Fox's room 11:00am
"Wow 800,000 Credits is quiet the payment General" Fox said to himself. We will be able to live 5 years on that, but with one more members to feed and I don't know how long Krystal will stay with us. So it will likely last us 3 years. Fox jumped a little when someone knocked at his door.
"who is it" asked Fox
"It's Krystal, Peppy asked me to get you for breakfast" answered Krystal. Fox walked over to the door and opened the door to reveal a stunning figure and her perfect face that was lit up with a beautiful smile.
"Fox you ok?" asked Krystal as she waved a hand in front of Foxes face.
"Huh, oh sorry I …uh.. kind of have a lot on my mind right now" Fox said. Like you, thought Fox while scratching the back of his neck and blushing. I got to stop thinking of her like that, it's not like she feels the same way you do. He looked to see Krystal smiling at him.
"What?" Asked Fox with a confused face.
"Nothing, just come eat breakfast" Said Krystal as she turned and walked away swaying her hips seductively. Fox watched her walk around the corner with greedy eyes. Wow she really knows mess with a guy, maybe she does feel something for me. Or she just walks like that all the time and I just haven't noticed. Uhh not even 2 days and I am already falling head over heels. I really need to back off, I don't want another vixen to do what Fara did…. If Falco and Peppy weren't there that day I might be dead. Fox shook his head as the old feeling of loneliness and depression came back. I just need to clear my mind. A workout should do the trick. Fox headed to the workout room, abandoning breakfast to clear his head.
"Hey Krystal where is Fox?" asked Peppy, when he saw her come in the room without the vulpine.
"He was right behind me" Answered Krystal.
"I just saw him heading for the workout room, he seemed to have something on his mind" Said Falco as he came into the room.
"Why do you say that Falco?" asked Krystal
"Because Fox never works out, especially after a mission, too much paperwork to fill out and I bet he is still sore as hell." Said Falco
"That bad huh?" Said Peppy
"What do you mean?" asked Krystal with a confused look on her face.
"Whenever Fox has something on his mind, he works out." Said Peppy
"Once he crushed his throat, because he put too much weight on the bar when he was bench pressing it fell on his throat. luckily we were close to Corneria. We had to rush him to the emergency room" said Falco
"That sound like it hurt" said Krystal with bewilderment.
"Yeah he could barely breathe. Fox has gotten shot before and didn't even yelp. I can't imagine how much pain he was in. It makes me shudder just thinking of how it would feel" said Peppy
"Wow, do you have any idea what made him do that" Asked Krystal, curious as to what could make Fox go that far.
What would make Fox do that to himself? Does it have to do with what I felt when I first met him? She closed her eyes trying to remember that feeling she got form Fox when she hugged and thanked him for letting her stay on his ship. She started to remember the feeling of loneliness and the depression. But why did he feel like that? Was it because of me? Maybe I should go ask him? But that might just bring back bad memories. Krystal continued to fight herself on what to do.
"Hey Krystal you ok?" Said Falco when he noticed her staring out into nowhere
"huh, oh yah. I just don't know what to do, should I ask him what's bothering him or should I just leave him alone?" Asked Krystal
"I honestly don't know, I have known Fox since elementary school, and I have watched him grow into what he is today. But I still don't know him well enough to know what he is thinking. There was only two people who could tell what he was thinking. And well they did not really end on good terms. Besides Peppy, she was the only one to understand Fox" Falco said grimly.
"Who is "She" Falco" asked Krystal determined to find out who hurt Fox enough to make him hurt himself.
"Look I already said too much." Falco said.
"Then it looks like I will have to ask Fox myself" Krystal said sternly
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You will only make it worse by making him talk about it. The reason he does this is so he can forget, not so someone will make him remember, it's not worth it. Especially what happened last time he got like this." Said Falco with a sad look on his face.
"Wait, something else happened?" Asked Krystal.
"look, just don't ask Fox about it. You will just make things worse than they are. Don't worry about it, Fox will just work this out himself. That's just the way he deals with these things. Just please don't ask him about it, it will blow over soon" said Falco.
Great Fox workout room
"16…17…18…19….20" counted Fox as he pushed the 180 pound bar up and down, he looked at his watch and saw it was already 1:30. Wow it hasn't felt like 3 hours, maybe I should take a break. I don't want something happening to me like last time. As Fox turned to leave to his room he saw Krystal standing in the doorway.
"Hi Krystal" Fox said with a neutral tone as he walked by her
"Fox?" Krystal asked, with the worry evident in her tone.
"Did you need something?" He answered, glancing back at her with a look of annoyance.
She just looked at the vulpine, trying to read his mind but only being able to tell that he felt utterly useless and depressed. I don't want to ask him about his past but I want to help. Then she remembered what Falco told her earlier "You will only make it worse by making him talk about it".
