Happy New Year, Boys

"Hi, Sharon. I gotta question." Steve asked on a rare call during her lunch.

Sharon was "working" through lunch, a wrapper from a food truck concealing a surprisingly good fish taco and a pile of sweet potato fries. "What would that be, super soldier?" She could hear his blush on the other end of the phone before he replied.

"What are you doing for New Years." he asked, a small lump forming in his throat. They had been going out for about a month and it still gave him jelly legs when he made plans with her.

"I'm working at Times Square. You know, evil never sleeps." Her tone was honestly disappointed.

"Oh." Rogers replied not expecting that. What was he expecting? The woman worked for the CIA. What else was Times Square at midnight on New Years Eve except one giant target?

"Maybe after we could get together. You know. You and me?" her tone was slightly suggestive. She was at work after all.

"Well… I, uh." Steve was caught off-guard by her expressive tone but then quickly recovered, "Bucky and I were going to take Natasha, if she could make it, and you to Times Square. We've never been."

"Well, that is sweet, but no fraternizing on the clock. Plus, I'm not sure if I'm not supposed to arrest Natasha if I see her." There was a hint of humor in her voice regarding Romanov.

"So, I get no kiss for good luck, I guess." Rogers commented, slightly bitter, "Guy can't catch a break around here."

"Are you trying to guilt trip me?" Sharon asked through a nibble on her fries.

"No. No. You have a job and a duty. I should be thankful for your service." Steve replied sincerely.

"You pay taxes. I try my best." She smiled into the phone, "But duty calls. I gotta run, Steve."

"I'll talk to you later." he replied but hesitated as the thought of 'I love you' skipped through his mind. He wasn't sure he wanted to say that yet and definitely not over the phone. The thought hung though in his mind like a floating soap bubble. The phone disconnected and he stared at it dejectedly.

"Well, that went over well didn't it." James remarked dryly from the living room as he paged through a Tom Clancy novel.

"Reverting to your old ways of me being the third wheel? You haven't changed one ounce." Rogers bit back.

"Easy does it, big guy." Barnes replied from the pages of his book, cutting him a look.

"Sorry. I'm not used to … this." Steve flopped down on the chair opposite the couch, which was Bucky's favorite spot.

"Dating?" James asked, putting a bookmark in his page, "Let me tell you, it's never easy."

Steve opened his mouth to retort a cruel comment about Barnes not having any experience in over 70 years but wisely kept it to himself. Instead, he changed his tone, "So, how did you do it? You want to see them all the time!"

"I didn't stay… too long." Barnes replied faintly, gazing past Rogers's shoulder as if lost in the memory of regrets.

"Well, that was really helpful." Cap sighed, folding his hands in his lap, looking like a lovesick teen.

"Remember, we were going to war. Who has time to love?" James reminded him soberly, his eyes darkening, "Not like I didn't want to find someone to love."

Steve looked at him for a moment and the unquenchable optimism in his chest bubbled up, "We have all the time in the world now, Buck. We're free now. No time like the present. You can pick up where you left off with Natasha. I can get a fresh start with Sharon."

James was about to reply when Steve's 'special' cell phone rang. Rogers' body language changed instantly from civilian to soldier as he crossed the room to his bedroom in three steps and reached for it in the hidden compartment near his bed. James followed his friend with his eyes, body tense and then heard Cap's voice answer followed by several quick "Yes's" and "uh-huhs."

When Steve reappeared, Bucky still looked comfortable but was on alert, which meant all his deadly force was ready for action. "Fury?" was the simple question.

"Yes. We gotta move." Steve said, his face set like stone, "Suit up."

Rogers hadn't seen Nick since Thanksgiving, but the older man seemed shrunken as if some weight was pressing down on his shoulders. The bus stop a few blocks from Steve and Bucky's apartment was an innocuous place to meet as most folks were at work. "Jay." Cap greeted the hoodied man in sunglasses.

"Grant." Nick replied turning to face Rogers, his voice tired. Bucky hung back while they exchanged thinly coded pleasantries. "I need some caffeine. Any good places here?"

Rogers looked at him puzzled, "You mean real coffee?"

Nick smiled a wide grin, "You really aren't cut out for the spying way of life, Rogers." Clapping Cap on the shoulder good-naturedly, "Now your quiet friend here is another matter. Stand down, son."

Steve looked back at Bucky who oozed icy calm but had two pistols in his jacket pockets discretely ready for action, safeties off. "Old habits die hard, Director." James said coolly, cocking his head slightly, bangs framing his deadly gaze.

