A/N: Despite being a sequel to A Labor of Love, you don't actually need to read that one to understand this one.

It was a warm Friday afternoon in Emerald City, and Sonic the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Shadow the Hedgehog and Rouge the Bat were taking a trip down to the Emerald City Public Sports Complex, a large outdoor park with sporting fields where people could play various kinds of sports: baseball, basketball, football – both the American and European kinds – and volleyball, among others. However, the four of them were going here to play tennis. There was a small shop where people could rent sports equipment for free – provided it was brought back in acceptable condition, with a small returnable deposit being used as collateral – so Sonic, Amy, Shadow and Rouge didn't need to bring their own rackets or balls. Sonic and Shadow were dressed up in their usual outfits, but Amy and Rouge had put on special outfits for today: Amy was wearing a white tank top, a red pleated skirt with a white stripe and red tennis shoes with white stripes. As for Rouge, she was wearing a black sports bra with white trim, a blue pleated skirt with white trim and white tennis shoes with blue stripes. Sonic commented on the outing:

"Rouge, I ain't even hit the court yet and I'm already itchin' to try this!"

"Yes, so you've told me, honey. Still, it means so much to me that you'd take some time out of your busy schedule to try something new!"

Amy giggled. "I enjoy spending time with Shaddy regardless, but it's not often we get to play tennis together!"

Shadow nodded. "I agree. I've only ever played tennis once before, but I enjoyed it. I don't know why I don't play it more often."

Amy playfully shoved Shadow. "That's because you never ask me out to play, silly!"

Sonic and Rouge had a good giggle at Shadow and Amy's cute interaction.

"Ah, an empty court! Perfect!"

Rouge – having found an empty tennis court for them, was the first to open the gate. Once they got inside, Sonic pulled out a 1-Mobium coin.

"Call it, Ames."

"Heads!"

Sonic flipped the coin, and it was indeed "heads", so Shadow and Amy got to go first. Since Amy did the toss, Shadow took the serve. He threw the ball up and gave it a good solid whack. Since he was the Ultimate Life Form and had struck it with as much force as he could at Sonic, the Blue Blur's motor skills went into overdrive as he attempted to return the serve:

(Damn, that cat hits like a million prizefighters! Here goes…)

Sonic made a quick dive at the ball, and…he just managed to hit it and send it flying back across the court. However, Amy caught the ball just in time and sent it rocketing over to Rouge, who returned it to the cherry blossom hedgehog. And so it went, both Team Sonouge and Team Shadamy going at the fuzzy yellow sphere like mad as they deftly attempted to get the first 15 points of the game. To Sonic, it was all in good fun. To Shadow, however, it was a competition that he couldn't even think of losing, even if Amy and Rouge would chew him out for his overly-serious attitude towards the game. It was a hard rally, but soon, Rouge just missed a shot, giving the first point to Shadamy, who were now up 15-love.

"YAY!"

Amy gave Shadow a celebratory hug, which he gladly returned.

"Not bad, but we'll get you cats back for that one!" said Sonic.

"I wouldn't bet on it."

Since the same player had to serve for the game, Shadow took another serve and hit it at Sonic. Again, this resulted in a chaotic rally, which only ended when Shadow just barely missed a shot from Sonic, making the score 15-All.

"Good going, Big Blue!"

Rouge wrapped an arm around Sonic, and he did the same.

"You two only got lucky on that one," said Shadow. "We'll get you next time."

Rouge smiled. "Did we? Keep in mind that my baby is The Fastest Thing Alive."

Shadow growled. "Enough, Rouge. I'll show you who's really faster!"

Shadow served again. Each side played hard, eventually getting a "deuce"…that is, both sides had 40. After this, it was a mad rush to get that two-point lead, but eventually, Team Sonouge got it, 8-6. Rouge then went over to Sonic and cupped his face in her hands:

"Not bad, Big Blue. Keep this up, and you might just get a little."

Sonic smiled. "Knowin' you, I'd expect it, but I'd still be happy!"

Rouge giggled. "Of course you would!"

Since Shadow had served first, serving privilege went over to Rouge. She started off strong with her serve and kept going strong by getting one past Shadow, but ultimately, Team Shadamy won 7-5.

"Shadow, you were great!"

Amy kissed Shadow, much to his delight:

"Thank you, Amy. We still have to win the set, though."

Amy raised her eyebrows. "Oh, you're right, but how many…Sonic, Rouge, come over here!"

Team Sonouge and Team Shadamy got together.

"So, how many games should we play for this set?" asked Amy.

Sonic stroked his chin. "Good question. Why don't we do…six? Seems like a nice round number."

Rouge nodded. "I'm fine with that. And you, Shaddy?"

Shadow nodded. "I accept."

Amy smiled. "Good! Let's have fun!"

And have fun they did. Team Shadamy got the third game in the set 9-7, but Team Sonouge wasn't out yet, for they got the fourth one at 7-5. Ultimately, with scores of 6-4 and 11-9, it was Team Sonouge who took the set.

"Big Blue, I don't know how you do it, but you're one of the best tennis players ever!" said Rouge.

"Hey Mama, sports are in my blood!"

"I'll say! Come here!"

Sonic and Rouge began making out with each other, while Amy shook her head and headed for the gate when Shadow put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't bother. I already tried a jackhammer once and it failed."

"So how are we supposed to break those two lovebirds up?"

"We wait."

Amy sighed. As good friends as Sonic and Rouge were, she struggled to understand them sometimes. Still, she did get to be with her dear Shadow, so she was grateful for that, not to mention the fresh air and sunshine.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.