So… tired… but for you dears, I persevered! Thank you all for your patience! Here's a chapter that's a bit longer than usual ^_^

Also, happy early Labor Day! The time when this version of our precious Amy was killed...

Eevee of Insanity, Chaotic Reflections, Firewitch25, MiserableRose, The Phoenix Ninja101, SpeedsMyGame, Guest, thanks for the reviews!

I own nothing; the cover belongs to my younger sister.

Step 2: Independence

This time, Sonic notices when Amy leaves the Music room. She awkwardly waves goodbye, not willing to break the tradition of visiting Shadow. Besides, Sonic hasn't been paying a certain chipmunk too much attention this morning. Not a good thing, not when they have their date tonight.

The pink hedgehog walks into the Art room, and for the first time, Shadow meets her gaze and nods to her in acknowledgement. She beams, unable to keep her giddiness under control. She's not sure if she'll ever get used to being seen by someone other than Sonic!

"Hey, Shadow!" Amy chirps as she takes her usual seat beside him.

"Rose," he states, letting his eyes fall back down to his work.

"This is looking really good," she compliments his art. The class is working with chalk right now, and, unsurprisingly, the dark hedgehog chose to do a stretch of road cutting through a forest on a foggy day. Regardless of how eerie it is, it really is impressive.

He only hums in response. Then he lifts his crimson eyes up to her. "Rather than talking about your usual nonsense, tell me everything you know, starting with how you died." Shadow's bluntness and lack of pity actually soothes Amy. He's going to handle this to the best of abilities and not because he feels pressured to. He's really going to help her!

With a relieved grin, she obeys his request. When the bell signals the end of class, she's managed to tell him from when she died to when she and Sonic discovered how she could receive gifts. The ebony hedgehog has only interrupted her to ask about smaller details, such as if Sonic's parents could touch her parents – which they could.

"When and where is Faker's date tonight?"

"You know he doesn't like that name, and he's going to pick up Sally at 6:30 and take her to dinner at Opal's. Why?" the young female asks.

"I need to be caught up on everything that has happened to you before we can begin searching for your answers. Also, I do not think you want to be, as they call it, 'the third wheel.'" Shadow arches a brow at her, wondering if she'll refute him.

"But then you'll be the third wheel if you tag along," she points out, wondering why on Mobius he thinks Sonic would be okay with that.

"Rose, have you forgotten that I am a G.U.N. agent?"

"What does that- Oh. Right." Her ears lower in embarrassment, and he smirks in amusement at her. By this time, they reach the stairs where he will continue to go to his next class and where she will go up to meet Sonic in Biology II.

"Keep an eye out for me at Opal's tonight," is all Shadow says as he continues walking, leaving Amy behind to watch after him nervously. She sincerely hopes Sonic won't throw a fit over this. The blue speedster doesn't hate the darker hedgehog, but Amy knows that he is definitely not fond of him and that having Shadow around during his date would be all, if not more than, Sonic can tolerate.

XXX

"Are ya sure, Ames?" a nervous Sonic asks the pink female as he looks at himself in the bathroom mirror.

"For the last time, Sonic, you look great!" an exasperated Amy huffs from the bathroom doorway. She could've dressed him far fancier than she has: a black button-up dress shirt (she would've done white if he wasn't such a messy eater) that's tucked in and its sleeves rolled up to his elbows, dark blue jeans, and his usual shoes. Casual, but with a formal flare. Perfect for Opal's.

"But, you're like 14 years old. What if the things you think look good doesn't for guys like me?" he mutters as he fiddles with the top buttons. Two undone or three?

The blue male misses the deadly glare Amy shoots him. Did he really just say that? The guy who asked for her fashion advice in the first place?!

'That's it!' The female goes behind the walls and walks over the where the mirror should be on the other side. She takes a deep breath, then lunges.

"SONIC!" she roars, her hands wrapping around his neck as she tackles him to the ground.

He shrieks from the sudden attack. Amy's growl turns into laughter from the unmanly sound that escaped his lips.

"A-Amy! What the hell?!" he groans, the wind knocked out of him and his heart beating a thousand times a second.

