The Bet

Chapter 15

The Next Day

12:09 p.m.

Station Square Hospital

"She's awake!" Silver exclaimed. He grabbed Amy, who stood next to him, and kissed her cheek hard, spun her right into Shadow's arms, before hopping towards Blaze's room, whooping all the way. The pink hedgehog stood there, dumbfounded by what just happened. Shadow, who saw the whole thing, glared at his retreating form.

"Well, that was awkward…" Cream said. The doctor had barely finished his news, and Silver was out of sight. Tails could only shake his head.

"…Anyways, she awake and she's doing well on her medicine, but her arm still needs a few days to heal properly. After running a few more tests later on, she should ready tomorrow for discharge." the doctor finished.

"Okay, but what do we about Silver? I'm pretty sure he won't take the idea of 'tomorrow' too lightly." Tails asked concerned.

"If he insists, he can stay with her overnight, as long as he doesn't get in the way of anything we'll do."

Nodding, Tails led the way towards Blaze's room. The silver hedgehog was already there, kissing her all over her face as the feline could do nothing but laugh. Cream, Amy, and Rouge sighed dreamily at the scene, while the guys just basically gagged.

"Oh, Blaze! I thought you'd never wake up! I didn't know what to do…I just…" he stuttered from his happiness.

"Well, you weren't too heartbroken when you almost killed me with a chair…" Amy muttered. Silver turned to glare at her, but Shadow glared back at him, causing him to turn his attention back to Blaze.

"I guess I was missed." Blaze stated, her voice slightly hoarse. Silver hugged her gently, sighing in content.

"Yeah, but I think Silver takes the cake on that one." Rouge joked. Blaze only smiled and held on to Silver.

"Sooo…how's that hospital food?" Amy asked. Blaze rolled her eyes.

"Like you to ask such a thing. But if you really want to know…it sucks. And I thought medicine was the only thing that could taste so bad." she said. The girls all giggled together, cracking jokes now and then. Silver hung back with the guys, all just standing against the wall watching. They hadn't been like this since the Fourth of July party. Even then, they were still somewhat distant towards each other.

"Makes you wonder if they're just faking it 'cause we're here…" Tails said.

"Well, Rouge might be. She's always been a little…you know, fake." Knuckles replied. Nodding, they continued to watch the interaction.

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As the girls kept themselves occupied, Silver took the time to explain all of what Sonic had told them. Shadow objected here and there, but soon enough they devised a plan to infiltrate the hideout.

"Blaze, would you rather…eat a bowl of vanilla ice-cream with any and all toppings put on it, or a smoothie with every vegetable mixed together?" Cream asked.

"Ice-cream. I can never imagine myself drinking a smoothie made entirely out of vegetables…" Blaze replied, before laughing. Silver looked back at them before turning back to the guys.

"What are you going to do about them?" he asked them.

"I think it would be best to leave them home. Could be dangerous…" Knuckles suggested.

"Since when did we consider that? They're capable of handling their own. They did help us beat Eggman." Shadow argued. Knuckles just shook his head.

"Even so, this isn't that fat bastard we're dealing with now. Someone entirely different. They could get hurt…"

"I agree. If we knew who this was, I'd at least give them a chance, but…" Tails only trailed off, not knowing how to finish.

"I also agree, but it's only for Blaze's well-being. The other girls are still able to fight, y'know…" Silver said.

"I just don't see it. Silver you heard what Sonic said, the best way is, if any, to bring a girl. There's no telling what'll happen to them after we get in." Tails said, shuddering. Shadow's red irises darkened in anger.

"So, this is about the things a guy could to them? Need I remind you that the same people who put Blaze in this hospital are apart of this so-called 'group'? There is no doubt she'll want to skin the hind of who did this to her!" Shadow stated. This was no longer about the danger, but how they wanted to belittle their strength to the point of just leaving them out!

"Same here, I wanna do it too!" Silver called out. Unbeknownst to them, the girls were paying full attention to their heated argument. Their eyes shifting between each person that spoke. They wanted to know who was actually right during all this…

"What Blaze wants to do has nothing to do with this! We're trying to put an end to this group, not put an end to their lives." Knuckles defended. Soon, the silence set in, all of them just glaring at another. But, ears twitched not hearing feminine giggles or speech. Tails turned to meet Cream standing right behind him, her arm outstretched, ready to tap his shoulder.

