Chapter Seven: All Shook Up

While Vanilla and Bunnie chatted together inside the farmhouse, the lop rabbit was shuffling around her tidy kitchen preparing snacks. Soon, she had everything assembled in a cooler. "I'll be right back." She informed Bunnie. "I'm just going to take this out to Fennel and the others."

"I can take care of that if you want." Bunnie offered, getting up from her seat. "It's the least I can do."

Bunnie was looking back at Vanilla as she opened the back door and started to leave. She almost didn't see the other Mobian who was walking up to the backdoor, and neither did they. The two almost ran into one another.

"Yo Mrs. W – whoa, careful there!" Shooting a hand out, the unfamiliar dog helped the startled Bunnie steady herself.

"Thanks." Bunnie heaved a sigh of relief, glad not to have dropped the cooler. If the dog had touched her robotic arm, then she must not have really noticed that she'd felt metal instead of fur - yet. Carefully she scanned the spaniel-like dog's pretty face for any kind of reaction.

But the dog simply gave her a warm smile of appreciation. "Anytime." She was mostly white, with brownish-orange patches splashed haphazardly on her fur.

Vanilla, who'd witnessed the near accident, hitched up her dress and hustled over to them. "Good heavens girls, are you alright?"

"Just fine, ma'am." Bunnie reassured her before noticing the dirty brown smear on the front of her leotard and frowning.

The dog, who turned out to be a kooikerhondje mix, a breed Bunnie had never heard of before, followed her gaze. Her hand flew up to her mouth, leaving behind a small brown smudge on her white furry chin. "Oh no! I am so sorry! I didn't wash my hands!" Realizing her mistake, she lowered her filthy hand to look down at it in dismay.

"Here, Bridget dear." Vanilla placed a rag into her hands before turning to inspect the grease smear on Bunnie's amaranth-pink outfit. "Some lemon juice and water should get right that out."

"I'd right appreciate it."

While Vanilla cleaned Bunnie up, the younger rabbit looked over at Bridget, who'd started wiping her hands off with the rag. "No offense, but exactly what is that on yer hands?"

"Oh, grease." Came her casual answer. "I just got through working on the tractor. Speaking of which Mrs. W., it should work now. Give her a try when you get a chance!"

Just then, Antoine stepped through the door. He stopped short when he saw who else was there with Bunnie and Vanilla. "Bridget?"

Bridget was equally surprised. "Tony? What are you doing here?"

Antoine was beaming from ear to ear now. "I could be asking you the same question!"

"Ya'll know each other?" The two canines glanced to their right to find Bunnie watching them closely.

"Bridget is one of the Maddogs." Antoine explained before stepping closer to the Freedom Fighter in question. "Are you here by yourself? Where is Bandit?"

"Well, the heat got to be little too much, so we decided to split up into smaller groups for a while. We're all gonna meet back up on the northern border. Bandit's with Illya, Redd, and Rue. I was traveling with Lem and Clem. We came up this way so those two could visit some old friends of theirs'. I got word that Mrs. Warren needed some handiwork done, so I decided to drop by to see what I could do. And lucky me, I find you here!"

"Oui, what good fortune indeed! Bridget, this is mon friend, Bunnie. She, Edward, and I are here on a… how you say, goodwill mission?" Edward was the alias that Stormblaze traveled under.

"Eddie's here too? Cool!" She exclaimed before turning to Bunnie and sticking out a hand. "Hey, 'sup Bunnie? It's really good to meet you. Don't worry, I'm all squeaky clean now."

Bunnie gave her a left-handed handshake. "You too. Don't you worry none 'bout that. I got me a friend who builds stuff too, so a lil' dirt don't ruffle my feathers."

"All done." Vanilla declared just then, straightening up from her stooped position. Thanks to her efforts, Bunnie's leotard looked no worse for the wear.

"What is in the cooler, Bunnie?' Antoine asked, pointing to it.

