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]

27. The Meeting

STH © SEGA/Archie

Sarah, Peter, Samwell, Rosemary & the Wilson Family © Cozy Shadow

Flame, Petunia, Jeffery, and Sunny © Phantomask

Italicized brands or names (like food labels, movies, and songs) belong to their rightful owner.

---

Don't you love it when someone who takes forever to upload finally uploads? I know I do. Sadly, I follow fanfics which haven't been updated in years, so...I'm still waiting. But here's the next chapter for you guys! Sorry if this beginning stuff seems abrupt to some.

Enjoy! Sorry for any editing mistakes, but I mean c'mon. It's fanfiction. While I want to do my best, it's not my entire life. :P

---

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

The Meeting

Seeing the picture of him with that infamous grin and thumbs up made her heart ache.

It'd been years now, and a part of her couldn't forget what they shared.

The chipmunk set the picture on the counter. She stared at it a little longer, brushing her fingers through her hair subconsciously. Memories would flood back to her every time she saw the picture.

The sound of his laughter. The feel of his touch when they were actually together.

Then the sounds of machines whirring as they blew up. The screams of not just children, but their parents as well. Watching her people die.

Memories that wouldn't ever leave.

Some good. Some nightmares.

Yet despite the years of fighting not only Eggman but herself, the one they used to call Princess was now just an ordinary being.

"Living a boring life," Sally whispered to herself. She reached into one of the many boxes that held her past. There were pictures of her old friends mostly. Nothing of hers from Mobius made it to Earth - so everything she had was relatively new. "Or at least as new as eight years can be."

Living two years with some of the group...hell, she didn't even make it the full two years. After her and Sonic broke up, she went alone. She was the first of the team to go it alone in the big, new world they had to learn to call home.

She traced features of her friends' faces, trying to remember them without pictures. She could never forget though. Sally didn't need the pictures. But sometimes it felt good to come back to the pictures.

Because now people knew her as Ally Scorn.

"But these people...they knew me."

"You're having an identity crisis," a voice interrupted her alone time.

"Peter!" Sally exclaimed, dropping the picture to the kitchen counter and turning to the open doorway. Her boyfriend stood with a small, understanding smile on his muzzle. "What are you doing? I thought you left for guy's night."

"I saw you went to the closet," the familiar cat sauntered towards her, "and I couldn't help but wonder."

Turning back around, she gave him a weak grin in return as he approached her from behind. Warm arms embraced her. Sally closed her eyes and leaned against his chest in comfort. She hummed softly as he kissed her temple.

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

Sally was grateful for Peter Worthington - she truly was. He had shown up in her life at a time she didn't know that she needed him. The moment she let her walls down though, was the moment that she decided Peter could stay for as long as he wanted.

He understood her past and he understood her wants for her future. Peter knew when not to touch on sensitive subjects. He knew when Sally just needed to be Sally rather than someone else.

"I'm fine. Just...thinking."

"Need someone to talk to?" The cat twisted her around to face him before wrapping his arms around her waist again. "I'm a great listener, so I'm told."

"Hm," she hummed again, but this time in humor. "Are you now?"

"Surprising, I know." His tail twitched a little in playfulness. His green eyes warm with only what Sally could call love.

She gripped his arms as a post to lean against. "I'm fine. Just had to look at them again." Her eyes avoided his gaze. "Another time…"

"You know you can always call them -"

"No."

She immediately ripped herself out of his grasp. Wrapping her arms around herself, Sally's ears folded back. "I can't, Peter."

A certain blue hedgehog flashed before her eyes. She couldn't fathom talking to him now - not when he was moving on as well. They were both moving on. It'd been years.

Peter grabbed her shoulder gently and leaned down a little to look into her eyes. "You wouldn't be the only one to walk back into their lives."

She narrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Amy Rose returned. I met her. She really is a wonderful person."

Sally nodded in agreement, but remained quiet until she gained the courage to ask the question that was on her mind. "Was she at the school with...her?"

"Yeah. She was helping. You know how messy kids and crafts can be," Peter chuckled but Sally remained stoic. "...I think you should at least greet yourself."

"Peter, that's a terrible idea. Sonic doesn't want me around. I broke his heart. If I walked back into their life right now, who knows what would happen. Sonic would be angry. His girlfriend would probably want to murder me."

"Fiancé."

"What?" Sally nearly lost her breath.

"They're getting married," Peter replied. "And it seems like Amy might be sticking around longer than she planned."

"What do you mean?" she repeated herself - questions forming in her head quickly.

"It seems Amy's taken a liking to Shadow."

That caught her off guard. "Amy? And Shadow?"

"Hmhm."

"And Shadow...likes her?" Sally raised an eyebrow in confusion. "See this is exactly why we shouldn't get involved with their lives. They're moving on and so are we."

"We?" Peter snorted. "I wasn't the one that was a part of their group. You were. Sally, can't you face the fact that you miss them?" He gritted his teeth and stepped back. "Why can't you just own up to it? We live only an hour away from them - you could just drive up there and say hi - "

"I can't! I can't do that, Peter!" Sally hissed at him. "Don't you get it? I can't be apart of their lives anymore. I can't be apart of his life anymore. He never wanted to see me again - those were his last words. And I've given him what he wants. To walk back into his life would be like betraying a friend - betraying him."

"That's bullshit and you know it. You're just scared."

She couldn't find the words that would convince Peter what she said was true. That would convince her what she said was true. Maybe he was right. So what? She didn't have to waltz back into their lives.

"I don't want to, Peter. It's not...It's not who I am anymore."

"Then who are you?" He challenged, flicking his tail.

The cramped kitchen of their apartment was making her uncomfortable. She just wanted him to leave. She just wanted to be in quiet.

"You tell me," Sally whispered, brushing shoulders with him as she left the room.

Peter frowned, not quite knowing how to answer that. He let her go, though. Deep down, he knew she needed some time to move on silently some days. For the most part, she was fine. But there were the few days that she needed to be reminded of her past.

Some days, she loses herself. Becomes Ally Scorn and forgets who she really is. I just think being around them would help her accept that she is Sally still. And she always will be. To them. To me.

The feline gritted his teeth, checking his watch. He would be late if he didn't leave soon.

"A guy's night," Peter scoffed and shook his head. The cat turned towards the doorway and grabbed his coat and keys along the way.

Sally wasn't the only one lying to the world about who she was.

---

The small house in the neighborhood was quiet for the most part. Some snow barely covered the lawn as most of it was mush and mud now. The porch light flickered.

Sonia rubbed her eyes tiredly as she finished the dishes. The dishes that should've been done yesterday since her husband was home all day long. She frowned, keeping her brain occupied with thoughts full of other things than her mother.

I can't believe Flame didn't do the dishes. He said he would, three times yesterday. Then this morning. And he barely looks after the kids. I come home and Petunia is coloring on the walls and Jeffery needs his diaper changed. Meanwhile, Flame is sleeping on the couch.

Her frown deepened.

I remember when Mom was healthier. Not quite herself and we knew she couldn't live on this planet. But even then, she warned me about Flame. She said he looked like the type who was beyond lazy. I should've listened to her. Sometimes, I'm not sure I want to be married to him anymore. But he always somehow drags me back in.

Suddenly arms wrapped around her waist, and her back rested against her husband's chest. Flame towered over her, having to slump even more than usual to nestle into his mate's neck. He kissed her shoulder apologetically. "I was gonna do those."

"You say that every time they're mentioned," Sonia snipped. "Just like the laundry. The garden and lawn in the summer. Cleaning the house - pfft. You wouldn't dare," she sarcastically mumbled.

The orange hedgehog didn't like her tone. He scowled as he backed off from her. "Sonia, I'm sorry. I've been busy."

"Doing what? Watching your latest soap opera?" Sonia scoffed.

His ears pinned back against his head, and his gaze turned to the floor. "Just because I like watching dramas doesn't mean you can make fun of me for it every waking moment…"

"Flame, I'm serious," Sonia turned around to stare at her lazy significant other. "You keep saying you're looking for a job. You apply to jobs. You ruin it by hypnotizing them for no reason. Just because you lack a high school education doesn't necessarily mean no one will hire you. But they certainly won't when they come to the conclusion that you've used your power on them."

"If I didn't have to label powers in my resume," Flame muttered.

"Flame."

He locked eyes with her - understanding that the anger in her eyes was completely directed at him. He knew he wasn't making anything easy for her, not with her mother's death still fresh on their minds. It would be a long while before things went back to normal.

Flame gritted his teeth. And nothing will be normal if he decides to go with this plan of his. I've got to make up an excuse to leave again, though. She gets suspicious when I leave for the meetings, but they're mandatory. I have to know when Samwell might attack - at least to protect my family.

The tall male remained quiet as his wife rambled, slowly raising her voice as she picked at all of his flaws. All the flaws he fed her, just to make this excuse. Just to make them argue so he could have an excuse to leave.

Flame didn't like doing it. He loved Sonia, but Samwell Turner was a madman. And Flame knew that if Samwell wanted, he would go right ahead with hurting Sonia. Or worse, the kids. And Flame wasn't about to have that happen. Not if he could make it seem like Sonia wasn't a threat. Not if he could fool Samwell into thinking he was still on the bat's side.

"Get out."

His train of thought was interrupted by words he had never heard out of her mouth. Usually, she left the room after letting her emotions out. But he hadn't noticed that within his thoughts, Sonia had started to cry.

She noticed he wasn't paying attention. He was off in his own world, and he always would be. At least to her, that's what it looked like.

"What?" Flame breathlessly whispered, wondering if he suddenly screwed himself over. If Sonia broke up with him, Samwell wouldn't think twice about being merciless to Sonia and the kids. He would just get rid of them. Say it would help Flame get over them.

"Get out." Sonia let the tears run down her face. "I'm tired of this. I'm tired of you not doing anything - barely being apart of this family. I'm tired of us always arguing. I'm tired of sleeping by myself at night because you leave to God knows where. I'm tired of it, and if I can help it, I'll just choose to sleep by myself permanently. Or at least not with you."

Flame's quills quivered at the thought of another man being with her. Touching his mate. He lowly growled at the haunting image. "Sonia, stop. You're just overwhelmed with everything. Look, I got a night-shift job, alright?"

"Bullshit," Sonia shook her head.

"I'm serious. Where do you think I've gotten the money I've put into our account then, huh?"

"You said your brother was helping you out."

"I lied," Flame confessed. He wasn't going to tell her the full truth. He was just going to make sure she stayed with him - safe so Samwell didn't hurt her or the kids. "I don't have a brother."

"But Kyle - we just stayed with him during Valentine's Day," Sonia slowly shook her head back and forth. The news was sinking in - and it was that her husband was lying to her. "Who is he then?"

"Just a friend," Flame nearly stuttered. "He's like a brother, is all. We were being figurative, Sonia. I thought you knew," he continued to lie.

He was lying straight through his teeth. He was lying to his wife. Flame kept telling himself it was for the better. Because it really was - he couldn't just hypnotize her and make her stay. He had to think of other ways to keep his family safe and near him so he could keep an eye on them. It was harder than he thought, however.

And he most certainly couldn't tell her that all of his family was dead. The only "family" of his that she thought she knew were Samwell's workers posing as Flame's family. It was only like a check-up really. For Samwell to make sure that Flame wasn't about to run out on him and his psychotic plan.

"W-Why would...Why would you lie about something like that?" Sonia was now confused and wary. She cautiously backed away from the male. Her actions didn't go unnoticed.

Flame almost didn't want to leave for the meeting now.

She was becoming scared of him - unsure. If she caught on and he told her about his real job of working for a murderer, she would leave him and take his kids. The kids he loved and cherished because they shouldn't have existed. They had such a low chance of existing, and yet they did. Flame spent every moment he could with them. She couldn't take them away from him.

But Sonia was thinking about it, and Flame knew that.

Lowly snarling, Flame approached her slowly. "Don't back away from me, Sonia. I'm not going anywhere, and we're not just giving up."

"Why did you lie?" she raised her voice but obliged to his demand. She halted in her footsteps, now glaring at the Mobian.

"It's...a temporary job, I wasn't getting my hopes up for keeping it," he continued to fib. It'd been his job for years. Before he even met Sonia. Hell, Samwell was the only reason Flame met Sonia. It was just supposed to be a job back then, though. "I've been looking for other jobs in the meantime."

