"Honestly, things are going okay?"

Rouge reached out and touched his arm; she was actually worried about him. Usually, she had a sense of humor or smugness behind her "concern," but this time it was obvious she was genuinely happy for him. He smiled for a moment, recanting the past few weeks he's spent casually seeing the beautiful pink hedgehog. They never made things official, but they were official without really saying it; it was an unspoken understanding that they shared together. At least, he perceived it to be that way, and hoped that Amy did as well. He nodded, acknowledging her concern and squeezing her hand that gripped his arm to comfort her.

Their friendship had always been lighthearted and more annoyances than actual hanging out and bonding, but they shared a connection that held a deep understanding for one another. She was his one and only friend left in this world, and when Maria left Rouge tried to fill the space Maria left behind with vodka and cheap entertainment. Shady comedy bars held a soft spot in his heart for this reason, and he would never forget the sacrifices and time she spent on him when he was at his lowest. She held this facade of strength that even he couldn't fake, and not once has he ever seen her stumble or break. Come to think of it, he's never seen her cry.

"Things are great, honestly. These last few weeks have been," he let go of her hand and stopped for a moment to try to find the words to correctly explain how he felt, "perfect almost. She seems happy to be around me. We don't fight."

The last sentence hung heavily in the air between them. Rouge knew what an accomplishment it was for him not to be fighting. Maria always wanted different things than him and Rouge hated seeing both of them so miserable. Like Shadow, she didn't blame Maria for the things she wanted, it was her first time being on the planet that she admired from afar for so long. She was excited to explore the world, and Shadow having lived on it for 50 years had grown tired of it, and Rouge understood both of their strife. Shadow knew that Rouge loved Maria just as he did, and it hurt her when Maria left too. Maria and Rouge had been best friends since she appeared back in their lives, and consequently, became closer to Shadow because of it. She left a huge gaping hole in both of them when she left, but Rouge stood strong for Shadow through it all, and he will forever be grateful. It was because of Rouge and Amy he could finally talk about Maria and be okay.

"Has she... tried to call you or anything?"

It was a question that Rouge had avoided for a long time, but Shadow could tell she felt more comfortable asking because he has finally moved on. He sighed heavily and shook his head, which caused her face to fall a bit.

"No. You?"

Rouge just smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of her head, avoiding eye contact. "No, not like I haven't tried either. Her number doesn't even ring anymore, so either she blocked me or she doesn't have a phone anymore."

He put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her and they both acknowledged the dull sadness that pulsed between them. The grief of her absence was a connection they shared that bound them for life, and he was happy to share it with her.

Shadow then retracted his hand when she smiled at him and he turned to his cabinets to grab a glass to pour him something to drink. Rouge chimed in for a glass and he winked at her and very lamely clicked his tongue against his teeth and shot her a finger gun to cheer her up. She giggled and rolled her eyes at the black hedgehog as he pulled down a bottle of vodka from his liquor cabinet. He poured their glasses and gave her a glass. She took it graciously downed it without a second thought, which made Shadow shudder. How on earth she manages that he would never know. He can usually drink vodka straight but he had to pace himself; he was getting old.

He leaned back against the counter and swirled the glass in his hand and he peered at her curiously. She shot him a playful look of confusion and arched her brow.

"What?"

He crossed his arm over his torso and rested the arm holding the glass over the other, thinking carefully of his words before he asked it. "Can I ask you something personal?"

She arched her brow further and smirked. "That liquid courage must be strong! You haven't even taken a sip yet. Sure, ask away."

He chuckled as he watched her pour another glass of vodka and he took a sip of his own glass. "Are you... attracted to men?"

The question rolled off his lips just as she took a long sip of her drink and it took her by surprise. She choked on her drink, and started giggling. She stared back at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open. She was completely floored by this question, but even then, she understood that he meant no disrespect. Hopefully.

"No no, I didn't mean that any type of way. I meant..." He looked down and swirled his glass again trying to find the right words to say, "I've never seen you with anyone, that's all..."

"You know Hun, you're the first to actually ask me something like that. I guess the answer is... I don't know. I see all kinds of people, and I find them conventionally attractive, like physically, but I don't seem to feel a romantic connection with anyone. At one point I thought I liked Sonic, several years ago mind you, but that was just a sexual attraction."

"Really? So, you have sexual attractions, but not romantic? Is such a thing possible?"

She smirked at him, and shrugged. "I don't know, I haven't thought much about it. I try to listen to my body when I feel something, and most of the time it's just a sexual attraction. I don't think I've ever been in love, and I'm okay with that. I like who I am."

Shadow nodded and finished his glass, turning to pour another while he thought about her words. He never thought about other people's love troubles, or lack thereof, and her being open and honest about hers gave him insight on his own. He definitely had a romantic connection with Amy, and he thought everyone felt love the same way. He was refreshing to know that some people don't have to deal with all the bullshit that could come from love. He smirked as he faced her again.

"Lucky, lucky."

