Well, her latest plan was a bust.

Just like the plan before, and the one before that, Amy's newest 'Nab Sonic' scheme had fallen flat on it's face. And she'd been so sure it would work! She had literally bet her life-savings on it. And what did she have to show for all her hard earned rings? An expensive disguise that hadn't even worked, and a restraining order.

"What a rip off..." she grumbled, kicking sullenly at the planks beneath her boots.

The park was quiet this morning. Even though it looked like it was going to be a gorgeous day, there was hardly a soul in sight. Too early for most, she supposed. She'd hoped to calm her frustrations with a spot of people-watching, but maybe the lack of foot traffic was all to the good. The murky waters of the canal below were easier to appreciate when you didn't have a crowd jostling at your back, all trying to cross the narrow wooden bridge at the same time...

Yeah. Right.

With a heavy sigh, Amy leaned back against the guardrail and gazed into the cloudless sky.

She should have known the Chaotix were all talk. One hundred percent success rate her butt! Talk about false advertising!

"Well, Amy ol' girl... Now what?" she murmured.

The Chaotix had pretty much been her Ace in the Hole. She'd been saving those rings for a long time, specifically for the purpose of purchasing the (dubious) assistance of Vector, Espio and Charmy. Vector in particular had experience in the arena of love, or so she'd been led to believe, and her faith in their success had been absolute. In hindsight, that had been foolishly optimistic of her. She hadn't considered the variables, the most unpredictable of which was Sonic himself.

That's my Sonic for you, she thought with a mixture of despair and adoration. Fast, strong and devastatingly handsome... but completely oblivious.

Well, all wasn't lost. She still had her good looks and her girlish charm. Maybe she'd just have to be a little more forceful... If memory served, Rouge the Bat had some interesting man-catching tactics. At least, Amy thought she did. She must have – how else would she be able to keep both Knuckles and Shadow hanging on the way she did?

Luckily for Sonic – and he'd never know exactly how lucky – it was as Amy was trying to remember Rouge's current whereabouts that he happened upon her thoughtful form that morning. Though still thoroughly shaken by Charmy's 'baby hedgehog' talk, the blue blur didn't hesitate to call out a friendly greeting; after all, he thought, it wasn't her fault the Chaotix had gone totally insane, right?

"Hey Amy!" he waved, startling her from her reverie. "Whatcha doin'?"

"S-Sonic!" Even startled as she was, Amy couldn't stop the grin that stretched her lips as she turned to see her long-time crush jog easily towards her. She just couldn't help herself! Even the most casual of exchanges had always been enough to make her smile like a fool around him. "Hey! I'm... uh... just enjoying a morning walk."

It was mostly true. She hadn't exactly been 'enjoying' it, per se, but Amy was sure that would change now that Sonic was on the scene.

"What a coincidence," Sonic grinned. "I was just enjoying a morning run. Wanna grab some breakfast?"

Her heart started pounding double time. Could it be true? Was she dreaming? Or was Sonic really inviting her to spend some time with him?

Of course, she jumped at the chance. Whether it be reality or just a wonderful dream, there was no way Amy was about to miss a chance like this one. Where her precious Sonic was concerned, every moment was a treasure.

They set off together through the park, Sonic – for once – setting a pace that she could easily keep up with. They talked about little things, like what a nice day it was, and what their plans were for the week, and how their friends were doing. On the subject of friends, Amy told Sonic about Cream's growing fondness for technology, a peculiarity she theorised had a lot to do with a certain twin-tailed fox they both knew. Sonic then smilingly reported Tails' corresponding bafflement over the rabbit's more frequent visits, completely missing the significance (much to Amy's exasperation).

By the time they reached the food van the air had warmed considerably, and despite the still-early hour, Amy ordered a strawberry ice cream.

"That'll be fifty rings, please," the vendor said, holding out a hand for the money.

Amy fumbled for the rings in her pocket, carefully balancing the cone in her right hand.

"Here," Sonic grinned, moving ahead of her. "I'll get it. Two chilli dogs, please."

With their respective 'breakfasts' paid for, the pair wandered to a nearby bench. Picking up the conversation where they'd left off, Amy tried to explain what was so important about Cream's new-found interest.

"So, what you're saying is Cream doesn't like machines like she says she does," Sonic repeated, licking a stray dollop of chilli from his hand.

"That's right."

"You think it's Tails she likes?"

"I'm sure of it."

Sonic shrugged. "What's wrong with that?"

Amy slapped a hand to her forehead. He clearly didn't get it.

"Nothing," she sighed, deciding it was time to cut her losses. Matters of love were obviously a foreign language to Sonic. "There's nothing wrong with it at all."

Blinking guilelessly, Sonic asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

She smiled beatifically, shaking her head, and dismissed his query with a casual wave of her hand. He asked again, and once more after that, but when Amy refused to be drawn into the conversation again, he dropped the topic without complaint.

