All characters except "Cass" are either Sega's or Archie's. Songs are sung by Norah Jones. Really pretty music!!!!! Just to let you know, the first song has nothing to with the story, but the others do. I REALLY LIKE MUSIC (and Knuckles)!!!!!!!
-Chosen One (Alex)

"What a day." Tikal sighed as she looked over the marble balcony outside her room. Birds were chirping, the sun was beaming out on the island, and she felt peace in the air. "Why am I all of a sudden bored to death?" she said to her self.
She looked down and underneath the balcony she could see a small pond.
"Knock-knock!" She heard someone say behind her. She spun around.
"Oh, hi, Cass."
"Why so glum on such a beautiful day?" Cass said as she walked up beside her friend.
"Ya know, I'm not sure.it could be boredom" Tikal lied.
"Why didn't you say so?! Come on, we can go in to town!" Cass exclaimed.
"Okay. I guess."

In town..

Tikal looked around. She hadn't been in town much lately, and felt she was missing a lot. Then she saw Knuckles and his friends at the diner. She could see them through the window. She turned to her social friend.
"Tikal, wanna hit the mall?" Cass asked.
"Ahhh, you know, Cass, I haven't eaten all morning. Wanna stop at the diner first?"
"Wait a minute. I know who is in there. don't tell me, Tikal, you like the guardian?" Cass giggled.
"What's so funny about that? And even if I did, I'd be in town a whole lot more." Tikal tried to cover up, but Cass knew her all to well, she could see right through her.
"Tikal, you obviously haven't been around much." Cass started. "No one has a chance with him because of Julie-Su." Tikal looked at the diner window again. She noticed something she hadn't before.Knuckles had his arm around a girl.
"No one gets him, especially people who won't fight for it."
"Ooo, I hate fighting." Tikal said to her self. She watched Knuckles laughing with the Chaotix and Julie-Su. He looked so happy. She wanted to do something about Julie-Su, but the only thing that came to mind was fighting, and that was wrong.
"Oh, if only I could--"
"Tikal, it's no use trying any thing. I'm sorry, but he is so in love. I frequently see them kissing, and.I'd love to cheer you on, but.it's just hopeless." Tikal could tell her friend really meant it. Cass was barely serious, but when she was, she was.
"Let's go in any way. I mean, who can't bear two babes like us?" Cass smiled.
"Cass, you always make me feel better. Thanks."
"Hey! That's what friends are for!"

