Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Great Scam ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

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

Disclaimer: Sega owns Sonic and his crew...I DON'T!!!

“The Great Scam” -Chap. 4.2

Knuckles glared at the pair that sat across from him. Rouge and Sonic. Who'd a guess? Knuckles was totally sure IF Rouge did have a new guy, he would surely be some kinda loser. But to know, it was a good friend. The Echidna didn't know how to feel.

Should he have been jealous? Jealous, cause Sonic was moving on his old territory? Should he be pissed at Rouge for going with his one of his best friends? Or should he just shake it off, because they were both in the wrong?

Either way, Knuckles didn't care. They could do what they wanted. If this was some kinda game, then yeah...Knuckles would play too.

***

Knuckles finally withdrew from his thoughts to join in on the conversation. He didn't really know what the topic was. But whatever it was, Sonic just made some kinda joke, because everyone else was laughing.

Oh well... The red Echidna turned to his “friend,” as a question came to mind. “So Sonic, how is Tails doing?”

Sonic paused for a minute, to actually process what the Echidna was asking. Then after a few seconds he responded. “Oh, he's cool.” he answered his friend. “The little guy is finally starting to recover...”

The Echidna nodded. He was glad his little buddy was doing ok. “Yeah...I remembered, you were telling me he had some kinda accident a few weeks ago...” Knuckles recalled.

Sonic grinned for a second, while making a quick glance toward Rouge. He smirked when he looked back at Knuckles. “Yeah...Some PSYCHO...” Sonic started to say while trying to get the Bat that was responsible attention. But as soon as the Hedgehog uttered the word PSYCHO, he felt the wrong end of a spiked heel stab his foot from under the table.

“OOWW!!!” he complained, as the senses in his legs were starting to deaden. After a second of deliberation, Sonic knew who the culprit was. He looked toward Rouge. Who was glaring right back at him. Sonic decided to change his tactic.

“I mean...Some Lunatic...Oww!” Again with the pain. “Uh...Maniac...Oww! Deranged... Oww! Stalker, OWW!!!!!” the hedgehog had to go down to rub his leg. That last one really hurt. His gaze, once again returned to Rouge who was still giving him, the blue eyed glared.

Sonic got up. He knew he couldn't win. “Never mind...he just had a little run-in with a misguided soul.” The blue hedgehog then turned to Rouge, who didn't say anything. She just looked at her menu, faking like she was still deciding.

Knuckles and Julie-Su looked at each other. They didn't know what just happened. But they didn't want to get involved. “Anyway...” Knuckles said while returning to the conversation. “Anyone that did what they did to him. Must have been nuts.” Rouge frowned. “So has any of his hair grown back yet?”

The Hedgehog nervously scratched the back of his head. He wasn't sure if what he said would bring back the pain. He looked to Rouge, who just nodded. Sonic sighed. “Well most of it...And he also got out most of the neon Pink dye,” Sonic then grimaced. “But I swear, the curse words that were curved into his butt, will take a lot longer.”

Julie-Su frowned. “Hey I know Tails...he's such a sweetie! Who could have done such a thing?”

“Ummm...don't know...” Sonic lied, he really hated being dishonest, but he also knew it would be really bad for Rouge, if he did. Not to mention, what she would do to him afterwards. The Hedgehog cringed, when he thought about that.

“Well, who ever it is they seriously need help.” Knuckles stated while tossing his menu to the table.

Julie-Su nodded, “Yeah I agree.” She turned to Rouge, “Don't you agree, Rouge?”

Rouge didn't say a word. She was hoping the group would have forgotten she was there. But now the whole group's attention was on her, which made her blush a nice beet red. “Ummm…hehehe...Yeah that's really bad,” the white Bat flushed. “Ummm... HEY, WHERE'S THAT WAITER!?!”

****

In the next hour, everyone received their orders. Even Sonic, who was really disappointed the “Crystal Light” didn't serve Chili dogs, had enjoyed something else. Of course he needed some coaching from Rouge to actually try it.

So anyway...with the meal, done and over with. The young couples spent the remaining time trying to get to know each other. Actually it was more like Julie-Su and Knuckles, interrogating Rouge and Sonic.

Julie-Su just found the two so interesting. It was weird. To her it was almost like the two were complete opposites. But yet they still kinda fit, somehow. And although Julie-Su was looking for all the nice details of Rouge and Sonic's growing love, Knuckles was more preoccupied with looking for the dents in the armor.

Sonic was just lucky he did decide to look through some of what was in Rouge's book. It proved to be more handy then he originally thought. Oh course anything he didn't know he could always B.S. his way through.

****

“Ok Sonic...” Julie-Su said while gaining the Hedgehog's attention. “Since I already asked Rouge what she thought about you. Why don't you tell me Sonic what are some of the things you like best about Rouge,” she looked to Rouge and winked.

Sonic nearly gagged on the water he was just sipping. “Whaaa?? Ummm...” The hedgehog gasped as he fidgeted with his tie.

Knuckles narrowed his eyes as he continued to notice Sonic's nervousness. He cleared his voice to speak. Sonic, at first thought his long time friend was going to unknowingly come to his rescue. Well let's just say Sonic was sadly mistaken...

“Come on, Sonic...” Knuckles added on. “Since you guys are SO in love that should be an easy question,” the Echidna grinned from side-to-side. This should be good for an easy laugh.

