Shadow the Hedgehog stood inside the Commander's office, his heart was beating quickly in his chest, his ears pounding with all the noises surrounding him. He had been summoned to his boss for a reason, and it wasn't a reason he liked.

The hedgehog was growling, his fists clenched in rage as he listened to the Commander's words. He already knew what was being said, he didn't need to hear it again. To listen to such news on repeat was draining, and quite frankly only made the black hedgehog even more enraged.

You see, his beloved girlfriend, (Y/N) the (a/t), had been kidnapped, and he hadn't been there to save her. The sweet she-(a/t) had stopped into G.U.N headquarters to visit Shadow and bring him lunch, something she'd do frequently, but something Shadow still found adorably sweet to this day.

But yesterday was a special day for Shadow, as he had finally been able to crack open a hidden cartel of illegal drug suppliers. It had taken months for him to get the evidence and plot an attack to shut their business down, but yesterday had been the final sign off, his documentation on the mission was complete, he had handed it in, he was done with the job.

He had been training for the rest of the day, his way of letting out the buzz of energy he felt after finishing an assignment, when (Y/N) had dropped in. The (a/t) had congratulated him, hugged him tightly and left his food for him in his locker. She left, as she always does.

But she never got home.

Shadow had found out that night when he returned from G.U.N H.Q., only to find the house was vacant, there were no messages or calls from (Y/N), no notes saying she may have gone shopping or to a friend's house. There were no signs of her at all.

The hedgehog had been up all night trying to find her, all he'd managed to find was a rag along the side of the road. Upon further examination it had been drenched in chloroform, and they found traces of (Y/N)'s saliva on the rag.

Since then, Shadow had been inside G.U.N H.Q., waiting for any other news, any other clue that could help him find his girl.

And now, here he was, standing in front of the Commander who had recently received a ransom video from an unknown source. The video showed (Y/N) tied to a chair, blindfolded and gagged. Tears were streaming from under the blindfold and her ears were pressed against her head. She looked terrified, her hair was a mess and Shadow could swear he saw a bruise on her muzzle.

The ransom was for their leader of the illegal drug ring, for him to be released with no charges. They expected him to be released in the next 24 hours, or the (a/t) 'gets it', and everyone knew what that meant.

Shadow growled as he glared at the computer screen, the Commander turning it back to face him. His heterochronic eyes scanned the screen, before he shook his head and leant back in the chair.

"We're not going to follow through with their ransom." He said, glancing at his best agent, "You are aware of that?"

"We're going to send a rescue to get her." Shadow said, which earnt a nod.

"But you're not going."

The hedgehog's head snapped up, his ears perked to attention.

"Pardon?"

The Commander tapped his fingers on his arm, leaning on the desk. His eyes were hard set, a frown pulled at his grey, stubbled face,

"You heard me Shadow. You have emotional ties to this, I cannot allow you to join on the mission."

He growled more, turning his head away. Of course, it was unethical to send someone with emotional ties on those sorts of missions. The hedgehog was aware of this, it was because those people can act out in haste, their judgement could be greatly affected, their focus narrowed. They become a liability for themselves, their teammates, and anyone else involved.

So it made sense for the Commander to not choose Shadow for this mission. But the hedgehog wouldn't take that for an answer, he wasn't going to just sit and wait for them to either fail or succeed their mission. He knows he could do the best job in getting (Y/N) back to safety.

"Sir."

"No." The Commander shooks his head, "And you are not to go off and try to do it yourself. I'll fire you if you do."

Shadow flared up, storming over to the desk and slamming his hands on it, "I'm your best agent, it makes sense to send me, I won't let my emotions get in my way."

"That's what they all say."

"Sir, I promise I won't be blinded on this mission, it's in my best interest to keep everyone safe."

"But mostly (Y/N)."

"Well yes."

"My final answer is no."

"I won't let up about this."

The Commander exhaled deeply into his hands, rubbing his head as if a migraine threatened to overwhelm him. He tapped a finger on his desk, glancing at the video and then Shadow. This was his best agent, there was no doubt about that; but Shadow had a funny way of dealing with his emotions.

"If anything happens, it's your badge."

"Alright." Shadow nodded, "Thank you Commander."

"Dismissed." He waved his hand, and the hedgehog left the room.

Shadow let out a sigh, thankful to have convinced his boss to let him take the role. But then he clenched his fists and lifted his head. Now to save (Y/N).

-Don't worry (Y/N)... I'm on my way- The hedgehog thought, making his way to the common room to collect the agents joining him on the rescue mission.

Soon, the group Shadow had collected was ready, everyone was in their stealth gear, guns loaded and helmets on. They were sitting in the back of a truck, the Commander having tracked the source of the video and located where they were keeping (Y/N). They had set out immediately.

