That City Girl (New Version)

by Cozy Shadow

It started with a phone call and a trip to the airport to pick up an old friend. Amy Rose came into Shadow's house only welcomed by Sonic and his girlfriend. After eight years since the gang split up, Amy's changed just as much as everyone else - including Shadow. She never would've guessed she'd up falling for him of all Mobians, though. [NEW VERSION]

8. Bury the Hatchet

STH © SEGA

Sarah and Sam © Cozy Shadow

Flame, Petunia, and Jeffery © Phantomask

Italicized brands belong to their rightful owner.

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This chapter is the reason why I'm off schedule now. It took so damn long to write and edit. Check my profile for TCG updates. If something occurs, the schedule will be changed immediately if possible. So if I don't update by the original date, check again because there's a big chance it's changed if that happens.

And Mike (Michael) gets a little part in here after all. I didn't want to think of someone random so I just placed him in there. He belongs to me.

If you've read chapters five through eight in one day, bravo. That's roughly 34,445 words in total. That's more than chapters 1-4 combined. Damn. No wonder it took so long for me to write. XD

ALSO, CHECK OUT MY DEVIANTART, PLEASE! Username is BlackPetals23!

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Chapter Eight:

Bury the Hatchet

Amy had a rough night to say the least.

She watched the ceiling for quite a long time. And then something fluffy climbed onto her feet. It took her second before realizing it was a dog. She hadn't even looked for the dogs or asked to see them since she had arrived and it'd been nearly six days.

The pink hedgehog wasn't sure if it was good to be counting the days. And yet she still found herself marking the days on the calendar mentally.

Around four in the morning, she was awoken by her feet being on fire. She glanced down and frowned at the dog that acted as a furnace.

The dog wouldn't leave either. It was a Shetland sheepdog with a black coat and splotches of brown on its face. A white fluffy belly exposed itself at nearly two in the morning as the dog had rolled on its side. And dark brown eyes constantly looked at Amy whenever she woke up in the middle of the night.

But four in the morning was good enough for her.

She rose up from the couch and tiredly rubbed her eyes.

Ugh. Why did I have to say I could work on the farm? Five in the morning is ridiculous.

At that moment, something lightly whacked her upside the head. "Ow!" she hissed.

"Go back to bed."

Amy glanced up, twisting her neck back, and stared at Shadow. He hurried to the door and shoved his shoes on while Amy practically fell on her face to get there before he vanished outside.

"What? Why?" she whispered just as he had. The dog trailed at her heels and licked her hand. "Wait, why are you up so early?"

She glanced over at the desk by the door and saw it. She hadn't seen it before but now…the object seemed to stand out above the rest of the junk near the desk.

A gun.

"There's a skunk. Keep the dog inside, get back to bed."

"But—"

Shadow left and took the gun with him. It wasn't a big gun, Amy guessed. Enough to get rid of a skunk though. And she didn't want to be there for the stink. Silently, the female wondered how on Earth Shadow knew there was a skunk outside.

He's a light sleeper, I guess. She thought to herself tiredly as she trudged back to the couch.

Plopping back down on the sofa, Amy stared at the dog beside her. "Go away."

Instead, the dog lied down on the floor and put its head on its paws. Amy sighed as she wrapped the blankets around her. It was better than having the dog at her feet, setting her ablaze.

And it was definitely better than having to smell a skunk.

---

Moaning, Amy nuzzled her pillow before lifting her head. She stretched against the couch and nearly jumped up when she saw the sun up before her.

Oh, no! It's most definitely past five! That means I missed feeding animals and probably means Shadow's upset with me!

"Ah!" Amy yelped as she tripped out of her makeshift bed. She stood and turned where she heard the laughter of a familiar blue blur.

"Boy, are you a sight," Sonic somehow spoke through chortles.

Amy puffed up her bangs. She was sure she looked absolutely glamorous (in the sarcastic manner). Her quills were everywhere and her pajama top was a little to the side after her stunt. A flush of embarrassment was evident.

"Ha. Ha." Amy roughly pulled the top back over her shoulder to hide her bra strap. "Keep laughing, Sonic, and I'll whack you to Mars."

That seemed to stop him for a moment. Then he waved her off and kept up with his light laughter.

"Were you watching me sleep?" she droned as she stumbled into the kitchen.

"I couldn't help it," Sonic admitted as he followed her. "Sarah left for work early and I was about to eat breakfast when I heard you moan in your sleep. Tell me…" he leaned against the counter and gave her a teasing stare, "…were you dreaming of Silver?"

"Ugh…" Amy slumped her shoulders as she reached for a bowl in the cupboard. "You guys will never let that go. We're just friends now."

"Also, Shadow's waiting for you in the pickup."

Just like that, the plastic bowl was thrown up in the air comically and Amy became a pink blur. Sonic smirked as he watched her leave. It was after all only six thirty.

And Amy wasn't the only one that had slept in.

~.~

I really should have changed into actual clothes…

Amy slunk down in her seat and tried to hide her red face. Shadow hadn't made a comment about her pink pajamas that nearly matched her fur color, but his raised eyebrow was enough judgement.

All he has to do is raise that damn eyebrow and it makes me feel like the biggest idiot Earth has ever seen. I'd like to see him speechless and red-faced for once.

After they pulled up to the barn and got out, Amy ambled behind Shadow. He opened the heavy barn door partially and let her through before closing it behind him.

It didn't take long for Amy to get into the routine of getting the calves without mothers fed and the horses some hay.

Meanwhile, Shadow fed the rest of the cows and heifers that he had. It was a pretty big barn but not enough as some calves squished together amongst the cows. Amy felt a little bad for them.

"It's a little small of a pen, isn't it?" she asked as she held the bottle the calf was eagerly sucking on.

Shadow threw another flake of hay with the pitchfork out to the cows with a grunt. "We're making another barn near the house that'll be bigger."

"You've done a lot of remodeling, it seems like."

"Just the warehouse," Shadow commented before getting another flake over the cows' heads. "Now that we've got the spare money. We'll tear down this barn and make more land for crops after a year or two."

Amy nodded as the calf butted its head against the empty bottle. She turned and grabbed it from the bottle holder, mentally cringing at the slobber that strung from the metal to the bottle. Amy looked at the other calves that were in the same boat, butting the bottles and mooing for more.

At least they're a bit cuter now.

She took no time in cleaning the bottles and heading to the horses. Normally, she would simply grab the hay by her hands and fling it into the pen. But today was different.

"Use the pitchfork."

"What?" Amy stared at the pitchfork as if it were her arch nemesis. "But my hands are just as fast."

"No, they're not. You take forever feeding the horses."

There were only four horses—only one expecting a foal—but it still took Amy a long time to give each two flakes. She frowned and swallowed deeply before she settled her fingertips on the pitchfork. She grasped it unsteadily and lifted the oddly balanced object up.

"Okay…How do I do this?"

Shadow watched with an expression that showed he couldn't believe she asked that question. "Stab the hay."

Amy plunged the pitchfork into the hay bale and tried to make it a lever to separate the hay bale into flakes.

The ebony male watched with a gaped mouth. He couldn't believe it. "Just stab it."

"I'm stabbing it!" Amy shouted as she continued to yank the pitchfork into the hay and then out again. No flake was sticking to the pitchfork like magic. She didn't understand how Shadow did it.

"Oh, my God," he whispered. His eyes were wider than usual. But that was understandable because he had never seen anyone fail this miserably at anything. What made it ten times funnier was that she was trying so hard and doing it incorrectly. "Don't chop at it."

"I'm not chopping it!" Amy angrily yelled as she grew more frustrated with the stupid pitchfork and the giant hay bale.

The horses nickered, watching with perked ears as this two-legger failed to do the simplest thing. It was odd to them because the bigger two-leg could actually use the pointed stick to give them food. This littler two-leg seemed to be having troubles with it.

Sooner than later, their nickers sounded pestering to Amy. It was almost as if the horses were laughing at her. She whirled around to the black horse grouped with a young red one. "I'm trying, okay?!"

She didn't have to look at Shadow to know he was busy face palming and reconsidering hiring her for free.

Shadow pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to think.

All right. So far, she's landed upside down in the calf pen, managed to run into Samwell in such a big town, and now she's failed at using a pitchfork.

Red eyes watched the pink female try as she might. And she's not giving up.

Amy Rose was in the exact same position Shadow had been when he started out as a farmer.

Completely and utterly useless.

Knowing what the frustration was like, Shadow walked up behind her. Amy was now simply flailing her arms about with the pitchfork in tow. Suddenly, hands were over hers and her body became still as the heat of another touched her.

