Well everyone, here's the next update. Sorry for the delay. I had final exams this week…and unfortunately…I failed my Java programming class. :sighs: Oh well, I'll just take it again. Anyhoo, enjoy the update, and as always a big thanks to those that have supported me so far. Peace.

Chapter 7: A True Friend…Will Always Care For You

It had been two weeks since Tails left his home, and from that moment, Sonic and Amy had been on a wild goose chase attempting to find him. Unfortunately, they have had no such luck and their options were running thin.

"Uh-huh. Okay, well if you hear anything or see him, please notify me immediately……Okay, thanks Knuckles. Bye." Sonic slowly hung up the phone, looked at Amy and shook his head dejectedly.

She frowned in response, "Sonic…I'm really scared. What if he…you know?"

Sonic shook his head, "No Amy! Don't say things like that. I couldn't live with myself anymore…knowing that I was responsible for that."

Amy sat down next to Sonic, "You know…I don't know if we should stay here anymore. I mean this IS Tails' home. Any room I go in, I'm reminded of him. Sonic, it's depressing me." She sighed deeply.

Sonic nodded, "I know Amy, me too…but we gotta keep our heads up and think positively. Yes, I know it's not gonna be easy, but we have to do our best."

Amy nodded, "Yeah. It's just…I still can't help but blame myself for what happened. I feel that if I had controlled myself…we wouldn't be in a bind like this."

Sonic sighed, "Amy…how many times do we have to discuss this. It isn't yours, Tails' fault, or mine. We all had an equal part in this quarrel. Like the saying goes, 'It takes two to tango'…err well in this case three. Although, there is one thing that has been on my mind since Tails flew the coop."

Amy looked at Sonic, "What's that?"

Sonic sighed and looked down, "I know you initiated the kiss…but…he was kissing you back too. Which kind of makes me wonder…whether or not he has a thing for you."

Amy sat there silently, letting her thoughts jump around, 'Could that be it? Was that why Tails was always so nice to me? I know he's my friend and all…but… :sighs: I'm so confused.'

Sonic waved his hand in front of Amy's face, "Hellooooo? Are you there Ames?"

She shook her head, breaking out of her deep thoughts, "Huh? Oh, sorry Sonic, I kinda spaced out there."

He chuckled, "Heh, it's okay hun."

Amy looked at Sonic with a confused expression, "Hun? Sonic…are the pet names really necessary?"

Taken back, Sonic frowned slightly to her comment, "Oh, I'm sorry. I figured if you're my girlfriend…it'd be okay."

Amy sighed, "Sonic…it is okay, I just… 'sighs' I'm just incredibly stressed out about Tails, you have no idea."

He raised a brow, "Of course I have an idea. Amy he's my friend too. Why would you say that I have no idea?"

Amy growled, "Don't you get it Sonic? Tails and I have an incredibly close bond. He was the first person that understood who I really am. He cared about me in a way that made me feel like I was special…and it wasn't even that, it was the little things too. He'd always compliment me…" her cheeks became a light shade of pink.

Sonic was completely oblivious to what she was saying, "Soooo…is that something you want me to do?"

Amy glared at him, "Are you kidding me! Ugggghhhh, you know…I'm starting to wonder if you really like me Sonic. It's almost as if you're going out with me just because."

"What!" Sonic frowned, "Amy…I…I can't believe you just said that. I really care for you." He stood up and walked away.

Amy sighed, "No Sonic, wait! I didn't mean that. Come back here, please?"

Sonic looked at her and shook his head, "Ames, I need some time alone to think about things."

She exhaled sharply, "Fine…" She sat there, staring into oblivion. Everything was so confusing. Sonic was mad at her now. Tails was upset at going behind Sonic's back…everything was a mess.

Meanwhile…at Angel Island

Another sleepless night. This would be the fourth time this week, and it was beginning to show. His eyes seemed lifeless and void of any emotion. Things haven't changed much since his departure from home two weeks ago. Knuckles would leave the house for hours on end watching the Master Emerald, Sonic would call everyday asking if Knuckles had seem him. This whole situation was turning into some kind of tale. It was just ridiculous. He continuously thought about her and that last kiss they shared, so full of heat and passion. Something about it kept his mind in constant turmoil. The same thought popped into his head day in and day out, 'That kiss couldn't have meant nothing to her. It's just not feasible…there was chemistry, I felt so connected.' But…when…and how do I tell her I'm in love with her. I just can't walk up to her, 'Hi Amy! Oh, just wanted to tell you that I'm in love with ya.'

