A/N: I know it's been awhile since I have posted. So much has happened lately. Since last time I was on, I found out that my company was being taken over by another company - mass layoffs occurred and then there was searching for a new job. I started a new job and had friends visiting. It's all been pretty...hectic is the nice word that I'll use, but writing has definitely taken a back seat lately, but I'm hoping that will change in the next few weeks. Sorry for the delay. Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying this story. This chapter I wanted to focus more on the every day life kind of activities of the characters...nothing too dramatic. The next few chapters will be focused on progressing Bucky and Elena's relationship and how Howard and Steve fit in to it and then I will be moving on closer to events with WWII.
Special thanks to: bellaphant, Guest, and LadyStrider17 for reviewing. I always appreciate feedback on the story. Thoughts and opinions are always welcome. Please read review and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own what is mine...which is basically just Elena.
Chapter Fourteen
1937 Brooklyn, New York
"Okay, bring your back foot up...like that." Bucky murmured as he tapped Elena's thigh before running light fingers down her arm to steady her elbow, "Don't rest on you shoulder – Good way to whap yourself in the head."
Elena wriggled slightly as she listened to his instructions. Teetering precariously as she tried to hold herself up. Admittedly, her sense of balance had become rather diminished when the last pint of beer had hit her system, "Standing on my toes is usually much easier for me."
A quiet snort of laughter rushed against her ear as Bucky eyed her stance, "Only need to arch you back foot up, El. Not stand on your toes... You ready?"
His steely eyes peered over her head to the wavering form of his inebriated surrogate brother. Amazingly, Steve had managed to forget his two-drink limit... not that he had realized he had forgotten his two-drink limit. Bucky had watched in quiet entertainment as Elena had somehow managed to keep Steve's glass from emptying and his brother from noticing he had only finished one glass the entire evening. Hell, Bucky hadn't noticed what she had been up to until she had poured some of her beer into Steve's in front of him. Bucky had become her partner in distraction after that, though Steve had cottoned onto her game not long before they left the bar. By that point the damage had been done as Steve swayed out the door. Now, he watched the couple in vague amusement as Bucky guided Elena into the proper hitting stance.
"I'm ready." Elena replied, false bravado coloring her tone for the first time that evening. Bucky wasn't fooled however, as he sent her an encouraging smile.
"Just keep your eye on the ball...well rock." Bucky advised lowly as he stepped out of the radius of her swing, "Batter up!"
Elena rolled her eyes as Steve grinned from his unofficial pitcher's mound. He waited a beat as Elena focused on the rock in his hand before he swung back for an underhanded pitch. The rock blossomed beautifully into the air and was missed by a mile as Elena swung her scrap of stick in mild panic. A small shriek spilling from her lips as she simultaneously tried to dodge the rock. At Bucky's quiet laugh a chagrinned smile spilled from her lips.
Steve couldn't help but call out, "It would help if you kept your eyes open."
"Oh...is that how you see?" Elena drawled dryly as she tossed the rock back to him. Bucky raised an appreciative brow. A shit batter she may make, but Elena had a pretty decent arm. She missed the next two pitches with similar results and much amusement from the boys, "I don't think baseball...sorry, baserock is for me."
Bucky shook his head with a small smile, inclined to agree with her even as he slid up behind her, "Probably." His smiled turned to a grin as she threw a waspish look back at him, "Turn. But Steve's also right. If you'd stop flinching every time the rock's thrown you might actually hit it."
"It's a rock. Who wouldn't flinch when its being thrown at you." Elena muttered disgruntled even as she let Bucky spin her back into position. She raised a curious brow when he didn't move away but placed his hands over hers as he pressed into her back, "You know there are easier ways to cop a feel."
"Is that an invite, Ellie?" Bucky asked lowly, his eyes darkening as she teasingly shifted against him.
"Standing offer actually." She murmured back with a sly grin.
A weary sigh broke the couple from their flirting. Bucky smirked sheepishly at his best friend, relieved when he caught the amused scowl in return. He tightened his grip over Elena's hands slightly, "One more, Stevie."
Steve nodded and picked up the rock again. Elena sighed and shrank back into Bucky as Steve lined up for his pitch. Bucky kept her in place, however, as he whispered, "Relax. It's not like he's aiming for your head."
