Title: Field Trip

Warnings: None

Summary: The last thing Arthur, an elementary school teacher, wants to deal with on a field trip is an annoying, American, bus driver.

"Everybody, please calm down!" Mr. Kirkland insisted, waving his hands frantically. "Children, I know you're excited, but before we can board the bus and get on with this little escapade, you need to let me take roll."

One of the children shot their hand up in the air. Mr. Kirkland sighed and called on the boy.

"Yes, John?"

"What's an escapade?"

Arthur sighed once again, not because he was irritated by the child, but rather that he was already exhausted and their trip hadn't even begun.

"It's a synonym for an adventure," the young teacher answered. Yet as soon as he did, the child shot his hand right back in the air.

"Yes, John?"

"What's a sin-uh-nim?" he asked sounding it out.

Mr. Kirkland laughed slightly, as he picked up his clipboard and pen.

"That's a story for a whole other time, okay, John?" he answered politely and the child smiled. The teacher returned the gesture and then started taking roll.

"Nicole?"

"Here!"

"Evan?"

"Present!"

"Carolina?"

"Yo!"

Arthur spared a glance at the troublesome child for a fraction of a second before he returned, and slowly checked off all 30 names on his clipboard.

"Alright, everyone's here, that's wonderful," Arthur started, grinning at his students. "Remember what I told you all, alright? You're to stay with you chaperone every step of the way. If you get lost, try to find somebody who works at the museum and show them your sticker and they'll help you," Mr. Kirkland pointed to the bright yellow sticker he was wearing, and all the children had stuck on their clothes as well.

"Yes, Mr. K!" the children answered in unison.

"Lovely," the teacher responded. "Oh and one last thing before we board. I want all of you on your best behavior on the bus ride and during the trip. You will use your proper school room etiquette while we are away. That means no food on the bus, staying in your seat, using your inside voice, etcetera. Is that understood?"

The same child who raised his hand before did so again.

Mr. Kirkland smiled at the small boy.

"Etcetera means 'and so on,' John. Now, come on everyone! Let's make the most of this trip."

Mr. Kirkland was the very last one to board after ensuring that all the students and chaperones made it onto the bus safely. He took the first few steps and came eye to eye with the bus driver, a young fellow of no more than twenty, with golden blonde hair and azure eyes. The teacher smiled politely and reached out a hand.

"Hello, I'm Arthur Kirkland," he introduced himself as the bus driver accepted his gesture. "I've told the children to be on their absolute best behavior, and I just wanted to thank you once again, Mr..."

"Mr. Jones!" the driver replied vivaciously with a giant grin plastered on his face. "But call me, Alfred."

Arthur smiled back gently.

"Wonderful. Well thank you, Alfred."

"No problem, Arthur! I hope the kids have a great time!"

Mr. Kirkland nodded and then stood once more to direct attention towards him.

"Alright everyone, we're about to go. Though before we do so, can you all please say hello to our wonderful driver who will be taking us on this journey; Mr. Jones."

"Hi, Mr. Jones!" All the children, as well as some of the adults responded.

The bus driver waved, and took down his radio so he could speak to all the students.

"Hey everyone! Are you ready for an adventure?"

The children cheered.

"I'm glad, cause learning about history is really awesome!" Alfred answered them, and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"And guys, I want you to enjoy the trip, so feel free to eat, drink, talk, whatever! I want you guys to have lots of fun!"

The children cheered again as Alfred hung up the radio, and Mr. Kirkland sent him an incredulous look.

"Mr. Jones, you do realize I told the children not to do any of those things before we got on the bus-"

"It's Alfred," the driver replied as he winked at the teacher and shut the door. "And it's really no problem. I like to let the kids have some fun, ya'know?"

The young blonde put the bus in drive and started them out on their excursion.

"Sure, I suppose that's alright."

Though Mr. Kirkland didn't know how wrong he was.

Half an hour later Arthur's brows were furrowed and he grated his teeth as he tried to concentrate on the novel in front of him. The bus was a mess of noises: screaming children, and chatting adults, along with slurping and munching. "Let the kids have some fun," Alfred had said. Arthur almost growled as he lifted a hand to rub at his temples. He could feel a headache coming on.

"So, I couldn't help but notice you're not from around here."

