A/N: I'm so sorry about last chapter. I got my first bad review on this fic ever on that chapter and now I'm all pissed off. I know this is developing slowly. And I know that the lack of action in the first ten chapters is apparent. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WAY. I'm trying to write this as a novel, and if people would just keep their nasty comments (I really like to get good comments all the way through! It keeps me motivated) until the END when I was all done, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm working very, very hard on this fic and I would really like it if people would at least leave an email address when they flame so I can reply. So if you're too much of a goddamn coward to leave an email address, then don't flame at all!

But, thank you for all the great comments and support, for the most part. I really appreciate it, especially from BUTT JOKE INC and Arion Prower. THANK YOU! ^_^

And now, on with chapter 11!

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"Well, here it is. Robo-Base."

Tails glanced up at the monstrosity of a building, regarding it critically.

"Nice," he murmured, looking over at Tikal. "How do you propose we get in?"

"It's abandoned, Tails…there shouldn't be any problem with us just opening the door and walking inside." Arielle looked at the building nervously and then took a step back, wringing her hands.

"Er…I-I think…I'm just going to…go over here…and…find us some food! Yeah…that's it…"

She giggled nervously and Tails turned around to face her, sighing.

"Arielle, you said you would come with us, and coming with us means that you have a certain obligation to help us out."

"But I DID help you out," she snapped, baring her teeth. "I GAVE you my Emerald. What more do you want from me? To be killed?"

"Oh, it's not like you have anyone that would cry over you if you something did happen—"

She slapped him across the face, nearly sending him to the ground. Tails' head spun as he recovered from the blow, stunned at her physical strength.

"Don't you DARE bring up my family again, you bastard," she screamed, hair bristling. "You have no idea what it's like to be on your own—"

"Arielle, you don't know anything about me, do you? I LIVED on my own. My parents are dead. The only reason I'm still not on my own is because Sonic found me and took me in with the Freedom Fighters!" He lowered his head, eyes glimmering with tears.

"And he needs my help right now! Don't you get it? This isn't about you! It's about finding the Emeralds and saving MY friends!" He turned away, his voice full of emotion.

"And I thought you were my friend, Arielle…" He turned to Tikal, a fierce light in his eyes.

"Let's go. We don't need her." Tikal nodded and fiddled with the lock on the door, soon getting it open.

"After you, sir," she replied mockingly, holding the door open for him. Tails stalked past her into the darkness of the abandoned building, without even a smile. Tikal looked back at the stunned Arielle apologetically and then slipped inside the building herself, gently shutting the door behind her. Arielle stood there, jaw slightly agape, and then burst into tears.

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"Hey, Ames?"

"Yeah?"

"What were you going to ask me last night?"

Amy blushed, but thankfully for her, her pink fur made it almost impossible to tell.

"Aw, it was nothing important, Sonic." Sonic gave her an acute glance, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you sure? Because seeing as we have nothing better to do in here but chat, I'm willing to listen." Amy averted her eyes from his, growing redder.

"I-I…I don't know…well…"

"Well?" He reached over and gently turned her face around until they were looking in each other's eyes.

"Come on, spill. It's not like I'd laugh or anything…"

"FINE!" Amy leapt to her feet, flustered. "I LOVE YOU! And I can't take not knowing if you love me too!"

With that outburst, she started to cry, and fled to the corner of the cell. Sonic looked after her, shocked, and unable to find the words that could possibly express what he wanted to say.

So he did the next best thing. He walked up behind the weeping hedgehog and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her gently on the back of the neck.

"Oh Ames…there's nothing you need to worry about," he murmured in her ear, kissing it lightly. "Because I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul."

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"…It's quiet. Too—"

"Oh, don't even. I hate that cliché."

"Sorry." Tails smiled meekly and glanced about the large, dust covered room. "It is awful quiet in here, though."

"Well, what did you expect?" Tikal huffed, brushing some of the dust off her dress. "It's abandoned."

"Well, I know, but there at least has to be SOMETHING—"

A small whimper reached their ears, and they looked at one another, immediately spring to attention.

"What was that?" Tikal looked about nervously, trying to see if she could see anything.

"I don't know…but it doesn't sound dangerous, whatever it is."

"You don't know Tails, it could be a—"

"…T-tails…" The name slipped out into the room as a low groan. Tails froze, his eyes darting about the room.

"Who's there? How do you know me?"

"H-help…me…"

He looked at Tikal, who was frozen in fear, the hair on the back of her neck raised.

"Tails…w-who in here could possibly know you?" Tails shook his head, his tails swishing behind him.

"I'm not sure…but I've got to find out. I mean…they said they needed my help…" Tikal sighed, exasperated.

"Tails, I really don't like the sound of this…I don't think you should go—AH!"

She jumped back, surprised, as the battered, bruised and broken body of Rouge appeared before them. Tails eyes widened in shock and he rushed over to her, throwing his arms (and his tails) around her.

"Oh, Rouge!" he cried, gently smoothing the hair on her head back and he held her in his arms. "I was so worried I would never see you again…" She smiled and returned the hug, whispering in his ear.

"Oh...that's nice...but there's just one little thing I have to tell you." Tails moved his head back so he could look into her eyes.

"What's that?" Rouge tightened the grip and suddenly shape shifted into a large, domineering robot, and held Tails in front of her face.

"You won't ever see her again."