Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Babbysitter Affair ❯ Care for You ( Chapter 19 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The Babysitter Affair

Chapter 19

The city lights were still garishly lit by the time Rouge arrived home.

The minute she stepped foot inside, she bounded up the steps and made a bee-line for her bedroom.

Lingering thoughts and fresh memories still haunted her of her decisions the past few days but she forced herself to push them away.

Right now, she preferred to focus on herself instead of anyone else; especially another male.

In one swift movement, Rouge tossed her keys and cell phone onto the bedsheets. Briskly, she led her sore legs over to a corner of the room where she kept some of her electronic belongings. Namely, her stereo.

With almost no effort from how familiar she was with the song she wanted to choose, she quickly pressed a few buttons and turned up the volume.

Rouge stood eying the device for a moment, waiting for the song to begin. The moment the slow baseline was heard, a tingle of relief traveled throughout her body and she exhaled heavily.

“Just what I needed.” she murmured to herself with a small smile and turned to face her closet.

The same closet she let Shadow sleep in a few days ago.

For a moment, she paused as the fond memories flooded back to her.

“Mmmm goodnight Shadow…Thanks for listening to me.”

“You're welcome Rouge.”

She forced the memory out of her mind and reached for her cloth robe.

The soft notes of the song drifted sweetly down the hallway and heightened her spirits just a bit as it floated her into the kitchen.

Draping her robe over her shoulder, she pulled out a glass from the dishwasher and filled it halfway with water.

Her eyes wavered hesitantly; a hint of sadness fleeting past them as her thoughts darted once again to Shadow.

“Anyway…I still needed to speak with you.”

“Hmm? Oh yeah that's right. What's going on? Do you need help with something Shadow?”

“This time, I want you to help yourself.”

. “Huh? Help myself? I already pay my own bills…”

“No, Rouge, what I mean is, while I'm watching the boys, it would be best if you went out and lived your own life. At least for a couple of days. You've been through enough stress and we both know you need time to relax so, why not do it while you can?”

“Shadow are you giving me an invitation to a vacation?”

The running liquid started to overflow the glass that failed to contain it while Rouge stared into space.

It wasn't until she dropped the glass in the sink that the realization of her bitter remembrance truly hit her.

She had become so upset with Shadow earlier after he left.

Angered that things had to happen and end in such ways between them.

And it was all because of her refusal to admit the truth on her wedding day.

Swearing lightly under her breath, the dejected bat poured out the excess of water and placed the cup on the counter.

Standing on her tip-toes, she reached for a particularly high cabinet that only she was known to ever pay attention to between her husband and herself.

Knuckles mainly stayed out of the kitchen unless he was taking food, or her, on the counter tops.

After a few seconds of searching, Rouge found the object she sought and brought the small box down.

The printed letters read a popular brand name and “Menstruating Medicine” across it. That way, she was positive if Knuckles ever saw it, he wouldn't dare touch it. And for very good reason for what actually lay inside.

Rouge smiled inwardly at the misconception, but it soon melted away into a stern stare as she pulled out a small package of 2 tiny pills.

Plan B.

She always kept a few of them around just in case she randomly decided she didn't want anymore children from her husband after she ceased taking her birth control pills.

'Now look at where it's gotten me. I'm taking precautions about getting pregnant by another man. ' she mused sarcastically to herself and downed one of the pills, taking big gulps of water.

She had actually been off of the birth control pills for a few days now. The most recent time she took the last pill, it was the day before she found that band and Knuckles' dreads...

Finishing, Rouge placed the glass and the sink and carried the small box with her out of the kitchen.

Tossing her robe atop the toilet, she put the box on the sink and prepped the tub.

A hot bath would help her relax, in addition to other things.

The soft melody of another slow song wavered down the hall and into her ears.

As the water poured freely into the deep porcelain, Rouge found herself singing.

“' Hey, sexy baby. There's no need to worry. Oh boy if you call on me, I'll come. I'll come. In a hurry '..... 'I love you, yes I do...' ....” she trailed off.

