And hello again, everyone!
After this chapter, I've got to put this story on hold to work on my contest entry for Shepp's contest. I hope this chapter will tide you over in the meantime. It get's mushy here, by the way. AS IF IT ALREADY WASN'T.
Special thanks to whitefur, as always. His guidance for my drafts is always welcomed. I am very fortunate to have such a great writing buddy and friend. Even if his sadistic streak scares me sometimes.
Also I still love Krystal more than him, BUT ANYWAY
Please read and review if you can. Thank you all, dear readers, and may you have a good and safe day. God bless, and be safe.
Chapter VI: Going Along for the Ride
"Mister McCloud," said the Katinian doctor, a Sheep Dog, "Let me be clear. You had a 55% chance of not waking up after that kind of blood loss. You should consider yourself lucky."
To Krystal that extra 5% sounded like a death knell. A little over half a chance was terrifyingly too much. Even now, a whole hour after Fox had woken up, Krystal still held his paw tightly. The company of the entire team—and Bill—should have been a comfort, but it wasn't so.
She had been close to losing him.
"That's..." said Fox, "That's scary, Doc. I won't lie about that."
"It was for all of us, Foxy," Falco said. Krystal knew how serious the situation was for the avian immediately; Falco had said that with nary a hint of sarcasm or jest. "Heck, I just got off the phone with Slippy and he was practically screaming in worry. He's already on his way. Peppy just hung up after I told him, and he's probably arriving soon after."
Fox winced. Krystal could tell that facing Slippy was going to be hard for him. She stroked his cheek, and he looked over at her, only somewhat calmed.
"The other important business to discuss, obviously," began the doctor again, "is the matter of your leg, mister McCloud."
That was the most shocking matter, by far, for all of them. The moment the doctors told her that they needed to amputate the leg-as the damage was too extensive and the risk of infection too high-Krystal had felt all the wind in her stomach knocked out of her as if struck. Of course she told them to do it however. Anything that could be done to save Fox.
And it had worked.
"I'm looking at a prosthetic, right?" Fox asked.
"That is the best route. General Hare has already told me that he will spare no expense in making sure you will have the best technology avaliable," said the doctor.
Fox's eyes widened, as did Krystal's and everyone else's.
"Peppy's paying for my operation?" Fox asked.
"Yes," replied the doctor.
"But," Fox sputtered, "Sir, to be frank, he doesn't need to-"
"The General told me that you would resist that arrangement," said the doctor, smiling a little. "And he told me that he was going pay for the operation and prosthetics regardless of your complaints."
"The old man, ladies and gentleman," said Falco.
"I'll say," said Bill. "It would have been justice if I got high command to do it, but if General Hare want's to do it, than he can."
Fox leaned back in his bed. He sighed, looking at the ceiling. Krystal squeezed his paw tighter.
"What are we looking at going forward?" said Katt.
"Once the operation for the leg is complete, what comes next is physical therapy," said the doctor. "Mister McCloud will need to get used to the feel of the prosthetic, so he can move without incident. As General Hare's expenses are for the highest caliber of technology available, the prosthetic will be as un-cumbersome as we can make it. However, mister McCloud will still need physical therapy. No matter how good the technology, his body will still need to acclimate."
"How long?" Krystal asked quietly.
Everyone in the room was startled. It was the first time she had spoken since the start of this meeting.
"How long until he's moving well again?" she repeated.
The doctor collected himself. "Well, considering how the technology will be the best we can make it, perhaps a month or two. Perhaps more. Mister McCloud's own efforts must be factored in as well."
Krystal nodded.
"In any case," said the doctor, "That's all the news I have for now. Don't worry, Mister McCloud. You are in good hands."
With that, the doctor left the room, leaving all of them alone together.
"Well, team," said Fox, "At least I'm going to be fine." He smiled, though it was an uncertain smile.
"Sans a leg, but alive is alive," Katt agreed, smiling herself.
"Good to know I'll still have competition in being the best pilot ever in the universe," said Falco cockily.
