Hello.

Once again, thanks for all of your support and reviews. You guys make my day. Seriously.

So Amy's finally putting her foot down. But will it lead to better, or worse?

Find out...

Disclaimer: I do not own SEGA or any of their characters. Even though I sort of wished I did...

Moving on.

Chapter 13: Settle Down

I was at Scourge's door.

I had waited until the afternoon to make my move. I had cooled down, gotten some very much needed rest, silenced any negative thoughts and completely blocked out Fiona.

But even with all of these actions, necessary and encouraging as they may be, I still had no idea what I was going to say.

The results I desired could easily be a product of what I said, or simply how Scourge felt about me. I was feeling moderately confident on both areas, but then again, only a week ago I was convinced that a guy loved me when he clearly didn't.

Oh boy.

Oh man.

I shook my head lightly. Different person you're dealing with here, I assured myself. The two hedgehogs were practically opposites. If Sonic had rejected me, naturally Scourge would act in reverse. He would accept me with all heart. Wouldn't he?

But as I remained on his porch with the breezy May air blowing through me, my mindset shifted like the wind. But what if he just declines me for a different reason?

Whereas the blue blur constantly told me that he was too carefree to engage in a relationship before randomly seeking Sally, maybe Scourge would pull a similar, but ultimately different plug. Like going back to Fiona, after appearing to be promised to me. As much as I wanted to forget about our harsh encounter, why did I feel that Fiona's supposedly empty put downs carried more weight than I was willing to accept? Woman intuition, I suppose. But what did that say about the proposal Shadow had given me?

Yesterday, Shadow's advice seemed so simple. Establish my relationship with Scourge. Or end it. Both options couldn't be particularly hard, either way, right?

"Decide if you actually want to be in a committed relationship with him, or find someone else."

I didn't know. Things were moving fast. Less than a week ago my allegiance was with another man. Sonic. Now I was in a whirlwind, deliberating whether or not I wanted—whether or not I could—be in a relationship with the new one. Scourge.

I sighed, bracing myself to knock on the door. There were two clear options.

Commitment. Or rejection.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Unfortunately I had not control in either choice. They were polar opposites of the same thing. Like death or exile.

I know I was making everything more extreme than it had to be by prolonging merely opening the door...But like I said before, doors seemed to cause trouble for me. A door tainted the love I had for Sonic, and held me hostage in Blaze's divine intervention. Of course, those were actually open...

Scourge's door was closed. And I was still deliberating if it was best for me to open it. Could that fact before me be a good omen?

I'd only know if I open it...

I shook my head, cutting the overgrow of unpleasant scenarios that began to sprout from my brain.

I still had to knock. I had to be be confident, otherwise I'd fall victim like all of the other times before...

Just get in there.

I brought my fist to the tea green door, feeling the wood-like texture against my knuckles. I exhaled before focusing on the door before me, as if I could see what, or more importantly, who was inside. I brought a firm first to the door again and nodded in assurance.

Accept me. Reject me. It was now or never.

I was going to do it. I needed to do it—

Just then, a sharp ringing within my purse cut me off. Digging into the cotton abyss, I pulled out my cellphone before placing it hard against my ear. What now?

"Hi, Blaze," I said, a bit annoyed. It seemed like she was calling me a lot more than usual. "Did you need anything?"

"Ah, no," she said on the other line, her voice not as careful as it usually sounded. I gave a sigh of relief. At least the intervention actually worked. "I just wanted to call and let you know that Silver really liked the job you did on the house."

I smiled. I had worked hard. My paining body was evidence. "Thanks, girl."

"Did you have plans for today?" Blaze then said, "the rest of us—Cream, Rouge, and Sally—are planning on going to beach later."

"What, no boys?" I indicated, studying the door before me as I still contemplated knocking on it.

"They have some other plans," Blaze assured me, "I think they went out of town. Sports Zone."

I ran a hand through my quills. "Um, good to know," I said, not quite knowing how to respond. "But, uh, anyways I can't. Busy."

"Are you sure?" Blaze said, the concern back on her voice. I rolled my eyes. When was she going to get off my case?

"Yes, Blaze, I'm fine," I said, trying my best to reassure her. "I just have...something to attend to."