He got closer until he was holding her hands. Softly, Flame looked down at her. He watched her every move, noticing how skeptical she looked.

"Just...please, don't worry about it. I promise I'm not doing anything illegal."

Lie. He had murdered people, too. Innocent lives, but only because Samwell would have killed his family if he hadn't followed the orders.

"Then what is it?" Sonia scowled. Her nose scrunched up.

Flame didn't answer her. Instead, he caught her off guard with a kiss. She pulled back with a noise of dislike. He nuzzled into her neck and wrapped his arms around her, holding her firmly to him. "Please, Sonia. Don't leave," he whispered to her.

Because if she did leave, he'd never see her or his kids again. Samwell would know she left him.

And the bat would do what he did best.

Kill for the thrill of it.

---

It was midnight when he pulled up in front of the warehouse. The bugs buzzed around the only light on the outside of the building.

Carefully, Peter stepped inside and looked at the scene in front of him.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH MY BROWNIES, WOMAN!"

The badger was being held back by the only muscle of the group that could handle the job: a bear named Westley Garnet. The badger was Charles Lowell, and he was currently screaming at the top of his lungs. His brown eyes glared daggers towards a maroon wolf who stood smugly in front of him.

Peter remained at the front door - not particularly wanting to join the argument.

However, a marmoset stopped short and grinned at him. "Peter! Luna and I were almost thinking you'd never come."

The feline gave a soft smile as he came out of the shadows. Peter Worthington. During the day, he was a kindergarten teacher, but during the night, he realized he was in the same boat as the rest of these crooks that surrounded him.

Except Edmund Davies and Luna Grenville weren't too terrible. They understood machines, just like Peter, only not to the same extent. They were both excellent hackers for the team, but it was Peter Worthington that Samwell wanted most to bring up dirty info on the Sonic Heroes.

And tonight Peter was skeptical to share newly found information. He paused before saying anything, wondering where Samwell was. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. We haven't had a full blown meeting with everyone in a long time. What's the occasion?"

"Don't know," Edmund shrugged. The grey Mobian pushed up his glasses. "We're moving to a new location though. Samwell wants you to join us."

"Team A?" Peter touched his chest to gesture to him. "I'm flattered, truly."

"Oh, don't think so highly of yourself." A seductive voice that laced him in cut through the air. Peter turned to the maroon wolf. She gave him a smirk as her dazzling green eyes put him in a trance. "Nice to see you around, Pet. I was beginning to wonder where Samwell had put you."

He gave her a thin smile in return. "As much as I love the nicknames, Margaret, it's Peter. And we'll keep it that way, hm?" He raised an eyebrow as if to challenge her.

She merely flicked her tail and stared back at the badger. "Don't get your panties in a twist, Charles. Those brownies had mold on them. I threw them out."

"YOU THREW THEM OUT?! WERE YOU RAISED IN A BARN, YOU PSYCHOTIC BITCH?!"

Peter shook his head and grinned at the two. Glancing around, he saw the cheetah he'd been friends with for quite some time. Walking up to her, Peter purred. "Luna."

"Oh!" She turned with a jolt. "Peter! I didn't see you there. How are you?"

"Fine. You?"

"Busy. Samwell's putting us to a new location. Did you hear?"

"Just barely. From Edmund."

"We're hoping you'll join Team A," she softly whispered. Normally the cheetah wasn't shy, but the feline in front of her brought butterflies to her stomach. "Samwell says it's only a matter of time now. Before we each get what we want."

Peter wasn't fond of hearing the last part.

He frowned a little. But gazed into her soft violet eyes. "And what do you want, Luna? Is this really worth it?"

The cheetah wasn't expecting such a question. To question Samwell was to accept death as a penalty. "Um...Well...We all have our reasons, Peter. Don't you?"

Peter gritted his teeth, as the only thing to flash in his head was one thing: his girlfriend.

Sally Acorn.

The one Samwell had ordered him to spy on. The girl that Peter tried so hard to talk to, yet it took forever to break her shell. She wanted to remain secret from the world as she had been a Princess. But when she finally had let him in, it was more than Peter had expected. And he found himself not wanting to lose that.

And Sarah.

Now Sarah would be brought into this no doubt. That crazed snake that wanted Sonic to feel the pain that he had felt would hunt Sarah down when he heard the news Peter brought. The feline wasn't sure if he wanted to suddenly risk his friend's life.

They worked together for Christ's sake. It was all accidental, but when Samwell found out that Peter was working with the same Sarah that was dating Sonic the Hedgehog, Peter was ordered to watch her every move as well. It wasn't something he wanted to do. Especially since he had become such good friends with Sarah.

It hurt him to think that every time he rolled over and saw Sally smiling at him, he was only doing so because Sam controlled his life. That any time he said good morning to Sarah at school, Samwell knew.

And then I was introduced to Sonic and Shadow. And oh, God.

If I could take back anything, it would be meeting Samwell Turner in college. It would be telling him that I had debt from school. That I got most of my money from counting at blackjack. That I could tell when the next slot machine was going to be a big winner. That I could touch any electronic device and know exactly what was wrong with it - know exactly the data that was in it.

That I could read it like a book.

These people - these crooks that I've known for a long time...they're my friends. And I'm ashamed and guilty to call myself a thief. But how am I supposed to tell Samwell that I quit?

That I can't do this anymore because I love Sally? And I don't want to end up like...him. Not his situation. Not even Scourge's situation. Neither of those two - no. I don't want to end up like them. I want to get out alive, but how am I supposed to do that now that Samwell wants me to join Team A? It's his main fucking team. He has eyes on them at all time - they're his most valuable people.

If I quit now, he'll not only kill me but he'll start by killing Sally. It'll be a message to not only any people under him that are questioning his actions, but it'll be a message to Sonic and the others.

Peter stared at the cement floor. So I either bow my head down for a little longer before I come up with a plan, or I die.

A door slammed, and Peter noticed the room had become crowded with over fifty Mobians. All with a look of craziness in their eyes. Some with powers and some without. But all their eyes glued to the man in charge.

Samwell Turner.

And I really don't want to die.

The bat stood next to a snake, Jasper Williams. Peter's spine shivered whenever he made eye contact with the icy blue eyes of the reptile. Samwell Turner was a killer. But Jasper...Well, no one in the warehouse - not even Samwell - was about to mess with him. He wasn't sane in their eyes, yet he kept himself composed nicely.

"Is everyone accounted for?" Sam's voice rose above all the chatter, and things turned eerily silent.

Peter caught a glimpse of Scourge in the crowd. Luna had left sometime ago. The feline inched his way towards the green hedgehog. Scourge wasn't someone he could stand, but Peter knew that Scourge wanted to get out while he still could. That was, if he ever could.

"Nah - lover boy ain't here yet!" Charles hollered from somewhere in the back.

There were plenty of unfamiliar faces to Peter. It made him wonder how many more people Samwell had recruited over the last few months. Hell, even weeks since Amy Rose arrived.

After the badger's outburst, the outside door opened and shut as if on cue. Bright orange quills stuck out of the crowd with alert ears as the tall Mobian made his way through the crowd.

Peter could see many eyes on the late member, including Samwell. And all of them knew why.

"Flame. How nice of you to join us."

The hedgehog stopped short and stared at their leader.

Peter swallowed heavily - unsure of what Flame was thinking every time he looked at Samwell. Apparently, Flame knew Samwell during the fall of Mobius. Well, that was what the hedgehog had told Peter on the rare opportunity that they talked. The cat was cautious around Flame. Something about him made Peter wary, and he wasn't sure why until the sick grin flashed across Flame's muzzle.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Sammy."

As the bat gave Flame a returning grin that shouted murderer, Peter shrunk back. He wasn't quite all the way to Scourge, but he figured he didn't need to be. He didn't know Scourge. He didn't know Flame. Yet just when he thought they were all in the same boat as in him, Peter was questioning even that part of them.

"I've summoned all of you here tonight for a very special reason," Samwell started his speech.

Peter glanced at Flame, but saw that the hedgehog was no longer there. Suddenly, there was a looming presence beside him, and a tall figure brushed against his arm. Peter didn't look to his left as he suddenly exhaled in relief.

Flame wasn't crazy. He was faking just like Peter - they were both pretending to be as mad as the rest of these crooks just to stay alive.

The orange hedgehog stood beside the feline. Peter took a glimpse at him and noticed the slight fear in Flame's eyes. The eyes that normally looked like fire blazing now lost that spark. Peter wondered what happened.

"As many of you have agreed to be a part of this - a part of our blossoming business - you all have a mission in this life. A mission to get revenge on the ones who call themselves heroes. The ones who took our lives from us by taking those we loved," Samwell's voice cut Peter's train of thought.

Flame was listening intently, too. He looked at Scourge and noticed him staring out of his peripheral very shortly. Flame sensed that he should stick beside the cat named Peter. He worked with Sarah, but he was also dating Sally Acorn. And Flame figured that Peter might be a similar situation as he was with Sonia.

Perhaps we can talk after this. And maybe even with Scourge.

The orange hedgehog knew little about Scourge, but he knew the hedgehog wasn't there willingly. All of the workers knew that by now. Ever since Samwell...Flame shuddered at the memory of Scourge coming into the warehouse with murder his eyes. He would've gotten away with it too, if Jasper hadn't shown up.

Whatever Samwell did to Scourge's daughter...I don't want that happening to my kids. But if I want to get out this...then I need to think of something that won't get me or my family killed. And the more I think of it...bringing in Sonic and the others doesn't sound like a crazy idea. Warning them about Samwell could save them. But telling them that I work for him could cost me my family.

Flame frowned at the thought. And this is why I need to talk to Peter. See if he's truly in on Samwell's plan. If he agrees that doing this to Sonic and the others is really worth it. Peter, as far as I know, isn't here for revenge. But if he's not here for revenge...then what is he here for? And Scourge. He wants out, too. He's just stuck because Samwell's already tortured his family. We're all stuck in the same fucking pit, and it's about time we dragged ourselves out and bury Samwell in it.

He was tired of the black bat walking over him. He wanted his family and his freedom. And he was going to get it.

Suddenly, Samwell's talking came back into Flame's focus. The bat was talking, but he had tuned him out while thinking for a second. And now, he wished he hadn't. The words that came out of Samwell's mouth made Flame's quills quiver.

"We're going to disposes of the Sonic Heroes once and for all."

There were hollers and hoots from the crowd. Flame and Peter shared fearful glances. The time for revenge was coming quicker than they anticipated - but why?

"It's come to my attention that Sonic the Hedgehog is about to get hitched," Samwell scoffed, standing tall and proud in front of his lackeys. "And one of the guests for this wedding suggested every one of the Sonic Heroes should come to the wedding."

At this point, Flame and Peter were staring at Scourge. All three knew immediately how deep they were in now. That this time, Samwell wasn't just saying shit to inspire the workers to stay. Samwell was being serious this time.

"Thanks to dear Amy Rose, they're all coming to the wedding. And what we've been preparing for is about to finally happen." Samwell gave them a twisted smile that only an evil person could have. "I've gathered a selected few to start our plan that will bring the so-called heroes straight to us. And the rest of you will finally get what you've waited for." His cold eyes searched the room as his employees cheered for the moment they'd finally get their revenge.

Flame and Peter were too busy staring up at Samwell as if they were ultimately fucked. And in a way, they were - if they didn't play their cards right.

"We need to talk," a low voice whispered to them.

Turning their heads, they saw another pair of blue eyes. But these ones weren't as cold. Weren't as cruel. Scourge stood beside them for a moment to make sure they had heard what he said. When they both nodded in understanding, he vanished into the celebrating crowd.

Samwell didn't notice a thing. Instead, he watched the murderers in front of him, all following his every command, celebrating him and his plan. They were completely oblivious to what their future truly held, and Samwell loved every second of it.

He glanced at Jasper. The snake twitched his tail before sending Samwell a sideways look. They were both in agreement.

They didn't need this many men to kill the heroes. They only needed the selected few.

---

He hopped outside of the warehouse for a smoke.

It'd been awhile, since his wife had practically thrown all of his cigarettes out, but Scourge couldn't blame her. It was a terrible habit, and he didn't do it around her or their daughter. Still, a habit was hard to break.

I can name another thing that's hard to break. Working for Sam. Hell, I don't even get paid. Rosy's going to chew my ear off if I don't get a job soon. A paying job that doesn't involve giving information away about Sonic or killing innocent people.

