FSE

Sonic The Hedgehog: The Series - Part 7

Story by diosoth on SoFurry

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Twenty four years, ten months have passed

Rouge sat, alone, in Teal's room. Many of her belongings had been packed and moved out, only larger items and some furniture remained. She hugged a pillow.

Cracking the door open, Thomas found her sitting. "She's just in the city."

"I know. But my baby girl's flown off." Rouge seemed to be disappointed with her feelings. "Is it wrong that I want her to stay here? I don't care if she's getting married. We have lots of room here, does she need to get her own place?"

He sat beside her. "You have two little girls who still need you to raise them. Teal's an adult now. She'll be fine."

She asked, "you're not worried?"

"I'm going to worry every day," he replied, "but I can't keep her on a leash. Now..." With an arm around her, he held his wife tight. "About those two little girls..." Taking Rouge's hand, Tom helped her stand, leading her into the living room. The twins were coloring.

Springing up when they saw their parents, the girls ran to give them hugs. "And what are my little angels doing?" Rouge asked.

Violette held up the drawing. "It's me and Rose and you and daddy and Teal and June and Tiff!"

Rouge smiled.

Slate waited. His GUN assessment was done. All he had to do was hear the results. "Passed the physical tests above average, mental examination, health screening..." The GUN Commander extended his hand. "Welcome to the Guardian Unit of Nations!"

"GREAT!" Teal shouted. "Knew you'd pass."

"Yes. Now, normally new recruits are placed on probationary training periods... however, I don't believe you would be best suited to pushing papers all day. I would like for you to become an active field agent immediately."

"Me? A field agent?" Slate was stunned. "Of course!"

"Very well." The Commander made the proper notes in the file. "However, you will only be assigned light work. Until you have received proper training, you will not be issued a weapon."

Teal leaned in. "It also means I'll outrank you."

"And it means you'll be issued a proper uniform in the meantime," the Commander stated. "I'll allow you to wear as you please when your rank advances."

"Well..." The echidna was used to wearing no clothing, but he knew what he was getting into. "Okay. When do I start?"

Two boxes remained to be unpacked in the apartment. Clothes and such were put away. Finding places had been no problem as the apartment was pre-furnished. They'd bought minor decorations and some rugs to place around, the place slowly customized for its inhabitants.

All that remained were personal trinkets. Pictures, old toys and other assorted items the two had kept from home.

The apartment wasn't large, but it was big enough for two people. "Slate, where's the scissors? I can't find them!" Teal wanted to unpack her last box.

"Huh... good question," he said, looking around. As the two searched for the elusive tool, they were shocked when a loud noise echoed through the room. "What? Teal!"

"Oh god, that-" She hoped she was wrong. "Thats' the fire alarm!" Running to the window, she looked out. Her apartment faced the street. Smoke could be seen. Peeking out, she saw the cause for alarm.

The pizza place next door had caught fire and the blaze, spreading quick, had already taken their building, two two places connected. "Damn! Place is gonna burn down!"

"We have to go!" Slate shouted. The echidna boy was visibly panicked.

Teal seemed to be frozen. Her new home was going up in smoke. "Right... I..." Running, she grabbed her box, leaping for the window and flying out. Slate did the same, his box of possessions held tight as he jumped, catching the air under his quills, floating to the ground.

Their boxes were set on the sidewalk. "That's moving quick," Slate shouted, noting the speed in which everything burned.

"People are still in there..." The bat girl felt selfish, the two of them making a quick escape with their most prized possessions while people inside had to rely on stairs. The firefighters were busy controlling the blaze but they had arrived too late. The buildings contained too much wood, allowing the burning nightmare to cut through. "Can you carry a full-grown human?"

"Think so," he said.

"Good! We have to help those people!" Flying to the upper levels, Teal kicked in the window, soaring inside. The elderly old woman was afraid. "You'll never make the stairs with that thing!" The old woman was held to an oxygen tank. Grabbing it, Teal braced the elderly woman and flew, balancing the weight just long enough to land. She watched as Slate landed carrying two kids.

Tom stopped the car, his little girls hopping from the back door. They ran towards their sister, each hugging onto a leg tight. "TEAL!"

"I'm okay!" she assured, trying to wiggle the twins free. In the air, Teal saw the three bats flying. Rouge landed safely, running to her daughter. "I'm okay, mom!"

"Did you let the paramedics check you?" Rouge was worried.

"MOM! They have lots of people who were in there longer than we were!" Teal wasn't worried about herself. She knew that she was fine.

They looked at the crowd. Everyone had managed to flee, thanks not only to Teal and Slate, but also to the firefighters. However, the building as gone. Slate carried their boxes to the car. "We saved these... but guess everyone else lost everything. Why'd this happen?"

Tom was mad. "I'll tell you why this happened..." Shouting, he wanted everyone to hear him. "This happened because this idiot city won't spend a CENT on itself! They hire idiot cops and make sure tourism is good. Instead of paying to have buildings renovated and repaired, they slap fresh paint and some new brick on the front! These buildings aren't even up to code! Old wood, old brick, old wires! The only GOOD parts of this city are the business sector and anything rebuilt after Black Arms!"

Pulling out his wallet, he began sorting money, handing it to the victims. "This will help with immediate needs. It's not much but it's a start." Out of money, the checkbook came, Tom writing checks to people. It was all he could do.

Rouge helped her daughter to the car. "It's time to go home..."

Teal sat on her old bed, Slate holding her. "Maybe it was a sign..."

"Sign of what?" he asked.

She didn't want to say it. "That we shouldn't live there?"

"That'd be hard to do now, though..."

Teal sniffed. Their fur still reeked of smoke. "I mean... maybe we should just live here. I- I thought it'd be cool to move out with you, live together, get married, but..."

"It's... nice." Slate mumbled, "Pink, too..."

"There are bigger rooms in this place, Slate. Like the old room that dad's parents used to have." Teal never called them her grandparents. They had been dead long before she'd been born.

The door kicked open. "Slate! Little bro!" It was Striker, Slate's older brother.

"Strike, place is gone."

"I heard. Sucks, too. You can always move back home!" He caught their stares. "Uh, or not... hm, I'll leave you two alone, okay?" Ducking out, Striker closed the door.

"Sorry about that. Strike's a good guy but he's a bit, uh..." Slate thought of the word. "He can be a bit proud of his family."

In the living room, Knuckles sat with Karen. "I'm just glad they got out of there." Knuckles, deep down, would have been devastated if a son had been lost.

"Rouge?" Karen spoke. "They decided on where to go?"

"I was hoping that... well... I'm sure they'll think of something." Rouge didn't wish to let her desires be known.

"Actually," Karen said, "I'd feel a LOT better if they were living here. Be a lot safer, you know."

Knuckles let out a sigh."I used to think the Master Emerald was the one thing I was put here to protect... now... I'd shatter it into a million pieces for my family."

Rouge complimented the sentiment by saying, "and I'd give up every last jewel I owned for mine if I had to. Guess we did change, Knuckles, a LOT..."

The two entered the living room, greeting their parents. Rouge said, "Teal. I don't know if you-"

"Mom, Slate and I decided, we want to move in here. But my room's not big enough."

Rouge simply smiled. "Pick any empty room you want, dear, and decorate it however you want, okay?"

Slate looked at his parents, his brother beside them. Knuckles simply nodded in approval. He felt a hug from behind, his sister, Sharon, holding on. "I was scared."

"I know, Sharon, but don't be, okay?" The little echidna girl let go.

"Well, guess that's everything then." Knuckles saw no reason to stay. His son was fine, which was his only concern. "Wait... what about all those people?"

Tom said, "I'm donating two million to help them. Some of them have nowhere to go and they all lost everything they had. At least I can help them rebuild."

Teal was happy with the large room. "We need to get my bed and the furniture in here... what do you think about paint?"

Slate looked at the walls. "Needs some touching up...

In the doorway, Tiff and June watched. "My niece is back home. Glad you didn't get roasted today."

"Yeah, that would've been horrible!" Tiff smiled, happy that Teal was okay.

June gave Slate a curious look. "What? See something you like?"

Slate simply stared back. "Uh..."

June giggled. "I'm a lesbian. Means no touching."

Slate turned, Teal's arms crossed, pushing her chest up. "I don't think I'll be too disappointed by that," he said, taunting her back.

Defeated, June closed her eyes. "Damn. Oh well... Teal's got the family goods, after all..."

Twenty five years have passed

Pulling to the secure location, the G.U.N. transport vehicle was as heavy as it was intimidating. Armor paneled to resist the strongest of assaults, this mere prisoner transport was built to kep its cargo inside. Stopping dead, heavy wheels resting on the road, the doors opened. Armed soldiers piled out, forcing the old man along.

This wasn't his world. The face of Ivo Robotnik but the dreams of another, he was Eggman Nega. Whatever plans he'd had in this dimension were crushed. Of all the people to put an end to everything, his counterpart in this world had switched sides years before. The one ally he'd assumed reliable was a threat from the start but Nega had failed to consider such a turn.

Pushing open the doors from inside, Shadow the Hedgehog took lead. Sipping the coffee, shaking as the heat burned his tongue, the hedgehog kept a pistol ready. No danger was foreseen. Their prisoner was going nowhere and Blaze was due shortly.

"Follow me," Shadow gave the order, leading the team across open space. "There!" In the distance, shapes approached, the tall purple cat in lead.

"You must be the G.U.N. operatives," she greeted, putting out a hand to shake Shadow's, eyebrows cocking when he refused the offer. "We'll take him now."

"Stupid cat!" Eggman Nega huffed. "Bad enough when you were just a princess. You have too much authority for a queen! Don't you have royal balls to throw for your guests?"

Unwilling to listen, Shadow grabbed the old man and threw him to the ground. "He's your mess now."

Grinning wickedly, Nega spat, "no, hedgehog, I'm not!" as gunfire whizzed through the air, catching two of Shadow's men in the chest. Running for cover, both teams ducked behind buildings and boxes with no time to defend themselves.

Licking at the broken tooth, Eggman shouted, "I see my transceiver worked! Now get me out of these chains if you wish to earn your pay!" Hoisted to his feet, freed of chains, he took a weapon and ordered, "we have to get to the portal. With any luck- no, we'll kill them all now. Better to NOT take any chances and let the queen live!"

Jumping high, Shadow let down cover fire as his men took aim. Unfortunately, their attackers had sense to wear heavy body armor, much tougher than what G.U.N. had available, and it seemed as if they'd prepared. Whatever ammunition was being used was punching right through. Working on ideas as three of Blaze's guards went down, he skated head first, opening fire, hoping his direct assault would confuse these men for the few seconds needed to allow his team to regroup.

Pulling a round object from a pouch, one of Nega's men threw the bomb towards the buildings. "DAMN!" Shadow screamed, his words drowned by the explosion. The last of his own men were down, dead or wounded.

"Now, to kill the queen," Eggman gloated. "I can resume my work without interruption from now on. Including visiting that one dimension I learned about not long ago," he mumbled, "and perhaps that scientist I saw through the gateway will be interested in becoming an ally."

"The one with the crazy white hair?" his soldier inquired.

"The very one! Skilled at robotics. Now, to deal wit-"

He dropped to the ground, blood squirting from an open knee wound. "EH! No matter!" Aiming and pulling the trigger, Eggman shot the last of Blaze's people, peppering the ground by Shadow's feet. "Cover me while I tie this wound off! We MUST get going!"

Ducking from the bullets, Blaze the Cat was beyond angered. Releasing her fury, burning rage became fire, leaving her body and heating the air. Flames arched like serpents, the cat's teeth bared as if fangs, her sense of honor suppressed bit by bit with the death of each royal guard. "Hedgehog! MOVE!"

Dodging the onslaught, Shadow only watched as Eggman Nega and his rescuers were burned, screams from the flames the final words as the villain and his army died painfully.

Realizing the battle was over, Shadow turned and looked. The queen was the only other person standing. G.U.N. soldiers had lost their lives. The royal guard had fallen. Eggman Nega and his mercenaries were incinerated.

Cracking open the old man's jaws, Blaze pulled a tiny bit of metal from a broken tooth. "The tooth was fake. I knocked that one out a few years ago. He put that in... must've been shielded from your scans. He broke the tooth and it let the signal out. It's how they found us..."

Crossed between anger and grief, Blaze rose and walked away. "I have to return to my kingdom. There's nothing left for me to do here. They died as heroes."

Making his way to the truck, the black hedgehog grabbed the radio. Protocol dictated now that he must call in and report the incident. Call in and tell his commander that twelve of their men were dead. That their prisoner was dead and Blaze was walking away.

No. Kicking the jets in his shoes to full power, Shadow tackled Blaze and pinned the cat to the ground. "WHAT are you doing, you idiot?"

"You're not leaving until we BOTH tell what happened! You're coming back with me!"

She gave him a sinister look. "You have no authority over me!"

"You don't give the orders in this world. Your title means nothing. Now, come with me!"

It was quiet in the GUN Headquarters.

News spread fast that morning.

Twelve Agents, all high-ranking, were dead.

Shadow was in bandages, one of only two survivors of the gun battle. Blaze the Cat, the other, was meeting with the Commander now. The Queen had come from her dimension to collect the criminal when they were ambushed. It became clear in the autopsy of Eggman Nega, a small device he'd had implanted in his own body alerted his hired army to his transfer. No doubt shielded somehow from scans, no doubt activated by any number of body movements or motions, simple to perform even while in bonds.

In the records room, Tiff sat at the front desk, depressed. She'd known every one of the dead agents quite well. June, also depressed, had yet to know everyone well, but some of their names and faces were familiar.

Teal was planted firm to the bench in the break room. Slate, off duty from physical training, was with her. It was only a week before their wedding date and Teal was making a hard decision.

She waited for Blaze to leave. Teal had no part of that mission, no idea who the dimensional-traveling feline was, only that her presence had triggered this.

Believing sufficient time had passed, she grabbed her fiancée's hand. "Hey, what-"

"Come on, Slate, we have something to do!"

