Welcome back! Thanks for all the kind reviews so far guys, it really helps keep me pumped and revved to keep coming at you with more material. And I'm glad to see you've got your party duds on. What are we waiting for then, hmm? Lets get on with it!

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"You ready for this?" Knuckles, with one studded mitt on the vibrating door, glanced at me sidelong. He was wearing a bemused expression as the beat thrummed through his fingertips. I coughed out a saucy spurt of laughter.

"Get in!" I pushed the bar on the door roughly, sending Knuckles flying in through. His expression had me howling with laughter, not that you'd hear it over the wall of sound that nearly knocked you backwards like a tidal wave. A snarling cuss word barely reached my ears, and I looked just in time to see Knuckles crawling to his knees. The bouncer was eyeing the both of us in amusement, as he leapt in to help Knuckles up. I realized in the mish mash of lighting that it was Mighty the Armadillo keeping the trouble makers at bay tonight, and I held out my fist in greeting. He mashed it, then received a clap on the back from Knuckles.

"Hey guys, haven't seen you this way in a while!"

"Mighty, my man!" Knuckles grinned. "You workin' full shift tonight?"

"No sir, Bunnie's taking the red eye shift tonight- I'm off in an hour."

"Then I insist, come out and have a time." I bowed, before offering up two entry fees to the club. Mighty lifted a hand to signify I keep it.

"Then I insist, be my guests. I'll catch you clowns in about an hour."

"Thanks man!" I shouted over the music.

"Keep it rough Mighty, make sure you keep 'em in line! Come on, loser." A large white mitt pinched my sensitive ear and yanked me forward, as I tossed a hand of departure to the bouncer. He saluted, and I didn't have time to turn all the way around again before Knuckles socked me promptly in the arm.

"OW! What was that for?" I snorted, and found Knuckles smirking triumphantly.

"For my grand entrance." He snapped, & I rubbed my arm with a massive simper.

"Oh, that little number! Thought I'd be a gent and grab the door." I winked, and the glare holding Knuckles face broke down into a laugh.

"You're too kind. Now get over to that island, fool."

On my way to the bar, I soaked the atmosphere in and found it was purely euphoric. I looked to the live band on stage and found Mina rocking out, pumped up to 11, keeping everybody moving to the inviting beats. The interior of Club Rouge always put me at ease- every table, along the dance floors, the walls and even the stage and booth were alit with vibrant glowing fushia. Smoke machines kept the place feeling surreal and almost fantasy like in the weaving pulse of the colored lights. There was more than one dance floor technically, but one would have to go here a few times to figure that out. They weren't actually segmented off, the massive dance floor was always branched into groups of people- usually depending on how you preferred to dance. (Or, I guess that depended on how drunk you actually were). Only one portion of the floor was railed in a section to itself, and that was the break dance battle ground. I grinned to myself, recalling the last time I was here. The break dance challenge here at Club Rouge was one of my favorite events of the night. You never knew when they were going to spring it on you. Finally, we made our way across the technicolor dance floor- thick, solid squares of glass that overlay a glowing rotation of colored lights- and snagged two stools at the bar.

"Man, I'm warm already!" Knuckles gusted, and I rolled my eyes.

"You need to leave that floating rock more often man and start sculpting- get in shape!" He didn't have time to make a saucy comment before the barkeep sauntered over.

"Sonic, Knuckles! Welcome back!" The guy behind the bar was usually the bar tender when we partied here on the weekends- an old friend of mine, Ash the Mongoose. He always worked the nights that Mina did, keeping an eye out for trouble. "Can I get you punks something?"

"Good to see you Ash!-" a clash of fists "Indeed you can! I'll start with a yager-bomb-"

"Nasty! Why do you always start with that man?" Knuckles wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Haven't ya heard? Red Bull gives ya wings." I said coyly, raising a brow.

"Like you need any extra energy!" Knuckles crowed from my side before leaning forward to order. I held a hand up to him, then shoved a thumb at him when I addressed Ash again.

"Rad Red's havin' a jack & coke with a hint of lime." I said smugly, and Knuckles blushed as I pushed 20 Mobiums toward the chuckling mongoose.

"Impressive!" He said as his hands began making quick work of the task, flicking the jack bottle in his hand like a cowboy with a rifle. "It's been that long since you dudes were here I'm shocked you remember."

"Time to jump start my memory then huh? Thanks a lot Ash, keep the change." I raised my glass to him, and to that he nabbed his own drink from under the counter.

"Will do, much obliged!"

"You get to drink while you're working?!" Knuckles asked incredulously, and to that Ash barked out a laugh, wagging his eyebrows.

"Perk at work!" He winked, tipping his glass forward as the three of us bellowed "cheers!"

"Gak, that's somethin'!" I slammed down the empty tumbler and looked to Knuckles, who let out a howl of laughter at my pinched expression. I finally turned fully to the bashful looking echidna as Ash started whipping up a pomtini for a lady near the end of the bar. He was looking at me wearily, as if I might be up to something like a dare challenge for buying him a drink. I leaned in so he could hear me with my reasoning: "It's the least I can do as repay for your entrance- chill, I won't pull nothin'!" He snorted, tipping the cool beverage to his lips.

"Next round is on me." He demanded, and before my very eyes, polishede off the remainder of his tumbler. Round One, history already!