Sonic frantically looked from side to side. His green eyes shifting from Julie-Su back to Knuckles. He was trapped. He was trapped and he didn't have a response. That was the one part of the book Rouge gave him, that he didn't go over. The stuff she had in there sounded too mushy. He wouldn't say those things in a thousand years. Now, he was wishing he had looked over a word or two.

You would think Knuckles instantaneously turned into a jackal, the way he was grinning at the Hedgehog. “What's wrong Sonic?” he arrogantly asked. “Eggman got your tongue?”

Knuckles' comment received an emerald glare from the Hedgehog. But all the glaring in the world wouldn't help him now. Sonic looked over to Rouge. He was distraught when he looked into her eyes. She was silently pleading with him to say something. ANYTHING!

The pressure increased for Sonic as he closed his eyes to think. Suddenly the hedgehog just said the first thing that came to his spiky head. “Umm...She's pretty!!!” he blurted out.

Knuckles and Julie-Su just looked at the Hedgehog strangely, both raising an eyebrow at the blue hero. Rouge merely sighed and slapped her forehead. Why in hell did she pick this idiot to be her savior!!?!!

“I mean...” Sonic continued, as he regained everyone's attention. He paused slightly as he continued to think. His green eyes then shifted from the two Echidnas and looked over to Rouge. Who was also looking back at a him with a questioned expression on her lovely face.

Sonic stared back at Rouge and slowly a smile formed on his face. “She's beautiful...” he grinned as more words came to him. “Every time I see her, every time I look into her soft blue eyes, I lose my breath...”

Sonic paused for a second and looked around to the group. Every eye was cast on him. All following every word he said. Especially Rouge. He grinned then continued, “Even when we argue, and she's yelling at me and stuff. I don't tell her, but I don't really care cause, I know she's still with me and cares for me. Like I care for her...”

Slowly he went and took her hand into his own. All the while the bat was totally speechless. “Every time she smiles I feel I want to smile. Her laugh is contagious...” He smiled while looking into Rouge's eyes. “She's just...beautiful...” He then brought Rouge's hand to his lips as he gently kissed it.

For a few seconds everything was quiet at the table. Then the silence was pierced by a high squealing, “AAAWWW...God that's the sweetest thing ever!!!” from Julie-Sue.

Knuckles frowned. This wasn't the way things were suppose to go. He turned to Julie-Su. “You want to dance?” he abruptly asked, while taking his attention away from the “happy couple.”

His girlfriend smiled in response. “Sure...baby...” The girl was totally unaware of her man's foul mood.

As they left, Sonic and Rouge remained silent. The blue hedgehog let go of the white bat's hand. As soon as he did, she went to look at her dessert menu. Her cheeks totally flustered.

Rouge was still looking at her menu when she said. “You know that wasn't in the book...” she commented.

“Oh...Sorry,” Sonic said, apologetically. He frowned. What he said about her wasn't something he could have ever prepared for. Because what he said...was actually from his heart.

Rouge saw the distressed look on Sonic's face. She instantly realized her mistake. “No... No...I mean...It was just...” Sonic turned to her as she spoke. As he did, all the color in Rouge's cheeks turned bright red. She buried herself further into her menu, trying very hard not to look at him. “I was just saying... That...was probably the sweetest thing anyone ever said about me...”

“Oh...” Sonic said softly. He then grinned and looked to her. “So I did good?”

The bat smiled and looked over to him. “Yeah Sonic...very good...” Rouge then reached over and kissed him gently on the cheek.

A few minutes after, both parties were seriously blushing. That was till Rouge looked over to the dance floor. There was a nice song playing now...And everyone was getting into the music. Rouge looked back at Sonic. “Would you like to dance?” Almost as if on cue, a slow song started to come on. All the couples that were on the dance floor started to cling closer to their partners.

Sonic equally looked over to the dance floor. He noticed a slow song was playing and although he normally sat those ones out... But the way Rouge was looking, he couldn't possibly say no.

“Sure...” He said gingerly as he rose to his feet. Rouge followed his actions as they made their way to the dance floor. Within minutes they were dancing to the slow sounds of the music, letting the relaxing atmosphere move them.

After a few minutes into their dance Rouge, was totally amazed at how good a dancer Sonic was. Even when dancing to the slow music, he always kept in perfect rhythm. But what was really catching her attention, was how closely they were dancing to each other. At the beginning of the song, there was a good foot of distance between them. But as the song progressed, the distance between them decreased.

Rouge knew she should have said something. But for some reason she didn't. The way Sonic's hands felt around her waits. The way he looked in that nice dark suit. Even the small hint of cologne he was wearing. It was strange... Like probably for the first time since they've been friends, it was the first time Rouge really realized how attractive Sonic was.

Rouge giggled to herself. She couldn't believe how absurd her emotions were starting to make her feel.

And you know, her laugher didn't go unnoticed by her date. “What's so funny?” Sonic asked while looking into her eyes.

Rouge paused for a minute as she saw her own reflection in his forest green eyes. Slowly she just shook her head. “It's nothing really...” she started to say. “It's just...” She smirked at him. “If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to sweep me off my feet, Sonic T. Hedgehog,”

Sonic laughed at her response. “Well I wasn't trying...” he countered smoothly. The blue hedgehog then grinned. “But is it working?” he asked her. The nocturnal girl didn't make any response to him. She just merely rested her head on his chest, and allowed her body to carry her through the song.

