PART TWO

Chapter One

The day after the kidnapping fiasco, Sonic told Shadow all about his experience, which ended in Shadow feeling great sympathy for the younger. But now that the blue puff ball was all his and safe and sound in his arms, he won't be hurt like that ever again. Now they just had to find out if the stealing of his speed was temporary...

It was now night time, and cobalt and ebony were snuggled on the couch, Sonic unable to keep his eyes open, his eyelids drooping and head falling sideways onto Shadow's shoulder. The black hedgehog smiled at the sight, cooing to him affectionately.

Earlier, Sonic gave Tails a call, explaining to him why he was captured and that he was safe and sound, and in love. Tails was supportive, and was actually super excited they were together. He even had a bet with Knuckles it was going to happen sooner or later. He won 20 rings. He was visiting Tails tomorrow so Tails can help him get his speed back, or find out if it was temporary.

Shadow wrapped Sonic in a blanket, turning him into a cute little bundle as he carried him into the bedroom and gently placed him on the bed before climbing in himself, nuzzling him securely to his chest protectively.

Half asleep, Sonic's eyes fluttered like butterfly wings as his glassy, tired eyes looked up at Shadow. "Sh-Shad...ow?" he mumbled sleepily.

Shadow gave him a soft smile, running his fingers through his quills. "Shhh. It's okay, I'm right here. Go back to sleep, Faker."

And that he did.

When Sonic woke up the next morning, he smiled at the sight of a sleeping Shadow. He looked so innocent and peaceful.

His dimpled smile turned into a frown as his nausea got the best of him, and he dashed out of the bed and into the bathroom.

The poor blue hedgehog was still somewhat sick, and hadn't eaten anything so he was only throwing up stomach acid and painful heaves in between, making his eyes water.

He kicked the door closed with his foot, not wanting to wake Shadow, and continued heaving.

When he was finished, he sat back and buried his head into his knees, exhausted. Suddenly, there were three knocks on the door.

"Sonic, are you alright?"

"Yeah…" Sonic panted, "I'm... I-I'm fine," Sonic replied, feeling weak and miserable. He's pretty sure he looked it too. He hated being sick.

"...You're not fine. Did you throw up?"

Sonic sighed. "Yeah…"

The door flew open and Shadow helped him off the floor, flushing the toilet for him. Sonic fell into his open arms, whimpering. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"Because I didn't want to," Sonic replied. "You looked so peaceful."

Shadow sighed, slightly frustrated by his selflessness. "Sonic..." he squeezed him tighter. "Let's get you some water."

XXX

After Shadow helped Sonic rinse his mouth and take a shower, he called Tails telling him they would be over soon, and Tails said he was going to get everything prepared to check Sonic out. He also said Knuckles was there to discuss something for better security of the Master Emerald.

When they arrived, Tails took Sonic inside and got him ready for the check up, and Knuckles went over to Shadow. "Hey, Shadow."

Said hedgehog crossed his arms. "Knuckles," he greeted.

"So... I heard you and Sonic were together?" Knuckles asked, looking quite suspicious. Shadow nodded. "Well, you better treat him well, because if you hurt him I'll-" Knuckles was interrupted by the fox, who had come back from his lab.

"Knuckles! Calm down and go see Sonic in the lab." Knuckles mumbled something under his breath but did as Tails wished.

"What's with the echidna?" ebony asked.

Tails sighed. "it's just, Sonic's never really been in a relationship before, besides Amy always chasing him, and I guess he feels a little over protective, that's all. He told me once when Sonic was hurt that he thought of him as his younger brother."

Shadow nodded thoughtfully. It made sense. They fought a lot, but they have known each other since they were still known as 'classic', so they must feel some brotherly connection, like Tails and Sonic.

He followed the fox into the lab and found Sonic sitting on a small table most patients would sit on at the doctors.

No, the checkup wasn't that serious! Knuckles was just sitting on the only chair in the room.

"Okay, let's get started." Tails announced, rummaging around. "Now where did I put...Aha! Got it." When Tails revealed a long needle. Everyone saw Sonic's face pale as his breath caught in his throat. Tails knows Sonic was scared of needles. And that...was a LONG needle.

"Heh, I know you're terrified, but just be thankful it could be way worse and it's just a needle," Tails chuckled sheepishly. "If it helps, I'll try to make it not hurt...? Can't guarantee, heheh."

Sonic still gulped. "You are NOT stabbing me with that thing!"

Tails sighed. "Sonic, I won't stab you. You know I won't willingly hurt you, so please, give me your arm?"

Sonic pouted but gave in anyway. Tails cleaned a certain spot on his arm with a cotton ball soaked with cleaning alcohol. He made a painful sound as Tails gently (well, tried to be as gentle as he could) injected the syringe. At least he didn't stab him like Crow did.

When Shadow offered Sonic his hand, he nearly stopped his blood circulation.

"Okay, done!" Tails announced, covering the hole the needle made with a cotton swab.

"I feel...dizzy..."

Tails made a face that said 'oh yeah I remember!'. "Yeeeah... That's one of the side effects. He will also go loopy...Someone's gonna have to make sure he doesn't do something stupid."

Tails went to go check the blood inside the needle to find out what was going on with Sonic's speed.

He chuckled as he heard Shadow trying to console a loopy Sonic, and Knuckles laughing at his failed attempts, but frowned as he saw what the results read on the computer.

It was temporary...But he would only get his speed back in three month.

Tails stared at the screen for what seemed like the longest time. He didn't know what to do, or say. How would Sonic take it? Would he be sad? Or would he be relieved that it wasn't permanent? Probably both.

Just then, Shadow came in. "Everything okay, Twin-tail?"

"Y-yeah," Tails snapped to reality, shaking his head. "I have some good news, and some bad news."

Shadow frowned. "Good news?" he asked.

"His speed isn't gone for good."

Shadow smiled. "That's good. What's the bad news?"

Tails sighed. "It won't be back for another 3 months, though..."

Shadows smile faltered. "Oh..."

Tails rubbed his neck nervously. "Yeah... How do you think he'll take it?"

The black hedgehog hummed in thought. "Well, I know he'll be happy that it's not gone forever, but I have a feeling he'll have a hard time coping. It would be a long three months, but I'll be there for him..." Shadow looked out the room, smiling fondly at the sight of his giggling boyfriend. "I'll always be there."

Tails smiled. He didn't have any worry anymore. He knew he would never find Sonic heartbroken, crying at his door step because Shadow hurt him. He didn't have to worry about that anymore. He could clearly see Shadow was The One.

"Alright," Tails suddenly huffed. "Let's go and tell Knuckles. I think it'll take a while until the loopy-ness wears off."