1. Great Expectations
If there was one person I hated the most in this world, it was one James Buchanan Barnes. When I was recruited into the Avenger’s Initiative by Captain America himself, he was very reassuring that I’d love everyone, even Tony Stark. And Steve was mostly right.
“Dude, do you mind?” Barnes backed into me, meticulously invading my personal space. He looked down at me, smirking.
“No, what?” I groaned inwardly, moving further to my left.
“Aw, am I bothering you, Jess?” My ears burned as I steadily grew more agitated. I saw Steve’s uncomfortable look from the corner of my eye. He figured his two best friends would get along just fine. I guess he figured wrong.
“Stop staring at me.” Barnes’s voice cut through my peaceful silence. I scoffed.
“Please, as if I actually wanted to look at you.” He grumbled something quietly. I smirked down at the cereal bowl in front of me, in victory.
“If you two are done insulting each other, mission briefing in five,” Steve muttered, walking off. I finished the rest of my cereal and placed my bowl in the sink. Shortly after, I could feel Barnes on my tail.
“Jesus, back up, Terminator,” I grumbled. He just laughed, holding the door for me. I rolled my eyes, plopping into a seat at the conference table next to Natasha.
“Geez, Jess you have to be tense every morning?” She teased. I sighed. I look at her, waiting for the Russian Spy to pick up on my current no-bullshit attitude. She seemed to pick up the hint, patting my shoulder.
“Alright people.” Fury walked into the room, fashionably late as usual. As he droned on through the PowerPoint, I shifted in my chair, accidentally brushing my leg against Barnes’s, who is of course sitting to my right. As I was about to apologize, he quickly shoved my leg away. Nagging for a fight, I kicked him back, harder. He turned his head to mine and kicked me again. Before I could drive my heel into his shin, Steve cleared his throat, catching our attention.
“Can’t you two act like adults for ten minutes, at least?” He sounded stressed, trying not to interrupt Fury’s spiel.
“Good. So, if we’re all set here, Rogers will give you pairing assignments.” And with that Fury was gone. I picked, mindlessly as my nails as Steve stood, holding one of Stark’s iPad’s.
“Okay, so we’ve got Barton and Romanov, Thor and Banner, Wilson and Rhodey, Allen and Barnes, the Maximoff Twins, and that just leaves Stark and me.” I went from zoning out to perfectly in focus. Me and Barnes? Are you kidding? Every single mission was me and Barnes and it was the absolute worst.
“Unless anyone has any questions, you’re all dismissed. Leaving tomorrow at 6 am. Rest up today. Just relax and try to get along with each other.” I rolled my eyes as Steve looked right at me and Bucky. When everyone began to shuffle out, I bounced up and walked to Steve. Barnes seemed to be having the same thoughts.
“Steve, I need to switch partners.” Barnes and I spoke at the same time. We looked at each other.
“Stop that.” We said.
“Seriously, shut up.” We said, again. I groaned. Steve was too busy being amused to notice the glare I was giving him.
“You have to switch us.” Barnes pleaded. I tried not to be too offended at how desperate he sounded. I mean, why should I even care. Get it together, Jess.
“Why would I switch you two? You make great partners.” I felt how much he regretted his voice of words as soon as he said it.
“Are you kidding?”
“We are NOT great partners!”
“I hate him.”
“I hate her.” Steve just stood listening to me and Barnes yell over each other. He waited patiently for us to be quiet. He said nothing, silently walking away.
“Steven, if you pair me with him, I swear to God, I’ll put Nair in your shampoo again!” I yelled down the hall. When he was out of earshot, I turned to Barnes and glared. He returned the gesture.
I storm down the hall to Violet’s office, throwing the door open. She was on the phone. Violet pulled her glasses down, then pushed them back up, sighing at me, putting her hand over the receiver.
“Ms. Allen, I’m a little busy,” Her thick Southern accent hummed, being subtly sarcastic. I ignored that and sat down.
She became a part of this team a few months ago.
“I’ll have that report emailed to you this afternoon. Thank you, ma’am.” She hung up the phone.
“What’s up?” She asked, staring at her computer screen. She was always multitasking, one of her many skills.
“Steve put me with Barnes again on this next mission,” I smirked at the way her face got all flushed at the mere mention of Steve’s name. Violet Clarke was completely in love with the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan.
“We’ve been over this so many times. Y’all make a good team if Captain Rogers keeps pairing together.” I huffed, standing and leaving her office.
“Bye Jess.”
~
My hand came into contact with my alarm clock and I exhaled slowly. Let’s do this, I guess. As I began to get ready, I glanced at the large stack of student papers I needed to grade. I groan loudly, also remembering that I had to call in sick.
“F.R.I.D.A.Y. please call Midtown High School’s principal’s office,” I said, rummaging through my dresser in search of the special suit Stark made me. I smiled when I find it.
“Good morning Ms. Allen, what can I do for you?” He sounded tired and I found myself relating. As I spoke again, I heard a knock at my door. When I didn’t get the chance to answer, whoever was at the other end slowly pushed it open. I relaxed a little when it was just Steve.
“Hi there, Jerry, I just wanted to make sure I was all set with a sub for my classes today? I inquired about a sick day due to personal family matters?” I asked. He hummed in response as I slipped my suit on.
“Sure thing, Jess. Everything is all set. I hope all is well with your family.” He said. I smiled, beginning to tuck my hair into a long French Braid.
“Thank you, sir,” I said before hanging up.
“Hey, Cap,” I said.
“Morning. Who was that?” He asked.
“Midtown’s principal. Had to make sure my students were all set with a sub.” I explained, setting up the makeshift utility belt with knives and two little guns.
As I slid into the shoulder harness that holds a gun in a holster between my shoulder blades, Steve spoke again, “Sometimes I forget that you’re just a teacher.” He had his hands in his pockets. At this comment, I swung my leg high above my head, starting a spar. It knocked Steve down and I pinned him under me. He tried to catch his breath.
“You also forget I came from a military family and served for 5 years in the Navy,” I smirked at him, standing and helping him up. Steve was laughing when he stood.
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” I smiled.
“No worries. Gotta keep you on your toes, Stevie.” He smiled and nodded.
“Leaving in 10. Be ready.” I hummed, lacing up my boots and sticking a knife into the thigh holster I have.
“Oh, and Jess?” I raise dmy head.
“Try not to kill Barnes, yeah?” I scoffed.
“I’ll try.”
~
