Wow. this chapter has alot of character thoughts in it...

Fox braced himself on the wall as he slowly shambled down the hall. When he reached the living room of his home, he let out a small sigh, knowing that at some point he would have to clean up all the decorations. For the moment though, the tree had been shifted clear of the TV, and the couch had been moved back to it's normal position, as well as bringing the coffee table back in. Ramirez was already awake, sitting on the couch with his son, helping the child read a book. Seeing the pair like that made Fox smile, and in some small way, slightly jealous.

Jeez Fox, little too early to be thinking about that… he tried to shake his thought from his head as he started moving into the room. "Morning Ramirez. Seen Mira or Krystal yet this mornin?"

"Morning Fox. And no. not yet. You ever figure out what happened last night? I aint seen Will look like that in a long time." Ramirez kept glancing at the TV set as he spoke, prompting Fox to do the same.

"Mira broke up with him." the images currently on the screen were about rising property costs and unemployment rates across the planet.

"Oh… well… that certainly explains it."

"Yeah. anything interesting?" Fox gestured toward the TV as he spoke.

"Nothing really new. Economic analysts keep warning of rising crime rates, and there was a drug bust last night that the responding officers took fire from a UEC plasma rifle. To be expected though. Enough of those things are lying around right now that scavengers were bound to pick up a few."

"Huh, first time I've heard of it though. If it keeps happening, I could see a lot of officers getting injured." Fox watched the screen for a moment longer before heading to the kitchen to start cooking breakfast, quickly opening up his wrist computer while he did so.

Upon opening the device, he found an email from Peppy he had been waiting the past few weeks for, opening it only for his jaw to drop at the contents. "Holy shit!?"

"Alright, what's bad enough for Fox to let out an expletive statement when there is a three year old around?"

"Not bad… Good…" Fox's attention was almost entirely on the screen, scrolling through the insanely large list of hand written and scanned recommendations Peppy had acquired in Fox's stead.

"And that would be?"

"Huh? Oh, I asked Peppy to write out a recommendation letter to the CPD for Will… and he went to everyone he could to get more… gotta be ten, fifteen of them, all hand written! Senator Reeves, General Pepper, Colonel Winters, wasn't aware he was promoted, Bill has one, a few other senators, shit, there's even a detective and a cop in here!" Fox scrolled through all of them, one at a time, finding that there were even ones from human commanders and even the human ambassador herself. There was even a form almost guaranteeing his acceptance into a class starting roughly a week from that day at the Cornerian Police Academy on the mainland.

Fox quickly closed the message, focusing all his efforts on finishing breakfast from there on. As soon as he finished, he rushed back to his room to get his shoes and car keys. As soon as he was back in the main room, he was speaking again. "So breakfast is at the bar, tell Krystal to let me know how Mira is doing when you see her. I'm going to go find Will."

Ramirez just used a thumbs up to respond as Fox rushed out the front door, quickly slipping into the drivers seat of his SUV. The drive to Will's apartment was just over half an hour, so Fox did his best to get comfortably settled in his seat.

When he finally arrived at Will's apartment complex, he brought his SUV down into the underground parking lot, seeing Will's bike in one of the spaces. Well, at least I know he really is here.

He let out a small sigh as he parked his SUV, exiting and making his way to the elevator system. The ride up to Will's floor was mundane to the extreme, the elevator not stopping once, and leaving Fox with nothing but his thoughts and the typical dull elevator music. His feet carried him straight to Will's door, knocking as soon as he arrived. Minutes dragged by with no answer, prompting Fox to knock again, the second knock going unanswered. That prompted him to try the door handle, finding it to be unlocked.

Will's main room was dark when Fox entered, the lights turned off and the curtains drawn over the sliding glass door out to the balcony. It took a moment for Fox's eyes to adjust to the sudden darkness, though the light from the hallway helped considerably. Fox flicked the light on as he closed the door, realizing Will was sitting at the table, his head in his hands. He had made no move to even react to Fox entering the room, much less try and greet him. He was clearly in the same clothing from last night, for a moment, Fox was convinced he had somehow fallen asleep in that position.

"Will?" Fox tried to be gentle with his voice, understanding just how much pain the man had to be in right now.

"Go away Fox. I just want to be alone right now."

"I seem to recall a time not so long ago that I said the same thing to you, and what did you do?" Fox tried to smile for him, but the way he hadn't even moved made that a difficult task. I hope he can pull himself back from this… "Anyway, I didn't just come over here for nothing, take a look at this." Fox sat across the table from him, taking his wrist computer off and setting it between them, setting it into a holographic display mode. As soon as he had, he pulled up the message he had received from Peppy, spreading the files out to where each and every single one could be seen.