****

Unbeknownst to the couple, their very actions were being monitored by a very pissed-off Echidna...

Knuckles glared at the couple as they continued to dance together. He couldn't believe it. Sonic and Rouge together. The sight alone was pissing him off. I mean Sonic obviously doesn't know about that whore. `I have to let him know...' Knuckles said to him self.

Meanwhile...Julie-Su was having a great time. She was really having fun with Knuckles and his friends. And the night seemed totally perfect. She gazed up to Knuckles to ask him how he felt about the night. But then she frowned when she noticed the disturbed look on his face.

“What's wrong?” she asked him. Then she used her hands to tilt his head down to her.

“Oh...Nothing...” Knuckles muttered. He concentrated on dancing for a few more minutes. But after a while he found his eyes gazing back to Sonic and Rouge.

Julie-Su frowned again, as she noticed his distant look. Instead of asking him, she decided just to find the root of all his attention. She then paused for a second as she found he was looking at the new couple.

“Awww...”she cheered. “They are so cute!” The girl Echidna responded. Knuckles didn't comment. Only a few grumbles escaped his lips. Julie-Su just ignored his comments, as she continued to look at the two.

“You know it kinda seems like an unusual pairing. But for some reason they kinda look good together. You can kinda tell they really care for each other,” Julie-Su stated. But Knuckles didn't reply. “I'm so happy for them...” Again Knuckles didn't say anything. And Julie-Su was getting kinda pissed. She turned to him, “Knuckles? Knuckles?”

“Yeah...” the Echidna responded, finally coming out of his thoughts. “Happy for them…” He repeated, “Yeah happy for them...”

Julie-Su frowned. She didn't know what was bothering her boyfriend, but she hope it wouldn't last long.

****

Eventually the slow song ended. The dance floor of the “Crystal Light” started to empty as couples went back to their seats for another drink and some other refreshments.

But as the crowd started to disperse...there seemed to be one couple that didn't take notice of the change. In fact, as far as they were concerned, there could have been no music. It was like the all things present in the outside world didn't matter.

“Sonic?” Rouge said slowly, as the two started to move to their own sort of music.

The hedgehog moved back and gazed into Rouge's blue eyes. “Yeah...”

“The song is over...” She said softly. She fixed her blue eyes onto his green ones.

It took Sonic a few minutes to understand what she was getting at. He looked around, the dance floor and realized, `Yeah everyone was at their seats.' The Hedgehog blushed while taking a few steps back. “Um...Sorry...” he said to her while letting her go.

Rouge smiled. “No...It was fun...We have to do it again sometime,” she smiled again and went back over to the table.

Sonic watched after her as she left, watching the sleek but sexy manner of her step, watching the folds of her red dress, give...allowing a slight view of her long, soft legs. “Yeah...We do...” Sonic stated as he returned to the table as well.

****

Eventually both Sonic and Rouge came back to their table. When they did, they were greeted by a grinning female Echidna. Julie-Su was brandishing a smile that could have put a thousand watt bulb to shame.

“You guys are just too much...” she said, her smile still not fading. Sonic and Rouge didn't comment. They just allowed the redden shade of both their faces speak for themselves. Knuckles merely grunted, to remind the group, his presence was still there.

“Anyway...” Rouge finally started to say. Remembering the fact she could talk. “I have to use the restroom...” She turned to Sonic, who nodded. “So if you excuse me...” she stated while rising to her feet.

Julie-Su got up as well. “Oh yeah...I might go as well...” she turned to the voluptuous white Bat. “Besides it will allow me and Rouge to get some girl talk in...” The red Echidna jested while dragging Rouge to the direction of the woman's restroom.

And for the life of her Rouge had to admit, even though Julie-Su was suppose to be the enemy and all. She really couldn't find a reason to hate the girl. That was probably the only reason why she allowed herself to be escorted in such a manor.

She sighed, `Rouge you're getting soft...' She said to herself.

***

Meanwhile back at the dinner table...

Sonic looked after Rouge and Julie-Su as they went off. He couldn't help but to suppress a small amount of laughter. Seeing that look on Rouge's face as she was hoisted off was priceless.

He turned over to Knuckles. “Hey bud...I think I'm going to the can as well. You coming?” The Echidna didn't respond. The brick face scowl that was on his crimson face could probably have bent steel. Sonic, after a few minutes realized he wasn't going to get an answer out of his friend, went off to the bathroom on his own.

After a few more minutes...Knuckles rose from his seat. This game had gone on long enough....

****

The stall door to the Men's room toilet, opened up as a whistling blue Hedgehog was finish doing his business. He then took mild stroll on over to the sink to wash his hands.

Sonic was in a good mode. No scratch that Sonic was in a great mood! Here he was in the `Crystal Light,' having one of the best dates of his life. He couldn't believe how much fun he was having with Rouge. They laughed, they danced....It was almost like a page of one of her cheesy romance novels.

It was funny...They were having so much fun acting as a couple, that he totally forgot they...weren't. Automatically, Sonic frowned when he remembered that.

`She's not mine....' He said to himself, as a new feeling of dread entered his person. The feelings she was expressing were probably just to keep up the farce of them being a couple. She didn't love him. She stated several times where her heart really lied. And up to this point it never really mattered to Sonic. But now it bothered him. It bothered him a lot.

