"Nice job, Stel. We can call it for today."

Stella nodded examining her handy work. The three targets were severely charred, the second one almost completely obliterated. Her aim was improving.

She retreated to the bench and wiped her face which was sweating profusely with a towel.

Steve cleared his throat. Stella looked up at him.

"There's something else." The man looked a little uncomfortable.

"Oh?" She questioned.

Steve hesitated.

"What is it?" She prodded, now curious.

"Come with me."

Stella quirked her brow. Steve beckoned for her to follow him. She did, following the man through the halls of the compound until they finally reached the garage.

Stella walked past the various expensive sports cars and armored vehicles until they reached the end of the row where a white Range Rover was parked.

"This is yours."

"What is?"

Steve cleared his throat again.

"It's your birthday gift from Tony."

"What is?" Stella repeated. It took a few seconds for her to process the man's words. "What, you mean the car?"

Steve nodded.

Stella didn't know what to say in response to the ridiculously over the top gesture so she said, "He knows I'm on house arrest right?"

Stella circled the car. It gleamed under the bright lights of the garage. She opened the door and slid into the driver's seat, examining the interior.

"Apparently it has all the bells and whistles," Steve continued, coming to stand beside her.

"This is exorbitant," Stella managed. She shook her head before sliding out of the car.

"He's trying Stella," Steve pointed out.

"He's trying to buy me you mean," She countered.

"It's the thought that counts."

"This is too much. I can't accept it." She stepped away as if by putting some distance between her and the car it would somehow go back where it came from.

"No returns. He insisted I tell you that."

"So tell him to give it to someone else."

"Stella, do you want to work on your relationship with Tony?" Steve asked her.

Stella looked at Steve. The man wasn't angry but rather looked quizzical.

"I…I don't know," She said honestly.

"Stella why are you so opposed to getting close to him? Tony's been trying since day one-"

"Is that what he's been doing?" She deflected.

"Tony is difficult but-"

"Why are you taking his side? Again?" She emphasized, a little hurt.

"I'm not on his side, I'm on your side. And because you deserve a family. It's hard getting by without one." He paused. "Take it from someone who knows."

A moment of silence passed between them. Steve knew what it was like to have no one, to be an orphan, to be alone in the world…Just like her.

"I'm sorry Steve. I know what it's like to not have anyone left."

"Stella…You know you can be honest with me." Steve started, stepping closer and searching her eyes. "Why are you so opposed to having a relationship with Tony?"

Stella didn't respond right away. She swallowed.

"Because it feels like a betrayal to my mom." Tears brimmed in her eyes. She blinked them away.

Steve, whose hands were on her shoulders, pulled her into an embrace. Stella let him hold her, her face pressed into his chest.

Steve steeled himself, hoping this was the right call.

"Stella, your mom was the one who reached out to Tony so you two could have a relationship."

"…What?" She pulled away and looked up at him. "What're you talking about?"

"It's how Tony found out about you. Your mom wrote a letter before she died and had it sent to Tony. She wanted you guys to have a chance at a relationship."

Stella blinked, her eyes disbelieving.

"How do you know?"

"Because I read the letter."

She frowned.

"Do you still have it?"

"I'm sure Tony does. And I bet he would let you read it if you asked him."

Stella processed this. She was silent for almost a minute straight.

"You really don't think she'd be upset with me?"

Steve smiled at her.

"I never met her so I can't speak to that. But from what I read in the letter it sounds like she wanted to give you guys a chance."

Stella looked thoughtful before looking up at the man.

"Thanks Steve."

"Anytime kid."

Stella threw a longing glance at the car.

"Shame I can't drive it."

"One day you will be able to," Steve pointed out.

"Right." One day I'll be able to walk out those doors for good.

For some reason the thought saddened her in a way it hadn't before.

The Next Day

Chill out, Rivera. It's just a phone call.

Stella took a deep breath and hit the call button.

The phone rang a few times before it was answered.

"Hello?" An Irish accent rang out.

"Friday?" Stella questioned, recognizing the voice.

"Hello Stella," The AI greeted.