Krystal wanted to say something, but unfortunately she could feel all the uncertain emotions bubbling underneath everyone. For all Falco and Katt were doing-and Krystal greatly appreciated it-she could still feel all the frightened emotions radiating from them. She couldn't do anything herself but continue to stroke Fox's cheek.
Falco was the one with the intiative.
"Hey, Katt?" he said.
"Yes, Falco?" Katt answered, a little startled.
"Can we go outside for a moment, I need to talk to you about something." Falco asked. With her peripherals Krystal could see Falco's eyes shifting back and forth from her and Fox, to Katt.
"Oh. Oh, sure," said Katt.
The two walked out. Now, it was only her and Fox in the room. Fox stared at the ceiling, letting Krystal continue to pet him tenderly. Then he looked at her.
"I'm so sorry, Krys," he whispered.
Krystal shook her head slowly. "You've done nothing wrong, darling."
Fox blushed, but continued. "Krystal, you've been shaken for the entire time since I've woken up. You're terrified. I don't like seeing you like this."
"I almost lost you, Fox," Krystal replied quietly, still petting Fox's cheek absently. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"But Krys-"
"Fox," said Krystal waveringly, "Stop."
Fox only had to look at her for him to quiet down. The silence was uncomfortable, but right now Krystal needed it. She wouldn't have Fox apologizing.
"My heart almost stopped when I saw you hit the ground," she said.
Fox let out a small whimper. She knew it would pain him for her to talk like this. But she needed to talk.
"I..." she stammered, "I had to shock your mind when I landed. I had to keep you awake. I couldn't bear to think what would happen if you closed your eyes. And when that happened anyway…and when I saw those enemy tanks approaching you. I only thought that I wouldn't let them touch you. Ever."
Fox laid his hand on hers, squeezing it. He smiled reassuringly at her. A sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.
"I'm alright, Krys," Fox said lovingly, "I'm alive. Everything's going to be fine."
Krystal smiled back. Within her though, she realized that something with Star Fox was going to have to change.
"Oh my goodness, Fox!" Slippy screamed when he entered the hospital room.
Krystal had expected Fox's childhood friend to be beside himself with worry when he showed up. He didn't disappoint. The moment the door opened Slippy rushed to his beside, tears in his eyes.
"I'm alive, Slipp," said Fox with a smirk. "Still untouchable."
"You lost a leg!" Slippy said in reply, scowling. "And you're telling me Katina sent you on this mission with minimal intel? And of course there happens to be a secret Katinian weapon in the base that singlehandidly strips shields. I'm going to make sure people lose their jobs for this."
Krystal had never seen Slippy on the warpath before. Frustrated, sure, but never righteously angry. It was actually scary. A little endearing too; Slippy cared deeply about Fox's well-being.
"Krystal called that one," Fox replied. "Peppy's making sure that whatever problem happened with Katinian military command and that lack of intel, it will be solved."
"And he meant business," Falco said, sitting next to Katt at Fox's bedside. "You know how Peppy looks when he's mad? It's like that, but worse."
"I'm not surprised," said Slippy. With concern Krystal saw the frog begin to cry. "I should have been there, Fox. I could have done something, some analysis, and I could have kept you from looking like this."
"Slippy-" began Fox.
"Don't interrupt me!" Slippy yelled. "I should have stayed, I see that now, and-"
"Slippy, dear," said a soft voice.
Slippy sighed, and looked back at his fiancé by the door. Amanda, the tall and slim frog Slippy had found love with was looking at him with concern, a frown across her face. "Slippy, we've talked about this. You can't blame yourself like that."
Slippy didn't respond. He only shook his head, and walked out of the room.
"I'm sorry, mister McCloud," said Amanda.
"Just Fox, Amanda. And don't worry. It's just hard on him. It's on all of us."
Krystal clenched Fox's paw tighter. Fox looked at her, and patted her paw in reassurance.
It didn't stop her from thinking.
Later in the evening, once Fox had fallen asleep, Krystal asked Falco and Katt to talk to her outside of Fox's hospital room. The three of them stood in the hallway, and as Krystal gathered herself, Falco actually broke the ice.
