Disclaimer: Bucky 'O Hare created by Larry Hama, Star Fox is copyrighted Nintendo.

Fox McCloud parked his Arwing in the usual spot in the Great Fox hanger, walking towards his room to take a nice, long, hot shower, He was still hurting from the Sargasso mission, even with the medical treatment. He was just happy to have made it out of there alive.

"Well, that was a fun reunion!" Falco's voice said jokingly as he came up beside Fox. Fox nodded before responding in a matching tone.

"Yeah…good to see some old friends," Fox said sarcastically. "You can say that again!" adds Dead-Eye, waling from behind.

"Just pray that we won't be running into any more of OUR old friends. Things are already bad enough without them!" he says, some annoyance behind his words.

"You can say that again!" Fox said, flinching slightly at the memory of an angry purply lizard walloping him.

"So, how long have we got until we reach this Fichina place?" Dead-Eye asks as Bucky and Jenny join them.

"Oh…quite some time, it's on the other side of the system," Fox informs them matter-of-factly.

"Can you tell us anything about the place?" Bucky asks him, his voice pure business.

Not seeing a problem, Fox eagerly informs them, "Fichina is an icy world in the Lylat System and was considered a potential tertiary homeworld for the Cornerians. Scientists initially planned to terraform the planet into an inhabitable world for them. To aid this plan, at least one Cornerian Army outpost was built to contain top-secret information and a special climate control center to help maintain the weather." he tells them informedly.

"Yeah, and good thing! Those blizzards are something else. I heard they were hell trying to navigate through." Falco comments as the group walks towards the sleeping quarters.

Turning the corner, the group saw Krystal waiting by Fox's door, a mix of worry and annoyance etched on her features. Knowing what his future fate installed, Fox gulped before saying, "All right, here's my stop. I'll see you guys later." as he cautiously walked towards his quarters.

Falco grinned evilly at him, earning him a glare from Fox. Seeing this, Jenny rolled her eyes before deciding to step in, "Come on fearless leader, let's go face the music?" she said sarcastically as she placed an arm around him and guided him towards the waiting vixen, the others deciding to hold back and watch the show.

"Hey, Krystal I'm…." Fox began to hesitantly say before being interrupted by the rushing form of Krystal embracing him. "I was so worried about you!" she cried out in anguish, before forcefully punching him in the arm.

"Ahh!", "Don't you DARE do that again! Or next time I'll be the one that WALLOPS you!" she yelled at him, her cheeks puffing up in annoyance. Fox couldn't help but chuckle at how cute she looked, leading her to puff even more.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I promise, I won't do it again!" he said pleading before he could dig himself an even deeper grave. "If it's any consolation, I made sure to keep an eye on him," Jenny said trying to defuse the situation, doe the slight grin on her lips said otherwise.

"Thanks for that again. I owe you one for that back there." Fox told her with a smile. "No problem. Anytime, Fox!" she said nonchalantly. Krystal chose to thank her with a hug, catching Jenny off-guard, yet she allowed her to keep going for a minute or two before pulling away.

"Thank you so much. Honestly, I don't know what I'm gonna do with this guy!" Krystal said sardonically, much to Fox's chagrin. "Well, I'm gonna go take a shower and go to sleep. I'm so tired I can barely see straight. Is this alright with you?" he informed her smugly.

"All right, Fox. I'm confident that you can take that mission on your own." she said sarcastically. Fox's eyes got wide as he mockingly cried, "Oh no! Not…the shower…" he exclaimed dramatically, earning a bout of laughter from the girls.

"Alright you goofballs, I'll let you be!" Jenny said between laughs as she walked towards the others. "See you later, Jenny," Krystal said before heading inside Fox's quarters. Fox's brow sweated before looking towards her with a forced smile and awkwardly waved as he headed towards his room.

Jenny could not help but laugh as she rejoined the others, all of whom were chuckling and catcalling at the turn of events. "Well, that turned out better than I expected!" Falco said as soon as Jenny joined the group. "Oh, grow up!" Jenny called him out while having a small smile herself. "Come on, we should get going." She said as they carried on their way.

As time passed, the others gradually left for their rooms, Dead-Eye opting to go to the armory before meeting with the others, until only Jenny and Bucky remained. They walked in silence for a while, before Jenny decided to break the silence, "Bucky, what's going on? You have been quiet ever since the others left, I can tell when something is on your mind." She asked him gently, concerned at what was happening with her captain.

"Ha, ha. Nothing gets past you, does it?" he says halfheartedly. "I have been thinking about our situation." He admitted somberly, still thinking. "It is a rather strange predicament we're on, but we've been through tougher!" she reassures him with a light elbow nudge.

"That's not it. I've been thinking about the others, about Willy especially," he said, taking her for a loop. "Why? Did…did something happen?" she asked warily, unsure of how to react.

He sighed, he knew he would have to tell her, tell THEM, sooner or later; he just didn't know how. "I…I asked him to concentrate on fixing the photon accelerator." He began. "Oh, well that makes sense, it is one of the most imp…" "I told him to leave," Bucky told her suddenly, interrupting her train of thought.

