The Red Star

Chapter 16

Steve sat in silence at the table in the small restraunt in the middle of the mall. He sipped a cup of coffee as he stared at the old pictures on the wall. Thoughts ran through his mind, Thoughts of Peggy, thoughts of the war, thoughts of Bucky, Finally thoughts of Crystal. He set his cup down and sat forward and fixed his jacket. 

 He had no problem with thinking of her. It was just that he thought of her all of time. Had she crept into his thoughts as Peggy had so long done so in his ? Before he had time to ponder this question, The two chairs across from him were pulled out and both Crystal and Bucky sat down.

"Hey." Crys said.

"Afternoon." Steve said.

"You feeling alright?" Bucky asked, leaning on the table with his elbows, running his hand through his hair.

"Just a little tired." Steve added with a sigh. 

"What's wrong?" Crys asked.

 Steve opened his mouth to speak but said nothing and grabbed his coffee mug and put it to his lips. Crys furrowed her brows and seemed almost hurt and looked down at the table as Steve reached in his pocket to pull out money. Bucky nudged her and she looked at him. 

"I'll be right back." Steve said as he stood up.

"Yup." Crys said with a forced smile.

After Steve was out of sight, Crys sat back and laid her head on the back of the chair. 

"Crys?" Bucky said.

She turned her head and looked up at him.

"Yeah?"

"He likes you, you know that?" Bucky added, leaning back.

 Crys sighed and turned toward him saying,

"He's definately shy about it....." she cut herself off, then almost gasped, "Is he not over Peggy? Or  Sharon?"she became on edge and added, "Is that it?"

"No." Bucky shifted in his seat to be seated toward her. "Crys,he does like you. No. He...." he cut himself off.

Crys was facing him now, looking almost ready to break his neck for not finishing,

"He WHAT?!" Crys tried not to shout.

"Crystal." Bucky continued, "Steve has a lot of affection for you. I daresay that he loves you."

"But---"

"Crys?" Bucky tilted his face and frowned sympathetically. She stopped and he continued, "He may be shy about it, but that's the way he's always been. I've known him my whole life" he paused and then added with a chuckle, "Well most of it anyway, But that's not the point. The point is that I know when he likes someone, and it is almost painfully obvious that he cares about you."

Crys had tears brimming her eyes and she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug and she said,

"Thanks so much Bucky."

"No problem..........beautiful." he replied with a laugh.

Crys laughed and hit his shoulder saying,

"You cow."

Steve turned back from the counter and looked up from his wallet to see Crys and Bucky in an embrace that he quickly misinterpreted for the opposite of what it really was.

"Oh!" Bucky added with a laugh as the two sat back, "THAT'S where Jay gets it."

"Yeah. That's me. Bad influence on my OLDER cousin." Crys laughed.

The two shared a mutal laugh and sat back again as Steve walked up, snatching up his jacket.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Bucky added.

"Peachy. Just peachy." Steve retorted with a high level of annoyance in his voice.

"Steve?" Bucky stood and said, "What is wrong?!"

"Youo know what's wrong Bucky?" Steve stepped away and added, "The problem is that you were always the lady's man. I never was and look where that's gotten me?"

"What are you talking about?!" Bucky stood also and Crys followed, nervously watching them.

"You know what?" Steve said, "Forget it. "

Steve made his way to the main doors of the mall and slammed them open to hard the glass shattered as they flew off the hinges and landed in the parking lot. 

"Steve!!" Bucky charged out the door after him shouting, "Stop it and talk to me!"

"Bucky!" Steve stopped and turned around and pointed at him, "Every girl was just so crazy about you, and I was always on the sidelines! The one woman I thought i finally  had a chance with and I was too late." he stopped and seemed to be chocked by a sob, "Now," he stopped and moved toward Bucky saying, "Now that I finally get a chance to be with someone, and you come along! I thought you loved Jay?"

"I DO!!!" Bucky shouted.

 Crys stepped out just soon enough to here Steve's question about Jay and she stopped. She knew it.

"Steve?!" Crys shouted.

Steve looked at her and looked down at the ground then back up.

"I'm heading off." Steve said, walking to his Mustang.

Crys looked frantically at Bucky then ran toward Steve. Just as he opened his car door, Crys grabbed his arm, the wind picking up suddenly.

"Steve please!"

 He stopped and looked down at her, searching her face.

"I just have to go." he said.

He slipped into his car and drove away, leaving Crys and Bucky in the parking lot. Crys was almost in tears and Bucky was just in shock. Crys let out a sob and Bucky made his way to her and she hugged him.

"He's just confused okay." he paused as she let out a sob, "Just confused alright? You'll be okay."

Crys stepped back and wiped her eyes then looked at him.

"I heard what you said........about Jay."

Bucky became tense and he was about to speak when she cut him off saying,

"I won't tell her. You need to." she stopped then added, "YOU need to tell her. No one else. Promise me you'll tell her. Promise me."

"I promise."