Chapter Three
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"What are you getting sweetie?" asked the bartender. She was a beautiful, young woman with a thick Brooklyn accent.
Rouge sighed sadly.
"A mango cocktail please."
"Coming right up."
The bartender made her the drink and placed it in front of her.
"Thanks." said Rouge, picking up the little umbrella and stirring it around the drink. The bat sighed and stared sadly at her cocktail.
"Rough night?" asked the bartender.
"Yeah. Just...some stupid guy that I'm trying not to think about but I can't get him out of my head."
"I hear you girl." said the bartender, chuckling. "We've all been there."
Rouge chuckled and took a sip of her drink.
Just then, a handsome cat sat next to her.
"Say there, what's a sexy babe like you doing here all by yourself?" asked the cat with a confident smirk.
Rouge sighed and rolled her eyes. She was so not in the mood for some random guy hitting on her.
"Listen buster, I'm in a pretty bad mood right now. I just wanna be left alone and have my drink in peace."
"A bad mood eh? Well, I can put you in a good mood, sweet cakes." said the cat with a flirty wink. "Hey bartender, get me a screwdriver. And get this babe another cocktail. Put it on my tab."
"Thanks, but I don't want you to buy me a drink. I can buy my own drinks."
"Oh come on. I'm trying to be a friendly here." said the cat, who put his arm around her shoulder. Rouge immediately removed his arm.
"Don't touch me and don't buy me a drink. Leave me the hell alone." said Rouge, glaring at the cat.
"Seriously? What's your deal toots? Why are you acting like such a bitch?"
"Excuse me?" said Rouge who stood up.
"You're such an asshole!" said the bartender.
"How about you shut up and mind your own business?" said the cat.
"This is my bar, so it is my business." said the bartender. "Now get the hell out of my bar before I throw you out."
"Oh please, you're not gonna throw me out toots. You might break a nail." said the cat, smirking.
"And you're gonna break a lot of bones when I'm done with you." said Rouge who made her hand into a fist.
She was about to give the rude cat a well-deserved punch in the face. However, before she could, someone already punched the cat. The punch was so powerful, that the cat was sent flying until he hit his back against the wall. Rouge lowered her fist and looked at who had punched the cat.
"Knuckles?" she exclaimed.
"Rouge! Are you alright?" asked the echidna, walking up to her.
Before Rouge could answer, she heard groaning. She, Knuckles and the bartender looked at the cat, who slowly stood up. The cat put his hands in a fist. He was so dazed by the punched that he could barely balance as he stood.
"P-put, em, up!" slurred the cat.
Rouge walked up to the cat and smirked. She put her finger on his forehead, pushed him away and he fell down again. He was completely knocked out.
Rouge walked back to Knuckles.
"Thanks for your help." said the bartender. "That guy was a real jackass."
"You're welcome." said Knuckles.
Rouge crossed her arms and glared at Knuckles.
"I was about to take him down. I didn't need your help." said the beautiful bat.
"That guy was trouble. I just wanted to make sure he didn't hurt you." said Knuckles.
"Aw, that's so sweet." thought Rouge to herself. "Hey, wait a minute, get a hold of yourself girl. You're mad at him, remember?"
"I can take care of myself Knucklehead." she said, still angrily crossing her arms. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you would be home by now, since being around me is such torture."
"Um, is this the stupid guy you were talking about?" the bartender interrupted.
"Yup." said Rouge.
"Stupid guy?" said Knuckles, angrily.
The bartender chuckled.
"I'll leave you two alone. Seems like you both have a lot to talk about."
The bartender smiled at them and left the counter. She started walking around the bar, cleaning the tables.
"You told her I was stupid?" asked Knuckles, crossing his arms angrily.
"Sure did. It's the truth isn't it?" said the bat, still glaring at him. "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?"
Knuckles sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Um, well...after that fight we had...I um...I saw you walking off all by yourself. And I mean...you know...it's night time and it's dark. And um...I just...wanted to make sure you were okay."
Rouge wanted to smile but she maintained her angry demeanor.
"Like I said Knucklehead, I can take care of myself. I always have taken care of myself. Now leave me alone and go home. Your stupid date with me is over."
Rouge sat down and grabbed her drink. She took a few sips. Knuckles stood nearby. He felt so awkward. He wanted to leave, but he knew that wouldn't be right. He knew he needed to apologize to her. He really hurt her feelings and he felt bad. Problem was, Knuckles wasn't good at apologizing and he didn't know where or how to start.
Rouge took another sip of her drink and then turned to look at him.
"Ugh, why are you still here? Get the hell out of here and leave me alone!"
