The first time Shadow saw Amy, he was sure they would be together, someday. She would be a perfect match for him. He had felt like following her instead of listening to his boss, Eggman. His second chance to love again. He had been in love before, and he longed for the feeling of someone next to him, loving him in return. 50 years ago, he had a sacred love, Maria. Although she was full fledged human, he had deep feelings for her. He loved the way her hair flowed down her shoulders, the deep sky blue of her eyes, the delicate features of her face. But that was all gone now, she had been shot, killed, right in front of his eyes. He'd kneeled next to her as she struggled to breathe. He remembered running his fingers through her fine, delicate, blonde hair. Now, Amy was right in front of him and he was letting her slip away.

He wasn't thinking straight, and she'd run to Sonic, that wretched blue hedgehog that despised him. Amy had taken him as a threat. Sonic didn't even seem to want her around. But now, Sonic was facing him off, and all he saw was black, twisted fury. Shadow had rushed at Sonic, his tribal yell reflecting his anger. Next thing he knew, Sonic was laying at his feet, Amy cradling his head. Amy glared at Shadow, and he turned away, ashamed. He'd blown probably his only chance to win Amy over, which was pretty slim in the first place. Shadow had caught himself crying into Maria's dress, her favorite one, a few nights ago. He'd heard screams, angered screams, then complete silence.

Shadow awoke the next morning to see Amy at the balcony, looking out over the beautiful landscape that surprisingly surrounded Eggman's hideout. " Amy?" Shadow inquired. " Why are you here? " Amy looked away, tears streaking down her face. Shadow felt bad for the poor girl, and he went over to try to console her. Shadow wrapped his arms around her. He had hoped for a positive reaction, but he nearly got his head knocked off. " Get your hands off me! What are you! Some kind of sicko!" She stomped off, clearly agitated. " But...I was ...just trying to make you feel better." Shadow was hurt on the inside, but just that brief interlock with Amy had given him a small reminder of what he'd felt with Maria.

Amy came in later, and apologized to Shadow, who was standing at the balcony. " Shadow, " Amy whispered. " I'm sorry if ... I hurt you. I just...wasn't ready for you to sneak up behind me and do that." Shadow wasn't sure whether he should even talk to her, as he was still a little sore about what Amy'd said to him. Shadow turned, glared at her. His glare was the most intense, and Amy backed off a ways. " Shadow, you are an evil hedgehog. You hurt Sonic pretty bad yesterday-" " Do you think this is all about Sonic?" Shadow stormed toward her. " Not every thing is about that damn blue hedgehog. Have you ever thought about what I've been through? The truth is..." Shadow's anger melted from his face. " I...I have feelings for you. There, I said it. Now just tell me to die and get it over with." Amy shook her head. " Oh, Shadow...I'm not going to tell you to die. I had no idea. If you'd just told me..." Shadow looked at her, the guilt thick in his eyes. " Shadow, listen. I'm going to be here for a while. I'm sure we'll get closer." She held his face in her hands as she spoke.

The next morning, Shadow awoke to see Amy brushing her shoulder-length hair, staring at herself in the mirror. She saw Shadow sit up in the mirror. She turned around. " Shadow, you're awake." Shadow walked toward her, and she stood. " You wanna go downstairs?" he asked timidly. Amy nodded. They learned about each other over a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Shadow learned about Amy's dislikes, likes, her favorite colors, everything. Amy learned the same of Shadow. " Amy, can I ask you a question? You can just tell me if it's too personal." Amy was listening closely. " What was your relationship with Sonic like?" Amy sighed. " Actually, Shadow, we never had a relationship. Sonic is too much of a drifter. He can't stand commitment. Every time I get close to him and I think we're making progress, he backs up and bolts." Shadow gently touched Amy's hand. " Well. I couldn't stand to do that to someone as sweet and agreeable as you." " Oh, Shadow. I know you wouldn't." Shadow stroked Amy's face. She jerked, then touched Shadow's hand, keeping it there on her cheek.

