And welcome to the start of a new story.

This is inspired mainly by ThatWinchieGuys My Life is Yours stories. That is, a long tale of Fox and Krystal starting their relationship, going through life, and growing old together. This may very well be my love letter to my OTP, which has caused me many an "aww" in my time on this site.

I know this chapter is short, but I felt it appropriate to end it where it ends. The next chapters will most likely be longer.

Another note, about Heritage. It was a good idea, but...I'm putting it on the shelf for some time. Honestly, I rushed into that story without much of plan besides an outline in my head. Plot holes are everywhere, and I have better standards. Maybe I will come back to it.

For now, this and All the Stars will take up most of my time for activities on this site. Maybe some oneshots from other series here and there, as well.

Also, thank you for all the reviews for my stories and the kind words from everyone. I've met some great people on this site. I am very blessed.

...and, you know, you all are blessed to have me grace with my presence BUT ANYWAY

Thank you for your time, and please review. God bless, and have a safe night. I hope you all had a great Holiday and New Years!

Chapter I: A Different Way to Start, but...

Krystal was not a bad pilot.

As a matter of fact, it surprised Fox how quickly she learned. As leader of Star Fox, he only wanted the best. And although he was biased when it came to her—hence why Peppy and Falco had been the ones to examine her for possible acceptance into the team—Fox could say confidently that she was good. Very good. Better than Slippy, and he'd like to think she could gain after Falco someday.

But accidents happen. Which was why he was staring at Krystal as she slept in the sick bay, with her arm bandaged.

Fox wasn't a stranger to losing a wing in battle. Sometimes an enemy ship got lucky, and sometimes you clip one off by cutting it to close to an obstacle. However, this time one of the pirate pilots they had flown against got a lucky shot in on Krystal's left wing. The resulting explosion had burned Krystal's left arm badly, and had bruised other parts of her body. It wasn't something that Krystal couldn't recover from. He'd been through something like this as well. Plenty of times, actually.

But it hurt to see her like this. And the moments that followed after Fox had carried her from her Arwing over to the sickbay were some of the most emotionally draining moments of his life.

It hurt to see her like this.

Fox sat down beside the sickbay bed and began to stroke her cheek. Her fur was soft and plush, and warm. He smiled as he listened to her breathing. He saw her eyes twitch before they opened, those beautiful turquoise orbs looking at him while she smiled.

"Nice of you to visit me," she murmured.

"Yeah," he whispered, still stroking her cheek. Krystal leaned into the palm of his hand, and closed her eyes again.

"I'm glad you're alright," said Fox.

"Hmm," she hummed. "I'm glad I am too. And I'm happy you're here."

These moments between the two of them made Fox's heart soar. His smile broadened as the two of them just stayed there together.

Fox felt warm, and even peaceful.

But at the same time, he felt worry begin to fester in his heart.

It had been a week since they had seen each other in the sick bay, and Krystal was happy with her recovery. She'd be back in an Arwing soon enough, and the fur she lost was a great trade for still being alive.

The only problem was Fox.

'He hasn't talked to me that much since that time in the sick bay,' she thought worriedly. 'And if I know Fox, that means he's keeping something to himself.'

That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but even still, she was worried about him. She enjoyed their heart-to-heart talks. When you were a mercenary pilot, you're down time was precious. Plus, she felt a special kind of comfort from being around that vulpine.

She sighed as she sat down in the Great Fox's lounging area, staring out the window at the stars and wondering what was going on.

"Why hello there, Blueness."

Krystal smiled and looked back at the resident blue avian of the team. "And hello to you too, Other Blueness."

"Well, now I gotta change that nickname." Falco replied. He smirked, clothed in his flight suit and jacket like she was, and sat down next to her. "So, you know what's been bothering Fox?"

"You're wondering about that too?" Krystal asked, raising her eyebrows, "He hasn't talked to me much at all these past few days. I'm guessing he hasn't talked that much to anyone else?"

