It was almost midnight. The festival had ended hours ago, but after taking up Dexter's offer to go joyriding in his new and improved plane, Amy couldn't resist the opportunity, even though his travels around the globe were strictly business, Amy could not help but feel jealous at Dexter's mobility. It was a shame she couldn't do the same thing. As a child she always imagined going on grand adventure and like everyone else she grew tired the mundane and structured nature of her routine. While she gone on many adventures and traveled many places since, every so often she would crave for that rush of adrenaline again. She was glad Dexter afforded that rush, at least for the afternoon.

They made it back to her Station Square apartment far too soon for her liking, but it was getting late. He had parked the plane on the rooftop and escorted Amy to her room. They had been talking feverishly all day, but once they reached the door an awkward silence grew amongst them, the mixed emotions of their eventual departing lingering.

"I've had such a great time," Amy broke through the silence.

"Me too!" Dexter concurred excitedly, but reserved himself when he remembered Sonic's advice to play it cool.

"I'm glad to have been your date. I wish I could've been able ta' take ya' out on a second one sooner but work's called and given me a new job. They want me to be in Mazuri by tomorrow night." Amy could not hide her disappointment. "Oh, that's a shame, are you going to be back in town?"

"A week, maybe two, depends how many deliveries they need me ta' do."

"Well, you shouldn't leave on an empty stomach. Come in. I'll pack you up some lunchboxes and should stay the night. No offense, but only Sonic can sleep on Tails' couch and not get sore."

Dexter didn't even have time to blush and turn down the offer as Amy pulled him in to her bubblegum pink apartment. The second the door closed, a loud "Yes!" could be heard from around the corner of Amy's apartment. He pat himself on the back. Sonic the Hedgehog ran off to tell Tails that he was the winner of their bet.

Inside, Dexter couldn't stop sweating bullets. A girl! A real girl just invited him into their house. He would normally enjoy sitting on such a comfortable yet garishly pink sofa. Back home he never had such fashionable décor, and the only girls he'd ever been alone with were his mother and sisters. Amy was right; however, her sofa bed was a lot more comfortable. Amy joined him with two cups of hot chocolate in hand and placed them on the coffee table.

"I just finished your lunchboxes. They should last you for a month if you're not peckish," she joked.

"You didn't have ta' do have do that Amy!"

"No problem, Dexter. Anything to thank you for an amazing date!," she winked at him, which made the pilot blush.

"Ah, it was nuthin' really," he replied bashfully, and took a large sip of the hot chocolate. "Any guy would be lucky to spend an evening with you and have her be such a great cook."

"Not every guy, "Amy lamented quietly, but regretted letting it slip. She promised she won't compared Dexter to him . Especially out loud. How rude!

Dexter moved his cup back onto a coaster and snuggled closer to Amy to try and cheer her up.

"Well, this guy is the luckiest in world right now." Amy smiled and decreased the distance between them. So close together in fact that their noses were touching.

"I haven't felt this way about anyone in such a long time. I'm so glad you took me out today. I've been wanting to go to that festival forever, but I didn't want to go without a date."

'You mean without Sonic,' her subconscious added spitefully.

"Well, I'm glad you chose m-" Dexter was suddenly interrupted by Amy's lips. Sonic warned him that the pink hedgehog could be forceful (not that he minded). He didn't expect to readily receive another kiss so soon. He was lucky he got one earlier when the mood was perfect. Their lips have been connected for a while and had reached the point of making out. Sonic gave basic date advice. When Dexter inquired about what to do if things went beyond a peck on check however, Sonic violently brushed off the suggestion and pretended he couldn't hear him, so Dexter was flying blind with a lovesick hedgehog who clearly had more experience in this department. This was evident to Amy as Dexter released himself from her grip and breathed heavily, not understanding he was meant to breathe through his nose and not his mouth as per kissing etiquette. Amy however, misinterpreted his action to indicate a lack of enjoyment.

"I'm so sorry," Amy said, embarrassed. "I clearly misread the mood; I understand if you'd rather leave. Gosh, you must think I'm such a floozy."

