Author Notes: Special thanks to everyone who's been more than patient and supportive about my latest installment to the Quadrant Killer. Specifically to Jasalazul who really helped expand and teach me a whole other level of writing (thanks for making my story bleed, Jazz!). I find that a number of people will notice the improvements that I've been learning. I refuse to reveal any secrets to the plot line - I enjoy the messages, but I love surprising you all - you're not going to get a peep out of me! If it's been awhile I'll recommend rereading the storyline as there are lots of ties to the previous chapters, and clues you might have missed. Just a tip to you all who've been PMing those guesses!

Without further stalling, here's the next chapter: The Infamous Falco Lombardi.

"Go find a mutt."

He approached, tossing his remote against his massive hands.

"What, don't want to be on Bruno's good-side anymore? I'll forget any of this ever happened if you just kill Fox McCloud. I've learned you have a history with him. You're close. It's easy money. Oh don't look at me like that, Falco…it's no different than the last jobs... I'm sure you'd love to get that collar off. Wouldn't you? See to it that Fox draws his last breath, bring me the bounty, and I'll pretend we never met. You know I'll keep my word."

Bruno knelt and wrapped his paw around Falco's chin, and moved it to see into his eyes. The warden let himself smile then drew a cigarette from his pocket. Like a mother feeding a child he nestled it to Falco's beak. He lit it. The light filled the alley for a few seconds as Falco closed his eyes and inhaled. The neon of the Downed Hornet sparked with a pop.

"Consider it done."

"That's a good boy." Bruno twisted at his wedding ring then rubbed his hands against one another to ward off the cold that was filling the night. "I need it done soon - tonight. There are a number of others out there who've been eyeing your boy."

Falco stared. "Who else?"

A bead of red light was dancing against Bruno's shirt. It steadied there and he watched it move between him and Bruno.

"The normal competition; nothing you should concern yourself with. Most of the hunters out there have respect for the traditions of the hunt…most of them anyhow."

A shot filled the darkness.

It was a sudden pain that struck his face, with enough force, that threw Falco to the ground. After delivering his punch, Bruno leapt into cover, rubbing his knuckles from their impact with his chin. The shooter had missed.

"You sunnova…who are you working for?!" Bruno dove his finger into the remote releasing another shock through Falco's collar.

Falco strained against the electric choker while pushing with his legs to find limited shelter beside an abandoned magazine-stand. His eyes darted to the rooftops, trying to find the shooter. But was only greeted with the red bead flaring against his vision, resting between his eyes. Whoever was trying to kill him, Falco was at his mercy; he brought his hands to shield his eyes from the light.

Another shot, this one ending with the resounding impact against the steel of a dumpster.

"Go! Now!"

Bruno's exertion left him gasping for air: the throwing of his large body and a dumpster between Falco and the shooter. That loud breathing announced his continuance of living; to which Falco released a sigh in relief.

He placed a large hand on his shoulder. "Get to Fox's ship and drop him! I'll keep the shooter busy – he's clearly not with you." Bruno drew his blaster and looked curiously at the exit wound of the dumpster he'd discovered. His eyes widened. "That's a big gun."

A second hole ripped through the dumpster between them both.

"Don't take it personally, Bruno, but I wouldn't mind too much if that had hit you."

Bruno fired blindly in reply to the shooter. "Quit stalling! Your target is going to try and get airborne before any potential threats find their way on board! Go now, before someone else gets their hands on him!"

Falco threw himself away from the dumpster as shots fired closely behind him, finding just a narrow opportunity to tear down an alley, and into safety. Falco was exhausted and his mind raced, recalling the walk to the bar – how he'd made the trip longer just to make Krystal uncomfortable by adding a few unnecessary turns; he avoided those now. His muscles burned and his chest ached, but he was nearly there. How had Bruno found him there? He wasn't due for another month!

