AND OUR STORY CONTINUES! Special thanks going out to AEMX for help editing and smoothing this up! hope this story is doing well enough at drawing yall back in!

Fox found himself gripping the steering wheel of his SUV harder than he should be, his teeth grinding in his jaw. It had been a couple of months since he was literally shot in the back, his spine having been severed by the shot. A little bit of modern medicine, and technology, and he could walk again, but it was not without a cost. He almost always had an annoying pins and needles feeling throughout his right leg, occasionally losing control of that leg entirely. As such, he was having to relearn how to do some tasks he had already mastered, like driving a car for instance. He mentally cursed as he almost tried to touch the accelerator pedal with his right foot again, barely switching to his left in time. Just the feeling of using his left foot to operate the pedals felt absolutely wrong to him.

"You'll get used to it Fox." He glanced at the vibrant blue vixen beside him, her shoulder blade length hair brushed smoothly behind her ears, a few rogue bangs falling over her turquoise eyes. He tried to give her a smile, but was too focused on the road to really give her one.

"You keep saying that Krys, but it sure doesn't feel like it…" he heard her sigh, a small frown crossing his face. Krystal was a telepath, and Fox had grown so used to being around her, and literally having her inside his head, that he could feel when she was worried, or happy, or whatever emotion she might be feeling without even being in the same room. Except for on the rare occasions that she shut him out. Although, where she could judge what was on his mind without saying a word, he still needed to actually ask her. As far as he could tell, she was worried about something. "What's on your mind Krystal?" he couldn't stop his glance to her, his question eliciting another sigh from her.

"It's nothing. Just nervous I guess." Fox shrugged, knowing that likely wasn't the case, but knowing her well enough to not want to ask more. At least, not directly.

"If it's Will and Mira, there's nothing to be nervous about." He smiled toward her, fighting to keep his attention on the road. Having someone you absolutely loved in the passenger seat was quite the distraction.

"Yeah, just nervous about how Will is going to be. I mean, he was being pretty cold to her before they left for earth." Fox reached over and gently squeezed her leg, still smiling.

"He had just lost his father Krys. I'm sure he's fine by now. You heard them when he called earlier. They're fine." Fox glanced at her again as she shrugged, her attention sliding out the window. Silence filled the vehicle as Fox finished the last few minutes of the journey to the space port, stopping the vehicle in the pickup lane, accidently jerking the brake and cursing to himself. "Sorry Krys, I di-"

She instantly cut him off, smiling to him. "You're good. Our resident idiot and company are already on the tram here." Fox smirked, knowing she was referring to Will. He did do a lot of stupid things, but he always seemed to pull them off.

"Good to know." He quickly opened his door, a click of a button unfolding the cane he used, and slipped out of the car. He really didn't actively need the cane, able to walk and move around pretty well normally, the cane being more of a precaution. It gave him a way to catch himself should he suddenly lose control of his leg. He closed the door behind him, stopping for a second as he stared at his own distorted reflection. His orange and cream colored fur was clean and smooth for a change, his emerald eyes hidden behind a set of black aviator sunglasses. He couldn't help the small smirk from crossing his face, realizing just how much he looked like his father now, running his hand through the natural cream colored Mohawk on his head. Without a second thought, he stepped around the front of the SUV to get to Krystal's side, leaning back on the passenger door to wait.

Barely any time passed before Fox's keen eye's spotted Will amongst the crowd, easily standing out as one of the only humans. He was just a tad taller than Fox himself, making both of them about the average for Corneria and Earth, his brown hair now longer than Fox had ever seen him with. It was still short, mind you, but he was clearly no longer trying to keep it in any kind of Military regulation. Fox watched as he passed through the crowd, clearly having already spotted them, given he was heading straight for them. It took Fox a good bit longer to pick Mira out of the crowd, but that was quite reasonable given she was actually a little smaller than average. Even so, she was clearly looking much better, her shoulder blade length brown hair full and smooth, something it had not been for a while. She was a tan and brown Vulpine and feline hybrid, with vulpine ears and tail, and a more or less a thin vulpine snout, but much shorter in length and admittedly a little wider, drawing on some of her more feline features there. As they drew closer, he started to be able to make out more about them, seeing the very distinctive set of scars on Will's cheek, three long lines marking a felines claws. There had been a fourth scar from the incident, but it had faded over time, disappearing altogether. The others, on the other hand, were still faintly visible. Mira had a scar in virtually the same place, a single very thin line in her fur that most likely wouldn't notice unless they knew to look for it.

