CH.2- Closer

A few weeks past since the fateful day, Amy continued to "live" with Shadow. Yet, something new began to bloom inside her... and she wanted to know damn well what it was.

Shadow lazily dozed on his couch as Amy sat on the other side of him, watching T.V. It was raining outside and there wasn't much to do. Amy sighed, switching her attention back and forth from the ebony hedgehog to the screen. " Shadow... wow, I've never actually got to be this close to him... I mean, seriously... he's... he's really cute..." She blushed at her own thoughts, turning away from his sleeping form. "Shadow... Why do you keep pushing everyone...me, away? I'm grateful you take me in... but, you seem as if...I'm nothing but...oh... I don't know! My heart is telling me something... I don't understand it very well... Why do I feel different around you?" Shadow shifted in his sleep, his eyebrows furrowing in frustration. Amy looked at him with worry. "Sha...dow-?" "MARIA!" He started to yell. Amy panicked, but she quickly lifted his head and rested him on her lap. she whispered into his ear softly. "Shhh... it's alright... it's just a dream Shadow... just a dream..." He opened his eyes seeing nothing but pink. " Rose...?" Amy sat up abruptly, looking at his pensive expression. "I-I'm sorry... you... you started screaming and I wanted to..uhm.. calm you down an-" He placed a finger on her lips. "Don't worry about it. You talk too much...sometimes." He got up from her lap and smirked. Amy glared at him. She was surprised, he never acted like that near her.

Amy rolled her eyes, getting up and turning off the T.V. She walked into the kitchen without a word, Shadow following her. Feeling a presence behind her, Amy turned to him. "Hungry?" He nodded, leaning on the counter. Amy sighed and began to prepare their meal. Shadow watched her with intensive eyes, following her graceful movements around the kitchen. He closed his eyes, remembering what Maria used to do.

Flashback

"Shadow! You look hungry, let me cook something for you!" Maria smiled at him, grabbing his hand and racing to the kitchen. Shadow laughed, leaning on the metal counter of the kitchen. "Maria, you don't have to..." She gave him a sweet smile. "Its OK Shadow, I'm doing this for you, because you're my friend!" She turned away from him, pulling on an apron and began to prepare a meal for him. He watched her swiftly grab ingredients from cupboards and drawers without making a flaw. She finished in record time, handing him a plate full of food. "I hope you like it!"

End flashback

Amy's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as she handed him a plate. "I... hope you like it..." Shadow stared at her, blinking. He nodded quietly as he joined her at the table in silence. Shadow looked at Amy, furrowing his brows. "Why... does she do so many things... like Maria did?" Amy nervously felt his stared, blushing. "Shadow.. what is it?" He shook his head. "Nothing." He placed his plate into the sink and left to the living room. Amy sighed feeling a bit worried for him. She began washing dishes, thinking to herself. "Did I say something? I wonder what's going on with him... so much for getting him to open up..." She finished, stepping into the living room. Before she sat down, the phone rang, surprising both of them. She looked at Shadow. "Uhm... I'll get it..." Amy rushed to the phone answering it.

" Hello?" "Woah, Ames? Is that you? We've been looking for you for like, AGES!" It was Sonic. "What are you doing at... Shadow's house?" Amy blushed. "N-nothing... the thing... with my house... and yeah..." "Oh, well, Let me talk to Shadow." Amy sighed, handing the phone to Shadow. He gave her a skeptical look then took the phone from her hands. "Faker." "Hey! Already with the name calling?Tsk, tsk, Shadow, and I thought that I was childish!" Shadow growled. "I don't have time for this." "Wait! So-RRY! Well, all of our friends were wondering if you guys wanted to come over to Tail's workshop, we're having a reunion party!" Shadow grunted. "I don't care about some damn reunion party!" Overhearing their conversation, Amy gave Shadow a pout. "Shadow! Thats... a great idea... c'mon, I'm sure it'll be fun!" Shadow couldn't stop staring at her pout. He sighed. "Fine." "Great! see you guys at-what time was it at?- oh, right, 6! Peace out!" Shadow tossed the phone to Amy... who was smiling like hell. "Thanks Shadow! I'm glad you want to go!" Quickly, but suddenly, she grabbed his face and kissed his cheek.

Shadow stood stunned, as she giggled, walking back and hanging up the phone. Amy smiled at him before walking upstairs into her room. Shadow held his head, sitting back down onto the couch. He felt his pulse, beating quick. He was like that since she even came to him. "Damn it! What the hell is going on with me!" Maria's voice echoed in his head. "I'm closer to you than you think, Shadow" It hit him. hard. "Maria... are you... speaking of ...A-Amy?" Shadow groaned, heading into his room. "Damn it... I'm in love with her. IN LOVE with Amy Rose. Is that why.. my heart beats harder when she's near?... Those memories... Rose? Why she enters my mind... more than... Maria?" Shadow headed out to his balcony to think. He stared at the spot where Maria visited him and sighed. He looked up to the sky, the rain softly pouring. "Maria... You were talking about...Amy." "Shadow? Who... what are you talking about?" He quickly turned to Amy; she stood in his doorway with a worried look. "Shadow? Are you... alright?"

