Sonic blinked herself into consciousness. She sat up and yawned, stretching her sore back muscles. Multiple cracks and pops could be heard from all up and down her spine and shoulders and she yawned deeply again. She stared down at her two teammates: Knuckles was looking much better, the bruise already healing. She had black eye that was healing as well, and looked peaceful enough in her sleep. Shadow was looking better too, his wounds were closed for the time being and was still running a light temperature.

She sighed, reaching over to take his hand. Why was it his bed she chose to sleep by? The guy was a pessimistic dick who hated her whole team, it wasn't like she really liked him that much... But Then again, he did put his life on the line to save her ass... And he did sustain near-death injuries for her... Maybe she felt like she owed him? Or she wanted to thank him... Maybe she wanted to be the first face he saw when he woke up, and maybe she wanted to take his hand and tell him thank you with a sweet smile. Maybe she wanted-

Sonic shook her head, a light blush covering her face. She didn't want anything like that to happen! It would just be weird, she barely even knew the bastard. Plus, he totally wasn't her type. He was silent, but had a strong aura that radiated pride and...

Stop it, stop it! She though, smacking her head. You shouldn't be thinking about this guy like that. After all, he might have some ties to Rose, he sure acts like it, and Storm and Vector seemed to know him... He's a pretty good actor?

A mumble snapped her from her thoughts and she looked down at Shadow's face as his eyelids fluttered open. "Sonic? Where am I?"

"We dragged you back to the hospital. It took Jet damn near two hours to patch you up, and maybe longer to keep you alive. You've been out for at least a day." Sonic explained, sitting back down.

"And you've been here, all that time?" Shadow asked, staring at her with wide eyes. She nodded. "Damn girl! Go home and take a shower!"

Sonic blushed and slapped his arm. "Well excuse me for caring about you! Maybe next time I'll just let you die!"

"But then how will I pay back that shirt? Maybe... When this is all over... We'll go buy you something cute." Sonic blushed even harder, and was thankful he closed his eyes. "I mean, that shirt you tore up was pretty hidious, grey isn't your color. Maybe pink would look better?"

"You douche!" She exclaimed, socking him in the arm. Shadow grunted, but laughed anyway. "If you take me shopping for a shirt, you but whatever I want you too, got it?"

"I'd hate to be your boyfriend." He smiled, a mocking tone in his voice. In a few seconds, he was asleep again, and she was standing up. She moved over to Knuckles, who chuckled under her breath. "You so like him."

"Wha- No! Where'd you get that?" Sonic exclaimed, then leaned over to whisper with her friend. "Seriously, what the hell! I do not!"

"Then why are you whispering? You wouldn't if you were telling the truth." Knuckles replied, matching her friend's whispering tone.

"Not true! I just... I just don't want to wake him back up, that's all." Sonic said, crossing her arms indignantly. "I'm going out to eat something, I'll come back in a few hours."

"You totally like him."

"Do not!"

She blushed and ran, leaving a snickering Knuckles, and if anyone looked, they would have seen Shadow smirking.

"Oh, Sonic!" Blaze called out from across the hall. Sonic stopped and looked at her subordinate, smiling. "Hey, Blaze, what's up?"

"You just came from the medical wing, right? Why don't you come and eat with us?"

Sonic rushed across the hallway and met up with Blaze just as Wave did. "Oh, hey, Sonic! We were just going to get some lunch, care to join us?"

"Well, since both of you are asking... And what kind of lady would I be to turn you down?" Sonic asked, mock-cutsying. Wave and Blaze chuckled. "C'mon, let's go."

As they sat down to eat their meals and complain about over pricing, Jet swiftly stomped to their table.

"Don't lie to me, Sonic!" the green-haired man slammed his hands on the table, drawing the attention of multiple people in the cafeteria. "I know who I saw, and I know what you said! That was Storm! Now you better tell me everything you know or I'll... I'll... I'll never buy you coffee again!"

Sonic couldn't help but chuckle. "That's the best you can come up with?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just really pissed off at you right now." Jet snapped back, and plopped in the empty chair, hiding his face with his hands. Wave patted his back, and he glanced her, thanks in his eyes.

"I know you and Storm were close... But that couldn't have been him. He went missing months ago." Wave said. Jet stared at her, searching for any clue that would say she was lying. He sighed. "You don't really believe that, do you?"

"..." She was silent for a second and withdrew her hand. Finally, she replied, "... No. No I don't."

"So tell me, Sonic, what was that about? Is Storm one of Rose's groupies now?"

"I hate to say it, but yes. He attacked us while we were up in Canada a few weeks before we moved here. Really did a number on Knux then too. Idunno what that guy does, but he's super OP." She explained.

"'OP?'" Blaze asked, picking at her salad. "Over Powered. We've been investigating a bit since Silver went missing too. Turns out, Espio is a genetic experiment and Vector's an escaped convict. With Silver being the member kidnapped from here and Storm being a general civillian, Rose has all the intel she needs on this town and it's labs, jails, streets, and this place. I also found out that she has a fifth member, but I... I can't tell who it is-"

"You wouldn't be suspecting anyone, would you?" another voice asked. They turned to see Tails walking over, a tray in her hands. "Tails! Where the hell were you yesterday?"

"Doctor's appointment. They had me stay home for a few days." She replied, placing the tray down in between her boss and Jet. "May I sit here?"

"Go 'head." Jet replied, still moping over Storm.

"Right, I keep forgetting you're anemic AND have asthma. They've been pulling you in allot lately." Sonic replied, taking a bite of her chili dog. Those things were good.

"It's outrageous, I know. I asked, and they said I'd probably be in again next week or something." Tails sighed, shrugging. "Anyway, I pulled up some more files. Turns out, they all have a connection to this place."

"What, all of Rose's goons?" Blaze asked, taking the tablet that was handed to her.

"Yeah. Silver had you, and you two just transfered. Storm, Jet, and Wave are like adoptive siblings or something, so he has these two. Espio was an experiment from the science lab, and Vector was convicted by men from Scourge's division." Tails explained. "Then there's that fifth guy..."

"If what you say is true, then it could be anyone here." Sonic reasoned, then her eyes widened. "No, it would be someone in our division, 'cuz we're in charge of finding her. They'd have to be someone who could come to all of the crime scenes and then- It could be any of us."

There was a sharp intake of breath. "You believe it could even be yourself?" Blaze asked. Tails took on a serious expression.

"I could be doing it without even knowing. It could be you, Tails, Knux or even... Shit, it could even be Shadow..." She reasoned, scratching her chin. "We were suspecting him... Let's keep on our toes, just in case. Tails, good job. I'm gonna head back to the medical wing and explain this to those two when they get up." Sonic said. "Catch y'all later."