Chapter 2: Peace in Our Time

The cork pinged from the Champaign bottle on the GreatFox and hit the ceiling with a loud thud, cheers and laughter were heard all around the table. Falco did the honours of serving everyone's glass. The glasses served by Falco included those of Fox's, Fara's, Katt's, Peppy, Bill's and of course, his own.

"To Starfox!" The avian spoke at the with confidence, at the top of his voice. Everyone rose their glasses to toast the success of their victory.

"Welcome home baby!" Fara told Fox before she brought her head up to his, their eyes meet and they kiss each other passionatly on the lips, to a jeering reception from the rest of the table. She had missed him for so long, He left her months ago to fight Andross, She wondered if he was ever going to come back. Now was the happiest time she had ever known in her life. There was to be peace and love after all.

"Aww, that's so sweet, how come you never kiss me like that in public Falco?" Katt teased him, giving him a look of mock annoyance, just so he'd give in and do the same to what happened across the table. She had always had a crush on Falco. Unlike Fara, Katt took part in the war itself. She helped Starfox come through in Zoness and helped destroy enemy missles that could have destroyed the GreatFox it's self.

Now she was happy too, She was living on the GreatFox with Falco, everything was going right for them.

"Ah, geez Katt, do I have to!" Falco whined. As much as he tried to resist, he could'nt.

Her eyes stared right into him, he could sense her touch under the table and sight of her eyes into his, with every breath, she took more and more of his heart away from him.

"Yep" Katt answered with a shy smile and pointed to her lips, Falco could tell that the same feelings were happening to her. Her stomach was doing somersults as he drew nearer to her. She still got excited like a little girl when Falco was about to kiss her, even though he had done hundreds of times before.

Time almost stoped as everyone were fixed on the couple, all waiting for one of the two to make a move on the other. Falco finally gave into to his heart and kissed her deeply, to the sound of more jeers from round the table, making the usually blue face of the Avian go red with embarrassment.

"Hey Pepster, pass us the Champaign bottle would ya!" Falco asked, trying to forget the events that had just happened. He tried to hide his feelings, even though everyone knew he truely was in love with the pink kitten. He had always been a lone wolf, telling himself that he needed no-one, now he felt he could'nt live without her by his side. His thoughts were confused as a consiquence.

"That's not my name, here take it fly-boy" said the old Hare, of which followed by a sly smile. Knowing of Falco's hate to show emotion, and trying to torment him about it. Peppy was probably the happiest about the ending of the war though he did not show it. He was a veteran and had seen Fox's dad James killed by Andross. His ghosts could now be laid to rest. Now he could think of retirement, or better, a promotion in the army. He was sure that his taking part in Starfox would leave him in good stead with the military. But the old man of the crew, missed female company too, he hoped one day she would turn up, but he never put a bet on it, since he was now in his latter years.

"Hey guys, I'm back!" the squeaky voice that could only belong to Slippy was heard as he entered the dinning quarters of the GreatFox. he entered to see Falco ending his kiss with Katt.

"Whoa!" screamed Slippy, for all his intelligence, he always acted like the nieve child in romantic situations, probably due to the amount of actually affection he was given, or the lack of it. Katt giggled, at Slippy's suprised face, Falco gave Slippy a non to nice facial expression that made Slippy's smile disapate.

"Where ya been?" question Fox.

"Oh.. well you said you wanted me to fix your weapons platform. You've now got another ½ times the strength for you weapons, with no extra weight added." The frog grinned, proud of himself that he was at least useful to the team as a great mechanic.

"You're the best Slippy!" stated a grateful Fox.

"Thanks Fox" Slippy, showing a little redness in his cheeks from the comment.

"Hey, You weren't here when we toasted. In that case you get you own toast." As Peppy rose his glass "To Slippy, the best mechanic a team could have."

Everyone rose their glasses yet again.

Slippy, eager to return the favour, "To my team mates, the best an amphibian could have!" he stated, and even let his gaze fall on Falco as he said it. Obviously trying to make apoint to his comrade.

Falco and Slippy always did have a shaky relationship, mainly because of Falco's pigheadedness and his distrust in Slippy. Falco was a great pilot, and proud of it. Slippy wanted to but his pride would often be shattered by Falco. However, the war had created a stronger bond between them. The team were truly a united one.

"So. what you guys wanna do tonight then?" Bill Grey, leader of Bulldog and Husky squadrons and Fox's closet friend asked in his usual polite, yet cocky manner.

"How about a movie?" stated Slippy "I hear the Two Towers is excellent!"

"Nah.. why don't we go Bowling!" asked Falco, trying to win the others over.

"Well. why don't we ask our leader?" Peppy said and looked towards Fox.

"Um." Fox pondered, wanting to find a happy medium for everyone.

"How about a Night-club?" Fox asked the others.

The others shrugged, then nodded.

"Cool, ok then, we're clear up here then we're go. Yeah?"

The others nodded and started to leave the table and head for their quarters.

Peppy interupted, "You guys go get ready and leave. I'll clear up."

You don't wanna come Pep? asked Fox.

"Nah" was Peppy's reply. "I'm a bit too old for that kinda stuff, you kids go enjoy yourself, & I'll enjoy myself by having the place to myself." as he began to collect the dishes and glasses from the table.

Peppy liked all the kids a lot, but they were a noisy from time to time and Peppy always liked the quietness when they were out that gave him time to divulge into a good book.

"Ok old timer, if you insist! We wont be too late back." Said Fox.

"No problem." replied Peppy.

They're conversation was interrupted by a devilishly dressed Katt strolled into the room.

"Aint you coming Fox?"

"Yeah, be with you in a minute." replied Fox to Katt's question.

Falco came from behind Katt and put his arms around and kissed her neck before looking up at Fox,

"The others are outside, you coming or what?!"

"Yep, give me 1 minute, I see ya later Pep." Said Fox as he ran to his quarters to quickly get dressed.

The Veteran hare simply laughed at the kids as they hurried out of the door.

"There you are!" spoke Fara as she put his arms around Fox.

"Yep, here I am" He kissed her.

Falco was growing impatient, "C'mon you guys, quite sticking your tongues down each others throats and lets move!"

Both Fara and Fox giggled and had to break off their kiss. "Ok, ok, We're coming now!" said Fox. They walked towards the other, holding paws.

"Sorry about Mr. Romantic here!?" Katt apologised for Falco's crudity and unsensitive comment.

Falco scoffed but chose not to say anything for once. He thought it was best not to start the evening badly. Plus the fact that to get in an arguement with Katt would prove to be suicidal.

All six of them started walking into the centre of the city, Fox and Fara inseparable from each other. Stopping every so often to kiss, much to Falco's dismay.