Chapter 26 Its all coming to a head.

Authors note, Here's the next chapter for you guys! So sorry for the wait, hope you enjoy and leave a review if you have time. Your feedback fills me with joy! To Guest983, Yes the plane in this story is in fact, the blue typhoon! I own nothing except my OC, now on with the plot.

Jennifer's pov

"Heads up!" I called as I dropped my armful of apples down at Shadow. Skillfully catching them Shadow placed the juicy red fruit into the basket at his feet. We had gone for a run and came across the tree, fetching a basket we were now collecting the fruit. It was amazing how happy I was now, there was no cold hallways here. No lonely evenings wondering why I always felt out of place. It was unbelievable how free and utterly elated I felt. But not everything was all well and dandy.

I had not remembered much at all, mostly little nothings such as, my birthday was in June. Or Knuckles enjoyed fruit, and I was a very good baker. The only memory I had gained fully was of my old friend Sarah. Who by this time surely believes I've been kidnapped, or worse, dead. I had wanted to see her but with my new form, and the possibility that Dr. Robotnik might find out and use her as leverage. It was not a good idea, and so I had written her a letter. Stating that I was fine and had to leave to protect her.

I told her I missed her and was sorry for everything. I had hoped it might bring her some peace. After that mess, which had left me depressed for days afterward, I had tried to remember more with no success. I tried not to let it get me down, remembering Shadows words every time I was discouraged. That helped but also didn't in a way. It helped because it truly encouraged me. It didn't because it just reminded me of what I couldn't have. And that was another thing that was stressful.

My feelings for Shadow seemed to be growing not fading. And to be honest, it scared the literal heck out of me. I couldn't help it, he was so sweet and understanding. I could pick so many things I liked about him. From the way he smirked, to how his eyes seemed to spark when he was concentrating. I huffed in annoyance as I gathered apples, I was acting like a teenager dealing with her first love. But then again I suppose this really was my first, Well the first I could remember anyway.

Argh! I was sick of feeling this way, I just wanted the feelings to stop. As I was to much of a coward to even attempt to act on them. I enjoyed Shadows company too much to jeopardize our friendship on account of a crush, that he may, or may not return. One other troubling thing that made this decision to crush these feelings even harder, was that Shadow seemed to be flirting with me. A wink here or there, grasping my hand whenever he had a opportunity to do so. And whenever I snuck glances at him, lately I had been surprised to find him staring at me too.

So that left the question I always asked myself, "What are you waiting for?!" And then the answer was always the same, he deserved better then me. Better then a girl with no memories and no place to go after they left. I did not know what I would do when they achieved their goal and returned home. I didn't like to think about it. Several times I debated on asking to come with them, because if they left where would that leave me? I was so deep in my thoughts I almost fell off the branch I was on, when I felt something smack into the back of my head.

"Ow!" I cried, rubbing the sore spot I glared down at a amused Shadow. Putting on my fiercest glare I plucked a apple from the tree and prepared to fire. Shadow merely raised a brow, "Is that supposed to be intimidating? You couldn't hit the side of a house if you were two feet away." he mocked. Ok now I was really mad, he was as cocky as Sonic! Preparing to show him what the humiliation of being beat felt like I threw the fruit. He did exactly what I wanted, dodging easily with his speed he came to a stop right underneath me, a taunting smile on his lips.

In return I gave a wicked smile of my own and pushed myself off the limb I was seated upon. Features molding into shock Shadow reached to catch me. I plopped in his arms with a grunt and watched as he looked at me in pure confusion. My smile full blown now I smashed a gooey rotten apple atop his head giggling madly. For a moment all was quiet except for the snorts I tried in vain to smother. Shadow stood stock still as the sticky brown juice dripped down his face. My laughs dying down I sat quietly in his arms waiting for some kind of response.

A few seconds later Shadows eyes narrowed and looked at me revenge swirling in his orbs. My stomach dropped, retaliation was for sure in my future. Not waiting around for Shadow to exact his revenge I pushed out of his arms and swiftly ran. I had only run a few miles when I stopped and dived under the nearest bush. After making sure I hadn't accidentally hidden in poison ivy I waited for Shadow. Soon enough I heard crashing through the trees and my pulse quickened.

Hunkering down I placed my hands over my mouth to quiet any laughter. I waited and waited, quiet echoed through the forest. I was begining to be worried when I heard a twig snap behind me. Whirling I saw a flash of black and I was suddenly pinned to the forest floor. And in a instant I was not in the forest, I was in a dark house and I could hear someone pounding on the door. I sobbed against it, desperately trying to hold it closed as I gripped a overnight bag. "You think you can leave me Jenny?! I'll teach you a lesson in manners you ungrateful cow!" someone shouted at me.

To my horror I was shoved across the room as the door busted open. "Jared please, leave me alone!" I begged as I crawled away. He advanced on me, cold rage and slight insanity flashing in his eyes. I braced myself for the hit that was sure to come. Then I was back on the slightly damp ground of the forest, and I could hear screams ringing in the air. I didn't notice for a moment that they were mine. Someone was shaking my shoulders crying out my name in a slight panic.

