Chapter 2:

Hey hey fellow readers! I hope you enjoy the next installment in this grand adventure! I can't wait to hear your reviews!

It has been roughly a month and a half since the events at the parts store. Tails and Amanda had conversed much since then. They grew close as friends, discovering many interests that they had both shared. During this time, Tails had not forgotten his promise to Amanda. Although his first talks of her to Amy were not without their volatile tendencies. Tails was nothing if not persistent. He continued to bring up the subject. Not hounding her but rather, including it into various subjects. His friendship with Amy was strong enough to earn him a listening ear. And his incisive wit was enough to make his points, while still remaining tactful enough to avoid the thorns of this scorned Rose.

Even so, Amanda never pushed Tails to deliver on his promise. For in the time this had all transpired, she had come to trust him as a close friend if not more like family. They shared ideas, plans, projects and notions. Even to the point of Tails designing and aiding her father in the manufacturing of a new form of black box for commercial grade airplanes.

Now it has been a few days since Tails had heard anything from Amanda. Mostly because he had been very busy with his newest project. There are times during his projects that he becomes near recluse when he's working and this time was no different. He was working on a thermal imaging device designed for volcanic probing. However, one day having just completed a parts run to the city, Tails returns to find a strange maroon colored boat moored at the dock.

"I wonder whose boat that is; I wasn't expecting company… Crud, the shops a mess too. Well, nothing I can do about it now I guess. I hope they didn't hit any of the rocks coming in…"

After bringing his craft into the workshop, Tails made his way to the hanger door heading for the docks. He had just stepped out into the sunlight when he was met by a familiar face.

"Hey Tails!" was all that was heard from the giddy Amanda Rose as she pulled Tails into a playful hug before handing his a parcel labeled Crimson Rose Aeronautics or CRA for short.

"This is a present from my dad. It is sort of a thank you for all the help you have been with designing the new black box systems"

As Tails opened the package, he nearly fell back in the dirt. To his surprise, the parcel contained a letter of acceptance from the Mobius Aviation Federation along with an offer for tutoring at Mobius University's very prestigious aviation wing.

"Amanda where… I mean, how did…Mo U is a…How did your dad convince them to offer me this? I mean I just, not that I am ungrateful, far from it! I just wasn't aware that-" Tails is cut off as Amanda began to chuckle as she replied.

"A, if you have to ask questions, then it's not a true gift. B, Dad has connections, he's the head of the MAF, plus he and the dean of the university are friends from way back. Not to mention that once the dean heard your name he immediately began signing papers. You have to give yourself more credit dude."

Scratching the back of his neck, Tails smiled as he set the gift down on a workbench next to the shop.

"Thank you Amanda, and thank your dad for me too please. This is AWESOME! I can't wait to-" Tails stopped mid celebration as his eyes lit up. "I have something to give you as well!" Cocking her head to one side, Amanda gave Tails a questioning look as she placed her hands on her hips.

"And what's that?" she asked as Tails' smile grew larger by the second.

"I talked to Amy. I talked to her a lot. And after a lot of communication and favor calling and such… she has finally agreed to meet with you for lunch. She had even gone as far as to say that she misses you… to a point. At least the part of you that used to be fun. Her words." Tails put emphasis on the "Her words" part. Upon hearing this, Amanda was overjoyed to the point that she covered her mouth with her hands and fought back tears.

"Tails… You have no idea how much this means to me!"Amanda pulls Tails into a tight bear hug like embrace. "Because of you, I now have a chance to get my sister back…this is greater a gift than anything anyone on Mobius has ever given me… thank you!"

"You're more than welcome Amanda." Tails said returning the embrace. "After everything that has happened, I think you two really need to be in each other's lives again." hearing this Amanda pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"You know, I may sound weird for saying this but…even if Amy doesn't let me back into her life, I still feel as if I have gained a sibling…A brother to be exact.

Realization dons on Tails as he began to grin proudly.

"Wow Amanda… you really see me as a brother?" Tails asked, primed with elation.

"Most definitely bud. I mean it's weird, we have only known each other for like two months give or take, but I feel as though I have grown up with you. I know that might sound weird I mean, with our pasts differing the way they do, but if you look at them their not really all that different. Broken homes and families, a hard upbringing, a fascination with the tech world…that and, whenever I talk to you about stuff… it's like I can actually say what I mean rather than worry about being ridiculed. Like the know how about planes, you're the only other person I know, who I can carry on a conversation with about thruster modulators and not feel out of place. I know it's probably weird to hear me say all this though." Tails sat silent for a few moments staring at the ground. As he raised his head, Amanda noticed the dampness of his eyes. "Tails I-" Amanda was cut off as Tails raised his hand and began to speak.

"I never had any family, I grew up alone and was bullied everywhere I went because I was different… because of these." Tails motions at his namesakes. "Ever since my mom and dad died I have been alone in this world. Sonic quite literally has been the only family I knew up until the group formed. He's been there for me as an older brother since I was four, but there are some things he just can't relate with me over. Machines and their inner workings are like a different language to him. And emotions, pain, stress… These are things he refuses to face seriously. So, I never feel comfortable talking to him about some things that bother me. It's not that he would ridicule me, I know he wouldn't. It's just that he wouldn't understand, and that would bother him. I say this because with you it's different; we've talked about many things. Some personal stuff too, and you were able to not only relate but also help me see a different picture. I guess what I'm meaning to say is that, hearing you say the very same thing I feel is pretty awesome." After a brief moment of silence the duo dried up the tears and Tails broke the silence before it grew too loud.

"OK, I need to stop before I get any sappier heh heh. Um, ok so I'll set up the luncheon to take place at the Station Square cafe at noon this Wednesday. Does that sound good?" nodding her head in agreement, Amanda looked nervous as she replied.

"I will be there, I just hope it will turn out right… but if it doesn't then I will keep trying" she said as she perked up. "I won't give up on her." Smiling, Tails gave Amanda thumbs up before offering to show her around his shop and home. As the two ventured into his workshop, Tails felt good about following his instincts and working with Amanda.

Hope you enjoyed this one.

Rock on guys!

-RTP