Second to last chapter!

Because I'm running out of time, I just wanted to say thanks again for everything. For reading. The reviews.

All of you have made the experience worthwhile.

I just wished that I uploaded the story sooner so I wouldn't have to update like two, three times a day. But I don't entirely mind. I like a challenge.

So, thanks again.

Moving on. Sonic in tears. Never thought that would happen. But why was he crying?

See down below...

Disclaimer: I do not own SEGA. Or their characters I've been using.

Chapter 15: Two-Way Street

Showtime?

"Sonic?" I said, running toward him, "Why are you..." Crying. I wanted to say, but it seemed like acknowledging the fact that he was in tears seemed worse than witnessing it. Let alone being the reason why.

From what I knew, men were suppose to cry only three times in there lives. When they were born. When their father dies. And when their country falls. Although I didn't quite get the last one, and can clearly see that the women in a man's life are completely ignored, it only increased my worry and guilt. Where the hell did I fit in that? And more importantly, what had I actually done?

I couldn't remember the last time I saw Sonic this distraught. It was usually a vice versa affair—him running off triumphantly as I tried to catch up with him in a pathetic attempt. Sadness was an unheard emotion of Sonic the Hedgehog. Sure he would sometimes get serious when lives were at stake...but this was the polar opposite of his usual carefree and cheery deposition. And if Sonic was really in tears because of me—

Then I messed up bad.

I blinked at him confounded with anxiety, my mouth dry in bewilderment before repeating my incomplete question, "Why are you..."

"I'm not," Sonic simply said-sniffling-wiping his face with a gloved hand. He turned away from me. "Who am I kiddin'?" he mumbled.

"What?" I shot out, as Sonic shook his head weakly. Weak. Never in my life would I associate that word with Sonic. "What did I do?"

I tried my best not to mentally ridicule myself at my words. What did I do? I knew what I did; he knew what I did; even Shadow knew what I did. But I hadn't done anything wrong, and I didn't need to act like I did. After all, I was out of his quills now. I know I never would have thought that I would be with Scourge, but I'm no longer obsessing over Sonic. Isn't that he always wanted?

Or.

Was I some sort of confidence booster to him? His ticket to an over fueled ego as his former self-professed girlfriend and undisputed die-hard, number one fan girl? And now that I had found another interest, another lover, I was suddenly the bad guy?

"You didn't do anything," Sonic said, wiping his eyes, that began flickering a familiar emerald hue. "It's me."

I cocked a brow. It's always someone. "What are you talking about?"

Sonic inhaled the sour air around us. "Amy, you're one of my greatest friends, and we've know each other for the majority of our lives," he began, as I gazed at him. Did we really know each other? It seemed more like he was the prince and I was always his damsel in distress.

He shivered lightly, starring past me as he went on. "Seeing him in bed with you made me realize..."

"What?" I impatiently said again, becoming tired of saying the ineffective word.

"I didn't save you."

I blinked at him a few times. Part of me, a cruel cynical side wanted to interject with a So? But I withheld. I needed to get his full story.

I smiled lightly, trying to rid the emotional fog that had just taken over Sonic's yard. "I'm twenty-three Sonic. I'm not a defenseless little girl anymore."

Sonic nodded. "I know that. And seeing you with him confirmed that. But I've made it my duty to be there for you, and I feel like I failed you."

I came closer in an effort to comfort him. "Sonic—"

"I mean, Scourge?!" Sonic suddenly exploded, his tears evaporating in the wind that swept us as quickly as his outburst. "That scum! Think about the danger you put yourself in. The diseases—what if you got pregnant?! That bastard. What if he killed you?"

My mouth snapped shut, my lips pressing into a tight line. I inhaled, blinking away my anger. I didn't want to storm at him. I didn't come here to argue.

"We've been careful." Spontaneous, but careful. But I wasn't going to point that out to Sonic.

"I mean, how did this even happen?" Sonic continued, rubbing a hand through his quills hard enough that I worried that he was going to pull them out.

My nose wrinkled as I shook my head. I hated seeing him talk down at Scourge. Sure. He wasn't my ideal match at first, but Sonic knows how much I wanted us to be together, and completely ignored me. For nine years. Didn't he expect me to emerge from my childhood ignorance? To stop sleeping?

To wake up?

"I feel like I let you slip, I don't—just—why didn't you tell me?" Sonic continued on his tangent, perhaps the most out of character I've ever seen him before. Worried and contemplative. It was even worse than Shadow's slip yesterday; displaying laughter. I cringed, still lost in subtle rage.

