Even though time had passed ever so slowly, the group found themselves back at the summerhouse with the injured Amy Rose resting peacefully in her bedroom. It had been a few days since they bought her back to the house. She had been unconscious for almost a whole week.

Vanilla and Cream had shooed Sonic out of her room constantly because he of all people couldn't be nearly responsible enough to take care of her. Besides that, there were also some tasks that couldn't be performed by a man without being called a pervert and teased frequently. Whenever Sonic was shooed out, he would pace impatiently in front of the door, waiting for the signal to be allowed back in.

Tails watched Sonic pace through the hall for the hundredth time that week in annoyance. Cheese, who was currently beside Tails, was also greatly irritated by the blue speed demon's behavior. Trying to focus on something other than Sonic, Tails looked out the window. Knuckles and Rouge had retreated to the warm beach where all the bad things in life just seemed to get washed away by the waves. Tails sighed and leaned into his palm wearily.

Cheese popped up in front of his face suddenly and made him jump back in surprise. The chao grabbed his cheeks and made him smile. Cheese let go and fell back onto the couch, rolling with laughter. Tails cracked a smile, and before he knew it, he was also clutching his sides with laughter. Brooding wouldn't make anything better.

Tails turned his head back to the door and saw Cream motioning Sonic to come back inside. Tails hopped to his feet and dashed over. He had to cheer everyone up! The moment he stopped in front of the door, his plan crumbled along with his smile.

"Who are you?"

With those simple words, the world fell apart.

Rouge looked back as though something were amiss. The sudden chill didn't help. A haphazard splash brought her back to the present. When she turned, her gaze was met with Knuckles's smug grin.

"So, what was that about me not being able to hit you?"

Rouge's eye twitched in irritation. "Why you sneaky little echidna!" She bent over which gave Knuckles quite a view. Smirking at the fact that she caught him off guard, she splashed him right in the face. "How do you like that?"

"Guys!" The two turned to see Tails frantically running in their direction. "You guys need to hurry and get back to the house. It's an emergency!"

They nodded at each other. Their little game could wait. Whatever Tails was going on about had to be very urgent. The three of them quickly turned and ran back to the summerhouse.

Sonic felt as though someone had shot him right in the heart. How could she not remember him? Her eyes looked completely emotionless save for a hint of curiosity. Vanilla put a hand to her cheek worriedly.

"She must have amnesia…" she commented and turned away. "Poor thing."

Amy cocked her head to the side. "Amnesia?"

Cream started bawling at her mother's side. "Does that mean that Amy doesn't remember us anymore?"

"Amy?" she closed her eyes in thought. "Is that… my name?"

"It seems that she doesn't remember anyone, including herself," Vanilla added, hugging her daughter closer. Vanilla looked at Sonic and saw him trembling. Amy directed her gaze at him as well.

"Did I do something wrong?" Amy inquired. Sonic adamantly shook his head. Amy looked at him skeptically. "Then… why are you… crying?"

Sonic touched his face tentatively and found her statement to be accurate. Realizing how out of character this was for him, he sped out the door fearfully and passed Tails who was followed by Knuckles and Rouge. Tails frantically looked back at his friend but caught only a sliver of blue; Sonic was gone.

"What happened?" Knuckles asked, striding into the room with Rouge right behind him. Tails stood at the door in shock at Sonic's hasty departure.

"Cream, you and Tails should wait outside," Vanilla spoke. Cream nodded and rushed over to stand at Tails's side to allow their older companions to speak with her mother. Tails took one last look at Amy and left the room with Cream in tow. With the children gone, Vanilla started, "Amy has amnesia."

"What?" Rouge shot a quick glance in Amy's direction. She only gave an empty stare in return. Rouge felt shivers crawl down her spine. This didn't feel right.

"So she doesn't remember anyone?" Knuckles questioned. Rouge growled in frustration.

"What, are you in kindergarten? Of course she doesn't remember anyone!" Rouge snarled. Knuckles gave her a dirty look.

"Okay, okay!" Knuckles defended. He stared at Amy as well and also found the sight unsettling.

