Hope you enjoy!

I do not own Sonic or any of its properties. All rights go to their respective owners.

Wind blew through Fiona's hair as the Tornado climbed into the sky. Tails had said it wouldn't take more than an hour or so to make it to the village.

"Are you able to hear me okay?" He had handed a headset to her before they took off. His voice was strong and clear even above the noise of the engine.

She clicked the microphone on, "I can hear you just fine Tails." Her voice shook a little out of nervousness.

He pulled his arm out of the cockpit and gave her a thumbs up. She knew that he was an amazing pilot, but being so far up in the air without some sort of canopy to keep her from falling out worried her.

Tails had pulled the plane out of the hangar even before she woke up. Everything was tuned and ready to go before she even made it out of the shower that morning. Since the weather had cleared for the most part it allowed for an easy takeoff.

"So what's this place we're headed to?" Fiona knew to trust him, but was still curious.

The plane slowly picked up speed. "A little place called South Warren, kind of off the grid, but the will have all the things that you need."

She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. If its like Tails said then I probably don't have to worry about anyone recognizing me. I wasn't a very famous face among the Freedom Fighters when I was here.

The air felt amazing, Moebius had always felt so stale, without a shred of life. She let the wind sweep her away while her pilot flew them to civilization.

For being a town out and away from things the fact that they kept a fully functioning airstrip was impressive. Tails eased the Tornado onto the tarmac without any issues.

He had been to South Warren several times, although he wasn't sure whether they really knew who he was or not. Most of the tales surrounding the Freedom Fighters revolved around Sonic and Sally, everyone else weren't nearly as popular with the people as them save a few like Mina, who was a public figure.

Tails liked it this way, he was never much for fame and fortune, but what he did earn from being a Freedom Fighter allowed him to live comfortably. He never felt stripped for cash and was more than willing to give where he saw fit. Perks of saving the world I suppose.

Even in foreign environments he still felt at ease, quite unlike Fiona right now. Her eyes were cast down and she moved quietly. It puzzled him at first but he quickly guessed why she was acting so oddly.

She thinks somebody will know who she is. "Fiona?"

The vixen only glanced up from the sidewalk for a second. "What's up?"

"You really don't need to worry about anyone seeing you. These people barely recognize who I am from time to time, so chin up, it'll be alright." He smiled.

It looked like she was mulling it over for a few seconds, but she seemed to ease up and a far more positive expression adorned her face.

He knew that she would need clothes, shoes, and other crucial things. The venture would take most of the day, but they had gotten there quite early. The air was chilly and cut through their garments like paper.

The fox shivered, Need to get a coat for her too.

Tails hadn't ever really been much of a shopper. He would browse a select group of stores and, more often than not, knew what he was looking for before he ever set foot inside one. He racked his brain trying to remember the last time he was anywhere longer than twenty or thirty minutes.

To think that it would be a similar case with Fiona was foolish to say the least.

Whereas he always grabbed the first thing that fit she casually looked through shelves upon shelves of clothing. Tails had decided beforehand that it would be their first stop. The store also carried shoes so it was like killing two birds with one stone.

"What do you think of this?" She a rather frilly looking shirt, the fabric was lightweight and gold in color. The vixen had already picked out a pair of boots, some leggings, and a black leather jacket beforehand.

This had been about the thirteenth one that she had picked up. Patience Tails, not everyone is like you. She's just meticulous about the color, probably.

She had already rifled through many different types of shirts, most of them sticking with black, blue, and other dark hues. This one reminded him of what she had worn before she went with Scourge. He knew it would look stunning.

"That ones probably the best so far. Gold looks good on you." He stated rather simply.

She looked at the shirt and held it up to herself in the mirror, "Then I'll try this one."

Finally. It had been the first definitive choice of the day.

He pointed over his shoulder. "I think I saw the dressing rooms over that way."

"Okay. Would you like to come and see?" She asked innocently.

…What? "What?" The tinkerer's face was set ablaze, dozens of thoughts pouring into his mind.

Fiona swayed the shirt back and forth, "Do you want to see how my outfit looks?" Her eyes mimicked the same innocent tone that her voice took.

Oh! "Yes, of course!" Be mature, why would you even think such as that?

He followed her over to the dressing room and took a seat outside. There was a wolf waiting patiently nearby, most likely for the same reason as he.

Tails figured it would be best to be friendly. "How's it going?"

The wolf smiled, "Good, thanks. Shopping today?"

He shook his head, "No, I'm helping someone else."

The guy responded with a nod, "I saw. You have a very pretty girlfriend, if you don't mind me saying."

Really? He could feel his fur beginning to prickle and his cheeks turn red. "Oh, um, she's not my girlfriend."

"Seriously?" The wolf seemed surprised.

"Yeah, we're just friends." To be in this position eleven years ago.

He quickly shunted the thoughts out. How can you be acting like this? Be mature, remember?

"Well, its very nice of you taking the time to shop with her. My wife lassoed me into coming here, I can only hope that she doesn't purchase the store." The wolf chuckled.

He couldn't help but laugh in return, "One can hope, right?"

A voice called out from inside the dressing room. "Tails?"

Huh, that was quick. "Is something wrong?"

There was a pause, "No."

Okay… "Did everything fit alright?"

"Yes."

Oi, there is nothing more frustrating than simple answers! "Is there anything I can help you with?"

His words were met with a reveal.

