It began to rain as soon as Amy arrived at the Resistance. It has been a long day, she had a new job that required most of her night time. It was busy around the day but not as busy at night. She was adjusting well to her night shifts but she had to admit that not sleeping properly got the best of her.

She had to wake up early tomorrow too, she needed the extra cash, so she took on more shifts.

She didn't get enough time to tell Shadow that there was no way she was going to accept the restaurant he gave her.

Even if he asked her to take it as a favor, she was going to deny it.

She finished showering, brushing her teeth and hair and finally, she was going to get some sleep. She closed her eyes, expecting her to fall asleep immediately.

But that didn't happen, her mind was still trapped by that memory.

.

"So you are Maria, good thing you are here so I can-"

Amy was cut off as she felt a strong hand being placed on her right shoulder. Shadow wasn't looking at her directly but his eyes were aimed at the attractive blonde hedgehog. Amy knew it right there and then ... Shadow's eyes had a soft look, one that she had never seen. The fire in them had revived the moment their eyes met and Amy was terrified at the thought that Shadow was right.

He still loved her.

"Leave us," Shadow softly said. His voice sounded soft but at the same time firm. His message was clear, he was demanding for Amy to leave, but he didn't want to be rude about it either.

Amy couldn't do much, there were so many things that she wanted to say ... but she needed to save all of her thoughts for later.

She pushed Shadow's hand away, a bit hurt that he had to take Maria's side. She didn't take it personally, she knew that the couple needed to talk but it still pained her see the look that Shadow gave her.

"I'll see you later,"

And she left.

.

It has been a week now and she hasn't seen Shadow at all. She asked Rouge and Omega, but they said that since that day; they haven't seen him.

Amy went as far as to ask G.U.N's Commander if he knew information about her black hedgehog friend.

"He is taking a small break."

That's all he said to her. She looked for him everywhere, his house, which was empty. The park, restaurants, and places he had been seen at. Amy began to worry and it angered her that nobody really cared to know about his whereabouts either.

"Don't worry too much about him," Rouge added, "Shadow tends to disappear from time to time ... He just needs to cool off after what happened,"

Amy was at Rouge's house, thinking the one she could go to was the bat. She knew Shadow for the longest time, and if anyone knew about his weird behaviors, it was her.

"Will he come back?" Amy said as she looked at her cup of tea, her reflection showed her sadness.

"Of course, he left his favorite bike here ... Shadow would never leave forever without his bike." Rouge added, "Which reminds me, yesterday, we received the bike you gave Shadow."

"What? But Maria had it last time."

Rouge, who was sitting on the couch looked over at the small stand next to her. She opened a small box that was on top of it and she showed her DR's keys.

"Yes... strangely, it was back on G.U.N's vehicle parking. We don't know who left it but..." Rouge threw the keys at Amy as she caught them immediately. "There's not enough room in my garage, do you mind taking it with you?"

.

Now she drove DR without any restrictions. She wasn't going anywhere specifically, she was driving just to steam off some feelings.

She drove around the park, through the city, through hills and even the beach.

She felt pathetic at knowing she wasn't capable of doing anything when Shadow was in a dark place.

Her heart ached in pain at the thought of Shadow's suffering, there was a feeling inside of her; telling her that he must find him. She had grown attached to the hedgehog. She could admit that much. He was stubborn and selfish but he was incredibly sweet.

She found herself enjoying the company of the black hedgehog, to the extent she couldn't imagine a day without him. She adored seeing him try new things for her, the tender look on his eyes when would offer her his protection.

And the angelic laugh he shared with her.

Amy shook her head as she stopped her motorcycle with a sudden halt.

Was she? No, she couldn't be.

Her heart belonged to Sonic and him alone.

Shadow just a close friend.

A really close ...close friend that she cared for deeply.

Amy sighed as she mentally convinced herself that Shadow was nothing but a close friend. She turned on her bike again and went back to the Resistance before the night trapped her in it's darkness.

.

The next day, Amy ended her day shift at the restaurant. She was in a happier mood since she received a message from Rouge saying that Shadow was back at his apartment.

She couldn't wait to see him. She was excited to his angry face, his beautiful ruby eyes and warm smile-

Amy stopped herself again.

She was just glad he was back.

.

Amy clicked on the doorbell and she found herself nervous as she heard footsteps coming closer to the door.

She touched her quills to soften them, just to make sure Shadow wouldn't see them all frizzled. She hoped she didn't look bad after a long day at work.

She was looking down at the floor until she heard the apartment door open.

She looked up and green eyes met blue, the subside anger that was within Amy began to merge again.

"What are you doing here?", Amy hissed at her as Maria took a soft stand, enjoying her anger.

"I live here pinky."

Amy didn't think too much about it, she didn't pull out her hammer. Instead, she wanted to enjoy the feeling of her fist impacting Maria's face.

She was strong and Maria was caught by surprise. She found herself on the floor, bleeding from her nose.

Amy entered the apartment kinda surprised at her reaction. She didn't know if she was furious because Maria called her 'pinky' or because she implied that she was living under the same roof as Shadow.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Shadow came out of his room, storming to the living room where the two were.

