OMG next chapter! Raaaaah! I'm so excited! . I'm having so much fun writing this. Enjoy!

----------------------------------------------------

"So it is true? That's so sweet!" Amy Rose squealed in excitement as she stood near the Emerald altar questioning Knuckles and Rouge. "How did you two get together?"

"That's a story I don't want to get into." Rouge said, shuddering ever so slightly at the memory.

"Something bad?" Amy asked gently.

Knuckles growled and wrapped an arm protectively around Rouge. "Let's just say, if it hadn't gotten us together, I'd probably go hunt the guy down and kill him for what he did."

"Pft. Don't give that freak any credit. I think we would have realized it soon enough even if I hadn't got the crap kicked out of me." Rouge half mumbled half growled.

"Oh, so that's why Tails had to come up here and help you out. Are you feeling better though?"

"Oh yeah. I just can't lift anything heavy with my right arm or put too much weight on my left leg. Otherwise, no problem." Rouge shrugged it off.

"Well have you been out on any real dates yet?" The pink hedgehog asked with a huge grin.

The couple was silent. Between the Master Emerald and Rouge's injuries, they hadn't left the island for months.

Amy gasped, understanding their silence and shocked by the news. "You haven't been on a real date?" She almost shouted.

"Well no but-"Rouge was cut off.

"Oh that's not gonna' work! You two are going out to dinner tonight. Me and Cream will watch the Emerald."

"But-" Knuckles started.

"No buts! We were going to go to the park anyway, and this island isn't much different. Besides, Cream will keep me on task so I don't wander off and find Sonic."

"Well, I guess-"

"Please Knucky?" Rouge clung to his arm and pouted. "It would be so much fun, and it would give us some real bonding time where we don't have to keep an ear out for that stupid rock. The girls won't let anything happen to it." She gave her most dazzling smile and moved only inches away from his face.

"Um… I… I mean, if you want to, then I guess it's okay." Although he initially didn't think it was a good idea, Knuckles couldn't say no to that face.

"Yay!" Rouge and Amy both jumped for joy, Rouge wincing as she landed too hard on her bad leg. She didn't let it dull her excitement though.

"This'll be great! You go figure out where we're going to go, while I pick out what I'm going to wear."

"Oooh! Let me help!" Amy squeaked.

"Okay." They ran back to the house, leaving Knuckles very confused.

"Great." he sighed and pulled out the cell phone Rouge had insisted he have. He speed dialed Sonic's house and was answered by Tails.

"Hello, Tails and Sonic's house, Tails speaking."

"Hey dude, it's Knuckles. Can you put Sonic on, I need to ask him something."

"Sure, no problem. Hang on." He heard the phone being set down and Tails calling for his blue friend. A moment later Sonic picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sonic."

"Oh, hi Knux, what's up?"

"Well, I need your help. Rouge and I are going out tonight and I was wondering if you know any good date restraints."

There was silence for a moment, followed by uncontrollable laughter. "Ha, whahaha! Hahahaha! You, ha, you need me to help you, *snicker*, pick a date spot? Hahaha."

"Yes Sonic." Knuckles was grateful he was over the phone and Sonic couldn't see him blush. "I've never even been to the city very often, let alone on a date. So I need your help since you go everywhere."

"Haha. Okay, okay. Let me think. Amy keeps trying to get me to go to Twinkle Park, but I don't think you guys would like that. You said a dinner place, so I guess… Oh! How about this little bistro on 12th street in Central City. It's supposed to be nice out tonight and they have an outdoor area for you to eat. The service is great and the waiter's will even put a rose on the table if you ask. Not to mention I hear they make a mean steak."

"Wow, that sounds perfect. How do you know so much about the place?"

"Oh… Um, well, you see… I was kind of thinking about places to take Amy. Just to get her off my back for a little while though! I figure next time she asks me out I'll actually accept and make her happy so she leaves me alone for a little bit."

Knuckles grinned. Sonic was using such a nervous tone. "That is such B.S. You know you like her you ass. Quit being such a coward."

"I am no coward! I just, don't really know how to deal with her."

"Uh-huh. Well thanks for the help Sonic. I'll talk to you later. And just so you know, she's going to be watching the M.E. for me tonight. I'm sure Cream will wander off at some point to look for flowers. You could probably catch Amy alone."

Sonic was silent.

"See you." Knuckles hung up the phone and smiled. He loved it when he caught Sonic off guard like that. He did it to Knuckles too often for him to not get him back.

It was several hours later when Knuckles was waiting in the living room for Rouge to come out. Cream, Cheese and Amy were waiting patiently on the couch to see them off before doing their job. "You ready Rouge?" Knuckles called down the hall.