"You okay Blueness?" Falco asked.
It should have been easy to answer, but Krystal opened and closed her muzzle for a moment. "What?" she asked.
"Krystal, you've looked terrible ever since what happened to Fox," he said, "And judging from those wrinkles under your eyes, you haven't been getting any sleep. Look, Krys, I know you're worried and you have a right to be, but you gotta take care of yourself. Fox doesn't want you running yourself ragged."
Katt nodded in agreement.
Krystal sighed. She felt incredibly tired, and emotionally exhausted. She'd been at Fox's bedside all the time, swearing that she wouldn't leave him for a moment until he woke up. And even after he awoke, she'd exhausted herself on one terrible thought.
Fox could have died.
"I..." Krystal began, "I know now what Fox felt like after my accident sometime ago."
"I'll say," said Falco sympathetically. "You remind me of him. Too freaking withdrawn, for sure."
Krystal swallowed. She needed to just say it.
"I'm leaving Star Fox," she said.
Considering it was Falco and Katt, she expected something along the lines of an explosion of "You're making a big mistake" and "Oh no you're not," but what she got instead was a stunned silence. Then Falco pointed a wing towards her.
"First of all-" he started, in the most serious and calm tone that she'd ever heard from him.
"Falco, please, let me finish." Krystal begged.
The avian swallowed, and reluctantly relented.
"I'm not leaving Fox. Nor am I saying goodbye to any of you," she said, and to her relief she saw the two of them relax, but only a little. "But after what happened to Fox...one of us has to stay back. I've decide that will be me, for me and his sake."
A wretchedly uncomfortable silence fell on the three of them.
Falco took a deep breath. "It will be hard, being down a pilot," he said.
"Fox has you, Katt, and himself. You're all skilled pilots. And he can always find more. Of the two of us, this is best choice. Star Fox needs Fox. It can live without me," she answered.
"And be down it's telepath?" Katt countered.
Krystal flinched. She hadn't thought of that.
"No," she shook her head stubbornly. "I won't do this to Fox. I won't put myself in danger and risk him going through what I'm going through."
"Krystal, didn't you talk Fox out of something like this?" Falco asked.
"That's because I didn't know!" she explained. "Now I know. Now I know his fear. Felt it, too. And Falco, don't lie to me. You know, as one of Fox's closest friends, that if I were to die...it would absolutely destroy him."
Falco opened his mouth to say something, but he closed it just as quickly. Krystal knew there wasn't anything else to say.
"Damn it..." the avian muttered, looking away.
"And if he died...I..." Krystal began, but couldn't finish.
"Keeping him out there still brings up that risk..." Falco muttered.
"He's more experienced. And he'll only be more careful after something like this," Krystal countered. She didn't want to admit how scared she was saying that.
"This can't be the right decision, Blueness," Falco said, giving her a pleading look.
"Falco," Katt whispered.
The feline had been abnormally quiet the whole time. Krystal could feel something churning in her mind. Out of respect, she didn't pry. But whatever it was, it was...heavy.
"Krystal...I won't disagree with your decision," Katt said.
"Katt?" Falco said in surprise. "You can't back me up here?"
Katt just shook her head.
That left the avian outnumbered. Krystal knew there was no changing her mind. Falco looked at her for a long moment, then hung his head and shook it.
"...tell him when he wakes up," Falco whispered. "And you'd better have a good way of breaking that news."
Krystal didn't sleep much that night. She again slept at Fox's bedside, giving the nurses a withering look when they told her visiting hours were over.
Morning came. And with that, breaking the news. The whole team was assembled, Slippy as well. Bill had managed to find time too. And one more person had shown up shortly after everyone had come.
"Peppy," Fox said, looking up the old hare as he walked through the door. "Good to see you."
"I assure you, I am much more happy to see you, Fox. Alive," said Peppy, smiling down at Fox and patting his head. Despite the butterflies in her chest, Krystal smiled. Peppy always had this fatherly air; it was especially true around Fox, and now it was out in full force.
"What's this about you paying for my new leg?" Fox asked wryly.
