When he woke he took notice of two things: the room was dark and his legs were in excruciating pain. In fact, his entire body was. Why was he in so much pain? He couldn't recall getting into bed. The last thing I remember is racing through the research lab with her in my arms and jumping into the teleportation beam. I can't even remember running through that place after I busted her out of that tube. The only thing I could focus on was her. Is that why I was able to get out of there before the lab exploded? I don't know…. She's so beautiful. I honestly don't think I've ever seen someone as perfect as her. I need to see her again. Wait…. Where is she? Did Peppy beam us both up? If he didn't I swear…. It didn't matter that he didn't know who she was, what she was like, or even what her name was. The young vulpine needed her in his life. He felt as if she was his and he needed to protect her like it was his duty. Maybe she knew how to defend herself, maybe she didn't, but he hoped he'd never have to see for himself. Fox frantically flung the comforter off of his body and quickly realized that the pain in his body was going to make walking a challenge. Great, just what I need.

As painful as it was to walk, Fox bid his legs to move forward. He wondered if the blue vixen was awake or not, and if she was, how long she had been. Or better yet, how long have I been out? He needed answers to all of his questions and fast. It frustrated him that his legs were delaying him from the information he so badly craved. Just one step at a time. The red fox often told himself whenever he felt pain that it was all in his head. Mind over matter, Fox. He placed his hand on the cool metal walls of the Great Fox to support himself as he dragged his body through the long halls of the ship. He didn't know where the cobalt vixen would be, so he decided to search for Peppy in his room. He's probably working on his maps. Ugh, just a couple more doors down. Fox placed his palm on the print pad and stepped through the door as the scanner blinked green. He scouted the room out only to find that it was vacant. Peppy's room was very simple. A twin sized bed to the left of the wall with a short wooden dresser at it's foot, a large mahogany desk in the center of the room, and to the right an old leathery chair next to a small bookshelf filled with more books than it could hold. A wave of disappointment washed over Fox, not because it meant he had walked over to Peppy's room for nothing, but because the answers to his questions seemed that much more out of his grasp. Knowing that everyone had to be on the ship, Fox decided to travel to the deck of the Great Fox and call a team meeting. That way he'd be able to hear what had happened from everyone and, more importantly, where she was.

To get to the main deck Fox only had to walk down the hall to the elevator and ride up to the third floor where he would exit onto the deck. Fox never once thought that getting to the main deck was a hike from anywhere in the Great Fox, but it certainly seemed like a trek now. As much as he didn't want to admit it, his body was in no condition to be walking about. His muscles ached in utter agony with each and every sluggish step. The run to save his and the vixen's life had caused almost all of the muscles in his body to tear. I never thought I could hate walking this much. Ugh, this sucks! Fox had been fortunate enough to never experience any major injuries such as a break or sprain. It was something he liked to brag about here and there because he made it through the academy and the Lylat Wars without suffering more than some scratches and bruises. I've been sore before but man, this takes the cake. After sluggishly dragging his body down the hall, the vulpine finally made it to the elevator doors. Finally. He entered the small elevator and rode up to the main deck. The doors hissed open and Fox immediately took note that no one was there. Where is everybody! I haven't seen anyone's hides anywhere! It's like no one's even on the ship. Wait… Are we even in space, are we docked? It was then that Fox noticed that the glass was set to the darkest tint possible. Yup, we're not in space. He let out a sigh. "Good morning Fox."

"Wha-! Oh, ROB, it's just you." It bothered Fox that he was caught off of his guard. That shouldn't have been a surprise, ROB is always on the main deck. I mean, he even sleeps here for shit's sake. Fox leaned against the nearest wall to grant slight relief for his fatigued body. The cold metal felt refreshing against his fur.

"You should not be walking. Let me carry you back to bed." ROB barked in his monotone robotic voice. ROB had been a member of Star Fox since the squad's early days when James McCloud was the leader. He may be only be a droid, but ROB is full of personality and cares deeply for his teammates.

"ROB, you're not carrying me anywhere." Fox half chuckled while shaking his head side to side.

"Affirmative. But you need to be in bed."

"Where is everyone? Why aren't we in space? Where are we?"

"My scanners indicate that your body is under a great deal of stress. Go back to bed."

"You didn't answer any of my questions."

"Because you should be in bed."

"I don't care, just, where is she?!" The instant the words left the vulpine's lips he noticed he was standing tall, something he wouldn't have been able to do just a second ago. At that very moment the doors of the elevator hissed open.

"Fox, what are you doing all the way over here!" The hare exclaimed as he rushed over to Fox's side. It was then that Fox remembered how much pain his body was in. He knew his legs were about to fall out from under him.

"Mother f-!" The vulpine lost his footing and stumbled. Peppy hopped over to the young leader that he cared for like one of his his own.

"With what you put your body through you shouldn't be moving for a whole year!" The hare grabbed Fox from under his arm to sit him upright.