Worse. Than. That.

My hands clenched lightly. I didn't want his sympathy. I've never had it before, and it had donned on me days ago that I didn't need it now.

"Maybe because you were too busy with Sally." Sally. I didn't want to bring her into this because I no longer had anything against her, but Sonic wanted his answer. It started with the two of them, and until I offered my reaction to the matter, it would never end with Scourge and I, our relationship would always be seen as being the product of me witnessing their act. Sleeping together.

Sonic blinked a few times as I hardened my gaze on him. "I'm no longer against the two of you dating—but you never told me about her."

My arms folded as if to shield my heart from the hurt I had wrongly assumed was completely gone. "So I had to find out myself in a not very good way." I exhaled. Good. On that day there was nothing good in the world. The day had began as a cloudless dream, until nightmares began to thunder, taking over the bright aspiration of the day. Of my life. That is, until Scourge had fortunately shaken me awake (as well as some other things), bringing me to a reality far better than the dream I dreamed of Sonic. But enough of my internal babbling. "You really hurt me Sonic—even more than leading me on all these years."

"I never led you on," Sonic replied, his voice light. "I remember that promise, but Sally and I sort of just happened, and I thought that after this much time, that you wouldn't think much of it either."

I shook my head, partially rejecting his words. "Then how come practically everyone else knew about it before me?" I shot. "And don't say that I'm ignorant—I know I was, but why did you keep it a secret?"

"Well, you found out, didn't you?" Sonic offered, his emerald eyes dimming to match his tone.

"Only because I walked in on you two having sex!" I yelled. I know I was loud—the kind of loudness that seemed to ripple through the sky, echoing into unsuspecting ears—but I no longer cared.

Sonic's mouth fell open, jerking slightly as if it dried of all the words he would say; (un)fortunately for him, I wasn't done yet.

"The same way you snuck in on me—only I didn't need Blaze's help," I said. "The door was open, and I heard a sound coming upstairs and I thought you were just waking. If I knew I was going to see that...Trust me. I wouldn't have come in.

"So you can't act all high and mighty," I continued. "Because even though I'm still a little bit traumatized...We're both guilty of the same crime. Only there's no penalty for what we've done."

I would have smiled, proud of how witty that remark came out, but I didn't want to loose my power in this situation by reducing to a grinning, self-aware little girl. No sir. No Sonic.

By now, Sonic's gaze on me had softened as he stood, unflinching. Another light wind flew under us, causing my skirt to sway. I stood my ground, however.

"You threw the chilly dogs at my house, didn't you?"

I blinked at him a few times, a bit taken off guard. Sonic picked today to be more perceptive than usual? With a sigh I answered. "Yes, Sonic. I was angry." Try an infuriated mix of homicidal/suicidal/genocidal but through admitting to this act, Sonic probably thought that I was temperamental enough. Not that I cared what he thought.

But out of everything the two us had done, that was what I directly owed an apology for. Him screwing with Sally led me to Scourge, and for the first time since I began my man-hunt for blue hero, I had to say that I was actually happy. Simply happy. Well, if this whole confrontation thingy was over. And I could feel us descending from the climax.

"I'm sor-"

Sonic wove a hand up to halt my words.

"No," he began, a boyish lightness returning to his orbs. "I'm sorry, Ames."

My mouth parted slightly to ask him to elaborate, but he answered on his own. "I love you, Amy."

Heart. My heart started to beat faster, as my brain tried to process what to do with this new information. How it would have made me explode in glee, (or maybe confetti like Rouge always felt I did on a daily basis) swearing my allegiance to him before. Continuing to love him forever. But not today. Not ever.

A little shake of his head assured me that he hadn't just confessed to me. And I could breathe.

"But I've always loved you like a sister. And I know that I should have set you straight a long time ago, but I knew how you felt about me, and I didn't have the heart to, you know...break yours."

I nodded. "So I didn't tell you about Sally because, I knew that that news might have the potential to do so. And I should of just talked to you. We're adults, and I shouldn't have let it blown out of proportion."

From a nod, I shook my head. "No. I've practically stalked you for years, proclaiming that you were my boyfriend to anyone who'd listen," I said, feeling a little bit ridiculous at an act that I was doing only last week. It's amazing what can happen in span of days.

