Okay, back with a new chapter. Yes it's been a while but to be honest it was because I wasn't sure if this story was doing well. It hasn't gotten many reviews for the past few chapters so, I dunno. I'm not sure if it's worth carrying on or not. I know it shouldn't be all about the reviews, but let's face it, it's what most people look forward to seeing when they upload a chapter. Anyway, I hope you guys like the chapter, if the story picks up and people want me to I'll carry on but if not then I'll probably leave it for a bit.

Thank you so far anyway and I hope you enjoy.

Shadow hadn't slept all night. There was too much work to do. About an hour after Sonic had settled down and finally went to bed, he had stayed up at his computer, only for his hands to hover over the keys. His mind went blank. No matter what Shadow tired, he couldn't focus on his reports, because he kept thinking about the incident that had occurred. The kid had tried to stab him, yes, it's justifiable to get angry; however, he kept replying everything that had happened afterwards in his head again and again. He truly felt he handled the situation poorly.

He should have been more patient. Sonic had lived on the streets for who knows how long before working for Eggman, enduring who knows what kind of hell, only to have a stranger bring him into his home, and then to pushed him around because he got scared? Of course Sonic would be scared! All he's known since running away was fear and doing whatever it took to survive! Hell even he himself had similar moment's when he was on the street. Afraid of who saw him, those who were stronger and not afraid to show it. Even fearing he would never see food again. But most of all, he was afraid of those offering to help, because they were the ones that couldn't be trusted. At first, Sonic was no exception... Shaking his head, Shadow sighed, not wanting to think of this anymore. Sonic needed to trust him, not only for the operation to capture Eggman, but also so he can repay him for the dept he owed… but how could he do that while the kid was a criminal? What if he refused to give up the life of crime once Eggman was caught? He couldn't exactly let him go.

There was just so much to think about that instead of going to his own bed, Shadow sat on the sofa in his living room. His dull, boring living room that looked like a palace compared to what Sonic had, and aimlessly stared at the tv all night. It was the only way to distract him from worrying thoughts. Because if Sonic tried to attack him again, while he could handle himself, he knew the kid would be thrown back in the cells. And honestly… Sonic wouldn't survive a week. He was too far gone.

Despite not sleeping, the moment the clock hit seven, Shadow switched off the tv, wiped his eyes as he yawned, and got up to make himself coffee.

There was nowhere he needed to go today. As it was Sonic's first day in the house he was assigned to stay with him at all time to keep an eye on him. He was also to ask questions, get as much information as possible. Then later, Rouge would be coming over, and as it his operation, he will plan a route of action for Eggman before pitching the idea to the General, getting the go ahead and finally stopping the most dangerous man alive.

That, however, all depended on Sonic doing what he was told.

Shadow didn't feel great about this.

It was now seven fifteen, Shadow had let the kid rest long enough. He walked upstairs and knocked on the door of the spare room. After a silent pause, the was no answer. Shadow wasn't going to wait, he quietly opened the door. The room was pitch black. So, after not seeing any movement, he opened the door wider, letting light in on the room.

Still there was no activity, and an odd shape was underneath the duvet. Shadow had a sinking feeling in his stomach about this.

Once he pulled the covers back, revealing a beaten-up pillow and an ankle tracker below it, Shadow dipped his head low and growled.

How the hell did that brat escape? ... wait...

The door wasn't locked when he opened it.

And that was the moment Shadow realised he was an idiot! A complete and total moron! He put a thief in a room with a lock being his only way to break out.

He walked over to inspect, and just as he thought, strands of blue quills littered the floor, with a couple still stuck in the lock.

At this point, Shadow slammed his head against the wall.

How could he have been so careless? He knew better than this!

At this point he was on the verge of another mental breakdown. With little time to waste, Shadow picked up the ankle tracker, heading downstairs and was about to leave, but before doing so, there was a knock on the front door.

When he opened it, Rouge stood there, fire in her eyes and a scowl on her lips. She was not happy, far from happy! And with good reason.

In her hands, she held the arms of a struggling teenage hedgehog, whom she had handcuffed, gagged and had probably kicked a few times due to the hell he was giving her for bringing him back.

"I found this little brat limping on the street!" she said angrily, which wasn't like her at all. "I don't know what he was looking for, but he bit me, ripped out my hair and broke three of my nails. I just had them done Shadow!"

