Mother Knows Best

Chapter Eight

Rouge sat on the sofa watching a re-runs of the same show over and over again. She hated the feeling of not having anything to do. She was alone, she couldn't exactly help Tails with fixing Omega as she didn't know anything about car mechanics – let alone robot mechanics. She couldn't exactly go to Shadow as he is spending his last little moments with Kiera.

She felt so angry and jealous towards her. She finally knew why – Tails had to spell it out for her – she was in love with her co-worker and partner: Shadow. Rouge had no idea how that happened, but she figured it was to do with having spent so much time with him and finally her friendship feelings grew gradually into romantic, relationship type feelings.

She wondered if Tails' could see what she was feeling for Shadow, could everyone else? Even Shadow? If he did know, he didn't do anything about it – which made her heart break. Then, she also remembered that men are clueless to women's feelings so that brightened her spirits, somewhat.

Rouge also contemplated if Kiera knew she had feelings for Shadow, could she just tell him and have Shadow break her heart and push her away? Once Rouge thought of that, the anger and spite of Kiera returned as rude and crude names to call Kiera formed in her mind. That made her a little happy, and relieved her anger, a little bit.

A little bit.

Rouge glanced at the clock. It was 5:30pm. She frowned at the clock then turned her head back to the television. Where the hell is Shadow? He left at 9:35am. I mean, Kiera couldn't be that interesting to talk to.

Rouge scoffed. "Something wrong?" Rouge twirled her head around and saw Tails wiping his hands with a cloth.

She shook her head. "No."

Tails shrugged. "Alright then." He said.

Rouge sighed. "What does he see in her?"

Tails paused, and played with it a little. "Who?"

Rouge closed her eyes, not liking how she has to repeat herself. "What does Shadow see in Kiera?" She looked at him, and all he could see is a girl with hope for the guy she loves to love her back.

Tails felt sorry for her. "I don't think I should answer that. You'll just get more upset and cry, and well, I can't handle crying women." Rouge rolled her eyes, and smiled a little bit. Tails was glad she could find humour in his little faults, he didn't exactly mind. Tails moved over to Rouge and sat beside her.

He looked at her. "I'm sorry." Rouge was surprised he was apologizing to her.

"What?" He glanced at his feet then back at her.

"I'm sorry you're hurt. I know that we have had a past with its ups and downs but at least we all there for each other when we need each other the most." Rouge smiled at the sentiment, and hearing him say that made her feel much better than she was.

"Thank you, Tails." He nodded.

"You know, you're a lot smarter than the people think you are." He laughed.

"Yeah, I know."

Tails smiled at her. "Well, Omega is fixed. You're reading to go back home to Mobius."

Meanwhile…

Shadow and Kiera talked and walked all about the town, and Kiera told him all about its history. He wasn't that interested but he loved the sound of her voice, so he listened to every word she spoke about the town's antiquity. They had dinner at a nearby restaurant called En Mis Venas – which Kiera told him meant 'in my veins' in Spanish.

He thought it was romantic, as he thought that Kiera was somehow in his veins. He couldn't get enough of her. With every fact and figure he learnt about Kiera, he couldn't help but fall under her spell. He had to admit she was intoxicating.

Kiera had locked they arms together as they walked through a clearing the nearest park. The lights that were hung up in the trees made it seem they were in the presence of fireflies. It was nothing but romantic and starry-eyed to them both.

They walked in sync together. Kiera looked up at him, and he met her gaze and gave her a smile. "It's nice to forget the world for a day." Kiera muttered loud enough for Shadow to hear it.

He nodded. "Yeah, it is. I'm glad I spent it with you." Kiera couldn't help but blush at that. He has been nothing but a gentlemen and continuing to flatter her throughout the day.

The two of them stopped their walking in the middle of the unoccupied park. Shadow looked down at her – as she was slightly short than him – and she looked up at him. "I had fun."

Kiera commented. He smiled at her. "I did, too." Kiera sighed.

Shadow looked at her concerned. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"You're going to leave very soon, and I have found myself not wanting you to." Shadow nodded, he was in on the same problem. He didn't want to leave her side, either. He opened his mouth to respond but was pulled into a passionate and warm kiss by Kiera. He pulled her into a soft and comforting embrace, kissing her back with the same amount of passion.

