Chapter 9
"Oh Bartleby this is simply lovely," Sonia said when she saw the dining table laden with a beautiful supper. A bottle of red wine sat on the table in between the dinner plates.
Bartleby picked up the bottle. "I found this bottle in my father's private stash. It's an ancient wine from the days when humans were in greater number. A Château Pétrus 1989." He couldn't tell her that it was a wine given to his father by Robotnik who had inherited it from his ancestors. He cut open the label and popped the cork and poured them each a glass of the nectar.
Sonia was genuinely impressed. It was rare that Bartleby go into his father's private stash. He hated taking anything that was once belonged to his parents. "Oh Bartleby, you didn't need to do this for me."
"I think in this case, he'd have smacked me if I didn't." He raised his glass. "To the most beautiful hedgehog princess on Möbius."
Sonia raised her own. "To us, you mean." She entwined her elbow with his before taking a sip. "Mmm, that's rich." She put the glass down.
"Something's bothering you," Bartleby said. It wasn't a question.
Sonia sighed. "I think Sonic and Manic are getting suspicious. They saw us kissing at the race you know and while I got them to believe it was simply a means to an end… I'm going out a lot more than I used to… if they find out about us…"
Bartleby touched her hand, pulling it to his chest. "My darling, one day they will find out. Either from you or from life itself. One day we will be husband and wife. We'll have children. Surely they'll know by then. You mustn't worry yourself with what they might think. Because if they love you then will understand your decision. It's either that or…" He looked away, unwilling to say the only remaining option. "And I don't think either of us could handle the other option. Sonia, why do you continue helping people who can't accept you anyway?" He had to know.
Sonia was surprised at the question. "What?"
"Sonia, you can't even tell you brothers about me. None of your Resistance friends accept you just as you are," Bartleby observed. "Why do you keep helping them?"
Sonia gaped. "I don't know what you're talking about Bartleby. Of course they accept me… besides the Resistance is where Mother is. Who else would I fight for? Robotnik?"
Bartleby shrugged. "Maybe not fight for him but maybe you don't need to fight against him."
Sonia frowned. "I could never abandon the fight Bartleby, you know that! Möbius is depending on me to save it from Robotnik's evil!"
"How do you know he's evil huh? Evil's a harsh word Sonia," Bartleby challenged her. "Maybe the real evil is the Resistance! Maybe the real evil is Queen Aleena herself! Ow!" He shouted as a hand hit his cheek. "Sonia, please listen to me!"
Sonia growled. "How dare you say that Bartleby! Mother's not evil!" She got up from the table and stomped towards the door.
"Sonia, I'm not saying she is, please calm down and listen," Bartleby pleaded. "Sonia, please, don't leave! I'm just trying to make a point!"
Sonia's lip trembled. "You're a jerk Bartleby. I'll never leave the Resistance or Mother! And Robotnik is the evil here!" She ran out the door to her bike and took off.
Bartleby watched her leave helplessly. He had to go ruin their beautiful evening. He just couldn't bear to hear such cruel words about his godfather. He just wanted to give her a little food for thought. Would she forgive him or had he just ruined everything?
Sonia drove back to the hideout as fast as her bike could go. She couldn't believe Bartleby called her mother "evil." That jerk. That big jerk. Why did he have to start?
"Forget Bartleby," she whisper to herself. Her heart screamed for her to turn back but she wasn't listening.
She pulled up the hideout and stomped inside. Sonic was nowhere to be seen, but Manic was playing his drums.
"Sonia! You're back…" He got up to go greet her until he saw her dark expression. "Whoa… um…"
"Don't ask!" Sonia shrieked as she slammed her bedroom door. She started beating on her pillow. "Stupid. Stupid!" She pulled the pillow to her face and screamed into it.
Bartleby sat at his dining table, his head in his hands moaning to himself aloud. "Why did I say that? I knew it was too soon but… I hate it that her brothers all but dictate her opinions. Her Resistance friends control her every thought. Oh Sonia, why won't you listen to me? I just want to protect you…"
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and he went to answer it. A SWATbot stood outside, a fancy letter in its hand.
"Letter for Bartleby Montclair."
Bartleby took the letter and opened it. "Oh, it's an invitation for a very important gathering at the palace." Maybe he would have a chance to discreetly seek his godfather's advice on this matter. He went to his phone and dialed the private line Robotnik had set aside just for him.
Robotnik was not surprised when his personal line rang. He had expected the call. "Hello Bartleby… yes, the gathering is very important. I am auctioning off a pair of rare treasures from Mobu Pinchu. Yes, you heard right, Mobu Pinchu. Yes, it does have to do with the Quarter. I trust you will be there? Of course Bartleby! You know I always have time for you. Come an hour early and we'll have tea. Yes, yes. Good night brat." He hung up the phone. He wondered what advice his godson needed. Perhaps he would finally be telling him some truth.
Bartleby hung up his end. He instantly had an idea on how he could make things up with Sonia. And he'd be helping with his godfather's project at the same time. "Sonia loves fine art as much as I do."
Sonia was still beating her pillow when she heard the front door open. She wiped her eyes and went out to the living room.
"We got a tip," Sonic was telling Manic. "Apparently, Robotnik's got something big going down tomorrow at the palace. It could be bad news for us. So we need to crash it. Oh hey Sonia. Why are you…?" He stopped when he saw Manic shake his head warningly. "So, we need to be at the palace tomorrow."
Sonia nodded. "What time?" She wondered if Bartleby would be there. Should she apologize or should she make him apologize? Or should she just write him off? She didn't know.
AN: No relationship is perfect. All couples fight. You'll notice that I don't let any episode stand on its own. Story arcs are your friend. So are character arcs.