Why was she singing that song? She had sang it before, when Shadow agreed to come home with her and the boys to talk that night.

The words flowed eagerly from her lips then, just as they had now.

She needed him. But she couldn't go running back to him now.

Standing to her feet, she kicked off her boots and pulled her t-shirt over her head.

The breezy mist of the water tickled her exposed skin as it crept over her.

A low sigh brushed by her lips as she shut her eyes and allowed every burden to be whisked away.

Her lithe fingertips traveled upto the strap of her swimwear and gingerly pulled it down over her shoulder, then slowly lifted it back up over the soft flesh.

Two sultry syllables of a name dropped from her lips as she pulled the strap down off her shoulder and led it down her arm while the steam of the water caressed the exposed skin.

Gently.

Almost skillfully.

Just like him; his delicate touches.

“Shadow...” she murmured, pulling down the opposite strap.

Everything seemed so real. Every sweet delectable delusion. She could feel his fingertips tracing over her skin; his mouth dappling wet kisses along her chest while helping her peel the moistened fabric away from her begging body.

Undressing her.

Loving her.

Rouge shuddered.

Despite her bitterness towards him, she still wanted him, still needed him in her life. She wanted to look into his dusky carmine eyes and be swept into his arms for hours.

A big part of her yearned, almost ached for his affection. The same affection he showed her he still had after all the years that had been wedged between them.

But his kisses, his love, his passion--they were never hers to have.

Not since her wedding day.

That day... one decision caused her world to crumble beneath her feet.

Her own choices led to the unhappiness in her marriage now.

She was the one to blame. The only one to blame.

Nude, Rouge kicked the small pile of her clothes to the side and stared at the building water with dazed eyes.

Her tender flesh still tingled with the sweet sting of Shadow's allure and affection from earlier that morning and the night before. As well as from the new fresh images she had conjured about him.

But as wonderful as their time spent together had been, she had to end it.

As much as she loved Shadow, she couldn't turn her back on her family; the ones that needed her the most.

The ones she needed the most.

Or did she?

What did she really need?

Rouge placed a hand to her head and coughed. She didn't want to battle with herself now.

And to make matters worse, she probably had caught a cold from being at the lagoon this time of year.

But she'd deal with that later. Right now, it was her time to unwind.

Slowly, she closed her eyes and spread her fingers over her stomach. Gently, she led one hand upwards while the other slid down past her hips.

Yes, she needed her own time to do as she pleased.

Shadow's presence littered her thoughts and heightened her desires as she caressed herself as he had done; lovingly, slowly, and deeply.

She guiltily needed to feel him, to consume his scent and swoon in his arms.

To be his was perfection.

Everything was perfect.

That is, until her phone rang.

Embarrassed by her motions, quickly she threw on her robe and dashed down the hall.

In a flurry of white and fluttering fuchsia, Rouge dove for the bed.

“Hello??” she asked breathlessly and froze when she heard the deep chuckle on the end.

“Hey babe.” Knuckles greeted warmly. The hint of a broad smile was clear in his voice.

“Oh, it's you.” she murmured, then mentally kicked herself. Of course it was Knuckles! She had cut off all ties with Shadow, so who else would be calling her?! That didn't mean she couldn't fantasize about him, though.

“I... I didn't expect you to call so soon, Knuckles.”

“What, did I call at a bad time? You sound disappointed.”

“Just tired.” she partially lied, not missing a beat. To emphasize her words, Rouge laid down on the bed on her belly and stretched.

A soft sound of consideration wavered on Knuckles' end. “Sorry, babe. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“Mm how nice of you.”

“And to let you know that uh... I'll be staying with Sonic and Amy for a bit while you're away.”

'Sonic and Amy?' she silently wondered.

The thought passed her mind of more going on than was told to her, but she let it slide.

Knuckles was being awfully kind to her tonight.

