One Step at a Time

"We live and we learn to take one step at a time … there's no need to rush .. It's like learning to fly .. or falling in love …"

Chapter 25

That night, laid down on the small hospital bed in her room, Amy felt the shadows in the corners creep up on her as the moon rose further and further up into the blackened sky. The nurse had come to switch off her light an hour or so ago – Cream had left right then. Naturally, Cream refused to leave Amy's bedside, but Amy insisted she go home and get rest so she can come and visit in the morning. Reluctantly (with puffed up cheeks) Cream took her leave and Amy battled with her heart as she found herself alone and abandoned.

The moonlight poked through her window's curtains, giving her the light to set her green eyes on the cast in front of her. The pain had dulled some time ago. It had become nothing more than monotonous background music she didn't listen to anymore.

Is this what it had come down to? After months of hard work, aspirations, pain, sweat and tears, this is the conclusion? And a day before the final competition? Amy checked the clock against the wall – the moonlight gave her the indication that it was already past midnight. The finals would start in a few hours. The nurse would come in, open up her window, bring her breakfast and turn on the television against the wall so she can watch Sonic, Shadow and Silver run the race she was meant to be in.

It hurt. More than anyone could imagine, the pain was deeper than anything she'd ever come across. If only she'd been more careful. If only she hadn't lashed out on Cream, her best friend and closest buddy, she'd probably be at home, resting with a nervous lump in her chest that left her too excited to properly shut off. She would have woken up early, had breakfast with Cream and Rogue, drive to the stadium, warm up and focus on that medal she so badly wanted.

It wasn't fair. Sonic would most likely win, but Amy was willing to bet Shadow and Silver was eager to beat him silly –put him in his place and teach him a lesson they've wanted to for so long. She'd only just the other day realized how intense the rivalry had in fact become. It was astounding how determined they were to set the score straight and prove themselves worthy.

Worthy of what though? What was the prize? That stupid gold medal that had been haunting her in her sleep for the past week? The fame? The glory? Maybe it was some kind of pride thing. Perhaps they just did it for fun to keep themselves busy. Now that Amy stopped to think about it, there hadn't been too many bad guys around for them to beat up. They were probably bored stiff. Did any one of them ever think of getting a job … like she did?

Idiots. They had no idea how lucky they were. Here she was, sulking in a hospital bed with four painful metal screws operated into her leg while they ran around parading like they've already won. Okay, in a sense, she guessed she was exaggerating. They had come to visit her and Sonic even helped her a lot.

She snorted. Again, only the damsel in distress, saved by the blue blur and town hero, was she, Amy Rose. It was annoying. So annoying, in fact, it nauseated her.

Amy lay back on her pillow, shifting slightly at her discomfort of not being able to switch positions. Her leg was paining up again, but she fought down to ignore it, too irate and irritated to even give a damn. This was the worst possible thing that could happen to her, she believed.

There was no will to cry. She had done all her crying and was done for good. There was nothing left to be sad about. Every possible goal Amy had listed for herself, was non-existent because she – Amy Rose – had gotten cocky and over-confident. Inwardly, she laughed at herself. She had started to act transparently like Sonic the Hedgehog himself. That's great. Just perfect. Peachy, in fact.

Her phone suddenly vibrated on the stand beside her and she stretched to reach for it, throwing her temporary hissy-fit aside. Too annoyed by her current status to care about being texted in the middle of the night, Amy opened the message sent to her.

'Hey Ames. Thinking about you. I'll come to see you 2morrow be4 the race. =D'

Sonic? Amy racked her eyes. Did he really just send that? She checked the time and details on the message – yes, he had definitely sent it not even more than a minute ago. Was he awake then? Her face heated up – he was thinking about her.

He was probably worried. She appreciated it, but something at her heart tugged to say that she didn't want him coming in to check up on her before the finals. She wouldn't be able to stand it. It was uncomfortable enough after the stunt he had pulled the day before – kissed in her front of everyone, didn't he? Oh yeah, he's a big shot all right and like some pathetic child with a crush she'd reacted exactly the way he wanted her too. Amy's eyes narrowed at the text.

After some thought, she guessed she was being unfair. Sonic had grown up too somewhat, but he sent the text like he thought she was awake anyway. Did he know her that well?