Fox smiled as they finally managed to finagle their way out of the crowd, cheerily waving to them. He was shocked to see that Will wasn't wearing any kind of tactical gear, just a set of blue jeans and an unbuttoned red button up shirt, a white t-shirt peeking up from beneath. He had a black backpack on, a single half-filled green duffel in his hands. Mira on the other hand, just had a small suitcase, neither one having taken much to earth with them. They both waved back, Will speaking as soon as he was close enough.

"Hey Fox, Krys. Good to see you two!" Fox popped off the car, lightly tossing the cane into his left hand so he could shake Will's hand, returning his smile.

"Great to see you too Will, hey Mira!" she gave him a smile as she and Krystal hugged, the two instantly launching into a conversation that Fox didn't pay any attention to.

"How's the leg?" Fox shrugged, not really willing to admit that it was bugging him today.

"To be honest, been better. I'm surprised you don't have any weapons on you, Mr. Paranoid." He smirked, stepping toward the back of the SUV as Fox followed.

"Not visible, sure. Pistol and knife are in my duffel. Can't exactly travel openly with them, now can I?" Fox smirked as he used his SUV's remote to open the back hatch, letting Will toss the duffel and bag in, Fox taking Mira's suitcase on his way around. She thanked him as he slipped it into the back, grabbing his cane off the rear bumper of the SUV at just about the right time, his leg going entirely numb as it began to give out on him. He tried to pretend it wasn't happening, leaning on the cane for support, a smile still plastered on his face. But he knew Will noticed, the human's steel grey eyes glancing at Fox's leg for the barest trace of a second. "You cool if I drive Fox? Be nice too." Fox smiled and nodded, closing the tailgate before limping around the side.

"Yeah, that's cool with me. Just don't wreck it, please." He tossed Will the keys before opening the rear passenger door. He let out a sigh of relief as he slipped into the back seat, his right leg still pulsing with a pins and needles feeling from a minute ago. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was beyond grateful for Will's offer to drive. Mira jumped into the seat beside Will, Krystal taking the seat beside Fox. Krystal shared a quick smile with Fox, almost instantly slipping their hands together. "By the way Will, thanks. Driving's been… hard…" Will shrugged, adjusting the mirrors before turning the engine on, pulling off the parking spot at the space port's arrival lane. "You two have a place to stay yet? The old headquarters is still in my name if you two need it." Mira chuckled glancing back at the two of them, more pointedly at the two of them holding hands.

"Nah, we're fine. Will's old landlord never rented his apartment out, so all of his furniture is still there. A little back payment and it's his again, and I still have my apartment from before Star Fox. Never stopped paying the rent." Fox nodded as Mira spoke, smiling to her.

"Well, that's good. Guess you two will need a ride home too, huh?"

"Nah, I'll call us a cab. You don't need to worry about us anymore Fox. We aint your subordinates anymore." Will only glanced at Fox in the rear view mirror, but Fox could see his smile. It never reached his eyes though.

"Alright, good. You're constant recklessness was giving me grey hairs!" everyone shared a laugh at that, unable to help themselves.

"And Krys, you better keep that promise you made, now that we're able to make the wedding." Mira was looking at them again with her brilliant sapphire eyes, smiling.

"Duh, did you really think I would forget? Miss Maid of honor." Mira seemed to shrivel up, clearly shocked. Her mouth moved several times, as if she was trying to say something but nothing came out. At that, Will reached over, giving one of her hands a gentle squeeze. That seemed to be enough for Mira to regain her voice, Mira giving Will a small smile before she grinned at Krystal.