I heard a sigh from the other line. I fought the urge to scoff. What? I was telling the truth.

"Are you sure you're fine? You've been saying that a lot." she then argued, which was not usually in her nature. I knew that she was distraught, confused and concerned by my actions but she had to give me some space. How am I suppose to help myself if she's always breathing down my neck? I'm sick of it.

"Look, I said I'm fine, Blaze. What else do you expect me to say?" I shot back, trying my best to refrain from unleashing my full irritated wrath. Did she prefer good? Great? Ecstatic? I didn't think what I said really mattered.

"Something is definitely still wrong," Blaze fought, as I could practically hear her shaking her head. "Just be honest. I can tell when something isn't right. I know you Amy."

"Then you should know that I'm not lying!" I yelled back, waving my hands in the air. There was no way to get through to her. I wasn't telling her the full truth, I knew that, but I had to do this alone. She couldn't help here.

"You don't have to be up my ass all of the time-"

"Amy!"

"It's true! You're not my mom!" I asserted, no longer able to hide my anger. I knew Blaze didn't deserve this response, but it had to be said. This wasn't about her, and I needed to do this without her interruption.

And since the only time she left me alone was when she was angry with me, I knew that I would have to resort to angering her so I could deal with Scourge. It was mean, I know. But I couldn't let her get in the way.

My love life was at stake.

"Please leave me alone," I said then, my tone in a soft hush.

"Amy-" End call.

I groaned lightly, my troubled jade gaze hitting the door. I had to do this. Otherwise that whole confrontation with Blaze would have been for nothing.

Here goes nothing.

With a few taps against the door, I awaited the sight that would befall before me. I was partially afraid that it would be the vixen, but I knew how to deal with her. Just like I did last night.

I heard some shuffles from the other side of the door and braced myself.

"Rosie?" Scourge said in a question, as I waved back lightly, trying my best to conceal my anxiousness in my smile.

"Hi Scourge," I replied back, studying him. He didn't seem particularly troubled by my presence, but the way he was scratching at his quills told me that my appearance was unexpected.

"We need to talk." Why'd I say that? Now he was just going to get suspicious!

"Uh, okay," he said with a shrug, dispelling my worries. He opened the door wider for entry.

We walked into the space, the same as a few days ago. Turning to the right, we approached his kitchen which opened up into the living room. Although the windows were open, the space had a dimming quality. Maybe it was just the choice in wall color, as the grays and dark green did little to brighten up my spirits.

"You want anything to eat?" Scourge asked, pointing toward the pantry. I shook my head.

"Um, no thanks,"' I said, sitting down on the rosewood nook in front of the bay window..

Sitting besides me, Scourge's warming smirk faced me. "What's up?"

Fiona. Probably upstairs somewhere. Watching us.

I placed my hand on top of his. "I want to talk about us." Scourge's brows rose up slightly, before he nodded, edging me to continue.

"What are we doing?" I spat out—blunt as ever—meeting a gaze. "I mean, it's been really nice, and I know it's only been a couple of days...but what do we callus?"

Scourge's finger tips began to dance on his knees, as he stared up at the ceiling contemplatively. "That depends...what do you want to call us?"

My gaze softened. "I don't know. I've never been in a physical relationship," I considered, with a sigh. "I'd never had sex. I've had a lot of firsts with you, but I don't know if that means-"

"Do you love me?" Scourge said out of nowhere. I blinked down, my eyes facing the hardwood floor. I thought I would be the one asking that...

"I..." I started, unable to meet his gaze. I really liked him, and I didn't see our relationship as causal anymore, but-

"Listen, Rosie," Scourge interrupted, "I think I may love you, if that's okay." I nodded. "I know that we've only been together for a few days, but I don't want to beat around the bush. We started our relationship backwards, and I should have respected you enough to actually court you properly.

Court me? I looked at him with a confound expression. Could it be that he did have feelings for me?

"I mean, I even stopped smokin'," Scourge said with a laugh. "I think you've been a bigger effect on me than I realize."

My mouth parted as I tried to comprehend his words. The harlequin bad-ass had fallen for me? Like I had fallen full heartedly for him?

"Me too," I agreed, squeezing his hand. "Before, I followed Sonic like a robot. I felt that I needed to have him because he was my hero, but you made me realize that that wasn't the case. You saved me from delusion. From myself..."