"Oh!" Bunnie had forgotten all about the cooler." Uh, Miss Vanilla here threw some snacks together fer everyone. I meant to take this out…"

"That is being most kind of you, Mademoiselle Warren. Merci." Antoine told Vanilla, who smiled and graciously acknowledged his thanks with a dip of her head in his direction. "I will join you in a moment, Bunnie."

Bunnie hesitated, glancing between him and Bridget and then the door, but finally left, lugging the cooler with her.

Knowing Stormblaze would be pleased to get a bite to eat (in spite of having had breakfast only a few hours earlier), Antoine's attention returned to Bridget. "So, it is safe to be assuming that you will be leaving soon?"

Bridget looked up from the glass of ice water she now was pouring for herself. "Yeah, probably. Why?"

"Well, I just had a thought - would you care to accompany us back to Knothole before you are meeting up with your amis?"

"You invitin' me to your place?" Setting the pitcher back down on the countertop, Bridget glanced over at the back door. "Is, uh, Bunnie and your other friends gonna be alright with that?"

"I do not see why not." Antoine shrugged guilelessly. "What is the worse that could happen? You make all the girls jealous?" He laughed.

"Not all of 'em..."

Seeing that she didn't share his amusement, Antoine's smile melted away. He cocked his head to one side, considering her. "I was just making a silly joke. Are you really being worried about this?"

"I'm sorry." She tried to smile even as she ducked her head, allowing her black-tipped ears to screen her face. "I guess I do sound a little paranoid, huh? It just seems to me like she's kinda worried about me trying to make a move on you."

"She? She who?"

"You know, Bunnie!" Bridget hissed, jerking her muzzle at the back door.

Antoine followed her gaze. "How - how are you knowing his?" Bunnie's behavior hadn't seemed any different to him.

"A girl can pick up on these kinds of things, Tony." Came her matter-of-fact reply.

"Oh. Uh, I see…" Antoine felt too embarrassed to admit that he didn't understand what she meant by Bunnie making a move on him. While he'd fully embraced Stormblaze's philosophy about asking questions, this situation was a little different from asking someone about all the proper sword stances. He worried about losing some of Bridget's respect for not knowing what she talking about. "Making a move" was probably commonplace slang that everyone but him knew. Did Bridget mean that she thought Bunnie was under the impression she wanted to take him away somewhere? "Well, I will talk to her and reassure her that this is not the case." That seemed like a safe answer.

"Okay, well in that case then..." Bridget mulled over this before finally sending him a big smile. "Sure. Invite accepted!"

"Whoa, sweet place!" Bridget was impressed by Knothole, her eyes sparkling as she took in everything. She, Antoine, Bunnie, and Stormblaze had just arrived there. Bridget craned her neck in order to take in the sight of the treehouses overhead as they passed below the high structures.

"Knothole was once the summer home of the royal family." Antoine knowledgeably informed her.

"Must be nice to be rich."

Bunnie had to laugh. With her own modest background, she understood Bridget's earnest sentiment perfectly. "I know what you mean."

Stormblaze started to say something, but noticing Sally making her way towards them, accompanied by Sonic, Rotor, Jioni, Tails, and Konga, murmured "uh oh" under his breath instead.

"Welcome back, guys." Sally addressed Antoine's group as the two respective parties stopped only a few feet from one another. In spite of not having been invited to Sanctuary, her manner cordial enough. "Care to tell us who your friend is?"

"This is Bridget. Stormblaze and I met her when we were in Carnia. She is being with the Maddog Freedom Fighters." Antoine replied. If Sally was willing to be polite, then he would be as well.

At the sight of more Knotholers, the corners of Bridget's mouth curved up into an excited grin. "Hey, rock on! It's always awesome to meet more Freedom Fighters!" She flitted from one Mobian to another, animatedly shaking hands as she went. "Wow, I knew Tony came from around these parts, but he never mentioned knowing actual factual royalty!"

"Gee, that's a real shocker." Sonic drawled. "I'm sure he told you all about himself though, right?"

Antoine's head shot over in his direction, muzzle wrinkling into a slight sneer. "Am I always supposed to mention that I am knowing the Knothole Freedom Fighters to everyone I meet, Sonic? I am not an advertising agency for all of you."

