So, took a little longer than I had hoped, but voila, an update. And a lengthy one at that. Sorry for the cliffhanger last time, I noticed quite a few of you were upset, and I apologize. But hopefully this chapter makes up for it!

Quick notes:

-Knuckles and Rouge are both "23", Amy and Shadow are ages "18" and "20", Scourge is "21", Blaze is "19", and Sonic is "20"

-Setting is Blackbrook, as usual

-And a great big love-filled Thank You to kunfupandalover, SweetMissVee, ShadowEmpress76, Project Shadow, Maximum Miles Hedgehog, Insert prefferable name, PriscillaRouge, shadowsonlyangel, MEGAANIMEFREAK27, Zombie Spade, darkgirl43255, TheRoseBullet99, NecromancyIsMyGame, and aliciathewolf45 for your reviews! They were encouraging and helpful as always, and they make me one very happy author. :) And while I'm at it, I would also like to thank everyone who has supported this story by adding it to their favorites and alerts. You're all beautiful! ;)

That said, enjoy!

Live. Laugh. Love. = Read. Enjoy. Review.

*Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Story is.

Bloodless

Chapter 13: All At Sea

He hadn't lost her…and more importantly, she hadn't lost him. Rouge was grateful for the concern both her husband and Shadow had shown after she had woken up weak and slightly out of it, but that didn't mean she completely agreed with the course of action each had chosen. Shadow was determined, she knew, but he still stood little to no chance against Scourge and his forces; and even if he did have some kind of plan, Rouge wasn't about to let him face the odds on his own. To her annoyance, however, Knuckles had proven to be a scrupulous caretaker. He had only left her room twice since she had come to, so it was during his second absence that Rouge decided to make her move.

Slipping silently off the side of her recovery bed, she approached the door and cautiously turned the knob, careful to keep the thing from squeaking. Flinching when it clicked open, Rouge paused briefly before pulling even slower than before. She stepped back-a little more irritated than surprised-as Knuckles pushed the door completely open. With an exasperated sigh she stared at her husband as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You should be in bed." The echidna chided, his voice gentle but firm.

"Fine," Rouge cocked her head, "I'll go back to bed as soon as you leave to help Shadow save Amy."

Knuckles frowned. "Rouge, we talked about this…"

"Yes, but at the time I was confused and in shock." She retorted, putting both hands on her hips. "I'm much better now, and I've changed my mind."

Despite her conviction, Rouge couldn't fight the wave of vertigo that unexpectedly stole her balance. Knuckles caught her, and instantly she was in his arms as he carried her back towards the bed. She tried to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss; soft, yet somehow passionate.

"I almost lost you once…" he spoke evenly, setting her down beneath the covers before sitting beside her, "I won't leave and risk losing you again."

Rouge wanted to be frustrated by his stubbornness, but couldn't bring herself to argue. Instead she rested against his chest, his right arm wrapping around her, pulling her closer. Their relationship had never really been a touchy-feely affair, at least not mildly speaking, so Rouge tried her best to enjoy the moment, but her stomach refused to settle on the matter.

"He needs our help."

"Shadow knows what he's doing…or at least I think he does. Either way we have to trust him."

"Oh, I do," she affirmed, before narrowing her gaze, "it's Scourge I don't trust. He may be a spineless dastard, but he's still a snake and you know it."

Knuckles' silence was agreement enough, but Rouge didn't press further. She knew he was still angry at himself for what had happened to her; she didn't need to read his thoughts to figure out that much. What was worse, he still yearned for revenge. Not enough to let it show, but the desire was there nonetheless. Still, he refused to leave her side. She laughed lightly, and his purple eyes shifted to catch her staring. He looked so serious that Rouge couldn't help but tease him.

"Enough frowning, I refuse to be a three hundred year old vampiress with a wrinkly husband…I'm much too young for that." She winked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

He relented, chuckling as he leaned towards her. "Tough. I'll frown as much as I like, you're stuck with me."

Again she laughed, a playful insult dancing on the tip of her tongue, but just as before he stole her words with a kiss. This one, however, lingered. It was a welcomed-though fleeting-distraction, and when Knuckles finally pulled away, Rouge caught the phrase in his eyes moments before any words left his lips.

"Amor numquam fallit."

