Chapter 4: Follow You, Follow Me

Fiona and Terry catch the break they've been looking for, right after Fiona learns that Terry IS single, after all. However, after rushing out of the coffee shop to tail Senator Bryce...love is put on hold.

Fiona's POV

How DOES someone follow a Senator? Not through Twitter...in reality? Bryce had already gotten across the square...and we were a few metres behind. Would you be spooked if two cops were following you? I know I would...that would be weird, for sure. We passed by a fountain on the way, which Bryce tossed a coin into...but he didn't hang around. Honestly, I'm kind of disappointed that my conversation with Terry ended so soon. Oh well...at least I had some of that tasty-looking coffee in a cup to go.

Still...I hadn't found out much about Terry. All I know is that he's 48...and he likes 80's music. Pretty much nothing...but at least it's something...right? Either way, I couldn't think too much about that...I had a Senator to follow. But...Terry...he's so...interesting, though. Why? What's the reason? Why am I so attracted to him? He's not a bad boy...unlike Scourge. I thought bad boys were my type...pity they always turn out to be such ass-holes, though. Dirty, cheating, conniving ASS-HOLES!

We proceeded to follow Bryce around town...and he didn't seem to do anything 'incriminating'. He bought a hotdog from a food stand...handed out some more flyers...and talked to a few people. Nothing weird about any of that. Pretty soon, though, he started to go through an industrial area. The place was packed with warehouses and small, narrow alleys.

Bryce was walking a little faster, now...and we struggled to keep up without getting too close. We're gonna lose him at this rate! Then, he went down an alley...we followed...and he was nowhere to be found. Where the fuck did he go?! He just...vanished. This place was littered with alleyways...there's no telling which way he went. "SHIT! Lost him, the bastard!" I cried out. Terry didn't seem to mind my bad language...but he looked confused. "I suppose we'd better head back..." he said. Yep...pretty much the only thing we COULD do.

I was about to turn back...but then I saw a sign. Not a particularly eye-catching one, either. Just a faded yellow sign...saying...'Tails' Workshop'. Tails...TAILS! HERE?! I almost couldn't believe my eyes...but it was true. Tails...the little fox who had a huge crush on me. Tails...the guy who was practically Sonic's little brother. Tails...the kid I slapped around the face, running off with Scourge. I suddenly felt...a huge wave of guilt wash over me.

"Terry...you go on ahead. I...I have something to do..." I told him. "Of course. I'll see you back at the office." he smiled, before walking away. Tails...I gotta see him. I gotta...put things right. If I was one of the good guys...I need to make up for my horrible mistakes. I had a lump in my throat as I found his workshop. A medium-sized warehouse...with a huge garage door...and yellow-painted brickwork. "Tails...I'm coming...To make things right." I whispered to myself...approaching his door...reaching out...and turning the handle.

As soon as I stepped inside...I heard the sound of welding...and bright blue flashes. A gentle crackle echoing in the vast, expansive warehouse. Machine parts, in various conditions, lay scattered on the cold concrete floor. "Hello?" I called out, hoping I would get an answer. Nope...nothing. Then, I saw a yellow tail peek out from beneath a car, propped up on jacks. Tails...there you are.

Tails stopped welding and turned to adjusting something with a wrench...humming to himself, happily. I just stood there...a few feet away from him...silent. What would I say to him? What would HE say to me? He probably hates me...and would love nothing more than to clobber me with that wrench...and I wouldn't blame him. I...hurt him. I mean, REALLY hurt him. Poor kid.

"T-tails?" I struggled to say his name. He banged his head on the underside of the car due to my sudden voice. "OUCH! Who is it?" he asked...rolling out from underneath on a skateboard. Then...he got his answer. His eyes were wide open...his mouth agape...and he dropped the wrench...landing with a clang. "Fiona? Is that...you?" he could barely speak. "Hello...Tails. Yes...it's me. I'm sorry...I shouldn't have come." I told him.

"What are you...what? What are you doing...HERE? I thought you were...well...I didn't know where you were." he asked, still in shock. So many questions...but no answers. "I'm here...cos I'm a cop. And I...I've changed. I know you won't believe me...and I wouldn't blame you. I was...a horrible bitch to you, little guy. I guess...what I'm trying to say is...I'm sorry. So, so sorry.". He looked at me...and didn't speak for a while.

"You...you mean that? You? A cop?" he couldn't believe it. "It's true, Tails. I'm...trying to make up for all my mistakes...and I guess being a cop is a good way to start." I made my reasons clear. Tails got to his feet, dusting himself off...and he was looking into my eyes. "You're...you're not lying. Well...that's something." Tails told me.

"I'm sorry for...everything I've said and done to you. I was wrong...and you didn't deserve any of the shit I gave you. I'll go...I should get back to work..." I turned to walk away...but his gloved grip stopped me. "Fiona...wait." he spoke softly. My ears pricked up...ready to hear what he had to say. I was sure he was gonna shout at me...and I deserved it. Instead...something unexpected happened.

Tails hugged me...and I just stood there...shocked. "I forgive you...As long as you promise not to hurt anyone like that, again. And you promise...to be good." Tails laid down his conditions...and I accepted. "Anything for you, Tails. I'm...so happy...you forgave me." I told him, almost speechless. "Fresh start?" he said. "Yep. Fresh start..." I responded.

Tails let go of me...and gave me a smile. "Now...how about I show you around? I've been busy since...well...you know." he chuckled, nervously. Aww...he hadn't changed, much...just got a bit more mature. "I'd love to look...but I gotta get back. Maybe...some other time? Amy has my number...so you just talk to her to get a hold of me, OK?" I told him. Tails nodded, waving me goodbye, with a smile on his face. Well...that went...better than I expected.

Terry's POV

After I finished my shift, waving goodbye to Fiona before we walked in opposite directions...I got back to my apartment...and my mind was racing. I should be focusing on the case...it's my first one...and already, I managed to lose Bryce in an alleyway. However...I was thinking about Fiona...that gorgeous Vixen. Her smooth, red fur...her bushy tail...her brown bangs...and her wonderful eyes. She really was amazing...and I had to admit...I had fallen for her.

But...I had no idea what to do about that fact. If I was 20 years younger...I would have asked her out, right then and there...no issues, at all. However...I wasn't 20 years younger...she WAS 20 years younger than ME. Because she was so...beautiful...I just couldn't bring myself to admit my feelings. What would a gorgeous girl like her want with an old guy like me? Besides...I don't know anything about her...other than she's single.

I suppose...I could ask her on a friendly date? You know...just a little meet-up...nothing romantic. Just...spend some time, together? See what happens? Worth a try. Then again, she could just flat-out say 'no'...or say she's 'busy'...which is near enough the same thing. I sighed...laying in my bed. I had to do SOMETHING...if only to give it a try. At least I would have tried...and that's better than being cowardly. Tomorrow...tomorrow, I'd ask her...somehow.

End Of Chapter 4