Hey guys! I hope you liked the rewrite for the first chapter! I had fun rewriting it! It probably could have been more longer, but it was better than before! Anyway! Let me know what you think! I'll rewrite everything, make it flow together better. Enjoy!
During my time spent here, there were so many questions that were flying in my mind.
Why didn't Bentley tell me about Sly? Why hadn't Sly even tried contacting me? Why did Le Paradox go after me? Because of my affiliation with the Cooper Gang?
Carmelita liked my idea of going to the prison the same way that Tennessee and Sly had escaped through the first time.
It's not like Toothpick would expect us to go through that way...
And so Carmelita brainstormed with me about busting out the rest of the Cooper Gang from jail.
It was ironic though...the best thieves of all time all locked up in jail.
Tennessee intervened once in a while, telling us if it was safe or not for whatever plans we tried coming up with.
He knew this area better than all of us put together.
"God this sucks...I'm supposed to be retired..." I sighed in frustration.
"Why shoot. You're only what? In your early twenties?" Tennessee laughed.
Eventually Tennessee hopped out of his chair after having a sudden epiphany. He then began mentioning a way in through a river, a way that would be the quickest route to the prison. We sprung into action immediately, not letting anymore time pass. Which had now brought us to some old boat on a river in the canyon.
This was the plan...just going through this river until it took us to the jail.
Tennesee stopped us as we got in the small boat.
"This river is dangerous, but it leads back to the prison. The way I figure it, they won't be expectin' us to come this way. You sure you're both up to this Miss Fox and Miss Tycoon?" Tennessee told us.
I got out my revolvers and finished loading them up with ammo.
"Trust me I'm good..." I assured him.
"That's INSPECTOR Fox, but...just call me Carmelita. Thanks for the rescue by the way." Carmelita's tone went soft.
"And you can call me Bella...thanks for saving us." I also thanked Tennessee.
"My pleasure." Tennessee winked at me. "Inspector? You some kind of sheriff? How'd you get mixed up with Sly?" Tennessee asked Carmelita.
"It's a long complicated story. Right now we need to save that ringtail." Carmelita looked worried.
"So I can wring his neck!" I snapped.
Sly's gonna get one hell of a beating when I see him...
Carmelita also grew angry at the mere thought of Sly, but nodded in agreement.
"I couldn't agree more." She practically growled.
I mean, leaving us both without explanations? Really uncalled for, Sly! I mean he faked amnesia with Carmelita! But at least Carmelita was with him! He had me believe that he was missing! Dead even! He never bothered to contact me!
"Hoowee! You sure are feisty ones! You both remind me of this one little gal-" Tennessee started.
"What's this prison like, anyway?" Carmelita interrupted him.
God I can't believe him! I thought he was my best friend!
"Uh, well...plenty of fire, for starters..." Tennessee laughed nervously.
I trusted that ringtail!
"Terrific" Carmelita smirked. "Let's get going."
Carmelita's smirk faded away when she noticed my shallow and rapid breathing. My eyes were clenched and shut tightly.
"Chica...are you okay- -"
Why did Sly leave me like that?! I thought I could trust him!
Carmelita's hand was on my shoulder, but I flinched away from her. Feeling like I was unable to breathe all of a sudden.
FLASH!
I tripped after losing my footing. The Cooper Vault was going down, with Sly, Dr. M, Bentley, Murray, and I still inside.
"Guys!" I yelled worriedly.
"BELLA! We've got to get out of here!" Bentley shouted over the noise.
I finally saw Bentley, my eyes widening when I saw a rock about to fall on him.
"BENTLEY!" I screamed.
I immediately pushed him away, feeling the hard stone hit my head. My vision blurred as I fell to the ground. For the first time in my life I was scared, terrified that I finally was going to die. I didn't want to die...not yet...
"Bella! NO! Murray! We've got to get out of here! She needs help!"
Bentley used what strength he had and put me in his lap, cradling my head as he tried to assess the damage.
"Stay with me, Bella!" Bentley cried. "MURRAY! WE'VE GOTTA GO! NOW!"
"But what about Sly?!" Murray looked upset as well.
"He'll be fine! We've gotta get out of here! Bella's hurt!"
Murray snapped out of it, finally springing into action and picking both Bentley and I up with one arm. We finally made a run for it.
FLASH!
"Hey! What's wrong?" Carmelita looked at me worriedly. "Bella! Look at me!"
Tennessee hopped down immediately, getting in front of me as he raised his hand.
"I'm real sorry about this."
"What are you doing?!" Carmelita glared at Tennessee.
"Snappin' her out of it."
My cheek stung as my face turned. I opened my eyes, finally snapping out of it, my breathing slowly growing normal again.
"P- -please...don't h- -hurt me." I felt tears strolling down my face.