She smiled. The saying was a comfort in light of the circumstances. If only Amy and Shadow could realize that the potential for love between them was greater than either might have ever imagined. Then maybe the odds wouldn't be so against them. Still, the words brought some peace, so Rouge decided to repeat them for herself.

"Amor numquam fallit."

Love never fails.

»¤«

There was a chill in the air as Shadow sat idly on a tree branch, watching the clouds lighten with a pre-dawn glow. The surrounding forest stood as a vivid silhouette against the morning sky, retaining a peace he couldn't manage to relate to. The scene before him might have actually appeared pleasant if not for the ominous fortress looming in the foreground. Scourge's stronghold was just as formidable as he remembered. Imposing stone walls, wrought iron fence, and a multitude of arched windows, each shrouded in malign darkness. The thought of Amy being held prisoner inside such a place was almost maddening.

He shifted his back to rest against the tree's massive trunk, forcing his eyes to focus on something other than the stronghold that could potentially become his grave. The fact that he was willing to sacrifice so much to save a girl he'd known for such a short amount of time was somewhat…startling. He had been over it a thousand times before even approaching Sonic to ask for the Sentinel's help, yet there seemed to be no rational reason behind his actions-at least none he was prepared to accept. Shadow knew he was no longer in it for the power a blood bond would give him; just the thought of ever having shared Scourge's self-serving motivation disgusted him. The girl had become so much more than just a means to an end.

Simply acknowledging that statement had been an achievement in and of itself, never mind he had no idea what it meant. Could it be that he loved her? Knuckles and Rouge seemed to think so. Did she love him? Shadow scoffed at the absurdity of it all. While he understood that vampires needed only a fraction of the time it took mortals to decide whether or not they were eternally compatible with someone, the idea still seemed strange. Plus after everything he'd put her through, he was probably the last person, let alone vampire, Amy would ever want to spend eternity with. His stomach churned at the thought. Whether she wanted him or not had never mattered before. Why now…?

He growled in frustration. He knew deep down that he would never have forced Amy into a blood bond. His plan had always been for her to fall for him, and agree to marriage willingly. The prospect of him falling for her had hardly seemed worth considering when all this began, but so much had happened since then. So much had changed.

Shadow blamed their heated encounter at the warehouse as the cause for so much confusion. That night when the lines between hunger and restraint had become so blurred that he found himself within inches of taking Amy's life. An experience like that could easily explain why he was risking so much for a girl he hardly knew. He remembered the kiss-and how it could have ended-so vividly it almost hurt. The way she looked at him seconds before he cloaked her memory…like he was more of a monster in that moment than anything she might ever meet in her worst nightmares…that was a pain he hadn't even tried to live with. So he concealed her memory of that incident. Protecting her from his mistake…and protecting himself from her rejection. She might never remember all that had happened, but he would always know, and that was something Shadow would bear for both their sakes.

Sitting in silence, he closed his eyes and let his mind recover from the mental escapade. He often times tried to avoid thinking too deeply about any one matter; it only led to regrets and disappointment. As self-destructive as it was, his mind seemed to enjoy using his past misdeeds against him, as if-

Shadow's eyes flashed open in what almost felt like horror. A cold dread settled along his spine as he immediately realized the full extent of Scourge's plan. While he knew the blood bonded vampire was perfectly willing to force Amy to become his mate, he was also aware of Scourge's naturally perverse nature; he wouldn't be satisfied with simply taking Amy away from Shadow. Not when the coward can turn her against me… Shadow's thoughts raced as the pieces began to fall together. By now Scourge has undoubtedly recognized the oblivis ca-tur I used to hide Amy's memory, and if so then what better way to completely sever any trust and hope she might have in me then by exposing my mistake and painting me a liar.

The plan was so like Scourge it made him sick. Once Amy knew that Shadow had hid something from her, would she lose what little faith she might have had in him? A quiet panic steadily began to constrict the knot in his stomach. The emotion was so foreign he instinctively pushed it away. He wasn't accustomed to doubting, especially not himself, but it wouldn't be the first thing that had changed about him since meeting Amy. Damn girl.

A slight breeze caused his attention to shift back towards reality. Looking up he found Blaze standing further down the branch, her gold eyes studying him with a mixture of caution, curiosity, and the ever-present contempt. Shadow put aside his previous thoughts, and stood to his feet with an impassive expression. The last thing he wanted was for the Sentinels to suspect him of knowing more than they did.

