That night, after the gang returned home, Knuckles and Shadow returned the Master Emerald to Angel Island. Knuckles thanked it for allowing them to use its powers and how they would be forever grateful before they left. By the time the two returned back to Sonic and Tails' home, Tails had just finished putting away the Blue Typhoon, thanks to a little help from Cream and Cosmo.
Shadow noticed Tails and Cosmo holding hands and Cosmo giving him a small peck on the cheek before they followed Cream and Knuckles upstairs. He was almost certain he was going to throw up, but instead he just rolled his eyes and ignored it. Proud of himself that he avoided ruining their moment.
They all made their way upstairs to find Sonic and Rouge sitting by the large living room couch where Amy's bruised body lay. Rouge turned around to face them when she heard them walk in, smiling at Knuckles for the first time in a long time. She saw his face as he looked down on his unconscious sisterly-figure, he looked so scared. She stood up and walked towards him, simply wrapping an arm around his waist before continuing to watch on over Sonic and Amy. Knuckles began to blush furiously, but couldn't deny he liked this feeling. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close for comfort, making her smile. Again, Shadow rolled his eyes at everyone's public displays of affection.
'How is she, pal?' Tails asked, breaking the silence.
'Better than she was a few hours ago I suppose.' Sonic answered as he played with Amy's fingers.
'Has she woken up yet?' Cream asked.
'No, not yet. But she will, she is just exhausted and injured. It's just going to take a little time is all.' Rouge said as she tried to lift everyone's spirits.
The room fell silent as they watched Sonic caressing Amy's hands. Rouge was the only one that really knew how Sonic felt about Amy, but it was around now that everyone else was catching on. The ivory bat led everyone down stairs in order to give Sonic some privacy with Amy.
'You're so brave, Amy Rose.' Sonic began to speak out loud. 'I never doubted you, ya know. I was just worried about you. The thought of you getting hurt scared me and if I wasn't there to protect you or save you I just… I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. I'm so sorry, Ames. For all of this.'
Sonic took Amy's hand into both of his and brought them up to his face as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He squeezed her hand tight, as if he was begging for her to wake up at that very moment, little did he know it was working… Amy's eyes began to flutter before finally opening. She took in a few deep breaths and worked out where she was before turning her head to see her hero right by her side.
'Please wake up, Ames. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. Please come back to me, I need you.' Sonic said.
'You can't always be the hero, Sonic.' Amy said with a small smile.
Sonic's head shot up, his eyes wide open and stared at Amy's face. She let out as much of a giggle as she could at his shocked expression before using her free hand to stroke his face.
'A-Amy? You're awake!' Sonic whispered in shock.
'Yes, yes I am.' Amy smiled.
'Thank God you're back.' Sonic chuckled.
'I don't deserve to be. I betrayed you, Sonic. I betrayed all of you, but I swear I did it to protect you. I was scared and I didn't-'
'Hey, hey, hey.' Sonic cut her off and placed a finger over her lips. 'I know what you did. It's the bravest thing I've ever come across! It's all over now. Let's just focus on getting you better, shall we?'
'Sounds good.' Amy smiled as she sat up.
'How do you feel?' He asked.
'Sore. Like I've been hit by a truck, but I'm guessing that's all these bruises. I can't believe I had to fight you all.' She sighed.
'It's never going to happen again, I can guarantee that.' Sonic assured her.
'I agree!' Amy replied.
'I missed you, Ames.' Sonic blushed, causing Amy to giggle.
'I missed you too, Sonic.' Amy replied, staring deep into her hero's eyes.
Before she knew it, he was leaning forward. Closer and closer towards her before he couldn't get any closer. For the second time, Sonic kissed Amy. This time, it was because he could and because he wanted to. It was gentle and sweet and full of love and passion. They could feel each other smile within the kiss as they wrapped their arms around each other. After a few seconds they broke away for air and rested their foreheads against each other's.
'I liked that one better.' Amy admitted.
'Better than what?'
'Our first kiss.' Amy giggled and Sonic just chuckled.
'Give me a chance, you haven't seen the best yet.' He winked at her before leaning in again.
'Ok, seriously though. What is with all the PDA around here?!' Shadow exclaimed in a whisper, causing Amy and Sonic to jump.
'Shhhh! Shadow you're going to blow our cover!' Rouge whispered as she smacked him upside the head.
'Cover's already been blown, guys.' Sonic said through a laugh, causing Amy to blush.
'Dammit!' Knuckles exclaimed as they all came into the room.
'Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.' Amy shook her head at the red echidna.
'Oh, pipe down, Pinky. How you feeling anyway?' Knuckles asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
'Much better. How are all you guys?' She asked as she looked around the room at all her friends.
'Much better now you're awake and back home!' Cosmo exclaimed.
'Absolutely! We missed you!' Cream added.
The gang got to talking and Amy continuously apologized for everything that had happened, to which everyone brushed off. They knew it wasn't her fault and they knew she was doing it out of love, she couldn't help but feel guilty though. As the moon rose, Cream and Cosmo prepared dinner for everyone, with a little help from their newest sidekick… Tails. They all sat out on the balcony and ate dinner as they laughed and talked together in the cool, crisp breeze under the moonlight.
'Can someone answer my question now?' Shadow demanded.
'What question, Shad?' Sonic asked as he swallowed a mouthful of spaghetti.
'What's with all the PDA?! First Tails and Cosmo-'
'You saw that?' Tails cut him off as he and Cosmo blushed furiously.
'Tails! Nice work, bro!' Sonic said as he gave him a thumbs up, causing Amy and Cosmo to face palm.
'ANYWAY… Then Rouge and Knuckles getting all cuddly and shit-'
'Jealous much?' Knuckles cut him off and winked as he pulled Rouge into him.
'Get over yourselves. Then finally you've got Sonic and Amy who have finally admitted their true feeling for each other and then get all mushy in front of us. Has all that training gone down the drain?!' Shadow exclaimed.
'In their defense, we all knew how Amy felt a long time ago.' Rouge smirked and Amy threw a piece of bread at her.
'Feeling a little left out there, Shadow?' Tails giggled.
'Don't make me laugh.' Shadow rolled his eyes.
'Awww, I think poor Shadow is feeling left out.' Amy said, pouting her lips.
'I think you might be right, Amy.' Cosmo added.
'I think we've got something for you that you'll never forget.' Rouge said, arching an eyebrow.
The three girls sauntered towards the ebony hedgehog, causing him to panic as he quickly became surrounded. The other boys began to laugh at his misfortunate, ready to sit back and enjoy the show. The girls pinned him down to a seat and waited for him to stop struggling out of the grasp. Then, little Cream walked up and stood in front of him with her usual, cheerful grin.
'What's the big idea?!' Shadow exclaimed.
'Don't worry, Mr. Shadow. You shouldn't feel left out. You'll always be a hero to me!' Cream exclaimed before she ran up and embraced him in a tight hug.
She backed away just enough so she could plant a small kiss on his nose. Nothing romantic, just sweet and friendly. Shadow couldn't help but plaster an expression of confusion and flattery all of his muzzle. He blushed as he tried to analyze the situation, causing everyone to bite their lips to stop themselves from laughing.
'Uh, thanks… Cream.' Shadow said politely.
'Hey! That's the first time you've ever said my name!' Cream exclaimed with glee, referring to all the times he'd call her pipsqueak or shorty. She was thrilled!