Hello Readers!

This chapter was difficult to write, and I have no idea why lol. But thanks to my betas Laineybug04, and WolfsLegend, without them this would not have come to be!

I have also become active on my tumblr account, if you want extra special chapters (I did a valentine's special for this story there about Amy in the cadet program) then follow me nothing-fancy94 or nothing-fancy94,tumblr,com

ALSO REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT MY FRIEND she does art of this story and has her own au comic based on this story after chapter 6 mysuperlaserpiss on tumblr, mysuperlaserpiss,tumblr,com

Thank you to all my reviewers fuumiiku, Janttun3n, Shyla the Hedgehog, mewfatima, XoxILoveyouxoX, Naya Zephronic, Racattack Force, Amefloza13, Heartless demon wolf, Abril378, CherryTheRose, Angel-kohai, TinyShinyy, KSPForever1038, ThePurplePyroHedgie, shad-amy01, YukiDoggos3, Pirilaxa, Sweet Fantasy's Magic, and MozieBea. Thank you all for reviewing! I'm sorry that I haven't responded to all of you yet, I will be doing so in the next few days so please keep your eyes out for that. On to the guest review replies:

Guest: Thank you for the high compliment! I hope to continue for a long time :)

Avery: Thank you for the multiple replies! I'm glad that I was able to write the emotions well, I hope to hear from you again!

Yeet: I did get your first review, with guest reviews I have to manually approve them to be seen, or it automatically approves them after 24 hours which is why your firtst one didn't post. I appreciated seeing both though, because you pointed out slightly different things in the reviews. IN FACT I LOVED YOUR REVIEW SOOO MUCH I SHARED IT ON MY TUMBLR :) Seriously, your review was so special and well worded that I almost cried. I thank you for being able to look past the devices that I am using in order to read my story as it is intended. You can truly read between the lines which is a gift that few have. Vladimir Nobakov said "the good reader is one who has imagination, memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense." Which I can see you posses. He also says that a work of writing is its own new world which the author creates and to approach it, as a reader, with preconceived notions is a tragedy to the author. And I feel like you followed me through the world I created to discover all the new things I made to show you, and that is the best thing any author could ask for. I really hope to hear from you again, and I look forward to future conversations between us! :)

Okay so that is all for now, I am excited to hear from all of you about this most recent chapter!

Happy Reading!

P.s. Let's Go Home should update sometime this week, so keep your eye out for that too!

EPISODE 8: Reading Between the Lines – Part 2

Station Square Super Mall – Ruby's Boutique

~September 12, 11:47~

Amy tried to block out the squeals and loud chatter of the girls in the stalls next to her as she studied herself in a mirror. The romper she was wearing was picked out by Rouge, and was just one of many outfits that were piled up in the corner of the stall. She sighed, pulled at the bottom of the shorts, and felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. They had already been at the mall for several hours, and this was probably the third store they had tried. Not to mention the several stores they'd entered for Rouge's personal benefit. So far nothing Amy had been forced to try on had worked, causing a tiresome trip throughout several clothing stores. Amy turned from side to side to glance at her image in the mirror, before reluctantly opening the door and stepping out.

Rouge was sitting on a bench just outside, her legs were crossed as she sipped on a passionfruit smoothie. Her head was bent as she looked down at her phone communicator. She was wearing a purple jumpsuit with large black jewels hanging from her ears, neck, and wrist. These were accompanied by a pair of black rhinestone sunglasses that were perched on top of her head. Her lipstick was the finishing touch, an emerald green color, with a matted finish that caused light to reflect softly on its surface. Omega was sitting beside Rouge, his red, glassy eyes staring blankly ahead, and his arms already ladened with bags of things that'd caught Rouge's eye. They made quite the pair and people who passed them couldn't help but stare at them and whisper things under their breath. Amy had felt awkward while walking through the mall with them, but Rouge didn't even seem to notice, her head held high with a little smirk always at the edge of her lips.

When the door of Amy's stall opened, the bat looked up and her seafoam eyes narrowed as she looked the nervous girl over.

"Hmmm, that one just isn't doing it for me either." Rouge grumbled, and sipped furiously at her drink in frustration.

Amy sighed, and put her hand to her head in defeat, "But you're the one that picked all of these out!"