The images now being displayed before Will got him to finally move from his position. Now that Fox could see them, both of his eyes were red and puffy, there being faint traces of moisture still on his cheeks. He also had massive dark bags under his eyes. Did he not sleep last night?

"What the hell is this Fox?" his quiet voice was equal parts bitter and exhausted, bringing a frown to Fox's muzzle.

"They are recommendations for you to the C-P-D. Peppy got a hold of them. fill out this document here, and you are on a shuttle to the academy by next week." As Fox spoke, he manipulated the employment form that had been among the various documents, sliding it in front of Will.

"Get this shit out of my face." Will angrily reached down to the computer and shut the display down, just before shoving the device away.

"Hey!" Fox glared at him for a moment, managing to catch the device before it flew off the table. "I'm trying to help you Will!"

"And I don't care Fox!" Will immediately snapped that back, glaring across the table.

"Well you better! This is probably why Mira left you!" Fox froze as he realized what he just shouted, now wanting more than anything to take it back. "Will… I'm sorry…"

Surprisingly, Will didn't look angered at all by it. instead, his head fell back into his hands, small droplets starting to fall from his skin. "Don't be. Just leave me alone."

"Will, what I'm trying to say, is that we aren't that dissimilar from each other. We both need a job, or we start going insane. I think the best step for you, especially now, with Mira leaving, is for you to get one. At least to let it take your mind off that."

"Fox… Mira… Mira has been the only thing holding me together… I don't know what to do without her…" His voice cracked several times, more pain showing through than Fox had ever heard from him.

"I know. that's why I'm saying you should do this. to help you stay together. If not for yourself, for Mira. Okay?" Fox stood as he spoke, leaning across the table to give his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Despite what happened last night, she still loves you. I know she does. So just worry about getting yourself back together. She'll come back. I'll leave you be." Fox grabbed his computer as he finished, sending Will the files before stepping to the door. He couldn't help but stop at the door, glancing back at his friend once more. Will still had yet to really move, a small pool of water beginning to form on the table under his head. Fox let out a sigh before he stepped from the door, closing it behind him.

Blake glanced up as he heard the back door to his shop opening, smiling as he watched Mira make her way inside.

"Hey, feeling better I guess?" He smiled to her as he spoke, setting the tool in his hand down.

"Oh, yeah. sorry about having to call in. just been sick the past few days. All good now." she spoke as she removed a belt she was wearing, which was connected to the holster and blaster on her thigh. Once off her, she hung it on the back wall, out of the way. It didn't bother Blake that she carried it, especially given the way crime rates had been rising of late.

"It's fine. how was that… what did you call it… Chris party?" That doesn't sound right…

"Christmas. And it went… f-fine." she didn't look at him as she spoke, her voice seeming to drop out as she spoke.

"Something up? You sound… well, really down in the dumps."

"I… broke up with my boyfriend. I'm sorry, I really wasn't sick I just… I needed some time." She set her hands on one of the tool carts, her eyes falling to the floor. A single tear slipped from her eye, disappearing into her fur.

As her employer, he really wanted to scold her for what she just said, but, the shear pain in her voice as she said it stopped him in his tracks. "So… what happened? He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No…I… I… hurt him…" tears started falling from her eyes, quickly soaking her fur as her eyes closed. Though, that action did nothing to stop the tears from flowing from her eyes.

What… What do I do? Blake was frozen for several moments, until his body decided to respond for him, moving over to her and bringing her into a loose and light hug, only to be surprised when she turned into it and almost threw her arms around his neck.

"I screwed up! I never should have! The expression he had when I told him! it was so… empty! I haven't seen him like that since we met, and even then, he… damn it! why did I do that to him!?" she almost shouted that, making Blake wince. All of her sobbing seemed to intensify, leaving Blake utterly dumbstruck as to what to do.

"You did what was right for you. you said you were scared of him hurting you right?" She nodded onto his shoulder, prompting him to continue. "Then don't worry about it. afraid I can't say I understand any of this, but, from what little you told me, you did the right thing. So just hang in there, okay?"

"I… need to go say something to him… his apartment isn't far from here so… I'll be back." She suddenly let go of him, striding over to where she had hung the blaster and grabbing it from the wall. She stopped momentarily to put the holster back on, wiping her eyes as best she could before she disappeared through the door, leaving Blake still standing where they had been, utterly speechless.

What the hell is going on with that woman!?

Mira's feet carried her into the parking garage of Will's building, her eyes quickly finding Will's bike, a silent confirmation that he was in fact here at the moment. Her heart rattled away in her chest, the way her body felt right now reminding her too much of being on a battlefield.

