The Red Star

Chapter 12

Crystal opened her eyes to find that she was being carried across the gravel to the front door of Charles's school.

She blinked and then saw that they were inside.

"You're awake?" Steve said.

"Yeah." she replied.

Steve slowly set her down on her feet and had his hand on the small of her back to keep her steady.

"How is your side?" he asked bending over, ever so slightly.

Crystal felt her side.

"I have a slight healing factor, so I guess Ill be alright."

Steve looked at her as she examined her side. His bright blue eyes searching her face. Suddenly he felt a hand touch his shoulder and he turned to see Bucky, who had a sarcastic grin on his face.

"Crystal." Charles called her from across the room.

When she walked away, giving Steve a smile, Bucky crossed his arms and chuckled.

"No." Steve said.

"Oh really?" Bucky retorted. "She's a bit young for you isn't she?"

"You're the one to talk." Steve said, nodding his head in Jay's direction.

Bucky flushed a shade of read and laughed.

"Good point."

The moment after he said this Crystal and Jay came up to them.

"So now what?" Crys said.

"Well I guess we're stuck with eachother." Jay chuckled.

They all joined in the little laugh when Steve said,

"Well that won't be too bad will it?"

He looked at Crys who couldn't help but blush. Jay looked at Bucky with a sarcastic bewildered look and he turned his head, as if casually looking around and whispered,

"Creepy stalker mode."

Steve just cleared his throat and thrust his hands in his pockets.

"I think we can learn to live with each other." Bucky added.

"We can." Jay said.

"But what will we do?" Crys asked.

"Training is a good possibility." Bucky said, crossing his arms.

"Who'd train with who?" Crystal then asked.

"Could train you." Steve said to her.

"I guess I'd train you then, Jay." Bucky said looking at Jay.

"Alright." Jay said with a grin.

"Good, good." Bucky said as he looked at her.

She quickly averted her eyes and Steve cleared his throat saying under his breath,

"Creepy stalker. Creepy stalker."

"Fresh meat." a voice sounded beside them.

They all turned to see Wolverine, or Logan. He wore his jeans with a white, sleavless shirt and a leather jacket. A cigar was in his mouth and he took it fron his lips, the puff of smoke filling the air.

"What are you talking about?" Crys said with a chuckle, "I've already been training with you."

"That you have Beautiful ." he said placing the cigar in his mouth once more.

Steve looked at him, almost as if he were insulted at the nickname "beautiful " . Logan eyed him a moment then Bucky said,

"Who are you?"

"Logan." he added putting out his hand for Bucky to shake. Bucky put out his metal hand and Logan shook.

"Nice arm." Logan added. He gave Jay a nod of recognition and then said, "Well I've got newbies to train, so I guess Ill be seeing you all around. " He turned to Crys and said, "See you at next practice Beautiful ."

Crys blushed then said,

"I'm hoping to train with Steve for a while, so."

"Oh." Logan said. He eyed Steve and said, "Whatever you want Beautiful ."

With that he turned and walked back down the hall.

Steve staired after him and asked,

"What is that man's problem?"

Before Crys could answer, her name was called and she excused herself before walking away. When she was out of earshot, Jay said,

"I'm guessing competition."

Bucky put his arm on Steve's shoulder and said,

"Just friendly competition."

"You all do realize you're implying he actually has a chance." Steve added, annoyed.

"Yeah. Sorry." Jay said. "Hes Wolverine for Pete's Sake!" Jay then quieted her tone and said "She goes for the more gentlemanly types. Logan is not a gentleman. You have a chance."

With that Jay walked away ans Steve sighed.

"Don't worry." Bucky said, taking, or trying to take him in a fake head lock . "He's not half the man you are."

Steve chuckled and pulled away saying,

"It's good to have you back Bucky."

"It's good to be back." his best friend replied as he walked backwards away.

"Good luck." Steve told him.

"Same to you."  Bucky ended.

Steve looked back down the hall just in time to see Falcon walking by. Waving him down, Steve made his way over, just as Crys came to talk to him. Seeing that he was gone, she sighed and turned around, making her way to her room. Then memories hit her out of the blue. What had she done up at the mountain, and why?