He sat down on the cement steps of the warehouse. It was the back of the warehouse, and all it led to was an empty, dead field. There were trees half a mile away. The warehouse was soon to be demolished. Hence why Samwell had gotten a new headquarters.

Scourge scoffed, tugging on the collar of his leather jacket. It was chilly outside. But damn, the cigarette was nice after two weeks without. He had been doing so well, too.

What would Rosy say? He made a snide comment in his head about what she would say - her tone of voice whenever she started nagging. Again, he couldn't blame her. She was moodier than usual but that was just the baby.

She'd been that way, too, when she was pregnant with Rosemary. Now another child.

Scourge exhaled shakily, letting the cigarette rest between his two fingers.

Another child. This is why I need to get away from Samwell. She's close to showing, too. He's going to find out sooner or later. And then he's going to pin me here even longer, damnit.

But I can't let this happen. I've got to do something. He put his head in his hands, being mindful of the cigarette. He breathed in deeply. But what that something is - it might be crazy. But Sonic and Shadow could help. No matter how much they might hate me. I know they know about Samwell. They could help…

After all, they are the ones Samwell wants. They're going to be face-to-face with him eventually. But Samwell's the least of their problems. He doesn't have powers. Not one. But Team A does. His main team - the ones he's setting out to initiate the plan. How these other workers fit in, I don't know. But then they have to worry about Jasper.

His fingers shook at the thought of the snake. They don't know about him. Or his sadistic ways. He's worse than Sam. And what makes him even more of a threat is that he does have a power. Or at least that's the rumor.

"Scourge?"

The male opened his eyes and lifted his head up. He looked up and to his left to see Flame and Peter. Flame shut the warehouse door as Peter took the spot to his right. Flame sat down next to his left. The trio remained silent for a few seconds.

"This is crazy. He's crazy - what the hell is he trying to prove?" Flame finally broke the silence with his whispered questions.

Scourge scoffed. "Beats me. You know him better than I do."

"I owed him my life. He saved me from dying in that portal mess. But he lost his family because of it, too," Flame answered his own question but still seemed confused. "I knew him to be kind then. He wasn't completely lost. Until we got to Earth, and then he went batshit crazy. Filled with ideas of killing Tails." Flame shook his head. "It was terrible."

"You stuck with him?" Peter whispered in disbelief. "But why? He saved your life, so what? Everyone was dying then. Just say thanks and move on."

"I should've...But I didn't. He tried to convince me that what the heroes did was terrible. And I was starting to believe him…"

Scourge raised his eyebrow at Flame. "I never thought you'd be one to join him."

"Neither did I. But I was lost. I didn't have anymore family. He didn't either. So we stuck together, and he got it into my head that Tails was some sort of monster. He was just a kid at the time. A kid they all expected to be some hero with no flaws. I didn't realize what Sam was scheming until it was too late to change his mind. And by then, I jumped aboard willingly."

"You know him best," Peter questioned. "So why don't you just try to talk some sense into him? I mean, you also know Tails well, too."

"Only because of Sonia…" Flame was twisting his wedding ring around his finger.

Peter watched and stared at both of their left hands. Scourge actually wore a wedding ring. Peter was rather surprised, but he couldn't help but think about the fact that they weren't just trying to keep their mates safe. They had children.

Peter only had Sally. But he was bound and determined to keep her.

Unless all of this blows up in my face and she dumps me. Which, I won't blame her if she does…

"Samwell's the least of our worries," Peter softly said. He hadn't told Samwell whether or not he'd join Team A yet. And he hadn't told him the information he gathered. He wondered if it was real or not.

Flame's interest was caught as soon as he saw Peter's worried look. Scourge was all ears as well.

"Despite being given the task to watch over Sally, Samwell gave me the job to run their computers and everything electronic they touch. Things such as their cellphones and whatnot."

"You have that access?" Scourge was suddenly confused. This scrawny feline had that much important information on Sonic and the other heroes - and Samwell let him?

"Yeah, you can do all that?" The orange hedgehog was also befuddled, as such a thing didn't make much sense to him.

"I know your wife is buying an insane amount of loofahs for some reason."

Flame's ears fell back against his head. "Jeffery likes to tear them apart…" he trailed off as Peter waved the situation away.

"Look...today, I had to look over it just like usual. Made sure they didn't go anywhere - I found out they went to town today."

"Yeah, Sonia said something about Sonic being in town for funeral attire or something," Flame narrowed his eyebrows. "You have the info from their credit cards, then? You follow them through that?"

Peter nodded. "And something tells me that that wasn't all that Sonic was in town for."

"What do you mean?" Scourge propped his elbows on his knees. He had forgotten about the cigarette miraculously.

"Look besides being able to touch an electronic thing and hacking into it immediately, I do know how to do those sorts of things without my power. Like Flame said - I have access to their credit and debit cards. Anytime they swipe them, Samwell figures it out from my reports."

"So, what did you find?" Flame pressed with annoyance.

"Pregnancy tests under Sonic's credit card."

There was a long pause.

Flame's mouth was gaping in shock. Scourge finally put his cigarette back in his mouth as his eyebrows lifted in surprise. Peter licked in his dry lips and shifted on the cement stairs.

"If Samwell finds out that Sarah might be pregnant, then he'll tell Jasper. The guy gives me the creeps. And considering it's Sonic that Jasper wants to kill, that means he'll go after Sarah to get to Sonic. Just to make Sonic's life hell."

"Not to mention Jasper might attack sooner if he finds out about it," Scourge whispered.

Peter's eyes widened. "Shit...I hadn't thought of that."

"I have no doubt in my mind that Jasper's going to jump the gun and take Sarah right from under Sonic. Make Sonic tear the town apart just to find her. Jasper likes to play games like that. Always did and always will."

"But I wonder...with Sam interested in Amy's whereabouts…" Peter furrowed his eyebrows. "He asked me several days ago to keep tabs on her. And he told me more than once - as if I'd forgotten. He was interested. Now I wonder if Sarah goes missing…"

"Perhaps Amy might, too," Flame finished.

"Shit. What the hell do we tell Sonic?" Scourge exhaled, letting the smoke float in the air.

"Do we tell them anything?" Peter shook his head. "If we tell them, they won't trust us. So, who knows if they'll believe us."

"Sonia is my family - she and my children are the only people I care about," Flame hissed suddenly. "But right now I can't protect them. And it kills me. But Sonic and Shadow can - but they don't know what's going on and we do. Peter, telling them might be the only way."

"Then you tell him. Risk losing their trust," Peter snapped back. "But I'm not losing Sally."

"The more you two bicker about it, the less you'll have to worry about it. Samwell will find out if we tell Sonic. And he'll kill the people you're trying to protect. Trust me. I know," Scourge solemnly spoke, causing the other two to grow silent.

They were reminded about Scourge's daughter. But neither really knew what happened.

"What did Sam do, Scourge?" Flame swallowed in fear. He didn't really want to know, but at the same time he wanted to know what they were up against. "When you tried to revolt?"

Scourge flinched at the question - no. He flinched at the memory the question inflicted. He cleared his throat and looked down at the ground.

"When I ran into Rosy, I was working for Samwell already. I didn't expect her to be sane. She said something about the portal curing her. At first, it didn't seem like Rosy. But it was her. And the more I got involved with her, the more I couldn't leave her. But the more I did Sam's dirty work and revealed things about Sonic, the more it became clear to me that I was stuck there. But I always tried to seem like my own boss."

"Until you tried to leave."

"Until I tried to leave…" Scourge clasped his hands together, still keeping hold of the cigarette. "Rosemary was only a year old. I was trying so desperately keep the two away from him. But he found us. Found them. I tried to leave this whole mess - I told him after I finished the last job I was assigned, that I was leaving. He went to our house that night while I was away. I should've been more careful. I should have seen it coming.

"Rosy was asleep. She never heard a thing. At one point, Samwell told me he thought about killing her. Thought about slicing her throat while she slept. But he decided to give me only a little warning. A little warning on a little being," he gritted his teeth as he quoted the bat. "She'll always have that scar now. But at least it's not noticeable…"

"He's taking advantage of our relationships to bend us at his will," Flame muttered. "Sick bastard. This is why we can't leave. Or at least not me. I can't have that happen to my family. It's not something I'm willing to risk. They're not my lives to gamble, but they're mine to protect."

Scourge shook his head slowly. "Get out while you can, you two."

"I can't," Peter whispered in fright. "If I just leave and don't give him my report, he'll know. And he'll send someone after me and Sally. I can't run forever. I've never been good at it."

"And I can't either. I want to, but it's not possible right now." Flame leaned back and looked into the darkness. It was probably early morning by now. "I have an errand to run for him soon."

The trio remained where they were for another ten minutes. Before one by one, they left the warehouse and went home to their families.

But not without watching eyes following their every move.

---

The morning came quickly for Sonic.

Or perhaps it was due to the fact that he woke up early. The blue hedgehog twisted in the bed to prop himself up via his elbows.

His eyes were drooping tiredly, but it was probably from the lack of sleep he had last night.

How can I sleep? There's something actually growing inside of Sarah.

Sonic glanced over at his sleeping mate. She was doing better. She had only gotten up once last night. He wasn't about to wake her up just yet - as the household had kept her up with an infinite amount of questions.

Shadow just had to let it slip. Sonic glared at the wall, thinking about last night.

He sighed, knowing it wasn't something they could hide forever. The feeling of possibly being a father was dwelling. Sonic wasn't about to get his hopes up too high. He knew miscarriages were common - his sister had gone through them.

And Sarah's always stressed. And Samwell...If Shadow thinks something is happening and Silver does, too, it could mean trouble. Sarah has to stay safe. I'm not going to let him hurt her.

Shadow had wanted to find where Scourge lived - which meant Shadow wanted to get involved with whatever the hell Samwell was doing. The thought made Sonic more tense.

Does Shadow really know what he's up against? We know nothing about Samwell. But maybe finding Scourge could give us some answers. Still...Sarah.

He stared at her sleeping form again. Things aren't safe for her now. It's not going to be healthy for her or the baby.

The more Sonic thought of it, the more he couldn't get his mind off the thought that she might lose the baby. It was something he couldn't stop thinking about, which worried him. He just hoped it wasn't a sign.

No. We're just going to be delicate with her and keep her safe. If Shadow really wants to get involved with this whole Samwell thing, it had better been for a good reason. But for now, I'm not going to think about her losing the baby. But it's still early...any natural causes won't be too upsetting compared to if Samwell were the cause of it.

The thought made him growl lowly. Sarah mumbled something under her breath, giving it away that was she awake.

Sonic immediately scooted over towards her and wrapped his arms around her. Nuzzling into the crook of her neck, Sonic purred to calm her. He sensed she was anxious about something.

Probably the positive test results. Which reminds me…

"You should probably set up an appointment with a doctor just to make sure," he mumbled into her fur.

She only hiccuped in response.

Sonic smiled lightly and kissed her neck. "How are you feeling?"

Another hiccup.

"Do you need some water?"

…

She was trying to hold the hiccup in, but she failed miserably as she hiccuped yet again. Sarah let out a little laugh as Sonic smirked. Her smile faded as she opened her eyes. "Amy convinced me to call my parents...Or, she suggested it. And I think I'm going. Just to get it over with."

"Are you sure? They might not even show up to the wedding if you do." Sonic understood her parents' dislike for him. Or at least, he sort of did.

Sarah shrugged. "I didn't want my sorry excuse of a father to walk me down the aisle anyway."

She shut her eyes again and curled up into a ball. A clear indication that she was going to catch a few more z's.

Sonic tilted his head however in curiosity. "Then who would you want to walk you down the aisle?"

There was silence for a moment or two.

"Shadow's good enough. We have to make sure he goes anyway, what better way than to rope him into walking me down the aisle?"

Sonic smirked again and went back into snuggling with her. He found himself mentally laughing at the image.

"Yeah. He totally wouldn't be uncomfortable being looked at by more than five people."

---

Shadow was having a morning.

And Amy could tell.

She hadn't helped him with the chores in a while. Instead, she had been making breakfast with Blaze, who seemed rather calm and quiet. But when Shadow came in, pounding his feet more than usual, it was clear the bolshie hedgehog wasn't in a good mood.