Aggravated, spare for days

I stroll downtown to the red light place

Jump up bubble up - what´s in store
Love is the drug and I need to score
Showing out, showing out, hit and run…

"Well, look what the bat dragged in…" Knuckles and I lifted our gaze in unison to address the dashingly dressed hostess, who leaned on the bar beside us wearing her typical seductive simper. "I haven't seen you boys in my place in ages…" She eyed Knuckles curiously- who remembered to pick his jaw up off his laps. She seemingly liked what she saw, making him grow surprisingly more scarlet than he already was. "Hi, Knuckie… I'm glad you've decided to loosen up for a night. I just might have to take advantage of that…" Now I was turning red. Jeez

Then her intrigued eyes made their way to me.

"So handsome, finally taking time out to enjoy yourself? Bravo! I'm impressed.."

"Here's hopin'!" I tipped my glass, and her and I shared a very strong look between us. "if nothing gets in the way, I'm there." She held my eyes for another moment. Then she leaned in inconspicuously, so close her breath was at my ear.

"You sure you're alright, Sonic?" She didn't sound condescending at all, just genuinely concerned. I looked to her with slight surprise... over the years, I came to realize that like myself, Rouge the bat had a stage act. She wasn't all jewelry and deciet, there was much more to her than meets the eye. I guess Knuckles always knew that.

I guess that's why he grew to love her.

Trying to ignore the pang that just thinking that word gave me, I winked at her in response- and that made her smile. "Just checkin' blue."

"What are you drinking tonight, Rouge?" Knuckles asked, and she turned to him with a genuine beam, laughing lightly as she noticed him opening his wallet.

"Oh, deciding to be a gentleman tonight guardian?"

"Aren't I always, bat girl?" He snickered, placing a Mobian bill on the table as Ash resurfaced.

"Joining the party tonight Rouge?" He asked curiously, shining a glass as he looked over the rim of his sunglasses.

"It's not every day all my favorite boys end up in my club at once. I'll have-"

"Wait, see if I can guess. Time to test my memory." Knuckles raised a mitt as he leaned forward with eyes closed, and I swallowed down my guffaw. Oh, he was so aiming to impress here tonight. Rouge's eyes alit with interest, and she leaned in where she now sat on a stool next to us.

"Shoot!" Ash encouraged, laying down the cloth with a curious grin.

"The lady is gonna get a Modern Sex on the Beach- don't forget the orange."

"Well?" Ash now looked to Rouge, as did I, who was wearing a slightly taken aback expression.

"Th-that's… it's been months, how do you remember that?!" I cackled at Rouge's uncharacteristically flabberghast expression, and Knuckles wore a smug pride.

"I'll take that as a yes! You guys can rattle off your cocktails like you came last weekend!" Ash said bemused as he whirled the vodka bottle in one hand, & was mixing in a flash. "For the gents?" He asked as he was shaking up Rouge's cocktail.

"I'm gonna have a de-ja-vu of my last drink, get my man a Manhattan now that he's past that sick ass Yager Bomb."

"Will do!"

The four of us clinked drinks noisily:

"Cheers!"

Oh, catch that buzz!

Love is the drug I'm thinkin' of
Oh, can't you see?
Love is the drug got a hook on me

Late that night, park my car

Stake my place in the singles bar...

"Sonic, it can't be!!!" a wail of joy shot through the atmosphere as the three of us were sipping and chatting at the bar. All I knew was, the voice was high and feminine.

No, not a flippin' chance in high hell. "Sonic, over here!" It couldn't be...please God, it's couldn't be- I can't take it another night! Not tonight

Slowly, putting tabs on my nervousness, I turned my attention to the voice steadily growing clearer to my left. "Knuckles too? No way!!"

And that's when I gusted out a sigh of relief.

"Mina, you were great!!" I leapt up to embrace her, and she giggled madly as she squeezed me back with equal force.

"Oh Sonic, thank you! I'm so glad you're here! Knuckles, HI!!" She glomped him next, and it was clear to me from the flush on her cheeks that she had definitely had her share already. "Are you guys gonna dance tonight? You'd BETTER! Ash isn't even allowed to leave the bar, I hate dancing by myself!"

"Say no more, say no more..." I reached my arm around Knuckles to grab the martini glass with the remains of my Manhattan and saw to it. "Shall we?"

"Finally, some action!" Rouge drawled, standing with gusto.

"I, I don't think I'm- maybe after a few more-"

"Get serious!" Rouge cut off Knuckle's stumbling protest to the amusement of Mina and myself. "COME on Knucklehead, what did you come here for? I wanna dance!" Rouge ripped him up by the mitts, dragging the poor guy to the center of the flashing glass dancefloor. I looked to Mina with a laugh and a shrug, and we joined them in the middle of the crowd, fog and lights.

Heart to heart as we hit the floor

Limber up, limbo down

The locked embrace, the stumble 'round

I say go, she say yes...

Dim the lights- you can guess the rest!

Oh, feel that buzz

Love is the drug I'm thinkin' of

Oh, can't you see?

Love is the drug for me...

I let out a hearty laugh over Mina's shoulder, catching Knuckles bewildered expression as Rouge was letting loose. God, it felt good to just dance again. No Eggman, no Amy, no two halves, just pure dancefloor shenanigans. As the next song kicked into high gear, Mina squealed excitedly.

"I love this one, love iiiit!!! Come on Sonic, step it up!" She teased, and I barked aloud sarcastically.

