CHAPTER VII – MAKING ARRANGEMENTS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2016

The moment the car's clock hit midnight, he exited the car. Needless to say, he was not convinced about this being a viable residency, temporary or not. A rundown hellhole on the intersection of Ucla Drive and Bruins Street in the heart of South Res next to Interstate 95. A bunch of ratty, decaying buildings were the only sights to see in this neighborhood, undoubtedly the home turf for many of the city's vile drug dealers and disenfranchised, homeless people who needed the most help. And this was where one of Fiona's safehouses was? Scourge figured she used the word as a cruel joke because this block was the worst part of the worst part of town.

"You sure your boss isn't high off her ass?" he asked. One of them immediately grabbed his shoulder, prompting Scourge to brush it off just as quickly.

"Don't insult the lady," the sleuth-y dawg warned. "Besides, you saw how Fiona's place went underground, right?"

"This place has a hidden bunker too?" as they walked to the entryway.

The dawg smirked as he opened the door for them. He, Scourge, and the other members of their party waltzed in, but Scourge was still unconvinced. It looked… okay? There were couches in the main den that didn't look too uncomfortable, a fridge in the kitchenette that was a little rusty at the bottom of the door, and creaky flooring to boot. Scratch that. This place was as bad as he thought it would be. And the levels of dust and filth around the place would make any germaphobe keel over on the spot. It looked as if no one had cleaned this place since the last time a new episode of I Love Lucy aired on syndicated television.

"I mean, I'm not a stickler for quality…," Scourge rambled.

"You haven't seen the upper levels," the frog said. "We'll convince you yet!"

Scourge rolled his eyes and starting putzing around with his newly acquired flight suit, garnering an off-putting, lustful gaze from the amphibian. "Can I help you with something?" Scourge asked in a cut-to-the-chase tone.

"It's the suit," he said, mesmerized by its quality as he reached out at it. "If Sonic could fly this thing, then maybe I—."

THWACK!

The frog immediately drew back his smarting hand and shook it. "Did you earn this in a fight? No. Could you possibly wrestle it away from me? No, 'cause I'll have you pinned in two seconds!" Then something that had been annoying him the entire ride over came to his attention. "And why the heck are you with me anyway? I can take care of myself."

"Miss Fox sees you as an asset worth protecting," the dawg said.

"I feel safer already," Scourge replied with sarcasm as evident as the dust in the room.

The canine ignored his snide remark. "Since we're gonna be spending some time together, allow me to introduce me and the guys. Miss Fox calls us the 'Destructix.' I'm—."

"Not interested in getting to know any of you," Scourge finished. "And cute team name. I suppose 'Fiona's Cheerleaders' or the 'Vixen's Bitches' were already taken?" He asked as they reached the stairs, though they were locked behind a door with a numbered keypad.

Groaning, the dawg replied, "I'll have you know that the Destructix has been the Fox Family's chief enforcers for centuries ever since our organization began."

"Am I supposed to be impressed? What do you want? A cookie?"

He then put in the five-digit passcode that was met with a buzz. "5-2-0-0-6. That's the passcode."

"Are you going to tell me everything? I saw you input it."

If this hedgehog didn't shut his face real soon…. Scourge taking out Sonic couldn't happen soon enough if it meant playing babysitter for this green bastard for a few days. In fact, Scourge was about to bitch some more until they reached the next floor and the dawg flipped on the lights.

This was more like it. Very much so. For one, there wasn't a shroud of dust here. The entire floor had the same layout as the one below, even down to the bathroom and couch locations, but this was significantly cleaner with its white walls and brown trim. Hardwood floor covered the place in a caramel color that made you want to see if it tasted like the treat. Red wood furniture dotted the large room. It looked a bit retro, but he could dig it. It was infinitely better than the other floor, even if it didn't have any windows.

Scourge looked to the dawg. "The ground floor's just a setup?"

"To keep away homeless faggots," the dawg said. "That door down there is password-locked to keep—."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got it," he spat back. "This ain't a normal abandoned apartment building, eh?"

The dawg growled. "We paid a small fortune to get this place. Redid the upper floors to be a safehouse."

