Chapter three

A kickoff

Knuckles was in his house, making breakfast for himself. The advice that Sonic and Tails had given him was bouncing around in his head. As he popped his omelet into the microwave, his phone rang. He pulled out of his fur and checked who it was. Rouge was calling him,

"Start talking," he said, "it's your minutes."

"Hello, Knuckie," said Rouge, "how about we go for some breakfast?"

"Oh," said Knuckles, like he was disappointed, "that's going to be a problem; I just popped an omelet into the microwave, how have you" he was cut off by the smell of something burning. He opened the microwave. His breakfast had been fried to a crisp,

"On second thought," said Knuckles, "that sounds like a good idea."

"Great," said Rouge, "Meet me at IHOP at 7:00. Sound good?"

"Sounds great," said Knuckles, "I'll meet you there."

"Actually," she said, "could you meet me at my house? I have something to give you."

"Okay." Knuckles bid her goodbye and hung up. He had something for HER too. He picked up the necklace he bought the previous day. He put it in a patch of his fur so it wouldn't fall in mid-glide.

…

Rouge couldn't help but smirk. All she had to do was tinker with his microwave and he would play right into her trick. After the date, when he went to bed, she would sneak back into his house and tinker with it again so it would be normal. She held the security system in her hands,

"Ooh," she said, "if he agrees, we can go out on as many dates as we want." The doorbell rang. Rouge hid the gift behind her back as she opened the door. Sure enough, Knuckles was there.

"Hey Knuckie," she teased, "come on in, and make yourself comfortable." Knuckles sat on her sofa.

"Aren't we going to IHOP?"

"Sadly, no," said Rouge, as she handed him the morning paper. IHOP, the most successful pancake joint in Station Square had burned to the ground in a terrible fire, and repairs would be delayed for seven months, because the manager wanted to make it completely different. So changing the layout was why the rebuilding was delayed.

"Bummer," said Knuckles,

"No Kidding," Rouge agreed, "I was looking forward to those Granola Caramel pancakes." Rouge took her gift to Knuckles out from behind her back and handed it to him.

"For you," she said. Knuckles was awestruck. The security system he had always dreamed of but could never afford it. It was designed to trap intruders in laser netting, which was indestructible. The owner of whatever it was guarding could then decide to release the prisoner or have them arrested.

"I have something for you, too." Said Knuckles, as he pulled the box out of his fur. The necklace was a gold chain with a silver heart. There were four emeralds embedded on each side of the heart. It had even been engraved.

"To Rouge. Love Knuckles." Tears of happiness slid down Rouge's cheeks. Simple, but the necklace was lovely. She put it on, a perfect fit. The pair went all over town, having so much fun that IHOP was the last thing on their minds.