"Who? I'm sorry did you mean me?! Babe if you want it, you got it. Don't say I didn't warn you though!"

I gotta testify, come up in the spot looking extra fly
For the day I die, I'mma touch the sky
Gotta testify, come up in the spot looking extra fly
For the day I die, I'mma touch the sky!

At this point, there was a nice chunk of dance floor reserved for the four of us, and Knuckles had gone from flushing to weaving and rocking with Rouge- laughing and whirling her along to the beat. Mina seemed to be having the time of her life, and I won't lie- I was having one hell of a time too!

I think I died in an accident, coz this must be heaven!!

Top of the world, baby- T-top of the worrrld!

Sky high!

"Oh… oh, m-my goodness!" Mina gasped breathlessly, wiping a huge lock of violet from her eyes with the back of her arm. "Remind me to stretch and down an energy drink before I challenge you again!" She guffawed between heaves, and I cackled evilly.

"I warn 'em and yet they never learn. What's the matter Mina, giving up that easily?"

"You kidding me?! You'll see me passed out on this rainbow floor before I have you defeat me!"

My roar of laughter introduced the next song, with Vector howling into the microphone before cranking the volume.

Keep up with the force don't stop

Don't stop till you get enough!

Keep up, with the force don't stop

Don't stop till you get enough!

Lovin', is the feeling now…

Fever, temperature's risin' up

The power…

"Sonic!" My arm was grabbed and yanked while I was whirling, and I spun to face my captor. Knuckles was before me, jerking his head toward someone standing next to him. I craned around him curiously, half frightened… then my expression exploded with my own enthusiasm.

"Blaze! Silver! Flippin' sweet, how ya guys doin'?!" I threw my hands out to them in greeting, and they chuckled merrily in response.

"Saw you guys from our table so we decided to come out and join the party! How ya doin' Mina?" Silver grabbed her hand, and I rounded on Blaze instantly.

"Even you? Ah I should've known, the raging party monster would drag her shy victim of a boyfriend to the clubs! Can't keep a lid on canned heat can we?" I teased sarcastically, making her flush- and this earned a snort of humor from Silver. "She's going to go postal on the dancefloor on us. How do you keep her under control?"

"With severe difficulty!" He joined in, and she smirked up at him wryly.

"Are we here to talk children, or are we here to dance?"

"Point made gorgeous!" Silver gave the blushing girl a squeeze- and again, I was quite aware that these two had also been here long enough to have had a few drinks. There was no way in hell Silver would've gotten Blaze on a dance floor otherwise. Either way, I was more than happy we had the pleasure of keeping their company!

I've had a little bit too much, much
All of the people start to rush, start to rush by
caught in a twisted dance
Can't find my drink oh man,
where are my keys I lost my phone
What's going on on the floor
I love this record baby but I can't see straight anymore
Keep it cool, what's the name of this club
I can't remember but it's alright a-alright
Just
dance

A few songs that sounded rather similar later (man, pop culture songs just seemed to melt into one these days!) and the works of us were flushed and giddy.

"Oh my God, I am boiling!" Silver roared, tugging on his mane with a huge, foolish grin.

"Come on guys, we've got a table held over there, have a seat with us!" Blaze invited, tucked under one of Silver's arms and loving it.

"Yeah, we'll order up a round! Jeez, they don't call you the blue blur for nothin' huh? I didn't know you danced!" Silver grinned as he smacked me on the back, and the group made their way to the roomy booth placed conveniently next to the dancefloor. "A round of JohnnieWalker if you will!" Silver addressed the waitress, who nodded politely and rushed to the bar. Just then, a song started up that made Rouge and Mina gasp loudly…

Muh muh muh mah…

I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas Plays

Fold 'em let 'em hit me raise it baby stay with me

Luck & intuition play the cards with Spades to start

And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart…

"NOOOOOO!!!" The rest of us bellowed, as the two girls shot out of their seats anxiously.

"They're burning! It's worse than hearing Eggman get lucky!!!" I bawled while writhing and holding my ears, making the guys fold into themselves with laughter.

"Well I think it's a fun beat!" Mina pouted, holding Rouge's hand- which was customary between girls at a club.

"No, no more Gaga tonight! You're lucky I never walked off the floor the first time!" Silver growled, and I raised my shot glass to that.

"Here here!" I crowed, clinking with the group as a chorus of 'here here's' raised.

"Yeah, that's chick beats-"

"Oh no you don't! You'll dance and you'll like it!" Knuckles didn't even have a prayer. He was out of the booth and practically abducted to the dance floor. He was looking back at us, dragged by the arms with an expression so mournful that Blaze shot some of the water she was now seeing to through her nose with laughter.

"Too good! Frig!" Silver cackled, then turned his attentions to me. "So, Sonic my man. I'm curious- what's the hold up? Why you flying solo tonight, is Amy sick?"

"Nope." That cursed fire within licked at my insides at the mention of her name, and I felt parched instantly. As if reading my mind, Blaze pushed her large glass of water my way. I took a couple swigs as the two exchanged looks, and Blaze piped up factually.

"Um, well…a little birdie told me that her and Sonic got in a fight." I was thankful that Silver distracted her with his absurdly shell-shocked face, because I had started to choke on an ice cube.

"WHAT?! And you never told me?! BLAZE!!" He barked, and she flattened her ears, reddening.

