Six months later

The cool December air bit at the young waitresses fingertips as she walked outside, digging around in her apron pocket to find the pad of paper. She approached the outdoor table, a broad smile lighting up her face.

"Hello, welcome, may I take your-" she broke off as a table several tables over tipped and smashed into the ground with a loud clang. Menus and napkins flew into the air, and she stepped toward the commotion.

"What on earth-" She started but broke off when a massive three-legged yellow dog launched itself over the table, eyes wide and tongue lolling, and collided with her. The impact knocked her into the flower bed which was filled with soft moss. The dog, unfazed, ran right over the top of her, the leash trailing behind it whipping her in the face as it passed. She scrambled to her feet, her mouth open in shock as she smoothed out her dress, looking in the direction it came from.

A blond man in pursuit cleared the table easily, almost slamming into her but darting to the side at the last moment. A dark haired man was on his heels, his chin-length hair streaming out behind him. The sun glinted on his left arm and it was then she realized the two men, yelling frantically and bounding after the unruly dog, were Captain America and the Winter Solider.

She staggered back, a faint smile creeping over her lips at the sight. It wasn't everyday two of the countries most iconic heroes were stampeding down the street after a slobbering pooch. The Winter Solider yelled back at her over his shoulder, "Sorry!" Then disappeared after his friend and the run-away dog.

"Cut her off at the park!"

"Jesus Christ, she's in the street!"

"Watch out!"

"Dammit!"

Steve sprinted down the left side of the Park pathway, giving Bucky a silent direction to go down the right side. The two split, dodging pedestrians and both wearing the same determined look in their eyes that they might have when on a mission. Bucky dodged a young woman walking her own dog, leaped over a sun bather and ducked beneath a Frisbee a young boy had thrown. His lungs cried for air and his muscles burned, but he was filled with adrenaline at the thought of Asha getting hurt, or worse. They were going uphill now, and he could see Steve again in his peripheral vision. Asha's golden tail disappeared over the ridge, and the fresh wave of fear was enough to give Bucky the surge of power need to bound over the ridge.

When they beheld the sight in front of them, they halted, chests heaving.

"Morning, fellas." A man greeted them as they appeared over the hill. He wore a sweaty long-sleeved gray shirt, black sweatpants, and black tennis shoes. A huge smile played on his face, Asha's leash clutched in his palm, swinging back and forth. "What were you thinking? Two senior citizens chasing after a wild dog." he scolded playfully, then added as they walked toward him, "And without your Life-Alert necklaces!" Bucky glared at him and, with mock anger, yanked the leash out of the mans hand while extending his middle finger to him.

"Oh, such salty attitudes from the old folks! I think its time for your naps!"

"Shut up, Sam." Steve growled, a small grin on his face as he did so. Sam tipped his head back and laughed.

"Seriously though you guys, you'd better get control over that mutt. I don't want her to get hurt." He dropped his hand down and patted Asha's massive head. Her eyes squinted and her tongue lolled as her stroked her silky ears.

"She has more energy than she knows what to do with." Bucky replied, slightly prideful and he cast a glance at his dog.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Steve asked.

"Staying in shape! You think I get muscles like these by sitting on the couch eating oreos?" he replied, flexing his arms, causing both Steve and Bucky to laugh.

"I'll still beat you arm wrestling any day." Steve replied.

"I doubt it." Sam challenged.

"You want to do this right now? There is a table right over there." Steve said, tossing his head toward a table beneath a trees bare, gnarled branches.

Sam seemed to weigh his options. "You know, I totally would, if I wasn't worried about your old brittle bones."

Steve rolled his eyes and Sam laughed.

"Kids these days." Bucky muttered, and both Sam and Steve laughed encouragingly. Bucky had started to come out of his shell, more and more, and everyone was doing their part in letting him know they trusted him and that he was an equal member of the team now. Not quite babying him, but not quite letting him walk on his own yet either, he realized.

"Hey, you better start working out before your right arm looks completely different than your left." Sam said, prodding Bucky's right arm for emphasis.

"Hey!" Bucky said with a grin.

"Alright," Sam said, dusting off his pants, "I better get back to my run."

After both super soldiers had said thank you, they began walking back to the tower while Sam jogged off in the opposite direction.

I have no excuse for the long wait other than school, and I apologize a thousand times. I am back now, though, and will be updating more frequently. :) please review and have a nice day.