Rouge's POV: Requested by Nur03022004 

He's back again, I think as I work on the previous customer's macchiato. I wait impatiently for the machine to finish pouring the espresso, wanting to turn around and see the mysterious, handsome young man that even my powers of reading can't figure out.

The dribbling finishes, and I whirl around, grabbing a lid fluidly and snapping it on the cup. Handing the drink off, I quickly step to the counter to catch the dark-furred Mobian as he quietly accepts his change. Today, according to the register's screen, he's ordered a tall Americano, an espresso, two croissants, an enormous chocolate muffin, and a large bowl of vegetarian soup with spaghetti on the side; I remain baffled as to why he picks the things he does for yet another day.

Damn, I think, studying him surreptitiously. Missed the order again. I'm sure that, if I could just watch him, I could discern something. I sigh inaudibly as he walks to his usual string of tables, disappointed. To my surprise, his ears twitch, as if in response, but I brush it off as coincidence. If my huge bat ears can hardly hear that sigh from my own mouth, there's no way his small, pointed ones could hear it across the store.

He sits down in his favorite spot, the corner table where he can watch everything happening in the cafe. I know he pays attention, too; every time someone walks in the door or back from the bathroom, he glances up to track their movements. It's one of the many reasons I'm so interested in finding out about him.

He has paperwork with him today, I notice as he puts a file on the table. He carries a briefcase, but he wears no clothing, so I can't imagine he's coming from a desk job. He takes out his small, metallic laptop that he always brings, and he puts in the earbuds like usual. I sigh again, knowing I've missed my chance just like every other day before. He'll sit from anywhere between four and and five hours--I suspect he orders so much just so the cafe tolerates his near-constant presence, though he does always eat everything. Every day, he comes in ten to eighteen minutes after opening, when the cafe has just gotten through the initial breakfast rush at seven; I swear he times it to come in just as we get the last customer. He leaves within fifteen minutes of 11:30 on weekdays, to avoid the lunch rush, but he tends to stay a little longer on weekends, when the rush is about 12:30.

Everyone else assumes he's a college student studying for his classes, but I've never gotten that vibe. He doesn't have the bored tiredness of a typical student; instead, he single-mindedly focuses the entire time on...well, whatever it is he's doing. He only ever types occasionally, spending most of his time reading something. I've never gotten close enough to tell what before he blocks his laptop screen with his head. Hence, another reason why I find him mysterious.

Of course, it doesn't help that he's almost painfully attractive. Those clear-cut crimson eyes are so intense they nearly glow, peering out from beneath a brow that's been frowned into a permanent scowl. His abyssal black fur mingles with the pointed ruby streaks that blaze over his quills and down his limbs, and that patch of cloud-white, long fur on his upper chest? I can't even count how many times I've wished I could touch it, just to see if it's as soft as it looks.

I watch as he scowls again, the expression one I'm used to seeing on his face. At first, I assumed he must be angry or just unpleasant, but I've started to think it's just how his face is naturally. After all, he's very polite whenever he places an order, with a quiet baritone voice that betrays no anger. Rather, if anything, he tends to sound rather world-weary, but that's hardly uncommon in a coffee shop. I'm that way before I get my morning caffeine, too.

I know I'm staring at him by this point, but there's no one at the counter, and I have nothing to do but trail my eyes along that lithe frame, fantasizing about where he comes from as I lean on the faux marble in front of me.

Thus, I almost fall over the counter in shock when, for the first time ever, he takes the earbuds out with a bit-back curse. He puts his elbows on the table and buries his face in his hands for a moment, obviously experiencing some negative emotion as he mutters something into his palms.

Seeing my chance, I nearly vault over the counter-top, barely remembering to use the employee slot. I put on a politely concerned expression as I draw closer, and my ears bolt upright as I start to hear the words he's swearing under his breath.

"Chaos-damned firewalls," he groans quietly. "It's impossible to get in. I don't have enough access."

"Are you hacking something?" The words come out before I can stop them, and I immediately look around to see if anyone heard my stupid question, but, thankfully, no one was paying attention to this small corner of the cafe. The mysterious man stares at me, a look of 'Oh crap, busted' so apparent on his face that I almost laugh. Instead, I drop my voice and lean closer, not about to lose this opportunity. "I'm really good at that, actually. What are you trying to get into?"