"I know!" Rouge exclaimed, she leaned forward and fiercely glared at the clothing, "I just don't get it! I was trying to find some modern looks based on your past preferences. Floral, bright, spring feeling… I just don't get it… Why do none of them look right?"

Amy sighed and looked down at the outfit. She definitely thought it was cute: a soft solid pink romper with a golden zipper. It was flexible enough that she could move in it easily, and the zipper gave it a mature and sophisticated feel. There was a time that such clothes would've made her jump for joy and pull out her wallet faster than someone could say, 'Would you like to buy that?' but now it just made her feel despondent. She felt out of place, like she was playing dress up with someone else's closet.

"I don't know Rouge… it just doesn't feel like me…"

Omega – who had been observing the two females intently – shifted slightly and turned his head to look at Rouge.

"According to the file on Amy Rose, this type of garment should suit Amy Rose. However, amendments were made to the file yesterday, and most of the information in the file needs updating."

Rouge huffed in annoyance at the unnecessary interjection of information, and she was about to lecture the robot on conversational etiquette, when what he was trying to relay suddenly connected. She jumped up and exclaimed excitedly causing Amy to flinch in surprise. She clapped her hands together loudly and the many bracelets adorning her wrists twinkled against each other in a symphony of bells.

"You're a genius Omega! Chaos! Why didn't I think of that?!"

Rouge was practically shouting now, and her arms were waving about in an animated way as she spoke. Amy nervously glanced around, noticing the judgemental looks that the other shoppers were giving them.

"Rouge, I don't know what you're getting at, but can you please keep it down! People are starting to stare!"

Rouge gave a slight shrug and cocked her hip, looking at Amy with an unconcerned look on her face before saying in a louder than necessary voice,

"I don't care what people do. If they wanna look then let 'em, I ain't greedy with my beauty," she looked over to a pair of girls that were snubbing their noses at them, and sneered at them while stating, "Take a picture sweetheart, it lasts longer."

Amy stood with her mouth open as the girls gasped and hurriedly left the changing area, their tails literally between their legs. Rouge smirked at them as they passed, leaving Amy envious at her confidence. She suddenly wished she had the same strength and self–assurance that the bat seemed to glow with.

"Well don't just stand there in awe of my fierceness, take those rags off and get out here. I got somewhere I need to take you."

Amy blinked in confusion for a second, but when Rouge literally pushed her back into the changing room and closed the door with a slam, leaving Amy alone. The hedgehog stared blankly ahead for a moment before quickly striping, not wanting to have the bat's fury turned onto her.

The next store Rouge dragged her to was very different from the one they had just escaped. It was what Amy would describe as gothic and emo. Dark clothing lined the walls, while studded and pierced employees milled about with apathetic eyes, their feet dragging on the floor. Amy would've protested if she wasn't entirely and utterly baffled at the choice in store. She stood at the entrance, her sweat pants and white t–shirt causing her to look basic next to the people that pushed past her.

"Come over here, Amy! I'm starting to get hungry so let's be quick about this."

Amy looked up to see that Rouge already had a pile of clothes laid over her arm, and she was casually walking through the store adding more as she went. Amy shook her head and entered the store, feeling intimidated by the atmosphere and the way in which Rouge moved about without a care in the world. When she finally caught up, the bat had waved over an employee who rolled her eyes and popped a pink bubble gum bubble before meandering over to the group.

"How can I help you?" The voice came forth in monotone as she recited the required offer of assistance, forcing an obvious fake smile. It was clear by her body language that she didn't want to help them one bit. Rouge didn't seem the least bit concerned with the true intentions of the studded teenage helper, and quite unabashedly dumped the load of clothing into the girls arms. Amy stared with wide eyes as the bat rummaged through the pile, pulling out a top, then bottoms and a couple other items from the depths of the clothing mound. When she was satisfied with the items she pulled, Rouge peeked around the pile to look at the employee and asked,

"Would you be a dear and take these to a fitting room? We will be there in a minute."

The possum mumbled something that was made unintelligible due to the mass she was forced to carry, but from the tone of it, Amy could guess it wasn't the most pleasant of words. Rouge merely smiled and tapped her foot as she waited for the girl to obey her request. Finally, with a huff, the possum waddled away, her long tail whipping back and forth in irritation. Then it was Amy's turn to be assaulted with the bat's attention as Rouge turned around with a hungry glint in her eyes.