Generally, it didn't take very much to set Sonic off. This was especially true when it came to Antoine as of late. Between the coydog's smart-mouthed new attitude and the sound of Stormblaze and Konga's amused chuckling in his ears, Sonic found himself seeing red. "That's it! I've had about enough out of you!" He advanced on Antoine, who remained where he was regarding Sonic levelly. Bunnie had to step in fast in order to restrain him. Sally meanwhile was looking like she wanted to die of embarrassment.

Once things calmed down, the focus returned to the Knotholers' newest guest, and proper introductions were made.

"I've heard of the Maddog Freedom Fighters! Your leader's the Smiling Bandit, right?" Tails was asking Bridget.

"You bet your tails, little guy." Bridget replied, eager to move past the earlier incident. "Which look very awesome by the way! Makes me wish I'd been born special. I mean, how cool would it be to be able to run like the wind or hear an entire conversation from a mile away or something?" She looked over at Antoine.

Antoine shifted on his feet uncomfortably. Bridget and the rest of the Maddogs were actually aware of what he was capable of thanks to the time he had spent with them. He really hoped she wasn't about to spill his secret, but thankfully Jioni suddenly spoke up with a question of his own.

"What do you do with the Maddogs?"

"Aw, I'm just the mechanic."

"Rotor here's our mechanic." Bunnie gestured to the walrus.

Bridget turned to him. "Oh, so you're the friend who builds stuff Bunnie mentioned before."

For his part, Rotor looked away from her intrigued brown-eyed gaze, rubbing at his left arm as he did. "Um, yeah. I dabble…"

"Dude, you do more than dabble!" Sonic, who had settled down by then, gave him a playful punch in the arm. "Why don't you show her the Smogsucker 2000?"

"Well what're we waiting for then? Let's go, Ro!" Having never met a stranger, Bridget linked her arm with Rotor's.

Silently, Antoine watched the two of them take off together for his workshop. Ever since he'd had that eye-opening discussion about Rotor with Stormblaze at Sanctuary, Antoine didn't think he would ever look at Rotor in the same light again. He certainly hadn't brought Bridget to Knothole just so Bunnie and the others could foist him onto her. Really, Bunnie was too nice for her own good sometimes.

Bridget and Rotor were chatting about their shared interests. Or trying to anyways. Rotor was visibly nervous in her presence. He was tongue-tied, didn't seem to know what to do with his hands, and generally was just an awkward wreck. But Bridget proved patient and forgiving, even when he accidentally dropped one of his screwdrivers on her foot while showing her his tool collection.

"So what's this baby do?" Now Bridget was pointing to the device he'd bought out, the aforementioned Smogsucker 2000.

"It… um, i-it can safely store the smoke generated by campfires so Robotnik can't ascertain our location."

Nearby, Sonic, Bunnie, Sally, and Jioni were all sitting together on the grass under the pretense of simply talking together and enjoying the sunny weather, but in truth they were watching to see how Rotor was faring. Antoine had decided to join them for the time being, sitting by Jioni after Bunnie had sat down next to Sally. In the kerfuffle caused by his protégé's and Sonic's little row earlier, Stormblaze had deliberately chosen to made himself absent, while Tails had decided to go after him. Ever since Stormblaze had come to their neck of the woods, he'd been very curious about his new neighbor. Antoine wondered what the two of them were doing just then. Probably something fun if he had to guess. He, Bunnie, and Bridget should have been with them, not here.

As he observed Rotor and Bridget, Sonic was amazingly quiet. At times, a pained expression or a grimace would cross his face. No doubt he was experiencing second-hand embarrassment for his buddy.

Bunnie herself cringed as Bridget was forced to quickly duck in order to avoid getting conked in the head as Rotor, the rather unwieldy vacuum cleaner-esque Smogsucker 2000 hefted up onto his broad shoulder, suddenly turned in the direction of his workshop as he was talking. "Bless his lil' ol' heart. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get the two of 'em alone together after all. I thought he'd really open up around another mechanic."