"Fascinating…."

Oh, he was tired of his smart mouth. He wanted this jackass gone from his sight.

"Your room is the next floor up. First door on the right."

Scourge turned and began to make his way there, but he noticed he was the only one headed there. "Aren't you coming?"

"Am I supposed to go alone?"

"We're not here to sleep with you, queer-bag," the dawg hissed.

"Not what I meant. And nice insult. You'd be the guest of honor at the local 'Pride' rally, fuck-face."

The dawg took one angry step toward Scourge, but his amphibious comrade put a hand on his chest, prompting him to stop. "Enough," the frog said. "Until we work out a plan for Sonic, you'll be staying in the apartment. Don't worry, there's a TV and stocked fridge up there to keep yourself occupied in the meantime. There'll be at least one of us here at all times keeping an eye on you."

Scourge sighed. "Fine. Whatever."

The frog tapped his canine cohort on the shoulder. "I'll take the night shift, Dawg. Go home before he kicks your ass."

The canine shook his head. "Have fun with Eggman's lab rat." He then stormed out with a loud SLAM of the door.

"I think he likes me," Scourge jeered. "Maybe there's hope for him yet!" he yelled a little louder.

The frog turned and cocked an eyebrow. "Get some shuteye."

With a mock salute, Scourge walked to the second stairwell and followed the frog's instructions regarding his room. It truly did feel like the kind of smaller apartment that he envisioned except for the lack of windows (much like the previous floor which highlighted the fact that the layout of this safehouse was odder than numbers ending in the number 1. But there was still a dark wood dresser with a modest flat-screen TV mounted on the wall opposite of his full-sized bed. To the left of the dresser, near the door, was an open bathroom complete with a shower and porcelain toilet.

Now that he was alone and away from the frog that looked too interested in his prize, Scourge began to slip the flight suit on. If it fit Sonic, it could surely fit Scourge. And it did. Like a glove. The weight threw him off for a moment, but he adjusted and began to flex with it on. It seemed to move easily than he initially though possible, but what would it look like if it were turned on?

He began to search for some sort of on-switch as he looked at his reflection coming off the television. Right in the center was a circular button that seemed to give but also pushed back like an unclicked ballpoint pen.

CLICK!

The suit began to fire up and suddenly sprout wings that followed the arms of Scourge and linked up with the gauntlets he forgot he still had on from his fight. His newly acquired wings felt lightweight and sported sharp, metal tips on the ends of them. Wanting a better look, he held up the sharpened wingtip up and marveled at how deadly it looked. You could cut up somebody easily if you weren't careful, and that made him smile.

Then he noticed the small handles on the wings near his hands. When he clutched them, the suit wrapped his hands in a protective layer of carbon fiber and metal. And like his brother, he noticed how limber he felt with the contraption on his back. His movement was not hindered in the slightest. Next, he felt around the encased handlebars and felt a switch on the end of each one. Scourge pressed one and then the other, but they didn't do anything. But then he pressed them down at the same time and heard the jet engines roar, propelling him off the ground. He smiled at the TV and marveled how good he looked with it on. It was going to be so sweet to use this against Sonic.

The wee moments of his long night were finally catching up with him. He felt horrible. "Just a minute," he said. The was almost two hours ago. CREAM was in rest mode after he had cried himself to sleep on Tails's keyboard.

Sonic had not come back up yet, so Amy—who was finishing off a late-night bagel with cinnamon cream cheese—came down to check on him with one for him as well. All she could do was feel sorry for the man after he had his world rocked. Maybe sleeping in a warm, comfortable bed would help him. Maybe a midnight snack would help too. Hell, maybe not sleeping in hunched position would help him. He didn't look comfortable with his arms on the big desk. Tails had fallen asleep down here many times, but at least he reclined in his chair when it occurred. But given what he had dealt with, she was more than willing to cut him some slack.

"CREAM?" Amy asked. She could hear the computer come back to life.

"Good evening, Amy," CREAM replied. "What are you doing up so late?"

"Not the first time I've been up after hours," Amy scoffed before her eyes went back to Sonic. "How's he doing?"

