The phone rang once then ceased, then began to ring again. This meant it was an urgent message from G.U.N. Hoping for good news on Sonic's pregnancy, Shadow answered it quickly, "This is Agent Shadow."

"Dr. Ericson is missing."

Bad news, "What?" Shadow asked angrily. Sonic looked up from where he sat. Shadow turned around and lower his voice, "I thought agents were watching him!"

"It seems he is as clever with escape without notice as he is with his experiments. We underestimated him."

Shadow growled at the news. This means Sonic's in danger. This psychotic scientist will want his lab rat back and Shadow couldn't let that happen, "This means the target is in danger," He whispered this so Sonic couldn't hear. Sonic didn't need the extra stress.

"Yes. We have prepared a small team to help keep him safe. They have been approved by the President himself. Come by G.U.N. base in an hour."

Shadow slammed the phone down and looked at Sonic, trying to calm his anger, "We're needed at G.U.N. base in fifty- five minutes."

Sonic arched an eyebrow and stood up, "What's going on?"

Shadow considered telling Sonic but decided against it. He didn't even want to imagine what it would do to Sonic's mental health. He has to have nightmares about his experiences as it is. Instead, Shadow only told him a little, "The President doesn't feel it's safe enough here, so we're going somewhere else."

Sonic didn't look completely convinced, "How would I not be safe enough here?"

Shadow held a passive face and opened the door for Sonic, "It's too obvious."

Sonic nodded but Shadow could tell he was only humoring him. This was strange. Sonic was changing rapidly and Shadow wasn't sure if this was a positive or negative fact either. It frightened him either way. The walk to the base was long and tense. Neither hedgehog knew what to say. When they arrived, Shadow observed the extra surveillance around the base. This was odd and unsettling. There must be more to this than even he knew. This was annoying and worrisome. Shadow has never been kept in the dark, as ironic as the wording was.

A young guard met them at the door and led them into the back of the base where the travel gear was. It had everything from helicopters to rockets. Along the way, Shadow asked the guard what was expected in the team.

"You've been given a pilot, G.U.N. Agent Rouge, Omega, and three body guards," He said quickly as they neared the travel area of the base, "All of them have been briefed about the situation. All of them were shocked, but one of the assigned body guards almost looked angry," He added afterwards.

Shadow didn't have time to question him further, because they had just gone past the door to their destination. Shadow froze when he saw the team and wanted to personally beat the shit out of the President.

Sonic froze and there was a look of utter shock in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to run away and hide in a hole, never to come out again. Shadow wanted to comfort him, but he wasn't sure they were briefed that much.

The team pilot was Tails himself. The golden fox swished his tails nervously as he pretended to check on the plane. Shadow's eyes skimmed over Rouge and Omega to the body guards and groaned inwardly. He could tell which one was angry and which were shocked.

Knuckles and Silver tried, and failed nor to stare at Sonic's flat abdomen. Amy only glared at it with a deep hate that Shadow had never seen before. She had always been a good-natured hedgehog. She may have been clingy to Sonic but there wasn't a mean bone in her pink body. Why would she hate the child? It wasn't it's fault. it was Shadow's. He could tell none of them knew that by the lack of disgust in their eyes when they looked at him. Shadow returned his attention to the blue hedgehog who seemed to be slowly recovering. When the shock wore off, he looked down with sadness and shame. Shadow wan'ted to comfort him so badly, but wasn't sure it was the right thing to do with the audience.

Tails was the first to make a move. He stepped closer to Sonic with a hesitant smile on his face, "We're all here for you Sonic. We're all going to keep you safe and help you through all of this."

Shadow sent Tails a small nod of approval. He was trying to be supportive at least.

Sonic looked up and forced a smile. It looked like more effort than was worth it to Shadow but he was proud of him, "Thanks Tails. Thanks all of you."

Rouge nodded with her seductive smile and a hand on her hips. Omega didn't respond at all. Knuckles nodded and sent Sonic a smile. Silver walked up to Sonic and placed a hand on his shoulder, "We've all got your back Sonic."

This left Amy, who was still glaring at Sonic's abdomen like it was some sort of evil demon. Shadow almost wondered if he mistook Amy. He considered shouting some sense into her when she finally looked up at Sonic's face and smiled, "Anything for you Sonic."

Sonic exhaled and gave everyone a thumbs up. The guard, who had patiently stood by the whole time cleared his throat, "Time is of the essence. Please enter the plane and head for the coordinates The President has given Tails."

