"...ready or not, here I come!" "You aren't going anywhere..." "Cream!" "I own you..."

"Sonic!" Tails yelled, sitting up. He looked around and saw he was home, but nobody else was there. He felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, and put a hand to it, closing his eyes. He heard voices and weakly looked up to see Sonic, Amy, Cream, an somebody he'd never seen before coming to him. When they arrived, Sonic said,

"Tails! You're awake!"

"What's going on?" Tails asked.

"Calm down, lad. It'll be okay..."The geeky guy Tails didn't know said.

"What'll be okay?! What's going on?!" Tails asked noting that he was attached to a chain-linked leash wrapping around a tree.

The geeky guy snapped his fingers and Tails looked at him.

"Follow my finger, Tails." the geek said. He moved his finger around, and Tails tried to follow it.

"Touch your nose." Tails did.

"Watch that butterfly over there." Tails did, and paused.

"Why are you asking me to do all this–"

"Just do it."

"Okay." After about a minute longer the geek said,

"What's 2+2?"

"Fish! Er... I mean, 4!"

"Who's this?" The man asked, pointing to Sonic. Tails smiled.

"That's Sonic. He's my hero."

"Right, and who's this?"

He showed a flash card of Robotnik and Tails just stared at it, blankly.

"Come on, Tails. Give it your best shot. What's the first name to come to mind?"

"I- I don't know why, but... master?"

"Master?"

"Yeah." he saw Sonic, Amy, and Cream look down sadly and the geek said,

"Don't look at them, look at me. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I was playing hide and seek with Cream."

"That's all?"

"Yes."

"Thanks for cooperating. Here ye go, lad." the geek tossed him a treat, and Tails ate it eavesdropping.

"Your friend is recovering from minor amnesia, and is now under his own control again."

"Then why does he still act like a pet?" Sonic asked.

"The chip was dissolving into his brain. Thought they removed the chip, there is no way to completely cure the kit. But now that he can somewhat think for himself, he will hopefully soon learn that Robotnik is not his master. Though I doubt if he'll remain loyal to Robotnik f he remembers that you are his hero, Sonic."Sonic smiled and Tails paused.

"I'm not a pet..."

"Very good, lad."the geek said handing him a treat, and petting him.

Tails pushed his hand off and the geek laughed.

"Yes, Sonic. He's recovering well..." Tails tried to run to Sonic, but got restrained by the leash. Sonic ran o him instead, and they hugged.

"Tails, I missed you bro!"

"Sonic! My head hurts really bad, and I don't know what's going on."

Sonic let go and said,

"Sorry, I almost forgot..." he took out a container of pills and handed one to Tails.

"There you go, sport. Take that for your headache." Tails did and Sonic pet him.

"Good boy..." Sonic said and went back to Cream and Amy. Tails scratched his ear saying,

"Why's everybody treating me like a dog?"

"Don't take it personal, lad. It's not yer fault."

"Huh?"

"Ye were under brain control to act like a housepet."

"I... was?"

"Yup, but it's all over now."

"Then why am I on a leash?"

"Just in case."

"Of what?!"

"No more questions, laddie!"

"Sorry."

Suddenly, Tails saw double, and passed out.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Tails?!" Sonic yelled.

"Relax, Sonic. It's his medication." the geek said.

"Oh. Right. I knew that."

"I'm sure ye did."

Cream reluctantly went to Tails and sat next to him, stroking his fur.

"I can't believe he thinks he's a house pet."

"You should've seen him earlier! What a trip!" Sonic said.

"I'm just glad he's okay. Robotnik broke him yesterday. Poor Tails..."

"He's better now, relax!"

She continued stroking his fur, and he snuggled up to her, making her blush. Cream just smiled, and continued petting him. Then Amy gasped and smiled.

"I can't believe I didn't see it, sooner!"

"See what?"

"Cream, you got a thing for Tails, don't you!" Cream blushed.

"N-no I actually– um... okay, yes I do. But please don't tell. Please!"

"Relax, I wouldn't do that to you." Cream smiled

"Thanks, Amy. I wish he felt the same about me, though..."

She muttered looking at him, and gently stroking his facial fur. Amy looked and saw Sonic and the Geek talking about medication side effects, not paying attention.

"How do you know he doesn't like you?" Cream shrugged.

"He doesn't act like it."