"Oh, that makes me feel better." Elena grumbled as she tried to stay still. She felt like she was on the bad end of one of Howard's experiments every time Steve went to throw the rock. She hadn't had enough to drink for this. Before either could make another comment, Steve released the rock and Elena found herself holding her breath as it came barreling toward her and Bucky.
Bucky didn't hesitate as he pressed more firmly into Elena and swung through to hit the rock. The stiffness of her body made the pivot a little awkward, but the stick connected and the rock went skittering a few feet passed Steve. Elena peered forward curiously, barely noticing Bucky shifting his grip to her hips, "Huh... that wasn't so bad."
Steve snorted with laughter as her words made Bucky roll his eyes. He didn't dare mention that aside from holding the stick, she had done very little to hit the rock. She grinned eagerly up at Steve, "Can I try pitching?"
"As long as I'm not batting." Steve replied teasingly as he tossed her the rock. He stepped to be a few feet to her back right, knowing that was where Bucky usually batted, "Swing batter, batter! Swing, batter!"
Elena quickly covered their unofficial pitcher's mound as she muffled a laugh at Steve's antics. Bucky was not to be outdone as he twirled the batting stick, "Stepping up to the plate, the Great James B. Barnes. Number Six of the Brooklyn Dodgers. With a runner on second all Barnes needs to do is hit this out of the park to bring all runners home and this game will be over. The Dodgers victory is at hand."
Elena shared an unimpressed look with Steve as she asked sagely, "Should I just throw this at him?"
"I don't know. Do you think you could really hit the Dodger's victory hitter?" Steve asked dryly as he bit back a smirk at Bucky's dim glare, "If not, I could give it a shot."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Bucky scoffed lightly under his breath, "Barrel of laughs, the two of you. Ellie, you gonna pitch or what?"
Elena smirked, "Yes, Number Six. Sorry to keep you waiting. Can you swing for me, please?" Steve and Bucky frowned questionably at her at the request making her sigh, "I need to know where to aim this thing, since I don't think you want me to actually hit you with a rock."
Bucky shrugged and took a couple of practice swings, surprised to see the sharp focus Elena had gained. The drinking had left them all in a decently buzzed state, but she suddenly looked as sober as the morning sun, "Whenever you're ready, Princess."
She narrowed her eyes at him and for a brief second Bucky was sure he was about to be pinned with a rock. To both his and Steve's surprise, Elena's pitch was not underhanded, had she thrown an actual baseball Bucky was sure that he had just been given a curveball. He swung without thinking. The end of the stick collided nicely with the spin of the rock and Steve had to duck out of the way from the sharp path of the hard projectile. A smug smirk quirked at the edges of Elena's lips and Bucky turned stunned eyes to her form.
It only took a split second for him to connect the dots and point an accusing batting stick at the suddenly wary woman, "You know how to play baseball!"
Elena took a few scooting steps back as she attempted to place Steve between herself and James, "Never said I didn't know... You assumed."
Steve choked on a laugh at the incredulous disbelief that Bucky emitted at her words. He couldn't remember a time when his best friend looked so befuddled. However, he quickly recognized the playful glint that had entered Buck's steely eyes while Elena's only warning was the dropping of the stick before Bucky started after her. Her eyes widened comically as she finally managed to stumble behind Steve, "Steve, don't move!"
Not about to be used as a barricade, Steve snorted as he slipped from her grasp, "You're on your own, Elena."
"Traitor!" She cried before shrieking as Bucky managed to grab her. Her shrieks turned into laughter as he swung her around, "Put me down, you maniac!"
"Not until you admit that you are a liar, Miss. Turner!"
"Didn't lie!"
"Actually, omission is still technically a lie." Steve drawled from somewhere off to the side. Bucky was starting to make himself dizzy as he spun them around.
"Stop helping him!"
Steve chuckled and Bucky threw a conspiring glance towards his surrogate brother as he suddenly set Elena down and stepped, admittedly awkwardly, out of her reach letting her staggered towards her left before falling over. Bucky grinned widely as she giggled helplessly from her crumpled position on the grass. Unfortunately, he didn't realize how dangerously he had been teetering and Steve took his moment of distraction to reach out and nudge him. He fell with a quiet 'oof' and thud. Elena's laughter only becoming louder as Steve stepped around him and meander toward the park exit.
