YYYEEEEAAAHH! Finally uploaded! I got stuck in the middle of writing it, but I did it! I finally uploaded it! Please enjoy!

Star Fox: Outlander- Chapter 4

Heather started on learning how to pilot the Arwing about a week after she had joined. She had nailed taking off and landing well, now she was trying techniques and shooting the lasers.

Not only was she learning how to pilot the Arwing, but she had also recieved her new uniform, which consisted of a black flight suit, a silver belt, the same hide vest she had worn on Titania, white and silver boots, and blue and silver flight goggles.

"Now to do a barrel roll, jerk the joystick twice to one side," Peppy instructed.

Heather did as she was told, flinching slightly as the Arwing responded.

"Well done!" the old rabbit praised. "There's a button on top of the joystick. Press it and you'll use your lasers."

Holographic enemies appeared in front of Heather's Arwing. She fired rapidly, shooting half of them down.

"I should probably work on my aim, huh?"

"It would be a good idea, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Now do a u-turn and land back here. To do a u-turn, jerk the joystick downwards twice."

Heather performed a u-turn, feeling amused at the sight of seeing the training facility upside-down, and landed the Arwing.

She opened the hatch and leapt out of the cockpit.

"How did I do?" she asked.

"You did well for piloting anything for the first time in ten years. You'll still have to practice, though."

"And the Arwing...?"

Peppy chuckled. "Yes, this Arwing is yours."

Heather smiled. "Thanks Peppy."

"Today the team will be out in the field, so you'll be staying behind."

Heather remembered they had arrived at Katina, and the team would be patrolling on foot for this mission.

"I'll get the infirmary prepared, just in case something happens," she declared.

"Sounds like a plan," Peppy replied.

Heather made her way to the infirmary. Falco insisted that he go on this mission, even though he was still recovering. Heather was reluctant at first, but she eventually caved in.

It would do him good, she told herself.

She stared at the container of pain relievers on the metal table. She was giving them to Falco since he complained about his arm hurting. He didn't tell her this, of course. Krystal read his mind and told Heather for him.

Heather noticed that the medications and medical instruments were disorganized. Several containers of pills were scattered on the floor, and rolls of gauze were unravelled and knotted.

I can't stand it when everything is so messy and disorganized. I may as well clean up, since the team won't be back for a while.

Heather sorted out the medications, placing pills and ointments on one shelf and serums and syringes on the other. The gauze took a while to untangle, but she eventually was able to put them back where they belong.

By the time she was finished cleaning, the team had returned.

Fox was helping Falco into the infirmary, supporting his one side.

"What happened now?" Heather demanded.

"Falco tripped. He was chasing enemy soldiers," Fox reported.

Heather motioned for Falco to lay down. When the avian did as she instructed, Heather became a bit miffed.

"I told you to be careful!" she said.

"You never told me to be careful!" Falco retorted.

"Well I should have," she snapped. "Because clearly you needed to be!"

Falco rolled his eyes. "You're overreacting. I'm fine."

Heather was about to make a stinging retort, when she realized there may have been a bit of truth in what he said.

She sighed. "I guess so. In any case, I'm still going to examine you."

"Fine by me."

Heather unwrapped the gauze, checking to see if Falco opened the wound. It was perfectly fine, but she changed the gauze anyway.

"I guess I was overreacting," Heather muttered, too quiet for Falco to hear. Still, she couldn't help feeling worried about him whenever he went out.

I shouldn't worry about him, Heather thought. He's the ace pilot, for crying out loud! He'd be fine.

"You should be fine now," she said.

"I know," he replied. "You and Fox were overreacting, that's all."

"I think I get that."

Heather made her way to the training room, since Peppy told her he was going to show her how to use a blaster.

Heather opened the door to the training room, where Peppy was already waiting for her.

"Hello, Heather!" he greeted. "Ready to start training?"

Heather nodded determinedly. "I can't wait to start."