"Have I caused trouble for everyone?" Amy finally voiced. Vanilla shook her head and carefully strolled to her side, placing a hand on Amy's stray hand.

"Don't worry, it's not your fault," Vanilla cooed gently. Amy shook her head and cast her eyes away from the unfamiliar faces.

"That's not true… Everyone is sad," she retorted weakly. She glanced up at the door and sighed, adding, "Especially that boy that ran off…"

Tears prickled her eyes, but she didn't know why. What was her connection with that blue hedgehog?

Another week had passed following Amy's awakening. Though she had constantly volunteered to help out with chores and cooking, she still seemed like a shell of her former self. It didn't help that the one who seemed to have all the answers avoided her at all costs. The blue hedgehog boy, she discovered, was named Sonic. Why he avoided her was still a mystery.

The blue hedgehog in question sighed as he looked out to the ocean. Secretly, the only reason he came here was for her. Though a winter in Station Square wouldn't be fun because of the ice, he could've gone anywhere else of his own free will. However, here he was on the beach by himself. He couldn't even bring himself to look at her in her current state. What kind of villain was he to not help her when she needed him most?

"Um… Mr. Sonic?"

Sonic jumped in fright at the unknown voice that had interrupted his train of thought, angst, and self-berating. He quickly looked up at the figure hovering over him and almost jumped again. It was the person he had come here to hide from in the first place.

"A-Amy? What're you doing all the way up here on the roof? It isn't safe!"

"B-but… I-I was told to g-get you for lunch…" she sniffled. Oh no… was she going to…

She burst into tears at that point.

"Ah, I didn't mean to upset you! J-just calm down; okay? If you don't, you'll–" Sonic was cut off as she did just as he was warning about.

She fell.

"Kyahhh!" Sonic snapped into action immediately and caught her just before she hit the pavement. He sighed in relief. Had he been a second later…

The pink hedgehog tentatively opened her eyes. Emerald met jade as they stared each other down. Amy clutched Sonic's arm tighter and buried her face into his shoulder. Sonic shuddered from the close contact.

"What's wrong, Amy?"

"Why have you been avoiding me?" she answered with a question of her own. Sonic flinched and looked away.

"If I told you, would you hate me?"

Amy seemed surprised at his question. Would she hate him after he told her? She shook her head. "You're not the type of person I can hate."

"How so?" Sonic asked with a frown. Amy looked away and bit her lip.

"You-"

"Ah! Amy! There you are!" Cream came running towards them. "I got worried because you were gone for a long time. I thought something bad happened…"

Sonic looked at the ground bitterly. "Something bad almost did happen," he thought irritably. Amy noticed his discomfort and frowned.

"Is something wrong Mr. Sonic?" Sonic walked ahead of the two girls.

"Don't call me Mr. Sonic." He gave a simple wave and retreated into the house. Amy looked at Cream curiously.

"Did I do something wrong?" Cream just shook her head and took Amy's hand.

"Never mind him. There's lunch, remember?" The two girls went into the house after him.

"Eh?" A pink hedgehog stopped in her tracks. The old man gave a smile.

"I asked if you wanted to try your luck. If you draw the golden ball, you and your friends can win a vacation at Emerald Beach this winter. Wanna give it a go?"

A hand on her shoulder stopped her. Sonic gave her a smile and thumbs up. "I'll go first, okay?"

Tails came to stand next to her inquisitively. "What's he doing?"

Amy shrugged in reply.

"Aw. Looks like we have a loser." The old man handed Sonic a pack of tissues. He turned his attention back to Amy. "Still wanna try, Miss?"

"What a rip-off," Sonic muttered. "I bet it's rigged."

Amy stepped forward and began turning the handle. Tails leaned in to watch. She stared blankly at the old man as a golden ball rolled out.

"Congratulations! You and your friends have won yourselves a vacation at the new Emerald Beach summerhouse this winter!" the old man cheered. He pulled out some fans and did a dance. Amy was stunned.

"That thing's definitely rigged," Sonic cursed. Amy glared at him.

