Unseen Revenge: Chapter 24, Thinking of Past and Future
-Corneria Air Force Base, living quarters-
Jessie let herself fall onto the bed, wishing sleep would come quick. She felt so clean and comfy, just laying there in loose fitting civilian clothes that Katt loaned her. Jessie curled up and buried her face in the pillow, not bothering with the covers. Just as she began to slip into a most desired sleep, she heard someone knock on the door. Jessie pulled the pillow over her head, hoping who ever it was would just leave. Unfortunately they didn't, instead they opened the door. She just laid there, hoping they would think she was sleeping and go away. Once again, luck wasn't on her side as who ever it was gripped her shoulder and shook her. By now Jessie was so frustrated with the need for sleep she just groaned and swung her arm towards the intruder. She didn't hit them, and they persisted. Jessie just barely moved the pillow from over her face.
" Go away." Jessie whined, close to tears.
All she wanted was to get some sleep. Was that so wrong? Apparently the person bothering her thought so. She felt a tug on the pillow and she tightened her grip on it. She was pulled to the floor as a result. Jessie moaned as she sat up and leaned on the bed. Now she was tired and her head hurt. She looked up at who had been bothering her, only to see a Cornerian soldier.
" General Pepper would like to see you. Now." The pit bull said, no sign of emotion on his face.
Jessie buried her face in the covers and screamed as loud as she could. Her scream was muffled by the mattress. After she got that out of her system she looked up at the stunned soldier. He obviously hadn't expected that. Jessie used the bed to push herself onto her feet. Her head hung low as the pit bull led her out. Jessie began to pray that she was in a bad dream, but her hopes of that being the case diminished due to the throbbing pain in the back of her head. She wondered why General Pepper couldn't just leave her alone. Hadn't she suffered enough? Jessie had spaced out as they walked down the hall to General Pepper's office. In no time Jessie was in front of General Pepper's office. Jessie was still in her own world when General Pepper's secretary told her to go on in. The pit bull led her in and then left her standing in front of General Pepper's desk.
" Jessie, why don't you have a seat?" General Pepper said motioning to one of the empty chairs in front of his desk, but Jessie just stood there. " Alright, if you would rather stand. Jessie I would like to talk to you abou..."
Jessie was tired, stressed out and upset over the thought that General Pepper might be sending her back to Macbeth. She just couldn't concentrate on what he was saying. She began feel dizzy and weak. She really needed some sleep, bad. Jessie grabbed the back of the closest chair to steady herself, quickly losing her grasp of reality and consciousness. General Pepper noticed she was acting strange.
" Jessie, are you ok?" General Pepper asked, standing up.
By now she was completely out of it. Jessie's knee's gave way, and she fell to the floor.
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-Cornerian Air Force Base, the GreatFox-
Fox sat in the seat that he used to lead the StarFox team from, mostly when there wasn't a mission. Fox missed his life as a mercenary, but he still had a kid to take care of. He couldn't throw away Ray's future to pick up where he had left his life as a mercenary off. Fox got up and walked over to the control panels. He could see his reflection in a monitor near by. It was obvious that he wasn't as young as he used to be. He could actually see the few grey hairs on his head. He laughed in spite of himself. He remembered all the adventures he had in the past. All the great things he did, when he led the greatest mercenary team in all of Lylat. He thought of the life he gave up and the life that took place after hearing Krystal was pregnant. He thought about the great kids he had. In the past Fox never thought he would make a good father, but looking over the past few years, he couldn't believe he hadn't lost his mind. Fox reached into his pocket and pulled out a family photo, taken only a few months ago. He never regretted giving up his life as a mercenary to give his kids a decent chance at a real life. He looked around once more before leaving the GreatFox.
