Epilogue

It was a Saturday night at a bar in downtown New York City. Not a popular hot spot to many city goers, but it was a favorite drinking hole to the Avengers.

That Saturday night, Tony Stark stepped up to a microphone set upon a very small stage. He tapped it three times to test it for volume, then nodded to the DJ standing somewhere in the shadows. He straightened his suit coat sleeves smartly; the anticipation building in the crowd. When the first few notes of AC/DC's Highway to Hell began to play, Tony began to sing.

The Avengers who sat around the small stage raised their glasses, cheering for Tony and the perfect karaoke he had chosen.

Ever the performer, Tony brought the moves (many of which embarrassed the hell out of Pepper, who sat shaking her head) and he brought the drama. Tony busted out everything from air guitars to head banging, drawing the attention from the other bar guests as well as his friends in attendance.

When the song was over, Tony pretended to brush his shoulders off to a raucous applause of Avengers and locals alike.

"Whose next?" Tony taunted as he returned to his table. "Whoever it is, you've got some big shoes to fill!"

"Definitely not drunk enough for any of this yet" Nat mumbled against her pint glass. She looked beside her at Steve, who averted his eyes as he chugged his own beer. "You next, Rogers?"

"No." He shook his head definitively. "I am not going second." He took another swig of beer and pointed to the two sitting opposite of him. "I volunteer these two."

He was pointing at none other than Alexis and Bucky, who were giving each other a look that hinted like they were planning something.

Nat noticed the devilish look on Alex's face and cocked her head. "Markos? What are you plotting over there?"

Alex nudged Bucky in the side. "Come on, let's go show Stark who runs the stage."

She was already standing, grabbing Bucky's arm as he tried to protest. "But Alex-"

"-No buts! Let's go!" She drug him out from their table with a slightly-drunken, giddy laugh that even Bucky couldn't ignore. He was several drinks in himself, so most of his guard was down. He climbed the small stage as Alex handed him one of the mics, then went to talk to the DJ to get one for herself.

As Bucky stood awkwardly on stage, he looked out to see many of the Avengers already applauding him. Sam stood and cupped his hands around his mouth to shout Let's go BARNES!, then began to tap the bottom of his glass against the table. Everyone else around him started a slow clap in time with his taps, which grew in strength and speed as Alexis took the stage beside Bucky.

Bucky leaned in to her and turned his back to the crowd. "What's our song? Please tell me it's something I actually know."

"The words are on the screen, babe" Alex told him. "You'll be fine - just follow my lead."

She spun and faced the crowd in a dramatic, fashion that got a laugh and a cheer from the Avengers. Dressed in a sleeveless black blouse, black heels, and black pleather pants that looked as though they'd been painted onto her slender legs, Alex looked every bit the part of some kind of lead singer a rock band. She tossed her shoulder-length hair and winked at the DJ for him to cue the song.

Next to Alex, Bucky looked like he could have been her backup. He wore his favorite black leather jacket with the silver zippers (the one that Alex had bought him for Christmas), along with dark pants and a navy blue shirt. His arm was hidden from view, but he held the microphone in his left hand and the metal of it gleamed in the lights, catching the attention of the rest of the bar.

Alex opened her hands in presentation of the man who stood beside her. The Avengers cheered, but Steve cheered the loudest. Bucky couldn't help but grin, and a bit of his apprehension in doing this faded.

When the DJ announced their names, the bar got somewhat quieter as they listened for what song the couple would sing. Only Bucky and Alex could see the screen with the lyrics, and when Bucky saw the first few lines show up on the screen, he turned to Alex with his mouth hanging open. He was about to protest, but the music drowned out his voice.

Alex took the first verse and began to sing:

"I threw a wish in the well.
Don't ask me I'll never tell.
I looked at you as it fell,
and now you're in my way..."

Steve jumped out of his chair with his hands in the air when he realized the song they were singing.