Amy pursed her lips and tried to read the male. He sat down at the kitchen table and looked at the newspaper that Silver was reading. His red eyes weren't very happy looking.

"Are you okay?" Amy whispered to him as she handed him a glass of orange juice. That would cheer him up - orange juice over coffee always cheered him up.

Shadow only took the glass and nodded curtly. He huffed and turned away.

"Shadow?" she continued to annoy him. She wasn't going to leave until he told her what was eating at him.

"Nothing. It's absolutely nothing."

Silver put down the newspaper and stared at Shadow with confusion. "Doesn't sound like nothing."

Shadow scoffed. "How would you like to wake up early in the morning and find all the calves out of the pen? Or that someone put the milk formula back where it wasn't supposed to go so I spent ten minutes looking for it after gathering the calves back up. And then they got out again."

"Maybe you need a better pen."

"Maybe you need a better pen," Shadow mocked.

At this point Sonic and Sarah walked into the kitchen to see the pouting Ultimate Life Form. It wasn't an entirely new look for him. They had seen it before. When anything went wrong on the farm, Shadow liked to blame anyone or anything but himself.

"Someone put the milk formula where it didn't belong?" Sonic questioned, knowing the answer already. "I had Manic and Sunny do it last night while you checked the horses in the field. Shadow, it's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal. A big deal would be the calves getting out and it's not like they did - oh, wait." Shadow glared the blue blur. "You bring people here and this is what happens. My farm goes to shit."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "The calves keep getting out because you refuse to fix the one side of the calf pen that has a loose board. They just squeeze right out whenever they want. That has nothing to do with how many people are in this house."

"My house."

She put her hands on her hips. "Shadow, don't you think you're milking this situation a little too much? It's not the end of the world, and it's not like you haven't had issues before. The swather you first got hasn't worked in months. And you blame it on the mechanic," she pointed to Sonic, "but perhaps it's because you won't listen to said mechanic when he says you need to buy a new filter."

"I'm not doing that," Shadow snapped back. "It doesn't need new anything. It's perfectly fine the way it is. Sonic just doesn't know what he's doing."

"I even had Tails look at it, you big baby. Even he agreed that your blades needed to be replaced. And not to mention the belt."

"How old are your machines you got around here, Shadow?" Silver posed the question as nicely as possible, trying to get the poor guy into a better mood.

Shadow grumbled under his breath.

The cobalt hedgehog snorted and sat down beside Silver. "Everything but the combine is ancient. The Wilson's gave everything to Shadow at first for rent until he could afford them for the cheapest price they were worth."

"Wouldn't that take longer than four years to gather all that money? Farm equipment is expensive," Silver noted.

"How the hell do you know that?" Shadow popped back into the conversation.

"Because I just know things, Shadow. Doesn't take a rocket scientist."

The ebony hedgehog growled again stubbornly and glanced away. Amy shook her head and gave him a soft smile before returning to the stove. Blaze had been watching the food, but she seemed more interested in the conversation now.

"They gave him discounts probably. That and Shadow does have money," Sonic replied, leaning back in the chair. Sarah sat beside him, being across Shadow now who always sat at the head of the table. "The government wanted to keep us all out of their hair. Paying us to give us a normal life's head start was their solution. Shadow wasn't excluded from it."

Silver nodded as he too was apart of that situation. Remembering it like it was yesterday, really. He folded his arms and looked over at Shadow. "So, you were wiser with your money than some of us?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sonic whispered under his breath. He looked a little offended. "I've got money. I'm not poor."

"No," Silver said back sarcastically. "You just had to live with Shadow for four years because you liked his wallpaper."

Sonic replied with a blank stare.

"He has money now," Sarah laughed a little. "I mean, it took him a while. And maybe with some of my help because I was the only one of us three who had an actual job."

"Farming is a job," Shadow retorted. "Why do you always say that? Farming is a job."

"Farming is an old man's hobby."

"You're thinking of gardening."

"Well, now I know what you'll be doing in thirty years. Farming and gardening. I can already imagine you chasing the rabbits out of your garden. How cute," Sarah droned with humor in her eyes.

Shadow wasn't exactly pleased with her comment. "I got money from farming to pay for this house and feed you two, didn't I?"

"I paid for myself, Mister. I still have."

Shadow stopped short. Had she? He thought Sarah had pitched in with the bills once or twice but the food. He thought he paid for that. "You paid for your own food?"

"Hello, I was the one to go shopping for us on every Saturday. Do you not remember?"

"No. No, not really."

"Of course not. Well, I did. And I would use the money you gave me to pay for your food. But I paid for my own and Sonic's. Not to mention I helped with the electricity bill in the winter until you started to use the fireplace. After that, it was any other way I could pitch in - like also doing your laundry."

…

Sonic leaned forward with a smug grin on his face. Shadow remained silent, staring at Sarah as if she had betrayed him. "Woooow. And you say I owe you. But it kind of looks like I owe her more than you right now."

Shadow was beyond confused. "How the hell do you have the money for all of that when you have a teaching salary?"

"My uncle."

"What?"

"While I hate my parents, they weren't the only family besides my brothers to make it to Earth. I had an uncle who paid for most of my schooling because he was made of money. And then for birthdays and holidays, that's all he'd give. To family and to charity. Until he died, of course, and even then I had plenty of money saved up from part time jobs and gifts from him combined. Shadow, I'm not completely helpless."

"A rich uncle? Why is it always a rich relative?" Silver shrugged. "But I mean, hey, at least you and Shadow both know how to save money. Unlike someone," he sang.

"Hey!" Sonic snapped and pouted at him. "Don't bring it up."

"Don't bring what up?" Sarah questioned, interested to the core.

"Do you mean that time he spent over a grand on one chili dog?" Amy didn't know where the memory came from, but she suddenly remembered it. It was such a stupid memory. Sonic racing in to meet up with some of the group with a grin on his face.

"When you told us the news that you customized your own chili dog that cost over a grand, we thought you were joking," Silver scoffed. "Sarah, it had edible gold on it."

Sonic was too ashamed to even look at his soon-to-be wife. He could just feel her judgmental look resting upon him. He simply put his head into his hands.

"A chili dog?" Sarah slowly and quietly said. "You know, I have a feeling that you're going to die by a chili dog one day. Like choking on it or something. Or a big chili dog sign just comes down crashing on you - splat."

It was Sonic's turn to look at her with a judgmental look. "I'm not that obsessed."

"Only because I don't ever cook chili dogs for you because I hate them You grew out of your liking a tiny bit."

"I should tell you that when you told me that, I almost walked away from our date."

Sarah laughed. "Are you kidding? What was that? Our third date? I told you that I didn't like chili dogs, and to this day that was the longest time you've ever been quiet."

"It was heartbreaking, really. Can't believe I'm marrying someone who doesn't understand the beauty of chili dogs."

"Well, thank God she never made them."

"I can't believe it," Sonic groaned as he flopped back in his chair. "I'm surrounded by people who just don't get me."

"I'm surprised you didn't just open up your own chili dog shop."

The comment came from someone new to the conversation. Sunny and Manic stood in the doorway, and while Manic rubbed his eyes, Sunny stared at the other household members after speaking. "I mean, it makes sense doesn't it?"

Sonic's mouth gaped. He slowly turned his head towards Sarah and nodded while she shook her head.

"Don't even say it. Don't think about it. Just don't."

"I want to start a chili dog business."

"You are not starting a chili dog business, Sonic. That's stupid," Sarah knew this would now forever be on the blue blur's mind. "You couldn't handle staying in one shop for hours, making chili dogs and selling them rather than eating them."

"...Okay, well I could stand with being in one place for hours - I already lose my mind at work. I can make chili dogs better than any of you, so that's not a problem. But...the whole not-eating-them thing…"

They could just see the new dream die in Sonic's eyes.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, sweetie, but no." Sarah combed her hand through the disappointed and now depressed hedgehog's quills.

Shadow smirked. He found it hard not to whenever Sonic was shot down like that. It was so delightful to watch personally.

Suddenly a plate of food was set in front of him. He hadn't noticed Amy and Blaze busy cooking. But once the kitchen became crowded with hungry guests, he was suddenly reminded of everything going on.

He almost missed it when it was just him, Sonic, and Sarah. Those weekend mornings were rather nice. Mostly because Sarah shot down Sonic's ideas a lot - no matter who suggested them. Be it Sonic himself or Shadow or Sarah just making a snide comment. Shadow would miss it, he thought.

Yeah...I'll miss the look of disappointment on Sonic's face whenever his dreams were crushed. Good times.

"Alright, so, plans for today?" Amy sat down next to Shadow on the opposite side since Silver took her regular spot. It almost bugged the Ultimate Life Form that she wasn't sitting in her usual spot. He didn't like craning his neck to the left.

"Well, I'm going to call my parents like you suggested," Sarah spoke up. "Tell them the news, I guess."

"What do you think they'll say?" Blaze inquired.

Shadow had noticed the feline had been nicer to Sarah since hearing the news. Or perhaps it was for a different reason entirely. But Shadow had sensed from the beginning that Blaze seemed a little envious about Amy and Sarah's friendship blossoming.

"Honestly? I think they'll disown me. But I hope they just hang up the phone instead." Sarah poked her fork around her scrambled eggs. "Mom will probably yell and Dad will probably be quiet until Mom's stopped yelling. And then he'll take his turn yelling. And then they'll most likely say they aren't coming to the wedding. That's what I'm thinking anyway…"

"It's going to be a rough phone call then?" Silver said with sympathy. "I'm sorry about that. Most of us here don't have parents though."

Manic stopped eating, and for a moment Sonic thought his little brother would snap. "Wait...no one else had parents besides Sonic, Sonia, and I?"

"Cream counts, I guess," Amy shrugged her shoulders. "I mean, Vanilla. So, yeah just you guys and her."

"Wait, you don't have parents?" Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Amy? Blaze? Silver?"

"It's a long story," Blaze laughed lightheartedly as she motioned between her and Silver.

"I can't remember them," Amy looked at her plate. She didn't seem sad, though, which made Shadow at least glad. "I know they existed at one point. But I just can't recall them. The first real memory I can think of is when I met Sonic. But so much has happened in our lives that I guess it's more difficult to remember some things."

"Huh," Sarah almost couldn't believe it. "You guys grew up without parents, then? I mean, I know Shadow was created, right?"

Shadow glanced up with a little glare. He didn't like talking about the ARK. He didn't like thinking about those memories. Not those ones. Not the ones filled with her.

Sonic cleared his throat. "Right. They grew up without parents, but I mean, we all had some parent-like figure to look up to at one point or another. Uh, anyway. When are you going to call them?"

She didn't seem to notice that he changed the subject. "I don't know...I'm procrastinating. What is everyone else doing?"

Amy propped her elbows on the table. "Oh, I don't know," she sighed dreamily almost - which caught everyone's attention. Almost everyone could feel the sarcasm about to slip out of her mouth. Everyone but Shadow, at least. "Maybe someone should fix the calf pen or get some new parts for the swather. It might be a good day to do that. Unless they also want to procrastinate, but it sounds like they've been doing that long enough."

Sonic swallowed and glanced at Sarah with a little smirk to which she replied with a gaped mouth. Everyone had a look on their face that showed they were desperately trying to hold in laughter and any side comments that would further help Amy tear Shadow down.

As for Shadow, he was the only one with a blank stare directed at the pink nuisance. "Ha. Ha. Ha. Maybe someone should get a job."

Oh.

He went there.

Amy smiled sweetly at him. But it was so falsely sweet that his ears flapped back against his head. He waited in what everyone else would call fear and what he would call patience (although his facial expression said otherwise).

"Says the one who apparently, and probably, owes money to Sarah."

"Coming from the one who owes me money. I have the money to pay Sarah back anytime."

"Yet you'd probably procrastinate on that, too. I mean, I could go out and get a job today. In fact, maybe I'll check the paper or go around town."

"You don't even have a car."

"I can borrow Sarah's. I know how to drive."

Shadow scoffed. "Yeah, sure. And where could you possibly work in town without having to drive so far that it costs too much money for gas?"

"You know, Ames, the café here is hiring. They're always hiring," Sonic pitched in.

Shadow stopped short to glare at Sonic. Who said he could jump into their conversation? Who said he could just tell Amy who was hiring around here that would be within driving distance? If she got a job, there'd be no one to do the chores around the house, which meant they'd both be doing them and having less time to just relax.

