Waiting for Superman

[yeah it sucked. Four days. Right before Christmas. Not during though so that was good. ]

Bucky nodded "I don't know people would do without them sometimes, I enjoy being out. You ever been to Cony Island? It's quite the trip," he wanted to ask if she'd be interested in going. Bucky ran a hand through his hair, "so if one wanted to explore the city where would you suggest they should go?" he asked. Bucky didn't want to disturb Annie anymore than he had to, "I 'need something to keep me entertained."

---

Iris took a seat and watched them speak, "someone trying to set you up? I know how that goes my best friend, she's great but she's always setting me up on dates. They always end horribly" she frowned. Sam chuckled "like the time you went out with that guy who was really into puppets?" Iris groaned "don't remind me, he didn't even get to first base with me so that's good." She sighed and looks at th time "I'll go make myself useful."

Annie shook her head. "I've never been to New York actually." She told him honestly. There were so many different places she wanted to see, she'd just never actually gotten around to going and seeing them. Maybe at some point in the future she would though, she really didn't know. "Well, there's a lot to do in the district. A lot of different museums and historical landmarks to see, if you're into that sort of thing." She shrugged her shoulders slightly.

---

"Yes, unfortunately." Steve said, chuckling slightly. "She's tried setting me up with a couple of people, but I usually have an excuse ready whenever she does." He just didn't really have the time for dating right now. Especially with everything that had happened as of late. He didn't understand why Natasha couldn't see that. Plus, like he'd told her once before, he was looking for someone with shared life experience. That wasn't exactly an easy task to say the least.

Bucky smiled "I'm from New York its a great place, you should go sometime" hr nodded. Bucky could tell that Annie was the intellectual type, enjoyed reading classics and possibly went to museums or that's the vibe he picked up. "I went to the Smithsonian a couple of times. It was eye opening thats for sure.." he smiled before standing up and stretching "maybe you I mean if that's okay with you... show me around? I understand if you don't want to. . I'm a stranger after all.." Bucky rambled.

---

Iris nodded "seems like she just wants you to be happy or stop you from feeling lonely. I mean not that you are.. I don't even know you.." she rambled. "That's why people intervene in their friends love lives at least all the ones I've seen...including myself." Sam watched for a moment "well, thr worst part is that she picks the ones that are a little too feisty for Steve here" he teased.

Annie smiled. "I thought I detected an accent from you, I couldn't place from where though." She said, letting out a quiet laugh. "Where in New York are you from?" She was curious, and when she was curious, like most people, she asked questions. Sometimes she asked too many, though she often realized this quickly and cut herself off before she seemed too nosey. "The Smithsonian's definitely a place everyone has to see at least once, though I honestly think it's impossible to see every thing there in one shot." She listened as he rambled, smiling slightly as she did. It was actually really cute. "I wouldn't mind showing you around at all."

---

"I guess so." Steve said. He supposed that Natasha had his best interests at heart, though he did often wonder about her sometimes...not that that was really all that important right now anyway. His love life, and Natasha's attempts to get him back out there on the dating scene were the least of his worries. Right now, the most important thing, for him at least, was trying to track down Bucky. "They aren't too feisty for me. I'm just not interested in them. There's a difference."

Bucky had thought about how much he changed; he wasn't the same Bucky that took Steve on double dates and went dancing with beautiful gals. No. He was damaged not just physically but mentally as well. He grinned "Brooklyn, it's my home and I've been away and I'll have to go home soon." He watched Annie's movements and the way she was sitting, "you should go up there sometime." He cleared his throat and smiled "thanks, If you want to meet somewhere public that'd be fine. We just met after all."

---

Iris sat quietly listening to Steve and she thought how he seemed to keep to himself. He didn't really talk about himself he also seemed to be in a hurry to get out of the hospital. Sam shrugged his shoulders, "maybe. I know you don't seem interesting in dating right now but you need some normalcy in your life. Maybe you should pick the girl.." He looked at the time and back at Steve "I should get going got some meetings to attend to. You'll be out soon" Iris stood up and walked out the door and to the front to talk to some doctors.

Annie smiled. "Brooklyn, huh? Well, that makes even more sense." She said, letting out a slight laugh. While his accent wasn't extremely noticeable, it was distinct enough for her to pick up on it having conversed with him for a little while now. "I might just have to." New York was definitely a place that she wanted to visit in the future. She didn't know if that would be near or far, but she knew that it was something that she was going to make sure happened at some point. "Why don't we just meet here? We both know where it is."