"No excuses," Peppy said simply. "I won't be swayed on that."
Everyone except Krystal chuckled at that.
Peppy talked about the matter of payment for the mission too. Fox however only half-listened, Krystal could tell. He kept on looking at her thoughtfully. In fact, the metaphorical gears in Fox's head were churning quite quickly.
Once Peppy had finished talking, Krystal voiced her curiosity.
"Everything alright, Fox?" Krystal asked. Her own worries were growing as time passed. But she wanted anything to delay the news. And she really was curious.
Fox just looked at her. Krystal, for a horrified moment, thought he had heard the conversation between her and Katt and Falco the night before. But that wasn't possible. She had felt Fox being deep in sleep before the talk started, and they had walked further down the hospital wing to make doubly sure he wouldn't hear.
"Team," Fox said suddenly. "I...I have an important announcement to make."
From that grave tone, Krystal had the sinking feeling she wasn't going to like what he was about to say.
"Yes, Fox?" Falco asked.
Fox looked back at her, and then back at all of them together.
"I'm resigning from my position as the leader of Star Fox," said Fox with finality.
Utter silence.
"I'm passing leadership over to Falco, if he want's to continue the team. Otherwise, it's disbanded. You may all do whatever you wish," Fox finished.
On reflex, Krystal looked at Falco. The poor bird was about to fall over.
It took another second for Krystal to form a coherent thought.
"What!?" Krystal cried, standing up in bewilderment.
Fox didn't even look shocked at her outcry. If anything he looked like he expected it.
"It's a shock to all of you, I know. I've been running this show with all of you for a long time. Falco, Slippy, Peppy, you three especially, since we've been together for a while. And even three years is a long time, Krystal. But now I've got to step down," Fox finished.
Her decision to leave the team was now so far away in her mind.
"But...Fox, why?" Krystal asked.
Fox just looked at her.
"You," he said simply.
Krystal blinked.
"Guys," he began. "Look, you all know this. Krystal and I have gotten pretty deep in our relationship now. I had thought that, like my father, I could maintain that relationship while still piloting. Krystal being a pilot herself made me even more confident. But after what happened on Katina...I can't in good faith keep going like this. Krystal, I won't put you in a position to lose someone important in your life. Not after what happened to your home. I can't do that. Not after this."
"Fox..." Krystal whispered helplessly. "But...but the team...what about the team? What about Lylat?"
"Yeah," said Falco uneasily. "Fox, I mean...this is pretty freaking sudden."
"I should be glad that you all are thinking of the big picture, but, guys, It's time I bowed out here," Fox insisted. "I have something very important to me now," and here Krystal felt Fox grip her hand tightly, her face exploding with a blush, "and I won't...I can't lose sight of that."
Falco kept looking at her. So did Katt, but her look was a lot less helpless looking. Slippy looked understanding, naturally so. And Peppy just watched.
"Fox," she whispered shakily.
"Yes, Krystal?" he replied.
"You can't do this," she blurted out.
Fox looked confused. "What do you mean, Krystal? This is the right thing-"
"I'm leaving the team," she blurted out.
Now Slippy and Peppy looked surprised. Falco just looked like he was steeling himself for a wild ride, and Katt just looked on with a strange look.
"...huh?" Fox replied. His hopeless confusion would have been adorable in any other situation.
"Fox, I...look, me and Falco and Katt talked about this last night. I...I perfectly understand why you are doing this, but I need to be the one to leave the team," she answered.
"...Krystal, what are you saying?" said Fox.
"Fox..." she began. "I'm going to be that person to stay behind, for our sake. You're right, this relationship is important, and I-"
"No."
Krystal blinked in surprised.
"What?" she said.
Fox just shook his head. "I'm the one leaving, Krystal," he said staunchly.
"Fox," she said, raising her voice. "Star Fox needs a leader, and-"
"Don't you remember what you told me, Krystal. When I tried to make you leave?" said Fox.
Goodness, that time seemed so long ago now. She could barely remember it, what with the current conversation.
"I…" Krystal muttered.
