Shadow tightened his grip on the microphone, tried to suppress his feelings, and then ended the song on a perfect high note. Once finished, silence took over the room. No one spoke, no one said a single word or made a single sound. It felt like the room was empty. Amy could see in his eyes, anticipation, despair, struggle... All of this she saw, and then sorrow filled her heart. After a few more minutes of silence, Shadow placed the mircophone on the table and proceeded to leave the room. People snapped out of their trances, but the room still remained a bit silent. No one said much after he left. Silver stared at Shadow's retreating figure before speaking, "This is the intro theme song for the movie that me and Shadow stared in four years ago when I started the entertainment industry."

People who had been a part of making that movie or who had been in it started to not with him, also making their own comments.

"At that time we were filming in the desert. Everyone had to squeeze in together and share tents. I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night when I saw Shadow outside smoking with his ear buds in." This person paused momentarily, "I never told anyone this, but I tapped on his shoulder, and when he turned to look at me his eyes looked like they were red from crying. This song was blasting out of his head phones. He got up and left quickly, and I saw in the sand he had written 'Happy Birthday' with a stick. I never knew someone like him could love someone for so long."

"I once heard a rumor that Shadow didn't smoke in the past, but something happened and then he started to pick it up. Anytime I see him he's either standing in a corner alone or standing in a corner alone smoking."

"He mentioned that he still remembers his first love. I don't even remember my first love, what about you guys?"

"First love? I only remember my first one night stand."

"I remember my first love. I always put a piece of candy in her locker everyday before she could come into the room."

"I bullied my first love to the point where she went to the teacher and then my parents gave me a spanking."

Laughter erupted and the room was filled with commotion once again. Shadow stood outside of the party room, leaning against the wall listening to them all while he smoked. He then heard Rouge's voice, as she spoke.

"What about you, Amy? Who was your first love?" Rouge smirked, knowing Shadow would still be within ears reach. He froze at the door, waiting to hear her answer. Amy smiled at everyone as they leaned forward to listen. Blaze quirked an eyebrow, wanting to know as well.

"My first live isn't as interesting as all of yours. He was a crush that I loved for many years. I studied hard to get put in the same class as him, and after that I studied even harder to go to the same college as him."

"Wow, never saw you as a scholar Amy." Rouge commented, "So then, why did you decide to go into the entertainment industry?" Before Amy could answer, someone's phone went off. They had looked down and mentioned that it was way past midnight. Everyone realized they needed to get to sleep, this made Amy grateful. Shadow put out his cigarette by the door and then left quickly before he could be seen.

He had wrote nothing on his paper to get bumped down into her class, yet she studied harder to get put in his for someone else.

He had decided to go to her original college of choice to be closer to her, and she had gotten to a different one for someone else.

His eyes starting to sting as the tears pricked the corner of his eyes. He said nothing as he made his way to his car.

Amy ended up calling a cab for Blaze and Silver, helping them in as best as she could before turning to Cream with a smile. Cream helped a tipsy Amy over to her own car, sliding her into the passenger seat as she started the car. She took off towards Amy and Shadows villa, then proceeded to drop her off. They said their goodbyes as Amy looked at the house. The lights were off again, that means Vanilla must be sleeping. She snuck into the door, careful not to wake up Vanilla as she entered the house. Amy went upstairs and showered, before heading to turn the lights off. Just as she was about to do this, she heard a car pulling up into the driveway. She ran over to the window to see Shadow pulling up in his car. He didn't even open the garage, just parked it in front of the house. She knew the minute he stood up and out of the car he was drunk. She saw him staggering and then the doorbell rang. Amy jumped and ran down the stairs. She saw Vanilla had already woke up and was at the door. She opened it, and Shadow stumbled inside muttering. He didn't take his shoes off or anything. Vanilla turned to look at Amy.

"Go ahead and get some sleep Vanilla, I'll take care of him." Amy gave Vanilla a pat on the shoulder and she nodded as she turned away and went back to her room. She followed Shadow up the stairs to his bedroom. He lied down on the bed as he stared up at the ceiling. She sauntered over to him and crossed her arms, her green eyes filled with worry. He ignored her presence and shut his eyes. Amy sighed and leaned down, taking off his socks and shoes. "Let's get you in the shower..."

He ignored her, still sitting on the bed motionless. She bit her lip and let out a frustrated growl, "Fine. I'll go start a bath for you." She turned to go to the bathroom, when his hands shot out and grabbed her wrists. She was shocked momentarily, as he pulled her back to him. He switched their places and pinned her to the bed as he leaned down and kissed her.

