Jealous (pt. 2)

It's not your fault that they hover
I mean no disrespect
It's my right to be hellish
I still get jealous

'Cause you're too sexy, beautiful
And everybody wants a taste
That's why (that's why)
I still get jealous

Omega had activated the tracking device installed within him to get a signal and find out where Rouge and her 'date' were headed. Shadow skated beside his companion in silence. He was too embarrassed to say anything, he simply wanted to find Rouge and her new boyfriend, and… keep an eye on them. He didn't want to do anything too brash. He glanced at Omega cautiously. The robot paid no attention to him, focusing ahead and getting ready to direct Shadow to wherever they needed to go. Shadow knew that Omega's intentions were different from his. As a robot, Omega wasn't concerned with human emotions such as embarrassment, so he couldn't really understand why Shadow would be angry with what he said.

"Omega, we can't interrupt Rouge's date outright." Shadow said, looking at his metal companion when the thoughts of Omega telling Rouge everything Shadow felt and then some became too much.

"TURN LEFT." Omega said.

Shadow made a smooth turn, letting out a sigh.

"I do not want you to say anything. We'll find her and monitor her."

"WE MUST KEEP ON GOING STRAIGHT FOR 200 FEET."

"Omega. Respond to me."

"COMMANDS CONFIRMED. WE WILL STAY QUIET AND WITNESS HER COMMIT SEXUAL ACTS WITH THE –"

"NO!" Shadow bellowed, stopping for a moment.

Omega turned around, staring at the hedgehog. Shadow couldn't tell what the robot's expression was, but if he took a guess he would say that the robot was curious as to why Shadow stopped skating.

Shadow didn't want to hear it any longer. He had witnessed Rouge getting into bed with one too many guys and he didn't want to think about it. He heard all the disgusting things people said about his partner and even if those thoughts of her crossed his mind once or twice – he didn't want to think of them any longer. Especially now that he knew how much they hurt her.

"IS THERE A PROBLEM, ALLY?"

Shadow had to remind himself that Omega was only looking out for his wellbeing and Rouge's wellbeing. His acts, though brash and seemingly disastrous, were the closest things to compassion that Shadow would ever see from the robot.

"We won't watch her have… sex…" Shadow said the word as if it were a vile poison.

"THEN WE WILL LEAVE?"

"Yes." Shadow growled.

"ARE WE GOING TO SPY ON HER?"

Shadow didn't reply to this. But Omega knew him well enough and didn't need a reply.

"WE MUST CONTINUE. THEY ARE CHANGING ROUTES."

Shadow's stomach lurched when he realized they were probably going to his house to… fornicate. Shadow and Omega continued to follow Rouge and her date to wherever they were going.

"Omega… when we get to their location we must be quiet." Shadow said, knowing that Omega's loud, metallic speech would be off putting. The whirs and clicks that the robot produced whenever he walked were just as rambunctious. The robot wasn't necessarily the ideal partner for spying. The ideal partner for spying would be someone agile and quiet, someone who was slender and graceful…

Someone like Rouge.

She was a skilled spy, so skilled that she had done work for the President. Her stealth skills were impeccable. She was diligent and keen, and with her advanced hearing she was able to hear frequencies that exceeded the hearing range of other species.

…Why? Why must I be thinking like this? Out of all the times to feel this way…

Shadow shook his head. He held Rouge to a certain respect that he wouldn't hold to anybody else. It didn't mean anything though. He was going to observe her spending quality time with a red-blooded male and pray that she wouldn't get into bed with him. That's it. That's all there was to it.

Omega and Shadow continued their trek down the streets of Station Square, eventually making their way to an apartment. They stopped, hiding behind a bush that was a good distance from the two bats. Omega craned his head around and there several whirs and clicks. Shadow, blushing furiously, turned to glare at the robot. He put a finger up to his lips, signaling for the robot to shush.

"I AM MERELY LOWERING THE VOLUME OF MY VOICE. ISN'T THIS MUCH MORE SUITABLE?" Omega asked, his voice indeed was much quieter.

Shadow said nothing, but he nodded.

They watched the two bats entering the apartment.

Omega dispensed a tiny piece of metal into Shadow's gloved hand.

"…" Shadow stared at it wordlessly.

"SHADOW. YOU MUST WALK INTO THE APARTMENT."

Shadow looked at Omega, an alarmed expression gracing his handsome features.

