Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. They all belong to SEGA.

The story, however, belongs to me.

~3~

-Not Your Average Work Night Pt 2-

"Ah don't be like that, Blue. You know you missed me. I know I missed you," he drawls taking a seat close to my person and practically drapes himself all over me.

My eyes glare in his direction and can't help but notice the large bulge in his leather pants. "Yeah, I can see that."

He smirks, showing off his abnormally sharp teeth. "I can't help it, Blue. You know how excited I get when I'm around my hedgehog," he proclaims pulling me closer.

A scoff. "I'm not yours, Scourge."

"We've been over this, Blue, time and time again. I want you. Besides who else would be able to take care of you like I could." Arrogance just about wafts off of him.

Yeah you'd take care of me. You'd take care of me like a spoiled brat takes care of his toys. "What we have is business, Scourge. Nothing more. I want nothing to do with you outside of that," I tell him feeling like a broken record.

"Sure, Blue. You're just playing hard to get. I like that. It makes great foreplay," he purrs before bringing his lips to my neck where he begins to nip and kiss. His hands wonder and trail over my body before they start to reach forbidden areas.

Usually by now I would just give in and let him do what he wants, since he is my highest paying customer, but right now I'm just Not. In. The. Mood.

I abruptly stand up and away from him. "Actually, Scourge, I can't tonight."

The dumbfounded expression on his face would be hilarious right now if this was a different situation. "What do you mean 'can't'?" he asks standing as well.

"I uh actually promised another customer we'd have a session tonight, so I can't." I explain my eyes hastily searching around for an escape.

His eyes speak volumes on what he thinks of this idea. "Just tell 'em you found someone better, Blue. You're mine for the night," he states as if this is the truest fact in the world.

"Umm…" I turn half away from him still frantically searching. Come on. Come on! I need an escape! The darkest fur mixed with red catches my eye. There! Before I can make a move arms are around my waist pulling me back into a body unwelcome.

"Come on, Blue. Let's head to the back where we can have some privacy," he speaks into my neck.

He's talking to Rouge at the bar. I have to get there before I can't turn down Scourge's offer. I manage to pull out of his grasp, slowly backing away from him. "I said I can't tonight Scourge. I made a promise." Quickly turning I look to the bar and for a moment my heart stops. Where did he go!?

I walk quickly in that direction and out of the corner of my eye I manage to see him heading towards the exit. No! I can't let him get away! "Hey Blue! Get back here!"

I make a mad dash as my heart jump starts at the sound of perusal. 'Almost there… and just when I said I wouldn't need his help,' I can't help but note absent-mindedly. "Shadow!" He spins around in confusion and I jump into his startled arms.

"What?" he asks, confused as to why he suddenly has his arms full of blue hedgehog.

Before I can explain, my could be twin only more evil with color reversal shows up. "What are you doin' Blue?" he demands angry at having to chase down his prey.

Safe in the arms of Shadow—at least I hope—I tell him. "I told you. I promised another customer we'd have a session tonight."

"And I told you to tell him to shove off. You're mine tonight," he growls, eyes turning ice cold.

Suddenly strong arms hold me gently, firmly against a black pelt splotched with white fluff and I know everything will be fine. "I suggest you leave this hedgehog alone. He clearly wants nothing to do with you tonight seeing as he promised me some time alone with him." Scourge looks like he wants to protest, but thinks better of it. I can care less though, to busy nuzzling into the deliciously soft fur on this ebony's chest.

Icy blue orbs lock on to me before he speaks. "This isn't over, Blue. You're mine. Don't forget that," he promises before turning and disappearing into the crowd of dancers, probably to drown his sorrows in some other Mobian for the night.

I sigh relieved, still nuzzling into soft fur, feeling a hand begin to rub my back comfortingly. It takes a moment before I remember where I am and exactly whose arms I'm in before I break out of the embrace. "Hey, watch it, pal," I say as if it's his fault we were like that and I wasn't the one who buried myself into his arms.

He simply stares at me calmly. "Hmm. And you said you wouldn't need my help."

I blush slightly at that before I realize something. How could he possibly have heard that? He was too far away… but he did say he was made to be the Ultimate Lifeform. Maybe that has something to do with it?

I refuse to reply which he doesn't seem bothered by. He studies me for a moment before taking my hand and leading me towards the exit. "Hey! What are you-!?" I splutter in protest.

"You promised me the night, Faker, so I'm taking it," he replies in that calm voice I'm starting to begin to associate with his demeanor. I want to protest but I did say that and he did help me out of a bind, so I owe him.

My ears lower slightly. Just when I thought he wasn't like the others. With a sigh I reply, "So what do you want?"

Outside the moonlight reflects off his crimson eyes making the sparkle and my breath catch. "I have no intention of paying for your body, Faker," his voice holds slight offense though it's hard to tell unless you listen hard enough.

My ear twitches in confusion. "Then what do you-?"

Faster than I can blink, I'm in his arms and the world is a blur around us. Nostalgia grips me hard and I can't fight back the wistful smile that graces my lips. "I thought you might enjoy the feeling of being… free for a while," he murmurs in my ear while cradling me close.

It's then that I realize that I'm not the one running. He really is the Ultimate Lifeform… maybe we can race some time.

"We can race any time you want, Faker," he smirks down at me, making me realize I'd voiced my thoughts aloud, and not a moment sooner a sonic boom can be heard. My arms snake around his neck and my face worms its way into its new favorite place upon his chest.