They both felt those firework emotions every time they either kissed or touched each other. It was addictive to them. Kiera melted into arms, and snaked her arms around his neck and pushing herself up against him. He placed his right hand on her cheek and the other at her waist, both rubbing and stroking her softly. She enjoyed the affection. Kiera pulled herself away and out of their kiss, having the pathetic excuse for needing oxygen.

Shadow smiled warmly at her as she caressed her cheek softly. "What was that for, love?" Kiera smiled to herself as she recalled the memory when he accidently called her that, but now it is different as he purposely called her 'love' and truly meaning it.

"I needed it." Figuring it will be our last kiss, she thought. He nodded, and just stared at her. Kiera became confused as he hadn't said anything and was just staring lovingly at her.

"What?" She questioned.

Shadow chuckled. "You're beautiful. I couldn't help myself but just stare at you." He murmured as he leaned in for another one of her intoxicating and addictive kisses.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Shadow dead panned, and groaned in annoyance at the horrid ring tone. "Forgive me, Kiera."

She nodded, and stepped back and out of his embrace as he answered his phone call. After pressing 'accept' for the phone call, and recognising it was Rouge calling, he pressed the phone to his ear.

"What is it?" He tried to sound not annoyed that he was interrupted – but he failed.

"Sorry, grouchy, but Tails has patched up Omega and he is ready to go. Whenever you're ready, sour puss." Shadow rolled his eyes, and ending the call. He turned to Kiera, who was waiting patiently a few steps away from him.

Kiera looked up at him. "Everything okay?" He nodded.

"It seems that it's time to start heading back." Kiera knew what that meant, he was leaving. It was fun while it lasted, she thought and nodded.

Shadow interlocked their arms once again, and they walked slowly out of the park and through the town to Wyngate Road. They walked in silence the first five minutes of their trek back.

Shadow broke it. "You have my number, right?" He asked, glancing at her. She nodded, with her hands in her pockets.

"Yeah, I do." He sighed, he imagined he felt the same way as she did. Unhappy and disappointed. They walked the rest of the way in a soft silence, as only the whistle of the wind and the chirps of the crickets was the only sound that occupied their ears.

It was pleasant, but they wanted something more.

Shadow saw Rouge waiting with Omega at the bottom of Wyngate Road at the car. His stomach dropped, he knew in the next five minutes that he would be losing Kiera. "I don't want to lose you." He suddenly said.

Kiera looked at him. "You're not losing me, Shadow. You'll always have me, in your heart." She whispered with sincerity and earnestness. He believed that because he knew once he got in that car he would only think about nothing but her. Kiera was truly in his veins.

Kiera removed her arm from his as they both neared his car. She didn't want to lose that warmth or him, but as she said, she was in his heart and it was the same for her. She would never lose him. Shadow was in her veins. She stepped aside from Shadow and went to Tails, holding onto her shopping bag from the shopping centre. "You okay?" Tails whispered quietly into her ear.

"I'll be fine." Kiera replied, uncertain of herself. He nodded, believing her for now.

Shadow turned to Tails, and shook his hand. "Thank you for this, Tails." He nodded, shaking his hand in return before releasing himself from it.

"You said you owe me a favour if I helped you." Shadow nodded, and Rouge listened in.

"What are your terms, Tails?" She asked him.

Tails glanced at Kiera for a moment, she nodded, and he returned his gaze toward them. "Please, don't tell anyone where I live know. I moved here to get away from the adventures and danger. I hope you can understand that." Shadow nodded.

"I won't mention that to anyone, Tails. I give you my word." Rouge nodded along with Shadow, silently promising the same thing.

"Have a safe journey back to Mobius, Shadow. You as well, Rouge." Tails said.

Shadow pivoted to Rouge and tossed her the keys. "You can drive."

She widened her eyes. "Are you serious? You never let me drive!" She exclaimed.

"I'm feeling generous." He smiled and got into the passenger seat. She grinned happily and skipped giddily into the driver's seat.

As Rouge revved the engine, Shadow looked back at Tails and Kiera – mainly Kiera. He gave her a small smile, but she knew what was behind it. Regret and unhappiness. Shadow regretted leaving, and was entire unhappy while watching Kiera fade away as Rouge drove down Wyngate Road and out of Yukon River. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Reliving the fond moments he had and shared with Kiera. He was right where she was always on his mind.

I will see you again, Kiera.

I promise you.