G.U.N HQ Hospital

2:40pm

Today was just not Amy's day. Everyone was insisting and demanding her to do things that she didn't want. Her old colleague came up to her and insulted her, demanding answers and stealing her things. Rouge was unnecessarily rude to her, but she apologised.

It didn't matter though because as Amy took a bite into her meat-filled sandwich she remembered when Rouge had demanded something of her that she had regretted agreeing to.

Then again...her day wasn't that bad...It Rouge's way of trying to cheer her up.

(Flashback)

Rouge came back with a few G.U.N lunch bags. She set one in front of Shadow, gave one to Amy and took one for herself. As Amy poured Shadow a glass of water, she stared as he took a meat sandwich out of the bag. Rouge had gotten them the same thing.

"So Shadow..." Rouge started in a teasing tone, "How did you enjoy Amy's cooking last night?"

Amy ended up almost overflowing the water out of the cup, awaiting his response. If it weren't for Shadow of course.

"Amy, the water," Shadow stated.

Amy snapped back to her senses as she gracefully stopped pouring just in time, still facing away from the hospital bed.

"Don't avoid the question Shadow." Rouge began again.

Shadow looked over at Rouge. Physically, she was older than him but he knew that mentally she would still have the upper hand in teasing him.

"It was...decent."

As soon as he said that, Amy turned around and gave him the water, smiling genuinely. She had a tiny bit of pink on her cheeks. Rouge decided to take it part notch while they faced each other.

"Oh, and Shadow, I think Amy's taken a liking to you now."

Shadow raised his brow in question. He had only been absent from work from a day and a half. What could have happened while he wasn't there?

Amy looked over at Rouge with a don't you dare kind of look. Rouge just smirked with her dark red lipgloss.

"Amy's desk is next to yours now. She even suggested sitting on your lap while you do work." Rouge giggled.

While Amy stuttered out non-mobian noises and lightly slapped her cheeks in embarrassment, Rouge started laughing heartily at the two. Shadow lowly scoffed at Rouge's joke. He thought to himself quietly about it and took a bite out of his sandwich while the two girls busied themselves with their lunch.

As Rouge finished her sandwich and walked over to the sink to wash her hands, she remembered something.

"Oh yeah Amy, I didn't tell you did I?" Rouge spoke.

Amy looked at her, bewildered. She didn't have a good feeling about what Rouge was going to say.

"After we finish up here, we're going shopping to find you an outfit to go on a double date with Sonic and Knuckles."

Shadow stopped eating as stared while Amy had an outburst.

"Come again?!" Amy shouted.

Rouge smirked.

"You can't just go deciding things for me like that Rouge, who knows what will happen? Besides, didn't they try to kill us just yesterday—?" Amy yelled.

"Pinky, relax. I have a motive behind this." Rouge stated.

Shadow cleared his throat.

"Rouge. Rose isn't going." He spoke.

The two looked at him in shock. They hadn't expected him to care about this or speak for Amy. Was he worried about her or the Team?

When Shadow saw them looking at him confused, he covered up the nervousness as he spoke again. This didn't make him look cool at all, especially the fact that he was in a hospital bed.

"Whatever plan you have, discard it. Amy's unstable already. Do you think if she sees Sonic and he messes up again that she'll be fine as always? You already know how faker and his friends are." he continued.

"Don't be such a spoilt sport Shadow. You haven't even heard what the plan is. Amy will be fine." Rouge replied.

"I am right here, I can speak for myself and I will decide where I am going. Stop deciding things for me, both of you. I will be a fully grown 19-year-old adult next week may I remind you." Amy hissed.

The two other members of team dark flinched from Amy's hostility, one of them being less noticeable. Rouge nervously cleared her throat.

"Just hear me out. The Freedom Fighters are contracted with G.U.N because they hold 6 emeralds. We can't let G.U.N know that we have the last one, it's dangerous. For these missions, we need the freedom fighters on our side. To do that, we bribe them with the emerald. It's your job Amy to go in there and convince Sonic to work with us. Let him know that they shouldn't mention anything about out Emerald and for extra persuasion, provide him with the information that you found out in the Diary, leaving out your father if possible."

Shadow and Amy stared at Rouge with a blank face. What they didn't expect and was confused by was Amy's reaction. Amy smirked and flipped her low ponytail behind her shoulder.

