You are a (A/T)

When the past and present collide

Being a GUN agent was often depicted as constant crime fighting and missions, which for the large majority it was. However, there was also the laborious tasks of paper work and cleaning of paper work. Tasks that Shadow was currently stuck doing.

"What you doing?"

At the sudden voice on reflex Shadow pointed his half assembled gun at the person behind him.

"Not the most friendly way to great your partner."

Shadow just gave a huff as he withdrew his gun from (Y/N)'s face starting to clean it again.

"Like I would shoot."

"I'm not stupid I knew you wouldn't besides you haven't even reloaded your magazine."

He just carried on with his task, something though after he'd cleaned the weapons used on today's mission he'd have to fill out several bits of paper work before he could finally head home.

"Unless you're here to help me clean these blasted guns I'd prefer no distractions."

"I know, I know, you want to get home ASAP. I just dropped by to let you know I got off early, wanted to know if you wanted any help."

"No thanks. And don't say you're not tired I know you've had a ten hour shift."

"Hey I'm tougher than you think. Let me help out."

"No chance."

Heaving a large sigh (Y/N) knew there was no point pressing the matter. Once Shadow made his mind up about something there was very little that could change his mind.

"Fine. I'll hang about down town until you're done, I've got to pick up a couple of things anyway." she shrugged.

"I told you, you don't have to-

"See you later Shadow!" she called walking out the room.

Sadly Shadow wasn't the only one who was stubborn. But its how they had to act around the facility. Yes the two had been together for a while but any relationships within GUN often became the subject of gossip, especially if Shadow was concerned.

Plus the fact it meant any criminals to GU didn't catch on either. So Shadow remained his 'bad boy' self and (Y/N) would sass him with levels lower than Rouge and Omega. It was this front an fake performance which is what made him so eager to get home every night. Where he didn't have to pretend.

Eventually after his tasks were completed he was able to leave the facility and head into town to try and find where (Y/N) was. However, there seemed to be constant things getting in his way that day.

"Hey! What's up Shadow!?" a blue blur asked.

Shadow couldn't give an answer to Sonic because dashed past not bothering to stop. So Shadow simply stuck out his foot leaving the Faker to fall right on his face. He might as well have a little fun today.

"Oi! What was that for!?" Sonic asked rubbing his sore face.

"Because you wouldn't stop."

"And here I was trying to be friendly." Sonic grumbled through a navel voice rubbing the dirt from his nose.

"Not even stopping to have a conversation with someone. Very friendly (!)"

"Well you're no expert on hospitality either Faker."

Shadow would have greatly enjoyed correcting Sonic on who was the Faker when something caught his eye.

"See?! This is what I'm talking about! You just stare into space whenever any talks to you." Sonic huffed with a large hand gesture.

But Shadow didn't reply. He continued to stare right ahead, his usual monotone expression showing shock and disbelief. He didn't want to see what he'd spotted in the crowd, but he could never forget that face. Without a word he shoved past Sonic his eyes never tearing off the person he had spotted.

The only problem with their appearance being. She was supposed to be dead.

"Shadow!? Where you going!?" Sonic called after him.

But he was numb to his words as he punched his way through the crowd, not caring for those who shouted or snapped at him for shoving his way past. It can't be. She's dead. I saw her die. But she was imprinted into his mind and she was making her way through the crowd. Maria.

"Shadow slow down you're hurting people!"

Making it through the crowd finally into a clear area he looked around frantically, he saw her go this way. He must be hallucinating, either that or a human was in the crowd who looked slightly liker her. But no matter what theories he gave himself, she was somehow here.

He caught another glimpse off her heading down another street, to which Shadow immediately took off in that direction. Sonic, who had been able to keep up with until this point, was easily able to follow him throughout the town. Shadow unaware of the damage he was causing.

When he stopped for a brief moment Sonic took the chance to grab him by the shoulder to try and talk some sense into him.

"Shadow calm down! You're running around like a lunatic!"

He was shoved away roughly, Shadow placing a hand on his gun.

"Touch me again and I'll kill you. Just leave me alone!"

"But Shad-

He raced off not giving Sonic the chance to see which direction he headed. Every smidgen of blue, every human he saw he followed whatever sighting he could. To the point he was in the center of town, panting from his efforts, his mind in bits tangled up, having lost all sight of the one he was looking for.

Where is she? Where is she? Where is she!? Where is she!?

"Shadow?"

At the touch of a hand on his shoulder he reached to his holster. And without looking, shot.

Reality seemed to slow down after that. Still in a fit of rage, gripping his smoking gun, the screams of the fleeting mobians around him sounded as though they were under water. His mind was still in turmoil, that glare set in stone as his face.

Rigidly turning, he saw whom he had shot, who of which he has assumed to be the Faker. But he had kept that promise to someone else. Shadow had never once cursed his skills, prideful of the fact he could aim without looking. Leading him to shoot the one who had called him in the head.

No. No! There had to be a mistake. There had to be! He couldn't loose her too, he couldn't loose her too! But she lay there on the ground dead.

(Y/N)

"Shadow!"

His eyes snapped open and he was met with the same person he had just killed. But she was alive. She was alive.

"Oh thank goodness you're awake!" she gasped in relief.

He wasn't in town, He wasn't holding his gun. He was lay down in bed under the covers. He was home.

"Are you okay? Omega brought you home after you got knocked out on a mission. He said you'd be fine so he brought you home but you were sweating a lot and mumbling. Were you having a nightmare."

One hell of a nightmare. But what happened?

"I was so worried about you. When I got into town you messaged me saying you'd been called suddenly to a mission. Then an hour later Omega knocked on the door with you flung over his shoulder!"

He just wanted her to keep talking. It meant she was alive. It meant the entire time he'd been in town had been a nightmare. That Maria hadn't come back. As much as he would have like her to.

The mission slowly came back to his mind. It was a drug dealers hide out, the stench of chemicals and drugs hitting him in the face. Rounding up the crooks wasn't a hard task. But he'd reacted badly to the chemicals inside the building. Which is was must have led to that horrendous nightmare.

"Shadow you haven't said a word. Please tell me if you're alright."

His answer was to sit up, lightly grab her arm, and hold her close.

I am now.