"Hahahahaha! Oh my Chaos, Sonic! You should have seen your face! You even shrieked!" she cackles, lightly hitting his chest from the hilarity of it all.

"I didn't shriek!" he snaps. "And you try having someone tackle you through a mirror not two feet away from you!"

"Oh, I'd shriek like the lady that I am, then hit them with my hammer," she smiles cheekily, thoroughly enjoying the embarrassed flush on his muzzle.

"Whatever. Now get off me!" he grumbles and tries to wiggle from under her. She lowers her head so they are eye-to-eye.

"What? You mean you can't overpower some little 14-year-old girl?" she taunts, a dark gleam to her jade eyes.

'Wait, are there dark green flecks in her eyes?' The thought flits across his mind before he realizes his folly. "Alright, fine. You're right. I'll stop being a pest. Now, would you please get off of me?"

"Gladly!" she grins and hops off him.

"Jeez, Ames," he groans as he rubs the back of his head. "What if my head hit the tub?"

"Please," she rolls her eyes. "unlike you, I think before I act." Her thoughts then flash to this morning's training. She grimaces, "Well, I usually do."

"Right," Sonic half smirks. "Speaking of which, has Shadow told you how training's going to work now?"

She shakes her head, "Not yet. He's actually, uh…" she twiddles her fingers. Tell him and deal with the consequences now, or have him find out later and have him jump to conclusions? "Shadow is actually going to meet with me at the restaurant tonight, but we won't be near you and Sally!" She throws up her hands in a placating gesture, immediately noticing the dark flash in Sonic's emerald eyes.

"He'll still be there," he grumbles, not wanting that dark hedgehog to ruin his night.

Amy's shoulders slump. "What would you have me do, Sonic? Training's tomorrow, he needs to know what's happened before he can help me, and one class period is not enough to discuss all of that."

Sonic grimaces at her dejected look. 'Hey, you're supposed to be her supportive best friend, remember? Your feelings are not the only thing that matters here!'

"Us."

"What?"

"Us. He's going to help us," the blue speedster gives her a weary smile and takes her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Just make sure to tell me what you guys discuss later."

Amy tears up from the bombardment of emotions, and she gives him a big smile.

"Thank you," she says softly. His spirits lift upon seeing her genuine happiness. Happiness he is responsible for.

He glances over at the clock. "We better get going." The nerves Amy's stunt scared away suddenly come back full force, wreaking havoc in his mind. What if Sally doesn't like Opal's? What if she decides she doesn't really enjoy his company? What if-

"Sonic." Amy tugs her hand out of his now-tight grip and she then gently cups the side of his face. Sonic raises his eyes and is met by the comforting face of his best friend. "Just be yourself."

"Right. Thanks." He takes a deep breath to steady himself, and he grabs his coat. He can do this!

A set of keys is thrusted in front of his face before he sets foot out of his room.

"Wha-"

"I think Sally would appreciate not having the winter cold stinging her face and not having her hair messed up from the wind." Amy interrupts with an arched brow.

"Oh, yeah. Good call!" he grins sheepishly. Thank Chaos for Amy; that never would've crossed his mind!

"You're hopeless," she shakes her head with an amused grin as she follows him out the room, and he just ignores her comment.

"I'm taking your car, Dad!" the blue teen yells to his parent as he descends the stairs.

"Go sweep that lady off her feet!" Jules calls back from the living room couch.

"Daaaad!" Sonic groans and opens the front door.

"Oh, wait!" He hears his mother exclaim, her footsteps quick as she rushes off. "Let me just-"

"I'llbehomebefore9,loveyouguys!" Sonic interrupts in a rush and dashes outside, knowing exactly what his mom was getting. No, thank you!

"Awe, he didn't let me take a picture!" Aleena pouts after she hears the front door shut.

"Relax. It's not like it'll be his only date," Jules tells his wife as he surfs through the TV channels.

"But this is his first one!" she laments as she plops back down on the couch beside her husband.

"What about that one girl? The yellow mongoose?"