"Going...actually doesn't sound too bad," Amy replied while picking up her sandwich to finish it.

(Flashback ended.)

As Rouge left the room to talk to the nurse, Amy sighed in regret but couldn't help but feel a little excitement and adrenaline for what was going to take place tonight. She would be seeing her childhood crush again. She also had an important role to play while reconciling. Most of all, she wanted to see her brother-like figure Knuckles. The real reason that she wanted to go through with it was...

'I'm going to make him regret not choosing me and kicking me off the team.' she thought to herself, chuckling slowly.

"What's so funny Rose?" Shadow spoke.

Amy caught herself and reminded herself that she was being petty.

Amy opened her mouth about to say something but then she saw it. Shadow stared at her in confusion before Amy began to move closer to him. Shadow was about to say something but he held his breath as her left hand landed on his thigh while she moved closer to him. This was the second time she had invaded his personal space without permission. She swiped the crumbs from his sandwich off his cheek with a tissue and then threw the tissue away. Shadow sighed in relief as he knew what the pink hedgehog was capable of, one of her infamous death hugs.

Suddenly he felt his body being held in someone's embrace. Amy was suddenly hugging him. He didn't hug back but he let her continue to hug him even though she didn't need to. It had only been a day and they weren't even that close. So why...?

'Why is she being so passionate around me?' he asked himself.

He snapped out of his thoughts as his nose rested on her quills and her face rested near his chest fur. She started to speak.

"I'm so glad you're okay Shadow. I know I shouldn't worry about you because you're the ultimate lifeform and you can take care of yourself."

Shadow continued staring at her in curiosity as she paused.

"But I'm still worried. You don't eat when you're supposed to and sleep when you're supposed to. You always put yourself in danger, even for people you don't know. That's why I'm worried about you."

'Rich. Worried about me? I'm perfectly fine.' Shadow thought to himself.

"So I want you to make a promise to me."

Shadow smirked and raised a brow.

"A promise? How childish. You're turning 19 next week." he slightly taunted.

"Shut up Shadow, I'm serious!" Amy said, letting go of him and balling her fists into her lap.

Shadow swallowed his urge to laugh and continued to listen. He could see that she wasn't joking.

"Two promises," she stated.

"That could be pushing it, Rose," Shadow warned.

Amy pouted and ignored his statement.

"Promise one, promise me you'll rest up and take more care of yourself from now on."

Shadow scoffed. What was she, his mother?

"And promise two?" he reluctantly asked.

"P-promise...promise to be my friend."

Shadow almost stared at her in shock.

It was such a simple request, yet so hard to register in his mind. Friends with Amy Rose? Crazy, nuisance, hammer-swinging, teenage Amy Rose? 18 year old, kind, mature, caring Amy Rose...? He decided to cast the thought aside.

"And what do I get out of this?" Shadow questioned.

Amy looked at him blankly and then genuinely smiled.

"In exchange..." she began while taking his pinky and linking it to hers.

Shadow looked at her with a subtly surprised face.

"I'll stay by your side, always."

3:01 pm

Sonic paced around the room nervously. He was nervous for tonight and the plan they were going to pull off made him nervous too. He wasn't sure if the mission would determine the fate of the emeralds.

As soon as he got up to go to take a run to calm his nerves, Knuckles burst through the door.

"Sonic! Dude, you'll never guess what I've found." Knuckles yelled.

Sonic put a gloved hand to his face. The upcoming heatwave was approaching so the weather's temperature was slowly rising. He wanted to go outside in the fresh air and warm atmosphere.

"What Knuckles, did you find an ancient engagement ring?" Sonic teased.

Knuckles brow twitched in annoyance.

"No, I found this."

Knuckles held out the last sol emerald in his hand.

"Wait...what?" Sonic yelled.

It had been years that they had been looking for the last 3 emeralds. Now that they had 7 of them, they were so close to helping Blaze back home. And close to completing the invention Tails was working on. Sonic decided that he would mention that to Amy later on tonight and ask for Team Dark's help.

"Hey, Sonic. While you're going on your date, the gang— wait...is that the last sol emerald?!" Tails exclaimed.

Sonic grinned with a thumbs up. Knuckles just sighed at the 21-year old's boyish ways.

"It sure is. Now you're one step closer to completing your invention little buddy!" Sonic replied.