Tennessee looked guilty, and really upset, but pulled me in for a hug.
"I'm sorry, darlin'. You were just gone for a bit is all...had to bring ya back somehow."
I relaxed in his arms after a few seconds before pulling away.
"Would you like to explain what just happened? I've only seen something like one other time." Tennessee asked.
"I've uh...got some...anxiety problems. I'm fine though. I promise. I can...I can handle this." I wiped my tears away.
"You sure? You can still go back to the hide out. We'll understand, chica." Carmelita stepped in.
"No. I'm fine." I snapped.
Carmelita nodded, Tennessee, however, still looked a little skeptical about letting me tag along.
"Alright then. Let's get goin'." Tennessee said.
"I'll go right and you go left!" I yelled.
Carmelita nodded and we both shot from those two different directions, both of us hitting our targets easily. I never thought I'd say this about Carmelita and I'll never say this out loud, but we actually make a great team.
"WHOOWHEE! That's some shootin' Bella!" Tennessee cheered. "You get 'em Carmelita!"
I was then surprised. As I reloaded my revolvers, I noticed barrels of TNT in the water. If we even hit one barrel, it could kill us all!
Why would they stoop so low to do something drastic like this?! Wait...they're bad guys...what would they care if we died?
"Carmelita! Keep shooting those guards! I'll take care of those barrels of TNT in front of us!" I shouted worriedly.
I winced at hearing each explosion after shooting every TNT barrel in our line of sight.
Damn! That's some strong TNT!
"Relax chica! We've got this all under control!" Carmelita assured me. "Just keep shooting!"
I gripped my pistols tightly, shooting two more barrels of TNT. Carmelita started relaxing after thinking she'd killed all of her enemies. I saw another rabbit run at us, holding a stick of dynamite. Carmelita's eyes widened when she thought I was aiming to shoot her, thinking I was betraying her. Before Tennessee could try to stop me, I shot the rabbit behind Carmelita without hesitation with my other pistol, hearing an explosion that indicated that the rabbit also blew up. Carmelita looked behind her as she slowly released her breath that she'd been holding in.
"For a second there, I thought you were gonna shoot her- -" Tennessee started.
"That would be a waste of a bullet then." I joked.
Carmelita glared at me before relaxing, letting her shoulders drop.
"Thanks for saving me."
I looked at her in surprise, but nodded.
"Not a problem...partner." I smiled.
Carmelita gave me a small smile as well, basically as her way of saying that we were friends.
Never thought I'd see the day when the both of us were getting along.
We soon pulled up at a small deck. I hopped off the boat with Carmelita and Tennessee.
"That was some nice shootin' Carmelita! You too Bella!" Tennessee smiled at us.
"Less sweet talk and more action!" Carmelita barked at him.
We then noticed the obstacle ahead of us. In order for us to get that gate open for the boat to go through, we needed to get to the switch for it.
Well it's not like I couldn't keep up...Sly taught me well...
"Tennessee, you and I will have to go on ahead. Sorry Carm...you'll have to find another way up." I smiled apologetically at her.
"No problem chica. I'll wait for you two here. Now get going!" Carmelita took off to beat up some guards heading our direction.
Tennessee and I started climbing and working our way to switch a lever to open those gates blocking the boat's path. Since Sly taught me a lot of the moves from the Thievius Raccoonus himself, I was able to move swiftly and quickly right behind Tennessee. Tennessee and I both noticed some guards up ahead and he pulled me along with him to hide behind one of the crates.
"Let's take a breather for a second..." Tennessee panted.
Tennessee looked a little exhausted from the sprinting, but after a few seconds, his breathing was normal again.
"Why shoot! You're probably what? In your early twenties?" I quoted Tennessee.
Tennessee smirked at me playfully.
"Oh so you're mocking me huh? You better watch that sharp tongue Miss Bella. I might have to do something about it." Tennessee winked at me.
I blushed and playfully shoved him away from me. I grabbed a small mirror from my pocket, slowly bringing it out to see how many enemies were around us. I put it away after a minute, after counting about four enemies.
"Okay tiger. You go left and I'll go right. If we ambush them we could probably take them down quick. There's about three or four of them." I said.
"I don't think that's such a good idea there, Miss Bella. I mean did you see how big those brutes were?" Tennessee looked worried.
I then tapped my chin and glanced over at them.
Tennessee was right...they were too big for us.
"I'll follow your lead then?" I suggested. "You have a lot more experience with these types of asses than I do. We'll do this your way."
"Such a lovely face, but with a smart mouth? Tsk tsk...I oughta put soap in that pretty little mouth, young lady." Tennessee chuckled and shook his head.
"I ain't no lady, Kid." I smirked.
