Chapter 11: Could This Be Love?

"Chao chao chao?"

"I don't know, Cheese," Cream held her chao tightly as tears started to form in her eyes. "I thought they'd be back by now, too..."

Cream understood why Tails had wanted her to stay behind. She realized how dangerous these missions could be, and was glad Tails had been thoughtful enough to tell her not to come. Sometimes, though, she wished she would grow up faster so she could be more than just a cheerleader.

Cream had looked up to Tails as long as she could remember and was impressed by how he seemed to know everything. Tails could always come up with a way to help his friends, no matter what. And he never, ever bragged about his abilities.

Maybe he wasn't on the same plane physically as Sonic or Knuckles, but Tails found his own way to contribute. Actually, Cream liked that Tails wasn't big on violence. Neither was she.

So she'd stayed behind at his wish, although she'd worried about them to whole time. And since it was raining, Cream really had nothing to do besides watch TV. Her Momma had been doing some baking, so Cream had ended up helping her and decided to bring some over to Tails' workshop so that the team could eat when they got back.

So here she was, holding onto Cheese, staring out the rain splattered window, waiting to hear the familiar hum off the X-Tornado. She really, really hoped they were alright. She strained her eyes, searching for any sign-

There they were. Oh, thank goodness. Cream jumped from her seat and raced for the door, Cheese in tow. The rabbit stood in the garage and watched as Tails guided his plane into it's spot. The X-Tornado came to a halt and the different compartments opened up. Cream was relieved to see all 7 of them hop down, Sonic first, although he landed a little shakily, and then Tails.

"Cream?" the fox asked, a little shocked to see her here. Not that he minded...

"Is everyone ok?" Cream asked.

"Well, we can still breathe," Knuckles grumbled as he leaped down.

Cream noticed they were all covered in cuts and bruises. Silver, though, looked the worst of all. The hedgehog had to be helped down by Blaze.

"Yeah, we're fine," Tails said. "We got a little caught up in the bad weather, so that's why it took so long."

"I'm glad everyone made it back safely," Cream said. "Momma and I made you all some food."

"Food?" Sonic echoed. "Oh, thanks Cream." He sped into Tails' house, followed by 5 starving teenagers. Everyone except Tails. He had to refill the X-Tornado with gas. It'd been a habit he'd gotten himself into ever since that one time he'd almost run out in mid flight. Sonic had been so mad at him for that. Ah, good times.

"Tails, aren't you going to eat?"

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute," he said, lugging a gas can up to the tank, very conscious of Cream's eyes watching him. He hadn't expected her to be here when they got back. And for her to think to bring food? It wasn't that he minded her being there, it was just-

The can slipped out his hands and started spilling gasoline all over the floor. Tails cursed softly and hurried to grab it before it made too big of a mess.

"Oh Tails, let me help you," Cream said and she went to grab some old rags to absorb the spill.

Tails watched the girl hurry away, feeling embarrassed. Usually he was so careful, so coordinated, so methodical, so good with his hands...he'd never dropped the gas can before. Yes, there was something seriously wrong with him right now.

Cream came back and got on her knees, pushing towel into the spill to try and absorb it. Tails started to bend down, but Cream lifted a hand and placed it squarely on his chest to stop him.

"No, Tails, you go eat, I'll do this," she insisted.

"Thanks, Cream," Tails told her. "You know you never fail to make me feel better."

Cream looked up at him, her brown eyes wide. "Really Tails?"

"Of course," Tails said with a smile.

Cream looked down. "Sometimes I feel so useless," she said softly. "Like I wish I could just grow up so I could help more."

"Ah, Cream, don't say that. No one is useless. But I know how you feel," Tails said, sighing. "I mean, I'm just Sonic's little brother who gets in the way. But you know what?" Tails asked, raising his blue eyes to meet Cream's. "Not everyone can be a big hero. We can all just do our part."

Cream's eyes got big and then she hugged Tails, prompting him to blush.

"Thanks, Tails, you're right," she said, and then released him. "You should probably go eat now, though..."

"Uh, ok, thanks," Tails said, fighting his blush. His stomach was growling anyway.

He walked into his kitchen, hoping that the redness on his cheeks was gone, and was greeted by questioning glances.

"I had to fill up the X-Tornado," he explained as he filled his plate and sat down. He had filled it up, right? Nope. Crap, he'd have to do that once everyone left. His to-do list was getting bigger by the minute...

Tails noticed Amy was smiling at him, but she was the only one who was, as everyone else was stuffing their face. What was her deal?

Cream came in just then, and Tails noticed her dress was stained with some of the gasoline. Thank goodness everyone was distracted.

"I'm going home now," she announced. "Momma's probably worried about me."

"Alright Cream, thanks for the food," Amy said, and everyone mumbled their agreement through full mouths.

Tails watched her go and then turned back to the table, but caught eyes with Amy halfway back. Crap. She was looking at him, like knowingly. Amy glanced at the door and then back at Tails, smirking.

Was it really that obvious? Tails wondered. No, it was just Amy. She thought everyone was in love.

Amy suddenly giggled, and Sonic looked at her. "Oh, nothing Sonic," she babbled. "I'll tell you later."

Sonic smiled and shook his head before putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Amy, Amy, Amy," Sonic said affectionately, "I think it's time for you to head home as well."

"But I'm not finished eating yet. Some of us actually chew our food, you know," Amy teased him.

"So we're calling it a night?" Blaze asked.

