The star shot across the sky and Rouge's eyes sparkled in it's gleam. She sat alone on the cliffs edge, feet dangling. The star also lit up the water and Rouge looked down on it and saw her reflection, but also something behind her. Something floating over her. She looked up to see a rush of fire from the bottom of the shoes of the floating ebony hedgehog. She relaxed at the sight of him and even smiled. Shadow wasn't the type of person that most people would smile at when they layed their eyes on him.

"Why don't you come down and join me? It must be cold up there with the wind blowing," she spoke loud so he could here. He began to float down until he was standing next her. He then sat and looked out at the ocean.

He face, that was normally cold, emotionless, was now almost happy. A slight smile was upon his lips and his crimson eyes glowed in the moonlight. His voice also had a certain affectionate sound to it.

"Hello Rouge. What are you doing out here?" He glanced over at her then his eyes looked up to the full moon then a quick look at the ARK. His mood darkened slightly but then he looked back down to Rouge.

She ignored almost all of those actions. She was used to Shadow's sad looks at the floating fortress in the sky. "I had nothing better to do. This place makes me happy for some reason. I don't know why." She looked to him looking for and answer to the same exact question. He smiled slightly at her. A small smile that looked good on his face. Rouge had a strange urge to take a picture of it just because it was so rare for him.

"The cliff on the water." He smiled even wider. This smile was more out of place on his face, but Rouge liked it the same. This statement confused her. The cliff on the water? Yeah, it is a cliff on the water but is that a reason?

The ebony hedgehog caught the confusion in her eyes. He smiled softly. "I shall explain. When you look down from the ARK window with a telescope pointing down, this is the spot that shows. Maria and I used to look at it. Just dream of sitting here together exactly like we are now. That dream will never come true but I guess I just wanted to try. Make it halfway." He thumbled with something in his hands. A small blue teddy bear. He noticed her interest. "This was her favorite. She loved this thing. COuldn't sleep without it. I never understood that until almost recently. I found it the other night and took it to bed with me. Now I can't sleep without it on my pillow. It's childish I know, and honestly I'm not sure why I'm telling all of this to you. I've realized that lately I'm telling you things I'd never tell another living soul.

Rouge's words were caught in her throat. She had no idea what to say. She knew he was waiting for some heart felt beautifully worded elegant loving reply, but Rouge could think of none. She just stared into his crimson eyes thoughtless.

Shadow ran the back of his pointer finger down the side of her face and stared back. "Your eyes are the same color as Maria's." He eyes filled with sadness. He leaned forward and placed his lips agaisnt Rouge's. She placed a hand on the white fur on his chest.

Those last words didn't hit her until his lips did. Her eyes were the same color as MARIA's. This was the spot that him and MARIA wanted to go to. That teddy bear that he couldn't sleep without belonged to MARIA. Not her, but Maria. And it would always be Maria, wouldn't it?

She ended the kiss and opened her eyes. Tears were forming in the corners. Shadow's eyes opened in surprise. The stars made them twinkle.

"Not me."

"What?" Shadow said, confused. "Rouge, are you ok?"

"Not me. Her." Her eyes shot to the teddy bear. "You loved her, not me. I'm not going to stand here while you love me for what I have in commom with her." She flew off suddenly towards the moon. The tears finally spilled from her eyes.