"You guys didn't…hear that did you…?' the fox asked, tails bristled in fear. She nodded, eyes narrowed. "L-Look, I'm sorry-"

"No, this is perfect! Let's get their opinion on it." Knuckles bellowed, interrupting the stuttering fox. Shadow and Silver didn't like the idea of him trying to turn them against their cause. That was playing dirty…

"Well, I can only speak for myself, but Silver is right. Amy, Cream, and Rouge have shown that they're capable of handling themselves." Blaze said. Smiling, the silver hedgehog nodded frantically.

"See! SEE?! I'm not the only one who thinks that!" he cried in frustration. Knuckles snorted.

"Amy, what about you? Who do you think is right?" the echidna said. He was practically daring her to side with Shadow.

"…" She looked between the glaring purple eyes, to the sullen face of Shadow. Rouge pulled her aside and whispered something in her ear, doing the same to Cream, before crossing her arms. "Shadow and Silver are right." Amy said, confidently.

"What?!" Tails cried. He threw his hands in anger. "Amy, you of all people, should know how dangerous this is!" he barely shrieked.

"And Tails, you of all people should know that nobody cares about that shit at this point!" Amy shouted back. Rouge had told her, being the second youngest of the group of girls, if they would listen to anybody, it would be her or Shadow. It wasn't that they had that kind of power, but the fact they knew they were in the wrong and didn't want to admit it, being arrogant little boys.

"But, Amy-"

"NO, Tails! I can't believe that you would be the one to turn your back on us the second danger arises. At least they're willing to give us a chance," Amy said, pointing to Silver and Shadow, "The second Knuckles said something about it being dangerous, all of your sane thought went out the window! I can understand where you're coming from on Blaze's situation at the moment, but what about the rest of us? Are we really nothing but pawns waiting die as you hold us back…?" she said. The golden fox looked to the floor, defeated, but Knuckles wasn't ready to give up.

"Amy, you guys are apart of the team. But, in this case, we can't risk losing you guys. They have one of our own with them, and knowing we have feelings towards any of you will be used to the advantage." he said, calmly.

"And?! Let them use it! They're a bunch of no-good bastard bluffing, and to give in is what they want!" Amy argued. No more Mr. Nice-Guy…

"Damn it, woman, we're trying to protect-" he was interrupted when Amy's hand made contact with his cheek. A red mark from her slap appeared on his tan muzzle in the matter of seconds. Eyes wide, he stated at the crazed girl. Taking a hold of his collar, she spoke darkly.

"You will not EVER address me by what gender I am. I don't give a damn if I'm a girl or not, we're fighting with you and nothing is going to change it. Do I make myself clear?" Amy said. It was clear how strongly she felt towards this topic for a dark red aura had started to engulf her frame.

"…Fine…" he gave in. A smirk graced Shadow's face. He's had yet to see this side of her and it was…sexy…

"Go, Amy!" Rouge cheered. Amy smiled wickedly, seeing the almighty echidna knocked down a few pegs was really a sight, especially when done by her.

Packing the last of her things, Amy angrily zipped up her bag. Tonight, Shadow thought it would be best to finally go back home. But the adrenaline rush from earlier was still present, and she didn't know how to control it! She really wanted to punch his face back there, but didn't for the sake that she hoped she was still sane. The truth was, she's never been that anger since the night Eggman so rudely came by her house and refused to answer her questions about Sonics' whereabouts years ago. He was amazed to find out that night just how many hammers she could make appear…

"Amy, are you done?" Shadow said. Coming back to reality, she slung the bag over he shoulder.

"Yeah…" she brushed her bangs back. Making sure everything was in order, she closed the door to the bedroom. Shadow stood by the door, arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently. A trait that (he hated) and picked up from Sonic, seeing him do so many times. Gazing at him with a bored look, he picked up his things before opening the door. Holding it open for her, he made sure it closed before leading her to the front desk, where a female cheetah stood. She looked oddly familiar…

"Good afternoon, sir. Did you enjoy your stay with us?" she asked politely. Her puckered when she said 'you' meaning Shadow. Amy eyed her up and down as if warning her.

