Disclaimer: James Harrison is mine. None of the others are.
Chapter 9
-G.U.N. Headquarters-
Sonic stepped into the room. All the lights were off, the entirety of the light coming from the large screen across the room. On the screen was the President himself. He didn't look happy, nor did that change when he saw Sonic.
"I understand you killed Commander Towers," he said.
Sonic stood before the screen.
"I did."
There was no point in denying it. Whether he'd been in his right mind or not, it had still been his hands that killed the commander. The President sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Why did you kill the commander, Sonic? You're supposed to be our hero."
"I didn't have a choice," Sonic said. "I lost myself in my anger and attacked. Before I regained control of myself, he was dead and the soldiers were shooting at me."
"Mr. President," Rouge began, "I believe it had something to do with Shadow. Commander Towers had-"
"I'm asking him, Agent Rouge." The President looked back at Sonic. "Explain yourself."
"It's kind of a long story, President." Sonic sat down in one of the seats. "Just... listen and hear me out. Shadow and I are lovers. His Black Arms blood acts up sometimes and things about him change. At least, that's how I understand it." The President leaned back in his own seat. "Anyway, the last few months, some kind of alien mating thing has been affecting him. It changes his body to a female's. He tried to hide it from me, but I found out. She ended up pregnant. Commander Towers had agreed to help some corporation called Umbrella with something. He handed Shadow to them, never mind how he thought or what condition he was in. When I talked to him about it, my anger got the best of me." Sonic hung his head in embarrassment. It had been bad enough admitting what he'd done to himself. "I didn't mean to kill him, and I'm truly sorry for it."
The President sighed. He knew Sonic meant what he said. Mobius' hero hadn't lied to him yet, and had no reason to. But he still had to figure out what to do about the dead commander.
"All right. I believe you," he said after a few long seconds. "I suppose I'll let you off this one time. But only if you get Shadow back safe and sound. With the commander dead, G.U.N. is in need of a new leader. He fits the criteria."
Sonic nodded and stood.
"I'll get right on that, Mr. President."
Sonic bowed and hurried out of the room. Both Rouge and the President watched him leave.
"Sometimes, you have to overlook some things in order to prevent worse things from happening. If Umbrella succeeds at what they're doing, all of us as a planet are done for."
"Of course, Mr. President." Rouge bowed once and took her leave. The transmission with the President was cut off.
-Soleanna-
Shadow woke an hour later, in the same bed she'd been strapped onto. Elise was sitting next to the bed. A smile was lighting her face.
"Good afternoon," she said. "I had the straps removed after you'd fallen asleep."
"Thanks." Shadow sat in bed. She made sure she was all right before returning the princess's smile. "That was a nice thing you did for me."
"We're both women, Shadow. I couldn't allow them to treat you in such a manner. Especially within my own castle."
"You're a princess. Shouldn't you be doing your royal duties?"
Elise shook her head. As far as she was concerned, Shadow was more important than her duties. Someone else could stand in for her for a while.
"I consider you to me a more pressing matter. I've told my guards to lead Sonic here if he returned." Elise rubbed Shadow's arm. "You'll see him soon, I'm sure."
Just then, the door flew open. Sonic was on the bed with his arms wrapped around Shadow before either of the women could react. James and two guards came into the room shortly after.
"He cannot be here!" James shouted.
"He can, and he may stay as long as he likes," Elise said. "It isn't right to keep a man from his pregnant wife."
"We're not actually married," Shadow said. "We're just..."
Sonic cut her off with a kiss. Without hesitation, Shadow leaned against him. Her arms went up around his neck as she pressed their bodies and muzzles closer together. Elise politely averted her gaze as the two continued kissing. In no time at all, they forgot others were present.
"I missed you," Sonic muttered against her lips. "I've missed you so much."
"I'm fat, aren't I?"
Sonic moved away to get a better look at her. Shadow sat, awaiting his verdict. Green eyes looked her up and down a few times before finally resting on her enlarged abdomen. He leaned forward and gave it a kiss.
"You're as lovely as ever," Sonic said with a smile. Shadow sighed in happiness. That was what she'd been wanting to hear. Shadow wrapped her arms around him and pressed against him once more.
"I've got to stay here until our baby's born," Shadow said. "Princess's orders."
Shadow motioned to the side, where Elise was sitting. Sonic gave the human princess a smile.
"Thanks, Elise." Sonic's smile left as he looked back at Shadow. "Commander Towers is dead. I killed him after my anger got the better of me. He was just... I couldn't stand what he was saying about you. Now, the President wants you to become G.U.N.'s new leader."
"You aren't in any trouble for killing Commander Towers?"
"I'm off the hook if I bring you back safe and sound. So don't get hurt, all right?" Sonic winked as he spoke. Shadow chuckled.
"She's only here until she gives birth to that baby," James said. "Then we'll be transporting her to another location where we can-"
Sonic jumped to his feet and snarled at the doctor. He really didn't like that man.
