So here I sit, clutching this Chaos Emerald.

I had gone through so much to obtain it, and I was so sure it was the perfect gift.

But I see now I never had to look far to find what was truly what we all want for Christmas.

But no rest for the wicked, that's what they say. And I guess it's true.

All my life I've searched for that one special jewel-

That one beautiful thing I've been missing.

But I realise now as I huddle here in the cold that maybe it wasn't a jewel I was missing, but a heart.

A heart capable of feeling compassion.

Compassion and friendship.

Compassion, friendship, and maybe even love.

Love... What a terrible, wonderful thing!

But it seems my wretched heart is incapable of feeling love, not beyond a woeful lust towards that perfect jewel.

It's not often I envy others, especially not Knuckles and his little group, but they've got... What I want.

Someone to love, someone who loves them back... Maybe not in love, but their friends always stand by them.
Their friends are always there.
Their friends never betray them.

. .

Rouge wept bitterly into her hands, failing to notice a large figure approach.
Covered by the shadows, the stranger came closer and closer to her.

The figure was practically invisible, but when the wind died down for a moment, Rouge became aware of its light footfalls.
Rouge was more than aware that it was most likely to be a thief or a murderer, after all, who else would be up here on Christmas evening? However, she couldn't care less.
When the figure was quite close, the wind that had been attacking her failed to continue its course towards her, and although the night was cold, the wind chill factor being eradicated meant Rouge's warmth increased.

The figure stood still for a few moments before Rouge looked down at the Chaos Emerald that glowed in her hands. She threw it behind her, and heard it hit the ground with a faint 'clunk'.
"Here, take it." She said glumly. "I don't deserve it. Keep it, sell it, give it away, I don't care! I'm sure it'll make a good Christmas present for someone who wants something beautiful."

After a few moments, Rouge heard the powerful stone being picked up by whoever it was that stood there.
Expecting the figure to go away, Rouge was surprised when an orange gloved hand deposited the Emerald into her lap from over her shoulder.

She turned round to look at the mysterious stranger and her heart leapt as she recognized him. She jumped to her feet, wobbling slightly due to the pressure on her ankle. The Emerald fell to the floor, forgotten.

The tears began to stream down Rouge's face as she looked upon her friend. Wanting to smile, cry and scream at the same time, she was practically speechless.

"W- W- What are you doing here I th- thought y- you were dead! Are you a ghost, come to haunt me for the rest of my days for the hateful things I did that caused you to die?"

"I don't hate you, Miss Rouge..."

"But Big, you were dead! I saw you- The missiles, the tree!"

"I'm still alive, Miss Rouge. That funny robot flew away when I stayed still for a bit."

"Oh Big! I really thought you were dead! You came all the way out of the jungle, just to find me? Why? Why don't you hate me for abandoning you? For abandoning our friendship?"

"This funny jewel thing made you go funny, Miss Rouge. It's okay, I forgive you. It's Christmas today, isn't it... I've never really celebrated it, but I think Christmas is about letting go of worries and the past, and being with your friends."

"You shouldn't call me a friend, Big. I've done nothing friendly in my life."

Big placed his paw on Rouge's shoulder.
"The way I see it, there's no one that hasn't done something wrong at least once, right? And I like you, Miss Rouge. I don't think anyone's evil... Do you want to go back to my house to have Christmas?"

She nodded, biting her lips to stop the sobs that threatened to overtake her.
She started to push herself up from the ground, and clung onto Big's arm when she wobbled slightly, and neglected to let go once she was steady. Making eye contact with the cat, she felt an overwhelming joy at seeing him smile at her once again.
"Oh Big. I was so distraught; I really thought you were dead, and I- I still can't believe you're here, Big."
She hastily wiped the tears from her eyes, and was surprised to suddenly feel Big's arms around her shoulders. Although cold, they were so much warmer than her uncovered back, and made her feel wonderfully warm. She had never received a proper affectionate embrace from someone before; just a perverted guy's arm round her waist, and it felt so warm and loving; she couldn't help but let a few more salty tears of happiness fall from her eyes. She tentatively wrapped her own arms round Big's back, and she squeezed him tight, never wanting to let him go again; she didn't want him to get hurt because of her again.

She suddenly collapsed, the exhaustion and stress catching up with her, so Big picked her up in his large, furry arms, and slowly began to carry her back to the little hut in the forest (though first picking up the Chaos Emerald for Miss Rouge).

Having carried Rouge's unconscious figure once before, Big was more relaxed than he would otherwise have been carrying a beautiful, scantily dressed woman, yet still felt embarrassed about being so close. His heart was beating much faster than it had the last time he'd carried her... Maybe it was because it was colder; after all, it was snowing now, yet Big was still confused as to why it had suddenly got faster when she was around. One of life's great mysteries, he supposed; another thing he would never know, and no one would ever want to teach him.

. .

"Looks like I missed out on Christmas again," Rouge commented sadly as she woke the next morning.

"You didn't miss out, Miss Rouge. You got that pretty jewel you wanted..."
Big's voice startled Rouge, and she found him sitting next to the bed. He held out the shining yellow jewel, and Rouge's heart skipped a beat upon seeing it. All of her lust and greed was telling her to grab it and run, like last time, but seeing Big there, holding it out to her with that dopey look on his face, she couldn't bring herself to look at it, let alone take it. After everything she'd done, she couldn't possibly accept it from him.
"You know, Big, what you said about Christmas last night was right. It's not about the presents and the festivities; it's about being with those you care about. So, you're right, Big. I didn't miss out on Christmas, but that Emerald's not the reason; you are."
Rouge smiled awkwardly as Big took in the words.
"You're my friend too, Miss Rouge!"

Rouge sat up and swung her legs round so she was perching on the side of the bed. She tentatively took the large cat's paw in one hand, and placed her other upon his cheek.
"Big, you're so wonderful to me, even though I was so horrid to you. You're too nice for your own good, you know!" She laughed slightly as a lone tear rolled down her cheek. "I want you to know, Big, that from now on, I'll never let a silly thing like a jewel get in the way of our friendship."
She looked up at Big's smiling face, and slowly reached up and pressed her lips to his furry cheek.

Big didn't really know how to react; he'd never been kissed before, especially not by someone as pretty as Miss Rouge... He put his hand to his cheek tentatively.

Rouge smiled up at the cat that sat confused before her, and as he grinned awkwardly back at her, Rouge knew she'd finally found out the true meaning of Christmas.

A/N: Oh my gosh. It's actually finished. The ending was... Uninspired. I apologise! ;_;
Hey, thanks so much for all of your support and reviews, my dears! It's been great!
Dark Huntress, why don't you email me? Then we can chat properly, k?

I'm not back from my hiatus, just so you know. But I wanted to have this finished today, seeing as it's Valentine's. =)
xX