"Uh sorry. I must have dialed the wrong number. I was trying to reach Tony."

"I screen all Mr. Stark's calls for him. I'll put you through."

"It's really not important…" Stella backtracked, her nervousness winning out.

"Nonsense. Mr. Stark said to forward any calls from you straight to him. He didn't have your number saved so I picked up."

"Oh." Stella waited as Friday patched her through.

"Hey Kid," A familiar voice greeted.

"Hi Tony," Stella responded.

"Happy Belated."

"Thank you." She cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Everything alright? Rogers giving you a hard time at training?"

Things had been good between her and Steve lately. He'd been training her hard but she felt like she was slowly getting a grasp on her powers. He had even invited Natasha and Clint to train with them that day. Stella and Steve had tried to defend a dummy while the assassins acted as the "attackers". Stella had accidentally fried the dummy while trying to stop Clint from spearing it with an arrow, but Steve claimed her reflexes were improving and said it should be considered a success regardless.

Stella wasn't sure she agreed.

"Training is good. I feel like I'm starting to learn more about my powers."

"Good."

It was silent for a few moments. Stella toyed nervously with the locket Steve had given her.

"I wanted…to say thank you. For the gift," She managed finally.

"Do you like it?"

Stella hesitated.

"It comes in other colors and trims," Tony cut in. "Or if you'd prefer something more compact I know a few guys at Audi."

"It's fine Tony. Extremely generous. Too generous."

"Sorry, no refunds or exchanges," He said, as if sensing she was going to tell him she couldn't accept it.

She laughed.

"I'm looking forward to the day I can actually use it," She replied.

"We'll get there kid. Once we snuff out Hydra and send Loki back where he came from."

"I know."

"…Did you enjoy your birthday?"

"It was amazing. That island of yours Natasha took us to was heaven on Earth."

"…Maybe we can arrange a little family outing in a couple months. Just the two of us." Tony hedged.

Stella didn't respond right away.

"Or you know we can invite Romanoff and Rogers too. The whole team if you like," He quickly added at the same time Stella said, "I'd love that."

"Really?"

"Really." She confirmed.

She could practically sense his smile from the other end of the line.

"I'm glad to hear it kid."

A Few Days Later

Stella applied a layer of lip gloss in her mirror before stepping back to take in her full appearance. Her long hair was blown out and she'd donned a silky short dress in a burnt orange color. She'd tried something new with her makeup, a trend she'd found on YouTube called "siren eyes" which she paired with a simple pink lip. As she pulled on her strappy heels (on loan from Natasha), the events from a few days ago replayed in her mind.

"Hi Doll."

Stella looked up from where she sat on the bench, chugging water after training. She smiled.

"Hi Stranger."

Bucky smiled crookedly at her. She hadn't seen too much of the man over the past few days. Training kept her pretty busy, so much so that after her afternoon session she usually just scarfed down some dinner and then retired to her room for a shower and bed.

"Steve." Bucky greeted after a moment.

"Hey Buck," Steve replied from the corner where he was stacking training equipment. Bucky took a seat beside Stella.

"Question for you."

"Shoot."

Bucky reached out and pushed a sweaty strand of hair out of her face.

"Sorry, I'm kind of gross right now," Stella continued, dabbing her face with a towel.

Bucky leaned in and sniffed below her ear. Stella blushed. His tongue slipped out and licked a line from her collarbone to her chin.

"You taste fine."

Stella grinned at him and pressed a small kiss to his lips. Despite her crazy schedule Bucky did his best to check in on her daily. It was odd to think about, but she supposed he was her "boyfriend". They were exclusive after all. It seemed an odd term to deem the man who was ten years her senior biologically and technically speaking, many decades older than her.

"So my question," Bucky pressed.

"Yes?"

"Do you have plans for Saturday night?"

"Bucky, you know I'm on lockdown until further notice."

"I'm aware. But no plans? No training commitments?" He shot a sideways glance at Steve.

"Uhhh…" Stella glanced at the other man who was still tidying up. With his super soldier hearing, there was no point in pretending he couldn't hear their conversation.

"You're free and clear," Steve said too loudly, not meeting their gaze.