Amy was taken aback at having someone as charming as Shadow taking a liking to her. The evenings were Shadow's favorite time of day, Amy learned, and she soon found out why. The sunset looked like a painting spread over the sky, splashes of pink, purple, orange, yellow and red. The two stood apart from each other. There was enough space between them for their hands to be connected on the balcony rail. " It's beautiful, Shadow. If I weren't in an evil genius's hideout, I would live here forever." Shadow and Amy's eyes met. Sonic was hiding in the bushes, spying. He saw the way Shadow looked at her, and how Amy gazed back. He became downright pissed. Shadow took Amy's hands. " If you don't mind..." " Yes, Shadow?" " I would love to be with you. You...you're so beautiful. I never thought I could love again. But, that was until I met you. You've ...renewed my faith in love. And...oh never mind. It's too soon." " Too soon for what, Shadow?" Shadow hesitated. " Too soon...too soon to say I love you."

" Oh, Shadow..." Amy's hand ran up Shadow's arm. Amy let herself sink into Shadow's warm embrace. Her head laid softly on his chest. Shadow kissed the top of her head. The balcony itself was huge, a large deck, big enough for them to dance on. Rouge, Shadow's friend, put on a song for them. Shadow took her in his arms. Sonic growled, watching Amy fall more and more in love with Shadow and not him. Now I went and blew it. Shoulda took her while I had the chance. Sonic thought to himself. This is weird. I don't hardly like her and I'm getting jealous. Shadow and Amy danced slowly across the balcony. Shadow's hands were resting on Amy's arms, keeping her close to him. Shadow's head rested on the top of her head, giving Amy a warm feeling cascading through her body. " Oh, Shadow..is this...is this what love feels like?" she sighed. Shadow sighed back. " I don't know... I think so..." Amy sighed once more. " It...feels wonderful..." Shadow led Amy into his room after their song was over. Shadow was holding her head close to him, stroking the back of her head, letting the love cascade through his fingertips.

The feel of Shadow's fingertips on the back of her head sent shivers down her spine. When Shadow laid her on his bed, she became uncomfortable and sat up. " Shadow, this is too soon. I...I can't do this yet." She sighed. " I'm sorry. But I do think that you and me will work out." Shadow smiled and nuzzled her. Amy stroked his face. They then shared a long kiss and Shadow helped her up. " Amy..." Shadow said. " Sweet dreams." Amy smiled. " You too, honey bear." Shadow watched her as she walked down the stairs. Honey bear...whoa... Shadow thought. I am in love. Meanwhile, Amy was in her room, thinking about Shadow. He's not so bad after all. I always thought he was cruel and hardhearted. I guess every villain has to go soft sometime. Just like Inuyasha.He was mean, then got soft when he met Kagome. Her thoughts were matted in her head, and she wondered whether she should follow her heart and go with Shadow, or turn and bail for Sonic? Her heart was torn two ways. Torn between Shadow, who really seemed to love her, and Sonic, who treated her as little more than an annoyance. Amy buried her face in her pillow, visions of Shadow and Sonic flashing before her eyes.

Shadow laid on his back, the only thing in his mind was Amy. He just laid there, staring up at the ceiling, Amy's face running through his mind. " Oh, Amy," he said to himself. " I hope you love me as much as I love you." He dozed off, and finally fell asleep. He awoke in the middle of the night, a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach that something bad was going to happen. Amy was laying in her bed, cuddled up with one of Shadow's pillows. Suddenly a shadow snaked across her bed.

" Shadow? " she said groggily. " Is that you? " A shady figure stood at the foot of her bed. Its green eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight. " Amy..." he said. " Sonic? What are you doing here? Where's Shadow? "

Sonic made his way toward her. He laid next to her. He then stroked her face. " This has nothing to do with Shadow. This is between us." She felt his breath on her forehead. " Sonic, what are you doing?" Amy scooted up, away from Sonic. " Nothing's wrong with me. I'm still the same hedgehog," he breathed, pulling himself up onto Amy's body, nuzzling and kissing her. " Sonic! Something is wrong with you! Get off me! " " You're the one who's different... going after Shadow..." Sonic tried locking lips with her. She pushed him away, gasping. " Get away, Sonic! Leave me alone! You're scaring me! " " But... I love you..." " No you don't! You barely know me! Just stop!" Sonic was staring at her, a strange look in his eyes. He pinned her arms down to the bed. " Sonic, get off!" she screamed desperately. She squirmed and writhed beneath him, trying to get away.

