I guess its about time I donned a Metal Sonic profile pic. But my last one of Cooler was pretty funny :D

Well I've finally managed to update again! Winter is coming a bit early for me, sorry for not being in the Halloween spirit. And Zero D, I have thought what would happen if they collided, and I would love to see Super Sonic (Archie) vs Super Sonic (Fleetway).

Anyways, PLEASE REVIEW!

Oh yea, I just want to say I am extremely disappointed with, well Sonic Fandom basically. There is nothing with Metal Sonic and Nicole, NOTHING! Aside from a few pictures on DeviantArt, my story is basically the only nod to this couple (which, by the way, has surpassed my previous number one Sonic couple: Shadow and Lien-Da. It CAN work! Both are basically ageless- no, I'm not ranting about this here, maybe some other time). Why?

Chill Out

Metal Sonic paced the floor in his personal study. He had Nicole redesign one of Eggman's art galleries of himself (which were quite common) into a private room the android could go to when not attending any meetings or business matters. It was supposed to be a place where he could relax. But not today, not now.

He had just finished talking to Nicole about the first blanket of snow that covered most of Mobius when he was alerted that his presence was needed in the communications room. Alone. Nicole urged him to go on, explaining that she would be in her room "getting ready". He had no idea what she meant, but decided not to worry about it.

He walked into the communications room thinking it was Elias, but almost took a step back when Mammoth Mogul's face was plastered across the screen.

The ancient Mobian had requested a visit to Pendragon, stating that he merely wanted to sight see and maybe look into the empire's economic well being. Although Metal Sonic was wary of Mogul's true intent, he could not deny the visit simply because he did not trust the "ex-villain". This was quite the political maneuver. He answered Mogul's request, much to the delight of the businessman. Before ending the conversation, Mogul chimed in that he hoped to a prosperous business relation with the Grand Mobian Empire.

After the screen went blank, Metal Sonic actually considered the implied offer. But what could he use the mammoth for? The Mobian was much too indispensable to be considered a pawn. Maybe a well placed bishop? No, the immortal pachyderm would make quite the rook. Sonic had already tried to break his foundations before, but failed and in doing so reinforced Mogul's invulnerability.

Metal Sonic pacing speed increased.

To make matters more complicated, Fang and his team had reported back that Scourge and the Dark Legion had protected Eggman from them. Somehow the doctor was still able to influence allies to his side. But winter was coming, so an all out attack would be disastrous for his enemies. He had alerted Elias of Scourge's escape, and knew that Sonic and the other Freedom Fighters would pin the blame on him in one way or another.

And now he needed to meet with Elias in a few hours. He had barely been in power for a few months and he hadn't had a moment's rest since. Elias would probably bring Sally and Sonic with him in order to prove Metal Sonic's innocence, but the android didn't want to have anything to do with either of them, especially the hedgehog.

Metal Sonic stopped pacing and noticed the wear in the rug from his footsteps.

Maybe I should just get some rest…No, no time.

Nicole hummed happily as she dug through her drawers for the winter clothes she recently had bought. While it was true her body was not technically organic, it still retained some of the temperamental factors of a regular Mobian's such as tolerance to heat and cold, but to a lesser degree. As Metal's personal advisor and secretary, the lynx made herself acquainted with most of the Mobian leaders and officials by visiting their respective nations. And on the way she couldn't help but purchase any clothes that caught her eye.

After shoving one article of clothing after another, she found what she was looking for: A tight-fitting winter coat that matched the same color as her dress, snow pants that were a slightly lighter shade of purple, some pink mittens (she had always liked mittens), a matching pink winter beanie, and black winter boots.

The lynx giggled to herself when she pulled out Metal's winter outfit: A dark blue winter vest and a red scarf that matched the color of his eyes. The robotic hedgehog at first refused to wear clothing when he didn't need to (his body could withstand the most extreme environmental conditions), but Nicole managed to convince him that he needed to keep his neck and shoulder joints somewhat protected.

She knew this winter was going to be fun; Metal had never played outside in the snow like she and Sally had done before-

Sally.

The lynx sighed. She knew that the squirrel would be joining her brother on his visit. But what was she going to do? Nicole knew Sally would want to try and rekindle their friendship, but the lynx didn't know if she was ready to forgive her yet.

After putting down Metal's clothes, she began to change into her winter outfit and infuse the clothes with nanites. She removed her dress and looked at herself in the full view mirror. She silently debated whether it was a good idea to have even made her body in the first place. What was she trying to prove? What was there to gain?

Nicole reflected on the advantages, but one thing kept swarming her thoughts: Metal liked her body, even if it was Mobian. He didn't care that she didn't have a robotic body even though she was AI. But what he really cared about was what was inside. He really cared about the entity operating the lynx body: her.

