Rouge wasn't one to impose herself in Shadow's relationships.

It's not like she didn't care, on the contrary, it was one of her priorities. When Maria came part of the 'team', she told Shadow over and over again to leave her. He didn't listen.

Then he was badly hurt. The second time she came into their lives, she didn't bother to bring up the subject. Someone else was on that matter.

Her closest friend, Amy Rose.

And Shadow's new love. Although he was too stupid to realize.

If Rouge really thought about it, she knew she could pint-point the moment Shadow saw Amy as more than a friend. She can even tell the moment Shadow began to feel love towards her.

Like? When they were repairing the bike Amy gave to Shadow, DR.

Love? When Shadow let Amy ride BB, his favorite bike.

Rouge still couldn't believe Shadow let Amy ride his bike after what happened with Maria. She remembers asking for a ride once and Shadow preferred to pay for a taxi for her than to give her a ride.

Amy was in love with Shadow and Shadow was in love with her ... so what was stopping them?

Oh yes, Shadow's inability to understand feelings.

Shadow was confused as to what real love feels like. He might have loved Maria, but Rouge knew that it was mostly the fact that he didn't want to be alone. After all the psychological damage she did to him, it is understandable that he can't recognize when someone is being supportive. Most importantly, he can't realize what it feels like to be in love.

However, Rouge was enjoying the drama too much and instead of intervening, she decided to wait and see.

She only intervened when Shadow was acting like a jerk or stupid. Or both.

Rouge wanted to say something now because at the moment Shadow was being stupid and Amy ... well, she was something else.

"Amy is dating Sonic," Rouge whispered to herself. "Should I tell Shadow?"

"Tell me what?"

Goddamit, Shadow was a sneaky one.

They were currently at Team Dark's office. It was early morning, the sunlight trespassed the large windows of the office. Their desks were nicely illuminated. Rouge's desk was the cleanest. Shadow's could be clean as well, but the constant love letters he got daily filled his desk. Omega had a desk as well but it was empty. As requested of him, Omega didn't need a computer nor other necessities. He made his reports with his internal system and sent them to the Commander's computer.

"Are you going to tell me or not?" Shadow asked again.

"Nothing, just that Mia passed by. She told me to tell you she was sorry." Rouge replied. It wasn't a lie, she just wanted to stop herself from telling him the news.

"I'll talk to her later," Shadow walked to his desk and very discreetly. Almost as if he didn't want to show he cared, he asked, "... Have you heard anything ... about Amy?"

How interesting.

"You haven't talked to her? I thought you two were close." Rouge sat down on her desk, trying to pretend that she was busy doing work.

"We are," said Shadow.

"How close?"

"That doesn't concern you."

"True. Besides ... " Rouge looked at him teasingly, "You will never be as close to her as she is to Sonic."

Rouge got exactly what she wanted from Shadow. His expression hardens, eyes were sharp and he showed no expression.

"If you are trying to tell me something, then say it already bat." Shadow's voice changed, it got deeper. If Rouge didn't know Shadow, she would be scared. However she knew him too well, he wouldn't dare to harm her.

"You are stupid. Really stupid."

"Look, I am not in the mood to-"

"You love Amy and you don't even realize it."

A few seconds passed and ...

"Holy mother of Chaos, you do!" Rouge exclaimed. "I knew it!"

"I don't."

"You hesitated!"

Shadow sighed as he massaged his forehead. "I don't like her Rouge. If I did, I would know."

"No, you wouldn't." Rouge smiled at him. "You don't know what you are feeling ... you haven't been in love before and Maria doesn't count."

Shadow gave it a small thought. He never considered the possibility because he didn't need to. He liked the friendship he had with Amy. It has been a few weeks since he last saw her but if he was totally honest ... he missed her like crazy.

He didn't know anything about her since the incident at the Star Festival. However, he rested well knowing that if anything happened to her, Rouge would be one to tell him.

But even so, every night before going to sleep he found himself reading their previous text messages.

"Was this lov-"

"You hesitated again!"

.

It was late at night.

Shadow had finally finished his report. G.U.N was empty and only a few guards remained to take care of the building. Shadow was ready to go to his new apartment, Before that, he needed to visit a place.

"Mr. Shadow!"

Oh, he had forgotten about her.

"Agent Mia, how may I help you?"

"Please call me Mia."

Shadow didn't want to be mean but he didn't want to get too involved with the brown hedgehog. Especially after what happened during the Star Festival.

However, looking at how happy she looked, he couldn't avoid it.

"Mia ... is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, I waited for you to come out! I wanted to see if we could walk together home."

It was 1 a.m. Shadow looked up and down to the girl. She was wearing a long black skirt, which was a bit dirty. A blue shirt that didn't match her yellow cardigan. Her hair was a bit messy and her eyes were tired.

"I live in Central apartments," Shadow replied. "It's like a 20-minute walk from here and I have something to do."