"I always knew you were gonna be the death of yourself, Fox boy." The avian walked in and sat down on his chair, watching Peppy aid to Fox's side.

"Don't just sit there Falco, give us a hand!" Slippy leaped to the side of his dearest friend. I got this far, I'm obviously not crippled. Why is everyone making such a huge deal about this? Ugh, all I want is some answers.

"Nah, you guys got em."

"You can be so infuriating sometimes, Falco!" Slippy never appreciated Falco's attitude.

"Yeah but you know you love me. Besides, you two look like ya got a good handling on him." Holy crap, just shut up. What. Happened.

"Just let it go Slippy. We need to focus on getting him back to his room."

"No! Fox is hurt and he doesn't even care!"

That's it, I'm done listening to this. "Can you guys stop yapping and tell me what happened already!" Fox shouted louder than he needed to but he was done waiting for his answers. He needed to know that she was safe, and especially if she was on the Great Fox. They better not have taken her away somewhere… I want to- no, I have to know her.

"Don't worry Fox, everything is alright. Right now you need to rest." The tone in the hare's voice was stern. He then stared at the vulpine and gave him a firm nod. Fox knew that nod meant that Peppy was referring to the vixen. Out of everyone on the ship, Peppy was the one who could see through Fox in a second. He was the one who had looked over the vulpine after the passing of his father, James. This gave Fox some reassurement, but he would only to be compliant until he and the hare were alone. He nodded back and began to cooperate with his friends to get him back to his room. Fox let out a sigh.

"Okay. I'll go back to my room."

"Atta boy, Fox." Ugh. 'Boy,' I hate that. Fox didn't feel he deserved to be called "boy" considering he saved all of Lylat. Whatever.

"Alright, alright. But could you guys give me some space? I can manage to walk it out on my own. It's not like I got here by myself or anything." As he finished his sentence Fox took a step forward but his legs had no intention of getting him anywhere.

"Agh!" This sucks.

"I don't think you're going anywhere by yourself." Peppy said lightheartedly. He knew Fox hated to seem helpless and he would never admit when he was. That was something he always admired about James. Even if Fox didn't know it, he was becoming more and more like his father everyday. They even looked almost identical. "Me and Falco will take you back to bed and after that you better stay there. Pepper's gonna be here soon so we'll talk when he gets here."

"What, no! Let me help you take Fox back. Falco will probably drop him on purpose just for kicks."

"Nope, Falco's muscles are a bit bigger than yours so I'd rather he helped instead. You don't mind, do ya Falco?"

"Sure, whatever." Slippy crossed his arms and let out a frustrated and defeated sigh. Although he has a great mind, Slippy isn't exactly in top physical shape. Besides, Peppy knew Falco wouldn't do something that would put any stress on Fox's weakened body. Falco may be hotheaded and immature, but Peppy knew he cared more for his crew than anyone else. Even though Slippy was the willing volunteer, he'd rather see the boys annoyed for a minute than to see Fox suffer any more than he has to.

"Okay Fox, up we go!" The aging hare and the spry avian carried the vulpine back to his room with little to no struggle. Fox, being the proud war hero that he was, tried to walk on his own a few more times but couldn't muster the strength no matter how hard he tried. Once they arrived at the bedroom door Fox insisted once more that he could handle the rest of the way to his bed.

"No, no, you'll just fall and embarrass yourself. I think I can handle you on my own from here. You can go do whatever it is you do Falco. Thanks for the help!"

"Yeah stop making a jackass out of yourself by slipping and falling. 'Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!'" Falco had to grip his stomach to ease the pain of the uncontrollable laughter caused by his own joke.

"Thanks, Falco, you're real effin hilarious." Fox said as he rolled his eyes. Although it was often distasteful, Fox would usually give out a cackle or two whenever Falco would make a joke. But not this time.

"I'm here all week." He spread his wings out and took a bow. He looked up at his war buddy with a sincere expression on his face. "Feel better, Fox boy. Don't be laying around for too long. I can't handle myself if I can't spar everyday. Slip's gonna have to look out." He left with a smirk on his face and walked down the hall to the elevator.

"Now let's get you in bed." I hate to admit it but, that sounds great. Fox limped over to his bed with Peppy supporting most the vulpine's weight. Eager for his answers, Fox turned to Peppy with a look of anticipation.

"Can you tell me now?" The hare looked at Fox with a tired expression and gently patted him on the head. What is he doing. Are you serious. Peppy was about to walk out of the room and began to shake his head while rubbing his throbbing temples.

"Trust me boy, you don't want to know."

AN: Not even going to comment on how long it's been since I've updated this story. I'm going to try to keep up with it now. Promise. But yeah, let me know what you guys think! I know I'm not the best writer out there so criticisms are appreciated. Don't be shy, I can handle it. This chapter was kind of a tease but all will be revealed in the near future. Until next time!

I do not own Star Fox or any of it's characters.