“Yeah, I figured I'd give you a bit more space.” he continued, his words littered with bits of partial lies. He did want to give her the space she had requested, but he more so wanted to stay closer to Amy. Not out of sensual interest, but out of acceptance.

Besides the kids loved her.

“Alright”

“Alright?! Well that's a response I never expected to hear from you!”

Rouge snickered a little. And for a brief moment, she felt like an adolescent school girl tying up the phone line talking to a boy she liked. “What response?”

“Satisfaction.”

This time, Rouge did laugh. “Oh, don't you dare take that tone with me, Knuckles! I'm still angry at you.”

He sighed. “Still? Woman, would you stop being at mad at me for something I told you I didn't do??! Hey, I even did what you wanted! I respected your wishes and gave you some space. And I even added in some nice little words you may have liked. I'm doing my best here!”

“Try harder. I'm still not convinced.”

“...”

“But your efforts are somewhat appreciated, Knuckles.”

Honestly, Rouge wasn't sure why she was toying with him. Even though she cut her ties with Shadow to become loyal to her husband again, Knuckles was also the last person she wanted to talk to right now.

“Are you home?”

“Hmm? Yes. How did you know?”

“I can hear that music in the background. Hey! I even bought you that cd, remember?!”

She chuckled to herself. “ Yes, I remember.”

“Yeah, you really loved that song. What was it, 'Talk for Two?' 'Sexy Baby'?”

“ 'I Care 4 U' “ she corrected.

A gentle silence settled between them. Then Knuckles chuckled. “Mm, mind if I come over for a bit, babe?”

'Yes, I mind!' she cried inwardly and bit her lip. “Sorry, not tonight. H-hey! Didn't I say I was tired?”

“Never stopped you before. Remember that one steamy night we...”

“I'm on my cycle.” she fibbed quickly.

She felt a whoosh of relief rush throughout her body from the disgusted sound from her husband. “Oh... Kind of early, isn't it?”

“What are you, my gynecologist?! I said no!”

“Okay okay! Damn! Well, I'd be willing to experiment. We could just place some towels down...”

“NO! That's disgusting, Knuckles! I'm going to hang up on you if you don't stop!”

“Alright alright! I'll stop! Damn, you're giving me hell, Rouge! I just wanted to lay next to you at least. It's been a while for me.”

With a huff, she sat up and crossed her legs. “There's that tone in your voice again, Knuckles.” she scolded placidly. “ Is sex all you think about?”

“With you, about 90% of the time. What's wrong with that?”

“I'm not a rug-rat factory and I would not want to spend the majority of my life popping out your babies!” She had meant to just say 'popping out babies', but the 'your' just happened to fall in.

“Hey...”

“Is that all you see me as?!”

“HEY! I was joking! What has gotten into you?!”

'Shadow' she thought with a dejected sigh.

“You're lashing out at me more than usual!”

“Sorry.” she apologized.

“I guess you just missed your favorite verbal punching bag. You haven't said anything nice to me in years!”

“Knuckles, I'm not in the mood.”

“You never are. But you know what, this is still your 'vacation', so I'm not going to 'ruin' it for you. Or whatever. Sorry things got so out of hand. Then again, maybe its just your period talking.”

Rouge said nothing but swallowed hard. Yeah, her period. She wished she was on it now.

“Anyway, goodnight, Rouge. Hold on, let me put the boys on.”

There was a ruffling of movement on the other line and faint toddler inquires over who was on the phone.

Rouge couldn't help but smile gently at the sounds of her sons' tiny voices and grinned widely when one of them spoke into the receiver.

“Hewwo? Mommy?” Akai asked rather loudly.

“Hi sweetie.”

“Daddy says we have to be nice and say g'night. G'night. K bye.”

“That wasn't vewy nice, Akai!” Amethyst's small voice called to his brother.

“So what? Daddy's here so I can do whatever I want! I said g'night.”

“Mommy's gonna get you, Akai!” Amethyst continued, then placed his attention towards his mother. “Hi mommy!! We're havin' fun! How are you?”

