You do a quick twirl reveling in the feeling this little black dress gave you. It had been a birthday gift from your brother's girlfriend and you had to admit she had great taste. You pull the hem of the skirt down a little more as you try to make it cover a little more of your thighs. You look in the mirror again and your smile fades as the words, 'You look like you're asking for it' pop into your head. You shake your head trying to force your step father's words out of your head.

You'd been living on your own for years now but the trauma from the verbal abuse you'd been a victim of was still very much there. You hear a knock on your door and turn to see your best friend and co-worker, Sam, standing in the doorway a smile on his face. "So, what do you think?" You ask worry and panic filling your body.

"I think you look hot." Sam replies a smile on his face making your own smile grow bigger.

"Do you think he'll like it?" I ask as I sit down on the edge of my bed to put my heels on.

"Who cares what Barnes thinks?" Sam says irritation filling his voice. You chuckle as you remember that Sam doesn't really like Bucky. Like he doesn't hate him but he still hadn't gotten over the fact Bucky ripped the steering wheel out of his car and wrecked it, on top of other things.

"I care, and you know it." You reply slipping the last heel on and then stand up to do a last minute check to make sure everything looked good together.

"Yeah, yeah, I know all about your little crush." He replies moving into the room to sit on the edge of your bed. "Of all the guys we know, why him?" Sam asks making you reach up and placing a hand on your chin you pretend to ponder the reasons.

"Well for one, Tony has pepper, plus I'm not one for the playboy type."

"Plus, he's too old for you." Sam says and you shake your head.

"Scott's cute, and funny, but again not my type. Steve is ridiculously handsome, but there's something about him that shouts big brother, so he's out of the question; and you, I've know you since grade school, you're like a brother."

"Yeah, I'm not into you either." He replies making you chuckle. "What about Natasha?"

"I know I'm Bi, and she is hella hot; but I feel like she's not over a previous lover."

"I got that impression too."

"Thor has Jane; and Banner has Betty; plus, he likes to dad me and that'd be really weird."

"So why Barnes though?" Sam asks making you smile softly to yourself.

"Because he looks at me." Sam cocks an eyebrow clearly not getting what you were trying to say and you chuckle. "That meaning, he notices everything about me. When I feel happy, when I feel... well you know. He's always there helping me through it all. We help each other. He makes me feel so happy. Him being sexy as hell is just a bonus." You add the last part just to annoy Sam as he fake gags. "Hey you asked. It's your own fault."

"I know, and I instantly regret it." He replies standing up to walk to the doorway. "So, you gonna tell him how you feel?"

"Not sure yet." You reply suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I want to; but then again, I wouldn't be able to handle the rejection."