Shadow stared at her, his mind racing. "R-Rose... What are you doing here?" Amy scratched her head. "You left the door open... I heard you talking... curious much?" She shrugged, blushing deeply. Shadow walked towards her, keeping his attention to nothing but her. Amy stood in place, gasping as he pulled her into his room. "S-shadow!" He held her shoulders tightly. "You're like her." "Like... who, Shadow?" "Maria."

Amy blinked. "Shadow... never talks about... Maria... never to anyone... Why is he comparing me to her?" "Shadow...how?" He stared into her eyes before releasing her. "Nevermind... Just... just get ready, its almost six." Amy, unsatisfied, left his room. She closed the door behind her, her heart beating fast. "Why do I feel this way... So...disappointed? Do I... Am I in love with Shadow?" She sighed, walking into her room, her thoughts burrowing deep into her mind.

Later that night...

Shadow leaned lazily on the railing of the stairs. Clearly annoyed with waiting, he growled. "Damn women..."

Amy finished dressing herself for the party. She wore a pure white halter-top dress, her hair held up chinese style. She had sterling silver hoop earrings and white laced heels. Amy applied only lip gloss, finding no need for anything more "fancy".

She looked at herself proudly, she was glad that Shadow took the time to go out and buy her new clothes and get her a new hair cut. She giggled, pushing her bangs out of her face. She turned off the lights to her room and walked out. "I wonder what Shadow will think..."

Shadow grumbled, finally looking up to the sound of a door opening. He was about to say something before catching his breath. He stared at Amy as she walked down the stairs towards him with her sweet smile he "oh-so-loved". "God damn Rose... You certainly filled out all these years." He mentally slapped himself, the erotic images in his mind quickly disappearing. Amy smiled, grabbing his hand. Shadow felt the small jolt run through his body as she grabbed him. "C'mon, lets go." "Curse my damn emotions! Who ever decided to give me emotions while I was being created... SCREW YOU!" Shadow sighed, heading out the door to Tail's workshop.

They reached the front porch of a large house, the sound of music bursting through the night. Amy rung the doorbell, giving Shadow a reassuring smile. "It's alright Shadow... I know you don't want to be hear... I understand." He felt her slight disappointment and quickly responded. "Don't worry about me, Just have fun." She smiled at him, then turned to the door. Tails stood in the door way he looked so much older than the last time they saw him. "Glad you could make it Amy! Shadow!" His voice was deeper too. Amy smiled brightly, hugging him in response and stepping in the house.

Shadow sat on the side, watching Amy move around the room, talking to all of her friends. She looked at him from time to time, checking if he was alright. He knew that she felt his discomfort, but silently told him to bear it for her. Shadow would glance at Sonic, constantly asking for beer. Eventually, he was slightly drunk, but still able to tell what he was doing. Amy was talking to Rouge before Sonic grabbed her waist from behind. She gasped, turning to the one holding her. "Sonic? What the hell are you doing?!" Shadow's attention turned to Amy's distressed voice. He kept his place, waiting for Sonic to try to do something rash. The blue hero grinned, bending his head near her neck. She smelt the alcohol in his breath, squirming in his grip. "You know Ames... You look great tonight..." "You're drunk." He chuckled loudly. "Not quite my dear!" Amy glared at him, gripping his hands off of her waist. "You need to sit down... Tails? Can you get Sonic some coffee? You know, he's not feeling so well..." Tails nodded to her, preparing his best friend his drink. Sonic shook his head, making a move on Amy once again. "God damn Amy... If I only knew... you'd be this beautiful, I would have dated you a LONG time ago!" Taken aback, Amy stepped away from him. "You're drunk Sonic, please, leave me alone." Sonic blinked. "Playing hard to get, huh?" Feeling uncomfortable from the stares coming around the room, she moved away from him. Sonic didn't seem to get it. "C'mon Amy... You know you still want me!"

Shadow growled under his breath. He walked up to Sonic and pushed him away from her. "Give it a rest Faker. Sober or not, understand she wants to be alone." Unhappy with someone, especially Shadow, trying to stop him from getting something he wants, Sonic glared at him. "Shut it Anti-Social bastard! Why are you here anyways?! Shouldn't you be somewhere hiding from the cops or somethin'?!" That struck a nerve. Shadow looked almost hurt. He turned away and ran out of the house. Amy ran up to him stopping him from leaving. "Shadow! Wait, H-he's drunk, please, do-" Shadow shoved her off of him and growled. "Don't touch me!" Amy froze in her spot, afraid of him. He ran off, leaving her standing in the middle of the room. Sonic walked up to her, his legs wobbly. "Nah, you don't need him... especially when you have me..." Anger and frustration welled up in her as she swiftly turned to the hedgehog and hit him with her piko-piko hammer. "You asshole!" Sonic held his abused and bloody cheek. "You...you BITCH!" Amy screamed in anger before people stepped in and held her from killing him. Amy shook her head, calling back her hammer. She turned and ran out of the house, running after Shadow. "Oh, Shadow..."