“Fine, honey...” she muttered, still disturbed by Akai's behavior. He was too much like his father.

“Dat's good. Auntie Amy and Mistuh Idiot are real nice!”

She giggled. “ ' Mister Idiot' ?”

“Yeah! Dat's his name!” Amethyst continued jubilantly. She could hear Knuckles laughing in agreement in the background. “I wish you were here too, mommy”

“Oh, thank you honey. Mommy wishes you all were here with her. But she needs some rest. So, good night, Amethyst. Sweet dreams!”

“I will!” he chirped happily, then made a childish sound. Rouge supposed he was signaling his brother over to the phone again.

“Night mommy! Love you!” Amethyst cheered.

“Love you. Bye.” Akai redundantly responded.

“Love you too, boys.” Rouge smiled faintly.

Once the boys were done, the phone was given back to Knuckles.

“I love you, Rouge.” her husband stated solidly. “I'll talk to you some other time.”

She paused. The right words thrived on the tip of her tongue but refused to be spoken.

“Thank you, Knuckles, for calling me. Goodnight.” And with that, she hung up and tossed the phone to the side.

The truth may had been spoken, but the correct words were not.

She had already lied to him enough. He didn't need to be crushed.

Rouge's thoughts drifted and she drooped her head.

Irony crossed her mind.

For days, she had been accusing him of seeing another woman behind her back and committing adultery when in speculation of that, while she actually did it.

She had crossed the very line that she scolded him of crossing.

Her shoulders flinched as a low chuckle fluttered in her throat. A low sarcastic chuckle.

Then it grew to an empty dry laugh.

It was amazing what so many years of living with someone could change a person.

Tears stabbed at the backs of her eyes and she threw her hands against her face.

And cried.

Just what had she become?

Knuckles deserved better. He actually had been doing his best for her.

He deserved another chance.

At the very least, he deserved her to live upto the commitment she had vowed to while wearing its embodiment on her finger.

She had cheated on her husband. There was no other way around it.

And with that guilt weighing down upon her shoulders, Rouge stood to her feet and headed slowly towards the bathroom.

She would give Knuckles his chance.

But only after she ceased loving another man.

Rouge didn't love him.

That was the very first reality that popped into Knuckles' mind as he lowered the phone to his side.

But he managed to calm himself down and think otherwise.

“She just needs her time.” he reassured himself in a mumble. “Just give her a few more days alone to herself and she'll come around.”

“What'd you say, daddy?” Akai asked intently, looking up from the game he was playing.

Amethyst was sitting up on Sonic's bed while attempting to read an instruction manual in his own way: making up whatever story that went along with the pictures or the shapes the blocks of text made.

Knuckles looked at the two of them in their contrasting differences and smiled. “Ah nuthin'. Your dad's just being a worry-wart, but he'll be fine!” Knuckles grinned, flexing a bicep.

And of course, Akai mimicked the same. “Grrr that's right! My daddy's the stwongest! Nothing bothers him!!”

“Grrr...” Knuckles mocked his son, smirking faintly as his mind drifted. But he forced himself to focus his attention on his sons and his features instantly brightened. “Watch out, Akai! That bot is coming for you!” he warned playfully, pointing towards the game screen.

The smallish echidna cried out as his character, Sonic, got rammed into by a rhino robot and lost all his rings.

“Oh no!!” Akai squealed and leaned close to the screen with his mouth open, quickly gathering as many lost rings as he could. “Oh no oh no!!”

Knuckles laughed while Amethyst only shook his head and turned the book's page. “Dat's what you get.”

“Be quiet, Amafist!”

Knuckles laughed again, then trailed off as his thoughts tapered elsewhere.

'I wonder where Amy and Sonic went to?'

“You boys be good, alright? I'm going to go look for your auntie and Mr Idiot. Don't tear up the room while I'm downstairs, got it?”

“Okay daaaaaddyyyy!” the twins replied happily in unison.

“Good.” Knuckles nodded, but knew better than to trust a 2 year old's promised obedience, and headed out the room.