He continues to stare, and I smile at him.

"My name is Rouge the Bat. I've been doing this kind of thing my whole life. Do you want help?"

"Er..." He's gone from worried to confused, and the expression is hilarious to see on his usually stoic face. "Are you serious?"

"Yep. There's not much I can't do with a computer," I say, still smiling. "But, I'd at least want your name."

"My name?" He sounds suspicious, and I roll my eyes slightly.

"I already know what you look like, and, with fur that distinctive, I'm sure your description would be enough if I went to the police. Which I won't. I've been bored these past months, working such a lackluster job. Returning to my specialties would be fun."

"Fun," he repeats, like it doesn't compute for him.

"Yeah, fun. Look, are you going to accept the offer or not?" I ask, a little impatient now.

"...Shadow."

"What?" I ask, confused, and he glances down at the table, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

"My name is Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog."

"I thought you looked like a hedgehog," I muse, thinking out loud, and he relaxes slightly for a reason that's beyond me. "Cool. So, what are you trying to do?" I put myself right next to him, enjoying being close to someone this hot.

"You probably wouldn't believe me," he says quietly, sounding a bit sad. I scoff, leaning on his table over his shoulder.

"I've been a serial gem thief for, like, nine years. Try me," I tell him, not about to back down.

"You..." He shakes his head slightly, like he's wondering what he's gotten into. "Alright. I'm trying to hack into G.U.N.'s main database."

"What?" I don't even register what he's said for a few solid seconds, I'm so taken aback. "Why? To sell secrets?"

"No. I have amnesia, and the only information about me is in there."

"Uh, right," I reply, suddenly regretting my offer to help the apparently crazy hedgehog. "Why are you actually trying?"

"That is why I'm trying," he grumbles, frustrated. "I said you wouldn't believe me." For some reason, I don't detect any dishonesty in his scowl and lowered ears, something I'm usually very good at noticing. But, there's no way he can possibly be telling the truth.

"How is that even possible? G.U.N. having your life story when no one else does?" I question, trying to trip him into revealing the lie.

"I was created by them. That's all I know. It's a long shot, but it's the only one I have."

"Created?"

"By a scientist. I didn't remember his name, but I knew his granddaughter's. I found out he was Professor Gerald Robotnik, but I--"

"Robotnik? As in, Ivo Robotnik turned Eggman? That Robotnik line?" I demand, not really believing this but wanting to know all the same.

"Yes," he says simply, nodding.

"Okay," I sigh, trying to slow down and collect my thoughts. "Either you're a fantastic liar, or you're completely insane. Two options."

"I'm not insane," he replies, sounding offended. "And, even if I am, I'll find out once I get into the network." He says it so matter-of-factly that I stare at him, shocked that he seems to be entirely serious about this.

"Do you even know how large of a sentence this would carry if you're caught?" I ask numbly.

"I don't have to worry about that," he tells me, and I fold my arms, a little ticked off.

"Oh, really?" I query, not buying the macho act.

"If they catch me, I'll be much worse than thrown in prison. I'm a top secret fugitive. I'll probably just be killed outright," he responds, which was not what I was expecting to hear.

"You--" I splutter, nearly falling over. "You are definitely insane," I declare, and he shrugs, as if the idea doesn't bother him.

"I wouldn't be surprised. I haven't found out much yet, but I remember I was in some sort of battle. A young girl died, Gerald's granddaughter," he adds, suddenly immensely sad--I study him suspiciously, but the grieving look on his face seems so genuine that I find my own heart sinking slightly. "I think I was supposed to protect her, and, obviously, I failed." He holds up a hand, looking at it with a mixture of resignation and determination. "I owe it to those people to find out what happened. I owe it to her."

"So, you're going through with this?" I ask, still struggling to comprehend the meaning of what he just said.

"Yes. If you help, I promise I won't say anything if I'm captured. I don't want to drag anyone else into this mess."

"Well, that's courteous of you," I reply dryly, but his eyes don't lose that seriousness. "Oh, what the hell. I'll help. You seem decent enough, and I've never done something of this magnitude before... I might as well take the risk."

"You're not going to pretend you never heard this? Or go to the police?" He seems surprised, and I shrug.

"No, on one condition." His eyes narrow, but I meet his gaze. "I can't work here during my job, so we should meet somewhere else. And, if I dean to help you, I want you to agree to something."

