(Authors Disclaimer: This idea would NOT leave me alone. Before you flamers go and rip it to shreds, just want to say this.. It's my idea, so therefore anything you have to say about it, will be ignored. It's AU and a Captain America/Oc pairing.

I realize in the scope of the comics AND in the Captain America movie, Bucky died during the war. But, like I said.. For this, he was able to get to safety, barely, then released from the army at which point he went back to Brooklyn, met a nice girl and had kids.. That lead to his having a great granddaughter. So sue me.. When I realized that Sebastian Stan and his infinite sexyness was playing Bucky, I could NOT let him die. It'd just be.. Cruel or something..

So yes, my oc IS bucky's great granddaughter and yes, I realize to some this will instantly make her a mary sue. Do I give a shit in all honesty? Hell no. I just wanted to write a fluffy little story, something different and romantic and cutesy that's not like the other's I've read. I haven't seen one with this idea on the site, so I went for it. For those of you looking for romance and yes eventually, sex, look no farther. For those of you who are going to flame, be retarded, seriously. Noone is holding a gun to your head making you keep reading. Hit the back button and do NOT waste my time with a flame, got it?

Okay, enough bitching.. Story starts off right after the end of the Loki disaster. I hope you all enjoy it. I plan to do a lot with this story.)

With Carrie Underwood cranked up full blast as she waited the tables in the small diner she didn't even notice him walk in at that moment. She was simply enjoying the music, singing along as she laughed at some of the older men's suggesting she "get out of the diner" and "find herself a good man to take care of her."

Right, because that happens every day, in New York? The suggestion alone almost had her rolling over in laughter. Of course, her gramps, Bucky, god rest his soul, used to tell her the same damn thing, every single time he set sights on her, even at the end, when old age got him, at 89 or so. But, hey… Like she said before. This was New York and for every BAD guy, there were ten to fifteen taken (or off limits) GOOD ones.

"He's noooooo good.." she sang quietly, as she wiggled her hips as she moved around the small diner. She wiped the sweat from her brow, and bit her lower lip, sighing in frustration. "Why do you keep it so damn hot in here, Gus?" she called out jokingly to her boss, unaware of the man sitting at the table, watching her intently.

Her boss laughed and then teased back, "Why do you always complain about something, Carolina?"

Carly shot him a look and said "One, it's not a complaint when it's a damn proven fact and two.. It's CARLY not Carolina, damn it to hell. I've been workin' here since I was a kid, and you of all people should KNOW this by now."

She rubbed the back of her neck. She had that feeling now, of someone staring intently at her. "Maybe its just so damn hot in here because it's busier since half of Manhattan got destroyed." Gus called back. Carolina laughed and then said "Right.. Because the uptowners are gonna really come in this damn two bit diner for a cup of joe, a slice of apple pie, Gus.. That time's long over. I hate it, but it's sad and very true. Modern world only wants two things.. Instant gratification, and starbucks. There is no honest to god sense of tradition anymore."

Gus laughed and then handed her two plates, which she handled easily, as she started back to singing her song from before, as he called out to her, "Still say you should get out of here, meet a man and settle down, Carolina. You know your gramps would beat your tail.. 23, not married, livin alone.. It's a damn shame, is what it is."

This, of course was met with the curvy blonde sitting the plates down on an empty table, as she all but shook in laughter. "Right, Gus. You and Gramps both.. Show me this "mr. right" you speak of and I'll show you at least twenty flaws, not excluding not being able to think with the brain in his big head and not his little one, not being able to cheat around.. The only man I knew like that, well not personally but still… Yeah.. Other than you, Gramps and that one, I'm honestly not sure love, real love, senseless love even exists anymore. And hey.. You're a fine one to talk, finding someone to marry me.. You still haven't even made an honest woman outta Ms. Clarice yet. The day you do that AND find a man willing to put up with my wild ways then we'll talk, old man."

Gus glared playfully and then nodded to the table where the lone blond man in the brown faded leather jacket sat, casually sipping his coffee, as he watched the banter, an amused and boyish smile on his face.

Not that Steve Rogers had much to smile for anymore, in all honesty. But, hearing the female and her boss banter back and forth reminded him exactly why Brooklyn would always be his home. Why it'd always feel more comfortable to him than anywhere else on Earth.

