The next morning, Tony decided for Hope to stay in the tower to keep an eye on her. Steve agreed. But Bucky didn't the idea. He felt that it was a bit overprotective for a 13 year old. She shouldn't be sheltered like that. She's young. She should feel free, not trapped. But he knew that she couldn't handle the world on her own. She doesn't understand it.

Hope just sat in her room, sitting on the bay window, looking out the window at the bright sunlight. That shined her dirty blonde hair. As she observed the outside, someone knocked on her door. Wanda.

"Hey. Lighten up, child. Me and Vision are trying to cook. Do you wanna help us?" She offered.

"No." Hope said while she looked out the window. "I'm good." Wanda sighed and sat across from her.

"I know you're upset but don't worry. We know that you don't mean to do the things you do. You're too young. So cheer up. Help us cook. You'll feel better."

"I said no." Hope said once again. Wanda sighed again and left the room.
——————

Later that day, Hope decided to go into the practicing room. To watch the Avengers practice. But there wasn't a lot of people in there. Only Clint, shooting his arrows at the various targets. He barely missed a single target. 

Hope walk up to the man and stopped at his side. Watching at the skill. Clint notices her and stops.

"Hey, squirt. Got bored?" Clint asked as he continues to shoot his arrows. Hope nodded.

"I knew it. You seem to be very upset yesterday."

"I was."

"I get it. If everyone shelters me, I would be upset too."

"Then why did you do it?"

"It's not my choice. But I wouldn't let it get to me. They're just being cautious, that all. I mean you probably didn't trust us when you met us, right?"

"Who says I do?"

"Yeah. That's my point. Everyone aren't always going to trust you right away. You have to earn it. Like the rest of society. But don't worry. They'll warm up to you. Just like you'll warm up to them." Clint stated as he stopped shooting. "Since we're here, do you want to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow?"

"Sure." Hope said as he gave her the bow. And an arrow.

"Now put the end part on the rope and pull it back towards your chest. Point it out to your target." Clint said as Hope does he says. "Now, take a nice, deep breath and at the right time, shoot."

And she did. She even hit the red target in middle. Hope smiled brightly.

"Nice shot, squirt. It feels like old times." Clint said messing up her hair.

"Yes, it does." Someone chuckled. Bucky.

"Hey, Bucky. You're up early." Clint said looking at him.

"Yup. Might as well. I'm bored, anyways." Bucky started off. "Hey, um... could you give us a second? I need to talk to her. Alone."

"Uh.. sure." Clint said before he walks out of the room.

"Why do you want to talk to me?" Hope asked.

"Actually I was thinking that maybe we could have a day together. A uncle-niece day."

"Uncle-niece day?"

"A day where we hang out with each other. Like friends. Okay?"

"Okay. What are we doing?"

"Going out."

"But they said I couldn't." Hope says before Bucky pulls her aside. Away from the arena.

"I know. But I'm taking you anyways. You need to adjust to the outside."

"Adjust?"

"Fit in."
——————

Bucky and Hope spent the day together. Outside. They went to many places. The Empire State Building. Time Square. Brooklyn. Then they stopped at Central Park to watch the scenery of the springtime. The wind breezing through the grass. The bird chirping. The happy children playing. Just a regular day.

But Hope didn't really cared. All she really wanted to talk to Penny. To find out what's going on with her. So she turned to Bucky who was giving the ducks breadcrumbs. And walk to his side and tap his back.

"Bucky..." Hope said softly.

"I know what you gonna say. I can't let you."

"Come on, Bucky. I won't be gone long."

"I know. But you know that I can't let you loose out there. You're not ready."

"How would you know that?"

"Because I know you."

"Please, Bucky." Bucky sighs.

"Fine. But you must be back here in a hour. Got it?"

"Got it."
——————

Hope quickly went into the school, and went into the auditorium where she knew Penny would be. And she was. She was playing around with Michelle and Logan, the leader of "The Metalheads." They were dancing goofy and laughing.

"Hey. Hey, you guys!" Hope called out. They soon turned to Hope's attention. In complete shock.

"Hope?" Penny asked. "I thought you were sick."

"I had to see you."

"Penny? What's she doing here?" MJ said.

"Guys, just give a sec. Okay?" Penny asks before they both left. Leaving Hope and Penny alone.

"So... you're still stalking me?"

"I'm not. I just want to talk."