"That's kind of you Krystal but wouldn't you rather Katt or something?" Krystal chuckled and rolled her eyes, Fox already knowing Krystal's reasoning. There were some very nice conveniences to marrying a telepath.

"Seriously? Come on Mira, you know why." She shriveled up again at Krystal's words, blushing enough that it was showing through her fur.

"I can't be that close of a friend Krys…" Fox rolled his eyes, his focus shifting out the window.

"Mira, you aren't our friend, you're a little sister to all of us." A small smile slipped across Fox's lips as he spoke, knowing through Krystal that Mira had shriveled up even more, if that was even possible.

"Ya hear that smalls? You're everyone's little sister. And you say you got no family." Fox looked at Will again, smirking at his playful joke. Mira was glaring at him, but there was a playful smile breaking out across her muzzle.

"Will, you are such a freaking idiot." He just grinned toward her, still focused on the road.

I'm glad those two are getting along again. It was downright painful watching them fighting so much. Krystal glanced at him, a pained expression crossing her face, a small pang passing through their connection.

Not as well as it seems. He hasn't told her he loves her since Ariel, and they've been arguing a hell of a lot. He tries to avoid her. Fox couldn't help but grimace, Krystal feeding him some of the memories Krystal was getting from Mira.

Damn, I would've thought he would at least talk to her… Krystal didn't get the chance to think back, Will cutting their private conversation off.

"You two are doing it again." Fox blushed slightly, exchanging an embarrassed glance with Krystal.

"Doing what?" he tried to play innocent, Will's eye roll telling him it wasn't working.

"Having a private conversation with Krystal's telepathy. I'm not an idiot Fox." He shrugged looking out the window.

"Meh, guess you caught us. Maybe you should become a cop. Might suit you." that bad attempt at a topic change earned him another eye roll.

"What were you two talking about?" he sounded both bored and annoyed, Fox sighing as he had hoped to not have to go into detail. Thankfully, Krystal was way ahead of him.

"I don't think you want to hear about our bedroom plans tonight Will." He suddenly grinned manically, Fox getting a sudden bad feeling about the direction of the conversation.

"Oohh, Kinky. Maybe I do want to know?" Fox coughed, unable to look at anyone else in the car.

"Tread lightly Will. Remember, I have total control over your own sex life." Mira's comment made Fox instantly snap right back to looking at the two in the front seat, it now being Will's turn to shrivel up in the front seat, his face bright red.

"Sheesh Mira, you didn't have to bring that up!" Mira laughed manically, a massive grin on her face.

"Oh? I'm not the one who brought it up. Seems like your chances of getting laid again is slowly getting smaller…" Fox covered his face, trying to not crack up laughing. He had never seen Mira manage to make Will blush as he was now. Actually, now that he thought about it, he had never even seen Will embarrassed before.

"Oh, it's not like that's important to me." Fox suddenly burst out laughing, unable to contain it anymore.

"Jeez, if I knew all it took to embarrass Will was to start talking about his sex life, I woulda brought it up ages ago!" Mira gave Fox a grin, one that honestly made Fox very uncomfortable.

"You're welcome to bring it up anytime Fox, so long as you don't pry too much. Caaause that'd be awkward." Fox only just now noticed that Mira was also furiously blushing, but was trying to hide it behind false confidence. Guess I know how to get both of them now. Cool. Krystal beside him rolled her eyes, likely having felt that thought.

"Can we just change the topic, please?" Fox could hear the pleading quality to his voice, deciding to entertain him.

"Anyone else hungry? I could go for some food." He heard Will's sigh of relief, the women in the car instantly agreeing and beginning the debate for what to pick up to eat.

"Why don't we cook something ourselves? A home cooked meal sounds like a good home coming." Will interrupted the debate with that, everyone falling silent.

"I'm… not much of a cook Will, sorry." Mira was grimacing in the front seat, embarrassed again.

"Uh, I'm out on that too. Gun nut, remember?" Fox chuckled, having guessed that Will couldn't cook. "Uh, Krystal… do you…um…"

"Nope! Mom wanted me to learn, but dad insisted I learn a hunter's skills first." Fox heard Will's remorseful sigh, knowing he was about to fall back on picking up food.

