Authors Note: This is it folks… This is how the story ends…

As the weeks past Steve was relieved to see Bucky slowly becoming less depressed and more motivated toward his recovery. He was taking his medication and had been having regular video sessions with his doctor who proved to be easier to talk with then Bucky wanted to admit at first. The guilt and shame were still a constant battle but he was coping, going on runs and spending time sitting on the pier that over looked the lake as he did his therapeutic home work of self-reflection, challenging his negative and self-defeating thoughts. The nightmares had been keeping him on edge with anxiety and unable to sleep but he had resisted taking his nightly medication for fear that an attack would come at night and he would not be alert and ready because of the sedative. However, after processing this fear with his Therapist and several perimeter checks and security tests, Bucky finally agreed to take his specially enhanced, time released Prazosin and was finally able to sleep mostly through the night.

There were still days when he was moody and had no interest in socializing during the video check ins but he was no longer resistant to Steve's weekly visits and actually had lunch prepared at the end of the fourth weekend. They had spent the afternoon reminiscing about the good old days as they played poker out on the deck, enjoying the warmth of the spring air until the chill of the setting sun had settled over them. As they sat just inside of the lake house drinking beers and watching the sun set through the large glass windows, Steve looked over at Bucky for the third time in two minutes, about to speak before looking away and taking another swig of his beer. Bucky sighed and shook his head, keeping his eyes on the sunsets reflection off the water.

"What?" Bucky smirked as he waited for Steve to stop biting his tongue and just say whatever was on his mind.

"What?" Steve parroted back and Bucky rolled his eyes and gave him a playful shove.

"What is it your so damn busy not saying Rogers?" Bucky snickered still looking straight ahead, aware that he didn't have the strength to deal with Steve's too honest and sincere expression. The Captain let out a sigh as he stared pointedly at Bucky's profile, gaze thoughtful before looking back out at the water, quietly acknowledging to himself that Bucky couldn't look at him right then and holding back his thoughts was only putting his friend on edge after a fairly relaxing afternoon.

"You have been feeling better right Buck?... I mean the medication and therapy seems like it's helping." Steve offered and Bucky shot him a side glance before he nodded cautiously, eyes back out to the horizon.

"It's been a month since you came here,….. and,…..it's…. God its just so good to have you back ya know!" Steve sighed again as he shook his head, now taking his turn to avoid his friend's eyes that were watching him with apprehension. Steve swallowed as he turned back toward Bucky who immediately looked away out the window blinking back the threat of emotions, expression guarded as he listened to Steve's words.

"It was hard Buck,… so damn hard watching you break through all that Hydra bullshit,…..seeing you struggle and fight against the Winter Soldier's programing….."

Steve's expression became soft as he watched Bucky's body hunch slightly, mouth in a pout as his eyes looked distantly out the window, obviously not wanting to talk about any of it but too tired to get upset and tell Steve to shut up. The Captain tried to offer a small, comforting smile as he reached out and placed a hand on Bucky's metal shoulder.

"But now your back,… your you again and,….." Steve sighed as Bucky slowly looked up at him with uncertainty and a pensive frown.

"I miss you Bucky!... I want you to come home,…. I want you to be part of the Avengers,… I know its selfish but I…." Steve's confession was cut off by a small, plaintive voice, Bucky's shoulders drawn in as he looked away again shaking his head then down at the floor.

"Steve,…. I can't,…" Bucky muttered before he set his beer down and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees and face in his hands. He let out a few deep breaths before he shook his head and continued to mumble, hands becoming fits in his lap.

"…..I know I seem better,…and maybe I'm getting there,….. I don't want to swallow a bullet now every time I look myself in the mirror,,,,," Bucky gestured flippantly toward the bathroom and his words sent a spike of panic through the Captain as he sat up ridged.

"But I am still barely keeping it together here pal,… I can't…..God Stevie I am a fucking mess!" Bucky exhaled as he ran his hands through his hair and gritted his teeth, squeezing his eyes tight against his turmoil of emotions. In truth, he had been lonely and had spent countless moments staring at his phone and resisting the urge to just call Steve and ask him to come get him. It was his embarrassment and slowly healing sense of pride and dignity that prevented him from calling and begging for his friend to come save him from himself.

