After telling Sonic and Knuckles, how they found Shadow, Sonic was impressed. "Shadow is sure a lucky one." Which caused Rouge to smile. "But that is weird if you ask me." Knuckles said, as he sat on the chair, crossing his arms. "Well, I think it's fate!" Amy's eyes glistered. Others just shrugged.

As they sat in Rouge's living room, talking, they soon heard a low groan escaping The Ultimate Lifeform's lips. They all looked at him. "What is going on?" He asked weakly, yet serious. His eyes shot wide open. He looked around the room. Purple walls, fancy furniture, huge TV. Something is not right..."Where am I?!" He asked loudly, almost shouting. "Easy there, handsome~" Rouge smiled at him, lowering her eyelids. Just then Shadow noticed Sonic, Knuckles, Rouge and Amy. "This is just odd. I need to get out of here." Shadow said, as he tried to get up, but the unbearable pain shot his weak body. With a groan he laid back. Rouge looked at him once more, clearing her throat. "At first, welcome to Club Rouge, Sha-" We are glad you are alive, Shadster!" Sonic snapped, pulling Rouge aside. That stupid nickname again..."How are you, buddy?" Sonic smiled. "Just great, you know?" Shadow replied in a very sarcastic manner, crossing his arms. "Good for you!" Sonic said, as he went to the kitchen. "What does he mean by, 'we are glad to see you alive'?" Shadow asked, narrowing his eyes. Amy's ears perked at this question. "What? Don't you remember?" The hedgehog shook his head. "All I remember is punching Sonic in his stomach and-" He stopped. "You did what?!" Amy's eyes flashed with anger. "Calm down, Pinkie, I am sure he did it to save Sonic." Rouge replied to Amy. The hedgehog just sighed in reply. "Oh, now I get it...Wait, do you mean I could die?" Shadow asked, without any emotion. Rouge slowly nodded. "Hey who's hungry? Want some chili-dogs, Shadow?" Sonic shouted from the kitchen. "I wish I was dead by now..." Shadow muttered. "What was that again, hon?~" Rouge asked, looking at Shadow. Shadow said nothing, but closed his eyes. Rouge rolled her's. "Same old Shadow." She thought. Rouge was glad that he didn't change. She then looked at the red echidna. He just sat on the chair, almost glaring at Shadow. Someone's not in the mood...

Then they all had a little snack, except Shadow. He was sleeping. Vanilla took Cream a while ago, carrying the sleeping rabbit in her arms. As for knuckles, he flew back to the Master Emerald. Sonic ran home, after emptying Rouge's fridge. And Amy was about to go home as well. Rouge smiled at Amy. " I wanted to thank you, Amy." The sakura hedgehog asked. "For what?" "For everything. For giving me a good advices and comforting words." Rouge replied, which caused Amy to smile warmly. "You are welcome Rouge. I am glad that Shadow is back and that he is with us now." "So am I." Rouge agreed, looking at sleeping Shadow. "Okay, I'll go now. See you later!" Amy said, as she exited Rouge's Club. "Bye!" Rouge said, as she closed the front door. With a sigh of relieve, she walked to the living room and sat on the bar stool, looking at black and crimson hedgehog. She couldn't help but smile. The ivory bat was almost crying, wishing him to come back and thinking that this day would never come. And now, she is looking at Shadow while he is sleeping. He was alive. He was in her Club, sleeping peacefully on the purple couch. And mainly, he was with her. Rouge walked closer to him, for a better view. Shadow looked gorgeous. Despite the bandages all over his body, he still was in great shape. His hands were crossed on his chest, where was the deepest wound. "I guess the pain was troubling him that much." Rouge thought. Rouge then looked at his wrist. There was a ring missing. And then she looked at his face. She couldn't see any emotion on his face. There was no smile, nor frown. His breath was calm. The bat just sat near him, enjoying his company. It was like the time stopped. She could look at him forever. Rouge was so deep in thought, that she didn't even notice that Shadow opened his ruby eyes. He looked at her. Why was she smiling at him like that? He then shook that thought away. It was awkward. Shadow cleared his throat. "Is there anything I can help you with?" He asked, a little annoyed. "Huh?" Rouge blinked then turned away to hide blush on her cheeks. "Oh, no, everything is fine. Just came here to see you, hon~" She then looked back at him, winking. "Hmph." Shadow said, crossing his arms. "Sleep well?~" The bat asked. He replied with a nod. "Must admit, this couch is soft." Rouge smiled. "Are you hungry?~". No answer. "Where are everyone?" Shadow asked, ignoring her last question. "They all went home." She replied. "Why, want to-" "That was just a question!" Shadow replied loudly. "Calm down, Shadow~ It's not nice to address a girl that saved you like that, where are your manners?" Rouge said, crossing her arms. "Wait, what?" That statement made Shadow surprised. "Me and Amy dragged you here and bandaged you." She replied, looking at him. Shadow was shocked. "Why did you do that?" He asked, looking at Rouge suspiciously. Silence. Rouge didn't know how to reply. Should she tell him that she missed him? No, that would ruin her reputation. Or- "So?" Shadow asked. "Well, we did that because we couldn't just let you die, you know?" Rouge replied, avoiding eye-contact. Shadow blinked. Then he nodded, satisfied by her reply. "Thank you." He muttered, blushing slightly. Rouge's eyes perked. "You are welcome, Shadow~" She smiled, looking down, blushing herself.