A/N: …I disliked where I was going with LP: Dark Angels. So I scrapped it and started up a new sequel to the alternate ending of Living Pains. It also has tie-ins to LP: Next Gen.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Living Pains: Alt Future

Theme: Boulevard of Broken Dreams, by Green Day

Chapter 1: Change of Scenery

"What's your name?" He asked the third hedgehog without moving to look at her. Amy looked at him in surprise; he had not spoken since the shooting.

"Mar." She said in her achingly familiar voice again. Shadow thought about that for a moment. Mar? His eyes widened and he turned quickly to look at her more closely. But to his surprise, the only ones there, in that lonely, snow-covered graveyard, were Amy and himself. The next day he and Tim packed up the cat's car and left the city. They drove the entire day, only stopping for gas and to get food once. As they stopped to switch seats for the fourth time Shadow broke the silence.

"Where exactly are we going?" He asked the dark-grey cat now sitting in the driver's seat. Though he had driven, Shadow was still in the dark as to where they were going. Tim sent him an uncertain look, not sure how he would react to what he was about to say.

"My friend lived a few miles outside Station Square." Tim said as he pulled back onto the highway. They settled into silence again as the cat maneuvered around slower traffic. "I really am sorry about Karin."

"I'm sorry about your friend." Shadow looked at his unstable companion. "So, what was your friend's name?"

"Charley. I've known him and his wife for years. Two funerals in one month." He shook his head lightly. "That's just not right." Shadow quietly agreed with him. "I'm their kid's godfather. She doesn't have anyone else to take care of her. She's almost three months old." He pulled off of the main highway and drove into the city traffic of Station Square. "You know, you don't have to do this."

"Tim, you're practically family and I have no where else to go. I here, get used to it." He gazed at the unfamiliar buildings around him. "I used to baby-sit Cream, at least I can help you with…what's the kid's name?"

"Morgan." Shadow nodded and leaned back in his seat, hoping to catch some sleep while the cat drove.

Several hours later…

"Well, here's our new home." The cat said in mock cheer, waking Shadow from his sleep. The ebony hedgehog looked at the large house in surprise.

"That's…large." He glanced at Tim in confusion. "You never said they were…"

"Rich? Loaded? Ridiculously well off? Yeah, they had there own restaurant. We have it until Morgan turns eighteen. Along with the big fancy house." He looked around for a minute. "I have no idea where to park." They spent the next twenty minutes attempting to find some form of garage. After finally giving up they left Tim's car parked in the driveway. "Okay, let's go find some rooms."

"You already have rooms, sir." A quiet voice said from the front door. A young purple cat stood there, her hair pulled into a ponytail by a tight ribbon. She glanced at them with worried, golden eyes. "I can show them to you if you wish." She bowed her head slightly.

"Tim?" Shadow asked in confusion. The grey cat gave him an equally puzzled look.

"Um…yes. Who are you?" This seemed to catch the younger cat by surprise. "And why are you here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name's Blaze, I was Mr. and Mrs. Church's maid." Shadow and Tim glanced at the jeans and dress shirt she wore.

"Glad you dressed for your job." Shadow remarked dryly. She blinked and appeared to swallow a retort.

"I assumed I would no longer be employed." She said with forced politeness.

"And yet you offered to show us to our rooms?"

"I can at least do that much before leaving." She said, straining to achieve a level tone. Shadow met her frustrated look with one of quiet contempt.

"How quaint." He strode past her into the house. She glared at his back, forgetting about Tim after a minute.

"Sorry about him." He held his hand out to her. "He's been through a lot." She took a moment before shaking his hand.

"He's not the only one." She said quietly. After a brief pause Tim smiled warmly and pulled her into a hug. "Mr. Tim!"

"You look too sad for me. Now, did Charley make you wear a uniform?" He asked, holding her at arm's length.

"The standard uniform for a maid. Why?"

"Well no need to worry about that. Now then, I would like a tour of our house. How about you Shadow?" He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into the house. The ebony hedgehog merely shrugged, having no idea where his room was. "Well then let's have our new friend show us around." Blaze blinked in confusion.

"What?"

"Your not fired, we'll need a tour and ignore his rambling." Shadow said in annoyance. "Now can we get on with it?" He lifted his bag back onto his shoulder. "Where's my room?" She gave him an unreadable look before leading them up a flight of stairs into a rather long hallway.

"This will be your room Mr. Tim-."

"Just Tim, please." The light grey cat interrupted.

"Of course, sir. This will be your room." She opened the door to a decently sized room. Tim glanced around at it for a moment before smiling.

"It's bigger than the one at Club Rouge." Shadow shot him a look. "What?"

"You had the entire top floor."

"Ah, but the room was not all that big."

"Whatever, where is my room." He turned to the purple cat, ignoring the smirk Tim wore.

"This way sir." She forced some courtesy into her words. Tim gave his friend a disapproving glance that was completely ignored by the dark hedgehog. She led them across the hall to a room exactly the same as Tim's. "I hope everything is satisfactory?" He spared her a brief glance before entering.

"It's fine." He grabbed the door and looked at Tim. "When will the kid be here?"

"Tomorrow." Shadow nodded and closed his door.

A/N: And so, more reasons not to update my other fics. Fantastic.