"I'll cook. Been awhile, so I might be a bit rusty, but should still have what it takes." Will's mood seemed to one eighty, sarcastically scoffing.

"You actually know your way around a kitchen? I'm impressed!" Fox rolled his eyes, smirking.

"Four dudes living on a ship, someone has to learn how to cook, and I wanted to eat more than just pizza. I think I could throw something together with what we got at home right now. Not done stocking the pantry and stuff yet, but I'll manage." Will smirked, still focused on the road.

"Sounds good to me. Just don't kill us with food poisoning, please." Fox rolled his eyes at the comment, smirking himself.

"Hey, I promise you won't die! Might not feel good tomorrow, but you'll still be kicking!"

I smiled as I leaned back on Fox's couch, fighting falling asleep as a Cornerian movie played, some horrible horror movie about zombies on a resort station. All of us were laughing at the terrible attempts at scaring the audience, not one of us fazed by the clearly fake and almost comical gore in the movie.

"That was actually really good Fox. You should teach me how to cook like that." I glanced at Mira as she spoke, dropping over the back of the couch and landing right beside me, almost instantly snuggled up. I rolled my eyes at the hybrid, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

"That really was pretty good Fox. Who would've thought you could make teriyaki steak in a way that blows the stuff on earth out of the water." I glanced over at the orange Vulpine on the other side of the couch, who was leaning against the arm of the couch with a beer in hand.

"Well, when your ingredients are from earth, might as well pick up some earth recipes. Maybe throw a few Lylattian twists into the mix. Spice things up." He was smirking, my attention being grabbed by the sound of a plate being set down in the kitchen, where Krystal was cleaning up from dinner.

"You sure you don't want help Krys, I feel bad for leaving cleaning up to you…" Mira glanced at me as I spoke, Krystal waving me off.

"Don't worry about it Will. You two just got home, I can handle a few dishes." I sighed, my attention returning to the screen. Before long, I found myself drifting off into memories, unable to stop myself. Before I knew what was happening, my eyes had closed and I had slipped off into sleep. Images from memories seemed to drift by, just far enough out of mind that I couldn't really tell what they were. Next thing I knew, a white furred ape was approaching me, a weapon in my hands. I quickly aimed the blaster, recognizing the individual and panicking. He already had a burn on his chest, my finger squeezing the trigger. The blast hit him square in the forehead, blasting clean through the ape's skull. But the ape merely grinned, still advancing. I kept firing, watching the red bolts rip through the ape, not even staggering him. He was just a step away when I fired one last time, closing my eyes as I did so. I could smell burnt flesh and fur, the heat off the overheating pistol bleeding into my hands.

"Wi-Will?" I heard the one uttered word, my eyes snapping open. Tears stung my eyes as I suddenly saw Mira standing before me, clutching at her stomach. She collapsed, smoke rising from the fresh wound. She looked both terrified and agonized, her blue eyes slowly seeming to lose that light they always had.

"Mira! No!" I dropped beside her, trying to keep pressure on the wound. Why! Why did I just shoot her! Before anything else could happen, I was being shaken awake, feeling suddenly cold and covered in sweat.

"Will! You're fine! It's okay!" Mira was standing above me, where I was still sitting at the end of the couch. She was leaning over me, both of her hands on my shoulders. She looked incredibly worried and panicked, Fox looking over her shoulder. I quickly shoved her off, slipping off the couch and heading straight out the back door. It lead to a small deck, looking out over a large back yard, complete with a massive oak tree. I leaned on one of the railings, just looking out over the long, unkempt grass, letting my eyes close as a small breeze brushed past. I'm still a threat to them, aren't I?

"You okay Will?" I didn't instantly respond to Fox, just sighing to myself. "Come on man, this isn't you."

"And how the fuck would you know that Fox?" he sighed, finally opening my eyes and looking at him. He had leaned on the railing beside me, a sad expression on his face. "I'm sorry Fox… I…"

"It's alright. You're still scared you're going to hurt her." I glanced at him and nodded, looking away.