I smiled. A bit cliché, but it had to be said. I was so dependent on the idea of being with Sonic that I had lost myself, and it was our fated gathering that exposed me to this. "...And I thank you for it."

I stared into his eyes, slightly mesmerized. The icy orbs that I once thought were snarky and overbearing, were now sincere and loving. It was everything that I wanted in a man. In a partner. And he was sitting right beside me.

I grinned harder, staring out into space before meeting his gaze again. "So, does that mean I have a boyfriend?"

Scourge smirked, before taking me in his arms, kissing my lips tenderly. "Rosie, you had me when we met at the bar."

I smiled to that before kissing him again. I felt so relieved, so fortunate to finally have this. The feeling of finally having my love reciprocated. It may have only been a few seconds that our relationship status was confirmed, but my cold, lonely heart was warmed with a sensation I'd never felt before. Unconditional love. I was beginning to feel the feeling that Cream had spoken about, when the man of one's dreams is found. At last.

With silent excitement, I rose from the chair. "So, Scourge—my boyfriend—what do you want to do today?"

Scourge jumped up behind me, hugging me from behind before kissing my neck. I laughed with a giggle. "How about-"

"You can start by leaving," the venomous vixen suggested of nowhere, fire on her tongue, as I saw her emerge from the darkened hallway as if she were darkness itself. Pointing a finger towards me to clarify her the object of her scorn, my eyes narrowed.

Of course it was impossible for me to have a pleasant moment for more than five seconds. With my boyfriend. Boyfriend. My mind and was still tingling with joy, but I ignored the delightful sensation of finally claiming a mate. Unfortunately, I had to deal with her.

"Fiona," I merely spat, holding my ground. "What brings you here? I thought I beat some sense into you. Or do you really have no dignity?" I grinned eternally. Far better comeback than yesterday.

The vixen scoffed before steeping in closer. "I thought I told you to stop messin' with Scourge. Or can't the whore keep her legs closed?"

"Can't the whore look in the mirror?" I pushed back, happy that my taunting was up to par with hers. I didn't want her to think that she was superior to me just because she had a sharp tongue. A defiled, nasty one too.

"Oh, good one," the maroon fox humored back, brushing her bangs from her face.

"How the hell did you get into my house, Fiona?" Scourge finally called out, feeling the feminine tension banter die down long enough to make a proper comment. His eyes hardened on the attention whore. "And what the fuck are you talkin' about?"

"I didn't think I would have to tell you," I answered instead, my eyes never leaving the unsightly vixen, "but last night Fiona came to my house, telling me that I'm your tease, and that I have no right to be in a relationship with you."

"And let me guess who I should be in a relationship with?" Scourge sneered, glaring at the fox. "What the hell Fiona?"

Fiona's face hardened. "Stop fooling yourself, Scourgey-

"Don't call me that," Scourge sliced, his body drenched in anger.

The fox sat on the counter, crossing her legs. Knowing her, it was probably something that happened rarely. "What you you see in her? Huh, Scourge? You suddenly like pathetic girls now? I thought you wanted a woman like me."

Scourge spat. "Are you serious? Rosie's more of a woman than you'd ever be. At least she's not a fuckin' slob in bed."

I blinked at him a few times, not quite sure how to respond to that. "Um, thanks?"

Scourge's gaze softened on mine, before turning back to the harpy. "I don't want you Fiona. Now get the hell out of my house."

Fiona growled, holding her unwelcomed position. "No."

Scourge released an aggravated roar, slamming his fist down on the table. I jumped slightly, as Fiona stared at him, baffled by his action.

"Shit, Fiona! Get out! Can't you realize that you were the tease? You're a slut. So why don't you do us a favor and leave us alone while you go mess around with one of your man whores. You're not welcome here. You never were."

Fiona's face shriveled up like a raisin, a mixture of anger and probably hurt sucking the life out of her appearance. With a soft, defeated sigh, she rose soundly from the ash granite table, trying to appear unfazed. But she wasn't fooling anyone.

"Alright. Fine," she spat, trying her best to not explode. Implode. "I'm leaving," she said, not even bearing to look at us. Not that we cared. "You enjoy your crooked little romance."

And with that, she was gone.

And I could finally breathe.

Later, we found ourselves in the park. Some hours had passed since the pleasant meeting at Scourge's house, and with time passing, I was quickly feeling better about this situation. Although I was not too shaken up by my second encounter with Fiona, I did have to admit that I couldn't remove her from my mind.

I felt like she was still going to do something. That I hadn't seen the last of her.

But for now, she was just a thought. And if I knew what was best for me, I'd stop thinking about her.

The park was tranquil as usual, and I liked the fact that as we approached the lake, the amount of people in passing diminished. Maybe it was because of the decreasing sun as it receded into the dark sky, but I preferred it this way. Just me and Scourge. Together, but alone.

Only it was the good type of alone.

My mind skimmed back to Blaze as we approached the shore, my bare feet becoming wet in the waves. I hoped that she wouldn't be too mad at me. Hopefully the fun that she would have with the other girls would offset my cruel words. But knowing her...

I grabbed onto Scourge's hand, shaking these thoughts from my head. Get your head out of the past, I urged myself, my eyes gazing up at Scourge, be in the present.

Scourge picked up a bluish stone and skipped it in the lake, a smile settling on his lips. "The simple things, eh?" he said, before throwing another one, this one nearly reaching the other side of the small lake as it plubed, plubed, across the water.

"Nice," I said, observing his skill. "Let me try!"

I picked up a grey rock, one that could fit perfectly in my palm, and threw it as hard as I could. It traveled a decent length, say 20 feet, before sinking immediately as it touched the water.

"Not bad," I considered, even though Scourge had effortlessly thrown his three, maybe four times farther than me. The green hedgehog laughed.

"No, you gotta put some flick into it," he said, flicking his arm with an imaginary rock in his hand. "If you just throw it, it's going to sink on impact. Try again."

I giggled slightly at the seriousness in his tone. We were tossing rocks.

"Alright." I parted my feet slightly, focusing my attention on the lake before me as if this were some type of competition. Taking a deep breath, I brought the rock back, before flicking it quickly. And I have to admit, the way the stone dashed on the surface of the water was amazing. Stopping at about five feet from the other side of the shore, I nodded before taking up a ridiculous victory stance.

"I'm victorious!" I yelled, pumping my fists in the air, as Scourge chuckled.

"Oh, really Rosie? I'm pretty sure I got ya beat," Scourge taunted, as I shrugged.

"In my standards, I'm victorious, and there is nothing you can say against that," I said childishly, before sticking my tongue out. Scourge smirked, taking the opportunity to encase his lips over mine. I moaned in surprised ecstasy, kissing back. In a moment, he released me, shrugging his shoulders as if nothing happened.

"Fair enough, babe," he said with a satisfied grin, turning away from the lake shore.

We walked farther in land before I sat on large rock figure, taking his hand once more in mine. I hate to seem clingy, but I wanted to soak up this progressive stage of our relationship. I had waited long enough for this. This was real love.

"I hate to sound like a broken record—or rather, I hate people asking me this—but is everything okay?" I wondered. "I mean, with the whole Fiona thing?" I said, before adding, "With me?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Scourge replied, leaning on the same figure, staring off into the sunset. "Fiona's always been a bothersome bitch. She just doesn't get it," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "But she has nothing to do with how I feel about you."

I smiled shyly, drawing hearts with my toes in the sand. We were lovers, and I was glad that it was finally confirmed. And that Fiona couldn't get in our way. My smile widened. Forget the rocks. Here, right now, with Scourge...I really was victorious.

"Anyways," Scourge said, his orbs flashing on mine. "How d'you feel?"

I pursed my lip. "I'm okay, I guess. She strikes me more as talk than action. But it's not to say that her words didn't get to me. So in some sense I thank her, because her confrontation wouldn't have led me to take a chance—like you said—and confirm our relationship."

Scourge shook his head. "Rosie, you should know that I always had the intention of being with you. I didn't want to scare you off about talking commitment. Not to say that I took the sex lightly, or anything."

"I actually liked that," I said, "I mean, I would have preferred for us to have waited, but I have been waiting a long time, and as my previous experiences with a certain blue hedgehog has taught me, sometimes when you wait to long, you're just wasting your time."