"They were thirteen, Jules! That's way too young for dating," she huffs. "Besides, Mina never came over again, so it doesn't even count."

"Alright," Jules concedes, knowing their son will forever be her little boy. "How about the next time they go on a date, you have him bring her over and then you can take pictures of them both."

"Perfect!" The purple female immediately brightens up. "Then we can also meet Sally! Such a smart man," she coos before she gives him a kiss.

"I try," he grins down at her.

"Maybe I can get him to bring her over here just to 'hang out.'" Aleena muses aloud. "There'd be so many opportunities for pictures then!"

"I don't think-"

"Oh! And prom! When's prom? I have to contact Sally's mom and see if she'll be taking pictures too!"

'Sorry, son, I tried.' The dark blue hedgehog sweat-drops as he watches his excited wife plot.

XXX

"Right… So, here I go," Sonic murmurs to himself, gripping the bouquet of daisies tightly as he ascends the stairs to Sally's front door.

"Go Sonic!" Amy cheers from by the car, a wide grin adorning her face. He only casts an annoyed glance at her before he takes a deep breath and knocks.

"Coming!" he hears her shout from within the house. "Hi!" she beams, and he would greet her back, if his mouth was doing anything other than hang open. The chipmunk was dressed in a pale-yellow lace dress with heeled sandals with straps around her ankles. 'Those legs…'

"Sonic?"

"Sorry!" he yelps, blushing a dark shade of red. He distantly hears Amy cackling in the background. Traitor. "Y-You look really nice, Sal! Here! These are for you," he bashfully offers her the flowers, thoroughly embarrassed. A stuttering, awkward perv he is. A great way to start things…

"Oh! Thank you! I'm just going to put these in some water real quick, then we can go. I'd have you meet the folks, but then they'll turn this into an even bigger deal," Sally explains with a roll of her eyes. He grins.

"That's okay, mine would've too."

"Parents," she chuckles. She then goes back inside and takes care of the flowers.

While she's inside, Amy shouts to Sonic, "Remember, keep your eyes on her face!"

"Amyyyyy!" he groans, blushing again. She won't let that one go anytime soon, he has a feeling.

"Okay! I'm ready to go!" the chipmunk beams as she steps outside and closes the door. "Nice car," Sally compliments once she spots the vehicle.

"Thanks, it's my dad's. Ya know, since I don't really need one," the blue speedster shrugs, slightly bragging. Amy snorts.

"Obviously," she smiles wryly, which makes his grin widen. He opens the passenger side door for the female.

"My lady."

"Thank you, my good sir," the blue-eyed female giggles, and she climbs in. While he walks to the other side of the car, Sonic directs a questioning look towards Amy, who is making no move to get in the car.

"I'm gonna stargaze," she answers with a shrug, and she then floats to the roof of the car and lays back, facing upwards to the clear night sky.

"If that's what you want to do," the blue teen slowly says, his nerves now acting up. What if he starts rambling? Or is unknowingly rude? Amy won't know and won't be able to correct him!

"Sonic the Hedgehog, if I have to reassure you one more time, I am going to knock you into next week with my hammer!" the pink hedgehog glares. "Where's the cocky hedgehog when you actually want him?"

"Eating a chilidog and figuring out how to annoy you next," he immediately quips, and he ducks into the car, not letting her get a chance to reply.

"What's with the grin?" Sally asks curiously, wondering if he's really this excited for their date.

"What? Oh, er, I'm just happy to get food! It's been awhile since I've last been to the place," he winks, missing the brief flash of disappointment on his date's face, and is glad he isn't exactly telling a lie. He really does enjoy Opal's food, and it has been awhile: a whole two weeks. "Well, off we go!" Sonic chuckles nervously as he starts the car.

"So, how was your day?" Sonic asks, not a fan of quiet moments. Especially awkward ones. Thank Chaos the restaurant is only five minutes away!

Meanwhile, the pink spirit on the roof of the car is looking unseeingly up at the sky. Oh, she'd be more than happy to be her best friend's backup, to make sure he stays focused and stays sensitive to Sally's wants, but she has read enough novels and has seen enough real couples to know that's not how romantic relationships are formed. Sally needs to get to know the Sonic-without-Amy, otherwise when the young spirit finally returns to where she belongs, the chipmunk will be left with a different person.