"I'm a free agent it seems," Stella replied, her gaze finding Bucky's again.

"Great. Be ready at 8 o'clock."

Stella raised her eyebrow.

"For what?"

Bucky smirked enigmatically.

"Guess you'll have to wait and see." He rolled to his feet and held his hand out to her. They began walking hand in hand towards the exit. "Oh, and you may want to dress up."

Stella glanced at her alarm clock. It was already eight o'clock but now that she thought about it Bucky hadn't told her where to meet him.

A knock sounded at her door. Stella started before rushing to answer it.

Bucky stood on the other side clad in a pair of dark grey slim fitting jeans, a black short sleeved button up with a black bomber jacket slung over his shoulder. His hair was pulled back into her favorite style, a low messy bun. Stella's mouth filled with water.

Bucky's gaze swept over her from head to toe.

"Wow," They both said at the same time and then laughed.

"You look gorgeous," He said. "As always." He leaned in.

"Hush," She teased, gracing him with a kiss. "So what's this big surprise?" She asked, retreating to her room briefly to finish putting on her jewelry.

"You'll see."

Stella rolled her eyes as she put on her hoop earrings. She draped a bracelet over her wrist and held it out for Bucky to clasp. His gentle fingers grazed her wrist, sending her pulse racing. Her locket was safely tucked in her jewelry box.

"Shall we?" Bucky asked, holding his arm out to her. Stella took it. They walked arm and arm through the compound, passing a few team members who whistled appreciatively when they saw them.

"Have fun," Natasha whispered to Stella with a wink as they passed her and Bruce in the hall.

Steve, thankfully, was not one of the people they ran into. Something Stella was grateful for. She didn't want to make things uncomfortable for him.

They arrived on the South Patio a few minutes later. String lights had been hung for the occasion and dangled over a table set for two.

"Bucky…" Stella said, remembering. "Is this…?"

"Our first date that we never got to have," He replied.

That's right. All those months ago, before she'd had powers, before Bucky attacked her, before Steve had left…She and Bucky were supposed to have their first date on the South Patio.

But it had never happened.

"Bucky," She said, touched. He walked her over to the table and pulled out her chair for her. She fell into it.

"Champagne?" He asked, holding up a bottle that had been chilling.

"Wow, you really went all out."

"Wanda gave me a few tips," He admitted as he poured her a glass. He handed it to her. "…And helped me pick out my outfit."

Stella smiled to herself thinking of Bucky coordinating with the Sokovian romantic.

"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble."

"It was no trouble. Besides, you and I never got to celebrate your birthday just the two of us."

Stella smiled. She wasn't used to people going out of their way for her and the gesture was even more special coming from Bucky.

"Dinner should be ready in…" He glanced at his watch. "A few minutes. But first…" He reached under the table and pulled out a small bouquet of roses.

"I didn't know your favorites so…"

"They're beautiful."

"And lastly…" He held out a small giftwrapped parcel for her. "Happy birthday."

"Bucky…You didn't have to get me anything."

"I wanted to. It's just something small." Bucky ran his fingers through his hair nervously. Stella supposed he was as uncomfortable giving gifts as she was at receiving them. "Open it."

Stella accepted the gift and tore off the wrapping paper. In her hands was an unmarked box. Curiosity piqued, she opened it.

"Oh my gosh," She breathed. She pulled out the small figurine. It was a tiny replica of the Empire State Building.

"It's Vibranium. I had it commissioned by a friend." Bucky flexed his metal arm.

"Bucky, I love it." Stella said, feeling herself start to get emotional. "Did you know I can see the Empire State Building from my apartment window back home?"

He smirked. "You've only mentioned it a hundred times."

"Sorry," Stella laughed.

"Don't be. I like listening to you talk."

That was the thing about Bucky. Usually he was so hard to read but sometimes he just said something so honest and heartfelt it took her breath away.

"I know you've been feeling homesick. I thought it could be a little piece of home…And a little piece of me." He flexed the fingers of his Vibranium arm for emphasis.