"Sorry sweetie, its girl stuff- it's against the rules-"

"Then I'm guessing a little white bat told you." I managed to get out, swallowing down the chunk of ice roughly. Guilty as charged, her eyes darted away from me nervously.

"M-maybe…"

"TO-tally." Silver decided, still leering at her slightly, and she looked to him for mercy.

"I can't tell you everything!" She protested, and he 'tsked' in humor.

"Whatever, I tell you everything!"

"Couples…" I murmured under my breath, and realized with a start that Amy and I got on the exact. Same. Way. Or, at least we did

"So what's the story Sonic, are you mad at her or is she mad at you? It's not serious, is it? I mean you two are never really on the outs- OW! What was that for!" Silver snapped, whirling to free the quill that Blaze had swiftly yanked on.

"Hush! You're so naïve sometimes! Don't pry Silver, it's not just rude- but it's also not your business!"

"I'm just concerned! You're only saying that because you know what-"

"It's ok guys, I just… man, I just… ugh." I heaved out a sigh of defeat, them both watching me quietly, still holding each other's arms in preparation for a wrestling match. "I was- we had a date. I missed it."

"Again?! OW!!! Those boots are pointy!" Silver complained, nursing his shin as Blaze glowered. "Sorry Sonic, but- wow, man. It's just hard to believe, I mean have you guys ever gone on a proper date? Or, I mean, do you even like her that way-"

"Of course he does Silver, look at him! He looks-" She stopped short, eyes massive. Between the alcohol and her embarrassment, you'd swear the cat was red instead of purple. Now it was Silver's turn to glare at her. "N-not that you look- I-I mean you always look great Sonic, that is, b-but-"

"I think you're the one who needs to shut up now, Blaze."

"You shut up, hair-do-" She taunted, though she was grinning madly- and he shot an equally large grin back her way as they clashed hands.

"Litterbox princess!"

"Why you little-"

"Seriously, I don't care- cat's out of the bag anyway." I sighed. So, there it was. No point in trying to keep it on the down low anymore, because all of my friends knew very well that Amy meant more than a friend to me. It was out. It was all out in the open now, and I was on my last leg. "No, you're right Blaze. I screwed up. She's seeing other people…"

Both of them dropped smiles instantly, looked baffled.

"WHAAAT?" Silver bellowed, stunned.

"Impossible, she's never liked anybody but you Sonic." Blaze insisted, moving in toward me from across the table. "I mean, she would've beat me up back in the day if I hadn't insisted I wasn't trying to date you."

"Man she would've beat me up too if I tried to lay a hand on you! During the uh, you know, the, er… mix up." That's what Silver awkwardly referred to as the day he tried to kill me, multiple times, thinking I was responsible for the downfall of his world.

"She has seen other people and she is seeing other people." I stated, arms folded, eyes closed. Both seemed weary, disbelieving.

"Are you sure it's not just a rumor?" Silver pressed, and Blaze nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I mean, Amy is-"

"Dudes, I found you!" Mighty was there all at once, a tumbler in one hand, a thumbs-up in the other.

"Exhibit A!" I crowed, smacking Mighty on the back of the shell, to which he adopted a completely incredulous expression.

"Er- come again bud?" I got out to permit him a way to slide in next to me, and the two at the table greeted him instantly.

"We were just talking about Amy." I explained, and all eyes fell on the powerhouse armadillo.

"Oh, that…" He looked extremely bashful all at once, and the other two present at the table were now the ones who looked baffled.

"What does he have to do with?..." Silver trailed off at Mighty's guilty look, and shot it in a careful glance my way.

"I kind of… went out with her, last week. On a, uh… date." He coughed out the word, looking to me again. The other two stared him down as if he'd done a dirty deed, and he spun to look at me fully.

"Sonic man, I've been meaning to ask you about that- you're not pissed at me about that are you? I mean I know you and Amy, but… s-she said- and she's not in a relationship, and- jeez, you can't flippin' say she's not hot so I-"

"Mighty. Breathe. Chill. I don't own Amy." I patted him on the back with assurance, and he withdrew a long, relieved spurt of breath. "If its other people she wants, it's her freedom to choose."

"But… Sonic, still. What about you, dude? I mean is this how it's going to be, or are you finally going to tell her that-"

"Never again!" Thankfully, this excruciating conversation was swept off the table as Knuckles crawled over both Mighty and I, tugging Rouge with him- who in turn dragged Mina behind her.

"Um- OW?!" Mighty said sharply, and Rouge went past Knuckles to sit herself by Silver- while Mina slid in between Knuckles and Mighty.

"Oh, hey, Mighty… mind if I-" and without an answer, Knuckles took a long suck out of Mighty's drink.

"Sure." Mighty said dully, glaring at his partially drained tumbler- and our table erupted into an avalanche of laughter.

"I am freakin' BEAT, and if you ever make me dance to that garbage again-"

"And I will, and rinse and repeat cycle, echidna." Rouge said smartly, eyes closed with a coy smirk plastered on her glossy lips.

"Why you bossy little night-crawler-" Knuckles started in, shoving a finger in Rouge's face, before Mighty's voice said something to me that tuned every other voice at the table out.

"Guys… isn't that Amy over there?"

A door I'd been struggling with all my effort against to keep closed came bursting open, as that name forced its way throughout my entirety.
Amy.