Amy wasn't expecting how hard it would be to let Sonic sink or float on his own, though, and the date has only just started! She's now got a new sense of appreciation for Shadow for not letting her be a third wheel.

"Alright, here we are!" Sonic announces as he parks, and he shuts off the vehicle, anxiously awaiting the chipmunk's reaction.

"Opal's, huh? I haven't been here yet," Sally says, eyeing the cozy-looking building with a smile. A weight seemingly lifts from his shoulders, and he grins at her.

"This is my family's favorite restaurant. It's not exactly classy, but- Eh, you'll see when we get inside." The cobalt-blue hedgehog zips over to open the car door for his date, and he then offers his arm to escort her inside.

As they walk through the front doors, Sally does indeed get what Sonic was trying to say. A decent-sized chandelier lights the lobby, the floorboards are dark mahogany, and the color theme is navy blue, cream, and black. The dining area is spacious and tables are separated far enough to have privacy but close enough to converse if one wishes. The waiters have navy blue long-sleeve shirts with black slacks while the waitresses have knee-length navy blue dresses with black waist aprons. It all ties really well together, and Sally is sure her father, born and raised rich, would even admire the place for its casual elegance.

"Sonic, my dear!" a pink armadillo happily exclaims and walks over to the young couple.

"I bet you Lilly saw your reservation," Amy comments to Sonic with a fond grin.

"Hello, Lilly, how are you?" he greets the family friend.

"I am well, thank you. Who is this gorgeous young lady with you?" she smiles warmly over at the blushing chipmunk.

"Lilly, this is Sally Acorn. Sally, this is the owner and a friend of the family, Lilllian the Armadillo," Sonic introduces.

"You can call me Lilly," the older female tells the younger one as they shake hands.

"Nice to meet you, Lilly."

"No, no. The pleasure is all mine, dear. I saw Sonic made a reservation and I just had to meet his date!" Lilly winks over at the blue teen, who teasingly rolls his eyes.

"I told you!" Amy giggles. She admires Lilly for all the hard work she has put into her restaurant, for maintaining her cheery attitude – Amy can't recall a single time where the older armadillo lost control of her temper, not even when there was a dine-and-dash – and for her dedication to her deceased sister, Opal. The two of them once dreamed of owning and running a restaurant together, but Opal's life was cut short by cancer. Lilly now lives the dream for both of them and has Amy's utmost respect.

"Now, allow me to escort you two to your table." Lilly grabs a couple of menus and leads the couple over to a corner of the place, where it is just a little more quiet and private.

As they follow, Amy keeps her eyes peeled for Shadow. The restaurant is busy, however, so it makes the search that much more difficult. Just as Sonic and Sally reach their table, though, Amy spots a flash of red. She takes a closer look and spots the ebony hedgehog seated four tables away.

"I wonder if he knew where they would be seated," Amy murmurs to herself, not doubting he probably did. She waits for Lilly to finish telling them who their server will be and to call her if they need anything before she goes over to Sonic's side.

"I've found Shadow. Just enjoy your night with Sally, and I'll catch you up on everything later tonight." With an encouraging squeeze to the male's shoulder, and a subtle acknowledging nod from him, Amy heads over to where Shadow is seated.

"Well don't you clean up nice," she remarks as she takes a seat across from him.

"It is more than you can do," he replies, quirking a brow at her.

"Not true. I can if it's gifted to me, remember?" she smiles smugly.

"So what about your bare feet?"

"Hey, shoes are expensive, and what's the point? They won't give me any extra protection nor will I be able to wear them down. So, no shoes."

"I see." By this point, Shadow's food has already arrived. Talk about good timing. "So, are you going to tell me the rest of what I need to know?"

While the agent slowly eats his meal, he listens to all that the young spirit has to tell him. Every now and then she'll glance over to where Sonic and Sally are, and usually she's met with the sight of them happily conversing. She's glad; her Sonic is a good guy.

