We had done it...the Aparoid invasion was over. We'd once again ensured that the Lylat System was safe from another threat to its very existence.

As I suspected, Peppy launched the escape pod just in time to make it out of the Great Fox alive, a fact that I neglected to share with my teammates. I was so overcome with relief and joy that it was over that I thanked them from the bottom of my heart for going through yet another crazy, dangerous adventure with me. They truly were the best friends I had ever had.

We slowly made our way back to the Orbital Gate transfer point to have them bring us back when I saw them.. Their ships were on their last legs, but there they were.

Panther Carosso...

Leon Powalski...

...and Wolf O'Donnell.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and I quickly opened a comm link between us.

"Wolf! I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you all made it," I said, my voice wavering. I was so overcome with emotion that a few tears began to slide down my face. Not that I'd ever admit that to anyone.

"Of course not, pup," he fired back. "I'm indestructible. Glad to see your ragtag group made it too. Do I take it that the mission was a success?"

"Of course, Star Fox ALWAYS gets results," I responded. It was so good to hear his cocky attitude and smug sense of self-satisfaction.

Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing their throats as heard. "Wolf," Leon started. " Isn't there something, you and McCloud need to discuss? Something you shouldn't put off any more, otherwise you WILL drive me crazy?!"

"Uh...yeah. Lemme just switch to private." Wolf sighed and pushed the necessary buttons. "Pup?" he said, using his 'nickname' for me. Before it was sooo irritating, but right now, it's the best word in the world,

"Yeah, Wolf?"

"Look...there's some stuff I gotta tell ya."

"I'm listening," confused by his suddenly subdued demeanor.

"Alright, but you gotta let me finish before you say anything, ya got me?"

"Roger."

He sighed, then continued. "We've known each other for a long time...most of that time we haven't gotten along. But there were good times, back in the Academy, before everything went to hell. Even though, so much has gone on since then, I still remember those days and I still see how you haven't changed a bit. A natural-born leader, courageous, and strong. I wanted to be just like you at first, then I wanted to be better than you...but it turns out, what I really wanted was to be with you."

He paused because he heard me audibly gasp. I clamped my mouth shut so that he could continue.

"I know that there's a lot of stuff between us. I was indirectly involved with your father's murder, I've chased you, shot at you, and been a thorn in your side for a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if you actually hated me. The thing is, it took me a really long time to get over some of the things in my past and now, I want to be a better person. For me and for you. So, I guess, the point of all this is...do you think that maybe you would wanna get some dinner sometime? We could find someplace that hasn't been blown up."

I was stunned. Of all the things I thought I'd hear Wolf O'Donnell say, that was certainly nowhere near one of them.

"Wolf, I can't possibly have dinner with a criminal who was partially responsible for my father's death," I said. It was as if I could actually hear his heart breaking over the comm. "...BUT, I couldn't possibly pass up dinner with someone who's repeatedly saved my life and even helped saved our Galaxy."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"That was evil, pup. You had me going for a sec there."

"Well, I can't be good ALL the time," I chuckled.

"Well, it's ABOUT TIME!" Leon yelled into the comm.

"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING, you slimy gecko! I had the comm set on private." Wolf yelled.

"Oh please, after everything we've been through for this to happen, we deserve this."

"We?!" Fox gulped.

"Yup," Krystal chirped. "We."

"Fox..." Slippy slowly said.

"You wanna fill us in, buddy?" Falco demanded.

"First, Panther and Krystal and now this?! I'm getting too old for this," Peppy complained.

"Uh, see...the thing is..." Fox stammered trying to find some way to articulate everything. "How 'bout we explain everything when we get home?" he volunteered.

"Yeah, sounds good to me," Wolf said.

Both Star Wolf and Star Fox flew into the warp screen and headed back to help repair the damage done, but to start a new a crazy life together.