The other Barnes

reaction.

Emily kneeled next to a still sleeping Steve on the bed. She wiped a burn cream over the electrical burns. He instinctively grabbed her hand as he winced.

  "Baby." She said quietly "It's just me."

His hand moved to her waist and he pulled her close.

  "FRIDAY:" he said hoarsely "Dim the lights."

The system didn't reply. Just obeyed.

Steve opened his eyes to look at her. He smiled weakly. .

"Cattle prods hurt." He laughed quietly.

Emily lightly hit his chest.

"Not funny." She pouted.

"Bucky.."Steve said "He-"

"He's fine." Said Emily "Tired but fine."

He nodded.

She laid her head on his chest. Tears slipped down her face.

  "Hey. No." He whispered "Don't cry. I can't stand to see you cry."

"Then stop getting hurt." She whimpered

------------------------

River had gotten in the shower. Bucky sat on the foot of her bed.

   "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked as she rubbed the towel through her hair

  "I'm sure."

"Good." She said

She ran towards him, knocking him back onto the bed and pinning him.

"Cause if you ever put yourself in danger like that again, I'll kill you myself." She threatened "Understand."

He chuckled, flipping over so he was pinning her.

  "Yes ma'am." He said quietly "on one condition."

"Oh there's conditions now." She laughed.

  He pulled a small silver band out of his pocket.

  "That's where it went!" She exclaimed "I lost it when Nat went into labor."

"So you didn't just...reject me?"

  "I never gave an answer at all." She said, confused "I don't see why you'd want to marry me. I'm not good enough for you."

She'd started rambling. Bucky laughed and grabbed her face.

"River..River." He tried to get her attention

She kept going.

"Stark." He said slightly louder

She froze.

"Shut up and marry me." He said, slipping the ring over her finger.

She laughed nervously.

"Okay." She said "but you have to tell Tony."