"Oh?" Amy was actually interested. "Really? I thought that café was run down?"

"There are two cafés, really. One building is run down and used for parties held by the school, like the high school dances. But the two cafés still running are near the gas station. One's in the bar, and the other is across the street near a trailer park." Sarah rested her chin on her hand as her elbow went up on the table.

"Who would do the chores around the house?" Shadow suddenly blurted out. When everyone looked at him with a little menace in their eyes, he swallowed. He might have ruffled some quills and cat hair with that one. He noticed the females in the room looking at him intensely, waiting for him to dig his own grave and then bury him in it. "I mean...With no one here, the chores wouldn't get done until late. Like, the house chores…" he trailed off a little. They weren't slicing his throat yet. "...And, then we'd all have to pitch in and we wouldn't have time to...relax?"

Amy raised an eyebrow. "I'm not some maid, Shadow. If you want one, you can start paying me."

Shadow thought about it for a second. Would he rather have her working at the café or cleaning the house? Well...if she was at the house, she wouldn't be in the way of danger like Samwell.

But who knows how long Samwell is going to be an issue. Still, what if she gets in a car crash? The worst situation she could possibly get being stuck here is slipping on the floor while mopping or tripping down the stairs while getting the laundry. I guess, she couldn't really avoid danger in any situation.

…

So might as well keep her here.

"Okay."

Sonic almost spat out his orange juice. "What?!"

Amy raised her finger at Sonic before he could retort anything. "I was joking, Shadow. I'm not going to be your maid. Sonic, I think I will check out the café today. I don't see why not. Blaze, would you like to accompany me?"

"Sure. Although, I'm not sure where we're going."

"I can give you directions," Sarah offered. "It's really not that hard to get lost there since it's all one straight road."

Shadow grumbled something under his breath. Sonic laughed at him and stretched back in his spot. "Looks like you'll have to get a housewife if you want someone to be here twenty-four seven, Shadow."

"You're not expecting me to be a housewife, are you?" Sarah asked.

"No." Sonic didn't fall for the trap that was set on thin ice. "You can do whatever the hell you want as long as you aren't selling your body or drugs."

"Good. Same to you."

"I don't know. Lots of chicks like this body. Probably some men, too. Maybe if farming is too much of a hobby for Shadow, he can always turn to that, I guess."

Shadow growled lowly, but before he could say anything, Sunny was giggling under her breath. "Shadow? I mean, he might be handsome, but I don't think he'll stoop that low."

"Wait, you think he's handsome?" Manic questioned his girlfriend, getting close to her face with wide, waiting eyes.

Sunny smiled shyly. "I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of women who think he's handsome."

"...But what does that mean?" Manic interrogated. "Like...am I...not handsome?"

She chortled and grabbed his chin, pecking him on the lips. "You are very handsome."

Sarah rolled her eyes and pretended to make a gagging sound. Manic glared at her. "What? You don't like lovey dovey?"

"Not typically. Sarah's not the romantic type," Sonic patted her head until she swatted it away. "But I'm curious." He leaned over and whispered to her, "Do you think Shadow's handsome?"

Sarah covered her mouth, which told Sonic and Shadow that she was trying not to smile. Shadow scoffed. "I'm flattered, Sarah. But I'd rather you marry Sonic so both of you leave the house."

"Shadow's a looker, huh?" Blaze raised an eyebrow and stared at the ebony hedgehog. Really stared at him. She hadn't noticed many of his features until now. She raised both of her eyebrows this time. "You know, Sunny, you might be right. Shadow, how have you been single for this long?"

It was Silver choking on his food in the background as Shadow paused, unsure of what to say. Amy laughed a little, but she was a little intimidated now. Did other women in the valley think Shadow was good looking?

Well, he had gone on dates. But many had been scared of him.

"You know who this reminds me of?" Sonic asked. He had noticed Amy's far off look, and he decided to bring her back into the conversation with some nice news. Real nice. "Chelsea Lowe. That kind little hedgehog who lives down the way that used to come to work when you worked with me. How nice she was to you."

Shadow's eye twitched. Why'd he have to bring that one up? "I remember her…"

"I mean, how couldn't you? She was so nice," Sarah genuinely said. "She always baked you apple pies for some reason. And brownies, which was really sweet because you always gave them to me. Hey, why didn't you befriend her, Shadow? I wouldn't have to make brownies for myself now."

"Oh, well, Shadow didn't notice she was flirting with him," Sonic explained. "And one day she just snapped at him. Asking why he never gave her chance. Poor Shadow didn't understand what the hell was going on, and she just stormed out. Never saw her again. It was a few months before Shadow quit."

"Is she married now?" Sunny asked.

"I don't know. Haven't really seen her around. Maybe she moved."

"She didn't move," Shadow suddenly spoke. He took a drink of his juice. He felt Amy's eyes on him, waiting for an answer. "I ran into her a few months after that and apologized."

"Oh?" Sonic leaned forward, interested like the others. "How'd that go?"

"Not bad. She figured I wasn't used to romantic relationships and whatnot." Shadow gritted his teeth.

"Was that it?" Sarah gave him a knowing look. "That probably wasn't it, considering she was heads over heels for you, Shadow. Don't tell me that she asked you out on a date."

"No," Shadow plucked at the fork. "It was just like any other girl that the Wilson's set me up with."

"But the Wilson's didn't set you up with her," Sonic was confused now. Shadow seemed...off.

"She just went her own way, I guess."

"Oh. Well, that was anticlimactic," Silver scoffed and continued to eat his breakfast. Everyone else followed.

"Of course, after she said she'd wait for me."

"WHAT?!" Sonic glared at Shadow as poor Silver choked in the background again. "You didn't say this. You didn't say she said that Shadow. You didn't say...What do you mean she'd wait for you? How long has she been waiting?"

Amy's ears fell back against her head. She looked at her plate of food, but her stomach felt like it had a boulder in it. Or maybe that was her throat. Suddenly, a hand clasped hers underneath the table.

Blaze gave her a reassuring look. The feline was surprised at how cold the hedgehog's hand was.

It worried her.

"I don't know. Ever since that talk probably."

"Shadow, this is the point where you politely tell her no," Sonic rubbed his forehead. "Ugh, what is wrong with you? Don't you know how to speak to women?"

"Obviously not."

"Of course not." Sonic gave him a dead stare. "So she still lives down the road?"

"You say down the road but I'm the only one that lives on this road until you move into your house. Then it'll be just us and that empty house where the widow lived," Shadow explained to Sonic as if he were an idiot.

"Fine. She still lives like two miles away then?"

"Sure. I pass her on the way to Wilson's whenever I go help with herding cattle. She's normally out front on her lawn doing something. Mowing the lawn, working on the flowers, stuff like that. I assume she got a boyfriend, though. That or a new car."

"Shadow...she's an accountant from town. It's probably a new car."

"She was very beautiful, I'm sure she has someone by now," Shadow waved him off.

"Oh, she was?" Blaze piped in. "What did she look like?"

"Uh, white hedgehog, right?" Sarah answered, looking at Sonic for confirmation. "Blue eyes - "

"Hazel eyes," Shadow corrected her. "They were hazel, and she wasn't completely white furred."

Blaze could practically feel Amy's hand shaking. She glanced at the rose hedgehog, but she didn't see tears forming yet so that was a good sign.

"Right, didn't she have like black tips on her quills or something? I thought they were dyed that way. But I guess they could just be like your stripes," Sarah mumbled. "She was nice. Couldn't hurt a fly. Could hurt an oblivious Shadow the Hedgehog though. I'd get frustrated, too."

"Yes, well, why don't you tell us where that café is?" Blaze tried to change the subject before Amy stormed out of the room. She didn't want her friend to be upset. But Amy was practically shaking her entire body now.

Sarah waved the cat off, which almost made Blaze hiss in response at her. Couldn't Sarah see how this affected Amy? Couldn't she -

"So, I wonder what Amy has that no one else does. I mean, she sure does have your attention."

The shaking stopped.

Blaze turned to look at Amy. The pink female looked up shyly at Sarah, too embarrassed to meet Shadow's eye contact though.

Shadow hummed softly. "So, she does, doesn't she?"

Amy had to bite her lip to keep from smiling even a little. Blaze gave her a gentle grin before glancing at Sarah. She was met with warm brown eyes.

She had noticed. Then again, I guess it didn't take that much observance. The purple cat looked at Shadow. He was busy side glancing Amy with a warm gaze. They did notice.

"Ow!"

Sonic's head hit the table as he held his stomach. He glared at Sarah. "What was that for?!"

Sarah pretended she hadn't just elbowed him in the gut as hard as possible. She only gave him a sweet look in return that was practically telling him to not open his mouth ever again - especially about women Shadow had known.

Thankfully, Sonic finally got the memo.

It only took a deadly glare from Shadow, and a deadly sweet one from Sarah, to figure out that he had crossed a line.

"Sorry…" His ears went down as he minded his own business.

As the group continued to eat their breakfast, Butch walked into the kitchen and sat down beside Shadow's feet. Silver patted his head. The dog wagged his tail for a little bit, enjoying so much company in the house.

"So, you have puppies." Silver asked, "Thinking about selling them?"

"Yes, please," Blaze whispered. "I want them all."

Shadow snorted. "Maybe. I'm thinking of keeping one or two. Butch is a good guard dog and he knows how to herd cattle well."

"But the mother?" Sunny questioned. "She seems a little...against anyone but her and her puppies."

"She's a bitch."

Sarah laughed. "Literally. Butch is a sweetheart though. Shia on the other hand - can we please get rid of her?"

"Who would want her?" Shadow shook his head. "No one would want her. I figure just let her outside soon. Maybe get a big, fenced in kennel like the Wilson's have for their cattle dogs."

"He's not really a cattle dog though. I mean, his breed is known for herding sheep more than anything. And you don't have sheep."

"Well, then, maybe one day I will. Before I start gardening," Shadow mockingly replied to the lime green hedgehog.

Sarah rolled her eyes at him. "Sure, sure. And pigs and chickens too. Maybe even a goat."

He sighed. "But I think that's what I'll do. The kennel thing. Keep them all out there rather than inside the basement. Give them some room to run and fresh air."

"But you'll keep them all?" Blaze sounded a little sad.

"At least the mix-colored one. That one I'm definitely keeping."

"Damn it," Sarah hissed. "I wanted her so badly. She's so fucking cute."

Shadow childishly stuck his tongue out at Sarah who returned it. "Too bad. She's staying. And I might keep the bigger one."

"You haven't named them yet?" Sunny said with hope. "Can I name them?"

"What? You'll just get attached to them."

"What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong with that? I'll tell you what's wrong with that. You're going to pile them all into your suitcase and take them back to California with you. Then I'll have to go and hunt them down."

Sunny stilled looked hopeful as she leaned forward. Her and Manic were crowded on the corners of one side of the table. "So...is that a yes? Because I want to name the big fluffy one Tank. He seems like a Tank."

"Tank?" Shadow seemed opposed to the name.

"Tank is cute!"

"Tank is generic though."

"You named your dog Butch," she retorted.

At that moment, Butch rose from his spot and growled. He started barking before racing to the door.

"Who's here?" Silver cocked his head to the doorway of the kitchen as Shadow got up from his seat. "I hear a truck."

"Frank," Sarah responded. "That's Frank's truck. Always putters along like that. He's going to end up on the side of the road soon if he doesn't just trade it in for a better one."

"Like Frank will ever give up that truck," Sonic scoffed as he got up. "Where do you think Shadow gets it from?"

"What?"

"You know - not wanting to get a new swather or new calf pens. Because Frank taught him to hoard things."

Sarah laughed at the image but nodded her head. One by one, they all got out of the kitchen and to the front door. Shadow leaned up against the open door as Butch launched himself outside. He was no longer barking upon seeing who was walking up the sidewalk.

His tongue hung out as he stared up at the humans. He liked the one that always smelled of food. He liked her better at this moment because she was actually holding food.

"Down, Butch. It's not for you," Eloise calmly said to the excited canine. She balanced the pie in one hand and held the rim of the pan with her other hand. She walked slowly towards the door.

Shadow's soft smile disappeared upon noticing her limping. "Do you need a hand, Eloise?"

"I'm fine, dear. Just my hip."

"Mama, I got it," a familiar voice came up from behind Eloise. Suddenly the pie was out of her hands.

"Elisa!"

