Shadow was very quiet, her eyes on Sonic. If he was having a moment, she didn't want to interrupt. But he had seen her. He turned back to his dinner and shoved a forkful into his mouth with forced verve. Shadow was reluctant to leave, but she went into her bedroom anyways. Maybe he just needed a break.

Sonic swallowed his mouthful of pancake and stood up, leaving his half-eaten dinner in the refrigerator. He turned off the light and went to the couch, lying down on it. He'd try to explain things in the morning…

In the morning.

In the morning?

Sonic blinked, staring up at the ceiling. He officially couldn't sleep. Great. Sonic sat up. What now? Too dark to go anywhere. Too tired to really do anything. Didn't have to go to the bathroom. Shadow might be able to hear the TV if he turned it on… Maybe Shadow was still awake… and if so, maybe he'd like to talk?

Sonic quietly opened the door to Shadow's room and crept in, trying to be as stealthy as possible. No, Shadow wasn't awake; and therefore, probably not willing to talk. Sonic turned toward the door, not wanting to intrude; when his ears perked, hearing a soft sound from the bed.

"Cat- a- …pult."

Catapult? Sonic could only make out a few syllables from this distance. He sneaked closer, intending to hear more of Shadow's unconscious speak, but instead… tripping over the edge of the rug he hadn't noticed before and hitting the floor face-first. THUNK.

Sonic froze. Had he woken Shadow?

"Mmn. Eye- gull- steen."

Eiglestein. Shadow was still asleep. Sonic sighed in relief. He pushed himself back up and glanced around, suddenly unable to find his bearings in the dark room. What could he do? Wait until the sun came up? Sonic, in mild irritation, kicked out a little; lightly hitting what was most probably either the bed or the computer desk.

Instantaneously, the lights came on. Shadow's voice rang out in the previously quiet room.

"Hands up!"

Sonic did as he was told as Shadow came up to him.

"How did you get past- …Oops," said Shadow, walking around Sonic and taking a moment to recognize him. Her face darkened a bit.

"Hey…" said Sonic, blushing a little in response. "Couldn't sleep."

"Sonic, you… Sorry about that. Trouble sleeping?"

Sonic nodded. "Anything for it, doc?" he asked, making light of the situation.

Shadow took a moment to think. "Not sure. I could look something up on the computer, if you want."

"I guess," muttered Sonic, kicking at the carpet. He felt oddly disappointed.

Shadow took his hand. "Come on."

Shadow opened her closet and reached up toward the higher shelf, coming only a few inches short.

"There's a blanket up there," she sighed, giving up. "Let me get a stool or something to stand on. Be right ba-"

Sonic reached up and effortlessly grabbed the blanket, taking it back down to Shadow's level.

"Oh," said Shadow, barely comprehending Sonic's height. He was right. It was kind of hard to accept change.

Shadow led Sonic over to the couch in the living room. "Okay, lie down."

Sonic followed directions and Shadow unfolded the blanket, laying it on top of Sonic.

"I don't know much about sleeping problems, but I've got three things that work for me every time."

"Fire away," said Sonic, scooting under the covers and getting comfortable.

"The first thing is eat something. Did you finish those pancakes?"

"Yes…" Sonic lied. He didn't feel hungry anyways.

"Okay then, the second thing is holding something warm. I usually have my pillow, but a hot water bottle or an electric blanket shoved into a pillowcase work well enough, too. I think I've got an extra pillow somewhere. There's a hot water bottle in the bathroom, too. I wouldn't recommend the electric blanket thing. Fire hazard. So, any thoughts or opinions on that?"

'You're warm, aren't you?' thought Sonic, expecting Uncharted Territory to show up and laugh. No… That thought was all him. Sonic was a little shocked at his own mental forwardness. Maybe UT was rubbing off on him.

"Not really," he said aloud, looking somewhat hopefully at Shadow. "What's the third thing?"

"That's watching TV," said Shadow, picking up the television remote.

Sonic pulled his feet up and wrapped the blanket around himself, gesturing for Shadow to sit down as Shadow flipped the set on.

"Animal channel? They've got a show about… Cats, I think."

Shadow sat next to Sonic as kittens frolicked about the screen while an announcer talked about how they were the little household wildcats.

They watched television for an hour and a half. It was now almost midnight and Sonic didn't appear to be content with sitting around. The longer he was awake, the more paranoid he seemed. The closer he moved toward Shadow. She noticed this and shut off the TV. Sonic was stunned for a moment, frantically looking around- where had his light gone? Sonic called her name, his sleepless mind only finding relief in Shadow's touch as she took his hand.

"I'm here. Relax," said Shadow, getting up and helping Sonic lie down; making sure he was covered by the blanket.

Sonic whimpered as she let go of his hand. Shadow looked down at his wide, unseeing eyes and was thankful for her human-sized couch as she climbed under the blankets with him. Sonic sighed softly and closed his eyes, falling asleep immediately.

Things that work for Sonic, number one; thought Shadow, falling asleep, as well.

Sonic's brain tried to make up for lost time. His dream was only a highlight reel; a sort of film preview but for a dream he'd never had before. It probably didn't mean anything, though. He'd never really had any foreboding dreams, and this didn't seem like one…

Sonic woke up, finding the living room illuminated by streams of sunlight through the window.

His arms were around Shadow's waist, and neither of the hedgehogs seemed to mind.