[this has been developed into a fic called "Yes Ma'am", check out on my tumblr if you like! @n3ptoonz <3]

James Barnes, your colleague that was kind enough to take up being your TA part time during your evening classes, is a good man. He never slacked off, took deadlines very seriously, and would even sometimes teach the first half of your lectures if you were running late. You've gotten close enough that he 1) has your number and 2) is aware you've been babysitting your nephews the past few weeks. He waves off your constant gratitude for all that he's done because he sees it as a natural thing. He'd be there for you at the drop of a hat, no questions asked.

Part of you felt like he was so okay with it because he's been waiting for you to finally agree to see him after work hours. You've teased him a few times about it but he still persists. He admires you and your hard work. That and how you look walking around the front of the lecture hall classroom in your new work heels, but he won't say that out loud.

It's not that you don't think he's attractive. You think he's very attractive, but you've never been one to engage in workplace romance. Not after your last divorce almost a decade ago. You've been going on strong separating work and pleasure. Does it bother you that James likes to skate on thin ice every time he sees you? ...maybe not as much. However! A few words of flattery and his obvious lingering stares and touches will not sway you.

Right?

"Professor Barnes and I will have your essays graded and back to you all by Friday. Class dismissed." You said as you turned off the mic and watched your students file out of the lecture hall. You stacked some copies and slid them into your binder before heading over to your desk, stuffing it into your bag. After a few minutes, the door opened and in came your criminally handsome TA down the steps. A pile of papers in his hands and a look of pride on his face.

"Finished my stack today," he said as he walked up to you and put it on your desk. Your brow raised and your eyes darted from the pile back to him.

"You finished your half today?" You asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a bit of rasp, still smiling.

"That's 16 papers," you added, "I gave them to you Thursday."

"Didn't want to leave you hanging." He shrugged. You nodded, impressed. He still managed to surprise you even after a month.

"Huh...thank you," you grabbed the pile and put it safely into a drawer. "I still have like four left."

"I can take them," he offered rather eagerly. You shook your head.

"I got it. I won't ask you to do more than needed."

He watched you pack up the rest of your things and head for the steps, biting his lip in thought.

"Are you busy this evening?"

You turned as you were halfway up a step. "You've asked me that about three times this week."

He chuckles. "It's about the third time you haven't given me an answer."