The young adult was already at the door and offering the pie to Shadow. Sonic leaned against the doorway on the opposite side. The rest of the household peeked through.

"Elisa." The second call was from Frank, who walked hand in hand with his wife now.

"Right, Pa." Elisa turned with a sympathetic look in her eye. "We just dropped by to offer our condolences, Sonic. We'll be at the funeral."

"You really don't have to," Sonic started but trailed off.

"We understand if you want it just to be family, Sonic," Eloise softly replied as she walked one step up. Butch remained at the elderly woman's side. "But we're here for you."

Sonic shut his eyes and grit his teeth together. "Thank you, Eloise. Frank." He backed away however and let Sarah and Amy squeeze through instead. He couldn't stand condolences.

Shadow watched him with a careful eye before turning to the humans. "Thank you. We appreciate it."

"Shadow, I want to talk to you."

His ears twitched towards Frank. "About?"

Frank started to walk off towards the garage. He glanced back at Shadow as if Shadow were being rude for even asking. It was the type of warning look a father would send to his son. "You'll know when we talk, now won't you?"

Sarah pushed Shadow out the door and grabbed the pie. "Do you two want to come in while they talk?"

Eloise and Elisa shared a look before deciding to walk in. The others moved aside to give the humans some room to walk in. Silver grabbed Blaze's hand and squeezed it tightly. He motioned towards Sonic, who was now walking through the kitchen to disappear.

"Please, sit down. Uh, let me just put this away. Thank you," Sarah said to the new guests before going into the kitchen after Sonic.

She set the pie down on the counter and put her hands on her hips. "You can't just run away, Sonic," she whispered harshly. "Go back out there and have a normal conversation. They're just being nice. Manic's doing it. You can, too."

"Please, Sarah. I…" Sonic clenched his jaw. He leaned against the table that was still cluttered with their breakfast. "I can't. I just want to be distracted from her. But when they show up because of her, then I can't be distracted anymore."

"It's going to take time to get over, Sonic. Of course it's going to be hard, but that doesn't mean you should ignore those who are just trying to help you not be alone."

Sonic sighed and turned towards the garage door. "Look...I can't. I don't want to hear condolences. I don't want to have a conversation with them and pretend like it's normal when you can clearly see the sadness in their eyes. It only brings up the memories."

"Memories. Sonic, those are all you're going to have left of your mother."

"Can't you just accept that I grieve differently than my brother? He locked himself away for awhile, why can't I do the same?" His tone was harsher, but she noticed the slight tremble in it.

"Because he didn't constantly shut himself out from people like you're doing. He's out there talking to them right now," Sarah motioned to the door where they heard Eloise and Elisa talking to the others. "Your brother actually grieved, Sonic. He cried, and he mourned, and he's trying to move on by being around those he loves that are still alive. You haven't, Sonic."

"Everyone mourns differently, Sarah. You wouldn't really know because you didn't have anyone close to you die - except maybe that rich uncle."

"Well, we're pretty sure that rich uncle is still alive in Portugal," Sarah whispered to herself seriously. "He was being stalked and we think he faked his death. I still get a letter from him on my birthday every year."

"See? You've never lost anyone," Sonic hissed. "You don't know what it feels like. So, you shouldn't be telling me how to mourn. She was my mother for Christ's sake, not yours."

They were silent for a bit.

Sarah walked backwards and sighed gently. "Fine, Sonic. Go be alone if it makes you feel better. You're the only one that really knows you after all."

Before Sonic could even retort or apologize, she was gone.

He groaned, knowing he'd have to say something to her later. That he'd actually have to go talk to Eloise and Elisa. But a part of him - a very strong part of him didn't want to.

God, what happened? One minute I was fine, eating breakfast and actually kind of happy since Mom died. Now it's like a dark cloud has formed over again.

The blue went to the garage door and turned the handle. He needed to go for a walk. He couldn't go and talk to them. He just couldn't.

And with that, he went into the garage and outside through the back door. Just for a while, he planned.

Just to clear his thoughts.

---

"Shadow, we have to talk."

Normally, Shadow didn't like it when Frank wanted to talk with him. It meant something serious, and Shadow felt like he had endured enough with Aleena's death. Just seeing Sonic shut down that quickly made him want to go back inside and check on him.

"Well, we're outside. They're inside. We're talking. Now what about?" Shadow put his hands in his jean pockets. The flannel shirt wasn't quite warm enough for outside yet. It was a little chilly still.

"I'm serious, Shadow." Frank turned to face the Mobian. "Is Sonic going to be alright?"

"...I don't know. I'm worried about him, too."

Frank sighed and leaned against the garage. All Shadow could see what the tiredness in his eyes. "He had been visiting her frequently, hadn't he?"

"For a long time, yes."

"And his brother?"

"Was worse, but is better now. They'll get over it, Frank."

"Shadow, we're concerned about him. Any time someone we know has a death in their family, we're concerned. Elisa has taught us to be concerned about someone's feelings. It's not easy to read her all the time. And her moments just happen out of the blue. And we've found a similarity in her and people mourning."

"They're both depressed?" Shadow guessed. "They're both open to having moments where they feel all alone? By themselves? Frank, trust me, I know what it's like to grieve."

Frank wasn't going to say anything. He didn't really know about Maria - Shadow never brought up his past. But Elisa got bits and pieces out of Shadow before that Frank knew enough to be cautious around these types of conversations.

The old man exhaled heavily. "Well, then...I guess I better share the bad news."

"Wait, what?" Shadow glanced to the sides and then to Frank. "You mean that wasn't what you wanted to talk about?"

"No, not really. The party is going to be on Saturday like Elisa told you. But I won't be making it to the funeral on Sunday. I'm sorry."

Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Why, Frank?"

"Look, I didn't want to come in and do this at such a bad time, but Eloise told me to do it. I should've told you when you last visited with Amy, but I didn't - "

"Frank."

Shadow stared at the human with actual concern. He didn't typically like humans because they didn't normally like him. But the Wilson's were his family as much as Sarah and Sonic were. But now that he looked closer at the elderly man, he knew time was catching up with more than just Aleena.

"Eloise's hip has been bugging her for years," Frank disregarded Shadow and walked to the edge of the garage. "Elisa is getting married and she still has...episodes." He turned to walk around the side of the garage, to the backyard.

Shadow followed. "Frank, what is this about?"

"I want you to watch them, Shadow. Make sure they're okay."

"Frank."

"I'm sick, Shadow. Cancer," Frank turned to him with a sorrowful stare. "I should've told you at a better time. But I'm going to an appointment on Sunday. Jo hated me for not saying anything to him. But he appreciates that I'm still going to be at the party."

Shadow could sense it was more about Frank and Jo's deceased sister to the Wilson's. To their family friends, it was about Jo.

"So, you'll be gone for how long?"

"Oh, I just you need to take care of the animals for awhile. Eloise is coming to get me Monday...and then we'll be off on a sort of...retreat with Elisa. We figure we all needed a break after this. And I got the okay from the doctor last time. This time is just to see if I'm really okay, I guess. I don't know. The older I get, the more I forget," the man chuckled.

"You don't seem all too frightened."

"I'm not scared of death, Shadow."

Frank stood in the shade the side of the garage offered. Shadow stood beside him silently.

"Are you afraid of it, Shadow?"

…

"No."

Shadow's ears perked up suddenly at the sound of the door in the back opening and closing. Frank heard it, too.

Suddenly, Sonic appeared. He exhaled into the morning air. Turning, he was surprised to see Shadow and Frank right there.

"I didn't realize you two were over here. I thought you'd be up front."

"What are you doing out here?" Shadow walked towards the cobalt hero. "I thought you'd be inside with the others."

"Couldn't."

"Couldn't?" Shadow raised an eyebrow.

"Sonic, we're not here to pester you or make it worse," Frank spoke up from behind them. "We're just here to make sure you're okay. We care about you."

"Stop," Sonic croaked under his breath. He looked towards the horizon. "I didn't come out here to be reminded of her. I left for that reason. No offence, Frank, really, but Eloise and Elisa wouldn't have helped me. Things like this...they make it worse."

"How would you know, Sonic?" Frank questioned him. "We were told you only ever knew your mother. Who else would you have lost to know how to grieve?"

"Frank," Sonic growled suddenly. Shadow caught his arm and kept Sonic in place. "Please, just drop it. Take you and your wife and kid back to your perfect little life. I just want to be alone. Don't you people get it? Or do you take pleasure in sticking your noses in places they don't belong?"

"Sonic," Shadow whispered so harshly that it almost came out like a snarl. His grip tightened around Sonic's arm.

The hedgehog tried to get out of Shadow's grasp. They were suddenly pushing and pulling against each other for a short moment before Sonic finally ripped free from Shadow.

"Just leave, Frank," Sonic glared at the man. "Please."

Despite how angry Sonic looked, both Frank and Shadow could tell the blue hedgehog on the verge of bawling. On the verge of breaking down.

"Sonic, we care about you. And frankly, we think you need this."

Sonic shook his head quickly and backed away. "I don't need anything from you, Frank. Not you, or Shadow, or anyone. I just need time to think this through. Why can't you give me that?"

Shadow came up behind him suddenly and grabbed his arm. "Sonic, you need to grieve for real. Stop pretending like you're fine. Your mother is dead. This is happening."

The ebony hedgehog felt a sharp sting as Sonic twisted around and out of his grasp yet again, and landed a backhanded slap across Shadow's face. The blue blur hissed. "I DON'T NEED TO BE REMINDED, SHADOW! I KNOW SHE'S DEAD!"

"Then why don't you stop acting like you need to be strong for someone, Sonic?!"

"Because Sonia and Manic need me! I'm the oldest, Shadow, don't you get it?! I'm supposed to be strong for the two of them!"

Shadow stopped trying to get a hold of him. He merely stared at him instead. Frank watched in silence. Sonic huffed at both of them.

"Sonic…" Frank spoke out finally, breaking the silence. "Your siblings will understand if you need time to mourn. They'll understand if you need them."

"Stop being a hero, Sonic. Just be normal."

"Normal?" Sonic laughed mockingly. "What would you know about normal? We aren't normal, Shadow. We're seen in a different light."

"And that light is pressuring you to be a hero still, Sonic, but we don't need a hero anymore. Why can't you just actually mourn?"

"I. Am. Mourning." Sonic gave Shadow a deadly look that told the ebony hedgehog to shut up or regret his next words.

"No, you're not, Sonic."

"Well, you should know."

The sting that hit Shadow this time wasn't physical, but it was deeper. Sonic knew better than to bring that part of his life up.

Shadow snarled at him. "You bastard, you wouldn't dare bring her up."

Frank watched in fear and wonder. He knew only what Shadow had told Elisa, but he figured it was something that Shadow wanted to bury into his past. Frank didn't think Sonic would say anything to make Shadow look so...frightening.

The old man had never been scared of the Ultimate Life Form. He had just been given crazy looks from other humans when he told them that Shadow the Hedgehog wasn't a monster. Now, he was beginning to wonder if some parts of Shadow's past weren't at all overexaggerated.

"Then leave me alone."

"I'm just trying to help my friend," Shadow snipped back. They were both baring their teeth at each other.

Frank hadn't seen two Mobians act like such animals. He wondered if he should go inside and get help to separate the two.

"Shadow, he's not going to accept anyone's help or condolences. We might as well let him be."

"Like hell. I'm not watching you tear yourself apart like this, Sonic. You're going to listen to us."

"Drop dead." Sonic's eyes darkened as well as Shadow's. "I'm fine, Shadow. Perfectly fine."

"Your mother is dead. You're not fine and you're never going to be unless you just open up to us. Sonic, face it. You don't know how to grieve. You're lost."

"Then we'd be in the same boat, wouldn't we, Shadow?" Sonic stood taller, more arrogantly, all of sudden. He gave a sickening smirk that made Frank step back. "Maria is dead, as well. And you never got to grieve for her. Because you never had any friends or family. She was your only family. And she's - "

Frank only saw teeth bared and hands swiping the air. He heard growls and grunts from them both as suddenly, the two hedgehogs Frank had thought of as sons were now fighting like animals on the ground.

Shadow grabbed Sonic around the waist and tossed him like a hay bale. Sonic came back at lightning speed before he even hit the ground, grabbing Shadow's shirt collar and yanking him sideways. Shadow retorted by bringing Sonic down with him.

