This story takes place before my other story, "The Past Story". You don't have to have read it to understand it but if you do like this story, then I suggest that one.

I dedicate this story to my loving fiance who gave me inspiration to write another story. I want to thank Silencedfox86 who has helped me greatly with insipiration from his story and pushed me to keep writing. He has a great story that I suggest everyone to read.

As always, I own nothing of Star Fox.

Enjoy!

The scraping of a pencil against paper and the low hum of a fan were the only audible sounds in the small dorm room. The unusually hot fall afternoon had made the four teenage inhabitants miserable, close to the point of madness. The windows pulled open to the fullest extent that their frames would allow, the outside offered no mercy, but instead carried spurts of wind full of hot air. A single desk fan, the room's only savior, moved to and fro in its routine pattern. The members of the particular room weren't the only one's suffering; all the occupants in the building were experiencing the same unbearable heat wave.

"This is ridiculous," Falco replied, sitting on his bed, doning shorts and white tank top. "How much do we pay for this academy?"

Laying barren in bed, the blankets long forgotten in a heap on the floor, Bill wiped the sweat off his brow. "Too much, if you ask me. Some decent ventilation wouldn't hurt."

Lifting his head momentarily to get a look at his friends, Fox sighed out of defeat. Laying shirtless on his bed in the same fashion as Bill, the young vulpine was getting tired of listening to the banter of his friends. "They didn't expect it to get hot again so they turned off the air conditioning. Bitching about it won't do anything."

With a shake of his head and a disgruntled noise, Falco glared at Fox. "And what do you want me to do, Foxie boy? Write to my congressman?"

Slippy, with a puff of air from his lips, decided to lay his pencil down to enter the conversation. "I'd be surprised that you knew who that was."

Surprised at Slippy's comeback, Fox turned his head and lifted an eyebrow. On any other day, Fox would have pursued the threatening fight with Falco. However, with the intensity of the heat, the young McCloud just couldn't seem to gather the strength to care. Instead, he directed his attention at Slippy. "You still doing homework, Slip?"

The green toad, picking up his forgotten pencil, turned his face towards the open text book and papers, calculator in his other hand. "Yeah. I would like to get this assignment done before tomorrow. Have you started on yours Fox?"

Putting a paw to his face to wipe the sweat away, the vulpine shook his head. "Nope. And it's not due for another week so I'm not doing it now. I'll start it next week."

"The beginning of the year and the instructors are already giving us hell," Bill replied, sitting up in his bed.

"Hey," Falco began, sending Bill a pointed look. "At least you don't have to take Strength of Materials again. I still fail to see how that will ever help me later in life."

Slippy turned around towards Falco, a scowl on his face. "Well Falco, if you ever-"

Falco interrupted by putting up his hand in the air. "Save it Slip. I don't give a rat's ass."

Not happy with the attitude Falco was displaying, the toad shook his head and turned dutifully back to his homework. It was the beginning of the school year at the Cornerian Military Academy, making everyone's moods worse for wear. Adding to the stress of school, the scorching hot weather created a fatal mix that worsened the ambiance of the room. Complaint after complaint, the academy administration refused to turn the air conditioning back on as the heat was unusual and would subside after a while. Until then, the miserable cadets would have to find other means to cool themselves off, most of which consisted of showers and fans.

"Where're the girls?" Bill asked curiously from his sitting position on his bed.

"Probably home," Falco began, not moving from his spot. "Fara's got a pool at her house."

"And why the hell are we not there?" Bill replied, brows knit together.

"According to Katt, it's a 'girls only' time," Falco allowed a puff of air through his lips. "Unbelievable. I have a waterfall of sweat running down my ass and they decide to have girl time."

Fox, with a surge of energy running through is body, jumped up from his bed to grab his shirt. This grabbed the other's attention, all looking at him in surprise. Fox gave them all a glance. "Screw this," the fifteen year old began. "My arwing has air conditioning. I'm going flying."

Feeling a grin cross his face, Bill stood up as well and began getting dressed. "Awesome idea, Fox. I think I'll join you."

"Where are you guys flying to?" Falco asked, trying to hide his interest from his friends. "I mean, if it's somewhere cool, maybe I'll join you…"

"I should get this homework done…" Slippy began, looking at the ceiling in thought as if trying to solve a complicated problem. "But I can use a break." Putting down his pencil and calculator, the teenage toad stood up to get ready for the flight.

"Maybe we can hang out at my house?" Fox suggested. "We can probably score a descent meal from my mom."

"Your mom's cooking?" Falco began. "I'm totally in."

The fly over to the McCloud's residence was less than eventful with most of the ride being silent. Instead, the friends opted to enjoy their air conditioned cockpits with their thoughts, whatever they may be. Upon reaching the large estate of the McClouds, each cadet skillfully maneuvered their aircrafts down on the landing pad which was located in the back of the house. As there wasn't enough room for all the ships, only Fox and Bill were able to put their ships in the hanger on site. The remaining two had to stay put on the landing pad. The four teenagers, in better spirits from the fly and temporarily relieved from the heat, made their way into the house.