Working a blaster was harder than Heather thought. She accidentally aimed it at herself once. Luckily, she didn't pull the trigger. It took her a while to be able to aim it properly, and it took about five minutes for her to be able to hit one of the targets.

"The blaster won't run out of ammo like other guns, but that doesn't mean you can simply fire it wherever and whenever you want to," Peppy instructed.

Heather laughed. "Has anyone ever done that before? Randomly firing the blaster wherever they want?"

"Not that I know of," he chuckled. "Even if someone did, it'd be as a joke."

Eventually, Heather was able to hit all five targets with ease and without assistance.

"You've done well," Peppy congratulated. "For a moment I thought you'd fail."

Heather rolled her eyes. "Very funny."

The two of them headed to the living room, where the rest of the team was gathered.

"Hey, Heather," Fox said. "How was training?"

"Hard," she replied. "I have terrible aim."

"I'm sure you'll get better," Krystal assured.

"Let's hope for the best," Heather sighed. She turned her attention to the TV. "What are you watching?"

"Something called Jersey Shore," Falco groaned. "It's supposed to be really popular on a planet called Earth."

"We'd watch something else, but someone forgot to get more channels," Fox jerked his head to glare at Slippy.

"Give me a break!" he protested. "I promise I'll get more channels when we get back to Corneria!"

"That's what you said when the toaster broke," Falco said.

Heather and Krystal giggled at the banter happening between the men. They did this often, Heather was told.

Peppy popped his head into the room.

"Katt's docking her ship," he informed. "She may want to see you, Falco."

"Alright." Falco got up slowly, as thought he didn't care someone were here to see him.

"Why don't you go with him, Heather?" Krystal said. "Katt's really nice. You'd like her."

"Fine by me," Falco said indifferently.

Heather got up and walked beside Falco to the docking bay. An unfamiliar ship waited.

A pink feline ran up to Falco, throwing her arms around his neck. Heather couldn't help but feel jealous.

"It's been so long, Falco!" she exclaimed.

Falco smiled, shrugging her off. "How've you been, Katt?"

The feline stepped back. "I've been doing great. I took your advice and left the Hot Rodders." She looked behind him, and narrowed her eyes. "Who's this?"

Falco stepped aside. "This is Heather. She's our medic and newest member."

The feline smiled, and held out her hand. "My name's Katt."

Heather took her hand and shook it. "It's great to meet you."

The three of them walked back down the hallway, Katt and Heather talking quietly amongst themselves. Katt apparently broke up with her boyfriend and had come back to see Falco.

"It's too bad to hear about your break-up," Heather said, feeling slightly jealous Katt once had been in a relationship.

"It's been hard," Katt admitted. "But Falco has always been here, and I've been looking around for odd-jobs."

"Have you had any luck?"

Katt shook her head. "I can't really find anything that I really like. I guess teaching students at the Cornerian Flight Academy would be an option, but I'm not one for putting up with teens."

When the threesome had finally made it to the living room, Fox, Slippy and Krystal were waiting for them.

"Hey, Katt," Fox greeted. "What do you need?"

"I just wanted to visit my favourite bird," Katt replied, glancing at Falco lovingly.

The team chatted with Katt, about what she had been doing in the year since they last saw each other. Heather also spoke, but she noticed whenever Falco talked to her, Katt would glare at her.

I wonder why she's acting like this...

Heather pushed the thought away. Katt must just be stressed about her break-up, she tried to convince herself.

Heather and Katt had some time alone, as the rest of the team went elsewhere.

"So how long have you been on the Star Fox team?" Katt asked suddenly.

Heather looked up. "Ever since I met Falco on Titania. He rescued me from a bunch of enemy fighters."

"Is that so?" Katt was silent for a moment, then she looked up again. Heather was surprised to see that her eyes were burning with anger.

"How long have you two been dating?"

Heather was taken aback. "What?"