"WHAT!" she asked baffled. "I told him that the stakes were too high, he has family waiting for him! He's a child for goodness's sake! I CAN'T have him put his life in danger for our sake! This isn't his fight." He tells him decisively, though his tone sounds conflicted.

"I understand." She responded this time her turn to catch him off-guard. "Huh" "Don't misunderstand, I believe he is quite capable. But I would be lying if I didn't say I was worried about his safety. The toads were a threat, but these Aparoid, they're like nothing I've ever seen before." She said in a serious tone, "Heck, we might not be able to handle them." She continues with a smirk. "So, I have to agree. It might be better for him to sit this one out!" she tells him with understanding.

"Thank you. But that isn't all." He tells her cryptically. "Ever since the toads disappeared, I've been debating if we should have gotten him involved in the first place," Bucky informs her, much to her surprise.

"Don't get me wrong, he was an invaluable member of the crew, and I'm sure we wouldn't have managed to beat them without him!" he reveals to her. "But he's not a soldier, we chose this life; he was thrust into it! He's so mature sometimes that you forget his age," he admitted solemnly. "I just don't know how I could live with myself if something happened to him." Bucky finally finished, his head hanging low.

Jenny wasn't sure how to respond to him, his fears were justified, they were the fears any good captain would have. But the thought of parting with Willy was far too hard. She supposed it would happen eventually, he could stay with them forever, someday the war would end, and they wouldn't be needed. Someday he would have to stay home and carry on with his life, but to think it would be so soon.

So, she thought deeply about what Bucky had said, and then she said," You're wrong. He did have a choice. He could have left after the first time he helped us, but instead, he came back. He came back because he wanted to help. He might be younger, but he is just as much a part of our time as anyone else!" she tells him passionately.

"I know," Bucky said calmly. "Huh," Jenny exclaimed, unable to keep up with what was going on in her captain's mind today. "He has proven himself time and time again, which is why I'm having second thoughts." He revealed to her.

"I still believe that this is way too much for him, too much for any of us really, but we don't have the choice to go home. And so long as the Toads are out there, this is still our fight. I just don't know how to tell HIM that. How to let him know that I'm just worried about him? I don't want to say goodbye, I just don't want to see him get hurt.

"Huh, you care about him?" Jenny asked sincerely, finally understanding what her captain meant. "And you don't?" Bucky retaliated knowingly. "I do, and it's because I do that, I can confidently tell you, just be honest with him. Willy is a good kid, with a good heart, he'll understand." She told her, holding his hands.

Bucky smiled slowly, "Thank you, Jenny. I think I will." He told her as the two made their way towards the hanger bay, ready to meet with their crew.

Back inside Fox's room, the intrepid pilot was facing the hardest challenge of his life, an angry vixen. "I can't believe you would do that! You barely made it out of that place alive, why would you rush into more danger as soon as you come back!? You haven't even healed up properly!" Krystal yells at him before small tears start to form. "I was worried sick! I thought you would get into trouble, and I wasn't even there to help you," she said with melancholy, hugging Fox tightly.

"Hey, hey, is alright! I'm fine, I promised!" he says softly, hoping to comfort the blue-haired vixen. Krystal just hardened her grip, with more force than necessary.

"OUCH! Ok, okay, you can let go now!" he pleaded to no avail. "Please! You're bruising my rips! Bruising them more, I mean!" he says urgently. With a slight smile, Krystal finally relented, satisfied with her action.

"Well, serves you right!" she said with a huff. "Maybe next time you'll think twice before being so reckless," she exclaimed as she sat on his bed. Fox looked at her guiltily, wincing slightly as he moved next to her.

"Look, Krystal. I really am sorry that I made you worry so much. But you know what you were getting into when you joined." He explains to her gently. "Crazy impulsive behavior is kind of my thing." He adds with a grin, Krystal was not amused. "But I do it for a reason. So, I don't have to see the ones I love doing it for me. I've already lost so much… I can't handle losing you too." He tells her as he gently grabs her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.

"I love you. I love you too much to see you get hurt." He confused to her, looking straight into her beautiful eyes. He stared at her, almost getting lost in her gaze, before awkwardly looking away in embarrassment, "You and everybody else, I mean!" he said, trying to cover for himself.

Krystal just giggled, knowing full well what he really meant. "Yeah, I guess you're right. You really would be the same with rushing head-first into dangerous situations. It's how we met after all." she says with a cheeky grin. "Just…be a little more careful, for me. Would you?" she asks before swiftly getting off his bed.

Fox watched her get up longingly, not wishing for her to leave, before ruefully responding, "I'll try."

Krystal nodded, knowing that that was all she could ask of him. "Alright! Now go on, I believe you have a shower waiting for you," she said in a sardonic tone before she left his room.

Fox rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he wondered what to do with her. Gingerly getting up from his bed, he took off his flight suit and entered the washroom, determined to have the best shower of his life.

