Ah, This fics progressing rather nicely innit? Here's chapter 3, it may be the last chapter but if you guys want more then review! I might write more. Sorry this took so long, had a bit of the writers block and needed to take a break. ^^;

*readers glare*

What?! It happens to everyone! But yeah, I'm sorry all. Anyway, I finally discovered the perfect song! Well, I hope it is! ^_^

Disclaimer: Toys that make noise and annoy me must be destroyed in a fiery pit of death!!! ..... What? That was a disclaimer wasn't it? ..... ok fine... I don't own Sonic or the Evanescence song 'My Immortal'

Chapter 3: Grief and Forgiveness

Still running Amy didn't stop until she reached her apartment. Tears streaming down her face as she got put her key to open the door. She failed to notice a single long stemmed red rose with a note attached to it as she ran and locked herself in her room.

"I hate him!" she yelled. "It's all his fault! I hate him and I hate Shadow!" she said and began to sob uncontrollably.

Shadow softly knocked on the door, his heart ached to hear her crying to so hard.

"Go away!" was the response from which no other words followed.

Getting the hint, the black hedgehog admitted defeat and made his way to the door.

"He reminds me of Sonic..." Amy thought to herself as she heard him leave. She felt bad but she really couldn't handle seeing anyone at this point.

Shadow wondered if she noticed what was left behind. He felt absolutely horrible and vowed to make it up to her. He really didn't expect her to take it so hard, but remembering all the past times Sonic had spent with her made it clear.

*Flashback*

"Help! I can't find my bracelet!" cried a frantically searching Amy Rose. She could NOT go to the movie without it.

Tapping his foot by the door Sonic stood waiting as patiently as he could. But he knew they were going to be late if they didn't go soon, even with his speed.

Amy looked everywhere and still didn't find it. Finally admitting defeat she went to meet Sonic at the doorway.

"Couldn't find it?" he asked and patted her on the back when she shook her head 'no'. "let me try... wait here." he said and walked off to her bedroom.

Amy gawked as he walked off. Then assured herself he'd never find it. She looked everywhere, how by some miracle would he find it?

A bit later Sonic emerged, opening his right hand he revealed the bracelet.

Throwing her arms around him in a tight hug she squeaked. "You found it! Yay!"

"You're welcome, but we have to go NOW." picking her up they raced toward the theater with minutes to spare.

*End Flashback*

Shadow sighed remembering when a bubbly Amy told him all about that 'date'. It was a harsh difference to what her emotions were now. He wondered if he should go see how she was doing but dismissed the thought thinking she would never want to see him again, for sure.

He was half-right, Amy was still refusing to believe Sonic was dead but at the same time she knew it must be true. She tried to think of good times but it just made her heart ache and her tears flow. She felt so conflicted, thoughts whizzing about in her head. She felt like she'd never be the same again and that worried her.

Eventually she emerged from her room to fetch herself a glass of water. She noticed something red, buried underneath her forgotten mail. Carefully lifting the pieces away she revealed a partially flattened rose with an accompanying note. She automatically picked up the rose and smelled it, inhaling it's sweet scent. Her gaze then shifted to the note she opened it and began to read.

Dearest Amy,

I've hurt you, mere words can not express how sorry I am. I understand if you never want to see or speak to me again, but know this. I will carry out Sonic's last wish whether you like it or not. That means I'll not allow any harm to come to you Amy Rose.

Remember that,

The note was signed 'Shadow'. After reading, Amy felt a little regretful about the way she treated him at the theme park. She felt a new sense of purpose, to set things right by any means possible.

*~*~*~*~*

Not long after, the others were told the tragic news. Knuckles and Rouge were both grieving and worried for Amy's sake. Tails was inconsolable and locked himself in his workshop. Cream didn't quite understand when her mother told her Sonic wouldn't be coming to visit her anymore.

Rouge thought she should go and check up on Amy. After all, it had been four days with no word from the pink hedgehog.

Softly knocking she called. "Amy? Are you alright?" she waited several minutes before raising her voice a little. "If you don't open the door I'm coming in anyway!" waiting a bit longer she did just that, she picked the lock and the door easily swung open.