"It's perfect Bucky. I love it." Gripping the figurine tightly in the palm of her hand, Stella stood and strode over to Bucky. She dropped into the man's lap unceremoniously and placed a long, deep kiss on his lips. Bucky returned the kiss, his fingers clutching her cheek.

Stella covered his hand with hers. The kiss deepened, his tongue slipping into her mouth and stroking hers languidly. Meanwhile the hand not holding her chin moved up her thigh, gripping her hip. His teeth tugged lightly on her bottom lip before releasing it, tongue smoothing over the hurt. Stella sighed dreamily. The way this man kissed should be illegal.

Their kiss was interrupted by the chef and his assistant coming through the doors and sliding dinner out on a rolling tray.

"To be continued," Bucky murmured in her ear before slapping her lightly on the ass. Stella yelped and blushed before returning to her side of the table, straightening her dress as she went.

Bucky smirked at her over his hand as the chef came over and began explaining the meal. Stella attempted to pull herself together and listen to the man. When the smirking didn't cease, she kicked Bucky playfully under the table.

The meal was exquisite, three courses of pure bliss. After thanking the chef profusely, Stella and Bucky helped the maintenance crew clean up before returning to the residential wing of the compound. Always the gentleman, Bucky walked Stella to her door.

"Thank you for everything Bucky. Really." Stella had placed her flowers and the tiny Empire State Building replica inside her room before returning to the doorway to say goodnight.

"Anytime doll. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"I did. It was wonderful." They stood in silence for a moment. "Well, goodnight," Stella said finally.

"Goodnight yourself."

Stella fiddled with her fingers. "Um, did you want to come in?"

"Probably not a good idea."

"Right." They were taking it slow, which was a new pace for Stella but surprisingly not one she disliked. It was actually nice not feeling like she needed to stick to a constructed timeline of when things should happen.

Bucky leaned over her. His lips covered hers. Stella let herself melt into the kiss. Bucky pressed against her as she leaned heavily against the frame of the doorway. His kisses had become more confident since their first, something Stella was enjoying immensely.

Desire coursed through her from her head to her toes. Throughout the meal she and Bucky had held hands, played footsies beneath the table, he'd even fed her the first bite of dessert. It was like they couldn't keep their hands off each other. It was the most PG petting Stella had ever engaged in.

The slow burn touching and teasing was so fun, Stella didn't even mind they hadn't had sex yet.

Well, for the most part.

She was ready, more than ready. She had been for a while now. But something was still holding Bucky back.

Despite his hang ups, she knew the man was more than attracted to her. The evidence of his want was currently pressed against her pelvis.

It seemed Bucky was feeling the effects of their "hands on" dinner as well.

They kissed for a few more minutes, hands roaming. Stella let out a delighted yelp when Bucky's hand slipped beneath her skirt and squeezed her ass. His hand then trailed down her thigh, lifting her leg and hitching it around his hip. Stella did him one better. Using his shoulders for support, she lifted herself and wrapped the other one around his hip as well.

Bucky pressed her against the wall of the hallway, their lips devouring one another's. Their desire was only amplified by the fact they could be caught at any moment.

"God, you drive me crazy," Bucky murmured after he finally pulled away to stare half lidded into Stella's eyes.

"Good crazy or bad crazy?"

"Both."

Stella beamed.

"I should probably go." He continued after another moment. Stella felt herself deflate. He lowered her back down to the ground.

"Right."

Bucky dipped his head to capture her lips again. And again.

"Okay, I'm really leaving," He muttered, though he made no effort to part from her.

"I believe you." The words weren't even out of her mouth fully before Bucky's mouth was on hers once more.

"God, you're addicting," He groaned. He pulled away enough so he could stare down at her.

Stella's hair was ruffled, her lips swollen, her eyes glazed over. Her dress had ridden up during their kiss and was in dangerous territory. Fuck, he wanted her so badly it hurt.

He needed to walk away while he still could.

"Alright." He planted one final kiss on her lips. "Goodnight doll."

"Goodnight Sergeant."

Fuck.

She smirked as if knowing the effect using his title had on him.

"You little minx," He murmured against the shell of her ear. She giggled.

