Bad Romance

Chapter 9

The next morning Daniel arrives to his French class much earlier than normal. When he arrives the room is empty aside from Peggy herself. Seeing as class doesn't start for the next 5 minutes he approaches her gently. When she notices his him walking, she smiles. They quickly embraced before pulling apart.

The reason for him being early was clear, he wants to talk about the incident from yesterday. Of course he did so last night but they were unable to have the conversation with her sister-in-law there. Peggy understood this of course and knew exactly what he wanted to say.

"Come over tonight, Izzy and William are going out for a night on the town. We can talk then." Daniel nods at this before stepping away as the Halls echo with noise of the crowds. Not too long after students begin to file into the French classroom, ready to start the day. But the day couldn't end soon enough for his liking.

Hours pass by for what seems like forever, time slowing down as Daniel watches the clock. He nearly jumps from his seat when the all classes are finished and its time to return to their dorms. Daniel does so speedily, dropping off his bag and books before rushing off to see Peggy. Not even Jack had seen him before he left.

When he arrives at Peggy's apartment, he doesn't hesitate to knock. Only moments pass before she lets him inside and they sit side by side as she explains.

Rogers confronted her face to face on what had happened last time they spoke. His threats and actions were a mistake, he said. That coming to America was his way of fixing what was between them. It was their chance to start over, but Peggy refused. The entire time he stood there defending his vile actions, the more anxious and afraid she grew. The less she spoke the angrier Rogers became, and it was a strike of luck when Daniel and Jack returned when they did.

As Peggy runs over the events of yesterday it doesn't go unnoticed how unsettled and angry Daniel becomes. His fists are clenched by his side as his jaw ticks from grinding his teeth. Rogers was becoming more of a problem by the day. 

She hates seeing him this way, worried beyond belief. Peggy sighs softly and reaches out, bringing her hand to take his own. To undo his fist, she intertwines the fingers, grounding him to the present- far away from the fiery hell he was creating in his mind.

"I'm alright, Darling. Never fear." Daniel takes a deep breath as his eyes close, releasing his breath as he attempts to relax. She was here, she was safe. Breath. 

Peggy notices his internal turmoil and uses her free hand and lifts it to his cheek, pulling his forehead to her own. Within minute, Daniel comes down from his angry high, grounded to the woman in his arms.

~~~

Angie Martinelli was running a bit late to getting to campus. Her shift at the diner ran later than expected, leaving her to stay with her Gran gran for the night. It was not trouble, of course, but it did mean Angie would be late for class in the morning since she had to take two buses to get on campus.

But with being late came unforeseen consequences, or witnessing...

Angie may have missed first and second period, but she had time to make it for third. Everyone was taking a break and switching off buildings so it gave her time to get where she needed to go. If only there wouldn't have been anything to catch her eye and keep her form class. And yet this would be more important than that today as she catches a glimpse of movement in the corner of her eye.

One of the professors was trapped against a wall by a student. The new transfer from London... Rogers. He towers over the woman, tense, his fists clenched by his side as he restrains his anger. Madame was trying to calm him down, but it only seemed to enrage the young man more.  Carter held her hands in defense, clearly upset and angry herself  but not wanting the situation to escalate further.

Whatever it was he was arguing over Angie didn't care. You never corner a woman using rage and fear.

"Hey!" She shouts, loud enough ton grab several people's attention as she storms by. But her attention is set on Rogers. "Hey, back off!"

Without hesitation she inserts herself between them, shoving against Rogers chest. Taken back his expression changed like a switch. Instantaneously from anger to confusion.

"Angie, right? Jacks girlfriend." His fists fall away by his side as he attempts to change the subject, but Angie is having none of it.

"I think it would be best if you leave. Now." The tone in her voice leaving no room for argument, loud enough for other to nearby to hear. And Steve gets the message. Flee or cause a scene. 

"I was just heading out anyway." With that Rogers gulps and storms off in the opposite direction the two young women stood. Angie watches intently she goes before turning to the professor, worry edged in her features. Though Madame barley looks anywhere except at the wall opposite of them or at her shoes. Angie notices immediately she was shaking.

"Madam? Are you okay?" Carter nods, a nervous huff falling from her lips as she attempts her composure. 

"Yes, thank you, Miss Martinelli." Without another word the woman was gone. Even with the gratitude, Angie saw the frightened look on her teachers face. Something wasn't right.

Angie makes her way to the boys dorm in hopes to find Jack and Daniel in their room. They both had a free period to study, and normally took it at the same time to quiz each other. Here's hoping today was one of the hose days...

When she arrives she knocks loudly, hurriedly, enough to get an answer immediately.

"Its open!" Jack shouts, and Angie opens the door immediately, and shuts it behind her, locking it quickly. 

"Uh... Angie? Everything okay?" She glances around and closes the window abruptly, and the curtain as well. "Ang?" Jack voices with concern. He looks to Sousa who shrugs and both men wait.

 It takes a few moments for Angie to finally breath and settle down enough to speak. Her voice is weary when she explains what she stopped between Rogers and Madame Carter, and given her words the shocked expression on the boys face morphing into annoyed sighs, she knows something is wrong. Jack and Daniel share a glance and she notices. 

"This isn't the first time, is it?" She voices, and again they share a glance between each other before Jack speaks.

 "No. Its not." Daniel clenches his jaw and bundles his fist, anger bubbling up. Jack notices and puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure something out." Daniel nods and hopes they do.

Rogers won't get away with this again...