Anger. It seethed through Amy like a virus as she glared between random objects around the Headquarters and the wounded black-and-crimson hedgehog just feet away from her. Half of her anger was directed at whoever was responsible for the recent attack (regardless of her previous feelings for Shadow); the other half was directed at Shadow himself.

'Oh why couldn't we just go our separate ways and avoid all this?' Amy thought in frustration.

However a moment later Amy sighed lightly, turning her back to all the others in the building. She knew she couldn't blame Shadow. Amy only directed blind rage at him to avoid the bitter taste of guilt.

Oh, how she loathed the feeling. But the minute her mind set on it, it began to gnaw away the anger she tried desperately to preserve. Though Amy tried holding onto the anger of the recent events, as she peered at Shadow through the corner of her eye, and try to reason that he'd gotten himself into this mess. Eventually she gave up, finally settling on the conclusion that playing the blame game no longer sufficed.

But then why did she feel guilty still? The fact that hours earlier she glared at Hope in annoyance and refusal as she tried to convince Amy to give Shadow a second chance? That she never caught so much as a glimpse of the attacker? Or was it that once she saw Shadow bleeding on the ground that she, for a split-second, felt a tiny wave of relief to end this whole "lover's ordeal" and that she wanted them to go to G.U.N. rather than Freedom HQ (with which G.U.N. was much farther away and precious time would be wasted)? The second after Amy banished such terrible thoughts and led them to the aid of the Freedom Fighters.

But now there was really nothing she could do but wait as she was left to her own thoughts; for once she wished for the usual clatter throughout the base from the others. Amy wished there was something for her to do – run an errand, keep watch around the forest, anything – to keep her mind off of these things.

The pink hedgehog turned back around and peered at everyone, whose attention fixated on Shadow and his healer. Antoine and Tails stood on one side of the now-cramped room that served as their medical bay (one room that wasn't used as much anymore since Robotnik's power abated tremendously and New Mobotropolis had a much better hospital). Across from them was Bunnie and Rotor in one corner to steer clear of the space Sally would need. Sonic stood near Amy but he never once looked at her; in fact he really didn't look at anyone but Shadow and occasionally Hope.

Everyone's gazes burned into the three beings near the center of the room as they silently waited: Sally worked her best to grab the necessary equipment and heal Shadow quickly; she'd healed others before, but not in such a long time for obvious reasons and she admitted to being a bit "rusty". However Amy couldn't think of anyone else who had far more capable hands than the chipmunk in this situation.

Hope crouched next to her, giving brief explanations for Shadow's alien biology if they ever came across relevant problems. She tried to hide it, but Amy saw that Hope was anxious.

The scene remained like this – everyone silent, motionless, boring their gazes like hawks while waiting for the outcome – until Sally heaved a small sigh of relief and looked up. "I've done all I could, though Shadow should be able to live to see another battle." Hope brightened at the news and nodded. "Though I think your scientists would do a whole lot more."

"I understand," said Hope as she heaved a hefty sigh of gratitude. "I can't thank you enough."

Sally smiled good-heartedly. "All in a day's work for the Freedom Fighters."

"Can he move?" Rotor asked, stepping forward a bit to catch his leader's attention. "I mean, if he needs better treatment can moving from here to G.U.N. be a possible feat for him?"

Sally shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure, really. Though we should worry about that later when he wakes up from the sedatives." Rotor nodded in agreement, soon followed by the others. As if this was a sign of dismissal, Antoine, Rotor, Tails, and Bunnie cleared the room to see to other duties around the base.

Amy couldn't find herself to move. Relief flooded her, though she couldn't help but feel she needed to remain where she was. She supposed Sonic may feel the same, seeing as he didn't move an inch either.

Hope didn't see any need to stay and walked past Sally, careful to avoid hitting the ceiling. However the chipmunk grabbed her shirt, urging her to stay. Sally didn't shoot either Amy or Sonic a look that she'd rather have a private chat, so they both stayed as well; in fact, Sally beckoned Amy to her side as well.

"Did either of you catch anything before the attack? Anything at all?"

"No," Amy replied. Hope shook her head.

"Well, whoever this was, they couldn't have come out of nowhere," Sally inquired. She looked back to Shadow. Near his bed there was a side table with a tray of tools and other things propped onto it. Sally grabbed a particular object – a shard of some unknown substance – and showed it to them both. "I noticed this embedded in Shadow's back, which could have been the first attack and the wound that lost the most blood."

"I think I may have noticed something when we transported him here," Hope answered. She gingerly grabbed the shard from Sally and examined it. "What is this?"

"I was hoping you'd tell me." Sally shook her head. "Though, at least we can tell that, judging by the foreign substance, the attacker can't be from around here."

"Or maybe the weapon," Amy murmured.

"Huh?"

"Well, I was just kinda thinking," said Amy, shuffling her feet as the attention bore onto her. "Maybe it could be some villain we know who got their hands on something new. It's happened before."

Sally nodded in agreement. "True. Perhaps we can narrow it down to local villains. Hope, does Shadow have any particular enemies?"

"No, not that I know of. At least not those we've all encountered on occasion."

"Sonic," Sally said to the blue hedgehog across the room. This seemed to be the only time Sally really acknowledged his presence and he jumped in surprise. "Can you head over to the diner and see if anyone might've seen the attacker?"

Sonic nodded. "Can do, Sal." Without a moment's hesitation he zoomed out of the building.

Sally turned back to Amy and Hope. "Until Sonic comes back with any information, I think the most we can do now is wait." Sally shook her head, murmuring to no one in particular, "The last thing we need is someone new running around and terrorizing our home."

Hope placed a reassuring hand on the chipmunk's shoulder. "I'm sure you guys can handle it – Sonic no doubt."