She pulled Amy toward her until they were only a few inches apart and started to place the clothing pulled from the racks up to her figure. The bat muttered things under her breath, nodded her head, and then shoved the outfits into Amy's arms and began to push the startled girl to the back of the store.

"Um, Rouge? What exactly is going on right now?"

"Don't worry about it, hon. Just humor me and put that outfit on first, then let me know what you think." Rouge's hands dug into Amy's back, and the hedgehog resigned herself to her fate. When they reached the fitting room the possum guided them with an eye roll to a stall that had all Rouge's choices hung up. Amy entered and turned to pull the curtain closed, but unlike in the other stores, Rouge stepped into the stall with her. The bat closed the curtain behind her and looked at Amy with a tilted head. Amy didn't move, her mind trying to wrap itself around the situation she found herself in.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Rouge huffed as a minute went by as they were at a stand still, "Strip."

Amy's eyes went wide, and she took a step back, "Excuse me?"

"Come on! We're both ladies, don't get all bashful with me, take 'em off."

Amy was shocked into silence… just what the hell was going through this crazy bat's head?

"Um… no… I don't feel comfortable with that."

Rouge narrowed her eyes, and she tapped her foot, "Come on! We're Mobians! Some of us don't even wear clothes, and I want to make sure you try everything on. What's the big deal?"

Amy flinched, her mind racing to find an excuse… she couldn't tell the truth. The truth was too painful, and yet just the mere mention of it brought horrible memories to the forefront of her mind. Cruel, forceful hands pulling at her shirt, the tear of fabric, the manic laughter and degrading comments of senior cadets.

'Just as I thought. Pathetic! You actually thought you could attract a guy with a child's body ? No wonder the great Sonic always runs from you! He'd be accused of pedofilia associating with you!'

The voice was sharp and loud as though Amy had been transported back through time to that day. Her body began to shiver feeling the cold of ice water as it was poured on her exposed body. It enveloped her, pulling her deeper and deeper until all she could picture, all she could see, were yellow eyes. Those yellow eyes with a toxic glow grinning in her misery. The laughter of Pandora and her posse ringing all around her. The shivering wouldn't stop.

"Amy?" Rouge asked hesitantly, studying the face of the girl who stood before her trembling. The reaction was unexpected. Sure some would consider changing in front of another awkward, but the girl before her looked as though she was about to be attacked. As she watched, Amy's left hand snapped to her right and her fingers began to scratch the top of her hand. It started out in a slow and methodical pace but very quickly it turned to frantic scratching. Rouge did not know what to do, the situation was bizarre and was one she had never been in before. In all honesty, Rouge didn't really feel like bringing attention to the odd action and potentially receiving a long winded life story from the girl. Amy obviously had some issues, and Rouge was happy to let her deal with them on her own. So she stepped back and with a shrug conceded,

"Alright then, just make sure you come out when you're finished."

Only when the curtain was closed behind the bat did Amy feel herself relax. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to clear the prickling sensations on her skin. That's right Amy… it was a long time ago, and it's all over now.

She had to stop letting them get to her, they were gone... not even stationed at Station Square, thank Chaos. Most importantly, she couldn't expose her fears in front of the very bat she was trying so hard to impress. Trying so hard to convince Rouge, and at times herself, that she wasn't that same weak fangirl from the past. Amy huffed, and popping her eyes open she quickly changed, hoping that this day would end soon without incident. She barely looked at the clothing as she shoved her hands through openings and pulled bottoms up. When she was finished, she whipped around and pulled at the curtain. Rouge was in the middle of a conversation with the possum employee from before, and Omega was on standby at the entrance. Amy waited a moment before clearing her throat,

"Um, Rouge?"

The bat's large ears twitched in her direction, and she waved off the employee before turning to look at Amy. Once her eyes landed on the girl, the seafoam irises travelled from her head to her toes. Amy fidgeted, uncomfortable with the steady gaze, but then a curious thing happened. As Rouge's eyes moved, a slow smile developed on her muzzle, and Amy could practically see an excited glow burn within the bat's eyes.

"Oh Rouge, you've done it again!" Rouge congratulated herself, clapping excitedly.

Amy jerked in shock of the very girlish tone Rouge was using, it was a side of the bat that she had never seen before.

"Uh, Rouge? What do you mean?"

Rouge grinned and grabbed Amy's hand before dragging her up to a full length mirror, "Just take a look at my masterpiece!"