Rouge stepped inside expecting to find her somewhere but she didn't. She didn't find Amy anywhere. She wondered if she had gone out but then noticed a note laying on the counter.

To whom it may concern

I need to go away for a while. Do not attempt to follow me. I'm doing this for my own good and yours. I won't be gone forever so don't worry about me.

Amy Rose

After reading it once Rouge grabbed the note to go find Shadow.

*~*~*~*~*

Shadow himself was wondering what his next move would be. Finally making up his mind he prepared to leave when Rouge stopped him.

"What? She's gone?" he asked after hearing what she had to say. Then received the note and read. "Oh no..."

"What?" asked Rouge. "What's wrong with that?"

Shadow shook his head. "I know where she went and It's not safe." he said and looking at Rouge he added. "I must go to her." and sped away before the perplexed bat could get another word in edgewise.

He didn't stop until he reached the place where Sonic had been lain to rest. Sure enough Amy was standing at the grave site, flowers in her hand and tears in her eyes.

I'm so tired of being here,

suppressed by all my childish fears.

She jumped when she heard Shadow approach nearly dropping the bunch of daisies she had gathered. Quickly wiping away the tears in an effort to look presentable.

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave,

"Amy?" he quietly called as she turned to look at him.

'cause your presence still lingers here

and it won't leave me alone.

"Shadow..." she said in a choked voice. "I- I'm..."

These wounds won't seem to heal...

He carefully made his way towards her, softly pressing his finger to her mouth. "Shh... I understand." he said as she looked up at him in shock.

Her expression soon changed to one of sorrow as he allowed her to fall into his strong arms which carefully circled around her body.

This pain is just too real...

"I'm sorry..." she said feeling the tears return. "I'm so sorry Shadow..." she tried to sniff them away but to no avail.

"It's alright, Amy." he said. "You're allowed to cry."

There's just too much that time cannot erase.

They stayed in their embrace for what seemed like hours, Shadow never faltering once. Never moving until Amy was ready to talk as he softly brushed away her tears.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears,

when you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears,

"Why...?" she asked. "Why him? It's not fair!" she said feeling a great deal of frustration which needed to escape.

"Amy, look at me." said Shadow tilting her face towards his. "Life exists in the future, not the past. Do you understand that?" he asked.

and I've held your hand through all of these years,

but you still have all of me.

"I do... but you can't expect me to just sit here..." she said pulling her knees towards herself.

You used to captivate me

by your resonating light.

"Of course I'm not, I feel like I should be doing something more as well but I can't..." he said.

Now I'm bound by the life you left behind.

Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams.

Your voice, it chased away all the sanity in me.

Amy continued her knee-hug. "Will the pain ever stop?" she asked. "It hurts so much..."

These wounds won't seem to heal.

This pain is just too real.

There's just too much that time cannot erase.

Shadow nodded and softly stroked her back. "It will, you just need time to heal. It's a long an painful journey, but going through it again is even harder." he said remembering Maria's death. "I used to think revenge would take care of my problems and make then go away but it only makes it worse. Sonic helped me realize that."

When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears,

when you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears,

Amy nodded. "why are you being so nice to me?" she asked. "is it because he asked you to be?"

Shadow shook his head. "No, it's because I want to be." he said lightly clasping her hand in his.

Amy suddenly realized something. "If it hadn't been for Sonic, you wouldn't be alive today... that's twice now..."

and I've held your hand through all of these years,

but you still have all of me.

"Yeah," he said. "Sonic lived the way he died, fighting Eggman and protecting those he loved."

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone.

But though you're still with me

I've been alone all along.

Shadow returned Amy to her apartment that day, alerting everyone she was safe. He told her to call him if she needed anything, anything at all. She nodded and thanked him.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears,

when you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears,

and I've held your hand through all of these years,

but you still have all of me.

Many months later Amy finally felt ready to face the world and decided to begin by answering the question of a certain black and red hedgehog.

"Would you like to..." he began, not able to get the words out.

"Go to... dinner?" Amy suggested.

He nodded giving her a shy smile.

Amy giggled. "Pick me up at 7." she said and gave him a kiss on the cheek before turning to leave the blushing hedgehog.

A/N Finished! It took me long enough eh? Was it worth it? just tell me in the reviews! ^-^