Chapter 1

It had been a long time since the 'incident', as the four of them now called it, maybe even a couple of years. Of course no one kept track. All of them were trying to forget it. The media still knocked on their door once in a while but that was dying down. It seemed that everyone in the world wanted to know how one small young fox managed to outsmart a cunning vicious serial killer. If it wasn't reporters trying to get a scoop, it was companies looking to turn the story into a book or movie. It was the latter that angered the four the most. But now, things were finally slowing down. Things were finally back to-

Sonic bolted upright in bed. He gazed around his room, confused. Something had awoken him but he couldn't recall what. Sleep was already calling him back as he glanced at the clock. 3:30 AM. He was about to lay down again when a shriek pierced the air. At once Sonic tossed his covers aside and went out into the hall. Another shriek of pain and fear came from the room next door. Knuckles and Shadow had also been awakened and they too had come into the hallway and followed Sonic as he opened the door and entered Tails' room. The pillows and blankets were kicked aside and onto the floor. The little fox was curled up in a tiny ball with his tails shielding his face. He was whimpering and as Sonic went to the bed, he cried out once more.

"Tails wake up! You're having a nightmare, wake up!" whispered Sonic as he shook him. Tails awoke with a sobbing gasp and immediately latched onto Sonic in a hug. He began to cry and Sonic held him close, "Shhh. You're ok. It's over. It's over." After a few minutes, Tails was able to calm down. His eyes were still wide with terror and panic. Sonic hugged him again and said, "See? You're ok. Everything's alright. Go splash some water on your face and try to get back to sleep ok?" Tails nodded and went towards the door past Knuckles and Shadow who each hugged him and comforted him.

Sonic watched him go and felt a knife stab him in the heart, bringing tears to his eyes. Yes, he, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow all wanted to believe that things were finally back to normal. But it was plain to see that even though the terror had ended long ago and the deep wounds had mostly healed, there were still long, thin, jagged scars that remained.

Though none of them cared to admit it, things had changed in the house. Tails now always wore his lab jacket to cover the scar on his back. If he wasn't wearing that, he had on a vest or an unbuttoned shirt. Roughhousing, which before was almost a regular thing, now rarely took place. The activity upset Tails deeply as it brought bad memories rushing up. None of them left the house without making sure their communicator had a good charge and somebody knew where they were going. After dark, they tried not to leave the house and if they did, it was in pairs. But despite all the things that had changed, there were just as many things that stayed the same. The four relied on and trusted each other to no end. Each would give his life for the other without pause. Despite all they had been through, they were still a family.

Tails had come back to the room and climbed into bed. Sonic tucked him and stood staring as the little kitsune quickly began to doze off. Not wanting to leave Tails, Sonic climbed in bed next to him. Acting on the same need to protect the smallest, youngest, and most vulnerable of them, Shadow and Knuckles got into the bed as well. The hedgehogs and echidna formed a wall, with the fox in the middle. Yes. thought Sonic as he drifted off, In spite of everything, we're still a family…

In the morning all four of them exited Tails' room casually and got ready to start the day. It was Shadow's week to cook, a task that now seemed as easy as putting on his power skates. After freshening up, Shadow began to make some omelets laced with cheese and bell pepper. After pulling themselves together, Sonic, Knuckles, came into the kitchen. "Oooohh man am I tired." complained Knuckles as he started a pot of coffee.

"Amen to that!" agreed Sonic as he put his head down on the table.

"Stop your whining you big babies. I'm ready to nod off but here I am making breakfast." groaned Shadow as he rubbed his eyes with one hand and flipped the omelet in the pan with the other.

"And for that we thank you." said Knuckles with a mock salute, earning a laugh from Sonic and another groan from Shadow.

Tails came in yawning, "Good morning everyone. That omelet smells great Shadow!"

"Thanks. Is that a new shirt?" asked Shadow as he pointed.

Tails fiddled with the collar of a light blue button-up shirt, "Yeah, I got it the other day while I was out shopping for parts. It fits pretty nice and I like the short sleeves. I-" The phone began to ring making everyone jump. Tails, who was closest, answered, "Hello?... May I ask who is calling?... Oh yeah I remember you! Yeah this is him. What's up?" There was a long pause as Tails listened to what the other person was saying. Sonic, Knuckles, and Shadow had stopped talking and were looking at Tails.

"Who is it?" whispered Sonic. Tails put a finger to his lips and turned away, his features serious.

"I know I haven't contacted him in a very long time. I don't want to talk to him. The fact that his office calls me at least twice a day doesn't help. The only reason you got me this time is because you used a different number. This is bordering on harassment and frankly I'm sick of it. I already told him that I won't be working with him anymore several months ago and if I have to come down to the University and tell him again I will!... Yeah, I'll hold."

"Who is it?" Sonic asked again but he received the same stern motion to be quiet.

"Yes, I'm still here. He wants me to come to the University? Today? Well fine by me. The sooner this is solved the better. I would like to have a quiet day at home for once. What time?... Two? Ok, I'll be there. Bye." Tails hung up and rubbed his temples with a groan.

It was Shadow this time who asked, "Who was it?"

"That intern from the University of Neurological Studies, Mikysara."

"Doesn't she work for or whoever asked you to make that memory machine?" pointed out Knuckles

"It's Botner and yes she does. She called me to ask when I plan on sharing my notes and research with him, which I had no plans on doing at all. I cut him off from the project."

"But why? This is a big project that could help a lot of people." inquired Sonic.

"I know that. And that's why I cut him off. Remember after the trial and Mikysara came here? Well, later I got back in touch with and began to update him on everything. The whole time he kept asking when it would ready take to the AAMRS, Association for Applied Medical Research and Sciences, and how soon could I send him blueprints and write a report on how it works."

"That seems normal." Shadow said as he plated up breakfast.

"Yes but it was the way he was asking; so pushy, aggressive, and unrelenting. I got a little suspicious and looked into his background. Actually, I should have done that first thing but I was too excited at the time. What I saw wasn't encouraging. He's been to court five times as a defendant, the charges ranging from fraud to theft of intellectual property. So I cut him off. I just know if I keep feeding him information he's going steal this project. Then he'll get it patented, make it super expensive for hospitals and clinics to get the machine, the end result being it won't help as many people as it can. That's why at two I'm going to the University to tell once and for all that I won't be corroborating with him anymore."

Sonic whistled, "Five times in court!? Good call on checking him out, that would have been major trouble later."

"Ugh, if there's one thing I can't stand besides whining, its dishonesty. Don't bother being polite Tails, smack him down hard." scoffed Knuckles.

"Trust me I will. Now let's eat! I'm starved and those omelets smell heavenly!" replied Tails.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! I've made a few slight changes to the first three chapters of this story so I'm simply reposting them. These changes, while small, are important so feel free to skim back through. As always, please read, review, and most of all enjoy. :)