Here's the next chapter guys. Sorry I know I haven't been writing, but I've been really busy and just a note for those who think the only reason I don't write is because I don't get enough reviews; you should read my profile. Then you might know that I will not write when my inspiration to do so is gone. I'd rather wait for it to come back than force myself to write and end up with a crapy ending story. So sorry if you have to wait, but I refuse to write crapy stories, I've learned in the past that a well written story is worth waiting for.

And a big thank you to those of you who are able to wait for me to get my mojo back. I hope you appreciate my better written stories as much as I appreciate your patients with me.

Chapter 18

Knuckles stretched as he walked out onto a terrace. He, Rouge, and Lilly had moved out of the hospital and were staying for a few more days in a small bed and breakfast. He smiled as he looked back to see Rouge still sleeping close to the spot where he been laying a few moments ago and on her other side was Lilly snuggled up to her. He had finally found something that he could truly care about. His whole life had been about a stone, but now it was something entirely different. He yawned as he watched Lilly climb out of bed and close the door to the bathroom as she entered. He saw Rouge roll over and stretch but she didn't open her eyes. He climbed back into the bed taking Lilly's absence as an opportunity. "Morning," He said taking her into his arms and kissing her gently.

Rouge blushed as her eyes opened. "I wonder if I'm ever going to get use to this." She smiled.

"Use to what?" He said as he kissed her neck.

"Not waking up alone." She smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.

Lilly opened the door very slowly and saw Knuckles and Rouge embracing. She smiled and then very quietly slipped out the front door to the room. She skipped happily downstairs where the breakfast was being severed. "Yum!" She licked her lips as she saw a man bring out some fresh hot pancakes. She got in line to get some. While she was waiting she looked around. She thought the hat on one of the ladies looked rather silly and the mustache on her gentlemen friend was funny too. She turned to another table in a corner and she felt a chill ran up her spin. Two men in black uniforms were sitting there. She recognized them right away. They were two of the same men from the attack back in station square. "Oh no..." She was sure they had seen her. They stood up. Lilly panicked and quickly turned and ran out of the room. She was about to make it up the stairs when she was jerked back by her arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" One of the men smiled.

"Let me go!"

"I don't think so." he picked her up.

"Yeah you'll make a great bargaining chip for the stone." The other grinned as he took her under his arm and began to walk off with her.

Rouge's ear twitched and she sat bolt upright in the bed. "Lilly," she didn't know what was happening, but she felt a sharp pain in her heart. She knew something was wrong. She jumped out of the bed and ran for the door.

"Rouge, what is it? What's wrong?" Knuckles followed her.

"Lilly, where's Lilly!" She said as she ran downstairs. They reached the lower level, but to no avail. Lilly was gone.

"You let me go!" Lilly struggled against the man holding her off the floor.

"Shut up you little brat." He growled.

She was being toted under the man's arm. She was close enough and grab hold of his leg. "ERR!" She bit him as hard as she could.

"OWW!" He yelled in pain. He threw her down and prepared to strike her. "Why you little-"

"Now now," A voice spoke overhead. Daniels was standing on a catwalk. "Are you honestly letting a little girl get to you so easily, and besides she is our guest." He grinned.

"I'm not scared of you!" Lilly stood up with angry eyes.

"Oh and why not?" Daniels asked.

"My mommy and daddy told me never to be afraid of people like you!" She growled.

"Well now that I have you, your mommy and daddy will be very afraid of me." He turned. "Take her to a cell."

She continued to struggled as the two men pulled her away. "They will come for me!" She growled looking up at him.

Daniels grinned. "That's what I'm counting on."