Shadow of a Doubt

Emotions Run High

Maria got up from her seat. Tails gave her a reassuring touch on the arm and Silver gave her hand a squeeze, which she returned. Then she followed the black hedgehog into the other room. She closed the sliding wooden door between the dinning room and front living room, knowing that this was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

Maria turned to see Shadow looking out the front window, over the couch, rubbing the back of his head with one hand almost aggressively.

"I know you're mad at me but-"

"I'm not mad." He interrupted her. "I'm frustrated and hurt, but I don't think mad is the right word."

"I've only known for a couple days."

"And you didn't tell me. You told Rouge but you didn't tell me. I get the other two figuring it out themselves, but why didn't you come to me? I thought we were best friends."

"We were -or are best friends. I just..."

"Just what?" Shadow turned to look at her.

"I-" she faltered under his gaze. "I just didn't want to be the dying girl anymore. Everyone knows me for having NIDS and sending you here... I just wanted to explore being me before taking on all the preconceptions everyone has. You keep making me sound like a saint, Shadow. I don't know if I can meet the expectations that has put on me." A tear slid down Maria's cheek.

"I could have kept your secret. You could have confided in me."

"I know you would, it's just..." Maria looked away from him, no longer able to take the hurt expression on his face.

"What?"

"It's your expectations I'm most scared of letting down. You've built up my memory so much, I feel like I'm bound to fall flat. We were just children back then... And you weren't even on the Ark for very long... I just wanted to become my own person again before reconnecting with you." Maria wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt.

Shadow was silent. It was too heavy for Maria, so she continued.

"It's just being human was so awful for me. All those tests and treatments... it felt like some type of purgatory where nothing got better and only got worse. My body deteriorating around me and nothing I could do about it. I just want this new life to be different. I want to feel like myself in my own body this go around. Not trapped like back then. And I guess I'm scared to share that dark reality of our past. So I thought trying to forget it and start anew would be easier. It just hurts to remember, you know?"

Maria rubbed her face again with the edge of her sleeve. When she looked up again, Shadow was right in front of her. He reached out slowly, gently placing a hand on her arm.

"I know better than anyone." His voice was low and raspy as tears began to fall from his eyes.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, drawing him into the hug they both so desperately needed. That is when Shadow began to sob. Face pressed into Maria's hair, arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders, he let himself feel the pain and joy of the moment.

"I'm so sorry, Shadow. You were never supposed to find out like this." Maria said softly into his shoulder. 

They stood there embracing for a couple minutes, Shadow sobbing as Maria attempted to sooth him, tears running down her own face.

When they both had stopped actively crying, Shadow pulled back to look at Maria, hands gently holding her arms. She responded by loosening her arms from his waist to rest her hands on his hips.

"Let me look at you." Maria said as they both looked over each other's faces. She raised a hand to gently caress his face. "You've aged, Shadow."

"No I haven't. You know I can't anymore." He moved his hand to hold hers there on his cheek. 

"Not physically, but I can see it in your eyes... the little hedgehog I knew on the Ark is gone."

"I've grown a lot since then." 

"I'm so proud of how far you've come." 

"Stop or I'll start crying again." Shadow gave a half laugh, wiping his cheek.

Maria smiled. She pulled away from his arms and grabbed a box of tissues from the coffee table. 

They both took a tissue and dried their eyes. 

"On a lighter note, I want us to start this friendship anew. Actually get to know each other beyond what we shared on the Ark." Maria took Shadow's hand. "I want to make up for not being around until now."

"You have nothing to make up for. Just having you here is more than enough." Shadow's face fell as he remembered something. "I forgot about yesterday."

"Right. Thank you for coming for me. If Ivo hadn't gotten the Power Prevention Collar on me before I woke up, I would have escaped on my own." Maria seemed to be uncomfortable with the fact that she needed rescuing. 

"Maria..."

"Please, I don't want to think about it."

"Just one question and I'll drop it."

She sighed, looking down at her hands, "What?"

"Where you really imprisoned down there this whole time?"

"You already know the answer to that."

"I was hoping I was wrong."

"Please, let's just forget about it."

"For now, sure."

Author's note: 

It has been FOREVER since I've updated this. But the Shadow obsession is back and kicking so hopefully I finish it.

Hope you enjoy!