"You said you loved piloting," Fox said seriously.
Oh.
Oh, goodness, no. She knew where this was going.
"Krystal," he continued. "I'm 28 years old now. I'm...well, I'm getting up there. It's actually about time I tried to find something else to do. You...Krys, you're in the prime of your life. 21 years old. I'm not going to ask you to let go of something that makes you happy. Hence why I need to step down."
Of course, Krystal thought in disbelief. Of course, it would be like this. It's Fox.
"Fox," she said steadily. "That's not important-"
"Krystal, you're happiness is the most important thing to me, right now," Fox said steadily.
It was the kind of thing any boyfriend said to their loved one. And Krystal didn't need telepathy to know that Fox was utterly honest about it.
"But...without the team," she said, reaching for something, anything, to keep him throwing his life away for her, "I don't have a team to pilot with! Especially if Falco decides not to continue-"
"Actually," said Falco solemnly. "Foxy, if you want-"
Krystal shot him a glare. He stopped talking.
"Fox," she began again, "you can't-"
"Yes, I can," he said, now raising his voice a little. "Krystal, even if Falco doesn't want to continue the team, you could still fly with the Cornerian Air Force, or run a solo outfit."
"Fox-" he began.
"Our you can go to school for whatever you'd like. And I say this genuinely Krys," Fox said, "I will support you financially, completely, in anything you choose. Like I said, your happiness is everything to me."
Krystal growled. "Do you have any idea how patronizing you sound-!"
She stopped once she took a closer look at Fox. Sure, it was the sort of thing that should sound patronizing, And she wanted it to be patronizing if only so she could get mad at him. But with that one look she could tell that Fox was being entirely serious.
"I know you can take care of yourself," said Fox, "But I just want to help."
In the corner of her eye she could see Peppy staring at her. He was trying to think something at her, and what she heard only made the situation so much more clearer.
Don't tell me you didn't expect this.
Of course.
It's Fox.
Krystal looked at him for a few moments, than shook her head.
"Fox, no. No, I won't let you," she said.
"Krys-" Fox began.
"Fox!" she said, "you told me you didn't even have plans for life after Star Fox! I'm not going to let you just leave it like this. Not over me."
Fox faltered for a second, looking thoughtful, and for that hopeful second she thought she had gotten through to him.
"It will be hard," he admitted, but when he looked back at her his gaze was steeled, unmovable, "But I will figure it out, for you-"
"Stop thinking about me!" Krystal yelled.
Fox just looked at her, stunned.
"Fox, this team is everything to you!" she cried. "For years! Since your father! I'm not worth this! I can leave, we can keep going with what we have, and you can keep everything you worked for. I don't want you too-"
"No!" Fox cried back. "I can't ask you to stand down when you have so much you can do. I can't ask you to sacrifice this for me."
"Fox, I am NOT letting you stand down," Krystal said.
"It's too late," Fox said, unshakable. "Krystal, I don't understand why you don't want me too-"
"You can't expect me to let you sacrifice Star Fox," Krystal said, her fists tightened. "Fox, it's better-"
"No," said Fox. "I'm the one leaving."
And there it was.
There was no way, she now knew, that she could change his mind.
"You..." she gritted out, shaking.
"Krystal?" Fox asked, concerned.
She couldn't allow this. There was no way. But even as she searched for something, anything to say, she could reach for her frustration, her anger, over how Fox couldn't think about himself when he needed to.
"You fool!" she yelled.
Fox flinched, and reached for her as she ran out of the room.
The Katinian Military Hospital was located at a base very close to the shoreline of one of the planet's oceans. It offered a very scenic view. And tonight, it was exceptionally quiet. Quiet enough that Krystal could walk on the beach and think.
She instantly felt guilt the moment she thought back to hospital room. She shouldn't have yelled. Yet she was still angry. Angry that Fox couldn't see that her idea, her living the team, was the best possible option.
Fox didn't know what to do! That conversation they had, right before Fox proposed to her was still fresh in her mind. He had piloted all his life, never thought about life after piloting, and now he expected her to just sit back and watch as he left all that for an uncertain future? All for her happiness?
