#HSJSHJ UHHH YEAH SO I JUST FINISHED THE FIRST PART AT MIDNIGHT

[blu-ish]

🌆▪️Silent Nights▪️

Summary: Someone is sending Shadow mysterious gifts?! [erroneous gift's at that..] leading up to Amy's annual New Year's extravaganza party. Will he be able to figure out who this mysterious pitiful present giver is, before Team Dark sets off on their year lasting G.U.N mission? H-Hey don't ask me, read for yourself! ;)

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Sharp ruby eyes were fixed on the clock, the one that made it's soul purpose agonizing the black hedgehog with it's earsplitting ticking; one that seemed to echo in the otherwise empty G.U.N headquarters. It was already half past eleven, and Shadow wanted to go back to his apartment.

The hour's lethargic hex never reached the ebony agent, it rarely did. Compared to the sluggish movements and gaping yawns the occasional G.U.N solider gave as they retired for the night. Shadow was practically wide awake.

He would temporarily tear his eyes away from the clock to give a cordial nod to the periodic solider who passed him; who in return would either grumble a muffled "night..." though their mask, or salute hastily.

The clock would ring every hour, he wondered if he stared at it long enough it would burst into flames.

At approximately 12:01am, Rouge unceremoniously swung open the doors that led to Commander Towers' office.

"Good morning hun! Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long~" The bat's silklike voice was a welcoming change to Shadow's sensitive ears.

"What happened?" He stated flatly. Earning him a melodramatic sigh and a sorrowful look from the other. He was just stating the obvious.

"Well, apparently someone below screwed up on the one thing they're supposed to be doing. So Team Dark get's to be their clean up crew."

Shadow crossed his arms with a hum, closing his eyes in thought. Rouge continued as they gradually walked away from the lobby.

"Trust me deary, it's a complete mess..." She pressed her gloved finger to her temple, she was drained, he could tell.

He glanced down toward her arm, where she held some folders between them, she slipped them to Shadow and he scanned the pages as they approached Team Dark's office; well, more like Rouge's office, Shadow and Omega only shared the name plates plastered on the door.

"Shamar..?" Shadow recited, the bat hummed tunefully in agreement as she effortlessly slid her keycard through to open the door.

"It's on the whole other side of Mobius, I know." She chuckled, "I'll give you the spill once we get Omega and get the hell out of here."

He agreed, and carefully closed the folder. Rouge was never keen on repeating herself, no matter how trivial.

The lights automatically switched on as the sound of her heels clicked against the polished floor. Lavish wasn't even a close comparison to the grand zeal of the office, it was so... Rouge.

Gem's were lovingly placed on valuable furniture; oh, they weren't real though, those were devotedly hidden in her bedroom, away from prying eyes. Soft sofas, chique wooden tables and bookshelves gave the room a antique feeling, one that Shadow didn't necessarily dislike.

Well, until you looked at the corner near the back of the room, where a huge machine was plugged into the wall. Otherwise known as E-123 Omega.

Rouge sighed, patting the bots frame. "Wake up sleeping beauty, we're off~"

The thumping of metal plates echoed slightly as she moved away to shove some things in her purse from her desk. Omega's form shifted as he stood up, red optics focused on the two Mobians--well, Mobian and one half.

"I HAVE BEEN SITTING AT FULL POWER FOR APPROXIMENTLY 10 HOURS. ONE COULD ASK HOW LONG IT TAKES TO OBTAIN INFORMATION?" Omega's booming robotic voice seemingly questioned.

Shadow noted Rouges clasped hands gripping their respective fabric when she turned towards the bot, if she wasn't careful, he was sure they would rip.

"Well, for someone who slept all day, you sure are grouchy! I would gladly switch places next time if you believe you could do better, dear."

Omega's pause almost pulled a breath of a laugh from Shadow, who was leaning against the wall eyeing the duo. The robot shifted, knowing better than to provoke a sleep deprived bat woman.

"ROAST ACKNOWLEGED. I SHALL NOW, LAY OFF."

"Thank you. Now!" Rouge clapped. "Lets be off, if you boys behave the rest of the way home maybe I'll let you in on the mission details instead of letting you go in blind." Shadow, who had already grabbed her faux-- totally not stolen coat, eyed her.

"Of course, I only stayed here with you outside Towers' door until midnight to make sure you didn't fly home half asleep..."

Rouge gasped breathlessly, "My hero~". He wasn't amused.

After slipping on her coat, she patted the hedgehog on the cheek playfully. "In all seriousness dear, I want you to know I appreciate it, it's more than Robo Aurora offered here."

"I WOULD NEVER FALL VICTIM TO A SPINNING WHEEL."

-------

The reunited trio made they're way to G.U.N's private parking lot, where Shadow parked his prized motorcycle. He had drove Rouge to the meeting with Towers, her being the Team Leader always led to her getting the bulk of the mission information firsthand, not that Shadow minded, he would rather stare at that clock than Towers' disapproving stare.

His vehicle was outfitted with a detachable sidecar, one big enough for Omega that is, Shadow had previously thought of it as a bit silly and impractical in a serious situation. But it grew on him, and well, Omega tolerated it.

"Ugh, the sooner I take a shower the better." Rouge complained for what seemed like the millionth time on their walk outside. He could only hum in agreement, bending down to open a bag on the side of his bike, pulling out his leather jacket and slipping it on, careful of his inhibitors.