Omega continued, "I AM NOT SKILLED IN THE ART OF STEALTH. I ADMIT THIS. I AM THE POWER AND STRENGTH OF THE GROUP. YOU MUST GO IN BY YOURSELF. THAT DEVICE I JUST GAVE YOU WILL ALLOW ME TO HEAR EVERYTHING THAT OCCURS IN THE APARTMENT."

"Omega, I am not going to –"

"IF YOU CARE FOR ROUGE, YOU WILL GO."

Shadow sighed, looking forward. The apartment door was slightly creaked open. The damn bat hadn't even bothered closing it. And Rouge trusted this guy? What if some psycho broke into the house and murdered them? Geez, this guy was an idiot. Shadow skated forward, trying to remain as quiet as possible. He slid into the apartment with ease. He looked around, the place was small… but that only made it more intimate. He noticed his partner sitting on the couch in the living room, so he hid behind a plant.

Peeking his head out slightly, he observed the two bats.

The male whose name he still didn't know sat next to Rouge with two glasses of… well, Shadow wasn't sure what they were drinking but he could tell that they were probably alcoholic.

Rouge crossed her legs, exposing a bit more of her body as she did so. Shadow's fists clenched when he realized her dress was so short that he could see her skimpy underwear.

"I had an amazing time tonight." Rouge said with a sultry smile.

"So did I," her male friend said, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer. "You wanna get frisky tonight?" He asked suggestively.

"Ooh, baby. You sure don't hesitate." Rouge said with a quirked eyebrow, taking a swig of her drink before she put it down.

She grinned as he leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss. Shadow closed his eyes, leaning back behind the plant. He didn't want to see this. This was already enough of an invasion of privacy, but seeing Rouge consent to some sleazeball running their hands all over her body… her chest, her legs, her curves… No. He didn't need this. All he could hear were smooching sounds and moans and groans. He hated it. How could she do this to him?

Did she not realize how much he cared for her?

…Well, I guess I haven't always been the most expressive.

Shadow couldn't help wondering what life would be like if he wasn't as distant towards Rouge. What if he interacted with her a bit more, like she tried doing with him? Would things be different? The moaning and shuffling on the couch increased, and Shadow had the sudden urge to send a chaos spear towards the perverted bat's back. He peeked his head out again, forcing his bloody eyes to watch Rouge feverishly make out with her mystery boyfriend whose name was still unknown. Her boy toy slowly pulled away from her lips, brushing his nose against her skin and planting warm kisses along her neck, his destination being her lovely bosom of course. Shadow's cheeks became rosy as he watched her squirm in delight.

"Oh…" She gasped dreamily, "S-Shadow…" She moaned.

Shadow's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Did Rouge just… whisper his name? Was she thinking of him while she was kissing another man? Did she have feelings for him now?

Immediately, the bat pulled away. Rouge's eyes opened and she looked a bit disappointed that her companion had stopped kissing her.

"What?" He asked.

Rouge stared at him blankly.

"What?" She replied a bit dumbly.

"I was kissing you, and you said 'Shadow.'"

Rouge's cheeks turned pink.

"What? No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"I didn't!" Rouge said indignantly.

"Rouge, do you have feelings for him?"

"No, not at all!"

Shadow's heart was pounding so hard he was worried it would burst out of his ribcage.

"Josh, wait!" Rouge said desperately when the bat stood up.

Aha! So THAT'S his name! Shadow thought to himself victoriously, but panic flushed through his body when he realized Josh was heading towards the entrance to his apartment. He was going to see the Ultimate Lifeform hiding behind his plant.

Fortunately Rouge had stopped him and grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Please, I don't know what I was saying. I didn't mean to say his name."

"Then why did you?" Josh asked, frowning at her.

"I was caught up in the moment, I guess? People say stupid shit when they're in heat. I want you, not Shadow. If I wanted Shadow, I'd be with him right now."

"Oh please. That hedgehog doesn't care for anybody. I bet you're here with me because you know that you can't have him."

You don't know that. Shadow thought to himself. He didn't like the way Josh was talking to his friend. Regardless of the fact that Shadow harbored absolutely NO feelings towards his sexy, intelligent, tough, and strong-willed best friend – it was preposterous to even imply such a thing – she still deserved to be respected and cared after.

