Heya all, Rirureddo and I have managed to get another chapter up just before Christmas, luckily not as violent this time! lol! More Shadow and Rouge based! Hope you enjoy it! :D
Chapter Nine
Girl Talk
The next morning back at Club Rouge, Shadow let out a groan as he woke up and ran a hand through his hair-quills.
Taking a few moments for his eyes to focus, he looked over to one of the windows and saw it was still raining outside.
"Why am I not surprised?" he muttered while yawning. "At least it's not as bad as it was yesterday."
Glancing over at Omega and seeing it still in standby mode, Shadow turned his head back so that he was looking up at the ceiling and took a few deep breaths.
"Can't be bothered with the weather. We've got business to take care of."
At the same time, Rouge awakened upstairs in her room and she stretched out her body. "Mmm, what a good sleep that was..."
Hearing the rumbling of thunder, she turned her head to one of her windows and scoffed at the ongoing storm.
"Damn, when will the weather change?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Rouge stood up and made her way towards her bathroom, discarding her nightgown in the process.
"Can't complain here...Sadly."
Once she was fully undressed, she closed the bathroom door, stepped into her tub, and began to take a shower, preparing herself for the long and tiring day she was in for.
A little while later, Rouge was fully dressed in her usual attire and as she was downstairs in the kitchen making coffee, she heard Shadow coming downstairs from finishing his shower. "Shadow!" she called out to him. "Do you want some coffee?"
Shadow walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, dressed in grey jeans and a black shirt. "Sure," he answered as he went over to the table and sat down in a chair in front of it.
Pouring some coffee into a mug, Rouge took it and carried it over to Shadow, placing it in front of him.
"There you go Shad," she said sighing in an irritated tone. "Weather's just dreadful..."
"Yeah," he responded before looking over at her, noticing that she had more of a spark compared to the previous day.
"You look like you're in a much better mood."
Rouge smiled as she remembered not only the great sleep she had, but the incredible massage Shadow gave her as well.
"Just a good sleep," she said, winking at him.
A smirk came to the hedgehog's face.
"Good to see you're back to normal."
Rouge couldn't help the small blush that came to her face as she saw the smirk appear on Shadow's face.
As the two of them talked a bit longer and enjoyed their morning coffee together, they heard a few beeps and wiring sounds moments later.
"Well, look who finally decided to wake up," Shadow chuckled.
Rouge grinned as well as she heard the heavy footsteps of Omega and turned to the doorway, seeing the robot enter the kitchen from her seat at the table.
"Morning Omega!" she greeted. "Are you okay?"
"Morning to you both," the robot replied as it walked over to the table. "And yes Rouge, I'm fine. And yourself?"
"I'm alright," said Rouge before she held her coffee mug, leaned back in her seat, and crossed one of her legs over the other.
"Though I'm still ticked that vacation got cut short."
Shadow heard the sass in her voice and chuckled.
"Yeah, you're definitely back to normal." He turned to their robotic companion, his smirk still on his face.
"Wouldn't you agree Omega?"
Omega moved its head up and down.
"Affirmative. My scanners detect that a large amount of stress has been removed from her and that she is a lot more comfortable and and at ease, not to mention being a lot more full of energy."
Rouge gave them both a playful frown and chuckled at them before taking a sip of her coffee.
A few seconds later, her cell phone rang, causing her to almost spill her coffee.
"Yikes! I wasn't expecting that!" she said before reaching into her cleavage, pulled out her phone, and opened it, placing it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hey there girlfriend!"
Rouge grinned as she heard the familiar sounding voice of Topaz.
"Topaz! Hey hun!"
"Good morning! How are you doing over there?"
"We're alright," said Rouge as she leaned back more into her chair. "Just having some coffee and still miffed about our vacation time being cut short. How are you?"
"Believe me, I know how you guys feel. As for me, I'm just waking up and getting ready for what's sure to be a long day."
"A long day is right!" Rouge said with a sigh. "And there's no telling what we're gonna find ourselves getting into this time."
"Tell me about it. No worries, we'll get it taken care of. Say, you said you were having coffee? That reminds me of something I wanted to ask you."
That got Rouge's attention.
"Yeah? Well, ask away Hun. What is it?"
"We're got some more time before we have to head to HQ for our mission briefing. How about we meet up at the coffee shop on the north side of town and have a drink or two there? It's been a while."
Rouge's face lit up.
"That sounds like a plan! I'll be there! Maybe some girl talk will take my mind off the workload."
"That's exactly what I was thinking! Okay, so we'll meet up there in about an hour?"
"Sure thing Topaz. I'll be there," said Rouge. "Better take your umbrella though. The weather still looks like it isn't gonna change any time soon!"
"Will do! And same to you!"
"Okay," Rouge said, her smile growing. "See you in an hour!" She hung up her phone after Topaz.
Shadow took a sip of his coffee before looking over at her. "So, you and Topaz are having a little meet up, I presume?"
"Yeah, just for some girl talk," Rouge smiled.
Shadow scoffed a bit before closing his eyes. "Hmm, if that's the case you both are going to be there for a while." HE took another sip of his coffee.