As Tails hovered in the air and started celebrating the other two males sighed in relaxation. That was the first piece of good news they had had in months.

"So Tails, what was it that you wanted to tell me?" Sonic asked.

"Well, I was wondering if the gang could come over to get to the bottom of—"

Tails stopped short and looked away.

"To get to the bottom of the mission plan tonight..." he spoke.

Sonic raised a brow. This was the second time Tails had done that. And he didn't like it.

"We've already established that Tails. Is everything okay? Are you hiding something—?" Sonic asked.

"No! I mean, no. I just want you to get the stress off your back and enjoy yourself tonight. See if you can patch things up with Amy."

There was a dangerous silence in the room. Tails started to sweat.

"Alright little buddy, I believe you," Sonic spoke with forced enthusiasm and a fake grin.

Tails quickly nodded and left the room. The only one in the room that knew that the two best friends had just lied to each other was Knuckles. (And the author.)

"Let's call Silver and Blaze. Then we can get ready for the date." Knuckles stated.

Sonic paused for a moment before grinning and tapping a few things in on his communicator.

Knuckles, however, had other things on his mind. The double date may not have been a big deal, but Sonic and Amy's relationship was fragile. He blamed himself for not stepping in sooner as Amy was like a little sister to him and Silver but Sonic was his best friend. Besides, he figured that Rouge would've said to let them sort it out themselves.

'Look how far that got.' Knuckles thought to himself.

"Yes Blaze, it's here. This isn't one of charmy's pranks again. We finally have all 7!" Sonic shouted over his communicator.

Knuckles smiled. He decided that tonight should be the best night ever.

3:30 pm

Amy blushed as she was waiting outside of G.U.N for Rouge to lock the office up and to go shopping. Rouge had walked right in on Shadow and Amy having their moment...and she was wondering if Shadow hated her now.

(Flashback)

After Shadow had heard those two promises that he had to keep, nothing could distract him from what Amy had said. Shadow didn't know it, but a huge hue of red sat across his muzzle while he stared at Amy in deep thought. His thoughts started to wander to Maria and her death. He had made a promise to her and he was able to keep it. But look at the pain and turmoil it had caused him.

"No, Amy. I-I can't." Shadow stated.

Amy looked taken aback. She hadn't seen Shadow like this before. He was normally cool and witty or just minding his business. Now he was paying attention to her when he didn't have to. She was surprised.

"Why not? Please Shadow, give me a chance. What about Rouge? Isn't she your-?"

"Rouge is a comrade. That's different."

Amy was starting to become frustrated.

"But Shadow-!"

Shadow growled and firmly put his hands on her shoulders.

"Did you see what happened last time when someone made a promise similar to that? What happened to them huh? Or do you not remember?" Shadow hissed.

Amy widened her eyes and tears quickly sprang to her eyes as she remembered what he was talking about. So that's why he reacted the way he did.

"...Shadow, I don't want you to be lonely. I want you to have someone close to you, someone, who you can call on whenever you need help. I wanna be that person. Please let me be your friend and stay by your side." Amy pleaded.

Shadow scowled and took a look at Amy. No matter if he said no, she still pushed it. He knew Amy was just as stubborn as his rival. Shadow scoffed and looked away from her. There was a hint of unbelief in his small smirk.

"You're joking, right?" Shadow stated.

Amy smacked his shoulder lightly with a grumpy face. Shadow looked at her in shock.

"I'm serious!" she yelled.

There was a silence before Amy saw Shadow lowly chuckling at her face. Amy rolled her eyes and started to giggle too.

"I guess this means we're friends now, huh?" Amy spoke.

Shadow grinned and looked away.

"Whatever Rose."

"Yay, thanks Shadow!" Amy cheered.

She pulled him into a hug as she sat on the bed next to him. Surprisingly, Shadow hugged back this time. As they half pulled away from each other, there was a brief moment when they stared into each other's eyes. Shadow could smell Amy's scent and one of her hands were resting lightly on her chest fur. Amy bashfully looked away, smiling.

'She's...surprisingly cute when she does that, huh.' he absentmindedly thought to himself.
'Wait, what-?"

"Well, well what do you have here, hm?" a voice spoke.

