Changes
Steve’s POV:
Natasha and I have been here for 3 days before we ever get the chance to actually bump into Bucky in the hall. He was stunned for a second as he stared at us, almost like he was trying to put the name to our faces. We both apologized and he nodded and walked away still so confused.
“His memory must be making a very slow recovery,” Natasha speaks up as I start to get ready to put on some dinner. “He might understand what is happening, we could always try again tomorrow but actually talk to him.”
I nod a bit, “Maybe invite him over for dinner? I can fix my mother’s famous stew, it was his favorite when we were younger.”
Natasha smiles as she sits at the breakfast bar which was opposite of the counter I was using to cut vegetables. “That sounds nice, I wish I could cook a little better. I would make a horrid housewife.” She jokes with a light smile.
“Good thing you don’t have to be a housewife, I would gladly stay home and cook and clean if it made you happy.” I say knowing we both prefer to stay at our jobs.
“Oh I couldn’t imagine.” She shakes her head. “Let’s agree we both keep our day jobs, you cook and I clean.”
I chuckle and finish dinner as she talks about the book she is currently reading while we wait to make the next step in the mission.
After we both eat dinner, we head upstairs to invite Bucky to dinner tomorrow night. I knock on the door and we both listen as he approaches the door and unlock it. He opens it and he relaxes a bit, “Hi there, my name is Alison and this is my husband Scott.” Natasha greets nicely keeping our cover.
“Nice to meet you, I am Ken.” He introduces himself and offers his hand. I notice he kept the other one close to his side, wearing long sleeve and a glove on just that hand.
I shake his hand, “Well the missus and I came to invite you for a dinner at our place as an apology for this morning. I am making an old recipe for Stew, I am sure you would like it. Plus we are both trying to meet some of our neighbors.”
He thinks for a minute looking between the two of us in front of him. “Uh sure, why not. I will bring a bottle of wine.”
Natasha smiles, “Thank you, we will see you at 6. Apartment 2B.” She then turns and walks away leaving me staring at my best friend who doesn’t even remember me.
I nod and shake his hand again, “See you tomorrow Bucky.” I say before I realize it and he looks at me even more confused. “I meant buddy, sorry.” I excuse myself and walk away leaving him standing in his doorway.
The next day Natasha and I spent the day preparing for his visit. At a half past 5 Natasha excuses herself to take a shower as I check on the stew. She had spent the morning cleaning, and then headed to the gym for her daily hour long workout. She walks out 15 minutes later in her favorite jeans and a loose red tank top, her hair falling down in loose ringlets.
“Looking good, do you mind stirring this while I go get changed? It’s almost ready,” She nods and comes to change places since my shirt was a little stained and the gym shorts I had on were a little too casual. I quickly change into khaki pants and a new white shirt coming out of the room as the doorbell rings. Natasha sets down the spoon and goes to answer the door inviting him in while I set the table.
“Nice place you got here,” He says looking around a little confused at the totally bare apartment.
“It’s a work in progress, still unpacking.” Natasha lies to cover the fact that it has no pictures up or anything. Bucky seems to buy it as she leads him over to our small round dining table that I finished setting.
“Hope you brought your appetite, I fixed a big pot, the only size that I know the recipe for.” I joke as I set his bowl in front of him. Natasha pours the wine he brought before taking her seat and I take mine.
“So Ken, where are you from?” She asks as he thinks about it moving his spoon around in the stew.
“I have moved around so much, it seemed like I was always on the run… I think I am from Brooklyn though, it keeps popping up in my mind.” Natasha gives me a look before she takes a spoonful of Stew in. Bucky follows suit and tries his. “You know, this taste familiar, where is the recipe from?”
“A real nice woman from Brooklyn gave it to me,” I speak up and he catches my eye.
“You know, I am a little tired of all the lies Steve.” Natasha speaks up. She must feel comfortable enough with where his mind is at as she turns to him. “Don’t you think James?”
He sits there for a minute, his jaw tense. “How do you know my name……”
“Because we were friends once Bucky,” I speak up. “Just two boys from Brooklyn who got mixed up in a big ol’ war.”
“Steve…..” He says waiting for things to click in place.
“You might remember me before you do him, it hasn’t been long since we last saw each other.” Natasha says clearing her throat. “Natasha Romanoff, I worked with you in Russia. The KGB had us take out some Duke.”
He looks over at her and nods, “Yeah I remember that mission… Why are you here? You can’t take me back….”
Natasha shakes her head, “No, I don’t work for them any more. Steve and I have slowly been taking them out. I work for the Avengers now…”
“You got out… So it is possible?”
She nods, “Yeah, I know some people who can help you get out too. They can help you with your memory problem too so you can remember Steve.”
He gives a nod, “Okay. When can we start?”
“We are scheduled to go back to New York tomorrow.” I speak up as Natasha sips her wine. “We leave at noon, be ready.”
Clint’s POV:
I take a deep breath before knocking on Coulson’s door at HQ. It was only 6 so I know he still has to be here, and I am not disappointed when he opens the door a minute later.
“Barton, how can I help you?” He asks motioning for me to come inside.
I step inside as he shuts his door and takes a seat. “I want to update my will, and change a few things in my file. I am going to be a dad… a few things need to start changing.”
He gives a nod and starts to get out my file. “What will we be changing Clint?”
“Well I want to leave everything to Bobbi and my kid… I also want to start slowly cutting back on long missions, maybe a bit more desk work… I want to be there for him Phil, I know what it feels like to have a dad disappear. I don’t want that for him.. I also want to get a safe house established for them soon, Avenger tower is no place to raise a kid…”
“As your adviser, I agree with everything but the desk work. As your friend I agree with everything but that last part Clint.” He starts making marks and writing things down. “Maybe not the tower, but you need to stay around them Clint. It’s the only family you have, plus what is safer than a bunch of superheros babysitting?”
“It’s not worth raising my kid in New York City… you know me Coulson, the only reason I stayed in the city were for the Avengers. I want to raise him right, where he has room to run and play outside where there is grass and trees. Central Park has druggies and Hobo’s everywhere, so it doesn’t count.”
Coulson slides over my updated Will so I can sign it. “At Least talk to the team and Bobbi before you make the last decision. Steve and Natasha are on their way back tonight so you can easily tell everyone at dinner tomorrow..”
I sigh and sign it before standing up, “Sure Phil I will let you know how that goes…”
He chuckles as I walk out and back to my car. When I get back I tell Jarvis to let everyone know dinner tomorrow night is mandatory before heading to the shooting range for some stress relief.