---

Steve sighed. "I have other things to deal with right now. I know that some normalcy might do me some good, I just can't really think of putting myself out there with everything that's been going on lately." He said. He had a lot on his plate right now, and that meant he had a lot on his mind too. Way too much to worry about, especially with recent events and discoveries. "I'll see you around. Thanks for stopping by." He watched as his friend left the room, soon followed by Iris.

He grinned and nodded "is it that obvious that I'm a New Yorker then?" Bucky nodded as he stood up "that sounds great" he took out a pen and a piece of paper. Bucky quickly wrote down his number, " i'll let you pick the time and you can get a hold of me" h smiled. Bucky didn't want to come off as creepy "it was nice meeting you Annie" he pressed his lips on her hand. It was just a gesture he did when he met women that attracted his attention. "I will leave you to your reading.

---

Sam nodded "I understand, but if you decide to give yourself normalcy, Iris is a good girl with a big heart. She's easy on the eyes too" he chuckled "see you around." A few minutes after Iris left she came back with more bandages "if you want to leave soon you're going to have to take care of yourself. And not go running into some adventure or mission or whatever it is that you do. I'm quite the persuasive girl and I may have convince them to let you out early"

"Only slightly obvious." Annie said, letting out a quiet laugh. If she hadn't been talking to him for the few minutes in the cafe that she had, she probably wouldn't have picked up on his slight accent. It wasn't really that noticeable at first. It made her wonder how long it had been since he'd last been in New York. "Alright, I'll let you know." She smiled slightly. "Likewise."

---

Steve chuckled slightly. "You're almost as relentless as Natasha is. Almost." He said, shaking his head slightly. "I'll think about it." He really didn't think that he had time for dating right now, but he'd give his friends the benefit of the doubt for the time being. He watched Sam leave, Iris appearing a few minutes after he'd left. "Did you really?" He asked, kind of surprised that they were actually going to let him out of the hospital early. He wondered what she'd said to convince them. "I can't really promise anything, but I'll do my best."

Bucky grinned, "great, I will see you soon then." He smiled at Annie and walked out moments later. Smiling to himself, Bucky couldn't believe he still sort of had it in him to ask a girl out. He needed this though to live and try to put this Hydra thing behind him. The guilt was still eating at him and he had plenty of nightmares but maybe he just needed companionship. Bucky wasn't ready to see Steve not yet. Though he knew Steve would go looking for him soon enough.

---

Iris had looked at Sam as he left chuckling she shook her head and turned back to Steve smiling. "Like I've mentioned before I'm a persuasive girl. I don't do this sort of thing for just anyone. You seem like a very nice person and well, you do a lot of good for humanity so I thought I'd help you out." She took a seat next to him, "you should be out of here mid afternoon tomorrow but you have to promise me you'll take care of yourself," she looked straight into his eyes. "I feel like you'll keep your word though so I have nothing to worry about."

Annie smiled. "I guess so." She said. She watched as he walked out, glancing down at the scrap of paper he'd written his number down onto. The smile remained on her lips and she folded up the piece of paper, slipping it into the pocket of her jeans, before she went back to reading her book. She'd get in touch with him later on, once she went back to her apartment.

---

Steve chuckled slightly. "I'm sure you are." He said. He didn't know how else she would've gotten them to agree to let him out of there early. "Thank you. I owe you one." And he meant that. He didn't think she realized just how much this meant to him. This meant he'd be able to start looking for Bucky sooner rather than later. "I'll take care of myself, I promise." He smiled slightly. "I'm a man of my word."

Bucky stuck both his hands in his pockets as he walked out pulling his hood over his head. He sighed softly as he walked to this small apartment he had managed to get a few months ago. Walking inside he took a seat on his bed and smiled to himself. It was the first time he's reached out to another person in so long and it felt good. Bucky had thought about leaving DC and going back to New York but now with meeting Annie he wasn't sure he wanted to leave.