"Shoot, he isn't talking to you?" Falco replied, looking surprised. "Well darn then, now I know somethin' isn't right. When Fox is this quiet, it isn't a good thing."

"The only other times I can think of that he's this quiet is on the anniversaries of his parent's deaths," said Krystal. "And even then, he'll talk to me, if only to lean on my shoulder. But this...I haven't seen him like this before."

"As long as I've known that orange furball," Falco started, "The last time he brooded this much, I believe, was when his father died. Oh, wait then," he stopped, his eyes widening. "Then it's really bad."

"I'm going to talk to him," Krystal said, before promptly getting up and walking to the Pilot's Quarters hallway. Once at his door, she felt around with her mind in the room before confirming that said orange furball was present. And indeed, he was.

And he was nervous. And melancholic. And…a host of other bad things.

"Fox?" Krystal gently called out, "What's wrong?"

Silence answered her. Until she heard an almost-whisper reply back with:

"Krystal?"

Why was he being so quiet?

"Fox? Fox, I don't mean to be overbearing, but please let me in. Something's wrong."

She flinched as she felt a pang of worry come from Fox, before hearing footsteps come over to the door and open it.

She gasped when she saw Fox. He looked...tired. Like he had been thinking too long. She reach out and put her hand on his chest. He flinched.

"Fox?" she whispered. "What's wrong?"

For a moment, Fox didn't answer, before he stepped aside.

"Come in, Krystal." said Fox, again with that almost-whisper tone.

Whatever was going on, she immediately didn't like it.

Still, she walked in, and stood in the middle of the room. Fox closed the door, and walked over to the wall and leaned against it. He looked at her, and then looked down at his feet.

Out of respect, Krystal opted not to read his mind, since whatever was on Fox's mind was clearly something he needed to get off his chest himself. But with her empathetic powers, she could sense his emotions. Worry. Trepidation. Fear.

"Fox," she began, softly, caringly. "Tell me what's wrong-"

"I don't want you on the team anymore."

Stunned silence. In fact, she wasn't even sure if she heard him right.

"...what?" she responded, blankly.

"I don't feel comfortable with you on the team anymore," Fox said stoically. Or as stoically as he could, because there was clearly a hitch in his voice.

A million things raced through her mind. Disbelief. Anger. Indignation.

"Excuse me?" she replied. "Fox, what is going on?"

"Nothing is going on-"

"Don't! Lie to me." Krystal said angrily. Now she was steamed just at the fact that he actually tried to lie to her. A telepath. That was an insult. "Something is going on and-"

"I don't feel comfortable with you here anymore," Fox replied. He was trying so hard to make himself seem emotionless, but he was failing. Those same feelings of worry and fear were spiking within him.

She knew instantly, and clearly, that Fox did not want to do this.

"Why? Fox, you know I can handle-" she began, until she had an idea. Now was the time to use her mind. Placing two fingers on her forehead she began to peer into his head. Fox shouted in protest, but whatever he said was drowned at as Krystal beheld a familiar image.

It was the two of them, sitting in the sickbay while she was recovering after her wing was destroyed and her arm was badly burnt. Of Fox stroking her cheek, and the two of them looking fondly at each other.

She gasped, as she came back into focus on the here and now.

Whatever anger she had was replaced understanding, and concern.

"Fox," she began, steadily. "This is about my injury, right?"

He did not answer. Instead he looked away.

"Fox, look at me."

Slowly, he did. He had abandoned that stoic look and replaced it with and almost haggard-looking gaze.

"It could have been worse, Krystal," he said quietly. "You know that. That blast could have hit your G-Diffuser and-"

"But it didn't," she countered. "That didn't happen, and I'm still here. Accidents are going to happen-"

"But what happens when your luck runs out, Krystal?" He half-shouted. "You could have died out there, and you know that."

"How many times have you, Falco, or Slippy had close calls?" she questioned, her voice stern, yet a little gentle. "You haven't talked to them like this, right? Why is that?"

