After finally coming to some form of agreement, with Espio clearly still feeling very cheated out of the entire deal, the group agreed to break for the day and start fresh the next morning. It had felt like years since he had last slept yet in reality it was only five in the afternoon. So with nothing else to do and far too much to think about, Espio decided to take a walk to town.

Sitting at his desk and fussing over some notes from Amy, Vector was content to stay behind and give the chameleon some deserved alone time. It was apparent that there would be a serious lack of that in the days to come, and Vector thought himself as a fair and good friend to his crew. Allowing Espio some time to relax might even make the next day easier for him, when the real training began.

"Hey Vector?"

The croc in question looked up as Charmy flew in. "What's up?"

"Do you really think this is gonna work? Cause I mean, a lot of your plans stink." the bee grinned cheekily despite the underlying concerns in his voice. "What if we end up homeless?"

"We won't. And you shut yer trap about my plans! In case yer forgettin', this head of mine has saved our hides plenty a' times in the past!" Tapping a finger against his snout in thought, Vector looked back to his notes. "I got this."

…

The next morning came far too early for the ladies of the group it seemed. Amy clutched a coffee mug for dear life as she ran a hand through a few stray quills to keep them in place, heading up the path to the agency. Cream followed close behind with Cheese, her mother having given her permission to tag along alone so she could stay home and do some chores.

Finally making it to the front door, Amy hardly had time to knock before Charmy slammed the door open.

"Hey guys! Come on in!"

The duo walked into the agency, bleary eyed and feeling out of place in the lively little living room. Taking a seat on the couch, Amy pulled her notebook from her floral printed book bag as Vector walked in and grinned.

"Hey there!"

"...Vector, was six-thirty in the morning really necessary? A lady needs her beauty sleep after all." she gave him an irritable look as the croc crossed his arms.

"When the Chaotix start a mission they get it done. An' they get it done quick, no matter how early! Plus...the electricity is gonna get shut off next week so we're on a time limit here. Hold on while I go get Espio." He left, pushing past some old filing cabinets and thumping his way upstairs. Amy sighed as she heard him leave, looking to Cream.

"Honestly I don't know what they would do without us. If it weren't for my extreme generosity and feminine prowess this place would be doomed."

Cream smiled and kicked her feet lightly as they hung over the edge of the couch. "It's really nice that you want to help them, and this could be lots of fun too." Their conversation was cut short by a loud crash as Vector tripped over a stray crayon and fell down the stairs, cursing as Charmy laughed and flew over to scope out the damage.

"Wow Vector you sure know how to make an entrance!"

"Why you little-! Come here!" He stood and reached for the bee as Amy raised an impatient eyebrow.

"Ahem! Where's Espio?"

"Here."

With a yelp, Amy whirled around to find him standing beside her patiently, adjusting one of his studded wrist bands and studying her. She paused to ensure that her heart was still functioning appropriately before taking a deep breath.

"I..forgot that you were so good at being ignored. Uhm...no offense."

Espio merely nodded, having been fully aware of this particular skill for many years. "Shall we begin?"

"Right! Cream is going to be our assistant today. Let's head outside and get started, it's way too stuffy in here for lessons." Leading everyone out the back door, she brought the group to a small half circle of folding chairs, where everyone sat quietly with notebooks in hand.

"For the next couple of days we're going to concentrate on teaching you the right attitude to fit the bad boy character we're looking for. Once you have this down everything else will come almost naturally, so it's really important to pay attention." Amy had Cream stand in the center of the group. "Now, your first scenario, imagine Cream is a client who has just had her favorite bracelet stolen."

Cream gasped, tears coming to her eyes. "That's horrible!"

"It's okay Cream, it's only a game." Amy patted her friend's shoulder before continuing. "So she has lost her absolute favorite thing in the whole world and she needs you, the dark mysterious bad boy to help her with your edgy and cool attitude. I want you to show us what you would do if she came in." Amy stepped out of the way to let the scene unfurl, Espio shifting awkwardly as Cream sniffled and walked closer. "E-excuse me sir! But my very special bracelet has just been stolen! Can you help me?"