---

Iris grinned, "it's my pretty face, gets them every time." She chuckled, "kidding I'm not that vain and I'm sure my face isn't that cute, anyway. You do owe me one" she joked grabbing a piece of paper and scribbled down a number and handed to him. "If you ever decide that you need to get out and have some fun or just a friend to talk to call me" Iris slipped the paper in his hand. "I have to go tend to my bakery now. i believe you" she waved and walked out.

Annie stayed in the coffee shop for a few more hours. She didn't have anything major that she needed to get done that day, so she was in no rush to go home. Sometimes that happened on days she went to the coffee shop. Sometimes she sat there and read her book until they closed. And, on most of those days, a stranger didn't come over and ask to sit with her. Today was different though, and she was actually really happy with its turnout.

---

Steve chuckled slightly at her words, unable to help doing so. He could tell that she was only kidding. She didn't come off as an overly vain person. Actually, she didn't seem vain at all. "I'll definitely keep that in mind." He said, a small smile on his face. He wasn't going to deny the fact that she was a pretty girl, and maybe he would take her up on her offer at some point in the future, but he had some things he needed to deal with first.

[Just one question: Are Steve and Iris a little behind time wise from Bucky and Annie? Because, in your post, you said that Bucky had his apartment for a few months now and with Steve and Iris, Steve's still in the hospital. Plus, with how the movie ended, I think Bucky would still be more confused than anything else about who he was, and he seems to, for the most part, know who he used to be and everything. I also don't think Steve's injuries would have been substantial enough to keep in the hospital for more than a few weeks anyway...so, just wondering, haha.]

[Yeah. They are I was going to ask to skip a few weeks later to where Steve is at Fury'e grave and is about to leave. I meant to tell you but I forgot all about it. Lol.. yeah I also forgot about that. the hospital thing wss just going to be an introduction. We can go back and scratch it if you want.]

[Hahaha, okay. I noticed when I read your post before work this morning and was like wait....haha. Wait, what are we scratching?]

[yeah. Like Im skipping in my next post for Iris. And nothing I was just letting you know that if you wanted to scratch anything out that its be okay. Lol sorry for the confusion.]

As Bucky walked home he noticed some familiar faces walking around and he pulled his sunglasses to his face. The redhead girl, the one that was always with Steve and that guy with the wings was there too. He panicked when he noticed Steve and quickly walked faster. He hoped that he hadn't noticed. As soon as he did get "home" Bucky couldn't wait to see Annie again, she was just so pretty and the first person not to look at him like a freak.

---

Iris sighed softly as she pulled her apron on and walked over grabbing some mitts and taking out some muffins out of the oven. "So did Steve ever call you?" Her roommate and worker asked her. "Um, no. He's busy I guess and it's been months so I think he's got better things to do" she set the pastries down and looked over at her friend. "Well, maybe he's been busy you know.. Captain America" Iris looked up and nodded, "yeah I understand though." After putting the last of her pastries in the oven Iris walked over and grabbed her purse and took off her apron. "Halle I'm going home Close up tonight okay?"

Once Annie was back at her apartment, she waited a little while to get in touch with Bucky. She'd stayed at the cafe for a couple of another hour or so until she finished her book, and even then she hadn't gone home straight away. She liked that coffee shop. It was small and cozy, and usually pretty quiet too. Just how she liked it. Her apartment was a lot like that too. Small, but still very cozy and homey. And she couldn't have been any happier with it. Once she had fixed herself a cup of tea, she pulled out the slip of paper that Bucky had written his number down onto for her. I'll meet you tomorrow at 12, same place. She read over the message briefly before hitting send.

---

A couple of weeks had past since Steve was in the hospital. As promised, he'd been discharged the day after Iris had told him. And that was something that he was extremely thankful for. Natasha had reached out to him and Sam. She'd pulled a few strings in Kiev and gotten the files he'd asked for, the files on Bucky. Up until recently, they hadn't had very many leads at all. They'd only really had those files to go off of, and even then the search had been proving to be difficult. Wherever Bucky was, he was careful with where he went. Not today though. Today, Sam had spotted someone who looked a whole hell of a lot like him walking into a small coffee shop in the district. He'd called up Steve and the two of them had waited just a few blocks over for a couple of hours. "That was him." He said, watching his friend's retreating figure down the street. He'd obviously spotted him and Sam.