:RIING! RIING:

There goes the phone again. That's twice in the last hour. And we all know who's calling. There goes the message machine…wait…his voice doesn't sound right.

Tails got out of bed and moseyed out of the bedroom. He caught the last part of the message…

'I...just don't know what's goin on. Please call me back. Thanks.'

That's weird…did he sound depressed? No…not Sonic. Never. Perhaps I could play the message. :click:

:BEEP: Hey Knux…I'm sorry for driving you nuts…but we really need to talk. I'm gonna stop by later. Umm…yeah. I…just don't know what's goin on. Please call me back. Thanks.' :BEEP! END OF MESSAGE:

Tails jaw hung open, 'Oh no…he's wants to come over. Crap!' He ran out of the house and up the adjacent stairwell, leading to the Altar, "Knuckles!"

Knuckles sat up holding his hand over his eyes, shielding out the sun, "What's up Tails?"

Tails ran up next to Knuckles, heavily breathing from running, "S-s-sonic called!"

Knuckles raised a brow, "Yeah, so? He calls here almost everyday since you've left."

Tails shook his head violently, "No…y-you don't understand! He's depressed about something…and he wants to come up here to talk!"

This caught Knuckles attention, "Oh! Well…uh that wouldn't be too good now, would it?"

Tails shook his head, "Of course not! I don't want him to know I'm here. Plus he'll be mad at you for lying to him about how you haven't seen me."

Knuckles waved the comment off, "Eh, it's just Sonic. He won't be livid about it."

Tails motioned for Knuckles to follow him back into the house, "C'mon you gotta call him back and tell him that he can't come here."

"Why? Tails, just relax. You can just hide until he leaves. It's no big deal really."

Tails pointed towards a general direction, "Umm, yeah! Oh sure, he won't notice an airplane that says 'TAILS' all over it."

Knuckles sweatdropped, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that…wait a sec! Why not hide that too?"

Tails irritably looked at Knuckles, "Oh sure. Let's just bury it 'cause it's that small!"

Knuckles glared at Tails, "You know what you better calm down! Look, I know a great place to hide it."

Tails snorted and crossed his arms, "Oh? And where would that be?"

"You'll see." Said Knuckles smirking.

After a few minutes…

"Wow! I didn't think you could hide something that big in such a little place." Tails stared in awe.

Knuckles chuckled, "Heh. You'd be surprised the silly little things you can do with chaos energy."

Tails raised a brow, "But…you need a Chaos Emerald for that."

Knuckles reached behind his back and produced a blue Chaos Emerald, "Like this?"

Tails sweatdropped, "Ah. I should've known that you'd have at least one. Anyways, that's taken care of. Okay, you can call Sonic and have him come over. We all know that'll be instant since he's got a Chaos Emerald to Chaos Control with."

Knuckles nodded, "Right. Why don't you go hide in the bedroom you've been staying in? Just keep the door closed, and I'll make sure he won't go in there."

Tails nodded, "Okay. Let's get back to your humble abode."

A few minutes later…

'Hello?'

"Hey Sonic. I just got your message. What's goin on?"

'Oh…well, it's about Amy.'

"Amy? What happened?"

'Would you mind if I came by and discussed it in person. I just need to get out of Station Square for a while. I've got a lot in my mind.'

Knuckles looked at Tails and motioned for him to into the bedroom, "That's fine. Just meet me at the Master Emerald Altar, okay?"

'Okay. See you there…bye'

"Bye." Knuckles hung the phone up, and walked over to the bedroom, "Tails, just remember to be silent. I have a feeling that there might be things said by Sonic…that could upset you. You're just gonna have to hold it in, alright?"

Tails opened the bedroom door and looked at Knuckles, "Okay Knux. Just please…don't let him know I'm here…okay?"

Knuckles smiled, "No prob. Just chill here. You shouldn't have to worry about him figuring out that you're here, but…should something happen where he DOES become suspicious, hide under the bed…" Knuckles paused and quickly glanced at Tails' stature, "You should be small enough to fit there."

