I could write out a giant apology with a drawn out excuse as to why this update has been ridiculously long in coming, but since I really have nothing to say that would make for a proper explanation, I'll just plead for forgiveness and crawl out of your way...

Quick notes:

-Amy and Shadow are ages 18 and "20", Blaze is 19, Sonic is 20

-Setting is Blackbrook

-BIG gratitude-filled THANK YOU to MEGAANIMEFREAK27, Moonlight-Shadows12, aliciathewolf45, ThePurplePyroHedgie, kunfupandalover, BlackPetals23, Ella, Zombie Spade, xXME AGAINST THE WORLDXx, Destiny Place, .9500, Project Shadow, , shadowsonlyangel, Kyo1Catbattle, RetroManiac, Anairakthehealf, and XanaduHawk for your incredibly inspiring reviews! I have to offer a special thank you, however, to ShadowEmpress76, who was kind enough to check up on me and provide the encouragement I needed to update as quickly as possibly. :) All you readers are awesome, and I appreciate your support!

-IMPORTANT: There is a question at the end of the chapter concerning the future chapters and outcome of Bloodless, and while I know not everyone who reads this story leaves a review, I really need as much reader input as possible, thanks!*

Read on!

Live. Laugh. Love. = Read. Enjoy. Review.

*Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Story is.

Bloodless

Chapter 17: The Bottom Line

His agreeing to let her go had come as an obvious surprise to them both, but even so, he meant what he'd said. Having had the entire night to think it over, it wasn't all that difficult to admit how he felt about her. If she would be happier living a mortal life, then he didn't care about a blood bond. For the first time in centuries he had found someone worth risking everything for. It would hurt like hell to let her go, but if that's what would make her happy…

It was then that he felt her shift on his lap, warm hands guiding his attention towards her. "And what if I wanted to stay with you…?"

Searching her face, his gaze lingered on her lips as they curved into a smile. But even as relief crept across his thoughts, he couldn't bring himself to believe her words completely. It all seemed too good to be true; like he was dreaming. He hadn't slept in ages because vampires didn't need to, but a part of him knew that dreams often went like this. In the end, Shadow decided he wouldn't be satisfied until he knew for sure.

"What are you saying?" He asked, his voice sounding impossibly distant.

Amy laughed softly, her eyes drifting lower on his face as she leaned in. Shadow didn't dare move, let alone blink, as her lips brushed against his. A current of electricity traveled between them, sharp yet somehow subtle, jolting his senses. Definitely not a dream. Her kiss, though brief, was warm, and sweet, and tantalizingly real. Any lingering doubt was swept clear from his mind till all that remained was an overwhelming need for another, longer, deeper kiss.

He wasn't disappointed.

Her lips fell back to his with surprising force, and for a moment that was all there was; them, together, suspended in time. Two creatures—practically strangers—from two very different worlds, and yet somehow a connection had been made that had the potential to last an eternity.

Her heartbeat began picking up speed, gradually registering with his thoughts. Shadow, responding almost instinctively, felt his hands begin to roam; sliding down her waist, grazing her thighs, up over her shoulders, and against her neck. He left a trail of heat across her skin, and he could feel Amy respond by busying herself with his black and red quills, combing her fingers through their length. A soft moan escaped her lips as he gently kissed the base of her neck, quickly accompanied by an irrepressible shiver that he easily felt through the thin fabric of her shirt. Shadow let out a quiet chuckle, smirking against her jaw as he continued moving his mouth upward. He could sense her disapproval at his amusement, but immediately felt the tension dissipate when he moved his free hand beneath her shirt to massage the small of her back.

For a moment his lips ghosted across her pulse and he felt her pause—not afraid, just unsure. Wanting nothing more than to allay her doubt, he fought down his darker impulses and instead feathered a kiss beneath her jaw, to which she instantly relaxed. Pulling her closer, Shadow buried his face in her neck, unleashing another wave of heat.

"You're so…warm."

Amy let out a breath and giggled, her words sounding light. "Too warm."

As she began to pull away, Shadow reached for her, confused and reluctant that it should all end so quickly.

"I haven't had a bath in two days." She explained. "You might smell incredible, but I stink. I know we can't stay here long, but do you think I have enough time to take a shower?"

"No." Shadow dismissed the question easily, tugging her back into his arms.

Amy smiled into the kiss, pushing at his chest to create some space before leaning her forehead against his with a contented sigh. For a minute they stayed like that, resting in satisfied silence. Before long, an idea sparked in her eyes, and he waited patiently as she fondled the white fur on his chest.