The two continued to tussle on the ground, adding punches to the mix. Shadow landed a punch to Sonic's jaw right before Sonic returned the favor.

"Don't bring her into the conversation, you bastard! You know not to bring her up!"

"Why?! Because poor little Shadow is scared of living in the past?!"

A vicious snarl came from Shadow's throat as he lunged towards Sonic. The two were on their feet now, catching their balance and breath.

"Sonic, I'm just trying to help you."

"I don't want your help! I don't need your help!"

"Then who do you need, Sonic?!"

The words must have hit him because Sonic stopped and stood straight. He collected himself, as did Shadow, and exhaled heavily. Green eyes looked at the ground. "I...I don't know."

Sonic remained standing in silence for what felt like hours. He was lost. He wouldn't admit it, but he was. He didn't want their help. It made him feel weak. But Sonic needed to know that it was okay to show weakness.

He almost shrugged away when a hand grabbed his wrist softly but firmly. But it didn't feel like Shadow.

It felt warmer.

Upon gazing down at his hand, he saw his brother's. Turning, Sonic frowned at the sadness written on Manic's face.

"You don't have to be a hero, Sonic. You just have to be here."

Sonic didn't ask when Manic had shown up or why. He didn't care. Sonic knew he just needed Manic right now. Needed Sonia. He craved his siblings because they were the only other ones that knew their mother the way they did.

All he did was embrace his younger sibling as if it were the last hug they'd ever share.

---

The Wilson's left shortly after.

No one but Frank and Shadow had seen, and they didn't bother to tell anyone about it. Sonic had to figure out how to deal with his mother's death, but that didn't mean he had to figure it out on his own.

The afternoon that followed turned quiet.

Amy and Blaze had gone to check out the cafe just like they had said this morning. Manic was inside the house with Sunny and Sarah.

"She's going to call her parents," Sonic called from the ground as Shadow sat on the rafters of the barn yet to be built.

Silver held a bucket of nails beside Sonic as Shadow rested above them. The ebony hedgehog was trying to picture the layout of the new barn, but he couldn't when Sonic just wanted to keep talking.

"And she's...scared?" Silver inquired. "Because?"

"Her parents don't really like me, I guess. I've never really formally met them, though. But even before, when I first met Sarah, it was clear to me that she and her parents didn't see eye to eye on much."

"And this situation probably isn't going to be any better."

"Of course not. As much as I'd like to hope, I know it won't go well," Sonic responded curtly. He turned to stare at Silver. "What did you find out about Scourge?"

"God, that bruise looks horrible."

"Shut up!"

Silver smugly smirked at the blue blur. "Here I thought it would blend in, but nope. Wait until the others see that you and Shadow are both sporting some nice battle scars."

"Pfft," Shadow rolled his eyes as he grabbed the hammer next to him. He motioned for Silver to pass a nail up to him.

The white hedgehog turned skeptical as he grabbed one. "Are you sure you can catch this?"

"Just throw it up here."

He did so, and he was further surprised when the Ultimate Life Form caught it with precision. Shadow motioned for some more nails and the cycle continued. Sonic crossed his arms while watching the scene unfold.

"Silver. Back to the matter at hand. What about Scourge?"

"What about him?" Silver threw one last nail up to Shadow.

"Did you get his whereabouts?"

"Yeah. Wasn't that hard, honestly. He and Rosy are living only, like, ten minutes from here. Somewhere out on the other side of this small rinky dinky town."

Shadow hammered away at the beam he had been precariously sitting on. Sonic didn't realize until then that it hadn't even been put into place. God, his housemate was a moron sometimes.

"But why do we really need to get involved with Samwell?" Silver questioned out of curiosity. "I mean...sure, he's dangerous, I guess. But as long as I've been here, nothing really major has happened."

"Because if we don't do something, Amy's sure to do it on her own," Shadow mumbled.

"What?" Sonic blinked, thinking the pink hedgehog must be an idiot of sorts just asking for trouble. "Why on Earth is Amy so interested in all of this, Shadow?"

"Because it involves a kid."

"Samwell wouldn't actually hurt a kid, would he?" Silver leaned up against a post, setting the bucket down. "He can't be that crazy, can he?"

"According to Amy, he is."

"What has Amy even heard? She's only been here for awhile. Hell, we should know more about Samwell and Scourge than her," Sonic protested, placing his hands on his hips defiantly.

"She ran into him in town - when we went to get those things for your house. Although she didn't talk to him, she overheard him on the phone with who she believes to be Rosy. And all because - apparently - Sarah saw the kid."

"Wait - my pregnant fiancé was in on this before me?" Sonic's eyes blazed with fire. "What the hell, Shadow? Why didn't you say anything? She could get hurt."

Shadow glowered down at Sonic. "She only saw the kid. And then she saw Rosy. Sarah was merely curious as to why three pink hedgehogs suddenly showed up out of the blue, almost at the same time. Pink isn't a typical color, you know."

"So, she was just curious," Sonic thought out loud, but there was relief laced into his tone. "So, she's not worried like Amy?"

"I doubt Sarah even knows past that. Or I hope."

"And you heard all of this from Amy...when?"

"Bits and pieces here and there," Shadow shrugged. "Get more information out of her when she's tired. She's talkative for some reason…"

Silver raised an eyebrow at Sonic, who in returned looked equally confused. "O-Okay, Shadow. Whatever you say. But, let me get this straight. You want to do this?"

"Of course not. I'd rather stay clear of Samwell. But if things are happening, I must admit I'm getting wary. If we at least go over and interrogate Scourge, we might get some answers."

"But wouldn't Scourge be in cahoots with Samwell?" Sonic had yet to be completely caught up to date on the news.

Shadow poked his head over the beams to look at the two below. "Amy has strong evidence to say otherwise."

"The kid?"

"The kid."

"So...we just find where Scourge lives - "

"Check," Silver interrupted the hero.

"- and then question him about Samwell and their plans. Is that it?"

"I figure so."

"But what if he doesn't want to talk? What if he's not even there when we do go?"

God, Sonic was just full of questions today.

Shadow grumbled under his breath before replying. "Sonic, we have powers - the three of us together would beat Scourge to a pulp, let's be honest here. Plus, if he's not there, Rosy might be. And she might be easier to manipulate in telling us the truth."

"Isn't Rosy insane though?" Sonic wasn't quite sure about this whole plan. "Last time I checked, she wanted to kill Scourge, not have his kid."

"Apparently that's what made Sarah pry, despite the whole pink hedgehogs showing up thing," Shadow hammered the last nail in. All the beams on one side were perfect in his eyes. Of course he could've just used a nail gun, but he didn't have one. "Sarah doesn't know much about us, does she?"

Sonic shrugged. "She never asked. Didn't seem to care. But I've told her about some things, so I guess I might've mentioned Rosy and her insanity."

Shadow used the ladder to get down, bringing the hammer along for the ride. Silver and Sonic glanced at each other.

"So, we're doing this all because you don't want Amy to do something rash?"

"Yes, as that seems to be her undying style of doing things."

Silver nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. But is this just between the three of us?"

"Until Knuckles arrives. Tails is busy enough as it is. I don't think he'd be much help, dare I say it," Sonic said. He didn't like to insult his best friend, but he would be lying if a part of him didn't want Tails involved for safety reasons. "Knuckles might be able to help us do...whatever it is that we're doing."

"Just focus on talking to Scourge first. If it calls for action, we'll get the rest involved."

"Blaze and Rouge, you mean?" Silver bit his lip. "Blaze doesn't like to resort to fighting. And personally, I don't want her involved in this."

"Exactly, but she's bound to figure it out. Sarah'll be easy to keep it hidden from, though. She's completely oblivious for the most part," Sonic figured. "Do you think it'll be necessary to bring in the others, though?"

"Might be." Shadow walked away from the two, heading to his truck that was parked not too far off. His toolbox rested in the back.

Silver hurriedly grabbed the nail bucket and followed along with Sonic. "What makes you say that? Are you not telling us something, Shadow?"

"No - I'm just cautious, is all. From what I've heard about Samwell, I'm not about to just wave the guy off."

"But, Shadow, we're not the people we used to be," Silver warned. "I haven't used my powers in years. I've never had any reason to."

"It's the same for the majority of us," Sonic replied. They made it to the truck, and as Shadow put away the hammer, Silver put the bucket of nails beside the toolbox. "Some...rules of the government made it that way."

"Exactly. Even clients are wary upon hearing I use telekinesis - until they found out who I am. It's like humans don't trust Mobians, but then again, why should they? Not all of us are good," Silver scoffed.

"Neither are the humans."

"True. But what are we supposed to do if this does resort into fighting and using our powers? We're rusty."

"Pfft," Sonic gave Silver a cocky look. "You might be rusty, but I still have my running shoes. Like I can forget how to run."

"Yeah, but what about combat? Self-defense?" Silver pressed. "I haven't done any of that, and neither has Blaze. I doubt Amy has, but I don't know about the rest of you. We're living pretty normal lives that don't include daily fighting with bad guys."

Shadow closed the toolbox shut. "Which is perhaps the reason we should keep the others out of this. Especially Amy. Samwell...he's met her. And he's showed interest in her."

"Interest?"

He glanced at the white hedgehog. "More than friendly. Not exactly welcoming, either. Bottom line, Silver, is that Samwell isn't someone that's just doing this for attention and has no skill. There's something about him that fills other people with fear."

"Who?"

Shadow remained silent for a few seconds. "I don't know them personally, but they probably ran into Samwell on one of his bad days."

"Shadow's right, Silver. Even if we're heroes with powers, that doesn't mean other Mobians don't have the capability to fight against us. Their motive is a different reason. We know little about Samwell, but he's probably not alone or with just Scourge. We should tread lightly."

"Keep the others safe?"

"Keep the others safe," Shadow agreed.

The trio turned around to walk back to the house, but were interrupted by another being. Sonic was beginning to wonder how many times Manic was going to surprisingly show up that day.

But that was the least of his worries.

Manic glanced at each one of them with interest.

"Who's Samwell?"

---

Back at the house, things were going a little different for the remaining girls.

While Amy and Blaze were still out, Sunny sat on the couch and watched Sarah look at the phone.

The female wondered where her boyfriend had disappeared to, but at that moment she was just tired of a quiet house. Sarah had been staring at the phone like it was the plague for the past half hour. Sunny was slowly trying to coax her into calling her parents.

"It'll be okay, Sarah."

"Hmhm."

"I'm sure they won't be angry."

"You don't know my parents like I do. Hell, you don't know them."

"Even so, they're your parents. You're their daughter."

"...Thank you for clearing that one up for me - almost forgot how we were related."

Sunny huffed and leaned back into the couch. "Sarah, it's going to be okay, but you just have to get it over with or you'll never do it."

Sarah licked her lips and grabbed the phone. Shakily, she entered the numbers in. The numbers that she knew by heart, and the numbers she would most likely dial for the last time.

Putting the phone to her ear, Sarah began pacing the living room. Sunny observed intently, hoping for the best. But Sarah was right - Sunny didn't know how Sarah's parents were. But they couldn't be that bad...could they?

Meanwhile, Sarah was simply praying that her mother wouldn't pick up the phone. But of course she would.

And she did.

"Sarah? What on Earth are you calling us for in the day? Shouldn't you be at work? It's Friday."

"Yeah, Mom, I know what day it is. And I'm not at work. Took a couple days off…"

Sarah was already a different person in Sunny's eyes. This wasn't the sarcastic, blunt Sarah Hutchington she had grown accustomed to. This was a timid and obedient daughter terrified of her parents. Sarah spoke softer and hesitated at every word.

"And why?"

"Well, um...Sonic's mother passed away."

"...And you're telling me this because?"

"Jesus, Mom, have a little heart. His mother died."

"And what do you want me to do about it? I'm not going to some stranger's funeral. Much less his mother's."

"How dare you! She was a kind and gracious person."

"Honey, you didn't even know her that well. She was, what, in the hospital for the time you knew her? Honey, don't act like you know someone when you don't."

Sarah bit her lip. "It doesn't matter. It's not what I called you for."

"Oh?"

"Is Dad there?"

"He's watching TV. Do you want us on speaker?"

She really thought about it. If she told only her mother, her mother would surely tell her father and she could skip a yelling. But if she didn't tell both of them at the same time, her father might call her later to yell at her anyway.

"Yes."

