A/N: One of the stories I have been working on. A lot of people have been wanting a sequel to 'Happy Endings' and after reading it recently, I wasn't too happy with it or any of my sequel ideas. So I wrote this to sort of make up for it I suppose. I'm not sure why I like this pairing but I do. I suppose the less likely it is, the more it draws me in to write. Anyway, Enjoy!

All characters belong to Sega and Archie.

Little Boys Don't Get Princesses

"Ah' think you should slow down, Sally-girl."

Sally ignored her friend as she tossed back another shot of tequila, the golden liquid burning her throat as it went down. She coughed a few times but shook it off. She was never the biggest drinker but with everything that had been going on lately, the princess welcomed any excuse to become more skilled. Sally pushed the tiny glass aside and gave her friend a tired look.

"I'm not seventeen anymore, Bunnie. I can handle my drink," Sally replied.

Bunnie said nothing but simply sighed. She ran a hand through her curly blonde hair and looked around the bar. She saw plenty of Mobians laughing and sharing stories, drink in hand. Some were shooting pool and others were dancing to what sounded like one of Mina Mongoose's older hits. In any case, it was a fun filled atmosphere.

She only wished that was the case with Sally.

Bunnie watched as her friend flicked at a stray piece of peanut shell on the table, her face wearing a mask of despondency. Sally looked up, meeting Bunnie's concerned green eyes and rubbed her own with a large sigh.

"I'm sorry I dragged you out here, Bunnie," she apologized.

"Never you mind, Sally. You just get it all out," her friend responded comfortingly, reaching over and squeezing her hand. Sally was silent at first, staring off into the distance but then sadly shook her head with an even sadder laugh.

"I can't believe him," she practically whispered. Bunnie didn't speak but squeezed her hand again. "I mean, what was the point of getting jealous about Geoffrey or Khan when we were younger? What was the point of trying to be smooth and suave for all these years? Was it just for fun? Was I nothing more than some…game?"

She finished the last part so quiet that it was almost drowned out by the music. Bunnie shook her head softly, her locks bouncing.

"You know that's not true, Sugah. He might not be the smartest horse in the stable but he ain't no, hump 'em and dump 'em skirt chaser. Sometimes…sometimes things just don't work out the way we thought they would."

"But why her of all people?" Sally cried in confusion. "He never showed any interest in her ever. Hell, he couldn't stand her most of the time. I just…don't understand," she finished weakly.

"Love is a strange thing, Sally-girl," Bunnie told her. "Ah' don't think there's a person in the entire universe, ours or alternate that understands it. It's not something that's meant to be understood Ah' reckon."

Sally leaned back in her chair and looked down at her hands in her lap. The chipmunk shook her head again and looked up to the ceiling as if trying to find the answer in the bright lights above.

"I was stupid to think we would get back together," she said to herself more than Bunnie.

"No you weren't," Bunnie objected.

"I…I'm happy for him. I really am," she said, her gaze lowering back to meet the rabbit's. Bunnie nodded though the tremble and somewhat heart wrenching tone in her friend's voice said otherwise. "I guess…I guess I just thought that he'd want to give us another chance. It's been this back and forth thing with us for the last few years and things were going well and I just thought…"

Sally didn't continue but instead leaned her elbows on the table and hid her face in her hands. Bunnie stood up from her chair and sat down in the booth next to her, wrapping an arm around the princess. Sally leaned her head against her friend's and let out a ragged sigh.

"Why do we always fall for the ones who hurt us most, Bunnie?" she asked quietly.

"Ah' don't know, Sally. It's just programmed into us Ah' suppose."

"He was the first man I ever loved. I thought he'd be the only one…" Sally whispered, her voice breaking. Bunnie rubbed her arm in comfort wishing that there was something she could say to make her feel better. But few words ever really mend a broken heart. Sally sniffed back a few tears and let out a broken laugh. "God, now I'm crying in public over some guy. Pretty pathetic, huh?"

"Nonsense, Sugah. It ain't pathetic and we both know he wasn't some guy. It hurts. Plain and simple. Nothing wrong with shedding tears when you've lost something special to you. Ah' love old Quill Back too but you know what? He's made his choice and he'll have to live with it. Giving you up is like giving up water in the desert. Stupid," Bunnie told her, rubbing away a few tears that manage to fall off the princess's cheek with her thumb. "Besides, now Amy can deal with them nasty chili dog farts," she added with a smile.

Sally suddenly snorted a laugh and covered her mouth. Bunnie's smile widened at the sight of her finally breaking out of her depressed stupor. Sally giggled for a moment before she composed herself and tossed back her long hair over shoulder, a smile lingering on her lips. It faded however as reality sunk back into her mind. Bunnie's own grin disappeared and she gently squeezed Sally's shoulder.

