Chapter 2

Corneria…..10:14am

Early the next morning, all of Corneria was up and about doing their daily routine. At Fox's apartment, Fox was already up and about getting ready to start the day. He was dressed in black basketball shorts, black muscle shirt, and tennis shoes. He was getting ready to go for his daily jog in the park. He grabs a protein bar from the kitchen along with a bottled water. He then grabs his keys and cell phone and finally heads out. Later at the park, families were having barbeques and picnics while parents played with their children at the park. On the sidewalk, Fox was jogging until he eventually comes to a stop at several tables and decides to stop and take a break. Tired, sweating and out of breath, Fox rested on the tables when he spotted another jogger running toward him. It was a cheetah vixen with a long ponytail dressed in light blue jogging clothes. Fox couldn't help but stare at her as she came ever closer to him. It was almost like he was staring at a beautiful angel. She came to a stop at the tables to rest and upon looking at her, Fox recognized her. It was the same woman he saved in the park last night. When she looked right at him, she had the same expression on her face as well.

"I know you. You're that girl from the park last night." Fox said first.

"Yeah and you're the guy who saved my life. I've been meaning to thank you for that." she replies.

"Oh no problem." Fox replies. "By the way, do you have a name, miss?"

"Oh yes, it's Jasmine. Jasmine Turner. And you don't have to tell me you're name. I know that your Fox McCloud, the leader of Star Fox, right?"

"How'd you know?"

"Just by reputation. You and your team have been known throughout the Lylat system for your heroics."

"Glad to be appreciated, miss Turner. But, I'm afraid Star Fox is disbanded."

"Oh I'm sorry to hear about that, Fox. What happened?"

"Well it's a long story. I… don't want to talk about it."

"That's okay, I understand. But just in case you change your mind, let me know. Talking about it can really help."

"How will I get ahold of you?" Fox asks.

"Here's my number. It's (442)219-3867." Jasmine says.

"(442)219-3867. That should be easy."

"Okay well, I should get going. See ya." Jasmine says and resumes her jog.

As Fox stood watching Jasmine leave, he began to have a struggle within his mind. He wondered should he forget about Krystal on move on or reason with and earn her forgiveness. This was a difficult decision. Eventually, he resumes his jog through the park but as he jogged, all he had on his mind was Jasmine and how he would ask her on a date in the future. Later back at his apartment, Fox sat on the couch and had his mind on how to ask Jasmine if she would join him for a walk. After several minutes of thinking, he grabs his phone and dials Jasmine's number.

"Hello?" Jasmine asks on the other end.

"Hey Jasmine, it's Fox."

"Oh hi Fox. How are you? What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was just calling to ask you if you would meet me tomorrow at the park? Mostly because I thought about what you said about talking and how it helps and I could really use someone to talk too." Fox explains.

"Sure, Fox. I can meet you at the park tomorrow. How does 12:50 sound?" Jasmine asks.

"12:50 works. And thanks. I really need someone to talk to." Fox replies.

"No problem, Fox. I'm here to help. See you then. Bye."

"Buh bye." Fox replies and hangs up the phone.

The next day, Fox had gone jogging again and was resting by the same picnic tables waiting for Jasmine. He looks at his phones clock and it read that it was 12:47 so he still had three minutes to spare. But as the day went by, Fox still waited for Jasmine until finally he decides to head home for the night when a familiar voice gets his attention.

"Hey Fox, where are you going?"

Fox turns and saw that it was Jasmine walking up to him. He replies, "Oh I was just about to leave mostly because its getting late but since you're here now, I was wondering if you'd mind walking with me?"

"Sure, Fox. A quick walk wouldn't hurt."

With that, Fox and Jasmine began to take their walk together. Things were silent at first until Jasmine broke the silence saying, "Anyway sorry I was late. Something sort of came up last minute and I couldn't be able to move it to another day."

Fox replies, "Hey no problem. I understand."

"Yeah. Anyway listen Fox, I know you told me I don't want to talk about it but could you tell me why you're not leading Star Fox anymore?"

At first the young vulpine wanted to remain silent but he knew that talking about it might actually help him. So, he replies, "Tell me Jasmine, have you ever done something so horrible that you really regret it?"

