Note From Rirureddo: There's a good thing and bad thing about being away on a month-long trip - although you get to enjoy yourself and have fun while on said trip, there's always a chance that where you go doesn't have wifi. Which was exactly the case for me, LOL. I've just recently returned home from a month-long trip but there was no internet access where I was. This is why Bloodrayne666 and I haven't done any updating as of late. Sorry about that guys! But I'm home now and if all goes well, the two of us can get back to work on our story together and update at a much quicker rate! Huzzah! Again, so sorry to have kept you all waiting and here's our brand new chapter! Hope you enjoy reading it as much as Bloodrayne666 and I had writing it!
Chapter Six
Comfort
Later that night, Rouge was sitting in her room at her mirror, brushing her hair until she heard a knock at her door. "Come in," she called out.
The door opened and Shadow poked his head inside.
Rouge saw his reflection in her mirror.
"Oh, hey Shadow."
The bat had long since discarded her clothes and had changed into a red silk nightdress, but she wasn't worried about Shadow seeing her dressed as she was.
After finishing her hair, she placed her hairbrush down on on her her dresser and turned her attention to her GUN uniform hanging by the wardrobe.
"Good evening Rouge," Shadow greeted. "I didn't come at a bad time, did I?"
"No, you didn't Shadow," she answered. "It's okay."
"I wanted to check on you and make sure you were alright," Shadow continued. "I know this has been a stressful day for you."
Rouge sighed a bit as she stroked some of her hair.
"You're very kind Shadow. I'm alright, but ticked off that vacation has been cut short, that's all."
Shadow nodded a bit as he stepped into her room, closing the door behind him.
"I understand how you feel."
"Thanks Shadow," Rouge responded, glad that he related to what she was going through. She placed her chin on the palm of her hand and sighed again.
Walking over to her window, Shadow stood in front of it and looked outside it.
"And Omega had no luck finding anything more about the punks who're responsible for bringing our vacation to an end." He crossed his arms. "But he said he'd stay on it and let us know if anything comes up."
"Okay..." Rouge said in a disheartened voice. "At least he's still on the case..."
"Yeah," Shadow said before he heard the tone of Rouge's voice and turned to her. "You sure you're alright?"
Rouge turned her head slightly away from him.
"I'll be fine Shadow..."
'Hmm, this isn't like her at all,' Shadow thought to himself as he gave his full attention to her. "You know, if there's anything you want to say, you can tell me."
A small smile appeared on the bat's face as she turned back to Shadow, thankful for his concern. "I know Shadow..."
After giving one last look outside, Shadow went to have a seat on the edge of her bed in front of her. "So, what's on your mind?"
Rouge sighed once more.
"Well, along with being bored that I have to take time out of my time off, I'm worried about these guys targeting GUN..."
Shadow nodded knowingly.
"I had a feeling that's what was bothering you."
Rouge couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips.
"You can read me like a book..."
It was then that Shadow's usual smirk appeared on his face.
"Well, I've had a lot of time to practice after all we've been through together."
"Yeah, you have," Rouge laughed before she caught sight of the smirk on Shadow's face.'He does look handsome when he smirks...' she thought to herself as a small blush appeared on her own face.
Shadow didn't notice Rouge's blush and continued to speak. "There's a reason I say that Rouge. We've been through pretty much everything you can imagine and we've gotten through them. This'll be no different. We'll find out who the ones are trying to start something with GUN and take care of them."
"Yeah, we have..." said Rouge as she began to think back to all the things she and Shadow have been through together along with the rest of the Sonic Team. "I do hope we can take those bastards down...and find out whose behind the wheel..."
"We will," Shadow said reassuringly. "That's a promise."
Rouge smiled softly at Shadow, which the hedgehog returned.
Suddenly, a roar of thunder is heard outside and Shadow almost instantly glared in the direction of one of Rouge's windows while she jumped from the sound of the thunder.
"Yeesh, will this storm ever end!?" she asked.
"Tell me about it," Shadow agreed. "Here's hoping that it'll be gone by tomorrow because its sure not helping matters any."
"No its not," said Rouge before she went over to her bed and after hopping on it, flopped onto her back on the soft sheets.
Shadow looked over at her and saw the exasperated look on her face.
"You're real stressed out. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Rouge smiled over at him.
"Your company is enough Shadow. You do so much around here already."
"I do what I can," said Shadow. "And I was going to call it a night after checking on you, but if you'd like I can stay a bit longer."
The smile remained on Rouge's face. "That would be nice..."
"Alright," Shadow nodded. "I'll stay and keep you company."
"Thanks Shad," Rouge said, grateful for him staying with her.
"Don't mention it," said Shadow as he positioned himself so that he was laying next to her, his back propped up against the headboard of her bed.
Rouge grinned over at him and sighed softly, content and loving the feeling of the sheets against her back.
"You know," Shadow began. "Laying here like this brings back memories."
"Does it...?" Rouge asked, turnng her head over to face him.
"Yeah," said Shadow as he placed a hand behind his head. "Reminds me of when you brought me here during the Emerl incident."
Rouge chuckled as she remembered.
"Oh yeah..."
Shadow was silent for a couple seconds before looking over at Rouge. "I know it was a while back but I apologize again for you having to carry me all the way here."