"Yeah, I think some rest would benefit all of us," Tails said. "Silver and Blaze, you two are welcome to crash here. Any of you, actually. I have plenty of spare rooms."

"Thanks," Silver said, relieved they'd be able to get some good rest tonight.

"I better check on the Master Emerald," Knuckles said.

"Don't worry about me, hon," Rouge said.

"Me neither," Sonic said. "You ready to go, Amy?"

She nodded and stood up.

"We'll see you all tomorrow," Sonic said and the two hedgehogs left. Rouge and Knuckles left soon afterwards.

Tails got up from the table and showed his two visitors their rooms.

"Thanks, Tails," Silver said, and the fox nodded at him and then went off to go to bed himself.

"Are you sure you're going to be ok?" Blaze asked Silver as the two friends lingered at the threshold of their respective rooms.

"Yeah, I'll be better in the morning," Silver assured her.

"Alright," Blaze said, but she continued to stare into his eyes, considering telling him. Sometimes Blaze felt like she could tell Silver anything, and other times her tongue was tied.

"You..." she started and then paused. There was no getting out of it now that she had started. "You were brave today," she said simply.

Silver frowned a little. "I did what I had to. I mean, did you expect me to not...?"

She didn't know why it was so awkward now. Oh, what was she doing? Silver looked like he was about to collapse.

"You're right, sorry," she said. "I'll let you rest." Blaze started to turn but Silver placed a gloved hand on her shoulder.

"No, it's ok. If you wanna talk. I mean, it looks like there's something bothering you."

He was probably the only one who could read her so well. It was true, there were some thoughts running through her head, but she wasn't ready to share them with him just yet. Eventually, yes, certainly, but not until she could get them in order herself.

"You want to go home, don't you?" Silver pressed. He knew sometimes Blaze needed a little prompting to open up. He treasured every word she shared with him.

"I do," Blaze affirmed.

That was it? Silver sighed. Why did she always have to be so...locked up and mysterious? Why couldn't she share her thoughts, at least once in a while?

"I don't know if I do or not," the hedgehog admitted.

Blaze looked at him strangely. "Why not?"

"Because," he continued and leaned against the wall. Maybe his head was killing him but there was no way he was going to leave Blaze when she was bothered. "This world is so peaceful. Our world seems downright cruel by comparison, with nothing but pain, fear, and fighting. I mean, that was all we knew, and coming here, these guys just took us in no questions asked, fought beside us...it kinda counteracts the homesickness. There's no all-out war going on, and there's working together, friendliness...It's just nice here."

Blaze watched him quietly, feeling the truth of his words. Yes, compared to their world this was paradise. Yet, her duty, the Sol Emeralds...

"You know we can't stay here," she said softly, not meaning to scold him.

"Oh I know," Silver acknowledged. "But I was just thinking it'd be nice if we could."

"Yes, it would." Blaze agreed. She studied the hedgehog for a moment. He looked exhausted, but she could tell he was trying to be strong. For her. He was never failing to try and impress her. Well, he had today.

"I won't keep you anymore," Blaze said. "You need your rest."

For a second, Silver wondered, perhaps hoped, if she would kiss him. But the cat merely turned and headed for her room. Darn.

"Good night, Blaze," he called to her down the hallway.

"Good night, Silver."

Blaze slinked off to her own room, shut the door behind her, kicked off her shoes and socks, and climbed into bed. She pulled the unfarmiliar sheets around her as thoughts swirled around in her head.

Silver had really impressed her today. Usually so emotionally dependent on her, Silver was showing that he could stick up for himself, do his own thing, even disagree and defy her. She'd always known he had a backbone, it was just she knew he wanted to impress her.

Blaze had often entertained thoughts that he liked her, but she could never be sure if it was love or just brotherly affection. She never was good at discerning feelings, especially not her own.

And what were hers?

Well, whatever they were, they were enough to keep her up on a night she was physically and mentally exhausted.

When he'd almost died, she had been desperate to know that he was ok. She never realized how much she needed Silver. It was true, though: without him she was alone. Truly. In their darker, more evil world where you could never trust anyone, she had found a friend. He was her connection to the outside world, the only one who truly understood her, or took the time to try to. Silver was truly all she had. And...

She loved him.

The thought came so suddenly that Blaze sat straight up in her bed. What? Was that possible? Could this... this warmness, this affection, this care, this...this need...be love?

When she'd held him on the plane, he had been so close and she had feel his warmth, his strength, and their hearts had both been beating so fast...and she had been so relieved to see that he was ok. If he was, then she could be to.

Her mind was assailed with images, memories - Silver sticking up for her, Silver saving her from a nasty fall, Silver helping her fight Nega, Silver holding back the robot, Silver always right next to her, ready for whatever.

Silver, Silver, Silver, with those shiny quills and golden eyes. Her more than best friend.

A feeling, a tenderness started crawling in her chest and flowed through the rest of her body. Blaze put a hand on her heart and gave a rare smile. She loved him. Of course, it just made sense.

And then there was fear - fear of loving and losing, just like she'd lost her family. Fear of ruining her first and only friendship.

But this was why she would have to tell him: because she might not get another chance. One day, she would. Soon.

Tommorrow. Yes, if she could work up the nerve and if she could come up with the right words, she would tell Silver just how much he meant to her. Two big ifs.

The princess turned over onto her other side, but her mind and heart were too full for her to drift off to sleep just yet.