CREAM could sense the concern in the Rose's voice. She had to admit that it was very womanly and cute of her to do. "Do you know how many times he's cried in my arms?"

"Huh?" How could he cry in her—. "Oh, right. Forgot you had a body at one point."

"I hate seeing him like this. I haven't seen him this hurt in a long time. With all this business with Green, he'll need to take it slow."

Amy set the small plate down. "I think we both know with Sonic that it's easier said than done. You know he won't stop until he's got his man, or brother as the case may be." She shook her head. "I really wish he didn't bury himself with this kind of shit."

"What kind of 'shit?' His heroics?"

Amy nodded. "He doesn't take the time to relax and stop working. Or when he does, it's few and far in between."

"You have to remember it was Robotnik that instilled that kind of work ethic into him. It's not his fault that Sonic is wired to work nonstop."

Amy put a hand on the sleeping man's shoulder. "I guess you're right. Still, I wish he'd stop being the hero for a little while. You'd think when he freed himself that he'd be able to live a normal life."

"Like having a job and income? Having fun?"

"That's a little broad, but yeah. I don't want to see him burn himself out. Like you said, he's still in that mindset of getting crap done in a fast way. Efficient, yes. But fast nonetheless. He needs to take in a breath of fresh air. Pick a flower, hike up a mountain, go for a swim." She didn't notice how she started to twirl one of her quills around her finger.

"Wine and dine you with a medium rare ribeye?"

"Yeah…," Amy said with a blus—. "Wait, no!" she quickly defended.

"Shhhhhh!" the rabbit warned.

"Sorry!" Amy said in a panicked whisper. "What did you mean by that anyway?"

"Amy, don't be coy," CREAM said confidently. "I may be stuck in a computer, but I am not blind, and I'm sure as hell not deaf either. I've seen the way you've looked at him, spoken softly and proudly of him."

"Yeah, I respect what he does!"

"It's more than that, Amy. Don't deny it."

The pink hedgie turned herself around and crossed her arms in a huff. She had an indignant look on her face as her right pointer finger rhythmically tapped her left arm again and again and again. CREAM kept an eye on her for the whole duration, taking special interest in her body language. She was not falling for Amy's bluff. And she was right. Amy let out a huge sigh and bowed her head.

"Am I that easy to read?" The defeated tone of hers was quiet, but not enough for CREAM to miss.

"If it makes you feel any better, Sonic does appreciate what you do for him."

"Yeah, but why do I get the feeling that's all he'll ever do to me?"

"As opposed to treasuring you? I'd say Sonic's never been that way with girls, but then again I'm the only girl he's known for most of his life. Although, if it makes you feel any better, I know Sonic does more than appreciate you."

Amy's ears perked up. She turned around to the computer and asked, "Really?"

"My advice to you is to give him some time, with whatever feelings he may have for you and this whole business with his zealous work ethic."

Amy smiled and shook her head. "You'll have to forgive me, CREAM. I forgot that you could dish out excellent perspective. You're definitely more man—sorry, woman—than machine."

"When you're Sonic's mother-figure for how many years, you pick up a thing or two. And… if I may be frank…," she said timidly.

"What?" Amy asked. Then it clicked. "Wait, you don't… no… you like someone?" If she had a body, CREAM would be nodding, but her silence was enough for Miss Rose. "It's not Tails, is it?" Silent again, not unlike a cemetery at the witching hour. Amy was about to lose it.

"You can't tell Miles, okay?" CREAM asked, nearly begged.

"Why?"

"Because I want to tell him myself one—."

"No, no, not that. Why Tails? Why do like… him?" Amy said that with a little disgust. The way this conversation was going, it was exactly like a friend of yours saying they like your sibling. You cannot see why since all they are to you is a goddamn nuisance or a bunch of meh, but the friend, for whatever reason, sees them as the greatest thing since sliced bread. "He's a nerd!"

"Amy, he's going out of his way to build me a new body so I can walk around again and not be cooped up in this thing. And… I like a guy with big brains. We stimulate each other~."

Amy shook her head in disgust. "I am going to quote Raven Baxter for a minute." She then did a weird finger motion at CREAM. "Ya nastay."

