It was over but it wasn't over. That was the best way Bucky could describe it. The Red Skull was captured, Sam was back, and HYDRA had gone quit again but they would be back. Not even cutting off the source would ever finish off HYDRA. They'd just create a new nest so to speak. To get rid of HYDRA every single agent would have to be eradicated. Nevertheless, this chapter of HYDRA was gone.

And despite everything, Bucky felt better coming out of the situation than he had in a long time. He'd made a difference, saved people, something that he hadn't done in a long time. Bucky no longer felt shame for the short hair, for looking more like himself. There were still things he couldn't remember and he certainly didn't trust himself completely, but he no longer felt like a rabid animal.

Now, the biggest decision that had been put in his way would have to be answered.

For the past month, Bucky, Steve, Nat, and Sam had stayed at the Tower. He'd met Dr. Banner, otherwise known as the Hulk, and Clint Barton was there as well. Thor the god wasn't always in but he kept in close communication with the group and when Pepper, Hill, and now Coulson was added to the group it kept the tower fairly full. Rhodey also popped in often.

Fury hadn't been seen in a while but Steve claimed he'd contacted him recently.

With a place so full and Jarvis literally everywhere, Bucky hadn't found time to hide and sulk, not like before anyway. He practically had to socialize and Thor certainly had no qualms when it came to talking to him.

Tony had also eased up, eventually forcing Bucky to come down to the lab with him and Bruce so they could improve his arm. Bucky even picked up a few terms.

When Clint wasn't being annoying as hell, Bucky found out he was actually pretty amusing too. He already liked Coulson and Pepper was very kind to him which was surprising at first. The few times Hill and Bucky talked he got the same vibe from her as Natasha, charming and one of the most dangerous people in the room.

Even Jarvis was a pleasure to talk to when people were gone or busy.

Bucky had been brought back by Steve, Natasha, and Sam but the Avengers as a whole had helped pull him out of his shell, usually despite his protests.

But since Sam was nearly done healing, Bucky didn't know what would happen. Would they go back to Sam's place? Stay at the Tower? Go somewhere else? He had planned to confront Steve on it but instead ran into Natasha.

Before he could say anything though Natasha said, "What is it?"

"Oh…I was just…do you know how long we're staying here?" asked Bucky. He considered himself a spy like Natasha (or at least ex-spy or whatever) but he swore the woman had some type of sixth sense that allowed her to read people's minds.

"Steve and I need to stay but you and Sam don't have to," Natasha answered. "I signed up for this but you didn't. It's your choice whether you stay with us or not."

"You mean I can choose?"

Natasha allowed a small quirk of her lips to show. "Of course." She gave him a small kiss and then continued on to wherever she had been headed beforehand.

Bucky watched her go and then took a deep breath, heading towards Sam's room. Sam's bones were still on the mend meaning he couldn't do his morning jogs like he use to and required him to stay mostly in bed. All bruises and cuts were long since healed though.

"James," Sam said with a smile. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to know your plans after you were healed. I mean…did you plan to go back to your home?"

"Eventually, yeah. It's great here but I certainly miss my own space. Still, I was planning on just jumping ship the moment I could," Sam replied. "Why?"

"I feel…I think…" Bucky trailed off, trying to collect his thoughts. "I think…I want to stay. I don't mind it here certainly. And Steve and Nat are staying so…I don't know…."

"You don't have to follow me you know. Or the others for that matter."

"I know but I want to be with all of you. That's kind of hard when one of them is several states away."

"So are you asking to stay with me or for me to stay here?"

"I'm honestly not sure."

Sam gave a small smile. "Well do you have any other reasons to stay, besides myself, Natasha, and Steve?"

"I suppose I do. I feel…good being here. I can help people and the people here know me. I don't have to lie to them…at least not most of the time."

"Then I'll stay. Besides, once I'm healed I'll be able to properly try out that suit Tony made," Sam said with a grin. "I wouldn't want to leave you guys anyways. I don't want to just leave my old life, my home and everything, but I certainly don't want to leave this one yet either."

"So that's a yes."

"Of course," Sam said with a smile.

"So we're not getting your father," Rumlow said slowly. His legs were kicked up onto a desk as he watched Sin walk back and forth. The room had been full only moments ago but Sin had yelled everyone out. "Can you tell me why?"

"For one, the cell is impregnable! We don't have the technology to get in there. Besides, we don't have the money or time to develop technology to get in there!" yelled Sin with a growl.

"Well what are we going to do?"

"I'll run this operation," Sin replied. "You really think I've been doing nothing for the past month? I'll have to whip a few of them into submission, they certainly won't be happy about me being in charge, being a woman and all."

"They'll have to," Rumlow replied. "Either that or death as I see it. Still, your dad he—"

"Was a failure who should have died long ago. I'll crush the Avengers but first we must become great again." She turned to Rumlow. "I will do more than my father ever did and change the world!"

AN: Sorry this was so late in coming. I plan on writing a sequel later but I don't know when I'll start it. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks!