Back for another consistent update. Thanks again for reading, and thanks again to my reviewers: Jyo Jyo Elaine Sumisu, DIM666 - Insane Leader, AN-DoubleRainbow-NA for the last chap. To all my readers, you give me purpose. You know, in a non sad way. :)

Moving on. So, now we see potential suitor number two. Will this one be the match?

Read and see...

Disclaimer: I do not own SEGA or any of their characters I'm about to use.

Enjoy.

Chapter 5: Wonderfully Wandering...

He says he loves qualities about me. Then

He promises to give "us" a try. Then

He never even looks at me. Then

He has sex with her.

Enough of this. You're so over Sonic, remember? I tried to reassure myself. But why was it so hard for me to accept this? It's not like I had any other option. I couldn't have him even if I wanted. And I very much did. But he's with Sally. He could of had me, but he decided to go with her. I was indirectly rejected. But it's time to get over it. It's time to stop lamenting and get my own life. He clearly has one.

I gripped against my quills as if it would make all the pain go away. The lost of a love, the way Shadow gave me a physical cursing, and the alcohol in my system punching my brain repeatedly. With no mercy. I winced, drowning in all of my alcoholic misery. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

I mean, I came to this bar to enjoy myself. But instead I was still thinking about him and the pathetic mess I was. I shook my head in an effort to dispel these dangerous thoughts, the alcohol. Screw this, I was going to enjoy my free drink now. Unorthodox, I know, but that's why I came here. Even with the constant throbbing at at the back of my head, I realized why people drank. And drank. If you were happy, or okay really, alcohol would put you in a hyper state of bliss.

If you were me, miserable, little Amy Rose, I was hoping to become so drunk that my sad sob of a story would become none at all. Until I was numb completely. To put it simply, I wanted to drink until I could no longer feel feelings.

But would this mean that I would transform into an alcoholic? Placing a hand against my throbbing head, I shook it as light as I could without feeling a crashing jolt intense as an earthquake overtake my cranial region. Gosh, I sure hoped not. But then again, the scotch had conquered a decent part of my brain, and my thoughts really. It was successful at clouding my judgement and storming violently through my skull. But it seemed like a dramatic reaction to the incident.

I mean, surely I'd be able to come up with a better coping method. Right? But for now, in this day of monumental, depressing lows, it only felt fitting for me to search for my solutions at the bottom of a pink moscato...

So shoot me up.

Stumbling to the main bar area, I pathetically plopped down on a stool, supporting my sagging body on the quartz counter top. With the unbelievably cool surface soothing my head I wondered why I hadn't come here first. It would have saved me from Shadow. From the man scotch.

"What brings you here lil' lady?"

My lip jerked into a slight smile. Wow, someone who actually wants to talk to me. I have to admit that did make me feel a bit excited. But I didn't lift my head from the counter.

Wait. I froze in place. I knew that voice. "Phil?" I called out in a flustered yell. "W-what are you d-doing here?"

Now I was sort of ashamed I was drunk. He was about the closet being I had to a father figure, and here I was, drunk as skunk. And today just keeps getting better and better...

"I work here," he said, offering a smile, "Actually, I'm also the part owner with my brother."

My eyes widened slightly at his response. If he was an owner (or part owner) of a bar, and a pretty nice one at that, what was he doing selling hot dogs everyday?

I took a deep breath, hoping to gain some sobriety over my stumbling speech. "Then why do you have a hotdog stand?" I asked as he began mixing drinks.

"Well, lil' lady, times weren't always so good when we were starting out." He stopped momentarily. "I s'pose I could quit it now, but in a park town like this, I make some good dough, especially from great tippers like yourself. And I still have that son in med school..."

I nodded slightly, hoping not to produce another jolt of pain in my cranium. Bringing forth the drink he had prepared earlier, he placed a frothy pink moscato with a strawberry at the rim.

"Felt that you might need this. It's non-alcoholic, diluted wit a lil' ginger ale," he smiled as I nodded in astonishment that he mentally took my drink order.

"Thanks," I said before sipping the liquid. I felt the cool liquid coax my throat and relive some of the throbbing.

"So now, lil' lady, as bartender that also means that I hold a degree in emotional counseling." I laughed at that as he wiped the counter in the same prideful manner he did with his hotdog stand. "So what's wrong?"

I took another deep breath before coming in. "Oh you know. Sonic..." I said, letting my head face the counter as I stared at the menu. "...having sex with another girl."

Or woman in Sally's case. I could never compete with her in structure and mentality.

Phil patted my shoulder. "I'm sorry. But don't worry, let me tell you something."

He folded his arms against the counter top, his aged sapphire eyes scanning the emptying bar before settling on me. "It's like I told my daughters. If the girl has to do all of the chasing in the relationship, then it's probably not meant to be. I know you probably had the good intention to make him love you, right?"

I nodded. That was my strategy for as long as I could remember.

"But that don't work. Ladies need gentlemen who give 'em unconditional love first. Men don't usually care much for love as much as women do. So when you find a guy who is really in love with you, there's a relationship that might last."

I smiled at his words. It was nice having someone to talk to. And considering the fact that all of these words were coming from a man...

Maybe there was hope for the male race.

"If your son is anything like you, we need to date, like pronto!" I blurted out as he chuckled.

"I'll tell 'em, but he's a 'lil shy. But I 'ave to head back and take inventory," Phil called out, heading toward the back room. "You'll be okay, right?"

I nodded. "Definitely. Thank you so much for your advice."

With a wave, my angel in disguise disappeared.

I tapped my fingers against the table top as I scanned around my environment while casually sipping. I was beginning to see the appropriateness of the second part of it's name. McAlister's Tavern seemed to become more and more subdued as I noticed that the number of people here had shredded down into a few visitors after midnight on a Thursday. The air was mostly hushed, allowing a classic song play with soft pride through the air...

"Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in, she just changes her mind..." I sang quietly along before inhaling the rest of the moscato.

That's it, I'm leaving.

This whole scene was becoming a little bit pathetic. Me alone at the bar table. Singing along to Billy Joel...

What the hell was wrong with me?

Collecting my purse, I let the rest of the verses play as I rose to my feet quickly. Again, bad decision. It was as if the liquid inside me surged into my head as I immediately became woozy. Sitting down again, I let the same music coarse through my veins.

She is frequently kind

And she's suddenly cruel

She can do as she pleases

She's nobody's fool

And she can't be convicted

She's earned her degree

And the most she will do

Is throw shadows at you

Staring at the speakers producing these words, I instantly became depressed. Why couldn't I be that woman? You know, strong, independent-sort of a bitch-but in complete control of herself and the people around her?

At twenty-three, let's face it. I was still a girl.

"But she's always a woman to me..." I sang the last verse before slumping onto the counter. Reaching for my cellphone, I sighed when I read the time.

"1:23," I noted out loud before slumping further into my misery. I didn't want to go deep into the under-lit parking lot at this time. And I probably should have actually used Shadow's cab fair money instead of throwing it him. Even though I now hate his guts.

Yawning, I realized that it was probably best for me to leave. Even if I was drunk.

"I'd better get going," I said again to myself before fishing for my keys.

"Not so fast, Rosie," a voice stopped me from behind. I sighed as I turned around. What was with today and random personal appearances?

"Leave me alone, Scourge," I simply said as I tried to walk past him. Blocking the entrance, he slid down the sun glasses he was wearing (only he would wear sun glasses in the middle of the night...) probably in an effort to check me out.

Emitting a high pitched whistle, my suspicions were confirmed as his icy orbs fell on mine. "What's the rush, babe? Aren't you glad I'm here?"

I merely scoffed, my eyes narrowing. "As if."

He placed a gloved hand over his heart, partially blocking his two semi-diagonal scars. "That really hurt my feelings...Rosie."

I cringed. "S-stop calling me that." Ugh, now I know how Shadow felt.

Coming closer to me, he smirked. "I'll stop when you call me your boyfriend," he pushed, removing his sunglasses. "Or are you still pretending Sonic is?"

Looking to the ground I tried to ignore his words. I didn't want to cry. Even if what he said was true. So freaking true.

"Look I'm not in the mood for this..." I said simply, rising my head with the shred of dignity I'm surprised I still had. Walking past him, some sympathy played on his eyes as he moved quickly to re approach me.

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad. You wanna talk?" I shook my head.

"It's late, just let me go home."

Another smirk fell on his face. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Oh, and why not?" I questioned, crossing my arms as I began to brim with intoxicated irritation.

"You're drunk. C'mon, let me take you home, Rosie..." he began to sing now, taking my arms and swinging me to an inaudible beat.

I grunted. Why was this punk putting his hands on me?

I met his eyes with a harsh vivaciousness, "No-"

"Oh, just let him take you home," Phil advised from the back. "Your drunk as a skunk, and he's practically a godsend."

Grinning wildly, Scourge motioned to the back room before turning to me. "Thank you sir. Well Pinkie, you heard what he said."

I rolled my eyes, trying not to roar out in frustration. I hated being called that.

"Fine," I sneered, my eyes burning the ceiling. "Y-you know since not one thing can go my way..." I painfully boasted, reaching for my purse. "...I'd be fucking d-delighted to."