Fox looked away, and she felt another spike of fear radiate from him.

"Fox, what's going on?" She pleaded softly. "Why is this coming up now?"

"...you need to leave." He said quietly.

"Fox-"

"Please. Krystal, you need to get out of here," Fox pleaded, looking at the floor.

It was then that Krystal knew she would have to use more persuasive methods. So right then she walked up to him, grabbed his arm, and held it close to her chest. Fox blushed wildly, stammered a moment, before finally getting control of himself again.

"Krystal, what are you-"

"I'm not leaving," she said simply.

"What-"

"I'm not leaving," she repeated. "I refuse to. This place is my home, and this team is my family. I'm not about to leave because of something you're not telling me about."

Fox opened his mouth again, and she simply squeezed his arm tighter. He blushed even more, and now she felt frustration from him, anger as well. But that all vanished the moment he looked at her meaningfully. She felt...something. Something stirring within him that...that she could almost identify.

"Why are you doing this?" He demanded.

"Because I want to stay. I love piloting, Fox. More than that, I want to stay with you and the others. And I know you don't want to do this," she stated softly, giving him a concerned look. "So please...tell me what's really wrong."

Fox stared at his feet again for a time, before looking up at her with a look that gave her pause. He looked...desperate. Afraid. It scared her.

No...no, he was not scared for himself. She could feel that he was scared...scared for her?

"Fox..." she said softly,"Please-"

And she felt it.

That warm feeling. That warm feeling she had felt so many times before in their encounters with each other, that same feeling that she had felt when they were in the sickbay with one another. That same feeling that she hoped would bloom into something more, that same feeling she had been so patient for.

Beside herself, Krystal smiled warmly.

"Fox..." she murmured, "You don't have to be afraid-"

"NO!"

She nearly let go of Fox arm when he shouted like that. He looked rampant, that fear in his mind now much more than a small feeling.

"Fox, what's-"

"I won't let you!" Fox cried, shaking. "You need to leave! I can't let you be hurt." Tear were welling up in his eyes, and she drew closer to him. He was frantic.

"Calm down, F-" she began, clutching his arm tightly.

"NO!" he screamed. "NO, I WON'T LOSE YOU LIKE I LOST MY PARENTS! I WON'T LOSE ANOTHER PERSON THAT I LOVE-"

And just as quick as he had said that, he slapped his hand over his mouth, and blushed wildly. Now he was really shaking. He looked absolutely mortified.

Krystal placed a paw over her mouth, her jaw dropped. For an age the both of them stood there in silence, before her mouth closed and formed into a wide, loving smile.

"Oh..." she began, gently. "Fox...you..."

Now that feeling of mortification was the only thing that was spiking from Fox. He was staring at her in fear. Fear, she knew, of rejection. Well, she thought cheerfully, it was time to change the tone of this conversation. She leaned in close to him, and Fox backed up against the wall. He looked incredibly shy, and couldn't even look her in the eye. It was adorable.

"K-Krystal..." He stammered. "I-I mean...N-no! You don't need to stay because of this! You need to-"

"I think," she interrupted softly, still with that loving smile on her face, "I need to tell you something, Fox."

"I-I know that you may not like me ba-huh?" he stammered, now blushing like his face was on fire. "W-what-"

With a tilt of her head, Krystal grabbed Fox by his flight suit collar and yanked him into a kiss. To make sure he didn't wiggle out, she slammed him up against the wall. But as soon as she felt his reaction to the kiss, she knew he wouldn't move away. He flinched at first, and though she closed her eyes she knew his eyes must be about as wide as dinner plates right now. But then she felt him become puddy in her hands, moaning and shyly deepening the kiss after becoming bolder.

She reveled in it. Their first real kiss, and though it happened under different circumstances than she thought it would, Krystal began to cry small tears of joy. She pushed her tongue further into his mouth, set on letting him know just how much she loved him. He sighed in reply.

