Note: The episodes Can You Ever Go Home Again? was loosely based on the book You Can't Go Home Again by Thomas Wolfe. This story follows George's plot in the book and emotions I've had to endure this past year.

Usual Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Carmen Sandiego, Zack, Ivy, the Chief or any henchmen related to the cartoon. They are owned by whoever owns Cookie Jar, WOEICS, and the Learning Company, Carmen Sandiego franchise

A huge Thank You to my FABULOUS reviewer, aptasi

(U.S. VILE HQ)

Carmen was on cloud nine, her heist went better than planned. She didn't care that ACME prevented her from fully completing it. The thrill of the chase, intellect at its fullest and challenging herself is what it was about and considered it borderline performance art. Slowly coming down from her adrenaline high she walked into her office and took off her coat and hat. Running her fingers through her thick hair and sighed at the pile of papers sitting on her desk, demanding her attention. Sorting them into piles of immediate to later a small headline on the front page of a local newspaper caught her attention.

FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE GOLDEN GATE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS HAS TAKEN ILL, RECOVERY UNLIKELY

Ms. Beverly Atwell, 78, former Director of the Golden Gate School for Girls has been unable to recover from bronchial pneumonia. For over 40 years she has opened up her home to orphaned girls. Upon retiring young from a position, as a top ranking scientist Ms. Atwell wanted to give orphaned girls the advantages she never enjoyed, being an orphan herself. She was a mother figure, taught them valuable life skills, and how to be good citizens. She is currently under hospice care and is asking for her girls to come home, one last time.

Carmen couldn't believe what she just read, until she read it again. The second time made her heart stop for a second. A lump formed in the middle of her throat and felt like it would choke her; instead it settled in her stomach. The floor fell away and she was falling into a dark abyss. She put her head in her hands and closed her eyes in hope that it would help to steady the intense pain that was squeezing her heart. Her eyes burned as tears tried to break her molded stoic expression. Getting up she put her hands on her desk for support. Her arms and legs trembled under her weight. Every step felt like it took a lot of effort. She made her way to the office door and locked it.

On her way back she passed a mirror. Not having to courage to look at herself, she still stood in front of it. Trying to avoid eye contact she first stared at her neck and then finally at her face. The expression was a familiar one. It only appeared once before when she came to terms that her parents weren't coming back to get her, and that something bad really had happened to them. Her eyes were red with tears that rested themselves on her lower eyelids and her mouth trembled from the aching in her chest. She has never had to really deal with death to the point where it's not a possibility, but a reality.

She sat back down and pondered what she should do.

"Will she be happy to see me? Does she even want to see me? Some good citizen I turned out to be" she thought and rested her head on her left hand. Her right hand rolled a pencil back and forth on the desk.

Someone knocked on the door.

She cleared her throat, fixed her hair, folded up the newspaper and set it aside. Getting up to answer the door she passed the mirror, but didn't care to look at the image. Her hand was too weak to turn the doorknob, instead she used both hands. Moe was standing on the other side.

"Carmen looks upset" he thought, but didn't dare ask her what's wrong.

"I just wanted to give up my request for time off" he said with a nervous laugh and handed the paper to her.

"Thank you Moe and consider it approved." Carmen slightly smiled at him and started to close the door then opened it again.

"Moe?"

Moe turned around.

"Can you please tell the others… that I, too, am taking time off and won't be in communication with anyone until I get back. Thank you."

"But Carmen when will you back?"

"Oh." Carmen hadn't thought this far ahead. "I'll call when I'm on my way."

Moe watched his boss slowly close the door. He wanted to inquire about what was bothering her, but having worked for her for so long he knew she wouldn't tell him, even if she wanted to.