The Red Star

Chapter 55

 Crys could feel the cool smoothness of his hands and she shivered. 

"What do you want with me?" Crys said angrily. 

 Doom bent over and whispered in her ear, 

"You will have to see my dear. " he chuckled and added, "So far you haven't disappointed me yet." 

"I'm not some weakling Victor. In case you forgot I escaped your facility on my own, remember?" Crys cut in. "Believe it or not, women aren't just here to be played with, or reckoned with. You piss us off and you will pay the consequences."

"So confident." Doom chuckled. He leaned even closer than before so that his lips brushed her ear and said, "We'll see how strong you are when I'm done with you. And I should let you know, I've already won the first battle."

"How--?" Crys was cut short by Steve shaking her shoulder saying,

"Crystal? Are you alright?"

 Crys almost jolted when she felt this and she had to blink multiple times before seeing Charles from across the table looking at her with furrowed brows.

"What?" Crys said looking at Steve and all his adorable magnificence .

"You spaced out." Bucky added in.

"Yeah, majorly." Jay said with a concerned tone.

"But..." Crys stopped herself, fear gripping at her heart. She felt her cheeks burn as she felt them all watch her from around the table. 

"You going to be alright?" Matt asked.

"I'll be fine." She said quickly. "I just need to use the restroom."

 She stood up and began to walk away when Steve got up and touched her hand asking,

"Are you sure you're alright?"

 Crys stopped then looked back at everyone, who had taken this look as a hint to mind their own business, and then up at Steve. She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips saying,

"I'll be fine."

 She smiled up at him and he replied with a weary grin before she turned and walked away from the table. She looked back at them as she walked away and noticed them watching her carefully, she then spun back around and hurried to the bathroom . 

 Jay in the mean time, had a strange feeling in her gut and she turned to Charles saying,

"Just a few seconds ago I felt something. When Crys spaced out....." she paused when she recognized the look of fear on his face. "You felt it too?"

"Yes." he replied calmly.

"Wait, what's going on?" Matt interjected. 

"Did you feel that?" Charles asked him.

"Well, there was something off but I wasn't trying to read her mind so it's not like I got any distinct feelings or anything." Matthew said, shifting in his seat.

"Is there another telepath?" Steve asked, glancing back towards the bathrooms where he had last seen Crystal.

"I'm not sure. " Charles added, "But we certainly don't want to rule out the possibility."

"Well I'm not seeing any suspicious activity from any of the guests." Bucky said, turning back around to face everyone, his warm hand casually sliding around the back of Jay's chair, onto her back. She glanced at him as she felt warmth rise in her cheeks, before looking back at Charles saying,

"I don't think we should leave Crys alone." 

"Neither do I." He replied. 

"I'll go." Steve said, beginning to stand. 

"No." Charles said. "I will. Doom might be behind all this. He's probably counting on you going."

 Charles then stood and straightened his jacket. He walked away and on his way to the restroom he ran his hands through his hair and cleared his throat. He took a turn into the hallway and the music and voices began to fade a bit as he came to the door. He hesitated at first then knocked on the door.

"Crystal?" He called. 

 Crystal, who was hunched over the sink stood up quickly, her heart racing. She fixed her hair and makeup and replied,

"Charles?"

"Are you alright?" he asked.

 Crys went up to the door and leaned against it saying,

"What makes you think I'm not?"

 Charles waited a moment before saying,

"Well you're acting a bit off." When she didn't respond he added, "I've known you a long time Crys......I know when something is wrong with you."

"Charles." Crys stopped herself and bit her lip, keeping a sob back. She swallowed hard and opened the door, keeping her eyes down. 

"Crystal what's wrong?" He took her by the shoulders and insisted, "What's wrong?"

 She looked up at him, holding back tears, and said,

"Have you ever gotten into my head?"

"Never." Charles replied quickly and confused. "Crystal, not matter what, I have never tried to get into your mind."

 She looked at him and swallowed saying,

"I need you to look into my mind."

 Charles blinked, confused now more than ever.

"Crystal, what's going on?" he asked, a bit more worried than before.

"I just need you to do it. I think my mind was messed with." Her voice was trembling a bit and her eyes were skimmed with tears. 

"Crystal, I can't..." Charles said.

 She held back a sob and added,

"There's something wrong in my mind....You're the only one I trust to help me."

 It was then that a loud voice sounded the arrival of one, "Victor Von Doom" and they both turned quickly, looking into the see of faces.

"We need to get back." Charles said. "Keep your head down." 

 Charles took her by the arm and led her into the massive throngs of people chattering and murmuring about Doom. Crystal was practically being dragged as she stared off aimlessly.

"He already knows we're here." she said quietly. 

 Charles turned to her and looked her over before rushing back to the table where everyone was waiting.  Steve took hold of Crys and glanced over at Charles  before sitting her down and hunting down in his chair to be less conspicuous. Bucky watched Steve as he eyed Charles when they both sat down. He let out a sigh and looked at Jay. His hand went around her tighter and he even pulled the chair closer . Jay looked at Bucky,  and smiled. Although the atmosphere was heavy with nervousness and fear, she felt calm with him. Feeling his arm around her made her feel like she was safe, like she was under constant protection. She felt at that moment something which she hadn't felt in a long time. She felt and abundance of love . His blue eyes found hers and she smiled. He saw there was something different in her eyes and he grinned. He wanted to kiss her. Charles caught wind of Jay's thoughts and he looked back at them before his eyes wandered over to Crys who was watching the main stage as best she could, waiting fearfully for Doom to appear at his seat. 

 Charles looked away then down at his hands before watching for Doom as well. This plan could put Crystal in danger but she was willing to take it. Fear washed over all of them and for a single moment it was as if they could all read each others mind. The question was, will this actually work?