Even if the stars don't shine

Natalia

  Sam arrived in the very early hours of the next morning. He had a few scratches on his hands while Steve had more visibly ones on his face. Lana had woken up before Bucky to the knocking and wanted to let him sleep so she didn't disturb him. She attempted to take Steve's heavy bag, but he wouldn't let her and took it in himself.

  "Sorry to just drop in with such short notice but-" Steve had started.

  Lana just waved her hand as he and Sam dropped their bags against the wall. "No problem, really... you're just going to have to find your own food, granted you have more money than I do," she smiled and leaned against the couch.

  Steve's face dropped. "We're- We're broke-"

  Sam giggled like a child, knowing what Lana meant. He put a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Yeah Cap, she knows, she's kidding..." he turned to her silence, "right?"

  She shrugged still keeping her smile. "Look, Bucky's still asleep, you can wake him later and catch up, okay?"

  "You're getting along?" Steve asked, face hopeful.

  "Better than you think..." she pursed her lips.

  Sam caught on before Steve. "You didn't," he accused, and his smile dropped. He looked to her bedroom door with angry eyes. He began walking there to catch him.

  Lana walked up to him and stopped him by putting her hands on his chest and pushing him back. "No, Sam, it's not like that..."

  He looked down at her, the angry eyes persisting. "Then what's it like?"

  Steve glanced between them. "It's innocent... okay? We... We make each other happy so- so don't get all hoppy about it... don't ruin it-" she saw Steve redden.

  "So, you haven't-?"

  "No," she quelled the question immediately, "he needs help sleeping, that's all... so relax and don't start a damn fight in my flat. You two can decide between the guest bedroom if you like... otherwise you both can take it," she smirked and saw Steve pull a face.

  "You'd be lucky," Sam commented, seeing it himself.

  "I'm going to bed, see you in the morning. See you soon, racoon," she said to Sam.

  "Take care, polar bear..." he replied, keeping the theme but feeling sour about where she was going to and who she was giving her care to. He turned to Steve. "I don't how much of a good idea this was..." he admitted.

  "About staying here or keeping Bucky here?" Steve asked quietly, as not to disturb his new roommates.

  Sam didn't reply, he just gave him his 'shut up' look and bent down to dig through the bag he brought. Steve looked at the door she had closed behind her and hoped the sun would come quickly so he could talk to Bucky as soon as possible.

  She listened by the door to them silently arguing who was sleeping where when she sighed, getting bored, and went back to her bed. She knew Sam wouldn't like it and she didn't like when Sam disapproved. She lay down with a headache growing. He turned over to her and took her hand.

  "You were awake?" she asked in a whisper.

  "Thought it would be best you tell Sam before he sees me..."

  "That was probably best, yeah..." she admitted.

  He kissed her softly goodnight as she moved closer, it was easier to fall asleep in his arms, easier for him as well he found.

                                      **

  She woke up ahead of the super soldiers- and Sam- knowing they'd need their rest after whatever the hell Steve and Sam were doing and just the exhaustion of being near Tony Stark had worn out Bucky. She walked out the room, nearing the afternoon, and rubbed her eyes to see a red-headed, long haired, woman sitting at her kitchen island.