"That's okay Buck,…it's okay to be a mess,….. everyone is a mess,…. They just have a lot of practice covering it up." Steve promised as he offered a small hopeful smile as he rubbed his friends back. Bucky peered up at him from his crouched position and then snorted as he shook his head with a bitter smile and discouraged eyes.

"Yea,….. well I am gonna need a lot more practice Steve,….." Bucky swallowed as he sat up slightly, still hunched over and flexing his metal hand in pensive thought.

"Sometimes,….. sometimes I wake up,…. And I don't know where I am,…or even who…but I know I have to lay still,… and wait for a handler to come get me,… I know that if I move without permission…." Bucky swallowed again and grabbed his beer slamming it back as he wished for the burn of whiskey instead, his favorite way to chase away the fear that churned in his stomach during the war, after his first time as a lab rat for Hydra. Steve watched him with his own grimace as he kept a firm hand on his friend'ss back as Bucky stared at the empty bottle with a trembling pout and intense eyes.

"And then,….. sometimes,…" He offered a small choked laugh. "Sometimes I wake up,… and I forgot all of this…." He looked down at his arm in disgust. "…All the shit that happened,….. what they did to me,….. what I did to all those people,…even the war,….." He chuckled to himself as he looked up at Steve with wet, sad eyes as he shook his head over and thin smile. "I wake up thinking I'm back in Brooklyn, hugging the sheets cuze I don't wanna get my lazy ass up and go work down at the docs." Bucky bit his lip as he rubbed his eyes with his flesh hand before looking again at the metal fist. "This is what reminds me,….. The first thing I see that brings everything rushing back,… and it feels like getting hit by a truck,… hurts to breath,…" He let out a quivered breath and dropped his hand into his lap as he stared once more out at the now evening sky.

"It's better waking up as the Asset,….. it takes longer to come back to reality but,…. There's relief once I do….. instead of disappointment,…and hatred." Bucky's words were barely above a whisper and he didn't resist when Steve moved closer wrapping his arm around him and pressing his forehead to Bucky's temple.

"It'll get easier Buck,… just takes some time,…." Steve offered in his own gentle confidence. Bucky smirked and nodded before pulling back and meeting Steve's eyes full on, the emotion raw but contained.

"I know Stevie,… that's why I gotta stay here,….. I need more time,…..I wish I was better,….. I wish I was ready to back you up in the field but I…." Bucky's voice faltered and he swallowed back his grief, dropping his eyes as Steve shook his head and placed a hand on the side of his brother's face.

"No,…. Bucky I'm sorry,… I shouldn't be putting that pressure on you,….. I am just being selfish and a stupid Jerk." Steve chastised himself as he shook his head again and looked away, dropping his hand and frowning in irritation with himself. Bucky smirked and reached out ruffling the Captain's hair as if he were still just a scrawny kid.

"Nah,…..I'm the stupid Jerk remember,…. And you're the self-righteous punk!" Bucky raised an eyebrow with a twist of a smile and Steve offered his own small chuckle.

"I remember,….I remember." The Captain sighed nodding as they shared a knowing look, one that said more than words and promised to be there through thick and thin, no matter how long it took and where ever the road to recover took them.

…

It was 9 months, thirteen days, 9 hours and 42 minutes since Hydra's Winter Soldier failed his mission, rescued his target from drowning and then went AWOL, defecting from his creators after a glitch in his programing. It was 8 months, 21 days, 5 hours and 16 minutes since Hydra's prized Asset stared at a picture of his own face in the Smithsonian and read a name he didn't remember, Sargent James Buchanan Barnes. It was 8 months, 14 days, 2 hours and 19 minutes since Hydra was attacked for the first time by their very own highly trained weapon who showed no mercy for his former owners. It was 6 months, 2 days, 9 hours and 36 minutes since Hydra understood that their Soldier needed his medicine to survive, that his body and mind had become dependent on the chemical cocktail or he would go through withdrawal. The Asset knew this too. That was his weakness. That was how they would get their weapon back.

There was interference.

It was 3 months 17 days, and 34 minutes since SHEILD had detained their Asset.

