Oh, Hello! It's been a long while since I've worked on this story. Life and all that. But! I am back. This story has been in the back of my mind nudging to be written. So, here is the next chapter. :)

Chapter 10

Amy kept her gaze on her fingers laced with Sonic's. It provided a measure of comfort to her, even though she was nervous and didn't know why. Well, she knew why. "What I mean by that is, the academy makes it so that you can survive," Amy paused and looked up into Sonic's eyes, "at any cost." Amy waited for Sonic's reaction. All she saw was his pupils dilate, but he said nothing. She decided to continue before he could interrupt.. or before she stopped herself.

"The training was extensive. It included everything from reading maps, coding, weapons, martial arts, surviving with very little - you get the idea. The main focus, however, was willpower. Anyone can get through a situation with luck and a little bit of skill, but the key is you have to be determined. You have to keep going even when things seem impossible, even when it seems you have lost. That is the willpower they want all of their agents to possess."

Sonic listened intently, his gaze never shifting from Amy as she spoke. He was dumbfounded. He was amazed. He was impressed, and most of all proud. Proud of her for committing to something so challenging and succeeding at it. And yet, he was still worried. Did all of this change her? Maybe now she seemed like the old Amy he missed and loved, but would she change on him in the blink of an eye? Sonic could handle her growing as a person and stepping into her own, but he could not handle if she changed her mind about him.

Amy suddenly wanted to stand up. She let go of Sonic's hands and moved off of him. She felt restless, releasing all of this information. More so, she felt like she was telling a secret she would get in trouble from telling. Amy knew that wasn't the case, as everyone knew Rouge was a G.U.N. agent and nothing had happened to her for telling everyone she was an agent. She took off her heels and walked toward the edge of the water. Amy knew it was because she was telling Sonic, she was being vulnerable with him, and that scared her. She didn't want to be open only to have him crush her once again, just like he used to. But, then again, he could only crush her if she let him, and Amy wasn't about to let her feelings for Sonic control her again.

"Willpower is a necessity. It separates the good from the great. They have specific classes and challenges to increase your willpower." She looked up at the moon. "They also have specific punishments if you don't do what you are supposed to, if you don't give it your all." She shut her eyes and shuttered, remembering the bite of the whip against her back, the ache of constant hunger in her stomach, the extreme exhaustion for days.

She felt Sonic's hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked at him next to her. How could she tell him all of that? She had barely scratched the surface of what she endured. What would he think of her if he knew it all?

"Amy, you've been through a lot these past four years." Sonic stared into her eyes, illuminated by the moonlight. "I appreciate you telling me what you have so far. If you don't want to keep talking about it, we don't have to." Maybe Amy hadn't realized it, but whatever she had just thought about had made her wrap her arms around herself subconsciously, as if she was trying to shield herself from the memories. It left Sonic feeling protective and uneasy. She had definitely been through something, and it wasn't good.

"Sonic, I-" Amy started, turning towards him.

Maybe it was because for as strong as Amy tried to be, she looked vulnerable at the moment. Maybe it was something about the way the moonlight gleamed off of her hair. Or that on her face she looked so lost in thought. Whatever it was, Sonic grabbed Amy's face and kissed her gently on the lips.

Amy stilled. She was not used to Sonic kissing her, but she could get used to this. She closed her eyes and sighed softly.

"Thank you, Sonic," she murmured quietly. "I don't really want to go into detail. It's still too fresh".

He smiled at her. "Of course, Ames. Besides, I'm sure you'll tell me all about it one day." He grabbed her hand and gazed up at the moon. He was going to get it out of her one way other another; he wanted to know what his Amy had been through. He could help her work through it, if needed. Sonic didn't want whatever this was to come between them. Amy was back, but she was still guarded. He wasn't about to take any chances of her not being with him. "I think I should get you back home now. It's late."

"Yeah, maybe" Amy giggled. God, Sonic had missed that sound so much. It was wonderful to hear it in person again. His dreams definitely had not done her any justice.

"What are you doing Friday night?" Sonic asked. He was still thinking about how her had referred to her as his Amy again. He should probably make that official.

"This Friday? I don't have any plans."

Sonic smirked at her. "You do now. We're going to Gems and Gents to celebrate."

Amy looked at him quizzically. "Celebrate what?" She was suspicious. Sonic only smirked like that when he was planning something. What was he up to?

"You being back home, of course." Sonic has a full grin on his face now.

"And what else?" Amy demanded, putting her hands on her hips. Oh, he was definitely planning something alright. She knew that look.

Sonic grabbed her hands from her hips and brought them to his mouth where he kissed them. Amy felt her heart pound in her chest from the action. She was getting so much affection from him in such a short time, her senses were on overload.

Sonic was not going to wait any more. He was done waiting, and done being afraid. Amy deserved better than that, and he would be it for her. "Amy Rose, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, still holding her hands in his.

Taken aback, Amy's mouth dropped open. Did he really just ask her that, or was she dreaming? Was this whole thing a dream? The butterflies in her stomach and the heat from their hands told her it definitely was not. She had waited all of her life for this moment and it was actually here. Was she ready for this? Amy's thoughts went into over drive. She left because she didn't know who she was without Sonic, she had based her whole life around him. Now, though, she knew who she was, she was stronger; She would not be defined by Sonic again. She would only have herself to blame, she reminded herself quickly, if she did allow Sonic to take over her life again. For now, she was going to indulge on childhood dreams.