"Things will get better, Sal. Not every man will break your heart."

"I know. You and Antoine are perfect together. I was always jealous of that," Sally admitted, shame creeping up in her voice. Bunnie simply laughed and waved the comment off with her hand.

"Oh believe me, Sal, Antoine has his faults. There ain't much to be jealous of. That rascal can clear a public bathroom in minutes, lemme tell ya."

Sally laughed again and wiped her eyes with a napkin. She shook her head with a tiny smile and crossed her arms. "Sonic was terrible at that stuff too. He always made a mess whenever he was at my place and this weird smell would linger for days sometimes."

"Ah' hear you, girl. Antoine can get pretty messy when he gets stressed. When we was rehearsing our vows, he nearly flooded the reception area with all the pieces of paper he would rip into pieces to calm his nerves," Bunnie chuckled.

"Well at least Antoine is a gentleman," Sally said. "Sonic wasn't one for manners or proper etiquette or all that stuff. He hated wearing a suit and I don't think he ever owned a pair of shoes other than his sneakers."

Sally could see the memories in her head fly by in an instant and it filled her with that empty and hurt void once again. But something else suddenly flashed in her mind. Something that made her smile.

"You know who Sonic could have taken a lesson from?" she asked Bunnie.

"Who?"

"Tails," Sally replied.

"That doesn't surprise me none," Bunnie stated, taking a sip of her ice water. Sally stared at her napkin as her fingers folded it into squares, her mind now thinking about the two tailed vulpine.

"Tails always knew how to treat someone," she said. "Sweet, polite, generous. I wish Sonic had been able to pick up on that stuff. Not that he was all bad."

"Ah' can't believe how much that sweetie pie has grown up," Bunnie sighed.

"I know. I remember when he was just twelve. Short, stocky and bright eyed. Now…now he's tall, handsome, in great shape and smart as ever," she mused seemingly to herself. Bunnie studied the princess as she rambled on about the young Freedom Fighter and her eyebrows suddenly rose up when she saw what she was looking for.

"You know what he did one time?" Sally asked Bunnie though it seemed she was talking more to herself than anything.

"No, tell me, Sal," Bunnie replied with an amused grin and leaned forward on her elbows. Sally laughed softly to herself as she recalled the events in her head.

"Do you remember that bracelet Sonic got me for my birthday a few years ago?"

"The gold one with your name and family creed inscribed? Oh my yes. That looked more expensive than the last fly in a swamp full of frogs."

"Well I found out a few months later that it wasn't from Sonic."

"Say what?" Bunnie asked in surprise.

"Turns out he forgot about my birthday," Sally mumbled in a tone that said she was less than surprised. "Tails had gotten me that gift. But when he found out that Sonic had forgotten, he gave it to him so I wouldn't be mad at him. I had no idea until Sonic confessed to me much later on. Can you believe that?" she wondered, tossing the tiny square napkin fold off the table.

Bunnie felt her grin become wider and turned from amused to mischievous. "That's something alright," She said, lifting her drink to her lips. "So, you said he was looking good these days?"

"Looking good isn't even the best description," Sally answered, her focus still on the table and her thoughts still on the fox. "I mean, Sonic was always handsome and athletic but Tails and the way he fills out a shirt now…and that smile of his…"

Sally stopped in her descriptions, the trance she was caught in fading and looked over to Bunnie who was covering her mouth with her hand to try and stop what seemed like laughter. The chipmunk frowned at the odd display.

"What?" she questioned with a slight frown. Bunnie let a few giggles escape her and gave her an apologetic wave of her hand.

"Oh, Sally-girl," she snickered. "Are you hearing yourself?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Sally asked even more confused.

"The way you were talking about Tails," the rabbit told her.

"I…was? Weren't we talking about Sonic?"

"We were. Until you entered dream land and started talking about Tails," Bunnie explained. Sally looked taken back and she tried to recall what she had said but no recollection came to mind.

"What…what was I saying?" she asked, somewhat nervous now.

"Something about him being sweet and kind and filling out shirts," Bunnie told her with a sly smirk. Sally stared at her for a moment until she felt her cheeks suddenly burn with embarrassment.

"Oh," is all she said quietly, her fingers digging into her jeans. Bunnie watched her friend trying to recall what she had said in her daydreaming and it only amused her further.

"Sally," she called out softly, causing the princess to face her. "How long have you had a thing for Tails?"