"LET US RUN ALL RED TRAFFIC LIGHTS." Omega stated, already seated in the side car, his arms awkwardly held at his side.

"What, no." Shadow breathed, grabbing his keys from his quills and inserting them, throwing his leg over to straddle the bike as it rumbled to life.

Rouge joined him, leaning over to pat Omega in the side car.

"Now, now Omega, we respect the traffic laws--for the most part *AHEM*, anyways how do you expect Shadow to speed with you in the sidecar?" She obviously teased, and Shadow obviously ignored.

"CHALLENGE ACCEPTED."

Shadow grumbled, and as he sped away from the gates of the parking lot, who would've noticed if he passed just one or two red lights to get a roar of laughter out of his friends.

-------

"And that's the gist of it, I suppose." Rouge waved her fork carefully, before using it to take another bite of lasagna.

The team had laid out the papers in a semi-organized order on the kitchen table, Shadow balanced his plate on his leg as he made mental notes of the info Infront of him.

"Should have guessed it was Robotnik related." He sighed, placing one of the papers down in-front of Omega to scan.

The bat adjusted her hair towel. "It does appear like old eggy is up to his usual antics again hm?"

"AS LONG AS E-123 OMEGA STANDS. HIS DAYS ARE NUMBERED." The E-series robot proclaimed, raising his arm swiftly in the air to make a strong fist.

"There's just one thing I don't understand..." Shadow gestured toward the papers in question. "A whole year of reconnaissance, why?"

"Remember the little friend below I mentioned earlier? You can thank them for that~" Rouge stabbed another piece of the pasta before delicately placing it between her teeth. Shadow almost felt sorry for it.

Apparently, Robotnik had plans to make another lab in Shamar, any previous information regarding it was accidently deleted by an unfortunate intern at headquarters. He could piece that much together at least.

The people there had a very high likely hood of being ambushed, and as capable of self-preservation as they had the likelihood of being, the reconnaissance info was supposed to be given to them. They were practically in the dark so to speak.

Which is where Team Dark comes in. To shine some light on the situation, it was a simple task, but a long one. A year long.

"Hm, I'm sure their receiving a party full of thanks." The agent gathered the file, neatly evening out the papers before placing them back in the folder. "But, what matters now is the mission. We need to prepare."

They would need to borrow a vehicle from G.U.N, something sturdy and could fit something motorcycle sized. Plenty of food, medical supplies, weapons and ammo. Rouge was an awful driver at night so Shadow was already planning driving shifts, they would either go by plane or boat from there and---

"Well, of course! But there's one, tiny problem~" Cutting off Shadows semi-mental thoughts. She set her plate down and made her famous "I could do no wrong" face. Great, Shadow thought.

"As in?"

"I kinda sorta already promised Rose we'd be there for her New Years Party." Rouge gleamed. "I wouldn't want to disappoint the little girl, would you?"

It had completely slipped his mind, Rose had her yearly party at her cottage for all her friends. The trio had just started attending recently, as in the past 3 years straight.

Of course, it's not as though it was uncommon for one or two of them to had missed an occasional party due to, oh he doesn't know... maybe, because of something IMPORTANT.

"Rouge, her party is the same day we are supposed to leave... how do you exactly plan we prepare to leave to another continent and drop by in that time?" Shadow's quills ruffled, Amy would understand why they wouldn't be able to make it. Did this bat have no care for his mental schedule?

"I know it sounds crazy, but we could make it work! We prepare in the morning, drive by to say goodbye--maybe fluster a certain red head~ and be off!" Rouge waves dismissably, he couldn't believe it.

They were gonna be late because of an Echidna.

"Rouge--"

"Nuh-huh! I'm pulling the Team Leader card on this one fellas! If I'm going to be deprived of my boyfriend for one whole year I'm at least saying goodbye!" Shadow groaned in response, her argument oddly made some sense he supposed.

"Alright, fine. We have a week anyways, I'm sure we'd be done by then..." He thinks anyways... but the last thing he'd want is a depressed Knuckle deprived Rouge on their roadtrip to Shamar. He can only take so many narrated description's of his "sexyness" to bear.

"Aww! I knew you would agree sweetie!" She smiled brightly, a yawn escaping her lips. "Now if you'd excuse me dears I REALLY need to sleep... my head is pounding." Shadow nodded, and offered to take her hair towel. As soon as her door shut he turned to Omega, who was quietly observing from the side.

"Your on my side right?"

"OMEGA CHOOSES THE SIDE OF DESTRUCTION AND CARNAGE."

....

....

"ONLY IF YOU PROMISE THIS NEW VEHICLE HAS GUNS."

"Of course Omega."

"YES."

-----

Shadow supposed, maybe, it would all work out. He slumped on the couch, relishing in not standing any longer than he had too.

He'd feel better as soon as he gets started tomorrow, he's sure. Besides, it would be nice to see everyone before they left. It's only appropriate, the well mannered thing to do. The year would fly by and they'd be just in time for another one of Amy's New Year parties, one they would be able to enjoy.

Glancing out the window from their apartment, he looked at the dancing lights of distant vehicles, and the blue hue the night gave above the towering buildings..

So why did leaving feel so bittersweet?