Sally looked up to her gratefully. "Thanks." Then she turned to Amy. "Would you please stay by Shadow's side until we return; whether he's awake or not?"

Amy didn't reply at first. She furrowed her eye-ridges, looking hesitant to comply. "I – Why me?"

Hope looked similar. "Shouldn't I stay?"

"I need you to come with me to G.U.N. to request a team to help Shadow when he's better suited for travel – I highly doubt they'd take my word for it if I just randomly showed up without one of their own. Also," she added with an irritated look, "I have a bone to pick with your boss about his patrols near New Mobotropolis."

Hope grinned with amusement. "I see. Okay, when do you want to depart?"

"If it's no trouble, now would be good."

As if Amy wasn't there, the other girls walked past her, murmuring a new conversation the hedgehog didn't care to hear. She looked reluctantly toward the exit, then back to Shadow lying unconsciously on the bed. With a sigh, Amy walked up to his side. "I guess it's just you and me . . . or rather just me right now."

Looking at him at a closer angle started to forge her guilt again. She shook her head. 'You didn't know this was gonna happen,' she thought. Amy had to wonder how Shadow would react when he woke up. Would he try to leave, despite his condition? At that thought Amy thought she might have to grab her hammer and leave it by her side, just in case.

Oh, why couldn't he just let this silly crush go? The events of today would have never happened and Amy wouldn't be awkwardly watching over Shadow like some nurse. Then a small smile formed on her muzzle, remembering how she herself wouldn't let go of the idea of being with Sonic forever.

She looked down at Shadow, looking more intently. At least she had an idea of what he felt. The feeling of longing for someone you believe to be the one; the rush of emotion at seeing their face every time; the warm pleasure at seeing them smile and offer a few words of friendship that a love-sick being may take more romantically than intended.

She turned her back, slightly chuckling to herself in amusement at such a behavior; both at her and him.

The more Amy thought about it, the more she found it ridiculous. Amy having feelings for Sonic was one thing – but Shadow having feelings for her? It seemed . . . so unlikely for someone like him. He was mainly a loner, despite his team, and seemed to prefer working alone when the opportunity came about. Shadow didn't look like the type to want to bother with some sort of love interest.

'Then again, he must be lonely, without Maria and all . . . but he has Hope . . .'

Suddenly an agonized moan broke Amy out of her thoughts and she whipped around. Shadow's eyes remained closed, though he tried to prop himself up. Immediately she snapped, "Don't get up."

Shadow's eyes snapped wide open upon hearing her voice and he looked at her intently, as if she was a rare species. "What are you doing here . . ?" He trailed off when he took in his surroundings. "Rather, what am I doing here?"

"Do you remember what happened to you before you blacked out?" Amy asked grimly.

Shadow didn't answer at first. He looked down, pondering the past events. Finally he looked at her again and said, "I . . . recall a sharp stab in the back . . . then blackness . . ."

Quickly Amy explained what had happened after that, leading up to the present. "And now here we are." She tried to appear nonchalant, though now that he was awake, the awkwardness increased rapidly. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been stabbed in the back," he replied with an obvious tone, his face reading 'how else am I supposed to feel?'.

Amy shot him an irritated glance, but quickly got over his remark. "I don't know when Sally and Hope will be back, so I guess it's just you and me." She didn't hesitate to sound as dispassionate about her assignment as possible.

Shadow didn't reply, but only held a curious gaze. For a long while the room was filled with silence. Amy started to feel a little uneasy with almost no sound (besides the faint chatting and tinkering of the other Fighters somewhere far off) and Shadow still staring at her. She knew what he was probably thinking. 'Bet he's enjoying the view.'

"Would you stop that?" she snapped when she couldn't handle the staring anymore.

"Stop what?"

"Staring at me like a hawk. It's creepy."

"I apologize. I was just thinking."

Amy rolled her eyes. "What? That your offer for a relationship still stands?"

"Actually, no," he replied matter-of-factly. "Just trying to recollect what happened before I was attacked."

"You sent in Hope to do the talking for you."

"No, I mean, I saw something, far off in the distance."

Amy paused. "What?"

"It looked like someone I'd seen before . . . that old tiger I think." When Amy titled her head in confusion, he added, "The one who helped me find you during the storm." He continued before she could add a remark about that. "I saw him in the forest, looking like he was spying on something . . . I don't know what, but before I could investigate, I was shot by . . . something."

Amy walked around the bed and came to the small table right next to them. She picked up the little shard of substance Sally found in Shadow's back and held it up for the hedgehog to see. "Sally thinks this is what hit you."

Shadow stared at the object, a tiny spark of recognition glinting in his eye. However he shook his head, as if dismissing any idea he might've had. "I'm unsure of what that is."

"So far, our best guess is some villain we know got their hands on some new toy."

Shadow nodded in agreement. "Perhaps." Silence came again and the two looked down when they couldn't find anything else to say. "Thank you," he said softly, almost inaudibly.

"For what?"

"I assume Hope probably couldn't have gotten here on her own; she doesn't know Knothole like she used to. She would've needed a guide, and the only one there was you."

Amy couldn't help but blush in flattery for the honest gratitude. But then a thought crept into her mind: 'Is he just doing this to make me like him more?' He sounded sincere, but she couldn't fully trust his words. 'Keep your guard up. You don't want anything to do with him.'

"So . . . is there anything you need?" she finally asked hesitantly. Amy didn't want to be near Shadow, but she had a duty. She might as well do whatever she could to help.

"No," Shadow replied. "You can leave."

Amy shook her head. "Sally asked me to stay with you until they get back."

The black-and-crimson hedgehog shrugged. "So be it."

'Ugh, yeah, so be it.'