The outfit looked absolutely stunning on her, everything fitting in all the right places. The shirt drew out her scarlet fur and made Fiona's eyes glisten, while her leggings and jacket still gave her a little roguish appeal. She had somehow managed to smuggle a golden bow without him seeing and it really finished the picture.

She did a partial turn back and forth. "Well… how do I look?"

If his jaw had the ability to it would be on the floor. "Um."

Really brain? You had to go and give up on me in this very moment?

Her expression was surprisingly shy; she looked down at her attire with a girlish look that he thanked the heavens he was able to witness. She was beautiful.

His voice cracked somewhat, "You look great." No, that's not nearly enough.

He cleared his throat. "You look absolutely gorgeous, Fiona." That's the way to do it.

The smile he received nearly threatened to flush him out of the store. Fiona was beaming ear-to-ear, the radiance blinding him for but a few seconds. Stunning.

The vixen twirled in place, "Thank you."

He watched her as she skipped away, his heart almost beating out of his chest.

Yeah, I guess you could say this was worth all the trouble.

The two of them exited the store with only four bags of clothes and three boxes of boots. Fiona must've gone easy on him since she knew there was only so much space in the cargo hold on the Tornado.

Their next stop was a small bath and body shop; thankfully it didn't take them very long to finish there. Apparently women shared a common lack of interest for looking through the dozens of different smelling soaps, shampoos, and deodorants as men did. By the time they left it was already late in the evening and while the two had thoughts of home their growling stomachs stopped them in their tracks.

Fiona groaned, "Have we eaten at all today?"

Tails shook his head, "No, I don't believe so. I can take this stuff back to the Tornado real quick if you want to stay here. It won't take more than a couple of minutes and we'll grab some dinner."

I guess it would be hard to bring this much luggage into a restaurant.

Her tail idly side to side, "Sure, I don't see why not."

The mechanic smiled, "Alrighty." He reached down for the bags and grazed her hand. They both twitched away, the familiar warmth returning to their cheeks soon after.

"Um, be right back." Tails stated awkwardly before spinning up into the air.

She was looking away from him, "Yeah, okay."

As he packed the various items into the Tornado his mind was at war with itself.

Why are you doing that?

What?

That!

Feeling?

No. Those are not feelings.

Then what are they?

…

Exactly.

"Shut up!" He told to no one but the wind.

I shouldn't be feeling this way all over again. I thought I had taken care of this long ago.

Then explain why you get so flustered when things like what just happened happen?

Really? Any guy would fall head over heels for someone like her. That's exactly what happened before.

But this isn't the past. Things have changed.

Not really, especially if I keep acting like that. As if I'm some lovesick teenager.

Tails banged his fist into the fuselage.

Is that what it is? After all this time am I still in love with her? After all that I went through because of her?

I'm only your thoughts man, that's something that you'll have to figure out for yourself.

He rolled his eyes, "Thanks for nothing."

Fiona was sitting almost exactly where he had left her. She seemed much more tired than before. Perhaps today was too much on her? She is only just recovering.

He landed a couple feet in front of her.

Jokingly he said, "Hungry?"

Her stomach responded immediately, she blushed. "I believe I am."

"There's a café close by that I saw on the way back, we could try that."

She smiled, "Sounds fine to me."

To put simply the day had been terrific for her. Fiona never thought in a million years that she would enjoy spending a day shopping. Even before when she had been with the Freedom Fighters there wasn't much time for retail therapy when the world was at stake.

That two-tailed fox had given her the most normal day of her life. And there is nothing wrong with that.

They conversed while they ate; just having small talk here and there was all they needed. She had never noticed how much of a conversationalist Tails had become, he was extremely easy to speak with.

He usually kept to himself back in those days, constantly working on something to help in their efforts to thwart Robotnik. She couldn't recall when anyone besides Sonic, Sally, and occasionally Knuckles had sat down and really talked with him.

After spending the entire day out with him she learned something wonderful.

Tails was absolutely, unbelievably sweet.

He never said a word while she spent hours trying on different kinds of clothes and shoes. The fox always had a solid opinion on anything that she picked out, it never felt like he was trying to make her settle to get her out of the store.

The man was sincere, something that she hadn't had the pleasure of being around in four years.

Before she knew it they were already back at the airstrip and finished loading up. He had already hopped up onto one of the wings and held a hand out for her, helping her into the second seat.

As Tails was putting on his goggles she nestled into her chair. Although she had purchased a leather jacket he still got her a heavier coat and a set of goggles. The wind would be icy on the way back.

The engine sputtered and then roared to life. Tails slowly taxied down the runway to their takeoff point.

As she felt the plane start to accelerate she pondered to herself. I wonder.

Would this have been what it would be like all those years ago, if I had chosen him? If I had chosen to remain with the Freedom Fighters than go with Scourge?

A sense of weightlessness overtook her briefly as the Tornado cruised upwards.

Would there have been more days like this, where it was just he and I with all the time in the world?

Would close friends and allies as opposed to liars and thieves have surrounded me?

She heard Tails speak faintly over the radio. "We aught to be back at the cabin in a little under two hours if the weather holds."

The vixen didn't respond.

Would I have been in love with him?

…

Is there a chance that he still loves me?

A/N:

Thanks for reading!

Feel free to leave a review and PM me if you have any questions!

Hope you have a good day!

~ Trainkrazy ~