Bucky sat down and sighed "stupid, I should have been more careful" he mumbled. Bucky almost came close to exposing himself, no, scratch that he did. He had exposed himself to Steve's friends and he felt so stupid. This was something he didn't want to happen. When Bucky was ready he would go to Steve but for now he just needed up be left alone. Quickly he grabbed his phone and messaged Annie back. Sounds great, I'll see you then. Bucky set his phone down and looked out the window. He wondered if they followed him far, clearly not since they weren't knocking at his door.

---

Sam nodded "we'll find him don't worry," as they walked away from the cafe Sam turned to Steve. "So did you ever call Iris?" He asked as he fixed his jacket. Natasha's head snapped up a grin appearing on her face, "whose Iris? Steve you've been holding out on me" she chuckled. Sam chuckled, "she's an old friend of mine who volunteers at hospital, real pretty seems like his type," he explained. Natasha walked alongside them nodding, "I'm surprised he had the nerve to ask for her number" she teased.

The next day, Annie was dressed and ready to go by 11:15. And that was perfect timing. It took her about half an hour or so to walk from her apartment down to the cafe. She was honestly really looking forward to showing Bucky around the district. She didn't exactly have everything planned out, she knew some places that she wanted to take him, but not all. And she figured that that was perfect. While some of the day was already planned out, there was still room for spontaneity. And that was exactly how she liked it. Grabbing her keys, wallet and phone, she started over to the cafe.

---

Steve sighed softly, nodding his head wordlessly. He knew that they would. It was going to take some time, but they'd find him. At least they knew that Bucky hadn't left the district just yet, but seeing him run off like that made Steve wonder if his friend would even want to see or talk to him when they did found him. "I've been a bit busy, so no, I haven't really gotten around to it..." He said. He'd just had a lot on his plate, and so many things distracting him as of late that the thought of calling the cute nurse who had sprung him out of the hospital early hadn't crossed his mind even once. "I didn't ask her for her number...she gave it to me."

Bucky looked in the mirror and after some debate with himself he had decided to cut his hair and shave. Maybe this way they wouldn't find him as soon. Remembering how persistent Steve was, Bucky knew he wouldn't give up looking for him. He knew that much and when he was ready to confront Steve he would. Finishing up tying his shoes Bucky made sure to wear his leather jacket and a glove on his left hand. He walked out of the building and headed for the cafe it was 11:20 when he walked out. It wouldn't take Bucky too long to get there. Bucky managed to get to the cafe with ten minutes til noon. He walked in and looked around before taking a seat in the same place he met Annie.

---

Sam and Natasha were walking just listening to Steve, "I'm surprised, usually all the women are shy around you" she chuckled. Sam looked at both of them "I have to head back home, going to get ready" Natasha smiled, "hot date?" Sam chuckled, "yeah something like that." While they were walking Sam could hear someone breathlessly shouting 'excuse me' he turned around and noticed a tiny brunette holding bags of groceries as she managed to drop her bag. She groaned, walking over he grinned at her "what's the hurry West?" He helped pick up her items as Iris fixed herself. "I manage to burn this stupid cake, me? Can you believe that. I haven't burned anything since I was a kid!" Sam looked over at his friends "that's Natasha and you remember Steve right?" He asked her. Iris watched as his friends came over to help her, how could she forget him. She smiled weakly, "hi. I'm a complete mess right now.. Sorry"

Annie arrived at the coffee shop with five or so minutes to spare. Walking inside, she looked around, smiling when she spotted Bucky sitting in the same spot that she'd been sitting just a day earlier. She couldn't help noticing a slight difference in his appearance. His hair was shorter and he was clean shaven, though he still wore the same leather jacket and a glove on his left hand. She'd noticed the glove yesterday, though she didn't think it was something she should comment on, seeing as they were kind of still getting to know each other and all. "Hey, I hope you haven't been waiting for too long." She said once she reached the table.

---

Steve nodded. "I don't really know why though. I don't think they have any reason to be shy around me." He said, chuckling slightly. He'd never really understand why women got so shy around him. He supposed he was still used to how Peggy always acted with him. She was never shy or intimidated by him in the slightest. In all honesty, the way Iris acted reminded him of Peggy a little bit, and maybe that was why he was kind of hesitant at first. Of course, he wasn't expecting to see her again before he actually got the chance to call her. Sometimes things just happened unexpectedly though he supposed. He sent her a small smile. "Hey."