Falco reached the port; he could see the Great Fox now. The loading ramp was already rising. He had little time left. He found whatever reserve of strength he could find to dash past the traffic, between the cars, as he was only meters away from it. The ship was already rising. Falco leapt into the air…with one arm finding its mark. He groaned as he fought to get his other arm up there. The ship brought Falco some fifty meters above the city below, hanging by his fingers. The speed was picking up and the door had nearly shut, the forces loosening his grip. Falco screamed. His foot caught hold to the steel door, giving him support enough to get his other arm over the door – enough to roll in through the small gap. He fell into the ship and the bay door slammed behind him.

He made it.

It must've been several minutes of exhausted breathing, enough to settle his heart into his chest. Using the walls for support, he dragged his body to his dorm, letting his body collapse onto his old bed.

--

The guards fought to hold him back. Wolf clawed at the air between him and Falco.

"You've brought him here to taunt me!"

Falco stepped back.

"Hardly. You're a lucky one, Wolf." Bruno turned toward Falco; who turned from his glance, "Purchased with his old friend's blood, this one has decided to trade his chance at freedom for you."

"You release these cuffs and you'll have another body to dispose of."

"Two." Bruno pointed. "And don't think I haven't wanted to send you off after our last episode."

"What trick is this?!"

Bruno's eyes didn't leave Wolf's. "It's a question I still have, myself. Why, Falco? Want to finish him off, yourself? Is he a witness I didn't know about…because, I've been meaning to silence him myself. We're still in Sector X, a single misfired shot into his head would suffice."

Falco spoke. "No. I need him alive."

"If that's what you want, my loyal employee. Let's not forget that this was a one-time offer. You're still under my command."

Turning his jacket collar outward, Falco revealed the shock collar beneath. "I haven't forgotten."

"Good. I'll contact you when I'll need your services." Bruno left the cell, leaving Falco and the guards.

Wolf charged against Bruno's minions. "You work for him!? This whole time…it was you. You really did betray Fox - you killed him! I should've killed you when I had the chance!"

"Wolf, we can't talk now. I know how this looks, but I need to know, as much as you do, about what happened to Fox."

"What makes you think I care about him? So what if he's dead?"

"I know you didn't try to kill him."

"Yeah, me too, you asshole. But what difference does any of this make?"

"There's something I need you to see. But we can't do it here." Falco nodded to the guards and they released him. "Do it for him, Wolf."

"How dare you…"

"He was my friend too…"

"I think you're mistaken." Wolf marched toward Falco. "Fox was nothing more than a damned good pilot and an acceptable rival to me. You'll find all this fury was in the fact that I didn't have the chance to kill him myself." His face was inches from Falco's. "You took that from me."

Falco didn't back down, or break the eye contact, speaking in a whisper. "I didn't kill him! Just come with me, at the very least you could enjoy the sun and night air again…"

Wolf tore his face away and turned his back on Falco, who continued, "A place like this would make any animal lonely, especially one as cold as you. When I'm done you can escape or whatever, I'm sure that'll really make something of your reputation."

Wolf returned a piercing glance. "My reputation?"

Falco rubbed his chin. "Sure, big time merc escaping from this place is bound to make you pretty infamous."

Wolf took a breath and remembered Anthony's last few moments alive. "None of this really matters now." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.

Falco screwed up his gaze in confusion. "Why wouldn't it? I always thought that a little recognition was important to you."

Wolf barked back, "Yeah, well I've had some time to think. You don't know me, bird. I had chances to shoot you down and didn't. Don't let me regret it…or have me change my mind."

"Why wouldn't you?" Falco smiled in curiosity. "It wasn't because of Fox, was it?"

"Of course it was Fox! Fox wouldn't be too much of a challenge if he was too busy sobbing for his pathetic loss."

"Sure he would've been. He'd avenge me. Have to admit being flattered by that."

Wolf Scowled. "I bet. The pup would've been too blinded by fury to calculate his actions…Don't think I haven't thought all this out."

