Sonic the Hedgehog and associated characters are (c) to Sega, Archie, DiC, etc. They are not mine and never were. Original characters and plot are (c) to me. Thank you.

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Princess Sally spent the entire morning in one of her infamous planning sessions. Roughly translated, "planning session" meant that she would lock herself up in her hut for hours and find newer and better ways to give herself an ulcer over things she couldn't possibly control or counter. Everyone knew better than to intrude when she was in that state.

"Sally?" Well, ALMOST everyone.

"Hello Misha." Sally sighed as she flipped Nicole off. "Just come from the doctor?"

"Da." He affirmed morosely. "Not much fun, though. 'Give us some more blood, Mikhail.' 'The needle won't hurt, Mikhail.' 'Take off your shirt, Mikhail.' 'Roll over, Mikhail.' 'Breathe deeply, Mikhail.' 'Blood sample, Mikhail.' 'Marrow sample, Mikhail.' 'Skin sample, Mikhail.' If...if I live long enough, I'm going to run out of samples."

"You'll live." Sally countered.

"Oh, yes, I'll live. But I won't enjoy it."

After bringing Misha back to Knothole, the first thing Sally did was make sure he went to see a doctor. After a series of intelligence tests and medical examinations, the doctor placed him on a strict regimen of medications and exercises designed to improve his health. Sally couldn't help but notice that he seemed a lot more energetic and robust than he did when they first met, and less gaunt. "You're looking well."

"And you're a bad liar. Now that the pleasantries have been dispensed with, what are you doing?" Sally had to restrain herself from sighing again.

"He has no sense of decorum." She thought ruefully. Aloud, she said "You know, it probably wouldn't kill you if you learned how to ask questions more politely. 'Sally, a moment of your time? How are you? May I ask what you're doing?' as opposed to just barging in and saying 'What are you doing?' Is any of this penetrating?"

Misha drew himself up into a formal, dignified stance that would've put Antoine to shame. "Of course Your Highness, in fact I can phrase all such requests and inquiries in a such a way as to waste a maximum amount of your time as possible." Sally rolled her eyes.

"You're incorrigible."

"I bet you say the same thing to Sonic all the time."

"I do."

"I also bet that he doesn't know what 'incorrigible' means."

"You're two for two." Sally stretched her arms. "Getting back to the point-"

"Whatever THAT was." Misha snickered.

"-I'm reviewing past missions." Sally said, ignoring Misha's remark.

"Oh?" Misha asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm looking over past successful and unsuccessful missions. Trying to determine what went wrong and how we can improve ourselves. Besides when I do something stupid, I like to catalog the full extent of my stupidity for future reference."

"How very Russian of you." Misha quipped.

"Glad you approve. What is it that YOU want?"

"Now who's being blunt?" Misha asked rhetorically. "I thought you might need some company, or better yet, a break."

"Not now, Misha. I have strategies to think, raids to plan-"

"-and a responsibility not to overdo it." He pointed out.

"I am NOT over-" Sally's growling stomach interrupted her. Misha imperceptibly raised an eyebrow.

"I don't suppose you've ever heard of a thing we have in the morning? It's called breakfast. You should try it sometime."

"I'm busy." Sally repeated. "Go bug Sonic."

"Too easy." He commented as he looked around Sally's hut. "You play chess?" He said, spying a chess set on a table.

"Yessss." Sally said, drawing out her answer. "Rosie gave me that set."

"How about this, then. Let's have a match. If I win, you take an hour off and join me for lunch."

"And if I win, will you let me finish my work uninterrupted?" Sally demanded, ready to agree to anything.

"If that's what you want. Either way, you're going get a mental workout."

"Deal." Sally couldn't help but grin to herself. This was going to be good.

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