Amy and Shadow stared at Rouge like a dear caught in headlights. Rouge had a devious smirk over her face while she stood by the door while Tasha looked away, clearing her throat. The two were in a compromising position. Shadow pushed Amy off of him and turned over in his bed like he was asleep. Amy felt awkward and jumped away from the bed, looking at Rouge in disbelief.

"Wait, Rouge. It's not-"

Rouge burst out into uncontrollable laughter. Tasha went over to communicate to Shadow about what would be happening for the next few days.

"Good news guys. Shadow should be out by tomorrow. He just needs us to lend him some crutches and he should be almost healed by Monday." Tasha spoke with a smile on her face.

Amy's eyes lit up and Rouge smiled.

"As for you Miss Rouge and what we discussed earlier, collect it at the desk. I need to re-dress your injured wing."

"Right. Meet me outside Amy, I'll lock up the office." Rouge spoke.

Amy nodded and took one last look at Shadow. He would be home tomorrow.

"U-uh...bye Shadow..." Amy spoke.

Amy didn't get a response. Maybe Shadow wasn't too sure about her proposal after all...

(Flashback end.)

Amy shook her head after remembering all that. She had enjoyed herself today. A new start, a new place, new colleagues, new job and new friends. She was starting to settling into her new life, even though she knew she would still miss her old one. All the drama would go away at some point she figured.

"Outta the way." someone spoke before barging her out of the way.

Amy dropped her things on the floor. She was a little annoyed but apologised to the person without looking at them. The person put their shoe on her book.

"Excuse me, look me in the eye and say sorry." the hamster rudely spoke. The weasel next to her laughed.

Amy looked up and glared up at them. She could see that their tags said, intermediate agent.

"You know I'm your senior right?" Amy spoke and yanked the book out from under her foot. She had had enough of rude colleagues for one day.

The hamster grabbed Amy's wrist.

"Excuse me?! Who the hell do you think you are?" The hamster yelled.

Amy didn't answer. She kept looking ahead. The weasel grew annoyed with Amy's behaviour.

"You know her father is one of the bosses here right? They won't tolerate your behaviour." the weasel spoke.

"Let go of me right now." Amy hissed.

"Huh? Or what? What are you gonna do? Call your little friends to save you again? How weak." the hamster laughed.

"That's enough. Let go of her." Rouge spoke up unhappily.

The hamster let go and smirked while flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Nobody's scared of you Rouge. I'll leave you to come to your friend's rescue, AGAIN." the hamster taunted.

Rouge's eyebrow twitched but she kept her cool.

"Oh? Well, it won't be me you're scared of if you keep messing with Amy. She's stronger than you think." Rouge replied.

"Really now? They promote weaklings and call them strong? What's become of this workplace, honestly?" The hamster continued.

"I'm warning you, don't come near us again." Rouge spat with a dark tone.

The hamster flinched and grabbed her friend's hand while walking away.

"This won't be the last you see of me," she spoke.

Rouge shook her head with her hands on her hips.

"People these days huh, Amy?"

There was silence.

"Amy? Girl are you okay?"

"Huh? Y-yeah I'm fine." Amy spoke with a fake smile.

Rouge shook her head and sighed.

"I hope what they say doesn't get to you, Amy. You know who you are, so ignore those idiots."

Amy smiled. She thanked chaos for having a friend like Rouge.

"Right, Amy, let's go shopping!"

Hey there guys! Thank you to the people who wished Pink Annoyance a happy birthday. I'm so sorry I've put this chapter off for so long. I was becoming worried that nobody wanted to read anymore because I wasn't posting and I was stressing out too. Not to worry though, I've got everything under control now! Let me just say that I'm sorry that the date chapter is being put off for so long! I can give you a release date though. Chapter 18 (12th July) or Chapter 19 (30th July). That's when the action will happen. I want this double date to be interesting and full of Juicy drama. Let me know what you think about what has happened in the story so far! I'd like to know your thoughts. You can review or PM me, I always reply.

As for everything else, I'm going to be fixing up spelling mistakes, the Pink Annoyance info and some other little touch-ups that you might notice. I'm also letting you know that this story is also available on Wattpad by the account "TheOriginalAmy_" Go on and check it out! Though I maybe need to touch that up a little bit.

If I do not reach my release dates, I'm working on my speech for year 11. I'm a nervous and shy person, so I'll have to work extra hard on it to WOW everyone. It's part of my Grade too. It would be nice if I got some encouragement.