"Have you come to kill me?" he asked wryly.

She smirked. "Under normal circumstances I wouldn't hesitate, but a deal's a deal. Our scouts have confirmed that Amy's in there," she turned her head towards the stronghold, "…somewhere."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"The last of our forces are getting into position. Unlike you vampires, we Sentinels actually prefer to strategize and think things through."

He narrowed his eyes. "That's because we vampires would rather improvise than waste time."

"Look," she sighed, "I didn't come up here for our usual repartee; I came, because I…because I had some questions for you…questions Sonic wouldn't necessarily approve of."

Intrigued, he leaned up against the trunk and shrugged. "Ask away."

Blaze glanced at their surroundings cautiously, her gaze sweeping the area for anyone within earshot. Shadow knew they were alone, but decided she wouldn't talk until she was sure of it herself. Whatever she had to say was not for others to hear, and he had a pretty good guess as to what it was that had the Sentinel so on edge.

"Have you…seen him lately?" She began, her words slow and reluctant. Shadow had never seen the cat this unsure.

"If you're referring to a certain white hedgehog, then yes."

Her eyes lit up some, and she took a step forward. "Did he…"

"Mention you?" He finished for her. "No." After catching the disappointment in her eyes he continued. "He didn't have to, Blaze. You know you're the only reason he ever comes to Blackbrook."

"So he's still here?"

"As of two weeks ago, yes."

After a long pause Blaze met his eyes evenly, her voice once again confidant. "Shadow, do you really care about Amy?"

"Would I be here if I didn't?"

She seemed surprised at how easily his answer came, and in all honesty, so was he. Something they would both have to contemplate later as Sonic landed on the branch between them, his green eyes darting suspiciously from Sentinel to vampire.

"All forces are in position, awaiting my signal."

"Finally…" Shadow muttered under his breath.

Blaze glared at him before addressing her partner. "I assume you and I will be leading the frontal assault?"

"No."

"No?" The cat repeated in disbelief.

Sonic nodded. "We don't know what to expect, and I'm not about to send Sentinels into what could potentially be a death trap. That said," he paused, "Shadow, you will be the first to go in."

If he wasn't so eager for action, Shadow might have actually been offended. "Fine, let's move already."

"One more thing…"

Both Blaze and Shadow turned to the blue hedgehog as he eyed them carefully.

"What were you two talking about before I came up here?"

The cat cast an anxious glance in his direction, but Shadow kept his eyes on Sonic, his voice revealing nothing. "I was just complaining about how much time you Sentinels waste planning when there are more productive things to be done."

Sonic narrowed his gaze before stepping off the branch and heading towards Scourge's stronghold. Blaze made a move to follow him, but stopped short, her eyes fixed on the forest floor below.

"Thank you for not telling him why I really came up here, but I want you to know, this changes nothing; I still hate your kind, and you're still my enemy." With that she was gone.

Shadow pushed off the trunk and stood teetering on the edge of the branch. As the sun ascended somewhere behind the layer of clouds, he allowed his thoughts to drift towards Amy.

Was she waiting for him? Was she hurt? Scared? Angry? He wasn't sure why the answers to those questions had become so damn important. All he knew was that the vampires responsible for this mess wouldn't live to see the next full moon…even if that meant he didn't either.

»¤«

Amy felt her heart race as tears stung the corners of her vision, an unbearable pain twisting and tugging at her chest. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't seem to swallow enough air. Her legs were burning but she kept running; she had to keep running. The presence that had been chasing her was gaining.

The night was black, interrupted only be streetlamps. The town of Blackbrook was all but dead; not a soul to save her. Still Amy wouldn't give up, turning down street after street, winding through alleyways and around storefronts. The ground-wet from recent rains-was slick and dangerous, and Amy slid with a winded yelp as a shrouded figure came into view. Changing directions quickly, she scrambled past yet another corner, her muscles aching in protest.

No! The route she had chosen ended abruptly; surrounding her with three looming walls and no escape. Whipping around she swallowed hard, her lungs ready to burst. He was there. Twenty feet away and no more than a darkened silhouette, stood her pursuer; a statue encompassed in fog.

"What do you want with me?" she called, voice shaking from her effort.

The figure remained silent and unmoving.

