The night drew on slowly; the clock ticked slower and slower, almost to a complete stop, it seemed. But Eggman couldn't rest, fearing the week's end. He looked down at Sonic, who was off in the wonderland of sleep, snuggled comfortably on his leg, drooling lightly. Bokkun was on his other side, his head resting on the arm of the sofa. The man sighed, resting his head on the sofa. His hand was around the thin Hedgehog's body, the rubbing of his neck ceased a few hours before hand.

The clock hit another hour, causing the chimes to echo throughout the house. One…two…three…four…He sighed again after counting the chimes, his hand beginning to scratch behind the hedgehog's ear. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Come on, Eggman…think…THINK! How can he talk to you when he needs you…running to my base isn't going to solve anything if he feels he's going to hurt himself again.

He pulled his attention to the television again, which was giving the man background noise. There was an ad about raising the speed of one's internet. He blinked, getting an idea. "Internet…" He turned to the hedgehog, whose tail twitched lightly. "I do have an email account…" He smiled, moving his hand to Sonic's forehead, petting it gently. "You'll be alright, Sonic…I promise."


Sonic's ear twitched, sniffing the air. The smell of pancakes filled his nostrils. Ella? He lifted his head, seeing himself resting on a pillow on the sofa. No…Ella's gone. He sniffed the air again; his tail instantly began to wag at the lovely aroma. He lifted his head a bit more; another scent mixing in with the pancakes. He couldn't really point out the scent, but it made him feel a sense of relaxation and being loved and cared for. He never did have the chance to smell Eggman's scent before now, but it made him grow happy. It was strange.

"Good morning." He lifted himself, seeing Eggman bending down, smiling softly. "Breakfast is ready…I do hope you like pancakes."

He stretched himself, shaking the aches and pains of his back and tail. He went to stretch his arms out when a sharp pain reminded him of his self-gashing. "Ouch…"

"Careful now; if you pull your wound out, you'll most defiantly need stitching." Eggman held him up, smiling softly. "You don't want that, now do you?" Sonic sighed, taking notice that Bokkun was gone. "Decoe came to pick him up…you were out like a light for a good 10 hours. I thought you would have waking on and off."

Sonic followed him into the kitchen, the scent of pancakes overpowering. His tail started to wag, thumping on the chair he perched on. "It smells heavenly."

"Well, thank-you." Eggman bowed his head as he placed the plate of pancakes on the table. "I do hope you enjoy it…say, do you have access to the internet?"

Sonic gave a confused look, biting into the pancake. "Well…if that's what the laptop does…yeah. But I haven't a clue how to use it. I was never taught how."

Eggman gave off a friendly chuckle. "Bring it here, I'll teach you."

Sonic leaved the room, returning with a laptop in his arm. "I know the basics, like turning it on…and that's really it…"

He watched Eggman intently, interested at what he was showing him, listening to his words. He was showing him the ins and outs of the internet and the things that went with it. His eyes were wide at how much this man knew, which kind of worried him. "Why don't we make you a B-Mail account? That way, you and I can talk."

Sonic turned, tilting his head. "You and I can talk through here, too?"

"Of course." He chuckled, going to this website called Boogle. "I have a B-Mail, and when you get one, we can send emails back and forth…are you following me?"

Sonic nodded, only half understanding this, now, alien language. He handed Sonic the laptop, helping him fill out the requirements. Before the hedgehog knew it, he had a B-Mail account. His tail twitched, happy to know that there was now a much easier way to speak to Eggman now. "So…you have a B-Mail, then?"

He nodded. "I'll show you my own account…" He typed up his username, chuckling lightly. "Don't laugh; I've had it since I was a child."

Sonic read the name, tilting his head in a bit of confusion. IvoRRR780155. "…Ivo?" He turned to the man, blinking. "What does Ivo mean?"

"You've known me for how many years…and you still don't know my first name?" He smiled, nodding lightly. Sonic's face gave him a clear understanding on what the hedgehog thought. "My full name is Ivo Eghinn Robotnik. You never knew that?"