I didn't know what was happening and jerked away from the arms with a cry. Still ensnared by whatever evil memory I had recalled, I ran as far and fast as I possibly could. I had to get away from everything, I had to be safe. The urge to flee and the horrifyingly awful fear consumed me. I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. I only knew I needed to get away from the person who was trying to hurt me. And then my mind snapped back into place and I realized where I was.

I was in the forest with Shadow and he would never harm me. I had remembered something horrible, the strongest memory I have had so far, and I had ran. I stopped in my tracks breathing heavily, and felt the tears that were running rapidly down my cheeks. Collapsing to my knees then my back, I curled into myself, so many emotions flooding through me. Shame, fear, disgust, and confusion at my newest memory. So I had knew Jared from my past, that was why he had been so interested in me.

But we had been together when I was still human? And he used to...used to beat me? I had been in a abusive relationship? Did Shadow know? Oh my stars and garters, if Shadow did know what did he think of me? What did I think of me? To many questions with no answers. And why were there no answers? Because I couldn't remember anything! I had my life, my body, my mind all taken from me! I was nothing, practically a empty shell. With hardly any memories to define me then who was I?

Even Shadow comforting words could not make me feel better this time. I got up and began the trek back to Shadow upset and confused. But one question ran through my mind as I walked back. If that memory was so awful, did I even want to remember my past? Or was it better for me to remain in the dark? I had been pushing for so long to get my memories back, but now I was not sure. The only thing I was sure of was that I needed to go back to where I was cared about. I needed comfort and love right now. I needed Shadow.

Omygosh Shadow, I had left him! He was probably worried sick, I sighed in frustration. Would I ever stop being a burden to them? I was so done being afraid, was sick of feeling like I didn't know who I was. It was high time for me to realize that while I had much taken from me. It was my own decisions that decided where my life went from here. And memories or not I wanted to be happy, and I was happy with Shadow and the others.

They made me happy, they were my family now. My true family who loved me and had risked their lives for me. And Shadow cared about me, maybe more then just a friend. And I think was ready to take the chance to find out. Changes were coming, but it was up to me if they would be good or bad. And so with new found confidence I raced back to Shadow.

Shadows pov

What. just. happened? Jennifer had run off after seemingly having a meltdown right in front of me. And I stood there staring in the direction she had ran I deliberated on what to do. What had I done to gain such a reaction from her? But then I don't think it was exactly me that did anything, because she acted like she was somewhere else. Her eyes had focused on something behind me and were glazed. She had struggled in my arms, loud screams coming from her lips. Losing all sense of playfulness I had jumped off, thinking I had hurt her at first.

But when she began to shake and tears leaked from her eyes, I didn't know exactly what was happening. Panicked I had begged her to tell me what was wrong to no avail. And then she seemed to snap out of whatever it was and took off. I sat there as my mind struggled to catch up with the sudden turn of events. Then I was on my feet and running in the direction she went, hoping to find her. Twenty minutes later I had found nothing, I didn't even know if I was going in the right direction.

I was getting distressed when another ten minutes had gone by and no sign had appeared. I thought perhaps she might have gone back to the apple tree, and so I turned and rushed back. I was immensely relieved to find that Jennifer was leaning against the tree with her eyes shut. She jumped upon my arrival, and then dropped her gaze to her feet looking more then embbarased. I simply stood there waiting for a explanation.

"I'm sorry Shadow, I..I remembered something terrible. It was like I was there, totally relieving it, I could feel everything. It was different then the other memories I have gotten, it was more like a flashback." she muttered. She looked up to me and I felt my heart clench, at the sight of her red rimmed eyes and trembling bottom lip. "It was about Jared wasn't it? From when you were still human." I asked tentively.

I knew the answer though, and hot rage ran through me. To tell the truth I hadn't given much thought on all the bad aspects of Jennifer's life that she would recall. I had only focused on helping her achieve her memories, because that was what she desired badly. I knew how she felt, I had been through it as well. "Shadow, what did he do to me?" Jennifer meekly asked. I frowned, I did not want to be the one to tell her all the horrors that human did to her.

"I won't lie Jen, he did things I don't really want to repeat. I'm sorry you have to remember this part of your life, I should have warned you." I apologized to her. Shaking her head she rose to her feet, "Its not your fault Shadow, I don't blame you. I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry I'm always a burden on you guys." Wait...WHAT? She thought she was a burden? "How can you even say that?" I hissed. I was burning with anger, my temper rising.

"Do you even know how much you have helped us? How much you have fought through? You are one of the most amazing, toughest, kindest people I have had the pleasure to meet. You are not a burden, you are part of this team and you earn your keep." I ranted. She was stunned into silence as she looked at the ground in wonder. Then she glanced up determination in her eyes. Then striding up to me she grabbed my face and pulled me close to her.

I gasped in surprise, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. Looking deep into my eyes Jennifer made a announcement that both stopped my heart, and then sent it racing. "Shadow I've held this back for too long, and after what you said well it gave me the courage to finally say it. Shadow the hedgehog I have feelings for you." she said. I had no time to absorb this information before she had cradled my head and kissed me.