She woke slowly and groaned softly as she did. Her eyes fluttered open slowly as they squinted in the bright light that entered through the windows. Pushing herself up looking around she was on a large full size bed with white sheets and black blankets and pillow cases. The room itself was white with a black carpet across the floor and a few black and white pictures hung. The night stand next to her was black with a white top and draw front on it was a picture of a beautiful fox holding a small crying pup.

Krystal lifted the picture looking into it the female fox was dressed in a dark blue night shirt and was sitting on a bed. Her fur was snow white with a few black marks on the tips of her ears and on her muzzle. The pup was a golden yellow with white markings and was showing no signs of calming. She looked tothe picture and smiled thinking to herself 'the pup looks like Fox when he doesn't get his way.'

"I am glad to see you are up." The voice from the night before filled the room causing Krystal to jump quickly and look around till she spotted the source. "Oh, sorry didn't mean to scare you."

Krystal shook her head and looked to the male. He was a tall fox with a dull golden yellow with grey streaks here and there showing his age. His lower jaw down the front of his neck was white and his eyes were emerald green. He was dressed in a pair of black cargo pants and a white tee. He watched her and cocked his head to the side wondering what she was looking at before lifting the tray he carried.

"I brought you some breakfast nothing much just some hybrid fruit." He hummed softly putting the tray on the bed

"Thank you...um. What is you name?" Krystal looked up to him

"Me? Oh, I am James, Miss Krystal." He smiled and saluted her

"How do you know my name?" She looked up to him thinking maybe he was from her home, Cerinia.

"It says it right there on your suit and I looked up your file from the Great Fox. I heard it was destroyed and got a new one and I guess that Ol' hairball won't change the passwords." James laughed a bit before sitting grabbing a small red looking berry and tossing it to his mouth.

"Ol' hairball, are you talking about Peppy?" She tilted her head lightly "How do you know Peppy?" She watched him he reminded her of Fox in looks and the way he used his words.

"Peppy and I were old friends." James sighed "Well you eat up, you must be hungry you have been asleep since 8:30 it is now almost noon."

"Noon! Where is Falco, we must leave now or we won't get back to the Great Fox and everyone will be worried especially Peppy and Fox." She jumped up making sure she had everything before she heard a laugh.

"Do not worry I sent them a message that you were going to be late. Falco needs to change his password to." James laughed and started to leave the room "Now eat so you don't get sick."

Krystal sat back down and started to eat. The fruit was good a lot of it from different planets and such. She smiled and relaxed until she heard a scream break the silence. She jumped up and leapfrogged of the bed out the door to see Falco Screaming and kicking the floor with his feet his hands moving erratically as he was trying to move away from James. Falco's face was frozen in fear and soaked with water from a wonderful wake up.

"KRYS! Help me! It's the walking dead come back to kill everyone!" Falco was calling out.

"Falco, Shut up!" James growled before grabbing Falco's coat lifting him up to his feet "Act like a Man for crying out loud, I have seen kids with more courage!"

"Yes sir!" Falco forced out.

"James, why is he so Panicky?" Krystal looked to him, though keeping her distance after what Falco did to her the night before.

"My full name is James McCloud." James let Falco go

12:00 pm Great Fox II

Fox was growling as he was unable to stop pacing as he was getting annoyed at how long Falco and Krystal were gone. He had started to worry more than anything else. With a soft growl, he threw himself back to his seat and his fingers tapped his armrest.

"Fox, FOX! We got mail from Falco and Krystal. Shall I send it to your station or open full screen?" Peppy looked back to fox after asking

"Just open it Peppy it might be an emergency." Fox leaned off his seat sitting at the edge wait to see what it said as the screen turned on and the letter popped up.

Hey Fox. Krys and I are fine just sending a message to let you know we are fine we will be back later tonight. Though I would take Krystal out shopping before we go back, thought she deserved a break and let her get a few new things and such.

You pal Falco

Fox read over the note a few times before slouching back a bit not feeling as concerned that they might have been shot down. He would get up and head to his room to take a shower and hopefully relax enough to maybe get an hour or two of sleep before they got back.

12:10 pm Beneria

"What happened last night?" Falco asked looking to them as they all sat around the table in James's black and white kitchen. Krystal keeping her distance.

"You don't remember?" Krystal hissed a bit.

"Let me tell him Krystal." James leaned over and whispered to Falco. "You tried to attack her and I stopped you before knocking you out."

Falco's face dropped from confusion to complete shock and sorrow before he looked to Krystal. She looked back to him leaning a way a bit as he moved to his knees and took her hands. He looked like he was going to cry.