She ran to the head office, opening the door without waiting for approval. "Agent Teal. Something told me you'd be here..."

"Huh?" Teal was a bit surprised. "But I- whatever." Tossing her weapon to the desk, she slapped her badge down. the bat girl was quitting.

"Teal... do you know why your mother joined this group?"

"At the time, she was greedy and wanted to steal jewels," Teal answered. Rouge had never hidden that from her family.

The Commander spoke, "she joined because she had nothing. If she had been killed in the line of duty... well... why do you think she quit?"

Teal knew. "She met dad."

"You two will be married next week. You don't need to work in this business. This is for those of us who were either born into it or those of us who have nothing to lose. It's not for you... why did you join?" he asked.

She answered, "I wanted to be like my mom. She called you, didn't she?"

The Commander waved it off. "Yes. I've already begun the paperwork on the discharge of both of you."

Slate didn't know what to think. "Both of us? But-"

"You don't need to be in this group, risking your life." The Commander looked him in the eyes. "She doesn't need to worry about whether or not you'll come home safe." Picking up Teal's badge, he tossed it back to her. "Keep it. Might come in useful."

"But Sir, it won't be-"

"They don't have to know that," he said. "Now, go turn in your uniform and go home."

Hot, cooked chunks of beef were scooped into bowls while cheese slices were layered in to melt. It was Thomas Adriani's time to talk with his daughter, no one else around, and they were going to share a meal. No hamburgers, no bread, just ground beef, cheese, and spoons.

"Next week," Tom muttered. "Next week my little girl becomes a woman and walks down that aisle..."

"Dad, listen, I know you'd let me just sit and leech but I can't do that. Slate can't do that." Teal looked him in the eyes. "We need jobs. After the wedding and little honeymoon trip, we're going to try and find a place to work. Together." She sighed. "It could've been me at that GUN slaughter today..."

Tom looked at his little girl. "I didn't want you to join up but I let you. I got scared when you started carrying that weapon. Getting into firefights... you think Slate would take a short business class?"

"Huh... guess he could."

"Good. Then I want the two of you to run the fruit business."

Her eyes lit up. "Dad? You mean..."

"Yes, the two of you should take over. It would stay in the family, be nice, quiet work, and Slate's part of the society we have the import and export deal with. But... I'd have to make sure you have some business knowledge first. It's not just something you can pick up on and run with."

"I don't have any business know-how, dad." Teal seemed eager but was unsure.

He said, "you were always a smart kid. A business class shouldn't be that hard to take. Anyway, you'd have to handle all the sales, packing facilities and even maintaining the growing lands."

"You mean here and the other properties you own?" she asked. Teal was familiar with all the other-lying land owned by the family, used now for growing fruit. The fields around the mansion weren't suitable for the quantity needed.

"Yes. You'll figure it out." Tom stirred the meat, taking a bite. "You two thought about kids yet?"

"Daddy! We..." She shied away. "We haven't even slept together yet. Anyway, I- I don't think I'm ready yet.

He suggested, "why don't you make an appointment and get a prescription for birth control, then... I know your mother would like grandkids but you don't need to rush it if you don't want."

She thought it over. "Okay... hmm, dad, would you mind if we got a pet?"

"Sure," he responded. "Preferably something in a cage or an aquarium, though..." Tom stirred his meat again, mixing the molten cheese. "Tiff's been pretty upset. I think what happened with GUN today had a big impact on her."

"Yeah." Teal's mind hurt just to think about it. "I think she knew everyone of them."

"I think you should go talk to her, okay? June's been a bit sluggish, too. They both need the emotional support."

Slate stood before the mirror. He wasn't used to wearing a full suit, but his tuxedo had to be fit to make sure it was right. Rouge stood nearby. "You look better than your father did," she said.

"Feels weird," he commented. Slate looked back at the bat. "You still have issues with my father, don't you?"

"That's in the past," she said. She didn't feel like talking about it.

Slate, however, did. "I heard him talking to my mother one day a few months ago... he said that the reason he rejected you was because he-"

Her ears turned. "Tell me!" Rouge shouted, eager to hear.

"He said he felt it was his duty to guard the Master Emerald."

"Well, DUH!" she responded. That was nothing new to her.

Slate continued, "that's not it. He said... when he thought he was the last echidna, that he..." The boy paused. "Dad likes to brag about his heritage and the old tribe like he's proud of them but that's not how he really feels. He talks with my mother in private about this stuff."

"It's really none of my business," Rouge said.

"But it is." Slate thought about the exact words. "When dad learned about the old tribe and his destiny, he started to question his purpose in life. It wasn't just to guard the rock anymore. He thought that he was born to accept punishment for the sins of the old tribe. Isolation and loneliness."

Rouge was stunned, her eyes widened. "You mean..."

"He didn't turn you down because he hated you. He turned you down because he hated himself." Slate checked the tie in the mirror. "Our city was founded by the women, children, the elderly... the ones who didn't follow Pachacamac as warriors. The ones who weren't killed by Chaos. But some of them stayed behind when the land rose into the sea. My father was descended from that group that stayed behind, the ones who wanted to guard the Master Emerald and the Chaos Emeralds. Then the Chaos Emeralds were lost and the remaining ones died off, one by one, until it was just my father..."

"He would have stayed there until he died, lonely." Rouge was amazed. "No wonder he kept following Sonic around. He didn't like his job but he felt like he had no choice... he wasn't too smart, was he?"

Slate ignored the last comment. "I don't think my father would have ever changed his mind about you... even if he wanted to abandon his place in life, I don't think he... it's not important."

"What?" Rouge knew what he was going to say. "He wasn't attracted to me. Why?"

"You're not an echidna," the boy explained harshly. "I know that's an awful thing to say, to call your own father a bigot about his species, but that's just how he is. I know I shouldn't say that, but I have to disagree with him. One thing about our culture is that we may have to respect our elders but we don't have to agree with them. The girl, Tikal, was right and her father led the tribe to ruin. We have to question our parents if we feel they are wrong."

Rouge sighed. "Boy... you had no idea. My mother was a good example of THAT... well, if ANYONE is going to marry my daughter, I'm glad it's you." Walking over to him, she gave him a quick looking over. "Hmm... looks good. Go with the white carnation on your lapel. Pink isn't your color. Now, get that thing taken off and packed away. You don't want to damage it before the wedding. I need to go look in on the twins and then go see how Tiff's doing. And Slate..." He turned to face her. "I'm glad you two decided to leave GUN. Keep my daughter safe, you hear me?"

Twenty five years, one month have passed

The bride and groom were smiling as cameras flashed. Teal and Slate were married, surrounded by friends and family. The couple was happy. Teal wished the moment would never end.

Rouge smiled at her daughter, proud of the road she'd taken in life.

Knuckles was proud of his son. The Master Emerald, the old tribe, and any sacred duties to them lost meaning years ago. All knuckles cared about was his family, watching his children grow up.

Miles Prower sat by himself. His old friend Sonic found him. "Tails. You don't seem all that happy for a wedding."

"Robotnik's sick. Couldn't make it." Tails cut it off there. Nothing else had to be said. Sonic was slightly concerned. Tails had yet to start a family. He was thirty-two and alone. "What?"

"What?" Sonic asked back.

"Oh, right, I'm the only one here alone. I DO have a... I couldn't ask her to accompany me! We've been dating two weeks. You don't ask someone to go to a wedding with you if you've been dating for two weeks!" Taking a drink of punch, Miles explained, "I didn't say anything because... I'd rather it go well first before I make a big deal out of it. And you know Amy and Rouge, they'd butt in about it."

"I'll keep it quiet for know. You gonna go talk to them?" Sonic asked, referring to Teal and Slate.

"In a bit. Let their family have the moment right now. Funny... Knuckles and Rouge are now related by the bonds of marriage." Laughing, Miles enjoyed the thought. "And it only took their kids to make it happen. Funny, I would've thought Knuckles and Rouge would have wound up killing each other eventually. Shows what I know..."

Tiff Nightwing found Rouge playing with the flower arrangements. "Uh... I'm sorry Shadow couldn't make it for Teal's big day."

Rouge understood. "The internal investigation into the incident last week. I know." That was a sign to end all talk of it. It wasn't appropriate conversation material for a happy occasion. "Tiff?"

The black bat was looking away, her mind wandering. "Rouge? Um... would you be okay with me asking June to marry me?"

"Of course, dear," she said. "I think you and June are wonderful together. But there's something bothering you..."

Tiff explained painfully, "I don't think the churches will let us get married. We can, legally, but... anyway, the Commander of GUN is authorized, but he..."

Rouge got the idea. "You just need me to ask him. Tell you what, you talk with my sister about it. If she says yes, I'll help with the arrangements."

Tiff could sense someone looking at her. Looking down, she saw one of the twins. "You're getting married?"

Tiff didn't feel it appropriate to explain the meaning of her relationship, at least, not to a little child. "No, I'm not... which one are you?"

"I'm Rose!" The child kept looking at her. "Did your boyfriend ask you?"

Rouge sensed the nature of the topic. Scooping her daughter up, she said, "that's Tiff's business, okay? Now, where's your sister?"

"Teal's over there," Rose said, pointing her out. "And Violette's with daddy!"

Rouge saw Tom with Violette, keeping the little girl entertained. Joining him, she sat Rose down. "Tom?"

"Looks like things are winding down, but we're not going until they say it's over. Looks like they're still taking pictures," he said, noting the busy photographer. "Speaking of which... I should get over there." Running towards them, he took place next to them. "Uh... too tall?"

"Not a problem," the photographer said, adjusting his zoom.

The photo snapped, forever an image of Thomas Adriani with his daughter and son-in-law.

It was time for the guests to leave. The wedding was over. Rouge, gathering the twins, found Teal. "So... we'll spend the night at the casino." She knew what her daughter was going to be doing. "Tiff and June also have plans, so..."

Teal was blushing as Slate tried to look away. They didn't exactly wish to advertise their intentions, but it was arranged- they would go back to the mansion while everyone else stayed clear.

Tom took his daughter's hand. "Go on. Do... do things I don't need to hear about."

She hugged him. "I'll be careful, dad, don't worry..." Running off, the two found their limousine, waiting to take them home.

Tom stood and watched it roll off. Knuckles was nearby. "There they go... your daughter and my son..."

"Off to... uh..." Tom didn't want to think about it.

"Right." Knuckles kept quiet.

Victoria was ready to leave. "Boss! Guess you're staying overnight in the apartment?"

"Yes, we are," she replied.

"I've notified the kitchen staff and had a cleaning crew run through the apartment. Oh, and I've narrowed my replacement down to one candidate. I want you to meet her when you get there." Vic smiled.

Rouge said, "then we should get going. Girls?" The twins ran to their mother.

"I'll get the car," Tom said, pulling his keys out.

Tom led this twin daughters upstairs. They'd never been to the casino before, though they weren't quite sure of why they had to stay, and neither Thomas nor Rouge felt they needed to be told the real reason.

Victoria led her into the main office where an employee waited. The rabbit seemed familiar somehow. "Hmm... Cream..." Rouge read the name tag. "I know that name..."

"We met a long time ago. It was... one of the Metal Sonic attacks, actually!" Cream explained.

"And I invited you and your mother to the party, too!" Rouge thought back. "That was when Tom asked me to marry him... the little girl with the pet Chao."

"Cheese? He still lives with me. My kids adore him!" Cream smiled.

Rouge was impressed. "Family, too! Well, you could certainly use the pay raise this job would bring..."

"She's the best one for the job," Vic offered. "I plan to stay on another year and then pass the job onto her. That is, if you approve."

Rouge grabbed the employee file off the desk, but refused to open it. "If Vic says you're the best, I trust her. However, I'll be keeping a close eye on you to make sure you ARE the best. I'm not going to just hand my casino off to anyone unless I'm sure they have what it takes!" She paused, a minor air of drama filling the room. "Charity night... Cream, I wnat you to plan the next charity night and run it. If it goes smooth it will be favorable for your promotion... now, I have a husband and two kids waiting for me. Vic, let me know if anything needs my attention. Meanwhile... I'll leave everything to you."

She left the room. Cream seemed pleased. "Sounds good, but... she didn't say what would happen if I messed up."

Vic smiled. "That's because you won't."

Tiff sat beside June. The evening air was cooling but the sun still offered some degree of light. She rooted through her shopping bag. "More hair dye... some music, and... June, tell me what you think." Pulling out the ring, she handed it to June to inspect.

"Hmm, nice." June's inherited senses towards jewels kicked in. "Cheap stone, not glass, but just mimics a ruby. Ring is probably aluminum with a gold plating."

"Oh..." Tiff was disappointed. "I didn't have enough money for a really fancy ring..."

June was quick to catch on. "This is for me? Doesn't matter what it's made of, Tiff." I still like it." She slipped it on her finger. "You... you to this to ask me to marry you, didn't you?" Tiff's eyes sprung open. "Not that hard to figure. We DID just get done with a wedding today."

"So you..." The raver bat waited for an answer.

"Of course. I did put it on, didn't I?" Leaning over, June kissed her. "Just gotta find someone who can. Stuck-up churches won't."

"I talked with your sister. She said she'd help find someone who'd do it. You want some fancy thing? Big party and lots of people?"

"Those big weddings are nice," June said, "but I'd be happy with some small thing. No music, no party, just get married."

"Oh... okay."

June saw the look on her face. "But we can have something bigger. Guess I'm not into the big, fancy stuff like sis is..."

Morning sun hit them. Slate's eyes burned from the light. He could feel his wife, Teal slowly touching him, his fur and skin. "Come on, we have to get packed and get out of here for the honeymoon!" She checked the clock. "Although... our plane doesn't leave until noon. Take us an hour to pack..." She grabbed him. "Come on..."

"Aww.... okay, but take it easy on me, okay?" Slate was still tired. "You were so quiet and innocent when we met..."

"I am the daughter of Rouge the Bat. Guess I just needed an excuse to let loose!" She kissed him gently.

The couple stood by the front door. Teal tried hard to get the twins loose from her legs. "Come on, I'm only going to be gone for a week!"