It was time for him to come home…

-Sargent Barnes, there is an immediate security threat advancing toward your….-

Bucky's eyes cracked open as his sleep filled mind struggled to orientate and understand the words Jarvis had spoken before the AI was abruptly cut off. He blinked trying to focus his gaze as his sluggish mind fought against the sedative effects of his nightly medication. The overhead fan was slowing down and as he rolled his head to the side and saw his alarm clock was blank. The power had been cut. Bucky took in a sharp breath as panic shot through his disoriented mind. He pushed himself up and looked down at his metal hand, taking a moment to focus on who, when and where he was. There was a vibration sound, strange and surreal. Bucky looked over at the pillow and sheets with a muddled sense of urgency as he began moving the bedding to locate the source of the vibration. His hand landed on his phone and he blinked again as he focused on the device, realizing he had to answer it. With a chocked gasp, he answered it and held it to his ear, voice scratchy and unsure.

"Hello?" He asked quietly as he slowly began to wake up, actively struggling against the effects of his sleep medication that he took later in the night then he should have. It was 5:17 in the morning and he had to wake up, he had to figure out what was going on.

"BUCKY!?" Steve's voice sounded like a question and a demand all at one, his tone urgent. Bucky swallowed thickly and struggled to coordinate his sluggish limbs, fighting to free himself from the bed as he responded.

"Steve,….the power is out." He stated with obvious concern just as he saw some bright head lights flash through the curtains and he felt his gut clench. "Someone's here." His voice echoed with fear before he felt his metal fist clench and despite the sedative, his adrenalin spiked.

"Buck, Jarvis said there are 8 black hummers heading toward you. We're on our way but you got to get out of there! Tony said there is a hidden trap door under the carpet in the office under the desk. There is a tunnel that takes you out to the main road!" Steve was obviously running as he spoke, no doubt heading for the hanger at the tower. Bucky was already heading for the office, crouching low as the dark cabin had become flooded with light from all the surrounding cars. He could hear men shouting orders and car doors slamming as suddenly a sonic cannon was fired and all the bullet proof glass windows shattered at once. The Sound was deafening and brought Bucky to his knees with a guttural cry of pain as he dropped the phone and covered his ears. The moment the blast stopped Bucky was on his feet and scrambling as he grabbed the phone pressing it to his ringing ear, moving toward the office with bare feet on broken glass, wearing only plaid pajama pants.

"Steve?" Bucky gasped out but, his ears where ringing and he knew he couldn't hear a reply. "There here!,… They…" He dropped the phone and cried out in agony as the first Hydra Soldier advanced through the shattered glass with a specialized gun that shot out an electronic freeze dart that landed in the back of Bucky's metal bicep. He dove through the office door. And used his flesh hand to slam it shut and lock it before racing toward the large mahogany desk in the middle of the room. His metal arm was locked in a bent position, fingers open as an intensely painful electric current circled through his prosthetic and sent a sharp burning sensation through his entire nervous system. He tried to ignore the pain and push the heavy desk out of the way with his flesh arm, but the office like the rest of the lake house had large windows and a sliding glass door that lead out to the deck. There were Hydra Soldiers advancing, guns targeted and Bucky ducked behind the desk just as a spray of tranquilizers sailed toward him. With a huff of irritation and a grimace from the almost debilitating pain from his metal arm, Bucky let his mind shift into Winter Soldier mode, his panic and fear buried down as tactical necessity took over. He reached under the desk where he had duck tapped three sharp kitchen knives, briefly smirking as he remembered Steve telling him just two weeks before that he didn't need to hid knives around the lake house. With a steading breath, he squatted on his bloody feet, already cut and punctured by the broken glass. It was time to fight back, time to show Hydra once and for all that even if he would always be the Winter Soldier, he was also Sargent James Buchannan Barns, and he was his own Asset, not theirs.

…

Steve was running barefoot in sweats and no shirt with his shield toward the quinjet where Tony was already in his suite. The Captain had a look of panic on his face as he yelled into his phone his friends name over and over after hearing Bucky's anguished cry just after a large explosion and his gasp that the attackers were already there. Clint and Natasha were right behind him also in sleep wear, knowing that the Avengers each had a set of their own combat gear and weapons already on board the jet for just such a reason.

"Tony!... They're already in the house,…..He's hurt!" Steve yelled as he raced toward Ironman who was using his repulsors to lift off the ground.

