Bucky called early to say that he would be over around noon.

"Oh, so you just want me for my food," she teased.

Bucky laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it. In fact, I'm bringing lunch. I'm on my way into the city, so I'll bring back something really great."

"Can't wait! I love surprises."

"Good to know. Need anything while I'm out in the real world?"

"Nothing I can think of. You just get back here in time for lunch."

"Yes, ma'am."

Bucky disconnected the call and stared ahead at the road. Sam glanced at him from the driver's seat.

"I haven't seen you smile that much since… ever."

"Shut up." He tried to sound irritated, but he couldn't wipe the smile from his face.

"Oh, man, you got it bad."

Bucky leaned back against the headrest.

"Did Fury say what he wanted?"

"He said to give him half an hour," Sam said.

"Yeah, but for what?"

"Pretty sure it has to do with keeping the band together… what's left of it."

"That band is gone."

"Not all of it."

Bucky shrugged and watched the trees fly by. He didn't want to be an Avenger, or anything like it. Sam, sure. Sam would be great. Bucky only ever fought because of Steve. First, because Steve fought for him. Then, because Steve was fighting to save the world. Steve was gone, and now Bucky had the promise of Ava. He wouldn't sign up to run off and fight when all he wanted was to spend time with her. It wouldn't be fair to her. It wasn't fair to him. Hadn't he done enough?

Sam was right. When they arrived, Clint, Wanda, Bruce, Scott, Strange, Parker… they were all there. None looked too happy about it. They looked less happy after Fury's pitch.

Strange wasn't interested beyond his call to protect the New York Sanctum. Clint wouldn't make any promises without discussing it with Laura first, and after losing his family for five years, he wasn't too keen on leaving them. Wanda agreed to return only if Clint did. The others all gave their answers in varying degrees of commitment and interest, except for Sam and Parker. They were willing, if called.

Fury called the meeting to an end with a disappointed look, and Bucky was the first one out the door. Sam ran after him.

"Hey, man. Hang on. Let's get some details."

"Not interested. I told Ava I'd be back with food in time for lunch."

"Is she why you were so quiet in there?"

Bucky stopped and looked at his friend.

"You know my past, Sam. I did the army thing. Kept fighting because I wasn't about to be shown up by my best friend. Then the whole Winter Soldier thing…" Bucky ran a hand through his hair. "I'm just feeling normal again. I'm done fighting."

Sam nodded. "Ok. I get that."

"Do you really?"

"Absolutely. You forget, I worked with vets. Some with severe PTSD. If you're done fighting, then you're done. I won't push. Hell, I didn't think I'd get back in until Captain America came knocking on my door."

Bucky smiled. "He definitely made it hard to say no."

"Tell me about it." He gave Bucky's shoulder a squeeze and got them walking again. "Besides, you've got a good thing going with Ava. I know she's at least part of the reason."

"Maybe."

"Maybe? Nah, man. No maybe."

Bucky checked his watch. "We've got just enough time for me to grab lunch and get back."

"Conversation over, huh?"

"You driving?"

Sam shook his head. "Yeah, I'll drive."

—

Ava's heart raced when she heard Bucky's SUV pull up. Part of her wanted to run out and greet him. The other part wanted to play it cool. She compromised and met him at the door.

"Right on time," she said.

"You doubted me?"

"You? No. The city traffic? Maybe a little."

Bucky smiled and held up a bag.

"Am I allowed inside? I did bring food. As promised."

"Of course! But, uh… I have a little surprise, if that's ok."

"What kind of surprise?"

She stepped out onto the porch and closed the door. "Follow me?"

Bucky nodded and followed her down the steps, around the house and into the field.

"Where are we going?"

Ava slowed to walk beside him. "You'll see."

She slipped her fingers into his hand and he laced them together.

"Just a bit further," she said. "So, why the city trip?"

"Met up with some colleagues."

"Colleagues? Like… Avenger-type colleagues?"

"Yeah."

"Just a friendly chat or is something happening?"

"Neither."

"How could it be neither?"

"It was more of a request from someone, and I don't—" Bucky shook his head. "It's not important."

"Ok. I get it. You don't want to talk about it."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. It's ok. Really."

He squeezed her hand as they came upon a large quilted blanket with a basket and a cooler in the center.

"What's this?"

"You supplied the food. I supplied the location." She tugged him to sit. "Since this is kind of our first date, I wanted to do something special."

Bucky shook his head. "This isn't our first date."

"No?"

"No. Because if this were our first date, I wouldn't be able to do this."

He slipped his hand behind her neck, his fingers in her hair, and he pulled her lips to his. Ava parted her lips with a sigh, and Bucky took the opportunity to explore until Ava pulled back, trying to catch her breath.

"No… definitely not a first date," she said.

"You hungry?"

Bucky pulled the food bag over and took out a box.

"Gray's Papaya?" Ava chuckled. "Hot dogs? That's your great food from the city?"

"I'll have you know that these are the best hot dogs in the world."

"The best, huh?"

"Absolute best. This place has been around since I was a kid. Back then it was Papaya King. Every summer, Steve and I would save up some money from odd jobs and hitch rides to Manhattan. Gus would set us up with whatever new toppings combo he'd discovered, and we'd stuff ourselves."

Bucky smiled at the memory.

"Sounds like you had some adventures."

"Life was simple."

Ava took his hand. "It still can be."

Bucky lifted her knuckles to his lips. "I'm starting to see that. You have no idea what a relief it is."

"I think I can kind of guess."

"Maybe. My life has been too complicated for too long. Being with you… that's easy."

"It is, isn't it?"

Bucky nodded and reached for the basket. "Are their plates in here?"

"Oh! Yes. Plates, napkins, and utensils. Not that we'll need those. And…" she lifted the cooler lid. "I've got a few different drinks in here."

"Has to be soda with a hot dog."

"Then you're in luck."

She pulled out a can of soda and held it out to him. He grabbed hold of it, but Ava tugged him toward her for a kiss, which he happily gave into.

With the hot dogs dished out, the two of them ate mostly in silence. When they were both done, Bucky pulled Ava to sit between his legs, and lean back into him. He brushed her hair back and kissed along the column of her neck.

"Keep that up and I'll keep you out here all night."

"I'll let you."

"What happened to taking it slow?"

"This is still slow." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "I just can't keep my hands or my lips to myself around you."

"I'm not complaining."

Ava reached back and slipped her fingers through Bucky's hair. Her other hand massaged his jean-clad thigh. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way: wanted and wanting. Bucky's touch had her entire body tingling.

As he reached up to caress her face, his fingers brushed over her breast, and she gasped.

"Bucky…"

He turned her head to capture her lips, and she melted further into his arms until he was cradling her against him.

He finally broke the kiss, his breath tearing in and out of him. He pressed his forehead to hers and cupped her face in his hand.

"I hate to stop."

"Then why did you?"

He brushed his nose along hers. "Because if I go any longer I won't stop. And we agreed."

"Right." Ava sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. "Let's clean up."

"Leave the blanket. I wanna come back out here."

Ava smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

"Whatever you want, dreamboat."

"Dreamboat?"

Ava nodded and pressed another kiss to his lips.

"I think I like that, doll."