Project 1940S

Chapter 13

"Oh, good morning Professor Barnes." I said in surprise, slipping into the passenger seat of his car. I felt a little awkward, one having expected Professor Rogers to be picking me up, and secondly because I had rejected Professor Barnes the night before. 

"Morning Elizabeth." He grumbled, taking off before I had even gotten my seat belt on. His eyes darted constantly as we passed students and faculty and complete strangers. 

"Did you get any sleep last night?" I frowned, staring at his face now. He didn't look like he'd shaved and there were dark circles under his eyes. 

"No, I was on guard duty." Professor Barnes yawned. 

I dropped my mouth, "Guard duty? On what? On us?" 

"Yep." He said. 

"What- why?" I asked, flabbergasted. 

"Wanted to make sure those scumbags really stayed away from you." He answered, rather bluntly in my opinion. Then again, he was answering all of my questions very honestly, which was surprising. 

"No offense, but you're a teacher." I mumbled, sinking down in my seat, wanting to sleep. "You should get a police officer or something if you really want that." 

"You forget I'm also ex-military." 

"Retired." 

"Doesn't mean I shouldn't keep you safe." 

"Means you should, it's not your job." 

"How long are they staying?" 

"I don't know. Maybe two weeks?" 

"Great, you're moving in with Stevie and me." Bucky said as though there wasn't any conflict with this at all. 

"Pardon?" I asked, turning to look at him. He was speeding down the street, not taking care to notice the thirty-five miles per hour signs up as we went past them at fifty. "And slow down before you get pulled over by the police!" 

"I thought you wanted the police to do their job?" Bucky jested, but not in a mean way, the corner of his mouth turning up into a smile. 

"Whatever." I grumbled, already feeling lighter, despite the newest tragedy in my life. 

We rode in silence until we were pulling up to the house. I saw the curtains twinge as Steve had clearly been looking out them, looking for us. 

"Hey, um, sorry about last night." I muttered, cheeks flushing. 

"Huh? About what?" Bucky asked, turning his dark blue eyes on me. 

"Er- rejecting you." I mumbled. 

He gave a short laugh, "Doll, I pushed my boundaries. You don't have anything to be sorry for. I should be the one apologizing. 'Cept I'm not sorry." 

I laughed at that, opening the door. 

"Besides," Bucky added, getting out of the car too. "Stevie and I have the same belief. Or had, until we got married. We completely understand. We're just not used to other people believing the same." 

I smiled, "Plus, you're already married so if the two of you agree on someone, I understand that as well." 

He smirked. "Steve and I have never actually agreed upon a dame before." 

"I feel lucky." I teased back as Steve opened the front door. He too looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep last night and I stopped, putting my hands on my hips. "What did you do last night? Guard the back of the dorm?" 

Steve looked like a deer in headlights until Bucky clapped him on the shoulder. "Nah, punk over here was researching those two dickheads." 

Steve scowled, "Language jerk."