Tennessee caught me off guard and quickly pecked my cheek before we moved in. I dashed behind at another crate close by, using it as a shield before the guards could shoot me. I shot at a lantern above the guard using it as a distraction as I came out in plain view and shot the guard dead on the forehead. He dropped immediately, the life draining out of his eyes. The other guard looked shocked at the dead guard nearby and in a panic, started shooting at me. I immediately got behind another large crate. and saw Tennesse take out the other guard.
"You're pretty good at this. You almost move just as fast as I do." Tennessee grinned.
I rolled my eyes and ran at full speed, leaping over a laser grid while shooting a switch on the wall to turn it off during mid-jump. Tennessee walked over casually, smirking at me before wrapping an arm around my waist.
"I think I might be in love." Tennessee teased.
"God. You're just as bad as Sly is with Carmelita." I snickered.
"I can't help it! You're amazing! And a woman at that!" Tennessee blushed.
"Aw...what's the matter, Kid? Cat got your tongue?" I smirked at his behavior.
Tennessee looked flustered and opened his mouth to say something before I swished my tail across his face gently and ran ahead.
"God damn...that's one hell of a woman right there. Why does she have to be from the future?" He groaned.
We ran over to another set of crates to hide behind before we spotted more guards. Tennessee stopped me and put his hand on top of both my hands to lower them. He gained his confidence back and smirked at me before giving me a flirtatious wink.
"Now watch closely, lil' lady. This here's my crack-shot technique." Tennesssee said.
I watched in awe as Tennessee demonstrated his crack-shot technique, something I've read about in the Thievous Raccoonus. In under three seconds, four more guards dropped to the floor.
"I coulda' done that with my eyes closed!" Tennessee smiled smugly.
"Well damn...you certainly know how to impress someone." I whistled as I looked at Tennessee's handiwork.
All of them, bullseye, right in the center of their foreheads. Damn...he's as awesome as I pictured him to be.
Tennessee walked over to a guard, looting his corpse and stealing some cash.
I flipped a switch, seeing the gate finally open.
"Tennessee! Bella! Over here!" Carmelita waved at us from the boat.
I saw a cable line that led down to the boat and took off my belt, about to use it to zip-line over to the boat.
"I know I'm handsome, but I usually don't do this sort of thing on the first date." Tennessee joked.
I blushed at his joke and put my belt back on.
"I was just gonna- -"
"Hold on now. We gotta keep movin'." He cut me off.
Tennessee wrapped an arm around my waist before jumping off the ledge and using his gun/cane to attach the hook to the cable line.
"You guys have any trouble?" Carmelita asked.
"Not a problem at all, Carmelita!" Tennessee grinned.
Within five more minutes, after shooting more guards and flipping switches, we finally made it to the prison. There was however, a huge door in front of us that had a lot of switches.
"Shit. How are we gonna get in?" Carmelita hissed.
Tennessee put his arms in front of us to stop us from moving forward.
"I got this."
Tennessee once again used his crack-shot technique to shoot the locking mechanisms to the door, finally opening it. We found Sly, Bentley, and Murray locked up in a cage hovering over the ground.
There are guards everywhere. Shit.
I reloaded my pistols quickly before noticing Carmelita staying behind to take care of guards heading for us.
"I'll take care of these bozos! You two go on ahead."
We snuck up slowly, as Tennessee also took the time to reload his gun as well.
"You ready for this?" Tennessee whispered. "You won't freeze up after seein' Sly will ya?" He gave me a knowing look.
"Then I won't look at him. You focus on getting them down from that cage. I'll take care of the guards." I snapped.
Tennessee nodded, but grabbed my hand before I could leave.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Just...be careful. These guys look stronger than the last."
We looked into each others eyes, leaning in.
Wow...his eyes are...snap out of it!
I shook my head, getting rid of those thoughts and finally ran out. All of the guards saw me, along with the gang. It was as if time slowed down.
"Watch out fellas. Here I come." I smirked.
I held in my breath and started shooting like there was no tomorrow.
FLASH!
I flipped another page of the Thievious Raccoonus, looking at the pages by Tennessee Kid Cooper in amazement.
"Holy crap...this guy is probably one of your coolest ancestors." I smiled excitedly. "I have to learn that crack-shot technique!"
Sly chuckled before sitting next to me.
"You'll get the hang of it someday. I can't even handle a gun like you can and you're already an amazing shot." Sly said.
"Don't flatter me, Cooper."
"No, seriously. You'll master it someday. I know that you can." Sly put a hand on my shoulder.
"You really think so?" I mumbled softly.
"I told you that I know you can." Sly smirked.
FLASH!
In seconds, all of the guards were down, one by one. After the cage had dropped and the others were free the four men had looked at me in shock.
"Jeez...you just...took all of them down." Murray looked at me fearfully.