"I live there too! I saw you taking out the trash once and I thought we could go home together."

"I have to ... visit someone."

"Oh ..."

Shadow regretted saying that ... just a little. The young hedgehog looked to the ground, embarrassed and a bit sad.

"I am sorry ... I just thought..." Mia's ear lowered and she looked so disappointed. As if she wanted to cry.

How much Shadow hated that. He just couldn't stand seeing anyone cry. Especially females.

"Fine ... but I do need to do something fist."

.

They just needed two more streets and they will be there. Shadow thought if he could get a small peek of the Resistance today, he could sleep at ease.

"Mr. Shadow-"

"I told you before, don't call me Mr. Shadow," He said. "You make me feel old."

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Mia said and after a pause, she added, "Have you ever been in love?"

Again that question. There were multiples ways he could respond to that. After what Rouge told him today, he did a lot of thinking in the office. What he felt for Maria, may not have been love after all. It probably was at first, but the love he had completely died when Maria cheated on him.

And now, Amy.

He knew he loved her but as a friend. He thought that the way he cared for her was normal. Until he realized he will think of her must of his time. Shadow wished he could see her every day and spend his time with her.

"Was this lov-"

For a moment, Shadow forgot how to breathe. There was no Resistance, only leftover ashes and woods. Nothing was left and his mind began to get the best of him.

"Where is Amy? Is she ok? Does she know about this? What is happening? Who did this-"

"Mr. Shadow ... the Resistance-"

Shadow turned around to look at Mia.

"Mia, I apologize but I need to leave you. Take care."

.

On the luxury apartment of a white bat, Amy and Rouge were relaxing. It was a girl's night and watching reality shows and facemasks were a must for the two girls. They laid on the king-size bed and ate some munchies.

"So, what is your plan now?"

"Look for a job, what is there to do?"

"And the Resistance ... you are giving up on that?"

"Not completely," Amy replied. "I want to start another agency but first I need to pay my debts."

Amy was currently staying at Rouge's apartment. Sonic had offered Amy to stay with him but she kindly denied the offer. She needed to concentrate on getting a new job but she knew she wouldn't get anything done if Sonic was with her all the time.

Sonic was ... well ... too affectionate.

Not that she minds, she enjoyed. Because of that, she was scared that she might give to temptation and get distracted.

"As I've said before, I can help you with the money but I know you are going to say no, so I don't even bother-"

"Actually, Rouge ... I think I am going to ask for your help now." Amy said shyly. She was still indecisive and hated asking for help. This wasn't in Amy's character, she didn't like to be in 'debt' with her friends.

Amy studied Rouge's face, she was surprised and that immediately made her back out.

"But, you don't have to! You have already done so much for me and-"

"No Amy! I would love to help you!"

RING RING

The two were interrupted as Amy's phone began to ring. Her eyes widen as the name of 'Shadow' appeared on the small screen of her flip phone.

Amy looked over at Rouge, surprised. She was going to answer but Shadow stopped calling. Then, Rouge's phone began to ring.

"Someone is impatient," Rouge said as she grabbed her phone and showed Amy the screen that displayed Shadow's name.

A few seconds passed and Rouge's phone stopped ringing. Suddenly, they heard strong knocking coming from the door.

"Could that be ... ?" Rouge and Amy share one more look before going crazy.

"Don't tell him I am here!"

"Ok!" Rouge said as she stood up from the bed.

"Wait, no! I need to be civil! If he asks, tell him I am here!" Amy said as she followed Rouge.

"Ok!"

"Wait, no! He was a jerk to me! He ignored me! If he asks, I am not here!"

"Ok!" They were both already in front of the door. Amy stepped away just a little so she could hear the conversation.

Rouge opened the door, just a little and there he was. An angry Shadow looking for answers.

"Where is she?" Shadow asked.

"Who are you talking about?"

"You know damn well who I am talking about."

"Be more specific-"

"Amy, just get out already! I can smell you from a mile away if I wanted to."

Amy facepalmed herself. She sometimes disliked how 'ultimate' Shadow was.

Rouge opened the door fully, knowing already that their plan was a failure. Amy showed herself to Shadow in her pink pajamas, blushing from ear to ear.

"Hey, Shadow."

.

It was awkward. Only the signing of night birds surrounded them and as they walked through the park, the moonlight shone their way.

Shadow seemed to be enjoying himself. He looked at Amy with the corner of his eye. She was in pajamas and trembled a little. It was a cold night after all.

Shadow took off his jacket and put it on top of Amy's shoulders.

Amy shrugged, she immediately took it off. She didn't want to be mean but in a sense, she felt bad. It may be ridiculous but she felt as if she was betraying the blue one. "Oh, I am fine. Thank you tho."

Shadow was surprised at her reaction. She had always accepted his jacket and if he was honest, it did hurt a little her indifference.

"Was this lov-"

"So, how you been?"