"I know, but if he has any feelings for you at all, that dress will make him let you know." Sam replies as you follow him to the kitchen where his suit jacket was hanging off the back of a chair. Tonight, was an important gala to which all he members of the Avengers, plus some of the faculty, that included you, were invited. Since you were too scared to ask Bucky to escort you, Sam had offered to be your date instead. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's do this."

~~~~~~~

"Okay I was expecting paparazzi, but nothing like this." You say as the limo Tony had sent to get you and Sam pulled up outside the gala. The place was crowded as all get out. You couldn't look in any direction and not see a flashing camera. You feel Sam take your hand and you let out a nervous sigh. "Are we even gonna be able to make it to the door?"

"Here's to hoping." He says as the limo comes to a stop and our door opens. Sam's the first to climb out. He gives a bright smile and a little wave before he turns back to reach into the limo to take your hand. You gladly take it and let him help you out of the limo. The flashes instantly start to hurt your eyes making you offer a quick but forced smile and then quickly walk down the carpet and into the gala.

Once inside you let out a sigh of relief until you realize you had left Sam outside to fend for himself. "Oops." You say as you glance behind you to see him stuck talking to some reporter. He glances up the carpet and as his eyes meet yours he glares. Shrugging your shoulders, you offer him an apologetic smile to which he just shakes his head. He'd be there for a while. You glance around looking for the rest of the avengers and spot a few of them on the other side of the room. Gripping tightly to your clutch you start to walk through the crowd to them.

When you make it halfway Steve spots you and waves you over. You offer him soft smile as you make your way to him. When you reach him, you notice that he was standing with Natasha, Tony, Pepper, and Bucky. "Where's your date?" Tony asks as he hands you a glass of champagne.

"I left him with the paparazzi." You say making them all chuckle. "He's gonna be so pissed at me when he finally gets inside." Everyone nods and you glance over to see Bucky staring at you and your cheeks flush pink.

"I don't blame you for ditching him," Pepper says pulling your attention from Bucky. "You never really get used to the reporters, that is unless you're Tony." He nods slowly agreeing with her.

"Why hasn't anyone complimented (Name) on her outfit yet?" Natasha asks as she walks over and hugs you in greeting.

"I was just about too," Steve says over her shoulder offering you a soft smile. Natasha pulls away only to be replaced by Steve who hugs you softly. "You look beautiful (Name)."

"Thank you, Steve," You reply as you hug him back. When you pull away you glance over at Bucky, whose eyes never leave you, looks deep in thought and tilt your head. You are about to ask him what's wrong when Scott walks up beside me and says, "Hey (Name), you look pretty tonight; any special occasion?"

"Well we are at a party." You reply a smile covering your lips.

"Is that what this is?" He asks then fakes a moment of understanding as he adds, "Ahh that's why the doorman asked me my name, it all makes sense now." You let out an involuntary giggle causing him to look rather pleased with himself.

"Anyone want a drink? God knows I could use one." Bucky asks as he starts to move toward the bar making you quickly finish your champagne and say, "I'd love one." He holds his hand out to you and without a second thought you grab it and let him lead you to the bar. Once arriving you let him order a drink for you before asking, "Are you having fun?"

"Not as much as you are." He snipes making your smile disappear.

"What's that supposed to mean?" You ask hurt filling your voice.

"Nothing, forget it. It's just me being an asshole."

"But why are you being an asshole?" His eyes find yours and you add, "Your words not mine."

"I don't know," He answers honestly as the bartender places a whiskey double in front of him and a jack and coke in front of you. He quickly downs his glass and orders another one. Before he has a chance to add more you feel someone lean against you and wrap their arm around your shoulders. You look up to see Sam standing there and you blanche.

"So, about leaving me to the wolves..." He starts and you offer a smile of sympathy.

"Sorry about that." You reply before turning back to Bucky only to see him clench his jaw and look away. "Sam, Steve and everyone are over there. Do you mind leaving me here with Bucky?"

"I can take a hint." Sam replies before glancing at Bucky. "You need anything I'll be over there."

"Thank you." You reply. As he leaves you turn back to Bucky and are about to say something when some stranger walks up and taps you on the arm. You groan inwardly as you turn to him. "Can I help you?"

"I was just wondering if I could buy you a drink?" He asks as I try not to sound annoyed.

"Thank you for your offer but I already have one."

"Then I'll buy you the next one?"

"No thank you."

"Then how about-"

"She said no," You hear Bucky interject and slowly turn to see anger and rage in his eyes. The man takes one look at Bucky and dismisses himself. When it's just the two of you, you move closer to him and say, "I could have handled him on my own."

"I know," He answers his eyes focused on his drink. You are about to ask him what he meant earlier when yet another stranger walks up and taps you on the arm making him reach his limit as he says, "Oh for the love of god!" He grabs your hand and instantly drags you away from the bar and the party. He leads you down a hall until he finds a quiet spot before he lets go of your hand.

"Okay, what was that about?" You ask his back as he faces away from you.

"I don't like it."

"You don't like what?" You ask furrowing your brow.

"I don't like them constantly hitting on you." He answers and your eyes widen slightly.

"Bucky, you can't..." You pause momentarily as he turns to face you. "You're jealous aren't you?"

"I don't wanna be." He says quickly making an invisible knife plunge itself into your chest. He notices your expression and instantly adds, "I didn't mean it like that."

"Then how did you mean it."

"I don't know. Just not like that."

"Makes a lot of sense Barnes."

"I don't know what's wrong with me, it's just that you came here in that dress and now all I can think about is-" He cuts himself off as his face turns bright red from embarrassment.

"What?" You ask as you slowly close the distance between the two of you. You take a deep breath as you realize it was do or die time. "Do you like me Bucky?"

"Do you like me?"

"I asked you first."

"(Name),"

"Bucky,"

"Don't do that."

"Don't do what?"

"You know what?"

"All I asked was if you like me? If you do then you better tell me, or I've spent the last few months harboring an unrequited love for-" Your words are cut off as he reaches out and pulling you into his arms leans down letting his lips crash down onto yours. A wave of passion rushes through your veins making you reach up and wrap your arms around his neck deepening the kiss. After a few minutes he pulls away and says, "Does this answer your question?"

"It does, but I'd still like to hear it from your lips."

"I don't like you (Name)," He says and your smile fades. "I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you." He adds and you let out a heavy sigh making him chuckle.

"You're right,"

"About?"

"You are an asshole."

"Yeah, but you love this asshole." He adds a smile filling his face.

"God help me I do." You reply as you gently take his hand.

"Okay, let's get outta here." He says as he starts to walk away.

"Don't you want to go back to the party?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"I don't feel like killing anyone today." He pauses for a moment and turning back to you says, "You played dirty wearing that dress."

"Oh really, I like it."

"From now on, only wear it for me."

"Sounds like a plan."