Light sat on the soft couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. She had a sudden urge to cry about an hour ago and had just managed to control it. She missed her family and wondered where they were and what they were doing. Her mind was in a million places at once. She thought of her dads, her uncles and aunts, whether or not Amy was okay, and about Shock. She hated how much of her mind was consumed by that boy. No matter what she did, what Husk told her earlier replayed in her mind over and over.

Does he really like me?

She thought about it a lot. In spite of everything she wanted Shock to like her, maybe even be with her. It was annoying and absurd that she'd even care, but she couldn't help it. Stupid teenage hormones.

"Can't sleep?"

Light turned around, her super sight noting the black eyes and pointed nose of a squirrel. Buck sat beside Light and crossed his arms.

Light nodded, "Yeah, there's a lot on my mind," She didn't know what her opinion was on Buck. They hadn't really talked yet.

Buck nodded, his hair falling into his eyes, "I can understand that. I heard a lot about your history. I even know your part in Robotnick's plan," He looked into Light's eyes with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine, "But that still hasn't put your fire out has it?"

His voice was like silk and it made Light a little dizzy. He even seemed to be moving closer... "What- do you mean?" She managed to choke out.

He smiled softly, "You have this spark in you, I can see it. Even with all that's happened you're still fighting. It's a very admirable trait," He ran a lean hand through Light's quills, sending another shiver through her, "Don't let it go."

Light smiled, somehow enjoying the moment, "I won't. Let Eggman throw what he wants at me. I'll throw it right back!"

Buck laughed heartily and his smile widened, "You can start by getting some sleep kiddo. We have some planning to do in the morning."

Light nodded. Not even the slightest offended by the nickname. Buck ran his fingers through her quills one more time before heading for his shared room with Twig. Light sighed with a smile. Maybe she doesn't need Shock.

The thought of Shock proved her wrong. Even if Buck did like her, it's not what she wants. She mentally kicked herself for being so picky. Who needs boys anyway? She certainly didn't.

"Hey, Light! Wake up!"

Light cracked one eye open and groaned, "What is it?"

Twig's grinning face was inches from hers and upside down, "You fell asleep in the living room sleepy head/ Now get up! We need to work on our plan!"

If Light didn't love the kid so much, she'd have shoved Twig away and rolled over, preferably with a few colorful words to go with it. However, she couldn't do that to him. Instead, she forced a smile and sat up, rubbing his head, "Thanks Twig."

"No problem!"

Light smiled. She was glad to see him so happy. Hopefully the rest were this way as well. She stood up and followed him to the kitchen. Tails and Silver had stored a ton of non perishable foods there for emergencies. It should hold for a while.

"So Light. How come you didn't bring us here before?" Rachael asked before she bit into some dried apples.

The rest of the gang looked at Light expectantly. Some of them almost looked at her with accusation.

"Well, only a hedgehog who can project their power just right can even hope to not die in the process of getting in. Before Shock's training I couldn't have even hoped to open the door. Another reason is I haven't been here in years. It's just an emergency place my uncles made."

Twig's eyes widened, "You mean Tails built this place?"

Light smiled and nodded, "Tails and Silver."

Husk waved her hands and shook her head, "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! You can't be related to both of them, their not brothers!"

Light had forgotten Buck and Husk didn't know about her situation, but she sighed anyway, "Well their like brothers to my dads. So I call them uncles."

She then had to explain the purpose for two dads, and was almost exasperated from telling the story again. She waited for the story to sink in, and Buck looked away in shame. Light frowned. Why would he be ashamed of her for that? It's not her fault!

Light placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, "What's wrong with being an experiment Buck?"

He eyed her uncomfortably, "It's not that, it's your parents... that's not-"

Husk interrupted him, "Zip it Buck! It's not your business!" She took hold of his arm and drug him away, throwing an apologetic glance at Light. At least she can say she likes that about Husk. She can't think to like buck anymore though. The nerve of him!

Light felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Shock, "He'll come around or leave. This is your place and in this group, we're like family. We don't think lower on anyone else for any reason," There was a stern look in his eyes that showed Light he was serious. She almost smiled at him, but her mind flashed to the previous morning and she looked away.

"Hey Twig! That's all yours buddy," She pointed at the computer room.

Twig dashed for the door and slammed right into it. He jumped up as if nothing happened and escaped through the door quickly. Light chuckled and crossed her arms.

"Thank you Light."

Light turned around with question in her eyes, "For?"

He gestured around the place with wide arms, "This for one! You saved us! When we lost the place I thought we were done! But you had it all covered. You have your own problems but your helping us, you don't give up. I'm just real grateful," He looked away with a slight blush in his cheeks. Light bit her lower lip so she wouldn't snicker.

Rachael noticed this little exchange and left, but Light didn't even notice. For all she knew, there was no one around in the first place. Shock shuffled his feet and looked at Light nervously, "Look, there's something I need to tell you."

Light waited intently, her pulse picking up slightly.

"You see Light, I have nothing but these guys and for a long time I thought that was okay. I didn't think I needed any kind of... affection. But now-"

"Guys! You gotta see this!" Twig interrupted. Light would have told him off if it weren't for the urgent look in his eyes. Light and Shock dashed to the computer room and glanced at all of the monitors.

"What is it Twig?" Shock asked with a mixture of annoyance and urgency. Twig pointed at a monitor that displayed what looked to be a huge base. Light didn't understand until he zoomed in.

"That's Rouge!" Light yelled rushing to the monitor, "What's she doing?"

"What she does best," Twig answered, "She was once a famous gem thief. She worked with Eggman to get the chaos emeralds with Shadow before they joined G.U.N. It only makes sense that she would spy on him. What I don't understand is why she's alone."

Light shook her head, "I don't understand either. We've always been a close family. Even before that they took on the problems together."

Shock looked at the other screens closely, "This means there's more to this than we know. I say we sit tight until we know more and let the heroes handle it. When we know where we'll be useful, we can help."

As much as Light hated it, he was right. If they family's split up like this there's a lot going on! She looked at the screen longingly. Rouge was climbing a steel while with surprising agility and ease. She then swiftly escaped through a window and was gone. Light only hoped everyone was okay. Especially Amy. She would give anything to know how she was holding. She would be giving birth any time now. That was when a movement in the screen beside her caught her attention.