"Just a second." A moment later Rouge walked out in her date outfit. She was wearing a knee-length lavender skirt, a deep blue T-shirt and a light blue jacket that matched perfectly with her low-healed blue Mary Janes.

Knuckles was surprised. She looked cute, and much less showy than usual. "Wow." he mumbled. "You look great."

"Thanks." She smiled as Amy giggled quietly from the couch.

"Well, you ready to go?" He asked sheepishly.

"Yeah." Rouge hooked her arm in his and they walked to the door.

The girls followed them out. "Good luck guys." Amy called. "Have fun."

"Will do." Rouge said with a wave.

They flew to central city together. Knuckles decided to carry Rouge in his arms on the way since she was wearing a skirt. They landed in front of the building a few minutes later and Knuckles gently placed Rouge on the ground.

"Thanks." She said, giving him a light peck on the cheek.

They walked to the front desk. "Table for two, Echidna." Knuckles told the man. He had called in advance and had them put the flower on the table like Sonic had suggested. He'd specifically requested a whit rose.

Rouge noticed immediately when the waiter showed them their table. "Did you do this?" She asked picking up the flower with a smile.

Knuckles just smiled.

"You're so sweet." Rouge said, hugging him lightly before they sat down.

It was a warm night, so they were perfectly comfortable. They ordered quickly and chatted while they waited for the food.

"You know," Knuckles said blushing lightly. "I've been wondering, and I hope you don't think it's rude but, it's about your fur. It's white on your head but tan on your arms. Does it stay tan the whole way down or is there more white?"

She smiled at his shyness. "There's a white patch on my lower back, and my feet are white too. The rest is tan."

He just nodded, his curiosity satisfied, he was unsure what to say next.

"My turn." Rouge said. "I was wondering about these." She grabbed his hand and pointed at his knuckle barbs.

He blushed again. "Oh, well, if you really want to see."

He pulled his gloves off to show her. His hands were as red as the rest of him, but where his index and pinky knuckles started, the bone protruded past his skin and fur and curved into the points.

Rouge's eyes widened. "That's crazy! Do you mind?" She asked, grabbing his finger tips. He shook his head and she examined them further. "Is this an echidna thing then?"

"Well, yes and no. Most of the tribe members just wore barbs in there gloves. I'm assuming my parents did it when I was a baby. But it might also be an individual guardian's trait." He shrugged.

"They look like they'd hurt." She mumbled.

"Not really. When I was a kid and I'd punch something really hard they'd sting, but I've toughened them up a lot."

"I can see that." She ran her fingers over the bones themselves and Knuckles flinched, unused to the touch. She smiled at him and kissed his hand. He blushed redder.

Suddenly the waiter came back with their food and Knuckles pulled his gloves back on, embarrassed. Rouge giggled slightly at how shy he could be.

They ate together and joked about their friends and Eggman, and other random things. Not long after they'd finished their food though, Rouge's cell rang.

"Just a second." She said to Knuckles before answering it. "Hello? Detective, I haven't heard from you in a while, what's up?" She seemed surprised and listened for a moment. Her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and her breath seemed to hitch in her throat. "W-what? For real this time? Is he in custody? Oh my God. When can I come? Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then Detective Leonard. And thank you."

She hung up the phone and looked at Knuckles. He could tell by her face she was terrified and excited at the same time.

"What's going on?"

"Th-that was the detective who was in charge of my mother's hit-and-run case. They finally caught the guy. I've been waiting four years for this." Her breathing was uneven and she seemed on the verge of tears.

Knuckles got up and pulled her into his arms. She broke down crying on his shoulder. He rocked her back and forth and shushed her softly.

"I can't believe it." She finally managed through her sobs, not bothering to lift her head. "Ever since she died I… I've wanted to know who did it. But I wasn't expecting it right now."

"I understand. This is a good thing though right?" He whispered so as not to hurt her sensitive ears, which were inches away.

"Yeah. It is, really. I guess I just wasn't ready." She gave a small laugh. Then, "Will you go with me tomorrow?"

"Of course." He rubbed her back gently.

"Thank you." She nuzzled into his shoulder and gave a small sigh of relief.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wooh! So what do you think? I'm not making anyone mad by inventing a back story for Rouge am I? I know some people get irritated by that. Either way, squeeeee! I'm so happy! Review!

Slick: Hey, I'm not even gonna be in this am I?

Probably not. This is about Rouge's family.

Slick: Oh dammit! But I'm so bad-ass!

Not really, you're just evil. Don't worry, if for some reason I write another sequel after this, you'll be in it.

Slick: I'd better be. *holds up knife threateningly*

I thought Knuckles broke that?

Slick: He did, but I have like twelve more. Mwahahaha!

Riiiiiiight... So yeah, review.