The idea of her being with Knuckles, kissing him... Hugging him... Making love to him... Let's just say he would rather run full blinding speed into brick wall then to have those notions, in his head. But what could he do? She loved someone else...And I wasn't Sonic's style to meddle in someone else's relationship....

He paused. `But didn't I do that, the day I made this promise to Rouge?' he asked himself.

Sighing he shook his head. Whatever the case, Sonic would survive. He didn't need love in his life. The life of a hero was filled with danger, adventure, and sometimes loneliness. It was a fact he accepted a long time ago. Anyway all he could do for Rouge was honor his promise to her. And hope for the best that she would be happy, with Knuckles...

`But why do I feel like I want more then that?'

****

Sonic finished washing up as the red Echidna in question, entered the bathroom. The Hedgehog could tell by the snide look that Knuckles was giving him, that something was about to go down.

Knuckles wondered over beside Sonic and started to wash his hands also. At first the violet eyed Echidna didn't pay the Hedgehog any mind. Then he gazed over to his `friend.'

“I see someone has been taking my leftovers...” The Echidna muttered to Sonic.

The Hedgehog glared back at Knuckles. “Whatever man...” He brushed the comment off to the side. “Rouge is a good person. She should be with someone that treats her right...”

Knuckles suppressed a chuckle. “Oh please...”

Sonic turned around to face him. “You know she loved you a lot,” he paused, “She still does.” He admitted. Knuckles could tell the Hedgehog was a little saddened by that fact. But he continued. “You hurt her a lot man...”

The Echidna smirked. “You think I give two shits about that little slut...” Just as soon as those words exited his mouth, Knuckles found himself flung up against the wall by a not to happy Hedgehog. The sound of one's skull smacking against a ceramic tile wall, was good reminder not to piss Sonic the Hedgehog off.

“Watch your mouth...” Sonic demanded as he increased his grip on his `former' friend. Sonic was currently suspending, Knuckles a good foot off of the floor. Someone stated a long time ago, that you're always you're strongest, when you're defending someone you love. Yeah they were right...

Now you would think being easily manhandled by one of Mobius' greatest heroes would make any guy soil their briefs. But not Knuckles. He knew Sonic and he knew his weaknesses. He merely just glared back at the Hedgehog and shouted. “Get your hands off of me.”

Complying, Sonic dropped the Master Emerald protector to the floor. Sonic turned his back on the Echidna. “I swear I don't know what she sees in you....” He stated while making his way to the door.

“Beats me....” Knuckles shouted after him, while the Hedgehog was about to leave. “But whatever it was, it didn't take her long to give it up.” Sonic stopped dead in his tracks. “A word of advice...I would dump her if I was you...”

Sonic blinked twice. “Asshole...” He couldn't believe what he was hearing from the person he once considered a friend. “I swear could you be an even bigger asshole.” For once Sonic was totally amazed.

Knuckles chuckled. “No more than you...” Sonic glared at him. But Knuckles ignored his stare. “Anyway listen up...” He said while walking over to Sonic and throwing his arms over the Hedgehog's shoulder. “Your my friend so I think I should let you in on a little something before you get too involved with that hoe out there...”

See, this was the point where Sonic, normally would have beat the hell out of Knuckles. In fact he was about a Sonic-second away from doing that, but Knuckles noticed his friend's tension. He sighed. “Just shut up and listen...” The Hedgehog decided to hear what the bastard had to say. “Anyway dude you should really drop her. Before I was talking to Nack right? He was Rouge's boyfriend before I went with her. And guess what he told me?”

This was really boring Sonic. He looked over to Knuckles. “What?”

“He said he knew Rouge from back in the day. And he knew everything about her past. It seems our little bat girl, fucked any and every guy she came across back then. He found that out, when he realized he wasn't her first either.”

Sonic raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yeah...” Knuckles stated obnoxiously. “So basically she's used goods.” He grinned. “Very USED...”

Sonic disengaged from Knuckles and paced back in forth in the bathroom. The news he got was kinda surprising. Honestly the Hedgehog didn't know how to feel at first. But then a voice said. `Does it change how you feel about her, though?' Sonic continued to think about it. He came to his conclusion. `Nope...it doesn't.'

The blue hedgehog turned around to Knuckles. “Ok...So what does what Rouge did in her past have to do with your relationship now?”

Knuckles' eyes widened. “Dude! She's a slut! Get over it...”

The Hedgehog stomped his foot. `That's it.' Sonic glared at him. “I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME!!!”

Knuckles took a step toward Sonic. “IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM BRING IT!!!” He shouted while throwing his fists up.

“Gladly...” Sonic answered, while taking a stance of his own. The Hedgehog been wanting a crack at this fool for a while now and this was the “perfect opportunity...' That is, if someone would quit pulling at his jacket.

Sonic looked down to see a little boy fawn, looking up at him. The little guy was probably no more then five years old, a small little deer, with huge blue eyes. “Uh...Excuse me...” The little boy started, in a small voice. “Are you Sonic the Hedgehog?”

Sonic glared back at Knuckles then looked down to the little kid. “Uh...Yeah. How can I help ya little guy?”

“Can you help me?” he said while using his sleeve to wipe his nose. “I have to go potty...”

The Hedgehog sighed, “Sure kid...Hold on,” He then returned his gaze back to Knuckles, who was in the process of exiting of the lavatory.