Tikal and Cass walked inside the diner and sat on the other side of the room. Tikal made sure she was able to see Knuckles, even though her love was hopeless.
"What are you going to have, Tikal?" Cass asked.
"I'm not sure.maybe.uhh. I know, that." Tikal pointed to something on the menu and Cass agreed to have the same.
"So, Tikal, have you ever talked to the guardian before? I mean, would he ever recognize you?" Cass whispered, even though no one would hear her.
"Um, well, once I met him at a meeting my father held. Another time I met him at a dance where we just talked about, like, how he and Sonic had saved the world and stuff, but I'm not sure if he would recognize me." Tikal slumped on the bench with her head in her hand, watching Knuckles and Julie-Su. *Sigh* Tikal darted her eyes from the concerned look on her friend's face, and the person she would never be able to talk to without choking. She turned around to talk to Cass.
"Cass, why are we here? I just don't think we should be here. I have no chance with him."
"Aww, don't feel so bad." Cass patted Tikal's arm. She smiled. That made her feel better.
"It's just, every time love him even more, and the more I want to talk to him, but every time I even get two yards closer to him I choke up."
"Oh, Tikal, that's natural."
"Really?"
"Of course." Cass assured her. Tikal looked over at Knuckles again. He saw her. She quickly faced the other way, with wide eyes. "He saw me." She hissed.
"Wooooh, here he comes, Tikal, in for the bait!"
"You're silly.he's probably just.getting up to wash his hands! Yeah, that's it." Tikal squeaked. She looked over again, sitting up. He was getting close and she felt tense. Soon he was standing at the table.
"Hi.aren't you Princess Tikal?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes."
"Do you remember me? I'm the guardian.Knuckles."
"Oh, yes." She said, standing up. She shook his hand and introduced him to Cass.
"Hello, guardian!"
"Please, call me Knuckles."
"Okay, Knuckles!"
"Please, would you sit with us?" Tikal asked, she tried to force out the words without squeaking or sounding nervous.
"Oh, I can't.I have my friends over there. I just wanted to ask if you were going to that ball your father is hosting."
"Well, I kind of have to, you know."
"Yeah, of course. Well, I'll see you there, right?"
"Yes. Are your friends going?"
"No, they weren't invited. see ya later!"
"Yeah." he walked back to his table before she could say any thing else.
"C'mon, Cass! I need to get out of here!" Tikal forced out, frowning.
"Why?!" Tikal pulled her out the door faster than Sonic could run. When they were outside, out of sight, Tikal fell on her knees; her cheeks were bright red from embarrassment. If she was crying or laughing, Cass didn't know. For all she knew, it could have been both.
"I.I.I.I can't believe I." Tikal sputtered.
"You're just excited, Tikal. It wasn't that bad was it?"
"Bad?" Tikal looked up. "It was amazing. It happened so quick.what did happen? I wasn't sure I could hold in the choking for much longer."
"I have never seen any one so in love with some one in all my life.you shouldn't have kept it a secret so long, Tikal."
"Well what else am I to do? I'm supposed to marry a prince. Not the guardian. Its just like that." Tikal tried to stand, but her trembling legs collapsed beneath her.
"Oooh." She started crying.
"What is there to cry about?" Cass knelt beside her friend. "You talked to him didn't you? He asked you if you were going to the dance!"
"Well.that was a stupid question for him to ask," She sobbed "He knew I was going.why wouldn't I? I'm the princess!"
"And that signifies."
"I don't know." Tikal avoided the real answer.
"He obviously wants to see you, Tikal!"
"Do you really think so?"
"Of course I do!" Tikal smiled and laughed nervously.
"Then you'll have to help me figure out what I'm going to wear. I don't want to look silly in front of him." Tikal said, getting a hold of her self.
"Tikal, that's my specialty! Now do you want to go home and pick something out, or do you want something new?"
"Ummm, you think I have any thing up to date?"
"No."
"Okay, let's go to the mall." Tikal said in a disappointed voice.

At the mall.

"That looks perfect on you, Tikal!!!" Cass exclaimed, standing back.
"The only.problem. is.it's.to.tight." Tikal said, holding her breath.
"That's a huge problem. Wouldn't want you to pop right in front of him, now would we?!" Cass tried to make her laugh, but she didn't. "Okay, okay, let's get you out of this one."
Many dresses later, Tikal found the one that she liked the most. A long, red, sparkled, halter-top dress. "This is the one!" Tikal looked down at her feet. They were covered up. The dress was long, but she could still walk.
"You look dashing dahling!" Cass giggled. "He'll definitely have something to look at."
"I'm so excited!" Tikal squealed.

Later that night.

"Tikal! Everyone is here! You have to come down stairs!" Cass shooed Tikal out the door.
"What happens if he decides not to come?" Tikal asked, trying to stay in the safety of her room.
"I saw him down there." Cass answered. "With Sonic."
"Are you sure it was him? I mean, it could been someone else, like,"
"Oh, shut-up and come down stairs!"
"Yes, master." Although Tikal was really excited to see him, she fretted. She didn't want to be disappointed. She didn't want him to be disappointed. Either that or she didn't want to be embarrassed. What happens if he didn't really want to see her? What happens if he was just a flatterer who had hoped to steal her heart away? She didn't know. "Well, I'll have to find out." Tikal said under her breath.
"Cass, I really have to thank you." Tikal said looking down at the ground.
"Awww, don't thank me, Tikal. You just had to get your self motivated."
"No, but I really must. Thank you."
"Yeah, okay, lover girl, now there's your target, go get 'em!" Cass said, pushing Tikal along. There wasn't anybody she knew where Cass had pointed, but she knew what Cass meant.
"Nope, I'm going to do it the old fashioned way." Tikal said, looking confident. "I'm going to wait for him!" She walked down the stairs toward the crowd.
"Being a princess is too much for her." Cass said, shaking her head.