"I still don't know what they did to me… Vince is still on earth, looking through the research files but he hasn't gotten back to me…" Fox put a hand on my shoulder, finding my eyes closing. "I can't hurt her…"

"You won't Will. We all got faith in you." I shrugged him off, another sigh slipping out.

"I should just head home. I'll see you guys around." I pulled my phone out and pulled up an app that auto called a cab before stepping back into the house, past the living room and kitchen area and right into the entryway, ignoring all three of the others as I grabbed my bags. I felt someone grab my hand, freezing me in place.

"Do you want me to help you get settled back in? I can spend the night at your place." I looked at Mira before sighing, shaking my head.

"Not tonight. I can handle it Mira." She sighed, my phone vibrating to let me know a taxi had arrived.

"You sure you are going to be okay? You have been having a lot nightmares lately. Hell you nodded off for five minutes and you started screaming incoherently. And we couldn't get you to wake up. What's going on with you Will!?" I sighed and hugged her, startling her just long enough to let her go and step out the door.

"I'll see you later Mira. Good night." A small sigh slipped out of me as I moved down the walk, instantly dropping my bags into the back seat of the cab before sliding in myself. I barely paid attention as the taxi pulled away from Fox's home, the sun having completely dipped below the horizon by the time the Taxi arrived at the edge of the central district. I quickly paid the driver before grabbing my bags and heading into the apartment building. I barely said more than I needed as I stopped by the reception desk. I had already called the landlord earlier that day to re-acquire the apartment, merely needing to pick the keys up now. It didn't take me long to climb the six flights of stairs and slip down the hall to my door. I stopped at the door, staring at the solid piece of wood. My eye's closed and I sighed, unable to stop a flood of memories, none of them bad in any way. I quickly shoved them out of my mind, slipping the key into the lock and quickly unlocking the door. I slipped inside without turning the lights on, the moonlight coming from the window and sliding glass door providing all the light I needed. All of the furniture was covered in plastic, but it seemed nothing had been moved in the year I was gone, not even the TV I had bought shortly after moving in was gone. There was a thick layer of dust on every surface, even on the plastic covering the couch and chairs. The main room was one large combined space, with an entertainment center and couch off the wall to my left, a small dining room table behind that, in front of the sliding glass door out onto a narrow balcony. Dead ahead of me was a bay window, looking out over the balcony to the shorter buildings beyond and to the ocean beyond. On my right was the first of the kitchen access ways, a door less door frame along that wall. There was also a window cut through the wall, showing the narrow kitchen beyond with a breakfast bar built into it, a second door less entry just beyond it. Beside that door was another door that lead to a small bathroom, just a toilet and sink. On the wall across from the kitchen was the access to the bedroom and 'office'. The bedroom was next to the living room area, a master bath with full tub and separate shower separating the bedroom and office, a walk in closet being between them as well. The office had a small closet attached to it as well, but it wasn't very large.

"Well, guess I'm here again." I let a small sigh slip out as I dropped my bags by the couch, crossing the living room and straight into the bedroom. Immediately upon entering, I saw that someone had recently come through the room, pulling the plastic off the queen sized bed along the left wall, dusting the dresser between the closet and bathroom, as well as the nightstands. I shrugged it off before sitting on the end of the bed, yanking my boots off before laying back on the bed, the soft brown blanket I had always used for the bed still on it. As much as I wanted to sleep, every time I closed my eyes, they opened back up a few minutes later, unable to keep closed. I groaned, realizing I had another sleepless night ahead of me.

