CHAPTER 11

ARISING TENSION

The next morning at the Chaotix, the detectives were in the lobby getting ready for another long day of work.

Charmy hovered beside Vector who was standing near Tonya's desk. He saw that he and Tonya were organizing some paperwork together. He saw Espio helping them with the papers. The bee glanced around the lobby and noticed that there was no sign of Rouge. "Looks like Rouge is late again."

"Oh?" Vector spoke in an apathetic tone. "That's a surprise", he said sarcastically.

Espio had remembered that Shadow told him he would see Rouge that previous night. He snickered a bit, "Well Shadow did say he was going to see her last night. I suppose we can guess the reason why she's running late."

Tonya flashed her eyes over to him in annoyance. "Oh Es, stop being a perv."

Just hearing Shadow's name made Vector think about the hedgehog. "Shadow huh? Things sure are different without him around here."

"Yeah", Charmy added. "I miss Captain Shadow too…"

"I'm sure he's doing fine and enjoying his new job", Tonya spoke.

Vector couldn't hide the fact that he missed Shadow but at the same time, he was proud of him.

When everyone heard the door open and close, they turned to find Rouge walking towards the group. Judging by her expression, she seemed upset.

"Rouge, you're late", Vector spoke.

"I know", the bat replied sadly. "I'm sorry, Vector."

Tonya noticed how saddened she looked and had wondered what was bothering her. "Hey Rouge, you doing okay? You look like something's bugging you."

She hesitated at first. She didn't want to say what had happened between her and Shadow. She decided to speak of it enough to make her feel somewhat better. "It's just me and Shadow…we got into a little disagreement last night."

This wasn't a big surprise to Tonya. She knew that Rouge and Shadow had always gotten into disagreements with each other. Even before two had started dating. However, the two had always made up with each other sometimes all within the same week. "Are you guys okay?" She asked.

Her ears flopped down as she looked down to the floor in sadness. "He texted me back later and said he was sorry for blowing up on me. Even though we kinda made up, he's being short with me and acting pretty distant."

"Sounds to me that Shadow is still a little heated", Espio spoke. "Just give him some space and he'll cool off."

Rouge made a small nod. She agreed that maybe he did need some time to himself. She just hoped that everything would be okay with them again.

Meanwhile at the G.U.N. facility, Gin, Lien-Da, and Shadow were standing out in the hallway outside of the conference room. Gin had just got done going over some things during his meet with them.

"Thanks for coming in a little early, guys", Gin spoke. "There was just a lot more crap I had to go over before the day started."

"It's no problem", Shadow spoke.

"I gotta go check up on some things. I'll catch you guys later."

They both made a nod and watched as he began walking down the hallway.

Afterwards, Lien-Da turned to Shadow who seemed like he had a lot on his mind. She figured that maybe he was upset with her for what she had done yesterday. She bit her lip lightly as she felt guilty for her actions towards him. "Shadow?"

The hedgehog shifted his eyes over to her as he began to give her his full attention.

"I just wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday…"

He sighed heavily and took his eyes away from her. He could barely even look and talk to her at the same time. After everything that happened between them, things just seemed awkward. Lien-Da had obviously liked him and now that he didn't return his feelings for her, it just threw a lot of tension into their friendship. "Just don't mention it…ever…"

She made a small nod as she agreed with him that keeping it a secret was the best thing to do. She suddenly saw him give her a gold colored pack of cigarettes.

"…You forgot those yesterday."

"Oh that's right." When she placed the cigarettes in her coat pocket, she studied Shadow's expression and it seemed like he had gotten more upset. She had wondered if he was still thinking about the kiss the two had shared the previous day. She couldn't shake the feeling that he probably hated her. "…Are you okay, Shadow? You seem pretty upset…"

He let out a frustrated sigh. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell her the real reason why he was upset. The argument he and Rouge had from yesterday was still in the back of his mind. He had later apologized to her for acting so hurtful towards her, but he just decided to keep his distance from her. He couldn't deny that he still felt guilty about the kiss he and Lien-Da shared. Even though, he knew it wasn't his fault, he felt uncomfortable being around Rouge without her knowing anything that happened. "I don't really want to talk about it…"

She made a small nod as a way of letting him know that she had respected the fact that he didn't want to discuss his personal problems. "I understand…but I want you to know that I'm here for you if you ever want to talk."

"…Thank you."

The two were suddenly interrupted when a male yellow lion wearing a G.U.N. solider uniform approached them.

The lion appeared to be in his early twenties and the goggles around his neck made him seem like he worked in the weapons department of the facility. He saluted at the two and turned to Lien-Da. "Good morning, Lieutenant Lien-Da."

She gave him the same salute in return. "Good morning, Trevor. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, ma'am."

She made a small nod, "That's good." She turned to Shadow, "Shadow, this is Trevor. He works with the weaponry department."

Shadow made a small nod at the lion. "Nice to meet you."

"And you as well, Lieutenant Shadow." He focused his attention back to Lien-Da. "Lieutenant Lien-Da, there's an emergency at hand."

"Yes we know", Gin had spoke as he approached the group.

Shadow, Trevor, and Lien-Da turned to Gin who had Sierra standing by his side.

The brown cat woman gave the lion a warm smile, "Good morning, Trevor."

Trevor seemed like he was lost in a daze as he could barely take his eyes off of her. "G-Good morning, Sierra…"

The white fox looked over to the hedgehog. "Say, Shadow? You think you're ready for some action?

The hedgehog formed a small smirk towards the fox. "Anything is better than pushing paper all day."

"What's going on, Gin?" Lien-Da asked.

"We're needed down in the west district of the city." He looked over at Trevor. "Trevor, assemble the bomb squad immediately."

The lion took his mind off of Sierra and made a nod. He saluted towards him. "Yes, sir!"

When he left, Gin turned to Lien-Da and Shadow once more. "Let's move out, guys! I'll explain the situation on the way."

When Gin told Trevor to get together a group of bomb specialists, Shadow knew right then that the mission they were about to take on would be a dangerous one.

In The Next Chapter...

Gin: Watch your back, everyone!

Trevor: I don't think I can do this...

Shadow: Of course you can! Don't give up!

Lien-Da: They won't get away!

Gin: Lien-Da, look out!

Lien-Da: Shadow, no!