Chapter 2 -

Amy knocked on the front door of the house. She wondered if Sonic was home or if he was out running. To her relief, he answered the door.

"Amy," Sonic said, a little surprised to see her. "Hi, Sonic. Do you mind if I drop by for a visit?" she asked.

Sonic nodded. "Uh, sure. Come on in." He let her in, then closed the door behind her. "What were you doing out all alone?" Thunder rumbled outside. "And in the rain?"

"I don't know, Sonic, I..." Amy sighed and sat down on the couch. "I feel so frustrated."

Sonic walked over to where she was. "How come?"

"It's nothing you'd understand," said Amy, looking away. "Why wouldn't I?" Sonic inquired, sitting down, as well.

Amy remained silent for a moment. "... I don't know, Sonic. It just seems like everything I've tried has gone wrong."

"What?" Sonic asked, looking a little impatient. "What's gone wrong?"

"I've done everything I can to test whether or not you have feelings for me," Amy finally got the words out. "I've tried to get myself kidnapped so you could come rescue me. I've tried to make you dinner. I've even pretended someone else was my boyfriend!" She closed her eyes for a moment, lowering her head, feeling the sadness wash over her. "... And still, nothing works. You always act the same-old-same-old. I'll never know whether or not you like me because you won't tell me."

She risked a glance at him. Sonic was staring back at her, his expression a mixture of confusion and shock. She guessed he was probably trying to decide whether or not she was really sad, or if she was just putting it on to make him feel sorry for her.

"Amy..." Sonic began slowly. He rubbed his neck, trying to think of the right thing to say. "... Some things I have to keep to myself. You know I'm not the kinda guy who just comes out and says what he thinks. I don't think, I don't say, I do. I'm the world's fastest hedgehog, Amy- I do everything on impulse."

"So if you don't feel it on impulse, you won't do it?" Amy questioned.

"Well... I don't feel EVERYTHING on impulse, Amy," Sonic replied. "It might surprise you, but sometimes I feel even a little slow about things. Like I don't want to do them right off the bat. Sometimes I like taking things slow."

Amy used one hand to support her chin as she leaned over her lap and used the other hand to drum her fingers on her lap thoughtfully. Sonic was trying to tell her he didn't want things to go too fast, for once... Did that mean he liked her, but he wasn't ready for a serious relationship? "I see, Sonic... But that still doesn't answer the question that I've been trying to figure out for years."

Amy saw nervousness begin to flicker in Sonic's green eyes at those words. "Wh-What question is that?"

"Do you like me?" Amy leaned forward, her face expressionless, her dark green eyes gazing at him questioningly.

"Uh, sure, I like you..." Sonic said, glancing around nervously. "... I like all my friends."

"No, Sonic." Amy did not budge. "I mean, like-like. As in a crush. As in deep feelings which you don't understand but you know you have them for a certain someone." Sonic gazed back. For a long time, he did not answer. It was just his bright green eyes meeting her dark green ones. Amy studied them for any sign of emotion. She knew there was nervousness and uneasiness, but she thought she detected a bit of softness in his eyes. Was he giving in? Was he going to admit that he cared for her like she did for him?

"Amy..." Sonic said finally. "I... am not ready for this. All my life, I've been quick, I've been nimble, I've been light on my feet. I've been ready for anything. But right now I'm not ready for this."

"Ready for what?" Amy inquired, still expressionless.

"Nothing," Sonic answered. "That's just it. You want to know the truth?"

"Yes."

"I can't do this right now. I've got more important things to worry about," Sonic said, getting a little more firm. He stood up. "I have other things to take care of. I can't just sit around wasting time with romance when I have to protect the world from Eggman."

"But Sonic-" Amy blinked at him. "Don't you have ANY feelings for me, at ALL? If not a lot, then just a little? A smidgen, even?" She stopped when she saw him rubbing his wrist. She thought she saw something like a pink bracelet hiding beneath the cuff of his gloves. She glanced at him and caught a look of guiltiness on his face. He quickly replaced it with the solemn look.

"I told you, Amy," he said. "I like all my friends."

"But Sonic!" Amy protested, standing. "What about all those times when Eggman kidnapped me, or I've ever gotten in danger? You were always rushing to the rescue."

"I would have done the same thing for any other of my friends," Sonic said. "You know that, Amy. I never let a friend down."

"But, Sonic," Amy sighed, feeling desperate. "Will we ever be more than just friends?"

Sonic did not reply. Again their eyes met and stared into one another's again. Amy thought she saw sorrow in his eyes.

Sonic finally broke away from the gaze and said firmly, "You know, it's late. I need to get some rest, and you ought to, too."

"Yeah," Amy whispered, heading for the door. "Well, thanks for letting me drop by, Sonic. Good night."

Sonic watched her go. "Yeah... Good night, Amy." He stopped at the door and leaned on the door jamb, watching her head down the streets again.

Well, that's it, then, Amy told herself, trying to hold back the tears. It did no good, because she was finding herself brushing away warm tears tickling her cheeks. Sonic has no feelings for me whatsoever. He only thinks of me as a friend. She sniffled. We'll never be more than friends...

"AMY, LOOK OUT!"

Amy turned. Sonic was frozen stiff to his place on the front porch. His eyes were filled with terror as he gazed at her.

"What...?" she asked slowly. A flash of light came from the corner of her eye. She whirled around and gasped. A huge truck was heading down the road, and she was standing directly in front of it. "SONIC!"

"Amy!" Sonic tried to rush forward to save her. It was too late. Sonic squeezed his eyes shut as he heard tires squeal as they skidded to a stop. The last thing Amy heard was a horrifying thud... Then everything went black.