" Shadow!" she hollered. Sonic covered her mouth. " Sshhh," he whispered. " Just relax." Amy glared. " No! Just...forget it..." She began to sob.

Shadow awoke to Amy's hollering. " Amy?" He rushed into Amy's room. When he saw Sonic trying to get at Amy, he was enraged. He picked up a thick book and slammed it over Sonic's head. Amy felt the pressure ease up on her arms, then Sonic rolled off her. Amy sat up, sweat pouring from her face. She gasped heavily, scared out of her mind. " Oh, Shadow, I was so scared...he...almost..." " I know, sweetie... it's Ok.. I'm here now...he can't hurt you now." Shadow held her close. Sonic came to his senses. " Shadow! Get away from Amy!" Amy stared at him with horror on her face. " No Sonic! You stay away from me! I don't ever want to see you or your little uncontrollable fits of passion ever AGAIN!" she screamed. Shadow hugged her close. " Just get out of here Sonic." Sonic turned and ran, ashamed of what he'd done. Shadow sat, consoling Amy as she cried.

Later, after Amy had calmed down, Shadow put on some music. The huge Victorian mansion ( where Eggman hid out) rang with tango music. Shadow took a red rose between his teeth. He danced toward Amy, a slick look on his face. " Shall we tango?" he asked, bowing and handing her the rose. " Oh, that's smooth." Amy took Shadow's hand. Shadow swept her out onto the dance floor. She screamed with delight. Shadow and Amy danced until midnight. Shadow laid the worn out Amy on his bed. " Night, honeybunches." Shadow whispered. " Night. Love you." Shadow smiled. " Love you too." He walked out. " Shadow," Amy said.

" There's plenty of room here beside me." Shadow smiled again and turned around. He walked toward her, laid down beside her. Shadow's arm rested across her stomach, and they fell asleep together, cuddling.

When they woke up, Shadow kissed her cheek.

" Good morning." Amy's eyes were misty. " What's wrong?" Shadow asked. Amy sighed. " I don't know. I just...don't feel good." Shadow stroked her face. " Sonic didn't.." " No, no, he didn't. I didn't let him get close enough." Shadow kissed her cheek. Amy touched Shadow's glossy black fur. " I was just thinking about that look in his eyes. It's so creepy...so disturbing. It was like he was under a trance." Shadow got up. " Come downstairs." Shadow said, seemingly without emotion. " Shadow? Did I upset you?" Shadow took her hand. " Come, sweetie." Shadow led her down the stairs. " Sit down, honeybee." Shadow whispered. He spoke again. " Amy, don't get me wrong, I love you, but, I know Sonic loves you too." Amy felt hot, stubborn tears push their way into her eyes. " But...he...tried to..." " I know. But I just know he loves you. It was just primal instinct." Amy swallowed hard. This always happened when she got close to someone. " So...you're dumping me?" Amy said in a faltering voice. " No Amy. I just want you to spend just one day with him. Make sure you're really in love with me. I'd hate for us to think we're in love and then break up later. It would tear us apart." Amy threw herself onto Shadow's chest, crying. " Oh, Shadow...I know I love you...I don't want to even touch Sonic...but I'll do it...for you."

The next morning, Amy said her goodbyes to Shadow as she waited for Sonic to come. Sonic was overjoyed since he thought Amy and Shadow had broken up. Sonic rushed to where Shadow lived. " Amy! Get down here, my love!" Amy cringed at Sonic's insensitivity. Amy sighed. " Goodbye, Shadow." Sonic had rushed up the stairs. " Amy." Shadow's arms dropped and he backed into a shadow. " Shadow. Wait." Sonic took Amy's arm. " Come along. We have a lot to do...a lot to get...reacquainted with..." Sonic stroked her face, brought her close. When his lips touched hers, she pulled back. Amy slapped Sonic upside the head. Amy sneered at him and turned around. She ran from Sonic right into Shadow's arms. " Shadow... I know I love you! With all my heart and soul! Just...love me back." Shadow's arms wrapped around her. " Amy... I've always loved you. " Sonic sneered. He stormed toward them. He shoved Amy aside and punched Shadow in the face. The back of Shadow's head hit the wall. He slid down, back to the wall, unconscious. Amy ran to him, but Sonic grabbed her arm. " No way, missy... you're coming with me." Sonic hissed.