"What?" He asks, visibly wary.

"Date me," I say confidently, and he tilts his head.

"Um, alright..." He replies, looking puzzled, and I start to cheer inwardly. "You look about nineteen. Were you born in January?"

"Wha--" I smack a hand to my forehead, sighing. "No, that's not what I meant. Go out with me."

"We'll already be somewhere else," he blinks, confused.

"Dear Chaos, you really do have amnesia," I grumble, exasperated. Why are attractive men sometimes the most clueless? "I mean, be in a casual romantic relationship with me. Does that make sense?"

"Oh." His cheeks tint a little red, and I start to wonder if he really is some creation of G.U.N. How else would he not understand the most basic social phrases? "I suppose that's alright, too. But, I've never done anything like that before."

"Really? Couldn't tell," I say with a tinge of sarcasm, but I give him a winning smile to finish our conversation. "I'll give you the address of where we should meet; I can be there by 5:30 tonight. Do you have any paper?"

"You can tell me--I'll remember it," he replies, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" I question skeptically, and he nods.

"I have a photographic memory," he answers seriously, and, at my expression, he shrugs. "Except for the amnesia. I can't explain that."

"Sounds convenient," I reply dryly, but I tell him the address and return to the counter before my boss comes out of the back to yell at me, giving Shadow a flirtatious wave goodbye. As I step back through the employee slot, I wonder about the things he told me and whether they're true. I can't shake the impression that he's not lying--or, at least, that he's not aware of it if he is.

Crazy mind or crazy life, no other options, I think, raising an eyebrow at the latte I'm filling. I guess I'll be finding out at 5:30.

...

Sure enough, Shadow is waiting for me when I wing my way to the unfrequented warehouse where I used to prepare for my heists. I still have some equipment here, VPNs that can mask my location with servers around the world for my excursions past the law. I'm not sure it'll be enough to get into G.U.N., but I figure it'll be better than whatever set-up Shadow's been managing with his laptop. I used to be a professional, after all.

"Ready to get started?" I ask him as I unlock the door where he was politely waiting, and he nods. "Cool, follow me in and don't touch anything. Some of this stuff is fragile."

"Alright," he replies, walking behind me as I glide across the warehouse to my concealed tech space. It's easy for me to get in with my wings, but my workspace is completely surrounded by large crates and whatnot, to better hide it from any workers. I'm about to call out to Shadow and ask if he needs help over the boxes, but the words stop in my throat when he appears next to me with a flash of blue light and a loud crack.

"Wha--?" I exclaim in shock, nearly tripping on myself at his sudden appearance. "You can teleport?! Do--do you have a Chaos Emerald?"

"I have a lot of abilities," he answers, looking around like the computers are more interesting than his other-worldly powers. "I don't need a Chaos Emerald to teleport short distances."

"If you'd led with that, I would have been a lot more inclined to believe the 'created by G.U.N.' story," I tell him, inwardly torn between lamenting that he's not carrying one of the legendary gems and marveling at his power without one.

"Really? I thought Chaos Creatures were well known on Mobius," he says curiously, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Not ones that can teleport. I've never even heard of such a power existing outside of gathering the seven Chaos Emeralds."

"Oh. Well, I can also do this," he responds, raising his gloved hand. As I look down, a golden spark appears and dances around in his palm, and I watch it turn into a small lightning bolt and curl around his fingers, mesmerized by the display.

"That's incredible," I say sincerely, now wondering if he's truly some ultimate weapon. "Is that power useful?"

"I can channel more energy and make it into a spear," he replies, and, sure enough, the little lightning bolt crackles and grows until it's as long as his arm, floating in his palm with a jagged arrowhead. "I can throw them, too. Sometimes, when I'm practicing, I can create more than one at once."

"That's... Do you have any idea how insane your powers are?" I ask him, tearing my eyes away from the spear as he absorbs it back into his hand. "Even if you're not a weapon creation, it's no wonder G.U.N. would be after you. You're a walking army."

"I was meant to be," he answers, red eyes holding mine in their uncanny way, and I have to suppress a blush. How is it fair that a living weapon is the hottest guy I've ever met? If I were G.U.N., I wouldn't want Mobian women--and men--throwing themselves left and right at my created perfect soldier.