"But we'll miss you!" Violette said.

"Miss you a lot!" Rose said.

Teal was becoming mildly annoyed. "I'll bring you back gifts!"

"Like what?" Rose asked, her grip loosening some.

Teal answered, "it's a surprise. But I can't buy you gifts if I don't leave the house!"

The twins relented, the promise of presents in a week easing the stress of their sister leaving the house. Tom handed them an envelope of money. "Here, for expenses."

"But dad, I have a bank card."

He said, "and what if you can't use it where you're going? Take it in case." Tom hugged Teal. he was proud of his daughter, growing up quickly but still his little girl.

Violette flew up, latching around his neck. "Don't be sad, daddy! Teal is bringing us presents!"

"She'd better," Rouge commented, giving Teal a hug. "Be careful and have fun, okay?"

Grabbing her bags, Teal responded, "I'll call you when we get there."

Rouge fluffed the pillow, lying on her stomach. The house was quiet. Teal was on her honeymoon and the twins were out with June and Tiff. The two had offered to watch the kids and take them to the children's movie matinée so that Rouge and Tom could have some time alone. She was bored. Mind racing, she tried to think of something to pass time and possibly lead to romance.

"Tom? Hey... wanna get the pool going?"

"What? Hell no, it's got to be forty degrees outside right now..." He looked at her. "But if you want to put on the bikini for me..."

"We were supposed to have time alone when Teal grew up. Then I wanted more kids..." Sighing, she said, "Tom, I wouldn't give up my girls, but I miss making love whenever we wanted..."

"You mean wherever we wanted, don't you?"

She grinned, eyes closed to mere slits. "Doing it outside..." Rolling over, Rouge untied her robe, throwing it open. "I'm starting to feel old. I just want to know that you don't mind. That you still find me attractive."

His hands danced, grabbing her exposed breasts. "These still feel wonderful." Snuggling close, Tom kissed his wife, hand still latched onto her bosom. Rouge was getting horny. She was already halfway there, and Tom's eagerness only pushed her. Sucking on his lips, Rouge tasted and savored the kisses. She couldn't help herself. Reaching down, the bat began to touch herself, slowly sliding two fingers up and down the slit.

She was aging but she wasn't losing her sex drive, or her physical ability. Already wet, Rouge let the dampness lubricate her hand as she rubbed, pinching gently around the clit. She hadn't masturbated in some time, often succumbing to either sex, oral action or being fingered. In fact, she hadn't fingered herself since she was eighteen.

Furiously, Rouge paced from gentle rubbing to hardcore fondling, her whole hand in on the action, even slapping it hard to stimulate the clit. Her pussy liked it rough, hand slapping harder. Sure that the hood of skin was back, clit exposed, her fingers pinched on it, rubbing harder as she reached climax, almost screaming through the kiss.

Releasing the grasp on her mouth, Tom said, "think you had fun there..."

"I..." She was slightly embarrassed. "Didn't mean to start without you."

He looked down at her cunt. "Can I play with it, now that you're done?"

Desperate for more, she parted her legs. Tom eased down the bed. "Wow, it's all red. I'll kiss it and make it better." Gently smooching the labia, Tom took a strong breath, smelling her. Gently poking his tongue out, Tom touched her clit gently, causing her to wince.

"DAMN! Oh.... think I was too rough on it!" she shouted. Fingers touched around as he pulled the hood down over it. "There..." Gently kissing her inner thigh, keeping only around the vagina, he waited for her nerves to cool off.

Rouge ran her fingers through his hair, her foot brushing against his dick. "Tom..." She looked him dead in the eyes. Tossing his robe to the floor, he exposed his naked body. Built by two decades of exercise, he still had decent muscle for a man of forty-five. Rouge took great notice of his erection. "Glad to see that's not suffering from old age," she said, grabbing and squeezing it.

"Ever worried it'll stop working down the road?" he asked, encouraging his wife to give it a few tugs.

She laughed. "Hardly... I'll always have a way to get this to stand at attention..."

Tom enjoyed her hand easing back and forth. "Want me to cum on your tits?"

She let go. "Yes... but not now! Come on... sit up for me..." Resting against the headboard, Thomas eased back, penis pointing up, Rouge invited to have a seat. Rising from the bed, the bat tossed off her pink robe. Hands behind her head, she stretched out, giving him a full view. "You want me?" Sticking a finger in her mouth, Rouge slid it in and out to tease him.

His hands grabbed her hips, pulling her close. "Got a seat ready, all yours. Think you'll like it..."

Dropping to her knees, Rouge slowly eased down, gently forcing his dick inside of her. Her pussy was still sore from the slapping she'd given it, but she didn't care. Arms around her lover, Rouge leaned in as the two pressed lips, tongues tied together. Tom placed one hand on her ear to rub it, the other on her ass to squeeze. She hoisted back gently, saying, "tickle my butt... I like it"

Rouge began to bounce, Tom's fingers reaching under her tail to tickle her butt hole. She groaned, muffled by the kiss, forcing herself up and down faster. Rouge was ready to climax. Leaning her head back, she mouthed, "cum for me," urging Tom to orgasm. She could feel him rocking underneath her, faster and harder. He was ready to blow.

Screaming, she could feel him, cumming inside, hitting the opening of her uterus deep within with each bit that squirted out. Rouge loved it. She climaxed, hips shaking violently to grind, intensifying the feeling. Grunting like a wild animal, she cooled down, sweaty and tired. Falling forward, Rouge pressed against Tom's body, smiling with glee. "Want to cuddle?" he asked.

"Damn right I do!" she shouted back, arms wrapping behind his back with a tight grip. "Wanna do this again when you're ready?"

"I even have a choice?" he begged.

She was still mounted. "Hmm... not really, no."

His dick was going soft, she could feel that much easily, the hard rod up inside her feeling smaller. But all she had to do was wait. Give him a few minutes, keep making out, and he'd be hard shortly. It took longer now, certainly, as Tom was, indeed, getting older, but she didn't mind. For now, the two would kiss and touch.

Tom was on the edge of the bed, Rouge on her knees, his dick stroked furiously. "This is going to be rather messy in just a bit, babe!" he shouted out, breathing heavily.

"That's what I want, Tom!" Her hand worked fast, gliding back and forth. Rouge's eyes were fixed on it, waiting to watch her husband ejaculate. Her free hand squeezed a breast. Rouge was still horny but sometimes she just wanted to play around with the sex stuff. It didn't always have to be romantic or last for hours.

Tom brushed a hand over her ear, gently, as he said, "love you, Rouge." She had no time to respond as he came, shooting globs of sperm onto her chest, over her tits and nipples, some dripping down to her knees. Grinning like an idiot, Rouge responded, "I'll always love you, too!"

"That's actually kinda nasty to look at..." he commented, "but damn, you know how to work a stick!"

She'd never admit it, but Rouge liked being covered in his sticky jizz. Her fingers played with it. "I need to wash off, I guess... let me see..." She looked at the clock. "June said she'd have the twins home by four, and it's only one-thirty now..."

"Bath time," he said, picking her up. "I'll get you cleaned up." Carrying the bat into the bathroom, he set her to her feet. Climbing into the large bathtub, he sat as she grabbed the bottles of soap. Rather than turn on the faucets, she sat, back to his chest, wings flattened out. "Hey, we can't get clean without water!"

She said, "finger me first. Only fair..."

Feeling dirty, Tom said, "fair IS fair..." as he ran a few fingers through his own mess, gathering a thick wad of sperm before placing his hand to her pussy.

"You dirty boy! That's what I want!" she shouted out. Rouge was rather pleased with what he'd done.

He could feel her tail, his dick resting on top of it. "Some guys might be a bit weirded out by that..."

She asked, "my tail? Tickles, doesn't it?" She wiggled it gently, in what little range she could move it.

Tom continued, "that feels pretty good. Wanna do it again when I get done with you?" He poked two fingers inside of her, gently prodding her g-spot.

Rouge moaned. "Yeah, baby! I'll turn the water on when we're done. No need to get that stuff in the way!"

"Clean up after we get messy, not during," Tom remarked, pushing his hand deeper inside, his other hand squeezing her tits. He didn't care about the mess of sperm on them, he just wanted to feel them. Kissing the back of her head, he managed to get a sharp yelp of pleasure out of his wife.

She could feel his penis, harder, leaving a trail of precum on her back. She was ready to cum again, Tom's hand working her pussy with expert precision. Hips squeezed tight, a shaking moan from her lips as Rouge again reached orgasm. Not as strong as could be, but decent enough. Simply being rubbed wasn't as stimulating to her as penetration.

Turning to face her lover, Rouge knew the tub surface wasn't a wonderful place to sit for this. Hard and uncomfortable. "Hee..." Licking her lips, sliding him inside, she promised, "I'll make this quick!"

Twenty five years, two months have passed

Morning hit like a hammer, the sun waking Tom Adriani as it tore through the gaps in the curtains. It was the day his daughter was due home from her honeymoon trip. Throwing the covers free in an attempt to wake his wife, he failed. Rouge was still sound asleep, wings curled up, hugging her pillow and muttering Tom's name in her sleep.

"She thinks she's awake, how cute..." Rouge wasn't wearing clothes, her preferred sleepwear. Her leg was kicked up and he could see the wet stain on the bed. "Damn... not even awake and she's already in the mood..."

Tom chose to have a bit of fun. His finger gently touched Rouge's vagina, easing along slowly. "Mmmm, Tom..." she groaned, still asleep but wrapped up in her dream.

He thought it nice, she dreamt of him and not one of any number of romantic interests she may have had. After all, the one time she'd said Shadow's name while asleep also happened to be the time she awoke frightened, and clung to Tom the entire day as if to apologize. Tom hadn't been angry but Rouge still acted guilty over it. Though that had been fifteen years ago and long since forgotten.

Thomas rubbed slowly. He could see her smiling. She said gently, "Tom, your tongue feels nice..."

Leaning in to whisper, he said, "that's not my tongue..." Her eyes sprang open. "Morning. Sleep well?"

Her face turned a light shade of pink. Not quite red but still a sign that she was embarrassed. "Huh... Tom? Was I talking in my sleep again?" she asked.

"Yep," he replied.

"I know you were in my dream, Tom!"

He got a sinister idea and said, "funny, I don't THINK my name is 'Tiff'..."

Her eyes widened, only to return to normal. "Funny! Screw the dream, I'm awake..." Rouge looked at him invitingly.

Tom replied, "you know we don't have time to get wrapped up with that."

Climbing towards him, she nodded. "But we do have time for some quick fun... please? I hate to beg for sex, but-"

"Not the impression I ever got," he shot back, smiling at her.

She licked her lips. "You know you love it! Anyway..." She paused, reaching down to play with herself. "My pussy's on fire. I'm horny... if I get myself off I'll be at this for an hour. You know how I am."

"A bit harder to please than most species, right," he replied. Tom was accustomed to Rouge's sex drive. Normal for bats but high for much anyone else.

Rising to her knees, the bat turned away. Tom watched his wife bend down, ass in the air, a hand reaching back to grab her butt, pulling gently out to spread her pussy open slightly. "I love you. That's why I want you so bad right now..."

"Okay," he agreed, "we can do it once, just to get you off. IF you tell me what the dream was about."

She answered, "okay... we were at the beach, sunset, just you, me, and a towel. No one around, screwing in the open sea air.... every position, every dirty little touch..."

"You put lotion on my dick?"

"Not lotion," she answered. "KY jelly... I had some with me." Rouge was rubbing her pussy harder. "I know we don't use it but remember? I bought some when we were still using the pool because I don't want that suntan lotion getting inside me..."

Pulling his pants off, Tom was hard, waving it for her to see. She was beyond horny. "Grab my hips, pull me to the edge," she ordered, Tom grabbing on and sliding her across the sheets. Rouge wiggled her ass, Tom planting his feet on the floor. "You want my pussy? You wanna fuck me? Come on, Tom, show me how much you love me. I love you, and I want your hard dick in me now!"

He slid in with little resistance. Usually, Thomas would start slow, but his lover was already in the mood. Thrusting hard, he managed to make her scream, groaning with each quick jab into her. He loved te way her g-spot felt on the bottom of his cock, how her muscles practically crushed his shaft, how hot it was. How each thrust made a squishing sound as skin hit skin from all the moisture.

Her knees braced, Rouge let her chest drop, head to the mattress, tongue hanging out as she reeled in pleasure. Sliding a hand under her body, she pinched a nipple. Her other hand, without thinking, made its way for her clitoris, rubbing hard as her husband gave it to her from behind. Working away like a jackhammer, Tom was ready. He could feel it, the intense feeling against the head of his penis, the sign he was about to ejaculate. "Gonna fill you up with my love juice, Rouge!"

Tom's last few thrusts were hard, sharp, intense, making his orgasm feel much harder. Rouge could feel it, the sensitive nerves in her vagina able to detect everything- the temperature, the fluid pumping inside- she could feel Tom creaming his load. Same as she could the first time they made love over twenty-five years ago. Her screams of orgasmic bliss were muffled some by her tongue. Rouge licked her lips, enjoying every spark of pleasure that was firing inside her pussy.

She was satisfied. For now, anyway.

Rolling over, Rouge wanted to catch her breath. She didn't expect Thomas to fall on top. "Kiss me," he said, closing his eyes and leaning his face down. She offered no resistance, their lips sucking on each other, tongues tasting each other's mouths.

She enjoyed this. "Sometimes, Tom, I think the best part of sex is after we're done..."

The front door opened. "We're HOME!" Teal shouted, carrying her bag in. Without so much as time to prepare, she found two children latched onto her legs. "Okay, come on, I can't walk with you two hanging there!"

"You want these?" Slate asked, holding two small bags out. The twins let go, taking their presents.

"I missed you, Teal!" Violette said.

"Yeah, glad you're home, big sister!" Rose said, clutching her gift bag tight.

The twins ran off to open their gifts. "Hmm, they really are glad you're home..." Slate commented.

Teal gave him a nudge. "They're not even two yet. They'll be back. MOM!" They entered the living room where her parents awaited.

