Shadow awoke to the irritating sound of his communicator. The president's voice wasn't the most welcoming thing he'd awoken to. He sat up groggily, careful so he wouldn't wake Sonic, and replied, "Shadow to G.U.N,"

"A jet is on its way to pick you up now. Head out into the open with the rescued captive. You can give us the details on the way," The president said quickly and shut the communicator off. Shadow moved quickly, not wasting a moment. He gathered his supplies and picked the snoozing hedgehog up bridal-style before exiting the cave. The bright light pounded on his eyes and the moving air felt odd. He broke through the trees just as the G.U.N. jet came into view. Shadow dashed forward and sprung up into the opening as it soared off. Medicals automatically tended to Sonic, who had woken during the run. They asked him about his burns that were healing fairly well and any other injuries he might have. Sonic filled them in on the operation he had gone through with the least amount of detail possible while Shadow spoke to the President.

The president listened intently as Shadow explained the issue of the operation then spoke to the medicals, "Don't go near the operated area! We will use ultrasounds to look at it and tests. I don't want to risk something going wrong."

Shadow thought again of the previous night and worried again about the consequences. He hoped he hadn't done permanent damage to the blue hedgehog. The thought made Shadow sick.

The medicals gave Sonic a drug to knock him out so the ride would be easier on him. They arrived at G.U.N. headquarters within an hour where Sonic was rushed to the medical room for tests. Shadow wanted to follow him, but he had a report to fill out and questions to answer. This was the last thing he wanted to do, but it needed to be done ASAP. Shadow took one look at the report and groaned. His mind wasn't on the past, but the present. He was worried beyond measure about Sonic and what was happening to him. He needed to know!

"Looks like someone's brooding," A low, seductive voice said from behind him.

Shadow didn't respond, as usual. He found Rouge irritating but was forced to work with her. She always nagged him about his personal life and never took his hints that he didn't want to discuss it. She hopped up onto the table and crossed her legs, waiting for a reply that will never come.

"You know that report's not going to write itself Hun," She said with a wink.

Shadow sighed, wishing Rouge would just leave him be!

"Agent Shadow. The President would like to speak with you," A G.U.N. soldier with small features and an impressive posture said, saving Shadow from his annoying partner. He stood up quickly, careful not to appear too excited, and followed him out of the room to the Presidents quarters.

"You asked for me?"

The President's back was turned to Shadow, his posture strained, "Yes. Sit down Shadow."

Shadow sat slowly, worried about the news he was about to receive. The President turned slowly and sat in his own chair, folding his arms and shooting Shadow a very professional expression.

"The tests results were very quick for Sonic's condition. It turns out, Dr. Edricson is a very clever and twisted scientist."

Shadow tensed up in anger and fright. What could the scientist have done to Sonic?

"It seems Dr. Ericson has developed a strange invention that, once implanted into a male's abdomen, can attack and adapt to the body successfully without harming the body. However, it is only half of his experiment. You saved Sonic before the Doctor could finish," His gaze sharpened in a strange accusation, "He has given Sonic the ability to carry a child."

Shadow's tense body tightened even more from shock and horror. His whole body caught on fire and his pulse raced. His face was frozen in a mask. The President's face told him that there was more news.

"Our high technology shows one other thing. This may, or may not surprise you," He paused a moment, allowing Shadow time to brace himself, "Sonic is in a very early stage. He is pregnant. About fifteen hours along now."

Fifteen hours? Shadow thought in horror, That means...

The President studied Shadow's face carefully, concealing his own emotions, "He's awake if you would like to see him. He's taken the news fairly well. Before you go, I want to tell you one more thing. I am giving you some... absence time to help Sonic through his pregnancy. After that we can discuss your return."

Shadow nodded and rushed off to the medical room. He skated as fast as he could, nearly knocking some people over in the process. When he arrived to Sonic's room, he became hesitant. What if Sonic hated him for this? Shadow would never be able to forgive himself. Sonic would be affected by this forever!

Shadow shuddered as he opened the door and walked in. It was a small room that had the appearance and smells of an ordinary hospital. It brought painful memories of the Ark, but Shadow pushed that aside. Sonic needed him right now. He was the hurt one this time.

Sonic spotted him and his eyes dimmed, "Hey Shadow."

Shadow stood beside Sonic's bed and offered a weak smile, his eyes darting to Sonic's stomach as if he could already see the baby bump. There were no tell tale signs of Sonic's pregnancy however. Which wasn't unexpected, considering the length of time Sonic had been carrying. Sonic smiled a bit nervously, "I guess last night wasn't a dream."

Shadow shook his head slowly, "No it wasn't."

Sonic nodded and drew a shaky breath, holding his head in his hands, "I don't know what to do!"

Shadow rubbed his back softly, his heart going out to the blue, both literally and figuratively, hedgehog, "I'm going to take some absence so I can help you through the pregnancy."

Sonic shook his head, "You don't owe me that Shadow. I can do it myself."

That hurt, more than Sonic will ever know. Shadow swallowed it back, saying, "I want to help you. Besides, tests and timing have proved who else this child belongs to."

Sonic's head snapped up, shock in his eyes, "What?" Obviously they hadn't told him everything. Shadow sighed softly, feeling nervous all over again.

"You have been pregnant fifteen hours. That and tests prove what really caused this. The scientist only gave you the ability to bear a child. I gave you the child itself," Those words were oddly difficult to say. Shadow nearly choked on his words, but forced them our, looking at his shoes as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

Sonic was silent for so long Shadow thought he might explode. When he did speak, all he said was, "Oh."

This whole situation was so bizarre and unreal that Shadow felt lightheaded. He couldn't imagine how this was affecting the other. Another problem here is Sonic didn't take the message Shadow tried to send when he showed his love. Sonic isn't aware of his affection. It hurt even more that Sonic assuming Shadow felt he owed him.

"Get some rest Faker. We can talk more tomorrow. As soon as you are ready, I'll take you home," He slowly ran his hand through Sonic's quills and left, feeling a tightening in his throat that he's never felt before.