The young Agent was hesitant to oblige, but her curiosity got the best of her. She started with her head, it was the same as always, pulled back in a ponytail with a gold ring. She gulped and looked down. She was wearing a crop–top tank that looked a lot like an exercise bra, it was black with red trim, and it showed off a bit of her stomach. Then the sports skirt she was wearing was black, the shorts underneath the same shade of red as the highlight, and it was held up with a gold metal belt.

It was a simpler ensemble than she had expected, yet there was a powerful subtlety behind the outfit, a quiet strength. She took a step back and stared at herself as a whole. The outfit neither looked awkward, nor felt childish. In fact, it was just the right amount of maturity with a splash of punk that Amy was surprised to find she liked. She moved into different angles to examine the outfit more.

"Here!" Rouge exclaimed, shoving a red suede jacket that had soft white fluff on the inside, "Put this on over it."

Speechless, Amy robotically put her arms through the sleeves, the inside didn't rub uncomfortably against the fur on her arm, and once it was on it was like she'd never worn anything different. Amy put her hand on her left shoulder and slowly brought it down the length of her arm. She'd taken her gloves off earlier, and the feeling of suede beneath her palm was soft yet had a roughness to it that she enjoyed.

"Oh, and you'll love this! It cost a bit more, but I think it's really worth it," Rouge continued to ramble, and she grabbed Amy's shoulders turning her slightly so that the hedgehog could take a look at her back, "They let you embroider your own design here onto clothing. I didn't have a design ready but I thought this was perfect. Definitely have to come back here for myself…"

Her chatter fell into the background as Amy was struck frozen by what she saw in the mirror. It was a huge black rose that had two spiky leaves poking out from behind it. Then in cursive lettering her surname was curved at the bottom, Rose. Her gaze shifted to the bat's reflection who was still rattling on and on about fashion behind Amy.

I thought she hated me…

This outfit, no… this whole day, Amy suddenly realized had been created by Rouge for her benefit. The older female had taken very careful care in the assembly of her outfit, something that no one had done for her since she was a small child. She had resigned herself to being the black sheep of the team, to being the odd one out, but she found an impossible wish growing from the small kindness given to her today. A wish for them to become friends. Against her will, tears threatened to fall and they burned in her eyes, but she shook her head, steeling her expression and straightening her posture. Although she wanted more than anything to be accepted, she knew it wasn't a possibility. Rouge may be acting nice now, but she knew it was only because the bat didn't want her team's image to be brought down by her poor fashion sense. Amy rolled her shoulders and a slight frown darkened her features, she would protect herself this time. After all, friends will always betray you. However, despite her intentions she couldn't help but feel the cold ice around her heart begin to thaw ever so slightly as Rouge came up behind her with an annoyed, yet anxious look on her face as she asked,

"What? You don't like it?"

"No…" Amy shook her head, and allowed the corner of her frown to lift until her face was warmed with a smile, "I love it."

Rouge blinked at her in surprise for a moment before she smiled in a way that showed off her fangs. She huffed with pride, and lifted her muzzle into the air.

"Of course! No one can beat my fashion sense. Why don't you try on the other clothes while I go pick out some new accessories to go with your new style."

The bat bounded away happily, her loose purple jumper moving along with the pep in her step. My new style… Amy smiled to herself, looking over the outfit once more. That's right, she was a new person, and so she needed a new style.

"Amy Rose is content with Agent Rouge the Bat's suggestion?"

Amy turned and looked at Omega, who'd moved from his spot to close the gap between them, with a large smile. "Yes, Omega, I really am."

The robot didn't say anything for a long moment, but then his head nodded up and down.

"Omega agrees, this look suits the updated files on Amy Rose. Omega has marked the mission of 'Amy Rose clothes shopping' a success."

She didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she would almost swear that his voice came forth in a higher pitch… like how a Mobian would sound while smiling. Her own grin widened, she would take that as he was discovering what it meant to be happy for another person. Amy would've pointed this out, but she didn't want to ruin the moment by confusing the robot, so she stored it away for later use.

Stepping back into the fitting room, she began to try on another outfit with excitement and anticipation. No longer did it feel burdensome or like a chore, and she found that for the first time in years, she felt truly happy.

Station Square Super Mall – Mushi Sushi

~September 12, 13:01~

"...Well then I told him that if he didn't get his sorry ass out of that lab I would string him up myself!"

