Authors Note: It's short and sweet and time to move on I am afraid. Last Chapter.

CH 32- Epilogue

The sun shown bright between the large oak branches as Bucky revved his motor cycle engine and zoomed past Steve who laughed and shook his head. They had been taking turns passing one another on the long, country road as they headed through the Southern States of America. They had finally begun their road trip almost three months after the trial when spring was in the air and Bucky finally felt ready to leave his fear and anxiety about being recognized as the Winter Soldier behind. Stark had made him a knew prosthetic arm, still strong and powerful but with a synthetic flesh that looked and felt almost real. It was the last thing Bucky had requested before he finally stated he was ready to venture out of the tower and rediscover America.

At the time of the procedure he had been nervous and despite his best efforts, he could not hide the immense fear that shown bright in his eyes as Steve held his flesh hand while Bruce connected the IV to administer sedative. Steve stood by him, a sold support even as Bucky trembled as fought against the urge to change his mind and beg them to stop. As the sedative took hold and Bucky's eyes struggled to stay open. Steve stroked his sweat covered brow and told him not to fight it, promising it would be alright. Steve's gentle and comforting expression had been the last thing he saw before unconsciousness took over, allowing Stark and Banner to begin the careful work of removing the metal prosthetic and replacing it with the new arm. It had taken a few hours and Steve had been mandated to outside of he medical room, pacing the hall as Natasha and Sam offered support, Clint stopping by with snacks.

When it was finished, Bruce removed the IV and less then 20 minutes later Bucky awoke with a gasp and cry, eyes confused and frantic as he emerged from his hellish world of dreams. It took a few minutes for Steve to calm him down and reassure him, for the traumatized Vet to recognize his surroundings and his best friend's face. When he looked down at the new arm his eyes grew wide and he was speechless. He examined the fingers, wrist, elbow, felt the soft synthetic skin covering the harder then bone material underneath. He let out a quivering breath of aw and relief, eyes wet as he fell against Steve who sat next to him on the hospital bed, one arm around his friend's shoulders and the other reaching out to touch Bucky's new hand that he was flexing and moving. When Stark and Banner reentered the room several minutes later there were no words, and Bucky simply stood up and hugged each man with an earnest look of gratitude and tears, wrapping both his arms around them, something he had never done before, avoiding touching anyone with Hydra's weapon.

That had been two weeks before they left the tower and Bucky grinned as the wind whipped through his air, the smell of magnolia and jasmine filling his senses as he watched the scenery go by. This was the trip he had always wanted to do, even before the War, when he stayed up late at night by Steve's bedside, holding his pale hand as he coughed from another asthma attack. Bucky would tell him to hold on, to think about how much fun they were going to have on their road trip through America and maybe even to Mexico and further south, then back up all the way through Canada and into Alaska. Bucky would read him travel brochures and showed him pictures of yellow stone, the grand canyon and other landmarks, drawing possible routs on maps, eyes bright and dreamy. It was something he did not just for Steve, to encourage him and keep him optimistic, but also for himself, as a way to distract from the constant dread that he might loose his sickly friend to illness. As they had gotten older and the War became a reality, Bucky had put that dream on hold but it was always there, waiting for a time when he could really live it.

Bucky smirked as Steve roared past him once more taking the lead before he held up his hand pointing to a sign that advertised fried Catfish at a local restaurant. Bucky chuckled as he followed the Captain toward the town, ready for some beer and southern soul food. It had taken over a year for Bucky to feel like himself again and even though he still had flash backs and nightmares, still woke up some days with tears in his eyes or felt a wave of anger and humility when he looked too long in the mirror, for the most part, he was who he always had been and the simple joy that he could finally fulfill this dream with Steve was enough to keep the smile coming back to his face.

It had been hard and some days still were, but Steve was there with him, patient and understanding even when he was being irrational or mean, apologizing later for lashing out. Steve accepted him and supported him though it all and for that, Bucky was tremendously grateful. He was still in touch with his Psychiatrist, and spent an hour every other day in a session with him over a Stark video tablet. The others checked in with them too, and Sam was going to join them when they got to New Orleans for a week or two. Clint and Natasha were in Europe working with Fury but had planned to meet up with them at some point out west to go camping. Tony had insisted they stay at his house on Venice beach in California, stating he and Pepper would fly out when they got there. Even Bruce had asked to join them once they got through Canada, expressing his desire to ride the Alaskan Rail road and see the northern lights. For now through, it was just Steve and Bucky, and for the both of them it was good to be back to their familiar pattern, their teasing and playful friendship, knowing with out saying, and understanding more then anyone else ever could, what they meant to each other.

Bucky stretched his legs as he got off the bike and smirked as Steve joked with him about getting old and needing a rest. They entered the small town restaurant with polite smiles and nods, both men sporting a few days of stubble under sunglasses as they took their seats on the patio and began looking at the menu. A moment later their waitress appeared with rosy cheeks and bright red lip stick, her light brown hair hanging to the side in a long braid. She smiled at the two men and introduced her self in a thick southern accent and draw. Bucky grinned at the girl and took off his sun glasses, bright blue eyes winking as he placed his order and asked for a beer. The girl smiled and flirted back, asking where they were from. Bucky put on his strongest Brooklyn accent and Steve snorted as he shook his head, watching Bucky charm the girl and comment on how much he loved the way she spoke. Steve rolled his eyes when Bucky told her that she sounded like a southern angle, her voice as sweet as sugar. She blushed and by the end of their meal had given him her number after asking if they were going to be in town for a few days. She smiled brightly at Steve and told him she had a girl friend who's brother had a fishing boat and she would love to take them out and show them around town. Steve thanked her and nodded, watching as she bent over and whispered something to Bucky before walking away. Bucky turned and watched her retreat with a happy sigh then looked back at Steve with raised eye brows.

"Guess this means we're going fishing tomorrow?" Steve asked with amusement.

"Yup!... But I think I already caught mine!" Bucky grinned and Steve rolled his eyes but laughed. It felt good and natural and Bucky smiled back with the same knowing expression. This was how things always should have been and even through it took seventy years and a lot of pain to get there, they had finally made it and had each other to keep them focused on the present and the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Thats all folks!

Thank you for reading and I hope the ending, through short, did this story justice! It took me 7 months to write this and 5 to write the other! So after dedicating a year of my creative writing to these two lovable fossils I am glade to wrap this tale of heart break and recover up! However I will be posting random one shots of Winter Soldier and maybe some Bucky stories too. Exploring missing scenes from before and during the war as well as Post CAWS. Most likely Hurt/Comfort, some maybe more extreme and some more fluffy, just random stuff that may or may not fit in with this story but will still have their brotherly dynamic. Possible some slash ones as well but those will be clearly labeled. Much love to you all and please let me know what y'all thought!

XXOO!