(((I'm on a roll, aint I? this makes four chapters since I got off probation! Then again, I've been writing this whole time, so this is only my first that I've STARTED since the end of my probation, neh. Well, kids, I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. I'm actually starting to laugh at my own jokes, so I think maybe its time I got out more. Yeah. Anyway, we've introduced a good portion of Tarsa's new family, and today I think I'd like to get into some detail on them. Patella's cute, isn't she? She's Karpa's little cousin. I'm thinking about adding at least three or four more family members besides the parents and uncle (Radien- he's cool.) but I'm beginning to think I have enough characters and storylines to worry about as it is. I'm going to leave it up to you. Now, if you've been paying attention, you'd realize I've created a pattern in the Fairchild names. I'm not going to explain it because it's painfully obvious. The whole thing with Rouge and the ferret girl, I have absolutely NO idea how that sneaked its way in there. Now I'm going to have to elaborate on that. Thanks a lump, Aeyvi. Whatever. Onto the fic, people.))

Shadow: we have officially graduated to the title of "people."

Sonic: why am I still dressed like chairman Kaga? He's yaoi...

Sh:-winks at Sonic- And you're not?

Sn:-sweatdrops- eh... stop looking at me like that... Aeyviiii... Shadow's staring at meeeeeee...

A: -smacks Sonic- it started with someone else's name. It's your problem.

Sn: Ow...you're a bad mommy...

A: HELLNO I aint your mommy.

Sn:-cries loudly and annoyingly-

A:-hires Knuckles to pound his ass and leaves, grumbling.-

Knuckles: and take that... and grapes...

: I own nothing save what I devise. And my left foot. :

Chapter 8- Cheers and Greetings

Another night at the pub, another round of whiskey! Ah, how did it end up like this? I guess I was just lonely that night... But if it's going to turn into a routine... I'm just going to have to go along with it! Cheers!

I couldn't stop laughing for some forgotten reason, and I had thrown my arm across his shoulder so as to have something to lean on. He may have been too intoxicated to mind, I know he doesn't think too highly of me. I guess one would if the other had tried to kill them. It didn't bother me, though. I wouldn't let a little thing like attempted homicide get in the way of friendship!

"Ay, I bet you can't beat this one!" I rolled up my sleeve to reveal the deep black burn mark I had received in an Aborigine ritual. (it was actually the "crossing into manhood" ceremony, strangely enough)

"Nah, man, check this out!" he had already removed his coat, but unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a long pink scar.

"That had to hurt. Who did it you?"

"'did it me?'" he laughed. "You people say the funniest things... Ah, it was this bastard with a sword... thought he was a samurai or something. Anyway, bet ya can't top that!"

I lifted my shirt to reveal my stomach, proudly sporting a long, curved black scar.

"Appendix?" he inquired.

"Ex-girlfriend."

"Oh. Ow."

We downed another shot together, sighing happily at the same time.

"It's a shame, isn't it?" I asked dreamily.

"What?"

"That we have to be enemies. We make much better friends."

"Oh, shut up. We dun hafta be enemies..."

"You're beginning to talk funny." I pinched his cheek roughly in jest.

"Cut it out, man." He shoved me but I unfortunately fell off the barstool.

"oops..." He began to giggle drunkenly. I stood, a little wobbly, shoving him back.

"Don't, we may start a brawl." He warned holding me back with a palm to my forehead.

"You betteh watch yourself... it's almost one..."

"And you're too drunk to do anything about it."

"So're you..."

He let his hand drop and I ended up falling into him, rather uncomfortably, with my face against his chest. I couldn't stop laughing.

"I think it's time we left. You've had enough..." he said, patting me hardily on the back.

"Mhh. I can't get up."

He sighed, pushing me away.

"If you want, I'll give you a ride." He suggested.

"Yeah right, so you'll know where I'm staying and kill me in my sleep."

"I'm not that kinda person."

Alright then, I thought. What harm could it do?

"Donald, put it on me tab. I'm takin' me leave." He stood and I slung an arm across his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around my waist. We stumbled that way out the door, laughing uncontrollably.

"You bumbling idiot, you can't walk!"

"You're the bumbling idiot, idiot..."

"I say, that was ratheh lame..."

I tripped and clutched at him so as not to fall, only to bring him down with me. He landed on me and we both were reduced to hysteric giggling.

"See what you've done? This was my favorite coat..." I pouted, looking up at him.

There was an awkward silence.

"Promise you won't smack me?" he asked.

"What? What for?"

And then the strangest thing happened.

He kissed me.

And I punched him. Square in the mouth.

He rolled off me, sitting up and holding a hand to the assaulted area.

"Alright, I deserved that."

"You bloody well did. Fairy."

"What'd you call me?"

I sat up, glaring at him. "You 'eard me."

He just sighed, feeling the inside of his mouth with a finger and removing a tooth that had broken loose.

"Damnit, you hit hard...and what makes me a fairy?"

If he couldn't figure that out, it was his own bleeding problem. I stood, tripping over my own feet to my beat-up old Volvo.

"You don't want that ride anymore, huh?"

"I can get me own self where I need to be."

"Whatever." He stood as well. "Same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah, same."

"Be careful..."

"Don't worry your 'ead about it."

-o-

Knuckles raced down the little hallway that extended from the plane's main door. Pushing past people a little less than gently, he stopped midstride, staring through the milling crowd of the airport.

"...TARSA!"

And the poor girl was practically knocked over in the sudden tight hug.

"TARSATARSATARSATARSA! I MISSED YOUUU!"

Her breath was quite taken away when she found herself being spun around by the ecstatic echidna. When her feet touched the ground again, the airport was spinning.

She looked back to him with wide eyes as he gripped her shoulders tightly.

"...Hi?"

"Don't...ever...leave me again..."

"...okay...?"

She found herself in an even tighter embrace, her mouth taken by his in a longing kiss. She sighed, falling against him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

The click of a camera was heard.

"I'm sorry, that was just so cute I had to..." Sonic brushed away a false tear.

The two failed to notice.

It was only when a possum in an expensive-looking suit cleared his throat that the two ended their tender moment. Tarsa blushed lightly.

"Uh, Harmond, this is Knuckles."

He just regarded them in a cold silence behind his dark shades.

Sonic stepped up, clapping a hand on both echidnas' backs. "So, who's the undertaker?"

Tarsa blushed more profusely. "That's Harmond. He's like a butler, chauffer and bodyguard in one." Then whispered to Knuckles, "They said I couldn't go without him."

He nodded, slipping an arm around her waist. "Shall we?"

"Sure!" she looked to Harmond. "Let's get going."

"Sonic, grab the bags, won't you?" Knuckles threw him a fanged grin.

The hedgehog grumbled, giving him a vengeful glare before picking up the trio's carry-ons. Tails giggled.

((( oh, stop whining! This chapter is ridiculously short because I have NO time left and also because this is as far as I'd thought the thing through...save one more encounter between Espio and Kai. (not THAT kind of encounter, he's not her type, baka.) anyway, for the first time in a great while, I'm distracted from inspiration... :sighs: work and play should never mix. Write that down. Anyway, when I find the time, I promise I'll continue. Review anyway. You've all been neglecting that the past week. To shame. All of you. Chao.)))