“I'll see you at the table.” Knuckles said while opening the door. “We'll settle this later...” And with that Knuckles was gone.

****

After a twenty minute excursion and a signed autograph later, Sonic finally returned to the table.

As he did, he noticed Rouge was sitting at the table by herself, while Knuckles and Julie-Su were off on the dance floor. For a brief second, Sonic and Knuckles made eye contact. The hatred and anger was still present in both sets of eyes. But shortly Knuckles broke away from his gaze; Julie-Su wanted him to dip her.

Sonic then just merely sat down at the table with Rouge. The girl smiled when she saw him return. But after seeing the ill-tempered look on her date's face, she was worried.

“What's wrong?” she asked him. “You have problems, with the little kid?”

“Huh?” For a second Sonic didn't know what she was talking about.

“Knuckles told me what happen...” she smiled, while looking at him. “That was really sweet of you to help that kid.”

The hedgehog made no response. His mind was still preoccupied with what just happen between him and Knuckles. But he didn't want to worry her. “It's nothing really...” he said firmly. There was still a small frown on his face.

Rouge frowned. This wasn't like the normal Sonic. Being so serious, being so grumpy. “Is there something wrong?” she took his hand. “You don't seem the same.”

Sonic looked down at the soft hand that was over top of his owned. He smiled and looked up at her. “No, don't worry about it...” He gently patted her hand, to reassure her.

But Rouge wasn't buying it. After spending so many weeks with him, she knew Sonic and she knew there was something bothering him. And she also knew it would be hard as hell to get him to tell her. He could be more stubborn then her sometimes. But regardless, she wouldn't give up. “Sonic...” she said sternly. “You can tell me. We are friends right?”

Sonic laughed a little. He then placed his hand over Rouge's and looked her in the eyes. “Yeah, I guess we are...” he said, his spirits brightening more and more. He intertwined his fingers with hers.

Instantly the smile returned to Rouge's face. She blushed slightly as she noticed at the intensity of Sonic's gaze. `My heart...Why does it feel this way about...Sonic?' she shook her head. Rouge decided not to question it. It was probably a phase or something, nothing more.

“Would you like to dance Rouge?” A voice said.

At first Rouge assumed it was Sonic. But when she turned her head and saw the voice's source. The Bat then shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she continued to look at Knuckles.

“I don't know...” she started to say. “I'm here with Sonic, you know. What would Julie-Su say...?” Rouge blinked twice. She should have been ecstatic that Knuckles wanted to dance with her. But it just didn't seem right. But not only that, she didn't want to upset Julie-Su. It was strange, but she kinda considered the girl a friend.

Julie-Su sat down in the other seat away from Rouge. She smoothed out her white dress as she looked over to Rouge. “Oh come on...” The girl Echidna said merrily. “It's only a little dance, girl. Not like your stealing my guy or anything,” she added with a small giggle.

Knuckles grinned, “Yeah, No harm can come from it.”

`I don't know about that...' Rouge thought to herself. She wasn't sure what she should do. The white Bat paused and looked toward Sonic. She wanted to know his opinion, on what she should do. But the Hedgehog had no answers for her. He just remained silent, waiting, just like the others for what her answer would be.

“Umm...Ok...” she said, a little dubious about the whole thing. She slowly rose to her feet and took Knuckles' hand. The Echidna started to lead her toward the dance floor. For a brief second, Rouge looked back at Sonic. Who only weakly smiled and gave her a small `thumbs up.' Rouge returned his smile and started to dance with her Ex.

****

“It's nice that even though they broke up, they are still friends...” Julie-Su said while she moved to the seat next to the Hedgehog's. She continued to look at the two dance.

Sonic raised an eyebrow and looked over to girl. He sighed and continued to look at Rouge. “Oh yeah...swell...” he muttered. He was trying his best not to sound...too jealous.

The girl Echidna didn't seem to pick up on his condescending tone. She just continued to look at all the dancing couples that were on the floor. She turned to Sonic. “So you want to dance Sonic? We can't let them out do us...”

The blue hedgehog shrugged. “Sure...why not...” He then rose to his feet.

****

There was a dead silence between Knuckles and Rouge as they danced. Besides the tunes that were being played in the background, the only other things that made a sound was their continual breathing.

Rouge didn't dare to look Knuckles in the eyes. The Echidna had been giving her death stares all night. And she wasn't sure, what would happen if she antagonized him. So she was just going wait for him to make his move. I mean he was the one that asked her to dance and all.

Then the white bat paused. Shouldn't she be happy? I mean, she was closer to her goal now. I mean she was dancing with him. It was a start. But for some reason, Rouge felt kinda empty.

She remembered when the two of them were going together; she would feel a certain jolt, whenever the Echidna touched her. But now, as close as they were to each other, Rouge felt nothing. Absolutely nothing...

Well she felt nervous...But that was because Knuckles' silence was creeping her out. But besides that, the red Echidna was almost dead to her. She actually found herself wishing Sonic could take his place.

She was always comfortable and cool, when Sonic was around. `God, please don't tell me I'm falling for the Hedgehog...' she mentally sighed. The white Bat then gazed and looked across the floor, at Sonic dancing with Julie-Su. For a brief second, she actually found herself a little jealous that Sonic was dancing with someone else.

She sighed again, `Girl you're hopeless...'

