Chapter 10: James

Over the next several days, James kept a low profile, mulling over everything Bruce said. Everything Trixie said. He meditated and journaled. Every time he lit incense he was brought back to the kitchen floor. The shame and guilt he felt was lessening and that's not where his mind went. He still felt her hands on his back. Still felt her fingers in his hair. Still heard her words in his head.

You could've hurt me. You didn't. and That wasn't you.

He decided to surprise her at work, so he ordered a small bouquet of 13 red roses- and he was adamant that there be 13 not 12, with the card reading "Я постоя́нно ду́маю о тебе́. Dinner later?"

James stopped by the community college to drop off required paperwork for admission to the fall semester: copy of his birth certificate included.

"I'm sorry, sir," the clerk said, "This says you were born in 1917. That can't be right. You'd be 103."

"That's right," he said. "My name is James Barnes. I was born in 1917, then cryogenically frozen off and on for 70 years." The clerk looked at him, unbelievingly. "I worked with Captain America," he tried. He sighed and looked around the room. No one was there besides him and the clerk. "I guess this is good practice for later," he murmured to himself as he took off his jacket revealing one flesh arm and one metal arm under exposed by his dark blue t-shirt.

"Oh," the clerk said with clear trepidation, "You're that winter soldier."

"I was," James clarified, trying to convince himself as much as the clerk, "But Wakandan medicine cured me. I'm not anymore." He paused, waiting for the tension to leave the room. "I'd like to be a student," he continued, "Hitler stole that chance from me." He put his jacket back on as the clerk nodded and walked away to make photocopies of his information.

"Register for classes on one of those computers," the clerk said, returning his papers, "Tuition can be paid online with a credit card or here with a check or card."

James went to the computer and pulled out the list he and Trixie created on a napkin at dinner after the baseball game. English and math were required. And he could start taking a basic chemistry and physics class now too. His military work should substitute any physical education requirements, if he chose to skip them. A good thing too, he mentally noted at the time, with the super soldier serum and all. Trixie noted he should start out small, pace himself with one or two classes only. James went ahead and registered for four.

He returned to the counter, ready to pay the clerk. "So, you're really Bucky?" a second clerk asked.

"Live and in person," he responded, handing over his credit card.

"I can't wait to tell my brother I met an Avenger," the first clerk squealed.

"Retired Howling Commando," James corrected, taking back his credit card and turning to leave the office. "I never formally joined the Avengers." He found a sign that directed him towards the credit counseling office to see about getting any PE requirements waived for time served.