Once they head his heavy footsteps near the bottom of the stairs, they quickly tossed the items they held in their hands to the side and began to have a hyper fit jumping up and down on Sonic's bed; kicking and throwing the covers around.

Downstairs, Knuckles didn't bother calling out to his friends. He could hear the light voice of Amy coming from behind the house's back door.

As he neared closer to the door through the kitchen, he could make out bits and pieces of the girl's concerned words.

“Sonic you know that.... and.... Shadow, shut up, will you?!! .... No I won't apologize! .... .... What?! .... .... I said.... .... It's bad enough you two are still there! Sonic, hurry back.”

“Yelling at Sonic already?” Knuckles quipped, standing directly behind her. “You sound like a happy girlfriend already...”

Alarmed, the girl inhaled sharply and nearly dropped the phone she was so startled.

With wide searching eyes, she whirled around. “KNUCKLES!!!!!????!!!” she almost screamed, causing the echidna to take a step back.

“WHOA!! Hey, Amy, I was kidding about the yelling! What are you DOING out here?”

“None of your business!!” she snapped back, then blushed wildly as she fumbled for an apology. “Uh um s-sorry Knuckles.”

Half-expecting the retort, Knuckles sighed and glanced up into the sky.

“Is there a full moon tonight, or something?”

“Huh? No, it's a week too early for a full moon!”

Seamlessly, his eyes returned to hers. “Could have fooled me. Tonight seems to be perfect for b!tching. And I just happen to be the perfect target.

The faint sound of dark laughter could be heard from Amy's cell and she and Knuckles both darted their eyes to it.

It was Shadow, but Amy was sure Knuckles didn't know that. Nervously, she played along. “Ha...haha, Sonic, that was a good one.”

“But it wasn't me--?” the blue hedgehog's voice spoke up, but was completely cut off by Amy.

“I KNOW THAT! SHUT UP!”

Slightly amused, Knuckles quirked a brow and took a step closer.

“So Sonic's not here. Where did he go?”

Instead of answering the older male right away, Amy cupped a hand over the receiver and whispered rapidly into it before closing the call and slipping the phone into her pocket.

Knuckles eyed her keenly as she put on an extremely saccharine smile and folded her hands cutely behind her back. “I have no idea! That's what I was so upset with him about!” she fibbed.

Knuckles nodded slowly. “O...kay.” Then he remembered something. “I heard you mention Shadow. What, Is he following Sonic around now?” he half-joked, referring to a previous comment he had made about the dark hedgehog supposedly following him around.

“Something like that...” she scowled, then shook her head. “Nevermind. I'll just deal with them when I see them.”

“Them? Don't tell me...”

She blinked. “Don't tell you what??”

“Sonic isn't thinking of leaving you for Shadow, is he, Amy?”

She blanched. “Wh-what?!”

“I'm serious! At least that would explain why you're so on edge more than usual.”

“MORE THAN USUAL?!!”

He shrugged. “Like that.”

Exhaling deeply, Amy gazed up at Knuckles with large and confused eyes. “No, Sonic is not hooking up with Shadow behind my back!!”

“Ohh? Are you sure? I thought Shadow was a little...” he trailed off, raising a mitt and then letting it flop downwards.

Amy's face flushed red. “SHADOW IS NOT GAY, YOU MORON!”

Chuckling slightly, Knuckles shoved his hands into his pockets and raised a brow at her. “Hmmm, I wonder about that...”

“Well, stop wondering!” she demanded, slapping him on the arm “And why are you so serious all of a sudden?”

“I got off the phone with Rouge...” he admitted candidly, looking off to the side.

“Oh.” Amy made a face, but offered to listen to her friend anyway. “What did she say this time?”

“...A lot of things. She still thinks I'm cheating.” he trailed off, his eyes floating over to the angered girl before him.

Amy's hands clenched into fists. “That...b!tch!” she swore, but more so for her own ears to hear. How dare that scandalous bat blame Knuckles for something she did without a second thought?! It was because of her not keeping her legs closed that got them all into this nonsense!

