Sonic paced in the small room next to Chuck's lab. Back and forth and some times at such speeds that those around him had to scramble for a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. The woman had been checked over for injuries by Chuck and Tails, and was now tucked away in bed in a spare room next to Chuck's workshop. It had only been a month and a half since they arrived on this planet they called Earth, and had come to stay with the Thorndike family, but it was getting harder to hide the Mobians from Ella and Tanaka. Now they had to hide another in the garage like building in which Chuck worked.

No one could figure out why Sonic was so worried for the stranger, and he wouldn't answer them either. What ever it was, it was a big secret that only time would tell.

In the other room, Kharis finally began to move and awaken, rubbing her eyes gently as she stretched her sore muscles. She had gotten to talk to Shadow for quite a while, which must have meant she was also unconscious for a long time. He was pretty furious at her in the beginning, then dumbfounded when she wouldn't promise to not be reckless. She didn't think she wanted to take the time to count all the things he said about her in his little anger filled mutterings. But, it meant he cared in his own way, so she let it slide with a laugh.

As she got her bearings a bit more, she sat up and opened her eyes fully. She wished she hadn't the second she did so, as she found herself in a large room that she didn't recognize. She was scared, nervous and just down right terrified if she admitted it. The room may have looked nice, but the last thing she remembered of the waking world before finding herself with Shadow was her struggling against Dr. Robotnik...could he have kidnapped her? What happened to that child?! And the Chaos Emerald?!

Flinging herself from the silky sheets as quietly as she could, she stumbled before throwing her hands into her pockets desperately. "Oh please no...no no..NO!" She cried out frantically in a hoarse whimper, as she couldn't find the Diamond Heart any where on her person. Did he take it?! Did she lose it in the struggle? She felt cold, like a part of her was missing and in truth, it was.

She wasn't complete without her heart!

Apparently she hadn't been quiet enough, as soon she heard voices outside the door. She held her breathe, was Dr. Robotnik coming to get her to do...whatever it was he did with people who foiled his plans? She didn't have anything to defend her self with, so she glanced to the window in panic. She could try and escape, but she can't leave the Heart behind! The door opened, so the woman prepared for the worst...she didn't prepare for a tiny, rabbit like creature with big innocent eyes and long ears dressed in a red dress.

"Oh! Your awake, miss! That's great! I'm Cream, and this is my friend Cheese!" She said politely, and judging by her voice and tiny size...she couldn't have been older than 6-7 years old...Kharis wasn't as slow as people liked to make her feel, she could tell this child was a Mobian like Queen Aleena and her children, just a different species. I mean, how many talking anthropomorphic aliens could there be?

"I..I'm Kharis...please...could you tell me where I am?" The woman said lightly, her nerves still fractured and on guard though not as much with the child. She loved children after all and the little rabbit was just adorable along with the strange...flying blue creature she called Cheese. "Of course, Miss Kharis! We are at Mr. Thorndikes's house!" She answered happily, coming over to take Kharis' hand though she had to tip-toe to reach and the adult had to giggle, bending down slightly to accommodate Cream's tiny frame.

Kharis relaxed more, she recognized the Thorndike name. Even she wasn't living so far under a rock to not know who the wealthiest people in Station Square was! But...how did she get here? She pondered such questions as the little girl led her out of the room, chattering away yet still being very polite. She was right in her guess about the girl's age, as she was 6 years old, and apparently Cheese was a creature called a Chao...which made sense, as it could only say 'Chao chao' when it talked. It reminded her of a Pokemon, honestly.

It wasn't till they finally made it to the other room that she froze. On a chair was an elderly man with a lab coat and the child she had helped against Doctor Robotnik. That's where the human company ended, as the other inhabitants was the blue hedgehog himself, Sonic. A pink hedgehog in a red dress, and a small fox kit with yellow fur and two tails.

"Glad to see your awake, how are you feeling?" The old man said, standing and offering her a seat. "Um...Okay I guess...though...why am I here...exactly?" Kharis asked after all the introductions were made.

"You helped me, and I didn't like the thought of you staying in the hands of Dr. Eggman. I asked Sonic to help you and he brought you back here." Chris said cheerily.