"I am getting rid of the trash for you," Amy added as she got close to Maria.

"She hit me, Shady!" Maria whined. Although she wasn't too much in pain, she pretended to be so she could have Shadow's attention.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Shadow bent down towards Maria, making sure she was alright.

Again, Amy noticed those eyes.

Now she understood everything. It was the first time Shadow had actually cursed at her and she swore she could feel her heart shattered the moment the word escaped his lips. Shadow was hostile but he had never been this rude to her.

His eyes only showed concern towards Maria and to her... disappointment and angered.

He was siding with her. Maria who hurt Shadow in ways she didn't think it was possible. Maria who left him for another man while Shadow was at the hospital. She, who cheated on him multiple. All of the people he could side with, he took her side. Given her all attention, his tenderness, his affection.

And it hurt more because deep down... Amy wanted to be her.

"Are you siding with her?" Amy asked. She held her fists tightly, trying to contain herself.

"I think that's obvious." He replied.

"Why?"

Their eyes met, for a second Shadow felt embarrassment fill his body as he knew that his friend's intentions only meant good. He shouldn't have spoken to her like that. He should be with her right now, trying to explain about the decision he has taken.

Shadow's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as he felt Maria's lips touch his. She deepened the kiss the moment Shadow opened his mouth to protest. It was for a few seconds, after that they parted and Maria looked intensely at Amy.

"I think it is pretty obvious as well."

She wanted to take her hammer out and beat the hell out of the blonde one.

But she didn't. She walked away, containing the tears that pleaded to get out her eyes. She was stronger than this, she had gone through worse and she knew that no matter what... everyone left.

And that was just meant to happen.

Her agents, Cream, Knuckles, Tails, Sonic and now Shadow.

Everyone seemed to want to disappear from her life and eventually she learned that no matter how hard she tried... Everyone would leave her.

She didn't need anyone, she didn't need their good deeds. She was better by herself ... alone.

She exited the apartment and immediately went towards DR, she turned on the bike and was about to leave when suddenly; Shadow stood in front of her.

Shadow saw her glossy eyes, he noticed she was fighting the need to cry and Shadow regretted everything immediately.

From the time he had known Amy, he had never seen her shed a single tear. She was the strongest individual he knows and to see her almost break ...

It completely made his heart stop.

A few seconds passed, in which Amy and Shadow didn't share a word. She was starting to feel irritated.

She looked down at the bike, she laughed sarcastically as she stepped down from the bike.

"Of course," She threw the keys at Shadow and out of instinct he caught them. "It's your bike, keep it."

But that wasn't what Shadow meant. He was just lost at words, he couldn't stop thinking about the look on Amy's face.

He could handle the disappointment of everyone, their hate.

But he couldn't think of a single day he could live with Amy's disappointment on him.

"She has changed!" Shadow screamed at Amy making her stop in her tracks.

"This past week ... We went away together and she swore to me-"

"I don't want to hear it," Amy said, her back still facing Shadow.

"Can't you just be happy for me?" The sentence came out of Shadow's mouth. He didn't mean for it to sound rude, but his desperation at not making Amy feel better overtook him.

"Why should I be happy when I know you are just going to end up hurting yourself?" Amy's voice cracked as she found it more difficult to keep her composure.

"Because that's what friends do ... don't they?"

"I would have supported you Shadow," Amy added, "Anyone but her."

"You better than anyone should understand." Shadow walked towards Amy, he wanted to have contact with her but restrain himself from touching her. "I would have been happy for you if you were to date Sonic ... even if I despise that bastard."

Amy was quiet as if she wanted him to continue.

"Can't you understand? ... If you could, you would drop everything and go away with him. Wouldn't you?" Shadow added, he placed his hand on Amy's shoulder as he tried to look at her reaction. "It's the same for me-"

Amy turned around and slapped his hand away from her shoulder.

Finally, angry tears came out of her eyes and Shadow could 't handle it. It seemed like magic almost. That even when with tears dropping from her eyes, Amy was still holding up together.

While watching her cry only made Shadow break.

"No ... I wouldn't...I did stay for you Shadow." Amy gave one last look at the black hedgehog. "Think about that."

.

It must have passed a while since Shadow was left standing on the parking lot.

The sun was already setting and he was still there and would have stayed if it wasn't because Maria went to check on him.

"So, she gave you the bike," Maria said as she broke Shadow's trance. "Even after you practically beg me to give it back."

Shadow looked at Maria leaning on the bike's seat and Shadow felt the urge to move her away.

He secretly didn't want anyone but him and Amy on the bike but he wasn't going to say that to his girlfriend.

"I am hungry ..." Maria interrupted again, "Can you get us something to eat?"

.

Amy didn't feel like doing anything. It was already night time and wanted to go to the Resistance already and sleep.

She finished her night shift at the new restaurant she was working at. She left the restaurant tired and was about to walk away until she noticed the blue bur waiting for her outside the restaurant.