XxX
A quieter version of that laugh tickled James's ears hours later as he ran his fingers over her naked hip. His eyes met her twinkling orbs and a smug smirk crossed his lips as he spotted the lingering satisfaction in her gaze, "You wore out, princess?"
Elena's brow creased in annoyance at the pet name and it took all of her strength not to roll her eyes, "Fishing for compliments?"
Bucky shook his head as he shifted to press against her again. The feel of her soft curves against him was quickly becoming an addiction, "You were much...quieter this time. Wanna make sure you're okay."
Apparently, it wasn't the response that Elena expected as she peered at him curiously before a wide, pleased smile tugged at her mouth. For a moment, it felt like he had told her that he could make the bad disappear from the world with the smile she gave him. It was a good feeling, but still her reaction had him pausing in confusion. She took pity on him as her smile turned more amused and she tipped her head back towards his door, "You're sweet, but you have thin walls, James."
He frowned for a moment as he followed her gaze, "Didn't take you for the shy type."
"I'm not..." Elena murmured sleepily, "Your brother is, though."
Bucky snorted in amusement, "He's not stupid, Ellie. He knows what we're up to."
Elena raised a pointed brow as she responded dryly, "I made him uncomfortable enough tonight. I don't think we need to make it worse."
"What're you talking about?" Bucky grumbled, more interested in the beauty mark that rested on the curve of Elena's breast.
A thin veil of exasperation coated Elena's tone as she asked, "Were you there when Steve finally realized I had been refilling his glass?"
His recollection of the nights adventures was a little fuzzy, but by no means had he seen any discomfort from Steve. Reluctant though his surrogate brother had been to join them, his tolerating patience had given away to good humor and even true enjoyment.
"Yeah...So?" Bucky drawled as he recalled the mildly irritated scowl that Steve had flung at the couple before pushing his beer to Bucky. That had been the extent of his best friend's so-called discomfort.
Elena rolled her eyes, "So... Steve was talking to a couple of girls when he realized what happened. Someone said something or he said something and he became embarrassed. That's when he figured out that he had been drinking more than a couple of pints. Besides...I was the one that encouraged him to go talk to them."
James opened his mouth to protest but closed it again as he vaguely remembered the girls. He had seen them around the neighborhood...They weren't the nicest girls, but he had been much too preoccupied in getting Elena to dance with him to spare much concern, but Steve wasn't nearly as socially helpless as many people believed either. He turned a narrowed glare on her, "That was when you brought up baseball."
"Was it? Pretty sure that was you."
It was like a light had finally flickered to life in the back of his brain as he stared uncomprehendingly at the woman beside him, "No, that was you... You asked me a question and I grabbed Steve to prove my point and then we ended up in the park. You did that to give him an escape, didn't you?"
Elena shrugged, "Well, I couldn't figure out a better way for you to feel me up. You make a very handsome batting coach."
James snorted as he tangled his fingers into her mane, "Now, I know you're a liar – and as devious as the devil. You've still got a bit of halo showing, but well played, Miss. Turner."
She arched a brow and slid her leg between his thighs, "Don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Barnes. Now, shut up and kiss me."
"Bossy." Bucky murmured even as he leaned down to claim her lips in his. He drew his hands lightly down her arms for a second time that night, only this time he laced his fingers with hers. Carefully, he drew away from his exploration of her mouth to trail light nips to her ear, "Elena, I want to hear you. Don't be quiet."
He whispered the words, but he may as well have screamed them by the way Elena tensed against him. He met her gaze feeling the same rush of smug satisfaction at the wanton desire and surprise that had flamed in her blue orbs. He was thankful that she wasn't leery as a familiar heat began to pool in his stomach.
A feral grin painted his mouth as Elena whispered back, "Wear me out then, James."
"Yes, ma'am."
1934 Brooklyn, New York
He couldn't stop staring. Steve shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he watched the back of Catherine Robbins head. She had pulled her usually curly red hair into a loose braid. Her focus clearly on the class and taking as many notes as possible. She was smart and pretty and knew more about Tintin and Captain Blood than any girl he had ever met...and she had no clue that he existed.