"Never mind" she replied softly
Fox just left without another word. Krystal just stood there trying not to cry. How can I help him if I don't know what is wrong? But I don't want him to think about the past, it just might make it worse than it already is. She started crying because she couldn't help her hero, the vulpine who she loved.
"Krystal? What's wrong?" said a voice. She glanced up to see Peppy standing in the hallway. She tried to talk but she couldn't, she just looked at the floor and silently cried until she felt Peppy wrap his arms around her.
"Listen I know what you are going through, the first time Fox was like this I was devastated to see him like that. I felt useless because I couldn't seem to make him feel better. The only difference between then and now is that I couldn't do anything, but you can" Peppy said quietly into her ear. She looked up into the hare's eyes with a confused look.
"If you haven't noticed Fox has feelings for you" he said with a caring voice "And that's why he is like this. You remind him of a relationship he once had." Said Peppy, holding Krystal at arm's length
"Then maybe I should just leave" the vixen replied sadly.
"oh don't do that. If you do it might drive him off the edge. You are the first women he has had a interest in years " said the hare reassuringly.
"What do you mean?" she asked, wiping away her tears
"You know what I mean." he said with a smile. Causing Krystal to blush at what he was implying.
"You really think he has feelings for me" She asked hopefully.
"I can honestly say that he feels something for you" Said the hare reassuringly "but I don't know if he will act on those feelings because last time he did, it didn't end so well."
"will you tell me what happened" Asked the vixen, wanting to know more about what caused the vulpine's heart to shatter.
"I would you rather to talk to Fox about it. I know Falco said not to, but maybe if you talk about it with him he'll get past it, it might bring back bad memories but you can help him get past them. I'd do it myself but I think it would be better if you did it, because you are… well… you!" finished Peppy with a smirk.
Krystal couldn't help but giggle a little bit. "Ok ill somehow bring it up with him." she replied feeling much better "Thank you Peppy, now I see why Fox looks up to you" she said with a smile
"Oh you are too kind. Just make certain that you be gentle with Fox this is a very sore topic with him." he warned her
"Okay I will" she replied, and hugged him
Afterward she returned to her room to think about how she could talk to Fox about his past. Maybe I should just ask him straight out, No no that's no good he might just breakdown. Ugh since when did guys become so complicated?
Fox was sitting on the couch in the lounge watching TV, when he heard the door behind him hiss open. He turned his head to the door to see Krystal walk through the door. He turned his attention back to the TV without saying a word to her. He heard her footsteps coming from behind before she stepped in front of him blocking the TV.
"Uhh, Krystal what are you doing?" asked the vulpine curiously
She just looked at him, almost if she was trying to look into his soul. He couldn't help stare back into those beautiful blue eyes, he felt like he could swim in them. He didn't even notice that she was stepping closer to the couch. She put her hands on each side of the Vulpine and started to lean in. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and he started to breathe heaver. Their lips were only centimeters away from each other when the alarm went off. Fox quickly sat up expecting to be under attack, but only to find himself in his room and the red flashing numbers on the alarm clock. He smashed the snooze button with his paw and laid back onto the bed.
"I can't be feeling this strongly for her." He thought out loud.
The vulpine swung his legs to the floor and stood up to go take a shower. He found some clean clothes and walked through the hallway to the bathroom. He couldn't help but think what had happened the day before. He smiled remembering the blush that Krystal had, and what she looked like with only a towel on.
I have to stop doing this to myself. I can't have another vixen ruin me like Fara did.
Fox was walking past Krystal's door when he stopped in front of it. He stood there just staring at the door fighting with himself about his feelings for the vixen that was on the other side of the door. He started walking toward the bathroom again, when he heard her door swish open.
"Good morning Fox" said Krystal with a happy tone. He turned around at her sweet voice.
"Morning Krystal" Answered the vulpine with a slightly happy tone. The vixen started to walk with the vulpine down the hall.
"Why are you up so early?" asked the Vulpine while trying not to look at her.
"I'm always up this early, it gives me a good start on the day" She answered with a smile. She noticed that the vulpine was not looking at her. she walked closer to him, but couldn't decide if now was the right time to ask him.
Krystal finally summoned the courage to ask him. ignoring her conscious that was telling her to wait for a more appropriate time and place.
"Fox what's wrong?" in a quiet voice. looking at his face to see his reaction, but there was nothing. the vulpine just kept on walking without saying a word.
"Fox please talk to me, I want to help you." the vixen said kept walking without saying anything, should I trust her? NO the last time I trusted someone this quickly I almost ended up doing. And I cannot have that happening Only when he heard her gently sniffling did he turned to face her.
they both stopped walking and faced each other. The vulpine stared deep into the vixens eyes.
"Fox whatever it is I want to help, but I can't help you if you don't let me."