Tikal looked left and right and started to walk toward the buffet table. She saw Sonic, Tails, Amy, Rouge, and.Shadow? Well, he is the ultimate life form.She thought as she approached them. Where was Knuckles? Cass lied?!?! Tikal thought. She spun around to look back at the staircase, where Cass had been standing. Tikal expected to she Cass standing there watching her, but she wasn't anywhere in sight. All of a sudden she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Knuckles?" She said, turning around.
"Close, but no cigar!" Sonic said with Amy clinging on to him.
"Oh, hello, Sonic. How are you?" She said as politely as she could.
"Good, you?"
"Just fine."
"Love the dress, hehe!" Amy said in a cute voice.
"Thank you. I like yours as well."
"Really? Sonikku bought it for me!" She squeaked, looking up at him. He looked away and rolled his eyes.
"I don't know how I tolerate her!" He said in disgust.
"You wouldn't happen to know were the guardian is, would you?" Tikal finally said.
"Guardian? Oh, oh, you mean Knuckles?" Sonic said in confusion.
"Yes, that's him."
"Um.he's just walkin' around, I guess." Music started playing, and people started to dance. It was a slow song that Tikal really liked.

I. waited till I saw the sun, don't know why I didn't come.
I left you by the house of fun
I don't know why I didn't come,
I don't know why I didn't come.

When I saw the break of day,
Wish that I could fly away,
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching tear drops in my hand.

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever.

Out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstasy
But I'll be a bag of bones
Driving down the road alone.

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever.

Something has to make you run,
I don't know why I didn't come.
I feel as empty as a drum,
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come.

It was a beautiful song that made Tikal feel sentimental. Towards the middle of the song, Knuckles came up to Tikal.
"Hello." He said kindly, and more sweetly than she had ever heard him talk. The song in the back around calmed her down. She didn't feel nervous, or anxious. Just content.
"Hello.Knuckles." She said with a smile.
"Would you like to dance?" He held out his hand.
"Of course." She smiled and took it.

While on the dance floor, another song sung by the same person came on. It was called "Lonestar". They swayed to the slow beat. She looked up at him, and for a minute she thought she was going to cry of happiness. He looked down at her and smiled. Did he think it was as romantic as she did? Did he love her? Wait a minute.why would he love me? He's got a girl friend! Am I sinning by taking him away from her? This is too romantic to stop.I'll wait till after. She thought. She didn't realize she had a perplexed look on her face. "Is everything all right?" He asked, wondering what she was thinking about.
"Yes, I'm fine." The song ended, and they stayed there on the dance floor holding each other, when he said, "You know, I'm thirsty.you want to have a drink?" he said, pulling away, but politely. I must be making him uncomfortable.better cool it. she thought. "Um, sure." Tikal said, dazed and amazed at what had just happened. He started walking away when she said, "Actually, I'll pass.you go ahead.I think I'll go out to the balcony." She said, biting her lip, turning around.
Oh, shoot, did I reject her? Maybe she was thinking about Julie-Su and I.shoot. Knuckles thought, watching her walk away with one of her hands cupped in the other dropping down below her waist. He stood there, just watching, and wondering what he had done.