"Relax. Don't go from the top. Go from the side."

Amy tried to ignore the fact that she was in her silk pajamas and being directed by Shadow the Hedgehog on how to use a pitchfork. The scenario left her physically blushing and mentally laughing.

The pitchfork slid into the side of the hay bale.

"Lift slightly," Shadow stated as his hands ran over hers to guide them. "Repeat."

Amy plunged the pitchfork a little further and pulled up as Shadow's hands left hers. She smiled at the success. At the end of the pitchfork rested a flake. Barely.

It lasted about two seconds before falling to the ground.

That didn't stop Amy from grinning back at Shadow. "See? I told you I could do it."

Shadow rolled his eyes as her back turned to him. But the smirk still played at his lips.

She's not completely hopeless. The dark male leaned against the wooden post of one of the pens.

He continued to stare as she tried to scoop up the flake with the pitchfork. It took several attempts but she finally flung it into one of the pens.

And then she was back at the start with only the hay bale and the pitchfork. No Shadow to help her. And still, she continued with more determination than before.

He closed his eyes and rested for a moment or two. It was one of those relaxation days that he rarely found unless it was November or December.

And he was going to take today off. Maybe rest awhile.

After all, Amy seemed to be catching on quickly, though he probably wouldn't admit it for a while (when did he ever?).

Yes, she's not completely hopeless. She'll be a good worker yet.

SNAP.

Amy blinked widely at the broken piece of wood.

The metal piece of the pitchfork remained in the hay bale as the rest was in her hands still. She swallowed and cautiously looked at the ebony male that had his eyes closed again—a habit that proved to be intimidating to Amy.

Especially while she held the broken half of the pitchfork. His pitchfork.

"Shadow?"

He gritted his teeth and sighed heavily as soon as the snap made it to his ears. Shadow knew that sound. After all, he had been in the same position Amy was in four years ago.

But perhaps I should've just let her use her hands instead of the pitchfork.

---

Sonic watched the two quietly enter the house and sit down to eat.

It was barely after seven and he didn't have to be at work until eight. So, he took the time to watch Amy and Shadow as they made their way around the kitchen.

Amy settled for cereal while Shadow made oatmeal. The rose hedgehog reached for the orange juice while Shadow got two glasses out and gave one to her.

She took it gingerly from his hands.

"Thanks," her voice was lighthearted and there was a slight blush on her cheeks. Though it was mostly out of embarrassment for breaking the pitchfork, Sonic didn't know that.

Hold the phone… Sonic glanced between the two and smirked. My little evil plan is working. With Sarah and I getting married and moving out, these two are bound to get together.

He watched as Shadow sat at the head and Amy sat two chairs away, so there was a chair between them—one that would've normally been taken by Sonic if he hadn't eaten already. The blue hedgehog was leaning against the doorframe as the two either didn't notice him or chose to ignore him.

But something tells me they'll need a little shove.

"What are you two going to do today?"

"Resting," Shadow sighed in relief. "Sweet resting. Maybe a nap after breakfast. Have lunch. Nap after lunch. Have dinner. Another nap. Go to bed."

Sonic blinked at his housemate blankly. "Man, do you need a life. Amy?" He turned to the pink female who was falling asleep and about two inches away from kissing her cereal.

"Umm…" Amy rubbed her eyes as she snapped to attention and sat straight. "I don't know. Maybe just…chill."

"You need a life too." He pretended to ponder about something as he sauntered over to the small table. He smacked it as he grinned, jolting both of them awake. "I got it! Why don't you two do something together?!"

"Together?" Shadow mumbled as Amy yawned, "Together?"

"Yeah, it'll be good for you two," Sonic nodded. Shadow glared at him knowingly but the blue hero waved him off. "Nothing fancy just like, a movie and a dinner in town or something. Just get to know each other. I'm sure we can all agree that there's been some tension between you two." He leaned against the counter and smirked at them mischievously. "This is a perfect time to bury the hatchet."

"I don't remember the last time I went out to a movie and to eat dinner…" Amy hummed.

Sonic pointed to her and looked at Shadow. "See? She needs to experience the full country experience."

"A movie and dinner is in the city and sounds more like a dat—"

"A day to rest, don't you think?" Sonic nearly yelled as he eyed Shadow. The ebony male bit back a snarl as he continued to glower at Sonic. Sonic met the glare with one of his own. "Learn more about each other."

"Yeah, sure," Amy stood up. "Bury the hatchet," she snorted tiredly in humor as she set the empty bowl in the sink. "I don't see why not. Let me get dressed."

She left the kitchen and everything remained quiet until the bathroom door shut. Shadow stood and met foreheads with Sonic as they butted each other.

"Don't even think about getting us together—"

"Why would I do that?" Sonic sweetly grinned as he pushed against Shadow's forehead.

The ebony male rammed right back. "I'm not interested." He growled each word.

"Yet."

Shadow snarled but Sonic beat him to it again. "Listen, Shadow, just go with her. It doesn't even have to be romantic—"

"It won't."

"—you two just have to hang out and get to know each other. I think it'd help you two get along while you're here—"

"We get along just fine."

"C'mon. All of us know you've been a jackass to Amy, or have you forgotten the first day she was here already, huh?" Sonic pushed again. "Did you forget those tears, hm?"

"Shut up." Shadow pulled away to butt their heads together again and harder.

Sonic grunted and held his forehead as he backed away. "You owe her this much. She hasn't done something like this in forever and you've been a jerk to her. Make it up to her by doing this if you feel so bad."

"Who says I feel bad?" Shadow snorted as he stuck in his nose up.

Sonic gave him a look that said he didn't buy it. "I know you, Shadow. We've lived together for four years—"

"Don't remind me."

The blue hedgehog sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Just…Let her enjoy the day, Shadow. You never know, you might end up enjoying it as well."

Shadow snorted again, but in disbelief this time, as Sonic left the kitchen.

Me? Enjoy the day with her? When I'll probably end up paying for everything.

…Then again, he has a point. I've been nothing but rude and even though I did apologize, I still feel like there's a rift between us. Perhaps this could help…bury the hatchet.

Shadow closed his eyes in concentration before groaning out of frustration.

"Fine!" He shouted at no one in particular. "I'll go, but that doesn't mean I have to like it," he muttered to himself as he went back to his breakfast.

So much for relaxing.

---

"This is going to be so much fun!" Amy squealed. "I haven't seen a movie in forever and I've wanted to see this one since it came out!"

Stuck with Sonic's truck (the blue devil was as nice as to lend them his truck and take Shadow's just in case Shadow's broke down) and driving into town, Shadow tuned the pink hedgehog out.

Though, he did note that even if it was him that Amy was stuck with, she still seemed pretty happy.

I guess she's really looking forward to the movie.

"Just…Let her enjoy the day, Shadow. You never know, you might end up enjoying it as well."

Shadow grunted. As if, Sonic. As if.

"I've seen every trailer possible—"

Then again. Shadow glanced over at her as he continued to drive on the lonely highway. She was excited and almost never stopped moving in her seat. She is Miss Contagious. Everything she does rubs off on people.

Her bright smile, those sparkling eyes, her—Wait. Did I just I compliment her?

Shadow mentally shook his head and watched the road.

I won't get attached to her. Lord knows it'll feel different when Sonic and Sarah aren't there. At least, I won't have to deal with Sonic's pestering. And Sarah's…well, I never really noticed her until later. And she was more common sensed at times than Sonic. Still, Amy's of a different kind. She yields a different personality and attitude—one that I'm not quite open to letting in right now.

Something tells me that if I do let her in like I had with Sonic, it'll be hard to live without her too.

Shadow didn't mean to get attached to Sonic. He had tried desperately to close that door to feelings and relationships with others.

Sonic waltzed right in though and made himself more than a housemate and more than a pest.

The ebony hedgehog gripped the wheel.

Yes, the blue blur would be secretly missed by Shadow.

It's not that I don't have any feelings because I do. It's that I don't show them often. After everything I've gone through, it's just easier to not get close. But Sonic became like a frenemy after a while. It was hard to avoid him because he knew right where to look.

"And then there was another part where—"

Glimpsing over at her, Shadow sighed softly. She continued to babble on about some movie about heroes or something, and he continued to think and tune her out.

I've only discouraged her for so long to get a quiet house.

Because it would be easier that way.

It'll be easy to shake Sonic off now that he's getting married, but that doesn't mean he won't be missed at some points in time. I'm not completely heartless like some people think. That's all anyone thought to begin with—that's all humanity saw of me. A monster.

Tails was nothing but open and kind to me. I returned the favor.