She put the phone down on her lap, choosing to stare out the window at the moon instead – it was full and bursting with an unconventional glow. It reminded her of Silver in a way. It took an embarrassing moment later to realize she actually missed his company, even if she could only settle for his silent yet powerful presence, it would be more than enough.

No, Silver would be too awkward in a situation like this. She wouldn't know what to say to him anyway.

There was a still moment that graced through her room and her thoughts died down for a while. She still couldn't muster the will to fall asleep. Truthfully, she felt lonely and hoped she could just get up and hop her way out of the hospital – maybe steal a wheelchair on the way out.

Her mind was interrupted when a soft tapping noise reached her ears. She turned to see a shadow in the window and she almost screamed if the light of the moon hadn't hit his form moments before she blinked her eyes in confusion.

'Shadow?'

He signaled to her in greeting and it took her only a second to comprehend how happy she actually was to see him. Her heart picked up and she pushed herself off the bed with effort, swinging her cast over the sheets so it can dangle uselessly. Ignoring it, she pushed herself up and skillfully hopped on one strong leg to the window where she opened it up for him climb into her room.

"Shadow!" she whispered, smiling when he pushed himself of the window sill to stand beside her and close the window for her. He offered his own egotistical smirk and flashed intense crimson eyes at her.

"Amy," he greeted and Amy felt her heart pick up when he said her name. It was a bit overwhelming and she guessed this was why she lost balance, what with only standing on one foot and all. Shadow saw it and caught her around the waist in swift catch and then promptly picked her up and carried her to her bed.

It had all happened to fast.

"Uh," was all Amy got out. "What are you doing here? The nurse will kick you out if she catches you here."

"She won't catch me." He set her down, surprisingly gently and she pushed herself in a comfortable position, setting her cast straight so she wouldn't cramp up. The weight of the cast was surprisingly heavier than she imagined it'd be and it was a little distracting.

At the moment, she was very self-conscious about herself. Her hair was dirty and messed up, she was wearing her yellow pajama dress and there were probably bags under her eyes too. Great timing Shadow, really.

"I came to visit," he said, a little nervous by the way her fidgeted with his fingers. Amy thought it was priceless and savored the moment – no way was she ever going to see The Ultimate Life Force get nervous again. This was gold.

"Thanks, but you should actually be resting. You have a big … race tomorrow." A lump got caught in her throat and her voice cracked a bit at the interval. Shadow did not fail to notice and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, taking a seat on the side of her bed.

"I don't care about the race that much," he answered, capturing her eyes with his. They were so intense; she couldn't bear the sight of them. "I was more worried about you."

Her heart skipped a beat when he took hold of her hand after that. She saw him take a breath and then she totally started freaking out when he started to look like he was preparing himself for something big.

'Please don't kiss me … please don't kiss me … please don't kiss me … please don't-'

"I think I can fix your leg."

Amy blinked.

"What?"

A/N: Another short chapter because … the story is almost finished. Yeah, few more chapters ought to do it. I can't believe I finally wrote this – it's been burning inside me for ages.

Sorry for the slow update and sorry for the lack of … anything you were expecting. The action comes in a bit later. As well as some more painful romance.

Okay, there has been some debate among my internet friends and reviewers about who Amy should end up with. Don't worry, I've got it all planned out perfectly and I think you will all like the match I chose for her. I hope so, anyway. Don't guess who, it'll only confuse everybody.

Thanks to all who reviewed.

OddSakura, thanks, as always, you rock my socks. May you be blessed with copious amounts of pudding and good weather.

Shadowstarwolf, thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.

Bubbles, you're right. Sonic is a douchebag. =D

And then to 'one who doesnt know love':

Listen to me dear, you know what love is. Trust me – God made you as a human being with a soul – you were born to love. Although, it's really hard to give a solid and valid definition about love, you know in your heart when you love someone. Whether you're young or old, love is something that comes easiest to you, regardless of the type of person you are and who you are too. Don't forget that sweetie. God bless you. (^-^)

I'm thrilled you like the story and I put a little extra Shadamy in for you, just because your review was what reminded me to update again.

Thanks, lots of love to all of you.

(^^,)