It pulsed through me like the air I breathed now, I couldn't control its effect any more than I could control the way the wind seemed to entice me into a run. Amy. Amy. Amy…

Not only mine, but every set of eyes around the table shot up like a jump-start to an engine at the mention of the forbidden topic- searching for the one who owned that name.

On the dance floor…

Lost me, watch me…
You stole my heart, and you've given me up
We're not even friends, so how can we be lovers?

I want to know the truth
Because I've had enough
I'm sick and tired of pleasing you

Have I had your love?

Is that the best that you can do?

As sure as the beat of the song pounded through my frame, each word drilling into me, my eyes were glued in a death vice to the girl in the center of the dance floor. The girl I hadn't seen in what seemed like months, because I had changed so much since the last time I'd seen her.

And little did she know it was all on account of her.

Now here she was, moving and swaying hypnotically with raw energy, dressed to the nines, living it up. She was out at this club for the right reasons- the reasons I wasn't.

Not to forget, but to genuinely have a good time.

To steal the dance floor, forget problems even existed in this world, and just let loose.

She threw back her head and her pink quills flew back in a graceful fluid motion, before she laughed exuberantly.

She was here to have the time of her life.

And she was doing it, no hitch.

Without me.

Had your chance but baby you blew it
You never loved me, and baby you knew it

And every time that you messed with my mind

I still believed in you…

Is that the best that you can do?
You can keep on changing your mind

But you're wasting your time
Because if you think you've got me?
Boy, Just watch me…

I didn't care that my friends were watching me worriedly now, trying to gauge how this was affecting my mood. I didn't care. All I saw was her, so painstakingly drop-dead gorgeous as she was wrapped up in rhythm, forgetting I existed.

And you'd think that was the worst of it.

Oh, no.

It's never that light weight these days, is it?

Because now, my eyes were burning a hole into the set of hands that were resting on her hips.

They twirled her, and pulled her close- admired her, even.

An almost hungry set of eyes watched her move, accented with the glint of a smile plastered to their owners face.

I forced down the reflex to flinch (or snap his arm), every time he laid a hand on her.

She, on the other hand didn't seem so opposed to his touch.

That fakers touch.

Shadow.

Shadow was the center of her attention right now, and I couldn't help wondering how long he had been, in my absence.

And…God. It quite simply killed me.

On the dance floor

I'm gonna lose it in the music

On the dance floor

I've got my body, gonna use it

On the dance floor

The best that you never had

But now you've lost me

So come and watch me getting over you…

Why? Why him? Why did it have to be a guy I didn't even trust, if I had to watch this happen?
Couldn't I have a break, and see her end up with a guy that didn't have a history of violence and killing? Could I at least have that small pat on the back through the whippings?
Was it that he looked like me? Was it that he carried my same reserve of confidence, that knack for being something spectacular?

Or, was I just trying to kid myself- to soften the deadening blow?

Was it… that he was nothing like me at all on the inside?
…was it that he provided and was everything I'd failed to be for her?
Was it…

Irrelevant.

Forget it all, hold the flippin' phone and cut the music.

All those questions, concerns and doubts, instantly wiped off the drawing board.

Because something much greater- a much larger stab wound to my ego was brewing, right before my very eyes as the song came to a conclusion.

My fingers clenched into revolted fists, I felt the cold shuddering beads of sweat form along my brow.

This had to be some form of torture, some demonic intervention sent to do away with me.

I wasn't even breathing. Just holding my breath, wanting to use my speed to come between them both, scream at them for doing this to me.

But it wasn't meant to be for me at all.

It was no punishment intended for me, but a reward.

It was meant to be for them- or at least him.

Please no. Please no please no pleasepleaseplease don't let it be real.

They had no sweet clue in hell what they were about to do to me.

And I would never get back what he was about to steal from me.

It was like a page torn straight out of my insecure nightmares. In mid dance, Shadow tugged her up toward his eager face, eyes feasting on her. Her eyes were large and gorgeous, her mouth formed into a tiny 'o' of surprise. He touched noses with her first, then moved in close and planted one- pressed his devious, cuss tainted lips, against her perfectly pink set. It was a flawless execution, and when she got over the shock, she briefly closed her eyes. The longer it lasted, the more enticing the idea of breaking it up seemed.

Anything but watching this. I closed my eyes as well, most likely not for the same reason.

Something told me she didn't want to get away from this situation at all.

I got a vivid visual of a black, thick serpent twisting against a rose behind my lids, squeezing it until the petals trembled and began to fall from the delicate beauty.

I always thought- perhaps absolutely naïve, and stupidly- that I would be the first guy to kiss Amy Rose.

To me, there was no question. It was inevitable.

once I got around to doing it, that is.

How many times, how many ways, how many scenarios had piled up over the years- all held back by my schedule, my insecurities- just old fashioned being too shy to just do it?

Sure, the idea had been shoved into my head the very day I set her back on her feet, backed away, and sped off- leaving her disheveled and shocked in a bright orange tutu. I had raced off in complete and utter bashfulness, because as she peeked at me after rescuing her, the first thing my mind decided upon was: shouldn't you kiss her?

I backed up, contemplating, her watching me soundlessly. She was very pretty, so perfectly girly in a vivid shade of pink. Blue and pink, boy and girl… isn't that funny, Sonic my boy? What are the odds of you meeting this girl hedgehog- of her already knowing of you, having a crush on you even? It's as if she was made to find you!