All too soon though, we stop on the highest building in Station Square. He sits me down gently on the ledge of the structure and takes a seat next to me. I look over at him, wondering why we're here only to see him gazing up at the sky. I take a gander and gasp in silent awe at the plethora of stars shining tonight as well as the beauty of the shining moon.

"I used to live up there. Right there," he states pointing to a destination only he can see.

"What was it like?" I ask quietly not wanting to upset the tranquility of the night.

"Maria and I would get around to all sorts of trouble aboard the ARK. Nothing too bad, just enough to annoy the scientists and get the occasional scolding from the Professor. We always used to look out the windows at the vast amount of stars around us and to the Earth below us, wondering what it would be like to live down here."

"Why was such a young girl living in outer space anyways—if you don't mind me asking?" I question.

"Maria had NIDS, or Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which means if she left the ARK the germs from the Earth would have killed her quickly. I was created to be the Ultimate Lifeform, to help find a cure for her disease. That was my purpose," he finishes solemnly.

"Oh Shadow…" What a cruel twist of fate. To be created to save that girl's life only to inadvertently be the reason for its end. My ears lower as sadness and anger consume me.

A hand on my shoulder brings me back to the present. "Son-Faker. I didn't bring you here to make you upset. I brought you out here to enjoy tonight," he says softly. I stare into his eyes, which seem much warmer than usual. I can't help but lose myself in them for a moment, noticing how they seem to be getting closer and closer… closer…

Is he going to…? I panic jerking back, forgetting that we're on a ledge and go careening over the edge. Now usually I'm not a screamer, but after living a dull life for the past five years I've forgotten the thrill of racing down buildings. My mind can't even recall how I used to handle situations like this, all it can seem to do is repeat the mantra of 'I'm going to die. I'm going to die! The ground is getting closer. The ground is getting closer!'

Just when I consider rolling into a spiked ball to attempt a spin dash that may or may not save my life, arms wrap around my waist and two words are yelled into the night air. "Chaos Control!"

Time seems to freeze and speed up all at once as the world blurs and darkens around us before, suddenly, we're back on the roof where we started. Heart pounding in my chest I keep my death grip on the hedgehog holding me before all but screaming, "What just happened!?"

With his arms still around me his usual calm, impassive voice responds. "Well, hedgehog, I just saved your life of course."

"Not that part. How we suddenly appeared back up here," I growl not wanting to hear any of his smart remarks after such a death-defying moment.

He retracts one of his hands from my waist and I have to stop myself from grabbing it and putting it back in place, still feeling to shaken from the near death experience. Look at me I've been reduced to the days of when I first started fighting Eggman. I immediately drop the thought.

His hand comes back into view from his quills holding a green… Chaos Emerald. "I simply used Chaos Control with this emerald. I'll admit this whole situation was my fault. You're eyes are so entrancing, I simply lost myself," he murmurs the last part.

Chaos Control with one emerald? Wait... Did he just say…? "What was that?"

He looks almost startled before his eyes go blank. "Nothing. We should get going. I wish to show you one more place." Before I can object, I'm in his arms soaring through the air as he hops from building to building, getting lower in height.

After we leave city limits, we come across a beautiful apple tree overlooking a sparkling lake. He sits me down on my feet under the tree facing the lake. I stare in awe at the crystal clear water as the moon reflects of its surface.

Shadow after a moment begins to speak. "Maria once told me that she wanted to be able to sit under a tree out in the open," his ruby depths turn to face me, "If you ever need to find me, and I'm not on assignment by GUN, I'll be here."

Shadow… What is it about this guy that has me so… ensnared? He's so mysterious, strong, and handsome… My cheeks redden at the thought as I turn away. "Uhh thanks. For earlier," I say lamely, embarrassed of my thoughts.

"No problem, Faker. I wouldn't want you hurt on my account." He tells me gently.

I nod before turning to him and smiling. "Hey, maybe one day we'll race and get to see who's faster. You may be the Ultimate Lifeform, but I'm still the fastest thing alive," cockiness attempts to leak into my voice, wanting to move on from the heavy thoughts.

A shiny white fang greets me as he smirks. "Sure. We shall see. Now let me get you back. It's getting late, or shall I say early," he informs me as I willingly hop into his arms this time.

I'll admit, I've missed the wind blowing through my quills at high velocity, going so fast that the world around me is a blur. I snuggle more into Shadow's chest and silently thank him for this night, for helping me remember and experience it again.

We stop outside of Dirtyboy Mobian where he stands me on my feet. I know this is where our paths diverge for now, but for some reason I don't want him to leave. I turn to him, still not knowing what to say only to gasp softly as warm lips brush my cheek tenderly.

"See you around, Faker." Before I can gather my wits, he's gone in a flash of light—Chaos Control, I assume. My fawn furred paw slowly goes up to my cheek where the feel of his lips still linger. Heart racing a mile a minute, my only thoughts are 'What have I gotten myself into?'

Hey guys, I thought I thought I would answer a couple questions I got from the last chapter.

1. No Shadow and Sonic have never met before until last chapter.

2. Most of the events in SA2 did not happened, because 3 of the main characters were not there (Sonic, Tails, Eggman), but that will be explained later in the story.

I leave almost nothing unexplained in this story, you just have to be patient. I hope you liked this chapter and thanks to all those who reviewed! It is highly appreciated.