Just a one-shot. Those random plot bunnies are at it again. Enjoy.

Ebony and Rose

Amy understood, she got it, even though she didn't want to. Sonic wasn't hers, he never really was. Sally was in his heart, no matter how free of a spirit he was. The pink hedgehog felt defeated wondering if she was destined to be alone now because of her bleak obsession. Life, however, was always unexpected…

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Amy Rose was usually cheerful. Her bright green eyes flashing with happiness, a skip to her step, her pink quills fluttering slightly with each bounce. However, lately, the rose hedgehog didn't feel like skipping. Her joy, that once seemed endless, felt weighted in the bottom of her red boots. Sonic had saved her, but then said that she needed to stop her hero complex. He loved her as a friend, even like a little sister, but it wasn't a romantic love. She looked down at the rippling waves of water as she sat by the lone lake a few miles from her home. The trees around shedding their leaves in the breeze, preparing for winter.

The landscape seemed to fit her mood, as of late. Melancholy and withering. Nothing seemed right, yet it did. Sonic would always be her hero, her first crush, her first sad ache that would never be filled. First loves often did that. A slow hard burn, but never to be fulfilled. As the years passed by, she realized that nothing would've come of her obsession anyway. Glorified hero worship didn't equate to love and as she looked at Sonic and his relationship with Sally, it became apparent that she was no longer jealous of her, but jealous of what their relationship represented.

Sonic had Sally, Bunnie had Antoine, Tails had Cream, Rouge had Knuckles. Hell, even Scourge had Fiona. Yet, who did Amy have? No one. She skipped a few stones across the serene water's surface and watched at the chaos she created with the rippling waves until the stone finally plunked under the surface, its journey completed. She wondered if she would always be alone now. A fifth wheel. A sigh escaped her lips as she skipped a couple more stones on the water before looking out at the brightly colored forest.

"Still pining?" A deep rough voice broke her from her thoughts as she turned to see Shadow standing a few feet away. The onyx and crimson hedgehog seemed to be sticking around a lot lately. She wondered why, at times, since he didn't really seem to socialize much and whenever he and Sonic crossed paths, they growled and bickered at each other.

"No." She answered simply.

"Then, enlighten me to your current mood, Rose."

She really didn't want to talk about it. Yet, maybe it would be best to talk to someone other than everyone who already knew her predicament. Maybe he wouldn't pity her the way everyone else seemed to.

"I realized that I may be lonely for a long time." She sighed. "I understand that I'll never have Sonic. It's just not meant to be, but even so it feels like there's a hole in my heart that will never be filled again."

"I see." He sat down next to her, alarmingly close. "He doesn't define you, you realize?"

"Yes, I know. It doesn't change the fact that I've been chasing him for so long that now that I've stopped, something just doesn't feel right."

"Do you still want him?"

"No. Why chase a hopeless endeavor? He's got Sally. She's who he wants, and honestly, I'm happy for him. I never thought I would be, but what's the point in being jealous?" She wiped her eyes.

"Well, then why are you here drowning rocks in an endless abyss?" He tossed a rock across the lake to accentuate his point. "All your friends are at a picnic right now."

"I wanted to be alone for a while." She sighed. "I feel like a fifth wheel. Everyone has someone, except me."

"Rose, you do not need to be here wallowing. If you want an escort, I will provide it."

"Shadow, I couldn't ask that of you." She turned her head and before she could completely move away he gently grasped her chin in his gloved hand and turned her tearful eyes back to his gaze.

"That blue faker doesn't see the gem before his very eyes." He wiped her cheek with his free thumb. "You are aptly named Rose for your beauty, and your thorns."

Amy blinked. This was decidedly out of character for the ebony hedgehog. He wasn't usually this vocal about anything. When she tried to talk to him before, he mostly gave one-word answers or grunts.

"Why so vocal all of the sudden?"

"Hmph." He sighed. "You intrigue me."

His red gaze shifted toward the lake as he released his grip on her face and looked out at the fall scene. She smiled and looked at his profile. He was handsome, in a brooding sort of way, and he was quite blunt. She always wondered about him when she wasn't otherwise occupied. The curve of his quills dipped in red. The color of his eyes, his chaos abilities, his sleek speed. That was one thing she missed the most, feeling the wind through her quills at mach speeds. The loud sonic boom before a breakneck run. She wondered if the male beside her would oblige in her strange request.

"Shadow?"

"Hnn." He turned to look at her again.

"Would you take me for a run?" She asked shyly, playing with the edge of her dress.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, a fast run. A speed only you can reach." She looked up and met his eyes. "I miss it."

"I see." He stood up before leaning down and gathering her in his arms. She squeaked at the sudden movement before settling down. He was more muscular then Sonic, more toned. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and his arms flexed with the small effort. His body took off like a bullet, increasing momentum as he dodged through the trees with expert ease and little exertion. She laughed, for the first time in months as the winds wiped through her quills and ruffled her clothes.

Amy wrapped her arms around Shadow's neck as he continued to propel them forward. His running was more of a glide. Smooth, streamlined, but still fast. Not jarring or bumpy. She believed that was because Shadow chose to glide with his air shoes rather than run. She, actually, liked it better. She felt more secure, free, bubbly. This is what she had been missing so much, and it felt so good to feel it again. Even if it was a bit unexpected. She looked at him again before tucking her head underneath his chin to enjoy the run.

Soon, however, it ended as all good things did and they were standing outside her little cottage. Shadow gently sat her down, on her feet, in front of her door.

"Thank you, Shadow." She smiled a real genuine smile. Her heart heavy and full at the same time.

"Of course." He sighed before turning around to leave.

"Wait."

"Hnn."

"Would you like to come in? Have some lunch with me?"

He didn't say a word but chuckled softly before following her inside. She smiled again and for the first time since she decided to let Sonic go, she felt like her old self and all it took was a little kindness in an unexpected place.

-FIN