Starks Pheonix {2}

Thirty-One

Over the next few days, Tony had the help of the team, telling them exactly what he wanted to do, to get Izzy back. Every single one of them was in, they wanted to bring their family back together.

Tony was relieved that nothing had ever happened between Izzy and Bucky, now knowing the truth. Though he did laugh when Bucky told him that Izzy had woken in a panic one morning, wrapped in his arms, feeling his boner in her back. Bucky admitted that he had been dreaming about Steve, but teased Izzy to brush it off.

Bucky was still living with her, and was making sure to keep her busy and distracted while the others set up Tony's plan.

He was sitting at the dining table in the apartment, when she walked in, coming off a nightshift. She dropped her bag on the table, and slumped down on a chair, her head dropping to the table... 'I swear there's something seriously wrong with people. Fought aliens and robots, but its the crazies that make me question my own sanity..'.. She raised her head and slouched back in the chair.

Bucky chuckled and got up, making her a coffee... 'Guessing you'd rather be back with the team on missions than take another shift?..'

'Yep..'.. She sighed... 'Being a cop is as close as I can get to saving people right now, that doesn't entail me going off the deep end..'

He placed the cup in front of her, then grabbed her cereal, milk and bowl, before getting her a spoon... 'I really do love you, you know. I'm glad you and dad finally admitted it. Hell, even I could see it in you both after the Triskilion..'.. She chuckled, pouring herself a bowl.

'Yeah, its great. Just still trying to deal with the whole thing of it being more acceptable in this time. Plus, there's Steve's image to maintain..'.. She could see he was disappointed a little.

'Fuck what others say. His sexuality has nothing to do with him being Cpatain America. It doesn't stop him from doing his job, or yours. Everyone knows, there's no Captain, without his sergeant..'.. She waved the spoon at him, with a smile and he chuckled... 'You can even get married, it's legal..'

He choked on air and she laughed, seeing him blush... 'I think you're way ahead of us there Iz..'

'Maybe..'.. She shrugged with a mouthful of cereal... 'But I'm going start calling you pops, cause it doesn't matter how long you two take to catch up, you've waited long enough, both of you. So, stop pussy footing around, the pair of you, and slap a ring on him already..'

Bucky laughed, shaking his head at her... 'There's my girl. Missed you, you know..'.. He took a deep breath, broaching the subject... 'Has he been messaging you again?..'

'That's a stupid question pops..'.. She swallowed another mouthful, rasing her eyebrow at him... 'Did you forget I'm already in the system? I know what he's doing, and you're all terrible liars..'.. She rolled her eyes.

'You know I'm completely on your side, but-..'..

'Uh uh, don't even..'.. She wagged her spoon at him... 'I don't know if I'll even say yes this time. I love him, I really do. But I can't keep going through this. He doesn't trust me pops. I know that at some point in the future, I'll make hard choices like that, and I don't want him to go through that pain of betrayal again. If he doesn't trust me, to understand that I will do what it takes to keep him safe, then I won't marry him..'

She dropped her spoon in her bowl, pushing it away... 'How can I put him through all that again pops? Cause I barely survived this time, you know that..'

Bucky reached out, taking her hand in his as she continued... 'I love him, and will always protect him, even from me. I can let him go, cause he deserves to be with someone he trusts, someone who won't hurt him like I did..'

'Iz, I know he loves you, and he does trust you..'... Bucky didn't know what to say really. He had to get a hold of Tony and talk to him. If he was going to marry Izzy, he needed to show her that he did trust her.

'I'm tired, so I'm going to get a few hours. Wake me when dad gets back..'.. She stood and headed to her room, closing the door behind her. Bucky wanted to throttle Tony, for being completely stupid.

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Steve sighed as he hung up the phone, pinching the bridge of his nose. Yep, this was one complete fuck up. He turned, and saw Nat close by and he waved her over to talk.

'Whats wrong?..'.. She asked, keeping her voice low. Steve told her everything Bucky had told him, about the conversation with Izzy. Though he was thrilled to hear that she was calling Bucky pops already, and pestered about the two getting married, he felt lost on what to do.

He didn't want to push her into marrying Tony, even though he knew that she still loved him, but he didn't want her to give up either.

'You got to talk to Tony..'.. Nat jerked her head over to him, as he was talking with Pepper and Bruce... 'I told him he should have had a real talk with her, but as usual, he doesn't listen..'

'I know. I just don't want to see her in any more pain..'.. Steve jammed his hands in his pockets.

'Go talk to him, before he goes too far with this..'... She waved her hand at the set up, and he nodded, heading over to talk to him.

'Tony, can we talk? In private?..'.. Steve hoped this wouldn't go wrong.

'Yeah, sure..'.. Tony grinned at him, and gestured for Steve to follow him... 'You still up for bringing her over? She doesn't know, does she?..'

'Tony..'.. Steve stopped him, as soon as they were out of the room, away from the others... 'She knows. She's still in the system. And we really need to talk..'

Tony saw the look on Steve's face, and stepped back... 'She doesn't want to marry me anymore, does she?..'

'Its not that, look, we need to talk, alone..'.. Steve feels guilty, knowing he just ruined Tony's mood.

'Uh, yeah, yeah sure. Um, my office..'.. Tony gestures down the hall, and the two walk in silence the rest of the way. He should've known that she was watching, he had forgotten about it, too excited at the thought that this would work. Shaking his head at his thoughts, Tony led Steve into his office, dreading at what would be said.

😘