Alex turned to Bucky, hand open for him to take the next verse. He swallowed visibly, his eyes half on the screen and half on the crowd.

"I trade my soul for a wish.
Pennies and dimes for a kiss.
I wasn't looking for this,
but now you're in my way..."

Alex stepped in closer to him as she continue to sing, playing to the crowd who was eating up every single second of it. Bucky sang along with her, and they sang the next verse together:

"Your stare was holding,
Ripped jeans
Skin was showing
Hot night, wind was blowing
Where ya think you're going, baby?!"

Alex turned to Bucky and took the chorus for herself:

"Hey - I just met you,
And this is crazy,
But here's my number...
...so call me Bucky!"

Natasha's jaw fell open. Sam, Tony, Clint, and Wanda were all applauding. Steve was still standing, beer in hand, and he was officially dancing.

"It's hard to look right
at you baaaabbbyyyy.
But here's my number...
...so call me, Bucky!"

Bucky stood shaking his head and looking down at the microphone. Alex was now full on singing to him, staring into his eyes as she every time she ad-libbed his name into the verse.

When she spun, Bucky grabbed her waist and dipped her, feeding off the crowd's energy as he took the next few lines:

"Hey - I just met you,
and this is craaazzzyyy
So here's my number-"
"-So call me Bucky!" Alex sang with a laugh.

He lifted her back up and Alex began to grind her ass against his hips as she sang:

"And all the other boooyyyyss
Will try and chase me
But here's my number-
So call me Bucky!"

The couple took turns singing the rest of the song in an embarrassingly-cringeworthy fashion. Bucky wasn't half bad, much to everyone's surprise, but Alex stole the show. She brought a liveliness out of Bucky that none of the Avengers had ever witnessed before, and it was a hell of a show.

When the song ended, Bucky kissed Alex to a round of applause that was even louder than the one Tony received. Tony bowed in honor as Alex and Bucky came back to the table, applauding them and shaking Bucky's hand in congratulations for the ridiculousness he just witnessed.

Steve went one step further and full-on hugged Bucky when he got back to the table. He also hugged Alex, lifting her up and spinning her around in a bear hug that Alex had not been expecting whatsoever.

"Alright - that deserves another round!" Steve pointed at all those sitting around the table. "Who wants a refill?"

Everyone there raised their hands, and Steve did the honors of fulfilling their request. As the next song was being readied, Steve used the time to head up to the bar and pay for the next round.

He waited quietly behind two others who were ahead of him, taking a moment to enjoy the good energy he felt around the room and within himself. It had been his plan to go out. Since the night in DC when he, Bucky, and Alex tried to go out and have a good time had been horribly interrupted, he'd had it in his mind to make it up to them. After Alex and Bucky successfully completed their mission, he was dead set on making it happen.

So, after bringing the idea up to the group and getting nothing but excitement from them in return, Steve rounded all of them up and they made for the city. A night out to enjoy themselves, and - in Steve's mind - to finish what he, Bucky, and Alex had been trying to do weeks ago.

The next song began to play while Steve was waiting at the bar, so he turned to see who had gone next. It wasn't someone from his group, but he enjoyed the attempt the current person was making to sing a Britney Spears song nonetheless. As he drew his eyes back across the crowd, he felt someone bump into him from behind.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry!"

Steve turned and his heart skipped a beat in his chest. The young man who'd bumped into him stared at him with the most intensely green eyes he'd ever seen. An apologetic look appeared on his face, even as he winced a little in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry...I didn't mean-"

Steve raised a hand, trying to ease the guy's concern - and to buy himself time to find his breath. "It's not a problem. It's pretty crowded in here, I know."

The young man's expression calmed a bit, but the green of his eyes stayed just as bright. There was a youthful glint to them; mischievous, alluring, and dangerously beautiful. His dark hair was pulled back into a small knot near the nape of his neck in a a style Steve saw in the younger generations. It was similar to how Bucky sometimes wore his hair whenever they trained, though Bucky's hair was much darker.