"Maybe I should invite someone else then."

"H-hey! I didn't mean it. Honest!" Sonic pleaded. Amy smiled and turned to him.

"Alright. I forgive you."

"Amy!"

Amy looked over at the excited rabbit. In her arms, she was carrying a bunch of dresses and outfits. Behind her, her mother was holding a bag full of something she couldn't identify, the chao, Cheese, was carrying a bag that had a brush poking out, and the bat… Was that a case of make-up?

"It's time for a make-over!"

Sonic's jaw dropped. In the time that he, Knuckles, and Tails were out getting pizza for everyone, the girls had given Amy a makeover.

Amy tilted her head in confusion. "Do I look bad?"

Sonic shook his head vigorously. "No! You… Y-you look really…"

"Nice!" Tails chirped. Amy smiled at him.

"Really? Thank you." Amy adjusted her new summer dress and straightened the blue ribbon in her hair. She looked over at Sonic expectantly.

"So… Do you think I look nice?" Sonic gave a nervous smile.

"I-I guess…"

Amy pouted at his answer.

"Amy," Rouge looked her in the eyes as Vanilla curled her quills. "Don't let Sonic go. Got it?"

Amy was confused. "What do you mean?"

"You'll understand soon," Vanilla soothed as she tied a ribbon around her head. Cream smiled at the implications.

"Now turn around," Rouge commanded. "I need to do your make-up."

Amy wandered around the deck aimlessly. Their words… She couldn't figure out the significance of their words…

The sky was dark and littered with shining stars. A light streaking across the sky caught her attention. She clasped her hands together in prayer.

"I wish I could remember what I've forgotten," she chanted three times. She looked up and gave a bitter smile. "There's no way it could be that easy…"

Amy stepped out onto the sand and gave a twirl. Why didn't anyone want to tell her what she needed to know? Were they afraid? Another twirl. Who was she before? Why did she feel that she could trust that blue hedgehog with her life? Everything was so confusing.

She stopped in front of the water.

"Gah!" She clutched her head in frustration. "I need to cheer up! I'm only going to be a burden if I continue to be depressed like this!" Amy looked up when she felt an arm on her shoulder.

"Hey Sweetie. What'cha doin' out here?" The offender leaned in. "There are some pretty slimy guys out here at this time of night." Amy flinched away.

"Oh yeah? You mean yourself, right?" she retorted quietly. He heard her comment though. He took hold of her arm and turned her to face him. She gasped in surprise.

"Yes. I guess I could be one of them…" he whispered into her ear. Amy dully noted that he was a raccoon.

"I suppose it does make sense for you to be around at this time of night. But shouldn't you be going through the trash instead? I'm sure you'll find plenty of women to match your personality there." Amy had no idea what she was doing. The insults were flying out her mouth without a second thought. At this rate, she was going to find herself in some serious trouble. The raccoon scowled.

"Don't worry," he growled, "that's where you'll be when I'm done with you."

Amy cried out when he lunged forward. Suddenly, his grip on her arm was gone. Some grunts and blows were heard. She hesitantly opened her eyes to find that her assailant was fleeing, and there was someone standing in front of her. He turned and lent her his hand.

"Are you okay, Amy?" She squinted in the darkness and realized who it was.

"Sonic!" Amy pounced on him and buried her face in his chest. He kneeled down and patiently waited for her to pull away. When she did, she smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I was just so scared… I was throwing all sorts of insults at him, and I couldn't control myself. If you didn't come when you did…"

Sonic smiled back at her. "What were you doing out here anyway?"

"I was thinking."

"About?"

Amy bit her lip and decided to try her chances.

"You."

They both blushed.

"I-I mean…" Amy stuttered, "I don't know why, but it feels like I could trust you with my life. I really don't understand…"

Sonic patted her head affectionately, and she leaned into his chest. "I just really don't understand…" Her eyes fluttered shut and her breathing evened. Sonic looked up at the sky before returning his gaze to her sleeping form.

"I don't get it either," he commented, planting a kiss on her forehead.

End Chapter One

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