Sonic chuckled at that. "True," he agreed. "But I didn't help the situation. And here I go around being a hero."

"To be honest, even if you had set me straight earlier, I probably wouldn't have listened to you," I shook my head, revising my words. "I know I wouldn't have listened to you."

The charm in Sonic's eyes was back. Just like how I tried to charm him all these years. "I tried to convince you—make you love me and it doesn't work like that. Real love isn't one sided." I smiled a bit this time. Scourge taught me that. "Love is a two-way street."

"Huh?" Sonic said, raising his brow. I decided against rolling my eyes.

"Just because you love someone, doesn't mean that they love you back. And if they do, they may not in the same way. There are different types of loves, and it just so happens that we don't have the same type for each other anymore." I looked at Sonic, my jade eyes unflinching.

"You're my hero. You saved me time and time again, and I love you. I love you and I can't imagine my life without you. But. I realize that I also fell in love with the idea of being with you. I suppose I always felt that I had to be with you because you were my hero," I paused, seeing if Sonic was reading into my words. I smiled lightly when I saw he was, for the next thing I was about to say.

"You're handsome, carefree, fun, a real stand up guy. You're ideal. And it's not that I wouldn't love you if you weren't all those things, but that doesn't mean that I have to be with you. Just because I like—liked—the idea of us being together." The sun shifted to the garden, casting us in a clouded shade. "Just because you're my hero and I love you doesn't mean that I have to have you."

My smile fell slightly. I felt that I was beginning to overuse those special three words when I had someone I should be using them on. Scourge. I love Sonic, from his infectious, spirited character to his impressive physical attributes. Sonic was a notable being in my life and to the world. I admired him just as the world did. He was my savior but that didn't mean that he was going to save me from loneliness.

And I should have seen that coming years ago.

"I look up to you, and I want to take advantage of something I never have with you," I said, as Sonic appeared eager, pondering my open ended statement.

"What, Ames?" he said with that reassuring smirk on his face he was known too well for. The painful, awkward part of this conversation was over, but there was still one more goal to reach.

"Friends."

Sonic grinned wider, giving me a legendary thumbs up. "Sounds good to me. I've always considered you to be one of my greatest friends mentally, but not in action. You know me, runnin' away from you and all..." Sonic scratched at his head, the way he always did when he was laughably embarrassed.

I let out a giggle before bobbing my head in a nod. "So you admit it!" I giggled as Sonic joined me.

"But seriously," Sonic said, wiping away the laugh from his face. "It will take some getting used to."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I know. But I had to get used to Sally."

Sonic groaned like the boyish young male I'd always take him to be. "Fine," Sonic said reluctantly, before adding. "I don't trust him...But I'll try."

I sighed with a smile. "That's all I could ask for."

The little talk had taken longer than I had expected, because as I was leaving Sonic's home, with him playfully shouting over my mini-copper, I could see Sally returning in the horizon. Casually shouting over me, Sonic was taking too much joy in telling me to "Take it slow" and "Be careful" and the most ludicrous, but perhaps most necessary, "Don't have too much sex."

As I shut the door, I shot back. "What about yourself?"

Sonic pointed to himself as if he wasn't quite sure that I called him out. But I did.

"Me?" he said before scoffing. "I'm a guy, Ames."

"And?"

"Telling a guy to not have sex, is like telling them to join a monastery." he said, jiggling his house keys in his hands. I sighed before putting my keys into the ignition. First Shadow with scotch being a Man's Drink. Scourge with shit being a Man's Word. And now Mr. Righteous over here being all Man's Sex. Okay, that one didn't completely make sense, but they were seriously abusing the double standard.

But all in all I was glad to see the progression of the conversation I was just having with Sonic. From a grim, particularly stern talk about what was left of our relationship, it was refreshing to see Sonic's true personality again, confirming that our confusing little stance we had earlier had evolved into friendship. True—be yourself, and I'm no longer swooning over you—friendship.

And I think that's what I actually needed from Sonic. Seven days ago, Sonic never would have said anything like that to me even thought I was fully capable of hearing it. I was getting a glimpse of the Sonic that the rest of the crew—the guys, and gals—knew. I already couldn't wait to see more of that. And he was finally seeing me. Not a self-proclaimed girlfriend. Not a number one fan. But me.

Amy.

I smiled before pulling out of the driveway, my window down.

Sonic flashed his million dollar smile. A companion smile.

"See ya, Ames."

"Bye, Sonic."

