Hockey Rules (Bucky Barnes AU x NHL)

Round One - St. Louis

*~* Bucky *~*

I guess ring shopping was all it took for us to win in Vancouver. We flew home and got ready for the final home game of the regular season. Now I just had to bid my time and wait. I gave the ring to Steve so Emma wouldn't find it. This was going to be fun trying to keep a secret from her.

On the pay of the final game, the guys and I came into out locker room to find it decorated out. Black and Orange streamers with balloons were hanging from the ceiling and gift bags were in each locker.

"What in the world?" I said. Each guy opened their bag to see a watch and some designer Jordan shoes with a note.

Congratulations on an amazing season! Hopefully we'll end this year with Lord Stanley's cup

- Tony Stark

I see Emma peek in and I wave her over. I give her a quick kiss and ask her, "Did you know about this?"

"Know about it? Sweetie why do you think I wasn't on the Vancouver trip?" She laughs. "I organized all of this for Tony. Let me tell you, it was hard to figure out what all the guys' shoe sizes were. I'm so proud of you superstar!" She gives me a hug and I melt into her warmth. I hum with content and she whispers, "babe, you keep doing that, we are going to have to find a room."

This causes me to groan. "Doll, you can't say stuff like that especially when we are in public."

"I know but if you score a goal and win the game, then you have an idea of the type of celebration we'll have at home. And Wanda is visiting family this week."

"Emma," I growl. "That is not helping."

"Sorry, love." She kisses my cheek. "Have a good warmup and I'll see you on the ice." She waves to everyone else, kisses Steve and Ryan on the cheek and heads out. I lean back in my chair and take a few deep breaths to lower my heartrate. The things she does to me.... its intense.

We play against LA and it's a tight game. We head into the 3rd with a 0-0 score. LA's defense is on fire and is just not letting our guys through. Steve and I play tight the entire night. Finally in the last two minutes, Steve gets a breakaway during a change and I follow him into the zone. He gets the puck to me and I take a shot. Somehow, it squeaks by the left arm of Quick and goes in.

"Yes!!!" I yell as Steve, Ryan, Adam and Rik celebrate with me. The crowd inside Honda Center is deafening and all I can do I look up to see my girl. Emma is jumping up and down with Clint and Natasha, enjoying the moment. She stops and look down at me, blows me a kiss and mouths I love you.

This has to be the greatest night of my life so far.

We get back to the locker room and there are beers and champagne waiting for us. Division champs for the first time in a few years. The celebrations go on for a while but soon enough, I head home with Steve and Emma.

We find out that our first opponents will be the Blues. We get the standing for all of the other teams that made it in. And to my dismay, Boston made the wild card spot. Now there really is a chance that we would face them in the final.

We are hosting St. Louis in the first round and we take the first two games with ease. We are getting ready to travel and we have to decide if Emma is going with us or not. I would rather have her with me but I know she has to work as well. I just don't want to leave her by herself for so long.

*~* Emma *~*

As it turns out, Tony has decided that I am the new permanent PR person for the Ducks on all road games. Which means I now have to travel with the team. My dad is not happy. He wants me to stay home with him so that he can keep an eye on me. Bucky is torn. He wants me to be safe but he also wants me with him to protect me.

"James, I can't just hide forever. He'll win this way."

"Doll, I get it. I do but I just don't want him to have the opportunity."

"He's in the playoffs too and it's not like he can just disappear for a game. You know how it is. Your time is tightly controlled once we are in playoff mode."

"Emma, this is serious. Please don't joke about this."

"I'm not. What will it take for you to be ok with this? Do you want me to quit my job?"

"No, Emma, that is not what I want." He pauses and sighs. "I just can't shake the feeling that something is going to happen."

"Bucky," I lean into his chest and he wraps his arms around me. "Nothing is going to happen. I have Bruce with me when I'm not with you. It's just four days. Win and we can go home. Vegas and San Jose are already 1-1 in their series which means we have time if you sweep. We can be home for a few extra days."

"I just can't lose you, doll." I can hear that he is trying to settle his heart. "You stay with me in my room with Steve, ok?"

"Are you sure? Bucky you need your rest."

"Either you stay with me or I'll tell Tony to bench you for your protection."

"You're pushing it Barnes."

"You're not leaving me much of a choice anymore. I have to know that you are safe." Bucky looked into my eye with those gorgeous blues. "Please love? Please?"

"Fine but you get to tell Steve."

We left for the road trip and as I predicted, the Ducks were able to sweep the Blues. The only hitch was, I could feel like someone was watching me the entire time I was there. I was never alone but I just felt like someone was watching. I turned around but I didn't see anyone I knew. I decided not to tell anyone. It would just make my life harder with travel arrangements and the work I needed to do.

Biggest mistake I would make.