And within those seconds of thinking she both enticed me & scared the hell out of me- unlike most things in my life that should. Well? Go on then big shot, kiss her. Isn't that what you're supposed to do?

Thump-thump, thump-thump…

She likes you, just do it!

And I did what I always do.

I ran, like hell.

I blushed my ass off all the way home, feeling like a fool.

And that… is where it all began.

The first time a girl had truly entered my life, and she was there to stay- confusing and flustering me every step of the way, right up until the here and now.

Sometimes I'd find myself relaxing in a field as I so dearly love to do, weaving game plans. Some people would call that day dreaming. I would be staring into the blueness of the sky, or admiring a nearby plant, and out of the blue she would leak into my thoughts. The next thing you know I was thinking of situations that would be perfect to initiate that kiss. I would always be the one to start it, bold and heroic as I usually was- but never seemed to be around her. Maybe I'd rope her in with one arm, perhaps it'd be the capper on a rescue well done. I even imagined the pull away, and the millions of different expressions she could be wearing as a result. Shock, definitely- that would probably turn into an open mouthed grin. A shriek of joy, before she hugged me breathless- or went in for a kiss of her own.

I'd stand up in the middle of the field, shake my head, guffaw aloud to myself.

I always thought it was so foolish to think on something like that- to have so many plans for something so small… but it didn't seem small in the slightest right now.

I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it…one of these days, I'll do it. It has to be right…

And I never did it.

And now, look at who did.

S H I T.

There was a severe calamity erupting from their little show, all at once- explosions of reaction sounded around the table like a tsunami of disaster and voices.

"HO-ly-"

"No WAY!-"

"Aw, JEEZ man!-"

"Well fu-"

"Is this a joke?-"

"SHADOW?!"

But they were all white noise, outside the hell storm I was now flung viciously into in the confines of my head.

They could've been figments of my imagination at that moment.

I watched soundlessly as they parted, and his scarlet gaze held hers with a smoldering look- oh, he liked her alright- and unlike me, he was every bit as confident as he wanted to be in showing that. Her eyes marveled up at his, and she touched her own lips in bewilderment before placing her hand over the tuft of pristine white fur on his chest.

Then, without parting gazes, they exchanged a smile. Hers was bashful, his indulgent.

And I knew then, although the kiss had come as a surprise to her, she wasn't complaining.
His arm found a way around her waist, and they were moving to a booth together.

Together.

Within, the brambles constricted and tore inward, and I lost my senses.

I was absent.

I was just… numb.

Someone abruptly flicked the lights off on my neon sign, flamingo pink faded into shadow black- and its darkness was all consuming.

Everything I had planned, everything I had hoped for- I dimly realized I was curling my legs up near to myself with the torment of it, but it was hard to notice. The flush of her face whenever I carried her, those eyes, her hands reaching out for me in a desperate attempt to catch me as I ran- watching her tears rolling down the length of my fur on the days she thought it was all over… the striking child I'd envisioned and fallen in love with, that bore her exact tinkling laughter… all faded into the blackness and left a canyon of nothingness.

I had to face the music.

One of my worst fears- worse than dying for a good cause, because I saw that coming as a possibility. Worse than ruining my set of beloved sneakers, because they were replaceable.

Worse than losing one of my many races, because I could always win the rematch.

Because this was the last thing I'd ever expected to lose.

And I was.

I was truly, swiftly losing the never ending reserve of love that Amy Rose kept for me.

I was losing her, to my very own rival- watching him starting to pull one of the purest people I knew into his darkened, brooding grasp- pulling her away from me.

God help me.

I'm losing her… and once I do?
There's no getting her back.

The ego side of me fell to his knees, with nowhere to run- nowhere to escape. He collapsed, like a breaking monument. The new side of me writhed in agony, reaching out for the neon sign in the darkness left by its absence.

Down, down, down I spiraled, like getting sucked into a mammoth drain- all my memories of her that I cherished were whipping around and going down under with me.
That adorable little girl who had started it all- the one who had depended on me to save her from the clutches of Metal Sonic. The beautiful young woman who had embraced me excitedly, before racing to the calendar to scribble those infamous words that now slapped at me. Just the sound of her voice, her endless wardrobe of red dresses…

"Sonic? This is a bracelet I made you to protect you in the water…" The girl who always came to my rescue, just to have me back safe and sound. Gaining nothing but me, but that was all she needed. "If you didn't come back, I felt I would never stop crying when I thought about you…" The giddy young hedgehog whos face flamed when I swooped in to her rescue, and I could always feel the pulse of her heart against my chest when I held her tightly enough. The heart she had sworn to me.

Promised to be mine to look after forever.

But I hadn't. I'd neglected it. And now…

Gone.
Stolen by another.
I would never feel them beat together like that, ever again.

I hit rock bottom.

I was staring up at the surface, clawing for it, and I realized this blackened lake was bottomless.

There was no getting out, and I was drowning in my own regrets.

My weakness got the best of me.

It was then, like the damned fool I was always prone to be, that the last of it all was sucked down with me- the last crushing boulder to land on me was my own sweet and sour epiphany.

Oh God, I loved her.

I desperately, bashfully, fearfully, powerfully, and gut-wrenchingly loved that one girl, for years.

And it meant. Shit. All.

