-Back at Fox's house-
Krystal is frustrated by the constant stream of prank phone calls all day. The phone begins to ring and Krystal decides to let the machine get it this time. But a small white fox answers the phone before the machine could pick it up.
" Hello you've reached the McCloud residence." The white fox said.
" Hey Ray, is your mom home." Fox said to his second son.
Ray seemed tickled to here Fox's voice. He's a soft white and has these incredible ocean green eyes. He is only 8 but he is very smart for his age but he is like all other children his age though.
" Yeah she's home. Dad I have a question. Can I stay over Jim's tonight? Mom said I had to ask you." Ray said.
Fox wondered for a moment. Ray is normaly good but he does have a habit of pulling stunts like asking Fox if he can go some where after Krystal says no.
" Let me talk to your mom first." Fox said sternly.
" O.K." Ray said.
Suddenly Fox held the phone away from his ear remebering after so many times, that Ray always yells for someone if theres a phone call for them. And Fox wasn't disappionted with his action, hearing Ray yelling for Krystal and he was glad he had held the phone away for he might have gone deaf in his right ear if he hadn't. 'Man can that boy yell' Fox thought to himself. Krystal soon had the phone.
"Hello Fox. Why are you calling?" Krystal said since Fox didn't call just to say hello or any thing like that.
" Listen Krystal, there's been a call saying someones trying to resurect Andross." Fox said and he heard Krystal gasp a 'no' on the other end. " Yes, we're going to leave today once the Great Fox is ready, to check it out. I hope it's just a prank but it may not be."
" Well ok, so what do you want me to tell James and Emerald when they get home?" Krystal asked.
" Well actually." Fox said getting a little nervous at what Krystal's reaction would be. " Their coming with me. It's only to Macbeth and their not leaving the Great Fox." Fox said quickly.
" WHAT? Why would you take them. If this is real then you'll be putting them in danger Fox!" Krystal said practicly screaming. Fox was begining to wish he had pulled the phone away from his ear.
" Krystal I promise I won't let anything happen to them." Fox said, then switched the phone to his left ear.
He then could hear Ray in the background asking if he could go over Jims yet.
" Oh Krystal, did Ray ask you if he could go over Jims before I called." Fox said trying to make Krystal think about something other then what Fox had just told her.
" Yes, and I suppose he asked you before he called me to the phone." Krystal said sounding a bit peeved at Fox. Then She changed the topic to Jim. " Fox I really don't like Ray going over Jim's. I just don't trust the boy, he get's into so much trouble. But Ray's been begging to go over there all day." Krystal said sounding frustarted.
" Well let's let him go over there today. He's Ray's best friend, besides think about how Falco used to be a little like that kid and look at him now. I don't think there's any thing to worry about." Fox said. He heard Krystal tell Ray he could go and Ray shouted 'Thank you dad' real loud so Fox would hear.
" Fox I trust you with James and Emerald, you know that, but if Andross is revived they would be in danger. But when I think about it, they are your kids and they will get in as much trouble as you do. Well one good thing comes out of this. I get a night of peace and quiet." Krystal said with a light but nervous laugh.
" I won't let them get into any trouble even though they do seem to attract it." Fox said in a light hearted voice.
Fox felt that they were worrying over nothing James, Emerald, and Charlie won't leave the Great Fox and he would make sure of that.
" Fox, be careful. I know what your like even after 20 years you're still 'shoot first, ask questions later' no matter what it is. And save your ' I don't know what you're talking about' speech, I know it by heart." Krystal said in a some what teasing voice. And Fox started to laugh.
"Alright and don't worry, I'll be careful. I love you. Oh and Krystal can you put Ray on?" Fox asked.
" Ok Fox. I love you too." Krystal said then she handed the phone to Ray.
" Hey dad, is there something you wanted to tell me?" Ray asked in a really excited voice.
" Yeah, behave yourself over Jim's. And I wanted to tell you that I love you and I'm proud of you. Give your mom a hug and kiss for me, ok buddy?" Fox said not knowing why he felt he had to tell Ray that.
" Alright dad. I love you too. Bye dad." Ray said. Then he hung up the phone. Ray always has a habit of haging the phone up without waiting for a 'Bye' on the other end.
-Back at the base-
Fox was thinking about how he was feeling. Asking himself why he felt he had to tell Ray what he did. Fox just thought it must be his regreting that he didn't tell his father how he felt before he died. Then Fox felt silly because he knew that he would be fine. He kept thinking 'This is just a sick joke of someones to drive us nuts' and it was working. It had to be checked out even if it felt like someones sick sense of humor.
" Fox the Great Fox is ready for depature when you're ready. Fox?" Slippy said.
He noticed Fox staring into the sky as the sun was begining to set. He had a familar look on his face. The same look he had before he faught Andross the first time.
" I know one thing for sure Slippy" Fox said and then he turned to Slippy. " That I'm glad the team is together for another mission it'll be like the old times." Fox said with a smile on his face.
" Let's just hope Falco has grown up a little over our time apart. The last thig I need is for a tool to go missing while I'm tuning up my Arwing." Fox said. There was a moment of silence between them. " Go Make sure everyone's on the Great Fox."
" Ok Fox." Slippy said then he left to make sure everyone was on board.
Fox stood there watching the sun set for what seemed like the first time in ages. Emerald and James entered the room and stood next to Fox. He couldn't help but put his arms around them. 'It's always precious moments like this that we must treasure' Fox thought to himself and hugged the two tight.
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R&R Please I know a little corny right? Well that's just another step in the story. I hope you enjoyed it. I'll start chapter 3 now.