"Oh Chaos! I can just imagine Shadow's grumpy, pouty face while hanging upside down, grappling hook rope tangled around him."

"Oh yeah, he was not happy. It was one of the reasons he started teleporting everywhere."

Amy giggled, and delicately plucked a sushi roll from her plate and popped it in her mouth. Rouge watched her with morbid curiosity, the girl before her seemed like a completely different person from yesterday. Her body was relaxed and her green eyes were bright with joy. Even more shocking was her own reaction to the girl… she found that she actually liked seeing Amy this way. And if she dared to admit it, she even found herself enjoying the girl's company.

"So…" The bat said with a slight tease to her voice, "I feel like I've been talking your ears off. How about you?"

Amy paused in her eating, and her chopsticks lowered as she looked at the bat in front of her. Rouge could see her eyes moving back and forth as though she were trying to assess a threat.

"I don't know what you mean." The girl replied after a moment, her hands dropping below the table. Rouge rolled her eyes and brought her chopsticks up to point at Amy.

"Yeah you do! I wanna hear about you, tell me a story."

Amy looked to the side, and her brow furrowed a bit, "I can't think of one."

Rouge's hand gripped her chopsticks harder, a vein in her forehead throbbed with frustration. This girl was almost as difficult as Shadow to get talking. It was odd, because in the past Rouge had known the girl to be quite bubbly to the point of annoyance, even spouting inane stories just for the sake of filling the air with noise. She took a silent breath and tried again,

"Okay, well what about training as a cadet? I never went through the program so I'm kind of interested in what the big deal is, Miss Top of Her Class."

Amy flinched at the words, and she gave Rouge a crooked smile. But her lips remained shut. Rouge narrowed her eyes and leaned back in her booth. Why was she even trying to get to know this uptight, stick in the ass female? It was odd that Rouge would even spend a day with another female, let alone selflessly ask her about herself. What had it been about this girl that she had thought it'd be a good idea to try and get along with her? Had it been the look of insecurity and hopelessness that had slowly changed into brilliant smiles and grateful words as she'd dressed up Amy? Had it been the odd reactions to her in the fitting room that had sparked curiosity? Or had it been the comfortable atmosphere that had surrounded them after leaving the last store until now? It had felt nice… gabbing with a fellow female, and laughing together. How pathetic was that?

Rouge huffed, and plucked another plate from the rotating belt that ran throughout the restaurant. Then she loudly stuffed a piece of sushi into her mouth. Fine, if Amy didn't want to have a conversation then why bother? She would finish eating then drop the bitch back at base before going off to a club. Or even better, Rouge smiled, ditch her here and let her find her own way back. She deserves it the fucking bit –

"The cadet program was alright. I learned a lot, and strengthened not only my fighting capabilities but intelligence skills as well."

Rouge glanced up at the girl, another sushi halfway to her mouth. She blinked, surprised Amy had actually responded. She closed her mouth, and set the sushi back on her plate while looking over the girl. Amy was obviously feeling uncomfortable, but she was staring straight into Rouge's eyes. Her jaw was set firmly as though she were eating something foul but would swallow it with sheer will power.

"Okay, that's kind of vague..." Rouge replied, her right eyebrow rising.

The corner of Amy's mouth twitched, but instead of replying with a snarky comment like Rouge thought she would, she tilted her head and asked,

"Well… what do you want to know?"

The bat blinked again, and tapped the table with her ungloved and manicured nails.

"Hmm, I don't know… maybe how you became the top of your class when the last I knew, the most you could do in battle was swing that toy hammer of yours."

Amy sighed and took a drink of the green tea in front of her. When she was finished, her hands remained curled around the small mug, and Rouge noticed that the skin beneath peach colored fur was bright red and raw. But the most curious thing was the odd white circle that seemed unable to grow fur. She had a flashback to seeing Amy scratch furiously at her hand beneath her glove.

"I just studied hard and made sure to listen to everything my commanders and teachers were saying. It wasn't that hard, nor do I have some secret way or advantage to get ahead that no one else has… Honestly, I'm a little offended that everyone is so shocked I was able to do it."

Rouge flinched slightly at the comment, especially since those jade eyes had cleared significantly of the previous darkness and were now looking pointedly into hers. The bat cleared her throat and took a sip of her tea.

