It dawned on dark as the gang finished the meal of Cream's amazing, homemade chilli dogs. Of course, she had to make enough to feed an army, with Sonic at the table, who ate at least 2 or 3 dozen. Everyone watched on in amazement as he beat his record. After their meal, Cream grew tired, weak and pale, undeniably scaring the girls. Amy took Cream upstairs and allowed her to bathe and change into some old clothes that Tails had hidden away before putting her to bed.

'Amy?' Cream asked before her friend walked out the door.

'Yeah?'

'You don't really hate Mr. Sonic do you?'

Amy's eyes widened as she heard these words come out of Cream's mouth. How did she know? Cosmo, maybe even Rouge must have said something, or maybe she just over heard. Amy sighed before taking a seat beside Cream, she had to know.

'What would make you think that?' Amy asked with fake curiosity.

'The way you look at each other now. He with sadness and pain, you with anger and frustration… That and I overheard Rouge and Cosmo talking about it.' Cream admitted bashfully.

I knew it. Dammit, girls!

'No, Cream. I don't hate him, I never have and I never will.' Amy smiled after a minute of silence.

'You need to tell him. He thinks otherwise, it's so obvious.' Cream said sadly.

'It's complicated Cream, you-'

'Please don't treat me like a baby, Amy. I know I'm a few years younger than you all but I'm not a fool. Even a blind man could see how much you and Mr. Sonic care about each other, I think it's time you sucked it up and told each other.'

Amy was stunned at Cream's boldness. Cream had never once cut Amy, or anyone, off before, especially to say something so powerful. Amy took Cream's hand and smiled before letting out an audible sigh.

'He knows how I feel, everyone does. Everyone knows how he feels, which isn't mutual.'

'It is, you'll see.'

'Whatever you say, Cream. Goodnight.' Amy said as she got up and walked out the door.

Cream watched her pink friend quickly escape the room. She allowed herself to smile a little, still completely unaware of the happenings of the past few days. When Amy walked out, she looked over her shoulder for the first few steps before turning around and bumping into someone.

'Ow! Oh… Sorry, Ames.' Sonic mumbled as he helped Amy stable herself.

'It's fine, I'm fine.' Amy brushed herself off.

'I was just coming up to see Cream, she isn't asleep yet, is she?'

'No, but be quick.' Amy said before walking off.

Sonic froze still as Amy's shoulder brushed past his as she walked down the hallway and back to the others. He nodded to himself, as if he was replying to her comment. He shook it off, took a deep breath and opened the door to his own room where Cream was sleeping for the night.

'Knock, knock.' Sonic mimicked as he opened the door.

'Mr. Sonic?' Cream smiled as she tried to sit up.

'How are you feeling, kiddo?'

'I'm good… ouch.' Cream winced as she tried to sit up more.

'Take it easy, just relax.' Sonic lay her back down before taking a seat.

'How does it feel to be back home?' Sonic asked.

'Good, but I don't know where we went. I do miss Cheese though, is he still with Mama?' Cream smiled, clearly not all that bothered.

'Yeah, of course. You'll get to see them in a few days when she gets back from her trip.' Sonic smiled.

A minute of silence fell over the pair as Sonic just sat with his friend, which he feared for her life only a day ago. He watched at how strong she had become, how resilient. She was always so optimistic and upbeat, something they all needed right now.

'When will you tell Amy you love her, Mr. Sonic?' Cream asked out of the blue.

'What? Where on earth did that come from?' Sonic stuttered and began to blush.

'She doesn't hate you. She told me, she was scared. She still loves you, like always. I know how you feel about her, I think Tails does too. I think it's time she knew too, don't you think?'

'Cream, what are you talking about?'

'Oh, Mr. Sonic, please stop being silly. It's not fair on Amy, especially when you know as well as I do how much she cares for you.'

Sonic opened his mouth again to say something before closing it, his mouth continuing to hang agape like a goldfish, trying to find the words to say. Cream giggled a little before she pecked her friend on the cheek and thanked him for lending her his bed. She bid him goodnight before rolling over and falling asleep.

'Uh, night, Cream.' Sonic stammered as he stared into space.

The blue hero sat still on the edge of the bed for a minute more in thought. His young friend was right, as much as he tried to deny it. He felt the same way about Amy, he had for a long time, there were just so many things holding him back. Maybe Cream was right, it was time to let her know how he felt.

He abruptly stood up before walking out and closing the door gently behind him. He stormed down the hallway and into the living room where everyone was talking casually in their own conversations and drinking hot tea. He froze in the doorway for a second and took a deep breath, causing everyone to stare at him.