"Uh..yes...of course..." Espio glanced to the group slightly from the corner of his eye. "What did the uhm...suspect look like?"

"Wrong!" Amy's voice caused him to jump as she stepped into the scene. "What was that?"

Espio glanced to his teammates nervously. "I was...accepting a case..?"

"You don't just accept the case. The key to being a bad boy is to act like the whole situation doesn't bother you, like you're too cool to help."

Vector raised an eyebrow. "Now hold on lady, we're tryin' ta make money here! How does this start our business back up?"

Amy sighed, crossing her arms. "Do you want my help? If you do then you need to trust me."

There was a pause before Vector sat back, gesturing for them to continue.

Espio looked between the two as Amy reset the scene, questioning yet again his purpose in life.

Cream replayed her part, sounding as sad and adorable as the first run through. For Espio's part, he hesitated before crossing his arms.

"Uh...I can't help..." He looked to Amy, who was nodding to him encouragingly. "because I am...far too busy to help with your bracelet." He looked to Amy one last time. "And far too...cool." He grimaced at the last word, feeling like an idiot.

Cream paused for a second before starting to cry. "Why are you so mean Mister Espio?!"

He jumped back as she kicked him hard in the shin and ran inside, Cheese following close behind. He stood dumbfounded as Amy walked over.

"Perfect! A little shaky but confidence comes from continuation."

"Perfect? I just made Cream cry...how does any of this make any sense?" Espio sighed, at which point Amy looked to the house.

"All part of the act of course. Which leads into our next step to show your secret soft side that you keep well masked behind your hard and angsty exterior. You'll accept that case and make her feel amazing."

"But what is the point? I already tried to accept the case and you told me to tell her no." Espio frowned in frustration as she pulled him along towards the house.

"That's the point. You may break their hearts but your harsh side is merely a ploy to hide the insecure and gentle man hiding within. This is the true key to a bad boy!" She exclaimed passionately, Vector writing frantically in the background to keep up with her.

This is so stupid, am I the only person on this planet who makes sense anymore?! "Amy, I don't think-"

"-Come on, you still haven't made up with Cream yet." And he was pulled inside by the pink hedgehog's strong grip, unable yet again to speak his opinions. Walking into the kitchen, they found the young rabbit sitting with her back to them in one of the rickety old chairs, arms crossed firmly. Despite knowing that it was an act, and that he had been told to act the way he did, Espio felt guilt rise up in his stomach. He wasn't a cruel chameleon, even if he often came across as cold and indifferent to people. He simply expressed himself differently than others, preferring logical solutions to emotional ones. That being said here he was, pretending to be this deep and complex bad boy with far too many emotional problems to remember. What a mess...

"Okay, go to her. Tell her you'll take the case. But don't apologize, a bad boy never apologizes."

"This is beginning to sound more like an immature child than an actual personality type." Espio sighed as he crossed his arms, walking over to face the sad little bunny.

"...I'll...take the case now."

Cream's eyes immediately lit up. "Really? You will?"

"Mmhm."

"What made you change your mind?"

"...a pink hedgehog with a hammer-" Espio dodged quickly as he was nearly smacked with said weapon. "I-I mean...I...have a uhm...secret soft spot for bracelets..."

"Oh wow!" Cream's eyes lit up. "How mysterious!"

"...I suppose..."

Amy jumped in at the last second. "Cream, your acting was perfect. Again, Espio we need to work on all of those awkward pauses but those issues can be fixed easily with practice. What matters is that the essence is there, and soon you'll be able to intrigue everyone to come to you for help."

"And we'll be rollin' in dough!" Vector hollered as Charmy cheered alongside him.

I wonder how long I can put up with this before it actually kills me. Espio wondered.

And that's it for now! I appreciate whatever support you can throw at me! Literally, just throw it right at me, I can take it! Whatever the case I hope you enjoyed and if you didn't let me know anyways. It makes it a lot easier to know that people actually want to read what I'm writing ya know? I'll keep writing either way though so it's really your choice. Have a good day!