Sonic shook his head. "I mean…I knew your last name was Robotnik…but…I didn't know your first name." He blinked again, looking back at the username. "Ivo…what does that mean?"

The man pondered for a moment. "I know it is French…I believe it means Yew wood…and Archer." He took notice that Sonic had no clue what he was talking about; he didn't know himself. "It doesn't matter, it's just a name." He continued to teach the hedgehog how to send an email, his heart swelling at the happy face Sonic was giving. He felt…almost like a father.

All throughout the day, he made sure Sonic was smiling, his mind clear away from the wounding thoughts. He knew they would comeback, but he tried so hard to prolong their return as much as he could.

"Why did they ignore me…?" The question caused Eggman to freeze, turning to Sonic who was sitting at the table, spinning his food from side to side with his silverware. "I mean, it was plain as day; I was hurt…I still am. No one even saw my bee sting…when it was a bee sting, I mean…"

He sighed, sitting next to him, placing his hand on Sonic's back. "They all were busy. I mean, I know that Chris has entry exams to worry about, that's why he is over at his friends, most likely. And the girls…you said that they won a contest, yes?" Sonic nodded slowly. "They were focusing on the contest, and they…I know this does sound rather harsh, but they were more focused on the contest to see that you were more than just sick. Trust me, you looked ill when I saw you at the Party a week ago, they must have just assumed you were sick. I'm not saying assumptions are good, but they did it; you can't change that."

Sonic's grip on the silverware loosened, having it fall from his hand. "Why did Tails, of all people, not see me hurting?"

"He had the Science Fair cramming his mind. He was stressed as it was, he didn't know you were hurt. He didn't see the signs. But that doesn't mean they hate you; they still love you." He sighed, reading the face Sonic was giving. He wasn't accepting what he was saying. "They thought you were sick, yes?" Sonic nodded. "So they let you sleep in."

"So I would be healthy to fight you."

"They were concerned that, say I chose to…say…try to steal an Emerald that same day. And you were sick…how on Earth would you be able to stop me, if you are light heady and drowsy."

Sonic smiled softly, lifting his unharmed arm. "Like this," He grew closer, slapping Eggman in the face.

He couldn't help but chuckle at the hedgehog's answer. "Let's be series now, Sonic. You know, as well as I do, you probably wouldn't be able to stop me. Your mind would be foggy and your system, in general, would be out of whack. They just wanted to make sure you were well enough just in case of the worse. They saw you as sick. Did you TELL them that you were upset?"

Sonic's ear-tips began to bend. "Well…no…"

"So how were they supposed to know you were upset? I only knew you were because I know the signs; I went through it, as well." He sighed, getting up from the chair. "Finish your dinner; it's getting late."

Sonic lowered himself, finishing what he could before finding the rest of the meal sickening to his stomach. "I'm sorry…Ivo…"

"Don't be sorry; it's not your fault, it's no one's fault." His voice was so stern, mixed in with sadness, but it held kindness inside it as well. Sonic couldn't really tell if the man was upset or not. "You are alive, that's all that matters."

Sonic followed Eggman up the stairs, his wounded arm pounding from pain. What had happened was still a blur. He had asked Eggman about what truly happened, but his reply was "Don't worry about it, Sonic. You'll be alright." He remembered finding a pair of scissors in his line of vision, taking them for no real reason. Next thing he knew, he was on the floor, bleeding from his, once, gashed arm; Bokkun franticly calling Eggman for help. He was thankful Eggman was here, spending the day with him, making sure he was alright and happy again. He has yet to show any sign of fear or absolute sadness upon Sonic's actions, but kept calm and gentle, keeping a soft smile on his face when need be. This was a side of him Sonic never has seen before. He liked it.

Eggman tucked the young hedgehog in his bed, sitting on his legs beside him, rubbing his forehead softly. "I'm not going to leave you, alright. I'll be right here."

Sonic smiled softly, his tail flicking slowly before stopping interlay as he drifted for the night. Eggman watched him, lack of sleep taking a bit of a toll on his heavy eyes.