Last chapter, I PROMISE. And pray, and hope, and wish, and...you get the idea.

To Reviewer N. Harmonik: Uh...Thank you? I also prefer it because they're the same species and their colours match better...... But then the species thing contradicts my preference of Rouge/Knux... Let's revise: I like SEGA's pairings. There. But I still say Shadow/Luna and Tails/Zephyr...Heh, heh, heh...X)

CHAPTER 3

"Sonic!"

I whipped around. There stood Tails, looking completely shaken and in a panic.

Hesitantly, and greatly fearing what his reply would be, I asked, "What's wrong?"

Tails tried to catch his breath for a moment. "It's...It's Amy!" he managed to exclaim between gasps for breath.

I turned to face him fully. "What? What happened to her?" I stood ready to take off as soon as he mentioned the place, getting anxious and ready to yell at my best friend.

But I wish I hadn't heard the next few words escape his mouth. My heart sank levels that seemed to make the Marianas Trench, and I was frozen to the spot for a while, trying to take it in. "Impossible! Please tell me you're joking, Tails!"

Tails swallowed solemnly, still gasping for breath. "I wouldn't joke about something like this, Sonic."

Before my mind could think my feet raced me to Amy's location. I halted before the automatic double doors and heard Tails land beside me, but every noise seemed so far away as my mind raced to catch up with the emotion welling up inside of me. I looked up at the towering building—but time wasn't stopping just for me.

I rushed through the doors, startling some of the people nearby. I briefly heard Tails apologize for me before he tried to follow me. We reached the elevator and I slammed the button into its socket. I folded my arms and tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for the stupid thing to arrive. As Tails landed beside me, panting again, I growled restlessly. After another second, I stamped my foot and took off for the stairwell.

"Which floor?" I yelled, streaking up the stairs and unnerving some people as they came down.

From somewhere below I heard the exhausted reply, "Five!"

I looked to the signboards above the doors, counting them as I went. "Three, four, five!" I ground to a halt and threw the door open, waiting for Tails to get close.

He landed on the top of the stairs and fell to his knees, utterly exhausted. He'd be fine. Amy was my priority right now. "What room?"

Tails was now to out of breath to speak, so instead he raised his hands to show seven fingers. "Thanks a million, Tails," I muttered before slamming the door behind me and watching the numbers on the doors flash by. Number seven would be at the end of the hallway, which I reached after what seemed like an eternity.

I slid to a stop, completely calming myself down as I reached for the door handle. I took a deep breath, getting ready to face whatever horrors awaited me.

"Excuse me, sir..."

Who was bugging me now? A nurse with a clipboard stood just behind me. "What?" I snapped, ruder than I think I ever had been in my life.

"I'm afraid that that patient isn't allowed visitors for the time being."

I pointed to myself angrily. "That's my girlfriend in there! I have to see her!"

"Your girlfriend is struggling for life—"

"All the more reason why I have to see her!"

"Please, sir, listen to me. If you go in there, you might startle her, and bring on a heart attack in her frail condition!" the nurse finished, transforming from her subtle manner to one that was very forceful, surprising even me.

I grumbled with an edgy tone. She had a point, I suppose. But I had to see Amy! I met eyes with the nurse once more, a more gentle tone now in my voice. "Please, ma'am, I wish to see her. I have something I wish to speak with her about. I promise that I will be as soothing as I can," I goaded.

The nurse bit her lip, considering her decision. She glanced indecisively at the door and then at her clipboard, then sighed and nodded. "I suppose it would be alright. Just be very quiet and don't make any sudden moves. Please, sir."

I nodded my approval and turned back around to open the door slowly. I wasn't ready for the sight. I felt like throwing up, but I had to push forward. I glanced back at the lady again, glimpsing the compassionate expression on her face. I noticed a tear stream down her cheek. I turned back around and took a deep breath, entering the room and closing the door silently behind me.

I took a few cautious steps forward, letting my eyes drink in the sight. There in the hospital bed she lay, sprawled out and deathly pale. There were various IV tubes connected to her, and beside the bed was a heart monitor with a constant blip that seemed to mock me with each peal. Her head was in bandages, and her eyes were closed. Closed, but still alive, I told myself.

I swallowed hard and forced out my first word. "Amy?" my voice was barely audible in the impending silence that hung about the room. The monitor was louder than me.

I took a step back in fear, almost, as her tired eyes eased open. She moved her head slightly to face my direction. The smile that usually lit up her face was lost behind the bandages. "Son...ic?" she rasped.