"Hmm," Shadow hums after she's told him all that she can remember. "The ability to touch things at will is usual with spirits, as is being able to receive gifts, but that is not too common. The void you travel through after the 100-foot distance is passed is unusual, though. The spirits that I've met who traveled where there the instant they brought the image to mind. Tell me, are you able to visit your burial site?"

Amy shift nervously. She hasn't told Sonic; it's only fair that she doesn't tell Shadow either.

"No." The G.U.N. agent eyes her for a few moments before sighing.

"Rose, I can help you only if you tell me everything. There will be no judgement from my side, for even the smallest details can be important."

Amy bites her lip. 'Shoot, put like that…'

"Just- just don't tell Sonic," she hesitantly says.

"Very well. I will not mention it around him."

"Yes. I can visit my grave, but when I do, I'm aware of where Sonic is and when he needs me." Shadow only nods and doesn't press her for her reasons for keeping it a secret; Something else she appreciates about him.

"Visiting your grave is common among spirits, but the connection you have with Sonic is not."

"And my growing?" Amy asks, twiddling her thumbs.

"That is not normal. Spirits can make themselves appear younger, since that has already happened and they know what they looked like, but they cannot appear older since they have no future to be older in."

"Oh." She figured that was unusual, but she still hoped to not be the only one. Amy looks up to see the ebony hedgehog looking at her curiously. "What?"

"You were the age of seven when you died, correct?" She nods. "You met Sonic three years after that, and he was ten years old?"

"Yes?" she answers hesitantly, not sure where he is going with this.

"Then technically, you are the same age as him. Odd how your body proceeded to grow after you met him," he muses, the gears in his head turning while Amy's mind is blown.

"The same? I'm really… seventeen?!" After the words sink in, it all happens in a second. Amy suddenly feels like an inflating, rising balloon, and she feels constricted until a mighty RRIIIPPPP sounds and she's free again. She blinks, noting Shadow's wide stare and how he doesn't seem quite as tall as he did a moment ago. She then looks down at herself, wondering why she suddenly felt like that.

"EEEEEEKK!" the pink female grabs the tatters that is the remains of her dress and clutches them to herself, trying to cover herself the best she can – thank Chaos her undergarments have elastic! "S-Shadow! What happened!"

"You aged," he states, surprise still in his voice. "It is like once you realized you did not look how you should be, you automatically corrected it…"

"Well that's fascinating and all, how about I let you ponder every theory to explain that while I sit here in my underwear!" Amy growls, mortified beyond belief. This is far worse than the last time she outgrew her clothing!

"It is not like anyone can see you." She glares at him, not one bit amused. "Alright, fine. What size was that?"

"Five."

"Okay. Meet me at your grave."

"What? B-but what about Sonic? He doesn't know about that!"

"Then tell him we went outside to talk without drawing attention." The ebony male then leaves the table, not giving her a chance to argue.

"Ohhhh, that hedgehog!" she fumes. She takes a glance at Sonic's table, hoping to dear Chaos that he hasn't noticed her situation. For once, she's never been so happy to see him so wrapped up in another person that he's failed to notice her shenanigans!

Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes and searches for that tug, the tug that makes her feel calm, but alone. She opens her eyes to be greeted by the familiar, dark void, before the scenery of the graveyard comes into sight. She then exhales, relieved to be alone. Sure, only two people can see her, but sitting around in her underwear is awkward as hell, no way around it!

"Rose."

"Eep!" she squeaks, surprised by Shadow's sudden appearance.

"Will this do?" He takes out a dress from a shopping bag and holds it out. At first, she thought it was the same style as her last one, but as she takes a closer look, she realizes it's more mature looking. The dress is the same red with white trimming, but the back is open and the front ties around her neck. The material flows rather than taking its own shape too, which means that if she were to do a little more growing – Chaos no – it would not rip to shreds on her.

"C-can I feel it first?" He rolls his eyes, muttering something like, 'women,' under his breath, but he complies nonetheless. Ah, just as she thought; the material will stretch, and it is also thick, so it won't be easy to ruin.