Arthur lifted his head and found the bus driver looking at him through the rear view mirror. Now was really not a good time for conversation.

"Yes, well, I was born in Plymouth, England. But I actually lived in Riverside for quite a few years before I moved to the east coast."

"Oh, no way! My mom lives around West Covina and that's not too far away."

Arthur smiled politely before he attempted to return to his book; attempted being the key word.

"It's just kinda funny, ya'know? That you teach American history and you're a Brit."

"Remind me why that's funny," Mr. Kirkland spat out before he could help it. The bus driver sensed the change in tone immediately.

"Oh sorry. I didn't mean it offensively or anything, it's just a bit uncommon. I mean were going to the National Museum of American History of all places, and you're-"

"If you're quite done, I'd like to get back to reading my American novel. Or does that bother you too? The fact that I'm reading something that isn't from my home country?"

Alfred bit his tongue, and kept his eyes on the road.

"Um, no. I'm sorry, go right ahead. I really hope I didn't offend you."

There was no conversation between the two for the rest of the trip; but it was by no means quiet.

Mr. Kirkland checked the last student off on his clipboard as the young girl exited the bus.

"Everyone made it, excellent," he mumbled to himself as he tucked the clip board away in his messenger bag full of EpiPens and other medications the children might need in case of an emergency. He clicked his bag shut, and was ready to follow his students when a voice stopped him.

"Look, Mr. Kirkland, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean anything by that comment, and I'm actually really happy someone would take an interest in our history," the bus driver said simply as he stood up from his chair. "No hard feelings?"

Arthur gave the man a once over, and looking at him a second time, it really struck him just how young the man was. He barely looked out of college, if that. He was just a child.

"It's quite alright," Arthur mumbled upon this realization. "I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier. I'm just a bit stressed with the children and all."

Alfred offered a kind smile back at the Briton.

"No problem. I'm glad it got all sorted out."

Arthur watched as the man's smile slowly faded and he took his seat once more, already looking rather bored.

"Ummm," the teacher started out of nowhere. "I'm not sure what the rules are regarding your job and such, but if you'd like to join the children and I in the museum, well it is free and-"

The bus driver jumped from his seat and squeezed the Brit in a sudden hug.

"That sounds great, Artie! Lemme just park this baby and I'll meet you inside!"

Arthur couldn't help a small laugh as he exited the bus and walked to the entrance to wait for the overexcited driver.

"So we are all to meet back here at 3:30 is that understood?" The parents nodded, already trying to keep all their students together. "You're welcome to eat lunch at any time, and remember if something happens, you have my phone number." The chaperones nodded and Arthur turned to the children.

"Alright, everyone have fun! And don't forget, we'll be having a short quiz on some of the objects in this museum when we get back tomorrow. They're all on the guide I've made for you, so keep a look out for them."

Some of the children groaned annoyed, but most were too happy that they were missing a day of school to really care. The teacher smiled as he watched his students dart off in different directions of the museum.

"Hey there!" A large hand was placed on Arthur's shoulder and he gasped.

"Woah, woah, didn't mean to scare ya! It's just me."

Arthur turned to find the young blue-eyed bus driver in front of him.

"Oh, why yes. I'm easily startled, so sorry."

"Again, no problem!" he assured and flashed a smile. "So where do you wanna start Arthur? I think the Star-Spangled Banner would be good. Come on!"

Energetic, Alfred grabbed hold of Arthur's hand and started dragging him to the first exhibit. The poor Brit never even got a word in.

Three hours later, and after a brief lunch, Arthur found himself still following the bus driver. As they'd gone through the museum, Alfred actually had some very interesting commentary that the teacher would have never expected. As they strolled through the America at War section though, Alfred seemed the most alert, knowing facts on all types of machinery from the Civil War to World War Two.

"I had no idea you were so versed in history," Arthur admitted as they exited the exhibit.

"Hmm... well my dad was a medic in Vietnam, and I don't know, he just got me really interested in America's history. He used to tell me I'd never understand the present if I didn't know the past."

"That's rather wise advice," Arthur said solemnly as the two entered the First Ladies section of the museum.

"Yeah. I actually dreamed of majoring in history, I wanted to teach it too. I guess I kind of envy you," Alfred said with a small smile and laugh.