"You're, uh..." The guy motioned to the muscles of Steve's arm bulking through his shirt. "You're...Captain America...right?"

Steve's stomach dropped. Just once - once- he wanted to go somewhere and not be recognized or looked at for his super hero status. "I am," he answered with some resignation.

The guy's smile widened, but his eyes shifted back towards the table where the other Avengers sat. In doing so, Steve noticed how long his eyelashes were; framing his eyes and making them more expressive than he first realized. "Your friends over there really know how to work a crowd, huh?"

Steve hung his head and laughed. "Yeah, you could say that."

One of the young man's dark brows lifted, curiosity transforming his handsome face. "So when are you gonna take yourturn? Because I definitely don't want to miss that." His green eyes danced, and the smile he wore seemed suggestive. Flirty, even.

Steve started to get flustered. "I, uh...I wasn't really planning-"

"-Ah, ah, ah, you can't let your friends upstage you!"

The comfort and ease with which this guy spoke to 'Captain America' wasn't something Steve was used to. In fact, any time anyone recognized him, they usually always wanted something. An autograph. A picture. A video chat with someone else in their family who adored him. The list went on and on. Steve didn't know what to say, even as the young man waited for an answer, watching him with those killer eyes and that giant smile that seemed eager to know things about him.

And then he felt a hand brush along his bicep and those green eyes found his, and Steve felt his face flush.

"I don't mean to pressure you. Maybe I'm being greedy. But..." The young man smiled and glanced away bashfully. "It's not every day you meet Steve Rogers and get to see him sing."

Steve felt his heart leap into his throat.

Steve Rogers.
Not Captain America.

In a moment of boldness that was maybe laced with a bit drunkenness, Steve leaned in closer to the young man. "Okay so, you know myname," he said, his grin turning up at the corner. "It's only fair that I know yours...You know, so I know who to thank for giving me the balls to get up on stage."

The young man cast him a coy smile and lifted his hand to shake. "Fair is fair. My name's Luca Donati."

"Donati..." Steve inclined his head. "That's a Brooklyn name, isn't it?"

Luca's smile exploded across his face. "Born and raised, baby."

Steve couldn't believe it. "And they let us bothin here?"

"I know, right?" answered Luca. "Nothing but trouble, us Brooklynites."

There was something playful about the way he said it that made Steve laugh. He shook Luca's hand with a grin, happy to have met the handsome Brooklynite with green eyes. "Pleasure to meet you, Luca."

"Same, Steve. Same."

They stood looking at one another as their clasped hands lingered a little longer than either realized. Finally, Steve lowered his hand, drawing it nervously back along the sides of his head and through his hair. Luca also averted his gaze, looking back to the table of friends who were waiting for him. "I should get back."

"Yeah, no - go ahead." Steve gave a guilty nod of his chin back at his own table. "I promised the crew another round, so they're probably getting restless."

"I better see you up on that stage tonight" Luca said, walking backwards and away from Steve.

Steve could only give him a shrug. "Guess you'll have to wait and see." He gave Luca a wink, and then he was gone; faded into the crowd and back to the table where his friends were waiting.

For a moment, Steve stood trying to catch his breath. It felt like he'd just finished running the entirety of DC (like he used to), though his head felt lighter and his arms felt tingly. What just happened? Was Luca flirting? Was he?

"Who's next!?" shouted the bartended over the clamor.

For the time being, Steve shelved any thoughts about Luca or whether or not he'd actually been flirting with someone, and moved ahead to order the drinks. He ordered the Avengers another round of whatever they were currently drinking, and there were so many of them, the bartender said he'd send a waitress out to bring their drinks straight to their table. Steve started a tab, slipped his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans, and turned to leave.

When he did, he glanced over towards the table where Luca had gone. Even from there, he could see those green eyes as he talked and laughed with his friends. He paid him no mind, fully engrossed with those around him.