Mira sighed as she made her way toward Will's apartment building, having spent the night at Fox and Krystal's. It didn't take her long to make her way to the elevator, riding it up to the sixth floor. If her memory served her correctly, his room was six-nineteen. She quickly made her way to it, gently knocking on the door as soon as she arrived. She shook her head as she silently stared at the golden colored numbers on the door, no answer coming. Her fingers jiggled the handle to find the door unlocked. Without thinking, she opened the door and stepped inside, taking a second to find a light switch, not that she really needed one, given the light coming from the window and glass door, illuminating the earthy red carpet and tan walls, a dark linoleum made to look like a tile floor covering the floor for the dining area beyond the living area. Hmm, not a bad little place. Looks like no one's been here in a while though. As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she noticed Will's bags by the plastic covered couch. She stepped past them and straight to the first door on the left wall, hoping it was the bedroom. She found the door to be unlocked as well, opening it to find the dark room surprisingly clean. Will was curled up on the bed, looking like he was asleep. The dark tan blanket had been cast from the bed, and by the way the sheets were darker around him, he looked like he had been sweating like crazy. A frown slipped onto her face at the sight of this, flicking the light on. The sudden change to the lighting caused him to stir, rolling over to face her. He looked utterly exhausted, and like he wasn't even truly awake at the moment.

"M-Mira?! What are you doing here?" his voice was slurred and sluggish, nearly collapsing back onto the bed as she watched. But she tried to smile for him none the less, sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Well, it's morning, thought you might need a wakeup call." He groaned and fell back on the bed, his eyes instantly shutting.

"Well, good morning I guess." She rolled her eyes at him, even though she knew he wouldn't see it.

"Come on sleepy head, I know you're tired, but you have an apartment to clean, and I only have a couple hours to help you." he cracked an eye open to look at her as she spoke.

"Why's that? You look nice by the way." She felt blood rushing to her cheeks, glancing down at the tight blue jeans and red flannel button up she was wearing, clothes she had picked up on Earth.

"Well, I got an interview at a mechanics shop today. Don't much want to work in a bar for the rest of my life and who knows, maybe it'll be fun?" he smirked at her, his eye closing once again.

"That's good. You liked working on your Arwing. You'll make a great mechanic. Gimme a bit to shower and change, I'll meet you in the main room." She smiled and nodded, standing from her sitting position.

"Alright, I'll go ahead and get started." She smiled at his halfhearted wave, stepping from the room and back into the main room. She sighed at the plastic covering on the couch and over the dining room table set. She quickly pulled both off before digging through several of the drawers in the kitchen, looking for a rag. As soon as she found one, she wet it slightly and started wiping dust off every surface it had settled on. It surprisingly didn't take her long, frowning as she realized she was now covered in dust herself. Damn it, so much for looking nice. The shower cut off shortly after she thought that, causing her to plop on the couch and wait for him. It didn't take him long to step out, freshly cleaned up. He still looked exhausted, but at least he looked awake now, just wearing a black T-shirt and cargo pants. He glanced around the room, his eyes stopping on the balled up plastic behind the couch for a couple seconds before falling on her.

"Wow, didn't realize a few minutes of work was all the place needed." Mira smiled to him as he dropped on the couch beside her, Mira instantly snuggling up to him. She didn't even have to look at him to know he was rolling his eyes at her.

"I swear, if you were any more cuddly, you'd be a dog." Now it was her turn to roll her eyes at him, knowing he was referring to the Canines of earth, which a lot of humans kept as pets. Having run into a few, she understood why.

"Please, I'm way more cuddly than those wannabe's." he chuckled at her, causing her to bounce, given she was pressed up against his chest.

"Meh, that's debatable." She glared at him that glare melting as she saw him smiling. He may have looked absolutely exhausted, but she could never complain about seeing him smile. "Thanks for coming over Mira. I'm really sorry about last night." She smiled at him, quickly wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into the tightest embrace she could manage.

"It's fine Will! Really. You wanna go get breakfast? There's a little café not far from here." She felt him nod, bouncing off his chest and right onto her feet. He stood and stretched, disappearing into his room to grab his shoes. It didn't take him long, Mira leading the way to the door, watching as he locked it behind her. Without warning, he pulled the spare key from the key ring and tossed it to her. She barely managed to catch it in time, shocked at the action. She was about to say something when he spoke to her.

"That's yours. Can't have you banging on my door every morning I want to sleep in, can I?" she chuckled and nodded, slipping her fingers between his.