Sonic has been nothing but a friend to me. I returned the favor.

But I can't get close to Amy. I can't go through losing another friend—the only people in society that don't cower as I walk by. They don't try to pick fights, they don't try to lock me up, and they definitely don't whisper behind my back.

Getting over a death, like Maria's, is done by mourning. But getting over someone leaving and still very much alive isn't quite the same as mourning over a death.

When Sonic leaves, I know he'll still be alive. I'll know he's still capable of being there beside me, teasing me in his own characteristically annoying way.

With death, they're gone forever. With life, they're beside someone that isn't you.

Shadow did his best not to care about Sonic and Tails, and even Sarah at some points. But it proved to be difficult. They wormed their way inside and Rouge was right.

He didn't let anyone in often, but when he did (or when they came through that door on their own) he was loyal to a fault. He felt strongly more than anyone. Shadow the Hedgehog might not show emotions, but that didn't mean he never had any.

After all, he had a beating heart and a working mind. Who's to say that Shadow didn't return any feelings to anything or anyone?

Humanity of course. They chose to think that the Ultimate Life Form could never actually have a life like their own.

Outcast. That's my label in any town. To find people that accept me feels nice, I'll confess.

I might like my solitude, but no one wants to be alone forever.

"And then there's other movies that follow this movie and there's going to be a sequel and—"

One last look at Amy and then back at the road. This time, though, he took her all in.

The sight never changed for him—quills that had grown, eyes that lit up enthusiastically, and soft hands motioning with the words that rolled off her tongue and through her full lips. Amy Rose had matured and for the better.

I can't let her in. Because she's like me now—an outcast. The only difference is that people actually like her. They don't shy away from her. She might be a welcome guest in their eyes, but I can see right through her façade. She never feels quite like she belongs.

She's still awkward and timid around us at the house—probably feels like she's intruding. But who can blame her? I remember.

Looking at the past was one thing he solemn ever did. But he did it the moment he saw Amy Rose at the airport.

The male could recall plenty of times he had seen her.

She was always trying to wriggle into Sonic's arms or win his heart even then. But as the destruction of Mobius and the fall of Eggman occurred, she changed. She became less…there. She was hardly ever seen unless during battle.

Even after Sonic got a girlfriend before the collapse of their home planet, it was evident that Amy had become astray from the group.

He had turned his attention back to the road as her words continued to be jumbled as background noise. Red eyes stared tiredly at the pavement, still several minutes from the town.

But she does belong with the group—with the team.

Amy's always had such faith and confidence in other people, but after a while she started losing it in herself. Being with us now, it's coming back. She's becoming the old Amy—minus the crazy stalker thing for Sonic.

Just as the town was barely seen on the horizon, he had a notion that things were about to change because of Amy's arrival.

And I know that if I let her in, it'll be impossible for her to leave. She'll be surrounded by friends, and she'll probably get to me too. I can't do it. Not again.

If I let her in now, she'll stay forever with us. And when she leaves, it'll be saying goodbye to one more person that didn't scream and point at me in horror. It'll be the loneliness embracing me once more as I'm reminded of the beast that society sees when they take one look at me.

Shadow the Hedgehog didn't let anything get to him. No pestering or fooling. He wasn't naïve. But he didn't belong either.

And the one thing anyone really wants after a life of being deemed as a cruel monster is to fit in somewhere—to be a part of the puzzle.

Amy will find her place in the world just like Sonic and Tails did. But I'll always be the extra piece.

I've accepted that.

---

Pulling up to the cinema theater, Shadow noticed the parking lot practically empty.

Amy noticed too.

As he shut off the truck, he unbuckled. Amy did so slowly before leaning over and whispering, "There is, like, no one here."

Red eyes stared at her oddly. "Then why are you whispering?"

Amy huffed and got out of the warm truck and into the chilly February morning air. She held herself and hurried to the main entrance, "Why'd you park so far away?!"

"Why didn't you bring a coat?" Shadow muttered as he chose to take his time.

Amy rushed to the open the heavy door. As she stumbled in, Amy practically heard her own echo.

It's been awhile since I've been in a theater…The smell of popcorn is making my mouth water.

Her stomach growled as Shadow made his way in and walked past her. "Didn't you eat?"

"Cereal, but c'mon," Amy slumped her arms. "It's not like cereal actually feels you up any. I can have five bowls and still not be satisfied. It's like eating nothing."

"Hmph," Shadow grunted and walked to the only ticket booth open. "Get the tickets. I'll pay seeing as you probably don't have any money."

"I work for free, why would I have any money?" Amy squinted at him as if it were the dumbest thing ever said. "Thanks for reminding me about my low amount of cash."

"You're welcome. Now get the tickets or I'm leaving."

"Why can't you?" She stood off a few feet away while the worker behind the booth watched them quarrel.

"I don't know what we're watching."

"That's impossible! I talked nonstop about it on the way here!" Amy nearly shouted as her voice went up an octave.

"All the more reason to tune you out."

"Ugh, men." Amy marched to the counter and smiled politely at the boy that was working there. "Not you, of course."

"Hmhm." The worker didn't seem pleased with her statement.

~.~

"And here I thought everyone liked Amy Rose," Shadow snorted as they walked down the long aisle—heading to Theater 6. "Not that guy."

"I didn't mean to have the worse timing ever while speaking," Amy said through bites of popcorn. She clutched onto her bowl as Shadow merely held a handful and called it good. "And he just had to be a guy. God was getting even with me."

Shadow hummed as he turned abruptly into the theater and walked up the carpeted ramp. She followed him into the darkness. Turning, they got a good look at the seats. Amy was delighted upon seeing no one else there.

"Yes! We get to sit wherever we want!" Amy made a dash with her giant popcorn bowl and large soda to the very back. Seven steps out of about fifty and she stopped to look at Shadow, "You coming or not?"

The camouflaged male sighed. "Do I even have a choice right now?"

Though they couldn't quite see each other, Amy grinned at what she figured to be him. "C'mon!"

The pink hedgehog raced up the steps and managed to not spill anything. She plopped herself in the very center of the top row and waited as Shadow ambled towards her.

As Shadow sat down and got comfortable, leaning back in the chair like her, Amy offered him more popcorn. He was going to say no but the ad on the giant screen illuminated her eyes—which were filled with kindness and contentment.

So, he had, again, no choice. After all, he didn't want her upset with him or else she'd tell Sonic. Even if she tried to hide it from him, the cobalt flash would squeeze it out of her eventually.

And I would get yelled at it and feel like a complete asshole…again.

Shadow shook his thoughts free from his housemates and the newcomer—focusing solely on the trailers as he tried to remember the movie they were watching. Something about heroes.

Amy, on the other hand, was in the opposite situation. While she had thought of nothing but the movie on the ride there, she now thought of hardly anything but her new living arrangements—more specifically the people.

She hated to feel like a burden on their lives, but she unfortunately did.

I should've chosen a better life. But it's not my fault I was fired. Technically, my boss didn't really fire me. The head editor at my magazine corporation fired me. He practically got rid of everyone…

At least the others have fared well.

I mean, Shadow's actually gotten somewhere than a just a deep, dark cave and his loneliness to keep him company. Sonic's actually gotten through to him. Now if only I could figure out how to do that. I could stay here a bit longer.

Though I still feel like a giant weight added onto their already aching shoulders. They have enough to worry about.

Still, they haven't kicked me out. But then again, maybe it's just because they're trying to be nice. Maybe I should have gone with Blaze and Silver. Or Rouge.

Then she wouldn't be so angry with me.

Amy sighed inwardly as she sank lower in the comfy seat. The giant popcorn bowl rested on her lap as Amy began to forget about its existence. The opening of the movie started.

Which reminds me, I need to call Cream. And most definitely apologize to her for not keeping in contact. I have no clue where exactly she is and what she's doing though. I'll have to talk to Tails, like Shadow said.

She glanced over at Shadow as the alien-like voices spoke about some gem or another on the big screen. His red eyes were glued to the movie though. Shadow never once glanced at her as she peeked at him.

Shadow…He's been the most different group member after eight years since the team split up. Then again, Sonic's gone through a little bit of change. I never thought I would see Sonic settle down, but I'm glad he finally chose to. Shadow's still distant for the most part, but I have a feeling he and Sonic are closer than it appears.

Several minutes passed and the movie was already action packed. Amy watched as she decided to think about something else—not Shadow. Or anyone else for that matter. But even as the loud noises bounced off the walls and as the scenes changed dramatically, causing suspense, and as people became good or bad by force, Amy was still stuck reflecting on her previous thoughts.

