Shadow was lying on a soft bed resting peacefully, with many IV wires connected to him. Staring into the bedroom was Sonic, checking to make sure that everything was still alright.

"He's still asleep, thank God." he said as he lightly closed the door and sat on a chair by it.

Tails was sitting on a workbench while Rouge was finishing bandaging his wounds.

"Done. Now, explain to me how THIS happened?" She said as she motioned at Tail's wounds.

"Well, everything was going fine; Shadow was cooperating with me and everything. I checked his vitals, and I had decided that he needed to be hooked up to an IV with some antibiotics administered, in case of any undetected pathogens and-"

"What are pathogens?" asked Sonic.

"Germs that cause disease. Anyways, so I tell this to Shadow who appeared to understand, but as soon as I took out the needle he started to attack me."

"So this was all just Shadow freaking out over a needle?" asked Sonic.

"Yes, and he was acting weird even before then. He kept avoiding any kind of contact, like when I was trying to listen to his heartbeat, he kept moving out of the way as if it was a knife or something."

"That is weird." commented Rouge.

"Yeah, but now that he is asleep, I can use the time to run some scans and tests on him. Sonic, could you do me a favor and move Shadow into the x-ray room please?"

Sonic nodded in response and went into the room where Shadow was sleeping. Tails then turned back to Rouge.

"It's going to take a couple of hours to complete these tests, Rouge. Why don't you go on home and get some rest. You have had quite a day." he said.

"Alright Tails, but if anything happens call me, ok?"

"Sure thing. See you later." said Tails.

"Bye Tails." said Rouge as she made her way up the stairs and exited the house.

Luckily, the storm had died down and she was able to get home in only a few minute. When she got home she went straight to bed, where exhaustion settled in a soon as her head hit the pillow.

The following morning, Rouge returned to Tail's house to visit Shadow and view the results of Tails' tests from the night before. She knocked on the front door and Sonic answered it a few seconds later.

"Oh hey Rouge come on in! Tails is waiting for you downstairs."

"Thanks Sonic."

Rouge then entered the living room and went down the stairs into the workshop.

"Rouge over here!" said Tails from behind her in an area that appeared to be designed as a break area because there was a couch and a coffee table.

Tails motioned for Rouge to sit next to him on the sofa.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine thanks, how is Shadow?"

"Did you get enough sleep?"

"Yes I did, how is Shadow doing?"

"Did you know that if you get at least eight hours of sleep every night that you'll -"

"Tails, quit avoiding my question! Is Shadow okay?!"

Tails sighed.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes. I need to know what's wrong with him so I can help him in anyway I can."

"Alright then." Tails took a deep breath before he continued.