The house was surprisingly warm for somewhere that had been empty for most of a year. Boxes with labels were stacked about, like she'd just moved in and not unpacked yet. The only furniture out was a table, three chairs, and a small couch in the living room, along with a small TV.
"What is all this stuff?" I asked. "I thought you said this was a safehouse!"

"It's also my storage unit." She tapped a box. "This...is all my medical school stuff, and research papers."

"You just kept it?"

She winked, "You never know when coming up with some rare disease as an excuse can come in handy." She yawned then turned to me. "Take the couch, I've got a bed in the back room. You can try the TV, but with the snow you might not get much."

I shrugged then sat down on the couch, yelping when she tossed a blanket and pillow at me. "Hey!"

"Goodnight, Solaris." She stated, then left the room.

I sat there for a moment, trying to make sense of all of this. I was sitting in a house, and I could easily just leave, but...I needed to know more.
More about her.

I tried the TV, but it didn't get anything due to the weather outside. So I just sat there, watching the snow fall outside...

.............................................................

I must have fallen asleep, because when I opened my eyes, the snow had eased and the sun was shining outside the window.

I sat up on the couch, my ears catching the sound of movement in the kitchen. "You up?" I called.

"Isn't it obvious?" Alabaster walked in the room, a steaming cup in her hands. "We got almost eight inches last night."

"That's about halfway up to your knee."

"I know. I shoveled a path to the road this morning and got groceries."

I shook my head. "Do you ever stop moving?"

"No. To stop means my past will catch up to me."

"Sounds like something he would say..."

"...you mean Sonic, don't you?"

I didn't answer, but she seemed to already know. I caught a whiff of her drink and turned to her. "What is that?"

"Coffee. You wanna try some?"

"Sure... if you don't mind."
As she stood up I felt a sharp cold rush through my body, making me shiver. What was that...?

"I'm getting you your own cup so if you don't like it you don't spit it back out into mine. I do not want your immortal backwash."
She handed me a cup about half full, "Careful, it's hot."

I took the cup with a nod, then slowly sipped the coffee. I winced at its bitterness, but managed to swallow it. "Wow...it's bitter."

"Sorry. I prefer my coffee black, but I know not everyone does."

I sipped on the coffee, then paused. "Why did you rescue me? My powers are gone, and all I did was betray you. Why?"

She looked up at me, her eyes fierce. "Because you're my friend, you idiot." She replied. "And I made a promise to you, that I would free you, and I will never break a promise."

I blinked. She was fearless, strong, sharp... "Can you make me another promise, Alabaster?"

"What?"

"...Promise me that you'll do whatever you can to teach me how...how to be good."

She took my hand tightly, so tight it hurt. "I promise. I promise I will teach you all I can, Phil."
She smiled. "First, don't run away from me."

I nodded, though there was a lingering doubt.
Could I do this?

Could I...be good?