The main title appeared as the music soared and made Amy tap her feet lightly against the ground. She watched as the movie welcomed a new character.

All of these people were outcasts to begin with. All of them had to work together and learn to feel needed in their group. All of them have weaknesses and strengths but they're complete when together.

That's how I feel when I'm with the team…but then why do I feel like such a burden?

She curled up, stilling hugging the popcorn bowl—her knees and chest pointed to Shadow. She idly grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it in her mouth as her eyes locked onto the screen.

Amy tried to enjoy the movie, she really did. But all she could think about was that Shadow had been forced to sit beside her. Any act of kindness from any of them was forced.

After all, that's how it starts. You see a homeless person on the street and before you hand them money, you have a little push. A little emotion before kindness called pity.

But how could anyone like him… Green eyes gazed up at the ebony hedgehog slowly. …feel any pity towards me? To anyone?

Could Shadow have changed that much over eight years? Could Sonic really have influenced Shadow to be...whatever he is now?

His hands were rested on each of the arms of the chair. The fur on his arm brushed against her clothed calves, but he didn't seem to notice. Amy breathed in sharply as she cleared her throat as silently as possible to dislodge a piece of popcorn.

I'll admit, he's got his good moments like everyone else. He's just like us when it comes down to it. The only difference is that he likes his alone time more than the rest of us. And he can be a prude while also very blunt and rude. He might not always see others' feelings from time to time but he's not a…

She stopped herself short.

The only thing people have ever seen in him is a monster. Shadow helped save billions of lives during the Mobius destruction. Without us—without everyone including Shadow—more lives would've been lost and another planet completely gone.

Shadow was and will always be a hero in the team's eyes. But society…

The pink hedgehog closed her eyes and leaned against the chair, listening to the sounds of the movie.

Society never gave him a chance.

Fear struck through their eyes when they looked at him. I can't even imagine how he felt—how he feels. How can he possibly go out in public even now? Surely, there are people who still gawk at him with freaked out looks on their faces.

I feel like a drain on anyone's life and he's the outsider that can't catch a break.

Amy opened her eyes and stared at the male softly. His features were hard to tell unless the screen lit vividly, but he seemed to be engrossed in the film. In one movement, Shadow leaned to his right and placed his head against the palm of his hand, closer to Amy.

She caught any stray popcorn pieces in her mouth with her tongue as she tried to watch him as discreetly as possible. After one last glimpse, she turned her head to the big screen, leaning it against her propped up legs and folding her arms to place her cheek on.

Looks like we both have our own problems. She lightly grinned against her arm. Maybe we're not that different after all.

---

The movie wasn't bad.

Shadow actually kind of liked it. The life of a farmer could get monotonous very quickly. So, four years can do things. And having Sonic the Hedgehog as a housemate (long story to be explained a little later) would definitely change some things.

Turns out, the ebony hedgehog had good taste in movies. Frankly, he didn't choose the superhero one that he had watched today, so that meant Amy had good taste too.

And as they hopped back into the pickup truck, he had hoped they would simply get dinner somewhere and go home. But seeing as it was barely afternoon and they had time to spare—he was sure this was what conjured the thought in the pink hedgehog's mind—Amy asked if they could go to the mall.

Now, Shadow liked the movie.

But he hated the mall.

Finding a parking spot was no problem. After all, it was a Monday and everyone there was either sluffing school, stay-at-home parents, or mall employees.

Then there's us two. He thought to himself as his legs carried him sluggishly to the front entrance. They started with the big, fancy smanshy bookstore.

"Was there anything in particular you wanted, Amy?" Shadow droned exasperatedly. "I'd like to spend as little time here as possible."

Even on a Monday, he couldn't escape the second glances filled with slight terror. "Remember, I'm not quite liked. Never have been and probably never will be."

"Oh, please," Amy clasped onto his folded arm and practically used him as a leaning post. "Don't be so dramatic." Although she knew what he said was probably the truth, the rose female was always trying to think optimistically.

"No, I'm sure that baby over there just saw me and started to cry."

Amy rolled her eyes and let go of him as she picked up a book. Shadow halted beside her and glanced down at her choice, "Mystery, hm?"

"I know," she said as if she were caught. Giving him a light laugh, Amy continued to look at the back cover of the book. "Romance novels would seem the choice for me."

"Romance novels seem the choice for any college dropout."

Green eyes tried their best to glare but Shadow wasn't intimidated in the slightest. It was when those eyes suddenly lighted up with wonder that Shadow got a little uncomfortable. "How'd you know I was a dropout?"

"I believe you started college when we all lived in the city together. The two years the team remained together."

"Oh…right. I forgot about that. I mean, we didn't exactly live together, together. It was more or less just…nearby." Amy shrugged it off and put the book down. Together, they walked through the magazine section when she noticed the coffee shop placed into the bookstore (which was placed into the mall). "Coffee?"

"You just had a large soda and popcorn. Isn't that enough energy—"

"Hot chocolate, perhaps?" Amy tried her best in persuading the obstinate lifeform.

Shadow sighed. "It's not any better. Not caffeinated, but…chocolate and that's a sweet and—"

Amy waved it off and made a quick grab for his hand, dragging him into the shop. There wasn't a door, but it took three good bounds and some extra muscle to get the one with the money inside.

"Decaf then?"

"I'm good."

"Frappuccino? Espresso? Latte? Cappuccino? It's not exactly the same as a latte—or caffé latte whichever way you want to say it." Amy listed off as Shadow took his hand away from hers and folded them across his chest calmly.

Although, Amy would've bet a million dollars that there was a slight rosy tint to his cheeks and it wasn't from the breeze outside. She would've teased him for centuries about it, but since he would evidently pay for everything today, she had to be nice and suck up as to not feel as bad.

"I don't want anything," Shadow reassured her through a whisper laced with annoyance. "Just get something."

"But then I'll feel bad for using your money to buy me a drink. Not to mention, I was hoping to catch some sales for clothing."

"You bought clothes at the grocery store."

"Not that many." Amy was now behind only one person and was eyeing the menu like a hungry vulture. "I was trying to be quick. Haven't you noticed I've worn the yellow shirt twice now?"

Shadow closed his eyes as he tried to tune her out. But it wasn't as easy as tuning her out when they were driving.

"Why would I notice what you're wearing?" he murmured as his head bent.

Hey, even the Ultimate Life Form needed his naps. And frankly, he couldn't get them today because someone had to suggest that he go on a little bonding trip with Amy.

Stupid Sonic. I'll get him for this. Although the movie wasn't bad, I didn't expect to be going to the mall. I can just imagine what some people will think when they see us together.

He shot awake at the sudden thought. Amy meandered up one step and started talking to the cashier.

Oh, no. What will they think? Ugh. This is why I don't go out in public often. Even if I'm hated, it doesn't mean the newspapers never talk about me. There've been some articles. 'Shadow the Hedgehog Buying New Shoes: Possible Plan of Attack.' 'Shadow the Hedgehog Eating Dinner at Restaurant – Leaves Normal Tip.' 'Shadow the Hedgehog Spotted Buying Horse Feed – Possible Army.'

God, those humans. Looking for anything to write down. The shoes one was pretty good though. I frankly thought the black ones just blended in too much but they did have a point with brown not matching black—ever.

But if they see me with Amy...

They'll most likely have to look up Amy Rose if she hasn't been talked about in New York, which is frankly impossible—they had to have noticed her. She's a pink hedgehog for Christ's sake. Then when they look up Amy Rose, figure out she was a hero, they'll assume we're together. Or that I kidnapped her.

I can already see the title: 'Retired Hero Amy Rose Kidnapped by Shadow the Hedgehog – Stopped for Coffee.'

"Shadow?"

"Hm?" The ebony male blinked and was back in reality, staring down at the petite female that was his new housemate.

"Are you sure you don't want something, sir?" the cashier asked politely. It was a younger human, probably didn't know anything about Shadow, and female.

"Ah, what the hell," Shadow breathed as he stepped to the counter, "Coffee."

"What kind?"

He stared at her, "…Just coffee."

The human gazed up at him and then smiled softly. It obviously wasn't the first time she had to deal with this. "We have a menu, sir." She pointed at it and he glimpsed up.

There were so many options. Shadow the Hedgehog was stuck. It wasn't the first time, but he hated to admit that he was stuck on choosing coffee. He just thought coffee was coffee. He didn't know there were different kinds.

A hand softly touched his shoulder. "How about a grand Vanilla Bean Frapp with two pumps of white mocha and three of milk chocolate, please?"

Shadow quickly looked down at Amy.

What the hell did she even say? He stared at her and then at the cashier, who spoke to the worker beside her. "What…What she said, I guess."