Sally looked over at her, small ears angled in her direction. "Exactly what did you have in mind getting them together?"

"I just want Rotor to meet new people and start makin' more friends, like Sugah Twan here's been doin'." She motioned to Antoine, who, hearing his nickname, glanced over to smile politely at her. "Honestly, I don't think it's good that he doesn't do anything but hang around that stuffy ol' workshop of his all the time."

"Well, why don't the two of you start spending more time together? I know he really enjoys talking to you."

As he listened to them, Antoine sat up just a little straighter. He was mindful to keep a straight face and stay quiet, even though that wasn't what he wanted to do just then.

"Not sure if I follow ya, Sal-gal. How is his spendin' more time with me gonna help him make more friends?"

Before Sally could explain her reasoning to Bunnie, Konga rose to her feet. The gorilla had made no effort whatsoever to hide her disinterest in and disdain for the entire affair. She hadn't forgiven Rotor for what he had said to her and Jioni at their induction ceremony a couple of nights ago. "This is just pathetic. I'm out of here." She began walking off in the direction of the Great Oak without a single glance behind her. "Maybe there's some leaves somewhere that need counting."

Sonic, Sally, and Bunnie all aimed angry glares at her retreating back.

"Still happy about invitin' that one onboard?" Bunnie asked Sally, not holding back with the sarcasm.

"I sincerely apologize about that. Konga can be excessively… blunt." The weariness in Jioni's voice was perceptible, as if Konga had done this kind of thing dozens of times before and forcing him to run damage control.

"Oh, will you look at the time? I must be preparing lunch! I believe I will see if Bridget would like anything." Antoine suddenly proclaimed rather loudly. Konga was right – this was pathetic. He needed to save Bridget before Rotor brained her with a hammer or something. Granted, having watched him did make Antoine feel a lot better about his own ability to speak to girls.

Before anyone could stop him, he jumped up and approached the two mechanics. "Bridget? I was about to prepare lunch at my hut and would like to be inviting you to join me if you so wish."

"Oh yeah, sure! All that walkin' did work up my appetite."

For his part, Rotor didn't seem irate with Antoine for interrupting his time with Bridget. In fact, he actually seemed relieved.

Antoine started to depart with Bridget. Hearing somebody loudly clear their throat behind him, he turned to see Sonic and the others watching him expectantly. "Is there something you are wanting?"

"Uh, you didn't ask what we wanted to eat." Sonic replied, crossing his arms and staring back at Antoine with an expression clearly reading, "Seriously?"

Antoine found the words spilling out of his mouth before he even realized it. "And I am not going to. You are knowing how to cook, oui? And there is certainly nothing wrong with your hands. From now on, you can be preparing your own meals! That goes for the rest of you! Bunnie and Jioni, the two of you may be joining us if you so wish."

Antoine and Bridget had left the other Freedom Fighters standing there stunned into silence by the former's declaration. Bunnie had actually taken him up on his offer, but Jioni had politely declined before excusing himself, saying he wanted to go and talk to Konga.

Presently Antoine, Bunnie, and Bridget were at his hut, seated around the small table in his kitchen that he always ate at. Upon arriving there, he had prepared a quick lunch for the three of them to enjoy. Antoine, eager to hear about the Maddogs, had pressed Bridget for details on how they were doing, especially Bandit, with whom he'd forged an especially strong bond with (in fact, earlier on the quest he'd actually been planning to leave the Knothole Freedom Fighters for the Maddogs). He felt glad to learn that everyone was doing relatively well, considering that they all had to leave their home/base thanks to a traitor among them, a red fox and Bandit's own deputy leader, Fiona. It was feared that she'd given away their location to her ally, a local Robo-Loyalist, and the Maddogs didn't want to take any chances.

The trio had mostly finished their sandwiches, cucumber soup, and leftover pear tart that Antoine had pulled out of his mini-refrigerator when Bridget had a question of her own for him. "Uh, is everything alright, Tony?"

Bemused, Antoine looked her way. "Oui. Why?"

