Bad Romance

Chapter 10

A few days pass and Jack and Daniel have Angie lay low. Its best for her to stay away from Rogers until they figure out what his deal was. Although Daniel knew exactly what his problem was...but he couldn't do anything about it quite yet. For now they do their normal routine, go to class, study, and participate in extra curricular activities. For Jack it was the football team and helping coach woman's soccer. For Daniel it was helping with his father's business on weekends and tutoring those in need. However not everyone needed the extra help... particularly not Steve Rogers.

Today was one of those days where Daniel had to help Rogers study., and Sousa was not amused at the least. It was silent for the most part between them. Daniel giving Steve a few guides to look over before quizzing him verbally with cards. He did all he could to act natural, truly he did, but seeing the man next to him, knowing what he was doing to Peggy, it made him livid. His blood boiled at the sight of his dirty blonde head.

They were sitting outside on the benches. It was a nice day out, and public enough for Steve to not try anything stupid. At least that's what Daniel thought. After nearly an hour passes before Rogers breaks away from safe conversation topics. And it was a very dangerous game he was paying indeed; especially with the amount of people who could overhear.

"You're really good at French huh? Must be all those...private lessons from Madame Carter, right?"

The sentence though innocently spoken, had a much more sinister accusation lying underneath. And both men knew it. A small vein in Sousa's neck nearly pops from fury, but he has to keep control.

"Don't know what you're talking about Rogers. I go to class, same as the rest." Daniel couldn't take being near the man any longer. It was time to go. "We'll have to finish this up soon. I have somewhere I need to be in," he theatrically looks at his watch for show. "Half an hour.."

But it couldn't have been that easy could it? Steve stands and speaks, his words much louder and his implications deeper.

"You and I both know that that isn't true, Daniel. You get more attention from her than anyone else. Makes me wonder what happens after class ends between you two.

"Look, Rogers, you got it all wrong. Carter is our professor and nothing more. Now are we going to go over this or can you handle this on your own? Because last I heard from you, these sessions weren't helping anyway." Steve and Daniel eyes meet as each refuse to back down. Steve chuckles lowly and looks away. 

"I'm not an idiot, Daniel. I know what's going on between you two. And unless you want me to go to the Dean about what I know, I suggest you back off." Daniel scoffs and stands, fists by his side. Rogers was treading in dangerous territory.

 "You really need your head checked Rogers."

"Really? I beg to differ." And that was the only waning Daniel received before Steve swings his right fist in Daniel's direction. It takes a second before Sousa dodged quickly. 

He retaliates quickly and punches Rogers in the gut. He pulls back a moment before charging at Daniel, and he swiftly dives out of the way. While rogers is down, Daniel grabs him by the collar and shoves him on his feet. 

"You need to think very carefully about your next move here." Steve huffs in anger before shoving Daniel away and landing a punch to his cheek. 

Sousa doubles back and lands his own to rogers eye, before they know it, several people surround them and hands pull them apart. 

"That is enough! What the hell do you boys think you're doing?!" the Dean, Roger Dooley, appears. Steve pulls off the professor holding him and he gives the Dean a fake smile. 

"Nothing, sir. Just a little misunderstanding" But the Dean doesn't buy it. He scoffs and looks right at Daniel. 

"He came after me when I said we don't need these tutor sessions anymore."

"Lies!" Rogers fumes, but it wasn't a complete lie and they both knew it. He just left out the detail of Peggy.

"That's enough! Both of you to your dorms until I figure out what to do with you. Now!"

Steve glares at Daniel as they walking opposite directions- Jack meeting Daniel halfway to their dorm. He doesn't utter a word the entire walk there, just silent support as they continue on. He pats Sousa on the shoulder, chances a glance at Rogers before walking further away. The man was out of his mind, even Jack realized that. The fight was out of line- especially if it over what he thought it was about. Madame Carter.

When the pair enter their down, Jack watches as Daniel slumps in his desk chair, head in hands. Well they needed to say speak about this sooner or later. "So you gonna tell me what that was about or do I need to guess." Daniel gives his roommate an unamused glance and that was all the confirmation Jake needed. It was exactly what he said thought it was about. "Damn."

"He's got a few screws lose that's for sure." Sousa mutters as he sits back against his chair. Jack nods in agreement.

"So what do we do about him?"

"Right now, nothing. All we can do is hope I don't get expelled." Daniel keeps his eyes down casted, his hands in his lap as he leans forward in his chair. This could be bad- really bad- and he couldn't get kicked out of school over a petty fight. He needed this scholarship.

Jack stands from his seated position, stopping next to his roommate and friends. With one hand on his shoulder he says, "Don't worry, Danny boy. You're not getting expelled. Detention maybe, or some extra curricular shit that Dooley makes up. But not expelled."

"Yeah, well, we'll see."

"Chin up, Sousa. We'll handle it." Even though Daniel didn't fully believe his friend's words, he nods mindlessly. It will all be sorted eventually. But to Daniel- even if his scholarship was important-  there was another factor he had to worry about... Peggy.