There was pause before her father's gruff voice was added into the conversation. "Sarah?"

"Hi, Dad…"

"What is it, Sarah?" her mother impatiently asked. "If it's what we've been talking about, we hope you've considered it. We have room available here if you decided to call off the wedding."

"She decided to call off the wedding? Finally. Thank God."

"No. Dad, I didn't call it off. And I'm not going to."

"What? Why the hell not?"

"Because you don't even know Sonic, Dad. You never even took the chance to try and get to know him," Sarah was getting annoyed now.

"Don't raise your voice with me," her father snapped back. "I don't need to get to know him. I know exactly what he's like. He's arrogant and thinks he's still living in the spotlight. He's a waste of time."

"He is not a waste of time."

"Oh? Then tell me what he is, Sarah."

"The father of my child."

Sunny's mouth gaped open as she watched Sarah. The lime green hedgehog had stopped pacing now and was standing in the middle of the living room with one hand on her hip. The confidence was building.

The silence on the other end of the phone drove her mad. What had she just done? She had just confirmed to them that she was pregnant. They had been telling her to abort it if she was. They'd been telling her to call off the wedding.

Sarah mentally shook her head. They don't know him like I do. They don't know him at all. He's nothing like they say. Because they don't know him.

"He's what…" Her father's tone made her shiver. "Sarah, you better not be pregnant. We're not giving you a dime."

"I'm not asking for money. I'm just calling to let you know."

"Honey, you can't raise a child right now. You're too young. You aren't prepared."

"No one's ever prepared to have a kid. But I'm not just getting rid of it. I simply called to let you know. To hear that you disown me. To hear that you won't be coming to the wedding," Sarah babbled on. "To hear everything I've been hearing in my head come out of your mouths so that I can have this sense of relief that I won't have my God awful parents in my life anymore."

"Young lady, watch your mouth - "

"Fuck it. You're not disowning me," Sarah scoffed. "I'm disowning you."

There was longer silence on the phone this time, and she was tempted to hang up.

"Sarah?"

"What?" She snipped quickly.

"If it's what you want. To have us not come the wedding," it was her mother this time, "then we won't go."

"I'm sure it would be a better convenience for you not to come."

"...Sweetie, we just don't think he's good for you."

"What's that thing you said, Mom? To not pretend to know someone you don't actually know?" Sarah's hands were shaking at this point. She curled her free hand into a fist. "Maybe you should actually start listening to your own advice."

The violent click told Sunny that the female hung up on her parents.

"Wow…"

Sarah twisted around reluctantly to face Sunny. "I couldn't do it anymore." She shook her head as tears formed in her eyes. "I couldn't fight with them anymore. I just wanted peace and quiet. But they were the only thing in my life giving me a headache every time I tried to talk to them. I'm tired of pretending to still be their daughter when I'm not."

"Sarah…" Sunny stood and opened her arms. She knew Sarah wasn't much into hugs with random people. But the female in front of her needed comfort. "It'll be okay either way."

The lime green hedgehog shook her head again. "No. It was better this way. I should have done it long time ago."

Sarah avoided Sunny's open arms and put the phone back where it belonged. She turned to Sunny and offered her a small smile. "I'll be fine, though, really. It'll feel no different."

"Then shall we go see what the boys are doing?"

"Might as well."

Before they could take a step, the phone rang.

Fear washed over Sarah. She turned white, but quickly grabbed the phone. Sunny grabbed her arm. "It's okay if they yell at you," she quickly reassured the pregnant female. "Just stay strong and don't back down. Stand your ground."

Sarah furrowed her eyebrows at the number written across the screen. It was unfamiliar. "That's not my mom's cell."

"Well, who is it then?"

"I don't know." She set the phone back on its stand. "But I'm not answering it. I don't answer random numbers I don't recognize."

"Then let's just go see what the boys are up to," Sunny repeated and tugged Sarah's arm along. The phone stopped ringing.

They made it to the kitchen before the phone started to ring again. Sarah growled under her breath in annoyance and looked at the kitchen phone. "Looks like the same number again."

"Maybe pick it up then?"

"Fine," she muttered. Picking up the phone, she answered it. "Hello?"

"Oh, hi, this is Rouge! I was expecting Amy or Shadow to answer, but I understand he has lots of guests in his house. Who is this?"

"Sarah."

"Who is it?" Sunny whispered.

The female waved her off. "Rouge, uh, what are you calling for? Do you need Shadow or Amy?"

"Oh, no. I'm just calling to let you all know that Knuckles, the twins, and I are going to be landing in tomorrow morning."

"Landing in?"

"Yeah, at the airport. I told Amy some time ago, but she hasn't really spoken to me since. I figure with Blaze and Silver there now, she's busy catching up with them. Blaze texted me though - kept me updated on what was going on. I'm so sorry for the loss, by the way. I didn't personally know Aleena but I heard only good things."

Sarah blinked at the wall. "I'm sorry. Rouge? Like Rouge the Bat?"

"Yes."

"You're coming here?"

"Well, we're staying at a hotel right now. We didn't want to intrude you guys or Tails. Amy tried to convince him, but we talked him out of it. He really wouldn't want two five-year-olds running amuk. But I thought we'd just call and make sure that you guys knew. We have a rental car so that's all taken care of."

"You were coming to the wedding, too, then?"

"Well, when it happens in May. But Knuckles and I have been talking about moving some place different. It would feel nice to be back with the group. But at the same time the twins were just starting to fit in. Still, it's up for debate."

"Um…Right. I'll just tell them when they come back here, then."

"Thanks so much, Sarah! Oh, and congrats!"

Sarah winced. Just how fast did Blaze tell Rouge everything. "Congrats?"

She hoped the bat meant being engaged.

"I'm sorry, but Blaze texted me last night on what happened with Aleena and whatnot, and then finding out that you're pregnant. So, congrats! It's lovely, really...most days."

Sarah gritted her teeth. Suddenly Blaze was becoming a nuisance to her. She didn't need everyone to know just yet. The people in the house were good enough.

"Thank you, Rouge. Very nice talking to you, and I will tell them."

"Thanks, Hun. Bye!"

"Buh bye."

She hung up the phone. Sunny grabbed her shoulder and leaned over. "Well?"

"Rouge is coming."

"And you're glaring at the wall because of that?"

"No. But remind me to have a stern talk with Blaze on sharing personal information about others."

---

The day had been mostly uneventful for Shadow despite what happened this morning.

Frank has cancer...But at least he's accepting of whatever happens. It might feel strange when he's gone, but that day is inevitable. They aren't getting younger.

And at least Sonic is less tense about his mother's death now. Or at least less tense about being weak in front of his siblings. Manic didn't seem to care at all, but thank God he showed up when he did.

…

He thought about the fight. The words that stung. Sonic didn't mean to say those things. He apologized. I accepted his apology. With what happened, it was only a matter of time before he said even the tiniest thing about...her. But I didn't expect myself to lash out so quickly.

"So, you got the bruise from what again?"

"Sonic has good aim."

Amy frowned as she tried to see the bruise on Shadow's cheek. It was practically impossible since the black hedgehog kept moving out of her grasp. "Shadow, let me see it."

"It's fine." The bolshie male was about to get very annoyed. She was trying to mother him.

The rose Mobian rested on her knees. Folding her arms, she glared at him - as if that would make him finally behave. Shadow, of course, did nothing different but ignore her.

"Shadow."

He was somewhat cornered when he moved too far to one side of the bed, and she toppled herself on top of him. Shadow swallowed heavily as she sat on his stomach and leaned in to look at his bruise.

"It's going to look pretty noticeable tomorrow when we go see Rouge and Knuckles."

Oh, and that happened today as well. Shadow frowned mentally. He wasn't excited about seeing the bat face-to-face. Something about the whole idea made him...scared.

Amy seemed to notice. She gave him a reassuring smile whether he was looking or not. Nuzzling into his bruised cheek softly, Amy hummed softly. "It won't be so bad, Shadow. Rouge is excited, and so you should be too."

"That makes hardly any sense, Rose."

She tilted her head as if to say, 'How can you not understand that logic?'

Green eyes stared down at him innocently. She softly whispered, "I know it must be hard on you to know what happened to Rouge so long ago...and you not being able to do anything about it. But, Shadow, she's moved on from it. And while you might not be able to move on as quickly with the news right now, it'd probably mean a lot to her if you were just her best friend again."

Best friend.

Had I truly been Rouge's best friend? Sure. I guess one would call it that. But a best friend would have murdered the guy who dared to touch her in the first place. And I didn't. I didn't do anything about it because I didn't know it had happened.

Because she hadn't said anything to me.

Because I wasn't a part of her life anymore.

Which wouldn't make me her best friend, now would it?

"Do you really think that's what I am to her?"

Amy blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"If I were her best friend, she would have told me...but she didn't. I wasn't in her life then. But I should've been."

With a serious face, Amy laid down on top of Shadow, her left hand finding his chest fur to play around with while her right hand rest up by his shoulder. Shadow didn't seem to mind the sudden weight, so she didn't make a move to get off.

"Shadow, of course your Rouge's best friend. You knew her the best back then. She knew you the best."

"Back then, Amy. Back then was like a different lifetime. I barely remember anyone from back then."

She smiled softly. "Same. I feel like I can almost recall how Sonic was in the past, but then I just think of how he is today. And Silver and Blaze were very different. But years change people, Shadow."

"Exactly. Years change people. Those years change relationships, too. And Rouge and I barely know each other now. Hell, as soon as I left, I knew nothing about her. Tomorrow will be like meeting new people all over again."

"Don't say that," Amy shook her head defiantly. "Don't ever say that, Shadow. You and her know each other. Or knew. But you're still friends."

Shadow looked away.

The empty, darkness in our room is just how I feel about this whole situation. The fuzzies in the air I see are how confused my brain is on the whole situation with Rouge...Wait.

Our room?

He stopped himself.

Right. My room.

"Amy…" he whispered after several minutes of quiet. "You and I knew of each other in the past, correct?"

"Yes…"

"And you knew about me? Several things?"

"Well, sure. Just rumors or things from Sonic. Never really got many opportunities to talk to you personally," Amy wasn't sure where he was headed with this, but she played along.

"Then when the group split up, did you ever once think of that one hero deemed a monster by the public? The one you knew back then?"

…

Her silence was his answer.

"When Rouge and I went our separate ways to live as normal lives as we could...we became what you and I became. What you and everyone else practically became. Strangers."

"Not complete strangers, Shadow. I mean, Sonic was for a time with you, but he eventually found his way into your life again."

"Still. I knew Sonic. Then I didn't. Now I know a completely different Sonic. Two different people that aren't the same. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"Kind of...The Rouge you knew back then...you're afraid she won't be the same Rouge now?"

"In a way, I guess afraid is the right term. But still the issue that happened to her - that's enough to make me realize how we really did just become strangers. How easily it was done. It amazes me. You can say goodbye to someone so quickly - shut them out of your life like that. And then they're strangers, again. Everyone starts out as strangers, I suppose. Then you know them. And then you don't."

Amy found herself clutching onto his chest fur at the thought.

…

…

…

Shadow figured Amy had gone to sleep after what felt like fifteen minutes, but was probably close to five. He loosely wrapped his arms around her form. When he did so, he heard the slightest whisper cut through the air.

"Shadow?"

His eyes, which were about to shut, flew open at the sound of her small voice. Why did it sound so frail though? So...scared?

"Hm?"

"...We...We won't become strangers, will we?"

The question caught him by utter surprise. The idea of being strangers - him and Amy.

No.

That was the first word that hit his head. No, he couldn't possibly say that type of goodbye to her. A strong part of him wanted to keep her around forever. She was captivating and different.

She understood him.

From being the one stranger he never really knew, he was surprised that this little female was the one that would know him the best.

I guess it only takes a hello. Or an intruding guest that's stubbornly going to live under your roof and not get a job. Same thing, I suppose, in this case.

"Shadow?"

The Ultimate Life Form kissed her forehead softly. When he finally answered, he said the word she had hoped to hear.

"Never."

---

O.O *blinks at the word count*

Alright. Look. I can explain.

You know when you sit down and think you should finally start writing to that fanfiction you have - so you start writing and you just don't stop and then you end up with over 21,000 words and you can't just break it off somewhere so you decide to keep it as one long ass chapter?

Yeah, me neither.

Arrivederci!