"It's not that I think you're stupid, I'm just amazed at the difference between the you I knew in the past and the you now."

Amy's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't seem angry or upset at the comment. She started rubbing the top of her hand again. Rouge flinched as she watched the already raw skin get abused further, and as small little hairs began to fall onto the table. That couldn't feel good, but Amy seemed like she didn't even feel it, like it wasn't even happening.

"Well, thanks I guess…"

"Hey," Rouge said after a moment's silence, "Can I ask why you do that?"

Amy blinked at her in surprise and her head tilted in confusion, "Do what?"

"That," Rouge said, pointing with her chopsticks to Amy's hands. The girl blinked before looking down at her hands. Her eyes widened a fraction and she quickly pulled her hands back into her lap, out of sight. Her muzzle blushed beneath peach fur, and she awkwardly smiled.

"Nervous habit I guess. Been doing it for a while now, and I barely notice when it happens…"

"Riiight," Rouge drawled, but she decided to drop it for now. It wasn't worth Amy getting upset again and ruining the moment.

"Well I'm almost finished here… did you want to go home after this or we could go try those boozy slushies at that kiosk I saw earlier."

Amy looked up from her lap. Her jade eyes looked confused at first, but then she smiled. At its appearance, Rouge felt her heart skip a beat. She hadn't seen a smile like that from the girl since she joined the team.

"Well, I'm not 21 yet, but I wouldn't mind seeing if they can do a virgin."

Rouge watched as the girl happily started eating again, her green eyes bright and she began eating once more. After a moment Rouge followed suit and shared more funny stories of missions, finding herself falling into a warm and comfortable atmosphere with the girl. But despite the friendly conversation and meal, Rouge found she couldn't tear her eyes from the scar that shone brightly from the girl's right hand.

Team Dark Headquarters

~September 12, 19:20~

Amy hummed in an upbeat rhythm as she pulled clothing from the many bags on her bed to put away in her closet and dresser. Her room was still very bare, but there were now small personalized accents in the room. Rouge, slightly tipsy after boozy slushies, had dragged Amy around to different stores. They'd picked up decorative items and more accessories for the both of them before they'd finally headed back. Thanks to that, her bed now had its own soft pink comforter that sported black lace accents and trim. The bed also had several throw pillows ranging from black sequin squares to fluffy, furred pink pillows.

On her desk sat a pink salt lamp that glowed in a warm orange–pinkish light, and alongside it was her new, thin, rose–gold laptop. She'd been able to purchase all of it, thanks to the signing bonus she'd received from G.U.N.

Amy felt a warm feeling spread throughout her chest. It was a feeling of happiness that used to be such a normal occurrence, but now felt foreign and fragile. It caused her to smile slightly as she swept her gaze around the room once more. Every single item, every accessory, looked and felt just right. Like it belonged here. Like she belonged here.

She paused in her folding as the odd happiness continued to grow. Team Dark. The best – in her mind – operative team in G.U.N., and she was a member. All throughout the cadet program she had heard stories of the team, some good but most bad. The bad rumors had nothing to do with their success rate, but more to do with their less than orthodox methods. She'd always tuned in when she heard people speak of them, interested in hearing about people she knew, but also in a sort of admiring way. She had looked up to them, and hoped for the day to make a difference just like they did everyday. With the events of the past few days, she'd forgotten her joy when she'd been placed on the team, but now it was back.

Rouge had been surprisingly kind to her today – well as kind as Rouge's ego allowed her to be – and Amy felt a small seed of hope begin to form. She wasn't naive enough to think they were best friends, Rouge's small interrogation at lunch had been proof enough of that, but at least she wasn't shunned by the bat any longer. And that was all she could ask for at the moment.

After finally finishing putting all the new clothes away, Amy stood back with her hands on the small of her back and she arched her spine. Small crackling pops filled the room, and her left eye opened into a slit to glance at her bedside clock. 19:51. It was getting later and she realized, with a jolt, that she hadn't done her daily workout. She quickly pulled out her drawers and took the newly purchased athletic gear that Rouge had picked out for her, and made her way to the gym.

Rouge was gone. She'd been too tipsy to drive home so Amy had done the honors, but by the time they reached the living quarters, Rouge seemed sober once more. She had called someone on the phone, and by the flirtation in her voice, Amy guessed that the Mobian on the other end was a male. Amy had later seen her walk out of the house in a red, sequined dress to a waiting black car which peeled out of their driveway like a bullet from a gun. So Amy had the place to herself… if you didn't count the 'sleeping' robot in the control room.

