VI | 6
Fox's teammates, too shocked to even let out a gasp, stared gaping and wide-eyed at the couple. Slippy wore a look of pure confusion; Falco's look resembled that of one who had been struck on the head with a club. Krystal's expression was a mixture of pain, jealousy, and burning anger; her eyes flamed.
Fox and Wolf separated, looking deep into each other's eyes. "Thank you," Fox said.
"My pleasure," Wolf said, grinning. His eye still sparkled brightly.
Falco was the first to recover from the initial shock. "Oh." He blinked several times. "That's why you can't…"
Fox turned and looked at each of his teammates. Falco still looked stunned, as did Slippy. But when his gaze met Krystal's, she turned away, her eyes welling up. She flashed back through the forest along the burned trail back to the Arwings.
An uncomfortable tension grew between the two remaining pilots and the couple; all were speechless, and as the silence grew, Fox looked at his feet. Wolf stepped closer and hugged him from behind, looking down at him. Fox turned around and buried his face in Wolf's chest.
Falco's expression darkened, and he drew his blaster yet again, aiming at Wolf. At the distance he was from him, he was assured an accurate shot; but as he looked at the couple embracing before him, he couldn't do it. He lowered his blaster and put it away once more.
Slippy stepped forward and laid a hand on Fox's shoulder. When Fox looked up, he gently asked, "Why?"
"He doesn't need a reason," Falco said, defending Fox blindly. A streak of hatred showed as he added, pointing at Wolf, "But he does."
Wolf glared at the falcon. "Why should you care?"
"Why should I care?!" Falco echoed. "You chased us halfway across the universe! You're our enemy! Or had you forgotten that?" Falco frowned at him. "Your only intent is to rid the universe of Team Star Fox for good!"
"And have I done that yet, Lombardi?" Wolf growled, losing his patience. "Don't you think I might have put a bit more effort into it if that was my real intention? Think!"
"It's true," Fox said. "He's pursued us… for me. Look at me! He's done no harm to me yet! And does he look hostile to you?"
Falco looked down, knowing all Fox said was true. If Wolf had meant harm, he would have done it already…
Slippy seemed convinced as well. "He's saved our lives twice, Falco. Shouldn't that count for something?"
Falco raised his head, an expression of defeat on his face. "I suppose…"
"Thank you, Falco," Fox said.
"Wait a minute," the falcon said. "I never said I trusted him!"
"No, but you trust me… don't you?" Fox asked, an anxious overtone in his voice.
"Of course I do. Fox… Are you sure you didn't fall on your head?"
Fox chuckled a little, and Falco smiled. "Of course I wasn't."
"I guess I can get used to it…"
"Me too," Slippy said.
"Thanks, guys," Fox looked at them both, showing deepest gratitude.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Falco said. He led the way into the burned scar, Slippy following.
Fox looked up at Wolf. "I told you it would be easy," he said.
"If that was easy, I'd hate to see what it would have been if it was hard," Wolf said, grinning.
"Hey, you two lover boys! Are you coming or not?" Falco called from ahead. He was slowly regaining his sense of humor as well.
"Let's go," Wolf said.
When the four had made it back to the Arwings, they found Krystal waiting beside hers. Fox ran up to meet her.
"Why, Fox? Why?" she said.
"Krystal…" Fox began. He couldn't tell her anything. "It's complicated."
"Well, I hope your little complication doesn't kill us all!" and she turned and climbed into her Arwing.
Fox turned back to the rest of his team and Wolf, who were all looking at him sympathetically.
"She'll come around," Falco reassured.
"I hope so…" Fox said.
