Unseen Revenge: Chapter 26, Coming Together

Fox stood outside of General Pepper's office. He knew he had to be firm when talking to General Pepper about Jessie and her brother. He couldn't let them down. Fox took a deep breath before he entered. General Pepper was sitting behind his desk, working on some paperwork. General Pepper looked up once he realized someone was standing in front of him. He looked a little surprised to see Fox.

" Fox, what can I do for you?" General Pepper asked.

" I need to talk to you about Jessie and her brother Alex." Fox said, a very serious look in his eye's.

" I think that would be a great idea." General Pepper said, motioning for Fox to take a seat. " What about the two did you want to talk about?"

" I want to talk about what's going to happen to them." Fox said.

" Is that because you want to make James happy?" General Pepper asked.

" No, it's because I want them to have lives of their own, not to live as prisoners without reason." Fox said.

" Fox, I have already decided on what is going to happen to them." General Pepper said, leaning forward. " We don't have to go into..."

" Yes we do have to go into this!" Fox said, raising his voice a little. " They deserve better General!"

" Fox, calm down for a minute." General Pepper said softly.

" Why should I? You just made your decision, just like that! Did you even once consider giving them a chance?" Fox said.

" Fox, do you know what my decision is?" General Pepper asked.

" You plan on sending Jessie back to Macbeth aren't you? I have no idea what you're going to do with her brother." Fox said.

" I see you came in ready to fight me for Jessie's freedom." General Pepper said, a smile on his face. " You truly are great Fox, but there is no need to fight with me over her placement, or her brothers."

" I've jumped to conclusions that are off, haven't I?" Fox said, an embarrassed look on his face.

" I'm afraid so Fox, but I don't blame you. My past decisions have given you plenty of reason to jump to such conclusions." General Pepper said.

" I'm sorry sir. I was just worried about her." Fox said, looking away from General Pepper for a second.

" That's ok Fox." General Pepper said.

" Sir, what is going to happen to Jessie and Alex?" Fox asked.

" Well, I plan on letting Jessie choose how she wishes to live her life, as a Cornerian soldier or a civilian. As for her Alex, I think we'll do the same thing for him. " General Pepper said.

" Alex is afraid he won't be excepted because he was born and raised in the Sabers. And he's worried that he can't find work because he's never been to any kind of school." Fox said.

" I'll find some way for it to work out." General Pepper said as he rubbed his eye's.

" Sir, I have a suggestion for where they can live." Fox said, a little nervous.

" Go on." General Pepper said.

" Well, as you know I have a roomy home, and with Emerald planning on going to medical school it will get even more, roomier." Fox said, scratching the back of his head.

" And you would like it if Jessie and Alex moved into your home, correct?" General Pepper said.

" Yes, I would sir." Fox said.

" Only Jessie and Alex can make that decision." General Pepper said, leaning back in his chair. " I for one think it's a great idea."

" Well, when Jessie wakes up, I'll talk to her." Fox said.

" Oh, so you've heard?" General Pepper said, looking a little uncomfortable.

" Yeah, kind of. What happened exactly?" Fox asked.

" I sent for her because I wanted to tell her that she could stay. I figured she would rest easier if she knew. I wish I had known she was so tired, I would have let her get some rest first." General Pepper said.

" I'm sure she'll be fine." Fox said.

" Yes, I hope so." General Pepper said.

" Well, I guess that's all I wanted to talk about." Fox said, getting to his feet.

" Fox, I heard about Slippy. I'm sorry Fox." General Pepper said looking right into Fox's eye's.

" Yeah, so am I. You know, I never thought he would be the first to go." Fox said, fighting not to cry as he thought of his fallen friend.

" I'll help with the funeral plans." General Pepper said.

" Thank you." Fox said, then he left.

Fox was kind of out of it as he walked down the hall. Now that he talked to General Pepper, he felt he should talk to Falco now. Fox just had to find him. Taking a minute to think as he walked, he wondered where he could find Falco. He remembered in the past, every time Falco was upset or angry in the past, he would go to the GreatFox's gym. So, Fox thought he would try looking in the Workout Center on the base, he wasn't disappointed. As he walked into the workout center, he saw Falco giving the punching bag a work over. He watched Falco for a few minutes, giving him his space. As Fox watched, he was taken back to when his father died. He took after Falco in beating the crap out of the punching bag at the academy to help him feel better. Falco was the one who showed him that letting out his rage that way was the best way to do it, without getting into trouble. After what felt like forever Falco finally took a break, but he looked as though he wanted to keep going as he fell back. Fox walked up to him, and looked down at him.

