000

Two days later

The vulpine stood on the roof of the hotel, taking one last glance of the massive city before they left. Despite all the good and bad things that had happened here he was convinced that the memories he had made in Freelance would stay with him forever. Looking to his right he knew that they would. His beautiful mate took his hand in hers, looking out over the city as a slight breeze tussled her bangs in front of her eyes. The last two days had been almost as good as the first three, even after all that had happened.

The day that she took him back they had ended up sleeping until 2pm, finally waking up when a hungover Falco Lombardi knocked on the door. At first neither of the foxes wanted to talk about what had happened, just grateful that they were back together once more. But the bird came right out and apologized to Krystal before Fox could stop him, telling her that he had talked Fox into getting drunk and that it was his fault that all this trouble had been caused.

At first the vulpine wanted to lay out his wing man, knowing that he was the main reason that all of this had happened, but after receiving a look from Krystal telling him to stay calm he managed to nod and accept Falco's apology. After doing so the bird gave them the thumbs up and said he had some business to attend to back on Corneria, leaving the two almost as soon as he had arrived. The vulpine just shook his head, turning only fraction towards her before he felt her arms around his neck and her lips against his once more. Smiling he returned the kiss, thankful that things were once again perfect.

Now as he stood on the roof of the hotel he wished they had decided to stay another week, he didn't want to leave this place. He had done so much here, some good and some bad, but in the end it had all worked out. Now his life truly was perfect. But the vixen had been determined to head back to Corneria for one reason, and one reason only, and he couldn't help but agree with it. He knew they could have stayed much longer on the planet, enjoying all the attractions, scenery, and each other, but since they weren't he decided to make the best of their last day, sneaking away while she was in the shower, to run down the street to the jewelry store they had passed on the way there, and to buy the most beautiful ring he could find.

Now they were up on the roof, watching the sun go down hand in hand before their departure. Then he was on his knee, asking her a question that she had already answered, getting an answer he had already heard. She told him she would be his mate before, his wife, and now if they couldn't tell she was his by the scent on her then they would know by the ring on her finger. She was his, forever and always. It was never a secret to anyone, the minute he first laid eyes on her everyone knew what was going to eventually happen. No matter how the storyline changed, no matter how much seemed to get in the way, in his and our own hearts, we knew that this vulpine, Fox McCloud, was going to end up with her in his arms, no matter what it took.

Now, as they made their way back to Corneria, they were ready to tell the entire universe what it had already suspected. Reminding everyone, man or beast, that a perfect ending can be achieved. We know that life is hard, most of us would rather be out there protecting the universe in our own Arwing than sitting behind a desk or waiting tables every day of our lives. But its people like that, like myself, that have the greatest of imaginations, those people dream of a perfect life, a fairy tale ending for us and our heroes every day. When you read fan fiction you get a feeling for that person and the way they live their life. The way their stories end tells you how they envision their own life's ending, and sometimes they aren't perfect, and we cant expect them to be, but that is the beauty of our imaginations. There is always hope that we can get our own 'happily ever after' no matter how farfetched it may seem.

Fox McCloud rested his head against the back of his Arwing's seat, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as she continued to sleep. Letting a smile cross his lips he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, knowing that he would do whatever it took to make sure she was happy for the rest of her life as long as he was breathing. Looking out into the darkness of space he spotted the small blue dot that was Corneria, ever so slowly increasing in size as his ship made its way through space, telling him they were only a few hours from 'home'.

He didn't know how his team would react to him and Krystal being together, and honestly he no longer cared. Nothing anyone said or did could tear them apart, there wasn't a force in the galaxy strong enough to do that. But in his heart he knew his friends would be happy for him, he knew Pepper would be proud, the dog practically family in his eyes, and his team would support them, because that's what a team did.

Still, the vulpine knew he would have been happy with staying on Titan with his beautiful mate for the rest of his life, not having worry about the military or media. But his common sense told him that eventually he would have to resume his responsibilities as the famed fighter pilot and protector of the galaxy, but this time it would be different. This time he would have the love of his life at his side, and that would make it all worth it, as long as she was there.