"Yes. This will be just fine." Rather than heading to her grave, however, Shadow goes back to the shopping bag and pulls out a shoe box.

"As I understand it, women like their shoes," he mutters once he sees her baffled look. "and I doubt you'll grow much more now that you're seventeen." He opens the box to reveal a pair of red and white boots that she daresay are pretty cute!

"Shadow," she breaths, touched he bought her clothing that obviously wasn't cheap and boots just because he wants her to enjoy them. "Thank you," she smiles, trying to portray just how appreciative she is of this.

He gives her a small smile in return, "You are welcome, Rose." He then lays her clothing on her grave and steps back. Once his foot lifts off her grave, her gifts materialize in her hands.

"Thank you," she says again with a giddy grin. He 'hmphs' and turns around to give her privacy.

The dress flows around her and accents her new curves, and while wearing her boots feels a little more restricted than being barefoot, she can't help but to love their look.

"So," she says, excited but also nervous. "what do you think?" Shadow turns around and analyzes her. Eventually he gives a single nod.

"It is an improvement." She grins in relief.

"I can't wait to see Sonic's face when he- Sonic!" she exclaims. "I have to go back before he realizes I'm really not there!"

"Go ahead. I will tell you two tomorrow morning what your training will be."

"Okay, thanks again, Shadow!" she waves goodbye before she lets herself be tugged back, the way that feels like home. She finds herself on the roof of the car, just a couple of minutes away from Sally's house.

"Oh Chaos, that was a close one!" she slumps in relief. She can explain why she wasn't around when they left the restaurant, but she wouldn't have been able to explain why she wasn't around after he dropped Sally off.

The car parks in front of the Acorn house, and Amy stays laying on the roof, trying for the casual look. She sees Sonic glance at her before he goes over to Sally's side to let her out. Whew; she's in the clear. Normally, she'd be offended as hell by him not immediately noticing her drastic change in appearance, but this time she wants him to assume there is nothing new about her, to focus on getting Sally home before he flips out over her new look, which he will.

"Thank you, Sonic, for dinner. I had a really good time, and I now have a new favorite restaurant!" Sally's giggle breaks through Amy's thoughts, and she turns her head to watch the couple.

"Thanks for agreeing to come, Sal. I had a good time too," Sonic smiles, nervously shuffling his feet. What does he do now? Is he supposed to kiss her? He's not ready for that yet! Not to say that he doesn't want to, but if he screws this all up and-

"Goodnight, Sonic," Sally smiles warmly before leaning up towards him.

'Oh Chaos! Does my breath stink? What if this is a test? What if I'm supposed to stop her? What if-'

Her face tilts to the side of his, and she presses her lips to his cheek. She leans away and turns towards her door.

"G'night," he breaths, unable to stop from touching that tingling spot on his cheek she had just kissed. He stands there for another minute after the door has shut before he comes to.

"Ames, did ya see that?" he grins goofily, still a bit dazed.

"Yup." She can't help the bitterness in her voice. She's trying, oh how she is trying, but it's one thing to watch your crush try to pursue a relationship with someone else and it's another to watch him be physically more affectionate with them. For all their sakes, she's really glad the chipmunk only kissed his cheek. She almost got reckless for a second there. Again.

Catching the odd tone in Amy's voice – and something else different sounding? – Sonic finally pays attention to the female spirit. "Ames, wha-aaaaaaaat?!" His emerald eyes widen, stunned by what he's seeing. Just, what?!

"I- Y-You- How?!" he stutters. Amy just grins.

"Boy, does this 'fourteen-year-old' have a story for you!"

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek" ~ Barack Obama

*Holding dismantled shackles* Goddamit… *shouts to my elusive, sadistic muse* Fine! This thing will get updated whenever it gets bloody updated!

In other words, see you guys next chapter (whenever that'll be, what with college and all… T_T)

P.S. Go check out SconnieSA's story, The Sonic Project! This great, underappreciated story has a great storyline, the characters are not OOC, and it gets updated every week! What's not to like? Go on! xD