Mother Knows Best

Chapter Eleven

Of course, Kiera had anticipated that Rouge would also be in Mobius, but she hoped that she would not run into her at all throughout the weekend that she was staying. Kiera still had to tell Shadow that. Well, that hope of not running into her went out the window, she thought.

"I thought I heard the last of you when we left Yukon River for good." Great, the snarky commentary and comments are back, oh the joy, Kiera thought to herself.

"What happened to fresh start that you practically begged me for?" Kiera retorted with a sly smirk on her face. Shadow released his arms from around Kiera and turned to Rouge.

"Leave."

Rouge looked at Shadow wide-eyed. She never thought that he would just kick her out like that. "What?"

Shadow just stared at her. "Leave." He repeated, taking a step closer to her – which only led her to be intimidated by him.

"I won't let you taunt and insult my girlfriend, Rouge. Leave." Rouge's heart dropped and shattered into more than an million pieces as she heard Shadow call Kiera his 'girlfriend'. Kiera also had a shocked reaction, they hadn't talked about what they were to each other. As Rouge's heart was crushed by Shadow's words, Kiera's heart jumped a beat as she didn't expect him to actually say anything like that – especially to Rouge, one of his long-time friends.

Rouge's crystal blue eyes began to sting and water and she clicked her heels and high-tailed herself out of Shadow's apartment, slamming the door behind her and leaving Shadow and Kiera alone. Kiera's ears drooped as she felt horrible for breaking Rouge's heart for being involved with Shadow but she couldn't blame her heart for choosing him.

Shadow turned himself to Kiera and saw her sad expression, he cupped her cheeks – which caused her to look up at him with a quizzical expression. He caressed her cheek softly with his thumb. "I won't let anyone insult you or hurt you, Kiera, not even Rouge." He planted a light kiss to her forehead.

Kiera formed a small smile from his sweet affection, and then remembered what she wanted to ask him. "So…girlfriend?" She probed, raising an eyebrow at him.

Shadow's cheeks heated up as he also remembered that he called Kiera his girlfriend to Rouge. "Oh, um, uh, do you not want to be…my girlfriend?" He tested, looking at her slightly worried if she would say 'no' to him.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be, Shadow." Kiera whispered softly, and he grinned and pulled her into his arms. Kiera snaked her arms around him, embracing him softly. She finally had the realization that she was definitely in a relationship with Shadow, and that he is her boyfriend.

Shadow pulled away from their loving embrace and looked at her. "Are you hungry? Would you like anything?" Kiera nodded.

"Yeah, I am hungry. I haven't eaten in a good few hours." Shadow nodded, but had a slight worry for her.

"How about we go out for lunch? There is a small café near Station Square Library. I always go there on my break." She smiled and nodded.

"That sounds lovely." He returned the smile.

Shadow took Kiera's hand and left his apartment while taking his wallet and keys. They strolled down the apartment buildings stairs, and out into the streets of Mobius. "Have you been to Mobius before?" Shadow asked her, glancing at her as they walked down a street in Station Square.

Kiera shook her head. "I haven't. This city, it's all very new to me." She commented.

"I'll show you around tomorrow. That is if you're staying for the night?" He probed softly.

"I am. I'm going to find a hotel later tonight." Kiera replied but Shadow shook his head. "No, you're staying with me. No 'ifs', 'ands' or 'buts', Kiera."

Kiera smiled at the gesture. "Yes, sir." She quipped with a grin on her face. He rolled his eyes playfully, he had to admit that he had truly missed her and her silly and crude humour that came with her personality.

"I hope Sonic didn't annoy you too much." Shadow said.

Kiera was confused for a moment, then soon realized what he was going on about. "He didn't annoy me, we got on quite well."

Shadow raised an eyebrow at that. "Sonic getting along with someone other than Tails and Knuckles? That's a new one." Kiera laughed slightly.

"Well, I guess, I'm just special." Shadow smiled at her expression, she's so happy with me…how did I get so lucky to have her? He thought happily.

"Yeah, you're incredibly special." He countered.

Kiera gasped then hit him playfully. "Rude."

Shadow smirked. "You like it."

Kiera smirked back. "Indeed, I do." They both laughed whilst walking to the café. They soon arrived at the small café, this is cute, Kiera thought while looking around the shop. Shadow turned to face Kiera.

"What would you like to drink?" Shadow asked her softly.

"Do you have to ask?" Kiera gave him a smirk.

He rolled his eyes, chuckling a little. "Very well, what would you like to eat?" Kiera's eyes caught a small menu on the table beside her, she found that the café sold sandwiches and baguettes.

"I'll have a BLT, please?" She asked sweetly, giving him a 'puppy eyes' look. He immediately gave into her, as he always did.

"Right away, love." He turned away.

Kiera took off her knee length coat and placed it around the head of her chair, and sat in the chair, now waiting for Shadow. She watched him wait in the line for to get what they ordered. She predicted that it would at least take him a good five minutes to retrieve their lunch. She took that time to check any messages or emails on her phone. She took her phone out, and noticed she received a text from Tails.

Hey, Kiera, having fun in Mobius with Shadow?

Hey, Tails. Yeah, I am having fun with Shadow, although Rouge stopped by earlier and saw me with Shadow hugging each other. Can I just say: awkward, much?

Oh, wow. That must have been awkward. You okay? What happened?