"You know," she began casually, "if we're going to get married, or blood bonded as you call it, I think we at least deserve a proper date."

Shadow smirked. "Are you asking me out?"

"Don't be so smug." Amy batted at his shoulder. "I might change my mind."

Chuckling, he drew her in for another kiss, a wordless affirmation. With an elated smile, she slipped from his grasp and grabbed some clothes out of a nearby dresser. "I'll just take a quick shower and then we can go."

"Need any help with that?" He asked suggestively as Amy stepped into the bathroom.

He smirked to himself when she shut the door with a resounding click.

»¤«

Amy hardly noticed the drizzle of cool water as she took her much needed bath. Shadow hadn't said anything, but she'd been well aware of the offending odor that came from days without washing. And now that a good night's rest had restored most of her energy, she'd been eager to clean away the blood and grime of recent events; wanting a fresh start in every sense of the word.

It felt both odd and calming to return to her old routine after everything that had happened, and she went about it with mechanical movements, her mind too wrapped up in thought to really focus on what she was doing.

Foremost was the tingling sensation that lingered on her lips. She'd been kissed before, but never like that. (This was, of course, discounting what had happened between them at the warehouse since that kiss had been, at least for the most part, involuntary.) Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, Amy couldn't believe her own audacity, but in truth she had just wanted to get her point across. She needed Shadow to understand that all was forgiven and she was with him to stay. Even now, she couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Yes, her life would be considerably different, but it wasn't exactly normal at the moment anyways. She'd eventually have to find Blaze and explain everything as best she could, but the cat would understand. After all, Amy was…falling in love? Turning off the water, she stepped out and reached for her towel, her thoughts lingering on that four-letter word.

Amy had never fallen in love before, and she certainly never expected it could happen so quickly, but the fluttering sensation that tickled her stomach every time she thought of the crimson eyed vampire—a steadily growing occurrence —was difficult, if not impossible to ignore. She had been told that vampires approached love differently than mortals, but hadn't entirely understood what that meant until recent. Now that she had found the time to think it over, it seemed perfectly, if not dauntingly clear: she was falling in love with a vampire. Patting down her quills, Amy silently wondered if Shadow had come to a similar conclusion.

Once clothed and clean, she opened the door with a contented smile, only to be confronted by the faint, but unmistakable smell of smoke. Instantly in panic mode, she dashed from her room and headed for the kitchen, sliding to a stop in time to catch the sight of flames leaping from a frying pan as Shadow stepped back, hissing at the heat. Acting on impulse, she reached for the pan and chucked it into the sink, turning on the cold water as steam and smoke briefly clouded the small kitchen. Caught in a bout of coughing, Amy waved her hand through the smog in an attempt to clear the air. Eyeing the charred remains of what had possibly been intended as food, she turned to face a very frustrated vampire.

Narrow crimson eyes that refused to meet hers, stared off to the side above a growing frown. "I wanted to make you breakfast but I don't think I've ever used a stove and the damn thing tried to kill me."

Said in a huff, Amy took a moment to process his words, only to burst out laughing a second later. She wasn't entirely sure why the situation was so funny, and clearly Shadow thought it was quite the opposite as he crossed his arms and lifted his chin indignantly, but knowing he'd been caught in a moment where he wasn't the superior, arrogant, show-off he so often proved to be was just…priceless, in an endearing yet thoroughly amusing sort of way.

Not having meant to offend him, Amy wiped at her eyes as her giggles subsided. "I'm sorry." She managed between breaths before motioning to the sink. "That was really sweet of you, but what was it supposed to be?"
Shadow studied her untrustingly, but eventually mumbled, "…scrambled eggs."

Despite her best efforts to hold it in, her laughter returned tenfold. Caught up in her revelry, Amy almost missed the mischievous glint that flitted across Shadow's features as he lifted a brow and smirked, slowly unfolding his arms.

"So you think that's funny, do you?"

The laughter instantly caught in her throat, and Amy froze like a deer in headlights.

"I'll give you something to laugh about…"

"No…no, no, no, Shad-ah!"

He sprang for her then. His hands reached out to catch her sides as she turned on her heel and darted out of the kitchen. Her shrieks quickly melded into peals of mirth as they wrestled across the living room, the euphoria contagious. Shadow's laugh was more of a deep chuckle, but Amy decided, even in all the excitement, that it was the most wonderful sound she'd ever heard.

After another moment or two they settled in each other's arms and Amy regained her composure. The pause stretched into a comfortable silence, and when she finally looked up, she was surprised to find piercing crimson eyes focused intently on her.

