Winter (A Bucky Barnes recovery story)

28. Christmas

Bucky woke up then woke Steve and Nat up excitedly.

After they got all presents from under the tree sorted they sat down on the floor.

"You first Bucky." Steve says watching Bucky smile like an over excited child.

"What about Nat. It's ladies first." He replies.

"Nope you first." She says, smiling at him.

"Okay." He nods and takes a present off the top, it was a small box from Steve. Inside of the box was his dog tags, he pulls them out of the box and slips them around his neck. "Thank you." He chokes out.

"I figured I should probably give them back to you." Steve replies rubbing the back of his neck. Bucky nods, smiling, tears glistening in his eyes.

"My turn." Natasha says after silence had fallen. She pulls a box off her pile, and it's from Bucky. She pulls it open and inside is a gold bracelet with a heart shaped locket. Engraved on the locket are the initials N.R.

"It's beautiful James. Thank you."

"Your welcome." He says blushing.

"Steve, it's your turn." She watches Steve pick up the box, smiling wickedly when she sees it's from her. Steve blushes and looks embarrassed as he pulls out the glasses she bought him when they were on the run, when S.H.I.E.L.D. Fell.

"So? What do you think?" She asks smirking.

"Really?" He asks, looking up at her.

"Yes. Now put them on." She tells him, holding back laughter. Steve mumbles something then puts them on.

Bucky bursts out laughing, falling back and clutching his side. Natasha starts to laugh as well. Steve takes off the glasses and continues to blush with embarrassment.

After all the presents were opened they got dressed and went to Sam's.

"Hey!" Sam says excitedly, hugging Steve.

"Hey." Steve says back smiling.

"How've you been?" He asks turning to Bucky.

"Good. Yeah, I've been good." Bucky replies nodding.

"That's good to hear. Everybody was pretty excited when I told them you agreed to come." Sam chuckles, Steve grins and everyone follows them in.

The atmosphere was warm and enjoyable, everyone was chatting and smiling until there was a scream from outside. Everyone races outside to see one of the little boys being held up with a gun to his head.

Ward smiles maliciously, "Ya miss me?" He growls.

"What do you want?" Nat hisses, her entire body tense.

"Strike a deal, I suppose." He replies, smiling and holding the boy up a little higher. "You four come with me. You can either come easy, or I can shoot him and then everyone else one at a time until you agree."

Steve looks between Nat, Sam, and Bucky then sighs and gets on his knees. Nat looks at him and does the same, Sam follows suit.

"Why do you want us?" Bucky chokes out fearfully.

"There's a high price on you, Winter. As for your friends, well they'll probably wipe you then have you kill them." He laughs and watches Bucky get on his knees. He throws the boy to the side then goes behind and places hand cuffs on Steve, Nat, and Sam's wrists. He stops behind Bucky and smashes the hilt of his gun into the back of his head, laughing as Bucky falls forward into the snow.

"James!" Nat cries, trying to go towards him only to be yanked back by her hair.

"You, carry him." He growls, pointing the gun at Sam.