She was so shocked, she didn't really have any time at all to respond to his advances. He pressed against her and kissed her harder as though he wanted to consume her. After a while he pulled away from her as the two tried to catch their breath. His red eyes stared into her green ones for a while before he beant down to kiss her again. This kiss was more gentle than the others. He kissed her softer this time and with more care. She responded and tangled her hands into his black quills. His kisses went from her mouth and then started trailing down her neck. There, he bit down gently, causing her to mew. He started to suck on her neck fur as he ran his tongue over it. He moved up to her ears and started nibbling on those before whispering into them, "Why can't it be me?"

The two of them had stopped their advances. Amy looked up at him confused, while he lay still and motionless on top of her again. She tried to move from under him but he put a hand on her shoulder and kept her pressed down, "Why can't it be me?" He asked again. Soon after Amy felt her neck become wet. She realized Shadow was crying into her neck and her heart began to hurt. Shadow took a deep breathe as he buried his face further into her neck, holding her hands to his closely,

"Why can't it be me? Why am I not the one you love?"

Amy's mind did a click. She assumed he was meaning to say these words for the woman he loved and not her. Her heart filled up with sorrow. It was painful and she stopped breathing. He tightened his grip more. He covered her lips with his again, and this became a distraction for her. The two tumbled on the sheets together as they stripped of their clothing. She let out a cry when he entered her, and their hands and fingers intertwined.


...

...

...


Shadow had fallen asleep with Amy in his arms again. From Amy's memory, she could only remember one time where she and Shadow had slept together and he had held her afterwards, and that was when he had a fever. But now she finally knew, just like that night, tonight he had only slept with her because he must have mistaken her for the woman he loved. Perhaps the position was too uncomfortable, for Shadow, who was embracing Amy, slightly shifted his body, pressing her even tighter to himself. His chin coincidently was on top of her forehead, and he lightly rubbed her hair. Then, he lowered his head again and gave her long hair two pecks. After feeling satisfied, he muttered disorientated, "You don't even know how long I've been waiting for you..."

Shadow's voice grew fainter. Then, eventually, it disappeared completely. During the party, even though every one of his answers were short, they were filled with his unwavering love for the woman he loved. Amy sat by his side, every time she heard his response, she felt a knife brutally stab her heart. Now intoxicated, his words were full of deep emotions, which was even more hurtful. QAmy tightly balled up her fists, forcing herself not to tremble. Yet, a wetness gradually surfaced in the corner of her eye. She had always craved for his embrace, but now, she had learned that it could be so very painful. Amy shut her eyes, wanting to rip herself away from Shadow's body. However, he seemingly felt something, and held her tighter. The bedroom was silent. All that could be heard was the ticking of the clock on the wall. Shadow's breathing gradually grew long and calm, as though he was already deep in sleep. But Amy wasn't the least bit sleepy, tears flowing uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.

The next morning she was woken up by Amy's phone. The pink hedgehog's eyes opened slowly. She reached for her phone on her bedside table and flipped it open, "Hello?"

"Amy, are you awake? Did you forget you have a scene to shoot this afternoon?" Cream's voice woke her up suddenly. "I'm almost to your house, you better be ready or you'll be late." Cream hung up, and Amy looked up and around. She saw Shadow was already gone. If it wasn't for the fact that Amy's body was in complete pain, it would have felt like a dream and not reality. Amy didn't have time to think, she quickly ran into the shower, than hopped out and got dressed quickly. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Shadow's side of the bed. The shoots were thrown off, and there were patches of red streaked in the white sheets. Amy felt her eyes well up with tears, Shadow was injured? Amy shot down the stairs faster than she had ever moved before. Vanilla was in the kitchen making breakfast. She turned to Amy with a smile, "Morning Mrs. Amy."

Amy nodded towards her, "Morning, what time did Shadow leave this morning?"

Vanilla thought it was weird for Amy to be asking the questions this time, but shrugged it off, "About six in the morning. Why?"

"It's nothing, did he look a bit off?"

"Well, it seemed like he was almost lifeless..." Vanilla said this with a thinking face, "Did something happen?"

"Not at all, please treat yourself to breakfast." Amy sped out the door and into the car where Cream was waiting for her. She slid into the passenger seat and buckled quickly. Cream took notice of the dark circles under Amy's eyes.

"What's wrong? You look terrible." Cream stated. Amy scoffed and glared at the sun shining outside.

"Nothing, just a lot happened last night. Cream, I need you to stop at the pharmacy on the way there." Cream tilted her head questioningly, but nodded. She drove to the nearest pharmacy. As they pulled in and parked, Cream looked at her friend worriedly, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"No, I just need to grab something." Amy said. She stepped out of the car, giving Cream a sign saying she'll be right back. She ran in and grabbed the item she needed and then waited in line. She finished her purchase and thanked the cashier, than ran all the way back outside.