Fox walked down the hall on his way to the living quarters to check on Krystal. He was relieved that the Sabers ordeal was over. Now they just had to straighten out what's going to happen to Jessie. He mulled that thought over in his mind while he walked down the hall. Fox figured if it came down to it, Jessie could stay with them until she was able to support herself. After all, he promised Wolf he would take care of her. It wasn't too much longer before he reached the living quarter's that they had been staying in. Fox checked the first room, all he saw was James laying on a bed, most likely thinking about Jessie. Fox closed the door and continued to the next room. He opened the door, and got a surprise he would never have been ready for. Emerald was in Charlie's arms, and they were kissing. Fox just stood there, shocked. Charlie was lucky Fox didn't have his blaster on him. Fox slammed the door shut and leaned on the wall. He couldn't believe he just saw what he did. He tried to calm down as he checked the last room. There Krystal was, laying in bed, sleeping. Fox sat down next to her, careful not to wake her. He stroked her back gently. He was happy that she returned alive. As Fox stared into Krystal's sleeping face, he heard a soft knock on the door. He looked up as the door opened and Bill poked his head in.
" I'm not interrupting any thing, am I?" Bill asked in a low whisper.
Fox got up, careful not to wake Krystal and stepped outside with Bill. One look into Bill's face told him something was going on, and Fox knew he wasn't going to like it.
" What's going on Bill?" Fox asked.
" I just heard that General Pepper has called Jessie to his office. Katt's already on her way there, I just thought you might like to know." Bill said.
" I hope he doesn't make any drastic decisions." Fox said as he turned towards General Pepper's office. " Bill, don't tell James."
With that Fox was on his way. Fox hoped he could get there before any decisions were made. He also hoped that he would get there before Katt could do any thing she may regret. As Fox rounded the corner he ran into Katt, who seemed bothered by something.
" Katt? I thought you would be heading for the General's Office." Fox said.
" I just came from there. Pepper's not there, neither is Jessie." Katt said.
" Where is she? Did the General make a decision already?" Fox asked, afraid of what could had happened.
" Jessie collapsed in General Pepper's office. I was on my way to the infirmary to see her." Katt said.
" She collapsed! Is she ok?" Fox asked, worried for Jessie's well being.
" I think she'll be fine. She never got to rest. She seemed really tired earlier. Who knows when the last time she actually got some rest was." Katt said.
" I'm going to go see her." Fox said, as he turned towards the infirmary.
It wasn't long before he and Katt reached the infirmary. They could see Jessie laying in one of the beds to the right. Fox saw that wolf from earlier. He never did find out who that guy was. Katt saw the expression of confusion on Fox's face.
" Do you know who that is Fox?" Katt asked.
" No, I don't. I never got around to asking him. I was hoping you knew who he was." Fox said.
" I do, his names Alex. He's Jessie's half brother." Katt said.
" Her brother. I can believe that." Fox said as he approached the bed.
Alex looked up as he heard footsteps. After seeing Katt and Fox, he returned his attention to Jessie. She seemed so peaceful as she slept. Fox gently brushed some stray hairs out of her face, Jessie shifted in the bed as a result. Fox pulled his hand back, not wanting to disturb her. He hoped General Pepper wouldn't send her away again. Fox didn't think she would last being alone after all that has happened. Alex sighed heavily as he looked at her.
" Mr. McCloud, could I ask you something?" Alex asked.
" Sure, ask away." Fox said.
" Can you find a way for her to stay on Corneria. I don't think that General will let her stay." Alex said.
" Don't worry, I won't let General Pepper send her away again." Fox said softly.
" Will you look after her?" Alex asked
" What do you mean?" Fox asked, worried about what was going through his mind.
" I just know I'll never be accepted on Corneria, and she's going to need some one to look after her until she gets the hang of things. She's a tough girl, I know that but she need's to adjust." Alex said.
" Hey, you listen to me. Jessie's not going to be sent away, and you're not going any where either. I'll talk to General Pepper and get everything settled." Fox said in an almost commanding voice.
" Shh, calm down Fox before you wake Jessie. She needs her rest you know." Katt said.
" Oh, right sorry. But I mean it. I'll take care of everything Alex." Fox said, lowering his voice.
" Thank you Mr. McCloud. I really appreciate it." Alex said.
" It's no problem at all." Fox said with a smile on his face.
" But, what am I going to do for work? I have no form of education, and from what I heard you can't get a job with out proper schooling." Alex said.
" We'll figure something out." Fox said as he patted Alex on the shoulder.
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So, how is it? There's definitely more coming. Once again, please review. I bet I'm starting to sound like a broken record.