As much as I enjoyed talking to Sonic—It's funny, I think it's the first time we actually talked in years—I had other plans.

I had a man waiting at home for me.

I beamed in my seat. Sure, it was a bit of role reversal. The Man usually didn't stay at home while the lady worked (or in my case, made amends) but the hypocrisy Scourge was displaying served him right. Girls can talk like sailors. Not that I completely condoned it. I sneered, girls can do whatever they want, damnit.

And it felt good. Returning home to him I mean, not the swearing. Even though I hated resorting to using that simple word. But it was like my relationship with Scourge. It could be more complex, extravagant, splendid, even. But we didn't need that. We had each other, and that was enough.

However, part of me did worry if I was moving to fast with him. Our relationship was backwards, and I wasn't entirely to happy about the fact, but I was happy with Scourge. Maybe I was just doomed to be in unorthodox relationships. Whereas some people need to date and court for several months, the two of us bypassed that along time ago, being that I known him for years. Being that he's been pursuing me for years.

In passing. The grocery store. Merriment Plaza. And finally, McAlister's Tavern. Scourge was the guy who I lied to, the 'Sorry, I have a boyfriend' dude that I constantly swatted at, desperate to be left alone in my ariled single hood. Now I was running toward him. Now, like I said before, I knew him, but now I get to know him as mine.

And it was the greatest feeling in the world.

I drove into Mable Place with my mind at ease. It finally felt like everything was falling into place. Even though I never intended for anything to happen this way. I never intended for Scourge to be mine.

To have a boyfriend that wasn't Sonic the Hedgehog. Me, Amy Rose. I giggled some more as I opted for the stairs, my mind running high on the eventful adrenaline that the past few days had fueled me with. I was practically a stereotype. A desperate fan girl. And I was just glad that after a decade, I had finally grown out of it.

I had finally grown up.

My face settled into a soft smile as I brought my key to the cherry stained door. I had to admit, I didn't completely know what Scourge and I were going to do; how we were going to take day by day, but maybe that was my problem, over thinking everything. I had the commitment, now I just had to let it sail, with the hope that huge wave won't knock us down.

I sighed. Stop with the negative thinking and just open the door. My face turned into a grin. There was nothing to be mad about—so I wasn't going to fall into the trap of finding something to make me mad about.

Straddling my purse over my shoulder, I opened the door without another thought. I walked into the entry way, intact as I had left it with Scourge. I tried to pick up the sounds of the television or him talking, or napping, but it appeared that I was alone.

I sighed. It had been what—my eyes peered over to my clock mounted on the light beige wall—two hours since I left? I know that he probably had other things to do than chill at my apartment all day on a Tuesday afternoon, but he could have given me a warning. A call, maybe. Instead of getting my hopes up.

My hand fell into my purse, as I tore my phone out as if I was retracting a punch. Pressing the dials, my face spoiled slightly in suspicion. No missed calls. "Hmm..." I said out-loud, suspended in place, the foyer before the kitchen. It's not that anything felt off...it's just that something didn't seem right.

Well, guys weren't usually as alertive as females. And we have been spending a great deal of time together. It was only reasonable for him to go out and swallow some fresh air, rejuvenate himself before coming to me, right?

I tapped my fingers against the side of my thighs. No Amy, I thought. I'm not going to be the overeactive, suffocating wannabe girlfriend that I was to Sonic.

No, it was a different ball game now. I had a boyfriend. I just didn't know where he was.

I shook my head, forcing myself to relax my slightly vexed spirit. Since when did I become so desperate? But I knew the answer. So like the restless person I was, forcing myself to become un-restless, I set my purse on the granite counter top without another thought. I blinked briefly at the same direction, a double taking as I saw the key to my sanity.

Resting daintily on the fuchsia fruit bowl was a folded piece of paper. A letter.

I smiled stupidly, half tempted to slap my forehead like the distressing half-wit I was. Scourge wasn't particularly tech-savvy from what I knew. His highest technical achievement I had witness from him was that text he sent me a few days ago. Of which he said he'd never attempt again. Flip phone.

I breathed out a halcyon sigh, before taking it in my slightly less desperate hands. It was a nice gesture, and I supported traditional methods (like chasing down the man I had once loved as opposed to letting my phone do the running), so seeing this was no difference. My grin widened.

"How sweet!" If it wasn't obvious at this point, I was a romantic.

I unfolded it with a smile.

What's in the letter?

Until very soon,

~Koko B