Sonic got closer to the pink one and so did she. It was a bit chilly and Amy covered her arms, trying to protect herself from the cold.

Sonic noticed this and he took out his blue and white jacket and put it on Amy. She gladly accepted the gesture.

She looked at him in the eyes, and he immediately knew that she wasn't feeling the best.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" He asked and smiled at her. She nodded, she loved the way he could understand her without her having to say much.

.

She had to admit that she loved the safety he gave her whenever he carried her.

They ended up walking down the city, just chatting and talking about themselves. It was a relief for Amy however. She had a few hours she didn't have to think about Shadow.

They were now outside the Resistance, Sonic wanted to make sure that Amy returned home safe.

"We are here."

"Yes..."

Sonic hated the sad look Amy had in her eyes. He wanted to restrain himself from asking but he wanted to help her in any way possible.

"You know you can tell me anything ... Right?" Sonic softly asked as he grabbed Amy's hand. It was quiet but the sound of passing cars and the chatter of the people interrupted that.

"Shadow..."

Sonic stopped breathing for a second. The way she uttered Shadow's name made him freeze. Her tone was hurt but loving as well.

Sonic waited for Amy to continue, waiting for the whole story.

"He is just so stupid,"

Sonic sighed, relieved that they both agreed on something. He sighed heavily, for a slight moment he was scared that Amy was going to confess her intimate feelings about Shadow.

He didn't know what he had done, and right now he didn't care. He just cared about the pink hedgehog who was standing in front of him.

Although she looked tired, her beauty still made a presence. The moonlight only made her shine, almost goddess-like and Sonic found himself chanting love songs in his head.

However, he took into consideration Amy's feelings as well. "I know Shadow most have done something to upset you but Amy..."

Amy looked into Sonic's eyes and it was that moment that Sonic knew he couldn't stop himself from asking.

"We can talk about that later ... I know this is going to be selfish of me." Sonic added, "But I am scared I am going to lose my courage if I let this moment go."

"What are you talking about?" asked Amy.

Her confusion was extremely cute to Sonic and he placed his face closer to Amy, closing his eyes as he did so.

"Can I ... kiss you?"

Sonic waited for Amy to respond and a few seconds passed and Sonic felt embarrased. He was about to pull away from her face but Amy surprised him with her lips touching his. They were small kisses and Sonic thought that it was the most adorable thing he could ever experience. This was probably Amy's first kiss and Sonic smiled between the kisses at the realization of it.

When Amy pulled away and saw Sonic's dumb look on his face; she felt warmness raise to her cheeks.

Sonic came back to reality as he held Amy's hand. "Now, do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"

She nodded and held his hand tightly with hers. The Resistance's doors opened. As they walked in, Amy smiled at Sonic, happy at the kindness and tenderness he was showing her.

Even if it was just a temporary thing, Amy felt happy that she didn't have to be alone tonight.

.

Shadow never thought that he did find himself racing motorcycles again. His mind was clouded with anger, as he threw into the trash the red roses he had boughten for Amy.

He texted Maria that he was going to be late and to order some Chinese food to be delivered at the apartment.

Now, he was racing some guys that took interest in his bike.

The deal was simple, whoever gets out of the forest first wins.

Whoever wins, would take the bike of the loser as a prize.

Now, Shadow's talents were to the test. This wasn't a simple race through the park. Now there were multiple obstacles he had to evade to win. Pine trees everywhere, bushes, holes in the ground, bumps; without mentioning that he was racing guys who spent all their lives in motorcycles.

Shadow liked the challenge and right now it was what he needed. Just to forget what he saw before.

But he just couldn't.

He couldn't forget the tender kisses Amy gave Sonic as he passed by the Resistance.

He wanted to ask her for forgiveness, but she was too busy giving affection to Sonic that she didn't realize he was there. With red roses in his hands, ready to talk things out.

He accelerated more as he noticed that one of the motorcyclists was ahead of him.

He began to worry as more approached behind him, quickly gaining more speed.

He couldn't afford to lose his bike. Not this bike, not DR. He had already lost Amy ... he couldn't afford to lose the only thing that attached him to her.

He kept speeding and successfully went ahead of the motorcyclists but his mistake was that he looked back.

His mistake ... was to look back.

He crashed against a pine tree and the pain that came with it reminded him of memories.

Looking back brought him pain, taking into consideration past things that shouldn't have been involved in his future pained him.

He was bleeding and he swore he had broken a rib or two.

It was exactly what he wanted. To feel this pain again.

But he began to growl the moment he realized that the pain he was feeling couldn't compare to the pain he felt when he saw Amy with Sonic, entering the Resistance with the most loving look in their eyes.

He lied to himself and to Amy. He had told her, he would be happy if she was with Sonic.

So why couldn't he?

Shadow sighed as he heard the motorcyclists go past him, a few minutes went by and he realized that the situation he was in was different from the ones he had been in before.

The first time he crashed was because he saw Maria with someone else.

And someone was there for him.

The second time he crashed, Amy was there for him.

And now Shadow found himself completely alone.

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A/N: We are getting into the good stuff now uh?