Besides, we can return to Titan whenever we want to. I promised Gordon I would pay him a visit soon.

The vulpine grinned and leaned back in his chair, knowing that everything would work out as long as he had her by his side. As long as she was there for him and he was there for her, nothing the galaxy could throw at them would ever be too much.

(One last small scene)

The rabbit took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, knowing that she had to look convincing if she wanted this to work.

Stepping up to the receptionist she did her best to force a smile as the cat looked up at her.

"Ah Ms. Hare, I meant to call you. I was going to let you know that...

"Yes Ms. Fay I know I'm late with my room payment this month. I've been working all the hours I can get at the hospital but they keep sending me home earlier and earlier every day. I'm just getting enough to pay the room and feed me and Gordon as it is...

"Ms. Hare I was...

"If you can just give me two more days...

"Ms. Hare please...

"I should get enough hours in to make...

"Ms. Hare!"

The bunny looked up at the cat, tears ready to fall down her cheeks as she begged for more time. She was surprised to see the Persian kitty with a smile on her face as she held up a piece of paper to her, almost fearing it was an eviction letter.

"I was going to tell you," she said pointing at the paper, "That you no longer have to pay any rent fees here at Freelance Suites. You have been moved up to one of the Penthouse Suites and, unrelated to the hotel, your bank account has received a very hefty deposit of $100,000 from a very generous friend."

At first the rabbit was ready to lash out at the cat, almost positive that she was playing a trick on her in her state of helplessness. But when she heard her say 'generous friend,' the hare couldn't help but let the image of her son's hero flash into her mind, if only for a second. Timidly she took the paper from the Persian feline's paw, slowly reading over it to make sure she wasn't being made a fool of.

Ms. Hare,

I never got your first name, and after all you did to help me that night I feel rude for not asking you for it. So it is with a hopeful heart that I ask you to forgive me, and in order to show you how truly sorry I am I went ahead and decided to get you and Gordon a new room, rent free, forever. I also decided to give you some financial assistance in your bank account. Please accept these gifts. Money is the least of my problems as you may have guessed, in fact, even if I didn't have a cent to my name I'd still be the happiest guy in the galaxy, and I believe that I have you and Gordon to thank for that. So I hope that you accept these tokens of gratitude for they are the least I can offer. I hope that things work out for you and Gordon and if you ever need anything at all just contact me, my direct transmission code is below.

Once again, thank you for all you did. Thank you for giving me the courage to follow my heart and win her back. I never would have been able to do it had your son not found me on that bench, asking for help. It turns out he helped me far more than I helped him. Anyways, we are fixing to leave for Corneria, I proposed to Krystal last night and now she wants to get home and start organizing everything for the wedding. I hope you can come to it, it will be in 2 months, July 4th, and it will be on GreatFox, my ship. I know you don't see too many weddings on a ship right? But it seemed like the perfect place for us and we didn't want to let the entire universe attend it, but of course you and Gordon are invited.

Well I feel like I'm getting offtrack so I'll once again I'll just say thank you. Both you and your son gave me the courage I needed to win Krystal back and for that I am forever grateful. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to use the below code to contact me.

Forever grateful,

Fox McCloud

The rabbit gently lowered the paper, her eyes full of tears once more. He had done all of this for them, just because of a few reassuring words she had given him at 4 in the morning. At first she still wasn't sure if she should believe all of it, her mind not actually believing that he could have given them so much when they had done so little in return. But then she remembered the look in his eyes. The look that told her that he was ready to do whatever it took to win his mate back, that he was sorry and that he needed her in his life to continue. A love like that couldn't possibly be measured in money.

"Here is your new room key Ms. Hare." the cat said, handing her a silver card. "And we also have some workers here to help move all of your belongings to the top floor."

Finally managing to smile the bunny took the card, her mind now confirming all that was happening to be real.

"Thank you," she said, nodding at the cat.

"Don't thank me," the Persian replied, "Thank Fox McCloud."

000