"Would you just quit being so damned prideful and just hear me out? Do you always try to sabotage anyone's attempt at helping you?"

Wolf spat. "When I think they're trying to kill me, I do."

Falco threw his arms into the air in frustration, "Why the hell would I want to do that?"

Wolf didn't respond.

"Wolf, who knows, I might just miscalculate and give you the chance at revenge – If I really did kill him. If I didn't, then he's still out there. And you still get the chance at revenge." Falco raised an eyebrow.

"Stop squawking and go. I've got something I need to take care of before I leave."

Falco nodded. "I'll be in the docking bay." He rolled his eyes.

--

Pressing his claw against the stranger's cell, Wolf let his gaze fall and knocked.

"Tell me what I should do."

The stranger stood from his cot. "Follow him. Listen to him. Redeem yourself. There are only so many of us who get a second opportunity like you've been blessed to have been given."

"You have an opportunity now, a second chance. You can make things right."

"Don't. It's better this way. If he thinks he shot me down during the wars it'll bring him closure. I've heard you talk in your sleep, this mystery is clear to me."

Wolf pressed his forehead against the cell. "Please don't change the subject. The few days we knew each other, under Andross and now here, you deserve a chance at freedom as much as I do now."

"This story isn't about me, Wolf. I don't deserve a happy ending, just make sure Falco and yourself do."

"You should forgive yourself –"

"Wolf. Stop. My life is over. I've done things no man could even think of being forgiven for. You're too young to understand." He sighed, "If it will help you, there is one possession I have left."

Wolf opened his cell. A thin chain rested on the stranger's graying, feathered neck. He removed it and dropped it into Wolf's hands.

Wolf looked at the pair of wings. "These are from the Academy. Should I give these to him?"

"Close my cell, Wolf. Forget about me now. I will perform one more favor for you, only because you deserve it."

The stranger stepped back into the shadows of his cell and Wolf reactivated his prison.

--

After finishing his cigarette, Falco tossed it aside. A guard hopped from his position beside the Arwing to stomp it out. "Easy, pal! Taking this job a bit too seriously, aren't ya?"

"Have to. Prisoners aren't the only ones who have to wear that extra piece of jewelry that you and I share."

Falco hissed in pity, "Yeah, tough luck." With a shrug, Falco returned his jacket collar back into place.

The lift doors opened and Wolf approached.

The darkness of the earlier rooms hid Wolf's condition. The brighter lights of the docking bay dismissed the illusion of his health. His prison garb was charred and torn, and a reddened cloth sat in place of his cybernetic eye. The way his body moved announced the pain he was in, he was trying to mask his limping, but that just made it more obvious.

"Let me get those for you, Wolf." Falco motioned for the guard to release the energy cuffs which bound Wolf's wrists.

The guard hesitated before walking over and unlocking the cuffs. Wolf's low growling had him stepping back quickly after the cuffs fell to the floor. He dismissed himself and disappeared behind the lift doors.

Wolf rubbed at his wrists and stared through Falco. "I swear if you try anything, I'll finish what I planned to do to you on Fox's ship."

"I really wish you'd stop that tough guy act, it's not winning you any friends here." Falco opened the canopy of his Arwing and sat readily in the pilot's seat.

Wolf climbed into the Arwing and stared at the floor of the fighter and drew his harness around him. The canopy lowered and the Kennel's Grid flickered as the ship hovered, readying to pass through the air lock. "How are we going to move around with one of us being a convicted felon? Where are we going?"

Falco pressed on the thruster which separated his Arwing from the Kennel. Falco looked over his shoulder to notice Wolf watching the prison behind him. "This shouldn't be anything new for you, Wolf."

"It isn't. I still avoided home worlds, mind you; I didn't prance about Corneria if I could avoid it. Where are we going?"

"Corneria. A lot has happened since you've been locked away. The Arwing doesn't even belong to me anymore. Star Fox had a falling out, but I refused to give up my ship. You're not the only one on the lamb."