" Hey Falco." Fox said softly.

" Go...away." Falco said, breathing heavily.

" I can't do that buddy. We need to talk." Fox said, sitting next to Falco.

" About what?" Falco said, sitting up. " Wait let me guess, you want to talk about how I screwed up huh? You want to grill me about how, 'A leader never abandons a teammate' right?"

" No, I want to know how you're feeling Falco. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about you." Fox said, placing his hand on Falco's shoulder.

" Sorry Fox, I didn't mean to snap at you." Falco said.

" It's ok Falco. It has been a long time since we've seen a friend fall." Fox said softly.

" Yeah it has." Falco said, looking away from Fox.

" Don't beat yourself up over it Falco. Things could have gone a lot worse." Fox said, tightening his grip on Falco's shoulder.

" I know Fox." Falco said as he ran is hand over the top of his head.

" Just don't let this haunt you all your life." Fox said.

" I'll try." Falco said, looking into Fox's eye's.

Fox couldn't help but smile at Falco. He knew Falco wouldn't let the guilt control him. They sat there for a few minutes, then Fox got to his feet. He still had certain plans to make out. Falco stood up, and looked at Fox. Falco knew the moment he looked into Fox's face what was going through his mind.

" I should get going Falco. I've still got things to do." Fox said, patting Falco on his shoulder.

" Yeah, I guess I should take Katt and Charlie home." Falco said, looking off towards the doors.

" You know, Charlie's a little worried about you." Fox said.

" Really? I'm not surprised with how I acted earlier." Falco said. " He really is a sweet kid."

" Yeah, but he's not a kid any more." Fox said.

" I know." Falco said, looking a little disappointed.

Fox left, leaving Falco standing there. He took a minute to think about Jessie and wondered if she awoke yet. Fox decided to go check on her again. He wasn't far from the infirmary so it didn't take him long to get there. When Fox entered the infirmary he saw James sitting by Jessie on the opposite side as Alex, who was watching him closely. As Fox came up close to them, he noticed Jessie was awake and leaning against James. She looked up at Fox as he stopped at the end of her bed. James and Alex noticed Fox was standing there and turned their attention to him as well.

" Hey Jessie, how are you feeling?" Fox asked.

" I'm feeling much better then earlier." Jessie said, smiling at Fox.

" That's good." Fox said then he looked away for a second. " I have something I want to ask you Jessie, oh and you too Alex."

" What is it?" Jessie asked, a little nervous.

" How would you guy's like to move in with us?" Fox asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

" What, you mean with you, Krystal, James, and Emerald?" Jessie asked, a little confused and very hopeful.

" Don't forget about Ray, but yes." Fox said, glancing at James, who looked shocked.

" Are you serious dad? They can really stay?" James asked, his eye's wide with hope.

" Is it true, Mr. McCloud? Jessie and myself can stay?" Alex asked.

" I talked to General Pepper and he said you two could stay on Corneria." Fox said.

" Yes!" James said as he hugged Jessie tight.

" Why did you ask us if we want to stay with you?" Alex asked.

" I just thought you might like to live with us. I've asked General Pepper and he said it was your choice. He also said you can pick to live as a soldier or a civilian." Fox said.

" I think I have had enough soldier life, thank you very much." Jessie said as she nuzzled into James chest.

" I figured you would." Fox said, a smile on his face.

" How long do we have to make a decision." Alex asked.

" Well, you don't have to make up your mind right this moment." Fox said. " So, when you've decided what you want to do, let me know."

" On whether we want to live with you, or about the soldier, civilian thing." Jessie said.

" Either of them I guess." Fox said, shrugging.

" I've made my decision." Jessie said, hugging James. " I accept your offer on letting me move in."

" Then I accept as well." Alex said.

" You just want to watch over me, don't you?" Jessie said.

" Of course I want to watch over you, you're my sister." Alex said.

Jessie pulled out of James grip and hugged Alex. At first he was a little surprised but then he hugged her back. After a minute she pulled back, a smile on her face and James was smiling too. He was glad she was going to stay on Corneria, and even more that she was going to live with his family. Over all, everything seemed to be going perfectly.

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