Hopefully it's better than coffee. Shadow took out his wallet as Amy leaned up against the counter. The worker handed Amy her drink and then Shadow's not a second later. The ebony hedgehog had paid and had taken a moment to scrutinize the drink that was apparently for him.

"What is it?"

"It's a Frappuccino," Amy giggled as she sipped on hers that looked quite similar.

Shadow carefully took it. No one else was in line so he stayed put—just in case he didn't like the drink. It looked like mud slush with whip cream on top. "Which is what exactly?"

"Basically frozen coffee."

He exhaled heavily and put his lips to the straw and closed his eyes. Please be better than coffee. Please be better than coffee. He hoped and prayed it would be better than the stuff that was at home. It was still coffee apparently, but tasted different.

Amy excitedly took the scene in. Shadow hesitantly drank the unfamiliar drink and immediately paused. She bit on her own straw, hoping her guess had been a good one.

He opened his eyes and looked at the drink. "Not as good as orange juice but better than what is at home. Where can I get it?"

"Here," Amy pointed at the coffee shop. "I don't exactly know the ingredients but it's kind of like a Frosty from a fast food joint, ya know?" She sucked on the straw as he gave her a confused look. Amy stopped and swallowed as she pulled away from the straw. "You never had a Frosty?"

"Never ate at a fast food joint."

"What are you doing living in America then?" Amy sighed dramatically as she grabbed his arm.

They were off, once again.

Going through an aisle of mystery books, Amy decided to take her time in the bookstore before anywhere else in the mall. Shadow was never too far away. He drank greedily and passed the time looking at any interesting books.

He had turned into another aisle, where he spotted Amy on the floor and looking at one book in particular, when his drink was completely gone. Nibbling on the straw while whatever was in that drink energized him, he sat beside Amy—leaning his back against the book shelf. First, he looked at the book and then at her. Then he glanced around as his leg continuously moved.

Amy looked over slowly. Maybe it wasn't a good idea for him to get a drink. He seems a little…hyper. She turned her head back to the book but her gaze stayed on Shadow when he decided to speak.

"Sonic's into mystery books."

Amy snorted in disbelief. "Sonic reads?"

"We have more spare time in the winter than you think. Plus, the job at the parts store isn't all too exciting. I, myself, am more interested in the action more than the mystery."

"Oh, and why's that?" Amy hummed as she made conversation—starting to regret the drink. Hers still rested beside her and Shadow noticed. Part of her told him that his hyper side wanted the rest of her neglected drink, but the real Shadow side of him went against it.

"I can easily tell who the bad guy is."

Amy sighed heavily and stood up. She clutched onto the book and held her drink in her free hand as she seemed to stare lowly down at the currently different hedgehog. The rose hedgehog was beginning to notice his eyes were dilated. The hyper responsive male didn't quite seem to care.

"Oh, really?"

He twitched his ears as he turned his head in every which way direction. His nose sniffed the air and his eyes suddenly weren't as dilated as before. Amy couldn't quite comprehend what was happening to him, but she decided to never give Shadow the Hedgehog a Frappuccino ever again. Shadow, on the other hand, rose quickly and walked away.

"Hey!" Amy shouted after him. She groaned in annoyance and ran after the adventuring male. "Shadow, wait up!"

"Shush," he calmly stated as she rounded the corner and nearly ran into him. He slowly glanced around the corner and stared at the children's section with squinting eyes. "I heard something."

"Well, yeah. There are tons of people here," Amy motioned around tiredly. "It's the mall."

"Call it instinct, but something is not right." Shadow leapt forward and vanished from her sight.

She sipped on the straw, looking uninterested on joining this lunatic's adventure. The Frappuccino was a really bad idea. "I'm gonna call it idiocy more than instinct."

Amy sauntered after him, taking her time as she made herself look like she wasn't with him but merely heading in the same direction. "You know, you're acting a little peculiar…" she thought out loud as Shadow scanned the children's section. "I think that drink did something to you. And something, call it instinct," she mocked, "Tells me that if we tried it with Sonic, we'd get crazier outcomes."

"It smells different."

She shrugged to her own thoughts as she ignored him. "I mean, you have better self-control than Sonic. I'm sure the results with him would be disastrous. You're just being weird." Amy twisted around to stare at him.

The sight would've made anyone laugh. Shadow the Hedgehog was lined up against the wall as if he were hiding. He kept glancing around quickly, mostly in the child's section of the bookstore. But Amy held a straight face. This definitely was not what she pictured when she thought of going to the bookstore with him.

But I just had to get him a Frappuccino. Hell, I'm sure anything would've done this. I don't even think the coffee he drinks at home is really coffee. It's probably decaf.

"Shadow?"

He ignored her. Red eyes continuously looked around for danger.

Amy ran a hand through her bangs and groaned. "Fine. Okay. You stay here and be weird."

She turned and took two steps and glanced back at him. The dark Mobian was still just standing there like an idiot.

"I'm going to go get kidnapped now." Amy pursed her lips and glared at him. "Maybe hook up with some wanted people. Destroy the planet."

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing broke this guy's concentration.

She rubbed her eyes and took a sip of her drink. Stopping short, Amy stared at it and then back at Shadow. Slowly, she approached the delusional, hyper male. The straw touched his lips and he whipped his head back at her.

Red eyes were completely dilated. He looked like a stoned creeper hanging out in the kid's section and to make everything worse, he was Shadow the Hedgehog.

So, Amy stretched her arm a little to offer the drink. "Here. Just take this. And follow me."

"Somebody's following us."

Thoughts of Sam flashed through her mind but she erased them quickly. "Whatever. They can follow us to the clothing department for all I care. Just take the damn drink and calm down."

Another Frappuccino would surely make things worse. But Amy had to get him to move somewhere else. Looking like a crazy person near the children's area was not a good idea.

The cop inside the bookstore she had seen earlier would surely notice sooner or later. And if anyone reported Shadow to the cop for suspicious behavior, the cop would investigate. And how was Amy supposed to explain to the officer that the hero's eyes were dilated because of a Frappuccino and not drugs?

So, she did the only thing she could think of.

If she couldn't get his attention by talking, the drink would have to be the best way to go.

Unfortunately, after buying the book (making sure he didn't make eye contact with the cashier was a hassle) and heading out of the bookstore, Amy began to think her idea over.

I could've just thrown a book at him. But who knows, he might've Chaos Speared me or something.

She glanced over at him in slight concern.

This time around, Shadow took small sips and wasn't trying to gulp the drink down. His fingers shook and Amy figured he'd stop and kneel over from a heart attack or something pretty soon. She just planned to serenely walk away and pretend not to know him, if anyone asked.

If he doesn't die because of a Frappuccino, our drive home should be fun. Sarcasm oozed out of her as she walked into a clothing department with Shadow in tow. Every now and then, the pink female was required to grab onto his jacket and yank him in the right direction.

His legs shook and whenever he began to pace impatiently, Amy had to stop him. She debated on calling Sonic for help, but she doubted that the blue blur had tried a Frappuccino.

Sonic doesn't drink coffee at home. Why in the world would he get a Frappuccino when he came into town? I doubt he's had any caffeinated or sugary drink. I don't know about soda though. Amy glanced at Shadow as he sat down in the chair by the changing rooms, bouncing his leg up and down hurriedly. And we're not about to try that journey either. Never again, Shadow the Hedgehog, am I giving you any type of drink besides juice and water.

Things were beginning to slow down for the two after the first three shops within the mall. Amy had titled Shadow as the bag carrier since he threw away the drink that had once been hers. He was still a little jittery and got a few strange looks, but overall, he was calming down.

Mostly.

Not really.

"Let's go in here," Amy motioned to the shoe store. She was sure that if Shadow saw the couch in the back, he would crash and they'd never leave—but at least a nap would make the hyper drive go away. After all, she didn't want him to fall asleep on the drive home.

Inside, the store was homey and warm, making Shadow yawn. He placed himself down in a chair while Amy found her size and looked through the different styles. The male counterpart placed his heavy head in the palm of his head, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair. As Amy grabbed a pair of red flats and sat beside him to try them on, Shadow exhaled through his nose heavily.

"Why don't you see Silver and I together?"

Her voice came out soothing to him, but the question could've been different or not a question at all. He would've preferred it if she hadn't spoken.

"Um…" Shadow hummed in thought but couldn't quite process anything at the moment as his eyes drooped heavily. "What?"

"Sarah said you didn't believe Silver and I dated. That you couldn't see it happening."