The darkness of Sector X had passed behind them now: outbound communication was now possible. Fighters like these normally had a beeping to give the pilot notice of this; Wolf was surprised to find, however, that the whole damned communicator had been ripped from the console.

"When we arrive it should be around midnight. Things should become clearer then, and be easier to move around. Wolf…"

"What is it?"

"…just making sure you're still awake back there."

Wolf rolled the wings across his fingers as he watched the emptiness of space pass around them. And felt minutes stretch into hours.

"Bird. Why pull me from that place?"

Falco sighed. "I thought I mentioned it. I've been finding quite a bit of information regarding you…I have it stashed in an apartment planet-side. Have to admit, I'm glad you didn't get yourself killed the few days you were there. Not many do…I've participated in those games of his."

"I wouldn't give him the pleasure. I'm also not the type to buy into having another master."

Falco felt his heart drop and let the silence fall over the small ship. "It isn't at all what you think."

Wolf snapped, "Isn't it?"

"Look, we all have our reasons for finding unconventional sources of income. You and I have that in common now."

Wolf pocketed Lombardi Sr.'s wings and bit his lips in thought. "What lead you to him?"

"Would you mind if I lit up a cig in here?"

"Don't be stupid."

Falco groaned. "I just ran into some gambling problems after I took a break from Star Fox."

"You wouldn't have asked for a cigarette if the question didn't bother you. I noticed the bud at the Kennel docking bay. You just had one. What are you hiding?"

"I suppose I just got bored, ya know, there was just no action to keep my mind off my own problems so I went looking for trouble."

"If you're going to sit there and bore me while dodging questions, I'm just going to sleep."

Falco wouldn't show his face to Wolf. "…it's Krystal."

Wolf opened an eye in moderate interest, "You have a crush on Fox's girl?"

"Sure, let's go with that…"

"I'm bored again."

"You think you're so smart. I guess I just couldn't bring myself to accept how well Fox had been doing – the whole team even. I felt replaced when the bimbo showed up on the roster."

"Tell me, then. Why the bounty hunting? It seemed all-too-convenient you signed up after Fox's name had a price attached to it."

The ship slowed.

As he piloted his ship through the asteroid field, Falco remained silent. Moments had passed before he spoke. "Give me a sec…trying not to get us smashed into space debris while you interrogate me." He sighed.

Wolf remained impatient as Falco gathered his excuse.

"Okay, seems clearer here. I had been killing for Bruno some time before his name was price-tagged. When I saw his name appearing on that bounty list, I registered. I knew a few things about how professional killing was done. That when you call your target through registration, that most bounty hunters would honor that call and leave that target alone."

"You stupid fool. Those archaic traditions haven't held shit since after the Lylat Wars. Things just aren't the same. Bounty hunting isn't a game; it's a lifestyle; so Bruno will always have those wings of yours clipped."

Falco clenched his fist into the arm wrests of his seat. "I did what I thought was right."

Wolf laughed. "Right? Do you really think I should believe you did that to protect Fox?"

Falco was not amused. "Do you really think I should believe that you tried to protect Fox?"

Wolf noticed Falco flip a console switch with a severe motion. "Neither of us have reason to trust one another-"

"Well I do," said Falco rubbing his brow.

He stretched against the harness as he threw his arms behind his head, "Why?"

"We're through the asteroid field." The ship began to pick up speed. "We should be narrowing in on Corneria in another hour or two."

"…Fine."

Falco sighed. "…Fine."

--

He could see orange sun again and the endless field of yellow and red-tipped flowers. Something was different, we wasn't blissful…but purposeful. He was here for a reason, but could not seem to remember what it was for. He remembered landing, but didn't remember arriving alone. The flowers were everywhere; some were taller than some buildings back at Corneria.

