I know. I totally fail, since I do all these leave-for-like-EVER-and-don't write hiatus thingies. But I think it's about time this story comes to a close. Kinda goes back and forth with POVs, I'll try to make it obvious but I apologize if it's confusing. For all of you who thought it was over...well it basically is. This is just spare stuff, plus I gotta thank everyone who read this! You guys are all awesome for even clicking on this, by the way. So, yeah. Here we go.

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"Cole?"

"Yes, that's right. Cole Tanenbaum."

His name was Cole. Wolf repeated it, listening as it rolled off his tongue. "Cole Tanenbaum." He glanced back at the deserted building where he had been held captive for one of the most confusing weeks of his life. Then he looked down at his claws, still spotted with the dried blood of the – as of recently - very dead Cole Tanenbaum.

Beside the lupine, Fox nodded to the officer who they had been speaking to. "Thank you," he said, and the officer walked away. He gaze turned to the old building, now swarming with officials. The two canines watched the barely-conscious General Pepper being carted past them. The dirt on which they stood was littered with various official-looking vehicles, and countless times they had been questioned. The main concern seemed to be whether their sanities were in check.

For the moment, neither had a clear answer.

"He called himself X?" Fox smirked, kicking at the dust. "Bullshit." He glanced over at Wolf, catching depression and confusion in the lupine's tired face. "You alright?" he asked.

Wolf's head snapped up from his paws, blinking as though he had been asleep. "Hm? Oh, uh, yeah," he mumbled, looking back down.

Fox shook his head. "That was possibly the worst lie I've ever heard." His head still faced Wolf, but his eyes wandered back to the building. "Look, Wolf, I know how tough it is to-"

The vulpine was cut off, however, as anger flashed into Wolf's eyes. He snarled, snatching up a large stone from the ground. It was slightly larger than the lupine's hand. Wolf let out a spine-tingling growl, then pulled his arm back, ready to throw.

Fox's eyes widened at Wolf's random action. He snatched the rock from Wolf's paw, tossing it a few feet away. "Wolf," Fox said steadily. "You could hit someone. There's no point in wasting your energy on a dead cause."

The weariness returned to Wolf's lavender eyes. He sighed, as though a huge weight was wrapped to his shoulders. "I know," he said in a low tone. Then, just as quickly as he picked up the rock, Wolf was on the ground. His fingers were intertwined, pushing down on his neck. He brought his knees to his chest. "But at the same time, I don't. I don't know, Fox!" His voice grew louder, and a group of passing medics stared as they walked by.

Fox rolled his eyes, offering his hand. "Need help?" he asked. Wolf nodded, putting one of his paws into Fox's. The smaller canine pulled the other to his feet. "You," Fox raised his eyebrows, pointing at Wolf's face, "need some serious therapy." An involuntary smile broke across his face for a moment; Wolf O'Donnell was the last person he pictured getting that emotional.

Wolf's eyes narrowed at the vulpine. "Shut up," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. He looked around at all the people entering and exiting the building, and sighed. Everything was still so surreal to him, it felt like walking onto the set of a movie.

The sound of engines in the sky interrupted his chain of thought, as both canines looked up. Fox grinned at the sight of a familiar, blue-accented jet. Wolf's expression mirrored the vulpine's as he saw a similar red-winged jet descend towards the ground. Both ships landed simultaneously, and Wolf and Fox felt relief spread over them. Soon, this would be behind them.

Fox took a step forward, but Wolf grabbed onto his arm. "Wait," he said. Fox turned, listening to the lupine. "I just have a question." Wolf's volume dropped as he continued. "How do you do it? Why are you not afraid?"

Fox was silent for a moment. He had never really considered the question, and it him some time to compose an answer. Finally, he spoke, choosing his words carefully.

"I am afraid. I am always afraid. Afraid of what I do, who I am, and what kind of consequences every action I make will have. But time has a way of teaching. I do what I do regardless of my fears, because any fear can be overcome. And after a while, you realize that this applies to anything you're afraid of. There's no way to hide from fear, it is always there. Over the past week we saw it in tangible form, whether it was under a pseudonym, or a reproduction of personal horrors we both have endured. And yet, we're still standing. That's because we couldn't let our fear overcome us. And we didn't. We survived, because when fear challenged us, we fought back."

Wolf said nothing after Fox spoke, though it was obvious there was something moving in the back of his mind. He opened his mouth, but it took awhile for words to come out of it. "You know," he said, "I really don't think I need that therapy anymore. Because you're right." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Wow. That must be why everyone likes you." A grin stretched over his muzzle.

Fox chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Well, I wouldn't say that," he said with a smile of his own. "I'm sure all those guys I've shot down disagree."

Wolf smiled a bit wider. Then he looked at his ship. "Well, I best be off," he said.

Fox nodded. "Definitely. I've had enough fun here," he said, walking towards his ship. Wolf walked beside him, but the canines split as each went to their respected ship.

Before boarding, Fox glanced once more at Wolf. He saw the lupine looking back at him. He gave the lupine a nod and a small wave, then entered the ship. He grinned at Falco, who was waiting onboard, and the two shared a brotherly hug before the ship climbed back into the sky.

Wolf watched the ship go, still with a smile on his face. Right before he went onto his own ship, where Leon was waiting, he whispered something. The words were barely audible, but as he felt the wind blowing around him, he had a strange feeling Fox would know what he said.

"Thank you, Fox McCloud."

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Wow. It's over. This feels so strange.

Oh, wait. No it's not. I gotta thank people! =)

To all reviewers: You guys are awesome. I think it's pretty incredible people even read this story, so I was blown away by how many people review it! Your input was so helpful, and you all helped make this story what it is.

KrzyKrnK: Dude, you rock. From the beginning you were reviewing, helping me out and all that fun stuff. You're a kickass writer and an even more kickass friend. EVERYONE GO READ HIS STORY, KRISIS, RIGHT NOW. Seriously. And also read everything of his, cuz it owns.

Foxkong, Metallic Soul, and JVnemesis: So, I'm obviously the sappy one here. Meaning this might be a bit sappy. Oh well. You guys are awesome. You've helped me so much, and all of you are talented, amazing people. In your own special ways =) You guys are the true driving force behind this writing, and I couldn't be more thankful to FK for introducing me in the first place. This one's for you.

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"Life for you's been less than kind,

so take a number, stand in line.

We've all been sorry, we've all been hurt,

but how we survive is what makes us who we are."

-Survive
Rise Against