Chapter 17

"You're better!" Lilly jumped into Knuckles lap. His eyes bulged as Lilly jumped onto him causing his soreness to flare.

"Easy Lilly." Rouge smiled. "He's better but he's still a bit sore."

"A bit?" Knuckles looked up at her from the corner of his eye.

"Well you are and don't try denying it." She said sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I'm glad we are together again." Lilly smiled as she took Knuckles hand and then Rouges. "I'm sure this is the way it should be."

"You're a smart kid." Knuckles smiled rubbing the top of her head.

"Does this mean you aren't going to leave us? Even after she's all better?" Lilly looked up at him.

"I won't leave either of you no matter what." He took Lilly into an embrace. He looked up at Rouge. "I promise."

"I knew it all along." Lilly sat back as she beamed with a smile.

"Knew what?" Rouge blinked.

"That he really liked you." Knuckles fur bristled. "He wouldn't admit it before, but he finally did."

"What?" Rouge smiled rather interested.

"I asked him a lot of times whether he liked you or not." She looked at Knuckles. "He always said no, but I was sure he wanted to say yes. Especially after all the nice things he did for you. He diffidently liked you. He just wouldn't admit." she giggled.

"Oh is that right Knuckles?" Rouge smiled.

"So what if it is?" Knuckles had his eyes closed and his arms folded.

"You always were one for denial." Rouge leaned in and kissed his cheek. Knuckles blushed but didn't say anything and kept his cool prospective.

"You have to take her on a date now." Lilly took Knuckles hand.

"Date?" Knuckles blinked.

"Don't you want too?" Lilly asked.

"Well...I um..." Knuckles was truly at a loss for words.

"Yeah Knuckles don't you wanna take me on date?" Rouge leaned in her eyes sparkling.

"Uhg..." He looked to the side. "Looks like I'm out numbered." He huffed.

"Yeah!" Lilly cheered. "Come on Come on!" She jumped down and pulled Rouge's wrist. "We have to go get you ready!" She said excitedly.

"See you tonight." Rouge winked at Knuckles.

"Yeah, yeah." Knuckles waved them off. "What have I gotten myself into?" He sighed as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Do you think this is too much?" Rouge was looking at herself in a mirror. She had on a cute red cocktail dress.

"It's perfect." Lilly smiled as she sat on the edge of the bed. "He's gonna love it."

"Well you picked it out so you know best." Rouge smiled turning to her. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

"No, no." Lilly shook her head. "You have to be alone. I'll be okay in the kid lounge." She smiled. "You forget I use to be alone all the time before you and dad- I mean Knuckles." She smiled.

Rouge looked at her for a moment. Had that really been a slip of the tongue or an actual wish? She leaned down to her. "You are such a good girl, and smarter than most kids your age."

"I learn fast is all." She hugged Rouge.

"Alright well, we'll be back in a bit. Don't stay up to late." Rouge walked out into the hall where she was suppose to meet Knuckles at the elevator. Knuckles was standing in front of the elevator waiting for Rouge. He leaned against the wall. "Knuckles." He turned to see Rouge approaching. He almost fell over when he saw her. Rouge blushed a bit. "Lilly picked it out. It's not too much is it?"

"She has good taste." He said as he looked at her. "What did you have in mind for this date?" He asked as he pressed the button for the elevator.

"Let's go to dinner." She took his arm.

"That seems simple enough." He lead her onto the elevator.

"What do you like to eat?" She asked as she pressed the bottom floor.

"I'm not picky. What about you?"

"Let's do something fancy. I'm curious to see how you'll fare in that atmosphere." She smiled.

"Picking on me again are you?" Knuckles scoffed.

"You pick on me all the time. I'm getting my fare share now." She said as she lead him down the street.

"Fine, have it your way." He said rolling his eyes as he followed Rouge through the city to a high class restaurant. It was going to be an interesting evening. Rouge was right when she thought it would be funny to see how Knuckles would do in such a place.

"Which one do I use?" Knuckles growled slightly as he looked at all the forks on the table.

"This one is the salad fork." Rouge smiled picking up the correct fork. "And this," she held up a small fork, "is the shrimp fork." She moved a little closer to him in the booth. "And that one is your dinner fork." She giggled at his expression.

"What's wrong with just using one fork for all those things?" Knuckles asked as he looked from the forks to her.

"It's just not done in proper society." Rouge said smirking.

"Whatever." Knuckles began eating with the fork that Rouge had told him to use. Knuckles had followed Rouge's instruction through each course. He was finishing the main course when he looked at the waiter. He had noticed how their server had been eyeing Rouge all evening. Finally Knuckles couldn't stand his jealousy. He put his arm around Rouge and pulled her right to his side. Rouge blushed and smiled as she realized what he was up too. Knuckles let a low growl out as he glared at the waiter.

"I think you scared him off Knuckles." Rouge nuzzled his cheek. "Come on." She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "It's getting late." Knuckles blushed at Rouge's closeness as they walked down the street. He turned even redder when he felt her hand run up his back. "I'm getting to see how muscular you are first hand." She leaned in so her lips were against his ear. "I really like it."

"Uh Rouge." He blushed leaning away slightly as they entered the building.

"What is it?" She blinked. "Did I not dress up enough?" She asked looking down at her outfit.

"Rouge," he took her hand and kissed it, "you are beautiful."

"Since when are you so romantic?" She blushed.

"since you inspired me to be." He pulled her to him. "Not to mention it's a good taste of your own medicine." He smiled.

"Oh so it's gonna be like that." She pushed him into the elevator once the doors opened. She fell back against the wall. "Knuckles." She pressed her lips to his ear as she pulled him against her. "kiss me." She whispered as she ran her fingers down his face. Knuckles blushed as he leaned in and kissed her gently. Rouge felt hot when they parted slightly, she was relieved when he leaned back in to kiss her again. "Um..." Rouge blushed as she felt her knee raise to press against Knuckles side. Knuckles parted again breathing a little heavier. He pressed his face into the curve of Rouge's neck kissing once again. "Ah, Knuckles..." She sighed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her slightly so she was sitting on his knee as he pressed her against the wall. "K-Knuckles..." She sighed again. Suddenly Knuckles stopped. He gently put her back on her feet and softly released her from his grip. He turned to the door. "Knuckles?"

"You have to stop teasing me like this." He said as the doors opened. "It's hard to resist my temptations when you taunt me." He looked over his shoulder. His face was a soft red. "If we're not careful next time I might not be able to stop myself."

Rouge blushed bright red when she realized what he meant. She felt warmth surge into her heart. He may be ill tempered and he wasn't exactly sweet, but she knew that he loved her. Only love would stand to such consideration for her. "Knuckles," She took his hand as she walked by his side again. "I love you."

He watched her lean against his shoulder. "I love you too Rouge." He kissed her forehead.

"And by the way," She smiled. "Next time don't stop yourself." She kissed his cheek.

Knuckles face matched his fur as he looked down at her. "R-Rouge!"