Ch. 1

Rouge stared out the window of her home in Club Rouge, depressed.  She didn’t know why, but boredom and depression had become her only company as of late.  Perhaps she had nothing to do after Eggman stopped attacking her and everyone else, or maybe she just didn’t feel like thieving anymore.  As much as she loved jewelry, her life as a thief had just about drawn to a close.  It just didn’t hold her interest as much anymore, and she was beginning to lose hope in finding something to fill the empty hole in her life.

For the past few weeks, Rouge had been thinking about Shadow, the mysterious black and red hedgehog that had saved her life on more than one occasion.  She was deeply grateful to him for it, and truly wanted to repay him for everything he had done for her.  But material possessions couldn’t show the gratitude that she felt.  She had deep seeded feelings for him, which she wanted to admit to him, but she was unsure if he felt the same way…

But, at the moment, she didn’t feel like thinking anymore, so she headed to her room and prepared for bed.

----

Completely unbeknownst to her, Shadow laid on the roof of his house, watching the stars in the peaceful night sky.  He felt as though his heart had been healing for some time, despite the fact that the memory of Maria still lingered in his mind.  He had felt a special connection with her, when she was alive, and still had a soft spot for her in his heart.  Yet, he had another soft spot for someone else.

For some time, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Rouge, the beautiful bat that he had saved numerous times.  She had shown him gratitude for his services, and he felt…a strange sort of connection with her, one that he wasn’t truly sure of what it was.  Shadow sighed, and closed his eyes as images of Rouge danced in front of his eyes, slowly seducing him with sleep.

But, before he drifted off into slumber, an interesting thought crossed his mind.  "Rouge…" he thought, "I feel something for you…but I don’t know what it is.  Maybe I should spend more time with her, starting tomorrow."

Following that, he yawned, leapt off his roof, and walked inside with nary a scratch nor other injury.

----

The following morning, Rouge awoke and prepared for the day.  She was planning on stealing one more time from a local jewelry store, where a rather valuable diamond was held.  The bat hoped that it would put the spark back in her life, but was doubtful of it.  Sighing, she continued with her day as normal, and sat down on the couch to watch television.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.  She got up to answer it, and as she opened the door, she saw Shadow standing in the doorway.  Needless to say, she was surprised.

“Oh, Shadow!  What are you doing here?” she asked curiously.

He scratched the back of his head and blushed.  “Well…I’ve been thinking about you recently, and I thought it would be…nice…if I could spend time with you.”

Her cheeks became a deep shade of red.  “Shadow, I…I don’t know what to say, but…that sounds okay.”

He nodded.  “Alright.  Were you planning on doing anything today?”

She shook her head.  “Not really.  I had an idea for tonight, but I think I’ll abandon it.”

“Very well.  Perhaps we could go for a walk in the park?”

“That would be great.  Let’s go right now.”

Shadow, giving a small smile, walked with Rouge away from her home towards Central Square, which wasn’t terribly far from their position.

----

At Sapphire Park, the hedgehog and bat strolled on the sidewalk around the circular patch of green grass that was surrounded by the path.  Children ran and played, while various other people either held picnics or lazed about on the quiet Sunday afternoon.

Shadow would occasionally glance at civilians who walked passed them, going about their own business.  As he looked about, he happened to spot Sonic and Amy sitting together under a tree, Amy curled in his lap, sleeping as he gently ran his hand up and down her shoulder.  Shadow grinned and turned to Rouge.

“Look who’s here,” he stated.

Rouge looked over at the tree and chuckled a bit.  “Looks like Amy finally caught her man.  I had a feeling she’d catch him some day.”

The black and red hedgehog laughed.  “It would seem that way.  Amazing really, seeing as how it only took her until the age of 21 to win him over.”

The bat and hedgehog laughed, continuing their walk.

Rouge, beginning to feel more comfortable around him, grabbed Shadow’s hand.  The latter looked down  and saw, then blushed and looked away.  Rouge did the same, but nevertheless continued their outing.

----

Some time later, as the sun began to set, Shadow sat with Rouge on a bench at the entrance to the park.  Neither said anything, but continued holding hands all the while.

“Rouge,” Shadow began, breaking the silence, “since you’re not doing anything tonight…I wanted to ask you something.”

She turned to face him.  “What is it?”

His cheeks turned a bright shade of crimson.  “Would you…like to go to dinner with me?”

She gave a gasp of surprise and blushed so that her face was even more red than his.  “Um…uh…yes, Shadow.  You really want to?”

He nodded.

“Alright…I’ll just go home and change into something more appropriate.”

Shadow got up from his seat, as did Rouge, and looked into her eyes.  “That’s okay.  I’ll go do the same.  I’ll come to your house once I’m ready, Rouge.  See you later…”  He took off, leaving Rouge standing in front of the bench, watching him as he raced off.

She put a finger to her bottom lip.  “That Shadow…I think…”