"You're just saying that because he's your brother. And who's Raven Baxter?"

"Disney Channel character from when I was a kid." Amy then glanced and saw the plate with the bagel and cream cheese. Next, she looked at Sonic, still sleeping away. "Right, I forgot why I came down here. If it's fine with you, CREAM, I'd like to take Sonic to bed. Hunched over a computer for hours on end does not a functioning man make."

"Understood. His back'll be sore. Good night, Amy."

"Good night, CREAM." On that, CREAM went back into sleep mode as Amy began to gently shake the blue blur. "Sonic? Sonic, wake up."

He slowly raised an eyebrow and did a full body stretch, cracking more than a few joints in his upper spine.

CRAAAAAAAACK!

"Owwwwww," he groaned before turning to Amy. "What's up?"

"I was wondering if you needed a snack."

He looked and saw the pastry sitting on the desk. "You woke me up for a bagel?"

"I figured you would need it… and maybe you could sleep in a place where your back won't be screaming at you come morning."

He had to allow the brain fog to clear, but he nodded and woofed down the bagel quickly. "Thank you," he said as he got up. However, all it took was one step for him to physically give out from all the physical abuse he had taken. "Ah! Son-of-a—!"

"Here," she said as he helped him up and slung his arm around her shoulder. She began to slowly stroll with him out of the lab and up the stairs.

"You know how you feel like your body wants to give up, but your heart says 'no?'"

She scoffed. "Please, I'm the poster-child for that."

"Thanks again," he said.

"I'll always be here for you," she said proudly. Amy had hoped he might take the subtle hint.

"Well, I appreciate it." Okay, maybe too subtle.

Meanwhile, they had made it to the kitchen where Sonic took a brief glance at the stove's clock before they started climbing the other set of stairs. "It's almost two?"

"You were down there for a few hours."

Sonic's face soured. "Oh, right."

"Try and forget about it. At least for tonight. There'll be time later to deal with Green."

That name alone sent a pang of guilt through Sonic's mind. "I'm sorry, Green," he thought.

As Amy opened the door, she set him down gently and helped him with the covers. "Déjà vu," he mused.

"Yeah, I feel like we've been here before," she joked as she made her way out the door. "Get some rest."

He smiled. "If it's what the lady wants…," he said as she turned off the lights. Though he was stiff and sore, Sonic rolled over and looked out the window. Nope, no creeper brother through the looking glass.

Green.

He shook his head and let out a pained sigh. He'd have to find him soon, but he needed to rest up. But before he fell asleep, his mind meandered over what he had heard. Sure, he was asleep, but that didn't mean his ears weren't working during the girls' conversation. He tried to tell himself he'd never admit out loud, but… yeah, he felt something for her. He could not lie around and not like how she was trying to help him ever since they got to know each other. Maybe it could lead to more. Maybe it wouldn't. But figuring that out could wait. Until then, he drifted to sleep, but subconsciously, he began to cuddle the other pillow he had in bed with him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I know that most of my readers (if not all of them) are SonAmy shippers like myself. Well, here's a little taste of it. But it's only a taste. This AU isn't meant to be about shipping or romance for that matter, even if the majority of my published catalog might tell you otherwise. It's there to round out the narrative and add in a subplot. This won't be the last we'll see of it, but when it does come back up... well, it's going to be an event.

What else is there else to say other than this chapter was honestly pretty short? I honestly forgot how brief it was. It's just under 3,200 words when you take out the A/N. Just a warning, the next one is only about 1,000 words more, so don't expect to be on this site all day reading this story (that goes for this chapter too) when it comes out. Speaking of which, Chapter 8 will be out April 3rd, and chapter 9 on April 13th.

Special thanks go out to jurrassicdinodrew, 000Marie198, and FlameShadowDragon for dropping reviews for chapter 6! And thanks for being understanding on what language is used in this AU. I really mean that.

As always, the characters used in this story are the property of SEGA, Sonic Team, and Archie Comics. Everything in the story is being used strictly for entertainment purposes. And as always, I will talk to y'all later.