Darcy and I made our way to an underground hangar that held large carrier-class ships. Very similar to the carrier I used to fly for Craig and Melissa, except much newer. I was giddy just staring at them. Darcy shook his head at me. "You look like a kid in a candy shop. Stars in your eyes and all that."

"These carriers are the newest model," I gawked. "And we get to pilot one! My excitement can't be contained!"

We boarded one, did all of the pre-flight checks then took to the sky. We were to follow Star Fox into space and through the warp gate to the aparoid homeworld, all the while not getting detected by any other member of Star Fox. Not getting detected should be simple with the updated cloaking on the new carrier. The problem now, was the warzone that we were about to fly into.

The aparoids had already begun an all-out assault on the warp gate base. We couldn't get any closer without getting in the way. I connected our com to Star Fox's to keep tabs on everything going on. At the mention of missiles aiming at the base, I was immediately sent into a panic. Darcy noticed.

"Skye, what's wrong?"

"They're going to need help."

I commed Wolf and Star Wolf on another channel. Wolf immediately answered back.

"So soon after our last run-in, Kell?" he teased. "If I didn't know any better, I would think that you liked me."

I grinned. "Cute but, I need your help. Not for me specifically, though."

"You want us to go help the pup again?" Leon questioned. "Honestly, could they be any more useless?"

"Leave it to us, Miss Skye," Panther chimed in. "It will give me a chance to see Krystal again."

"Thanks, boys. I owe you big time."

The three ships flew past us and we waited until everything had calmed down. We watched as the warp gate formed and followed behind the fleet and the Great Fox. We came across a lovely blue planet, hanging out all by itself in the middle of nowhere. We circled around the planet to find that the other side looked… Not right.

"Good Gods…" Darcy murmured. "That's not normal…"

"Stay alert," I told him. "If this mission goes south, we have to be ready."

All we could do was watch as the Cornerian fleet was decimated by the aparoids. Even the Great Fox was getting pummeled by them. A while later, we saw the shield to the core go down. I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that it was too soon. As quickly as the shield had gone down, it went right back up again, keeping the team from the core. Just then, the Great Fox, covered in hatchers and aparoids, plummeted toward the shield, lodging itself into the opening and shattering the new shield.

"Skye!" Darcy cried out.

"Yeah, I see it."

"What are you waiting for?! Get in there!"

He didn't have to tell me twice. As soon as Star Fox was in, I docked the ship sloppily into the Great Fox. The enormous ship was in flames all around us. Darcy and I made our way to the bridge. It was then that I got another com from Wolf.

"Skye! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Keeping a promise," I managed to say calmly.

"You idiot! You're going to get yourselves killed! That ship is going to blow at any minute!"

A small explosion sent me and Darcy to the floor. Darcy helped me to my feet but at the sound of my grunt, Wolf went into a panic.

"You have to get out of there!"

"I'm not leaving without Peppy! If you want to be useful, go after Fox and the others! They could use your help with the Queen."

There was silence over the com for a moment then Panther spoke up.

"Don't worry, Miss Skye. We will take care of it. We'll be in touch when we return."

I let out a sigh of relief then followed Darcy to the bridge.

As soon as we arrived, I immediately went to Peppy who was slumped over the console. I slung his arm around my shoulders as Darcy got his other side.

"ROB, time to abandon ship," I ordered the robot.

ROB went ahead of us as Darcy and I tried to carry Peppy out of the burning ship. We managed to get back to the carrier and out of the Great Fox before it exploded into oblivion. Once we were safe, ROB took over controls and I went to check on Peppy. Darcy was bandaging the hare up as best as he could. I chuckled at the terrible job he was doing.

"I can take it from here, Darcy," I told him. "Go keep an eye out for Fox and the others."

Darcy took his leave and left me to take care of Peppy properly.

"You, uh, took your time, didn't you, Skye?" Peppy asked.

"Were you worried, Old Man?"

"A little."

I started wrapping his head. "I wasn't going to leave you behind, Peppy. I said I would be here, I am. Fox still needs your guidance so, it's in my best interest to keep you alive. And Conna loves hearing your stories."

He grinned. "It's always about everyone else for you. You should think about yourself for a change."

I sighed. "I'm making sure my daughter and my brother aren't sad about your passing. That's thinking about me."

I finished bandaging him up and we made our way back to the bridge. Peppy took his place in the chair at the main control panel.

The waiting game was nerve-wracking. Not only was Star Fox in there, but Star Wolf had gone in after them on my request. If anything had happened to any of them… I wouldn't know what to do.