However the kiss lasted, she only knew that it was one of the happiest moments of her life. She pulled back with an affectionate sigh, and smiled upon seeing Fox expression. He was simply stupefied, his mouth slightly open and his eyes with a dazed look.

"Fox," she began, cupping his cheeks and touching her forehead with his, "I love you too, silly."

Now she could see his eyes look like dinner plates, and his mouth open and close for a time before he replied, dumbly.

"You love me?"

She petted his cheek and answered, "Yes, I do. Now do you see why I won't leave?"

Fox just looked at her.

"I couldn't leave you, Fox. While I do love flying, do you know the main reason why I keep going out there? It's to protect this team. Especially..." and she lowered her left hand and poked his heart, "...you. Just like you worry about me, I worry about you. You may be the better pilot, but you are no stranger to close calls. And I seek to protect you when those close calls happen, Fox. Because you're precious to me," she explained.

Fox could only keep looking at her. Then he opened his mouth again, "You...you love me?"

Krystal giggled. "Isn't that what I said?"

"Why?" was the only thing he asked.

Fox leaned into Fox and closed her eyes. "I will admit, I was attracted to you when I first meant you. I knew the feeling was mutual too, and you were shy about it, and I thought it was cute. I saw that you wanted to help me recuperate after the mission on Sauria, partly out of care for me once you knew Andross had destroyed my planet and my people, and that I had nowhere to go, but also because...you wanted to be around me," she murmured amorously. "And I didn't mind. We started talking, getting to know each other. Becoming close. You wanted me to join you on the team, and after plenty of training, I did. I loved being out there in in the stars with a new family and new friends that cared about me. And you loved being by me. And I loved being by you. You cared about me, Fox. Already, back then, I could tell that you were starting to love me. And I...I loved you. After the Aperoid invasion I was sure that you would come talk to me about it, since I wanted to be sure you were confident in your feelings. And here we are, Fox. Not in the way I expected, but...here we are..." she whispered, nuzzling his forehead when she finished.

Wordlessly, Fox wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. He closed his eyes as tears began to form, and whispered, "And I was about to make you leave."

"You were worried about me," she murmured, closing her eyes again. "You want to me protect me, but I want to protect you to. I won't let you push me away."

Fox shivered, and held her tighter. "I'm scared, Krystal. I don't want to lose you."

"Then we fight as hard as we can. We watch eachother's backs. We be there for each other. I'm not leaving, Fox McCloud. I will fly by your side, whether you like it or not."

She felt him shiver again, and she wrapped her own arms around him as she felt his mind settle down slightly.

"You would really risk your life for me, out there?" he asked.

"Would you do the same for me?"

"Yes." He answered, unflinchingly.

"Then you have your answer."

"Am I...am I really worth that much-"

"Fox," she interrupted forcibly, "I love you. Doesn't that explain it?"

They held each other in that room, and she didn't let go. Neither did he. Krystal felt him settle down completely. His heart beat against her chest, and it soothed her.

"Stay with me." He whispered. "I want you with me."

She smiled, and kissed him on the forehead.

It was a sound that woke Fox up. A rhythmic beating. Something like a heartbeat. Upon opening his eyes he found that, indeed, that was what the sound was. He was lying in his bed, with his cheek pressed against Krystal chest, with her arm around his back and a hand behind his head.

Strangely he didn't blush. Well, he did a little bit, but his most pronounced reaction was the small smile that lit up his muzzle. He felt...happy. More happy than he had ever felt in a long time. The vixen of his dreams was holding him in her sleep, and though he didn't remember how he got here, everything was all right.

He sighed, snuggling deeper into her fur despite himself, and closed his eyes.

This had been an interesting evening.

Krystal awoke to the feeling of someone's arms wrapped around her. Looking down, she smiled. Fox was still right where she left him, flushed against her and sleeping soundly. She caressed the top of his head. He looked so peaceful while he slept, as opposed to the active and sometimes tumultuous life he lived. But here, he looked completely content. Safe. She could feel his peaceful emotions radiating from him, and she clutched him tighter.

