"Then we are all in agreement," Sonic said, "I am going to run home and grab my things."

"Sonic, you are not expected there until tomorrow morning," the King replied. "I expect you to go home and get a good night's rest, it is likely that you will need it. You can wake up early tomorrow and leave."

"Sir, I don't want to leave Tails out there by himself any longer."

"Tails can take care of himself you know that better than anybody. Consider my request as an order. Get some sleep!"

Sonic didn't like being told what to do, especially when it went against every fiber of his being. Luckily for him most of the time his orders aligned perfectly with what he wanted to do. This time just happened to be an exception. Rather than create problems for himself, he just gritted his teeth and replied with a, "Yes Sir!"

"Good, I expect to here from you as soon as you meet up with Tails tomorrow morning. You are dismissed."

Without saying anything else, he turned for the door. With the entire night swirling around in his mind, he could honestly say he was confused and angry all at the same time. It was funny how those two things usually coincided for him. Sonic placed his hand on the door handle to leave, but was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Sally standing right behind him, she had apparently been following him since he left the table, he had just been too deep in thought to notice. She was looking right into his eyes with a look of mixed emotions, unsure of which would be the most meaningful to display.

Finally she broke what seemed like an eternity of silence and said, "Thank you," and moved to embrace him. She put her hands in his and gave him a small kiss on the forehead. Sonic wasn't sure what she was thanking him for, but he did manage to get out a quiet "Your welcome?"

Without explaining herself further, Sally slowly drew her hand away from his as she turned around. Sonic did his best to savor every moment of their togetherness, but the moment her fingertips slipped through his and she began moving away from him he couldn't help but be over come by a feeling of loss.

Sally was now moving towards a door on the adjacent wall. Sonic could have kicked him self later for just standing there and watching her leave. The only thing that made him feel remotely better was that the fact that the King hadn't seen any of it and the rather amusing look on Amy's face. He had a feeling it was mostly the later though, seeing as if it were possible for her jaw to be on the floor it probably would have been.

Realizing that he needed to get home, Sonic snapped out of his daze and turned around to grab the door handle. As he moved to open the door he could faintly here the King say "Amy, I have another assignment for you as well."

Once he made his way across the threshold, he continued down the long hallway, which was filled with suits of knights' armor and paintings of past Kings. He had never walked down it alone before. Each step he took echoed among the walls with defining silence, he was alone again.

All of the lights had been shut off in the dining hall, the only source of light was managed to make its way through the windows from the lap post in the garden outside. The bars on the windows created long shadows on the oak floor that seemed to bend in every direction as he moved by them. Each shadow served as a marker for his progress as he walked somberly across the hall. When he finally reached the other side he pushed open the doors and started for the entrance to the building.

The guard that was stationed at his post in front of the main door gave Sonic an odd look as he walked past him. At least he recognized him enough to open the door for him. Sonic mad his way outside and down the steps. There were eights steps, he counted each one as he planted his foot on them. When he reached the bottom a voice from behind him called out "Would you like some company for you walk home?"

Sonic was sure that sounded like Sally. Sure enough as he turned around Sally stood there at the top of the steps, now dressed in her blue vest. Sonic's night seemed to be a rollercoaster, and as much as he enjoyed them, he wanted this one to stop.

"Sally!" He said, with an amount of excitement that even surprised him. "Of course, I'll take all the company I can get, Robotropolis doesn't have to many friendly faces."

She walked down the stairs until she was right next to him. Looking down at her boots and then back up towards the path she said, "Shall we?" motioning towards the path.

"So how did you know to find me here?" Sonic said.

"You always leave through the main entrance," She replied "I just wasn't sure if I would be able to catch you after I changed out of my dress.

Feeling guilty about the whole dress thing Sonic thought it might be a good idea to compliment her now, even if we was a little late. "Sally, You looked amazing tonight."

With a smile on her face and small chuckle she replied "Thanks." Looking down at his suit she continued "You didn't look so bad yourself."

"How did things go with your father?" Sonic asked

"Honestly, better than expected."

"C'mon Sal, you don't give yourself enough credit."

Changing the tone of her voice now, Sally said softly "Sonic, my brother is still alive."

Sonic wasn't sure how to respond, but he had a feeling she wasn't entirely how to deal with that information her self, so he said nothing.

"My father has known for all these years, and he decides to tell me tonight that Elias is still alive. I am glad he told me, but why would he keep something like that from me?"

"Sal, you know he was just trying to protect you. You have had more than enough to worry about over the past couple of years."

"Sonic, this is my brother we are talking about. But I suppose perhaps my father was right in not telling me. If he can't find him, I don't know how I would."

"So he is missing?"

"No. He left my father when he turned sixteen to find a new place to live. If he hadn't don't that though, he could have been captured with my father and far worse things could have happened to him."

"When this is all over Sal, I'll help you find him, I promise"

"Thanks Sonic, it would mean a lot to me."

Clearly having had enough of the their current conversation topic, Sally decided to ask "How did your conversation with Amy go?"

Sonic was hoping to avoid that question, seeing as didn't get to explain everything to her.

"Well, I started to explain things to her, but Nicole interrupted us."

"I see." Sally said with a slightly mocking look on her face. It relieved Sonic that she was only pretending to be serious. "Well the next chance you get you should probably finish that conversation." she added.

"Yes ma'am." Sonic added back in an equally sarcastically serious voice.

Sally giggled at his response, but to his surprised stopped walking. Confused he turned around.

Seeing that he was confused Sally said, "This is where you live isn't it?" motioning to his house that was now no more than fifty feet away.

Feeling rather silly with his lack of attention he quietly replied, "Yes."

He was surprised at how fast they had gotten to his house, even at a walking pace. Having someone to pass the time with made the tip go by even quicker than when he had run home.

"Well then, I guess this is good night."

"Not so fast Sonic Hedgehog. I didn't walk all the way out here just to say good night."

He was sure that Sally had meant to say everything the way she did just to see the look he was now displaying on his face. Luckily she didn't expect him to say anything because she continued, "I am here to make sure you don't run off in the night with out getting some sleep. I know you well enough to know that if I hadn't walked you home you would already be gone."

Sonic had to give her credit; she was right, but lucky. If he hadn't taken his grand old time walking through the castle, he would be gone now, despite the Kings order. Tails needed his help, and the sooner the better; Sonic didn't need orders to know that. Seeing that he didn't have a choice in the matter Sonic continued towards his house, with Sally following closely behind.

Sonic carefully opened his front door, making sure not to make any loud noises that may wake his parents. After Sally followed him in he closed the door just as quietly as he had opened it and proceeded to make his way up the stairs to his room. Once he was in his room Sonic walked over to his alarm clock and set it. Sally just stood there watching him, waiting for him to make any move that wasn't related to him going to bed.

After changing his clothes and brushing his teeth, Sonic plopped himself down on his bed. He was still very tired, so falling asleep wouldn't be a problem. He curled up on the far side of his bed, leaving space for Sally if she ever decided that was tired.

Seeing what he had done Sally said softly, "I don't plan on falling asleep Sonic, I don't want you mysteriously disappearing in the night."

Rather than argue Sonic reached over to turn off the light on his nightstand. Now the only source of light was coming from his open door, he had left the hall light on. He could here Sally's foot steps as she moved across the room towards the chair in the corner of the room. He knew she would probably sit there all night, but rather than check to see if she was watching, he let sleep overcome him for the second time that day.