Rouge's POV
I was getting ready for the date Sonic and I had made for tonight. Rocket had chosen the perfect restaurant for us. As an added bonus, he'll be keeping lookout for Shadow in case he decides to crash the party. Blaze was helping Sonic pick out the right clothes while Rocket was helping me find the perfect dress. It was a tough decision, but Rocket and I finally settled on a very beautiful blue dress just to look sophisticated. "All right, that takes care of the attire. Now for your appearance," Rocket said before walking over to the makeup kit I had brought with me. He opened it up and all of the makeup I owned. "God, Rouge. Is all this yours," he asked. "It is. A girl always has to look her best," I replied. "Well, guess that's true," I heard Rocket mutter. He picked up a tube of red lipstick and walked back over to me. "Ready," he asked. "Ready, willing, and able," I replied. He then applied the lipstick and added some eyeliner, mascara, nail polish, and eye-shadow. "Nice. You're really coming along, Rouge," Rocket said as he brushed my fur. "Thanks. Y'know, you have a great career as a makeup artist ahead of you," I said. "I guess this is work experience I could use for that," Rocket replied. "Rocket, how's Rouge doing," Blaze asked. "Pretty good," Rocket replied. Rocket then applied some hairspray to his hands. "No, I don't need that. My hair's pretty much perfect," I said. "Oh, it's not for you. I wanted to know if hairspray really acts like glue," Rocket said before clasping his hands together. He then tried to tear them apart but couldn't. "Alright. I was right. It does act like glue," Rocket said before trying to separate his hands. "Uh-oh. I was right. It does work like glue," Rocket said worriedly. "You should get Blaze to help with that," I suggested. "Good idea," he replied. He then walked over to the door and thought of other ways to open the door without using his hands. He then used his arms to open the door and walked downstairs. I walked out of the room to see what was going on downstairs. "What happened," I heard Blaze ask. "Hairspray. That stuff really works," Rocket replied. I then saw Blaze tear Rocket's hands. "What the hell," I heard Rocket cry out. "So where's Rouge," Sonic asked. Rocket then whistled which I assumed was my cue. I came down the stairs in my dress, causing Sonic to go wide-eyed. "Hey, Sonic," I said in my natural tone of voice. "H-h-hey, Rouge," Sonic said nervously. "What's the matter, hon? Tongue-tied," I asked. "He is because of how you're dressed," Rocket said. "Well, it's nice to know Sonic likes what he sees," I said. "Come on. We should get going," Rocket suggested. "Good idea," I replied. Sonic, Rocket, and I then started walking to the restaurant Rocket recommended.
Rocket's POV
Sonic, Rouge, and I were a good two feet from the restaurant I had recommended for tonight. "I'll be right on the roof. Have fun," I said before pulling out a Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control," I said before disappearing. I reappeared on the roof of the restaurant and walked over to one of the embedded vents. I dug out a pair of binoculars and five cheese sandwiches all wrapped up in a box. I figured I would be here for a while, so I brought along some food to subside my hunger. I grabbed one of the sandwiches, then took position to keep an eye out for Shadow. I scanned the area, but found nothing. I looked down and saw Sonic and Rouge entering the restaurant.
Sonic's POV
Rouge and I walked up to one of the employees. "May I help you," he asked. "Yeah, we have a reservation here under Sonic," I replied. "Let's see," he said looking at the list of names. "Ah, yes. Here you are. This way to your table," he said as he led us to our table. We took our seats as the employee handed us our menus. "I hope Rocket's able to look out for Shadow," I said. "I hope so too," Rouge said.
Rocket's POV
I was still keeping watch for Shadow when I saw a dark form ten feet from the restaurant. As quickly as I spotted it, it disappeared. "The hell? It just...," I started before something knocked me out cold. Shadow was standing over me with a frying pan. "A bit cartoonish, but it still did its job," Shadow said. He then jumped down to the ground and walked inside.
Sonic's POV
I was having a good time with Rouge when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. "What is it," Rouge asked. "I could've sworn I saw something," I replied. "Couldn't be Shadow," she said. "You never know," I replied. Suddenly, a fist punched me in the stomach, knocking the wind outta me. I looked up and saw Shadow standing over me. "Why are you here," I asked weakly. "You should know by now, Faker," he replied before grabbing Rouge by the waist. "I said she would be mine, and now she is," Shadow said. "No," I cried before jumping at Shadow. "Chaos Control," Shadow said before disappearing. I missed and tackled a waited carrying two plates. "Damn it," I said, pounding my fist on the floor. "Sonic, quick. We have to...," Rocket started before he saw no trace of Rouge. "I was too late, wasn't I," he asked. "Just about," I replied.