"I know I forgave you earlier for trying to kill me, but, damn, I'm glad you're on our side now." Nick replied gravely, "Now lets get that coffee. We have a lot to talk about."

Coming in from the chill, the small diner wasn't overly busy with patrons, but just enough to disguise their conversation from most ears. Cap fidgeted with his cup of black coffee, while James sat utterly still. To Nick's eyes, they stood out like they were wearing neon signs say, "Look at me!" No wonder Natasha had to kiss Cap to blend in, as he recalled her story of how they escaped the STRIKE team at the mall a few short months ago. Only something as incredible as that would make Cap not look like Captain America, even in civilian clothes.

Taking in an exasperated sigh, Nick said, "HYDRA is up to no good."

"What else is new?" Steve replied, eyes moving restlessly around the diner. He felt glad to have 'something' to do, but was it felt different this time, like he didn't have his head in the game.

"We have intel that they want the Diviner back." Nick began, "And are going to use the Times Square crystal ball to get it."

"How is that going to work? It's stored in the vault in Asgard." Barnes asked in a low voice, one that sent chills down Fury's back. No wonder Pierce had kept Bucky in check and on ice.

Looking back and forth between the two best friends, Nick answered, "The crystals of the ball are particular in the way they are cut. Apparently, they can be focused into a beam, laser to be exact. The HYDRA devise needs to be placed on the roof below the ball. When it's right above it, the devise will use the sphere to open a portal by focusing light through the faceted crystals. Something similar to Thor's bifrost."

"And it has to be New Years Eve?" Steve sighed, his mind wandering to Sharon and what kind of peril she would be in as part of her job.

"I called Jane about this and she seemed to suggest there was an alignment of the planets or some space mumbo jumbo. Yes. It does. It's an inconvenient time, isn't it?" Fury replied evenly, sipping his coffee.

"Does Hill and Carter know? Stark?" James asked, idly pushing at his coffee cup on the table with his gloved hand, "Why not post an agent up there? Spring a trap on them when they try to set up the device."

"No. Just us. No need to complicate things with more acronyms or mental conditions. Remember, S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't exactly a welcome name anymore." Nick answered. Bucky didn't exactly like that answer but kept quiet.

"What about Coulson and his folks? Or are we compartmentalizing again?" Steve threw at Fury, finding it hard to sit still.

"As much as Coulson would love to work with you again, Rogers, they are … preoccupied." Fury commented neutrally, cocking his good eye at Cap and Bucky letting the jab slide by, "I think we can handle this ourselves. Right gentlemen?"

"Mission accepted." Barnes replied with a small evil smile. Fury began to wonder about his assessment and forgiveness of the former Winter Soldier.

New Years Eve day was clear but cold. The night forecast was not going to warm anyone's heart either. Steve had Carter on his mind as he stood near the couch, leaning his forearm on the window frame while looking out their apartment window past the fire escape. Flat rooftops of tar and gravel stretched out before him and the tallest caissons of the Brooklyn Bridge with their flags flying tall were barely visible beyond the annoying billboard advertising the Geico Gecko. He knew Sharon was at work, prepping for any known threats to the celebration in Times Square from the most mundane homeless guy to Occupy Wall Street, ISIS and aliens. Fury made him swear he wouldn't give the hint to her about their mission. With great reluctance, he agreed. Balling his fist against the frame of the window, he regretted that choice.

A human sized black blur fell past the window to the fire escape, a trail of blazing red behind it. In a flash, Cap crouched below the windowsill behind the couch suddenly realizing his shield was in his bedroom. Bucky was downstairs in the lobby getting the mail just when he could use some help.

Tensing for an attack, he cautiously peeked beyond the couch and over the sill. Two green eyes winked back at him and the mischievous grin on Black Widow's face was obvious in the crinkle of skin around her eyes.

"Dammit, Natasha!" Steve exhaled loudly, standing and leveling himself. Romanov stood up on the metal balcony outside, still smiling, hands on her hips.

"You gonna let a girl in? It's not exactly Miami out here." She chided him from beyond the window, "After all, I don't have your cold exposure training."

"Ha, ha." Steve grouched, slipping the lock of the windowpane and sliding it up, "I usually let ladies in by the door. Not the window. Something about manners and all."

Widow slipped in the open window, cat like, and patted his cheek as she passed just to annoy him, "When you're wanted in several countries you tend not to use doors. Besides, I'm not a lady?"