Rouge smirked a toothy grin.
"Heh, you know us well."
Shadow looked back at her before returning her smirk with one of his own.
"In any case, that may be just what you need."
"When you include the fact that you see Shadow and I on a daily basis, perhaps female companionship will do you some good," Omega added.
"Aww, thanks!" Rouge said, smiling. "Don't get me wrong, I do love your company. But I won't say no to a little female company as well!"
"As we do with you Rouge," said Shadow.
As he spoke those words, Shadow and Rouge locked eyes with each other for a couple seconds before Shadow got his wits back about him. "Anyways, you go spend time with Topaz. Omega and I will meet you both at the HQ."
"Okay!" said Rouge before going over and giving Shadow and Omega quick hugs. "Thanks guys!"
"Hope you have a good time," said Omega.
"Oh, I will!" said the bat as she walked over and picked up her coat that she had on the kitchen counter. "Oh Shadow, the weather's not as bad as it was yesterday so I'm gonna fly over to the meeting spot. Do me a favour and take the car over to the HQ?"
Shadow raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised that she was going to fly in the rain, but then he closed his eyes and chuckled knowingly. "Yeah sure, I got it."
"Alright!" the bat said before putting on her coat and heading towards the front door. "I'll see you guys there! And be careful not to wreck my baby Shadow!" With that being said, Rouge left the club.
Omega turned its head towards Shadow. "No doubt she's in a better mood."
"No doubt at all," Shadow grinned as he continued to drink his coffee.
An hour later at the coffee shop, Topaz was sitting at one of the rooftop covered tables on the balcony. She had her now shoulder length hair flowing downwards and was dressed in a long black hooded coat. She was reading through a newspaper to pass time as she waited for Rouge to arrive.
"Topaz! Topaz!"
Hearing her name being called out, Topaz looked over to the direction of it and saw a figure coming towards her through the rainy air. Looking closer, she saw that it was Rouge. "Oh Rouge! Over here!" she called back, waving towards her.
Rouge waved back as she landed on the balcony.
"Heya! Haven't kept you waiting have I?"
Topaz shook her head.
"No, not at all!" Then she realized something. "Hold on, did you actually fly over here? In this weather?"
"Yeah, but I wore my coat so it was no big deal," the bat grinned as she walked over to the table, swinging her hips as she did so.
Topaz blinked a few times before chuckling. "That's the Rouge I know."
Rouge laughed and shared a hug with her friend.
"Well, flying is faster! And I let Shadow use the car, so yeah, hehe."
Topaz returned the hug before pulling back from her. "I see. Shall we be expecting him and Omega to swing by too?"
"They said they'd be at HQ when we got there," Rouge said as she had a seat at the table.
"Ah, then that gives us plenty of time to hang out then!" Topaz said, smiling as she sat down opposite of Rouge.
"Yeah! I'll drink to that!" said Rouge.
"Feel free to order whatever you'd like!" said Topaz.
"Well, I did have just a little back home," said Rouge. "But a little bit more won't hurt! A cappuccino sounds good!"
"Nice! I'll get one too!" Topaz said with a grin.
Afterwards, the two GUN agents order their drinks and begin to converse with one another about whatever came to mind and Rouge was feeling so much more relaxed and comfortable, no longer at stress as she had been the previous day.
"So Rouge," Topaz began. "Other than work, what else have you been up to?"
"Not much really," the bat answered. "Well, I'm glad to have cleared some space in my wardrobe. That had been a long time coming, believe me when I tell you." She took a sip of her drink. "I secretly hope that I can get some rest after we get this whole situation taken care of."
Topaz couldn't agree more. "I could say the same for myself. Work has been murder as of late. And who knows? maybe I'll finally be able to go on that cruise I was talking about."
"Oh yeah, the cruise!" Rouge giggled as she remembered her friend's excitement about going. "I do hope you get the chance to go on it Topaz."
Topaz smiled over at her friend. "Same here. And if you don't have anything else going on at that time, feel free to join me! Even Shadow and Omega can come along if they'd like!"
"Really!?" Rouge beamed. "Wow, thanks Topaz! I'd really enjoy that! I'm sure the boys would too!"
"Cool!" said Topaz before smirking. "Oh, and speaking of Shadow...How's things been going with you two lately?"
Rouge couldn't help the blush that came to her face. "Oh, right..."
Topaz noticed the blushing and held back a laugh.
"Well...he's still his broody self, but at the same time such a thoughtful friend," Rouge finally responded, smiling as she thought of the Ultimate Life Form. "I honestly don't know where I'd be without him."
"Heh, as broody as ever huh?" Topaz asked. "From what I've seen, he seems to be a lot more sociable compared to when I first met him. I can say the same for Omega too. Was a time when that robot would only listen to and respond to just you and Shadow."
Rouge grinned as she remembered those days. "They both are a lot more confident now, and Omega's expanded his brain a little to know more than just me and Shadow."
"That's good," Topaz said before chuckling. "Oh, and as for what you said about not knowing where you'd be, you'd probably still be that jewel thief I met so long ago!"