No one argued with him. The little gang filed into he plane with Shadow at the end. He turned to the young guard and said, "Tell the President I have some words for him when this is over," Without waiting for him to respond, Shadow entered the jet. It was large enough that no one that didn't have a trained eye would only see an ordinary jet for travel. However, instead of a ton of cramped seats, there were rooms. There was a cooking room, three sleeping rooms, the captains area, and a table with seats attached to the plane. Despite the homey feel, it wasn't luxurious like a private jet. The rooms were small with bunk beds and the cooking area was even smaller. Once it was in the air, the team relaxed a little. Then came the sleeping arrangements. Rouge and Amy took one room and Silver and Knuckles were assigned to the other, Omega could power down anywhere and Tails would sleep in the Captains area. That meant Sonic was bunking with Shadow.

When the others left to their own duties, Shadow made Sonic sit on the chair at the table and asked, "Does the arrangement make you uncomfortable?"

Sonic shook his head, looking more exhausted and miserable than before. Shadow reached across the table and hesitantly took Sonic's hand, waiting for the other hedgehog to look at him. When he did Shadow squeezed his hand.

"I am going to protect you. I promise!"

Sonic sighed and rested his hand on the table, "I don't want anyone to have to! I am supposed to be able to take care of myself!"

Shadow stood and gently pulled on Sonic's hand, "Come with me."

Surprise sprung in Sonic's eyes but he followed Shadow to their temporary room. Shadow led Sonic to the bottom bunk and sat beside him, wrapping his arm around him, "You are strong. You've been strong most of your life. Let us bear the weight for you until this child is delivered."

Sonic sighed and, to Shadow's surprise, leaned on the onyx hedgehog, "I'll have to be even stronger then, for the both of us."

Shadow rested his head on Sonic's head and whispered, "Do you trust me?"

Sonic lifted his head back to look into Shadow's eyes. His emerald ones were full of confusion, "Yes, why would you ask?"

Shadow didn't answer with words. He gently pushed Sonic to the bed and hovered over him, gazing deeply into his eyes. Emerald met Crimson as he lowered his face to Sonic's. Sonic tensed but Shadow moved closer anyway, "Relax," He whispered as their lips met. Sonic was rigid and Shadow nearly pulled back for fear he had somehow hurt him, but the blue hedgehog quickly relaxed into Shadow and even kissed him back. The feeling was explosive and Shadow wanted more, but he still needed to prove to Sonic that he never used him. He pulled back reluctantly and looked into Sonic's now dopey eyes, "You'll never be alone. Especially with the child," He softly stroked the side of Sonic's face then moved his hand down to gently rest on Sonic's hard stomach, his eyes never leaving his.

Sonic's eyes seemed to melt and he placed his hand over Shadows, "To think I thought it was a dream," He whispered, closing his eyes.

Shadow rested his forehead on Sonic's, "It was to perfect to have been a dream." It was a soft whisper, and Shadow wasn't sure how he managed to say it, but he did and didn't regret it either. When he opened his eyes he did thought.

Tears were streaming down Sonic's face. Shadow hoped it was only hormones and brushed them away. Sonic covered his face with his hands and sighed heavily, "You're not making this easy!"

Shadow remained gentle and spoke in a soft whisper, "Not making what easy?"

Sonic peered through his fingers shyly then suddenly attacked Shadow, his eyes burning into his, "I can't do it! I'm not strong enough!"

Shadow was almost frightened by the sudden mood change in Sonic, but didn't say anything on it, "I told you I'd be there-"

"I don't mean the child," His eyes dimmed and he pulled back, sitting beside Shadow, who was still lying down in surprise. Sonic sighed and looked away, his body slumped over, "After that night, and all you've been doing for me and saying to me, I don't have the strength. I can't..." He swallowed before returning his gaze to Shadow, "I can't help but fall... I'm in love with you Shadow."

Shadow's heart kicked into hyper speed and his eyes widened. He didn't think Sonic would say it. He wasn't even sure he felt it after the cold treatment he had been receiving. However, the sincere look in his eyes told Shadow he wasn't lying, and he felt miserable about it.

Shadow gently pushed Sonic back onto the bed and curled up beside him. Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow like he was his lifeline. Shadow pulled Sonic to his chest and pulled the covers over the both of them, "Don't worry about falling Sonic. I promise I'll catch you."