The Red Star

Chapter 6

Bucky was out hunting and had ordered Jay to stay inside. They had food and all, Bucky just liked to get out for the fresh air mostly. Jay walked back and forth in fron of the fire as she read the first Lord of the Rings book, with a blanket around her shoulders. She would have like to be down below, in the S.H.I.E.L.D offices that bucky had built on top of, but they were old and they were where Bucky went to "work" as he called it. She didn't know what he was doing, nor did she care much.

Her thoughts were cut off by a noise from out in the shed. Bucky could not be back already, she knew, because he only JUST left. She peered out the window and saw nothing. For a momen she hesitated, then ran to the door and slipped her feet into a pair of Bucky's boots that he set there. She opened the door and stepped out into the snow, noticing that the raging wind from the night before had gone and left her in a still and calm silence. No wonder Bucky liked it up here. She took only two steps away from the open door to see the corner of the shed. The door was wide open. 

She noticed that the tips of her fingers were tingling as she stepped closer, not caring nearly as much for it as she should have been. When she reached the open door, she let out a silent gasp as she saw the massive back of a large bear, eating frozen dear meat. Frantically she looked around her for ways to escape and her only path was the straight shot to the door. It was then that she noticed her fingers were numb and she couldn't bring out her wings. Instead she projected a weapon in her hand, to find that she only had enough energy to create a small dagger.

"Shit." She thought, "I'm screwed."

Her powers were working doubletime to keep her warm, so that she could only channel a little bit to herhand to create the dagger. If she really wanted a bigger weapon, she couldn't have used her power to keep herself as warm as she could and she'd pass out right then and there and either freeze to death, or be eaten by a bear. She looked around her and then took a silent and steady step to the right when she realized all too late that an icicle was beneath her foot. It broke. And her her pulse quickened to a rapid thumping.

The bear let out a low growel and turned around. When it saw her it let out a loud growl and she screamed as she ran forward. However, she only made it about two feet before the deadweight that was her numb feet, dragged her down. She looked back up at the bear as he stalked closer and was ready to pounce. Jay put up her arms over her face as it pounced forward.

But she heard a loud "CLANG!!" Then a grunt from the bear and she opened her eyes to find that Bucky had literally punched the bear in the face.

"That is soooo hot." She thought to herself. But she shook it off as she watched Bucky pull his knife from its place on his thigh and say,

"C'mon Smokey."

The bear lunged forwad but he dodged it, leaping over it and landing on its back. He wraped his arms around it, plunging his long knife itno its throat. The bear tried to wrestle him off, but he remained steady.

Jay reprimanded herself for her thoughts as she watched and listened, hearing the metal of Bucky's arm whining, then a low, but clear crack, as the bear fell lifeless to the snow.

Jay stared at him as he brushed the snow off of his faded leather jacket and black pants when he looked up at her. He wore a hat, so his hair could only be seen curving out softly around his neck.

He gave her an almost severe look before dragging her up from the ground and carrying her inside. Once in, he slipped his hands beneath her legs and lifted her in his arms, kicking the door shut with his foot. He carried her to the chair then set her down gently, taking off his jacket and putting it around her. Surprisingly warm, the jacket was wrapped about her as she breathed in the smell of fresh pine and clarity as it were. She watched as he silently threw wood on the fire, wrappde another blanket around her and began to make coffee.

He wore a faded plaid shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. She actually admired the silvery metal arm. It was quite attractive to her, even though he had said he'd rather have no arm over the passed week.

Soon she found a steaming cup of coffee in front of her and she took it, a strange pricking sensation spreading over her hands and feet.

"Did you--"

"Break its neck?" Bucky cut her off, but very gently, " I did."

Jay stared at him in admiration as he took his boots from the floor in front of her and set them by the door again. There was a long silence as Bucky passed behind her when she said,

"Thank you."

There was a pause as she waited eagerly when he answered,

"You're welcome." He stopped then said, "Bluejay." As he made his way into the kitchen.

He knew she didn't like to be called by her whole name and she grinned. It was playful, but possibly his way of reprimanding her for being stupid and going outside.

"Why do you help me?" Jay spoke up, "I'm kinda a lost cause."

His movement in the kitchen stopped and like a ghost he appeared beside her so suddenly she almost jumped. She looked up at him and his face was serious. His blue eyes shimmered in hurt and pity so much so that Jay felt her heart drop.

"You're not a lost cause, Jay." He said, stepping in front of her and crouching to be in eye level.

"But---"

He cocked his head and his shaggy hair slipped to the side so that strands were in his eyes. She was silent now, trying not to stare into his mezmarising eyes.

"You may be a bit---"

"Clumsy? Stupid? Arrogant?" Jay said.

"Don't." He had a tinge of anger in his voice, but mostly distress.

"You just need to be more careful, and experience and wisdom is only gained by time and and your actions. What you do with your time and actions now, will define who you will be, how you will think and your very essence to the core, in your future. You learn from your mistakes not run from them." He stopped and asked,"you understand?"

"Yeah I do." She said.

"Good. Because I wasn't about to say all of that again." He said with a chuckle.

Jay looked up at him and laughed too. As he walked away she said,

"You have a very beautiful laugh."

He paused and Jay felt like kicking herself for being so awkward.

"Thank you."he said. "You have a beautiful smile."

Jay felt warm as she cuddled back into her cave of blankets and Bucky's jacket.

"I'm going to wash up alright?" Bucky said.

She could hear his footsteps behind her and she said,

"Ok."

"Don't go running off chasing bears while I'm gone." He chuckled.

"Haha." Jay replied sarcastically before laughing.

She felt his hand on her shoulder and her muscles tensed. He leaned over and whispered,

"Your laugh is beatiful."

His fingers slipped over her neck as his hand pulled away and felt goosebumps up her spine. The door shut down the hall and she sighed as she looked into the fire. If she were ice, she would have melted then and there.