It was moments like this that she felt the most protective of him. Because she knew him. Fox would throw everything he had away in a heartbeat if it meant making her happy. And she would do the same for him, but of course, Fox was convinced he had to be one to do it.
She looked out at the horizon, at Solar setting in the distance. The sight calmed her a little. But she still felt steamed. Too steamed to go back.
"Krystal!"
The vixen looked behind her. Katt was running towards her, waving at her hand. Krystal stopped, looking confused.
"Katt?" she asked, as the feline stopped to catch her breath, "What are you doing down here?"
"I'm here to help...at least, as much as I can," Katt answered. She looked wistful for a moment, then looked at the horizon, then looked back at her. "Could ya walk with me, Krys?"
Krystal had never seen Katt look this solemn before. She nodded, and the two walked on the beach in silence for a moment. Krystal could feel Katt gathering her thoughts. She waited patiently.
"Did you notice that I didn't say much, back when you first talked about how you were leaving the team? And when Fox talked about resigning?" Katt asked.
"I...I did, yes," Krystal answered. "Katt, is that what you wanted to talk with me about?"
Katt looked like she was trying to figure out how to say something, before she just shook her head in exasperation.
"I never told anyone else besides Falco why I joined you guys so suddenly," she said. "And though the birdbrain might object to this, I need to tell you now."
Krystal twitched an ear in confusion. "Katt, forgive me for being blunt, but what does that have to do with what's going on between me and Fox?"
More silence.
"I almost died on a mission before I came to you guys," said Katt.
Krystal actually tripped and fell into the sand. She got up, and looked at Katt for a long time.
"Katt...I...what?" Krystal asked.
"It was a bounty. The targets were more well armed than intel told me," she said simply, looking back at the horizon.
For a long moment, Katt didn't say anything else. Then she continued. "I'm a pretty good pilot, Krys. So I didn't blink when my client told me he wanted three brothers dead. Three brothers that had hurt a lot of people. I accepted because the money was good, and because every so often I like a good deed done. Well, turns out there was more than three. There was actually five."
Katt chuckled humorlessly. "I was set up! That client was a friend of a target I had bagged some time ago. They wanted me dead. Really badly. So, there I was, more outnumbered than ever, and knowing pretty clearly that I was about to die."
Krystal saw the tears fall. Katt still didn't look at her.
"And as I was being chased, you know what my eyes fell on at one moment? An old picture of me and Falco after I won a bikini contest on Zoness. You can see he's trying to stop that wondering eye of his. It's typical Falco in every way," she said, her voice breaking a little. "But at that moment, I really got scared of dying. Why? Not because all that money I'd been saving over the years was about to go to waste. Not because I was about to get scrubbed by five jerks purely because they had gotten the jump on me. No…"
Katt swallowed.
"I got scared because it hit me that I was never going to see Falco again. That I was about to die alone in space, and Falco wasn't with me," she said. "That I was never going to be able to tell Falco that, despite all the crap we've gotten into over the years...Krystal, damn it, I love that stupid bird."
Now she was crying harder, sobbing quietly. Krystal pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back.
"How?" Krystal whispered. "How did you get out alive?"
"A small Cornerian air patrol stumbled across our chase. I barely made it. My poor Kat's Paw couldn't take much more abuse," she said quietly. "The instant I was able to leave, I flew straight to the Great Fox. I knew right then I couldn't wait any longer. And if Falco couldn't respect that, than...I don't want to think about what would have happened."
Krystal smiled warmly, feeling a fresh happiness for Katt and Falco. She felt proud of the avian.
"And he did understand," Krystal whispered.
Katt broke away from the hug. "He did," she said, sighing lovingly. "Falco's like that. He's a jerk, but you will never find a more loyal friend and lover when the chips are down. He accepted me with open arms."
Katt took a moment to collect herself, before giving Krystal a serious look.
"Krystal, I'm telling you this because you have a point about wanting to leave for your relationship's sake. But whether you like it or not, Fox has a point too," said the pink feline.
Krystal looked at her feet.