"Well, I believe you now," I admit, turning away to boot up my computer. If Shadow really does have some tragic past, then I want to help him uncover it--not to mention, I'm eager to learn anything I can about the dark hedgehog with powers beyond anything this world has ever seen. "Let me get the system running, and then we'll see what we can find, sound good?"

"Sounds good," Shadow replies, shifting occasionally behind me as I work. He's very quiet, not disturbing my efforts as I ensure my location is well-hidden and set up extra firewalls for protection, and, at some points, I even find myself forgetting that he's there at all.

"You're allowed to move around, you know," I tell him after ten or fifteen minutes of silence. "Just don't touch any of the buttons, and it's fine."

"Oh, okay," he says, and I hear him step closer before he halts, waiting quietly behind me. I tap out a few commands, connecting to a G.U.N. computer I've used before and testing the organization's defenses, and Shadow watches over my shoulder, interested.

Then, I stiffen as his arms wrap around me in a soft embrace.

"...what are you doing?" I ask him, halfway between chastising him for distracting me and squealing internally that I'm being hugged by Mobius' hottest hedgehog.

"You said that you wanted a casual romantic relationship," he replies, and I glance over my shoulder to see his face flushed a deep pink. "So, I'm giving you one."

"Hon, that's--that's not quite what I meant," I tell him, suppressing a laugh as I watch G.U.N.'s supposed weapon step back and stammer out an apology with cheeks as red as his stripes. I give his shoulder an affectionate pat, telling him that it's perfectly alright and not to worry, then turn my attention back to my computer.

"Do you know what section of G.U.N.'s network your files would be in? Research, intelligence, weapons--any ideas?" I question, and I motion for him to stand next to me to see, which he does with a still-visible blush.

"I think they would be with Professor Gerald's files," he answers, looking intently at the screen.

"Past personnel, then? Well, I can try it," I reply, navigating through the network with the learned speed of experience. I search 'Gerald Robotnik' and get a result, but a password box appears as I try to click on the file, which catches me somewhat by surprise.

"Sorry, hon, it's password protected. I don't have a good password generating cracker, either," I tell him apologetically, and he wilts, the small space falling quiet for a moment as gloom and disappointment hang over us. "If it's still locked, though, there's a good chance it's got some seriously sensitive information. I don't suppose you might be able to guess his password?" I ask with tentative hope, and he sighs.

"I suppose you could try 'Maria,'" he answers, and, shrugging in a 'why not' gesture, I type the name in and press enter.

"It worked?!" I exclaim at the same time Shadow gasps, and we look at each other in bewilderment as Gerald's file opens in front of us. "I can't believe it, family members are the first thing a professional hacker tries," I murmur in complete confusion. "There's no way G.U.N. couldn't have opened this. They must have buried it for some reason."

I scroll quickly through Gerald's information, most of the page being records of his journal entries from his time as a scientist. Then, Shadow, who's reading over my shoulder, tells me to stop, and I do, feeling my eyes widen in surprise as I see "Project: Shadow" written in one of the entries.

"This is crazy, you were right," I say in amazement, and I start typing at rapid speed, plugging in a portable hard drive. "I'm going to download this before the system detects us. I'll try to catch all the related files," I tell him, and he nods, looking a mixture of excited and grave. He stays close behind me as I search for all files containing 'Project' and 'Shadow' and export them, watching the loading bar with nervous anticipation. I have a program that should let me escape with whatever I've managed to download if we're intercepted, so every percent that ticks by is a major victory for us.

The fluttering in my heart gets stronger as the percentage downloaded rises into the eighties, then the nineties, and Shadow and I hold our breaths in tandem as we hit 99%.

"We got it!" I cheer as 'download complete' pops up, and I quickly eject the hard drive, not wanting it to be corrupted, and exit the system, hoping my location scrambling programs protect us from a military team breaking the door in for at least half an hour. Then, with immediate crisis behind us, I look at Shadow with a genuine smile on my face, only to be shocked to see a solitary tear streaking down his cheek.

"Thank you," he warbles, and I find myself wrapped in a furry hug, making me a mixture of flustered and touched. He pulls back after a moment, wiping his eyes, and his crimson eyes look down as fresh tears quickly replace the ones he's dried. "I never thought I'd have a chance to see where I came from," he cries, his deep voice cracking as I put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I can't thank you enough."