She turned from her desk to pull more paper from her bookbag, allowing Steve to see a glimpse of her sparkling green eyes. He swallowed tightly and tried with all his strength to look away from the girl. It wouldn't do if Mr. Hemmings caught him staring during the lesson, he was the type of teacher to scold his students in the middle of class. The humiliation of being called out was not something the Steve needed to incur. Even as he pressed his pencil to paper, he still caught himself sneaking glances to her desk.
He was pathetic.
His distraction had not gone unnoticed by another as a piece of crumpled paper hit the back of his head. He quickly reached down to snag it before Mr. Hemming saw. Carefully un-crinkling the note, he nearly snorted in amusement as he read the content.
Hemming is about as interesting as a wall, but if you don't start paying attention you might actually fail a class.
Are you going to ask Catherine out this century?
He turned a dim glare on his bored best friend, who merely raised a pointed eyebrow back. Steve was tempted to respond, but with ten minutes of class left it didn't seem worth it.
Bucky was one to talk about failing classes. He had barely made it to any class in the past week and was close to being put on academic probation...again. It had happened last year which was the only reason the two were in the same class now. Bucky was doing everything he could to scrape together enough money for release day. He only had another seven months before Saint Cat's officially forced him out into the world. While Steve understood his surrogate brother's need to be prepared, he certainly wished he would spend more time worrying about graduating from high school first. He didn't want to graduate without his best friend.
Movement out of the corner of his eyes, had Steve glancing toward Catherine again. He blanched as he caught her eye. A shy smile quirking the edges of his lips before he darted his attention back to his notes. A quite snort behind him, told Steve that Bucky had seen the entire thing. Sometimes, he really hated his best friend.
Mercifully, the bell rang and students quickly grabbed their belongings to rush out before Hemming could assign any further homework. Steve was a little slower. More willing to miss the crowd in the halls than to worry about additional assignments. Bucky fidgeted behind him in impatience and Steve smirked as he slowed down his packing.
"Mr. Barnes." A raspy voice called from the front of the classroom. Bucky cursed quietly under his breath and Steve tried to hold in a grin. He finally grabbed his bag and the duo meander to the front.
"Yes, Mr. Hemmings?" Bucky intoned warily as he stepped toward their professor's desk.
"Nice of you to join us today, Mr. Barnes. I trust your lingering was to set up a time to make up the test you missed on Monday?" The older man drawled slowly, not bothering to look up from the papers that scattered his desk until he pulled out a day planner.
If Steve hadn't been watching he would have missed the wince that crossed Bucky's face. He knew better than anyone that Bucky had no intention of staying after school to make up an exam. Mr. Hemmings, by the amused twinkle in his glassy hazel eyes, knew the same, "Sir, I'm not sure that I have time to make up an exam."
"Oh?" Mr. Hemmings murmured drolly, making it understood in that one word that he thought Bucky had no excuse.
"I work in the afternoons, Mr. Hemming." Bucky muttered uncomfortably under the professor's steady gaze.
"I see. Well, then you'll take your exam during lunch." Mr. Hemming stated soundly as he pulled his planner towards him to mark in a notation, "Friday will do. I expect to see you then, Mr. Barnes."
Steve choked on a muffled laugh at the dim look of horror in his best friend's eyes. He couldn't remember the last time Bucky had actually attended a class on a Friday, let alone stepped inside of school. Mr. Hemming must have heard his amusement as he turned his stern eyes on him, "Mr. Rogers, I'm sure that you can give Mr. Barnes your notes to study."
"Of course, sir." Steve muttered quietly as he raised a brow at Buck, already knowing that he wouldn't study.
Bucky rolled his eyes before nodding to their professor, "Excuse us, Mr. Hemming, but Steve and I had plans at the gym."
It sounded like an excuse to leave, but Steve grimaced as he remembered the boxing lessons that their Phys-Ed teacher was forcing on Steve after showing up to class one too many times with a black eye. He already knew how to throw a punch...he had enough dealt to him to be able to pick that much up. He had to wonder, however, if the boxing lessons were the reason Bucky had shown for class.
"Go on, then." Hemming dismissed with a wave of his hand.