"Take the jet,…. I'll meet you there!" Tony saluted and instantly took to the sky heading toward the lake house at his top speed and asking Jarvis for updates.

Steve had not slowed down as he bounded up the ramp and strait for the cock pit that was already on with the destination locked in auto pilot.

Captain Rogers, Sir, we will lift off as soon as the other Avengers are on board, I suggest you change into your combat uniform.

Steve's adrenalin was running high, panic sending shivers of dread up his spin. He jerked away from the cock pit toward his storage bit as he hastily changed, The Black Widow and Hawk Eye doing the same. The Falcon, followed by Doctor Banner were there only a few minutes later and instantly the ramp lifted and the quinjet was air born, heading at top speed toward upstate New York.

"JARVIS, status update!" Steve demanded as he hastily change into his uniform, the others doing the same and arming themselves.

Sir, my ability to monitor the Lake House has been aborted due to a disruption in power that has prevented the back up generators from coming online. There were 8 black Hummers that appeared to be transporting several armed assailants toward the property and they used some form of electrical weaponry to short circuit the security perimeter.

"Did he make it out?" Clint asked as he grabbed his cross bow. Steve shook his head with a tense frown as he pulled on his mask.

"I don't know,…. He yelled and then the phone went dead….. were going in blind on this one." Steve gritted and the others nodded in understanding, sharing a sense of dread as they silently prepared for battle

…

As Ironman approached the wooded land surrounding his lake house he only had a moment of warning from Jarvis before he was hit by a sonic cannon that completely disrupted his suites ability to operate and he found himself falling fast toward the ground. With quick thinking help from his AI, he was able to get his thrusters online moments before he would have hit the ground hard. Regardless of his miraculous ingenuity, he was instantly under attack as three new Hummers came up the rode and surrounded him using an array of weaponry that had Tony scrambling to evade the attack while rebooting his suite, all the while cursing up a storm and yelling into his com at the other Avengers that he was in an ambush.

It took only 10 minutes of strategic maneuvering and brilliance for Ironman to completely neutralize the onslaught and he made quick work of rounding up the assailants, using magnetic cuffs to immobilize them. He was back up in the air heading the last short distance to the lake house right as the quinjet was appearing over the horizon, landing in a clearing next to the drive way full of black armored vehicles. The ramp was open and Captain America bounded out in rapid speed with the others right behind him. Tony had his scanner on and was attempting to locate Barns and any active combatants, but for all the adrenalin and energy the scene was completely silent, in a way that felt suffocating.

"TONEY?!" Steve's voice broke through the unnatural silence as he stopped next to Iron man looking franticly from the abandoned vehicles to the dark house that looked as if it had been struck by a tornado, shattered windows and debris everywhere.

"I have 65 heat signatures inside and surrounding the property, and one with traces of vibranium." Bucky's Arm had unique properties that where easily discerned from the other metal structures and weaponry, making tracking him a great deal easier.

"Any active combatants?" Hawkeye asked with his bow up and ready.

"Looks like they are stagnant but might still be armed." Tony offered and Steve nodded as he head toward the house, shield up and eyes alert.

"Lets spread out, report back when we have eyes on Bucky!" The Captain ordered as he was instantly through the broken threshold.

All around the perimeter and inside the house were bodies of Hydra agents in various states of injury or death. Many appeared to have had their throats slit or shot neatly between the eyes and the seen was graphicly disturbing, accented with the smell of blood and tear gas. The Captains eyes watered and his throat felt tight as he hastily checked each room calling Bucky by name. On occasion, he would find an injured Hydra agent crawling toward a gun and in the bed room one manage to throw a grenade at him which he blocked with his shield but was still sent flying backward.

"Steve,….. He's on the dock." The Captain heard Sam's voice over the ringing in his ears as he quickly got to his feet and dealt with the Hydra agent directly before racing out of the house and down to the dock. The other Avengers were converging there from different areas around the property and The Widow was walking with soft careful foot steps toward the hunched figure of the Winter Soldier who was sitting at the end of the peer looking out at the still, calm water. There were at least six bodies along the 90 ft peer and Natasha was delicately stepping over them as she made note of the bloody foot prints. She carefully approached the man who was sitting curled over at the end of the long wooden dock, legs dangling off the edge. From the shore line Steve felt his chest clench and he wanted to immediately rush forward to his likely injured friend but felt Sam grab his shoulder, giving him a look that said, *We don't know where his heads at, let her bring him back.*

As Natasha approached with soft but purposely audible footsteps, she called to him with a calm, soothing voice, ready to doge or jump if he attacked her, uncertain if the intense combat had triggered him to become the Winter Soldier again but based on the lethal carnage, she could speculate.