Later, the rest of the crew of the Righteous Indignation were all gathered in their ship. Bucky had asked for them to join him there after they had met up before, under the guise of discussing their next move. As all of them gathered, the atmosphere grew heavy as they could tell that something was going on. Making the first move, Bucky decided to break the tension and spoke first.

"Thank you all for coming, I know this meeting was sudden, but I think there are some important matters that need discussing," he said, shifting his gaze over at Willy for a moment.

"I just want to know why we're meeting in here! No offense to the old girl, but she's seen better days." Dead-Eye comments, taking the time to look around the sorry state their poor ship was in.

"That is one of the things we have to discuss, but I believe Willy might be the better one for the job." He responded as he gestured over to the human to take the lead.

"Yeah, well… The engines are almost back to working shape thanks to the Mimi, and most of the major systems are back online, but the hull is still gonna need some work, I'm sure Slippy could help with that," he said in an almost solemn tone, "But the good news is that the Photon Accelerator is back to working shape!" he finished excitedly, trying to lift everyone's spirit.

"That's great news boyo!" Dead-Eye exclaimed enthusiastically. "Yeah, a shame I won't be able to see her fly," Willy said softly, though not soft enough, as everyone turned to him.

Seeing the confusion, Bucky intervened stating, "Willy and I have been talking, and we have agreed that it would be better if he were to sit this one out." He said warily, knowing what was coming.

"WHAT! What do you mean by that!" Deadeye was the first to protest.

Taking a deep breath, Willy decided that he should be the one to tell them himself. "It means that I'll be leaving you guys for a while. It means that I'm going home to earth." The young boy said bravely, holding back all emotion and even offering a small smile.

"NO!" "Say it ain't so!" Dead-Eye and Bruiser cried out simultaneously. "Is that why you've been working so hard on the accelerator, to leave us!" Bruiser cried out distressed. "If this is what you want." Jenny's voice soon added, catching the other two off-guard.

"Have you gone mad, lassie? Do you really want Willy to go!" Dead-Eye cried out in indignation. "It is not our choice to make, this is between him and the captain." the first mate responded calmly.

"I don't want to leave, but… Bucky is right, things have gotten too dangerous for me. Plus, my parents are probably worried sick about me, they probably called the police already!" he explained in a hurry, knowing that despite everything this was the right thing to do.

No one rebuttal, they knew their young friend was right. "So, I guess this is it," Willy said in melancholy, slowly reaching toward the accelerator's lever.

"Willy, wait!" Bucky cried out suddenly. "Before you go, there's something I have to say." his captain told him urgently. "During all this time you've been with us, you have proven yourself to be one of the most courageous, most capable persons I have ever had the pleasure to meet." He said sincerely. "I want you to know that I don't do this because I don't think you can handle it, but because I have come to care for you like any other member of my crew. I know that if things go south, you are more than capable of handling it, but you should have to. Know that if I could do this with everyone in this room I would, because it is a captain's duty to ensure the well-being of those who serve under him." he told him confidently. "And you, Willy DuWitt, are a proud member of the crew of the Righteous Indignation! Now, and until you want to!" he said with pride. "This isn't goodbye, just until next time. Soldier!" he said with a salute, one that was quickly shared by every member of the crew as well as a kind smile.

Willy could hardly contain it, with tears welling in his eyes he returned the salute. "Thank you, guys!" he said with a sniff, "I know you're just looking out for me." He said as he looked at each and every one of them.

"Just make sure to keep the Memory Stone close," Jenny told him gently. "I'll keep in touch, I promise!" he said as he looked over to her.

"I just have to smooth things over on my side, but if you ever need me, I'll right back through!" he reassured them all with a smile. "Well hold you to that!" Bucky told him as he shook his hand.

With their goodbyes said Willy walked towards the lever and gently grasped it in his hand. With resolve in his heart, he pulled the lever saying, "Well, I guess here goes nothing!"

And nothing there went, for nothing happened as the accelerator turned on. With panic seeping in, Willy tried again!

It was the same… again and again, he turned it off and on, yet nothing changed.

"Is everything alright?" Bucky asked warily as he walked over towards the boy. "It's not working," Willy said numbly.

"What! Are you sure, did you check the couplings? The wiring, maybe the gears!" Bruiser asked in a hurry as he went to pull on the panel. "I did, I checked and double-checked everything!" the boy genius said in utter confusion. "Something isn't working! Something is wrong!" he says in a panic.

"Willy, what are you saying…" Jenny began carefully as he suddenly turned towards them, dread palpable in his tone as he said.

"I'm saying I'm stuck here!"

Author's Note:

Woah! What a cliffhanger! Hello everyone, it's good to be back! I hope you all enjoy the holidays and have a happy new year!

As I mentioned before, this chapter is just some downtime before we pick up on the action again! Sorry that it had to be so short, but there just wasn't that much more to add. As for the Toads, don't worry we will be checking in with them soon, plus seeing what Sly has been up to before the group finally makes it to Corneria. We are close to the climax, and I for one can't wait for it.

Hope you all enjoyed it, I appreciate the support, and have a nice day!