"So? Sonic doesn't act like he loves me, but I know he does."

"This isn't the same. I just think he sees me more as a friend. And I wish... I don't know what I wish."

"How long have you liked him for?"

"A while. He's always standing up for me, and has such a kid personality, but... I don't think he likes me."

They looked at him. He was curled up with his head on Cream's lap, and his tails wrapped around him.

"Plus, he's so cute, too!" Cream added.

Amy and Cream giggled and Amy said,

"It's so cute that you have a crush on him!"

"Shh!"

"Oh, right. You're shy."

Then Sonic came and said,

"What're you 2 talking about?"

"Nothing much. Just Tails." said Amy watching Cream blush from the corner of her eye.

"I know what you mean. I'm worried about him." Sonic said. Then he noticed something.

"Why is Tails sleeping on your lap?" Cream blushed harder.

"I don't know. He was I- I was just checking on him and he curled up to me."

"So he randomly started... cuddling you?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm... whatever. I'm gonna go for a jog, alright? You 2 can keep Tails company if you like." Then Sonic sped off and the geek looked at them, laughing a little.

"Yup... he still acts like a puppy. Let me know if ye need anything else, alright, laddies?"

"Okay."

"And by anything, I mean if he gets angered or confused easily again. I like the lad's company."

"Right."

"Well, then. Farewell, dears." he said, and left.

Cream and Amy stayed with Tails, talking girl talk until he woke. He woke slowly, and Cream gently rubbed his ear. He closed his eyes giving a small smile, then looked up and gasped as he saw Cream. He blushed and said,

"Did I sleep in your lap?"

"Yes."

"S-sorry, Cream."

"No, it's okay." he sat up and she said,

"How're you feeling?"

"Weird. I can't even explain it. Where's Sonic?"

"He went for a jog."

"Oh."

They stared quietly at each other, and Amy said,

"Cream, why don't you go get Tails some water?"

"Okay."

"I'll go with you!" Tails said getting up with her, and walking forward. He was restrained and sighed.

"Just sit back. I'll be fine." Cream said gently pushing him down, and petting him on the head. Then she left and Amy sat next to Tails saying,

"Spill."

"Spill what?"

"Do you have a crush on Cream?" he blushed.

"N-no! She's... just my friend."

"Are you sure?" he paused, looking at th floor, then looked back at her, wide-eyed.

"I'm not sure of anything right now, Amy. I can barely remember my name."

"Relax, you'll be fine." he looked down and nodded, and suddenly Cream came back with a bowl of water.

"I'm not making a statement, I just couldn't find any cups." Cream said.

"Thanks, Cream." he said, taking the water.

"How's your head?"

"I can't feel a thing."

"That's good."

"I guess..."

They stared at each other for a minute longer, then felt a breeze, and saw Sonic.

"Hey, Sonic!" Tails said.

"You look better, how do you feel?"

"Great! Can you take me off the leash?"

"Nope. Sorry bro, but I wanna make sure you don't hurt yourself, and the leash seems like a pretty reliable way to ensure that."

"But you guys keep treating me like a puppy!"

"Calm down. Don't fight me. The leash stays."

"But you know I wont run away! I follow you around! "

"I know, I just don't want you getting into trouble."

"Fine."

"Thank you."

Tails started pouting and examining the leash.

"I know what you're thinking, Tails. Try it, and you'll get in big trouble." warned Sonic.

Tails ignored him, and felt the padlock attached to the collar and sonic yelled,

"TAILS!" making him jump and put his hands obediently in his lap, looking down.

"Please, Tails. This is serious. We're just trying to help you, okay? Do you want Robotnik to control you?! Is that what you're saying?! Do you WANT to be his little pet?!"

"N-no, Sonic." Tails said, starting to cry.

"Then quit acting like it. If you run off right now, he can (just as easily as last time) abduct and brainwash you. Why? Because you still haven't recovered, that's why! He'll take advantage of you, Tails! You're trying so hard to get out of our protection, but it's only until you get better! I know this is hard for you, and you don't know what's going on but trust me; it's for the better. Just don't mess with anything, and you'll be free in no time, I promise."

Then Sonic left and Tails leaned against the tree feeling tears stream down his face. Cream and Amy tried to console him, but knew he wasn't paying attention.

"Come on, Cream. Let's go." Amy said, and they left Tails to his thoughts.