"Alright, I'm ready to go."

Cream nodded and they took off towards the set.


It was already twelve in the afternoon when they reached the set. Amy and Cream grabbed a bite at the hotels resturaunt and then high tailed it over, shoving food in their faces as they ran. The make up artist was already on set waiting. She sat in a chair and let them touch up on her face, and then hurried over to the set. They saw Tails and Knuckles talking to each other. Tails was on the phone, tapping his foot. Both of them looked worried. Knuckles waved over at Amy and Cream as they approached. Tails shut his phone, and looked over at them. "Morning Amy, morning Cream." He looked over at Knuckles, "Still no answer."

"How about the office? The home? Other places he normally goes?" Knuckles asked.

"I've looked everywhere." Said Tails.

"Did something happen?" Amy asked as she looked between them.

"We can't get a hold of Shadow." Knuckles said, "He might be busy, so we'll have to shoot this scene another time. I'll wait for news on Shadow, you two can go ahead and go home. We will reschedule this for another time."

"Thanks for your help Knuckles." Tails bid him and the girls farewell as he walked off. Knuckles sighed and turned to Amy, apologizing for having her sit through make up for nothing. She laughed it off.

"It's fine. If you're busy than I'll go wash it off and be on my way." Knuckles nodded and let the two leave as he turned off and away. Instantly, her eyes became daggers, and Amy's sight set on the fox that was leaving. She ran full speed towards him and stood in front of him with her arms out. Cream followed behind her, a bit surprised.

"Amy," Tails looked nervous, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Shadow, was he injured?" Amy asked with a low growl. Tails gulped.

"I don't believe I know what you're talking about..." He kept up a polite smile, but this only made her angrier.

"I know he's injured." Amy kept her voice low, not wanting to drag any attention. Tails twitched, and then let out a sigh, "Did he drink at the party yesterday?"

"He did." Cream said, standing next to Amy. "He lost a lot to Amy and had to take many shots."

"I knew it!" Tails hissed, unable to contain his worry and anger, "The wound on his back is so serious. How could he drink? It's definitley infected by now! The wound must have gotten worse. He's in hiding JUST like he did last time he was injured. I don't understand this man. Everytime time he comes up sick or injured he always does this. It's like asking for help is a sin to him! I just haven't been able to reach or locate him at all. I'm so worried, but there's nothing I can do if I can't find him."

Amy nodded and held out her hand, "Cream, can you stay here with Tails? I'll go find Shadow." Tails looked up with a shocked look in his eyes. Cream nodded and handed the pink girl her keys, "Good luck." Amy turned and stomped off towards her car, off to Shadow's mansion.


...

...

...


It took Amy three hours to reach Shadow's mansion on the isolated mountain. Besides the occasional bird chirps, the mountain was pretty quiet. Amy pulled up into the mansions driveway, wondering how she managed to find herself here a second time. Like last time, the gates to the mansion were wide open. Amy took this opportunity and pulled into the court yard. She saw Shadow's car here and her grip on the wheel tightened.

"So he is here." She muttered. She got out of her car and approached the door. She pressed the doorbell and got no answer. She started to get more worried, and circled around the back of the mansion like last time. One of the windows was open again, so she lifted her little pink body up and over the window sill. Once inside, she walked to the corridor of the second floor of the mansion, heading straight for his room. She went and reached for the door handle, ready to open it, when the door was pulled open from the inside.

He thought her standing there was just an illusion. But no, here she was. Amy was also shocked that Shadow opened the door. She shook it off and went up to him, putting a hand against his hand, trying to check for a fever. Shadow snapped out of his daze and glared at her, "Who let you in here?!"

"Obviously, I let myself in." Amy remarked. He growled.

"Get out."

"No."

"Amy Rose."

"I'm not leaving!" Amy huffed. He sighed in frustration and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. She let out a squeak as he walked down the stairs to the first floor, and threw her outside his front door. "Go home." Then he shut the door again. Amy felt herself go red with anger. She stomped back around the house, and climbed in through the window again. She went back to his bedroom door, which still wasn't shut. He was laying on his stomach on his bed, not paying attention, thinking he had won. She smirked, and walked over. His ears twitched and he turned his head. His eyes widened, "How did you-" but before he could say anymore, she sat on the back of his waist, and his body tensed up in pain. She quickly rolled his shirt over his back to look at the wound on his fur. His body stiffened, and he had no other choice but to admit defeat. His shoulder was incredibly red and swollen, and most of the wound was infected. Seeing this, Amy started shaking.

"Did you get this when you rescued me from the swinging incident?"