Knuckles scratched the back of his neck. He pulled the bar stool next to her and sat down.
"Look, Rouge um…" the echidna sighed. "Look, I didn't mean what I said okay? This date wasn't torture and it wasn't stupid. It was actually...fun."
Rouge turned and looked at Knuckles, no longer glaring at him.
"You…you were having fun? Really?" she asked.
"Um...yeah. Yes I was." said Knuckles. "I just said that because I was mad. I...I'm sorry, okay?"
Rouge smiled. She knew that it was hard for him to apologize because he was so stubborn. Rouge could relate. She found it hard to apologize to people because she was also very stubborn.
"Thanks for the apology Knuckles. And um...I'm sorry for saying that your shoes had a higher IQ than you. That was pretty mean. I only said that because I was mad that you called me selfish. Truth is, you were right; I am selfish. I always have been. I mean, I've had to be selfish since I was a kid. If not, I wouldn't be alive today."
"What are you talking about?" asked Knuckles, with a concerned look on his face.
Rouge sadly chuckled.
"Look, I don't wanna go all deep into my past. But, my parents died when I was little. I grew up on the streets and orphanages, but mostly the streets. I had to be selfish. I had to steal food, shoes, clothes and money. I had to pickpocket. I had to be selfish because I was looking out for myself. I had no one else but me. And I had to survive. Eventually, my amazing theft skills and street smarts led me to become a treasure hunter. And my stealth and fighting skills shaped me into the agent I am today. From street urchin to great treasure hunter and G.U.N agent. What a life."
She sighed sadly and took a sip of her drink.
"I'm so sorry Rouge." said the echidna. "I had no idea you went through all that growing up. I'm sorry."
Rouge smiled sadly.
"Thanks." she said.
"I know what it's like being an orphan too. I grew up on Angel Island alone. Until I met Sonic and the gang, I was all by myself. Trust me, I know what it's like to feel alone. But you don't have to be selfish anymore Rouge. You're not alone anymore. You've got friends like Sonic and Tails and Amy and…and...um...well, me."
Rouge couldn't help but blush. She felt butterflies in her stomach. She smiled and gently held Knuckles hand.
"Thanks Knuckles. That was really sweet of you to say.
"Um, yeah...sure thing." he said, blushing and scratching the back of his neck.
They looked into each other's eyes as they continued to hold hands. They did this for many seconds, until they realized just how much time had passed. They quickly released hands and looked away, blushing.
"Anyway...um…" said Rouge, awkwardly rubbing her arm up and down.
"Hehe...yeah…" said Knuckles, scratching the back of his neck.
They looked at each other again and chuckled. Rouge then sighed.
"When you're used to being on your own, old habits die hard. I'm so used to being selfish and looking out for myself. I have to stop doing that. You're right; I'm not alone and I have friends in my life that I can trust."
"That's right." said Knuckles.
Just then, the jukebox began to play a romantic jazz song. That gave Rouge an idea.
"Say, we should go dancing!" she said. "But not here though; I want us to really dance it up! We should go to a club!
"Oh hell no. I don't dance. And I sure as hell don't go clubbing."
"Come on Knux! It'll be fun! I promise!"
"No!"
Rouge chuckled and grabbed his arm.
"Okay, how about this? We've done everything I've wanted on this date, which was part of the bet. But what if I switch things up?"
"What do you mean?" inquired the echidna.
"Go dancing with me and after that…we'll do whatever you want for the rest of the date!"
"Really?"
"Yes, really! Whatever you wanna do, where ever you wanna go…we'll do it! Even if it's something lame which I'm sure it will be." she teased him.
"Hey, picking berries in the forest is not lame!" said Knuckles, chuckling.
The echidna sighed in defeat.
"Fine Rouge. We can go dancing." He said, rolling his eyes.
"Yay!" she said, giving him a hug. Knuckles blushed.
"Come on, let's go!" said Rouge, releasing the hug. "Oh wait, I have to pay first. Hey bartender! I'm ready to pay now!"
The bartender went up to them and smiled.
"Ah, don't worry about it. It's on the house." she said.
"Really? Wow, thanks!" said Rouge, smiling.
"No worries. You two make such a cute couple. And your boy here is a keeper."
"Um, we're um...not a couple." said Rouge, madly blushing.
"Yeah, um...we're just um...friends." said Knuckles, also blushing.
"Riiiiight…" said the bartender, smirking at them.
"We're not!" said Knuckles.
"Okay, if you say so." said the bartender, chuckling. "You two have a good night!"
"Thanks, you too!" said Rouge, who grabbed Knuckles' arm and they walked out.
"Have fun lovebirds." said the bartender chuckling to herself.
