XII | 12

Krystal lay in her own bed, thinking furiously. That… that Fox! That stupid, wretched, horrible… handsome… sweet… adorable Fox… She rolled over and buried her face in her pillow. Why did he have to leave me for that mutt? She thought, disgusted.

How do I make him come back? Oh Fox, I love you too much, I really do… Krystal's mind drew a picture of Fox, his deep red fur, shining green eyes, loving smile… and she could not imagine how to get him back.

Her mind replaced the image of Fox with Panther, his golden eyes begging for her. She shook her head; she didn't want Panther. She wasn't that desperate for attention.

But it gave her an idea. I could play along, and act like I've changed my mind… and Fox will get jealous! she thought. He couldn't bear to see me with Panther! Her fur stood on end with excitement.

She stood up and began walking towards the door, her thoughts constructing the perfect scenario. But before she reached it, she heard a knock.

Snapping out of her plotting, she spoke. "Who is it?"

"It's only me," Panther's voice floated through the door, slightly muffled. "I've come to bask in your glow, my radiant Krystal."

I might be able to get used to the guy… Krystal opened the door.

Panther stood before her, nervously twirling a red rose. He cringed, anticipating some sort of rejection.

She smiled at him, trying to appear sincere. "Well, aren't you just adorable?"

Panther wore a look of surprise for a moment; but it faded, to be replaced by joy. He blushed, not making eye contact. "Well, er… uh… I mean…"

Krystal pulled him through the door. "Come in! I've been waiting for you…"

"You – you have?" Panther stammered.

"Of course! Now that we're on the same team." She thought quickly. "I thought you would come even sooner." She batted her eyes at him.

Panther had no idea what to make of any of it. He muttered and stumbled over his words, and managed to say nothing intelligibly. In the end, he held out the bright red rose, and said, "For you, ma'am."

Krystal giggled. She closed her hands around Panther's larger paw that held the rose, and looked him in the eyes. "You are quite the charmer," she said.

"I could lose myself in your eyes," Panther said, regaining his articulation. "Drowning in their sparkling depths."

"And your eyes are more precious than gold itself," Krystal replied.

Panther leaned in closer.

I must, I must do it, for Fox… Krystal leaned in and kissed Panther. She moved back an inch or so, and Panther kissed her. This cat is more romantic than I thought… She found herself wrapped in an embrace, the rose forgotten, and she purred in delight. This was too easy.

Just then, someone rapped on the door. "Come on, Krystal," came Falco's voice, "Fox has called everyone to the living room."

Krystal looked Panther in the eyes and caressed his face with one hand. She got up, and as she opened the door, Falco asked, "Do you know where Panther—" and hesitated when he saw him. Nodding understandingly, he beckoned them again. "Come on, you two."

They got up and walked together to the living area.

Leon had taken a seat on one side of the room, Slippy on the other. Wolf and Fox stood together in the middle, speaking in undertones. Falco joined Slippy, and Panther and Krystal sat next to Leon. Falco and Slippy diverted their eyes from Krystal.

"Right then," Fox began. "I'm pretty sure you all know why you're here now."

"And we want to make things a little easier for you," Wolf said.

"So, we've assembled you all in the same room—"

"—so you can learn to respect one another." Wolf turned a hard glare towards Leon.

"You're all part of the same team now, and a team can't function if there is any…"

"…misunderstanding."

Krystal used this opportunity to begin openly flirting with Panther, keeping one eye on Fox's reaction. Falco and Slippy still did not look their way, nor did Leon. Fox smiled at them, and turned to whisper to Wolf, "I knew it."

Wolf went on, a gleam in his eye. "We know there are still tensions that will take time to fade away."

"But please, bear with us, and you all can learn to live in this ship together."

"It really isn't as hard as it sounds."

"Of course, it isn't necessary to take mine and Wolf's path, nor the path of Panther and Krystal," Fox said, staring at her. She stopped flirting with Panther and looked down.

"But it isn't our business anyway," Wolf finished.

"Now, we want you all to shake hands. Think of it as the first step. After that, everything will get easy."

Falco stood up and offered his hand to the old Star Wolf team. Wolf took his hand first and shook it respectfully, looking him in the eyes, a smile on his face. Panther volunteered, and shook Falco's hand. Leon, grudgingly, also shook Falco's hand.

Leon continued until he had shaken hands with all of the old Star Fox, and found no hostility aimed his way, even from Krystal. He was surprised. Perhaps this is real after all… No! It's still a trick!

He shook hands with Fox last, and Fox looked into his eyes. "Welcome."

Leon sat down. He was sure of it now; everyone was planning together to trick him! Then, after he finally admitted to believing them, they would have a good laugh at his expense. He said nothing.

The shaking hands continued until the old rival teams had made friendly contact. From that point, the tension in the room, and all around the ship, dissolved almost all at once. It was the beginning of better times between the two old groups, for now they were united underneath one name.

Krystal had long since resumed her flirting with Panther; unused to all the attention, he merely submitted to it. However, her intention to drive Fox to jealousy seemed to be ineffective.

Day after day, Krystal tried as hard as she could to drive Fox insane for her. She got no response whatsoever; he remained interested in Wolf, and only Wolf. What's more, he showed his approval of Krystal and Panther's relationship more than once.

No! I want you, Fox, not Panther…