"Teal... glad you're back. Hope you brought pictures!" Rouge held up a large bound album. "This was delivered yesterday!"

"Our wedding pictures!" Teal was excited.

"Speaking of pictures," Tom said, "how was Soleanna?"

Slate replied, "very nice. We got to meet Queen Elise at the carnival. Right, these are yours." He handed the two their gift bags.

"Soleanna... Tom, we need to go there one day," Rouge said. "Funny, really... I could swear I'd been there before, but I KNOW I haven't... well, enjoy." She handed over the album. "Tiff and June will be home on time and they'll want to see you two, so..."

"Mom..." Teal gave her a look. "I know that..." Grabbing her husband's hand, she gently led the echidna away. "Come on, we have to unpack! Trip's over... oh!" Stopping her escape, she ran to her parents, hugging them both. "Love you two. Mom, dad..."

"I, uh... finished looking into that thing you asked about," Tiff said, greeting Thomas in the kitchen. "Took a while, but..."

"And?" He was eager to hear the results.

She said, "nothing. I cross-referenced all worldwide medical DNA records in GUN files and there aren't any direct family members anywhere... well, not counting people on your mom's side but they wouldn't count..." Tiff sat at the kitchen table, rather depressed.

"Something's wrong," he noted.

She sighed. "I... well..." Tiff was stuttering. "Okay, June and I talked about kids." She explained, "you know we can't have kids on our own, but watching the twins, it's really made us think about it, and we ARE getting legally married soon..."

"You want to know if I'll let you adopt a kid or something? I don't mind," Tom replied. "I'll help if you need it."

"No," Tiff blurted out. "We don't want to adopt..."

"I see." Tom understood.

"You don't," she muttered, "see, there's this thing they can do, instead of picking a guy donor, they can actually take genes from one of us and... basically, one of us would be the father. But it's REALLY expensive..."

He dreaded to hear. "How much?"

"Twenty million... and I'm not asking you for that much money." She was sad, such a hope crushed by such a high cost.

Tom sat at the table, across from her. "Tell me more about it."

Tiff looked up. "Uh... well, they guarantee results or you don't pay. They take live skin and blood cels and build a DNA code that can work inside the donor sperm. We could do it the normal way but then our kid would be someone else's and..."

Rising, he began to walk away. "I'm sure something good will come your way."

"Teal's at that business class, isn't she?"

"Yes," he said, "she went with Slate. I can't let them run the fruit company unless they know what they're doing."

Tiff watched him walk off. She knew, no surprises, that he would probably talk with Rouge about it. Tiff didn't want to ask for any money from them, but refusing to accept would be unthinkable. Part of her wished she'd kept it to herself.

Heading for her room, she found June watching television. "Rough day?"

"Not really," she answered, flopping on the bed.

June could tell she was lying. Turning off the set, she jumped onto the bed beside Tiff. "Come on... can't be that bad..."

The raver bat looked her lover in the eyes. "June..." Tugging up her shirt, Tiff's left breast popped free. "I don't feel like going out tonight..."

June understood. Unzipping her top, she let her tits spring forth, lying back down with a smile. "Here, I'll help you get out of those clothes..." Hands grabbed Tiff's shirt, pulling it over the bat's head. June licked her lips, mouth immediately suckling on Tiff's chest.

"Yeah... that's nice," Tiff muttered, feeling her girlfriend's naked back, between the wings and along the spine. "Can I?"

Relenting, June rolled over. Tiff loved her boobs, so big and full like soft pillows. Hands cupped them, licking and teasing. The black bat wanted more. Grabbing the zipper, she undid June's pants, hand sliding in to feel the smooth skin of her shaved pussy. "Let me eat you..." Tiff muttered, pulling the jeans down.

June grabbed her ears. "Eat every bit and you'll get something good."

Her tongue worked like mad, licking up and down June's hot cunt. Tiff enjoyed the flavor, sucking her juices in and swallowing what she could. June was moaning loud, her legs wrapped around the head of her love. "Hey, some room here!" Tiff shouted, June relenting and giving her some freedom.

She was losing control. Thighs squeezed together, vagina tingling like crazy. Tiff stopped and yanked her work pants down. "I'm so horny..."

June liked what she saw. Tiff's fur dyed bright pink and kept neatly trimmed. She begged, "turn around and show me your ass... I like your ass!" Eager to please, Tiff did so, tail wiggling, showing off her smooth, well-defined butt. She was getting hornier. The stress of the day had to be taken away and an orgasm would do just that. Reaching between her legs, Tiff rubbed herself, legs parted to give June a full view from behind.

"Stop that and get down here!" June shouted. Tiff pressed in hard, legs intertwined, grinding her little cunt into June's, their pelvic regions grinding together, relying solely on their wetness for lubrication.

Tiff was in charge this time. "Tell me how pretty I am!" she demanded, her hips humping back and forth like a man's, slapping her clit into June's flesh hard.

"You're so fucking pretty, Tiff, I can't wait to eat you out sometimes!" June was ready to climax. She couldn't wait anymore. Groaning loud, breath shortened, she reached orgasm as Tiff kissed her, the sensation almost too much. She knew why. Her lover was still grinding, pussies rubbing together. Tiff had yet to cum and June's clit was in the middle of orgasm. "STOP! I'm too sensitive!"

"Just another second, just ano...." Screaming out, Tiff hit climax, pressing in hard but stopping her assault, too intense to keep thrusting her hips. Teeth gritted, she collapsed, kissing June hard. "You like?"

"I liked it, yeah," June responded. Tiff nuzzled her head in tight, the girls holding each other.

Rouge was in the living room with the twins. The girls were watching cartoons, old video recordings they'd had when Teal was little. She saw her sister passing by, Tiff following behind. "June! Come here, would you?"

The two made their way to the couch. "Tom told me about what Tiff said, and-"

"I shouldn't have said anything, really," Tiff blurted out. "it's not your problem."

"Tiff, listen to me." Rouge smiled. "Twenty million is a lot of money, but we can spare it. BUT..."

June commented, "yeah, nothing's free, is it, sis?"

"June... I'll make you a deal. You two get married and I'll give you the money. But only after a year has passed. That sound fair?"

The girls looked at each other. "Sounds VERY fair to me," Tiff said. "Yeah, sis, that sounds cool. But you sure about this?" June asked.

Rouge replied, "very sure. My mind's made up and this matters to both of you. So... might as well. Anyway, if you two are married it'll be better wen you're included in our will and if the child is yours in every way then it'll be better for it."

"Will?" June was a bit unnerved. "But sis, isn't that-"

"Thinking ahead?" The bat brushed it off. "Of course... never hurts to be prepared."

Twenty five years, three months have passed

Tom checked his suit in the mirror. It was a wedding day and he wanted to look good. Standing on the chair, Rouge reached his neck, adjusting the tie. "You never could get one of these on...."

"One of many things I need you for, Rouge," he said, kissing her.

She was dressed in one of her best formal outfits. Black business suit with a pink shirt, dark stockings and a tiny heart pin on the lapel. "The Commander will be here soon. We don't have to rush this."

"I know, but... well," he muttered out, "your sister's getting married, right her in our living room, but doesn't mean she shouldn't have a decent ceremony. Crap, the pictures, who's gonna take the pictures?"

Rouge answered, "a GUN employee is coming with the Commander to do that. Don't worry."

"Hmm..." Tom was curious. "We always call him the commander of GUN. Doesn't he have a name?"

Rouge answered, "of course he does!"

Tiff was already in her wedding dress, or rather, Teal's wedding dress. She sat in the living room, phone in hand. "Daddy... I'll bring Tiff by to see you very soon."

"That's okay, don't trouble yourself," the man said.

"No trouble, daddy. Listen, June and I need a vacation anyway so we should visit you."

The man asked, "and your mother?"

"Mom..." Tiff didn't want to think about it. "Mom told me what she thought about me. Anyway, work's been good and it's been fun living here."

"Right, you live in that big mansion now!"

She said, "listen, daddy, I have to go. They'll be here soon to start the wedding. I'll call you in a couple days, okay?"

The voice answered back, "I love you, Tiff. You have fun and don't worry about me, okay?"

She said her goodbyes, the receiver clicking down. Teal was watching. "Your father?"

"Yeah." She seemed sad. "Daddy was mugged a few years ago, got shot. The doctors saved him, but he's in a nursing home under care. He lost both lungs and they could only give him one. I don't get to see him much, but we talk on the phone a lot." Tiff knew that Teal wanted to ask but was being polite. "Mom and dad were already fighting when I came out, but it pissed mom off bad and they got divorced. Daddy was okay with it but not mom. I don't see her or talk to her. Does that make me a bad person?"

"I want to say it does," Teal answered, "but honestly, I don't think so." Tiff was mildly surprised by her answer. "Mom and dad always supported me. That's what parents are supposed to do, love their children. If I'd come out gay, mom would've defended me to the very last. Mom's a bit of a wild animal like that about her family. Anyway... I need to get the twins ready."

"They carrying the rings?" Tiff asked.

"Yeah. I know they might not understand two women getting married, but they'll have to learn eventually. They need to know to accept something like that and not hate it."

"Thank you, Teal."

"Slate's getting ready. I know you won't get a big wedding but you'll have something to remember.

Everyone gathered in the living room. Furniture was pushed aside, making a nice little aisle. Tom had found a small podium amongst the old furniture and carried it himself. The Commander stood by it, signing the marriage certificate. "Now then... I've never performed such a ceremony, and unfortunately I have other matters to attend to, so..." He produced the paper. "All you need to do is sign."

June and Tiff walked forward. The twins held up the rings, the two slipping them onto each others fingers. Taking their pens, each one signed their name. "And that's it. You two are now legally married." Opening his laptop, the Commander scanned the document, putting it into legal public record.

The photographer took pictures of everyone, single and in groups. Content that enough pictures were taken, Tom gave him permission to leave.

Tiff looked her wife over carefully. "You look... very pretty."

"You too," June replied. "Sis let me wear her old dress. So, uh..."

Tiff blushed. "Wanna change and go hit the town?"

Rouge approached them. "June, I'm proud of you. My little sister got married! So..." She could see they wanted to be alone. "Tell you what. That Twinkle Park in Station Square lets couples in free. Might be a nice place to go... just a thought..."

"If they let us in," June commented.

Rouge smiled. "If they won't, then call me and I'll make them. Sound good? Actually..." She looked over to Tom. "Teal?"

"Yes, mom?" she asked.

"Teal, think you could watch the twins for a bit?"

She looked over at Slate. He had no objections. "Sure, mom."

Rouge took Tom's hand. "Come on, you and me having some fun outside of the bedroom for a change..."

He squeezed her hand back. "Sure. But let's give the newlyweds SOME room, okay?"

She seemed offended. "Tom, I'm not going to spy on my sister. Just..." Rouge trailed off. "Okay, I'm curious. I just want to make sure she's not gonna be uncomfortable around others."

"Please, sis." June gave her a hard nudge. "Never was, never will be."

Twenty five years, four months have passed

Rouge lay on her side, propped up by her left arm. Head turned to look at Tom who was straddling her leg. Tom braced her right leg, wrapped around his chest, thrusting hard. Rouge held onto her breast. It had been flopping around and she wanted to keep it steady. "Yeah..." Rouge was having the time of her life. "Keep doing that!"

Reaching down, Tom grabbed her butt. "Feels different going in this angle," he said, "kinda... good!"

Rouge looked down at her crotch. The angle wasn't great but she could see him sliding in and out of her. Watching this only made her more sensitive. "YES!" She was moaning louder. "Come on, big boy, you can do it!"

Reaching downward, Tom found her clit, rubbing it best he could amidst the shaking below. She was screaming her head off. The bat had become a wild animal, her raw sexual instincts taking over, reaching orgasm quickly. Gripping the sheets, she released her tit, letting it bounce around as Thomas kept up his hard pounding. "Oh god that was great! You're not ready yet?"

"This position's a bit odd," he explained, "but I'm getting there!"

"Wait," she said. "Let me roll over!" Pulling out, Tom relented, allowing his wife to get onto her back, butt at the edge of the bed. "Okay... see these?" She jiggled her massive boobs playfully. "Make these shake!"

Dropping slightly, he stuck his rod back inside to a more familiar feeling. Rouge had placed both arms behind her head, smiling at him. "Come on, Tom, make them smack me in the face!" she shouted out, inviting him to resume.

Grabbing her hips tight, he began to work, slowly, forcefully, increasing speed. She groaned and moaned, pussy ready for a second orgasm, feeling her tits shaking. Tom wasn't content with this, rather, he began pulling back further, holding on tight to drag her along with each thrust, using the bed to slide his wife along.

Her face turned, full of surprise and stimulation. Some women would find it too much, too forceful, but she loved it. Holding her chin down, she felt her tits smacking her mouth, teeth gritting with a grin. "Good boy! Now fuck me like you mean it, Tom!"

"You know one thing I like so much about you, babe?" he asked.

She answered, "my charming personality?"

"The fact you cum so damn easy!"

He was right. She was nearing climax again. It had only been about four minutes since her last. "Big deal, this is fun!" The couple had been doing it more often lately, sneaking it in during private moments. They knew why, a silent agreement that they should have sex as much as possible while they still could. They were both aging. The days of youthful fun were long gone but that wasn't going to stop them from trying.

"Okay... yeah, I'm gonna cum!" he shouted, thrusting harder now.

"Fill me up! Fill me up! I want it!" she screamed. Rouge felt something cold, directly on her clitoris. She was near orgasm and it sparked through her body. She looked down to see Tom's hand, holding his wedding ring to her vagina. "Oh god... I love you, Tom! I- YES!" She climaxed, ejaculating her squirt hard, spraying her lover's pelvis with a full blast of clear fluid.

"Oh, wow! That's hot!" he commented. "My turn!" he final few pumps sharp and hard, Tom came, intensifying every second without missing a beat, pumping it into her pussy. The couple began to relax, their fun over. Rouge's knees were bent, clamped to the bed. Dropping to the mattress, Thomas curled up beside his wife. "Feel good?"