She would never forgive Rouge for what she had done. Never.

“You should leave her, Knuckles. She's no good for you. How many times have I told you that?!”

“I know...” he responded meekly, only agreeing to the latter of what she scolded him for. “I let all that go but it was what she didn't say that bothered me. The boys told her they loved her and she said it to them easily. But when I said it...I wanted her to know that I meant it. But she didn't say it back.”

Vexed, Amy crossed her arms. “Well, what did you expect, Knuckles? I'm not saying that woman isn't capable of caring, but she certainly doesn't act like she's got a lot of love to give.”

Knuckles said nothing for a good while and simply took in the words she said.

He considered them. Yet, he still believed someday, with the right persuasion, Rouge would change for the better. Not just for himself and their marriage, not just for the kids, but for herself as well.

“I'm still giving her time.” he claimed finally. “I know if I keep coaxing her bit by bit, she'll come to her senses. As much as it pisses me off, I just can't give up now.”

“I admire your determination Knuckles and you're worth it. But I just don't think that she is.”

“I know where you stand, Amy. You don't always have to remind me.”

“I just-- I just don't like her, Knuckles! I don't trust her.”

“I know. And chances are you never will. But I'm the one that's married to her.” he sighed heavily, “And I've got a vow to hold on to. I'm not quitting yet!”

“That's the warrior's way, isn't it?” she whispered, keeping the philosophy close to her own heart.

With a smirk, he nodded. “Damn straight it is.”

Hearing this, a tiny smile touched Amy's lips and she stepped towards Knuckles.

Neither of them exchanged any words as she slipped her slender arms around his waist. His arms instinctively spread across her back and pulled her closer.

Silently, they hugged and Knuckles nearly clung to her for dear life. Not just because physical reassurance was something he desperately needed, but because he was understood.

She acknowledged and accepted the hope his words carried even though they both knew hope was a delicate and imaginary thing.

“Why couldn't she say it...” he mumbled, holding back a threatening wave of tears. “Why, Amy?”

“Just don't give up, Knuckles. Just hang in there.” she comforted “One day, I'm sure you'll get all the answers.”

“You swear?” he quired, attempting to smile.

“Damn straight!” she giggled.

The both of them shared a comfortable laugh, enjoying the other's company.

Separating, the two of them slipped into an easy and relaxing conversation and embraced in another hug as the soft winds of the darkening night gingerly caressed them.

And in the distance, green eyes glimmered as they beheld the two.

Weeks passed.

Amy had quickly generated enough funds to put the down-payment on her own apartment, while Knuckles and Sonic were mutually elated for her success.

She and her boyfriend talked about who would stay where. She hadn't gotten a definite answer right away, but she wished with all her heart that Sonic would decide to live with her in her new place.

Sonic had gotten a bit closer to Amy, much to her pleasure, and found himself feeling more eager and relaxed in her presence. He liked being with her quite a bit. But he still hadn't brought himself to say the 3 words she wanted to hear nor attempted to sensually please her like she wanted. He was thankful that Amy had decided to just give him some time.

Knuckles, throughout the passing days, was finally met with an agreement from Rouge to come and see her and happily did so. And to both of their surprise, Knuckles ebbed his urges to have sex with his wife and simply cared for her.

They even went out a few times. Slowly, Rouge found herself forgetting about her mistake with Shadow and began to fall in love with her husband for the first time.

Knuckles had noticed her coughing a bit, but deemed that overall, she was alright He was more concerned with the positive turn their relationship was taking and couldn't wait to re-propose to her. After a few days spent with her, he returned to Sonic's place to keep his promise to Amy to stay for a whole month. All was well for him.

Shadow had nearly become a ghost, hardly talking with anyone and staying away from both Rouge's house and Sonic's.

But, through some miraculous act of kindness towards him that he honestly didn't deserve, Amy allowed Shadow to stay in her new apartment until she moved out of Sonic's house.

