Chapter Two

Shadow stood in the observation deck and looking down at the planet below. He was frowning in slight puzzlement as he wondered why he was dreaming of the ARK. Ok he always dreamt of being here but usually it was filled with red flashing lights and him stuck in an escape pot, watching his friend die trying to save him. This was new, this was different but why?

"It's beautiful isn't it Shadow." Maria's sweet angelic voice filled Shadow's ears then he could see Maria appear in the reflection of the thick airtight glass.

Shadow moved his eyes to look beside him and faintly smiled as Maria was standing there, unharmed and smiling down at the planet.

"Yes I agree. From up here the view is breathtaking but it's so far from our reach." Shadow gently replied as he slowly began to smile, feeling happy that his dream wasn't his usual horrifying nightmare.

"Grandpa will find that cure Shadow then, then there is nothing stopping us all from going down there." Maria said with confidence as she turned her head and smiled brightly at Shadow.

"Yes but it is taking so long and..." Shadow began with a sigh then was interrupted by someone rushing in and running up to him and Maria, being very loud with their breathing and rushed footing.

Both Shadow and Maria turned around and watched the scientist approach them fast. The man stopped in front of them and was very out of breath.

"M-Maria, he's, he's done it...Gerald found your cure. You are urgently needed in the lab for your first dose." The man said as he caught back his breath half way through talking.

"This is very new, I've never once dreamt of the professor finding that cure." Shadow thought as he frowned in confusion, wondering why he was dreaming of this now.

"This is so wonderful, come on Shadow let's get going." Maria happily said then grabbed Shadow's hand and followed the scientist to the lab, dragging a confused Shadow along.

"So he found it then, how?" Shadow questioned as they rushed down corridors and turned corners.

"It doesn't matter how he found it the only thing that matter is that he did." The scientist answered in a casual tone.

"Didn't think I'd get a proper answer, this is after all my dream and I don't have the first clue on how to cure Maria. I only know my genetics are needed, mainly cells that have something to do with my immunity." Shadow thought as they all seemed to slow down, the lab was up ahead to the left with a bright light shining into the corridor.

"Yes you are quite right, it doesn't matter." Shadow found himself saying and was once again confused as he hadn't planned to even reply.

They slowly entered the very bright lab and Shadow found it far too bright and was forced to close his eyes. When he opened them he found himself laying in his bed back home. He was feeling very confused and maybe a little sad that the dream ended so soon. He sighed and turned his head to look at the digital clock on the side table next to him, expecting it to show him it was the early hours of the morning.

"No way, I slept until eight in the morning?" Shadow muttered in surprise, never in his whole life had he slept in this late before.

Shadow slowly sat up and threw the covers off him. He stood up with a stretch then wondered over to his wardrobe to get his gown out to wear. Usually he wouldn't bother and simple walk around his house like he was but having female company this morning made him think twice then to, well in so many words, walk about with just his fur covering him. With that now on and the cord tied up security he left his room and made his way to the kitchen for his morning coffee.

Upon entry he saw two things, one was there was fresh coffee in a pot and still looking hot. Two was Rouge sitting up the table in her gown and slippers sipping at her coffee.

"So?" Rouge casually asked as she watched Shadow walk in and over to the pot, his mug was already out to use.

"Ok I admit, I do feel more refresh than I usually do. Those pills really do work and I will continue taking them for as long as I need to. Thank you for doing all of this for me, I really appreciate it." Shadow replied as he poured out his coffee then took a seat opposite Rouge up the table.

"What are friends for if not to help out? You have forty nine pills left and I don't think you will need more once they are gone. Of course if things go back to the way they were then please say something and I can get more made for you. Also if you notice anything different while taking them then stop and tell me. Those pills are new and never been tested, yeah you can give me that look hun." Rouge said with a slight seriousness to her voice, rolling her eyes at the displeasing frown.

"You know I don't like to be anyone's test subject, regardless if it is supposed to benefit me. Saying that I suppose I can keep a log and report any side effects if I get any." Shadow grumbled unhappily then sipped his coffee.

"That's the spirit hun. Oh before I forget Sonic called half an hour ago and is apparently worried about you. He said you never showed for your race yesterday and he tried to call but there was no answer. I told him to call back later for you were a little tied up." Rouge casually said with a grin at Shadow.

"I completely forgot about that race and did a little overtime instead. My mind has been all over the place and I've become somewhat forgetful lately." Shadow sighed as he truly didn't mean to stand Sonic up and genuinely forgot.

"That would be down to lack of sleep hun but with these pills it should be a thing of the past." Rouge winked as she had noticed Shadow hasn't been keeping his mind where it should which caused her great concern, especially in their line of work for they needed their mind fully focused on the job at hand.

The morning flew by as the two just lounged in the living room binge watching a detective series they both found interesting. They were just about to start a new episode when the door was knocked on.

"Ok and that is who?" Shadow muttered as he turned his head slightly and looked over towards the living room door.

"Maybe if you answer the door you will find out." Rouge lazily said as she stopped herself from pressing the play option.

Shadow sighed then stood up, sorting his gown out as he made his way to the front door. When he unlocked and opened it he raised a brow at who was standing there.

"How the hell did you find my home?" Shadow questioned his visitor with his brow still raised.

"It's not that hard to figure out Shads, just needed to find the most out of the way house and hope for the best." Sonic grinned as he lightly teased Shadow.

"Whatever and close the door behind you." Shadow said as he rolled his eyes at that answer then made his way back into the living room.

"Fakers here." Shadow grumbled as he retook his seat next to Rouge, saying who it was before Rouge could ask.

"Hey Rouge, didn't think you would still be here." Sonic cheerful said as he walked in and took a seat on one of the single chairs.

"Yeah spent the night and probably doing it again tonight. We both have a week of and making the most of it." Rouge casually said with a shrug while glancing at Sonic.

"Right that's cool, you both do work hard and all that." Sonic replied with a shrug of his own.

"Yeah about yesterday, I apologise for not showing up, I forgot and did overtime instead. Wish I never because it only made me more tired." Shadow said with a small frown at Sonic.

"Yeah I've noticed how tired you have been looking, is everything alright?" Sonic asked with concern as he and Shadow locked eyes.

"I just need to get some regular sleep and I will be fine once again. If you want we can have that race tomorrow morning but not too early." Shadow replied with his frown softening to a very faint smile that was hardly noticeable.

"Yeah cool, let's say eleven then we can go grab lunch or something together." Sonic cheerfully agreed with that race.

"Sure, I'll meet you at our usual starting line on the south coast." Shadow casually said as he wasn't all that fussed with spending extra time with Sonic these days.

"Well for some reason he doesn't seem all that annoying to me anymore." Shadow thought as he broke eye contact and looked at the TV instead, it still display the play option.

"Alright cool cannot wait and see you there, bye and enjoy your day." Sonic very happily said then stood up and walked out of the living room.

Shadow and Rouge heard the front door open then close as Sonic left the house. Rouge then began to grin as she looked beside her at Shadow.

"You know he seems a little too excited with spending time with you, has it really been that long since you both raced?" Rouge asked and was totally thinking something else but chose to not say what.

"It's been about a week I suppose...are you going to press play or what?" Shadow indifferently said with a roll of his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah ok but after this episode we are breaking for lunch." Rouge replied then finally pressed play.

-So is it getting interesting yet? Let me know yeah. Thanks for reading and showing an interest. It is really encouraging when writing, knowing some one out there is liking my work.