"Mmm, yes," she answered, turning over to wrap her arms around him. "Cuddle time."

"Love you," he said.

"Love you," she said back. "I know I said it, but... I think it means more if I'm not screaming my head off in pleasure."

June lie naked on the bed, pussy still wet. Tiff stretched, displaying her nudity. She glistened in the light, covered in liquid. June had squirted all over her, a surprising eruption that had caught the rave bat off guard. "Bet I can make you squirt!"

"I don't know..." Tiff wasn't sure. "Seems real hard to do."

"Come on, doesn't mean you can't do it, Tiff! Anyway, even if you don't, you'll still get your box munched. Come here..." June said, inviting her lesbian wife back to bed.

She relented. "Okay..." Laying flat, Tiff relaxed, legs parted.

Reaching under the mattress, June pulled out a small dildo. "I'll need this..." she said, turning the power knob to make it vibrate. Sliding it insider her lover, June began to kiss Tiff's clit. Pushing down on the end, Tiff made sure the vibrator was buzzing her g-spot. "Just relax and let it happen. It'll feel like you're gonna pee, just let it go, okay?"

Tiff let it happen, the buzzing inside, June kissing her clitoris with romantic desire. She could feel it, orgasm approaching. Resisting the urge to flex muscles, all Tiff did was to rub June's ears for encouragement. "That's good... June..." Tiff could feel it, the hard sensation like she had to pee. "I think it's working!"

"Good, now cum for me!" June said, eating away at Tiff's pussy. The black bat strained, trying not to scream out. She had to. She had to relax and let it out. Moaning loud, Tiff was ready. Rising up, June rubbed her lover's clit with her fingers. Letting go, Tiff squirted a heavy stream of girl cum, like a fire hose, drenching June's breasts.

"Holy shit! TIFF!" June was impressed. The girl had squirted for at least five seconds before it ended.

Every joint in Tiff's body was tense, her pussy on fire. "Pull it out! Please, pull it out!"

June yanked the vibrator free. "Sorry, forgot..."

"It's okay," Tiff replied. "That was... OH MY GOD, I thought I was going to pass out!"

Pulling up a sheet, June bundled up with her. "We'll take a break. Just lie here and cuddle, sound good?"

Tiff nodded, holding June tight.

In their bedroom, Teal held onto Slate, grabbing his dick. "Come on, leave it out. I don't want it to go away..."

"I can't help it," he said, "when we're done it just goes back in."

She stroked him gently. "Then I'll just have to make it think it's not done!" Teal was a sex addict, no doubt, but unlike the others she hid it well, only letting loose while in bed. The couple had already gone at it but she wanted more. "Ready for the test tomorrow?"

Their business class was going well but Slate's mind was on a mid-term test the next day. "Yeah. Just..."

"Distracted?" Teal giggled. "Come on, just lay here and get some rest."

"Uh, actually..." he muttered. Teal could feel it, Slate's dick fully stiff again.

"You can make it quick. I know we need sleep." Teal grinned as he entered, her arms holding him tight. Kissing him, she said, "I'll love you always, Slate. Just do your best."

"Uh, which one? The test or-"

She smiled. "Both of them, of course!"

Twenty five years, nine months have passed

Teal flipped through business records. Boring work. They'd just been given control over the Adriani Rouge Fruit Company and had to adapt to the daily running of the business.

Her eyes focused on a sub-fund of the company that she'd never heard of. "slate? Look at this..."

He looked at the entry. "City Reclamation Fund..."

"Dad never mentioned that," she said. "He always donated money out of his own pocket.

"Hmm... what's it do?"

She explained, "looks like one percent of all company profits are set aside into a separate bank account, for..." Teal flipped through more papers. "It doesn't say."

"It doesn't say? That's unusual," Slate noted. "Seems your father keeps strict records of everything."

Teal grabbed the phone, dialing into GUN's private system. The phone rang in the records room. "Tiff? Teal... listen, I've got something I need you to dig into for me..."

The twins were growing fast. Their fur was puffed out over their heads, spiking in the back. Rouge was reading to them, more advanced books than they grew up on. The twins, much like Teal, would be home schooled.

Teal ran into the living room frantically. "Dad!"

"Teal!" Violette scolded.

"We're learning stuff! Don't bug us!" Rose added.

Tom looked her way. "What is it?"

Slate followed Tiff in, handing him a folder. "Do you recognize this?" the echidna asked.

Tom was confused. "What's the City Reclamation Fund?"

Teal looked down. "We found it today while poking through the fruit company's records..."

Rouge was curious. Looking it over, she couldn't believe it. "We're being ripped off!"

"It sounds like nothing on paper," Teal commented. "But we make an average of two hundred thousand a year from the fruit company. That's two thousand a year."

"And it looks like this started ten years ago," Tom said. "That's been twenty thousand taken from us."

"I've started working on tracing the account," Tiff explained, "but it might take a few days."

"Good. Let me know the second you find out."

Rouge shook her head. "We make so much between the casino and the fruit company, we didn't even notice..." Her fists were clenched. "Tiff, when you know, tell me. I don't want the police or GUN to handle this. It's mine!"

Tom grabbed her shoulders. "It's not that bad..."

She gritted her teeth. "I don't care. That's not my money, Tom, it's our money. My family... I haven't been a thief for a long time. Whoever's doing this doesn't get a free ride out of courtesy."

They had a name.

Theodore Loganport.

Tom had hired him on ten years ago as an accountant. They stood outside his home. "Living well for his salary," Tom commented. He knocked. The door opened.

"Mister Adriani, a surprise..." Theodore greeted.

"Yes, I'll bet. When I found out about the City Reclamation Fund, I had to- screw it. Rouge!"

Taking her cue, she sent a kick flying, knocking the man to the floor. Crumpled in a heap, Theodore reeled to catch his breath. "You BASTARD!" she shouted loud, sending her foot to the man's face. He was coughing, a fact Rouge didn't care to acknowledge. Grabbing him by the hair, she lifted her prey forcefully. "YOU STOLE FROM US! I should kill you!"

"I'll pay you back! Please..." he begged. Crawling to the safe, Theodore began to turn the dial.

Rouge was impatient. A swift kick knocked the safe door off its hinges, loose cash spilling free. Collecting exactly twenty thousand, Rouge smiled. "You get to live, scumbag!"

She walked out. Tom helped his old employee stand as two GUN agents entered the house. "He's all yours. Oh, and you're fired!" Content that all was well, Thomas followed his wife.

Teal felt good. she'd managed to help the family business on her first day. Rouge was also proud. "Too easy," she commented. "He folded like a twig."

"Literally," Tom elaborated. "Anyway, he's in GUN custody now. Listen, you two find ANYTHING goofy, you let me know."

"Right, daddy!" Teal said gleefully.

"And Rouge, dear..."

"Yes?" she asked.

Tom said, "I hope your overwhelming urge to hurt someone has run its course..."

She smiled wickedly. "Of course. Don't worry, I'll out all that energy into more... fun activities tonight."

Twenty five years, eleven months have passed

Tails waited. He waited for someone to come.

They did.

Rouge stepped through the old lab, followed by her husband, Thomas Adriani. They two wondered why they had been requested. Miles Prower, spotting his guests, went to greet them. "Miles," Rouge greeted. "Where's Robotnik?"

"Where... good question." The fox turned away, leading them into the main lab. "He's not here anymore and he's not coming back."

"Oh?" Rouge was curious. "When did it happen?"

"This morning," Tails answered. "Heart failure due to old age. I'd have called the others, but they wouldn't have come." He waved a hand, drawing attention to the machinery. "His family line is dead. All that the man ever was is in these machines."

Rouge let her head hang. "He did a lot to make up for what he was."

"He did good things in the end. Like the work on artificial organs for replacement. Dealing with the problems of powering devices..." Tails showed them the compact battery. "Small and efficient. The casing is sturdy and won't leak. Power lasts for fifty years. Beats the old low-life batteries."

"How'd you make it last that long?" Tom asked. "Nuclear?"

"No, hardly," Tails said, "no one would want to walk around with a nuclear battery in them. Too much risk with the casing anyway. No, they're false Chaos Emerald designs. Small gems which hold just enough power to last that long at the rate of consumption. But..." He picked up a device. "He died before practical tests. This is an artificial lung." The contraption was made of metal and high-grade polymers. "Weighs as much as the real thing, fully powered. A person can keep breathing even if they're unconscious."

"But wouldn't they drown if they went swimming?" Rouge asked.

"No. It's hooked into the nervous system. You can hold your breath if you want. Works like a real lung but has backup routines. Only problem is, to make them work, they cost a fortune. We can't use them yet."

Tom hesitated to ask. "How much is a fortune?"

"A million each. We're talking VERY fine components. These have to hook into the nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems, these have to work in very nasty conditions within the body. It'd be cheaper to harvest clone organs for transplant. Not that the whiners will let that that kind of research happen. Worst part, we've only had one successful implant, a test. It works but the medical companies won't fund mass-production for another TEN YEARS! They want to watch and make sure it works..."

Tom asked, "How much-"

"Billions, if you need to know. Billions to fund even low-level mass- production. The key components and materials cost too much unless bought in bulk. We'd have to make fifty lungs a month to even reduce the cost by ten percent. That's just lungs." Tails held up a smaller chunk. "Heart." Another piece. "Liver. These are just human-scale. Other species can be done but require different design specifications. Well... not your concern. I'm stuck with the business of it."

"You're in charge now?" Rouge asked.

"He left the business to me in his will. I'm the only one had to leave much anything to. Sonic and the others, they tried to be nice to him, but they never visited, never... they put on a face around him but I think Sonic still hated him."

"TIFF!"

Teal was frustrated. The bat was laying on her bed, crying, and wouldn't tell anyone why. "Tiff, what's going on?"

She wouldn't answer. June sat down beside her. "Come on, what's wrong?"

Still no answer.

"Tiff, come on! You're making the twins upset!" Teal was growing impatient. "What was she doing?"

June said, "she was talking to her dad on the phone. When I came back to the room she was like this."

"Okay..." Teal picked up the phone. "Redial then?"

Springing forth, Tiff grabbed the receiver. "Please..."

"Your dad's in trouble." Teal had her answer. "What's wrong?"

Tiff continued to weep. "You don't need to worry about it."

"Slate?" Teal looked at her husband. "Slate, go get me the duct tape. If she won't talk then-"

"My daddy's dying!" Tiff was ready to break down. "His lung is infected. He's coughing up blood and his lung is filling with liquid! if he can't get a new one he's DEAD! they can't even find one for him..." She slumped to the floor. "They just won't. Because he's old... they won't save my daddy!"

"That's not true," June said, trying to comfort her.

Teal pulled June away, leaning in. "It might be. They'd want to give organs to younger people first. But..." She looked down. "Don't tell her." She helped Tiff to her feet. "You go see your dad while you can. I'll talk with my parents and see if-"

"Please, Teal, don't..."

Gritting her teeth, Teal was furious. "Why not? What's this deal you have with not letting people help you when money's involved? You won't ask anyone when you need it, you keep slipping money into mom's purse when you think no one's looking, for rent money, when you stay here for free!"

"Teal... I can't. I promised my daddy I wouldn't leech off people." Tiff hung her head, tears running into her fur dye and smearing the pink down her cheeks. "If I asked them for money, he wouldn't like it. He'd rather die than ask someone to give him money for free..."

"June... help her pack." Grabbing Slate's hand, Teal left the room.

"You're asking them anyway, right?" he asked, knowing his wife rather well.

"Wouldn't you? Tiff's out of mer mind right now with this but DAMMIT, I'm not letting someone die just because she won't ask for money! Old guy's probably sitting there on basic life insurance that wouldn't pay for it anyway. I'll call GUN, too. If there's a lung out there, we'll find one."

"You've got to be KIDDING ME!"

Angry, Teal slammed the phone down. "What's wrong?" Slate asked.

She explained, "GUN had a decent bat lung in their medical facility, but they USED it yesterday! An agent got shot and needed it." She sighed. "Problem is, bat lungs are special. Can't take one from another species. Close as bats are to humans, the lungs are too different. Now me, I'm both. I could use a human lung if I needed a transplant, but not a regular bat..."

"My god..." Rouge didn't know what to think. "She's already left?"

"Half an hour ago. June went with her," Teal answered.

Tom said, "I don't care about the money. But they really can't find one? Rouge?"

She smiled. "Right... if it'll work..."

"If WHAT will work?" Teal inquired.

"Get your husband," Rouge said, "and come with us."

Tails ran the data through. "Bat lung... yes, we DID get the proper records to make one. But..."

"But WHAT?" Rouge was beyond patience.

"BUT... we haven't built one yet. I can make one... but it'll take time. Twelve hours!" he shouted, knowing that he would be asked the time. "thankfully, being smaller, the cost will be a bit less, and faster to make. I have the materials..."

"I'll write a check," Tom said.

"Good. This won't be free. Nine hundred thousand. I have to reconfigure the machines to build by specs and then let them do the rest. But..."

"Here comes the catch," Teal mouthed.

"The catch," Miles commented, "is that I can't guarantee this will work. I can't even give you the odds. It has to work with his body. It has to work. Go on. I'm starting work, but if you can find him a lung before I'm done then do it. Better chances he'll live that way."

He jumped in surprise as Tom slapped a check beside him.

"What do you mean you won't do it?" Rouge was angry, facing down the doctor with an evil intent.

"Using a robotic organ made in a factory. By ROBOTNIK'S factory! This is insane! I don't trust such a machine!"

Kicking him back, Rouge grabbed his shirt. "Look, buddy, I don't care what you think! I'm not giving you a choice! Or maybe you'd like a chance to get a new boyfriend in PRISON when I get GUN involved?"

The surgeon straightened his coat. "Fine. Guess he'll die either way. Might as well take a chance..."

Satisfied, Rouge entered the waiting room. Tom sat with the twins as June tried to comfort Tiff. "He's in pain..." Tiff was shaking. "He has a tube in his chest and he's..."

Rouge knew the girl's pain. This was too familiar to her. It's why she had no choice but to help, to do everything possible.