I let everything slip through my gloved fingers and evaporate, like the water I so strongly loathed and cursed. I let her and myself believe a lie for too long… so long that we both had grown to believe it.

Now, it was over.

Curtain closed, Sonic.

G a m e O v e r

I gasped, as someone gripped me by the arm and tore me from the water, just as I thought for sure I would drown and feel no more. Lights, laughter, music, faces- stunned faces- came nearer and nearer to the surface, and I broke through the water to find all my friends staring in a mixture of shock, disbelief, and worry.

I looked down, and saw my empty glass convulsing in my shaking fingers.

"Oh, Sonic…" Mina's morose moan was the first I heard, and my eyes wandered to her face- she was clasping her muzzle with both hands, horrified. I followed the scarlet arm attached to the huge, powerful mitt that had tore me from my meltdown. I had never seen Knuckles the echidna look so scared in all my life with him.

"Sonic… we should go dude." He didn't blink his enormous plum colored eyes, shaking his head as if we were narrowly about to escape a death sentence.

But I wasn't looking at him anymore.

Because there she was at the booth across the multi-colored floor, right before my eyes. She was nursing a bottom of her favorite drink, a Singapore Sling. And as if she knew- as if she could feel me watching her, that's when her eyes met mine through the crowd. Emerald green orbs widened, as if she was alarmed, and I saw her mouth mime out one word in all the chaos.

My name.

Sonic…

And the crowd between us broke our gaze.

"Sonic?" Knuckles gruff voice pleaded with me again, and I merely shook my head no, unwilling to look back. I didn't want to see the concern in my friend's eyes, I didn't want them to know I was knocked down for the count. I had to pretend- I had to walk over the fire and merely ignore the scorching pain.

Even when I was screaming inside.

I had to be Sonic the Hedgehog, wherever he was right now.

"I'm…" ready to run at the speed of sound at an opposing freight train. "I'm fine, Knux. We came here for a good time…" Not a drowning.

And that's when I met eyes with the greatest enemy I'd ever laid my gaze on.

The smug, euphoric ruby eyes of Shadow the Hedgehog, spotting me in the crowd.

---

Amy's POV

"That blue hedgehog again, of all places." Shadow's eyes leered over at Sonic's wide eyed form, but I was reeling inside. No, something was definitely off. There was something about the fact that Sonic hadn't retaliated to the glare with a taunting wave, or a wink. The way his gaze shot down into his empty glass, brow furrowed, as if he were trying to piece his usual self & act back together. He looked scattered. Shadow smiled a little in triumph, but I was already miles away in my own thoughts. If there was one thing consistent about Sonic the Hedgehog, it was this. He always knew where he was- he never lost himself or his pep, no matter how hard the pressure slammed down on him. Yet here he sat- not faced by a mechanical monster, but with an empty drink- and he looked defeated.

Worse… he looked devastated.

As always, if Sonic was off, something didn't sit right inside of me.

"Shadow, do you mind going to speak with them? I haven't talked to Silver or Sonic in ages, I can't believe he's here of all places!"

"I can." He grumbled, before standing and offering me a small smile. "By all means, please be my guest. Go ahead without me, it is time I refilled anyway… I'll grab you a new Singapore Sling while I'm up."

"Thank you so much, Shadow- I'll see you in a few, promise!" I vowed, feeling slightly guilty to even be doing this. After all- Shadow was there to talk to, when Sonic had the nerve to humiliate me again. Even at our age! With eight years between my old girlish insanity and who I was now, I was still something that could wait in his eyes. Even now, he still left me feeling so invaluable to him- left waiting for someone as the waitresses would eye me at my table alone sympathetically. As always, year after year, I was left hanging and solo- crying out for someone who barely listened to me pleas. Now I was out with somebody who didn't ignore me, didn't shove me away… actually made time out of their life to spend with me, as opposed to falsely promise it and let me fall.

Let me fall again. And again, and again- till I stopped noticing the pain of it, and it just stayed around like a mangy stray dog.

And still.

STILL.

Just catching his expression from across the room, and knowing that he wasn't ok.

Knowing that there was no way he was sleeping well, and that this wasn't a place he usually hung at.

Still, seeing his eyes on me- and wearing a very unmistakable look of pain- it drove me mad. It was all it took to make that yearning for him rear itself and take hold of me, that need to make sure he was happy. I couldn't even help it if I wanted to, it was like something that was built into me; automatic.

I could stand seeing anyone in a dark mood, but not him.

Anyone but him.

Not my Sonic.

Not my idiotic, late, saucy, confusing, infuriating, frustrating, clueless… but still, my Sonic.

Dammit Amy, you're not like this anymore! You've been doing so well, don't you dare go over there around him! He had his chance, he hasn't even approached you. Whatever he's moping about, this isn't about you…he doesn't care, he probably didn't see it- and even if he did, he does not care! Hedoesn'tcaredoesn'tcaredoesn'tcare so DON'T YOU!!

Well, I have been doing pretty good… I mean come on, I can still care for him as a friend...

Don't. DO THIS! You know this isn't about him being a friend, you KNOW IT!

Almost two weeks is pretty impressive…

You stupid, foolish girl. You know this will not end well!

I sighed loudly to myself, standing slowly, and at once the movement caught his eye. When our glances met he froze, then whipped around to grab the waitresses attention. Knuckles leaned in to murmur something at him, and I would bet my red and white go-go boots that it had everything to do with me heading for their table.