"Goodnight Bucky." She placed a tiny final kiss on the corner of his mouth. He smiled down at her.

"Goodnight Stella."

A Few Weeks Later

Stella jolted awake, sweat coating her entire body. An alarm was blaring loudly overhead, filling the room.

"Attention: fire detected. Attention: fire detected." Friday's voice briefly replaced the sound of the alarm before it began sounding again.

Stella scrambled so she was sitting up.

All around her were flames. Her curtains, her bedside table, her rug, even her bedspread. She gasped.

She threw the glass of water on her nightstand at her bedspread but it did little to stop the spread of the flames.

Use your power you idiot!

Stella tried to focus the way Steve had taught her but the flames were growing by the second. Panic swept through her.

Stop panicking. Steve's voice said calmly in her head. Focus Rivera. You can do this.

She fixated on the flames on her bedside table, holding her hand out towards the blue fire. She exhaled slowly. The flames began to shrink.

The door burst open.

"Stella!" Someone shouted.

She didn't let it distract her. Smoke was burning at her eyes and throat but she forced herself to focus on the fire. The small flame extinguished.

She turned to the bed, her eyes watering. It was getting hard to breathe.

She held out two hands, stopping the inferno from spreading. Slowly, the flames began to diminish.

A figure rushed into the room, an extinguisher in tow. They sprayed the curtains, fighting the blue fire that licked at the fabric.

Stella kept her concentration on the flames until they disappeared. Sam, who was the one holding the extinguisher, was now tackling the flames on her carpet.

All around her was smoke and ash. The haze burned at her eyes. She shut them. She could barely breathe, she had inhaled so much smoke.

Water…

Stella tried to make her way to the bathroom but her eyes were burning and refused to open. She fell bodily out of her bed and onto the floor.

She tried to stand but a coughing fit overtook her and she collapsed.

"Stella!" Someone shouted, rushing to her side. Natasha.

"I can't see," Stella gasped raspingly.

"Help me get her into the bathroom. We need to flush her eyes," Natasha instructed. Strong hands lifted her and carried Stella into the bathroom before lowering her to the floor. She heard the shower turn on and then someone was holding the removable showerhead over her eyes. Stella was still struggling to breath and coughed even more as water rushed into her mouth.

The water helped soothe her eyes and she wiped at them, blinking them open. Her eyesight was still foggy but she was able to make out the forms of Natasha who was clutching the still running showerhead and Bucky who was holding her up. Tony and Wanda were lingering in the doorway of the bathroom. She could hear people shouting from her bedroom as they fought to put out the last of the fire.

"I need water," Stella gasped. Natasha dropped the showerhead and grabbed a glass from the counter, filling it with water from the sink before holding it to Stella's lips. Stella coughed. Her throat was raw from inhaling so much smoke.

"I know it hurts but you have to drink baby," Bucky urged.

Stella finally managed to get some down. She took great lungfuls of air, her throat finally experiencing some relief.

Steve appeared in the doorway. He dropped the extinguisher he was carrying and rushed past Tony and Wanda so he was kneeling in front of her.

"Is she okay?"

"I'm fine," Stella said. Her voice was terrible.

"Let's get her to Bruce."

"I'm fine, really. The water helped." She was still panting. Putting out the fire had taken a lot out of her. Bucky rubbed her back soothingly. "Is everyone alright? Was anyone hurt?" She asked.

"We're all fine Stella," Wanda supplied.

Stella glanced out the doorway into her bedroom. Her quilt was ruined, her curtains were smoking tatters, the nightstand severely scorched, the rug unrecognizable.

All this damage she had caused.

"What happened?" Tony asked, trying to be gentle. It was odd seeing him there. He'd stopped by the compound for the weekend to check in on the team and see Stella. It had been a good weekend. Until now.

"I-I don't know. I woke up and the room was on fire."

"You mean you started it in your sleep?" Tony asked. Stella swallowed.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Steve pressed. Stella hesitated.

"…Yes," She lied.

"Was it about Loki?" Natasha asked.

Stella nodded, choosing not to speak.

"…We'll have to come up with a temporary solution," Tony said. "Until she can be trained."

