smug.

"Jace? Oh my god!" Stella jumped out of bed and into the man's waiting arms.

"Good surprise?" He asked.

"The best." She beamed up at the man before releasing him. Her eyes trailed down to the bright neon swim trunks he was wearing.

"Those are cute."

Jace stuck his bottom lip out in a pout.

"I didn't know what activities we had planned when Natasha reached out. I had to borrow these."

"From who?" Stella demanded, not bothering to hide her laughter.

"I found them in Tony's suite," Natasha supplied.

"You know, come to think of it…I don't have a swimsuit either," Stella commented.

"You can borrow one of mine," Natasha offered.

"Nat, I know you've been loaning me your stuff since I moved in but I really don't think a swimsuit will work."

"Why not?"

Stella pointed to her chest, which was noticeably bigger than Natasha's.

"Come on. I'm sure we can find something that'll work."

Jace went downstairs to grab some breakfast while Stella followed Nat back to her room. Natasha rummaged in her closet for a few minutes before pulling out a skimpy lavender bikini. Wanda found them and was lounging on Nat's bed.

"You've got to be kidding me," Stella said, examining the suit on its hanger. "This is not going to work."

"Just try it."

Stella sighed and disappeared into Nat's bathroom. The girls waited patiently while she changed. Stella glanced in the mirror and as she suspected, the top was a lot skimpier than she was sure it was on Natasha, revealing quite a bit of skin. She strolled into the bedroom to the ooohs and ahhs of the girls.

"I can't wear this."

"Why not?" Natasha demanded. Stella once again pointed at her chest.

"I think you look hot," Wanda commented.

"Ditto."

"Guys." Stella put her hands on her hips. She walked up to the full length mirror and twirled. She had to admit, she did look hot but she wasn't sure she felt comfortable wearing the swimsuit in front of the team.

"That color looks amazing on you," Natasha added. Wanda nodded fervently. Stella sighed.

"You're not going to let me try on anything else, are you?"

Natasha grinned.

"Nope."

The team gathered on the roof less than an hour later, everyone wishing Stella a happy birthday as they did. Stella had thrown a pale yellow sundress over the bikini.

It wasn't long before the team all piled onto the jet and were off, presumably headed south. Thor had remained at the compound to keep an eye on Loki. Bruce was keeping him company. Tony had left for Malibu weeks ago, after Bruce had given Stella her clean bill of health.

Once the team arrived at the island Stella and Jace set up their towels by the shore. Stella took a deep breath before shedding her sundress.

"Damn Rivera." Jace whistled.

She grinned and shoved him playfully before throwing what she hoped was a casual look over her shoulder at Bucky and Steve who had laid their towels by the tree line with the rest of the team. Bucky was staring at her unabashedly, his face neutral but stare hungry.

Stella's eyes drifted to Steve. His gaze traveled down her form, drinking her in, his jaw dropping slightly. Stella smiled shyly.

"If you're done showing off, race you to the water?" Jace challenged.

"You're on." They sprinted towards the water before diving in.

Steve POV

"They seem chummy as ever," Bucky snarked, collapsing onto a towel beside Steve. Steve watched the pair who were setting up their towels on the shoreline.

Stella reached down and pulled off her sundress, revealing the purple bikini she had on beneath. Steve's eyes practically popped out of his head. Sure, he had seen her naked dozens of times when they had spent those blissful two weeks in bed, but he never tired of how amazing her body was.

She'd been mostly soft curves and voluptuous assets when he'd first met her. Her body had ignited a flame of bubbling desire within him, one he'd dreamed about on many long, lonely nights since (and even before they'd been intimate). But those weeks of training with Bucky and now himself had caused the girl to grow muscle where it hadn't existed before, enhancing her already perfect form.

"Damn," Bucky whispered admiringly under his breath. Steve reeled in his anger. Stella wasn't his and as long as Bucky kept his hands to himself, he had every right to look. Stella threw her hair over her shoulder and glanced back at them. Their eyes met. She graced Steve with a small smile.

Steve's gaze softened. Stella and Jace wasted no time before diving into the ocean. It wasn't long before they were splashing and attempting to drown each other.

"To be young again," Natasha groaned, flopping beside Sam who was on the other side of Bucky.

"I never understood people who pierced things other than their ears," Bucky muttered. His eyes were trained on Jace and obviously referring to the man's eyebrow piercing.

"You think he even knows how many tattoos he has?" Steve added, also watching the other man whose inked arms were covered in a combination of designs, words, and images.

"Probably not," Bucky agreed.

"You two are so jealous," Natasha commented.

"We're not jealous."

"Nor should you be. They're friends. And FYI- your antiquated opinions aside, Jace is hot."