With renewed confidence, Nicole beamed and tried some different poses in front of the mirror like she used to do when her body was first created. Giggling at her immaturity, the lynx got into her winter outfit, grabbed Metal's clothes, and rushed out of her room to the prince's private study.

As she neared the door, Nicole heard the sounds of footsteps going back and forth. Was Metal pacing?

She knocked, and the footsteps stopped. The lynx waited knowing the android inside was scanning through the door to see who it was. She heard Metal call her in and opened the door to see her beau sitting innocently in a chair reading a book.

Confused as to why she was in such clothing, he looked up, "Hello Nicole, is there something-"

"What's wrong?" the lynx challenged with a smirk. She knew this robot too well.

Metal seemed shocked, "What do you mean? I'm just-"

"Metal, I heard you pacing before I knocked," Nicole stated as her hand went to her hip, "I can tell just by looking at the rug."

The AI shifted his eyes over from Nicole to the floor. There was a worn out line in the carpet. Guess I forgot about that…

The other AI moved towards the chair and sat on her companion's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Metal, if there's something bothering you; you can tell me. You know that.

He didn't make eye contact at first. He couldn't reveal to her that Mogul had contacted him; the android hadn't even confessed about Fang yet.

"I was…just a bit nervous for when Elias comes over," he painfully lied as eye contact was finally made, "So many things could go wrong if those two come along."

Nicole nodded, and then her eyes flashed with excitement. A grin began to grow on her face, which sort of unsettled the AI she was sitting upon.

"Then we're in agreement," she giggled.

After hearing her laugh, the hedgehog settled down, but he was still suspicious, "Agreement about what-woah!"

With speed comparable to Metal's own, Nicole hopped to the floor, grabbed the other AI's hand, and dragged him out of the room. Metal had to admit that he was becoming used to this, but he still loved the lynx's impulsiveness. During this time, the robot managed to spy what Nicole was holding under her arm the whole time. He confirmed it as those pointless clothes she had bought for him before. He knew where this was going, but Nicole still briefed him in the hallway, "As you've probably guessed by now, we're going outside to enjoy the snow! You said you were a bit stressed, and it just so happens I have some steam myself to let off. And we're going to let it all out the way everybody does."

Metal stiffened. She couldn't be meaning…no, she has her winter clothes on and mine; that would be taking a step backwards…

"Nicole, you are aware of how most Mobians…"

He didn't finish; he didn't want to.

The lynx turned her head while still guiding Metal outside, "What?"

"Uh, never mind," he glanced to the side.

"Metal, Mobians play outside with each other to relieve stress," Nicole explained, "I have firsthand experience."

"Well, the data I've collected has lead me to believe they do something…different."

"'Different'? How differ-"

She paused and started to blush. Why on Mobius would Metal be referring to…that?

The android understood he had created an awkward moment, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said..."

"Smooth move on your part," Nicole laughed weakly, "Let's just get outside and play. Here, put these on. And don't complain either."

Glad the uneasiness had diminished but upset he had to wear clothing; Metal reluctantly put on the scarf and vest as they AI couple made it out to the Pendragon Gardens. Outside of the Eggdome, Metal had begun projects to put in organic environments such as the Gardens where there were small woods, a meadow, and a pond. This was mostly to create friendly relations with Mobian subjects to prove he wasn't like his creator, but Nicole had loved the idea from the beginning. Actually, he had to admit that they both enjoyed open space, as they spent most of their time alone together there.

Nicole's eyes sparkled as she viewed the entire meadow. The whole area was covered up halfway to their shins, and in some places even higher. Laughing all the way, the lynx ran with her arms stretched out into the winter wonderland. Metal Sonic simply crossed his arms and walked after her. He didn't understand what was making the other AI so happy. It was just frozen water crystals, and it fell every year. Why was she getting excited like this?

The lynx was spinning around in her own little world when she noticed that Metal was still near where they came out. She tilted her head wondering why he wasn't as pumped as she was. Then she remembered, Of course, Metal's never done this before!

"Metaaaaaaaaal," she sung out before bounding right to him, giggling, "Come on, there's so much to do! And so little time!"

The war machine scanned the area, "Everything is covered with snow."

"I know, isn't that great?"

Metal eyed his companion, "I…suppose…"

Nicole's smile remained ever growing as she thought up what to do. An idea hit her. Her beaming turned into a mischievous grin and she ran a few meters away from the confused metallic hedgehog. Zooming in on her, Metal saw that she was packing snow into some sort of mound. Alright…now I'm officially lost.