Tails worked, checking every part, checking every action done by the robots in his lab. The calculations had to be perfect. No room for error as they slowly assembled the components of the artificial lung. Every individual air filter, every individual chamber, the connection tubes for blood vessels and the wind pipe.

His assistant was a lot of help to him. Already, Miles Prower was exhausted, fueled by coffee and willpower. Not by greed. Even with payment his lab would still lose money producing this. Components weren't cheap.

His assistant placed a hand on his shoulder. "Should be a few more hours. Just have to keep watch on all the machines to make sure there aren't any mistakes."

She said, "go get some rest. I'll wake you in an hour. Don't worry, I can keep watch. I'll wake you if anything goes wrong."

Miles looked up. His assistant was a human woman, tall, roughly his age. "Thanks. Just keep things in order." He found an empty couch in the lobby, his bed for a brief bit.

They rushed to the hospital. The build time was long, the flight long, but it was done. Tails held the case tight, the lung suspended in sterile fluid. A half hour of final cleaning had slowed them down, bathing the device in chemicals to kill any foreign bacteria or particles, but they were here.

Into the waiting room. Tails found them. "I have it!"

"Great, but..." Rouge wasn't sure what to say. "... we have a donor lung for Tiff's father. They tried to get in touch but you had left the lab."

"Well..." He felt defeated. Hours of work and it wasn't needed. "Wait, is he still in surgery?"

"He is," Rouge said.

Wasting no time, Tails ran off, past the doctors. Rouge ran after him. "WAIT! What are you doing?"

"He's only got one lung, right?"

"Yes, but-"

Tails explained, "they can implant BOTH!"

She knew where the surgical room was. Leading him to it, they found the doctors. "You're a little late," the head surgeon said. "We don't need your machine anymore."

"Put it in anyway. He has room for another lung." Rouge gave the doctor a harsh stare. Choosing against argument, the medical team took the container.

Tiff was asleep. Her father was out of surgery. They were waiting for him to wake up. The artificial lung was operating normally, though time would tell if it was processing oxygen properly and working with the blood vessels.

Rouge placed a small blanket over the twins, who were also napping. Teal and Slate had gone home while the rest remained. Content that the surgery had been a success, Tails had also returned home.

Rouge saw it. An older woman, a bat with black fur in a gaudy business suit. She could see the faint surgical scars, no doubt from cosmetic surgeries. Standing, she greeted the woman. "You must be Tiff's mother."

"Hartly Nightwing," the woman shot back. "I disowned that little brat. And my ex-husband is here? I'd be too unlucky for him to just DIE. Bad enough he sucks up alimony money, that little queer girl taking money from ME to live with him!"

"Lady, I really don't care for your tone..." Rouge had some height on her, a good deal of muscle mass and possibly an age advantage.

"Rouge the Bat! Yeah, I recognize you now..."

She corrected bluntly, "my name is Rouge ADRIANI!" They were slowly attracting the attention of everyone around them.

Tiff stirred awake. "Mom?"

"Don't call me that!" The old bat was angry. "Bad enough that loser's not dead yet. Oh well, at least with you out of his house I can stop sending those checks."

June stood, confronting her. "That's my wife you're taking about, you old cow!"

"WIFE? Good lord, you two are married?"

Rouge gave her a sharp stare. "That's my sister!"

The bat began to laugh. "Oh, dear, that's funny! Rouge the Bat has a faggot sister! Married to my worthless faggot daughter!"

Furious beyond normal capacity, Rouge grabbed her collar. "I'd ask you to apologize, but I doubt a stupid CUNT like you would know how!"

The black bat turned away, taking a few steps. Quickly, she spun on her heels, fist flying. Rouge was quick. Her hand snapped, grabbing the old bat woman's arm. "Too slow!" Spinning around, Rouge tossed the woman into the reception desk. Waiting for her target to stand, she rushed forth, a swift kick to her stomach. "Lady, I used to be in GUN. I've given birth to three children. You think you can fight ME?"

Blood was pouring from the bat woman's mouth. "We'll see," she muttered, kicking forward. It was pointless. Rouge grabbed her ankle. "be thankful you're in a hospital!" A quick twist of her arm, Rouge could hear the woman's ankle snap. She smiled, content with her victory.

Tiff approached. She saw her own mother on the floor. Her foot slammed down onto the broken ankle, Tiff's mother screaming loud. "I hate you! Daddy almost died and you don't care! I want you to DIE!" Punching the woman, Tiff let her rage go.

"That's enough!" Rouge shouted, pulling her back.

They watched security rush them. Rouge's arms were held down. She tried to fight but they were on her and Tiff.

"STOP THAT!"

The security team halted. They were faced down by the Commander of GUN. "I'd release both of them if I were you..." The guards complied. "Good. Now, get that scumbag, bigot of a woman to a room for treatment." They began helping Tiff's mother up. "Wait... who ordered this?"

"I did," one of them stated. "I'm in charge of security here."

Stepping forward, the Commander slugged him. "You NEVER interfere with an agent of GUN in their duties! Now... I take it the surgery went well?"

"It did," Rouge responded. "We're just waiting for him to recover."

"Very good. I shall return now. Please keep me posted."

Rouge said, "I will, sir."

"Sir? Thanks for finding my daddy a new lung..." Tiff said.

They watched the Commander leave. Tom ran forward. "Everything okay?"

Rouge looked at the guards. "Is now..." They seemed almost sorry for trying to arrest her, though it was likely due to GUN involvement rather than genuine remorse.

Twenty six years, two months have passed

The office chair was perfect. Tom felt good sitting in the plush seat, his naked butt resting as his wife straddled. Rouge's skirt and panties littered the floor, her body slowly bouncing. Her wings stretched, folding back as Tom pinched her nipples. "We really should be working..."

"Work can wait," she said, hands rubbing his chest. "I want to have some fun while we're away from home." She could feel her wet pussy dripping all over him. "But I guess we should get home soon..." Rocking quicker now, Rouge slid up and down, her cunt squeezing down on her husband's dick.

"Guess work's all done anyway," he said. "Nothing's out of order..."

"I just wanted an excuse, Tom." Thrusting her hips, Rouge ground her clit against him. "an excuse to do it in this room." She smiled. "Some risk in public... I didn't even lock the office door!"

His eyes sprang wide. "You did WHAT?" He tried to stand but she had him pinned down.

"Uh-uh... afraid?" The bat was feeling powerful, in charge. "Afraid someone might see us?" She began to bounce faster. "Then let them see." There was little chance anyone would disturb them. It was already common throughout the casino staff that when Tom and Rouge went into the office to work, they would often end up having sex. However, it would only take one new employee, or someone who forgot, and they would have an audience.

Pulling his top off, she stuffed it in her mouth to muffle the moans and screams. Rouge could feel her lover rocking his hips, thrusting in what limited room he had. Tom's hand shot down between them, working her clitoris vigorously. He could feel it, strong, like a buzz. He was ready to orgasm.

Tilting her head back, Rouge felt it, going off inside her. Her screams were muffled but Tom could hear them. Wet juice leaked down from her, climaxing hard. Tom yelped. "ROUGE! You REALLY need to cool it on those vaginal exercises!"

She spat out the tie. "Not a chance! I'm forty-four and I have the body of a woman half my age! Anyway..." Rising off the chair, she collected her panties and skirt, pulling them up. Thomas stood, yanking his pants up and zipping them. He didn't want to waste time with the tie, simply stuffing it in his pocket.

The door flung open. "OH! I didn't know you were in here!" It was Cream, one of her employees.

"It's okay," Rouge said, "we're actually done here."

"I just need to get a few files." Cream opened the cabinet, gathering what she needed. "Uh... rumor is you two sometimes have sex in here."

"Oh, please!" Rouge laughed it off. "If we were having sex, the door would be locked!"

Cream smiled. "Of course. Dumb question. Anyway, back to work!"

They watched the rabbit leave. "Close one," Tom remarked.

The twins flew, latching onto their parents. "You missed us?" Rouge asked.

"We did, mommy!" Rose said.

"Happy birthday, mommy!" Violette said.

Rouge was flattered. "Thank you, sweetie, but my birthday is next week." She looked around. June and Tiff were in the living room, cleaning up an assortment of crayons and coloring books. "Where's Teal?"

"I have no idea," Tiff answered. "They were only going into the office in town."

"Should've been back an hour ago..." June muttered. "Left us here to watch the twins."

Slate jumped. He felt his tail being fondled. "Teal? Come on, we have work to do."

"Come on... just a few minutes?" Taking her husband's hand, Teal led him into the back room, clicking the door lock. Kissing along his muzzle, she groaned. "Take me, bad boy!"

"Teal, we have to- hey, wait!" Slate felt her hand rubbing his crotch, his penis extending outward. "AH! I can't go back out there like this!"

"I'll take care of it, don't worry," Teal said, dropping her jeans. Hand against the wall, she bent over seductively, legs spread to reveal her tight pussy. "It's okay... or do you want me to blow you instead?"

Slate wasn't in the mood for this but he didn't want to let her down. Quickly, the echidna eased into her. "OH, YES! Slate... give it to me!

Slate was upset. His wife had practically forced him to have sex with her. Walking through the mansion, he saw Rouge in the study, sitting quietly. "Rouge?"

"Yes, Slate?" She opened her eyes.

"Uh... never mind." Turning, he began to walk away.

She was curious. "What is it?"

He paused. "Uh... this might sound weird but..." He couldn't say it.

Standing from her seat, Rouge crossed her arms. "Spit it out!"

"Teal wants too much sex!"

She was surprised, stunned, and baffled. "Wow. Okay... let me guess, you two were late getting home because you were getting kinky in the office?" She could see the look on his face. "Oh, please," she muttered, "you think Tom and I go to the casino purely for work?"

Slate wasn't sure how to say it, but he said, "we're not into heavy sex. Echidnas, I mean."

"Hmph." The bat didn't know what to make of it. "Your father was a lonely bigot who wasn't into sex. Wow, we really weren't compatible!"

"Uh... huh..." Rubbing his head, Slate explained, "it's not that we don't engage in it for pleasure, we're just not... well, Teal was so quiet when we met but after the wedding... she practically made me have sex with her today! I like it quiet and intimate but she just wouldn't let up!"

"I see..." Rouge grabbed him by the arm. "She's becoming a sex addict. I'll take care of this!" Running into the living room, they found Tom. "Tom, follow me. Our daughter is making a BIG mistake!"

"Rose isn't trying to cook again, is she?" Tom sighed, remembering the state the kitchen was in when his little girl tried to cook spaghetti.

"No, Tom," Rouge shouted out, "TEAL! Come on!"

The three ran to Teal's bedroom, where she lie on the bed, resting. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, noticing everyone's presence.

Rouge gave a stern look. "Teal, your husband has something to tell you!"

"ME?" Slate looked back, nervous, but Rouge wasn't going to let him off. He had to do this one. "Teal... I love you. It's why I married you, but lately... you've been taking advantage of me!"

"Really? How so?" she asked.

He explained, "today... I didn't want to have sex in the office but you basically made me."

Teal was upset, giving them all a nasty look. "Then why'd you fuck me?"

"I didn't want to let you down..."

Leaning down, Tom whispered, "what's going on?"

Rouge replied, "just listen." Walking towards her daughter, she said, "Teal, sex should be special. I know your father and I still make love a lot but we both want to. I remember when we became sex addicts. It was before you were born. we had to stop. It would have destroyed our marriage!"

Laughing, Teal just shook her head. "I'm not a sex addict, mom! But if pansy-boy's gonna whine, maybe I'll go get it somewhere else! I bet his older brother would love some of me!"

Rouge smacked her daughter. "TEAL!"

Grabbing her face, she rubbed. Her mother had only given her a light slap, gentle, enough to echo in the room but leaving no pain. "Mom. I..." She was hurt worse by her own words than what her mother had done. "Slate! Oh, no... I wouldn't cheat on you... I can't believe I said that!"

"This is why we had to take control," Tom commented. "If we'd kept it up back then, well..."

"What your father is saying, we wanted it all the time. And if one of us had been unable to do it, well... I don't want to think about that."

Tom added, "you also wouldn't be here. You were conceived on the day we chose to make it right!"

Slate took her hand. "It's okay, Teal. Just... please, I want sex to be special between us!"

"Wait..." Tom had an idea. "Funny thought."

Rouge was interested. "What is it?"

"I've noticed Teal's behavior a bit different since she got married."

"Well, YEAH. I did get married, dad!" Teal muttered.

"I KNOW that..." he said. "But something else changed."

Her eyes went wide. "I started birth control pills!" Teal stared at the small box beside the bed. "You told me I should and I got the prescription a few days before!"

Rouge picked up the box of pills. "But these are the same as I take. Same ones I took after Teal was born. They certainly don't increase MY sex drive!"

"Like you need it increased," Tom teased playfully. "But our daughter is a hybrid species! Bet you those pills work a bit different on her!"

Picking up the box, she wanted to throw it away, but didn't. "Good idea, daddy, but maybe I should go see a doctor about this to make sure."

Rouge took the box and set it down. "Very good idea."

Tiff fluttered through the house. Rouge noticed her flighty attitude, not to mention her flight. "Someone's happy!"

"Daddy's doing fine! His lungs are holding up! He can go outside now, no more oxygen tank!" Tiff hugged Tom, surprising him. "Thanks for saving my daddy. He's gonna get a job and work to pay you back."

"He doesn't have to do that. The lung was a gift." Tom pried her off.

Tiff said, "but my dad insists. That's a lot of money you spent on him!"

"Tiff?" Rouge took her hand. "Do you know how long it would take to pay back nine hundred thousand?"

"Tiff, just tell your father to send me ten a month and I'll call it even," Tom offered. "I know he wants to pay something. He'll send me what he can without straining himself. Sound good?"

The black bat smiled. "I'll tell him."

"Now, then," Rouge said, "Tom and I are going to keep the twins occupied until bedtime. Why don't you go find June and go out tonight somewhere. Go have some fun."