She threw Sonic into the house and at Shadow, who after catching him, dragged him into the living room. Rouge closed the door and followed her partner, arms crossed as she glared at the younger boy being pushed down to the couch.

Shadow didn't make any effort to un-cuff him or remove the gag at this point. Instead he got Rouge to keep on guard while he got his tool box and the tracker.

"How did he escape Shadow? You were supposed to be watching him!"

Shadow just huffed, not wanting to talk while kneeling down to put the tracker back on. How Sonic got it off was a mystery though, there wasn't any damage done to it or the thief's foot. So his only option was to make it tighter, and put it on the injured ankle instead to stop him from trying again.

Despite not being able to vocalise his opinion, Sonic made well sure that he wasn't okay with that plan, as he kicked out, almost catching Shadow in the face.

"Hey!" Shadow snapped, grabbing Sonic's foot before the impact was made. The blue hedgehog kicked out more, struggling in his spot and trying to pull himself free. Rouge quickly stepped in to help by pushing him down on the sofa and grabbing his legs so he couldn't move them. Naturally he yelled out, but was muffled out with the tape Rouge put over his mouth, which really, she shouldn't have.

Taking the chance, Shadow grabbed a hold of Sonic's shoes, which were a pair of his own that must have been in the spare room, because Sonic's original shoes were still at the lab. Regardless, he pulled them off, causing the teen to be unable to run, then placed the tracker strap around the injured ankle, before tightening it further with his tools.

Naturally Sonic tried to once again fight his way out, but he was outnumbered and low on strength. His attempts at freedom failed, and now he was back with the creep known as Shadow and big boobs the slut cop!

After the tracker was back on, they finally let him go. Rouge undid the cuffs and ripped the tape off his mouth, being as ungentle as possible. "OW!" Sonic yelled, covering his now red mussel.

The white bat showed no sympathy, merely placing her hands on her hips and turning her nose up at him with a huff.

Shadow stood up, knowing that this wasn't going to be as easy as he thought.

Right now, Sonic sat on the couch with his knees pulled up to his chin. He pulled a basic childish pout and acted completely miserable as if he was being told off. Rouge would have been laughing if she hadn't been already annoyed.

"Maybe I wasn't clear enough on the rules last night, but I assumed it was a given that you don't try and escape!"

Sonic said nothing.

"What did you think would happen? That we'd forget all about you and you could live the rest of your life in crime? Or maybe you thought I wouldn't care after you tried to stab me!"

"Wait, he tried to what now?" Rouge gasped.

Shadow shook his head, "Not important. What is important is that I need to be able to trust you! And you need to trust me. Regardless of how you feel, I will stop at nothing until I see Eggman get the death sentence, and if it means putting a criminal like you in my home- No, if it mean's breaking every bone in your body to get this job done, then believe me, I will do it."

His words couldn't have been more terrifying then the look in his eyes, but Sonic didn't react to it. Instead, he snarled, "Oh is that suppose to scare me? Do it! Go ahead. Do whatever the hell you want! I'd rather be ripped in half then help you!" He shouted while standing up, trying to mask the pain he felt in his leg from the tracker. He pushed Shadow out of his way, trying to storm past, but the black hedgehog soon shifted around and grabbed him by his quills, anger getting the better of him when he failed to realise how much he was hurting the thief, who immediately gasped and tried to pry his hands off.

"I don't care what you'd prefer! You were scared enough last night, I have no doubt it would take much to see you break down again."

"THAT IS ENOUGH!"

Rouge reacted quickly, pushing herself between the two hedgehogs. She slammed her fingers into a nerve in Shadow's arm which forced him to let go of the quills. Then, whether she would admit it or not, a maternal instinct must have taken over her because she now found herself tending to Sonic, checking the back of his head for any serious damage or loose pieces. With everything that happened, it wasn't the pain that bothered him, but Sonic was now growing afraid of the man he was stuck with, who scowled with furious red eyes. He couldn't but feel his hand hold on to Rouge's shoulder, hoping she would protect him from this maniac.

Shadow had nothing more to say though. Before Rouge could open her mouth to have a go at him, he walked out of his own house, slamming the door behind him and leaving her to deal with his new prisoner. Rouge was left stunned, staring after the door once he had left. Sonic pulled away now Shadow had left, and he simply sat back down on the sofa.

Even though he was a criminal and he had attacked her this morning, Rouge had to admit, there was just something about how sad he looked that ate away at her heart.

Maybe this is what pity felt like?