Was all he said, chuckling to himself.

She giggled and shot her eyebrow back up. "What? What's all this about?"

"You don't have to deal with the bullshit that comes from love. I envy that."

He smirked, drinking from his glass.

"You are definitely right about that, Hun. I have all the great sex I want, but none of the strings attached. My life is great!"

They both laughed at that, and Shadow was grateful that she felt comfortable enough to talk about herself for once. He truly felt like he was closer to her for it, and usually he doesn't really try to do things like that, but he was happy that she was in his life.

"What about Maria? You loved her just as much as I did, didn't you?"

"I mean, as much as I could. You know what I mean? I love my friends dearly and deeply, but not romantically. It's like how you love me, non-sexually. Maria enriched my life from the moment she introduced herself to me, and I'll forever be grateful for have known her. I've had sex with men and women, but I've never physically loved anyone. If that makes sense."

"Thanks for telling me, Rouge. Weird that I haven't noticed that before."

He smiled warmly at her, downing his drink.

"What's the sudden interest?"

She inquired, eyeing him as she poured another drink.

"I don't know. I was just thinking about how you were always there for me when Maria left, but I don't remember ever being there for you when anyone left you. Then I realized the reason I hadn't was because... you never had anyone there. You know? Then I just got curious."

He shrugged and ran his hand over his face and took a deep breath. He was starting to feel tipsy.

She soaked in his explanation and downed yet another drink, seemingly unfazed by the ungodly amount of alcohol she had consumed in such a short amount of time. It made his stomach hurt just thinking about it.

"You're the first to care enough to notice, so that was really sweet. It's not like you to get so mushy, old man."

She smirked, lightly punching his arm playfully.

He rolled his eyes at her and chuckled. "Sure thing."

She placed her glass down on the counter and stretched, groaning loudly in satisfaction before turning back to him. "You want to walk into town? Amy won't be back until later tonight, and I want some food."

Go into town? While tipsy? That sounded like a bad idea. "Sure, I could eat."

Well, shit.

She seemed relieved that she didn't have to go alone. She excitedly rushed him out of the door and they started making their way into town in search for something to eat. They engaged in idle chatter and sly jokes at the expense of the other for a good 10 minutes before they finally started seeing diners and restaurants. It wasn't like him to be so friendly with someone; it seemed like Amy was rubbing off on him a little.

"How does breakfast sound, Hun?"

"In the middle of the day? Absolutely. I could go for some pancakes."

Satisfied with his answer, they happily entered the diner and sat down. The booth was cold against his fur, and sent a chill down his spine. The faded red and white checkered tile on the wall was covered in a thick film of grease, and that's how you knew the food was going to be good. That and the smoking grill cook they greeted outside when they came in. Rouge hummed and looked at the kitchen with an intense hunger in her eyes. She was good at hiding it before, but she was tipsy. Now that sunlight was hitting her just right, her cheeks and chest was flushed and her eyes were a little glazed over. No wonder she was so hungry.

A friendly waiter approached them and took their drink order, and left them with menus to look over. Rouge could barely keep herself from drooling over the pictures of food, and he chuckled at her.

"Oh, shut up, I'm starving from having to carry your mental health all day."

She chuckled, not even looking up from her menu.

"Let me treat you then, since it was such hard work."

He smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Don't have to tell me twice."

She murmured, still not looking up at him.

A friendly silence fell over them and he took this time to figure out what the hell he was going to eat. He eventually settled on the pancake deluxe plate with hashbrowns, eggs, and sausage. His comrade was still choosing so he put his menu down and just observed his surroundings for a moment. The diner wasn't very busy around this time of day, so there was only about five other people in the dining area. They all looked like regular, boring people. Except one. It was a female chipmunk that wore a distinct blue dress that appeared to be designer. His friend that was still drooling over a menu was very fashion savvy and he's never seen her wear anything like it, so she must not be from around here. It made him wonder what circumstances would have brought her here to this side of town, in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing on this side of town but run-down bars and diners and boarded up buildings. He liked living here because nobody bothered him, but someone like her didn't have any business around these parts. Or, maybe she did, and it was none of his business.

"Are you two ready to order?"

The waitress snapped him from his thoughts and he looked up at her. It was a beautiful red fox with bright, piercing amber eyes. She had already placed their drinks down, and had her pen ready to write down their order. Damn, he must be more drunk than he thought.

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, I'll have the pancake deluxe plate with sausage. Thanks"

"And I'll have the same, add bacon and a Belgian waffle please!"

The waitress smiled warmly and jotted down their requests before turning around and disappearing into the kitchen. Rouge seemed totally oblivious of the mysterious woman in the back of the diner, and began talking away about something he had no interest in. It wasn't his business why anyone would be in here, especially when he himself was a private person and didn't like people in his business. He waved off his curiosity in the back of his mind and instead focused on Rouge talking about... what was it? The history of the Belgian waffle? How does she just know this at the tip of her tongue? They know a lot of the same people and Shadow has never seen an ounce of intelligence from any of them, Sonic especially.