Amy's instinctual fear making her almost angry, she steadied her words. "Answer me…!"

The specter took a step towards her, and in an instant she was flush against the wall. Her heart sank as a solid, cold grip fastened her arms to the space above her head. The stranger leaned in close, but in her exhaustion Amy hardly even flinched. Despite the fear pounding through her veins, she somehow found the courage to look directly at him. Her blood ran cold.

"Shadow…?" The name sounded wrong, but there was no denying those glowing crimson eyes.

Shadow towered over her, almost unrecognizable, his expression dark and hungry. She tried desperately to make sense of the situation; wanting nothing more than to pinch herself and wake up. But this wasn't a dream…it was a memory-her memory. The one Shadow had hidden. The one she had asked Scourge to show her. Now she regretted ever making that decision.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, her eyes clamped shut as his breath tingled across her neck.

He growled low in his throat, but gave no further reply. Instead he lowered his fangs to her neck, brushing them across her skin.

"No! Stop! Shadow, please don't-"

Her words ended abruptly as fangs pierced flesh. Pain interrupted whatever thoughts she might have had, and Amy found herself begging for Scourge to end it. The vampire complied, but only after several more heartbeats of mental torture.

"Forgive me, my dear," he spoke soothingly, "but you had to know the truth."

Amy kept her eyes closed, but the tears fell anyway. Her shoulders shook as soft, quiet sobs overtook her. That wasn't real… she argued inwardly. That can't have been real! The shock of everything she had seen and felt overwhelmed her, and for several minutes all she could do was breathe. As reality finally began to settle in, however, the fear and pain that had descended like a fog in her mind slowly cleared away. Eventually she found her voice, although it wasn't much more than a whisper.

"He wouldn't do that…"

"Oh, but he did. He attacked you, Amy, and then he hid it from your mind."

Scourge stroked the back of her head, and it was only then that Amy realized he was holding her to him, her cheek resting against his chest. His arms held her in an embrace she found surprisingly comforting. For the first time in too long, she felt…safe.

"When did he do this?" She asked, still reluctant to believe such a thing had actually happened.

"The night before he took you to Rouge and Knuckles."

Her heart twisted inside her chest. "They knew…"

"They lied to you Amy…they were never your friends."

She couldn't listen to any more, and thankfully she wouldn't have to. At that moment, a servant stepped into the room somewhere off to their right, and cleared his throat.

At first Scourge sounded irritated. "What is it?"

"They're here, my lord."

"Excellent." He suddenly seemed pleased. "Let's make sure they feel welcomed."

Something in his voice sounded sinister, but Amy was too numb to care. Instead she stood still as Scourge lifted her face to his and kissed her. It was slow and possessive, and although she didn't participate, she didn't fight it either. When he pulled back, his blue eyes were glowing with satisfaction.

"I have some guests I must attend to," he spoke, his voice low, "would you mind waiting upstairs for me?"

Amy nodded, unsure as to why she felt so unlike herself. Turning from him she stepped into the hallway and began to head towards the staircase. Along the way she paused by a large mirror, which she found odd considering vampires had no reflection. Her own was slightly faint, with each passing moment her vampiric nature was clearly growing stronger. At least Shadow hadn't lied about that part. Tilting her head to expose her neck, she searched for the scars of having been bitten.

There wasn't even a blemish.

Well now, that's a lot to digest, so I'll do a sort of recap:

-Welcome back Knuckles and Rouge! They're so much fun to write. ^^ And the vampire language they use is basically latin, so "Amor numquam fallit" really does translate to Love never fails.

-Shadow and his emotions, poor guy. But at least he's figured out Scourge's plan for the most part. Doesn't look too good though.

-If you didn't catch it already, Blaze was referring to Silver in that odd little conversation she had with Shadow...just a little subplot I have going. More of it will be explained in the future, I promise. :)

-And what a strange memory Scourge revealed to Amy, anybody recognize it? Also, Amy not acting at all like her usual self has a lot to do with the shock of feeling betrayed as well as Scourge's influence over her (similar to when Rouge asked/practically forced Amy to run, back in chapter 9).

I know things got pretty confusing towards the end there, so I will, as always, do my best to answer any questions and/or comments without ruining events to come. Other than that, I hope you enjoyed this chapter enough to leave a review! ;)

Tchau!