One week later . . .

"Shadow!"

The hedgehog opened a lazy eye as he lay sprawled on Rouge's recliner. After a long yawn, he grunted in reply.

"Hm?"

Rouge poked her head out from the kitchen door, looking utterly confused.

"Where on all of Mobius did I put that purple apron?"

Shadow's eyes moved to behind Rouge in the kitchen, where a lavender apron was slung over a chair.

"Try checking behind you."

Rouge frowned and then looked over her shoulder. She smiled and then chuckled.

"Well, what do you know?"

She went to stuff the apron into a drawer while Shadow stood up and stretched out his arms. He reached for the sky made a slight noise in his throat as he did so. The hedgehog looked up at the window into a blinding ray of sunlight that teased his eyes, forcing him to squint.

"Shadow!"

He tore his narrowed eyes from the window and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?" he answered patiently.

"I just wanted to let you know that the commander called," Rouge said casually, "He said that he needs you for something."

Shadow walked into the kitchen and leaned on the door frame, arms crossed.

"And just how long ago was this?" he asked.

"Ahh . . ." Rouge tapped her chin in thought, struggling to remember. "I think it was yesterday . . . no, it was three days ago . . . maybe a week?"

Shadow sighed. Her memory was suffering, and she would often show it through little things like this.

"Why would he call your house and not my cell phone?" the hedgehog wondered aloud.

"Who?"

Shadow eyed Rouge again, eyebrow raised once more. She gazed back, her eyes wide and innocent. It had taken some time to get used to, but Rouge acting like this was no longer strange to the hedgehog.

"Never mind, then," Shadow said, waving it off. At the moment, he wouldn't have wanted to leave, G.U.N appointment or not. Perhaps he was just becoming lazy.

Rouge shrugged and continued her "cooking". She had a bowl of indistinguishable paste in front of her, along with a variety of spices and a box of graham crackers. Shadow couldn't help but smile as she attempted to make something from memory.

"Rouge, are you using a cookbook?" he asked, though he knew the answer already.

"I don't need that nonsense," she called back as she dumped the contents of a salt shaker into the bowl. "I can handle this."

Shadow shook his head. Wasn't it just like her to continue being stubborn, even after the incident?

"Here," he replied, stepping towards his companion. "This might be a little easier for you."

Shadow took the bowl from her and set it into the sink. He put away the little spices into their rightful cabinets and cleaned up a mess of salt. Once he'd finished, the hedgehog took Rouge's hand and led her to the table. "Let's start simple," he said. "Wait here."

Rouge nodded, her brow furrowed. Shadow took out another, smaller bowl and a spoon. He opened the fridge to get out a carton of milk, checked to see if it was expired, and set everything out in front of Rouge on the table.

"A bowl of milk? I know you said start simple, Shads, but I didn't think you meant that simple."

Shadow flicked her ear.

"Just be patient," he said enigmatically. Rouge huffed her irritation and crossed her arms in front of her. Shadow then laid out a few boxes of different cereals in front of her. "Now pick one," he said.

Rouge, after a moment's consideration, chose a brightly-colored children's cereal. Shadow opened up the box.

Shadow then explained how to make a quick and easy breakfast, and Rouge snapped her fingers once she had a full bowl of cereal.

"Oh! This seems vaguely familiar . . ." she realized, wracking her brain to recall when the last time she'd made a bowl of cereal was.

Shadow smiled as she started eating.

"You're well on your way," he mumbled, a grin crossing his face.

The commander of G.U.N sat in his office, hands folded on his desk. He bit his lip in thought as he considered the ceremony's preparations.

Another agent stepped into the room.

"Everything's prepared, sir," he announced.

The commander nodded solemnly.

"Good," he said, "Have you contacted Agents Shadow and Rouge?"

"We've only just gotten word of their arrival," the agent reported, "They're here now, along with many other Mobians, who I suppose have come for support."

"Excellent. Bring Team Dark in."

The agent nodded and rushed out of the room, calling for the two agents. After a few moments, three other agents led Shadow and Rouge into the commander's office.

"Agents Shadow and Rouge," he greeted. Shadow nodded in reply, arms crossed and eyes indignant. Rouge nodded as well, imitating Shadow's motion. The commander started to speak, his tone serious. "I understand you two must be mourning the loss of your friend and fellow agent."

Shadow's eyes traveled to the side, as though he refused to make eye contact with the commander.

"We've been getting along fine," he said shortly. Rouge simply nodded in agreement, although her facial expression said otherwise.