Steve straightened up at Natasha's touch and tumble of feelings washed over him. Sharon, he thought quickly. Her blonde, "good gal" personality was more his pace. Not this redheaded, sly and cunning beauty.

"'Lady' is not the first word that comes to mind." Steve replied under his breath as she took off her gloves and shook out her hair.

She turned to look at him, the vixen expression gone replaced by a friendly face, "It's ok, Steve. I'll take that as a compliment. Belated merry Christmas."

"Same to you." Rogers replied evenly with a hint of a smile in spite of himself.

"Bucky around?" she asked, glancing around the apartment and admiring their still standing Christmas tree. The homemade colored paper chain draped around it was endearing to her and she fingered it remembering fragments of her own childhood.

"He's getting the mail. He'll be up in a moment. Can I get you something to drink?" Cap replied, moving towards the kitchen.

"Coffee?" she asked and took up space in Bucky's favorite couch spot.

"Sure thing." he answered pulling out a cup from the cupboard. "Is Bucky expecting you or are you just in town for the heck of it?"

"A bit of both." she replied cryptically, "Like I said, I didn't expect to be back so soon, being a wanted woman and all."

"Just throw a wad of cash at the politicians and they'll let you off." Steve snorted derisively. He was very opinionated about the current state of the U.S. government. The opinion was not one of approval. He brought the cup of steaming coffee back to her in the living room.

Widow smiled broadly at him, accepting the cup of coffee, "It's the generals I'm worried about."

"Hmm. Yeah, you have a point." Steve agreed as he heard the door lock turn.

Bucky walked into the small entranceway, closing and locking the door behind him. Chucking his keys near on the console table, his attention was on the mail, flipping through it critically stepping into the living room, "Steve, what is up with all this junk mail?"

Looking up at Rogers non-reply, Steve smiled happily at him, "We have a guest."

The mail fell to the floor from dead fingers.

"That's my spot." James said in a dark tone, his posture on edge. Steve glanced worriedly at Widow but she held Barnes' gaze. With Bucky's PTSD it was sometimes hard to tell what was going on in his head.

"Who are you? Sheldon from "Big Bang Theory"? You can learn to share." Natasha replied unruffled by the assassin. Standing up, she rose like liquid black metal and approached Barnes. Steve felt his blush coming and averted his eyes as she wrapped herself around James and kissed him, "That can be our spot."

"Fine with me as long as you're here." Bucky murmured into her hair and Steve cleared his throat. Both assassins gave him a peeved look.

"Remember our plans." Steve mentioned to Bucky.

"Give us a moment. I didn't forget." Barnes replied, a 'bug off' look on his face.

"Fine. I'll be… taking a walk." Steve said, his blue eyes dimmed with hurt. Natasha was his friend too but obviously Rogers wasn't going to get chatting time with her. While it was nice that Bucky had someone who understood his unique history, it was pretty obvious that this was going to be an issue between the best friends.

Natasha stiffened in Barnes' arms when the door closed, eyes narrowing in a frown at James, "You know, you don't have to shoo him off every time I'm in town. He's your best friend. I think you hurt him. You haven't been… back …for very long."

"He'll get over it." Bucky replied easily, stroking her hair gently, his eyes suggestive.

"I love you, Buck, but we both really know why I'm here. Let's get to business." Natasha said seriously, kissing him briefly and disentangling herself from James' arms.

"Fine. I think you love Fury more than me, though." Bucky sulked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Batting her eyes at him she replied sweetly, "Of course not."

"Right." Bucky went into his room and gathered a duffle bag from under his bed. His favorite rifle was in there, as were some other gizmos and gadgets that Natasha had squirreled away before the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D.

She looked the devices over and picked the ones she needed for the assignment. Placing them carefully in a small backpack she brought with her, Widow slipped the straps over her shoulders easily. "Now, will you call Steve and tell him you're sorry?"

"I might." Barnes said annoyed, "Why do you have to go so soon? I miss you so much."

Natasha's expression softened as she stepped toward him, "I miss you too. I sometimes wish this was not our lot in life, but it is." She reached up to touch his cheek tenderly. His metal hand covered hers as he closed his eyes and kissed her palm, " And we have work to do, or people will die."

James opened his eyes to look at Romanov, a small smiled playing on his lips. "You've been hanging around Steve too long His rhetoric is brainwashing you."

"You know he's right, though." she returned the smile and then kissed him in goodbye.

"Will I see you tonight?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

"If Nick's plan works, yes." Natasha smirked, "And you'll get your kiss."

"That's a date." James returned and closed the door behind her.

8