"Nicely put," Scourge considered, "But just know that I would wait for you."

"And I would too," I smiled, taking in this moment. "But what about Fiona? What made her the person for you at...one point?" I didn't want to bring her up again, but my question wasn't out of jealousy or feeling inferior. It was simply curiosity. Mostly.

Scourge scratched his chin, before resting his arms on the earth figure, captivated in thought. "Fiona likes to do what she wants-get what she wants. It's a turn on, really. Guys like a girl who acts for herself. But she lacks..." Scourge paused briefly. "...Humility. It's like she has no compassion, no under layer that makes knowing her worthwhile. Like you may think that a serial killer is a terrible person at first, but if you really got to know them, you'd probably see that to some extent they're not as bad as you may have imagined.

"Everyone is suppose to have a tender spot, but Fiona doesn't. She acts like she's in control but in the inside, I think she's confused," Scourge continued, as I nodded for him to go on.

"How so?"

Scourge clicked his tongue against the roof of her mouth before shrugging. He let out a sigh. "She's been with other guys behind my back. She'll tell me she's through with me, and then she's at my doorstep demanding that I take her back. As if I'd done something wrong to her."

I began to feel uneasy, seeing that their history wasn't completely resolved. On her end. But that did affirm that she didn't act like a psychotic gripe only towards me. Scourge had also been victimized by her unruly, aggressive behavior.

"Do you have feelings for her?" I asked, not entirely knowing why. He had picked me. That was suppose to be good enough. Maybe it was just general tension I was feeling toward Fiona that hadn't yet faded. But then again, girls could hate each other for no reason. And I had plenty of reason to despise her. My questioning was completely natural.

"Nope," Scourge stated, his certainty relaxing me. "That girl's slippery. She's a snake, and I don't want to deal with her shit."

I nodded, before fixing my orbs on his. Peridot against zircon. "So you'd rather deal with me?"

Smirking that devilish smirk that I was beginning to adore, the green hedgehog nodded. "Absolutely."

I don't know if it was the scenery, him, or my heightened spirit, but I uttered the words I was too afraid to say this morning: "I love you."

Sliding closer to me, and placing a hand underneath my chin, my words were reciprocated. "I love you too, Rosie."

Then it was us. Kissing wildly, like a couple of teenagers on some make-out rock. He deepened the kiss, his hands gliding down my back, as I held on to his shoulders. I was quivering underneath him. Feeling every trace of affection he had for me. And it was lovely. A stray hand fell on my thigh, sliding up. His grip hardened as he plunged himself further, exploring my curves, sucking on the side of my neck...to my collar bone...to my...oh my

"Mmmm..." I managed to escape, before his left hand fell on my cheek, as he brought himself in for another lip-lock. His tongue intertwined with mine, before he brought me closer to him, sucking on my tongue. Hard. Just driving me—

I pushed off lightly to regaining my breath. "Scourge," I panted, running an affectionate hand though his quills, "I just need to—"

He pulled me into him again. Reclaiming the sensual feelings from before he replied in a manly groan, as I pushed myself further on top of him.

Kissing. Him. Senseless.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I gave him a fury of kisses, parting my lips against his. Going further, further...

"Whoa!" I shrieked, before I settled on top of him with an ooph. Sand sputtered around us, and I began to giggle as he drew me into him, laughing with me.

The moment was perfect, and I wanted to give myself to him then and there.

But I didn't. Too much sand...

"Let's take it to my place," I said, placing another angst filled kiss on his cheek.

"I know the way."

So it does work out for them! Amy finally has a boyfriend!

But how long will it last?

Ha ha, I'm just teasing. I think I'm getting way too much fun from throwing your minds in a loop. But hey, it's one of the perks of being an author. Even if it's for fan fiction.

Another fun fact, I never really intended on Fiona being a bitch in this story. I actually had in mind that she might help Amy realize her feelings for Scourge. But hey? That's why we have Shadow. And besides, I like controversy. :p

And sorry if there were more typos than usual. I'm sort of crunching to get them all up in time. Tomorrow's the last day. :(

Or is it?

Sorry! I hoped you enjoyed it! If not, I can take your critique. Maybe.

Just kidding.

~Koko B