When Shadow woke he tried to sit up but he found that a restraining
hand was placed on his chest. Then he saw the worried face of Amy. He
managed to smile but frowned when he saw her tears. "Amy what's
wrong? I told you everything would be fine." Shadow gasped and winced
when Amy hugged him in a way that suggested she'd never let go. Lucky
for Shadow, Knuckles came in and pried Amy off. "Shadow I missed you
so much. I thought you were dead, you died in my arms then Sonic didn't
care that you were dead. Now Sonic's run off saying you're in danger and
now here you are." Knuckles threw Shadow a look that said, 'explain
everything and do it now.' "I'll explain everything. Professor Gerald
made me to save Maria. I was designed with the ability to fuse my soul
with another's. You probably noticed Sonic getting faster and stronger.
That's because I was starting the process of rebuilding myself in him. As
I did that he gained some of my speed and strength. I wasn't ready to
come out yet, you can probably tell. Sonic wasn't worried because he
could feel my soul inside him. I tried to make him tell you because I
didn't have enough time to." Shadow shrugged and the gesture looked
stiff. Knuckles and Amy both frowned seeing it. Neither Shadow nor
Amy expected what came next. Knuckles bear-hugged Shadow, lifting
him clear off the bed. "I missed you." Knuckles' voice was husky with
emotion. After the initial shock wore off Shadow realized that his back
had been effectively popped in about nine different places. Shadow
gritted his teeth as Knuckles set him back on the bed. Knuckles shuffled
out the door mumbling something about finding Sonic. Amy gently sat
on the edge of the bed and kissed Shadow. He smiled then asked her if
she'd cried. She blushed and Shadow informed her that she was in trouble
before he kissed her. "Can I go home or do I have to stay here?" Shadow
asked. A doctor was passing by so he answered. "Yes. But you need to
take it easy. Lots of bed rest and no junk food until you put some weight
on with healthy stuff. If you eat junk food now it may mess up your
metabolism." Shadow smirked and tried not to laugh. Amy caught it
anyway. "What's so funny?" "My metabolism can't be messed up." Amy
giggled and walked Shadow home, her hand in his. She couldn't help but
blush when she thought that her hand in his was a perfect fit. When they
got to his hut Amy insisted that he go to bed. He didn't put up much of a
fight and was asleep within minutes. Amy smoothed out Shadow's messy
(-er than usual) spikes. She'd always loved how they were streaked.