Steve smiled in spite of himself. Maybe he misjudged everything after all. Just another guy at a bar who got to speak to Captain America. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"What the fuck took you so long?" Nat teased as Steve edged back around to their table and retook his seat.

"Easy, Romanoff - we're not the only ones here, ya know" he teased back. When he glanced around the table, Alex was staring at him. She had that look in her dark eyes; the one that told him she knew he'd been talking to someone and was doing everything in her power to keep silent about it.

Steve shot her a playful look back: ask me later.

The drinks came, and the next few songs were sang. Of the Avengers group, Nat and Clint went together and did a duet to the song "Summer Lovin" from the movie Grease, which had not just the Avengers group but the rest of the bar rolling in laughter. Clint was a horrible singer, and it showed - and Nat did everything she could to make it embarrassing for him. It was hilarious to see play out.

And then Steve Rogers drained the very last of his beer and rose from his chair. Bucky looked up at him with wide eyes. "Where are you going?"

"I can't let Romanoff and Barton upstage me, can I?" He slapped Bucky on the shoulder. "See you in a few."

Steve headed for the DJ's booth and Bucky stared at Alex, mouth open. "Is he really doing this? He's not actually gonna do this..."

Alex shrugged and took a swig of beer. "If he is, I'm not moving from this chair because I don't want to miss it."

"Me either" Bucky said, settling in close beside her.

Nat and Clint made it back to the table and Nat stared at the empty seat where Steve had been. "Did he go get another round?"

"No, but you may want to put another order in now" Bucky told her with a smirk. "I think he's going next."

"Oh hell yes," Nat said, dropping into her chair heavily. "I've been waiting for this all night."

She wasn't the only one. Across the bar, as the DJ announced that Steve Rogers himself was now taking the stage to sing, Luca Donati craned his neck to see if what he heard was the truth: that the gorgeous man with kind blue eyes and a bashful smile was about to karaoke. He didn't believe it, not even after Steve's large body climbed the few stairs to the stage and took the mic in his hand.

True to his word, Luca stood from the table with his friends so he could get a better look. He did not want to miss this.

Back on the stage, Steve waited for the music to begin. Because of the lights, he couldn't really see anyone except for the few who sat closest to the stage (one of which was Tony, who was taking every opportunity to try and make Steve nervous before starting). Though he couldn't see, he hoped maybe Luca was still somewhere in the crowd. He didn't easily give up on challenges, even when they came from cute strangers in a bar.

The Avengers held their breath to hear what song their Captain chose. When the first few notes of a Backstreet Boys song started to play, the cheering was so loud Steve could barely hear himself sing:

You are...
My fire.
The one...
Desiiirreee.
Believe...when I say...
That I want it thaaaat way...

The beat of the 90s boy band song dropped and Steve went into full performance mode. He started working the microphone, working the Avengers watching from the crowd, working the lights and the stage with his bulky form. His smile was genuine and visible to absolutely everyone in the bar, including Luca. Even the bartenders stopped for a moment to watch Captain America karaoke to the Backstreet Boys.

But we...are two worlds apart
Can't reach...to your heart
When you say
That I want it that way...

Steve shouted into the mic: TELL ME WHYYY!

The crowd, including all of the Avengers with giant drunken smiles on their surprised faces, shouted back: AINT NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE!

Steve was laughing so hard he almost didn't sing his part: TELL ME WHYYY!

Of all the people he heard singing back, it was Nat and Alexis - who were hanging on each other's shoulders, swaying with their beer glasses raised: AINT NOTHING BUT A MISTAKE!

Tell me why
I never wanna heaaaarrr you saaaayyy
I want it
thaaattt waayyy

As Steve continued the song, Luca stood with his hand over his mouth in shock. Steve Rogers didn't just come out singing. He came out performing. His giant frame dwarfed the stage he stood on, but it was his aura was even bigger. The way he was having fun up there reached every single person in that bar, and by the end of the song everyone in attendance was singing along to the chorus with him...including Luca.