"Are you sure your mom will be cool with us dropping by?" Bill asked as Fox keyed in the code to the security system. The security system was over the top, with the code changing frequently. If the door or window was to open without the code put in first, the police would be at the house in less than 30 seconds. Fox, unfortunately, knew first hand that the police were fast when arriving. In a drunken stupor, he had accidently tested the security system.

With a click and beep, the security system accepted the typed in password. Fox gave a shrug. "She'll be fine. She loves to cook for more people."

Pushing the door open, the four friends were greeted with the aroma's of pleasant cooking. It smelled like basil and garlic, which told Fox that they were having pasta that night. The kitchen, which was straight ahead and to the left of the entrance, was bustling with the sounds of boiling water and the movement of pots and pans. There were faint noises from the study that gave evidence of a conversation taking place. Slipping off his shoes, Fox further entered his home.

"Hello?" Fox called into the house. The other three followed suit and slipped their shoes off, slowly trailing behind Fox as he made his way into the kitchen.

Turning the left corner, Fox was greeted with a familiar and happy sight. The kitchen, which was decorated with stainless steel and dark mahogany wood, was spotless clean, contrasting with the bustling activities going on in the room. Fox's mother, Vixxy, had her back turned to the new occupants in the room, preoccupied with kneading dough while watching a flat screen TV monitor that was flush with the wall. The stove top had two pots, each full of boiling water, residing on it. Sending a grin over to his friends, Fox approached his mother silently; careful to make sure he was stealthy and quiet. Draping his hands over her eyes quickly, Vixxy gave an audible suck of air in surprise and a small giggle.

Putting her hands on her hips, she turned her head to the side. "Ok James, knock it off. I have to finish dinner."

Removing his hands from her face, Fox leaned over so she could get a look at him. With squeal of excitement and surprise, she quickly embraced Fox into a hug. "What are you doing here Fox?" She said while laughing with happiness, glancing behind Fox to the three friends lingering in the doorway.

Before Fox could answer, Vixxy broke the embrace and addressed the friends. "Come in, come in. I have plenty of food to go around. I just hope you're all hungry enough."

"Don't worry," Falco began, a wide grin on his face. "That's not a problem."

"Aren't you guys supposed to be at school?" Vixxy asked, returning to the dough.

Fox plopped himself down on a bar stool and began picking at a piece of thread that was loose on his shirt. "It's hotter than hell outside, Mom. And the dorms have zero ventilation."

"Plus," Bill added, taking a seat next to Fox at the bar. "We love your cooking."

"This weather has been trouble for all of us it seems," Vixxy replied, manipulating the dough with her hands.

Falco, who poured himself a glass of soda, turned towards Vixxy. "Your air conditioning taking a hit too?"

"No, nothing like that," Vixxy said, her hands momentarily pausing in mid action. "There's a lot more patients at the hospital."

Vixxy, being a registered nurse, worked at the Cornerian Memoral Hospital in the emergency room. However, because James brought in more than enough money for Vixxy not to work, she was on a volunteer basis, opting not to be paid. She enjoyed her work and felt that she was giving back to the society.

Taking interest in the turn of the conversation, Slippy, who was watching the boiling pots of water walked over to the others. "More patients? Like heat stroke?"

Her eyebrows knit together in concentration, Vixxy shook her head. "No, actually. A lot of colds and nose bleeds. The nose bleeds are common with the dry weather but I'm not sure about the colds."

Slippy, also in thought, shook his head. "Weird. I hope I don't get sick. I take vitamins daily…"

With a slap on his back, Falco laughed at his friend. "With all the pills you take daily, I don't think a single virus will even try to infect you."

Smiling at the friends, Vixxy was about to respond when the swinging door to the kitchen on the other swung open. Three other inhabitants entered the room, already in conversation with one another. The tallest, an older fox, stopped midsentence at the scene in front of him. With a grin slowly creeping across his face, James walked towards his son.

"Fox," the older McCloud said, quickly embracing his son. "What are you doing here? Ditching school already?"

Rolling his eyes, Fox gave his father a look. "What? I can't visit anymore? I'm fifteen and you're already kicking me out?"

"From what I can remember, you're lucky he waited till fifteen," Peppy said with a chuckle, taking a step forward towards the group of friends.

"Oh c'mon Peppy. I thought you were on my side," Fox said with a smile and glanced at the last person in the room, Pigma. "How you doing Pigma?"

Pigma gave a sheepish look at Fox with a grin. "Alright. How's school going for ya?"

Answering the pig with a mutter and shrug, he turned back towards his father. "We're eating dinner here today."

