CHAPTER 3

UNDERSTANDING

Later that night at Shadow's house, he and Rouge were sitting at a small table that had set in the kitchen. The two were sitting across from each other drinking alcohol. Rouge was drinking a glass of wine while Shadow was drinking beer from a bottle.

Rouge took note of Shadow drinking excessively when she saw a few empty beer bottles setting over on his side of the table. She however, was still working on her first glass of wine. "Shad, you need to slow down."

Before the hedgehog took another sip from the bottle in his hand, he gave her an irritated look. "I'm not even buzzed yet…"

"You said you would only have a few…and you're a little pass from just a few."

He shrugged his shoulders and began to drink more. "I'm pissed off okay?"

That explained everything. Shadow had a horrible alcohol addiction in the past. He was still a recovering alcoholic. He always had a beer or two at least every day instead of it being five or six. However, when he became stressed out or angered, he would intend to drink more than usual. She figured since the two were finally alone, Rouge decided to bring up the exciting news Shadow had shared with her and the group of detectives earlier before he had gotten too drunk to talk to later. "Shadow", she began. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About that big job offer you turned down…"

He practically slammed the beer bottle down as Rouge started to bring up the military to him. "I already told you and everyone else why I rejected Gin's offer."

"Because you simply hate the military? Shadow, I feel like there's something more to this…"

"What more could it be? You know how fucked up the military is!"

The bat woman shook her head slowly. "You can't blame the entire military over past events."

"Listen to yourself, Rouge! Do you remember what happened several months back?"

The white bat remained silent as she was sadly reminded about what had happened.

"Joseph! Does that name ring a bell? She was shot and killed by a military soldier!"

She slammed her fists down on the table over Shadow's uprising anger. "Damn it, Shadow! Yes I remember! I was there!"

"Then act like you fucking understand why I don't want to be apart of that shitty military!"

She and the rest of the detectives had explained to Shadow again and again that the entire incident with Joseph was an accident. However, Shadow was too stubborn and blinded by anger to understand. She decided to change the subject. "This isn't just about Joseph, Shadow! And you know it!"

He had gotten quiet and took another sip from the beer bottle.

"Look, I know deep down G.U.N. is not a bad military. They were just…misled by a couple of horrible commanders."

Shadow placed the beer bottle down on the table and gripped his hand around the bottle as he began to remember the military's previous commanders.

"Those soldiers need to be guided by new leaders who wants to better the military and the city." She looked up at Shadow who was lost in his thoughts it appeared. "I'm not forcing you to take the position but I just want to make you see and understand how badly the entire military has been corrupted. They need a fresh start. They need passionate people who care about the lives of millions of civilians."

He then saw Rouge place her hand gently over his. He slowly shifted his eyes over to her.

The bat woman sent the hedgehog a warm smile. "Don't you think Joseph would want that?"

He hesitated at first but then made a small nod letting her know that he agreed with her. He took her hand away from his and placed it on his cheek. "As much as I love working with you guys at the Chaotix, perhaps I'll partake on Gin's offer."

Her warm smile grew when she heard Shadow's surprising reply.

He kissed her hand softly and smiled warmly. "I swear I don't know where'd I'd be without you, babe."

She stood from her chair and sat on his lap. "Oh really?"

He made a small nod and held her body close to his. "I don't know how you put up with me."

She leaned her head on his chest and stroked his chest lightly. She giggled softly, "I've been putting up with your shit for years and it wasn't easy. Just look how long it took for you to finally ask me out?"

"Well", he began. "I wasn't sure how I felt about you at first but now I know…"

She lifted her head from his chest and stared into his red eyes with him staring back into her eyes.

"We're definitely meant for each other and nothing's going to change that." He leaned closer to her until his lips had met hers. The two were then locked into a passionate kiss.

Rouge slowly took her lips from his and leaned on his shoulder happily. "I love you, Shad."

He kissed her forehead softly, "I love you too, Rouge."

The next day, Shadow decided to meet up with Sarah to tell her of his change of mind about the position of becoming a lieutenant.

While Sarah sat behind her desk, she had her attention focused on the black hedgehog standing in front of her. "So, what made you want to change your mind all of a sudden? You stood pretty firm with your answer yesterday."

"I just put more thought into it. Yesterday, I realized I was still living in the past. All I knew back then was G.U.N. was ran by selfish and ruthless commanders."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat as her mind was filled with images of a male gray mongoose and a male red wolf with blonde hair. It almost made her sick remembering the horrifying events that involved the two.

"Being involved with that shit led me to believe that the entire military was against everything that stood in the way of helping people. But it's not their fault…they need strong leaders…and I'm willing to help anyway I can."

She made a small nod towards him as she agreed with his words. Just hearing Shadow say that made her have faith within the military once again. "I'm glad you changed your mind about this Shadow, but you're not in just yet."

He arched an eyebrow in confusion at the yellow fox woman until he saw her hand him a

white piece of paper. He took the paper from her hand and started to glance through it.

"The military is having a little ball…a get together. I think it's the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to other fellow G.U.N. soldiers and give a proper introduction to Lieutenant Gin and Lieutenant Lien-Da."

He looked away from the paper and turned to Sarah blankly. "…Lieutenant Lien-Da?"

She nodded, "She's the second lieutenant next to Gin being the first."

He then remembered that Gin had mentioned that he and another lieutenant had been looking for a third lieutenant. He had no idea that the second lieutenant would be a woman. "…I see."

Sarah sat back down in her chair and crossed her legs. "Anyway, I know they'll both be very excited to meet you, Mr. ultimate life form. I'm sure you'll be the life of the party", she spoke with a sly smile.

Before Shadow could leave the room, Sarah had spoke to him once again.

"Oh and Shadow?"

The black hedgehog slowly turned to her in curiosity.

She leaned her head on her hand while her arm rested on the desk. She gave him a teasing look, "It's still a dance kind of thing so make sure you bring a date."

He paused and then shook his head in annoyance. "Sounds like a blast already", he spoke in a sarcastic tone before he left her office.

In The Next Chapter...

Rouge: Do you think you could not do this tonight?

Gin: Welcome to G.U.N, Lieutenant Shadow!

Shadow: Rouge, stop it! You're embarrassing me!

Lien-Da: So this is the ultimate life form? Interesting...

Rouge: Men are so typical!