Tails confidently nodded, "Okay Knux. Thanks."

Knuckles nodded, and closed the door. Tails walked over to the bed and not a moment after that, he heard a strange BOOM coming from the Altar… 'Sonic's here'

He sat quietly on the bed…and looked to towards the door. He suddenly heard the front door open to Knuckles' home, immediately followed by two voices. He curiously stood back up, and crept over to the door placing his ear on it.

"Hey Knuckles. Thanks for having me over." Sonic forcefully smiled.

Knuckles waved it off, "Eh, it's nothing. C'mon let's sit down." He motioned Sonic to have a seat in the nearest couch.

They took a seat and sat there silently for a few moments. Knuckles knew that Sonic wasn't planning on getting the ball rolling anytime soon, "So…what's going on with Amy?"

Sonic looked down and sighed. He then returned his eye contact to Knuckles, "Well…I'm worried about us."

Knuckles raised a brow, "Why would you be worried about that? I thought Amy always had a thing for you."

Sonic nodded lightly, "I thought so too…but that's not the issue. We got into a little quarrel today. She was really upset about Tails leaving."

Knuckles nodded, "Mm-hmm."

Sonic continued, "And I told her that I agreed, but she got mad at me because I called her 'hun'. She looks at me and says, 'Hun? Sonic, are the pet names really necessary?' "

Knuckles chuckled lightly. "She said that? That's weird."

Sonic nodded and continued with his story, "I know, right? So, I apologized to her, and she tells me that I was not at fault. Then she says that I have no idea how incredibly stressed out she is about Tails. I tell her that of course I have an idea, Tails is my friend too."

Knuckles nodded, "Right. You probably worry about him just as much if not more than she is. You and Tails have been friends for years."

Sonic nodded, "I do worry. Knuckles…I really miss him. I just hope that wherever he is…he's okay, and I hope that he comes back soon, " Sonic shook his head and sighed, "I was too rough on him…but when I yelled at him…all I saw was red."

Meanwhile Tails was now sitting at the base of the door letting a few tears go, 'Sonic…I'm so sorry for what I did. I miss you too…' :sniffle:

Knuckles heard Tails and quickly responded to keep Sonic's attention on himself, "Well…it was a natural response. I know you feel bad about it now, but maybe it felt right when it happened. Don't stress yourself out over that."

Sonic nodded, "I know. Anyways, before I forget what I came here to talk about. When I told her that I have an idea, she snapped back and said, 'Don't you get it? Tails and I have an incredibly close bond. He was the first person that understood who I really am. He cared about me in a way that made me feel like I was special…and it wasn't even that, it was the little things too. He'd always compliment me…' "

Knuckles eyes opened widely, "Wow…"

Sonic nodded, "I know. That worries me. I think she might have a thing for Tails. I mean, it's not a definite yes or no…but it's a hunch. I'm curious to see how she's going to react when he comes back. That'll be interesting."

Knuckles shrugged, "I guess. Sonic…just because she said how much she cares for him, doesn't automatically mean that she likes him. They just might connect at a different level then what you see. From the sounds of it…I think she just really respects him and the way he treats her. Perhaps you could learn a thing or two from Tails."

Sonic was taken back, "What are you saying Knuckles? That I don't know how to treat Amy right?"

Knuckles shook his head, "No, I didn't say that. Think about what she said…how Tails made her feel special. Maybe you could do something really romantic for her, or just spend some time alone with her…in a special way, if you get my drift."

Sonic raised a brow, "Uhh…Knuckles…Amy and I have been seeing each other for almost three months now. We haven't even said the 'L' word to each other yet."

Back in the room with Tails…

Tails sat there with his eyes wide open, 'What? They've never said I love you to each other? How could that be…'

FLASHBACK

"Aww…Tails. That's so sweet of you to say. But…you know…I'm not in LOVE with Sonic. I'm just dating him."

END FLASHBACK

Tails maintained his surprised expression, 'That's right! I forgot about that. But…where does that leave me?…'

Knuckles widely opened his eyes, "Really? That's…a bit weird. Most would've been there ages ago."

Sonic nodded, "I know. That's why I'm worried. Is that why she kissed Tails…because she feels that she doesn't know if she loves me yet, so she can test the waters with someone else? That's the impression I'm getting."