Bridget exchanged a knowing glance with Bunnie before meeting Antoine's eyes again. "You don't think you were being kinda harsh to your friends back there? About the whole cooking thing?"

Antoine's eyes went cold. "They are not my friends. I will not have them taking advantage of me any longer!"

"I understand your frustration darlin', I really do, but you could've stood to have handled that better." Bunnie said, gently touching his hand. "I think you need to sit down and talk to them about how you feel."

"But how am I supposed to do that when they are never giving me the chance to? I want to say I am sorry for my past actions and forgive them for what they have done to me, but Sonic treats me as a big joke and Sally acts like I am the same age as Tails! And she treats him with more respect than she ever did me! I already was trying to speak with Rotor, and guess what happened? It failed miserably!" He launched into the story of what had happened when he'd attempted to apologize to Rotor those two and a half weeks ago.

When he was done, Bunnie's face was troubled. "That don't sound like Rotor at all."

"On mon honor as a D'Coolette, that is what was happening." Antoine placed his left hand over his heart.

"I don't think yer tellin' tales. I just can't figure out why he'd be so sore at ya. I know ya'll ain't close, but if I didn't know any better it almost sounds like he's nursin' some kinda grudge."

"It is because he -" Antoine stopped himself. He'd almost started to blurt out Stormblaze's theory about why Rotor apparently detested him, but then wondered if Bunnie would be made uncomfortable.

"He what?" Both girls stared him curiously, Bunnie doubly so.

"… He does nothing but go along with whatever Sonic is saying and doing. So I am not surprised he hates me too."

"Oh sugah, they don't hate you -" Bunnie began.

"No. They just wish I never became a Freedom Fighter and that I would go back to where I belong." Antoine's tone was bone-dry. "I know you are not liking to see anybody fight and they are your friends, but it has been this way for me ever since I was living in Knothole."

"Well, if you ever need someplace to stay, you can always come find us." Bridget told him, referring to the Maddogs.

"Who said he was going anywhere?" Bunnie demanded.

"I'm not telling him to leave." Bridget explained, unperturbed by the rabbit's show of indignation. "I just figured if worst came to worst, Tony might want a change of address."

"Do you?" Bunnie directed that at Antoine.

Steeling himself, he looked straight into her eyes. "I must be honest, Bunnie. If things do not improve, then I feel I have no choice but to leave Knothole. I cannot call someplace where I am so unwelcome a home, even if you and two other people here are liking me."

"The others don't really pay that much attention to you, so you're gonna need to show them you've changed. It has to be something that'll really catch their eye!" It was clear that Bunnie would hear no more of this leaving business.

"But what could I possibly do that will do that?"

"Listen," She rested a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure if we put our heads together we can think of something!"

Antoine was pleased to see her smiling again. He had to wonder though with someone else helping him now if things actually start turning around for him, or if it would even do any good.

"I hate to tell you guys this," Bridget began before Antoine could reply, "but just because you work with somebody doesn't mean you and them will make good friends. Some peoples' personalities just don't mix well for whatever reasons, and you can't make everybody like you. That don't mean you're not a good person even though some Mobians think that's the case. It's just something that happens, and we don't have any control over it. I'm not saying this to bring you down, but you guys might wanna prepare yourselves in case things don't work out."

"- if Antsy won't even do the one thing he's actually supposed to be good at, then why do we even have the guy around in the first place?" Sonic was fuming as he ranted to the others. He couldn't believe he'd been shown up by Antoine for a second time that day, and in front of everybody no less. "He's nothin' but deadweight! Right, Rote?"

Rotor nodded seriously. "Absolutely. You two are in charge, Bunnie has her abilities, I build and maintain our tech and machinery. Even Dulcy acts as aerial and combat support. What does Antoine do, other than whine and run away on 'quests' without a word?"

It was around that time that Bridget left Antoine's hut. Spotting her, Sally turned away from her friends. "Hey Bridget, could we talk a minute?"

"Sure." Bridget obliged, walking over to the shady spot beneath the treehouses where the younger girl and her companions now were. "What's up?"

