A/N: Denizen does NOT belong to me! She belongs to the maker of shadownrouge. not me – I'm borrowing her.

Ch1: Still hope

"She'll make it through" Sonic said to Shadow as they nervously waited in the waiting room. The nurse entered the room, pretending to look happy.

"You may see her now, but please – keep your voices down" she said, plastering on a fake smile. Shadow shoved past her, followed by Sonic; into the room.

Sonic looked towards the bed and saw Espio next to her; holding her lifeless hand and staring into her closed eyes. He had obviously been there for hours, and had no intention of moving. Shadow raced over to the bed and stared at his half dead little sister. Suddenly there was a crash and another hedgehog burst in through the door.

This hedgehog was a girl, and was very tall. Her red eyes gleamed and her long black coat swished behind her. Her red and black hair hung down the sides of her face, straight and sleek. She was wearing a purple top and a skirt.

"I came as soon as I could Shadow" The girl panted, she looked as if she had been running. "Is she ok?"

Sonic continued to stare at her in puzzlement as Shadow looked up. "Yes, but only at the moment" He sighed. He looked at Sonic. "This is Denizen, my other sister Sonic. Denny, this is Sonic the hedgehog"

"Nice to meet you Sonic" Denizen said, shaking Sonic's hand. Sonic did not move, but continued to stare at her. He glanced over at Espio and saw something.

Espio's eyes had glazed over as he stared at Denizen. The thought of Signo ever having an older sister had never occurred to him. He was looking at her, with amazement and a hint of LUST.

Sonic was shocked. He had never seen Espio look at anyone in this way except Signo, and Signo's lifeless body was lying next to him. Denizen turned to look at him, and smiled. Shadow smacked her round the head.

"Pulling later, Signo now" he murmured. He did not seem to care that his sister's boyfriend was eyeing up his other sister; he was just so keen to give Signo the support she needed to recover.

Sonic sat down and thought as he stared aimlessly into space. It seemed if Signo went she would never see all her friends happy. Rouge and Knuckles, Tails and Amy, Cream and Charmy and now, possibly Espio and Denizen. If that didn't kill Signo, nothing would. Sonic didn't have anyone, simply because he had not found a girl fast or daring enough to keep up with him. He didn't mind though. He suddenly snapped back into real world and stared across at Signo and the others.

'How dare Espio! His girlfriend is DYING and all he can do is try and get off with her older sister! Selfish git!' Sonic thought. His face contorted angrily as he looked at Espio and Denizen smiling at each other. They sat there for hours, but with no change to Signo's condition. When it got to around 11 o'clock, Espio got up and stretched his arms.

" I'm off back to base, need a place to stay Denizen?" Espio asked hopefully. Denizen giggled and smiled at him.

"Yes, I do. But I'll need a really cute guy to walk me back, because I can't walk by myself in the dark" she said in a baby voice. Espio grinned and linked arms and walked out with her. Shadow simply grunted as they left. Denizen took it as a sign of approval. As soon as the door shut, Sonic dashed over to Shadow.

"How can you do that!" Sonic yelled "Just give your approval to them when you know it will break Signo's heart – and that's the last thing she needs when she wakes up, IT MIGHT BE THE VERY THING THAT PUSHES HER OVER THE EDGE SHADOW; DON'T YOU GET THAT!"

"I see where you are coming from, but it won't" Shadow said calmly. He turned and looked at the angry and frustrated hedgehog next to him. "Espio was never really Signo's type. Espio has his action moments, doesn't prefer fighting and lets his emotions show easily. Just like Denizen. Signo however, loves to fight, is always off seeking adventure and is able to hide her emotions. She needs some one who isn't always serious and can have fun with her, someone who doesn't think she can't look after herself, and someone who can she can always count on to understand her."

"I see. And Espio doesn't really fill the gap does he?" Sonic said

"No" Shadow yawned. He had large bags under his eyes and was a bit paler than usual.

"Shadow, go and have some rest. I'll stay here with Signo" Sonic said. Shadow shook his head. "Just go Shadow, when she wakes up she'll need you to be strong, not falling asleep on her"

Shadow looked from Signo to Sonic and Sonic to Signo. He rose slowly, hugged Signo and left the room. Sonic sat down on the chair next to the bed and looked at Signo.

"Hi mate" he whispered. "It's just you and me now. Your big bro has just gone to get some rest. And your sister Denizen has as well, she's gone back with Espio. She really misses you Signo." He stared at her. She didn't stir. "Tell you what" he sighed, "As soon as you wake up I'll take to the fanciest damn restaurant you ever did see. And to that ice cream parlour you're always bugging me about when we're on the way back from the arcade. Then we'll talk and I'll take you anywhere you want to go – and all you have to do is wake up! How easy is that Signo!" she remained motionless yet again. Sonic sighed. "You know mate, you don't need that brat Espio; not when you've got mates like Rouge and Amy and Tails and Vector and me. And what about Charmy, eh? Who's gonna look after him! He's been going on and on about how you are gonna be the best guest at his and Cream's wedding. You can't let him down!" Sonic laughed. He could just imagine Signo's face then. Half angry, half amused. "And who's gonna be my date to my big 18th bash? The host can't go without a date!" Sonic immediately realised what he had said. He went green and began to sweat. "Only joking!" he said uncertainly, trying to kid himself into thinking he didn't say that.

Signo made a little coughing noise. Sonic jumped up and looked at her hopefully, but sank back into his seat dismally when he realised there was nothing. The nurse came in. "You know sir, the best thing you can do for her now is to talk to her. Or you could try and jog her memory by getting smells and textures and noises she'll remember. That might awaken her brain again." The nurse told him. She sighed as she looked at Sonic stare down at the unconscious hedgehog. "I bet she'll come round, just so she can see a handsome lad like you again"

Sonic frowned at her. "We aren't involved with each other, we're just friends!" He attempted to object, but nothing came out. The nurse took the look on his face as a signal to go.

A/N: the end of this chapter. But there is more. See you papayas.

The Liam lover

xxxxx