Twenty six years, three months have passed

Rouge sprang forth, arms wrapping tight around Tom. The bat was latched on tight from behind. "Come on, ten more minutes?"

"The twins are probably awake," he scolded, "and besides, I have to get those wine bottles to the auction hall in two hours."

"I forgot about that... but come on, five minutes?"

Rouge knew it was important. Auctioning that wine would be placed towards the money that would be gifted to June. Twenty million for a scientific procedure to let the two lesbian women conceive a child.

Tom squeezed her hands. "Okay. One quick orgasm but then we have to get out of bed!" She felt giddy. resting her butt on the bed, her robe flipped open. "No, not that. Headboard!" he shouted, ordering his wife to sit against the wall.

She spread her legs. "Tongue?"

He began kissing around her thighs, letting the spit drip down his tongue and onto her pussy. Thomas didn't want to spend a lot of time on this, so he would rush things. Exposing Rouge's clit, his tongue worked it vigorously, fingers curling inside her vagina to place pressure on the g-spot.

"That feels SO good..." she commented, eyes rolling back as Tom kissed her pussy.

"Three bottles... all sold." Tom was somewhat happy.

Rouge counted the money. "Two million. Not bad... and they paid up front! I thought we would have to wait for the checks to clear."

"Nah, people this rich, they carry cash." He watched the last bottle carried away by its new owner.

"I'm glad you finally decided to revive your father's business," the gentleman said.

"Hardly," Tom replied. "Take that crap and get out of here. I have your money."

"You little..." The older man was one of the old family friends.

Tom waved him off. "Go die of cirrhosis. Dad's dead and so is his legacy." He led his wife out of the auction hall. "Come on, we have to go get the money ready for your sister."

Tiff held the paper. It was like holding a cloud. "I... I've never had so much money...." The note stated the total amount transferred into her bank account.

"We have to call the clinic and get everything set up!" June said.

"Who's going to carry the child?" Rouge asked, wondering which of them would bear the burden.

June smiled. "Like my big sister."

Tiff grinned. "Yeah.... uh... I'm gonna be a daddy! Weird..."

"Uh... guys?" June explained, "I'll be ovulating next week. Maybe we should get this ready NOW?"

Rouge picked up the phone. "Here. Call them."

The girls were dressed. Teal and Slate set out activity books for the twins. "Good thing they were able to get you in today," Teal remarked.

"Twenty million makes things happen," Rouge commented, hugging the twins. "You two be good, okay? Mommy will be back soon."

"We will," Violette said.

Tiff clutched her purse. "Okay... guess we should get going."

"What's making you freak out?" June could see it in her lover's eyes.

Tiff closed her eyes, teeth gritting. "I hate needles... and they have to poke me to get blood for this!"

"Please," June said, "they have to poke ME to get one of my eggs! That's a needle in my stomach!"

"And you'll live," Rouge said, pushing the two girls along. "I had it done once, it's not a big deal!"

"YOU had it done?" June was a bit surprised. "But I thought Teal was-"

"She was," Rouge said, cutting her off. "It was before Teal was born. I had a viability test done. Now, are we going to go or stand here all day?"

Teal watched them leave. "Okay... guess I need to fix you your lunch now... Slate, keep them occupied while I get the chicken nuggets in the oven."

The twins fixed their attention on the echidna. "Teal's cooking us food?" Rose asked.

"She is," he said.

They still looked at him. "You're not like mommy or Teal," Violette spoke.

"Or daddy," Rose added.

He said, "that's because I'm an echidna."

"Eekidda?" Rose couldn't say the word.

Slate wasn't sure what to say. "Um..."

"It means," Teal said, "that he's different from you. That's all. Lunch in twenty minutes! Go work on your coloring, show mom what you get done while she's gone."

"Okay," Rose said, grabbing a box of crayons.

Slate cleared his throat. "What are they going to be doing today?"

"Not real sure," Teal answered, "but I think today, Tiff gives a blood sample they can take DNA from and June donates her eggs. I just hope it works..."

He wasn't sure of the procedure. "Taking a woman's DNA and using it to make a sperm with..."

"Yeah, well, not like they can just have kids."

Slate asked, "have you been thinking about it? Kids... you and me..."

She formed a slight smile. "Maybe... being off birth control, it's something to think about...."

"If we can," he lamented.

She took his hand. "We didn't fall in love because we thought about kids, Slate... but it might happen eventually. It was a big deal for mom... and maybe I will want to be a mother soon. Look at it this way, we helped mom with the twins, we'll help June and Tiff. At least we know what to expect." Wrapping an arm around her husband, she continued, "we did what our parents didn't do. Mom had a crush on your father back then, much as she won't admit it. But they didn't get together. We did. Maybe I should be thankful mom found dad instead. I wouldn't be here if she hadn't..."

"Oh..." Slate sighed. "Dad would have never been with her. I know he wasn't too fond of her. Or himself... well, honestly, I think it would have been very bad if my father had ended up with Rouge."

"Why?"

"Dad was... he needed to be with his own kind. The way he talks about her, I'm afraid if he'd ever hooked up with your mother, he might have beaten her."

"WHAT?" Teal couldn't believe it. "That's insane!"

"He had a lot of issues before he found our island, Teal! My mother helped him adjust, but... Teal, my father still has a temper sometimes. He's never shown it in front of us but I know he likes to go into the mountains and let off steam. I think he had some problems with our wedding. Teal... I don't trust my own father. Especially not around your mother."

She huffed. "You're seeing things. They get along... anyway, not like your dad HAS much contact with mom... hey! You said echidnas aren't as into sex as some... how often DO your parents have sex?"

"Teal! That's gross!"

"Oh, come on, don't be a baby!"

He thought. "About... once a week."

Teal squeezed his hand again. "Your dad needs to unwind. Watch the twins..."

"Uh... what for?" he asked.

She explained, "I'm going to call your mother. Tell her maybe she needs to help him unwind in a more constructive way!"

June signed the forms. Bank forms to transfer payment. Tom had read it over carefully, ensuring that the refund policies held in the event the procedure didn't work.

Tiff rubbed her arm. "Uh... guess we have to go back now for this?"

"Cool off, huh?" June scolded. "I have to go get my ovaries poked. You can take a needle in the arm!"

"Yes, Tiff," Rouge said. "June has to carry the child. You can take a little pain for her, can't you?"

"I guess... okay, let's get this over with!"

Teal smiled. "You got it ALL wrong!"

"How?" Slate asked.

She sat beside him. "Your mom said that Knuckles doesn't hate my mom. He actually respects her a lot now. Just... the past is the past. He doesn't let that come up anymore. Oh, don't think too much about it, she DID say your dad's not really ATTRACTED to my mom, but he doesn't hate her. Might've, once, but not now." Hugging him, she continued, "as for his anger... he's only going into the mountains to exercise. For the room and the fresh air. That's all!"

"Guess I had my father figured out wrong..."

"He grew up alone and on an island," Teal remarked, "not on some island with a city. He grew up rough. Different. Although..."

"Although WHAT?" he asked, wondering what she had to say.

Teal said, "... your mom DID say she'd try to bed your dad more often. THAT she agreed with me, he could use it more often. Now... Rose! Violette!"

The twins heard her, running quickly. "Chicken nuggets!" Rose shouted.

Taking their hands, she led her sisters to the table. "Wait here and I'll get your plates!"

Slate followed her into the kitchen. Scooping the cooked chunks onto plates for her sister, they carried the food out to the girls.

"Guess I'm just a bit..."

"A bit what?" Teal asked.

He said, "Striker was always the tough guy that followed after my father. I never got into it like he did. Maybe I just see things that aren't there..."

Twenty six years, four months have passed

June tugged her shirt down, stomach puffed out despite her best efforts to keep it covered. She was doing well, her pregnancy moving normally. The twins awaited their snacks, which she gathered quickly. Teal and Slate were at work, Tiff was at work and Rouge and Tom were ready to leave.

"We're going," Rouge said, peering into the kitchen.

"Okay, sis. They'll be fine with me."

"But will you be fine?" Rouge asked.

"yeah, yeah... look, I'll call someone IF something happens. IF. Now, will you get going? I'm pregnant, I think I can deal with being alone for a couple hours!"

Hugging her younger sister, Rouge left the mansion, Tom staring the car. She was worried. Worried constantly for her sister, worried why she'd been requested by someone she barely knew.

The entered the building. Sonic and Amy were sitting, waiting. Tails was flipping through magazines. "Rouge!" He stood. "I ran a check on the artificial lung yesterday."

"Yes, I know..." Rouge had heard about it. "Tiff wouldn't shut up about it, how her father's doing so well."

"Yeah. He's lucky. Anyway... about your sister's pregnancy. If you don't mind, I'd like to also run my own independent tests."

She was stunned. "Miles, my sister's pregnancy doesn't-"

"Listen to me!" he shouted. "The science behind what they did is solid. But it's not a procedure done very often because it costs so much. And same-gendered parents? Never done before! All I'm saying... I want to double check all test results. If something DOES go wrong and they don't even know what they're looking for..."

She nodded. "I'll tell June. But this is going to make her worried..."

They went silent as Knuckles entered the waiting room. Karen was with him, their little daughter following close behind. "What's the deal here?" he asked.

"No clue," Sonic said. "We were told to come here."

Rouge was still fuzzy on the matter. "Clara... that old cat... what does she want with us?"

"She asked for me, too," Tom said. "By name..."

The door opened. The wheelchair pushed out, an old, graying cat in glasses looking at them. Shadow pushed the wheelchair. "Shadow..." the bat greeted.

"Everyone..." Clara was old, her voice straining to even talk. "Please, follow us. I will explain why I called you here..."

Their desire to find out strong, the group followed as Shadow pushed the old cat into the lab. The room was lined with papers and chalkboards. Tails took immediate notice of the contents. "You can't be serious..."

"Then you recognize what this means?" Clara asked.

Tails knew enough. "These equations... they're all technically correct. But... no."

Sonic asked, "Tails?"

"These..." Miles closed his eyes. "This is beyond me. Beyond anyone I know of in the field of science. I feel like I'll get a headache if I look at this too long. I'm not sure I can even understand some of this! Clara... who did this?"

Silent, she pressed a buzzer. The side door opened as a large figure entered. Tails was in absolute disbelief. "HIM? He's.... he's an IDIOT!"

Big the Cat smiled. "Perhaps."

"Yeah, I remember him," Sonic muttered.

"The guy who talked to his pet frog. Had a fishing pole, right"?" Knuckles vaguely remembered Big's role in the Chaos incident.

Rouge was indifferent. "Never met him."

Clara picked up a book. "That man is NOT Big the Cat. It's in these pages..."

She recognized the book. Rouge knew it well enough. "The book of... stories. Please tell me this doesn't have ANYTHING to do with all that back then. I can't handle that."

"It is connected, I'm afraid, but this one is benevolent."

Big noticed Knuckles. "Ah. The one I have been waiting to meet." The fat cat walked forward, touching a hand to the echidna's forehead.

Everyone watched Knuckles drop the floor.

Echoes in blackness were all he could hear. The blackness all he could see. Knuckles the Echidna... dead? Unconscious? Dreaming?

Blackness but form was present. The floor was solid and he could see himself in the void, as if some light source were aimed upon him and no other object.

The crawling came from an unknown direction. Whatever this was, it was big. "Hello?" he shouted, hoping for an answer. "Hello!"

The being was illuminated. Massive, unlike anything seen prior in his eyes. The bottom was a large, simple body with two clawed arms and a head which seemed familiar. The spikes from the sides, the long shape of the face, the echidna should have been shocked but somehow, this being, unfamiliar in any shape to anything he'd ever met, did not seem to be a threat. Though he wondered why the head looked so much like his own kind when the rest was a mess of random shapes.

"You do not appear to be afraid," it pointed out, continuing the steady approach. "This is fortunate. Now that my hold upon the simple one has been broken, my time in this universe is short."

"Simple one?" he asked, "you mean Big?"

"Yes. His mind has been transferred back to his own body but that also means I will be drawn to return to my body shortly. The crossing of dimensional borders is not easy."

Blackness melted to color as an ancient city appeared beneath their feet. "What's this place?" the echidna inquired, his interests held by the sudden display.

"Pnakotus, our great city long ago. We were much like you, once. Until that day..." Shifting form, the great city suddenly appeared to be little more than a worn pile of rubble, littered with bodies of those who inhabited. "Until the day the Yith were slaughtered. We knew this would happen and projected ourselves into the future."

Walking alone the stone city streets, Knuckles was reminded of the times he saw visions of his old tribe and their destruction. "If you can travel through time, why didn't you come back and stop this?"

"Time will flow as it does," the Yith voiced, "and there are greater concerns. Do you know of this man?" The images melted away, showing a lit desk in an office. Sitting behind was a tall man in a brown coat. "We sent this one to your world long ago to survey and ensure that Cthulhu had not left any impact."

"Yeah, I think I remember him," Knuckles recalled. "He was at Rouge's nightclub. And I think Shadow mentioned him. So that explains it... but who IS he?"

The being responded carefully, "you know him by the name Bill Kesh. That is all that matters. He will not be sent to your world further. What he is does not concern you, only us." Tearing down the vision, the Yithian continued on, "the one you call Shadow. He has done something to a friend. That event is creating a tension that must be resolved."

Raising an eye, the red echidna's interests were grabbed. "That's not like Shadow...."

"His mind is turmoil." Forming yet another vision in the dark, Knuckles saw what appeared to be the black hedgehog standing with a bat woman, walking along the streets. "Do you know this other?"

"I think..." The memory was clear. "That's Rouge's mother, I saw pictures of her."

Edging closer, bending the flexible neck down, the Yith elaborated with careful wording, "Shadow feels conflict. He engaged in mating habits with the female bat. He also knew of the child but did not tell his friend. She learned of these events much later..."

Jaw dropped in shock, he could barely speak. "That idiot!"

"This must be resolved. Shadow may very well be important to the survival of your society one day, however... if he is not led down a stable path, he will never become reliable."

Nodding, Knuckles answered, "I'll deal with it."