Every once in a while, Nicole would peek over her shoulder to see if Metal was still there. And every time after she confirmed he was, the lynx would burst into a fit of giggles and continue on. Though the robotic hedgehog was wary, he couldn't help but gaze at his…what was she now? There had to be a word somewhere that could define their relationship and what she meant to him. But before he could think any deeper, a sphere of snow was planted directly on his face, and he heard Nicole gasp out, "I hit him!"

Wiping the snow off, he stared at his assailant who was now on rolling on her back, laughing away behind her mound of snow. She was beginning to even wipe tears off her eyes. Metal Sonic stood there; his arms left the usual crossed position.

"What was that for?" he inquired.

Finally calming down, Nicole wiped one more tear away, "It's called a 'snowball fight', Metal. They're really fun!"

"I'm not going to fight you," the robot scoffed, though he got excited when she said "fight".

"Metal, we're just throwing snow at each other. It doesn't hurt a bit! Just look at these muscles," the lynx held her arm out triumphantly, getting a chuckle from the hedgehog.

Metal Sonic bent his knees and scooped a handful of snow. The water crystals reflected off his red eyes, making it appear as if the snow was red. It may very soon will be…

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he curled the snow into a ball and showed it to Nicole, "Like this?"

Her face brightened, "Yea, just like that!"

"Aren't you going to come out here so I can hit you?" he returned.

"Why would I do that? I built this fort for a reason!"

Metal almost snorted, "That's supposed to be a fort? It's just a pile of snow-"

He was cut off short by a snowball that he just barely managed to dodge. But shortly another came flying by his head, and then another, and another. Nicole was continuingly pelting him at a fairly high speed, one snowball after the other. Her eyebrows were creased with determination as her tongue slightly licked her upper lip. Metal was amazed at her dexterity and how into this game she was.

He retreated behind a nearby tree, snowballs whizzing past him as he managed to find cover. Nicole continued to assault him from the safety of her fort. He had one chance, and he had no other choice but to make it. Still holding the same snowball from before, he ran calculations and simulations on the best way to make it work. In one swift motion, he jumped from his hiding spot and threw the snowball at Nicole. Time seemed to slow down as the lynx watched the ball fly closer and closer until it smacked her right on the forehead, sending her to the ground. Metal Sonic's eyes widened with shock at what he had just done before crashing into the ground.

He got up and sped to the fallen lynx, shouting her name. She was lying on her back, eyes closed. Had he caused some sort of system reboot? Why did he throw it that hard? I should have known I would hurt her!

Nicole peeked out of one eye. Seeing that her hedgehog was concerned for her well being made her heart jump, but she couldn't just let this opportune moment go to waste. In an instant, she wrapped her hands on Metal's ankles, catching him off balanced, and flipped him onto his own back. Unfortunately throughout all the excitement, she forgot to let go and was sent in the air by the robot's legs and landed on top of him.

Metal Sonic stared into the lynx's green eyes, and she stared into his red ones. They were quite close, their muzzles were touching. The lynx smiled warmly at him.

This is pretty romantic, she thought, even though I wasn't planning it, I can't complain…

Nicole wrapped her arms around her hedgehog's neck and nuzzled her head into his neck. He was pretty comfy, more so than usual with the vest and scarf on. She snuggled even more while Metal watched with puzzlement. He never really understood the concept of cuddling.

The AI lynx closed her eyes. She was with the only person that fully understood her. The only one she could talk to about all her problems, her thoughts, and her questions. The other AI that knew only how to kill and destroy was cuddling with her in the snow. Just for her, and only ever for her. She felt light weighted when she thought about him this deep.

Nicole was smiling now, and she hummed peacefully while her new "bed" was sitting in the snow. She could fall asleep right here. With Metal, her hedgehog; her prince. The snow gently fell down on top of the two AIs.

For now, Metal Sonic didn't even think once about his meeting with Elias later today, nor did Mogul ever cross his mind. He was at peace.

The robot watched the snow fall from the sky. He was happy; Nicole was really all he needed. But there were other matters that needed to be taken care of; matters that he personally wanted to end himself. He remembered his meeting with Elias would be in a few hours, but for now Nicole was more important.

The lynx began to drift off into sleep mode. Why is it that only he can make me feel this way? It can't just be that he…ohhhh, I don't know. I think…I think I might…

I managed to split this chapter up into two, just to stay updated! So don't be surprised if the next is a wee bit short. By the way, someone actually took the time to make a strange email to me, cussing and complaining about the little bit of Shadamy I have here and why it isn't Shadouge. Weird, right? But I do have a question for Shadouge fans. It's not that I'm against it, I just that I've never understood it. Think you guys could explain? Thanks!

Review. NOW.