The two continued to argue and Shadow decided it would be a good time to escape while they didn't notice. He slipped out the door as quietly as possible, hoping that it was enough to ensure Rouge wouldn't have any suspicions that anyone was ever there.

Omega and Shadow parted ways once they were a good distance from Josh's apartment. Omega went back to his base and Shadow went to Rouge's apartment. He decided he would stay inside of his room so that he wouldn't have to worry about his bat friend pestering him. He reclined, enveloping himself within the sheets of the guest bed, 'his' bed. His eyes drifted shut, but he couldn't get the image of an aroused Rouge whispering his name out of his head. Her voice was husky and sexy. It sounded like honey coming from her lips. She had never said his name that way before, and it made his insides warm.

He heard a jingling of keys, the unlocking of the door, and a frustrated bat stomping into the apartment, and kicking her expensive heels off of her feet.

"Shadow!" She called.

He didn't respond, simply burying himself further into the sheets and steadying his breathing. He hoped that she would believe he was asleep.

"Shadow," she repeated softly.

Please stop saying my name… He thought desperately. He couldn't think of her the same way after what he had witnessed tonight. And he didn't like the sensations running through him whenever his name slipped past her lips.

He heard the door to his room crack open, and he couldn't help opening his eyes. He noticed the contemplative expression on her face.

"Ally." He said.

Rouge grabbed a chair, sitting across from the bed. Her legs were crossed and Shadow felt his chest tighten as he caught another glimpse of her underwear.

She wasted no time in calling him out.

"Why did you do it?" She asked.

Shadow blinked a few times, but his poker face did not waver.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yes you do!" Rouge said, becoming accusatory all of a sudden.

"No. I do not. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to sleep." Shadow turned so he wasn't facing her any longer, and closed his eyes.

"Omega told me." She said.

Shadow clenched his fists, which were concealed underneath the blankets. Damn it.

"He also told me that you were jealous."

Shadow began shifting farther away from the bat.

"Shadow, talk to me!"

Shadow didn't budge.

"Shadow!" Rouge wailed.

He felt a weight on the bed and knew that she was standing on it. The scent of her sweet perfume invaded his nostrils.

"Shadow, I am so damn tired of being treated like this by you. You've given me the cold shoulder ever since we met. I've always been there for you. You're staying at my apartment right now because you need a place to stay! I think I deserve to be treated better than this. Just talk to me okay?"

Shadow sighed. His body didn't shift but he decided to respond to her. She could never know how much she truly meant to him, because he was sure that the moment he expressed even an inkling of affection or care towards her that went beyond the scope of callousness he expressed to everyone else, she would be taken away from him. It happened with Maria, and he didn't want it to happen again.

"Why did you say my name?" He asked quietly, but he knew that with her advanced hearing she could hear him.

She was still standing on the bed, but slowly she positioned herself to sit down.

"You should know. Weren't you snooping on me?"

"Hmph." Shadow grunted.

"Shadow." Rouge prodded.

"Stop."

"Stop what?" She asked.

"Stop saying my name. It… it sounds weird now." Shadow grimaced.

"Fine." Rouge said, sighing hopelessly.

There was an uncomfortable moment of silence between the dark heroes.

"Look Sha… er… sweetheart. This week has been crazy so far. First, you throw Josh out the window – which you still have to help me fix by the way, then we rob a store, and then you spy on my date with Josh… What's next? Are you gonna set my club on fire?"

"Perhaps," Shadow said in his deep, monotone voice. Rouge wondered for a moment, if he was being serious or joking. She couldn't tell, but then again, when it came to the mysterious hedgehog she never really could. "And the robbery was your idea."

Rouge sighed.

"That isn't the point. Shadow… were you jealous?"

"No. I just didn't want you getting in bed with him."

"And why is that?"

"Because I don't think you shouldn't be having sex with so many different men so often! Okay! Why? Why must you put yourself out like that?"

"It's my life –"

"That's a bullshit way to start your explanation, and you know it."

"Well maybe I like having sex."

"And I like shooting things but I pace myself. Look at faker, he's obsessed with chili dogs and it isn't healthy at all. He's gassy and I'm pretty sure all the cholesterol is slowing him down." He said this with deep satisfaction, thinking back to all the races they had recently in which he emerged victorious. He knew it was out of character for him to have all these words spill out of his mouth so rapidly, but he couldn't help it. He heard Rouge open her mouth to say something, but he spoke up before she could say another word.