"You're welcome, hon," I say sincerely, and I rise from my chair, pulling him into a hug. "I hope it's what you're looking for."

"It's all thanks to you," he replies, returning the embrace as his eyes finally stop watering. I hand him the hard drive, and he takes it reverently, holding it close to his chest.

I guess there are some things even more valuable than gems, I think, feeling a warmth in my chest that I was able to help such a sincere, unique person. I watch as Shadow tucks the hard drive carefully into his quills, and I hesitate to ask him what he's planning on doing now, not wanting to lose contact with him so soon after I finally got to learn more about him. I'm invested in this--surely he won't just run off and leave me without answers?

"So, what are you going to do now?" I ask, only a hint of worry in my tone as I fret about what his answer might be.

"Well, I've already implicated you enough by being here. I should really--" He stops talking in confusion as I press a finger to his lips, and I put my other hand on his shoulder, holding him at arm's length and shaking my head.

"Oh, no you don't. You haven't paid me back yet," I say, tut-tutting as a look of concern comes over his face.

"I don't have any money to give you," he replies, visibly worried, and I sigh.

Some things never change.

"You promised to date me, remember? Relationships don't last just one day, hon," I tell him, tactfully excluding one night stands because--let's be real--he's too innocent to know about those, living weapon or not.

"But, are you sure?" He asks, seeming concerned for my health, and I shrug.

"About as sure as I ever am of anything. I helped you, and now you help me, okay? I want to see this through," I answer, sincerely meaning it, and he looks down, his ears twitching back as his cheeks pink slightly.

"If--If that's what you want," he says, fumbling on the words, and I titter at how adorable he is. "But, I did warn you."

"Hon, I promise--I want you more than I want any gem in the world," I reply with a suggestive eyelash flutter, but the innuendo is lost on him as he runs an embarrassed hand over the inside of his elbow, and I let out a fond, exasperated sigh at his complete innocence. "We won our first battle on the road to your past, right? Why don't we celebrate with a kiss?"

"A kiss?" He asks, flushing very red, and I gently lift his chin as he looks down, suddenly unable to meet my eyes. "I--I don't know how to do that."

"It's alright, handsome. I'll teach you," I tell him, winking, and I take a moment to squeal internally as he hesitantly raises his head. I wait until he relaxes, then slowly move forward, my lips on a romantic crash course toward his--

And stop as he kisses me quickly on the cheek, the dark hedgehog immediately pulling back and blushing as I stare at him in confusion.

"Hon, what are you doing?" I question, though I have a feeling I already know, and he turns around, apparently too flustered to face me.

"I kissed you! I--I hope it wasn't bad," he says, clearly worrying as his quills rustle in embarrassment, and I sigh internally, putting my hands on my hips. "I'm sorry, I've never done this before."

"Oh, handsome... Just promise me, when we open those files, I get a real kiss," I reply, wilting forward as my already-withered romantic side takes another hit, and he hesitantly looks over his shoulder.

"A real kiss?" He asks, and I laugh more in pain than amusement, clapping a friendly hand on his shoulder and deciding right here and now that I'm going to raise this innocent soul.

"You'll find out, hon. Don't worry about it yet," I tell him, and he nods uncertainly, letting me affectionately ruffle the fur on top of his head. "Now, let's get my equipment out of here before G.U.N. breaks down our door and open those files, yes?"

"Alright," he responds, unplugging and picking up the computer I gesture to, and I watch from the air as he jumps over the crates and carries it toward the exit. I follow him with my custom server, looking at him fondly in the evening light as we begin the task of moving my setup to a safer location.

This is going to be one hell of a slow burn, isn't it? I ask myself as he sets my computer down on the roof of the cafe, a temporary place until I can find another rent-free storage area. He glances at me as I place the server next to the computer, blushing and averting his eyes as his eyes sweep over my bust, and I smile despite myself, torn between giggling and sighing again.

Yeah, yeah, it is... Still, I've never been so excited for a journey.

I should help attractively mysterious customers more often.

Author's Note: I'm doing my best to prioritize requested one-shots right now, so keep your eyes peeled if you've requested something in the past! I might just get to yours soon! BiA's coming soon for those of you who follow it, as well. I hope you liked this pairing! Leave a comment and tell me if you did, I'd be glad to hear your thoughts! Requests are still open and rolling, so don't be shy if you've got a story you'd like to see in this book. Until next time!