"Not really, Fox. No." Jasmine replies. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, it all started back several months before the Anglar War I was dating a girl named Krystal. But, I became very afraid for her safety so I had to do what I thought was right and put her off the team so she'd be safe. But instead, I lost her forever because after the Anglar War, she started dating Panther and joined Star Wolf. After that, I couldn't be able to lead the team again, so I decided to disband the team."

"I'm sorry to hear about that, Fox. She seemed like a great person." Jasmine comments. "But don't let one mistake stop you from being who you are."

"I know, Jasmine. But how can I lead my team again?" Fox asks. "I've made too many mistakes and betraying Krystal was my biggest."

Hearing Fox's response, Jasmine slaps him across the face causing him to shout in pain and cover his face. He asks, "What was that for, Jasmine?!"

"That is quitter talk, McCloud! Do not let that mistake keep you down! And you didn't betray her, she betrayed you and your team!" Jasmine replies. "Now get off your butt and rebuild your team again!"

"Okay, Jasmine!" Fox replies. "Man, you are one tough woman."

"Thank you, Fox." Jasmine responds normally. "And sorry about that, I was taught to be tough in order to get through to people. Hope you don't mind."

"No not at all. In fact, I like that in a woman." Fox complimented. "Anyway, thanks for walking and talking with me today. It really helped me today."

"Hey no problem. I'm actually glad I was able to help out. Anyway, I'd better get going mostly because it's getting really late."

"No problem. In fact, I need to get going mostly because I have to stop by the store and pick up a few things."

With that, Fox and Jasmine went their separate ways after their walk together. Fox was on his way home but stops by the store on the way to pick up a few things. He was walking down the aisle holding a basket filled with protein bars, protein powder, soda water, cereal and etc. After finding everything he needed, Fox began to make his way to the check out but he stops and suddenly realizes he forgot something else saying, "Oh crap, I forgot to get some more eggs and cheese." With that, Fox takes off to the fridge section to get the eggs and cheese. Meanwhile, on the other side of the store down the toilet paper aisle, Krystal was also doing some shopping of her own. Her cart was filled with dish washer pods, milk, cereal, butter, and toilet paper rolls. After getting the toilet paper she needed, she began to head for the vegetable section to get some vegetables for dinner but she spots a familiar face pass by her. She recognized that it was none other than Fox thus causing her to stop dead in her tracks.

"Was that Fox? I haven't seen him since the end of the Anglar war. Did he even know I was here. I should go say hi to him. Maybe even tell him that Panther and I are getting married." Krystal says to herself.

With that, Krystal began her search for Fox throughout the store. She looks in the clothing sports, auto parts, office supplies and electronics section but had no luck. After checking down the pharmacy section, Krystal decides to forget about looking for Fox and resume her shopping. She makes her way over to the vegetable section and grabs lettuce tomatoes, celery, green onion, peppers, and carrots. Soon after, she began to make her way over to the register and pay for her stuff. After paying for everything, she began to make her way out to the parking lot but she spots Fox over by his blue 1966 Shelby Cobra S/C putting his stuff in. She then began making her way over to him in order to say hi.

"Fox, hey." she called.

Fox turns around and saw that it was none other than Krystal walking toward him. "Oh hey, Krystal. Small world, huh?" he replies.

"Oh yeah, it is, Fox. So, what bring you out to the store?" Krystal asks.

"Just came to pick up a few things. What about you?" Fox asks.

"Same here, Fox." Krystal replies.

"No problem. Anyway, how are you and Panther doing by the way?"

"Were doing okay, Fox. Thanks for asking. In fact, Panther kind of proposed to me. Were going to be getting married soon."

"Oh. Okay." Fox replies in shock.

"I'm really sorry, Fox." Krystal apologized. "I know this is a bit of a surprise but-"

"Oh no don't worry, Krystal. I understand." Fox replies. "Anyway, I should probably let you go mostly because I don't want you're fiancée to worry about you."

"Thanks Fox, it was nice to talk to you again."

"Same to you to, Krystal."

With that, Fox jumps into his car, starts the engine, and begins to drive away. But on the way home, Fox was thinking about his conversation with Krystal. But most of all, he thought about Krystal's news about her getting married to Panther. This was unexpected but there was nothing he could do but he then remembered that he was somewhat seeing someone else. He then had the idea that meeting Jasmine in the park was his second chance at love.