With a roll of his eyes, James slipped behind Vixxy and planted a kiss on her neck. With a shake of her head, she continued working with the dough, which was taking the form of a loaf. James moved over to the refrigerator and grabbed himself a chilled can of soda. "How long till dinner, hon?"

"Soon," Vixxy said, putting the dough in a pan and placing it into the oven. "I have to go back to the hospital after dinner."

James, taking a sip from a soda he just opened, gave Vixxy an exasperated look. "You were there all day, Vix."

"They need me. I can't say no," she responded in her defense.

Slippy and Bill shifted uncomfortably from the ensuing argument about to transfold. Falco shot a look over at Fox, who replied with an impatient sigh. Peppy and Pigma, who seemed to have started a conversation of their own on the other side of the kitchen, failed to hear the adult McClouds arguing.

"Yeah you can," James replied, setting the soda down and pointing at her. "You don't get paid. Let them call some other nurse in."

Shaking her head and looking to the ceiling as if for reassurance, Vixxy moved to the pantry to grab several boxes of noodles. "I just can't, James. I have people who actually rely on me."

"Fine," James began through clenched teeth. "But see if you can get tomorrow off then."

As the female McCloud began to pour the noodles into the pots of boiling water, she huffed out air. She knew that arguing with her husband would prove to be futile. Since she first met James years ago, she knew him to be stubborn and obstinate, with their arguments usually ending in some sort of compromise. It was arguments between Fox and James, however, that always proved to be trying, as neither one was willing to budge. "Alright," she caved. "I'll see what I can do."

Relieved that the argument was obviously over, Slippy felt a breath of air slip past his closed lips that he was unconsciously holding. Bill, also noticing the tension in the room becoming thinner, allowed his demeanor to be less rigid. With his home life being familiar to these arguments on a daily routine, Falco hardly noticed a difference when the argument began and ended. Everyone argued, he felt. It was a way of life.

"So, uh," Fox began, trying to change the subject. "When's dinner going to be ready?"

"Soon," Vixxy replied, almost robotically. Having two males living with her, she was well versed with the question. Giving one last stir at the boiling noodles, the female vulpine opened the oven door to check on the baking bread. "You guys have time to go watch some T.V."

Fox knew what that meant. Rather than asking the four teenagers, she was demanding. Sending a look over to his friends, Fox pushed himself off of the bar stool. James picked up on Vixxy's subtle suggestion and turned towards his wingmates. "Hey guys," James began, breaking into their side conversation. "Mind if we picked this up later?"

Shrugging at their leader, Peppy and Pigma muttered a couple of "no problems" and made their way to the door, sending several quick goodbyes to the remaining inhabitants of the room. Turning towards his wife, he glanced at Fox as if to tell him to hurry up and leave.

"Just, uh, call us when dinner's ready," Fox replied, trailing behind his friends as they made their way out of the kitchen and into the family room adjacent to it. Flopping down on the suede sectional, Falco was quick to snatch the remote controller out of Bill's hand before he had the chance to turn the device on. Sending a disgusted look at Falco, Bill turned towards Fox. "What's up with your parents, dude?"

Looking at the sports channel that Falco decided to watch, Fox gave a silent shrug. "Dunno. They're probably stressed with work or something."

"Your mom did say that there were a lot of patients at the hospital," Slippy helpfully added, taking his concentration away from his phone he was playing with, obviously bored with the sports channel.

"Yeah I guess," Fox replied half heartedly. There was a loud grumbling sound that came from Falco's direction, causing the three friends to look at him quizzically.

Resting a hand on his hungry stomach, Falco looked back at his friends. "I hope they clear up whatever shit they have going on so I can eat."

"Vixxy," James began, happy to hear the banter of the television in the other room. "I don't want you spending so much time at the hospital anymore."

"I have to," Vixxy replied, stirring the noodles. "With this weird cold going around, the ER gets packed."

"Yeah and that's why I don't want you there. I'm worried about you." James plopped himself down on a bar stool, face never leaving his wife's. Rather than anger, his face was full of concern and longing.

A calm yet sad presence passed over Vixxy's features. Pushing a stray lock of fur out of her eyes, she gave a forced smile at James. "Don't be. I take precautions. This is my job James. We both risk our lives for our jobs, just in different ways."

With long sigh, James made his way over to his wife, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking at her loving face. "It's different with me and you know it. I risk my neck for missions so you don't have too."

With a crooked smile, Vixxy wrapped her arms around James' neck. "Don't lie to me. You risk your life because you like too. It makes you feel tough."

James replied with a sheepish grin. "Maybe." The smile slowly vanished, replaced with concerned scowl. "I'm serious Vix. Until we know for sure what this cold can be, try to not spend so much time there. I don't want to see you getting sick."

Stifling a sigh, Vixxy broke the embrace with her husband to return to the dinner. "I'll talk with administration about getting tomorrow off. Would that make you happy?

James offered her a weak smile. "For the time being, yes. Now how about that dinner?"

I hope everyone liked it so far!

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