She tried to clear her head as she stepped into the elevator, her hand naturally falling to the blaster on her thigh. As odd as it sounded, the weapon had become as much a comfort as it was a reminder. A reminder of what she had been through, of what she had managed to survive thus far. And a comfort because it had never failed her. when she needed it to work, it always had. But right now, it was no comfort at all, only reminding her of the times she had spent with Will, from learning the basics of ground combat, to the battles they had fought through, to even the times they spent simply talking with one another.

Which brought her up to the events of the past few days. And it made her want to start crying all over. She had done something terrible to him, and she knew it. she was abandoning him, when he needed her the most. And she hated herself for it. so as she stepped from the elevator, headed for his apartment, she still had no clue what she was doing.

What can I even say to him, after what I did… her feet carried her closer to his door, not even aware of anything around her as her brain created idea after idea, each as terrible and useless as the last. Before she knew it, she was at his door, her fist raised to knock, only to stop herself. What if he doesn't want to see me right now? and even then, I can't just say, 'I'm sorry, I fucked up, forgive me?'. It's not that simple anyway! How could he ever forgive me!?

Her arm fell to her side as her eyes dropped to the tile at her feet, letting out a small pained sigh. Shouldn't even be here. I don't deserve to be… act like I never came back. At this point, it would probably be better for him. he can't trust me anymore anyway… especially with rejected what he asked of me…

She let her eyes close, taking a deep breath to try and settle her shaking body. That breath did little to stop her quivering though. He deserves a reason though. I never gave him one, and after everything he's done for me, I can't just leave him without a reason.

She brought her fist up to knock on the door once more, stopping before she could swing. Even so, what can I say? If I just be honest, it sounds utterly stupid! Oh, hey will, I'm sorry, I can't take being around you anymore because I'm terrified of you!? all that's going to do is hurt him even more, as true as it is… and it really was a stupid reason to do that to him! a groan slipped from her muzzle as she slumped against the wall beside the door, rolling onto her back and letting her self slide down the wall until she was sitting by the door, her palms pressed against her temples. But if I give him any other reason, I'd be lying to him! and that would just make all of this worse! Damn it, what can I say to him!?

Tears began to leak from her eyes of their own accord, slowly beginning to soak the fur on her muzzle. She did nothing to hold the tears back either. at this point, she didn't care who saw her like this. Damn it, come on, you'll figure it out when you see him! at least… at least then it will be from the heart… with that thought, she forced herself back to her feet, squaring off in front of the door before gently knocking. She did her best to wipe the moistier from her fur as she waited, slowly growing more and more anxious as time seemed to tick further and further by.

The wooden door vibrated in it's frame as she pounded on it this time, hoping he was just ignoring the door. Of course, it wouldn't have been the first time he did that. She groaned as the door remained unanswered, pulling his spare key out of her pocket and quickly unlocking the door. The room wasn't quite dark, though the lights were off. Light was bleeding through the sliding glass door, showing the oddly clean area. There wasn't a single empty can,, or dirty dish in the sink, like there usually was. And the room was utterly silent, not even the sound of the air conditioning that normally permeated the place.

Did he… no no no no no! she started to panic as images started to float through her mind, all terrifyingly detailed images of Will dead in his bedroom, blood soaking the bead from his body. Her body almost slammed through the door to his room, flicking the light on, only to breath a small sigh of relief when she found the room empty.

Wait, but if he's not here… her brain stopped in it's tracks, bile starting to rise in her throat as her trembling intensified. She scrambled back out of the room, straight to the room next to it, opening it to find it empty of people as well. That said, the room wasn't at all empty, looking like Will had converted it into a armorers work station, with all sorts of varied tools for doing high level maintenance on all types of firearms, even old school ballistic weaponry. It's emptiness was beyond unsettling for her, prompting her to dart across the apartment again, ripping open the door to the small half bathroom meant for guests. Upon finding it empty, she ran back to the bedroom, checking both the closet and the bathroom there, all to no avail. Where is he!? He normally doesn't leave the apartment during the day unless I drag him out of here! She began to pace back and forth as her mind raced through possibilities as to where he could be, up until one thought struck her mind. Fox. He might know…

With that though, she pulled her phone from her pocket, quickly finding Fox's contact and calling it.

"Hey Mira, aren't you at work right now?" Fox sounded puzzled as he answered her call.

"I, um… where's Will?" she bit her lip as she responded to him, her feet finally stopping her pacing.

"Will's gone. Why?"

She nearly dropped her phone when Fox spoke, her heart producing a stabbing pain in her chest as it seemed to skip several beats. "G-Gone?!"

"Yeah. he's on his way to the mainland right now. just got back from dropping him off at the Space port. Why? Something up Mira?"

Her arms trembled as she pulled the phone from her ear, ending the call without ever responding to Fox. The device slipped from her hand as she moved toward the couch, slowly sinking onto it.

He… he's gone… that lone thought seemed to hit her harder than a crashing starship, every fiber of her being going suddenly and violently numb.