"Sargent Barnes?... Can you hear me?" Natasha asked as she slowed her pace, stopping about 10 feet behind him. She could see that his back had a few bleeding wounds and his flesh shoulder blade had a very ugly chemical burn that crept up his neck and down his bicep. His metal arm was bent awkwardly and ridged, a faint buzzing sound coming from it with a static pop and sizzle that sent a visible shock through him. He sat up slightly after the shock, his body shaking slightly from the effort as he peered over his right shoulder at the red head behind him. His flesh hand was covered in blood as he pulled a cigarette from his lips with a deep exhale.

"Took you long enough,…. Missed out on all the fun!" He chuckled but then grimaced in obvious pain, his face streaked in blood like the rest of his battered form. Instantly Natasha let out a sigh of relief and closed distance, crouching down to assess his multiple injuries and state of mind. Her frown lifted to a small smirk when she met his eyes as he cocked an eye brow at her worried expression. He took another drag of the cigarette, flesh hand shaking as he smirked.

"Ain't nothing a few stitches and a bottle of whiskey can't fix Doll,….I'll be up and doing backflips in no time." He offered with a grin but his eyes shown bright with pain and Natasha could tell he was still coming down from his adrenalin rush.

"Good to know, but how about for now we just get you on your feet so the Doc can patch you up?" Natasha smiled back and jerked her head toward the others. Barns looked over at them then down at his feet that were dangling over the edge, blood dripping into the water from the glass shards that had cut deep, some still embedded in his soles.

"I'm not too keen on walking Sweet heart, feeling a little worse for ware." He tried to smile again but he swallowed down another wave of agony as the buzzing in his arm again sizzled audibly. Natasha looked from his bloody feet up to his arm with an intensely focused expression as she leaned behind him to examined the arm. "And this electric dart thing is kinda killing me right now…." He gritted out between clenched teeth, eyes squeezing tight before he let out a quivering breath. "Maybe the guys could come this way,… sunrise in coming soon and it's been a routine,….. wouldn't want to miss this one,… not after the night I had." He smirked again but it was a strained grimace, eyes glassed over and skin flushed from the constant electrical current sending searing hot flames through his nervous system. Natasha gave a single nod and stood up taping her ear com as she pointedly looked back at the others standing on shore.

"Barns needs immediate medical attention, Stark he's got an an electrical dart jamming his arm." She spoke with urgency and then knelt back down as the other Avengers wasted no time to head that way. Steve and Stark both arrived simultaneously running and flying, the others right behind them. Instantly Steve crouched next to Natasha on Bucky's right, eyes wide and mouth gaping as he took in the badly battered form of his brother in arms. Bucky offered Steve a small grimace and nod as Tony knelt by his left side and instantly used a set of reinforced, rubberized set of pliers to remove the dart.

"Ahhhggggghhhh,…..God,….That thing was the pitts,….fuck…" Bucky sighed loudly as his body shook with relief from the excruciating pain, his metal arm falling limp at his side before the rest of him collapsed backwards. His injured back almost landing on the hard deck before Steve could catch him, cradling his head and careful of his multiple burns and lacerations.

"Bucky!" Steve exclaimed as Banner stepped forward hastily with his first aid kit ready, laying down a padded mat under his patient.

"Shit,…That fucking electric thing was all I could really feel before,… Damn, I'm pretty banged up,… huh Stevie?" Bucky tried to smile but as his adrenalin faded his pain became stronger as well as his fatigue and he shook, eyes wet and blurred as he looked up at the distraught face of his best friend who was holding him gently, trying to avoid aggravating any of his numerous injuries. Bucky offered a grin as a few tears escaped his own eyes, blinking as he focused on Steve's familiar face.

"Aw,… common Stevie,…don't look at me like that kid,…. That mug of yours makes me think I'm a gonner!... You know I'm gonna be fine!" Bucky's words were becoming slurred and he wheezed as the Captain very carefully lowered him onto his back on the medical mat.

