School ended. Falco and Fox rapidly returned to the Great Fox, brining Krystal with them. Slippy returned to the new HQ with some reluctance; he'd always enjoyed school far too much. Missions began to flow into the team's inbox like a river; each day saw new objectives for the team to carry out. With pay, of course.

Weeks, months, and even years passed by like the dying light of sunset. Krystal behaved, for the most part, as Fox's teammate. Some minor bumps were found when the sentimental part of her cried out for him, where she attempted to gain his favor; even seduce him on one occasion. Fox was not having any of it. She made him uncomfortable, and work didn't allow him time to think. He still wasn't ready to love anybody.

Despite this, Fox sometimes felt…..desire… He wanted to be with Krystal, but he couldn't because he knew he'd lose her. Over the years, this desire intensified, appearing at random times when Fox least expected it. He'd stare at her, look for her, anything to be closer to her. And then, he'd come to his senses, calling himself foolish and moving on with daily life. She appeared in his dreams from time to time. Krystal would be dancing in a forest, unaware of his presence, when Fox would attempt to communicate with her, which she was also unaware of. He knew she could hear him….but she acted like she didn't care. Which, of course, Fox knew she did. So what was it? How could he get her attention, her affection, without losing her?

The team took a week off for Fox's and Falco's birthdays, which happened to take place in the same week in winter. Falco was turning 32, Fox, 30. Tensions ran high in Corneria; Andrew Oikonny was rumored to be amassing a fleet from Venom, to "reclaim" his uncle's empire. People feared the worst, since many had seen firsthand how much damage Venom's forces could do.

Fox spent three days of this week thinking on the balcony of the McCloud Manor. On the third day, he decided that it was time to straighten out; did he care for Krystal or not? He remembered how she had said he'd never loved Fara. What did she mean? And why, if he didn't love her, did he miss her at all? He missed the curve of her hip, her soft smile…..but not HER! Fox didn't miss FARA, he missed her body! The physical love that she gave him, the short-time antidote to his problems! How arrogant and shallow of him! To ignore Krystal for so long! The spurts of desire overthrew him in an instant; Fox needed to find Krystal. To tell her, to do something…..he couldn't just sit here! Falco wasn't home; now was the time.

Fox looked to the sky, and there, before him, was a massive cloud, forming the shape of James McCloud's face.

"Dad…?" he whispered.

James extended his arm, revealing a finger, pointing away from him. The second time James told him to leave him behind…

Fox ran downstairs, muttering, "Thanks, Dad."

Krystal?

"Krystal!?" he choked out, sprinting into the living room. There she was, lying on the couch.

"Y-yes?" she said, surprised by his loud voice.

Shit. What now? Do something!

"I have to show you something, come on!"

"Uhm….okay?"

"Bring a coat! Big one!" Fox was shouting at her, frantically running around.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her faced puzzled.

"As alright as I'll ever be! Come on!"

…

"Fox, where are we going?" Krystal asked, struggling to keep up with Fox, who was filled with excitement.

He didn't know where they were going. Perhaps some planning should have been done.

Snow began to fall as Fox stuggled to find some excuse of dragging her off into the frozen city like this. He remembered that snow had always fascinated her; there was no snow on Cerinia. Why not take her where there was tons of snow?

"Stick close, Krystal. Don't lose me." Fox said, a bit awkwardly. He'd forgotten that she'd been a Cornerian denizen for almost a decade now; she could handle herself. She made this known.

"I can handle myself, Fox."

The two of them walked along, moving further and further away from the city, out into the snow-capped hills of the city's outskirts. Krystal looked around; the snow was falling much heavier now; it looked like a blizzard might begin soon.

"Fox, maybe we should head back….the weather looks like it might turn for the worse…."

"No…!" Fox exclaimed, thinking of an excuse.

"What's the matter with you today?" she said, laughing at him.

"Uhm…I…don't know?"

"Oh, you know. Think harder." Krystal said, obviously reading his thoughts.

"No, I really don't." Fox said, averting his gaze from her. He could feel his face turning red.

"So we're lying again, aren't we?"

"No…?" Fox had absolutely no idea what to do; the conversation was de-railing rapidly. It was like a game of chess, with Fox constantly ending up checked. It was only a matter of time before he was check-mated.

"I know how to get you to stop," she said, throwing her arms around him, tickling him.

How the hell did she know I was ticklish?!

The two of them rocketed down an icy hill, laughing and tumbling over each other.

She still likes me…..

In that moment, Fox entirely forgot who Fara was. They'd had some good times, but it was time to move on. So many years of ignorance…

I'm an idiot…

They reached the bottom of the hill, sending clouds of puffy snow up from the ground.

Fox had landed on top of her.

The two of them looked at each other, confused.

What do I do?! Do I do it? Now?

Snow was speckled over her face, over her eyelids and nose. Fox looked into her deep blue eyes, and immediately his thoughts of confusion formed into a plan. Fox hoped she felt the same way.

She's waited long enough for you, McCloud.

Screw it, I love her.

Fox let his lips lower onto hers, touching in a flaming explosion of passion. His thoughts raced wildly in his head like beasts.

Finally…..

He moved, she moved. He breathed, she breathed. He laughed, she laughed. Synchronization.

….

Fox didn't know how long they had stayed that way. It must have been quite a long time, as a layer of snow had built up on his back, only interrupted in spots where Krystal had placed her hands.

Fox reluctantly pulled back, knowing that enough was enough.

"I'm such an idiot….." he whispered to her.

"I've waited a decade for that." She said, smiling and breathing heavily. Her body trembled; whether it was from the cold or from him, Fox could not tell.

"We should probably get somewhere warm." Fox said, not taking the initiative to move. He stayed there.

"Yeah….we should…" She didn't move either.

"I don't want to leave this moment."

"Neither do I."

And so they didn't, staying there for a few more moments, before nature finally overcame them, forcing them back inside.