"What's wrong?"

He hesitated, surprising her with what looked like unease. "I…never did apologize."

"For what?"

"Hiding your memory…" His gaze fell some. "I'm sorry, I never should have done it."

"I understand why you did, but apology accepted…on one condition." She added, looking up at him with a half smile.

He eyed her suspiciously, but said nothing.

"We put it, and every terrible thing that's happened since then, behind us. We start over with a clean slate. Sound fair?"

"Generously so." He said as his lips covered hers in a gentle kiss that melted her instantly. When he pulled back, there was barely a breath between them. Looking her up and down, he added, "Are you ready?"

"Depends, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

She smiled broadly at that, unable to resist teasing him. "A surprise, huh? Well I certainly hope it doesn't involve scrambled eggs."

»¤«

[10:38 a.m.]

[Vampire stronghold cleared, situation contained with minimal damage. Of our 57 agents, 11 were lost with another 21 mildly injured. Enemy forces calculated to have been within a range of 65-75 individuals, with nearly 70% of that number completely exterminated on site. The remaining vampires, 18 in all, have been transported to medical facilities for hopeful rehabilitation. In regards to our primary objective, the mission was unsuccessful. After our business at the stronghold was concluded, Sonic and I rejoined at Amy's apartment, only to find it deserted. As of now, Amy has yet to be located, but it seems safe to assume she is with the vampire called Shadow. Further action has yet to be determined.]

Her fingers hovering over the keyboard, Blaze paused to scan the report for any mistakes. Satisfied, she submitted the summary in time to catch the look of frustration on Sonic's face as he entered Amy's living room. Aside from when he had lost his father, Blaze had never seen her partner this upset, and even though he was responsible for her and Silver's separation, a part of her couldn't help but sympathize. This situation with Amy was his first time handling important Sentinel business without his father in the lead, and so far nothing was going right.

"The full moon's tonight." Blaze sighed in resignation, "I don't think we'll find them before Amy's blood bonded."

Sonic moved towards the kitchen and leaned his hands on the counter, his eyes lowered in thought. "The apartment hasn't been empty long; it seems we've just missed them. As always, that blasted vampire was one step ahead of us."

And he wasn't wrong. They had wasted precious time finishing off the remaining vampires at Scourge's stronghold, affording Amy and Shadow plenty of time to regroup before disappearing. Not that she was all too disappointed. If anything, seeing Silver again had reminded her that just because something was forbidden, didn't mean it wasn't right.

Cursing as he turned, Sonic rubbed at his temples. "He's made us look like fools."

"Which is why I advised against working with him to begin with…" Blaze reminded under her breath.

He shot her a warning glance.

"I'm sorry, sir, but as second in command my opinion should have mattered."

"It did matter—it does matter. You're right, I should've listened." Sonic gave a defeated sigh. "I'm listening now…?"

Summoning her courage, Blaze decided this might be the one opportunity for her to dissuade him from pursuing Amy any further. It would be going against everything she'd ever believed when it came to vampires, but then so did her love for Silver. At any rate, it was worth a shot.

"Alright then." She began, choosing her words carefully. "Now, I know you might not be entirely open to the idea, but just hear me out. Could there be any possibility that…"

The bleep of a notification caught her off guard, and Blaze mentally kicked herself for losing her nerve as she turned back to her laptop screen. Clicking the flashing icon, she watched as a window appeared, bringing with it the familiar face of a very excited young fox.

"Second Commander," he greeted with a cheerful smile. "Since the results have been largely positive, I thought you'd like a report on the progress of the vampires we brought in to medical. Is now a good time?"

"As good as any." Blaze replied, glancing up as Sonic took a seat next to her.

"Well, as you're aware, we've been in the process of developing a Light treatment for some time now, but it has since only been intended-"

"-to cure bloodborn vampires." Blaze finished for him, referring to the term Sentinels used to describe vampires born into the Curse, such as Amy.

"Yes." The fox acknowledged. "The hope was that it would make them fully mortal, unlike Intervention which only repressed their vampiric side. But the last and only experiment we performed using the treatment on a bloodborn vampire was disastrous, and nearly ended with the patient's death. I've been told you had direct involvement in that particular incident."

Blaze frowned, ignoring Sonic's pointed glance in her direction. "I remember."

"However, until I suggested it, no one had ever considered experimenting on mortals who had been turned into vampires by being bitten." The fox smiled bashfully. "And I don't mean that to sound boastful."

