Tails' Choice
Alright, this one is all me with editing by Rad
Ch. 21
Tails and Cosmo flew home after their long date and went inside
"You here Veronica?" Tails asked, but with no answer he shrugged and plopped down and the couch.
"Do you think she's ok, Tails?" Cosmo asked and sat beside him
"Well, yeah, I hope so.."
All of the sudden there was a knock at the door
"That's probably her right now." Tails said and went to open the door
Sure enough, it was, "Hey Tails..." she said with a sniffle
"Hey... is everything all right?" Tails asked with concern.
"Yeah... I'm fine...." She said and came in with her head hung low. Tails closed to door and exchanged concerned looks with Cosmo.
"Are you sure you will be all right?" Cosmo asked
"Yeah...." She looked up and wiped away some of her tears, "Cool new outfit..." She said and collapsed herself onto the couch
Cosmo looked at Tails and motioned for him to do something.
"Veronica..." Tails said and sat down next to her and put his arm around her, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Not unless you're hiring.." She said sarcastically
"What do you mean?"
"I got fired... from both my jobs..." She said with a sigh.
"You got fired? Why?"
"Well... I went to my first job right after I left... And I was really depressed... I got really distracted and kept screwing up, so the Manager said if I messed up one more time he'd fire me... and I did..."
"That's not fair...!"
Veronica shook her head in agreement, "And on my way out, I got a call from the cleaning service saying my service was no longer needed..."
"Aw... Veronica...." Tails didn't know what to say
Cosmo sat down beside her and gave her a hug, "I'm sure you'll get through this Veronica."
"Yeah, I'm sure you can find another job..." Tails pointed out
"No I can't... I never even finish high school... no one else would hire me... I don't even have a place to live... I've been living in my car for God's sake!"
Tails was shocked to hear this, "You've... been living in your car?"
"Yeah... I lost my house after my husband died..."
There was silence for a few moments as Tails tried to think of something to say
"I guess... you can stay here if you want. I have a room in the attic that you can have. I don't mind cleaning out for you. It's not much, but it has a bed, a window, it's own bathroom, and you're welcome to stay there if you want."
Veronica sniffled a few times, "Really..? You... don't mind?"
"No, of course not."
She sniffled a few times and began to calm down, "Thank you Tails... and you too Cosmo.. for everything." She managed a smile
"No problem!" Tails smiled
"Anything for a friend. We'll always be here for you." Cosmo added
"Well... I guess I truly am blessed... But Tails, if you don't mind, can I clean the room myself? It kinda calms me down..."
"Sure, I don't mind."
"Thanks you... can you show me how to get up there?" She asked
"Yeah, theres a string in the hallway..." He said and walked over to it, "If you pull it the some stairs come down." He demonstrated for them.
"Alright, I'll get to it." Veronica said, heading up the stairs, "I'll be back down soon."
"That was nice, Tails." Cosmo held his hand
"Well, I couldn't have just let her live on the streets. I mean, it's the least I could do."
"Still... don't you think you were getting a little to close to her?" Cosmo asked suspiciously
"Wh....what? N-no, I was just... trying to be friendly." Tails said with gesticulated movements
Cosmo giggled, "Calm down, Tails. I'm only messing with you. You know I trust you, right?"
"Yeah, Cosmo... You just sounded so serious..."
"Don't worry, Tails. You get worked up to easily." She giggled again. "Hey Tails?"
"Yeah, Cosmo?"
"I feel kinda weird..." She said and put her hand to her stomach
"Whadaya mean? Are you ok?" He asked in concern
"I don't know... I feel kinda dizzy..." She said and started to stumble around
"Do you think you're being pulled back?" Tails asked
"I need to sit down..." Cosmo said and took a seat on the couch
"Cosmo...?" Tails sat next to her and held her with concern
"Tails... I remember now..." She seemed to be out of breath, "Last night... After you fell asleep... I didn't want to leave you... So when I had to leave I made a deal.... I gave up my spiritual powers to stay here a little longer... I must have forgotten because of the condition I was in... I passed out after my powers were taken away, and now I fear my time really is up..." She managed as her condition appeared to grow worse and worse
"Cosmo.... Thank you... Spending this day with you was the most fun I've had since before you... had to leave..." Tails hugged her tightly and she began to turn transparent
"I can't hold it any longer, Tails..."
"I understand Cosmo. I just want you to know, I love you, and I always will. Even when after I switch places with you, I'll always be with you..." Tails reassured her in case he didn't see her again
"Tails.... are you sure about this?" Cosmo asked with great concern
"Yes Cosmo.... I just want you to be happy... I love you."
"I love you too, Tails..." She replied with a kiss, and they looked into each others tearful eyes one more time before Cosmo completely disappeared.