Awhile later, the planet began to show signs of internal implosion. In moments the planet was destroyed and floated around in little bits. ROB moved the ship forward to begin looking for Fox and the others. There was a beep on the com then Darcy turned in his seat to me.

"I think you need to take this one, Skye," he winked.

I took the hint and went toward the back to take the com. I let out a sigh of relief to see Wolf, Panther and Leon on the other side of my screen.

"I'm so glad that you guys are okay…"

"Your words are very kind, Miss Skye," Panther purred. "It warms my heart that you care about our well-being."

"Has the pup made it out yet?" Wolf asked.

"Peppy is keeping an eye out for them." I turned my attention to the silent chameleon. "Leon, I'm glad you're okay too."

Leon gave me a huff then clicked off the com, leaving Panther and Wolf. It would seem that Panther wasn't going to stay on long though.

"You're an idiot, Kell," Wolf blurted out. "You could've died doing something stupid like running into a burning ship. What the hell is wrong with you?"

I watched Panther's obvious discomfort over the com.

"I'm afraid that is my cue to leave. Until next time, Miss Skye." Panther disconnected at that, leaving me to Wolf.

The look on Wolf's face was a cross between upset and worried. I wasn't about to let him make me feel bad for what I did.

"Would you have rather me let Peppy die?" I asked in an irritated tone. "My job on this mission was to be back-up. The whole point of me being here was so I would be there if shit hit the fan. Shit hit the fan, Wolf, and I was there. Peppy is alive and Darcy and I are fine."

"And if you didn't come out alive?"

"But I did."

"Skye."

I blanched at the growl of my name. He said my name. Wolf never did that… I softened at the realization that he was simply worried about me. It was sweet and for some crazy reason, his concern made my heart swell.

"Wolf… I'm okay. A little smoke smudge won't hurt me and I managed to get Peppy out. It all worked out somehow."

"That's beside the point. Recklessness will get you killed. Didn't you learn anything the last time?"

Hurt flooded over me as I thought about "the last time" he mentioned. The gravity of his own words hit him.

"Shit, Skye… I didn't…" He let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm no good at this, I never have been. I just… I never thought I would care about someone so much and the very thought of you getting hurt like that again… It drives me insane. I know that you and I will never have a chance and I can live with that. But don't ask me to be okay with you putting yourself in danger. I will never be okay with it."

I didn't know how to react to his confession. I swallowed hard and tried to steady my pounding heart.

"Wolf…" my voice shook as I chose my next words carefully. "In another life, I would have happily been with you and given you one hundred percent of me. I know, right now, as I am, I wouldn't be able to do that for you. You deserve more than that. You deserve someone who would give you every part of them without hesitation. I can't do that for you…"

"Because your heart wants another?"

"Because my heart is confused!" I admitted. "I need my freedom, Wolf. For some reason, I feel like being with someone jeopardizes that and I… I just…"

Peppy called for me from the cockpit. Wolf overheard then let out a breath I didn't think he realized he was holding.

"I'll be around if you need me again," he offered. "You know where I'll be." He disconnected and the screen went black.

I took a minute to compose myself. I was a mess… My heart was a jumbled mess… He practically admitted that he loved me. Granted, he and I shared something that I shared with very few others but, there was still something between us. I couldn't fight or ignore it. I also couldn't fight or ignore the strong feelings that I had for Falco. If I really admitted the truth to myself, I could even go as far as to say that I loved Falco. I loved Falco deeply. Between my own stubbornness and my love of freedom, I would never be able to admit it to him. I thought about my promise to Darcy… Don't lead him on, he said, especially if I didn't plan on giving Falco a chance. He was right… As soon as we got back to Corneria, I knew what I had to do.

I steeled myself and made my way back to the cockpit. Coming toward us were the silhouettes of four arwings. I smiled at the sight. As Peppy hailed them and began to chat, Darcy came to me. He looked me in the eye and realized something had changed.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I nodded. "I will be. I think."

"Were Wolf and the others okay?"

I put a reassuring hand on his forearm. "I will tell you when we get home. I promise."

He looked like he wanted to push for more information but then let it go.

"Is Skye with you?" I heard my brother ask over the com.

"I'm here, Fox," I announced. "Welcome back to the world of the living."

"Glad you could make it, little sister."

"I would say anytime but, I think the old man is about ready to retire for good."

Echoes of laughter resounded through the com from the other pilots. Even Peppy gave a chuckle.

"I don't know about you guys," Darcy said, "but I'm ready to get back. I'm anxious to see how the General is doing."

Peppy and I agreed with my partner.

"Well," Fox said. "Team, let's go home. I believe I have a niece that's awaiting our return as well."