Chapter 10

"Did you hear that?" Sticks questioned, sitting up suddenly.

"No, what?" Amy replied.

"I didn't hear anything," Rouge exhaled. "Damn, and I was just about to fall asleep."

"I definitely heard something," Sticks pressed. "From the far end of the beach. I'll go check it out."

"I'll go with you," Tails offered. "Buddy system, right?"

"Right," Sticks grinned.

"Call us if you need us," Knuckles called after them as they started to walk away. Soon, they turned past a cave and couldn't see their friends anymore.

"What'd you hear?" Tails asked, straining his ears to listen for anything around them. All he could hear were nighttime crickets and the ocean.

"I didn't," Sticks smiled mischievously.

"Wait, then- why did we come over here?"

"Because I noticed you lookin' at me all funny during the bonfire," Sticks smirked. "Anything you want to say about that?"

Tails froze, knowing he'd been caught. "Well… I wasn't… I mean, I guess I…"

"You know, it's awfully fun to make you nervous," she laughed.

Tails, in spite of himself, grinned.

Sticks took a step in his direction, so that they were only a few inches from each other now. "So, are you going to tell me?"

Tails felt his pulse go crazy. "I guess… maybe… it's possible I… might have a crush on you…" he stuttered, looking at her eyes. They were the most gorgeous shade of brown.

"No kidding? Tails, the ever-logical genius, has a crush?" she smirked. Tails made the observation that if he leaned in just a few inches, he could close the gap between them. "Strange. Have you done much research on it?"

"Not really," he murmured quietly. "Sometimes research doesn't make things any clearer."

"Nothing? Made any hypotheses?"

"One," he answered, feeling a bit brave.

"And?"

"If I kiss you," he began, then finally leaned in and kissed her. She responded immediately, twining her arms around his neck. He pulled back slowly. "…it'll make my crush that much worse."

"Oh, you're in for it now," Sticks giggled, not letting go of him.

"I'm counting on it," Tails agreed. "Oh!"

The two lost their balance, not paying attention, and fell to the sand. Sticks landed on top of him, bracing herself with her hands on his chest, and he blushed at the position they were in. She took notice and gazed at him with amusement written all over her face. "Seriously, it's too easy to make you blush."

"So not funny," he exhaled.

"I didn't say it was," she grinned, leaning down and kissing him again.

"What'd you guys find?" Amy asked as the badger and kitsune made their way back.

Sticks shrugged. "Nothing interesting. Guess I'm hearing things." Sticks never blushed, but she was having a hard time not doing exactly that as the memory of herself pressed against the fox next to her floated around in her mind. She'd never felt that sort of response from her body to a kiss before. Her heart rate sped up, and she could feel her palms sweating.

…she could feel his soft fur against hers as she gently teased his lips open with her tongue, feeling his respond accordingly. He entwined his fingers in her long brown hair, and she moved hers slowly along his toned chest. He groaned slightly into the kiss, making her smile. Suddenly, he broke the kiss and pushed her off gently.

"What's wrong?"

"W-we should probably head back," he replied nervously.

"But why- oh," Sticks suddenly realized, slightly embarrassed at his predicament but also quite amused. "Come on, then." She stood and offered him both her hands, pulling him up as well. "You know, you shouldn't be embarrassed."

"Look who you're talking to," he grumbled, making her laugh as the two headed back in the direction of their friends.

"Well, I'm exhausted," Shadow announced, "and you people are boring. I'm out of here."

"You sure? Everyone else is spending the night in our place. You're welcome too, since you have to come with us tomorrow," Amy offered. Shadow considered.

"Fine," he answered grumpily. "If I have to."

"Shadow, don't be so grumpy," Knuckles sighed, sitting up and looking at his friend. "Are you always like this?"

"You bet your ass," he muttered, making Rouge, Sticks, and Tails laugh.

"Come on," Amy chuckled, pulling him up. "Knuckles, Tails, you guys heading out, too?"

"Yeah, I think so," Tails answered. "Thanks for the party, Knuckles."

"Anytime," Knuckles bowed, "as I am the undisputed king of the party."

"I think I disagree," Sticks murmured, just loud enough for Tails to hear, making him blush furiously.

"GOODNIGHT EVERYONE," he yelled, taking off towards the workshop.

"What's up with him?" Rouge asked Sticks.

"No clue," she shrugged, grinning secretly.