Knuckles shrugged, "I don't know man. Don't over analyze what's in front of you. Just take it at face value. If you begin to make assumptions, confront Amy…and if you're wrong, you're gonna hurt her. Just be careful with what you say around her. She has a sensitive personality."

Sonic sighed and nodded, "I know." He sat there deep in thought. 'Maybe he's right. I could just be thinking too much about this. Maybe Amy is true to me.'

Knuckles waved his hand in front of Sonic's face, "Hello? You okay?"

Sonic shook his head, breaking out of his thoughts, "Oh, uh…yeah. Sorry. Just thinking about stuff."

Knuckles chuckled, "Heh, alright. So…what's next for you?"

Sonic shrugged, "I dunno, but one thing is for sure. I have to find Tails…and apologize to him. I can't sleep at night anymore…I just worry too much about him. I…I know he'd be mad if he heard me right now…sounding like an overprotective parent…but, the truth is…I love him like he's my own flesh and blood. You know what I mean Knux?"

Knuckles nodded, "I know…I know you care a lot about him. I'm sure he'll show up soon, and when he does…you tell him what you just told me."

Sonic nodded and sighed dejectedly. Knuckles remained quiet for a moment to let Sonic gather his thoughts. Knuckles looked at the bedroom door.. 'Tails…I hope you're hearing this…Sonic is a complete wreck…you need to do what's right…go home. Make up with Sonic…and tell Amy…tell her how you really feel.' As if Knuckles could see through the bedroom door…it slowly opened.

Sonic looked up, "What was that? Is someone here?"

Knuckles shrugged, acting oblivious to Tails opening the door, "I dunno."

Sonic glanced to his rear and in disbelief of what he was seeing…his jaw dropped. There Tails stood…the tears freely flowing down his face, sniffling at a volume audible to anyone in the same room.

Sonic tripped all over his words, "T-t-ails? Is th-that you?"

Tails nodded and smiled, "Uh-huh, and you don't have to tell me anything…I heard everything you said."

Sonic felt a burning sensation in his eyes…it had been years since he cried, but seeing his best friend again after two weeks…he couldn't help but cry. He got up from where he sat and slowly walked over to Tails. Sonic dropped to his knees, bringing himself to Tails' height. Tails grabbed Sonic in a bear hug. They both held each other closely, crying their eyes out.

Tails mumbled a few words into Sonic's ear, "Sonic…p-please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Sonic held Tails tighter, "Tails…please…I over-reacted, I'm the one who's sorry."

Tails pulled out of the hug and looked into Sonic's eyes, "Sonic…I KISSED your girlfriend! I'm clearly at fault here. You don't need to be sorry."

Sonic let a few more tears loose, "Tails, I don't care who's at fault here…all I care is that you're back and okay. I was so worried about you…I thought I had almost lost you forever."

Tails shook his head and held Sonic close again, "No Sonic…I'd never leave forever…I couldn't throw this friendship away like that, nothing could jeopardize what we have."

Sonic broke the hug and nodded contently, "I know." He stood up and they both walked over to where Knuckles sat, smiling. He looked at Knuckles, "What are you smiling about?"

Knuckles threw an arm up in defense, "Nothin…it's just good to see the two of you on good terms."

Sonic smiled back, "Heh, yeah." He held Tails close with one arm, "I missed my little bro."

Tails looked up at Sonic, "And I missed my big bro." Sonic smiled in response.

Sonic suddenly had some kind of revelation… "Wait…if you're here…then that means…" Sonic widely opened his eyes and pointed at Knuckles, "You were hiding him!"

Knuckles nodded, "Yes I was. Sonic, I apologize for hiding him, but he needed a place to stay, and I wasn't going to turn a good friend away. Besides, I figured that you would constantly call here asking for him, but never suspect that he was here."

Sonic rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah…whatever."

Knuckles chuckled, "Well…now that the two of you have found each other…I think you should work things out."

Tails nodded dejectedly, showing that the subject at hand was still a tender issue, "Yeah…"

Well, there ya have it. I hope you liked it, and if you did, please don't forget to review. As for my next update…I'm not making any promises regarding when it will be finished. I'll try to keep updating my profile to keep you all informed of my progress. Ciao.