He was so cute while he was sleeping.

Then she felt him shift around, and she saw his eyes open. He blinked a few times, looked up her, and blinked again. She smiled. He blushed, though not as darkly as he would have before.

"It wasn't a dream..." he murmured.

"No, it wasn't," she affirmed softly. "I am in fact cuddling you, Fox McCloud."

Now that blush got a little more scarlet, though again, it seemed less pronounced. Fox snuggled closer. "You are. And it feels nice," he whispered.

"Look at you, acting all vulnerable," Krystal chuckled. "I've only seen this side of you perhaps a handful of times."

"I've just...never been so close to someone. I feel different around you" He replied. After a moment he added, "I love you."

"I love you too," she said back, giving him a lick on the head.

They sat there in silence for a time. His body against her's, feeling his breath and warmth, it all felt wonderful. She felt completely at rest, and she knew Fox felt the same way. It was evident from the way he held himself so close to her, and how nothing about him felt tense.

After some time, Fox sat up, and she sat up with him. He looked into her eyes, and looked at his lap.

"I'm...sorry for what happened earlier,' he spoke quietly.

"It's fine, Fox. I know why you tried to do it. We've both been through so much," she said affectionately, rubbing his thigh, "But I knew I couldn't leave. Like I said, this is my home."

He looked at her paw, her soft touch causing him to blush lightly. She felt a dull sense of excitement rise within him, and she inwardly smiled. She frowned once he looked at her, worry evident on his face.

"Nonetheless, I'm still scared, Krystal. I don't know what to do. After what you told me, I can't ask you to leave. Not after what you've already been through. But I still...that's just it Krystal. I'm scared. I'm scared for you," he said.

She gave Fox's thigh a squeeze. Her expression was steadfast. "I know that. I'm not asking you to not be worried about me, Fox. That would be unreasonable. What I am asking is that you let me pilot. I love doing it. I love helping people. And I love keeping everyone on this team safe. You especially."

"You can't say that, Krystal," he murmured worriedly. "You can't just favor me. But I understand you. I do. And..."

He closed his eyes, and gave her a firm look. "I won't kick you off the team. I won't take you off the flight roster. And I know that I love you. We just need to work some things out with how this will affect the team. I can't have you getting reckless over me, and I can't be getting reckless over you."

She knew Fox was right. In the end, she was happy that she had a place in Star Fox. And that he once again affirmed his love for her. And if she was being honest, she was also proud that he was trying to handle this situation effectively and maturely.

As if she needed more proof he would treat her right.

"I think," she began. "That we ought to talk to Falco and Slippy about this. Well, Falco really, since Slippy is on Aquas for personal business. And knowing him...he ought to be lax about it. Maybe Falco could even give us some advice?"

"The very idea of going to Falco for relationship advice feels me with unspeakable terror," said Fox, smirking. He caressed her cheek. "But maybe you're right. He ought to at least know enough so that he isn't out of the loop. He is our friend, after all."

"Sometimes I think the word 'friend' is loosely applied when it comes to you and him," Krystal said, giggling a little.

"Oh, trust me, I think the reason why I'm still best friends with Falco is that I can't find a good enough reason to kick him out. I mean, that says something right?"

"Oh, you," she muttered, playfully punching him in the arm, "I've felt your emotions around him. You two are still close, despite everything."

"Aww, you gave it away," he replied. He smiled brightly. "But you are right. Falco's been my friend for a while. He wouldn't steer me wrong on this."

She got of the bed, with Fox following behind her. She felt him grab her arm, and she looked at him questioningly.

"One more thing," he said shyly.

She raised an eyebrow, but from the emotions coming from him and the blush he had on, she gave him a sincere smile.

"Yes?" she asked.

He took a breath, then leaned in and kissed her shyly on the lips, before walking out of the room.

She held a paw to her lips. She stood there for a moment, and then shook her head smiling.

This was going to be incredible.