"I know, Hope. I was just joking. So, what is this about?"

"I just want to say that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have followed you. It was wrong. I should have trusted you."

"Yeah, you should have. But... I was in the wrong here too. I shouldn't have raged on you. That was wrong. It was that everyone judges me because I come from a rich family." Penny started off. "Everyone thinks that my parents are some angels from heaven and I'm their spoiled little brat as their daughter. But it's not like that."

"Oh. I'm sorry. That must be hard for you."

"Yeah, it is. But it was no excuse for lashing out on you. So let me make it up to you. Me and my friends are going to Six Flags for spring week break this weekend. Do you want to go?"

"Penny... I don't think I can. My parents are very overprotective of me."

"Well, let me talk to them. I mean I can be very persuasive."

"Really? You would do that?"

"Yeah. What are friends for?" Penny smiled. "Now enough of the drama and let's dance."

Penny went over to the stereo and played a song called "Shape Of You," By Ed Sheeran. A song that Hope wasn't really up to date with. Actually she wasn't really up to date with any song.

"Dance?" Hope asked confused.

"Yeah. You know... moving to the beat. Like this." Penny said before showing her a nice, choreographed dance. "See? Like that. Now, you try."

"I don't know."

"Oh, come on. It's not that hard."

"Fine." Then Hope dances almost as well as Penny. Which surprised her.

"See? There you go. You're a natural." Penny says before the two girls hold hands and just dance like idiots. Having some fun. Giggling.

But the fun stopped when Steve decided to crash the party.

"Hope?" Steve called out, causing the girls' heart to stop.

"Oh, no." Hope muttered.

"Excuse me? Who are you?"

"I'm Hope's father. You must be Penny."

"Wait, so you're her father? Aren't you Captain America?"

"Yes, little lady. Now, if you excuse me, I need to bring Hope home." Steve walks up to Hope and grabbed her wrist and walks away.

"Wait! Hold up!" Penny called out. "I actually have something to ask you."

"Yeah, maybe another time." Steve said still walking away.

"Oh, it wouldn't take long. I just wanted to ask you if your daughter could come with me and my friends to Six Flags this weekend. It's only for one day."

"Um... I'm sorry but I'm afraid we'll have to pass. Now goodbye."

"Wait!" Penny runs to him and tugged on his shirt. "Just come to dinner tomorrow. And we can talk about it." Steve sighed.

"Please,..... Dad?" Hope begged. Using the fake puppy eyes.

"Fine. I will. Now we have to go."

"Goodbye, Hope." Penny waved goodbye.

"Goodbye, Penny."
——————

When they got back home, the whole team was waiting for their arrival. Well, except for Sam, Tony, and Natasha. They were sleeping. But for the rest of them, they were worried sick.

"Oh, god. There you are." Wanda said going into Hope's arms. "We're really worried."

"Yeah, we were." Clint said.

"What happened to that one hour?" Bucky asked.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that I was worrying you guys. I lose the track of time. That's all." Hope apologizes.

"Where were you going anyways?" Vision steps in. That scared Hope at first. "Oh. I'm sorry. Where are my manners? I'm Vision."

"I know who you are. Wanda talks about you a lot." Hope says which made Wanda blush.

"Hope!" Wanda says.

"Sorry. Anyways, I was just meeting a friend."

"Friend? What friend?" Wanda questions.

"Penny. She was want her to go to Six Flags. And for me to have dinner with her family. Which is not going to happen." Steve joins in.

"What? Why? I caused no harm." Hope asked.

"Yeah, but I think it would be better for everyone for you to be distant from friends for now."

"Is this because of Dedrick?"

"What? No. We just want to protect you." Hope scoffed.

"You know you don't have to lie to spare me. It's pretty weak." Hope says before storming into her room.

"Great. Now she hates me."

"It's not your fact, Steve. You only want to protect her." Wanda said.

"Yeah, but she hates me."

"Welcome to parenthood, Captain." Clint said as he taps him on the back and left. And then Wanda and Vision. Leaving Steve and Bucky alone. Steve walks to Bucky's side and sits next to him.

"Can I sit here?" Steve asked.

"You are, aren't you?" Bucky said as they chuckled. And then went into an awkward silence. "It's not your fault, Steve. I let her go. It's on me."

"It's on us. I forced you and her. I can't let her turn into..."

"Me?" Bucky says.

"I didn't mean..."

"I know. I understand. Me too."