"Time grows short. Know this image." The Yithian displayed a twisted being, crooked body covered in eyes and mouths. "They are the ones who destroyed us, ancient and primitive. If such a being ever enters your world, the only way to destroy it will be directed energy weapons. The only way."

"Gross things, ain't they?"

Visions faded, leaving Knuckles alone. "Time is at an end. I must return. Remember..."

The blackness cleared. His head still hurt but he was awake. "Knuckles!" Karen's shout cut through his ears.

"AH! A LITTLE quieter..." He shook his head, clearing the cobwebs.

Big danced. "He's awake! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you!" He was his usual self. "Uh oh, I need to find Froggy!"

"Your pet frog is in his enclosure," Clara stated. "Go feed him."

Big bolted from the room. "Okay... so he's back to normal." Knuckles rubbed his temples. "Where's Sonic?"

"They had to leave," Rouge said. She gave a look towards Shadow. "Clara explained what happened. I think..."

"The Yith? You know about them?"

They were shocked. "You... you remember what you saw?" Clara was in complete surprise. "That's not possible... Big doesn't remember."

"Wait..." Rouge was puzzled. "What's going on? Tell us!"

"Yeah, come on. You had us worried, you know?" Karen said.

"That one... he came here to find me. He crossed dimensions to find me. It was... where's Tails?"

Clara answered, "in the other room. Still examining the markings and notes."

"Good. That's what that one wanted." Knuckles remembered every detail.

Shadow wasn't impressed. "I read that story. The Yith were killed long ago."

"They can jump through time itself," Clara explained.

"if you don't like it here, then leave," Rouge muttered. The two stared at each other.

Tom took her hand. "Not now..."

Knuckles ignored them. "They can jump through time like we'd walk down a street, but that one had to really try to get here. He showed me their city."

"Pnakotus." Clara knew the name well.

"Yes." he continued, "and their downfall. They were like my ancestors. Thought nothing could stop them. Then those things killed them. Left only a few who escaped through time."

Tom was confused. "Wait, if they can travel through time, why didn't they just go back and save themselves?"

Knuckles explained, "they knew what was coming but they knew that they couldn't alter time without bad things happening! They just wanted... they came here to try and leave us something useful. To help me understand more about my past, and what happened to the old tribe. And..." He looked them over carefully. "The warning. The beings that destroyed them most likely don't exist in our dimension, but if they do... I know how to kill them if they ever show their faces. Anyway... where's Sharon?"

Karen said, "they have a daycare here for the employees. I let her go there so she could pass time. I'll go get her."

Watching his wife leave the room, he turned to Clara. "I need a minute with them."

"Of course... I'll be in the next room." Twitching the control stick, she wheeled herself out of the room.

"Now... Shadow? Anything you want to say?" The black hedgehog ignored him. Knuckles let out a faint grunt of disapproval. "Fine, I'll say it. The Yith told me what Shadow did."

"What Shadow did? What do you mean?" Rouge asked.

He said, "I think you know..."

"You can't mean..." She sighed. "How'd it know?"

"They're an omnipotent race beyond us. That doesn't matter, does it? Shadow did something bad." Knuckles asked, "Shadow?"

"Fine. It doesn't matter now... what's done is done."

Rouge became angry. "Shadow! You slept with my mother! You left my sister with her! I tried to forgive you but- I'm sorry, it was just too much."

"I have to take her side on this, Shadow!" the echidna scolded. "But... Rouge, just try. I know you're stubborn but at least try! Not that I can blame you, but still..."

She gave in. "Shadow... you have to start. Tell me you're sorry for what you did!"

"I am. I've been questioning my own judgment since you found out." He turned away. "I got twelve GUN agents killed because I was careless and now they don't even trust me. I was responsible for them and let them down. It's why I'm here. Clara is old and sick. She needed an assistant. I took an easy job."

"Sick?" Tom asked. "She's old but-"

"She's dying," Shadow said. "Cancer."

Knuckles decided to keep on topic. "Shadow messed up. He's sorry. But Shadow... seriously, get a girlfriend or something! I don't even know what you're up to anymore! No one does. Find something to do with your time instead of this idiotic moping around!"

"Hmph." Shadow wasn't amused. "I'm immortal. I don't date!"

"Really?" Rouge smirked. "There's an employee at the casino which might be- no... you couldn't deal with her."

"Tell me," he demanded.

The bat turned away. "No. You said you weren't interested!"

"Tell him or I will," Tom ordered.

"Okay... Knuckles, you know the one."

He said, "yeah. The one who left the island. The one into motorcycle racing and fist fights! Cytheria!"

"Fist fights?" Shadow was intrigued.

"Maybe that's what you need," Rouge said, "someone more your type. Maybe that's why you weren't into me, I was a bit too refined.... my mother, on the other hand, was rough and didn't have any inhibitions. A bit like my employee..."

Shadow was interested in the challenge. "Very well. Tell me where I can find her!"

"Oh, no," Tom blurted out. "That's not how you get a woman's attention. Anyway... I know her. You walk up to her with your usual attitude, she'll bust your nose open."

Shadows eyes cocked wide. "She works at Club Rouge?"

"Security detail," Rouge explained. "But I'll talk to her. Let her know. See if she's interested."

"Very well," Shadow said. "I will be here if you need to contact me. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to see if Clara requires my assistance..." He left the room.

"Hmm... you think that's a good idea?" Thomas asked. "Cytheria's a bit, um... scary?"

"We WERE a bit happy when she left the island," Knuckles agreed, "but maybe if Shadow gets his butt kicked it'll do him some good. Hmm.... better go find Karen and Sharon. I really need to get back. See you guys later!"

As Knuckles left the room, Tom took Rouge's hand. "That went rather well."

"Maybe..." Rouge was suspicious. "Although... I wonder if that being really told Knuckles what was going on."

Tom felt it too. "I know... I think he tricked us into telling him. Whatever. We need to get home."

The living room door peeked open, the twins spotting their parents immediately and rushing them. "Yes, we're home!" Rouge said. "Come on, let go!"

"Took long enough," June remarked.

"Yes, well... we got a bit caught up," Tom explained.

June said, "I know. I called down there. Oh, sis, I gotta go see Miles Prower tomorrow."

"What? You talked to him?" Rouge was a bit worried. "I think he's-"

"Chill, sis," June said. "Just wanna make sure, okay? He's got a point, this hasn't been done before." She tugged her shirt down. "I wanna make damn sure my baby's gonna be fine. Now, Teal and Slate are in the kitchen and Tiff's in the shower."

Setting her purse down, Rouge smiled. Tom said, "come on, we should change."

She looked up at him. "Carry me?" Picking her up, Tom cradled his wife gently. "Mmmm... Tom?

"Yes?"

"Think we can take a few minutes to get romantic before dinner?"

"I think we can. Just a few minutes, though."

Leaning in, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Twenty six years, ten months have passed

Leaning back, Rouge balanced against one of the decorative pillars of her casino. The shift change was happening, employees clocking out as their replacements arrived. She took note of one particular employee, the bright orange echidna in full biker gear headed for the entrance. The head of security juggled her helmet, waiting for him. Shadow briefly stepped in through the main doors, leading her out.

Rouge knew what had to be done, but she wouldn't do it. Not now. Tom knew it, too. He found her watching the door. "She gone?"

"Just left with Shadow," she said.

Tom nodded. "She's been showing up late for work, more rude than usual..."

"I know that, Tom," she blurted out, "but she's also dating Shadow. I'm not going to risk making him mad. Funny..." She let out a weak sigh. "I would've thought finding someone like her would be good for him. But Shadow's become even more anti-social than he was before."

Tom said, "he didn't exactly get Miss Manners..."

She shrugged. "Whatever. I'm sick of worrying about it. Shadow isn't a part of my life anymore. Let him do whatever he wants. As for us, I think we should get home."

June grinned, piling the watermelon high with whatever she could grab. Strawberries, cherries, marshmallows, peanut butter, anything edible was viable. Tiff look at the stack in amazement. "You SURE that's even vaguely healthy?"

"Pfft! Healthy enough!" she shouted. "Seedless watermelon, seedless cherries and grapes... damn I'm hungry! Hey, I've got a growing kid in me that's about to be born! You're really freaking out over this..."

Tiff didn't saw a word, merely leaving the kitchen. Passing into the living room, she noticed Tom sorting through the day's mail. Taking a seat beside him, she said, "am I wrong to be worried?"

"Huh?" He looked over. "Oh... no. You have a baby due next month. I've been there a few times..."

She clutched both hands together. "I talked to my dad about this but even he couldn't really tell me everything. Just about how me being born was one of the best times of his life." Closing her eyes, Tiff continued, "June's on maternity leave and they put me on forced vacation to be with her. I don't have anything to do... but just sit here and wait. The worst part? I'm REAL scared... I'm afraid something's going to happen!"

"I know, Tiff. Just hope for the best, okay?"

Tiff felt something brush her shoulder. She turned back to see Rouge leaning over the top of the couch. "Tiff? How are you holding up?"

"Good enough," the black bat answered.

"Look at that," Rouge commented, "you let the pink streak fade." Tiff had neglected her fur dye for two months. "Why don't you do something nice for June and go dye it in?"

"Well..." Tiff smiled. "Okay." She ran off.

Flipping over onto the cushions, Rouge said, "the twins are in bed. Come on..." Taking his hand, she led her husband into their bedroom.

"You were getting territorial..." he scolded.

"I was not..." Rouge seemed slightly offended. "Okay, maybe I was. A woman that young latching onto my husband like that."

"I'd hardly call that 'latching on'. Anyway, Tiff's a lesbian. As I recall, she's more attracted to you than to me."

Tossing his jacket aside, Tom dug through the closet, stumbling upon a large box. "I remember this..." Pulling it from the closet floor, Tom opened the flaps. "We should probably use this or get rid of it."

"Use what?" she asked, walking towards him. Eyes went wide when she saw. "Oh... when was the last time I rode that?"

He recalled, "five years."

She smiled. "Set it up."

Setting the heavy cardboard box on the bed, Thomas removed the sybian, unrolling the cord and plugging it in. Unwinding the control pad's cable, he waited for his wife. Rouge had stripped naked, jumping onto bed and sorting through the attachments in the box. Selecting the small bump, she began to attach it, messing with the clips.

Straddling the machine, she messed with the buttons of her lover's shirt, exposing his chest as her hands slid into his pants, fondling the soft mass. "Come on, get hard..." she said, unzipping his pants. Satisfied, she held onto the erection.

"Ready?" Tom asked.

"Make me like it, Tom!" Rouge said, inviting him to activate it. He turned the knob, the sybian vibrating low. She could feel it, gentle against her vagina, humming. Holding his dick gently, she was stroking him, Tom leaning in to kiss her, his free hand pinching her nipples. It only made her hornier, pussy juice dripping down over the seat.

Flipping the knob to the next setting, Tom reached down, tugging gently on her skin to pull the hood from the clit, exposing it to the vibrations. Her lips worked harder, spit dripping from her mouth as she licked his tongue, breathing through her nose.

Almost lost in this, she was sparked back to reality when the machine vibrated harder. Tom had clicked the knob up by two more settings. Reeling back, Rouge had to break the kiss to breathe through her mouth. Biting her lower lip, the bat grinned, licking her lips, squeezing his cock harder. "Too much?" he asked.

"This? This is NOTHING! OOOH!" Rouge was panting like mad. "Go all the way up!"

"You sure?"

"Give it to me!" she demanded, body shaking with the motor as the knob went to full. The seat was wet, sex fluids leaking all over her legs. Wings folded straight back, teeth gritting hard. Rouge could feel the wet mess on her hand, precum seeping out as she stroked on his dick. "This isn't..." Spring forth, she was free of the machine as she pinned Thomas to the bed, slamming down on top of him. Rouge might have winced at forcing him inside, but she was soaking wet and near orgasm. Her pussy offered no resistance.

Bouncing up and down, the look on her face was almost evil. "No more toys! Come on, big boy, nail me!" Her well-muscled body writhed, breasts bouncing to a steady rhythm as she bit her lip. Tom, feeling playful, smacked her ass. It was enough to send her over the edge. Yelling loud, she grabbed her tits, moaning as her body went tense. Tom almost cried out, her pussy muscles squeezing on him hard. Regaining her senses, she let the last bit of orgasm pass through her.

She wasn't satisfied, however. "You didn't cum!"

"I'll do something about that," he said. Rolling over, he kept Rouge attached to his groin, lying her flat on the bed, ass on the edge of the mattress. Thrusting with a steady pace, he looked her in the eyes.

"I'm conna cum before you get off again."

She replied, "I don't care."

"I'll make it up to you. Finger you in the tub, okay? Love you..."

Rouge moaned. "I love you, too, Tom...."

His hips jittered, short, forced thrusts as he came, body jumping slightly with each bit that pumped out. Rouge could feel it, splattering her inner walls, hitting the tip of her uterus deep within. She gave him a cute smile. "No machine can ever make me feel like you do. Speaking of which..." She looked over at it, still vibrating. Tom grabbed the pad, switching it off. "Help me clean it up. And I mean clean!"

Tiff opened the door to her bedroom, giving June room to step in. Ready to sit on the bed, June saw the box, taped neatly shut. "Whoa! The hell's this thing?" Ripping the tape free, she found a note-

"June-

Tiff's under a lot of stress. Help her unwind. Don't worry, it's been cleaned and tested. Tiff might like using one of my old toys. I know she thinks of me as her idol, so it's the least I can do.

  • your big sister"

Pulling the sybian out, June sorted through the rubber pad attachments. "Is this what I think it is?" Tiff asked nervously.

"Why?" June smirked. "What do you think it is?"

Tiff looked at the attachments. "But I-"

Pulling her tight, June hugged her wife. "You need to stop freaking out over this. The baby's fine. Have some fun, okay? Now get that thing out of the box and plug it in!"

Tiff lifted it out. "But what about you?"

June laughed. "Right now I couldn't get horny if I tried. But don't worry..." She grabbed the control knob. "I'll make sure you have a good time!"

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