Blaze briefly took into account the implications of the young Sentinel's insight. "So I take it you've tried the treatment with the vampires that were brought in?"

"We have, and after a few adjustments, we've managed to engineer an antivenom."

"Antivenom?"

The orange fox nodded enthusiastically. "Essentially…we've discovered a cure."

Her thoughts racing, Blaze watched somewhat absently as the fox refocused the camera so that the rest of the room came into view. Stepping back, he stood beside the bed of what she assumed was one of the recently 'cured' patients. Blaze's mind instantly flooded with recognition, and she couldn't help but smile.

It was the rabbit, the young maidservant the fox had rescued from Scourge's stronghold. Her large brown eyes were bright with life as she smiled up at the Sentinel beside her, and Blaze didn't miss the light blush that tinted the fox's face.

"That's it!" Sonic whispered excitedly, standing to his feet and striding into the living room.

Blaze watched him go before directing her attention back to the screen. "And each injection was successful?"

"As of now, yes. All patients are stable, but will need to remain under further observation before anything's conclusive."

"That's great," she replied lamely, distracted by Sonic's anxious mumbling. "Keep me posted."

The Sentinel gave her a quick nod and with that, Blaze closed her laptop and followed her partner into the living room. When she found him, he was pacing in thought, inaudible whispers filling the air with a cloud of agitation.

"It's perfect…"

"Sir?"

He stopped and turned to her. "Don't you see? We have a cure now…we can save Amy."

"We have a cure for vampires who were once mortal; trying it on Amy is far too risky. Why not use Intervention?"

"Because Intervention can only be achieved once, after that it's virtually useless—you know this."

She did. "But the antivenom is still highly experimental, and since Amy was never really mortal to begin with, we don't know what it will do to her."

"Then we take precautions."

"What precautions? The last bloodborn vampire we tried it on suffered immense pain from even a low dose." She explained, her voice taking on an edge of desperation. "A 'curing' dose nearly killed him!"

Sonic narrowed his emerald green eyes. "It should have killed him, but you interfered."

Blaze crossed her arms defensively. "It doesn't matter. The point is, Amy's a bloodborn vampire and injecting her with any amount of antivenom is more likely to kill her than to cure her."

"You don't know that." He waved her off. "And besides, we've run out of options. You said so yourself, it's unlikely we'll find them before Amy's blood bonded."

"Then let her be blood bonded." She blurted without meaning to.

Sonic tensed, his demeanor growing disturbingly dark. "What?"

Swallowing any hesitation, Blaze decided there was no going back. "I said, 'let her be blood bonded'. As much as I hate to admit it, she is a vampire, and I think…I think she may love Shadow. He certainly loves her."

"Impossible."

"It wouldn't be the first time someone fell in love with a vampire."

Recognition flashed across his features, and he stepped towards her, his voice low. "No, I suppose it wouldn't. You were with him, weren't you? While I was unconscious outside Scourge's stronghold."

Blaze only lifted her chin defiantly. "And what if I was? This isn't about me and Silver. It's about Amy."

"I ordered you to stay away from him."

"He could have killed you last night, but he didn't." She countered, her fists clenching at her sides.

"Then that was his mistake. You're a Sentinel, Blaze, he's a vampire…or had you forgotten?"

"Of course not."

"Then remember where your loyalties lie, because if I find him anywhere near Blackbrook, I won't hesitate to finish what was started all those years ago, is that understood?"

Taking a moment to fight down her rising anger, she forced a reply through clenched teeth. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Turning his back to her, Sonic lifted a finger to the communicator in his ear, addressing whoever was on the other end. "Have medical prepare a dose of the antivenom, and instruct them to adjust it for use on a bloodborn vampire."

Taken aback, Blaze stepped in front of him, her voice incredulous. "You can't be serious?"

"If that fox is smart enough to engineer a cure for vampires who were once mortal, then surely he can construct one suitable for use on those who are bloodborn." Sonic insisted.

Blaze wanted to scream. "Earlier you told me you were willing to listen, but you haven't heard a word I've said. That antivenom is dangerous, it could kill her!"

"Or it could save her." He shot back. "She can't become a fully realized vampiress, Blaze, you know that."

"Yes, I know what she'll be capable of, but she would never abuse that power."

"Once they're blood bonded, Shadow could easily persuade her otherwise, and that's something we can't afford."

Blaze closed her eyes in frustration, knowing his judgment was blinded by desperation, and that that left her with only one choice. If he was determined to risk Amy's life just to keep her from becoming a vampire, then, as her guardian, Blaze would do whatever it took to stop him. In a release of emotions, she threw her fist into his jaw with enough force to knock him off his feet.