"Yes! Oh, Sonic, you don't know how long I have wanted you to ask me that." Amy smiled a full smile.

Sonic pulled on her hands to bring her closer to him. "Oh, say, I don't know, just a few years maybe." He grabbed her waist and brought her body against his. He was elated. There was a small part of him that thought she would say no, if only to save face after going through these last four years to measure up to him. Which, she didn't need to. Amy was a force in her own right, only now she was more lethal. Amy was finally his girl, and he couldn't have been more happy.

Amy liked the feel of Sonic against her. It was as if she was encompassed by instant warmth. She lifted her face to kiss him. She felt his fingers tighten around her hips, and in return she moved her arms around his neck in an attempt to get closer. He had a woodsy, wild scent that seemed to call to her. She found herself getting lost in him, and she was falling, fast. The logical part of her brain that was left tried to tell her to abandon ship before it was too late. She moved her hands to his shoulders and tried to push away.

"Sonic, I" she started.

Sonic took the opportunity and slipped his tongue into her mouth. He felt like he was on fire; she tasted sweet like strawberries and honey. He was addicted and he would never get enough. He was mildly aware of Amy stepping backwards from him.

He broke the kiss and laid his forehead against hers. "Just where do you think you're going," he asked huskily.

"I need a breather." Amy panted. Sonic was too good a kisser and Amy was going up in flames. She took another step back.

Sonic followed, never letting go of her hips. Amy stepped back again and came up against a hard surface. She turned her head and realized she was backed up all the way to the tree trunk. She felt one of his hands go to the nap of her neck.

"Are you trying to run away from me," Sonic asked, kissing her jaw.

Amy couldn't think straight. This whole night had felt like something out of a movie, and just too good to be true. She still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Sonic loved her, too.

"Because you already did that once, and I let you." The hand on her neck moved to the back of her head. His fingers slipped further down her hip and to her behind. Amy made a soft whimper. She looked up at him with wide eyes, lips slightly parted. Sonic looked at her with hunger, with longing, with resolve. "I will not let you get away from me again." He fisted her hair and kissed her hard, bringing her body closer to his as he did so.

Amy moaned. His words sent shivers down her spine. She felt the yearning of his body, as tightly as Sonic had pulled her into him and pushed back up on the tree trunk. She had an answering ache in her core. She was turned on by his possessiveness of her, as if she had always been his. Her body was betraying her. And yet she felt alive. She was in the middle of nowhere, just her and Sonic. She had always dreamed of this, her and him, together in this way. Did she really want to go all the way now? Here? Amy was blinded by feeling. She passionately kissed him back, grabbing his quills, clenching at the back of his shirt, pulling him closer to her.

Sonic knew he needed to stop, but damn it all, Amy was just so tempting. She was soft and pliant against him. He could feel of her breasts against him through the thin material of her shirt and it had his mind spinning. He was drunk on her scent, her taste. Her hair in his hand felt like silk, and her mouth was exquisite. Sonic's hand found its way to the bottom of her skirt. He should stop. He'd waited this long, he could wait a little long. Amy obviously wasn't going to stop them, so he should, right? He moaned into her mouth.

With an uncanny amount of self control, Sonic released her.

"Sonic" she panted out. "Why did you stop?". She felt bereft. She looked at him. His eyes were wild, like he barely had caged himself. His quills were messy and his button shirt was half undone. Dear goodness, he was sexy. Amy wanted him, and she wanted him now.

"It's been a long night. Lots of emotions, lots of feelings. As much as I want you, " Sonic paused and looked her up and down, "and I do want you. Really want you." He licked his lips. The action sent heat pooling into Amy's core. "I think it best if I get you home, and you get some rest. Besides," He grabbed Amy's arm pulled her into him before lifting her bridal style.

Amy squealed, not expecting him to pick her up.

"You need to get some rest because we are going out again in 12 hours." He smirked at her.

She blushed, then looked at him pointedly. "Well, hedgehog, for your information, I am a big girl and can make my own decisions. Don't you worry about me or my beauty sleep."

Sonic laughed. "I'll always worry about you, even if you don't want me to". He kissed her forehead. "Let's get you home". He picked up her heels, kissed her forehead and then started running back through the meadow, into the forest. Sonic loved the feel of Amy, in general. Whether is was in his arms, or when he had her pinned to the tree, it didn't matter. He was happy she was finally his, and he was hers. As it was supposed to be. Nothing would take her from him. He would make sure of that. He messed up before, he wasn't about to again.

Amy nuzzled into his chest. When did he become such a gentleman? Had he always been this way, just not with her? Or was he this way because it was with her? Whatever this Sonic was, Amy wanted him to stay. This night had been magical. Amy and Sonic were boyfriend girlfriend. The realization brought Amy immense happiness. She was getting what she had always wanted. Maybe not on the timeline she had thought, but that didn't matter. They were together now, and that is what was important to her.