"Krys, I don't remember what I did last night. I am sure whatever the cause is, it was still wrong. I apologize as much as I can, however I can understand if you can never forgive me." Falco held her hand tightly before letting go moving away to sit on the cold linoleum floor in the kitchen.

Falco sat quietly as he had calmed down and was lost in thought. Krystal looked to James waiting for him to explain everything. She was told he was killed during an attack from Andross. James sighed unsure how to explain how he managed to survive.

"Well I guess I would have to say, I knew Pigma was going to betray me, so I knew there was a trap set. I figured out the trap as soon as we got there and let myself get caught but I pulled a few stunts that I shouldn't have and got away with a banged up Arwing. I was lucky if I didn't do those stunts I would have been killed." James looked down and sighed before thinking of Fox. "I am a horrible father for leaving Fox alone for so long. Poor kid. I wish I could see him again but I don't think I can deal with the heart break if he rejects and hates me for what I did."

Krystal shook her head lightly before looking down. She wasn't sure what she could do to help not to mention she was worried Falco might snap having found out what he did. Falco got up and started to leave the kitchen to find another place to sit that was comfortable and quiet.

"I know Pepper has thrown a ball every year to commemorate the destruction of Andross. He has had it every year to celebrate the defeat of Andross the first time." Krystal smiled before it soon faded "Though Fox refuses to go he says it brings up bad memories."

"Don't worry about it Miss. Krystal." He thought a moment "Hey lets go I am sure you would like to go out and shop a bit, Beneria is known for good shopping." James smirked before heading off to get Falco and his dark green Flight jacket. "Falco lets go we are going out."

Krystal followed and nods lightly as she really wanted James to come back with her and Falco so he could be reunited with Fox. As much as she did she wasn't going to push him to go if he didn't want to. She looked to Falco as he got up nodding lightly he seemed to be in a daze that moment as they all headed out to James's car.

James led them to an elevator and then down to the parking Garage under the building before getting in to the car with Krystal and Falco in back. Krystal was trying to snap Falco out of his depression from his attacking her. She knew he wasn't awake then, she knew it truly wasn't his fault, she already forgave him. They drove a good ten minutes before the car was parked and James climbed out. Krystal got out followed by Falco as they looked down the road that was full of different shop each a different ethnic background.

Krystal looked around before going to the different shops see what she could purchase. James looked to Falco as he followed Krystal slowly. Taking this chance James disappeared from the crowd and found his way to a store full of different Gowns and dresses. He came back out of the shop roughly thirty minutes later with a large box in a large white bag. He smirked as he was going to get Fox to have a little fun in his life.

Krystal smiled as she found a shop that had Cerinian like clothing and jewelry. She smiled as she bought a few things for herself (necklaces, bracelets, and rings). She would move on and get a few pairs of casual pants and a few shirts; she got slippy a new tool belt with a few basic tools, Peppy a new coat, and Fox she wasn't sure. She never really knew what to get Fox because she could give him an ice cube and he would go on about how great a gift it was.

James walked up to them and smiled before showing his watch. As it read 2:30 pm. She smiled and waved them back to the car. He sat down and placed his bag on the seat next to him as Krystal and Falco got in back again. Krystal smiled as she pulled out a necklace it was black leather band with a silver feather and gave it to Falco before whispering to him quickly then sitting back.

"Ok I hope you two had fun, because I am bringing you back to the base." James hummed a bit as he drove straight to the base no detours or anything

"James, why don't you come with us?" Falco spoke gruffly before being cut off by the stopping and by James speaking up

"Falco I have other plans that I can't just drop right now, if I could I would but I can't." He looked back to Krystal and Falco smiling "Here's your stop!"

Krystal and Falco got out and started to head to the base when James got out holding the large bag running over to Krystal and speaking softly so Falco couldn't hear.

"When is that ball?"

"In two weeks at Pepper's estate on Corneria."

"Make Fox go no matter what fool him if you have to. There is no reason he should let such a petty little things keep him from celebrating his triumph." James smiled again handing the bag over "Have fun." He ran back to his car driving off.

Falco looked back to Krystal as she walked over and shook her head. They walked in to the base had everything checked out before they were brought to there Arwings. It was now Six at night and they were cleared and leave and already going. They hit the atmosphere and broke Orbit before heading back to the Great Fox after there long two days.

Krystal was still cautious of Falco but she wasn't so much that she would avoid him at all costs. She knew him well enough to know he wouldn't do such a thing knowingly. She was more worried about is health then anything at that moment.