"Yes, well," Shadow yawned and sank down in the seat. "When you first said you dated him, I didn't believe you. I mean…the naïve one?" He turned to look at Amy through wearily squinted eyes. "You stoop from Sonic to Silver? In, like, what—one day?"

Amy glowered bitterly and the tired, somewhat out of it hedgehog just stared at her as if it unfazed him.

"No. When Sonic started to date someone that wasn't me, I just…I didn't see myself as anything to the group. So I left."

"Hmhm."

"I didn't go far. I mean, I went to Cream's house the night after Sonic said he was dating someone. I ate my emotions through chocolate cake while Cream pretended to listen and understand my troubles. Then I decided to move on…" Amy sighed as she reflected on her past, looking at the carpet. "It wasn't easy at first. But then I ran into Silver in town. It was all during the whole Mobius dying because of Eggman thing and the portal Tails created with the help of the Chaos emeralds and the Master Emerald.

"Anyway, Silver and I became friends. We didn't relate with any of our issues. And I'm not sure if Blaze had any interest in him then or vice versa. But we stuck together during the destruction of Mobius, Eggman's fall, and splitting apart. We moved in together when we got to New York and…decided to date."

Amy licked her lips as she thought about every event and how it all played out. "I'll admit, he's a good kisser now but only because I taught him." She grinned lightheartedly and clasped her hands as her left leg (with the shoe from the store) rested on her right knee.

"Things were never super intimate. We'd kiss and hold hands. I think we made out once. And then it was just gone and we broke up mutually. We were just better as best friends than boyfriend and girlfriend. And I'm glad we broke up, truthfully. He ended up with Blaze and the two have been together ever since."

She clapped her knees as she put her left leg down. "So, now do you see him and me possible?"

Amy glanced over and frankly wasn't surprised to see Shadow sleeping. His head was two seconds away from falling off his palm, which would surely jerk him awake.

Amy exhaled deeply as she took the flat off and threw it back in the box.