" Shadow..." Amy sobbed. " I love you." She had broken free from Sonic and was kneeling beside Shadow, stroking his face. She had a clean wet towel trying to get Shadow's lip and nose to stop bleeding. " Come on, wake up." Sonic growled, " Amy, leave him and let's go now!" Amy turned to Sonic. " Just let me get him awake." Amy touched Shadow's chest. " Shadow, please. Wake up." Amy put her hand behind Shadow's head. She pulled her hand back, confused. There was blood on her fingertips. " When he hit the wall...he's bleeding from the back of his head...we've gotta get him to the hospital." Rouge flew in and picked Shadow up for Amy. The two hurried to the hospital, where they took Shadow in immediately. Amy paced back and forth. " Please...please let him be OK. Please..." She sobbed as she paced. The doctor snapped Amy out of her pacing to take her to where Shadow slept. " He's alright." the doctor said. Amy ran to him and gently wrapped her arms around him.

" Shadow...I'm so glad you're alright." Her hands stroked Shadow's head. She kissed and hugged him. " I love you..." he whispered. Amy nuzzled him.

" Oh, Shadow, I love you too...just get better." Happy tears slipped down her face. The doctor spoke. " He'll probably be ok to go home tonight, but we're going to keep him here overnight. He didn't hit very hard, thankfully."

Shadow smiled at Amy.

" Where's Sonic?" he asked when he hobbled through the door. " He left when he saw what he did to you." Shadow went over to his dresser. He opened the drawer and pulled something out. He walked toward Amy. He kneeled down in front of her on one knee. " Amy,"

he said. " Will you marry me?" he asked, showing the ring to her. " Oh My God! Shadow! I love you!" she screamed. She hugged Shadow. " So you will?" " Oh, of course!" Shadow placed the ring on her finger. " Oh, I never thought this would happen...and so soon..." She began to cry happily. Shadow smiled. " Neither did I." Shadow and Amy shared a long kiss. Sonic was watching from outside. " My God, he proposed to her!Man. I'm definitely out of the picture." Shadow and Amy walked off, hand in hand. They sat down on the lawn, gazing at the sunset in each other's arms. They looked at each other. Sonic ran off as their lips met. " I couldn't wait any longer." Shadow sighed. Amy laid her head on his chest. " I'm glad you didn't." " Do you remember the first time we looked at the sunset together? It was so beautiful. Like a painting. But you..you're far more beautiful than any sunset I've ever seen."

" Oh, Shadow...you're so sweet." Shadow and Amy got up. Shadow's forehead met with Amy's. " Amy, the one thing I have noticed, since I've been with you, not a single thought of Maria has floated through my head. You've healed me, Amy. Helped me move on. Thank you." Amy smiled. " You're welcome." The two watched the moon rise, then went upstairs onto the balcony. There, they danced under the stars. A few months passed, and they began planning their wedding. When the big day came, they were both nervous. " Shadow doesn't need a tux, he's already wearing black!" Rouge joked. When Shadow saw Amy in her long white dress, he nearly fell over. Shier wedding went smoothly,and Amy sighted Sonic in the crowd. He smiled at Amy. He then turned around. Amy's mother was crying. " Honey...my baby." Shadow smiled. He took Amy's hands and led her down the isle. Later, after everything, Shadow led her out onto the balcony. They just stood together, staring at the big bright moon. Then Shadow pulled her close to him, kissing her.

" Shadow, I remember when I used to think you were creepy." Shadow laughed. " You thought I was creepy!" Amy laughed too. " Am I creepy now?" Shadow asked. " Oh, creepier than ever." she joked. " I've never felt this light spirited," Shadow said. " It's so good to be out of the shell, to be able to stand in the sunlight." Amy sighed. " It's so good to be with you, the one who really loves me." Shadow smiled. " I think this balcony's our favorite place now." Amy smiled and went into their room, taking Shadow with her.

Part 1 complete.