Speaking of Sonic, he entered the diner much to Rouge's surprise. She silently gasped and nudged his arm and motioned with her eyes at him. Shadow said nothing, but watched the blue hedgehog make a beeline for the chipmunk. Sonic didn't notice them in their booth, his eyes focused only on the woman in the back. Rouge finally noticed the woman in the back and her eyes lit up like a bonfire. She turned to him with shock.

"Do you know who that is?!"

She whispered aggressively.

How did she know who that was? "No? Do you?"

Rouge rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but quickly shut up when the waitress came by with their food. She smiled and thanked the waitress, which prompted a friendly smile and a blush from the fox. Her ears twitched and she glanced at Sonic and the woman in the back before turning her attention back to them and asking if they need anything else. Rouge noticed her curiosity and motioned for her to come closer. Shadow watched in awe as Rouge leaned into her ear and whispered something to the fox. The fox's eyes gleamed with mischief and she nodded to whatever the bat was saying. They whispered back and forth for a few seconds before Rouge pulled a bill from her cleavage and slipped it into the fox's apron inconspicuously. The fox winked at her and turned on her heel back to the dining room to begin her rounds for her tables. Shadow shot Rouge a look of confusion and she leaned in with a naughty grin.

"Do you know anything about foxes?"

She smirked.

"No?"

She chuckled at his ignorance. "They have an excellent sense of hearing. She's heard everything we've said. Which means, she can hear everything they are saying over there."

"Why do we care what that asshole is saying?"

"You really don't know who that is, do you?"

"As I said earlier, no."

"That's Sally Acorn, Hun. The princess that Sonic cheated on Amy with!"

"Oh. Why do we care? Let them be miserable together."

Shadow was losing interest in this whole conversation but Rouge kept looking at him like he was stupid. Amy had moved on with him, and things were good between them. She didn't care about Sonic anymore, and neither did he, or who he was seeing. It wasn't his business and he had no interest making it his business either.

"They broke up! Amy told me so. So why is he meeting her here if they aren't together?"

"Probably to reconcile."

She was losing her patience with his nonchalant attitude. "Doubt it, Sonic can't help but fuck things up. Do you think he's here to make a plan to get Amy back?"

"With his mistress? I doubt that."

There was an insidious glint in her eye as she grinned at him. "We will see about that!"

He rolled his eyes and turned his attention to his food. Rouge had completely forgotten the buffet sitting in front of her and happily clapped in excitement at the sight of the food. He smiled at this, because Amy did the same thing sometimes. Women loved food he's come to notice. They ate together in almost total silence; it was almost like she was trying to strain her ears to hear their conversation. Come to think of it, don't bats have good hearing too? Why did she pay the waitress when she could probably hear the conversation herself?

"Don't bats have good hearing?"

He asked, tilting his head quizzingly.

"Yes, but I'm too lazy to try to tune out everyone's conversations to find theirs. I'd rather pay someone else to do it."

She explained simply, stuffing her face with the waffle.

He shrugged in acceptance at her answer and continued on his food. After almost twenty minutes of waiting, the fox finally made her way back to the table and leaned in to Rouge to talk to her. They spoke excitedly for a few minutes in hushed tones, and Shadow waited patiently for them to finish so he could pay the bill and tip her. He handed her cash for her tip, which she was very grateful for and bowed as a grand thank you, and almost skipped off with their bill to pay at the till. Once she was gone, he turned to Rouge who looked... angry? Worried? Exasperated?

"They were talking about Amy. Apparently, she met with Sally earlier this morning at this same diner. The fox doesn't know why Amy was here, but Sally called Sonic to talk to him after Amy left. They talked about his cheating and she called him a bastard. That's all she knows."

"Why did Amy come talk to her?"

"I don't know, but apparently Sally didn't know Sonic was with Amy. Maybe they just talked to establish a timeline, and produce receipts."

"Receipts?"

"Oh my god you are such an old man! Receipts mean proof, like screenshots of conversations of a cheating boyfriend."

"Why does she care about giving Sally receipts?"

"I don't know, maybe you should talk to Amy and ask."

"You...don't think she still has feelings, do you?"

Rouge realized the weight of this information when his question rolled off his lips and hung heavily in the air around them. "No! This isn't going to be a Maria situation where Amy just leaves you in the dirt. I promise."

"Then why was she here?"

He didn't give Rouge the time to respond. He got up from the booth and walked out of the diner with his head spinning. They've been so happy these last few weeks, or so he thought. Has he been making Amy miserable and she has been wanting out? He couldn't lose her. He had to make it right. He rushed home and slammed the door. He leaned up against it to catch his breath, he felt as if he would pass out. Amy wouldn't leave him like this. No way she would.

He wanted to go out and search for her, and demand answers, but it wasn't in his nature to do something like that. He would have to wait until she came home and they could talk. He just had to wait until then, and not panic.

If there was one thing he was good at, it was not panicking.