Stumbling into the last "mom and pop diner" the last throwback to a time he missed and craved some form of connection to had been the highlight of his day, in all honesty. He cleared his throat and asked quietly, "More coffee?"

Carolina could not help but get lost in the baby blue eyes, the kind smile, the sort of "All American" look that disappeared around the 80's when it suddenly became cool for a guy to have long hair, wear makeup and look just like a girl. He was a throwback to a world she grew up wishing to be a part of, when her great grandpa, or Gramps, as she called him, would talk about it.

"I, err, sure. Let me just go grab the pot, doll." She said quietly, as she held his gaze a moment longer, and bit her lower lip intently. It wouldn't dawn on her until ten minutes after the fact, that for once in her life, she'd been really and truly, Honest to God speechless..

And for Carolina, that NEVER happened often.

Gus of course noticed it and shooting the man a look smiled and said "And silence.. For ten, nine.."

Carolina called out, "Still in earshot, old man.. Still in earshot. And furthermore, Gus.. I've told you.. I'm not exactly the kinda girl guys line up for.. Me being all "opinionated" and all that jazz. Then there's my other baggage.. "

Gus looked at the man and rubbing his head quietly asked with a raised brow, "I seen you somewhere before, son?" as he held the man's gaze intently. If he didn't know any better he'd almost swear.. No.. Surely it was not the same guy who was just on the nighttime news about two nights back.. Right?

Not the one his old poker buddy Bucky came home from the war talking about.. The one that saved a lot of lives? If it was him then Gus wanted whatever it was that the guy had.. Because he didn't look a day over 22.

Same age as Carolina, to be honest. Gus raked his hand over his graying hair, and walked to the back, giving up on Carolina's stubbornness for the moment, because he was just.. Stunned. It had to be the same kid from the cards, and that picture Bucky had.. There was no mistaking those eyes.

Carolina looked at Steve and bent slightly to pour his coffee. Steve looked up at her and then with a smile said quietly, "Thanks.. So.. Is it usually this busy here?"

Carolina looked at him then burst out laughing, " Only since the "groupies" came to town after that whole "incident" about two days ago. Hey.. you look really, really familiar.. Do you live around here? Or have we met before or something?"

Steve shook his head and then said with a smile, "Sort of. I used to live here.. It's complicated. So, can you spare a few minutes, sit down and rest?"

Carolina looked around, and noting that Marge, another waitress had things well under control she shrugged and said "Sure, doll. Actually.. Was gonna take a sneaky smoke break in about five minutes. If you have a light? I lost my lighter earlier. Kills me, it was my gramps zippo."

Steve nodded and then shook his head saying, "No lighter.. But I can walk out with you, if you want? If it's not too strange…"

Normally, he wouldn't try to talk to a female, but something about this particular one, well, she reminded him of an old friend, of the time he left behind.. He felt this odd connection, this familiarity there, and he liked it, it made him feel comfortable. Not to mention that she was really, really pretty.

As soon as he thought that, he felt incredibly guilty. He knew he was still grieving Peggy, so it bothered him that he could admit to the girl in front of him being pretty.

Carolina sighed and then said "Nah. It's not that strange. I mean I kind of feel like I know you or something." as she fished the pack of long cigarettes out of her pocket, and then produced a lighter, and walked out with him.

Once they were outside, she leaned against a green lamppost and lit the cigarette, inhaling as she said " Pretty close call in Manhattan, right?" as she looked at him then said "Kinda feel bad for those people who put a stop to all of it. Media's been having a literal field day with the whole thing. Bet they're not getting a single bit of piece. Especially with some of the signs I've passed "groupies" holdin up outside Stark Tower. Some women.. I really don't get why they think that a sign advertising their intent and liftin' their shirts are gonna get them anywhere.. I really don't. Then again, who am I to judge, because I'm not out there trying."

Steve smiled a little and then said "Yeah, but that's a good thing, right?" as he thought about the women she referred to. He'd had way too many offers the past two days and it made him a little uncomfortable about it. For some reason, he could almost hear his friend Bucky in his mind calling him chicken, telling him that if the girls WANTED him then why didn't he just cave in?