His thoughts were interrupted again. Amy's voice had a certain calmness he couldn't explain. He was relieved that she seemed to not be angry at him.

"I am not here to talk about myself," Shadow replied. "I saw what happened to the Resistance, are you alright-"

"I don't want to talk about that."

Amy's voice changed again, a certain hurt in her tone and Shadow began to panic.

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you."

"Just so you can ignore me? No thank you, I don't need your help."

Shadow stood in front of the pink one, "But you accepted Rouge's help."

He said as he meant that Amy asked to stay at Rouge's apartment for some time.

"Unlike you, I trust her."

Damn, that hurts.

Shadow gulped, trying to hide the small pain he had in his chest. "That doesn't mean I don't care."

"You have a very peculiar way of showing it."

The wind blew through the park's tree. It also made Amy's hair dance with it. Shadow analyzed her. He couldn't understand how someone could look as astonishing as her. Even with the painful look in her face, he didn't know what it was about Amy that made him feel a certain way.

He thought of everything, in any way that could make that sadness go away. He knew he had messed up and terribly. However, even now he wasn't sure if he should be this close to Amy. G.U.N was after her, as his mission was to report every aspect of her life.

He didn't want to betray her like that.

But he also didn't want to betray his job.

He needed to figure out it first. Who this villain was ... he trusted Amy more than anyone but G.U.N. had solid proof.

That it was her.

And even so, Shadow didn't care.

Something was pulling him towards her. A strange force was tempting him to get closer to her. Shadow looked at her face and his eyes naturally ended in her lips.

Shadow had never felt hungry, actually, he thought he wasn't capable of feeling that.

Until this moment.

Because he could swear, his mouth water the moment Amy licked her lips.

It was as if her lips were begging to be touched, caressed.

And Shadow wanted to satisfy that.

Almost like an instinct, Shadow placed his hands in Amy's cheeks, softly he began to bring her closer to his face.

He was ready. He just wanted to try them. He just wanted to get lost in their flavor.

"Was this lov-"

Amy pushed him away.

She was stopping herself from crying.

Shadow regretted it.

"I am sorry. I don't know what took over me-"

"Do you think this is a game?"

Shadow didn't say anything. He wasn't understanding what Amy was trying to say. He stood quiet.

"Don't you know how hard it is?" Amy continued.

"Amy ... " Shadow began, "I don't understand-"

"I love you!"

It was quiet as if the world had stopped.

"I love you and it's not the friendly type," Amy replied. "I love how kind you are. How grumpy you are when you wake up, how you smell, how you talk and walk ... and I love the way my life feels complete when I am with you."

Amy cried more. Seeing that Shadow wasn't responding, she gave him her biggest secret.

"And I even love the way you don't love me."

Amy got closer to Shadow and looked at him in the eyes. "So please, don't give me hopes ... because it hurts and I won't be able to forget you."

A few moments passed in which none of them said anything. The silence was killing Amy, especially because she couldn't read Shadow. There were a few emotions she could describe, however. Confusion, surprise, and indecisiveness.

Amy said that she didn't want to have hope. But in a small corner in her heart, she did have it.

Hope that one day, Shadow would look at her the same she looks at him.

But his expression ... it was everything she needed to know that her feelings wouldn't be accepted.

"You don't have to say anything, I know its weird," said Amy. "I just hope we can still be friends."

Embarrassed, Amy walked away, leaving the dark one alone.

If Shadow wanted to stop her, he would have.

But he didn't want to.

He had messed up with her too much already. Shadow didn't want to say anything that might hurt her later on.

If he doesn't love her and he says that he does, then that would just hurt her more.

He needed to think, but the happiness he felt didn't allow him to. Shadow couldn't believe that someone as pure and kind as Amy was able to love someone as broken as him. Someone as unworthy of love as him.

But if Amy loves ... then does that mean he is worthy of real love after all?

Shadow looked up to the sky and watched the moon.

Yes, it was pretty. But Amy could outshine it.

Shadow would think of Amy, whenever he felt sad and he gets better. Whenever he needs strength, she is on his mind.

But it wasn't only that.

Shadow knew that Amy made him happy, and she had made him the best he could be.

He knew that if there was one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with ... it was her, it was Amy.

Maybe Rouge was right, maybe he had certain feelings for the pink hedgehog since they began talking. From the moment he saw her at G.U.N.'S New Year's dance ball. To them racing motorcycles, to the saddest moments of his life. Amy was there ... and he wouldn't change that for anything.

Maybe what he thought it was a strong friendship, it was something else.

Shadow kept looking at the moon and stars, he sighed as the realization hit him.

"Maybe ... It was love" He thought.

" ... No... It is love."

.

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A/N: Finally, Shadow realizes he is in love with Amy. But Amy is a relationship now, so how will Shadow react to this? Why is G.U.N. going after Amy? Who is this villain?

The end is near.