Title: The Dance Never Lies

Fandom: Avengers

Pairing: James Barnes/Jessica Jones

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

My mind forgets to remind me

You're a bad idea

You touch me once and it's really something,

You find I'm even better than you imagined I would be.

We're not doing anything wrong. It was Jessica's mantra. A small nagging voice opined that if that was true she wouldn't need the mantra. But Jessica ignored it. She invited Peter to accompany James and herself to their Tuesday night dance class. Because it wasn't weird. At all. She'd prove it.

The first hour was devoted to working on technique. Learning and then tightening the steps. As Peter watched Jessica and James amidst the other couples his anxiety started to lessen. There wasn't anything inappropriate about it. Nothing even particularly notable. They seemed focused on what they were doing. And Jess was right, it looked fun. Maybe she was right about it not being weird, too. Maybe they were just friends dancing.

The music stopped and the couples started to disperse to the sides of the room. As their dancing paused, Jess' hand ended on James' chest. They shared a laugh before he took the hand in his and pulled her over to the wall.

Maybe.

In the second hour the dancers worked on their own routines. Three at at time, the couples step and spin across the floor, the instructor giving suggestions in between rotations. Peter continued to watch his friends as they wait their turn. Jess chattered and James listened and again Peter thought perhaps he's off base in his concern. If he wasn't worried to begin with there was nothing at all worrying about the sight. Jess caught his gaze and waved and James looked over almost as if he'd forgotten Peter was there. Which was even more heartening since it meant they weren't acting for his behalf. Peter waved back.

The dance ended, the crowd clapped, and Jessica and James took their place on the floor with two other couples. As the music started something shifted, so quickly Peter wasn't sure what had happened or what he was now seeing. He just knew it was there.

"They make a great couple, right?"

Peter started at the voice; the dance instructor had appeared beside him. "Uh. What?"

"Your friends?" He nodded confirmation. "When they started, I thought it was hopeless. He was stiff, she was so easily distracted and frustrated." She paused, seeming to expect some kind of response. Peter nodded again. It sounded right. "They look good together - fit together, you know?" Peter swallowed. "But they were awkward. Tripping over each other. The steps never come out right when that's going on. I see it all the time."

Another pause. Peter didn't want to respond. He wanted her to go away. "But now they're good?" he squeaked out, hoping she would choose not to explain what she saw all the time.

"Oh, yes. Look at them. Still rough around the edges but that just needs refinement. They're not holding back. Key to a good partnership in dance or life. That's how I know." She smiled at Peter, waiting for him to ask. He neither asked nor smiled back. "People who come here to learn a dance for their wedding," she explained despite his silent protest. She pointed to James and Jessica, moving into their big finish. "If they can't do that? Don't get married."

The music ended. James and Jessica held their pose a moment longer, then broke away, smiling. The instructor tapped Peter's arm once and moved off to talk to her students. Peter stood very still, every sense tingling.

"Were we good?" Jess asked with an eager smile, seemingly oblivious to Peter's mood. Peter mustered a nod. "We're going to get coffee." It was the routine. "You coming?"

Peter took a breath. "No. I... I should get back to Carol." Jess understood this, and suspected nothing. It was clear she thought she'd won. He couldn't meet her eyes. Dammit he hated being the only one to know something. "I'll see you later." He made a hasty retreat.