"Course you are Jerk,….Too damn stubborn to give up or go out like this!... God Buck!" Steve tried to offer playful banter but his words were choked as he sighed sitting back heavily next to Natasha as he stared down at Bucky who lay shaking and wheezing on the mat, face locked in a tight smile but eyes dilated in pain. There were more areas of his torso and arms covered in bloody gashes and burns then not and his Pajama paints were ripped in some places and melted with his skin from whatever chemical they had used to burn him.

"Sargent Barns I am going to inject you with a very powerful pain killer and sedative,….." Bruce spoke as he prepped his needle, Sam and Clint standing nearby with expressions of concern. Hawkeye looked at Bucky shaking his head then back at the numerous dead or incapacitated Hydra agents with a whistle of admiration and bewilderment.

"Damn Barnes,….. remind me never to piss you off!" Clint smirked as he walked into Bucky's view with a nod of respect. Bucky huffed a bark of a laugh as he stared up at Clint, blue eyes glistening between bloody streaks and strains of hair.

"And that was one handed!...Bastards didn't have a chance!" Bucky grinned before he looked up at Bruce and caught his hand before he could inject the painkiller. "Wait a sec Doc,….. what time is it?" Bucky slurred, blinking to focus, face twisted in pain.

"It's just past 6." Sam offered, eyes watching Bucky intently as he shared a concerned glance with Steve,

"Perfect,…..Sunrise,… sunrise is… 6:15,….you,….. you guys gotta see it,…it's….it's really somethin'!" Bucky gritted out, his flesh hand loosening his grip and collapsing next to him as he let out a quivered sigh, eyes squeezing tight as he swallowed before opening them again, blinking away fresh tears.

"Buck,…..we need to get you medical attention now,…..there will be more sunrises!...I promise pal!" Steve pleaded as he hovered over his friend with distress and worry plan on his face, hand carefully moving the strains of hair from his blood caked face. Bucky let out another painfilled wheeze and shook his head, more tears escaping his eyes but too beat to care.

"This…. ones important… Steve,… I beat them,….. I won,….. they came for me,… I was so afraid,…So stuck on what would happen,….. And,… and I hated what they made me,… hated the Winter Soldier so much,… but…" Bucky let out slight grunt of pain as he struggled to sit up, Steve and Bruce instantly lending a helpful hand to assist him upright, Steve supporting his wait as best he could. "But they came for me,…..and I …let him… take over,…I let the Soldier take over,…. And I'm … I'm still here,… I'm still in control,… I'm still Bucky!" He grinned beneath his tears as he looked up at Steve, hope and a sense of relief visible through the fog of pain and the Captain couldn't help but smile back, his own eyes wet. He nodded in his understanding, realizing that Bucky felt like this was the start of his new life, that he had crossed some type of thresh hold and despite his injuries wanted to savor the moment and let it sink in. The others exchanged looks, sharing a comprehension as they looked from their injured friend and then up to the horizon as the dark sky gradually became lighter.

As the sun rose over the horizon and the fist shards of light peeked through the pin trees reflecting off the water, Bucky let out a content sigh, resting his head against Steve's shoulder, The Captains arm wrapped carefully around him.

"I think,….. I think I can come home now Steve,…I'm ready to join your team,… soon as I heal up!" Bucky chuckled low and his words were heavily slurred but the sentiment was clear. Steve smiled down at him with a sigh of his own and looked over at Banner and nodded for the doctor to give him the painkiller.

"Yea Buck,… it's time you come home!" Steve agreed as Bucky's eyes fluttered shut and his body went completely limp only a moment after the injection into his arm. The Avengers looked down at the man they had watched fight to reclaim himself for months, sharing a sense of relief, pride and compassion for the brave, determined and courageous Soldier who could finally join their team and family. Steve let out a quivering breath as he looked up at his friends with a grateful smile beneath wet eyes. He had Bucky back, and he had the Avengers. And together they could beat any odds.

Authors Note: Alright that's all folks!...Please let me know if you liked the story and if you are interested in reading more Hurt/Comfort with our two Favorite Super Soldiers and Avengers Family, then check out my other stories! Some are longer, two are connected and there are a few one shots. Much Love and Happy Zombie Jesus Day!