He stared at his uniform as the meadow melted away. He could see the Venomian emblem on his chest. That couldn't be right. He watched the interior hull of a ship fold around him, creating a room – no, a docking bay. Dizzily, Wolf stumbled around as he felt his head throbbing. He tripped over something and fell to his back…just over his right shoulder was that statuette! He tripped over Fox's Body, the eyes staring at his own – the corpse beginning to claw its way towards him!

"Come help me, Wolf!" The bloodied mass of Fox spoke as it rose over him in a deathly embrace.

"No!" He broke free and ran for his Wolfen and rushed to open its canopy. No good-it was locked, but in the cockpit Anthony clawed for air! He had to get Anthony free, but by the time he'd smashed the canopy open the lizard had already died.

Wolf had difficulty breathing.

He'd killed them all.

He collapsed to the floor as he clawed at his throat; he pulled a knife from his boot and pierced his own throat. Ripping it away, letting the flowers pour from his neck-wound.

"No!"

--

"Wolf! Wake up!" Falco was shaking him.

Wolf choked for air as he awoke sweating. The light was blinding. "Where am I?"

"We're here – we've docked. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Wolf still felt the pain in his throat and wheezed. He was finally able to absorb his surroundings.

He was in an enormous garage, more fitting for a space freighter than a small fighter. Along the walls were a few scattered parts and a fueling station. The room echoed in its emptiness, lit by fluorescents that emphasized the loneliness. In the distance, Wolf could see the doors leading to the city streets – to the left was a cement booth for paying the docking fees.


Wolf removed the bandage over his eye to wipe the sweat.

Falco looked away.

Releasing his harness, Wolf climbed out of the ship; he took notice to the clear-plastic bin that Falco was holding.

"Here. There's some clothes in here and your…eye too. Can't believe Bruno ripped it out. I might know of…someone who can reattach it for ya."

Wolf took the plastic bin. Dropping it to the floor, he began removing his shirt. "Don't bother. I'm pretty sure I can handle that." Sniffing himself, he shrugged, and wore the t-shirt and jeans that were left for him. He rubbed the cyber-eye against the shirt and shoved it into one of his pockets.

Falco approached the Armadillo behind the desk and passed him a few credits and he opened the door for them. The trip had taken longer than either of them expected-dawn was approaching. "It's within walking distance."

It was less than a twenty-minute walk to the crumbling apartments. Where the walls weren't peeling away, revealing dirty brick, they were stained with water damage, and the filth of the air conditioning made everything sour. They climbed some iron-rod stairs and Falco used a metal key to open an iron-rod door. Falco pushed the chipping wooden door and led the way into the room.

Wolf closed the door behind him.

With a click, a yellowing light buzzed to life. Falco collapsed onto a dirty mattress. "I hope you don't mind this place. Money's been slim."

"I've slept in worse. Show me what I need to see."

Falco sighed. "Straight to the point, are we?"

"I'm exhausted. And I'm not in the mood to play. Show me what I want to see or I'll kill you and look for it myself."

He was less than amused or impressed.

"Fine." Reaching beneath the mattress, Falco pulled a small laptop computer. He pulled out the wirings and plugged it into the wall. "Well, come here." He motioned to sit beside him, as he typed about on the device.

When Wolf arrived beside him, Falco placed it onto Wolf's lap. Falco stood, lighting a cigarette as he walked toward the kitchen window. He sat onto the sink and slid the window open.

The screen showed a docking bay and a timer. Wolf couldn't see any movement other than the numbers of the timer. "What is this?"

Falco took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled upon speaking. "It's an archived recording of the Great Fox's Docking Bay."

"…Of the assassination?!"

"If only. It seems we ran out of recorder disks that night…perfect. No, just keep watching."

Wolf sighed, turning his gaze back to the screen.

An Arwing landed, and shortly after, its canopy opened. Fox climbed out of his ship. Wolf watched Fox turn back toward his fighter. Fox was angry, yelling about something. Wolf watched himself leave the Arwing.

"What the hell?"

"It gets better."