Recovering quickly, Sonic threw out a kick that nearly caught her across the cheek, but Blaze swerved to the side, using her surroundings and momentum to put some space between them. As he followed her around the sofa, they exchanged a volley of well-aimed punches, a few of which were dodged, but most hit their mark. Seeing an opening, Blaze shot her foot into Sonic's chest, sending him sprawling across the room. Her chest heaving slightly from the effort, she approached him cautiously as he sat crumpled against the wall.

"You're my leader and my partner," she said slowly, standing before him. "I don't want you to also be my enemy, but I won't let you inject Amy with that antivenom, not when it puts her life at risk."

"I'm sorry to hear that." He said after a moment, struggling to his feet. "However, I can't chance you interfering, and your insubordination won't be tolerated."

Eyeing him warily, Blaze recognized his intent a second too late. In an instant, one hand clasped her wrist while he pressed the fingers of his other firmly against her forehead; immediately she felt an icy numbness radiate throughout her body. Stumbling back, she leaned against Amy's sofa, staring up at her 'partner' in a mixture of shock and anger.

Although she never expected him to use it against her, as leader, Sonic not only had the ability, but the authority to inhibit her Sentinel abilities, effectively blocking her Light. It didn't have to be permanent, but only he could undo it, and until he did, she wasn't a match for anyone, let alone her commander.

"Send a prisoner escort to my location immediately." Sonic ordered into his earpiece, stepping past Blaze to collect her laptop from the dining table.

Collapsing to the floor, she pressed her back to the sofa, considerably weaker, but not yet willing to give up. "You don't even know where they are, Shadow could have taken her anywhere."

Sonic expelled a hollow laugh. "There is somewhere they are likely to have gone, a place I should have recognized sooner."

"What are talking about?"

"Vampires don't make friends often, so when they do we take notice. There's an estate that Shadow's frequented before, just outside of Blackbrook. Not much is known about the vampires who live there other than that they are a blood bonded pair, but they've never given us trouble and so we've left them alone until now."

"You have no right to invade their home without probable cause." She insisted, glaring up at him.

"A search of their property seems warranted, and if they resist then our suspicions will be confirmed."

"Please don't do this." She finally begged, blinking back the wetness in her eyes.

Sonic looked back at her, his expression almost despondent. "I don't want to hurt her, Blaze, but I'll be damned if I let Amy remain a fully realized vampiress."

Drained both emotionally and physically, Blaze shut her eyes to a hopelessness that seemed to suddenly be closing in on her. All she had ever wanted was to protect Amy; to keep her alive and happy. Never in a million years would she have guessed her friend would find that happiness in the arms of a vampire. She couldn't be certain such was true, but there was little doubt considering her own personal experience with Silver. But with her powers blocked she was as good as useless…and if Sonic got his hands on the antivenom, then Amy was as good as dead.

I know that's a big chunk to absorb after so long between updates, and I apologize, but I hope it was satisfying nonetheless. :)

After all the trauma of recent events, I figured starting the chapter off with some heated-eventually-lighthearted ShadAmy moments was a good way to go, but I fear (and I hope I'm wrong) it may have been a little out of place. Still, I believe it was a nice change. I wonder what Shadow's surprise is?

And now that Scourge is out the picture, I can finally focus on this story's other antagonists, the Sentinels:

-I know it's technically "antivenin" and not "antivenom", but antivenom seemed to fit better in my opinion. And I'm also aware that not much was explained as to what it actually is or how it works, but I assure you it's coming.

-Bloodborn: new, but important term describing vampires born into the Curse, like Amy, Rouge, Fiona, and who else I wonder...

-A bit more of Blaze's past has been hinted at, and it seems she's finally decided that ultimately she's on Amy's side, even if it means her friend becomes a fully realized vampiress...which Sonic is none too pleased about. (And I'm not sure how clear I've made this, but Blaze and Sonic are partners in the purely platonic sense.)

-Although he is technically now the story's antagonist, I don't really see Sonic as a "bad guy". He's just desperate and has poor judgment skills. But will he really go so far as to use a potentially deadly antivenom on Amy?

Thanks for reading!

I will do my best to answer any questions and/or comments without ruining events to come.

*Okay, important question time. Your vote will decide how things proceed from here...

Should I just wrap up the story and give Bloodless a conclusive ending? OR Should I finish Bloodless in such a way that there is room for a sequel? (Basically, Sequel or No Sequel?)