"I don't have a thing for him," Sally denied with a deep frown. The yellow furred rabbit beside her threw out a look that said she wasn't buying it.

"Come on, Sugah. With the smile on your face when you talked about that fox, you were forgetting all about Sonic."

"That's not funny, Bunnie," Sally suddenly snapped at her. Bunnie leaned back slightly, surprised at her reaction. "Don't use Tails in that way. It's not fair to drag him into this like that."

"Ah' didn't mean no harm by it, Sally," Bunnie explained with a soft smile. "But you had that look on your face I've ever only seen when you were with Sonic."

Sally scrunched her brow and crossed her arms over her chest as she looked away. She watched as a vixen and a wolf played pool, flirting with each other playfully. Her lips formed an annoyed grimace.

"Well you're wrong," she blurted out, looking back to her companion. "Tails has grown up into an attractive young man and I can appreciate that just like I can appreciate that Antoine has grown up to be attractive. I can also appreciate that he is very considerate and kind. That doesn't mean I have a...thing for him. Besides, the age difference is grossly inappropriate."

"Twenty four and twenty eight ain't much of a difference, Sally-girl," Bunnie retorted. Sally put her hands on the table and let out an aggravated breath.

"Can you please drop this, Bunnie? I had to watch the man I thought I was...maybe going to marry some day parade around New Mobotropolis hand in hand with another woman. Do you really think I want to be teased now of all times?" Sally pleaded, her sky blue eyes staring at her that reflected the hurt she was feeling from earlier. Bunnie felt a pang of guilt and only nodded, rubbing Sally on the back gently.

"Ah'm sorry, Sugah. Ah' didn't mean to upset you," she said. "Look, why don't Ah' take you home. A good night's sleep will do you some good."

Sally let out a silent breath and shook her head. "No, I don't want to go home just yet. There are too many memories sitting around there. I'm going to stay here a little longer." Bunnie gave her a worried look but Sally ignored it, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "I'll be fine, Bunnie. I'm a big girl. I know you want to go home to Antoine so go," she responded a bit harshly.

Bunnie stared at her friend for a moment before nodding. "Okay, Sally. Ah'll leave you alone."

She stood up and turned to leave but was stopped as she felt Sally grip her wrist tightly. She looked down at her and saw that the princess's face had molded into a look of soft appreciation.

"I'm sorry, Bunnie. I didn't mean to snap at you. You're just trying to help and I'm being a total bitch here," Sally apologized.

Bunnie smiled at her friend and shook her head, golden strands of hair waving with the movement. "You got nothing to be sorry for, Sally-girl. You're upset and hurting. Why Ah'd be biting folks' heads off left and right if Ah' was in the same position as you."

Sally gave a tiny smile and stood up, pulling the other woman into a tight embrace. "Thanks for being here with me tonight. I needed someone and you were there just like in the old days."

"Well shoot, Sugah. Us girls got to stick together don't we? Can't let those knuckle brained men keep us down," Bunnie said with a wink. Sally laughed again, a small and quiet one but a laugh none the less and it was a small victory for Bunnie. She pushed her away but held her at arm's length, looking into her eyes. "You sure you're gonna be alright?"

"I will. I just…need some more time," Sally reassured her.

"Alright then. Just promise me one thing when Ah' leave."

"What?"

"Promise me you won't drink anymore?" Bunnie asked with an imploring look in her eye. Sally's smile widen slightly and blew some bangs out of her eyes.

"You don't have to worry about that. I was done after that last shot," Sally assured.

"Okay then. You give me a holler if you need anything, anytime, you hear?" Bunnie said, giving her one more squeeze. Sally answered with only her half-hearted smile and a squeeze back. Bunnie smiled in return and turned around, leaving the booth and disappearing into the crowd.

Sally stood where she was, staring at the spot that the former Freedom Fighter once stood. Sighing, much louder this time, she sat back down as her eyes scanned the bar. The place seemed to have gotten a bit busier. It was slightly louder and a bit stuffier. It made no difference to the princess. There could have been a hundred more people in the bar and she still would have felt the same.

Utterly alone.

Feeling her heart sag at the matter, she tried to focus on something else. Her mind raced around in circles trying to find something that didn't involve the blue hedgehog but it was rather difficult. The sting of her reality was still too fresh. That's when she remembered what Bunnie had said to her earlier about Tails. While she didn't want to admit it to Bunnie or even herself, the hare's words had a deeper impact than she would have liked. If Bunnie was telling the truth about what happened earlier than this wouldn't be the first time her brain went on autopilot when the fox's image came to mind.

It was embarrassing. It was embarrassing that there was truth in Bunnie's statement.