Well, ready or not. Here I come…

--

Sonic's POV

"Sonic, I think she noticed you staring. Way to go doof, you're in for it. God, now she's coming over here-" I leaned past my fussing companion to address the waitress I'd called over.

"Ma'am a shot of tequila for six if you could- frig it, m-make mine a double shot and please, hurry-"

"Sonic, it isn't too late!! Get up, we can escape to the bathroom and then- A-Amy, my girl! Lookin' gear!" Silver was the first to greet her as I stumbled through my order. Her answering giggle seemed to be amplified, warming. I realized then that I'd gone without hearing her voice long enough to miss it.

Not even two weeks.

"Thanks Silv!"

"You had some crazy moves rockin' out there, who taught you to dance like that?" He teased, and even his eyes scoping her out- completely harmless even, with him here with Blaze- gave me the temptation to block her from his sight. Don't torture yourself Sonic, it's over. She's been on more official dates with emo-hog than you have- not to mention he got further with her in one night than you have in a lifetime! Don't fan it, just keep cool and don't look.

Don't we always look when we're not supposed to? Like a blaring light beaming just outside my window, there was no way my eyes weren't going to find their way over to her.

Just one. She'd looked so good from far off, I had to look myself.

Oh my Godyup, those were my insides tightening. I told you not to look, idiot!

And now I couldn't stop.

It wasn't even fair.

What guy wouldn't be looking at her tonight?!

I felt a sharp pain at my side, and I jumped as I was startled out of my hypnosis. Rouge the bat was still pinching me when I met her glare with my own.

"Ow man,

"Don't ogle, perv."

"I was not being a-"

"Sonic, you're alive!" Her voice, though it was its usual upbeat tingle, seemed saturated with relief. For a moment, I was dead as I felt shifting beside me. I had my back to the altered side of me, and at first I couldn't. Once was enough, what if I couldn't stop this time? Thank God I was blue, because Rouge was probably going to lean over again & leave one hell of a bruise. I had to prepare myself, and I saw Knuckles mortified face before I squeezed my eyes shut tight, willing myself to bear more torture.

You'll be ok you'll be ok you'll be ok, Sonic- act cool, act cool…

Then I turned with my stamp on sideways smirk, prepared to face the inevitable.

Her strikingly lovely face, clearly wearing the fact that she was relieved to be so near to me and speaking with me again, took me off guard. When you knew what you were looking for- when you knew you were in love with someone, every nook and detail of their face wasn't just a set of features. It was a landscape of endearment, and I guess I just stared stupidly with that grin for a moment, taking it in like a robust art piece. All at once, like in a split second flash flood, the gorging, panging empty canyon inside me was flooded to the brim with everything about her. I hadn't been so close to her in so long, and who needed to get drunk? I was intoxicated, both by her presence and the reality of why she made me feel this way.

Because…

The scent of her hair, how her delicate hand lightly touched my side… she smiled encouragingly back at me, her brow slightly furrowing at my extended silence. She looked so damn cute, so painstakingly gorgeous as rainbow lights danced along the length of her eyelashes.

Because I love you… my insides roared, with every fiber of me. It wanted only to burst out, I bit the three letters on the tip of my tongue, because I wanted to get on the roof of this club and start screaming. You were right Amy, ok?! I give up! Don't do this anymore! Take me home, and don't let me out of your sight! You can't forget me- it's supposed to be me and you, pink and blue till the end of time or whatever you can spare! I'm yours! Don't leave me, I love you, I LOVE YOU AMY!!!

And, it happened again.

It had to be happening again, because I could feel Rouge reaching over Knuckles lap & pinching me with the enthusiasm of a crabmeat. And I didn't give two damns, because I was well beyond functioning right now.

You are not ok, you are so not ok- you are off your spiky blue rocker! I'm abandoning ship- you're on your own, pal- I'm getting out before you start screaming on top of buildings like a mental case! Jam and juice- sayanora handsome!

And so went my will to think straight. I said the only thing I could muster to go along with my false smile, which was the one word my brain abandoned me with.

"Amy."

And lime green bravely delved into shamrock green, for the first time since the very day this personal hell began.

--

Oh…God. 8o Now that was what I'd call an intense chapter. Come on guys, you had to know I couldn't resist the temptation for drama! But Sonic seems to be stepping up to the plate- that is, at least he's not running & screaming from this insanely hardcore situation! But what's to come now from here? With all that's been said, thought and seen- how is this off the wall evening going to boil down? Maybe the last mask Sonic has left is going to crack, and he's going to lose it all. And lets not forget Shadow- he's just grabbing a couple drinks!

Disaster? A twisted turn of events? Perhaps it won't even be something you can see coming.
Either or, there's only one way you're going to find out- and I promise not to keep you on edge for too long. ;3 Till then, I'll meet you back at Club Rouge for the next installment- finally, the chaos of dating wars & silence come to an end between Sonic & Amy in 'More Than A Woman'.
Hang tight- I'm out! X3

Check my DeviantArt (shazam26) the day after I post this for the art for this chapter- I will be setting up a folder of art for this story as well!

Songs featured in this story:

Roxy Music – Love is the Drug
Kanye West – Sky High

Michael Jackson – Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Lady GaGa – Just Dance

Lady GaGa – Poker Face

Kylie Minogue – Dance Floor