"Don't lie to me," Katt hissed. "I can see the way you look at him. How long have you two been at it?"

Heather straightened up. "Katt, nothing's been going on between Falco and I. We're teammates that's all."

"Is that all? You just think of him as a teammate?"

Heather sighed. "Okay, maybe I do feel something more for him... but that's it, I tell you!"

"Sure it is," Katt said sarcastically. "You stay away from him, Heather. He's mine."

"Falco doesn't belong to anyone," Heather urged. "He never has, and he never will."

Katt completely ignored what Heather had said. "I've known him far longer than you have. You're just some chick he found on a deserted planet."

"I don't even know why Falco would ever fall in love with you anyway, because you sound kind of possessive to me. Almost like an overly attached girlfriend."

Katt narrowed her eyes. "I bet you've had s-"

"Okay, that's just going way too far!" Heather interrupted. "What the heck would make you jump to that conclusion?!"

"What's going on?!"

Katt and Heather spun around at the sound of Fox's voice, Falco and Krystal standing beside him.

"Falco, I thought you said you'd always fly solo!" Katt said, inching towards him. "You told me you'd never get a girlfriend!"

"Who said I had a girlfriend?" Falco demanded.

"While you were gone, Katt accused me of being your girlfriend," Heather replied calmly.

"Katt, she's not my girlfriend," Falco placed his hand on Katt's shoulder, who shrugged it off.

"You're lying to me," she snarled.

"Have I ever lied to you?" the avian asked.

"Yes," she replied, folding her arms across her chest. "Several times. I've been keeping count."

"Katt, she's not my girlfriend," he repeated, firmer this time. "Even if she were, why would it matter to you?"

"Because I care about you!" she shouted. "If you were in a relationship, you wouldn't be the same!"

Falco groaned. "Katt, just go."

Katt looked up, pain visible in her eyes. "What?"

"Go," he said. "You're acting like a little kid. Until you can be mature enough to talk to me, just go."

Katt stepped back, fury replacing the sadness in her eyes. "Fine. See if I care. I was right. You aren't the same Falco I used to know."

With a final glare at the entire team, especially Heather, she stormed away. Heather stared out the window as she saw Katt's ship fly away into space.

"I... I'm sorry," Heather said.

"It's not your fault, Heather," Krystal soothed. "Katt's just stressed out, that's all."

The ferret sighed sadly. She had her one chance to be friends with Katt, and she blew it.

"Come on," Krystal said. "Don't dwell on it for too long. She'll get over it."

Heather half-smiled. "I guess you're right."

She looked over at Falco, and she couldn't help but notice he was looking at them with a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

~o~o~o~o~

It had only been a month since Katt had that argument with Falco, and Fox had called the team down to the command room.

Heather ran in. "What's going on?"

"We're getting a message from Star Wolf," Falco replied.

Heather cocked her head. "Star Wolf?"

He nodded. "They're our rivals. The last time we saw them, it was during the Aparoid War, and now we know they're alive."

She was about to ask what he meant by that, when a face appeared on the transmission screen. A gray wolf, with a blue bionic eye, was smiling menacingly at them.

"Hello, team Star Fox," he greeted. His voice was coldly polite. "What a pleasure it is to see you again."

Arguing was heard in the backround. The wolf turned around. "Leon! Panther! Shut up! I'm talking here!"

"It's been a while, Wolf," Fox said.

A wolf named Wolf? What are the odds...

"I guess so, McCloud. I've come to issue a challenge."

Fox raised an eyebrow. "We don't take challenges here."

"Are you scared, pup?"

The vulpine frowned. "Not at all. Where shall we do battle?"

"Fichina. Remember during the Lylat Wars ten years ago? When we had our first fight?"

"It's hard to forget when you keep reminding me," Fox growled. "But we accept your challenge."

"Fox, you can't be serious," Peppy whispered. "Do you know how much danger you're putting yourself in?"

