During the weeks that passed, I didn't get much sleep. I woke constantly in the middle of the night from nightmares. Nightmares about Craig's death and the guilt that assaulted me every minute of every day. I hadn't heard from Melissa since then and every time I tried calling, the phone would ring once or twice then I would be sent straight to voicemail. Conna came to visit a few days a week then go back to stay with my brother on the Great Fox. Conna seemed to be enjoying herself with Peppy and Slippy and Falco. According to her, she had been made an honorary member of Star Fox by my brother. She was very proud of herself.

I hadn't heard from anybody about Wolf's condition. Leon had come to Corneria to stay while Wolf was down. As Fox had promised, Leon and Wolf were granted temporary amnesty since Wolf had taken two shots for me. I had hoped to at least hear from somebody by now…

It was a few days later that I finally got a phone call from the hospital. I answered my cell on the first ring.

"Kell."

"Skye Kell?"

"Yes?"

"Oh my gosh, long time, no see. This is Dorothea, from the hospital. I looked after Conna when she was here."

It took a minute but I did remember her. "Of course. What can I do for you, Dorothea?"

"Actually, I'm calling to let you know that Wolf O'Donnell finally woke up. I called Fox but he said that you were the one I should've called first."

"I'll be right there." I hung up then quickly got ready.

Hara stepped into the apartment as I was putting on my shoes.

"Goodness, this is the fastest you've moved in weeks. Where's the fire?"

"Wolf's awake. I'm headed to the hospital."

"Want me to come with?" she asked.

"If you want. It's up to you."

She grinned. "Honey, you know I'm coming. You don't have to tell me twice."

We sped through the city and arrived at the hospital. Dorothea met us at the desk.

"It's good to see you again," she greeted. "Please, right this way."

We followed her to Wolf's room. On the way, she gave us an update on his condition.

"He seems to be responding well to all of the treatments we have given him," she told us. "He's healing nicely but still has a ways to go. He won't be leaving here for another few weeks. We're hoping to start him on rehab soon, depending on how much rest he gets."

"I'm sure he'll surprise you," I told her.

We got to Wolf's room. He was propped up by several pillows and able to stare out of the window. He turned to us when he heard our footsteps. His eyepatch was gone so his scar was visible but, he didn't look too bad. He managed a weak smile.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here anytime soon," he said to me. "And with your friend too."

Dorothea giggled. "I'll leave you all be. Call me if you need anything." She left us at that.

"I'll go get us some coffee," Hara informed me. "I figure you two could use a minute."

She left me alone with Wolf. I took one of the chairs and pulled it beside the bed.

"You look like hell, Kell," he joked.

"Says the guy in the hospital bed." I couldn't muster a smile like I had wanted to do. It felt like too much work. I decided to go a safer route. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been shot. Twice." He chuckled then winced in pain. "The nurse tells me that I've been out for a few weeks."

"She tells you correctly."

"Well, that's shitty. I didn't think I was such bad shape."

"You lost a lot of blood, Wolf. Your body needed time to recuperate."

He scrutinized me for a few moments. "You've changed, Kell. It's unsettling. Your fire is gone."

I shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you. My friend is dead, I haven't heard from Melissa and I'm just finding out that you're awake and alright. Forgive me if I'm not jumping for joy."

"I didn't know what to expect. But this… This isn't you."

I didn't know what to tell him. He was right, something in me had changed. I saw and experienced a lot of horrible things in such a short time and I didn't know how to deal with it.

I got down to what I really wanted to ask him.

"Why did you take the shot?" I asked.

"What shot?"

"Why did you kill Pete?"

Wolf squirmed and searched for a good answer. "He was going to kill you."

"Maybe I wanted to kill him."

Wolf shook his head. "I wasn't going to let you do that."

His answer piqued my interest. "Why?"

"If you think Craig's death has changed you, killing a man would've changed you even more. You'll eventually bounce back from this. After you kill someone, you live with it for the rest of your life."

"That doesn't answer my question…"

Wolf sighed. "I didn't want you to deal with that and feel the guilt over Craig's death. Better I take the shot than you. I didn't want you ruined."

My heart swelled for a second. He seemed like he cared about me. Genuinely.

"You took two hits for me…" I murmured. "That's twice you've save my life. Well, three, I should say… I suppose thanks are in order. But, honestly… Thank you doesn't seem like enough after all you've done for me. And, also…" I looked up at him. "You called me by my name. My first name. You never do that, Wolf. Ever."

He instantly looked embarrassed and uncomfortable.

I let out a sigh. "Your reasons are your own, I'm not going to push. But, just so we're clear, I know there's more to your feelings than you're letting on. You can tell me when you're ready."

"Thanks."

I got up from the chair. "I'll take my leave then. Get some rest, don't rush it."

"I'll try not to."

I left him at that. Hara was waiting just outside the door for me, chatting it up with Dorothea.

"Please keep me posted," I told Dorothea. "Trust me when I say that he may be here today but he won't be here tomorrow. Don't get your hopes up about giving him rehab. He won't be around long enough to have it."

"Do I need to tie him down?"

I shook my head. "He'll just have Leon come get him. Like I said, don't keep your hopes up. I don't see him staying."

"Thanks for the warning. I'll do what I can for him."

"I appreciate it." I looked to Hara. "I'm ready when you are."

We left the hospital and on the way home, my phone began to ring. When I checked the caller ID, the number came up "Blocked".