"You won't be taking her anywhere." Sonic stood protectively in front of Shadow. "Just because you think she's some kind of specimen for you to play with doesn't mean you can do whatever you please with her. She's a living creature, just like us."
"She is a half-alien weapon. You know what could happen after she has that baby? It could grow into something dangerous to mankind. We have to kill it and-"
Under normal circumstances, Sonic never would have done it. Under normal circumstances, Shadow would have protected himself. But this wasn't normal circumstances, and James' face met Sonic's fist. The blue hedgehog watched with mild triumph as the human fell to the floor. James wiped some of the blood from his face as he sat. The hedgehog hit harder than he'd been expecting from someone of his height.
Sonic stood over him. The look in his eyes was something people didn't get to see often. Unbridled fury radiated in his eyes and around his body. You'd think people wouldn't be dumb enough to say such things to his face. Shadow huffed and crossed her arms. It was impressive, she had to admit. But at this rate, Sonic was bound to do something he wouldn't like. As his foot descended on the doctor's chest, she spoke up.
"Sonic, you'll lose yourself again. Don't be like me."
Sonic looked back at her. What he'd been planning, he couldn't remember. Her serious expression combined with her words gave him enough of a hint. Sonic moved off James, kicking him before returning to Shadow.
"I don't know what keeps coming over me," Sonic said. "Someone starts insulting or threatening you, and I just get angry. I've never had so many difficulties controlling it before."
Shadow smiled. To her, it was clear what Sonic was doing.
"You feel the need to protect your mate," she said. "I'm not at my best right now. You're doing what comes naturally."
"Who cares why he's doing it?" James asked. He lifted himself off the floor with a little difficulty. "It doesn't matter what he does. You will help us in our project, and he will not interfere."
James left the room while Shadow held Sonic in place.
"I don't think he likes you very much," Elise said. Shadow shrugged while Sonic laughed.
"I rarely get that reaction from people," he said. "It's actually a little refreshing."
"I didn't like you when we first met," Shadow reminded him. "He doesn't like me either."
"The hatred seems mutual to me," Elise muttered. Standing, she dusted her dress despite nothing needing dusted off. "I should go make sure he's not causing problems for us. You two catch up."
Elise left the room. Sonic turned back to Shadow, who remained where she was on the bed.
"So, what should we do...?" Sonic smiled. Shadow sighed and shook her head.
"Not while I'm pregnant, Sonic." A shift in posture had her legs crossed under her. Peach hands came to rest on her thighs as Sonic moved forward. That smile was still on his muzzle. His black nose came to rub against Shadow's.
"Come on. Just a little..."
Green eyes looked into red. Shadow was the only one who could get Sonic pleading like this. Red eyes broke the contact and instead focused on a peach torso.
"No means no. Unless you plan to ignore everything you've ever told people?"
Sonic pouted. Shadow knew she'd won when his hands slipped from her thighs and he pulled back. Appealing to his heroic nature was a sure way to go about it. Sonic gave her a kiss instead. Just as earlier, Shadow found herself pressing their bodies together as the kiss deepened. A week had evidently been too long for the both of them. Soon, Sonic found Shadow sitting on his lap. Her body pressed tight against his as her lips parted and her tongue slid along his lower lip. More than happy for the added contact, Sonic allowed her entrance. Shadow's nose wrinkled a little. The inside of Sonic's mouth always tasted of Chili Dogs. Sonic laughed against her lips. He knew how his mouth tasted. Shadow had complained enough about it enough times for him to know how he felt about it. A hand slapped Sonic's back in reaction.
"If you're going to laugh, I can stop."
Shadow's muttered words were almost lost to Sonic.
"No, I'll stop laughing."
Sonic resumed the kiss, tongue slipping into her mouth for the inevitable fight for dominance. Even as a pregnant woman, Shadow refused to simply give in to Sonic's wants. Black hips moved against blue as the kiss continued. A blue ridge raised but Sonic decided it would be better if he kept his thoughts to himself. All he was concerned with was the abdomen insistently reminding him of its presence. Legs wrapped around his hips and he finally had to pull back.
"I thought..." Sonic was silenced as Shadow's finger came to rest on his lips.
A heavy blush had crossed her face as she felt her body heating. Despite her pregnancy, her body wanted it. Everything yearned to feel his touch again. As if they'd been apart months rather than a week. It was ludicrous.
"You will take me. But if you hurt our baby..."
"Don't worry, Shads." Sonic grinned brightly. So typical of Shadow to demand something then threaten him a moment later. "If you don't like something, just let me know."
Shadow nodded before returning her mouth to Sonic's. Peach arms lifted her from his lap as his erection made itself known. If anyone came in now, they were going to regret it. Shadow felt a hand brush the sensitive opening between her parted thighs. Another slap had him laying the hand back on her hip.