"Are you crazy? I'd be an idiot to reject a kiss from a pretty girl like you. It's just..."

"What? Did I come on too strong? Ugh, I always make guys run for the hills!"

"No, it's not that," Dexter grabbed Amy's hand and looked sincerely into her eyes.

"I really like you Amy, you're beautiful, smart and caring, and more words I don't have ta' time to say. When we first met, you ended up being everything I imagined ya' ta' be and more. You've had so much fun, but..."

"What?"

Dexter bit his lip. He gave Sonic his word that his role as cupid would be kept a secret but didn't like to idea of lying to Amy either.

"I'm no good for you. I'm a loser." He gave another reason instead.

"Don't say that Dexter, that's not true. You made me feel alive again after so long. I've never met a guy like you that doesn't act condescending to me or uses me to get closer to Sonic and my friends. No guy wants to be seen with 'Sonic's psycho fangirl'."

Amy hated hearing anyone put themselves down. She wanted to reassure him that he was more than his self-image. That his presence meant something to her more than a vengeful rebound. That was her wish, to be cared for her more than a friend.

"You're a great pilot AND you get paid to go on adventures. That's amazing. Honestly, I'm jealous. I wish I could see the world like that."

"Then come with me," the lovesick hedgehog blurted out.

"What?!"

"I get pretty lonely on the job and it would be nice to have someone to talk to and see the sights, but you're probably busy with work so I understand if I'm being selfish-"

"Yes," she didn't think twice as he hugged him passionately. Her eyes had finally opened.

At Tails' workshop in the early morning hours, the two-tailed fox was making breakfast. Nearby on the couch, Sonic was content, enjoying the pancakes his best friend made.

"Ah! Today is a good day." Sonic couldn't help but say the statement as smugly as possible, the feeling was too much to conceal. Sonic had not seen Amy so cheerful in a long time. With Dexter she returned to being the carefree girl he had always known. No more crying on her balcony. No more waiting for him to come back indefinitely. She was happy, and to that end Sonic was happy as well. Sonic chuckled as he heard Tails grumble to himself in the kitchen.

"Hey, it's your fault you didn't think my plan would work. Now you owe me a chilli dog for everyday of the year."

Sonic's gloating was interrupted by a knock at the door which made Sonic yell out, "It's open!", to avoid getting up.

"Sonic! Tails! Are you both here?" Amy opened the door wearing her usual attire.

"Amy!?" Sonic was so shocked that he almost fell off the couch. "What are you doing here?"

"Hiya Sonic!" Dexter interjected. He appeared beside Amy. They were joint at the hip, holding each other's hands tightly. Sonic did his best to resist not gloating in front of Tails. He had physical proof his plan worked.

"I was hoping, you hadn't left so we could say goodbye."

"Goodbye? We?" Sonic asked, confused.

"I hafta' to get back to work doin' deliveries now that the Cyclone's workin' again," Dexter explained shyly. "And well... I asked Amy to keep me company."

"Yeah, Dexter's job pays him to globetrot and I need a break from the shop anyways. Vanilla and Cream are always happy to help out, so I thought why not. It'd be another vacation."

Dexter turned to Amy. "I'm gonna' ask Tails for a last minute tune up. Stay pretty, darlin' until I come back."

"Don't keep me waiting," Amy replied sweetly. Sonic almost gagged. The plan worked too well it seemed. It was weird to see Amy be affectionate to anyone other than himself after years of involuntary hugs, kisses and declarations of marriage, but hey, that was what he was hoping for. The pink and blue hedgehogs were alone again.

"Sooo..." He couldn't hide his smirk any longer. "You and Dexter seem close."

"Yeah~" Amy placed her hands on her cheeks and entered a dream-like state. She never felt so enamoured with another person. Someone who gave her butterflies like she was 12 again. "Dexter is so sweet and kind. A little silly but that adds to his charm!"

Sonic saw his chance and immediately got into character. "So, I guess whatever we had is over, right?" He feigned a tear dropping from his eye and kicked nothing. He wanted her to admit the truth, to make sure his plan worked beyond a shadow of a doubt.

