I didn't think Bucky would come to the Friday lecture, given how clear it is that he dislikes Riley. He was missing all day on Thursday as well, but that's not a surprise.

I consider the possibility that he's here for my sake, but he's not even sitting near me. He's seated a row below, in the seat beside the aisle. The angle allows me to observe him, and I find myself paying more attention to him during the lecture than to Riley's PowerPoint.

He's taking it all in with such intense concentration that I'm left wondering if he had a change of heart. Maybe he found the research interesting?

I make no effort to hide my perplexed state from Dr. Nikolav, and he brings it up while I'm pouring myself a glass of punch at the post-lecture mixer.

"Is something going on with James?" His eyes hone in on our mutual friend across the room, currently being accosted by various women from the department. Their chatter and giggles carries over the general noise, and I frown.

"Why?" I turn to Dr. Nikolav, shutting out the other conversations.

"Yesterday he came into my office asking all kinds of questions about Riley's background, his history… I get the feeling he doesn't like the man very much." He takes a sip of his drink.

You wouldn't be wrong about that.

"I expect there are bigger problems between you two right now than Riley." He chuckles, "But I will have to keep my nose out of that. I've meddled enough with your relationship so far."

I'm just about to correct him when his gaze flickers elsewhere, interrupting my thought process.

As if on cue, Riley has emerged from the crowd, cutting his way across the lounge floor towards us, stopping occasionally to shake hands and accept praise for his lecture.

Nikolav's gaze follows him, and he lowers his voice to a volume only I can hear.

"One thing you may be curious to know: I discovered that Riley isn't registered at the DC Conference he told me he was attending. It's probably not important, but nevertheless… There it is."

Well, that doesn't make much sense. That would imply that Riley is lying about his spontaneous visit… That he deliberately planned to come by and talk to me.

There's very little time to make sense of that revelation before Riley enters hearing range, so we cut our conversation short.

"Well, what did you think? Did I bore you to death?" He glances between us, a light-hearted grin on his face.

"Couldn't stay awake." Dr. Nikolav jokes.

I plaster a smile on my face, noting out of the corner of my eye that Bucky's attention has now shifted our way.

Of course.

"Fantastic work you're doing, Riley. I look forward to seeing what comes of it." I up the dazzle-factor on my smile, and Riley looks pleasantly surprised.

"Why don't I take you both out to dinner tonight and we can talk more about it?" He looks between us, "And your research, of course, Elise."

"I'm afraid I have dinner plans with my mother this evening." Dr. Nikolav shakes his head in disappointment. I cast him a furtive glance, and he notices my panic at the prospect of having to dine with Riley alone.

"But perhaps our friend James would like to accompany you two. He has a budding interest in nerve damage." He gestures in Bucky's direction, and I watch the polite smile of acknowledgement appear on Riley's face as he recognizes who Dr. Nikolav is talking about.

I resist the urge to scowl. Of all the people Dr. Nikolav could have picked to be the third wheel…

"That sounds like a great idea." Riley shows no sign of displeasure, "How's La Piazza on James Street, around 6? I can make reservations."

"Perfect." I force a smile.

Just perfect.

"Why are you investigating Riley behind my back?"

He gives a mere shrug, his pace never faltering as he walks ahead. I had to watch him like a hawk to catch him as he was leaving the party, but now I've finally got a chance to confront him about what Nikolav said.

"Bucky. I thought you said you wouldn't keep secrets." I frown, "The last time someone kept things from me, it didn't exactly work out."

"I'm not Brock Rumlow." He stops in the middle of the sidewalk, levelling a piercing blue stare at me.

"You might as well be, given how much you don't tell me." I glance away, unwilling to let him see the disappointment that's probably written on my face.

I hate how much it hurts that he won't open up to me.

I know I should give him time, but it's hard when he simultaneously pushes me away and then gets jealous about Riley flirting with me. It's frustrating that he's so indecisive about where his feelings stand.

"I have my suspicions about him, that's all." He replies gruffly. "It's… it's not because he has feelings for you."

"Are you sure?" I turn my gaze on him, eyeing him critically.

He nods, but doesn't look at me directly.

"Then I'm sure you won't mind going to dinner with him tonight. With me."

I see the immediate flicker of disdain in his eyes, even before the scowl appears on his face.

"Why?"

Geez, his tone is so suspicious. He might not know Riley, but the man's not a villain. I'm not sure why Bucky is so wary around him if it's not because of jealousy.

"To talk about research." I pause, a coy smile tugging at my lips, "If you don't want to go, I can just go by myself—"

"I'll go."

Thought so.