When Steve came to the last verse, Bucky, Alex, and Natasha had joined him on stage. Steve sang the main part of the chorus while the other three echoed - and he even tried to hit the high notes (which made Tony Stark wince and chug the rest of his drink):

DON'T WANNA HEAR YOU SAY!

Ain't nothing but a heartache

Ain't nothing but a mistake
(Don't wanna hear you say)

I never wanna hear you saaaaay
I want it that waaaay

TELL ME WHY

Ain't nothing but a heartache
(Tell me why!)

Ain't nothing but a mistake
(Tell me why!)

I never wanna hear you saaaay
I want it that way...

The music slowed to its dramatic finish, and Steve stepped up to the front of the stage:

"Cause I...want it...that way."

The music ended, and the bar was on its feet. From behind, Bucky wrapped his arms around him in a hug while the Alex and Nat got the applause to grow even louder around the bar.

Even the DJ was laughing, unable to control himself long enough to make his announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Captain America!"

As Steve, Bucky, Alex, and Nat all filed down off the stage, Steve was met with hugs and cheers from everyone in his group. It was more of reception than he anticipated, but having several beers in his system helped him feel a lot less embarrassed than he might have normally.

"Hey, Steve!?"

Steve heard an unfamiliar voice above the others and turned to find Luca waving at him as he came forward. Once again, he felt his heart (which was already halfway up his throat from the performance) do a double take. "I was wondering if I'd see you after that" he joked, though there was some truth to it. Luca shook his hand, and Steve looked down to see that he'd slipped him a piece of paper.

"Let me know the next time you need a little confidence, and I'll clear my schedule." Luca smiled up at him, that youthful glint sparkling in the green hue of his eyes even brighter than before. "And thanks for the show. It was amazing."

Steve stood there dumbfounded, even as Luca faded back into the crowd and headed back to his own table. His smile was the last thing Steve saw before he looked down at the piece of paper in his hands. He unfolded it carefully to see a set of digits written there, with a Brooklyn area code.

When Steve glanced back up, Alexis was standing in front of him. "Who was that?" She glanced looked down and saw the paper in Steve's hands, which he quickly tried to hide inside his fist. "Did you...did he?"

Steve gave her a warning glance. "Later, Markos." He gestured with his eyes as Bucky approached from behind.

Alex and Steve shared a knowing glance as Bucky slung an arm around Alex's shoulders. "Everyone's about ready to head out" he told them, his eyes going to Steve. "Guess you were the grand finale."

"As he should be," Alex noted with a grin.

Bucky watched as Steve shoved his hands in his pockets, though he didn't see the piece of paper or the phone number written on it. He simply threw his other arm around Steve's shoulders, half-hugging the two people he loved most in life.

Steve eyed Bucky playfully. "So would you say this makes up for our night out in DC that got cut short?"

Alex snorted. "MORE than makes up for it, Cap."

"I agree." Bucky leaned in and placed a kiss to Alex's temple. "Way better music. Way better location. Way better people."

Steve lifted his head and smiled. "Mission accomplished, then."

The End!

Author's Note:

So I HAD to end on a happy note and give Steve, Bucky, and Alexis their fun night out that they were deprived of thanks to Kovalenko and her ambush. AND - with the introduction of Luca, I would like to declare this the beginning scene of what will likely be my next story: Steve navigates a potential relationship, while also figuring out some of the nuances of his and Bucky's friendship. Bucky will be protective of Steve, maybe a little too much, which will leave Alexis in the middle. She'll be a key component to the story, and will help to ease the stormy waters that might grow between the two of them. I haven't mapped this entire story out yet, so still a lot to figure out. I also won't start writing it until I've taken a good, long break. My brain always needs a couple months to cool down and relax after a big story is completed.

Thanks to ALL of you for the continuous love and support!

PS: Who can't get that Backstreet Boys song out of their head now? Thanks a lot, Rogers. ;)

-Winter