Steve snorted. "I'll try," he said with a grin. "I'll see you again soon, Sam." He clapped Sam on the shoulder.

Sam just barely managed not to stumble.

"Careful," he said, grinning a bit. "Just a normal guy, remember." With a parting wave, Sam went and got back into the car he'd gleefully borrowed from Stark and headed back towards the city.

Steve shut the door again and went to go settle in. He had the feeling he'd be at the cabin for a while, now.

Elsewhere, Bucky was finally fed up with waiting. He packed himself a basic pack, and slipped out of the tower. It was time to find Kenzie and bring her back.

Kenzie was still holed up in a cave, still hiding. She was actually a little surprised herself at the intensity of this all. But, then again, it wasn't often she had so many people to lose.

It took a while, but Bucky was able to follow the bond all the way to the cave where Kenzie had holed herself up. He wasn't sure if she was in dragon form or not, but at this point it didn't matter; he needed to see her again.

Kenzie was still human, because it was easier to hide that way. But she smelled him, and blinked, because she was sure that couldn't be right. He wouldn't come all the way out here, and he didn't know where she even was.

And she told herself that all the way until he was actually in her cave. Her lips parted in surprise and she looked at him, just looked, for several long moments.

Bucky stood there for a moment.

"Finally found you," he said, setting his bag down. "Took long enough."

"I did not realize you were looking," Kenzie said quietly, watching him. He looked steadier, moved with more fluidity than she'd seen before. "You look well."

"Couldn't take you being gone anymore," Bucky admitted. "And Steve's all busy with Gemma." He watched her for a moment. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"I..." Kenzie sighed for a moment and motioned for him to follow her further in, where she had a little living area set up. She settled down in a chair, thinking over her reply. "I never expected to see myself on the news." Her smile was faint and bitter.

"None of us did, either," Bucky said as he sat down as well. "Why'd you run?"

"It wasn't safe there. I wasn't thinking clearly, I know that, but I wasn't safe." Kenzie shrugged. "I needed to go somewhere quiet, somewhere safe, away from where any of you could be hurt because of me."

"You wouldn't have hurt us," Bucky replied. "I'm sure of it."

"No, but people may try to hurt you because of you association with me," Kenzie pointed out. "Which is the last thing I want."

Bucky snorted.

"I can take care of myself," he reminded her. "So can the others, mostly. You don't have to worry about us." He paused. "Well. Maybe Gemma. But not anymore, apparently."

"Something happened with her." Kenzie shook her head. "I could feel it when it happened, but I never sensed that she was in mortal peril, and I was... not in a place where I could easily come back. Not even for her."

"It wasn't pretty," Bucky said after a moment. "Still kind of isn't. And Stevie was going crazy worrying over her."

Kenzie nodded. "I don't know if I should go back yet," she said after a few moments of silence, looking at him. "Your team knew about me, yes, but everyone else..." She shrugged. "It's hard. I am so used to being secretive that having this in the open is... difficult."

"I don't think anyone knows it's you but us," Bucky replied, shrugging. "I think you're fine." He was quiet for a moment. "It's not right without you around."

Kenzie sighed at that. "You are not playing fair," she told him. "Just so you know." She was quiet for a few more moments, drumming her fingers against her knee.

"It's late to be setting back tonight, anyway."

"I don't have to play fair," Bucky replied. He was quiet for a moment. "It's not just me, though. Even Clint and Tony have missed you. And Gemma's having a rough time, even I can tell."

Kenzie sighed. "In the morning," she said. "I'll go back in the morning." Because yes, she could admit that it was probably time to head back.

Bucky nodded.

"Alright," he said. He could handle that. He settled back with a bit of a sigh.

Kenzie sat back as well, watching him. She had missed having her hoard around her. Hopefully things would be alright, and she wouldn't have to leave them again.

"You came alone?"