"So those three gents are running rampant around the store?" Rouge inquired after listening to a rushed explanation by Silver. He nodded, pursing his lips.

"Yeah. Probably wasn't wise of me to let them go off on their way," he said, wondering how and what they were doing.

"Probably not."

The two were silent as Silver touched a hanging ornament, watching it swing gently back and forth like a pendulum. Rouge watched it along with him, and then broke out of her gaze when something shiny caught her eye.

Silver turned to see Rouge admiring a case full of gaudy jewelry. She whistled, impressed.

"Now that's quality."

Nodding, Silver perused the collection of sparkling diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Suddenly, he felt an arm around his shoulder. He glanced at Rouge, mildly startled.

"You say you need something for Blaze?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the jewelry.

Silver nodded. It wasn't hard to tell where the conversation was going, but he kept his mouth shut in order to avoid being rude.

"There's something pretty meaningful about that stuff," Rouge explained, gesturing to the display. "You see, when a girl looks at these things, there's a spark that flickers in her eyes. It's a glint that sticks. Lots of gentlemen get their gals something shiny because they don't want that glint to leave. It's a wonderful thing, you see."

Silver, though slightly skeptical, couldn't help but let his childlike innocence show through widened eyes.

"Really?" he asked. Rouge nodded.

"That's right; this is all proven science," she replied, all too serious. "Now, let me tell you what happens to the lucky girl."

"O-okay . . . ."

"Jewelry is something to embellish the girl's looks. Something to really add to her appearance. When a girl gets something shiny to wear, she praises it. It's a way for her to really shine in her own way, you know?"

"I-I guess," a bewildered Silver answered.

"Good kid," Rouge said, patting the hedgehog's head. "Now, uh . . . I'd start looking for something you think would look great on Blaze. It's a guaranteed success, I tellya."

"I suppose," he said sheepishly.

With a quick farewell, Rouge left Silver alone as he stared down the glaring jewels and whatnot. They sparkled violently, as if taunting him. Deep down, it just didn't seem right. Rouge's speech was convincing, but Silver knew that it still wouldn't do much for Blaze. He knew that there wasn't much jewelry that she would wear, not to mention he'd already done it.

With every thought he had of how this gift simply had to be different, Silver grew more and more flustered. People had been coming in out of nowhere, barraging him with their ideas of gifts and leaving. Heaven only knows what the Chaotix were up to now. The frustrated hedgehog let out a long sigh.

"Is this really it?" he wondered aloud, just loudly enough for a passing jeweler to hear.

"No, no," she said, taking it as though he had been asking her, "We've got plenty more things down here, if you'd like to take a look."

Silver barely replied. Groaning in aggravation, he stormed away from the jewelry and sat down on a nearby bench. As he placed his hands over his face, Silver heard the familiar clambering of the Chaotix approaching.

"We got some stuff that Blaze might like!" Vector said loudly, holding up a few items for Silver to see. It was an odd combination of things ranging from gloves to what Silver thought looked like a coffee pot. Silver only glanced at them sadly.

"Thanks, guys, I really do appreciate the thought," he started as Charmy nearly dropped a Santa-shaped mug, "but I'm going to have to start heading home now. I'm sorry if I . . . well, uh, caused any inconvenience."

"Not a problem, Silver," Vector replied, ever cheerful. "We'll call you tomorrow ta see if ya need any more help, all right?"

Reluctantly, Silver agreed. Although he'd likely need some kind of help finding the right gift for Blaze, nothing seemed to be working. Distraught yet grateful, Silver bid the Chaotix good-bye, and they all went their separate ways. Silver stepped back out into the cold and stood outside for a long time – about twenty minutes. He stared at his feet, determined to give anything to find the perfect present for Blaze Although time was running out, and he was becoming more distressed.

"Welcome back, Silver," Blaze said warmly as the depressed hedgehog trudged through the front door. She looked up from a book she was comfortably reading, sitting upright in a reclining chair by the fireplace. Silver replied with a mumbled "hey" and tried to appear pleasant. Though his efforts were strong, Blaze immediately sensed that Silver was upset. "Is everything all right?" she asked with a gentle concern in her voice.

"Yeah, everything's fine," Silver answered quickly. "I'm just a little tired."

Blaze, being as intelligent as she was, knew that something was wrong. She frowned and stood up from the chair as Silver walked by. She set a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"Silver, what's wrong?"

Silver stared into Blaze's eyes. He couldn't help but recall just how different Blaze's eyes were from anyone else's. The two yellow lights twinkled madly as they waited for an answer. They reflected that fire within her so well, and yet, they were just soft enough to signal her worry for Silver.

Silver cracked a smile upon his observation. He chuckled.

"I'll tell you the truth – I spent a few hours with the Chaotix," he said, "You know how they can wear a guy out."

Blaze, still a bit suspicious, smiled sweetly.

"I suppose that's understandable," she replied, taking her hand off of Silver's shoulder. "I apologize for being so abrupt."

"Nah, don't worry about it," Silver chuckled again. After a moment, Silver remembered what Rouge had said in the store. "Say, uh, Blaze?"

"Yes?"

Silver hesitated, but he asked the question anyway.

"Where did you put that necklace I gave you last year?"

Blaze pondered for a moment.

"It's on my dresser, hanging on the jewelry holder," she answered. "Why?"

"Uh . . . can you grab it really quick? I want to see something."

Raising an eyebrow, Blaze did as Silver asked and came back into the living room and carefully handed it off to Silver.

"Here it is."

Silver gingerly held it up and stared at the pendant. It was a crystal in the shape of a small flame, lined with silver to protect it. The hedgehog glanced at the pendant, then at Blaze's eyes, then back again. As hard as he tried, that spark that Rouge had mentioned was nowhere to be found.

"D-do you like this necklace, Blaze?" he inquired softly, suddenly wondering if she didn't like it at all. Taken aback, Blaze opened her mouth slightly.

"Why, of course," she replied, frowning. "It's absolutely gorgeous. Why do ask?"

Silver felt that he couldn't answer. What if she was only saying that? No, she wouldn't. Not Blaze.

"I . . . can you put it on? Just for the moment?"

Again, Blaze did what he'd asked, but she remained confused. She slipped the necklace on and clipped the delicate fastener together.

Silver did agree with Rouge in that moment; Blaze looked incredible. The sparkle of the necklace matched her eyes very well, although her eyes never lit up at the sight of the pendant. Come to think, Silver had never seen that happen when she was presented with jewelry.

Because, he thought, Blaze doesn't care as much for jewelry as Rouge does.

"Well, what do you think, then?"

Silver snapped out of his daze and smiled.

"It looks great," he uttered, "You can take it off now."

Blaze, still all the more confused, decided to speak her mind.

"You know, Silver," she started, "This necklace really is one of the most gorgeous gifts I've ever received. But . . ."

Silver felt a small touch against his cheek. Blaze's fingers brushed against his face gently. There were those eyes again.

"It doesn't compare to the company of a sweet young hedgehog like yourself. That in itself is an incredibly wonderful thing."

Silver couldn't help but feel his mouth curl up happily. The comfort that Blaze gave was often all he needed to hear.

"Thanks, Blaze."

Blaze turned around to face the door, and then look back at Silver again.

"Good night, Silver. I believe I'm going to get some sleep."

"Me, too. 'Night, Blaze." Silver's voice trailed off as he felt himself getting lost in Blaze's eyes again until she disappeared into her room and shut the door. Silver stood alone in the living room, replaying Blaze's words over and over in his mind. It didn't solve the problem of giving her a gift, but at least Silver knew how much Blaze cared for him.