The truck rumbled as it drove through the town, everyone was silent. They knew the plan, they knew what this meant for Shadow, they knew to stay out of his way. The hedgehog was checking his gun, making sure it was loaded before holstering it.

His ears perked as the truck came to a stop, "That's our cue, let's go."

The soldiers nodded, and the back of the truck opened. The soldiers all ran out, taking their places around the abandoned warehouse. Once they were in position, Shadow stepped out and walked over to the main entrance. The soldiers there had already set up a small bomb to burst open the doors. With his okay, they pressed the button.

Within 5 seconds, the doors were gone. Shadow, and the few soldiers with him, all ran into the building. They spotted (Y/N) in the middle of a big, empty space. She was still tied to a chair, her blindfold gone but her mouth still gagged. Her (e/c) eyes met Shadow's, and she instantly burst into tears.

"Cover me." Shadow said to his teammates. They nodded, and he sheathed his gun, running into the opening and to the shaking (a/t).

He pulled the cloth from her mouth, cupping her cheek in his gloved hand. She flinched at first, but leant into his touch, tears streaming down her muzzle. He reached in front of him, taking a hold of his body cam,

"Target reached; mission complete." He said, before turning it off. As soon as the camera shut down, he leant forward and pulled (Y/N) into a kiss. She kissed back, almost desperately, and Shadow felt relief flood through his veins. She was alright, he had saved her.

Footsteps made Shadow's ears perk, and he instantly pulled his gun out, aiming at the formally dressed Mobian walking out from the shadows. The Mobian was a black cat, decked out in a white suit and gold jewellery, he held his hands up, a smirk on his muzzle,

"You didn't hold up our end of the bargain." He said, his green eyes flashing behind Shadow for a split second.

The hedgehog's red eyes widened, and he immediately stepped next to (Y/N). He turned to shoot at the grey cat behind him, but the feline had already fired a shot. The hedgehog's side lit up in pain, he grunted and stumbled over the (a/t) still tied to a chair. The girl whimpered,

"Sh-Shadow...!" She said, trying to break out of her bonds and catch him. But the hedgehog caught himself, panting heavily,

"B-Bastards..." He said, "Now!"

And the other soldiers from outside broke through old windows and walls. Instantly, the two felines were surrounded by fully loaded guns, and they had no choice but to lay on the ground. Two soldiers came forward and arrested the two, the rest broke out to search the rest of the building.

Shadow was holding his side now, his glove starting to stain with blood. He reached into his shoe and pulled out a switchblade with his free hand, working at freeing the (a/t). Once one of her arms were free, he dropped the blade in her lap, finally succumbing to the pain and falling to his knees.

"Shadow!" The girl said again, freeing herself and kneeling down beside him, "Oh Shadow... I'm so sorry... I should have been more careful..."

"Shh..." Shadow said, lifting his head to look into her eyes, "You're alright now... I'll make sure... Of it..."

"You're hurt." The girl said, reaching down to his side.

He grabbed her hand, shaking his head, "D-Don't... Just... Get the soldiers..."

He let out a grunt, laying on the ground. Blood mattered his fur, smudged across the floor. The (a/t) looked around, calling for help. Two soldiers ran over, one holding a first aid kit and a stretcher. They checked and cleaned Shadow's wound, talking to each other about getting him back quickly, something about needing to remove the bullet as well.

(Y/N) teared up again, and another soldier walked over to her. He asked her for her name, and once she gave it to him, he escorted her out to the truck. Inside the truck, she made sure to sit next to Shadow, holding his bloodied hand the whole way back to the base.

"I'm... Glad you're okay..." Shadow said, fighting to keep consciousness, "Was... So worried..."

"I know." (Y/N) said, now cupping his cheek, "I'm sorry..."

"It's... Fine..." Shadow closed his eyes, "I'll be alright... Just wish... I could hold you..."

The two soldiers next to them snickered, and the (a/t) sent them a glare, "Wait until Shadow is better and he'll kick your ass for laughing."

That shut them up.

The dark hedgehog chuckled, which turned into a groan of pain, "Damn right..."

The (a/t) smiled, leaning down and kissing his cheek, "Thank you Shadow... I don't know where I'd be without you."

"Not here... That's for sure..."

"Oh shut up, you saved me and we're both fine now." She said, "You're one tough cookie."

"Choc chip..."

"What?"

"I want choc chip cookies..."

The (a/t) giggled, giving the hedgehog a smile, "Anything for my hero."

Rip, it was so good and then by the end it was blech. Sorry about that, I just really wanted to get this done, it took me a week to write this one as well and I was really tired when I wrote it ^^' I hope it was enjoyable either way!

Haven Out!!!