The Red Star

Chapter 32

The sun was warm and the breeze was light as Jay made her way out to the party. She got a bit of a chill because she had just gotten out of the shower, but soon that feeling passed. Her hair had been kind that day and had curled into perfect ringlets and her make up made her look even better. She wore a thin leather jacket and a deep blue button up shirt with a pair of faded blue jeans.
She watched the massive group of young men and women tossing around a football or hitting a volleyball back and forth, carelessly using their powers when needed. She looked around her and saw Crystal talking with Steve and Johnny who began to look more and more like Steve.
Shaking off the thought, she walked over to them and Johnny welcomed her into the group with a shout and put his arm carelessly on her shoulder.
"How old is Charles anyway?" Johnny asked, taking a swig of beer.
"He won't tell anyone." Crys added.
"I wouldn't ." Steve chimed in.
Crys laughed and slipped under his arm, setting herself against him gently saying,
"Well we already know, so you don't have to worry."
They all chuckled and Steve grinned, bending down a bit and placing a quick kiss on her lips.
Jay glanced at the ground and felt her stomach tightened. She wished with all her heart that she could kiss Bucky like that, but she couldn't.... Or at least she tried her hardest to force herself to believe that.
"So I hate to be little Johnny Rain Cloud here," Johnny began.
"No pun intended." Crys chuckled.
Johnny did so too then continued,
"In Doom standard of attack, it's been a while since he tried again DONT you think?"
"I guess." Jay said.
"How about you enjoy the time we're not fighting for our lives." Bucky's voice suddenly sounded behind them.
On seeing him, Johnny removed his arm from Jay and stood straight. Bucky made his way to the group and sipped his bear adding,
"You don't know how long you'll have, so make the most of the time you have."
"That's true." Steve agreed.
Crys nodded and Jay glanced at Bucky cautiously, wondering what he was getting at. She placed her hands in her jacket pockets and nodded.
"So where is the old man anyway?" Johnny asked, breaking the silence.
"I don't know." Jay said, looking around.
"Well he better be here." Crys added, "This is HIS birthday party after all."
"Ill go see if I can find him." Johnny volunteered, finishing off his beer. He set the empty bottle on the table behind him and walked off, disappearing in the crowd.
Steve had his arm around Crys who was leaning gently against him, sipping a strawberry daiquiri. There a silence for a while before Jay shivered for no apparent reason and Crys looked up at her.
"Did you feel that?" Crys asked.
"Yeah." Jay replied.
"Feel what?" Bucky finally said.
"I don't know how to describe it." Jay said, turning to him.
"It's sort of like a power surge." Crys cut in, "but it wasn't a big one, so there's no need to worry."
Bucky nodded and set his beer down on the table beside Jay.
"Can I talk to you." he mumbled to her as Steve continued to speak to Crys.
"Sure." Jay said with a smile.
With a smile to Steve and Crys, the two made there way to the balcony, overlooking the whole party. Jay leaned her elbows on the rail and Bucky faced the doors, his back to the crowd, leaning back on the railing also.
"So," Jay began, "What's wrong?"
"Well," he began, "A lot of things."
Jay looked down over the people, feeling that something unsavory was going to be said. She turned to Bucky then sat on the railing, facing the door like Bucky.
"I think I understand." Jay said.
Bucky looked at her, a deep emotion showing through his clear eyes.
"I don't think you do." he replied, shaking his hair and looking away.
"I do though," Jay began getting a little excited. She was going to say it, and she didn't care. It was becoming to much of a burden for her to bear, and she needed to tell him.
"Really?" Bucky said disbelievingly. "I don't think you do."
He looked at her with the same look of sorrow and desperation as before and Jay stood up straight saying,
"Yes! I do! Because I've been thinking about your question and it's been killing me. You wanted to know if I loved you, and I never told you. Well now I'm ready to tell you the truth."
She paused, her heard pounding so hard that she felt it vibrate all through her form. Bucky was standing now, a look of confusion and anxiety on his gorgeous features. He was nervous about something other than what she had to say, but all Jay could think of was how she was going to say it.
"Bucky," she said,"I--"
Bucky pulled her forward, his mouth on hers. Her eyes were wide open and she saw how his eyes were shut but his brows were drawn together in a seemingly pain ridden manner. But in a moment her eyes were shut and she noticed how tightly his grip was on her arms and how hard he held her against himself. It was as if he refused to let go,as if he was going to lose her, but she didn't understand why he would act like this. She was never going to leave.
He pulled away and said,
"Bluejay, your parents--"
A sudden and shrill scream made them both start and look down at the crowd. Crys burst through the line of people with Steve behind her and she shouted,
"Jay lookout!"
The two turned just soon enough to see the bottom of two feet strike their faces. They were both propelled over the railing and, thanks to Bucky grabbing the rail, they stopped suddenly in their fall. The two looked up and saw a black and red masked face looking down at them.
"You!" Bucky shouted.
"Yes!" Deadpool shouted triumphantly. "me! I'm awesome."
He looked out over the crowd and, on seeing Crys, said,
"Oh! You're the one I need!"
"Over my dead body!" Steve said, stepping in front of her.
"Ugh! Why does Muscles always have to show up! oh well," Deadpool took his two blades in his hands and said, "Ill cut him down in a jiffy."
Crys frowned and her wings erupted from her back as she shot up into the air, aiming herself directly at him.
Bucky dropped down, holding Jay close and landed on the friend below with a thud. He made eye contact with her a moment before rushing up the stairs with her and Steve when they heard glass shattering above them.