'Sonic?' Knuckles questioned.

'Earth to Faker?' Shadow smirked.

'You ok there, Big Blue?' Rouge chuckled.

Sonic released his tension before looking into Amy's eyes causing her to arch an eyebrow before setting down her cup of tea. Without another word, Sonic dashed towards the pink hedgehog and scooped her up into his arms before bolting out the open balcony doors. He leapt over the balcony and landed gracefully on the ground, Amy still in his arms.

'Sonic?! What are you doing?!' Amy screeched.

'Just trust me.' Sonic smirked as he continued to run.

'At least tell me where the hell we're going?!'

'You'll see.'

Sonic picked up the pace, causing Amy to screech and cling onto him for dear life, still trying to process what was happening. Who knows what the others were thinking back at the house?! Sonic finally screeched to a halt and gently let go of Amy, allowing her to stand on her feet. She opened her eyes to find her and the blue hedgehog on a small clearing over-looking the ocean, they were surrounded by beautiful plants and Amy could feel the cool, crisp, salty breeze run through her quills. After letting out a small smile at the scenery, she turned around to see a cocky, blue hedgehog with a small smile on his face.

'What are we doing here?' Amy asked with a confused look on her face.

'Privacy.' Sonic replied.

'By the ocean? You hate water!' Amy exclaimed.

'I do, but I know you love it.' Sonic smiled.

Amy arched an eyebrow before taking a step closer to the surprisingly relaxed, blue hero.

'What are you playing at?' Amy asked, beginning to get upset.

'Do you really hate me?' Sonic asked bluntly, his smile fading away.

'What?'

'You heard me.'

'Argh… No! But I'm pretty pissed at you. How could you not tell me about Cream? How could you do what you did in front of Vanessa? And how the hell could you confuse me the way you did out by the pool?!' Amy exclaimed as tears welled in her eyes.

'Ames, I know. I screwed up, but I've paid the price, I swear.' Sonic begged.

'How do you figure?' Amy huffed.

'When you told me you hated me. It felt like…' Sonic trailed off, causing Amy's eyes to widen.

'Like what?' She coaxed.

'Like I'd lost you, forever.'

Amy swallowed before letting out a shaky breath. She broke away eye contact with her blue hero before walking over to the edge of the clearing, causing Sonic to follow her until he stood just behind her. Amy forced herself to take a few deep breaths, listen to the crashing waves and block out the silence between them.

'You spoke to Cream, I'm guessing?' Amy couldn't help but smirk.

'I did.' Sonic smirked back.

'She's intuitive, I'll give her that.' Amy began to giggle, reluctantly.

'You are not wrong. She'll be giving Tails a run for his money someday.' Sonic giggled back.

The two began to giggle together, Amy's back still turned to Sonic. When their laughter died down, he cautiously reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her around to face him. He looked deeply into her dazzling, tear-filled eyes and smiled.

'I'm sorry, Ames. For everything.' Sonic said with a lop-sided smile.

'Hmmm, now where have I heard that before?' Amy smirked and tilted her head a little.

'Knock it off!' Sonic giggled.

'Sorry.' Amy blushed.

'I love you, Amy Rose.' Sonic said through a deep breath.

'Really?' She asked in disbelief.

'More than anything… except maybe running, and chilli dogs.' Sonic admitted, killing the moment.

'How romantic.' Amy said sarcastically.

Sonic gave her a goofy smile before she shook her head and kissed him anyway. They both smiled as their lips touched before they both began to fall more deeply into each other. Sonic wrapped his arms around the small of Amy's back and every now and then slid down to the top of her bottom and she wrapped her arms around his strong shoulders and ran her fingers through his thick quills.

They finally broke away for well needed air and rested their foreheads against one another's, staring into each other's eyes before giggling a little. They both thought they were dreaming, finding it hard to believe that after years and years of minor flirting, chasing, fighting… it was now all coming together.

'Should we go back home, now?' Amy asked, assuming Sonic was feeling queasy around the water.

'No, let's hang around for a bit. It's pretty here.' Sonic smiled.

He took Amy's hand before he sat down and cradled the pink hedgehog in his arms. She nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck, allowing him to rest his head on hers. He was so masculine, so strong, so warm. Amy had never felt so safe in all her life, so happy. Cream was awake and safe back with Tails and the others and not only were her and Sonic not fighting anymore, they were closer than ever.

For a change, things were going right. Everything was looking up for the Sonic Team.