~12:30 pm at Sonic's house~

"Hey Shadow,you coming down stairs for lu-"Sonic stopped himself as he heard something coming from Shadow's 'temporary' room."Huh?What the?"Sonic asked as he pressed his ear to the door.Shadow was listening to Breathless by Shayne Ward,and he was singing along as he drew pictures in his notebook.'Shadow.....'Sonic thought with thoughtful smile.'I wondering who he is thinking about when he sings that,he has a wonderful singing voice...huh?!O////Othat was strange....'Sonic thought as he had a small blush on his face."Maybe I can find out from the pictures..."Sonic said to himself as he knocked on the door,the music stopped and Shadow opened the door."Yeah?"Shadow asked as he saw the light blush still on Sonic's face."Hey Sonic,You feeling ok?"Shadow asked with a look of concern on his face."Huh?Oh!It's nothing,just came up to ask if you were coming down to eat..."Sonic said as he cleared the blush off his muzzle."Yeah,I'll be down in a minute."Shadow said as he was about to close the door but Sonic stopped it."Hey,just wanted to say I invited the other over to let them know you're ok."Sonic said."Oh,ok then..."Shadow said,a little disapointed.He wanted to spend more time with Sonic,but that doens;t mean he still can't I mean he is basicly living here.Right?Shadow shook his head as he tuned the song back on an continued finishing up his drawing.'One day Sonic...You and me will have this life.'Shadow thought as he looked at the picture he finished of him and Sonic standing infront of a house and he and Sonic were hugging."*sigh*might as well go down to eat,Sonic will be worried if a don't."Shadow said as he got up and walked down stairs...

~Downstairs in the Kitchen/Dining room~

"Hey Shadow!So,you hungry?"Sonic said as he finished making some sandwhichs for himself."Not really,I'm kinda down about something."Shadow said as he looked at the floor."Really?You wanna talk about it?"Sonic asked as he and Shadow sat down."Not really,It's something kinda personal."Shadow said,he was a little embarassed."Oh,Ok!I'm not gonna push you into doing something you don't wanna do."Sonic said as he continued to eat his sandwhichs."So,when are the others getting here?"Shadow asked."Oh,they should be here any minute."Sonic said as a knock came from the door,Sonic opened the door to see Tails,Knuckles,Rouge,Amy,Cream,Vanilla,Vector,Espio,and charmy standing outside."Hey everyone!Come on in!"Sonic said as he let them all in."So Sonic,Why the sudden party?"Rouge asked as she leaned back againest Knuckles."Oh,nothing.Just wanted to give an old friend a grand come back!"Sonic said proudly."Sonic,what are you talking about?Everyone's already here."Rouge asked as Knuckles chuckled softly and gave Sonic a wink."Ok everyone,I asked you all here to welcome back an old friend!"Sonic said as he went into the Kitchen where Shadow was still sitting."Come on."Sonic whispered to Shadow,Shadow came into the living room with Sonic deathgripping his arm so he couldn't escape.Everyone gasped."Sh-Shadow?!I-Is that really you?!"Rouge stammered at seeing her old comrade and bestfriend."Hey Rouge."Shadow said with a smile.Rouge rushed over and hugged Shadow,while crying on his shoulder a little and saying how much she missed him."Hey Rouge,it's alright..."Shadow said calmly before giving her back to Knuckles."Hey Shadow!"Vector said as he gave Shadow a high five."Hello Shadow"Espio said."Hey Shadow!Nice to see you again!"Charmy said with a big smile.Everyone was catching up or just talking.Shadow on the other hand was not,he stepped outside into the evening air.They're friends had already been there for a few hours.then Shadow didn't hear someone step outside.

~Outside with Shadow~

"Shadow?What are you doing out here?"Shadow turned his head to see Rouge."I should ask you the same thing."Shadow said in an upset tone."Hey,what's the matter?You seemed happy to see everyone at first,now you're out here..."Rouge said as she at down with him."Oh it's nothing,Don't bother with me."Shadow said as he turned away."Shadow...over the time you were gone,I became alot more sensetive when it comes to my friends feelings.I want to help you not be so sad."Rouge said as she put a hand on Shadow's shoulder."Well,what if i told you that...I kinda didn't want everyone to know I was back yet?"Shadow asked nervously."Well,Why wouldn't you want people to know?"Rouge asked."Well,I think that.....no..i can't tell you..."Shadow said as he turned away again."Shadow...You can tell me anything,I promise I won't tell anyone."Rouge said as Shadow turned his head back..."Ok well,The truth is...I think that I'm...I think I'm in love with Sonic..."Shadow said getting ready to be yelled at,but nothing."Huh?Aren't you gonna yell at me?"Shadow asked,then he saw Rouge smiling.Not a smirk or a wicked grin,but a true smile."Shadow....I understand how you feel,I felt the same when I realised i liked Knuckles.I thought that I was crazy to like such an annoying,rude echidna,but then I thought.Hey maybe he likes me too."Rouge said with a small giggle."What are you getting at?"Shadow asked confused."Tell him"That was the only thing Rouge said before getting up and walking back inside."Tell him?Tell Sonic the truth...Yeah,maybe that just might work...Thanks Rouge..."Shadow said to himself as he walked back in and enjoyed the party.