"Okay Nat." It was clear from Steve's tone he didn't agree.

"Wanda, is Jace hot?" Nat called over her shoulder.

"Big time," The Sokovian replied.

Nat gave them a look as if to say, I told you so.

Steve hadn't forgotten Natasha's advice to him, to fight for Stella, but he didn't know where to start. He was better at military and battle strategy; romance was not Steve's forte. He was with Stella daily but it wasn't exactly easy to make his move when he was supposed to be focused on training her. Not to mention with all the changes happening in her life, it hardly seemed like appropriate timing.

While his mind warred with how best to approach the situation, his body seemed have a mind of its own. Steve had been helping Stella stretch out her hamstring muscles the other day and almost lost his mind at the sounds she'd made and the position he had her in. He'd had her lay on her back, one leg straight on the mat and the other stretched back over her head. Then Steve had knelt before her and leaned over her, pushing the leg further back in a pulse so the muscle could stretch. The stretch was intimate and had their hot bodies pressing together in ways they hadn't in months.

Steve hadn't been with anyone intimately since Stella so the stretch itself was testing the limits of his self control when Stella moaned emphatically.

"Ugh, right there. That's so much better. Just like that, Steve." Steve had instantly flooded with want and was painfully aware of how easy it would be to ravish the girl then and there on the training room floor. To kneel between her legs and worship her the way she deserved, with his mouth and tongue. Instead he'd turned bright red, cleared his throat uncomfortably, and refused to meet her gaze. Stella had smirked slightly but didn't comment as they finished the stretch.

She knows exactly what she's doing, He'd thought bitterly later that day as he took a cold shower.

Still, after everything that had happened between them and despite the effect she had on him, Steve thought they could use a little time. And he enjoyed just being in her presence, hearing her laugh, helping her train, talking through what was going on in her head since she'd developed her abilities.

At first things had been strained between them after Stella dumped him (there was no better term for what she'd said to him on the lawn). Steve had done his best to act as if things were normal, at least for the sake of training and despite the hell and regret he'd been experiencing behind closed doors. But as the days went on, things had gotten better between them. Lighter. Less tense. It was almost like those days spent at Russo's before she came to the compound. When he was a just a man and she was just a woman who were inadvertently falling in love.

Stella POV

Stella and Jace swam for a while but before too long they retired to their towels. Stella pulled on her sunglasses and rolled onto her stomach to tan her back. She propped her head on her hands and stared up at her friends. Wanda was lounging under a massive umbrella and Vision, in his human form, was beside her applying a layer of sunscreen to her back. Natasha and Clint were next to them, engrossed in a deep conversation. Beside them was Sam who looked like he was fast asleep. Beside him were Steve and Bucky. Bucky was laying back, staring at the sky. Steve was sitting in a chair watching the ocean. When he noticed her staring, he waved. She waved back. His gaze returned to the ocean but Stella's lingered on him for a moment.

"You tapping that?" Jace asked, falling onto his towel beside her.

"Excuse me?"

"Captain America. I see the way you two look at each other."

"What does that even mean?" Stella deflected, turning onto her back.

"I'm not blind, Rivera."

"You're too observant for your own good." Stella hesitated. "Steve and I are over."

"Now that you've moved onto Mr. Silent and Brooding?"

Stella shot the man a look. Jace merely grinned at her.

"His name is Bucky."

"AKA the Winter Soldier."

Stella raised her brow. Jace shrugged.

"I did my research."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a crush," Stella hinted.

"And if I did?" He shrugged. "I've been wondering about the metal hand."

"Oh?" Stella couldn't help a smile.

Jace smiled coyly. "…And how it would feel to have those fingers wrapped around my neck."

"You're such a freak." Stella threw her sun block at him if only to hide the fact that she too had daydreamed about the same thing. "I'm assuming you're not seeing Conor anymore?"

"Nah I broke it off. He was too emotional."

"And Lily?"

"Better off as friends."

"Well I hate to break it to you, but I'm pretty sure Bucky is straight."

"And hung up on you?"

Stella didn't respond.

"Are you going to answer my question?"

"Have you always been this perceptive?"

"Come on, what's going on with you guys?"

"I don't know. He's hard to read," Stella admitted. While it was true Stella and Bucky had kissed a couple weeks back, she hadn't seen much of him since. Training kept her pretty busy. In truth, she didn't know what they were.

"So you're telling me he doesn't have a choking kink?" Jace pressed.

"I wouldn't know. I've known him for months now and we haven't even…" She trailed off. "We haven't been…intimate yet."

"Wait, you guys haven't even boned yet?"

"Keep your voice down," Stella hissed, sparing a glance up at the man who was still staring at the sky, seemingly oblivious to Stella and Jace's conversation. "No, we haven't slept together," She whispered after a moment. "Trust me, it's not like I don't want to. I'm ridiculously attracted to him."