The commander rose from his chair and stepped forward towards the Mobian agents.

"We, as an agency, have decided upon something that you two may be interested in," he said. Shadow barely batted an eye.

"Is that so?" he inquired.

"E-123 Omega died a soldier's death," the commander stated, "It has come to our understanding that he sacrificed himself in order to rescue the both of you. Am I correct?"

Shadow pursed his lips, not wanting to answer. This is what he was called in for?

"Yes, sir," Rouge replied, surprising everyone, especially Shadow. His ear twitched as she continued to speak. "He thought it a worthy cause to save our lives by sacrificing his own."

Shadow gave the bat a side-glance. She sounded like her old self, but at the same time . . . she didn't.

"I see," the commander mused. He rubbed his chin in thought, and then bent down to get to the Mobians' eye level. "We've prepared a soldier's burial service for him, if you two would be willing to attend."

Shadow's ear perked up, but at the same time he doubted. A burial for a robot?

No, not just a robot.

For Omega . . . a good soldier and a friend.

"Will you two join us?" the commander asked, "I leave the choice entirely up to you."

Rouge looked at Shadow with hopeful eyes. His own eyes were softening up, even in front of the commander.

"We'll be there," Rouge confirmed, "Oh, we will be there . . ."

The commander nodded at the agents as a signal. They nodded and led the two Mobians out. Before he left, Shadow turned to the commander, who raised his eyebrows in return. The hedgehog held out a hand in an offering, which the commander accepted, and they shook hands.

"Rouge and I give you our sincerest gratitude," Shadow said, almost sounding humble. Almost. The commander's mouth broke into a smile.

"It's an honor, Shadow the hedgehog."

It seemed that everyone was there for the service. Shadow and Rouge sat in the front, completely silent. Because Omega's final form was unsuitable to fit into any sort of casket, the burial team had arranged for his only intact part – a single robotic arm – to be placed into a metallic coffin to symbolize the hero that once bore it. The coffin was placed in the front of the group so that every Mobian and every agent had a chance to pay their respects before the symbolic element could be buried. Shadow and Rouge insisted on being the last ones to go up, and no one was about to stop them from getting their wishes.

When it was their turn, Shadow and Rouge slowly stepped up to the metal coffin and stood silently in front of it. For a moment, they did nothing; said nothing. Shadow's eyes scanned the odd coffin, noticing a red "omega" symbol painted neatly over the top. His eyes turned to Rouge when he heard her sniffle. Upon closer inspection, her eyes were swimming with tears.

Shadow brushed his fingers over the coffin's surface, feeling the smooth metal. He licked his lips once, twice, three times.

"Omega was truly a powerful addition to our team," he said loudly enough for the entire crowd to hear, "Many saw him as nothing but that. A strong and intimidating figure to complete Team Dark. However, through his otherwise powerful exterior, there was something softer within."

Shadow kept his eyes on the "omega" symbol.

"If I were to know what a brother were like," he said, fighting to keep his voice steady, "I'd look no further than Omega."

The hedgehog paused as Rouge placed her hand gently on his back, supporting him. Shadow didn't make eye contact with her.

"We've had many good times together," Shadow continued, "Team Dark will never be the same without him. However, he wouldn't want me to stand here and talk about him this entire time, nor would he want me to mourn him."

Shadow cracked a grin, recalling. His eyes were no longer teary, but instead bore a soft and even gentle look.

"He'd want me to destroy all of Eggman's robots."

A small bittersweet chuckle came from both Rouge and the crowd behind them.

"Thank you, Omega, for the good times," he whispered.

"Goodbye, Omega. We'll miss you," the bat quavered, one hand patting the coffin, the other on Shadow's shoulder. Rouge shut her eyes in order to stop the flow of tears that left them, though her own face bore a watery smile as well. Shadow gripped the hand placed on his shoulder and put his other hand on the coffin. With shaking lips forming a smile, he whispered one final goodbye to his friend.

"Sayonara, big guy. We appreciate everything you've done."

Shadow and Rouge left after the final salute, both having a feeling that, if a robot could smile, Omega would be beaming.

A/N: *sniff* I'll admit to tearing up a bit myself while writing this final chapter . . . I gotta stop listening to mood music while I write these things. :P

Sappy author's note! Woot woot!

Well, all, it's been an awesome run! Special thanks to all readers, followers, favoriters, and especially reviewers and guest reviewers - like I've said before, you guys are the best! I appreciate all the support you've given throughout this story. Keep an eye on my profile for upcoming stories! Best wishes to everyone! :)