Chapter 1: Is the Doctor In? Or Am I Giving Him A Bath?

I stepped outside onto the balcony to test the temperature before I decided what to wear. The wind wasn't blowing very hard but it was very cold.

"Fifteen degrees. Well isn't that just nice and cozy?" I said as I frowned at the thermometer hanging above my head.

I jumped back inside and shut the door quickly.

"I've put this off for long enough. Today is the 24th so I'd better get going."

I told myself as I picked up my bag after putting on some long pants and a warm jacket.

I walked down the block and hopped on the subway that would take me across town. I easily found a seat toward the back of the car and sighed as I huddled into the corner.

Why do I feel so miserable? I wondered as I let my thoughts consume me.

I took a deep breath and exhaled an equally loud sigh. A few minutes later my stop arrived and I got off the subway as quickly as I had gotten on. I headed out of the tunnel and crossed the street to the mall.

Shopping usually made me feel better but this excursion wasn't helping me at all.

More than anything, I think I was dreading going home. It was going to be a long, lonely, dull, boring Christmas for me.

Tails was spending the holidays with Cream.

Knuckles, Rouge, and Shadow were going on a vacation in the mountains.

And Sonic just wanted to be left alone. Or, he really just wanted me to leave him alone.

"Well, at least Tails and Cream invited me over for dinner with them this afternoon." I reminded myself.

It's really pathetic when you have to cheer yourself up.

I tried to hurry though my shopping so I would be back in time to watch Jeopardy at noon. That's my favorite game show. They'd better not interrupt it today with another one of those damn telethons.

Sorry about that. I get very upset when people interrupt my TV shows.

Shopping for Tails and Cream was easy. I got him some new shoes and Cream a new pair of shorts and a shirt.

She's a big clothes freak, but then again, who isn't?

I didn't know what to get Shadow or Knuckles so I just bought them sunglasses. I know, I know! That's the universal I didn't have time to buy you a real gift present, but I didn't care. I was in too bad a mood. I got Rouge a gift certificate to the spa shop.

I sat down on an empty bench in front of a sports store and plopped my bags down beside me. I took a long look at all the cool stuff inside I wanted to buy Sonic for Christmas.

"Why bother?" I said aloud as I looked up at the second floor of the mall. "It's not like I'm going to see him anyway. I'll just mail him a card."

As soon as I got home I wished I hadn't been so stubborn. I should have bought Sonic something. I mean, it is better to give than receive, right?

"Just keep thinking that." I told myself sarcastically.

I really wish I had somebody to talk to. I couldn't even say that aloud, even if I was by myself.

Then I thought of a very sinister plan. I'm not a very sinister person, well, I am, but I would never do anything evil, right? I ironed out the details of the scheme in my head as I got ready to go over to Cream's apartment. I watched TV for a while and took a nap before heading over to my Christmas pity dinner.

The sky was getting dark a little early as I dragged myself up the steps to her apartment. I knocked softly on the door with one hand as I held a strawberry pie in the other.

"Hi Amy! Come on in!" Cream motioned as she opened the door.

"Is Tails here yet?"

I didn't see him inside.

"He called a few minutes ago and said he'll be here shortly. He's picking up the turkey and some white grape juice."

"Sounds delicious."

I didn't know what else to say. I wasn't exactly in a talkative mood at the moment.

"Why don't you watch some TV or just relax on the couch while I finish cooking?" Cream offered.

"Ok, thanks."

I laid down on the couch for a couple of minutes before I heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it Cream." I yelled toward the kitchen as I got up off the couch.

I opened the door to see Tails standing outside.

"Hey Amy, how's it going?" He smiled and gave me a hug. "Enjoying the holidays?"

I don't know if it was just me tired of being depressed or Tails standing there looking cute with his arms full of presents and food, but I smiled warmly back at him as I kissed him on the cheek.

"Could you help me get the rest of this stuff in?" Tails said as he sat the bags down and headed back out the door.

"Sure." I put my coat back on and went outside to the parking lot.

After Tails and I finished unloading his car and came back inside, Cream said dinner was ready.

The turkey was delicious.

The potatoes were moist.

The rolls were soft.

Everything tasted great.

I felt really awkward though because Tails and Cream were basically already spending their evening with each other, even if I was still there. Tails' eyes never left Cream. Her eyes didn't wander much either.

It was quite noticeable though that throughout the dinner Tails began to scratch his head and behind his ears with increasing frequency.

"Tails, are you alright?" Cream looked at him strangely. "Are you having some kind of allergic reaction?"

I laughed a little as Tails scratched behind his ears again.

"What are you allergic to?" Cream asked, finding it somewhat funny too.

"I had to wear one of those stupid allergy tags when I was younger because of garlic, but I haven't been around garlic all day." Tails explained.

"Maybe you got some on you at the grocery store?" Cream volunteered.

"No way." Tails shook his head vehemently.

"Well then I guess you're just a vampire!" Cream grinned as she pretended to bite Tails' neck.

Tails laughed as he scratched the back of his head again.

"Is the scratching really bothering you?" I looked at Tails and Cream who were on the floor now acting like blood sucking bats.

Tails nodded as he tried to shake whatever it was out of his fur.

"I've got some good shampoo and anti-allergy lotion back at my apartment. I can go get it and bring it back for you if you want." I volunteered.