The duo bid a quick farewell to the science professor as they hurried out the door, lest Hemming found another reason to detain them. Bucky scowled to himself as glare dimly over his shoulder toward the classroom. Steve wondered if his surrogate brother would even make it to his makeup test, "You actually gonna show?"
Bucky frowned and shrugged, "Probably. Hemming's one of the few teachers that'll track me down if he has to. I'll get the 'In all my years of teaching boy, no student has failed my class-' speech from the old coot if I don't show."
"Think it's true?" Steve asked curiously, "No one's ever failed Hemming's class?"
"Sure..." Bucky answered casually, "He's one of the few teachers that cares about his students here. Most of the others can't be bothered."
"You know that's not true." Steve argued halfheartedly, knowing a few teachers that did actually fit Bucky's description.
Bucky only snorted in response before turning his attention down the hall. He nudged Steve and nodded to the doors that lead to the girls' locker room. Catherine had just stepped out, dressed for pep squad practice, "Here's your chance, Stevie. Go ask her on a date already."
"Bucky..." Steve sighed as his eyes followed the redhead to the gym.
Bucky rolled his eyes, "Hey, Catherine hold up a minute, would ya?"
"Buck!" Steve hissed, even as his friend gave him a goading stare and began his trek towards Steve's crush. Steve knew that look...he hated that look. It meant trouble – usually for him. Swallowing a curse, he quickly trailed after Bucky already wishing he could disappear out the gym door. He was going to kill Bucky when they got back to Saint Cat's. Even as he thought it, he forced a small smile in greeting Catherine, "Hi Catherine."
"Hi Steve." Her vivacious green eyes missed nothing as she stared curiously at the pair, "Hey Bucky. What'd ya need?"
"Oh, I'm probably gonna be missing class the next couple of days and Steve only took a few notes today. Do you think he could borrow yours and I can grab the notes from him later?" Bucky asked with an easy grin.
Catherine raised a brow, "Don't you think it'd just be easier to come to class?"
"Depends on who're asking." Bucky drawled unconcerned by the suspicious look he was receiving. He was well aware of his reputation as a slacker and had no desire to change it, "What do you say?"
"I guess." Catherine said slowly as she turned toward Steve, "But only if you can give me a hand with my english homework, Steve. You were the only one to pass Mrs. Littleby's test last week and I could really use the help."
Steve stood a little taller, his smile becoming more genuine as he nodded, "Sure, no problem."
He didn't have a chance to say more as Bucky clapped his hands with a smirk, "Great, glad that's settled. Steve, I'll meet you in the gym... Thanks Cat."
He slipped inside the gym before the couple could say another word. Steve had to refrain from the sudden urge to sigh.
"You know you don't have to do him any favors, Steve." Catherine said softly, a muted look of concern dancing in her normally mischievous eyes.
Steve shook his head with a laugh as he realized that she probably thought that Bucky had bullied him into helping with his schoolwork, but that couldn't be further from the truth, "I'm not. He's doing me a favor actually."
Catherine frown, "What do you mean?"
"You don't need to give me any notes. Buck just said that to give me an excuse to come talk to you." He flushed a light red and tugged nervously on his ear, "I um... I've kinda liked you for a while."
He wasn't expecting the smug smile that painted her lips as Catherine tilted her head and murmured, "I know."
"You – you uh, you do?" Steve stammered surprised. Up until a few minutes ago, he had been sure that Catherine hadn't even known his name.
Catherine giggled, "Kinda hard not to notice...you stare a lot."
"Oh." Steve murmured embarrassed that he had been caught, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"You didn't." She replied grin still in place as she took a hesitant step toward the gym door, "I have practice, Steve...but umm Mel's after? We can grab a soda and maybe study?"
She looked hopeful and for a moment Steve was sure she could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he nodded, "Yeah, yeah that sounds good."
Catherine smiled impishly at him, "Good. I'll see you later."
She disappeared through the door and for a moment Steve was sure he was going to implode. He was going to Mel's with Catherine Robbins...the Catherine Robbins. Instead he grinned like an idiot as he finally followed after Bucky to the boys' locker room.
Now, he just had to put up with the unbearable amount of gloating from Bucky.