But how can you train me to stop something from happening in my sleep?

"What do we do until then?"

"Someone will have to sleep in the same room with her."

"I'll do it," Steve and Bucky said at the same time.

"Bucky, your nightmares," Wanda reminded him.

"I'll stay up."

"Bucky you need your rest," Stella argued, gripping the man's arm.

"I'll do it," Steve repeated. "Stella can have my bed. I'll take the floor. Her room is gonna need to be cleaned and renovated before she can sleep in it again anyway."

Smoke was still lingering in the air and a few embers were still glowing faintly. Ash covered every surface and the walls were severely burned in some spots.

"I'm so sorry." She was once again causing problems, being a burden.

"It was an accident Stella," Natasha consoled.

"I could have hurt someone," She continued.

"But you didn't." Steve interrupted. "We're all fine."

"Alright team. Bed," Natasha said, seeing that Stella was starting to get emotional. She stood and starting shooing everyone out of the room.

Tony and Steve lingered in the doorway.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Bucky asked her, cupping her face. She nodded. He searched her eyes before nodding and pressing a kiss to her damp forehead. She pulled him into a hug. The two were soaked from the showerhead. "We'll talk about it tomorrow ok?" He murmured into her wet hair. She wished he could be the one to watch over her but Wanda was right. Her being in the same room with him if he had a night terror was asking for trouble.

Tony watched the exchange between the two of them warily.

"Come on Stel," Steve encouraged. They extinguished the final glowing embers before Stella followed the man to his room. Bucky walked her over.

"I'm right down the hall."

"I know." He squeezed her hand before releasing it and retreating down the corridor to his room.

Steve shut the bedroom door. He rustled in his drawers and pulled out a large t shirt and a pair of boxers.

"Your clothes will need to be washed to get the smoke out of them. You can sleep in these for the night. Why don't you take a shower and I'll set up my bed."

"Okay."

Stella still felt a little weak and swayed on her feet a bit. Using her powers to the degree she had took a toll on her.

Steve, taking note said, "Leave the bathroom door cracked okay? So I can hear if you fall."

"Okay," She murmured, too tired to put up a fight.

Stella showered quickly, rinsing the ash and smoke from her hair and body. She pulled on the clothes Steve let her borrow and walked into the bedroom. Steve had just finished preparing his makeshift bed on the floor. Stella perched on the edge of his usual bed.

"Lay down Stel."

"I could hurt you." She said what had been on her mind in the shower.

"I can take care of myself," Steve assured her.

"You're not fireproof," She pointed out. Steve glanced at her.

"I'm not worried."

"I am."

He sighed. "If I sleep with a fire extinguisher next to me will you feel better?"

"Not entirely but it will help."

Steve retrieved an extinguisher from the hall and placed it next to his floor bed.

"Will you lay down now?"

She did. Steve followed suit.

They were silent for a few minutes.

"That wasn't a nightmare was it?" Steve asked finally.

"No." She answered honestly. "...How did you know?"

"I know you Stella…What happened?"

She hesitated.

"You can trust me," Steve assured her.

"God, it's mortifying." She paused, before forcing herself to press on. "It was a good dream."

"A good dream?"

"A really good dream if you know what I mean."

"…Oh."

She knew Steve well enough to know the man was probably sporting a bright red blush, not unlike herself.

"Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't."

"I don't know how it could have happened," She continued. "How the fire could have started, I mean."

"Your powers are linked to your emotions. I guess you were feeling excited so…"

"But how will I learn to control it?"

"We'll figure it out Stella." They sat in silence for a few more moments. "Was it about Bucky?" Steve continued, surprising her.

"That's kind of personal," She evaded. There was no use in lying to Steve since apparently he could tell when she was being dishonest.

Yeah, it was about Bucky…and you.

It had been a very good dream.

"We'll figure it out Stella. We always do."

She wasn't so sure but despite everything that had happened between her and Steve…she still trusted him. At least when it came to her training. If anyone could help her, it was him.

"Okay."

A/n: Thanks for reading! If you're enjoying this story, please leave a review! They inspire me to keep working on this story :)