The very idea of it shamed her to no end. Shame was a common feeling that arose in her when he was around. Shame and a warm dizzying feeling that spread from her chest down to her toes. A similar feeling she used to have when with Sonic.

Sally could hardly bring herself to face Tails sometimes these days. He would flash that smile of his and a shudder would run down her back. She would often attribute it to her loneliness or play it off as some sort of payback her brain would conjure up to get back at Sonic if he was being a jerk. But even when things were good between the princess and the Hero of Mobius, Sally would still find herself watching him out of the corner of her eye if they were all together.

Even now, as Sally thought about it, she could feel her cheeks fluster and she pinched the bridge of her muzzle with exasperation.

Tails had always been like family to her. Her own adorable little cousin or nephew that she never had. His innocence and nativity to the world around him made her smile and she even let out a small laugh when she remembered how she used to tickle his tails to make him laugh. He was such a sweet little boy.

But little boys grow up.

It's been getting harder and harder for her to remember Tails as the tiny kit that he was. Even at fifteen, he was already very mature. More than Sonic even.

"Not like that's hard," Sally thought with a snicker.

Maybe it was because of his maturity that as the years went on, Tails no longer was that little boy to her anymore. He had grown up into a fine man and someone she could really connect with on an adult level. Sonic could be serious when he wanted to be or rather needed to be but he could be so childish sometimes.

Tails was never like that. That's why she could always talk to him when things were tough with Sonic. He listened, never judging or complaining, always with something to say that would make her feel better. He always made time to listen and she would forget about whatever was bothering her. The mere thought of it made her smile.

Sally shook her head as if trying to cast out the thoughts in her head and ran a hand through her chestnut brown hair.

Okay. So Tails was attractive and she had a few moments of weakness around him. So what? That's normal. He was a young man and she was a young lady. This stuff happens all the time. It doesn't mean she has a thing for him. The very notion of it was crazy and not to mention inappropriate. A four year age difference may not be a big deal to Bunnie but to Sally, it was big enough.

Sally straightened her shoulders and adjusted her denim jacket with a firm nod to no one in particular. She felt confident about her assurance on the matter. Besides, even if she did have a thing for him, Tails was too busy getting chased by other girls anyway and she had Sonic to deal with. The thought of the hedgehog once again took over her mind and once more she felt nothing but an empty and dismal void in her chest.

The chipmunk soon began to think that perhaps Bunnie was right and she should go home. It's not like she was going to feel any better sitting around here. Sighing, Sally stood up and looped the strap of her purse over her shoulder and stepped out of the booth to leave.

She didn't get very far.

Maybe it was coincidence. Maybe it was dumb luck. Or maybe it was the universe's own private joke to continuously screw with her. Either way, it was happening and Sally could not look away.

The two were greeted by a loud cheer from a large group who had rushed over to see them. She recognized some, others she didn't. He hugged a few of the people she did not know, his blue quills dripping wet from the rain outside. His new found object of affection took off her jacket to hang up at the coat check. Her pink fur stood out brightly against the bars dark and wooden furnishes. They gushed over her clothes and hair, her hand held up to shyly refuse their compliments. Sally watched as he looked over to the other hedgehog and she caught the look in his eye. A look so familiar and so full of affection and yearning.

A look that was no longer for her.

Sally felt that void inside her suddenly crumble into an unfathomable abyss. She felt her knees give way and she slumped back down into her seat. They joined hands and followed the group past a section of tables. They were heading right towards her. Sally tried to move but her body paid no heed to her brain, eyes frozen on them as they got closer and closer. The group went by first, all laughing and joking. Then they approached. He whispered something to her and she laughed softly, pulling herself closer to him. They were right in front of her now. All they had to do was look.

But they didn't.

They kept walking, following their friends over to the pool tables. Sally watched them with no emotion though her insides were screaming. They grabbed a few cues and started a game, the balls clacking together loudly.

All they had to do was look. They would have seen her there. What Sally was expecting if they did, she had no idea. But they could have. She was there wasn't she? Or was she simply being swept under the rug as if she never existed?

Sally had no answers to her questions. But she did have an answer to something. An answer to blot out the pain and humiliation that consumed her. She managed to get up on shaky legs and walk in the other direction, stumbling a few times. Making her way over to the bar, she eyed the vast assortments of liquor on the back wall. Bunnie's request echoed in the back of her mind but it was soon silenced.

It was time to let the healing begin.

A/N: There's chapter one for ya. I know that Sally and Tails have a bigger age gap but I wanted to make them a little closer for this story. Chapter two coming up!