Sally lowered her voice as she spoke. "Is everything alright with Antoine? He's been pretty moody lately. I thought I'd see if he's said something to you."

"I think it might be better for you to ask him that yourself, Sally. No offense."

Sally made a noncommittal nose that was somewhere between a hum and a grunt. She started to say something when Sonic was suddenly in between the two, grinning mischievously. "Hey, so level with me, Bridge – on a scale of one to ten, how annoying was Ant really? Did he get all over your case about not being a real lady because you build stuff?"

She gave him a look of confusion. "What? Who's Ant?"

"Antoine. Come on! He's not around, you don't have to pretend anymore!"

Bridget turned so that she was now fully fronting Sonic. "You got some kind of problem with Tony, 'hog?" Although outwardly her demeanor still seemed casual, her tone hinted at ice and venom.

Rotor, who'd been observing the entire exchange without a word, glanced over at Sally. She caught his look. Her intention had been to just ignore Sonic in the hopes that not giving him any attention would make him shut up. But sensing that he was about to create an argument, she finally interceded. "Sonic, please."

Bridget's reaction to his question left Sonic nonplussed. Deliberately ignoring Sally's plea, Sonic's brow knitted together into a frown before he shook his head slightly. "Chill out, girl! All I'm sayin' is that it's impossible for Antsy to make friends." He said like he was explaining that the sky was blue or Robotnik was dangerous. "He's too busy being his usual snot-nosed self to even bother making pals! He's not some awesome hero or this cool guy like you seem to think he is!"

Bridget leveled a flinty stare at him. "So just 'cause you don't like him means everybody else should too, huh? Grow up, little boy!"

"You're actin' just like Penny and the guys and that stupid unicorn!"

"Listen." Bridget held out a hand to stop him. "I don't know what your problem is, but ever since I've met Tony he's been nothing but nice, and he helped save my boss' life. I'm not gonna stand here listening to you badmouth him!" Long furry ears flying as she gave a toss of her head, she started to stalk off, but not before stopping to look back at Sonic. "You know, I'm really glad none of the other Maddogs are here with me. If they were, they'd be just as disappointed as I am to see what a huge douchebag you really are." With that she walked away, leaving behind three astounded Freedom Fighters.

Sonic turned to Sally and Rotor. "You hear what she just called me?!"

"You shouldn't have went off in front of her like that." Sally scolded. "You don't even know her."

"Aw c'mon! I was just sayin' what we were all thinkin'!"

"Sonic, does the word tact mean anything to you?"

"Tact my sweet ass…" Sonic grumbled.

"We really enjoyed having you here with us, Miss Bridget!" That was Tails, standing in front of Bridget and looking up at her, all smiles and perked up ears.

Bridget was preparing to leave to rejoin Clem and Lem before night fully set in. Already a few of stars could be seen winking at them from above. The Knotholers had gathered by the South Lookout post to see her off.

Affectionately Bridget patted Tails on the head. "Aw, you're such a little gentleman! I think I see some girls in your future. A word of advice - what we really like," and here she looked directly at Sonic and Rotor, who were watching them both from nearby, "is a man who treats everyone with kindness and respect."

"Okay." Tails shrugged. "I don't need a girlfriend or anything like though."

"More interested in running the woods, huh?" Bridget teased, grinning playfully. "Well, just keep in mind what I said about respect and kindness. That's important even without romance in the mix."

Coming to Antoine next, Bridget briefly enveloped his hands in hers. "I hope things pick up for you, Tony. Remember what I said earlier. Anyways, I can't wait to tell everybody I ran into you and Eddie."

Dulcy lowered her head towards Antoine. "Hey Tony, who's Ed - oof!"

Stormblaze, who by then had returned from wherever he'd taken refuge at, had just quickly elbowed her in the side. As much as he liked Bridget, Stormblaze was still particular about who he trusted with the knowledge of his true identity.

Pretending like he hadn't seen or heard anything, Antoine regarded Bridget with concern. "Are you quite certain you do not need someone to escort you back? I would be most honored to do so."