The answer was simple. Steve Rogers was not that kind of man and he never would be that kind of man. It just wasn't right in his opinion. He watched the blonde as she inhaled and exhaled, wondering if she realized how much like one of the old movie stars she looked like? She probably didn't, because she didn't seem like the type.

Carolina noticed his strange facial expression and with a brow raised in concern asked, "Are you okay? You look like you're deep in thought over there.." Steven shrugged and slid his hands quietly into his pocket. What would she say, he wondered to himself, if he told her HE had been one of the ones who put an end to the almost end of mankind?

She'd either think him insane, or.. No, somehow the second option, the most popular one among women apparently, and coincidentally the one that made him the most uncomfortable, in all honesty, didn't seem to fit her. "It's nothing." He mumbled finally, as he held her gaze.

This conversation was too comfortable for him to screw up and he honestly didn't want to. He paused as a bus pulled to a stop in front of the diner, and a little blonde girl got off wearing striped stockings, leggings if he remembered correctly, and a denim and black lace skirt with a black and glittery shirt, cat ear headband got off and ran for the blonde womans legs.

He checked her fingers when she wasn't looking too. Spotting no ring, he was curious, naturally. But, he kept quiet and smiled as the little girl said "Mommy, Mommy.. Guess who's fairy number two in the play?"

Carolina laughed as she held her little girl up and looking at the man said "See this one? She's going to be on Broadway one day. No jokes." Before sending the little girl inside to do homework and amuse herself.

Steve smiled and asked, "Your daughter?" as Carolina nodded and smiling said "Yeah, my baby girl. Probably the ONLY good thing to come out her father was her." As she fell silent, waiting on the poor guy to suddenly have a million things to do and run like hell.

"She's cute." Steve said as he smiled and then remembered he hadn't even gotten her name, from her, or introduced himself. "I'm Steve." He said as he smiled at her and listened to her laugh gently as she raked her hand through wavy blonde hair and said "Yeah, we kinda skipped that part. I'm Carolina, prefer Carly though. My little girl's name is Anna Grace."

Steve nodded and then the damn phone that SHIELD gave him started going off. With a reluctant sigh, he raked his hand through his hair and glanced at the caller ID before saying, "I have to go. Maybe I'll see you again?"

Carolina nodded and then biting her lower lip nodded to the diner behind her. "I'm here everyday." As she shrugged. He walked off to a vintage bike and she could not help the way her eyes roamed his body, and the small groan that escaped her lips as she mumbled quietly, "And that.. was the end of that. Another one bites the dust."

Stubbing her cigarette out on the sidewalk, she walked back inside, got back to work. Bills don't pay themselves, obviously..

Steve mused quietly to himself about the blonde, Carolina, from that small and comfortable diner all the way back to the Tower. Somehow, he got the feeling that she wasn't expecting to ever see him again, which raised the question.. What was the modern world coming to?

It was still on his mind when he walked into the den of the Tower, and sat down on a couch quietly. Of course, Tony smirked and said "Someone looks like he's got a lot on his mind."

Steve shrugged and gave him a warning glare and Tony dropped it for the moment, before Steve asked, "Who called me, earlier?" as he held out the damn impossible to use cell phone.

Tony fell over in almost laughter and then said with a smirk, "I did. Wanted to see if you answered. Why? Did I actually interrupt something?"

Steve glared. If looks could kill right now, the tin can wearing prick would be dead. Instead, Steve sighed and said "Wouldn't have mattered anyway. Sooner or later I'd have messed up the conversation somehow."

Tony and Clint looked at him and then each other, then Clint, with a raised brow asked, "Were you actually talking to a .. Girl?"

Steve glared at them, crossing his arms as he shrugged and then said "Not that it's any of either of your business, but yes, I was actually. I rode back to Brooklyn. Wanted to see if the house I grew up in was still standing now."

Tony held his laughter long enough to shake his head and then say quietly, "Was she one of the "fans"? Because as a friend and a teammate, I'll warn you.. Those girls.. They might not be your speed… Mine, yes.. Yours, not so much."

Steve glared again and then said "No actually, she didn't really know who I was. But.. I felt like I knew her, or something, it's weird." as he silently studied his hands, thought about earlier.

For now, the other two male Avengers gave up their badgering of the "man out of time." He looked like he'd had a confusing and eventful enough afternoon.