Tikal leaned against the balcony with her arms folded, the way she had been before all this had happened. She shed a tear, and it made ripples in the pond below. Although she was very happy she had such a chance with Knuckles, she felt as though she was making a sin by "stealing" him away, as Cass called it. She put her elbows on the banister and put her head in her hands and started to cry.
"Is it really that bad?" She thought of Cass saying. She looked down. On the bench below, she saw Cass and her boyfriend kissing. They didn't see the ripples her tears made, for they were too engrossed in each other.
Like someone had read her mind, she heard someone say, "Is it really that bad?" She looked around. There was Knuckles again. "Did I hurt you?" he said, walking toward her.
"No." She started crying without even noticing. She turned again and watched her tears go into the pond and she noticed Cass wasn't there anymore.
"Then what's wrong?" He leaned against the banister a couple feet away. "Are you sure I didn't do anything to cause such tears?"
"No.it's me.or you.I'm not sure." They looked at each other.
"You're thinking of Julie-Su." He did it again. He was amazing. It was like he was reading her mind.
"Am I an open book?" She asked.
"Well," he said looking up at the stars. "I'll tell you if you tell me what you're thinkin' bout." He smiled at her. That smile.she thought.
"Okay, okay." She started to cry. "I am thinking about her." She talked between tears. "I wasn't sure.I just." She looked down. He sat on the top of the banister and frowned. He looked down at his crossed legs. "Please, princess, don't cry." He said.
"Do you." This time she couldn't get a hold of her self.
"Do I what?" He got off the banister and walked closer to her. He put his arm around her.
"Do you.love her.or me?" At first it sounded silly, but she needed to know the truth.
"Well, according to the night we've had together, I'd say you." "But you love her don't you? You were with her, hugging, kissing." "We had a bit of a problem this after noon." They're eyes met and he lightly kissed her. She stopped crying. She heard music.

Its not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me,
Oh no.
Its just the nearness of you

It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation
Oh no.
Its just the nearness of you

When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams
Came true

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right
To hold you ever so tight
And feel in the night
The nearness of you.

They kissed again, they held this one longer. She looked in to his eyes. They just stood there, staring at each other. They heard the clapping of shoes behind them. They both looked to see who was there. "So, the Knucklehead and Princess Spirit have finally met."
"Rouge, you idiot. Don't you know when to and not to buck in to people's business?" Knuckles said cruelly.
"Hey, love, it's my job." She pushed Tikal aside and kissed him on the cheek.
"Get of me, you ding bat." He shoved her vilently, not leaving Tikal's side.
"I just want to tell you two it was midnight. Most people are leaving.including Sonic and everyone. You might miss you ride, Knuckles."
"Hey! I live on this island, idiot. I know my way home." He snapped.
"Fine, fine, have a wonderful night." She turned and left.
"Maybe we should go inside." Tikal said, resuming the long stare Rouge had interrupted.
"I guess you're right.let's go." They walked hand and hand back in the palace.

Most of the people had left. Mostly only the cleaning maids were there, cleaning up the mess. They walked toward the front of the palace and went out side.
"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" Knuckles asked.
"Of course." They held each other and kissed. Tikal was glad Cass wasn't at the party anymore. See would have been bugging her about how the night went. She'd be really excited and energetic when all Tikal really wanted to do right now is go to bed.she was tired.
"Bye!" He called as he ran to his house.
"Bye." Tikal whispered. She sent a little wave his way and turned around to go up to bed.

At Knuckles' house.

"Oh, boy am I tired." Knuckles said to himself as he walked into his apartment. He put his jacket down and threw himself on the couch and grabbed the CD player remote. He clicked the on button, and to his liking, a perfect song for him was on to put him to sleep with lovely dreams of Tikal. While listening he dozed off to sleep.

If I were a painter
I would paint my reverie
If that's the only way for you to be with me

We'd be there together
Just like we used to be
Underneath the swirling skies for all to see

And I'm dreaming of a place
Where I could see your face
And I think my brush would take me there
But only.

If I were a painter
And I could paint a memory
I'd climb into the swirling skies to be
With you
I'd climb into the swirling skies to be with
You.

To Be Continued.

Hi! Alex here! Did you like it? Go easy on the review, it's my first one! Should I do another one? New characters? What? Yeah it was mushy, but that's my specialty! Thanks for reading! Oh, yeah, for Rouge fans, in my stories, she will NOT love Knuckles!!!!! Julie-Su won't, either!!!!! Sorry, I don't like them very much! Wait.what I really mean is that I HATE them!!!! (sorry) -Chosen One (Alex)