I took a shower, changed into my PJ's and Nat wrapped me in a blanket on the sofa and we talked about the last couple of weeks. I cried a bunch, thinking about how much of an ass I'd been to her and Bucky and the wasted time I spent with that ass, Rumlow. I realised my job at The Crown, I couldn't go back, not knowing he's be there, I didn't know if the police would actually do anything. Nat offered to head to the pub to speak to Phil and she also offered to speak to a few of my professors, she decided I needed some time to myself. I didn't want to miss classes, but also right now I didn't want to leave my dorm. Nat answered a call about 3pm and she left to room to talk. When she came back, she didn't say anything so I didn't pry, I didn't have the energy to.

15minutes later there was a knock at the door, it was Bucky, with two McDonalds bags.

"I brought food," He smiled slightly placing them on the coffee table,

"Hey Bucky, could you wait with Kate, I'm gonna head over to The Crown and speak to Phil…"

"Oh, yeah, sure."

"Nat-"

"Thanks, I'll be back soon. Kate, eat." She grabbed her purse and left.

Bucky stood in silence for a moment before I prompted him to speak "Do you want to sit down?"

"Sure, thanks," He sat, "Here, I got a couple of different sandwiches, I didn't know what you'd like,"

"Anything chicken," I smiled, "Thank you,"

He dug around, "McChicken Sandwich… and… fries," He passed them to me,

"Thanks," I set my food in my lap and slowly started eating, Bucky picked himself some food and did the same.

"How are you feeling?"

"Um, not amazing, but kinda better, I'm just relieved he didn't do worse to me,"

"I'm sorry,"

"Why would you be sorry?"

"We saw you with him at the party, we should have pulled you away from him, I was worried that'd make you hate me more."

"It's no one's fault, except mine." I sighed, "I trusted him,"

"No, it's all on him, all of this is him,"

"But-"

"This isn't your fault." He looked at me, "Clint took me to the police station after we dropped you off, I gave over some more information, they're going to make an arrest today. Most likely get in touch with you to testify against him."

"Ok"

"I'll stay with you."

"Thank you, Bucky," I smiled, offering him a fry.

The next few weeks were hard, with Bucky and Nat by my side the whole time I testified against Rumlow, he got 8 years in jail for Drink Spiking and Assault, his daddy got a top lawyer in and it was reduced to 5 years. I missed a lot of college, I found it so hard to get up and go to class, Bucky went around my classes to pick up reading lists, essays and brought them to me so I could try and keep up - my grades dropped a bit but not a lot. Professor Phillips convinced me to come back, one afternoon I got a phone call from him,

"Hello?" I answered the unknown number

"Miss Sayers? This is Professor Phillips."

"Oh, professor! Um, how, what-"

"I'm calling because I think it's time you came back to class."

"Sir, I- I don't know, I-"

"Miss Sayers, would you be able to meet with me? I'd like to talk this over in person."

"I-"

"There's a coffee shop on campus, Burt's, please come meet me within ten minutes,"

"Sure, sir, I'll be there." the line dropped, -I'm gonna be kicked out of College-

I was already in leggings and a tee, I pulled on a chucky knit cardigan and brushed my hair before grabbing my purse and heading out, I text Bucky on the way over, he usually came by to check on me around this time.

Me: Hey Bucky, I have to run out to meet Prof Phillips, just in case you came by

Bucky: Where? Do you want me to take you?

I laughed a little to myself.

Me: Burt's, and no I'll be fine, I'll let you know when I'm done

Bucky: Ok

Five minutes later I walked into the coffee shop and spotted Professor Phillips sitting at a small table with a newspaper and coffee. Walking over and clearing my throat I got his attention,

"Hi Sir,"

"Miss Sayers," folding his paper he gestured to the seat across from him, "Please sit, would you like a drink?"

"Uh, I'll go-"

"Coffee?" He stood,

"Sir-"

"Hot Chocolate? Tea isn't the same here as England," He wasn't letting up,

"Yes please, thank you," I smiled lightly, a moment later he was back

"They'll bring it over,"

"Thank you," I smiled, "Sir-"

"Let me start, I wanted to speak in person because, well frankly, I was worried about you and a phone call doesn't show me you're okay," I was stunned, "Now, when I say that, I mean that as in I was worried about one of my best students, if you didn't come back to class the average grade would drop. I heard about the incident-"

"I think everyone knows about it, especially with the court case."