“Nice night...” Knuckles finally said, drawing Rouge's attention to him. The Echidna's voice was even. The tone of Knuckles' voice, which at one time was very soothing to her ears, was now just bland and dormant.

“Yeah...It is,” Rouge finally responded.

Knuckles sighed. And as he did, it appeared as if there was a huge amount of exhaustion, plaguing the Echidna's face. “Rouge...why are you doing this...?” he patiently asked her.

The white Bat appeared totally vacant. “What do you mean?” she asked him. The girl actually didn't know what he was talking about.

A fact that pissed Knuckles off, he stopped dancing with her. The scarlet protector scowled at her. “You know what I mean!” he shouted, raising his voice a few octaves. “Using Sonic like this just to make me jealous, how can you do that?!?” he stated, while dropping their embrace.

“Look I didn't know what else to do,” she admitted. “You left me heart broken and alone. I was hurt. Sonic...Sonic was the only person that actually cared!” she countered back.

Knuckles rolled his eyes. “Oh please no one cares about you!” he defiantly retorted. “Sonic's just helping you because he pities you.”

“You know what, fuck you!” Rouge declared. Her voice becoming more weaker, more full of the emotions, she was desperately trying to keep hidden. “HE DOES!!!”

“NO, FUCK YOU!!” Knuckles thundered back. At that statement, everyone attention was drawn to the two, but Knuckles ignored them all. “You used my friend to try to make me jealous! You lied and deceived me and my girl!”

“I wouldn't have to if you just told me, what I did wrong!” Rouge pleaded, tears falling from her eyes, “I loved you, Knuckles we could have worked it out!!!”

“No... I couldn't be with a whore like you anymore!!!” he proclaimed. “Nobody could!!! So just flash your tits to someone else! And leave me and my friends alone!!!” Knuckles finished.

“Knuckles please...I just...” Rouge paused, as she saw Sonic and Julie-Su emerge from the crowd. She saw the look of the sadness in both there eyes. Then Rouge just took off. She ran in a direction, she didn't care where it would take her.

“Rouge...! Rouge!” Sonic called after her.

The Hedgehog was about to dash after her, but Knuckles, stepped in the way of his path. “Let her go man...” The Echidna stated. “She's not worth it...” Knuckles said while crossing his arms.

This time Sonic didn't go over the usual pleasantries of stating a snappy phrase, or quoting a catchy one liner. The Hedgehog plainly, just ran full speed over top of Knuckles. Planting a few nice size shoe prints over the Echidna's nice new suit.

“Knuckles, I swear I'm coming back to fuck you up later,” Sonic's voice echoed, as he ran after Rouge. “Rouge! Rouge!!!” he shouted after her. But the girl already was out the restaurant's door.

Knuckles sighed. He really didn't want things to end like this. Rouge just ruined everything between him and one of his best friends. `I just hope Sonic will see I was right soon.' Knuckles prayed, as he got back up to his feet.

When he did, he met the eyes a very agitated looking Echidna girl. It was weird, in all the time Knuckles knew Julie-Su, he had never seen her angry at anything. I mean people cutting her off in traffic; guys making lewd comments about her figure, even getting jibed at the Grocery Store cashier, none of these things seemed to get the girl's goat.

For a while he thought nothing could ever bother the girl. But the way she was walking over to him...The way she was rolling up the sleeve of her dress... And specially the way she was winding up her fist... Knuckles knew he was wrong, very wrong.

`HELP ME!!!'

****

“Rouge!!!” Sonic's voice echoed as he ran outside. He turned around the corner of the restaurant, to where he found her and the tears falling from her eyes. “Rouge...” He said softly as he approached her.

The girl vainly tried to wipe her eyes, when she saw Sonic approaching. “I'm sorry...” she said, some sobs escaping her voice. “He just pisses me off so much.” The Hedgehog didn't respond. “I love him so much...But he only treats me like shit...”

“Rouge...how can you still love him,” the strength in Sonic's voice was so intense. “He...He doesn't care for you...”

“I KNOW THAT!!!” she shouted. “..I know that now, but knowing that doesn't make me not want him any less...” she stated, her full lips trembling slightly, as she shivered in the cold air.

The girl wrapped her arms around her body an attempt to generate some warmth through her body. She then suddenly, froze as she felt Sonic's jacket drape over her shoulders. Rouge turned around and to see Sonic holding it in place.

“Here...” he said offering his coat.

Rouge blinked a few times. “Sonic, I don't...” She said as she tried to take it off.

Sonic just held on firm, “Just take it...”

“What about you..?” she looked over at him. A strong wind suddenly came by hitting the two with an arctic blast. The two of them shivered slightly.

But Sonic recovered. “I'm Ok.” he proudly stated. “It takes a lot more than a little cold to bring down this Hedgehog.” He grinned.

Rouge took one look at Sonic and smiled. She shook her head. “You are something else Sonic...” The hedgehog laughed.

“Yeah, I guess...” He paused as his face grew more concerned. “But I'm more worried about you. You gonna be ok?”

“Yeah...” Rouge answered softly. “I think I just need to be alone.”

Sonic frowned, “You sure?”

“Yeah...” She looked over at Sonic's jacket and started to give it back to him. But his hands stopped her.

“Keep it...” Rouge started to protest. But Sonic shook his head. “Don't worry; I'll get it another time.”