"Oh no!" Bridget answered almost a little too quickly. "I mean, you guys have already done enough for me. I wouldn't want to put you out. I'll be fine -"

"Well, I'm certainly pleased to see what good friends the three of you have become," That was Sally, who was walking over to give Bridget her own farewell.

"Uh, yeah… thanks Sally."

Sally's sudden intrusion as well as her comment earned a roll of the eyes at her back from Antoine, but he said nothing as she began conversing with Bridget. He wasn't really listening to the girls. The idea of Bridget trekking back all the way they had come by herself just didn't sit right with him.

Other then when she'd been giving Tails advice, Bridget hadn't so as much as glanced Sonic's way. She was refusing to acknowledge his presence.

Her actions hadn't gone unnoticed. Bunnie, standing on the other side of Dulcy, was watching the two of them. She could all but see the steam rising off Sonic's head as he gave Bridget a death-glare, complete with clenched fists and gritted teeth. She wondered if Antoine could pick up on Sonic's attitude, but he seemed lost in his own little world right then. Sally didn't notice either. Having eaten lunch with Bridget, Bunnie had warmed up to her some more. Bridget didn't strike her as the type to just start fighting with somebody out of the blue. She and Sonic had gotten along with no problems earlier, so what had changed? Hoping to discover what was going on and sate her curiosity, Bunnie decided she was better off asking Sally about it, since an irate Sonic was a ranting, hard-to-understand Sonic. Maybe she'd talk to him once he cooled down.

Sometime after Bridget had gone, Bunnie easily made her way through the dark to Sally's hut and asked if it was alright if she came in. After Sally opened the door for her, Bunnie plopped down on her canopy bed just like she'd done a hundred times before. Sally resumed digging through a box she'd brought over from the Great Oak.

"What on earth was all that about earlier? Why was Bridget givin' Sugah-hog the cold shoulder all of a sudden?"

"Huh?" Stopping, Sally looked over her shoulder at Bunnie. "Oh, that. Well, after you guys ate at Antoine's, Bridget and Sonic got into a little… altercation. You know Sonic, always shooting his mouth off." She just about buried her nose back in the box.

Bunnie leaned forward. "Altercation? Over what?"

"He started talking about Antoine and she didn't like it. I really wish he'd put a muzzle on it sometimes. He might've made a very bad impression on her, and we can't afford to have any animosity between our two groups. We have to present a strong united front – even to individuals who don't have the cleanest reputations - ah-ha!" Grinning in triumph, she produced a red and white sweater featuring a green-and-blue winter cap-wearing ladet surrounded by little white fluffy pom-poms that were supposed to be snow. "I told Sonic Rosie hadn't thrown this out! I can't wait to see his face when I show this to him! My aunt Alice made it for him when he was little."

Bunnie just stared, less so at the tacky-looking sweater and more at Sally. She didn't have to ask what it was that Sonic was saying about Antoine. She already had a pretty good idea. She remembered what Antoine had said earlier about feeling like Sonic hated him. "Didn't you try to stop him?"

"Of course I did!" The sweater forgotten, Sally whirled about to face Bunnie, her voice a touch defensive. "But well, it was too late. The damage was already done. But hopefully she won't hold it against us or mention it to the other Maddogs. You know I still can't believe that there's a criminal out there leading his own group of Freedom Fighters? What a crazy world we live in."

While Sally was right about Sonic potentially offending the Maddogs, her attitude bothered Bunnie. The fact that Sonic had been verbally tearing down Antoine for the umpteenth time didn't even seem to matter to her. She was more concerned about what a bunch of strangers would think of them.

Standing, Sally tossed the sweater onto the bed. "Hey, while you're here, let's go over these plans for our next mission to Robotropolis." Retrieving a large rolled-up sheet of paper from the organizer tray on her desk, Sally unfurled it and laid out flat on the bed. "I was thinking you could lead the infiltration team -"

Bunnie suddenly got up. "You know what? It's been a long day and I'm feelin' a mite tired. Maybe tomorrow."

Sally glanced up at her. "Hmm, really? Well, we can put this on hold if you want. Go and get your rest."