"And I know you like sex, but you should pace yourself as well. You may catch something you can't cure."

The thought of Rouge contracting an STD made Shadow's stomach lurch. He didn't want to think of his partner having to deal with any funny business 'down there,' and if she did get an infection she wouldn't be able to work with him and Omega. The thought of his best friend catching something from all the filthy men she fooled around with was a thought he didn't need at the moment… Or ever.

"It's more than that." Rouge said. The tone in her voice made Shadow turn to look at her. His eyes slowly opened and he looked up at the ivory bat. She looked sad. From his peripheral vision he eyed her curves and shapely legs, but at heart he really just wanted to focus on her face. All her emotions were out for display. She looked at him, giving him a small smile. She was glad that he was looking at her. She felt like he was actually paying attention to her for once.

"Knucklehead told me that I'm not wife material."

Shadow straightened up almost immediately.

"What?" He asked.

What does that mean?

Rouge laughed, though he knew she was anything BUT happy or amused.

"I… He…" She stumbled over her words, looking down. Shadow rarely saw this side of Rouge, the vulnerable side to his gorgeous friend. On the outside Rouge presented herself as this fearless and unstoppable treasure huntress, but deep down there was a scared and insecure girl who cared too much for the validation of others. He'd seen it a few times – but that was more than enough time for him to familiarize with it. "He said I'm not wife material. It pretty much means that everyone wants to be with me, but no one wants to stay with me. Does that make sense?"

Shadow glared at her, though the dirty look was really directed towards Knuckles. It made perfect sense. Knuckles had told Rouge that she was only good for sex, and nothing else.

"No. Not at all." He said, crossing his arms. "Why would he say something like that?"

"He said it to me… after I told him I had a crush on him."

Shadow's eyes widened, but he immediately recovered his usual, gloomy expression. He was still frowning and could feel resentment towards the red echidna bubbling up inside of him.

He was well aware of Rouge's attraction towards the hotheaded guardian, hell, everyone was aware of it. He was sure at one point, that Knuckles felt the same way towards her. Why wouldn't he? Any male with eyes would be attracted to her. She's far too sexy to resist. But he never imagined that anyone, even that knucklebrain would say something so vile… And after she told him how she felt? After she spilled her heart out to him? It made the hedgehog want to stomp up to Angel Island and knock some sense into the echidna.

"What an asshole." Shadow said. "He isn't worth your time."

"I know." Rouge said cheekily, "I'm moving on to better things. Trust me honey." She winked at him, but he could tell she wasn't really happy.

Should I try to console her?

"It will happen." Shadow said adamantly, like he was sure of himself.

"Hmm? What will happen?" she asked curiously.

"You will find someone who loves you." He said stiffly, not used to sappy talks such as these.

"That's sweet of you to say babe, but I really don't feel the need to settle down now or any time soon. I like being a free huntress and part time government spy. It's a lifestyle I don't want to let go of just yet." Rouge said. Shadow bit his tongue, part of him wanted to tell Rouge to cut it out with the pet names… but part of him liked it. Besides, he had gotten used to her little nicknames for him. It was better than having her call him by his first name, because it reminded him of her moment of passion with Josh.

"Anyways, I'm going to bed now. Tomorrow you need to help me board up my window though. I can't afford to get it fixed properly at the moment. Sound good?" She asked.

"Sounds awful." He replied, allowing his eyes to close once again.

Rouge chuckled, then did something he didn't expect. He sensed her body moving closer to his, and she leaned down allowing her soft lips to press against his ebony fur. His eyes shot open just as she pulled away from his forehead, where she left a chaste kiss.

"Goodnight honey." She emphasized the last part winking at him flirtatiously. His muzzle turned red as he noticed he had a perfect view of her ample cleavage.

She pulled away, taking her sweet, seductive perfumed scent and the warmth that radiated off of her body with her. She closed his door gently and the moment she did, Shadow reached into his fur where she had kissed him. He felt the residue of her lip gloss matted with in it and turned an even deeper shade of red.

Ally… what are you doing to me?

A/N: I feel like there was slight Knuckles character bashing in this chapter. That makes me upset because I love Knuckles and Knuckles/Rouge. So please don't think that I'm a hater of Knuckles or anything, that little part with him was merely to further the connection between Shadow and Rouge. Oh, and please review guys! Favorites are nice but so are reviews! ;-;