"Look Krystal, you can't help me." he looked down at the ground "and the last person who tried... well let's just say that they did help me" said Fox while looking back into the eyes of the vixen. "but it almost killed me. And I mean that literally"
Krystal just stood there amazed at what Fox had said. Was someone trying to kill him? But people try to kill him every time he climbs into his Arwing. Her attention was brought back to reality by the vulpine's voice.
"Krystal this is just something that I need to do by myself" he turned and started walking away
she couldn't help but just watch him walk away. One half of her heart was telling her to leave him alone and let him do this himself. But the other half was telling her that she could make the healing so much easier.
Krystal turned to go to the kitchen, only to see Peppy.
"Peppy! uh how long have you been standing there?" She asked in surprise.
"Long enough. Krystal let me ask you something important, and you have to answer honestly" Said the hare seriously
"Yes I will answer honestly" she answered while wondering why the hare was so serious.
"Why do you want to help Fox?" he looked her in the eyes
Krystal's eyes widened with surprise "What do you mean?"
"I want to know why you are so determined to help him, even when he tells you he does not want it" answered the hare
Krystal started to question herself. Why do I care so much? Is it because he saved my life and I feel like I have to pay him back? No that's not it, maybe it's because I love him? No I can't have fallen in love with him so fast. It's only been 2 days since we met. But every time I think of him it gives me a warm feeling in my heart. And he is so brave and caring and not to mention he does have a fantastic body.
"Krystal are you okay?" Asked Peppy after he noticed that Krystal was staring at the floor.
"Yes I'm fine" she answered blushing a bit
"So what is the answer? "Asked the hare trying to get a straight answer form the vixen
Krystal blushed at the question "Because Fox saved my life and I feel like I need to repay him anyway I can" she answered hoping that that was enough to satisfy the hare.
Peppy saw the blush that Krystal had, and he instantly knew why she wanted to help the vulpine so badly.
"Krystal I have to show you something." said the hare motioning with his hand to follow him.
she followed the hare down the hallway. I wonder what he wants to show me. Maybe I should look into his mind? She closed her eyes and concentrated on the thoughts of the hare. She heard him thinking to himself. Fox may be angry at me if I show Krystal this but I just want him to get better and I just can't help think that Krystal won't hurt him like Fara did. Krystal opened her eyes to see that they were heading for Peppy's room. The door swished open when they walked in front of it.
"lady's first" said the hare motioning with his hand for her to enter.
Krystal looked around the room and was surprised at the amount of pictures that were hanging on the walls. She moved closer to look at the pictures, she saw the whole Fox, Peppy, Falco and Slippy standing together in front of the Great Fox. They look so young. Then she noticed an extra member standing next to Fox. He looks just like Fox. But he looks about the same age as Peppy. She noticed Peppy walking up behind her.
"Peppy who is that fox next to Fox in the picture?" she asked
Peppy's face sanded and he looked at the picture.
"That is James, He was Fox's father" Answered the hare in a gave tone
"was his father? do you mean he's..."
"Yes he died saving my life as well as others. He was the greatest person I have ever met"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know"
"Don't be sorry"
"What did he do?"
"We were flying around the toxic planet Venom. When Pigma, a team member at the time, decided to join Andross and tried to kill us both " Peppy's eyes started to water "he saved my life at the cost of his own."
"Wow I had no idea Fox has had such a hard life" said Krystal with an amazed look on her face.
"Oh you don't even know the half of it" Said the hare
"What do you mean?" Asked Krystal curiously
"Well Fox has had a very hard life, it didn't start with his father death. It actually started with his mother's death" Peppy's voice was grim " she died in a car bomb that was meant for his father when he was 9. It changed Fox, he wasn't as energetic as he used to be and he was much more quiet. Fox's father made him go to the academy and when James died Fox dropped out of the academy and took over StarFox. And he put together the team we have today"
Krystal was left speechless. I never knew that Fox has lost so much, and it so closely resembles what happened to me.
"Krystal are you okay" Asked the hare
"Oh yeah I'm fine, didn't you want to show me something?" Questioned the vixen
"Oh yes, just give me a moment to get it" said the hare as he walked over to a cabinet and opened one of the drawer's. He pulled out a picture frame and held it close to his body.
"This picture will explain everything, but I want to hear your real reason why you want to help Fox" Said the hare with a serious look on his face.
Krystal looked down at the floor and blushed. Why do I want to help him? Is it just because he saved my life? But that doesn't explain the feelings I have when he is around. could this be love? She looked back up at the hare. "I don't know, i want to say that I want to repay him for saving my life. But I know it's something more." Answered the vixen.
Peppy just looked at her and smiled at her and handed her the picture. Krystal took the photo and looked at it. she saw Fox standing next to a red vixen, they were holding hands. And they had smiles on their faces. They seem so happy, I wonder what could have happened. she finally figured out what happened. Oh poor Fox, now I understand why you have been acting like this.