"Krystal...death changes things. The near experience of it, in my instance. I...I will guiltily admit that I liked being a little aloof with Falco. It was all part of the teasing. And I could tell Falco didn't mind terribly. But...after that incident I couldn't do it anymore. I just couldn't," said Katt.
"And," she continued, "That's where you and Fox are coming from. You don't want Fox to die, and you also don't want him to have to experience you dying. But you can't ask him to leave the team. So you decide to leave. It makes sense. But Fox, thinking only of you, plans to resign so that you can keep piloting. And the most frustrating thing? Both you and Fox are very much right in making those decisions."
Krystal looked at the horizon, and imagined what Fox might be thinking right now.
"I want you two to figure something out. And...maybe telling you this story will help you do that. I hope so," said Katt.
Krystal kept looking out to sea. Katt's words resounded in her mind.
She had plenty of thinking to do.
"Katt," she whispered, looking over at her with a smile, "thank you."
Katt walked up and gave her a hug.
"I'm guessing you'll be coming back to the hospital when you're ready?" Katt asked.
Krystal nodded.
The two parted ways, and for a long time Krystal kept walking, until she found a secluded spot to think under the stars.
Late at night, Krystal walked back to the hospital, and back to Fox's room; the guards and nurses knew who she was, and made no objections to her late entry.
Fox had fallen asleep. His rhythmic breaths calmed her greatly. She smiled lovingly at him, as she took her spot by his bed, and lowered her head to sleep.
The vixen awoke to the sensation of someone stroking her cheek fluff. Slowly she opened her eyes to see Fox looking at her. He smiled when he noticed she was awake, though Krystal could sense trepidation in him. Their argument from last night must still be fresh in his mind
She sat up and yawned, and the two of them just stared at each other awkwardly. Krystal was reminded of the early days of their relationship, before they grew especially close.
She opened her muzzle to speak, but Fox raised his hand, with a pleading look on his face.
"Krys," he said, "Let me speak. Please."
She really wanted to speak first, but she nodded.
"Krystal," he began, "I understand why you want to be the one to leave. I really do. And…you have no idea how it makes me feel to know that you would leave this team if it meant making me feel comfortable. But..."
Fox took a deep breath. "I can't back down here, Krystal. I just can't. I need to be the one to do this. You see, right before I woke up, I had a dream. And I've been having it since then."
"What kind of dream?" Krystal asked.
"It's one of those weird dreams," Fox said, "the ones where my father talks to me."
Krystal was all ears now. Whenever Fox talked about his father telling him something from beyond the grave, it was important.
"He...he told not to make the same mistake he did," said Fox. "I didn't know what that meant at first, but then I thought about it and realized that...that he was telling me that I need to hang up my flight jacket. I think he views it as a mistake that he never got out of piloting once he married my mother. After I was born, in particular."
Fox shook his head. "I was surprised to realize that. But I understand why he's telling me this. I can't risk this anymore. Not with you in my life. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I'm not about to die and leave you. I won't cut our time short like that."
He shifted uncomfortably. "I...well, I had thoughts about asking you to leave with me, but I can't do that. I won't force those decisions on you. It makes me nervous to have you fly without me, but I won't stop you from doing what you love-"
"Fox," she whispered.
Startled, he looked at her.
"Yes?" he said.
All of what she thought about last night came to the forefront of her mind. And after hearing all that Fox had to say, she had the feeling now that what she had decided was right.
"You don't want me to make that sacrifice, right?"
Fox blinked.
"Well, yeah," he said. "I won't make you-"
"You've made plenty of sacrifices already, Fox," she said.
For the second time, Fox was startled.
"After that first incident," she said, "when I was burned. It must have taken a lot to keep me on the team, right? Considering how afraid you were of what could have happened. I remember what you felt like back then, Fox. You were scared. Deeply scared. Having been through you being injured, I can see that the fear you must have had back then was so...terrible. I could detect it with my mind, and I knew that you only meant well. But to feel it, actually feel it...Fox, it was no small feat for you to keep me on the team."