Whenever Knuckles and the boys were out someplace or asleep, either Amy or Sonic would bring Shadow something to eat. But most of the times, he wasn't there...

Rouge was still sick. The flu. Every now and then she would get chills and need to rest.

Almost a full month had gone by and she had pushed the lingering remnants of Shadow out of her mind and her life.

Happily, Rouge hummed a distant tune to herself while vacuuming the hall carpet.

Her head pounded and her body felt drained, but she needed to pull herself away from the bed. Sick or not, she had to stay active somehow.

Her life was making a turn for the better. Finally.

As the minutes joyously were sang away, Rouge bent down to unplug the vacuum and froze.

A thick wave of dizziness and nausea swept over her and she slapped a hand over her mouth.

Feed a cold, starve a fever the doctors would say and she had been doing just that. She hadn't eaten in a few days now, but was sure to drink plenty of fluids.

But now it felt like those fluids were coming back up to say hello.

Slowly, Rouge forced herself to her feet and wobbled into the kitchen for a glass of water when her legs gave way beneath her.

Shaking, she lay in a sprawled heap on the tiled floor.

'What's happening to me?' she thought frantically, her eyes fleeting, 'I feel like I'm going to die... I need to call someone....'

Shakily, a hand lifted off the floor and snaked its way down to her slacks pocket.

Her mind was a haze of jumbled thoughts and feverish desires as she pulled out her cell phone and brought it upto her face.

She was too exhausted to speak. She would have to send a text message.

Her mouth slightly opened in a silent cry as she punched in the number of the first person that came to her mind.

The phone clattered against the cold floor and spun in weak circles on his side as her hand limply dropped against the hard tiles.

Knuckles sat on the couch in Sonic's living room dutifully watching the boys when the buzz from his phone made him squirm.

Briskly, he reached into his back pocket and looked at the display screen.

A text message?

His body warmed up excitedly as his heart fluttered in his chest in anticipation. Did Rouge send him a message? It was such a rare occasion.

Eagerly, Knuckles opened the message, his eyes bright.

But the contents of the text turned his eyes dark and his chipper mood vanished.

“Pay your bill today and save 2% off the initial price!” It read.

With an annoyed grunt, Knuckles shut the device and tossed it on the couch. “Damn bill collectors.”

“Awwww daddy said a bad worrrrd!” Amethyst brought up.

“Aww be quiet, Amafist!”

In the darkened rooms of Amy's new apartment, a single being stirred as it sulked into the kitchen.

Sluggishly, a gloved hand went to open the refrigerator door. Carmine eyes didn't dare flinch as the stark light flashed out and cut along the floor like a knife.

Seconds were absorbed through time as Shadow blankly stared at the limited contents within the fridge, mainly eying a carton of milk.

Without much passion, he pulled the carton off of the shelf, opened its top fold and drank straight from the carton.

Suddenly, the dull buzz of his cell went off.

Several times.

He ignored it and continued to drink.

It had to have been Sonic or Amy that was trying to contact him and he refused to bother with them right now.

He wasn't feeling too cheery.

When he finished with the carton, he threw it away and reached for another and drank from it as well.

Then spat it out.

His eyes narrowed as they skimmed over the expiration date. The milk was 3 months past its sell by date.

Cursing, he lowered the carton to his side and fumbled with finding his phone.

Amy should have known the milk was sour. In fact, he was sure she left it in there on purpose to make sure she finally gave him the warning to stop drinking from the cartons.

With a frown, he held out his cell and squinted at the message indicator.

“Hmph. That must be her now.” he grumbled and rolled his phone open.

But his eyes widened immediately when he realized it was from Rouge's number.

Seconds later, the expired carton dropped from his hand and he teleported out of the room.

He neglected the mess he had made on Amy's new floor; he disregarded the fact he left the refrigerator door open.

The only thing on his mind was Rouge and the cryptic message she had sent.

“Help me, Sh”

“I Care 4 U” is by Alliyah