a/n: Another approach.

Saturday.

Shadow opened the door to his office. It was quiet, as expected.

He took up the small jug and gently poured water into the soil of the terrarium. Picked up the scissors left on his desk and carefully trimmed the leaves of the small tree. Pruned a few small, wild branches.

He stepped back, and gave a satisfied nod before setting the scissors down again.

He left the office as quietly as he came in. Light shone through the window onto the terrarium.

The small tree sparkled approvingly.

"Hey there, sleepyhead."

Knuckles opened one eye to look at his visitor. He was sitting in front of the Master Emerald, doing his daily meditation.

"You're up here again?"

"Yeah. Felt like coming up to see ya."

"Hmph." Knuckles blinked as he saw the bandage wrapped around Sonic's left arm. "What happened to you?" He started to notice that there were all sorts of cuts and small bruises all over his friend.

"Things in the Middle East. Complicated."

"I'll bet."

"You ever run through a bullet at three hundred miles an hour?"

Knuckles grimaced from his sitting position.

"Yeah. Don't try it at home. Or anywhere. Took a good chunk outta ol' lefty there."

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Cleaned, sanitized, the works. Just a bit sore."

"Well...if you say so. Never would take you for a mercenary."

"I prefer the term freedom fighter. I mean, mercs get paid at least."

"Why not go that route?"

"Hm." Sonic tapped a foot in thought. "I'll keep it in mind. Anyways, I'll leave ya to your yoga, or whatever it is."

"Meditation."

"Yeah, that."

"Leaving so soon?" Knuckles asked.

"Duty calls. And I wanna get some z's for tomorrow. Important meeting."

"Alright. Just wondering why you'd make such a long trip to leave so soon."

Sonic grinned. "The price of friendship, Red! I'd do it any day for ya."

"I appreciate that, Sonic. Just take care of yourself."

"Sure! Next time I'll bring Tails again, and some snacks."

"Don't overdo it," Knuckles said firmly.

"Well, no guarantees."

"Figures..."

"I'll see ya later, Knux. Stay solid."

"Yeah, you too..." Knuckles watched as Sonic disappeared into the forest ahead. A few moments later, the familiar hum of the Tornado sounded in the distance as it dipped back towards the surface world.

"Always getting yourself mixed up in crazy things...heh."

Knuckles smiled to himself before going back to his meditations.

The Master Emerald glowed faintly in the background.

Amy found herself nervous. She wished that she had made it a day earlier. She had a lot to say. More and more to say by the minute.

She looked at the red dress lying on the bed. So familiar. So her.

"I can't wear it, can I...?"

She realized she really couldn't settle for it.

She couldn't settle, period.

"Right. I want him to look at...this me. The red...blouse. The...pink skirt. And...scarf, also pink."

She stepped over to her makeup and ran a finger over the red tube of lipstick.

She felt determined. Completely, utterly determined.

Her hand closed around the tube, and then she felt something else.

It was...satisfaction.

"How do I look?"

"Fine."

"You always say that."

"Alright. You look stunning."

"I know you're not looking, Shadow."

His head was buried in a book as he sat at the kitchen table.

"Why would I?"

"I get it. You don't want to get your blood boiling and suddenly..."

"Suddenly?"

"Let's just say...it would involve the kitchen table."

He shook his head, still looking into the book. "You're absurd."

"A compliment! My heart's fluttering."

"Your interpretations are colourful. I admire that about you."

"What about my very finely honed body?"

"Further down on the list."

She smiled, opening the fridge to pour a glass of juice. Shadow stole a glance over his book to look at what she was wearing.

"Who exactly are you trying to lure with that outfit?"

"You looked! You bad man..."

"I would say it's a miracle of the universe that those jeans have not completely melted into your person...and that your shirt is still intact."

She playfully pouted. "Mean! Horrible! You're a brute!"

"Honey does do wonders compared to vinegar, but..."

"You're worried about me."

"No," he said quickly. "You're capable. More than capable."

"My reputation, then."

"...yes."

She sipped from her glass and walked over to Shadow. Her fingers pushed down the book, and she stared into his eyes.

"You're the only one I compromise for, sugar."

The smile on her face said more than enough. He nodded, and she caressed his cheek gently before sliding her hand away.

Shadow went back to his book as Rouge finished her juice.

"Hey."

"Hm?"

"You wanna come with? Put a little fear into 'em?"

"These are important promoters, no?"

"Oh, yeah. This deal will put us in the black for a long time."

"..."

He folded the corner of one page and set down his book.

"I'll keep everyone in check."

"That's all I ask, hon."

"Rouge?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you...just do up one more button? Please."

"You are such a prude sometimes, you know?"

He allowed himself a smile as she pouted, buttoning up her shirt.

"Oh, my! This is rather thrilling!"

"You're doing great, Miss Vanilla."

Cream waved happily from the ground as Cheese cheered on beside her.

The Tornado cruised through the skies, Vanilla at the controls with Tails behind her, keeping things steady.

It was her dream, she said. Well, there was a lot of free time to be had.

It was nice making dreams come true.

"Might be just a little cool out tomorrow, but only partly cloudy. Expect a daytime high of 60..."

Amy looked across the counter at the small ring in the display. It looked ordinary...

Was that what made it so beautiful to her?

"How much for that?" she asked over the blare of the radio.

"For you, special price."

This time, it actually was a decent deal. She dipped into her savings earlier and it turned out to be far more than she needed.

"Okay. I'll have it."

"For boyfriend?"

"Young and single, my dear."

The shop owner tsk-ed rapidly as he opened the case.

"You are too beautiful. You should be having babies already."

"One day. But thank you for your kindness." She paused and looked at the ring in her hand. "I have a date tomorrow. It's all or nothing, I think."

"You will be fine."

She sighed and nodded as she handed the man her payment.

"Do not worry, I send prayers for you."

"I think I'll need every one of them. Thank you. Salaam, as they say."

He chuckled heartily as he gave her back her change, and she left with the door chiming in her wake.

The streets seemed more crowded than before. She was itching for the new day to come.

It was cloudy in Station Square.