Hello Sergeant (Bucky Barnes)

Stubborn mules

Steve's POV

I felt a small hand brushing my face, and I opened my eyes slowly, smiling as I blinked at Sarah, who was watching me wake up, looking almost normal this morning.

"Morning," she said quietly.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Morning. You look so much better today, doll."

"I feel better today - more like myself. They're going to take me for another scan soon."

"I'd better take Bucky back home to get cleaned up and eat breakfast. I didn't think to bring a bag with yesterday." I pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. "Have you been awake long?"

"A while, but I fell asleep really early last night. Will you grab me some comfy clothes while you're home? A pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt's fine."

"Sure." I got out of bed and stretched as she turned to gently shake Bucky. "Time to get up, James. It's morning." He opened his eyes and looked around, confused as to where he was since this clearly wasn't home. "You're at the Triskelion, James. You stayed overnight with me and Steve."

"Do you get to come home today?" He asked, reaching out to touch her face.

"I don't know. Maybe - I have to get a few more tests done first."

James got off the bed and stretched before he slid his shoes on and gave her a lingering kiss, resting his forehead on hers briefly. "I'm glad you're still here with us, Sarah."

Right on cue, the techs came to get Sarah for her scan, so I took that as our signal to leave. I handed Bucky his jacket as we walked in companionable silence to Sarah's car.

*            *             *

Sarah's POV

Clint was there when I returned to my room, sitting next to the bed, reading something on his phone. He looked up with a smile as I was wheeled in.

"Hey Sarah. I got your coffee," Clint said, holding out a steaming cup.

"Great! I missed my caffeine yesterday with all the excitement."

I took it as I stood up and walked to the bed. I climbed in and covered up, smiling as I saw the techs looking at Clint in awe. That was the only downside to working with the Avengers - they were all recognized on sight in the Triskelion.

I waited for them to leave before I turned back to Clint, taking a sip of my coffee. "So spill. What's up with you and Nat? I've never seen her like this before."

"Give me a minute to put it in words."

I nodded and got out of bed to go look out the window; it was snowing hard. I stared at the white flakes for a long time, until Clint came over and put his arms around me, the way he held me telling me that I wasn't going to like what he needed to say to me. I leaned my head back against him, meeting his eyes.

"Well?" I asked.

"She's been acting strange for a while, but I thought we were okay. I mean, we're back to being together again since things didn't work out between her and James. He wasn't who she remembered him being anymore."

"But?"

"I don't know," he sighed. "We've been separated a lot lately with all the Hydra shit we've been dealing with, but I don't think it's just that. Something's just not the same between us this time."

"Why did you attack James? Was it because he kissed Nat again?"

"That didn't make me want to hurt him any less," he smirked, letting me know that he wasn't actually serious about that. He shifted me so I was facing him, his face becoming serious. "Sarah, he's the reason you're here."