Shadow met the green eyes that gazed innocently up at him and scowled.

"What do you want?"

The small blue hedgehog snuggled up against Shadow's hand and laughed.

Shadow frowned "you have a bed and you're a child so why not sleep?"

Sonic blinked and smiled.

"What do you want Faker?"

Rouge watched as Tails glanced anxiously at the doorway.

"Do you think we should have left them alone?" the young fox asked.

Rouge smiled sympathetically at him "You worry about Sonic a lot don't you?"

Tails blushed but nodded "He's my brother and my best friend I couldn't let anything happen to him"

Laughing, Rouge replied "I think he feels the same way about you"

Tails grinned "I have to worry Rouge, Sonic never takes anything seriously"

"And Shadow can't have any fun" she winked "which is why the two of them are so good together"

Tails glanced at her quizzically "what do you mean?"

"When Shadow's around Sonic he can't help but enjoy himself and when Blue's with Shadow he has to take things slower, plan things out a little"

"I guess you're right" Tails smiled "Sonic does seem to be more serious around Shadow although I think I worry even more when they're together" he frowned "do you understand Rouge?"

Frowning Rouge's ears lowered "I'm not sure I do kid I've never had to worry about Omega and Shadow..." she trailed off looking distant. Both were silent.

"Have you never heard that you don't bite the hand that feeds you?" the snarl cut through the room "Right now that is me! Get your teeth off!"

Fox and bat burst out laughing at the image of the Ultimate Lifeform being bested by a small child and the tension dissolved.

"I'd better make Shadow some coffee" Rouge smirked "unless he accepts defeat he's going to be up all night"

Tails rolled his eyes "it's a long night then"

"Well you don't have to stay up" Rouge smiled "although if you sleep tonight you'll have to look out for Amy in the morning"

Tails yawned "I think we'll hear her first"

"Over Sonic and Shadow I'm not so sure" Rouge muttered as a fresh round of shouting started down the hall.

Tails smirked "Shadow 1: Sonic 1"