"Good chat."

~~~.~~~

Turns out, Amy stayed most of her time in that shoe store. It wasn't because she was trying to wake Shadow up—no, she just let him sleep there.

There were so many shoes to choose from. And when the black hedgehog finally woke up about ten minutes after falling asleep, Amy was holding two boxes of shoes to his face, "Which ones?"

The back-to-normal hedgehog blinked and then glanced down at the shoes.

God, did I fall asleep? He raised an eyebrow at the shoes but mainly himself. It was a slight raise but even Amy saw it. It was beginning to be a noticeable habit of his, rather than his once infamous smirk. For how long was I out? I don't even remember sitting down in this chair. Where are we?

Red eyes gazed up at Amy and he was about to ask all of those questions, but she beat him to it.

"Never drink a Frappuccino again. Now, which ones?"

Shadow narrowed his eyebrows as his neck turned down so he could look upon the shoes…which looked very similar to him. They were both flats. One was a floral pattern with a blue background. The other pair had a bigger floral pattern but similar colors.

"They look the same."

"One has a bow on the front and one does not."

"Whatever," Shadow groaned as he stood and stretched. Amy stepped back to allow him to do so without touching him. "Where are we?"

"The shoe store." Amy raised a questioning brow as she placed the pair without the bow away. "You don't remember? We sat and talked about my brief relationship with Silver. Well, technically, you fell asleep during it but I don't know which part. It wasn't very surprising that you fell asleep though since you were very close to making a sonic boom around this mall."

Shadow swallowed as he tried to remember any of it. "I just remember sitting down at the mystery section of the bookstore and somebody started to follow us."

"Yeah, your little instinct moment," Amy scoffed as she went to the cash register with her favored pair of shoes. "You just looked like someone on drugs that was trying to kidnap a child."

Shadow stiffened. He followed her and reluctantly paid for the shoes.

"Did you get the bags?"

"Bags? What bags?" Shadow twisted around in circles, looking for bags.

He was pretty sure he heard Amy growl before she stomped off and came back with about seven bags.

Shadow didn't remember buying her anything but the frapa-machincko whatchamacallit. And he certainly didn't recall carrying any bags.

"What—"

"We can go get something to eat now, Mr. Instinct." She grabbed the bag with her newly bought shoes and grabbed Shadow's wallet before stuffing it in his jacket pocket and swiftly making her way out of the store. "I'm hungry."

The Ultimate Life Form grumbled under his breath as he was now back to his original self. The hyper drive was gone and the speedster could think normally.

I can already imagine how this conversation will go with Sonic. He'll ask me how it went and I'll tell him: The movie was overall good, but it went downhill from there. She made me try this drink and I blacked out for some time only to wake up with my money gone and carrying bags of—

He stopped as one bag caught his attention.

Shadow didn't get out much, but he had a female housemate before Amy. Sarah had gotten sales for some store that sold only undergarments, perfumes, and some makeup. The pink bag was enough to make Shadow's ego falter.

Bad news is that she drugged me with some type of drink and took my money. Good news is that I don't remember going into a store full of women's undergarments. He eyed the bag harshly. Extra bad news is that anyone in that store knows I went in there and will now think I'm her personal slave.

"Shadow, c'mon!" Amy hollered from outside the store. Shadow ignored her angry tone and ambled out as he thought with a somewhat evil smirk.

Extra good news is that I can easily destroy anyone who saw me inside that store.

---

The restaurant was right next to the movie theater, and the mall was practically across the street. So it all worked out for Amy.

Shadow was still left to carry the bags and keep the people that might've seen him inside that store alive. Even so, he was back to his normal self and pleased that Amy wasn't giving him a fit with the restaurant that he chose.

It was close and affordable—for the most part.

That and Sonic suggested it. But if she enjoys it, I take full credit. If she doesn't, it was Sonic's plan.

Shadow followed her in after holding the door open. It wasn't too crowded as they were an hour just before rush hour. Didn't change the fact that he still wanted to go home.

Still, the smell of food caught his attention. And the sound of Amy's stomach grumbling for food couldn't be ignored. She was griping about it every five seconds.

"God, there's no one here. Hurry up," Amy scowled.

Shadow began to notice a pattern within females. When Sarah was hungry, she became angry. She called it hangry—which was apparently a word. Amy was showing similarities to Sarah. She was hungry and therefore angry.

He didn't exactly want to deal with it though.

Whenever Sarah was hangry, Sonic made her sandwich. Or she made herself mac and cheese. Shadow couldn't just walk into the kitchen and take some food out to make Amy shut up. He had to sit it out as the waitresses got tables ready.

And finally, a leopard waitress walked up in heels and the biggest hoop earrings Shadow had ever seen.

She smiled at the two, noticing how unhappy Amy looked and how far Shadow seated himself away from her. "Hello. Sorry to keep you two waiting. We've got a table ready though."

The leopard grabbed two menus as Shadow and Amy followed her. "We had a party of thirty today during lunch and they almost didn't leave. It was crazy."

Leading them to a booth, she motioned to the seats. Amy sat across from Shadow and swallowed to keep the slobber in as her mouth watered at the sight of incredible food at the table beside theirs. The couple across from them was older and obviously married—and Amy actually considered stealing some of their food.

"Your waiter will be Michael. He'll be right with you. Sorry for the wait."

"No problem," Amy offered her a warm grin and the leopard was off. She turned back to Shadow. "So, this looks a little pricy."

Shadow had already put the menu up to block his face. He was too busy looking at food and trying to tune her out. "Eat whatever."

Amy thumbed the menu and glanced up at him again. Though his voice was normally rough and rude, she began to see that it was simply just how he spoke. It didn't necessarily mean he was annoyed with her…did it?

"I'll pay you back for everything, eventually. I promise. I kept all the receipts to add up the debt."

She stared at his menu, where his face would've most likely been glaring at her. Shadow grunted and flipped the page back and forth as he tried to decide. "It'll be a while, don't you think?"

"Doesn't mean I can't pay you back sometime," Amy retorted.

"That would require you actually having money, which you don't. And the only way you can get money is to have a job, which you—again—don't."

Nothing held the green eyes back as they glared holes through the menu. Or, so it seemed in her imagination.

And then suddenly, they weren't the only ones at the table. The waiter, Michael, appeared. He was a grey hedgehog and a bit clumsy with his lankier body in such an enclosed environment. Still, he opened the notepad up and clicked his pen.

"Hello, I'm Michael. I'll be your waiter—"

"Water."

Brown eyes stared at Shadow. Michael quickly wrote it down with a sigh. "Been here before, sir?"

The only response the waiter got was a huff. The grey hedgehog turned to Amy and got ready to write. "For you, miss?"

"Oh…Um…" Amy gazed down at the menu. She hadn't even seen the drinks. The drinks were always the hardest things to find. They were sometimes on the back, they were sometimes on the front, and she'd seen some in the middle at restaurants. It was like finding a needle in a haystack.

"Water," she decided with a hum of distaste.

"All right. Two waters. Nothing else?"

"For now."

Amy watched as the waiter seemed to zip out of there at Shadow's tone.

The menu still hid the bolshie hedgehog's face. His quills stuck out and she could see the beginning of his eyes, but nothing else. So, Amy leaned back and stretched her legs. Stretching them caused an awkward moment between the two Mobians as Amy's shoes hit Shadow's leg.

All Amy knew was that he moved his legs as soon as she made contact. She didn't pull back though and thus Shadow was stuck having her feet between his. Though neither seemed to really notice or care as they weren't touching anymore. For all Shadow knew, her feet were back on her side of the table.

Their waiter came back in record timing with the water. "Have you decided what you wanted this evening?" He grinned at both of them before settling on Amy as Shadow set the menu down.

"Oh! Uh," Amy thumbed through the menu again as Shadow rolled his eyes.

The waiter, however, chuckled. "I can come back, miss."

"That's alright, I've decided," Amy laughed.

"Are you sure?" he teased as Shadow watched the entire scene unfold before him.

Amy blushed a great deal as she cleared her throat. "I'm positive." The bright smile caught both male's attentions.

Michael clicked the pen hurriedly, making the annoying ticking sound that had Shadow wanting to rip the pen from his grasp, "What would you like, miss?"

"Well, what do you like?"

Shadow had to stop and reanalyze just what was going on before him.

The waiter and Amy were laughing. Amy was blushing lightly but it was gradually increasing. The waiter kept that same stupid smirk he had from the beginning.

Is she…flirting with this guy? Shadow blinked as he suddenly became uncomfortable with the situation. Great. Show her a great time, Sonic said. It'll be fun, he said. Now, I have to sit here and watch them flirt hopelessly with each other.

"And your date would like?"

Or maybe not. Shadow cleared his throat as Amy choked on her water. "Eight ounce sirloin with baked potato—everything but the cheese—and a house salad with ranch."

The black hedgehog coolly gave Michael the menus, showing off a triumphant smirk as he didn't seem to question Michael's assumption. The grey male cleared his throat and grabbed the menus.

"That'll be right out." He seemed to bow slightly in submission at the older hedgehog. He gave a fleeting glance at Amy—a wanting glance more or less.

Hmmm… Shadow smirked as he leaned across the table calmly, linking his fingers and using them to prop up his chin. "So…"

Amy didn't like the way those red eyes were looking at her. She knew she was only a few seconds away from a teasing.

"He fancies you."

"Really, I didn't notice," Amy murmured as she preoccupied herself with tracing the patterns on the table.

"And flirted with you."

"Funny, didn't hear a thing."

Shadow glanced over at the older couple. The lady gave them quick, concerned glances but other than that she kept to her own. "And you flirted with him."

Amy kept her fist in her lap, even though she so desperately wanted to swing it at Shadow. He was just enjoying this torturing game of Tease Amy. A flush crept up her cheeks and she gulped as her face felt hotter than usual the more Shadow spoke.

"Perhaps, I should change positions with him. Let him sit down as I play the waiter. Then maybe you'll finally stop complaining and be happy."

"I am not complaining," Amy suddenly retorted. Her ears flattened as Shadow inwardly smirked greater. Just as he suspected and wanted, the rose female was lashing back in her hothead manner. She gritted her teeth and kept the clenched hand below the table. "I was just making a friendly conversation with him because I didn't have enough time to think about what I wanted to eat and I was—"

"Did you ever actually order?"

"Yes."

"Huh, I missed that part," he stared off at window, although it was so far away. Shadow stretched back and raised an eyebrow at Amy knowingly. "You like him."

"So?" She bit her straw harshly. "What do you care?"

"Never said I did." Shadow sat straight in his seat again and tapped the table with his fingers. "I'm honestly surprised more males don't try and court you though."

Oh, if only he had been looking.

Then he would've dodged the water that spurted out of her mouth. Or he could have waited until she had swallowed before saying anything.

Unfortunately, Shadow had drips of water and her spit—mostly spit—coming down his face. He sighed and wiped it away as Amy whispered an apology. The pink hedgehog stared at the older couple across from them. The old lady pretended not to have noticed Amy spewing water over Shadow.

"Um…Why do you say that?"

"Well, you're not unattractive," Shadow stated bluntly as he finished wiping away the mess. He didn't meet eye contact with her though. Instead, he propped his elbow up on the table and placed his chin in the palm of his hand to look off in the distance. "Then again not the most attractive I've seen—"

"I remember what you said at the school party," Amy gritted her teeth as she interrupted him. She exhaled and then sank down in the booth. "So…" She picked away at the wood on the table. "You think any guys would be interested in me?"

The Ultimate Life Form wanted to roll his eyes so badly. "Did you not just hear what I said about the waiter?"

"So, what should I do?"

"Anything you'd like."

Amy paused and glanced around to make sure Michael wasn't going to show his face any time soon. She twisted back around and slammed her hands on the table, earning nothing but a blink from Shadow and causing the couple beside them to flinch. "You're a male, what should I do to attract him?"

Red eyes gawked at her as if she said pigs could actually fly. "Again. He's already interested. There is no need to attract."