"Krys," Fox objected, "No, I kept you on the team-"
"Because you loved me," she finished for him, "And because you couldn't bear to hurt me, even if meant having to face that fear. And all the more, because you found out that I loved you. Sure, we were lucky to not have a major accident until now, but what would have happened if I-or you-had nearly been killed shortly after we confessed?"
Fox looked lost. She cupped his face in her hands.
"You let me stay, even in the face of that. You would sacrifice your peace of mind if it meant making me happy."
Fox tried to look away, but she kept his gaze on her. She petted his cheek, not wanting him to be nervous.
"You've...you've done so much for me, Fox. You gave me a home, a new family. And you gave me you. I've never loved someone as much as I love you, Fox. Every time I'm with you, I'm just so happy. And I know how happy I make you. It's written on your face right now, actually."
Fox was blushing wildly at her words. It was looking like his ears were about to burst into flames. He could barely look her in the eye, and Krystal forgot the gravity of the situation briefly to fawn over how precious he looked.
"Fox," she cooed. "Look at me."
Meekly, he did.
"Fox, for all you've done for me...I can't just stand by while you leave. You told me you don't have a plan after this team. And that's why I offered to leave. It's why I was so adamant about you not leaving. So if you are leaving, and I can't change your mind...then I'm coming with you."
Fox gasped. "Krys..." he whispered.
"Fox," she said resolutely. "You've already made sacrifices for me. If I can't stop you from thinking of me, than I'm going think of you. I'm making this sacrifice with you."
Fox looked completely lost again.
"You'd come with me?" he said. "You'd...you'd throw away being an ace pilot, for me?"
"You're worth it, Fox," she said gently, smiling down at him.
Those words had an impact. A warm feeling, something with joy and surprise, bubbled inside of Fox. It was like sunshine. It made her smile so much wider, and as a smile appeared on Fox's muzzle, she couldn't help but giggle.
"I...still don't have a plan," Fox whispered. He was getting lost in her eyes again.
"We'll make one," she answered, losing herself in his eyes, "together."
She felt the happiness within him spike higher than ever, and he closed the distance between them. It was passionate kiss, and she stroked his face with one hand and held his hand up with another. He shivered at her touch and her lips, and when they pulled away he sighed, ecstasy written on his eyes.
"Krystal," he said quietly, "can you reach under my pillow?"
She blinked at the request. Maybe it was the heat of the moment, but she did so without asking what could be under there. She was dazed to find a grey box, wrapped in a blue bow.
"Fox," she whispered. "What...how did this-?"
"Peppy," he said. "he gave it to me after he left. I ordered a present for you."
"What's the occasion?" she asked.
Fox just shrugged, smiling goofily.
"Cheeky, Foxy-Woxy," she said, pinching his cheek.
She got rid of the bow slowly, to tease him. But whatever flirty feelings she had disappeared when she saw what was inside. She gasped, and held her paw to her muzzle.
It was little grey box. A ring box.
She knew something like this was coming. She'd already said yes. But seeing this...She felt tears, and before she knew it she was crying. Fox, gently, took the box from her hands, and opened it facing her.
A beautiful silver band, with a sapphire and garnet next to each other. Orange and blue.
Fox was crying too.
"Fox..." she said.
He took the ring out of the box, and gently took her hand. She let him slip the ring on her finger.
"Krystal..." he whispered, smiling like crazy and crying. "I know I can't kneel, and I know you already said so before, but...will you really marry me?"
"Yes," she replied instantly.
Fox looked at her, and then the ring on her finger, and then back at her. All that she could feel within him was happiness. Pure, wonderful happiness.
"I've dreamed about this," he said, "dreamed about having you with me like this."
"So have I," she replied.
For a long moment they sat there, and she saw with alarm that Fox's crying intensified, with me choking back small sobs.
"Fox," she cooed, "what's wrong?"
"Krys," he said, "Krys, I'm...Krystal, I'm just so happy."
She kissed him gently then, her own tears falling and mixing with his. When she pulled away, she noticed she was crying a little harder.
"I am too, Fox," she said. "I am too."