She came into Shadow's apartment and rudely asked what I was doing there, then Shadow told her to leave and not to insult me.

She insulted you? Well, I'm on Team Shadow. What else happened?

Yeah, well then he said I was his girlfriend to Rouge, and that really broke her heart. I know the look on her face from experience. She is totally heart broken, Tails.

And you feel sorry for her? You did nothing wrong, Kiera! It isn't your fault that Shadow wants to be with you and not her! She should just accept that and move on, maybe with Knuckles.

Knuckles? Does he like Rouge, or something? If so, this is going to get really messy and fast, and I don't think I want to get in the middle of that. This is why I don't get into relationships like this!

No one wants to get into the middle of a situation like that, Kiera. If Shadow wants to be with you and wants to continue the relationship he has with you, he will work through that mess with you.

Kiera turned off her phone and put it back in her coat pocket. She took what Tails said into consideration. If he wants me, he will fight for me? She thought. She sighed, looking at her lap. Kiera didn't want to get in the middle of a really complicated circle. This will only end badly, she thought.

"Something wrong, Kiera?" Kiera looked up from her lap to see Shadow seat himself opposite her and place her hot cup of tea and sandwich in front of her.

"No, no. I was just thinking to myself. That's all." Shadow nodded sceptically, he would surely ask her if she was truly alright later. For now, he would love nothing more than some pleasant and happy time with her and not worry about any work or Rouge drama.

"Okay." Kiera opened up the packaging that sealed her sandwich, and once she released it from its confines, she took a big bite out of it. They both ate through their sandwiches and drank through their cups of tea.

For the two of them, the rest of the day flew by. Shadow took Kiera to Mystic Park, he knew how she loved nature, and he thought that it would be nice for them to take a nice long walk around the park. A long walk turned to laying in the grass and staring up at the sky, and watching clouds together. This calmed them both, it was peaceful to them both and being together made it more perfect.

Neither Kiera nor Shadow wanted it to end but it was getting dark and nearing 10:30pm. It should have been dark out, but with it being summer the daylight hours are much longer than normal. The couple exited the park and headed back to Shadow's apartment for dinner. Shadow was sure he could cook something up – if he had anything left in his cupboards, that is.

Shadow shut and locked the door to his apartment, as he was sure that they wouldn't need to leave any time during the night. He turned to Kiera, who was standing a couple of steps away from him. "Would you like any help making dinner?" Kiera offered.

Shadow was going to say 'no' at first but thought it would be nice for Kiera to help him with dinner. "Yeah, come on." Kiera followed Shadow into the apartment's kitchen. He raided the cupboards, the fridge and the freezer to find anything edible to eat.

He soon found a macaroni and cheese for two. "Yes!" Kiera stood there confused for a moment but remained silent. He pivoted to Kiera with a grin on his face while holding the frozen food.

"How do you feel about macaroni and cheese?"

"I love it." Kiera replied with a small smile.

"Great. Would you mind getting the plates out while I cook this?" He asked softly, she shook her head.

"I don't mind." Kiera turned away from him and headed to the cupboard which held the clean white plates. She knew the location of these from watching Shadow frantically looking for food. Shadow put in the macaroni and cheese into the microwave, he made a note to get proper food for them both to eat.

He turned to face Kiera who was standing beside the dining table with everything out and ready. He was surprised that she did it so fast, then he realized that she cooked for herself and Tails back in Yukon River. Yukon River, he thought. She will be going back there, I will have to say goodbye to her, again, Shadow thought sadly. He didn't want to relive through that separation from her again. A week was bad enough without her in his life.

Shadow soon figured out that Kiera had him addicted and intoxicated. He needed her, he craved to be near her. He pondered to himself if she felt the same, if she needed him as he did her. He wanted to test that theory. Shadow stalked over to her, and stood near enough to be behind her, he ghosted his hand down her side, and he felt her body shudder at his slight touch. He smiled at the reaction, he turned her around to face him slowly. Her dark auburn eyes met his crimson red orbs, he leaned down and captured her lips in a much desired kiss. Kiera very soon kissed him back with an equal amount of passion and craving.

Their passionate kiss turned into a full-blown out and heated make-out session. Both of their tongues battled for dominance, but Kiera submitted to him and melted even more so into him. One of Shadow's hands raked their way through her smooth and silky hair as the other hand was caressing her waist. Kiera's eyes widened as she soon realized where this was all going. She quickly pulled away from him, regaining her breath as did he. Once he did, he leaned into Kiera once again to seal in another match of the tongues, and perhaps something more but she looked away.

He was confused. "What's wrong?" Shadow asked her concerned and worried.

"I…I'm not ready, Shadow…I'm sorry."

His own eyes widened, she thinks I'm pressuring her into that? He thought nervously. "T-There is no need to be sorry, Kiera, I shouldn't have-"

Kiera interrupted him with a chaste kiss. "I liked it, I did…but I am just not ready, is that okay?"

Shadow nodded quickly. "Of course, it is more than okay. I will always wait for you. I was just too fast, and I haven't felt this way for someone before, I think – no – I have fallen in love with you, Kiera."

Kiera's heart stopped for what she just heard, he's in love with me…she thought, she never thought she would hear those words and have someone mean it. She smiled lovingly at Shadow. "I've fallen in love with you, too, Shadow."