Amy groaned and put her head in her hands. "I'm terrible at this dating thing! It's been forever since I've dated and when I did, it wasn't even dating most of the time. Silver and I went out on two dates total!" She looked for Michael again.

Shadow was starting to like his decision on choosing this restaurant (taking Sonic's suggestion really). He got a dinner and a show.

The lovely Amy Rose, one who had walked the Earth and Mobius with only love on her mind, was now out of ideas on love. She had been so caught up in her work in New York that she had forgotten what it would be like to date. And Shadow knew it for he quickly put the pieces together. It wasn't that hard.

Amy was a hopeless romantic. Also, she was useless.

"I don't think I've seen Amy Rose this a) fixated on something and b) stuck on that certain something." Shadow leered at her.

"What do you know about dating?" Amy scoffed. "I don't even know why I asked you."

"I'm offended."

Amy lifted her ears up in hope as she gaped at him. "You dated? What'd you do?"

"I didn't date anyone," Shadow grunted as he folded his arms. "I watched Sonic date. That should make me expert enough."

"How so?"

"Well, if Sonic can get someone, you certainly can."

Despite it being a compliment, Amy didn't see it as one because she'd been there—following Sonic like a lost puppy. "Every girl would love to be with Sonic. Every guy would love to be with someone like Rouge or Blaze. Not me. I became a workaholic before I was fired."

"Really? And you didn't have males flocking around you to be their girlfriend?" Shadow tilted his head in wonder at the naivety of this hedgehog.

"Not that I noticed."

Shadow rolled his eyes this time—there was no holding it back. "If you can't notice anyone wanting to be your boyfriend, how can you possibly have any hope of finding a suitable mate in the future?"

Amy furrowed her eyebrows and leaned back. "No one talks like that anymore, Shadow. The whole mates thing is in our heads as Mobians. In the end, Mobians are animals. We just have human characteristics. The animal instinct thing is just something we get to live with. No one talks about it anymore as if it's important. Suitable mate, whatever. That makes it sound like I'm part of a breeding program."

Shadow raised an eyebrow. "I know about animal instincts because we are Mobians, as you so eloquently put it five seconds ago. I was merely using a synonym for spouse."

A blush crept up her cheeks again. Amy bit her lip. "Oh…"

She looked down before glancing up at him. Crimson eyes had wandered off to look at something else. She licked her lips as a thought crossed her mind. It would be awkward to talk about it with him probably, but she didn't know anyone else. Everyone else was together already. They didn't have those animal instincts kick in sometimes.

"Do…Do you ever lose control?"

Shadow looked at her. "Lose control as an animal? Or lose myself in my powers?"

She wanted to just say animal. But the fact that he gave her an option was too much to pass up. "Both, I guess."

"Depends with powers. I've lost myself because of greed and revenge to become Dark Shadow. I've let the power overwhelm me in Super Shadow until I got used to the form. But animalistic-wise…No."

Amy swallowed and looked down at her lap with interest. She could feel his gaze burn through her. She knew the question she had asked was swirling around in his brain, making him wonder if the same was for her.

"You lost yourself with Samwell Turner in the store."

"I think he lost, too."

"No. Samwell does that. He lusts after any vulnerable women. Although I don't know of any crimes he's specifically done, I have heard rumors."

Emerald eyes watched the ebony male cautiously. Shadow continued to stare at her seriously. "What kind of rumors?"

"The kind about innocent lives murdered. After the incident with Samwell and Scourge, and after hearing they were bailed out almost instantly, I asked around town. It was hard at first because no one would speak to me—being Shadow the Hedgehog, after all. But then I wound up in a neighborhood that looked just as bad as I did. Only it was worse."

Amy fidgeted in her seat. She was 86% positive that the older couple, or at least the old wife, was listening to what Shadow had to say just as intently as she was.

"Some people didn't think much of him—they laughed upon hearing his name. Others were frightened. Of course, the rumors could have changed from petty house thieves to bank robbers to drug dealers to mass murderers. But who knows? I don't plan on asking them. Like I said before, if they want a fight—they'll be the ones to make the first move."

"Why?" Amy unexpectedly asked. She had thought not only about what Samwell had said, but also what Shadow had said. "Why are you so adamant on him making the first move?"

"Then it's self-defense," he murmured as he lifted his glass of water to his lips.

Amy sat against the booth again after having leaned towards him for the question. "Do you think Scourge is with him as an occasional companion or as a longtime partner?"

"I don't see Scourge working for or with anyone, especially not Samwell. But if the rumors were true, I wouldn't be surprised if Samwell had some sort of leverage against Scourge to make the bastard stay." Shadow clenched his teeth. "Now shut up."

Amy opened her mouth to speak but Michael turned the corner and set the salads across from them.

"Here we are. Need anything? More water?"

"Yes, please." Amy stated as Shadow nodded in agreement. Michael turned and vanished as the pink hedgehog look down at the salad. Shadow was already digging into his but Amy was hesitant.

She peeked up abruptly. "Thank you."

Shadow slowly chewed the piece of lettuce in his mouth as his eyebrow twitched upwards for the millionth time that day. "Who says I'm not dining and ditching?"

Amy grinned and shook her head. "No, not just the dinner, or the mall, or the movie. I mean…Thank you," her green eyes seemed to stare too tenderly at him. He was barely able to blink. "For everything. You didn't have to accept me—you didn't have to pick me up from the airport. You could've just left me there. But you didn't. So thank you."

"Don't waste your breath," Shadow mumbled as he took a sip of water. "You've said thank you a million times before."

"And I'll say it a million more times," Amy whispered so delicately that it stopped him in his tracks. She stared at him with some type of emotion in her eyes. It was like relief for finally being accepted, but she was holding back.

"I feel like a burden so much still. During the war against Eggman and even now—I've never stopped feeling like this weight crushing down on you all when you've already got so much to deal with. And I just want to say thank you. Again, and again. Even when you get sick of hearing it, I won't stop because of how grateful I am to have incredible people like you and Sonic in my life. And although I'll probably stay a burden, I'm willing to try—"

"Stop."

The pink hedgehog gulped but not in fear. It was more in anticipation because the look Shadow gave her was the softest she had ever seen come from someone like him—especially him.

"You don't need to thank us. Sonic did what he did because he is your friend and will never stop caring for you. I did it because…" Shadow had to pause. He didn't quite know the answer to that. Why hadn't he just walked away? He didn't know. "Because I guess I had nothing better to do. You are not a burden. An annoyance at times, yes, but—"

"You wanted to discourage me though," Amy shook her head. "I was a weight on you and I know it. You wanted nothing to do with me and you probably still don't. I get it though. I mean, I'm terrible at this farming thing and I don't even know what the difference between a windrower and swather-"

This time, she cut herself off. Tears escaped down her cheeks and some people began to notice—specifically the couple next to them.

Shadow sighed tiredly. He didn't want these tears to become a habit of hers.

This female was too damn emotional for him sometimes and it made him uncomfortable. Still, if Sonic spotted the red, puffy eyes that were sure to follow, Shadow would never hear the end of it and not to mention actually lose his hearing.

The blue blur was just too damn loyal to his friends.

"First off, there's no difference between the two, Amy. They're the same thing," Shadow leaned forward and pushed his salad bowl aside. "Second off…You've lost so much confidence in yourself."

"What?" Amy glanced up and sniffled as she wiped away a stray tear.

"Ever since Sonic started dating, you've lost your confidence. You have no problem in believing in others and even though you keep trying and thinking optimistically about things, you seem to have no faith in yourself anymore."

"I do, too!" Amy shouted. The elderly couple glanced their way but Shadow didn't care and neither did Amy. The pink hedgehog clenched her teeth furiously. "I've been trying and trying—that takes confidence!"

"Wrong. You keep trying and you keep failing. With sureness, you wouldn't lose," Shadow growled. "If you have so much confidence in yourself, you wouldn't be here. You'd still have your job. Or you would've never stopped until you got it back or found a new one. The Amy Rose I know wouldn't have quit. But that's what you've become. A quitter. You can't fool me and say you have confidence in yourself—I call bullshit."

Amy squealed in frustration.

The high pitched sound caused almost everyone to turn and look for the source. It was easy to find it too since she stood up.

"You are one to talk, Mister Ultimate Life Form. People look at you with disgust. So you've gone into hiding to not deal with your problems. You've ran away from them because you're a coward! You're scared that they won't give you a chance to live normally! And you should be because you know that even if you tried, no one could ever love you!"

Her hand immediately went over her mouth as she gasped. The older couple across from her had the same shocked looks as everyone else in the restaurant. Their waiter surveyed from nearby with cautious eyes.

Shadow was the only stoic one.

He stared up at her, untouched and unfazed. Standing up, the male left without a word. On the outside, he seemed calm. On the inside, he was anything but.

Hurriedly, Shadow escaped the stares that he could've sworn were laughing at him or scowling at him with disgust in slow motion. All those eyes penetrating through him made him want to Chaos Control away.

It's all in my head. He chanted to himself as he stepped outside in the cool air, ignoring the infuriating female calling for him. It's all in your head.You left the city to get away from those looks. They don't faze you. They'll never faze you. You are the Ultimate Life Form.

Shadow bent over and held his knees as Amy ran through the door. "Shadow!" She breathlessly called for him as she stopped beside him hesitantly.

"I'm…I'm sorry."

"That's all you ever say," he growled under his breath. "Thank you and sorry. Do you know anything else besides that?" Red eyes glared down at her as Shadow stood to his full height. "You haven't been criticized, held captive, been used, been tricked, and lost your memory only to be played with like a puppet."

Amy flattened her ears and stared at the cement. She would just let him vent, she decided. It would all be good between them, she reassured herself.

"You haven't saved humanity only to be judged still. I gave you a chance, I got nothing from them," he spat. "Consider yourself lucky, Quitter."

He turned to walk away but her hand caught his arm and tugged him back. Shadow had never seen the green eyes look so apologetic before. It didn't matter though. She had said what she had wanted to. It was out now. She thought the same as the people. "To think you were different," he muttered. "That you could actually care about what I've done for those ungrateful humans—"

"I don't care," Amy interrupted. "I don't care what you did for them. I care what you did for us. The humans are rude to you, Shadow." Tears were starting to flow and he fought the urge to roll his eyes. "I didn't mean to say those things…I didn't. You've been loved—you are loved."

He yanked his arm away from her grip and leaned against the bench. Amy watched in silence but not without whispering, "The team loves you, Shadow. We care for you. Even if you don't notice."

His vermillion stare followed the cars along the busy road beside the restaurant. "You're still a quitter," he mumbled.

"I know," Amy murmured as she walked up beside him and stared at all the headlights. She wasn't surprised he had brushed off the team's awareness of him. Shadow had never been one to give away emotions unless they were anger or cruelty. "I just don't want to admit it to myself. I thought I could make it by myself. I thought I could forget about Sonic—and I did. I just…never expected to see him ever again. Any of you guys."

Silence followed. The only thing that made noise was any subtle sounds from the restaurant and the crickets chirping outside beside the snake plants. The two different, yet similar, hedgehogs were quiet for the most part.

Figuring they'd been out there long enough in silence, Shadow glimpsed at her from the corner of his eye. "It seems we both have insecurities."

"The Ultimate Life Form insecure? I think the world just ended."

He ignored her light laugh, but his lips moved slightly up in a smirk. "Let's go home."

"Without dinner?" Amy inquired. Shadow gave her a look. "I mean, not back in the restaurant. Somewhere else."

Shadow started off into the parking lot to find Sonic's truck.

Amy hurried after him. She slowed down to his pace as they walked side by side through the lot. Still starving, Amy glanced up at the wallet-bearer expectantly as the stars began to shine above them.

"I'm thinking a fast food joint."

"Absolutely not."

---

- And if I asked you to name all the things that you love, how long would it take for you to name yourself? -