"And?"

"And I know he likes me, and I know he's attracted to me…Things are just complicated."

That was putting it lightly.

"Then maybe you should uncomplicate things." Jace waggled his eyebrows.

"Gee why didn't I think of that?" Stella said sarcastically.

"So no chance between me and him huh?"

"Afraid not. You'll have to find your own super soldier."

"Speaking of super soldiers, what's Captain America like in the sack? You guys screwed, didn't you?"

"You're such a gossip." Stella rolled her eyes.

"Come on, let me live vicariously through you. Does Cap have any weird kinks?"

Stella decided a subject change was in order.

"Hey, did you know I can do this?" Stella wiggled her fingers. Blue flame erupted from it.

"Whoa!" Jace jumped back. "What the hell?"

"Cool huh?"

"How-" He sputtered. "Have you always been able to do that?"

"No," Stella laughed and let the flames disappear. "I kind of, well-I almost died. Technically I did, I guess."

"I'm sorry what?" Jace was staring at her incredulously.

"We really are overdue to catch up, aren't we?"

"Does that explain the scar?" He nodded to the scar on her abdomen which was clearly on display in her skimpy bikini. Stella looked down at it. She had forgotten about her scar.

"Noticed that, did you?"

"I mean it's been a while since I've seen you naked, but I think I would remember that."

XXX

The team spent the rest of the day at the beach until 4:30 when Nat told them it was time to pack it up and go home. Stella was gathering her few belongings and putting them in her beach bag when Steve approached her.

"Stella." She looked over at him and couldn't help the way her eyes trailed up his defined chest. Stella resisted shaking her head at her actions. She told Steve they were over. The last thing she should have been doing was checking him out. The super soldier was clad in only a pair of blue swim trunks. It had been a while since she'd seen him without his shirt on and had forgotten the effect it had on her.

"Steve."

"I have something for you." Steve procured a small box from his pocket and handed it to her. It was covered in red wrapping paper and a bow.

"What's this?"

"It's a birthday gift."

"Steve…"

"Just open it. Please." Stella hesitated before tearing off the wrapping paper and opening the box.

"Steve," She gasped. She pulled out the tiny locket from the box and held it up to the light. It was silver with a long chain. The face was made of some sort of white stone. Stella ran her thumb across it.

"Do you like it?"

"Is that…"

"Pearl. Mother of pearl actually. It was my mother's."

"This is too much," Stella whispered, staring up at him.

"I want you to have it."

"Steve…shouldn't you save this? For your wife? Whenever you meet her, I mean."

The thought of Steve with someone else irked her, but she shoved that thought aside.

"Please Stella. I want you to have it," Steve said as he wrapped his fingers around hers and clasped them tightly, the necklace dangling from their hands. "You're one of my best friends…despite everything that's happened between us."

The man held her gaze. Stella stared back at him. Oddly, Steve didn't bother to hide the longing behind his eyes. It was disarming seeing the man let his guard down after the past few weeks of his locked down stoicism. Steve's fingers tightened on hers. Their bodies were so close she could smell the sweat on his skin. Stella's eyes hooded.

"Ow!" Steve dropped her hands. "Your skin is hot!"

"Shoot sorry," Stella said, now flustered. "Sometimes I forget about my powers...Did I hurt you?"

"No, just surprised me."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. Stella smiled. "Will you put it on for me?" She asked, holding up the necklace. Steve smiled too and nodded. Stella turned and lifted her hair. Steve reached around her neck and clasped the locket. After he did, his fingers lingered, then trailed down Stella's spine. She shivered despite the heat. She turned towards him, looking down as she did.

"How does it look?" Steve smiled.

"Beautiful."

"Thank you, Steve. Really. I love it."

"I'm glad."

He excused himself to help load the jet. Stella ran over to Natasha and Wanda to show them the necklace.

"It's stunning Stella," Wanda gushed.

"Steve must've spent a fortune on this," Nat commented.

"Actually he said it was his mom's."

"That makes it even more special. Lucky girl." Stella grinned.

"Thank you so much for planning everything, I had such a great time." She hugged Nat.

"You don't think we're done, do you?" Stella pulled away and stared at her questioningly.

"What do you mean?"

"Jace mentioned your band is performing tonight not too far from the compound. And I just so happened to arrange for the whole team to go."

Stella frowned.

"But Tony…"

"I told Tony and he okayed it since the entire team will be there for protection." Stella's frown transformed into a massive smile.

"You're amazing." Nat smirked.

"I know."

A/N: I hope you guys are liking the story so far. Please consider dropping a review if you are! Shoutout to SeshyKit for reviewing!