Whew…. Well, I was going to let this sit a while, but when I got a review before this thing had been on the site more than a few hours, I felt I should get writing again! Thanks a ton for the encouragement, MysticStarLegacy! GO READ HER STORIES!

Chapter 1

A Visit

"So, how HAVE you been?" Shadow was currently seated on the couch in the living room of Rouge's apartment, watching her carefully remove her wings from the holes she had cut in the back of her jacket and put said jacket in the closet. He, of course, was in his trademark arms-crossed, 'I'm-an-anti-hero' pose as he sat on the pink, cushy, and totally image ruining coach.

"Fine." was his monosyllabic and monotone reply. Rouge chuckled.

"You haven't changed a bit, Shadow." She stepped out of the closet, now jacket free. 'Yep, same old Shadow. You'd think he'd have opened up a bit more around me. He's more open with me than he seems to be with the others, but…. Honestly, I don't see why he wouldn't want to be friends with a gorgeous woman like me!' In truth, she knew that they were already friends, but sometimes she couldn't help but wonder about their relationship.

She sat down on the couch next to him. He, as per usual, remained quiet. He just sat there, watching her like a hawk. "Done anything interesting lately?"

"No."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing." he responded. One would have expected to find some trace of annoyance in that deep voice of his, but even Rouge's sensitive ears could find none. He didn't seem to mind terribly that he had just been dragged halfway across town by a currently very chatty white bat. In truth, he was happy to see her. She and Omega were really the only people he felt close to.

Speaking of Omega…. "Rouge. Have you seen Omega since the three of us went our separate ways?"

"Oh! I can't believe I forgot to tell you! Omega! Get in here!" Shadow looked up at the doorway to the kitchen and took in a rather amusing sight.

"LIFEFORM DETECTED: SCANNING…." Omega paused for a second, and there was a small whirring noise. "SENSORS INDICATE LIFEFORM TO BE PROJECT:SHADOW. WELCOME."

"Omega…. What in the world are you wearing?" Shadow could not stop his voice from betraying his amusement. Completely filling the doorway was Omega, wearing, of all things, a pink, frilly apron. It was much too small for him, and the poor thing was hard-pressed to fit around his large form.

"SCANNING…. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY YOU FIND MY ATTIRE AMUSING. SENSORS INDICATE IT TO BE THE APPROPRIATE UNIFORM FOR FOOD PREPERATION." Despite the fact that he was a robot, Omega did seem to have some sense of pride, and that pride seemed to be wounded that Shadow had found his 'attire' to be so amusing. The robot's voice seemed a bit miffed as he spoke this and turned away to go back into the kitchen.

"As you can see, Omega here is staying with me. Sure beats doing all the chores myself." Rouge chuckled to herself. "Dinner should be ready soon. You'll stay, won't you?" Shadow was about to decline, but paused. He realized it would be… nice, to spend some time with his old friends. "Of course you will." Rouge answered for him.

11111

About an hour later, Rouge and Omega were watching Shadow wolf down his fifth plate of spaghetti. Omega had had to whip up another batch in an attempt to satisfy Shadow's seemingly insatiable appetite. "SENSORS INDICATE THAT IT IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A LIFEFORM OF PROJECT:SHADOW'S SIZE AND BODY WEIGHT TO CONSUME THIS MUCH FOOD. QUERY: WHERE DOES HE PUT IT ALL?" Rouge blinked.

"I have no idea." Finally, Shadow sat back with a content sigh. "Shadow…. When was the last time you ate?"

"…." Shadow seemed a bit sheepish about this; or at least, as sheepish as HE could look. "…I don't remember."

"SCANNING…. WARNING: SENSORS INDICATE THAT PROJECT:SHADOW IS MALNOURISHED. QUERY: WHY?" Rouge's eyes narrowed at the black hedgehog across the table from her, who looked the other way with his arms folded.

"I'd like to know that, too." When Shadow did not speak, Rouge's eyes narrowed even further. "Shadow, where have you been staying?" Her tone was deadly, and Shadow knew better than to keep quiet.

"In the park." he replied, trying to sound nonchalant. He winced when Rouge jumped up, looking rather irritated and worried.

"WHAT? Oh, not anymore you're not! You're staying here." Shadow was about to protest, but Rouge continued. "It wouldn't do at all to have a friend of mine be seen living out in a park!" For some reason, she felt the need to cover up her concern with an excuse. "It would make me look bad." Again, Shadow was about to protest, but thought better of it. She was one scary bat when she was angry.

"But…. Where will I sleep…?" He made a feeble attempt at trying to reason with her. She already had an answer ready.

"You'll be sleeping on the coach until Omega finishes clearing out the spare room I've been using to keep my jewels in." Rouge replied smugly, grinning to herself. She mentally gave herself a high-five for being so smart.

"QUERY: WHY DO I HAVE TO REMOVE YOUR POSSESIONS FROM THE ROOM?" The robot was silenced by a Glare of Doom.

"Because I said so."

Shadow watched the two, and because they were distracted with their quarrel, neither of them noticed his tiny smile and muttered, "Just like old times."

11111

Heehee! I like how this is turning out so far…. We'll see what I have planned for next chapter! I have a few basic ideas, but other than those, I'm pretty much making it up as I go along. I hope this thing is successful, and encourages all you out there to write more Shadouge for me to read!