"Aww, well I couldn't just leave you out there..." Rouge said before giggling. "And you didn't weigh much..."
Shadow narrowed his eyes and raised one of his eyebrows.
"Hmm, don't know whether I should take that as a compliment or not."
Rouge chuckled a few more times.
"I'm just kidding..." she said after her laughter subsided. "It was no trouble at all bringing you here..."
Shadow looked at her a bit longer with the same look on his face before shaking his head, the look being replaced by his usual one.
"I said it before, I'll say it again - thanks Rouge. Thanks for saving me."
"You're welcome Shadow..." Rouge answered with a smile. "And thank you too, for saving me too..."
Shadow gently patted her shoulder.
"You're welcome Rouge." He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and felt something. "Hmm, you're real tense."
Rouge blinked a few times.
"Am I...?"
Shadow nodded. "It may be because of all the stress you've built up."
A sigh came from the bat. "Yeah..."
Thinking of what he could do to help her, a thought came to Shadow.
"Let's see what we can do to fix this." He pushed himself up into a sitting position.
Rouge wondered what it was Shadow had thought of, but something told her she should sit up too. "
...Okay..." taking a deep breath, she sat up as well.
Seeing that she was a bit nervous and didn't know what he had planned, Shadow gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "This could be just what you need to help you relax easier."
Rouge moaned softly at the feel of his hand. "Mmm...that feels great...If that's what you have planned, go for it..."
Shadow positioned himself behind her, rubbed his hands together to warm them up, and then placed them on her bare shoulders, proceeding to massage them.
"Mmm..." Rouge sighed in pure ecstasy. "That feels really nice Shadow..."
"I'm glad to hear," the hedgehog responded as he gently kneaded her shoulders between his hands. "You starting to feel more relaxed?"
"Oh yes..." she breathed out. "Thanks Shadow..."
"No problem at all," he responded.
As Shadow continued to rub her shoulders, Rouge began to relax more and he could tell. "You're starting to feel a lot less tense now."
"Mmm, that's good..." Rouge moaned. "I'm starting to feel it..."
Shadow kept going until he felt her shoulders completely relax.
"Mmm...Thanks Shadow..." Rouge said softly, her voice a lot more content and a cheeky smile appearing on her face. "You're good with your hands..."
Shadow chuckled at the compliment. "You're welcome Rouge. I'm glad I was able to help you."
"You did..." said Rouge as she placed one of her hands over his, her smile becoming a bit softer.
At the same time, both Shadow and Rouge fellt their hearts skip a beat at the touch of each others' hands on their own.
A couple seconds passed before Shadow was able to find his voice, but not before clearing his throat and regaining his composure. "So um, are you feeling better now?"
Rouge nodded and smiled again, her previous blush coming back to her face. "I'm fine now...I'll sleep alright tonight..."
Shadow nodded his head. "Speaking of which, we all have an early start tomorrow so shall we call it a night now?"
"Sounds like a good idea..." said Rouge before she smiled and the blush stayed on her face. "Shame really, I was enjoying my time with you jut now..."
Shadow smirked softly. "I have to admit, this was a very enjoyable night. It's been a long and hard day for us all, especially you. I'm glad I was able to ease your mind and ensure you get a good night's sleep."
"I might ask you to do it more..." Rouge said, winking. "You're very good at it..."
"Heh, thinking of making it a habit huh?" Shadow asked.
Rouge said nothing but instead chuckled, which was all the answer Shadow needed.
"We'll see," he added. "And on that note, let's get you into bed shall we?"
"Sure, okay..." said Rouge as she crawled over the duvet and cllimbs underneath.
Shadow stood up off the bed and made his way over to her side of it and watched as she got under the sheets.
Once she was under the covers, Rouge smiled at Shadow. "Thanks for being there for me Shadow..."
"Anytime Rouge," he answered.
Rouge gave him another smile before laying her head on her pillow. Shadow assisted her by tucking her in.
"Mmm, thanks Shadow," she said, feeling completely comfortable. "What would I do without you?"
Shadow grinned down at her.
"That's a question that you never have to worry about the answer to."
His response made the bat's smile grow bigger.
"Tomorrow's a big day for us," Shadow continued. "Try to get some sleep alright?"
Rouge nodded and closed her eyes. "I will..."
Shadow made sure she was as comfortable as possible before turning and heading for her door. "Goodnight Rouge."
"Night Shadow..." she said to his retreating form. "Make sure Omega gets some rest too..."
"Will do," the hedgehog answered as he opened the door, took one last look back at her, and then left.
Rouge smiled and snuggled more into her pillow.
After leaving Rouge's room and closing the door, Shadow remembered the feeling that had come over him after Rouge placed her hand over his. After placing his hand over his heart and feeling how quickly it was beating, he took a deep breath before lowering his hand back down and making his way back downstairs.
Back in her room, Rouge was having similar thoughts. She placed her hand over her own heart and the last thought she had before sleep overtook her was the image of Shadow's warm rare smile.
Awww, some tender moments there! Hope it was worth waiting for!
Again, sorry about the late upload! Hope to have another chapter up sooner!
Bloodrayne666 and Rirureddo