She smiled. “Thanks Sonic...” The girl paused, as she remembered something else. “Oh yeah...thank you for coming tonight also, even though things were horrible. I'm glad you keep your word and you were there with me,”

“No problem...Anything for a friend.” he returned.

Rouge smiled then slowly made her way home.

The blue hedgehog kept his eyes on her while she walked away. He sighed. “Man, Sonic...you can't let things end like this.” He sighed, while looking her vanish from his sight. He thought for a minute, and then snapped his fingers. “Yeah...that's the ol' Hedgehog noggin at work. Sonic you are a genius.” The hedgehog grinned at his own brilliance. Then he sped off into the night.

****

Later that evening at Rouge's place...

The young bat tossed and turned in her bed. Thoughts of the evening kept plaguing her thoughts. The harsh words, the hateful glares, the staring faces... Rouge awoke from her bed in a cold sweat. She breathed heavily in the dark room, as she tried to make all the bad thoughts go away.

Rouge blinked again. She could tell more tears were coming. She crouched up in her bed, and brought her knees to her chest, as she tried to shut out all the unwanted things. Then something caught her attention.

*BAP!*

She heard something hitting against her bedroom window.

Curious, Rouge got up and went over to investigate. She wrapped her bed sheets around her body as she went over to the window. As soon as she looked out the glass, she saw something incredible weird.

Sonic was currently standing outside her place, pacing back and forth. Rouge took a double take, just to make sure she was seeing straight. The girl raised and eyebrow. `Yeah...that was him.' She then looked at her clocked and gasped. It was one in the freakin' morning!!!

Rouge went to her window and threw it open. “Sonic what do you want?!?” The young Bat shouted. “It's late!!”

Sonic raised an eyebrow. “Late? What do you mean it's late?” he frown his eyebrows like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. “It's only a little bit after one. Plenty of the night time left.” He paused while leaning up against her tree. “Hell most people are just starting around this time.” The Hedgehog then grinned, while looking up at her. “Besides you're a bat right? I thought you guys loved the dark...”

The white bat flushed, “Umm...that may be. But...”

“But nothing!!!” Sonic rudely shouted back.

Rouge was about to comment, but then she noticed how loud the two of them were being. And frankly in her neighborhood, it didn't take much for the neighbors to call the cops for disturbing the peace. She looked down at Sonic. “Shhhh...Sonic,” she hushed him, trying to quiet the agitated Hedgehog down.

That only resulting in Sonic increasing his voice another notch, “Hey, I'm not leaving without you!” He crossed his arms, planted his foot. “I'll stay out here all night, if I have to!!!”

“Will you shut up!!!” she shouted down at him. And though she didn't want to admit it, she had a small smile on her face.

Sonic noticed her smile and decided he wasn't finished. “Nope...” He stated. “I won't be happy till I wake up all your neighbors!!!” He echoed back.

“SHUT UP SONIC!!!” The white bat said with a bigger smirk.

Sonic grinned. “I'll start to sing!!!” He puffed out his chest. “I'll do it too! Be warned though!! I'm a tone-deaf mothafucka!!!”

That did it. Rouge was totally done. Her laughing was even louder then Sonic's yelling. “SONIC SHUT UP!! OK, OK!!! I'll be right out!!” She said her voice still a little weak. She rushed over to her closet to get something to wear.

A few minutes later, Rouge's door opened up. She stepped outside wearing a black turtleneck sweater, with some dark blue jeans. Her blue eyes glared at the Hedgehog. For a minute Sonic actually thought he might have been in trouble. But then he saw her smile, then shake her head.

“You have real problems Hedgehog....” she sighed again, as Sonic laughed. “So what do you want anyway?” She peered at Sonic noticing he changed his clothes as well, wearing a brown leather coat, with some baggy pants.

The azure hero shook his head, “My, is that anyway to greet your good buddy.”

“Come on Sonic, its cold out here.” Rouge wasn't kidding; she could see her breath right in front of her.

“Well...” The blue Hedgehog started. “I was thinking, since the Crystal Light was such a bust, I wanted to make it up to you, by taking you some place really fun.”

Rouge cocked her head to the side. “Oh Sonic...” she paused, while smiling. “You don't have to do that. It wasn't your fault...things just happened.”

“I know....” he sighed, while turning away from her. “But I didn't help much.” He paused then turned back toward her. “Anyway, you don't have a choice...”

The Bat frown her brow. “Uh...Excuse me?”

Sonic nodded. “Yup...” he walked up beside her. “If you don't come…I'll just have to kidnap you...” he declared. His words were followed by a small smile. A smile, Rouge had to admit she was starting to like, more and more.

The white bat strolled a little bit in front of Sonic. Who was admiring the nice tight fitting jeans she was wearing. She giggled to herself. “Well Mr. Hedgehog...Since I've being taken against my will, I guess I have to comply.” she finished while facing him. “So where are we going?”

Sonic shrugged. “No where special. Just some places I thought might be fun...” He turned around and looked into the distance. “So you ready?”

The white bat looked around. “As ready as I'll ever be.”

Turning to her Sonic nodded. “Ok...hold on tight,” he said while extending his arm to her. Rouge took his arm, and then suddenly Sonic took her into his arms. The action was so quick and so sudden; it completely took Rouge by surprise. “You ok?” he asked her, noticing she was a little flustered.

“Yes...Will you just go!!!” she thundered.

