You stop in the Mess Hall to see if there's any good food around. You settle for a drink, and as you look around for a seat, you find Rouge sitting alone, looking rather glum.

"This seat taken?" you ask.

"Help yourself…" she grumbles, offering the chair next to her, which you take.

"What's wrong with you?" you ask, "Had another fight with Knuckles?"

"Boy, aren't you smart?" she snarks.

You blink in response. "Wow. I was just kidding…"

"The guy's a total jerk," she grumbles, "Poor chump hasn't slept well since we got here, and needs a shut eye. So here I am, offering to watch over the Master Emerald for him so he can catch a few winks. What does he do? Accuse me of trying to steal it from him! And that little twerp Shade is quick to take HIS side and force me away, like she's his new bodyguard or something!"

"Well, that's not nice of him," you say, "Though… you DO have a history of trying to steal the emerald from him."

"ONCE!" she hisses at you, "I tried stealing it ONCE! But when it became obvious he wasn't handing it over so easily, I gave up."

"Then what about all those other times you went to bug him? And tell him you were going to grab it once he looked away?"

Rouge sighs heavily and dips her head downwards. She opens one eye and glances up at you. "Sweetie… can you keep a secret?"

You nod. "Whatever you say doesn't leave this table."

Rouge sits up in her seat. "The truth is, Blue… I only pretend I want the Master Emerald. That way, I have an excuse to go see Knuckles on Angel Island, and he's none the wiser… even though I drop a few subtle hints now and then."

"By calling him a dummy and threatening to steal his emerald?"

She gives a playful smile. "Know any other hints?"

You shrug in response. "I thought you said he wasn't really your type. Too serious and all…"

Rouge narrows her eyes at you. "And you believed me? You're as dull as he is." She turns away, sighing. "Thing is, it seems he's more interested in Shade. Who could blame him? The girl practically sticks to his side like glue. I say the slightest thing out of line, and she's on my case. She may as well get doggie treats from Knuckles for being so loyal…

"I dunno, Blue… It just feels like I'm losing my shot with Knuckles here."

"Have you considered treating Knuckles a little nicer?" you suggest.

Rouge laughs. "Sure! When he stops painting a target on himself all the time."

Chapter 24 - Tell Rouge she has to treat Knuckles better.

Chapter 25 - Tell Rouge she can do better than Knuckles.