"Peppy, this could be our only chance to take down Star Wolf once and for all," he whispered back.

Peppy sighed. "You're just like your father."

Wolf smiled. "So it's settled. We'll meet you at Fichina-"

"Is Krystal there?" A hopeful voice sounded in the backround.

"Yes, Panther, but-"

"Can I just say hi to her?"

"What? No! Panther-"

"It'll just be for a second-"

The screen turned off.

"Well," Heather said. "That was an awkward way to end a conversation."

"Tell me about it," Krystal laughed.

Fox turned to his team. "Everyone get yourselves ready for the fight with Star Wolf. Heather, are you ready?"

She nodded.

"Alright. Everyone to the hangar immediately!"

They sprinted to the hanger, leaping into their Arwings. The hatch hissed shut, and engines hummed to life. Heather was shaking nervously, and she felt somewhat inexperienced surrounded by the rest of the team.

"Communications line, green," Fox reported.

"Don't get too cocky out there," Peppy advised. "Star Wolf is a strong group."

The lift lock was released.

"Is everyone ready?" Fox asked.

"Ready when you are!" Falco responded.

"Everything's good to go!" Slippy reported.

Krystal and Heather merely nodded.

"Alright. Star Fox team, move out!"

The ships blasted out of the hangar, flying towards the ice-cold planet of Fichina.

"So how does it feel to be flying in space, Heather?" Slippy asked.

"It feels strange," Heather replied. "I've flown on the other planets in the past month, but flying in space just makes me feel uncomfortable."

"You'll be fine," Krystal reassured her. "And Star Wolf isn't so bad."

"Compared to us, they're inexperienced," Falco stated proudly. "And we have them outnumbered."

"Even when he says that, we still have to be careful," Fox warned. "You're still a new member. Anyways, we're nearing Fichina. Adjust the G-Diffuser system."

Heather did as she was told, and the team entered the planets atmosphere. She couldn't help but take in a startled breath as flames blanketed the front of her Arwing.

As they cleared, she saw the frozen landscape that was Fichina. Snow was drifting down from the sky, creating a dream-like effect.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

"Yeah, and cold!" Falco remarked.

Heather squinted through the snow, and spotted three red ships in the distance.

"Is that...?"

"Yes," Fox answered. "That's Star Wolf."

The five Arwings hovered, and the Wolvens came closer.

"I thought you wouldn't show up, McCloud," Wolf said.

"Yes, you kept us waiting," an unfamiliar lizard sneered.

That's Leon, Krystal's voice echoed in Heather's mind.

"We meet again, Krystal my dear," Panther purred. "Now who's this lovely little lady we have here?"

The vixen rolled her eyes. "That's Heather. She's our newest member."

Wolf laughed. "Oh, so you think you have us beaten, Star Fox?"

"We know we have you beaten," Falco said.

The lupine grinned. "I'll have you know, we have a new member as well."

The whole team stared in shock. Fox broke the silence.

"And who might that be?"

Another ship appeared behind the Wolvens. It wasn't actually a Wolven at all, but Heather couldn't help but feel she had seen it before...

"Hello, Heather," a feminine voice sounded over the communicator. "We meet again."

"It can't be..." Krystal's voice trailed off in disbelief.

"I think it is!" Heather gasped.

It was Katt. And she had joined Star Wolf.

*gets pelted with muffins*

Oh come on! This chapter can't have been that bad! And to answer some questions...

NO, I do not have a problem with the FalcoxKatt pairing. It's one of my favourites.

NO, Falco and Heather will NOT be getting into a relationship any time soon.

And the reason I decided to have Katt join Star Wolf... well let's face it: There are quite a few PantherxKatt shippers out there. I have seen them. They may not post here, but they're out there. I just wanted to make them happy.

And I gave you all a cliffhanger. How cruel am I? XD

So stick around and stay tuned for Star Fox: Outlander, Chapter 5! (Which will probably be the last chapter!)