"Lay it on me Amy."

"Sonic-"

"Please Amy, let me down gently."

"I-"

"Just say it. Amy, I can't take it anymore. Have mercy- "

"SONIC!" She yelled and almost lost her composure. "You act like we're not friends anymore. I'm still gonna' be around," she laughed at his silly charade. She sat down on the couch and Sonic joined her.

"I could never forget about you. I understand now that you don't care for me in that way, and that's okay. I've made peace with that. Unless... you wanna' confess your feelings before its late?~"

"Augh! Amy!"

Amy laughed. The joke was on him now. She would never get tired of his extreme reactions. "Not so funny when it's on the other foot, huh."

"Touche," he tried to save face. Still the same old Amy Rose.

Amy's face softened. "Still though... please... don't forget about me either." Sonic gave her a genuine smile, one that would always stay with her.

"Forget you! Never!"

Tails and Dexter signaled the two meet them on the runway behind the lab, interrupting their sentimental moment. When the two emerged outside, they were greeted to the sound of the Cyclone's engine starting up. The plane was packed with Amy's suitcases in the back.

"Well, she's all ready for you Dexter, I'm glad I was able to fix her for you." Dexter violently shook his hand.

"Thanks, buddy, I don't how I could ever repay you. My dad won't believe this. You ever need anything ever , let me know."

"How about a free flight to Adabat?" Sonic jokingly asked, which made the whole group laugh.

"Done," Dexter promised. "Are you ready ta' go Amy."

The rose stole a glance at Sonic and he returned the gesture with a wink.

"Yeah, I'm ready," she allowed Dexter to help her up onto the wing and back seat.

Dexter hung back for a moment to say goodbye to Sonic. The blue hedgehog, used to his personal space, was taken aback when the pilot thanked him with a bear hug rather than a simple handshake.

'No wonder they're perfect for each other, this guy has the grip of a beast!'

"Thanks, Sonic. For all you've done."

"Hey, don't thank me, you did all the hard work. Amy Rose is a hard girl to impress."

"Yes, she is," the boys laughed safely since Amy was confined in the soundproof cockpit.

"See ya'," Dexter waved and turned away, only for Sonic to stop him in his tracks.

"Remember what I said. Take for her. Or you'll regret it."

"No offense, dude, but knowing all of you now, I'm more afraid Amy than you," he countered bravely to even his own surprise.

"Good, since Amy carries her hammer everywhere, even on vacation." Sonic warned.

"Duly noted," Dexter said farewell to the duo with a pilot's salute.

The wind blew swiftly around them as the plane finally took off into the sky. Both parties waved to each other until neither could see the other, as the Cyclone disappeared into the clouds.

Tails started to walk back to the lab until he noticed the hero hadn't followed him inside. Sonic stood tall, his emerald eyes not breaking from the sight of where the Cyclone once was.

"Hey, are you sure letting Amy go was the right thing to do?"

Sonic scoffed. "You talk as if I own her. Amy's does what she wishes, even when it sacrifices her own happiness. I'm happy she's made a choice for own sake for a change."

"Well, if you love something, you have to let it-" Tails' teasing was interrupted by a noogie.

"Hey, I was only messing with you. I'm surprised your plan worked though."

"Then, you don't know Amy that well as you thought."

"And you do? Mr. 'Marriage No Way.'"

"Of course. I know Amy better than anyone else, for better or worse. Which means that I was the best person to find her a date."

" Yeah... remind me when I want a date to help me find a girlfriend near the local scrap heap. Maybe you could start a business. Amy would make a great testimonial." The younger friend mocked.

"Love works in mysterious ways, little buddy. Although, you are right, I could use another adventure too." Sonic rotated to face the lab's roof and used his fingers like a camera.

"Sonic the Matchmaker, I like it!"

I finished this story almost a year ago, and while I was satisfied with the ending, I wanted a better ending for Dexter, my sweet country boy.

Special thanks to everyone who read this story over the years. Your comments and reviews have meant alot to me, especially when I was in a darker phase in my life. More stuff is coming in the coming weeks so please stay tuned!