Chapter 3: Getting To Know You Better

Sonic couldn't stop looking out his window. Last night was a disaster for him. Well, he was better off without her anyways. Knuckles knows a thief when he sees one. Sonic checked his messages on his phone. He noticed there was one number he didn't recognize. Thinking it was someone in need he read the text.

Sonic. It's me Rouge. I know things didn't go very well last night. I promise you, there were no other guys besides you. That night was special, it was to thank you. I'm not trying to get myself sleep in your bed with you. I promise if you'd just talk to me, I know we can work things out.

Sonic didn't respond with a thought in his head right away. He must have thought Rouge was trying to get his attention. He had no reason to think a jewel thief would... wait. He had another thought. Rouge may be a jewel thief, but is Knuckles that reliable? He has something she wants, but then she helped him rescue Cream. Unlike with Knuckles, there's someone she wants to get to know better. Obviously Sonic had to find out for himself if this was true, but what did he have to lose? He headed out the door and took off.

Rouge browsed through the aisles of clothes, looking for something awesome. She wasn't wearing her usual outfit in hopes of not getting caught. She stopped, eyeing the perfect one. She had a taste for purple today.

"I swear, that thief defeated Sonic in a fight." Said Bean the Duck, a Police Officer. He was eating a Doughnut. "No way," Replied Bark, his partner. He used to be Chief, but was demoted after an incident with a lady's purse. "If you ask me, he helped him get away."

"Get out of here." Replied Bean. "Sonic would never do that." Just then, they saw Rouge pass by, holding bags of outfits. "Hello, beautiful." Said Bean, eyeing her. "Bean. We're suppose to work." Bean took a closer look at her butt. But then, he realized something. "I think that's the thief from that night."

"How do you know?" Asked Bark.

"I've seen that butt before. And those ears. They stick out like a sore thumb."

"Big deal. It could have been any bat."

"Maybe. But then again... she was wearing boots. And so is she."

Bark rolled his eyes and took a look at the boots. "You know... I think you're right." They headed in front of her. "Excuse me, lady." Said Bean. "Do you know the whereabouts of a jewel thief that robbed the Museum a few nights ago." Rouge shrugged. "Poor person. Whoever it was must have thought she had a good reason." The Officers grinned. "Yes. She must have." Said Bean. Rouge realized they caught her. "I'm gonna need you to come with us." Said Bark. Rouge grabbed their heads with her legs and slapped them together. She took off, bags in hand.

The Officer's got up. "I told ya." Said Bean.

"Congrats. She's getting away, genius." They got in the Police car and took off. "This is Officer Bark, I have located the jewel thief and-"

"And me too, actually."

"And I need all available units ready to catch her. She's heading down Sunshine Way." Rouge took up into the air, flying to avoid getting caught. Suddenly Police cars appeared right behind her.

Sonic found her just in time. He ran up behind the Police cars. One of them pulled out a net launcher. Sonic quickly raced to the front of the cars. As the Officer fired the net at her, Sonic grabbed her just in time and took off. Seeing Rouge was no longer in front of them, they pulled over.

Sonic looked over and set Rouge down. Rouge got a better look at her hero. "Sonic?" He scratched the back of his head. "I know, I'm an idiot. I guess you-" Rouge hugged him. Sonic was a bit surprised but hugged her back.

"You sure know how to help a girl out." Rouge pulled away. "But you owe me still." Sonic was confused at first, but then he realized what she meant. "Oh yeah. But I was sure I made up for it, though."

"Nope. You owe me a date. So, you think of something to do." Sonic thought for a moment.

"What the heck are you trying to do?" Asked Rouge, trying to balance herself on the skateboard. "I told you I'd help you get started." Said Sonic. He had to keep his hands between her waste to help balance her out. "You had to pick the one thing I don't do." Sonic chuckled quietly. "Don't sweat it, you're doing great."

Rouge got off. "Okay, I'm done." Sonic raised an eyebrow. "But we've only been practicing for five minutes. Why do you want to stop?"