1:00 pm Great Fox II

A loud buzz sounded on the bridge making slippy jump almost cutting an oil wire in Rob's arm. He grumbled a bit and walked to the computer to see who was hailing them. Fox walked in holding a cup of coffee late yes but he was tired. Slippy looked back and opened the call as General Pepper filled the screen. Peppy Yawned as he was taking a nap when the Buzzer woke him up.

"Good afternoon General Pepper" Fox spoke and saluted. "You got a mission for us?"

"Glad to see your back Fox, but are Falco and Krystal Back?" Pepper seemed unusually concerned.

"No not yet they decided to go shopping on Beneria before coming back, why?" Fox sipped his coffee.

"Well yesterday the convict they had to transport broke free and grabbed an experimental drug from the lab. We believe he injected it in to Falco and we need to know if he is ok and if Krystal is to." Pepper sighed heavily. "It is perfectly safe until one is affected by the side effects if they are. They become very aggressive and there mind go to a primal state. "

"WHAT!" Fox dropped his coffee. "You're telling me Falco was injected with a drug and might have attacked Krystal! Slippy ready my Arwing I will be leaving now!"

"Fox it will take another three hours to get it fueled and recharged so you have to wait, I would loan you mine but I kind of took the engine apart." Slippy gave a sheepish grin.

"Sorry Fox, I am sure Krystal and Falco will be fine. Pepper Over and out" He saluted and dropped connection quickly.

Three hours passed and Fox was heading down to the hanger to get in to his Arwing to go get Falco and Krystal. Slippy was chasing after him trying to stop him because they would be back soon. Peppy walked out of his room and grabbed Fox's shoulder shaking his head.

"Don't Fox, You will overreact and nothing good will come of it, not to mention if wolfs team is out there they might attack when you are alone." Peppy looked to him with a stern look. "I don't want to lose my best friend's kid because his mind was clouded."

"Aye Peppy, thanks. I am glad I have the luxury of an old friend's wisdom." Fox sighed and went to his room to cool off a bit more and type in his journal to clear his mind.

Date XX/XX/XXXX

I have got notice of Falco being attacked and drugged and that Krystal might have been in danger because of it. I hope they return safe and soon. Maybe this year I will bring Krystal to that ball if I get up the courage to go but I tell myself that every year and I never go. This year I will go. I need to put my father's death behind me and not let it tear me apart any more. [End of entry]

Fox sighed and leaned back in his chair dozing off quickly. He hadn't slept all that well the night before from chasing Katt or that night when Krystal didn't come back. He knew she could take care of herself but he worried about her more then the rest of his crew. He knew why but he was too much of a chicken to say something to her.

9:15 Great Fox II

The hangers opened and two Arwing's coasted in then to a rest before the airlock closed and the hanger filled with air once more. Krystal and Falco both jumped from their ships, Falco left immediately to lock himself in his room. Krystal had to pull a few bags from the under compartment before heading in quietly. She would stop by her room and drop her things off before heading to the bridge.

When the doors opened Peppy and Slippy looked up and smiled before rushing to her. They both looked very concerned. Krystal smiled and walked to her chair and sat.

"Are you alright Krystal? Everyone was worried especially Fox." Slippy blurted out.

"Yes I am fine why?" Krystal looked to him slightly confused

"Well Pepper called and told us Falco was injected with a drug that makes him go to a primal and aggressive state of mind. We were worried he attacked you." Peppy spoke with a sigh of relief because she said she was fine.

"Really, He didn't do anything." Krystal spoke to them. She was lying mostly for Falco's sake then her own. She would smile brightly before pulling things out of her bag giving the belt and tools to Slippy and the coat to Peppy.

Krystal got up and headed to the dorm hall to head to bed. She stopped in front of Fox's room and thought a moment before opening the door and walking in. She smiled when she found him sleeping on his chair. Walking over quietly she hummed over how peaceful and calm he looked while sleeping. She smirked and sat on his lap putting her arms around him and scratching behind his ear calling his name to wake him up.

"Fox, Fox, wake up Fox." She smiled while speaking as she managed to get a soft grunt before he sleepily opened his lazy eye lids to look to her.

"Hey, when did you get back in?" Fox spoke softly fighting not to yawn before turning his head to the side yawning softly

"About twenty minutes ago." She smiled to him. "I heard you were worried about me."

"Yes, Pepper said Falco might try something. Did he?" Fox started to shift to sit up a bit more and get comfortable.

"No, he didn't. So you don't have to worry about anything." Krystal smiled and started to get up.

"Hey Krystal, would you like to go to the ball in two weeks?" Fox looked to her causing her to stop in shock. She would only smile nod in response before heading to her room. She couldn't wait to see what James was going to do but she knew she had to send him a message saying they were going.