"You had a strange power reading on you, so we took what was causing it and quarantined it for further study, to see if it was what caused the flash of light Sonic saw." Said the tiny fox sitting on the cushion across from her. Amy was next to him and Cream sat on his other side with Cheese in her lap.

Kharis froze, finally catching word about the gem she desperately sought.

"About that...can I have that back please? It's very important to me..." she asked quietly as the room stilled at her question. "But it's a strange power gem we haven't seen before! It could be dangerous! And that means Dr. Eggman might come for it!" Uncle Chuck exclaimed. "Forget Dr. Robotnik! That Heart is mine! Please return it to me!" Kharis said, fearfully. She couldn't fight if they refused to give it back. Especially the children...If Cream or Tails tried to stop her she wouldn't be able to get away if they joined in.

They were confused as well, wondering why she referred to him as Dr. Robotnik instead of Eggman, in fact it seemed she already knew about him! Everyone could see the fear shining in her eyes now, but her face was determined. "...I'll get it for you, then. If it's that important." Sonic said at last, having just been watching the proceedings from his spot on the windowsill. He could see her 'fight or flight' need growing with every nervous twitch and glance, and he didn't like it. With Chuck's help, Sonic came back into the room carrying the jewel carefully

They had kept it in the lab under a heavy containment that required both an eye scan, fingerprint, password, and Sonic's super speed to open. It had been designed by Tails as the energy readings from the angrily glowing Diamond Heart were chaotic and almost harmful. Sonic was lucky that Chuck was able to get him a new pair of gloves as the ones he had on before had disintegrated the moment the jewel was taken more than 5 feet from the woman when she was unconscious.

The moment she laid eyes on it, Kharis was out of her seat and gently reaching for it faster than they thought possible for one in her condition. Once her delicate fingers enclosed and clasped the jewel in her hands, it shone brightly for a few seconds before fading.

Kharis' complexion was visibly better now as well, as she seemed almost healthier and more alive now that she was reunited with the Heart. She had a bright, content smile and her eyes shined happily as she held the gem to her chest. "Thank you..." She murmured gratefully.

She could tell quickly that it was bigger than before, and it seemed as if it was...more powerful as well. Definitely something to discuss with Manic and the others for sure. Now that she thought about it...she recalled that Queen Aleena had said that Sonic was her child as well, making the twins really a group of triplets. If she recalled correctly, the Queen said that Sonic had gotten separated during a huge explosion a few years back and that they hadn't seen or heard from him till now...

"H-Hey...Sonic..? What do you...know of your family..?" She asked lightly, once things seemed to have settled down once more. Sonic flailed at the unexpected question, falling off the windowsill that he had once more perched on. "D-Dead I think...why?" He asked, before growling and turning away, upset that he had just openly admitted that to her. Amy and Tails had assumed his family was dead, and he thought so too when he couldn't find a trace of them.

Kharis nodded, letting the subject drop as conversation eventually picked up once again. Tails was highly eager to run some myriad of tests along with Chuck when she told them how the Heart was formed. She...hesitantly promised to let him run whatever tests he wanted, but right now she was being overwhelmed.

Another hour later, Kharis was opening the door to her abandoned car, thanking every Greek Deity she could that it hadn't been jacked. It was almost midnight when she got home and was greeted with the frantic words and hugs from the royal family. After a quick update, a light bit of reheated dinner and a bath, Kharis found herself sitting quietly on her bed in her attire she had on that very first night...

In her left hand was the Chaos Emerald, and in her right was the Heart. She felt guilty, having told them she had lost the Chaos Emerald a while back after the Heart had first formed, but she needed time to think of a plan to help reunite the royal family.

With that thought she did a bit of meditation, grinning softly when she could make out Sonia in the other room gushing over her new clothes and beauty care items to her family. She would see Shadow again soon, and hoped to share with him everything that had transpired if he cared to listen.

The Heart was glowing, soft and warm in her grasp as it was given more energy and power from the Emerald gradually. If this was a video game, it would be officially in stage 2 of development, not that anyone was aware of that at the time.