Amy changed into a red sports bra and black yoga pants, and walked to the media center in the gym. She smirked as she chose her workout playlist and turned the volume to 85%. Shadow wasn't there and even if by some weird unfortunate event he returned home, she hardly cared if he got annoyed.

She walked to the center of the mats laid out on the floor, stretching her arms one after the other across her torso. All the while she hummed along with the upbeat track that began to blast on the loudspeakers. As she bent downwards into another stretch she allowed her mind to completely melt into her favorite routine.

About an hour later she was getting ready for her last exercise, a 40 minute run on the elliptical, when she felt a chill similar to the one she'd felt the day before. She froze in her weight lift, and slowly allowed the cord to retract into the equipment. She turned her head.

Unsurprisingly, she was met with hateful ruby eyes, and leather clad folded arms. Shadow was silently staring at her from the doorway of the gym, his eyes narrowed, and his mouth set in a firm scowl. Amy jumped quickly into action and ran to the media center to turn off the loud music.

The abrupt silence rang in her ears, and she gulped nervously. It was almost as though she could feel the weight of his glare on her back, and she felt the sweat from her workout grow ice cold. She turned with a chuckle in her voice and an awkward smile on her face,

"Welcome home, Shadow!"

The dark hedgehog didn't move, the only sign that he'd heard her was the aggressive twitching in his right eye. Amy felt her stomach clench in preparation of an attack, but she pushed down the wild instincts that threatened to explode in response to the hostile atmosphere. She took a step towards him.

"I didn't think you would be back so soon, Rouge mentioned that your solo–assignments could take several days… if I'd known you were returning tonight I would've –"

"Followed my simple request of no loud music?"

Amy's mouth snapped closed, and she felt a hot anger develop in the bottom of her stomach. Where did this little asshole get off interrupting her as she tried to admit her own shortcomings? No, Amy… keep cool. You did so well with Rouge today. She shut her eyes for a second and took a deep breath. Try to put yourself in his shoes… he just got back from a mission, and must be exhausted. That's enough to put anyone in a sour mood. With that thought she successfully squashed the little red monster that had threatened to be let loose and she opened her eyes once more, her twitching lips curling once more into a smile.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I'll try to be more care –"

"Ha! So you can speak. I thought for a moment you went brain dead. Wouldn't surprise me by the fact you obviously didn't understand the language I used when we spoke just yesterday."

Amy heard something in her snap, and the left corner of her muzzle lifted up into her eye socket. Her fangs ground against each other like rusted gears in an antique clock. She felt her fingers tense with the need to snap her trusty weapon into existence, but she fisted her hands instead in order to prevent knocking that holier-than-thou sneer off Shadow's face.

"What is your problem?" She growled, and she tried to aim all her anger in his direction.

"My problem should be obvious… oh wait, I forgot that the whole two brain cells in your head are still rubbing against each other, trying to figure out our last conversation."

The comment should have sent her into a crazy frenzy, but just as her hand raised in front of her to snap, she felt a sharp chill cool down the molten wrath within her. No, she was better than him. She would not be dragged into his childish attempt to make her react in a crazy manner. In fact, as she forcibly moved her eyes from her poised fingers to the hedgehog before her, she could see his anticipation glowing in crimson pools. This asshole was trying to provoke her, he wanted her to attack him. So although every muscle in her body wished to comply with his silent taunt, she stiffly lowered her hand to her hip where her fingers dug painfully into her flesh.

"Is your intention to fight me?" She asked, her voice coming forth as the calm before a storm. Shadow, of course, completely ignored the warning in her tone and smirked at her.

"If we fought, there would be nothing left of you to bury."

At these words, Amy felt a sinister glee fill her. Oh, this hedgehog had no idea who he was messing with. For the first time she was grateful for his underestimation of her strength.

"Great. Let's fight after work on Monday."

She walked toward him, enjoying the small spark of shock he had accidentally allowed to shine through his eyes. As she passed him she leaned into his ear,

"To give you time to rest up after your mission, old man. Don't want you to blame your loss on exhaustion."

She heard him growl an insult in her direction as she walked away, but she didn't spend a moment to listen. It wasn't worth her time.