His recorded self collapsed almost as though drunk onto Fox. The recording didn't seem to capture sound, but the both of them seemed to be laughing. Their shared laugh stopped, with a sudden stare. He watched as his lips met Fox's.

"I-" But Wolf found no explanation.

They were rolling now, their hands caressing each other's bodies. Fox was on top now and he loosened his belt and removed his shirt. The recorded Fox removed Wolf's shirt next as he watched himself run his tongue over the chest fur of who he has always thought of as his greatest rival.

Wolf could feel the weight of Falco's eyes on him.

There were more embraces, words, kisses. As he watched his other self give in further and further into his emotions…were faint memories stirring? Camera-wolf now threw Fox onto his back as he caressed him and rubbed against him, sweat beading on his back. The timer had exceeded 30:59, but the passion continued flickering from the screen.

"I don't remember any of this. What does any of this mean?" Wolf's ears fell. His eyes moved from the furniture in the room before reaching Falco's face.

"It means you didn't kill Fox. You couldn't possibly. How could you? It's clear you love him."

"None of this can be real! Where did you get this?"

"Slippy still has faith in me, has been doing some investigation beside me. This was deleted, although incompletely. A lot of data has been deleted."

"Do you think Fox deleted this?"

"That's my first guess; this is all pretty scandalous…"

Silence fell over them. Wolf felt sick. He watched as the event on the monitor looped. Wolf didn't want to watch again, but it was better than facing Falco.

Falco smiled, "What was it like?"

Wolf wanted to be back in his cell. He wondered if his claws had the strength to dig to the center of the planet. He wanted to wake up from this nightmare. He wanted to wake up.

"What was what like?" He asked, knowing exactly what he meant.

"Being that close to him."

"What are you talking about!?" Wolf didn't realize that the accusation brought him to shouting. "I don't remember any of this!"

Falco pressed his finger to his beak and shushed him. He glanced out the window to see if anyone was listening.

Wolf brought himself to use his inside voice, "It's a fake. I know it's a fake." Wolf hoped it was a fake.

Falco let a chuckle escape before returning a coy smile. "I don't believe you. By the looks of it…it was pretty unforgettable."

"Why do you care?"

Falco inhaled through his cigarette, deeper this time. Wolf could still see his smug grin.

Wolf continued to watch the nearly X-rated material before him. It was on its third loop now.

"You're not the only one who has feelings for him." Falco released his cigarette into the sink and used his boot to open the faucet – washing it away.

Wolf could not believe what he was hearing. He shut the laptop, pleased to no longer be the one in the spotlight. If he was trying to kill him..then why the theatrics? He had to know.

"Falco?"

He smiled and closed his eyes. "That's the first time you've used my name."

"You?"

"Come on now, why else would I go as far as trying to become a bounty hunter to protect his name! I have to admit, when I first discovered this, I was jealous – Fox never knew about my feelings; and I doubt he'd even understand them. At this very moment I just want him to be happy. Even if it isn't with me."

"Want him to…?"

"Wolf…" Falco stood.

--

There was a rhythmic beeping that echoed in the room of the Mayberry hospital. The curtains were drawn around the patient and the machinery keeping him alive. His visitor sat beside him and sobbed quietly to herself. She held his hand between her fingers and kissed them. She stood and dried her tears when the doctor threw the curtains aside and stepped in.

"How is he?"

The doctor picked up the chart and began making notes. He pulled a small light from his pocket and flashed it into his patient's eyes.

"It's hard to say. But we're doing everything we can." He shook his head and looked toward her. "Krystal, you've got to get some sleep. You look terrible."

"I think Fox is getting enough sleep for the both of us, thanks."

The doctor gave a pitied smile. He tried to change the subject, "What is that flower there, I don't think I've ever seen any like it."

"They were his favorite. I found them in his Arwing when we..." Tears were welling in her eyes. She turned to the patient, "It's going to be okay, Fox. It's going to be okay…"