"Oh? Well if you never majored in history, what did you major in?"

"Nothing," Alfred said quite bluntly. "I got excepted to Berkeley, but then dad got sick, and I had to take care of him." Somewhere along the line the two had stopped walking and Arthur was staring up at Alfred. "But... he passed away. By then I couldn't really afford to go, even though I still wanted to. My cousin Matt thought it might be a good idea if I got away from Cali for awhile, so I moved and yep, here I am."

"Oh, Alfred I'm sorry... I had no idea...," Arthur was really at a loss for words.

"S'alright," the driver answered him, the sorrow quickly drifting away. "Everything worked out in the end. I still get to work with kids, and look, now I even have a friend who likes history as much as I do!"

Arthur smiled, and continued to listen as Alfred commented on each of the First Ladies' dresses.

Before either of the men realized, it was already 3:30. They made their way back to the bus, but not before Arthur bought a small aviator teddy bear. Alfred gave him a knowing look, and Arthur just flustered and replied with:

"It's for my brother back in England. I promise you!"

Alfred laughed, and Arthur smiled, and soon enough they were both back on the bus. The teacher started to check off names once more as all his students climbed aboard.

"Hello, Elizabeth. Did you enjoy the trip?" Mr. Kirkland asked as another student boarded the bus.

"Yes, it was really cool!"

Arthur caught Alfred smiling in the rearview mirror and stuck his tongue out at him. Alfred started laughing, and for the first time in awhile, Arthur felt something very warm and pleasant in his heart. Though he immediately dismissed it as another group of students made their way onto the bus.

"I do believe, that's everybody," Arthur announced and the children turned to look at him. "Did you all enjoy yourselves?"

Some of the students replied happily, others said nothing, and some seemed to have already been tired and fallen asleep. All in all, Arthur considered this a pretty good turnout.

"Lovely. Well remember that when we arrive back at the school, you're all to wait patiently with me until your parents come to pick you up, okay? Good, let's get moving then."

Arthur sat, and as Alfred quickly grabbed the radio and started the bus on "99 bottles of milk on the wall" (This of course earned the driver a small chuckle from Arthur) the teacher didn't even bother to attempt to read his novel. This time, he let Alfred have his fun; and he didn't get remotely agitated.

Arthur watched as his last student drove away with his father. Finally this day was over, and he could go home and make a nice cup of chamomile tea, and take a long hot bath and-

"So, Mr. Kirkland."

The teacher turned at the noise, but was surprised to find the bus driver standing before him once again.

"Alfred? I thought you left an hour ago when we arrived."

The young blonde smiled a tad and brought his hand up to rub the back of his neck.

"Oh well... I was. But then I went inside to get a snack, and what do ya know? An hour's passed!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, and Alfred's cheeks pinked just a bit as he relented.

"Well that... and I was maybe waiting for all the kids to leave."

Arthur's eyes widened a bit at this, as he stared at the young bus driver.

"Wait for all the children to leave? What on earth for? Did you need to tell me something? I'm so sorry, if one of them caused a problem or mucked up your bus or-"

Alfred let out a small snicker but then quickly cut the other man off.

"No, no, it wasn't the kids, Artie," he paused and flashed him a tentative smile. "I just wanted to wait so I could maybe... ask you out for coffee?"

Arthur blinked a few times, wondering if he heard that correctly.

"Did you just ask me out on a date?" the teacher asked skeptically.

"I'd say so, yes," Alfred grinned. "I definitely won't drink and drive though, even if it's only coffee. But of course feel free to say no! I'm just really serious about that rule an-"

"Alfred," Arthur shook the bus driver gently to regain his attention. "T-that sounds lovely," he answered with pink tinting his cheeks. "Thank you for waiting until the children left."

"No sweat!" Alfred replied now completely ecstatic. He slapped a hand on the bus that was still parked in front of them. "So what time can I pick you up in my ride?" Alfred accented, motioning to the bus.

"Seven o'clock. And Alfred," Arthur said as he started to walk toward his own car in the parking lot. "If you pick me up in that contraption, you're dead."

The comment was followed by a smile, and Alfred returned it tenfold.

He couldn't wait for them to write their own history.