Sonic chuckled. “Righto Madam...” And then, the two speed off into the night.

****

Let's see where to start at...

Well first Sonic took Rouge to a late night Karaoke place. After the Karaoke place, was an all night Sushi/Chili Dog place. (Don't ask.) After that, they just went to any other place the duo just happen to come onto. They spent the whole night going to different late night spots on Mobius. They didn't come back to her place to morning.

As dawn was approaching, the Hedgehog and Bat could be seen strolling up Rouge's neighborhood, gently holding hands. They didn't know when they started doing that really. It was probably after the Sushi place. But regardless, neither of them seemed to comment on it or mind.

They continued up her way, till they came to her front door. Silently the two were both staring at each other, neither one making a sound. Both were a little nervous, both were a little scared. Sonic decided he wanted to speak first. Only problem was...he didn't know what to say.

“Heheh...” he started. “Umm...You know if this was date or something...I would be really nervous right now...” His last words trailed off. `God that must have sounded so lame...'

Rouge responded with a small laugh. “Umm…Yeah I know what you mean...” she ended the sentence, with her gaze going toward the floor.

Another eerie silence... Both parties were desperately thinking of something to say. But couldn't find a single word, for a minute Sonic was about to say something, but it seem Rouge beat him, this time.

“I had a lot of fun Sonic...” Rouge said truthfully. “Probably the most fun I've ever had in a long time.”

The Hedgehog smiled. “Glad to be of service...” he responded weakly. `Why am I so nervous...It's just Rouge?' He asked himself. Then he looked into her beautiful blue eyes. `Oh, dammit…I know...I like her...' she smiled which caused Sonic to blush even more. `Ok...I like her a lot...'

Rouge leaned forward gave Sonic a small hug. After a few minutes, she frowned while they were still embraced. “Uh...Sonic...” Rouge started to say. “You don't have any quills on your stomach right?”

The speedy Hedgehog raised an eyebrow, “Uh...No. Why?” He questioned.

“Umm...Ok so what's poking me?” she asked, while glaring at him.

Sonic gave the girl a very perplex look. Then he went into his pocket. “My chopsticks...” he informed her, while bringing them out. He snapped them a few times before putting them back.

Rouge looked at the two sticks and started to laugh. She blushed heavily, while Sonic started to laugh as well. “Oh God, I'm sooo sorry....”an embarrassed Rouge said.

The Hedgehog shook his head. “And you say I'm a Hentai...”

“Ok, Ok, I'm sorry...” The Bat fanned her hands. She looked down to the ground again. After a few minutes, she looked up. “Umm...Anyway I think I better go before I make a bigger fool of myself...” Her redden face was still bright in the dawn air.

“Oh...Ok.” Sonic said, as Rouge turned and went for her door. “Oh and Rouge...” The Bat turned and looked at him. “I...Umm...Crap...Umm....” He swore silently as he was still wondering what he hell he was doing. “Umm...Look, what Knuckles said about you at the restaurant. Don't believe a word of it. I mean your cute, sexy, funny...And any guy would die to want to be with you....”

Rouge smiled then looked away for a second as she thought about Sonic's words. She then turned toward the hedgehog. She had a small smirk on her face. “Even you...Sonic?” she coyly asked. The white Bat was hoping to get a laugh out of her friend.

But Sonic didn't think she was joking. He assumed she really wanted to know what he thought. He looked down as he nervousness continued, “Umm....I...Umm…I…” he paused for a minute. `Hey is this no way for a Hedgehog to act. If you do man...just say so,' He looked up at her and smirked. “Yeah...even me...” he answered firmly.

Rouge was totally shocked. She wasn't really serious, when she asked him that. But did he really feel that way? She looked into his strong emerald green eyes. After a few seconds she could tell he wasn't lying. Rouge didn't know what to do, or what to say. Then as if on automatic pilot, her body made a choice for her.

The young bat swiftly walked over to Sonic, and put her arms around him, holding him tight. She gasped as a few tears came to her eyes. “Thank you....” she whispered into his ear. “You don't know how much that means to me, Sonic...”

In return, she felt his arms encircle her body. Rouge drew back as she looked into Sonic's eyes. The Hedgehog weakly smiled as they continued to hold each other. He brushed his fingers across her face. At this time, both of them knew they should have left go. They were only friends...and something like this was very dangerous. But...but for some reason neither of them moved.

Rouge then leaned forward as she gently placed a kiss near Sonic's cheek. She paused as her lips lingered around the area. She was undecided on what she wanted to do. Her heart was saying one thing. But her mind was saying something else. She was afraid. Afraid of what could happen; if she let her emotions take over. She already lost Knuckles. She didn't know what would happen if she lost Sonic too.

So in the end, her fear won...

“I have to go Sonic,” an emotionally weary Rouge said. She moved away from the blue Hedgehog and opened the door.

“Uh...Rouge?”

The girl turned around. Hope was creeping inside her. Hoping, Sonic had the courage to do what she couldn't. “Yes...” her voice was hardly over a whisper.

“Sweet dreams...” Sonic said softly. He put both his hand into his pockets.

She smiled. “You too...” She said, with one final smile. She then turned the knob and went inside.

“I love you...” Sonic said, after she already closed the door. After a few minutes, he started on his own way home.

****

To Be Continued.....

AWWWWW...it's sooo sweet. I'm tearing up over here! Later guys!!