"…Sure." was his reply. Ha! In your face!

"If you would like, we have a quick survey to give feedback on this visit. Would you fill one out?" she asked, looking in his eyes. Oh, she is so flirting…!

"…Whatever." He was handed a pen and with a few strokes, he finished. Slightly, peeking over his shoulder, Amy saw that he'd written: 'Back Off'. She smiled a little. The cheetah smiled as they exchange his credit card with the survey.

"Have a nice day!" she exclaimed, before looking at the survey. A gasp emitted from her overly red glossed lips, as she looked at Shadow. She was ignored and grabbed Amy by her arm, dragging her along. She couldn't risk the opportunity; she stuck her tongue out. The cheetah snarled slamming the paper on the desk.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Now arriving at Shadow's home, they looked around seeing everything was in check. Nothing had been knocked over, thrown around, or marked, so they hoped it was safe.

"Put your dirty clothes in the laundry room. I'll check the rest of the house." Shadow ordered. Nodding, he headed up the stairs. Sorting through her clothes, she found the plastic bag with them and went through the kitchen to the laundry room.

"I wonder if they even bothered to look for me…" Amy asked herself. Setting the clothes in the washer, adding everything needed, to put it to work. Suddenly, arms slithered around her waist. She squealed, almost ready to hit whoever it was, but the arms held a certain warmth to them... Turning, she came face-to-face with Shadow.

"Aw, you ruined the surprise…" he said, disappointed.

"It's not nice to trick people on edge. You didn't know what I would've done." she scolded. Honestly, she was relieved it was only him. Wiggling out of his embrace, she ducked under his arm and out the room, which was later closed by the ebony hedgehog.

"Ah, you knew it was me." he argued. With a roll of her eyes, she spun around whipping her quills in the process.

"Yes, I did know it was you, but that does not change that you would've gotten slapped either way." Amy challenged. A bored look on his face proved he didn't believe her bluff.

"Not the first person you slapped today…" he started, trailing off on purpose. He even had to admit to himself that he was indeed turned on by her abrasive side. Yet, he wasn't so sure if she was ready for that…but he open to her suggesting it. He just had to find a way to expose it, while being subtle.

"Okay, clearly he knows I don't like ANYONE calling me 'woman'. It's degrading and you know it. I have a name…" Amy said, getting all worked up again.

"Even so, you slapped him. I think that was taking it a little too far."

"You would've."

"True, but it's different." Shadow shot back. He gave her a look, daring her to continue. She sighed in defeat, moving upstairs to his bedroom. Could she call it theirs…? Collapsing on the bed, she blew out a heavy breath. It's been a long day. Coming in behind her, he shut the door. It would be now or never…

"Why did you go against them? I mean, I thought you would be for leaving us at home." Amy suddenly asked.

"It's one thing to question someone's strength, but it's another to not even give then a chance." Shadow answered simply. Crawling up beside her, he grabbed and held her gently in his arms. He nuzzled the side of her face.

"…But, what if this is someone…powerful-er than anyone we've met?" the pink one asked. Her eyelids lowered in content.

"We've battled a mad scientist who used me as a weapon, a beast made entirely of water with Chaos powers, a freaky hedgehog who likes to look like me, and Sonics' anti from another dimension. I think we can handle this one…" he said. His hands roamed her curves, slightly grazing them with his fingertips. This earned a small moan from Amy, closing her eyes for a moment.

"…So, you don't doubt for a second that…we'll lose?" Amy asked, breathing deeply. Shadow shook his head.

"If Sonic really is still with us, he'll figure out a way to level the playing field. That is, if there is one." and with that, he moved to kiss her, but she dodged.

"You're not slick mister." Amy teased. Breaking the embrace, she leaped off the bed, leaving a dumbfounded Shadow laying there.

Ha! Shadow thought he was sly enough. But anyways, as previously stated, relationships are being tested somewhat. Knuckles got slapped by Amy, Amy told off Tails, Silver sided with Shadow in a heated argument with Tails and Knuckles, and Rouge and Cream let Amy's temper do their talking. Confused yet? I know I am… But for those of you wondering if and when Shadow and Amy will finally do something, the answer can only come with time, and by time I mean possibly next chapter. Don't want to miss that, now do you? Leave a review please! Until next time… -D.A.K