Rouge was running the brush through her hair when the door opened and a smug looking Shadow strolled in.
"Faker's asleep" he muttered as he sat down next to her "and now the fox is out of the way we need to talk"
Rouge sighed "what now Shadow?"
"Metal Sonic was outside Rouge and we both know why" Shadow scowled "the Doctor clearly wants his hedgehogs back"
"hedgehogs?" Rouge glanced at Shadow "he wants Sonic"
"I don't believe that Rouge" came the cold reply "why would the Doctor let the miniature Faker go? He could hardly have out ran him"
"Sonic could have escaped" Rouge protested
"we both know that's a lie Rouge" Shadow smirked "we both know he wanted you to find the Faker; he led you on, gave you clues and made sure you'd feel sorry for him" the ebony hedgehog shook his head "the Doctor knew you wanted his treasure and he'd be stupid to forget what happened last time you found something trapped in one of his abandoned bases"
Rouge was saved from a need to reply by the sound of a crying child. Shadow growled.
"What is wrong with him?" the dark hedgehog cried as he stormed down the corridor.
Shadow didn't return that night and when Rouge went to explore she found him curled up in a chair, a small blue ball of spikes snuggled into his chest chewing the elder hedgehog's thumb contently and leaving a patch of drool upon the now grey coloured fur of the ebony hedgehog's chest. Rouge smirked as she watched the sleeping Ultimate Lifeform pull the small child closer and cradle him in his arms. The moment was almost too sweet to ruin. Almost, Rouge thought as she snapped a photo and watched a startled Shadow glance round before his eyes rested on his napping companion. They found the damp patch of fur soon after. Rouge smirked as the baby was thrust rapidly into her arms whilst her partner in crime thundered through the house muttering how he was not a chew toy. A satisfied grin crossed the ivory bat's lips as she realised Shadow hadn't mentioned the photo... it looked like she'd be able to blackmail two hedgehogs before long.