"Which you were very brave to go through with, I hope you know… My daughter went through a similar situation when she was around your age, if I had 5 minutes in the room with the guy, I'd have killed him." he paused, I looked at him, he was frowning, "But lucky for him he was locked up to, my daughter never recovered. She took her life a few months later, she was a brilliant young woman, strong, smart, everything a man wants in a daughter."

"Sir, I'm so sorry, I can't imagine-"

"I'm sure you could, I heard about your parents. You've had a tough run of it the last few years, and I want to make sure you're looking after yourself." He was so blunt in speaking, but he meant well "Come back to class, get them grades up, don't work too hard. Live."

A Server placed to steaming hot chocolate in front of me, "Sir-"

"And if you need to talk, my office door is open." He looked up, "Drink up, it'll get cold," I smiled, sipping my hot chocolate. "Now, I understand Mr. Barnes has been bringing you your reading lists and essays, how are you finding it all?"

"Oh, it's good, interesting, Buc- Barnes has helped me a lot, he goes over his class notes with me,"

"Yes, first time I'd seen him actually take real notes was the first day you weren't in class. You're helping each other, clearly."

"Yeah, he's a big help," I smiled

"Deadline for the essay is Monday..." he trailed off, expectantly

"I'll hand it in myself,"

"Good. Now, I have to go, classes to teach. Take care of yourself, see you in class bright and early!"

"Thank you, bye Sir" I smiled as I sipped my chocolate, -who'd have thought I'd ever have a heart to heart with Phillips-

A bag dropped into the newly vacant seat. I looked up startled. Bucky.

"Sorry, I couldn't wait for a text, how did it go?" He asked

"Um, yeah good, he asked if I was coming back to class and if I was handling everything okay, pretty much,"

"Professor Phillips?"

"I know, it was really sweet actually, I'm coming back to class Monday, it's time I think,"

"Don't feel pressured t-"

"Honestly, I'm not, my grades are slipping and I can't let that happen, I'm not letting Ruml... I'm not letting that ass ruin anymore of my College life."

"Good." He rested his hand on mine on the table, I got tingles all over my body, "Want to go get some fresh air?"

"Sure," finishing my hot chocolate, Bucky led us outside. Walking side by side, slowly heading in the direction of my dorm, we talked about class and Steve and Nat and just about everything. When we got outside the dorm, we sat on the bench outside;

"So, me and Nat were thinking we should go out tomorrow, Saturday."

"We?"

"Me, you, her, Steve, Sam, Sharon, Clint, go for some food and drinks, catch up, it's been a while since they've seen you, they all miss you, and it gets you outta the dorm" Bucky smiled down at me "And now with you choosing to go back to classes, I think you need a night out in preparation for that,"

Laughing, I nudged his shoulder, "Yeah, okay you got it" We split up at the campus to go our separate ways, agreeing to meet at the bar around 7pm.

I quickly made my way to the dorm, it was already 4.30pm, I didn't really have a lot of time. Unlocking the dorm door, I walked in to Nat raiding my closet,

"Nat? Need some help?" I laughed,

"I was just looking for something to go with these leggings," She held up her leather look leggings, "you've got more nice tops then me,"

"Here, move," stepping over to her, dropping my purse on the bed, I pulled out some options, "Here, try those, I'm going to go take a shower,"

"Wait, Bucky did tell you about tonight right?"

"Duh, that's the reason for showering on a Friday night," Picking up my shower caddy and a towel I left to room heading to the showers. I do try to be quick, but it's too hard not to sing in the shower.

20minutes later I am feeling fresh. I get back to the dorm to Nat pouring a pink mixture into two glasses, I raise an eyebrow;

"Nat…"

"Cosmo's" stating she held one out for me, "Pre-outing celebration, I'm so happy you're ready to come out, next step back to classes,"

"Actually, I'm going back to class on Monday, I went to see Professor Phillips today… I think I'm ready,"

"Kate, that's awesome," she smiled, clinking her drink to mine, "I'm so proud of you, we're gonna have a fun night," I laughed,

"Yeah we are,"

"C'mon go sit over there, I'll get my tools and do your hair,"