I felt a smile creep across my lips and rushed forward, then suddenly remembered to take things slow. I crept over to her as softly as I could and reached for her hand. I slipped my fingers into hers and grasped them, stroking the back of her hand with my thumb. "Amy..." I said softly, both smiling and crying at the same time.

There was a flash of merriment on her face. Briefly, but it had definitely been there. "Sonic...You came..."

I leant forward a little. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

Then, slowly, a smile creased her lips as well. Though it hurt her—I could see in her eyes.

The smile disappeared from my face. "Amy...What happened?"

"Sweetheart," she whispered, her voice slowly growing stronger. "I was working in the garden yesterday, and I suddenly felt really weird... I went to call an ambulance but I collapsed..."

The sweetheart again. I'd just tell her to stop. "Amy, I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me 'sweetheart'."

She appeared hurt. "Why not?"

"Just not yet. I find it a little...uncomfortable," I lied. I enjoyed her calling me that. My fear was my reputation down the drain.

"But what if I never get to call you sweetheart again? What if I never get to even call your name?" she protested, tears filling her eyes.

I tightened my clasp around her fingers. "What do you mean?"

She gulped, her frail body beginning to tremble. "The doctors say that...I'm not in a condition to keep on going..."

My eyes grew wide and another emotion surged inside of me. I felt my face grow hot and found myself gnashing my teeth. "What's that supposed to mean?" was all I could growl to keep myself from yelling out because of my stupid impulsiveness.

"Sonic..." she pleaded softly. "I'm going to die..."

I suddenly squeezed her hand by accident, making her flinch in my strong grip. "No! That's crazy!"

Amy shook her head slowly back and forth, closing her eyes. "I love you, Sonic."

I took both of her hands in mine. "Amy! Listen to me! You can fight it! You're strong, you're feisty—you're too good a person to die!"

She withdrew one of her hands from mine and struggled to lift it to my cheek. I stared back at her, too stunned to either speak or react. Earthquakes of anger, fear, and hatred coursed through my body. I felt myself sweating, and my breath quickened. Before I knew it, I was panting, ready to scream and destroy all of Station Square at any moment.

She then lay her hand on my hot cheek, and the tremors running through my body ceased. I lowered my head to my chest and sighed deeply. I had to calm down before someone got hurt. I raised my hand as well and lay it on top of hers, feeling its coolness through my glove.

"Thank you, Amy," I muttered. "But you still must live. For everyone. Including me."

I looked up at her, and she was staring back at me. She didn't say anything. I let go of her hands, letting the one that had been on my cheek drop to the sheets. I stood up and turned my back to her to pace the room.

"There has to be something I can do, Amy," I pondered aloud as my feet began to wear a hole in the floor.

"Accept it," was her simple reply.

I stopped, but didn't turn to face her. "I won't. Because I know I won't have a need to accept it. You won't die. I know you won't. I'll make sure you don't."

"You can't say that. Everything comes to an end someday. Even this Earth will one day die."

I screwed my eyes shut and clenched my fists to avoid an outburst once more. "Stop sounding so sagacious. Please, Amy. You have to be optimistic. A pessimistic attitude kills you on the inside—trust me."

I glanced at the clock in the room. It was getting late. I should probably have left by now, but I couldn't leave Amy now. She needed me. One skipped meal wouldn't kill me. Then I realized something. I should trust fate—she would be okay, I knew she would, and I would be back to see her as soon as I could.

"Sonic—Thank you. I love you, my sweetheart."

"What? Uh, Amy, I have to go. You know what? Call me sweetheart from now on." I made to leave, not wanting to part with the image of a sickly Amy. "Sayonara, sweetheart."

I whipped back around just as I heard the monitor's blip blur to a line. I rushed back to the bed. The emotions surged up inside of me again. This time, I couldn't hold them in. I yelled and punched the mattress, feeling my hand sink under my sudden immense strength. I thought she had heard me, but she hadn't. She didn't listen to me—what a stubborn, bossy, maniacal, annoying little... She was so stupid. I hated her.

The anger drained out of me after a few seconds and I raised my head to the hospital window to see a small bird flutter in, and then out of my sight.

I never actually loved her. Only her death made me realize it.

The End. So sad and sappy...Did I jar a couple of tears from you sonamy fans out there? The ending probably sounds kind of stupid when you first read it, but just think about it a little while and the difference between infatuation and love. I'm sure you'll get it. This wasn't my original idea for this fic, but like I said, thanks to my good friend, Shadow XX it was made better (In my opinion, anyway). Would appreciate the opinions, everyone. You angry at me for killing Amy? Finally finished...yeah! Now I can get to sleep...It's so late...X(