A/N: Here's the next chapter hope you like it. R&R. :) BTW: I might be taking a break from this story and working on Moving on II: s.o.t.b . I've been neglecting that story for a while because I had such a burn inspiration for this one. But I hope you are enjoying both stories anyhow. Don't forget to review. :)

Chapter 16

Knuckles violet eyes gradually opened. He was woken by the sound of a continuous beep. He suddenly realized how weak he was. He could barely move at all. He shifted his eyes around slowly. He realized he was laying in a hospital room, and the beeping sound that had woken him was that of the heart monitor that was hooked up to his chest. He looked down at his side and saw Rouge resting her head atop her folded arms. Had she been like this all night? Had she never left his side? He felt a warm sensation as he looked at her. He realized that her fur was once again pure white. He had never realized how much he liked seeing her as her natural self. The lies would have to stop. He'd almost died saving her. He couldn't keep telling himself that he didn't care about her or that it was only for Lilly's sake.

Rouge stirred slightly. She yawned and sat up. In a heartbeat she realized he was awake. "Knuckles..."

"Whit." He said with his eyes closed.

"Huh?" She blinked.

"You asked me if I liked you better in white fur or brown. I like it white." He blushed.

"Knuckles." She smiled placing her hand on top of his. "You saved my life."

"It's no big deal." He said as he opened his eyes slightly and looked in her direction.

"You're being abnormally modest." She leaned closer in.

"You're right." he said in a soft voice. "You're lucky I was there." He turned to look at her fully. "You obviously can't be left alone period. So I'm staying with you no matter what." he said firmly.

"You mean always?" She smiled.

"That's right. I'm staying by your side and protecting you forever." He said trying to sound noble, but in truth he was exhausted and tired.

She sighed, "Knuckles..."

"Sing." He demanded calmly as he closed his eyes.

"Sing?" She was confused again.

"That song you sing when Lilly can't sleep. Sing it to me." He said turning his hand over so it was able to grip hers.

"Okay." She blushed.

"You are my sunshine.

My only sunshine.

you make me happy,

when skies are gray.

Rouge leaned in and rested her face against his. A single tear ran down her cheek and fell against his face.

You'll never know dear,

how much I love you.

Knuckles whipped away her tear trail with his free hand, before dozing off into sleep.

Please don't take my sunshine away."

A few hours had past and Rouge had watched Knuckles sleep soundly. She hadn't released his hand once. She finally decided she need to get up. She was beginning to lift from her seat when Knuckles grasp tightened. She looked down to see him looking up at her. "Who said you could leave?" He asked.

She smiled sitting back down. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was." He looked up at her. "Rouge, tell me what happened after...after I blanked out." He said wondering what their current conditions were.

Rouge took a short breath as she softened her grip on his hand. "After the mecha fell, the authorities started entering the battle area. Some patrolmen found us. Lilly was with them." She moved a little closer to him. "She told them that her parents were in the immediate area. After that the paramedics came and got us. They brought us here and you were in critical condition for what felt like days, but you stabilized and now they say you'll recover without any problems. They said you were extremely lucky." She smiled softly. "Lilly is downstairs playing in the children's room."

"Rouge." He looked at her seriously now. "Tell me what's going on."

Rouge blinked. "I just did."

"Why did you leave Lilly? And why was that mecha after you?" He suddenly pulled Rouge close to him so she had to look him in the eye. "Tell me what's going on Rouge."

She sighed and nodded. "Fine, but I doubt you'll believe me." She thought for a moment trying to decide where to start. "It was after me because of this." She held up the Tokda Stone.

Knuckles blinked looking at it. "It was after a jewel?"

"This isn't just any stone. It is an ancient gem that posses great power. It's called the Tokda Stone." She explained.

"Why do you have it?" He sat up a bit as he listened.

"Because I am its guardian." She said plainly.

"You? A guardian?" Knuckles almost didn't believe her at first.

"I know it sounds strange, but it's true. Look I can prove it." She held up the stone for him to see. "Do you see the engraved symbol on it?" She asked.

"Yes." He nodded looking at the small stone.

"Now look here." She pulled down the sleeve of her glove to reveal the matching symbol on her arm. The two identical symbols glowed slightly.

"It's the same." He looked from her arm to the jewel and back. "You really are the guardian."

"I have to keep it safe from evil hands. I don't know what they want with it, but it can't be good. They probably want to use it as a weapon." She said worriedly. "But it's too much power for people like them. They would end up destroying more than they could ever imagine. I saw the power of the stone myself. I thought I would perish from the mere backflow of its power." She looked down slightly. "I used it to stop the mecha from killing us."

Knuckles put his hand a top hers. "It's alright. I understand what it's like to guard something so scared. I promise I will do all that is in my power to help."

"Knuckles..." She met his gaze. "How did it happen..."

He blinked. "What?"

"Us." She blushed.

"Well," his eyes looked up in thought. "I'm not sure. I can't pin point the very minute that I well...you know..."

"Started liking me?" She smiled.

"Yeah." He blushed.

"You're so cute when you do that." Her eyes sparkled a bit.

"H-Hey I," he realized now that he had admitted his feelings he couldn't deny anything anymore. "I can't help it." He blushed a bit harder.

"So you really like me." She leaned into his shoulder.

"How many times do you want me to admit it?" He said grumpily.

"More than I can count." She said kissing his cheek.

"Well that's not gonna happen." He said crossing his arms. "You think just cause I like you I'll do anything you ask." He said roughly.

"I like you too." She leaned in front of him and kissed him. Knuckles eyes widened and his cheeks turned redder than his fur. She parted and smiled. "I like you a lot." She nuzzled.

"Um..." He grumbled as he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her to his side.

Rouge smiled kissing up his neck. "Come on, say it again." She kissed. His eyes shifted to the left trying to at least appear to be ignoring her. "Say it." She repeated as she placed her hand on his knee. He blinked looking down slightly when he realized she was moving her hand up his leg. "Say it." She said again moving closer and closer.

"AH! Alright, alright!" He said grabbing her hand from between his legs. "I like you!" He blushed furiously. "Happy now!"

She just smiled. "Again."

"Rouge!"

"Sir we are sorry to report that the gem was lost." A man stood before Daniels desk.

"The mecha?" Daniels sat in a black chair. The back of it to the man.

"Sustained maximum damage. Repair seems unlikely."

"And John?"

"Dead." The man lowered his head.

"A regrettable loss." Daniels seem to speak as if he didn't care at all. "What about the target?"

"Sources indicate that she is located at the local hospital. She has not yet left the city sir."

"Ah we will kill two birds with one stone. If the gem is missing, then there is only one person who could have it." He turned to face the man. "And we will find them both."