Rouge laughed as well. "More than likely, yes! I still love my jewels though."
"Heh, that's something that'll never change," said Topaz with a smile.
"Me and jewels..." Rouge said dreamily. "We'll never stop loving each other!"
Topaz couldn't help but grin along with her. "That sure does take me back to when we first met."
Rouge laughed again. "How could I forget!"
"I'd be surprised if you did!" Topaz playfully snapped. "So much happened on that day."
"Yeah! And would've thought we'd be the best of friends after it all?" Rouge asked with a smile as she took a sip of her drink.
Topaz chuckled as she did the same. "If someone would've told me I would be best friends a bat who steals jewels and called me an old lady within the first ten seconds of me knowing her, I would've told that person they were out of their mind!"
"Oh yeah!" Rouge said, giggling after placing her drink down. "Sorry about that!"
"Oh, don't worry about it," said Topaz, glaring playfully at the bat. "I've let that slide, along with the comment about me being fat!"
Rouge got a good hearty laugh out of that. "You know, I'm glad that we can look back on that and laugh. Despite our differences, we had a lot of fun!"
"That we did!" Topaz agreed. "And we sure had a heck of a lot of adventures together too huh?"
"We sure did!" said Rouge. "Many we'll never forget!"
"And it looks like we can add another to that list with the one we're starting today," said Topaz.
"Yeah," said Rouge as she held her up cup. "Here's to another hard day on the job!"
"And to our celebration after we've cleaned up the trash!" Topaz added as she held up her cup and tapped it with Rouge's.
"Cheers!" said Rouge before she and Topaz both took a sip from their cups.
For the next couple of minutes, the two agents chatted and caught up with each other, both of them enjoying every second with each other. Eventually, it came time for them to leave and meet up with Shadow and Omega at the GUN HQ.
"Thanks a lot for the invite Topaz!" said Rouge as they walked out of the coffee shop. "That was just what I needed!"
"No prob at all Rouge!" the blonde agent replied. "We're definitely gonna have to do this again soon! But for now, we got business to take care of. Come on, I'll give you a lift to the HQ so that you don't have to do anymore flying in the rain."
"Sounds good!" said the bat before stopping in her stride.
Topaz noticed and turned back to her. "What's up? You forget something?"
A grin came to Rouge's face.
"Actually yeah, I did. Go ahead and have the car running - this won't take long!" She turned around and walked back into the coffee shop.
"Hmm, what that was all about?" Topaz asked herself.
Shrugging, she walked over to her car, a black Mercedes and got into the driver's seat.
As she put her keys into the ignition and started it up, she saw Rouge walking out of the shop and over to the passenger side of her car, opening it and getting inside.
"Get what you forgot?" she asked the bat.
"Oh no, I didn't leave anything," Rouge said as she put on her seatbelt and looked over at her, smiling. "Remember the nice young girl that served us? I just went back and gave her a tip for being such a great hostess to us."
Topaz returned the smile as she remembered the waitress as well.
"Aww, so sweet of you! Bet that made her day!"
Rouge grinned.
"That it did. And speaking of which, let's get on over to the HQ so we can get this day over and done with."
She reached into her coat pocket and put on black sunglasses over her eyes.
"I'm with that plan girlfriend," Topaz responded with a smirk as she put on black sunglasses of her own.
"Let's roll!"
Putting her car into gear, Topaz pulled out of the parking lot of the coffee shop and took off down the road towards the HQ.
Back inside the coffee shop, the young Mobian that Rouge had given a tip to - a female black squirrel - was returning to her rounds, a happy smile on her face.
"That Rouge really is something special," she said as she walked behind the cashier counter.
"Something special? Please! More like a money-hungry, no good thief!"
Hearing the voice, the squirrel turned to look at the Mobian running the cash register - a female white mongoose that looked a few years older than her.
"Seriously?" she asked the mongoose. "You're back on that again Glenda?"
"Come on Felicia, wake up and smell the flowers!" Glenda said, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms. "All that bat cares about is getting as much money and jewels as she can! I'm willing to bet that tip she gave you is stolen money! Pssh, how in the hell did they even allow someone like her to be in GUN?"
"Glenda, that's completely unfair!" Felicia fired back. "Yeah, she used to be a thief and did some dirty and underhanded things, but that part of Rouge's life is over now! She's doing all she can to help better Mobius for everyone, including you!"
Glenda rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say girl," she said before turning back to the register. "But remember this - once a thief, always a thief."
Felicia looked at her co-worker with narrowed eyes before she continued to work as well. 'She's wrong about Rouge,' she thought to herself. 'There's no way she'd go back to being a thief like she says, no way.'
As she worked, Felicia couldn't help but play Glenda's last words over and over again in her head.
'Once a thief, always a thief.'
Letting the words linger on her mind a bit longer, Felicia shook the thoughts from her head before continuing on her rounds at the coffee shop.
Looks like there are some Mobians who are distrustful of Rouge and won't let go of the past! Wonder how that's gonna go.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! And Merry Christmas! only three more days till Christmas Day!
Love Rirureddo and Bloodrayne666
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