~~Fox's POV~~

"Hey Krys, hand me that." A can of seasoning came my way. "Thanks."

"No problem honey."

"Hey David!" I said as our newest guest walked in. "We are almost done here. Make yourself comfy."

"Thanks Fox," he said shyly. "I really appreciate this."

"Oh it's no bother. After everything you did for us, this is the LEAST we can do." I saw my wife's ears droop a little at that. "Krys, you really have to stop beating yourself up over that," I whispered.

"But it's my fault," she said, her tail slowly losing altitude. Suddenly, two muscular, furless hands rested themselves on her shoulders. "He's right, Krystal. If you focus on the past, it will destroy you. If you focus on the unknown future, it will worry you to death. If you focus on right now, it will strengthen you. Nothing you did was in ill will, so there is NOTHING bad to forgive. Is that understood, young lady?" I smiled at the last part. David had a mock fatherly tone to him as he said it. I saw Krystal tense from the contact then relax when she realized who it was. She smiled and hugged David quickly after she turned around. "Thank you," she whispered. He looked at me for approval of the situation, his hands now at his sides. I winked and nodded. She needed this.

~~David's POV~~

After my second hug from Krystal in an hour, I sat down and waited for the crew to walk in. I deduced she and Fox had something going. Whether it was marriage or not, I didn't know. I just wanted to steer clear of any bumpiness that could be caused by even the slightest bit of over familiar contact, even a hug that lasted a little too long.

One by one, they started coming in. Fox introduced me to each one. Slippy: mechanic, engineer and pilot.

Fay: Techie whiz and pilot. Super good with a blaster, as I learned their pistols were called.

Miyu (she winked at me...a little too slow for comfort): Sniper, Ace pilot and flirt on board. The last title of course elicited a glare from the Lynx.

Falco: second in command to Fox, Ace pilot, awesome at navigating rough terrain, walking mouth-in-a-can. He also glared.

Fara: whoa. I mean, she wasn't as striking as Miyu or Krystal, but the SOFTNESS, gentleness and modesty that she emonated was intoxicating. Wait. I shook my head. What was I thinking? Alien, hello David? Ship Navigator, Ace pilot.

Krystal: Fox's wife, telepath, hand to hand specialist, pilot.

Fox: Great Fox/Star Fox commander, ace pilot.

"Lunch is served fellas," Fox said as he set the plates on the table.

I was liking this crew already. I prayed over my food and dug in, as I saw the others were already eating.

"Hey, David, thanks for everything you did down there," said Falco. I looked up and smiled. "It's no problem."

"Uh, dude…you lost enough blood to replace more than half of what's in your body. It kinda is our problem now. You're one of us now, whether you like it or not." He slid a wrist comm, as I learned they were called, over to me. "Welcome to Star Fox, kiddo."

I smiled. Mouth in a can, alright. "Wait, I lost over half my blood?" I was shocked. I shouldn't be alive.

"Yeah, it was weird, though. You had almost all your blood when we got you to the bay. When Miyu and I went to clean up the bodies and such, there was enough blood where you were standing to fill a half-gallon jug."

I shook my head. "Yeah, weird. Unless some of it was lion's blood?"

"Nah, we tested it. Definitely all you."

"Uh, guys?" Fox spoke up. "We're…kind of eating…?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Fox!" I exclaimed.

"Don't worry about it," said Falco. "Pushover," he muttered, glaring at Fox. He just chuckled.

"So, David, do you mind telling us how you did it? How you saved Fox?" asked Slippy.

I looked at my new commander for approval. He didn't quite get my drift. "May I?" A shocked looking vulpine resulted from the comment. "Uh, um, yeah, it's, uh, not like, uh, you're, uh…sure."

I chuckled and turned to Slippy. I recounted everything, leaving out the part where Krystal told me to stay inside.

Slippy's already huge eyes were now bulging. "Whoa…" he whispered.

"It's nothing man. I was just doing my job." At that, the whole team stopped and looked at me. "What?"

"David, that's what we say when we help others, too," said Fox in a now serious tone. "Do you want to know more about Star Fox, and possibly join, if you're interested?"

I put my hands in my lap and twiddled my thumbs. "I…I would…love to Fox, but…I really need to be open with you, first. Can we talk about it privately later? At my house?"

He nodded. "Sure thing Dave." I smiled. I was definitely going to like being with these guys.

Falco, whom I also learned maintained the arms room, helped me locate my gear. My armor was barely knicked. "That's Dragonskin for you," I thought out loud.

"That's what that's called?" Asked Falco.

"Yep. Best thing since TM alloy."

"TM?"

"Titanium/Magnesium. It's what my world uses for advanced vehicle armor."

"Ah."

I opened my wrist comm and called up Fox. "Hey Dave," he said. "Ready when you are, boss," I replied.

"Don't call me that, please. I'm just Fox."

"Ok. See you at the hangar."

We got to my house and I noticed that they did do a GREAT job cleaning up. There was no trace of lions or me. We were careful to not be caught off guard though. It seemed Fox knew what I was doing as I cleared the house, as he followed suit. I sighed with relief when I found the safe room completely unharmed. I couldn't say that about the living room and kitchen though. That grenade did a number. I slid my M203 off my shoulder and sat down on the bed in my room. "Got a sec, Fox?"

"Sure thing bud." He sat down next to me. I took a deep breath before I started. I explained how I was raised by a loving family, both of my parents are in Dallas, alive. I told him how I married my high school sweetheart at 19, right after I graduated basic training in the Army. Our son was born a year after we married. I was a Ranger in the Army and would go on missions twice a year or more. I stayed at the rank of Sergeant. I didn't plan on making a career out of the Army. After the Army, I worked for the government stateside, for the SSA. Simple, but good pay. I went into detail about my shirt, and the memory I dredged up that morning. I was crying softly as I finished.

"So, that's it Fox. This town is abandoned. It's just me. You guys have been my first real friends in over two years." I sniffed and wiped a tear. "I've…looked out for others my whole life…" I was beginning to cry more earnestly, "I guess it's time for me to be looked after." I was now full out sobbing. It felt good. I was finally letting go. Of Katina, Eddie, the battle buddies I lost in Afghanistan and from WW3. I was finally letting go. "I…" I continued as I composed myself, "I would be honored to be under your guidance, CDR McCloud," I said as I stood up with a salute. "Sergeant David Raymond Warring, reporting for duty sir."