"Whoa, slow down. Those are a man's words," Scourge cautioned, teasing me, "Don't lose your cool because of what blue boy did, got it?"

"Got it." I mocked back, the epitome of an obedient school girl. I didn't want to follow him, but I also didn't want to be outside by myself this late. Talk about leaving myself as an open target. And I no longer wanted to be saved by my hero.

Stepping outside of the backroom, Phil glared at Scourge as if the green hedgehog were taking me on my first date. Not that I'd been on one...

I'm such a loser. I slumped my shoulders, embarrassed of how pitiful I was. No wonder Sonic didn't want me.

"Oh, and young man, you take her straight home," Phil cautioned, with a protective fatherly tone. "I don't want you taking advantage of her."

Scourge smirked before nodding, leading me into the dark depths of outside.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Outside.

Rain.

I should have suspected such. How else was this day going to topped?

Leading me into the parking lot, the downpour was successful at soaking me silly. Tilting my head up, I followed the green menace blindly as we came across his vehicle.

"Havin' fun in the rain, Rosie?" he teased before me, as I paralleled my head to the sky's ceiling. Nature's shower was refreshing. And when I mean refreshing, I meant it was making my drunk little head feel better.

"Yup," I bluntly agreed. "Scourge-y." I heard the male hiss, before fumbling with his keys.

"Here. Wear this," Scourge pushed a rather large object into my arms. Huh?

Bringing my head down quickly- then regretting it- I winced, before frowning at the sight before me.

A helmet. For his motorcycle.

Shaking my head- and again, regretting that too- my eyes darted at his in panic.

"A motorcycle?! There's no way I'm getting on that!" I exclaimed, my eyes criticizing his ride.

Scourge grinned. "You're afraid of riding this? Really? That's disappointing," he laughed, "I don't even use a helmet-"

"Well you should, you can get killed!" I felt myself yelling.

Scourge began to laugh harder. "Good to see you care about me," he said as I snorted. Now he was putting words in my mouth. Wiping his shades against his black leather jacket, his eyes darted into mine, which appeared even icier in the unnatural parking lot lighting.

"You can chill here in the rain, or come with me. Pick your poison," he said, beginning to rev his engine.

Wow, what great options.

"I'll give ya till the count of three," her offered, his words, just like his signature grin, clearly toying with me.

"One..." I sneered. He wasn't going to leave. After all, he's the one who likes me.

"Two..." he began again, his stare still holding. He wouldn't dare. Crossing my arms, I stood my ground. I didn't really know what I was trying to accomplishing here, but I didn't want him to have any control. I was tired of the men in my life having supremacy over me. I would leave on my terms.

Revving the engine again, Scourge removed his glance from me before opening his mouth to utter-

"Gone."

Propelling forward, my eyes widened in shock as Scourge blazed out of the lot. What the hell?

"SCOURGE!" I yelled out, stomping my foot. "J-jackass! You didn't even count up to three! Fine, screw you, I don't need y-you!"

Coming back just as fast as he left, I could hear his hysterical laughter both fill up and cut through the near empty space.

"Heh, heh, thought I'd leave ya here?!" he chortled, as my face spoiled in a pout. "What kind of guy do you think I am?"

"I can't say you're much of one," I retorted, as he continued with his laughter. "Just take me home. Can't you see I'm drenched here?"

Patting the space behind him, Scourge shrugged his shoulders. "Hop in."

With a sigh, I straddled over the black leather seat placing my purse in one of the compartments of his ride. Revving up his engine again, I wrinkled my nose. Two seconds in, and I was already uncomfortable.

Turning to face me, his face-which reeked of cheap aftershave, cigarettes, and booze- acted to encourage and confirm my uncomfortable feelings.

"Hang on to me tight babe," he said simply, before facing forward. Before I properly scoff at his words, or even heed them, he blasted off forward.

Clinging onto him for dear life, I knew he was smiling. And it drove me mad. Damn pervert.

But in all honesty, with the rain easing, and me getting used to the fast movement of motorcycle driving (thank God there were no sharp turns) I decided that the whole experience could be more awful. So I'd deal.

Now if only I could stop giving Scourge a bear hug...

So is Scourge the dude?

Have to admit, never thought of myself writing an AmyXScourge fic (I'm more of a ShadAmy fan, don't make me explain why, I just am) but everything isworth reading if it's well written. So I'd love to hear some feedback.

And oh, I'm not confirming that this is AmyXScourge. You'll see in the next chapter, but even then, I'm a twisted writer. So don't get too comfortable.

~Koko B