"No, you don't have to do that. I'll just drive you back to your apartment and bring it back if that's alright?" Tails insisted.

Tails said goodbye to Cream quickly as we put on our coats and headed downstairs.

"Wow Tails, the car is looking awesome as usual!" I ran my gloved hands across the side of the jet black and dark red streaked speedster.

He laughed it off as we got inside.

The car cranked with a boom as Tails pulled out of the parking space.

He turned on the highway as we headed through downtown Station Square.

The ride passed in mostly silence except for the quiet hum of the radio and Tails' somewhat constant scratching.

"So Tails, it seems like Cream really likes you huh?" I tried to start some conversation.

"Yeah, I guess."

I could see him blushing slightly through the dim downtown lights.

"Have you kissed her?" I asked an awkward question.

"Amy!"

He shot me an embarrassingly serious glance.

I just grinned as we pulled into a parking place at my building.

We quickly darted upstairs and dashed inside my apartment to avoid the cold as much as possible.

"Wow Amy, you've got a really nice place." Tails said as he stepped inside.

"Thanks. Let me go get that shampoo for you."

I stepped into the bathroom and began to fill the tub with warm water.

I got the two different bottles of shampoo out of the cabinet and set them on the sink. I went back to the living room to get Tails.

"Uh, Amy, why is there water running?" He sounded very skeptical as he spoke.

"Because you need that shampoo right?" I told him plainly.

"Yeah, but I can take my own baths."

"Look Tails, it'll only take a minute. Just get in." I told him as I turned off the slightly hot water.

Tails hesitantly took off his shoes and slipped into the bathtub.

He ducked his head under water and got his fur sufficiently wet.

I rubbed the shampoo and lotion softly into his fur.

"Amy that tickles!"

I couldn't help tickling behind his ears a little. I massaged the mixture into his scalp, hoping to relieve him of his now constant scratching. I rinsed my hands off and massaged his shoulders a little bit. I could see he was blushing a little still.

"Alright Tails, I'm through. You can rinse off now."

He quickly complied and submerged himself again.

I handed him a towel as I went back into the kitchen. I looked outside and saw the snowfall beginning to pick up. I bundled up and stepped out onto the balcony to take in the wintry air one more time for the night. I didn't even turn around hearing the sliding door open as Tails joined me outside.

"Amy, is something bothering you?" He said, standing behind me.

I sighed, looking down at the cold concrete floor of the deck.

"Is it something you want to talk about?"

He put his hand on my shoulder.

I walked away from his hand as I stepped back inside without a word and sat on the couch.

"Alright," Tails said, sounding half serious, half trying to lighten the mood. "You lay on the couch. I'll be the psychiatrist. You be the wacko nutcase I'm trying to cure."

I took him all too seriously as I stretched out on my big soft couch and pulled a thick blanket over me.

"Tails, do you ever feel bad?"

"How do you mean?"

"I don't know. I just feel depressed and bored and lonely and..."

"Lonely? How so?"

"Well I mean like tonight. I felt like I was interrupting yours and Cream's time together on Christmas, but I was so glad you guys invited me because I didn't want to spend Christmas Eve all alone in this apartment."

"Amy, you weren't interrupting anything. Ha, sometimes I think Cream and I are like an old married couple. We don't get out much and we always welcome visitors, especially our friends." Tails smiled at me genuinely. "I mean, our dates mostly consist of me coming over to her apartment or her taking the subway out to my house and just spending some time together."

I smiled at the thought of how happy he and Cream must be.

"But Amy, why would you all of a sudden feel like this?"

"I don't know." I practically yelled.

"I think you do."

"I do not."

"Do too."

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Tails!"

I jumped up off the couch. I knew exactly what he was talking about. I just didn't want to say it, mention it, or even think about it.

Suddenly, Tails took my hand and sat me down beside him on the couch.

"I know you're worried about your feelings for that guy, oh, what's his name, uhh, Sonic right?" "Lovely time for sarcasm Tails." I cracked a slight smile.

"I do have good news and bad news." He continued. "I think you're just worried because if he ever did say no to you, you would feel like you've wasted all that time you've spent chasing after him." Tails went on. "But that's the bad news. The good news is, I don't think that will ever happen. Sonic cares about you, he just too stubborn to admit it. And you're too stubborn to quit. And I think he'll break down before you give up."

I don't know if it was just because I was thankful for the help and advice or what but Tails made a damn good psychiatrist.

"Thanks Tails, you're the best." I jumped up as I gathered my stuff and headed out. "I've gotta go! Be sure to lock up when you leave!"

I was absolutely hysterical with excitement as I jumped down the stairs. I ran toward the subway and leapt into an empty car. I sat down and placed my purse beside me as the train began to move.

I hope I can get something before all the stores close! I frantically thought.

There was a slight bump as the subway came to a stop downtown, causing my purse to fall, spilling out a notepad and a partially used bottle of garlic on the floor.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: This is repost of an old story I wrote. Now with improved spacing! I learned how to use the Enter button since I originally posted this! Ha ha ha!

I had been asked to fix the spacing on some of these old stories and now I've finally gotten around to doing it. As always, any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks very much! If you have any ideas for future stories, Sonamy or otherwise, feel free to leave me a suggestion. And thanks again very much for reading!