"I'm ready," Shadow groaned. "Just fucking do it."
Sonic chuckled at her choice of words. Shadow always tended to let the curses slip whenever he was especially aroused. The lips parted as he moved into position beneath her and pulled her down. Shadow gasped as she felt his hard length sliding into her depths. Shadow wasn't used to being the one penetrated. And her body had never demanded attention when Sonic was away. Moving her hips on him, she tried not to press her abdomen against him too hard. Pants and moans filled the air, breath combining between the two as their muzzles came to meet one another again. Groping hands caressed lithe forms as tongues danced. Groans and moans of pleasure increased in volume as Shadow continued riding him as best she could. Sonic flopped back onto the bed. Green eyes watched every bounce her motions caused. Crimson eyes peered down at him from under thick lashes. Hands came to rest on his chest, providing her with better leverage for her motions. A growl built up in her throat before she spoke to him.
"Just gonna lie there, Faker?"
"I'm enjoying the scenery. Don't rush me."
Shadow grunted and ceased to move. Sonic groaned. Her hips were pressing hard on his own, driving him deeper than he would've thought she'd accept him at this time. Why she'd thought this would entice him to move, he had no idea. With such heat pressing on him from all angles, he didn't feel much motivation to move. A contended sigh passed his lips before he could contain it. Eyes widened as Shadow began lifting herself away. Peach hands dug into ebony hips and pulled her back to her previous position.
"Careful!" Shadow gasped.
The sight of her was what Sonic enjoyed the most. Knowing he was the only one to see Shadow in such a state of ecstasy was a personal achievement he kept to himself. Blue hips thrust up into her heat. Shadow was practically mewling above him. White-furred breasts bounced as she once again took control of her own hips. He had to bite his lip to keep from throwing her previous warning back at her. Push Shadow too far, and she was likely to leave you in your sorry condition. Instead, he ran his hands along her thighs. Muscles tightened and loosened under his fingers. It was clear how much she was working her legs. A twitch of a frown caught his attention as she stilled for a brief moment. Shadow was panting now; sweat sliding down through her fur and on her tan muzzle. It was obvious she was overworking herself.
"You don't have the same endurance as usual," Sonic whispered. "Let me take control. I won't get carried away. Promise."
Shadow nodded and collapsed onto his torso. Gently, Sonic rolled so he was above her on the mattress. Careful of her body, Sonic kept himself from directly lying atop her. No need to put too much pressure on her. Legs wrapped around him weakly as she whimpered. Touches on her abdomen started as Sonic thrust against her. Shadow closed her eyes and allowed Sonic complete control of her body. Lips parted as thrust after thrust forced gasps and moans from her throat. Arms circled him as much as possible. Sonic planted kisses on her body everywhere he could reach. Hands stroked her sides, her legs, and even her face. The heat, the motions... Everything became too much for Shadow as she let her orgasm take her body to heaven. The feeling of her inner walls clamping down brought Sonic along with her. When they crashed back to Mobius, Shadow was the first to speak.
"Once is... quite enough."
Sonic nodded and pulled from her. A bit of their combined juices came with him, falling onto the sheets.
"Nasty..." she muttered.
Sonic pressed a kiss to her lips as he moved next to her. For the time being, everything was right again. Shadow was in his arms, where he could protect her if need be. Her body was curled against his, as it should be. Sonic stroked a hand down the side of her face. Lying there watching her doze off, Sonic remembered when they'd first gotten together.
Shadow had told him everything, that night. About his insecurities, how he thought nobody would ever love him. Just how much Sonic's kindness truly meant to him... and how he felt toward the blue hedgehog everyone admired. At first, it had been a shock. Sonic had tried to avoid the topic. Acting the way he usually did, not treating Shadow any differently. Sally'd been his girlfriend at the time. Shadow's confession had made the hero stay with her longer than he'd wanted to. Figured if he stayed with the princess, Shadow would find someone else to give his heart to. How wrong he'd been. Shadow hadn't found someone else to give his heart to. Nor had he been fooled by Sonic's actions.
Sonic had been the one to find him. Lying in a pool of his own blood, it had looked as though the darker hedgehog had died. It was something Sonic never wanted to see again. It had also been the sight to pull his own feelings from wherever they'd been hiding. Of course, Shadow had given him a hard time. After the way Sonic had treated him, it had been expected.
Sonic stroked her cheek once more. Shadow was now one of the things that mattered most to him in the world. Protecting the other and their love meant everything to him. The thought that anyone would try to stop that was enough to get his blood boiling again.
Umbrella may not have harmed her yet, but it still angered him that they would try. Sonic moved closer to her and nuzzled the top of her head. Shadow reacted to his touch, moving closer to him. Sonic smiled.
"I'll protect you. I promise," Sonic's whispered words barely passed his lips. "Umbrella won't be allowed to hurt you. They won't be capable of hurting you. Not when I'm through with them."