They'd been sitting a while – Amy unwilling to lose even a second with her hero, Sonic too full to resume his run just yet – when the blue blur remembered something Vector had said to him three days ago.

"Amy?"

"Mm?" the pink hedgehog hummed, swinging her legs back and forth as she perched daintily on the bench.

"I was wonderin'... Do you know anything about technology?" Sonic asked curiously.

"Me?" Amy frowned, looking up. "Um... no, not really. I mean I can work a TV, and a microwave and stuff... y'know, the basics. But short of that..."

"Huh."

"Why'd you ask?"

"Just somethin' Vector said to me the other day," Sonic shrugged. "He was going on about you, and something about motors and pedals... I think he takes you for a mechanic, Ames!"

Amy, who of course knew what Vector was supposed to have been talking about, was puzzled. Pedals? Motors? Well, no wonder they'd failed the assignment! Vector hadn't even been talking about the right thing!

"That's... weird." Maybe she should ask for her money back.

"Yeah, right?" Sonic crossed his arms, cocking his head to the side. "In fact, all the Chaotix have been acting weird lately. Well, except maybe Charmy... I think he's always like that..."

He cast a sideways glance at Amy, then immediately looked away. She didn't miss how his cheeks took on a slightly rosy glow, but it was gone again so quickly that she had to wonder if she'd really seen it at all.

Clearing his throat, Sonic stood and stretched languorously. "Well, I'd better get going."

Amy felt her heart deflate a little. "Already?" she asked, disappointed.

They'd been together for a good chunk of the morning, but it seemed to her that no matter how much time she spent with Sonic, it was never enough. Worse, simply by virtue of his free-spirited nature, she knew it would be a while before they were together like this again. The months ahead would be spent chasing after him, like always, and she'd constantly be three steps behind, like always. It was a bleak prospect to say the least.

"Yeah," he replied, starting to jog lightly in place. "Places to go, people to see... You know how it is."

"Yeah... A hedgehog's work is never done, right?" She tried not to sound too disheartened.

The truth was, Amy was getting a little tired of all the chasing. Oh, she wasn't going to give up – Sonic was worth any effort in her opinion – but maybe a break was in order. She could stay behind this time... take that advanced cookery class she'd been reading about...

And maybe, if she asked nicely...

"Right!" Sonic agreed, giving her a thumbs-up. "But hey, I had fun today. See ya around?"

"Huh? Um... sure." She hadn't really been listening – she'd been too busy hatching a new plan. The idea was delicious in it's simplicity, so basic, that Amy couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before. "Say, Sonic...?"

"Mm?"

"Would you... uh, that is we could do this again, some time... if- if you want," she mumbled shyly. "I've been learning to cook, so..."

She didn't expect him to agree, at least not right away. Her plan was to lure him in with food, and once he learned how good a cook she was... well, he might visit more often.

To her surprise, Sonic agreed readily.

"Yeah, sounds good to me. Next week?"

"S-Sure! I mean... yeah, that would be great!" Reminding herself that next week wasn't here yet, Amy forced herself to curb her excitement. A lot could happen in a week, especially where Sonic the Hedgehog was concerned. "Home made chilli dogs sound good?"

An obvious ploy perhaps, but there was nothing wrong with sweetening the deal a little, right?

"Sounds awesome, Ames. I'll be there," he smiled. Then, with a cheerful wave, Sonic took to the tarmac, racing – as ever – towards his next big adventure.

Amy watched him go, wondering now more than ever if it was all just a dream. If it was, she never wanted to wake from it.

As she ambled slowly through the park, hardly able to believe the events of the morning, Amy remembered her earlier, less than amicable thoughts regarding the Chaotix. Where did she stand with them now, she wondered. Technically, she had a date with Sonic just like she'd wanted... And one that he'd fully agreed to no less! Was that thanks to the Chaotix? Or was it just sheer coincidence?

Personally, given what Sonic had told her earlier, she was leaning towards the latter.

"Ah well," she shrugged, beaming with pent up joy. "I'll let them keep the money anyway. After all, I got what I wanted."

Little did Amy know that the trio of detectives had already spent what remained of her deposit on a much deserved holiday to Mazuri. If she had chanced by the Agency in search of her rings, she'd have found the office abandoned, the only clue as to their whereabouts a single sign in the window with the dubious legend 'In Recovery' scrawled in big, hasty letters.

-X-

And that's it for this story folks. I've enjoyed writing it, but to be honest, I'm glad it's done – it was standing in the way of several other projects that are all vying for my attention.

Thanks to all who have read, reviewed etc – you're the people who make writing worthwhile. I know I don't always answer reviews due to time constraints and sheer forgetfulness, but I hope you all know how much I truly appreciate them.