"You know why!" She paused. "I don't think I'm cut out for this."

"No sweat. The first time is always the hardest. You can do it."

"You couldn't pick something like swimming?"

"Yeah, no. How about I give you a push?"

Rouge's eyes widened. "No! Don't you dare. Because I swear if you do..." Sonic laughed. "Hey, I was just kidding. Or was I?" He gave her a small push, and she took off on the board screaming. "That's it! Just remember to lean left and right to go either directions." Rouge was struggling to stay on. It then looked like she was going to crash. "Oh no." Said Sonic, realizing what he did. Rouge approached a wall. Sonic closed his eyes, expecting the worst. But he heard no crash. In fact, when he opened them, he saw that Rouge made a turn on the board. She headed straight for him.

"What did you think?" Sonic stuttered. "How'd you do that?" Rouge pulled her confident look. "I used my wings. I guess I am good at this after all." Sonic smiled, happy about his success.

"The thing about doing something for the first time, you feel like you can do anything." Said a voice. "Then the kings arrive." Three figures flew over their heads and landed in front of them. It was the same group that Sonic tried to stop last night.

"I know you." Said Sonic.

"The pleasure's all mine, Sonic the Hedgehog. Or it will be once I settle the score. Oh, where are my manners. I am Jet the Hawk. This is Wave and Storm. And you guessed it, like your thief friend there, we've got a score with the law."

"So what do you want?" Asked Sonic.

"We have an offer for you." Said Wave. "Shut up!" Snapped Jet. "I'll do the talking. We want to give you a chance to help us. Since you already helped a thief, we figured you were open for business."

"That's different." Said Sonic. "She's a friend. I don't know any of you."

"That's the offer." Said Wave. "We want to give you the chance to save our world and yours." Sonic raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Look up Babylon." Said Jet. "And come back to us when you want in."

"But what did you steal last night?"

Jet grinned. Jet and Wave took off. Storm threw a board at him. "It's yours. I suppose your lady friend can have one if she wants in." He took off with the others. Sonic looked at the board.

"So, an offer you can't possibly refuse." Said Rouge. Sonic thought for a moment. Then he turned to Rouge. "One thing at a time. First, we're gonna spend a whole day together."

Sonic and Rouge were walking down the street, laughing. They sat down on a bench. "Sonic, since when did you sing karaoke?"

"Well, since when did you have a thing for mangoes?"

"I'm a bat, remember?"

Sonic nodded. They sat in silence for a moment. Sonic noticed his hand was right next to Rouge's. He moved his an inch before Rouge looked and gave up. "So..." Started Sonic. "Jewel thief. Don't you get lonely? Do you have any friends and family?"

Rouge was quiet. Her eyes gazed down. "I know a few people in the thieving lifestyle, but I wouldn't call them friends. As for family, I don't remember. I was raised by people who taught me to live the thief's style of life. I guess my family was never that important to me. I'm not like you. Nobody cares about me. Not a lot of people have been as nice to me as you have been. You're lucky to have friends."

Sonic didn't respond. "Sonic?" He sighed. "It's not quite the best idea for a hero to surround himself with things he wants. His enemies will do anything to hurt them and use them against him. But nothing hurts more than forcing them to go."

Rouge looked at him. She touched his hand. Sonic was surprised. "Put your trust in friends. I trust you. Do you trust me?" Sonic was unprepared, but he gave his honest answer. "I trust you."

"Let your friends help you. I want to help you in this new offer. Will you do it?"

"Once I learn what it is, then I will see."

"You certainly know how to help a world. Learn how to help your friends, and they'll learn how to help you. You are a good person, Sonic. And I'd love to go on another date with you sometime."

"I'd like that, Rouge." She got up. "Have a good night, Sonic. I hope we get to see each other every day." She rocketed into the day, flying away. Sonic got up, watching her. A huge smile was on his face. He happily skipped home.

To Be Continued...