I dropped my pistols in shock, wondering how I was able to finally do it. Not even looking at the gang as I had a sudden epiphany.
I finally mastered the crack-shot technique.
"Oh my god...I DID IT!" I squealed excitedly. "I finally mastered the crack-shot technique! I DID IT!"
"Damn girl! That was some fine shooting!" Tennessee cheered.
I ran over to Tennessee, smiling like an idiot as I leapt into his arms, hugging him like my life depended on it. Tennessee held me closer as he spun me around, the both of us laughing.
"Oh my god! Do you know how long it's taken me to do that?!" I asked.
"You've been learnin' my crack-shot technique? I'm actually kind of flattered." Tennessee smiled down at me.
"I don't know how! I just...I DID IT!" I cheered.
"Hell yeah, you did!" Tennessee wrapped an arm around my shoulder, winking at me. "I like you already, Miss Bella."
Sly looked at the two of us with a shocked expression, in disbelief.
"A- -are you two flirting?!" Sly stuttered.
I froze after hearing his voice, my smile fading away in an instant. Tennessee picked up on my behavior quickly, and held me closer to him, growing nervous. Carmelita finally rejoined us, happy to see that all of us were alright. After seeing Sly though, she looked furious.
"We should leave you in that cage with all that you pulled Sly Cooper!" Carmelita yelled at him.
"I know! I can explain everything!" Sly walked over to us.
"Why if it wasn't for this handsome and charming gentleman, we wouldn't even be here." Carmelita also pressed herself against Tennessee.
Oh Tennessee...you sure are one ladies man right now, aren't yah?
Tennessee used his gun/cane to lower his hat and shield his face from embarrassment.
"Aww, shucks..." Tennessee blushed.
I snapped out of it, my mind going blank as I was suddenly filled with rage. I pushed Tennessee away while sneakily grabbing his gun/cane.
"Handsome and charming? Really?! Look Carmelita I know- -"
In seconds, I had the gun aiming for his face. Everyone stared at me in shock, not expecting me to do something so rash. Sly raised his hands up in defense while dropping his cane.
"Oh save it Sly! All I want to know is how we get back to Paris!" I snapped.
"Bella- -I- -" Sly started.
"Do you know...what I've been through since the Cooper Vault?" I glared at him. "I thought you were...I thought you were dead after a while."
"Listen, I only did that- -"
"To what? Protect me? Do not give me that bullshit, Cooper." I growled.
"Bella. Put down my gun...you don't mean it..." Tennessee came over slowly.
"I thought you were my best friend. AND YOU!" I turned over to Bentley, the gun never leaving in front of Sly's face. "You kept this from me?!"
"Bella- -I didn't mean for this to happen. I was...I was gonna tell you about Sly, but then all of this started happening! I didn't have the chance to!" Bentley looked guilty.
"You had plenty of chances!" I cried.
"You weren't ready! You were having anxiety attacks, telling you so quickly would have overwhelmed you! After you were sent to the hospital from that one episode...you have to understand. I was afraid of telling you. I needed to wait until you recovered! Until you were ready! He argued.
Tennessee finally stepped in, slowly moving over to lower his gun from Sly's face. After a few seconds, he gently pried the gun from my hand.
"Let's just go." I grumbled.
I started walking away, Carmelita quickly following me. She held my hand as a sign of support, understanding of my situation.
Bentley sighed in defeat before he rolled along in his wheel chair trying to keep up with us.
"Actually Bella and Carmelita, I was more curious about how you both got here in the first place." Bentley looked at us curiously.
"But guys! What about the van?!" Murray cried.
"We'll have to track it down later Murray. Now what were you saying, ladies?" Bentley said.
"It's a long story Bentley, let's get moving and I'll tell you..." Carmelita said.
"Same here..." I agreed.
With that we went back to the safe house.
From the beginning of it all, Sly was unable to stop himself, from doing what a Cooper was born to do: thieving. When Bentley got into contact with him, explaining the situation about the Thievious Raccoonus, they all planned to steal a relic from a museum in order to get to Rioichi Cooper's timeline. Only Carmelita had been watching the same museum, and Sly was caught by her.
Go figure right?
Carmelita had been investigating about some stolen antiquities being sold around the black market or something along those lines. After Sly had gotten away, what she had found in the museum had shocked her immensely. Le Paradox was caught in the museum red handed from having stolen artifacts being loaded into the museum. I perked up in surprise at the name Le Paradox.
He was the man who kidnapped me and sent me here.
Le Paradox was a billionaire art collector, wondering how he was involved with the time travelling, with trying to get rid of the Cooper's existance was what had me confused.
What did he have against the Cooper's? Why did he want them gone?
"Now how about you Bella?" Bentley asked.
I snapped out of my daze, realizing that all eyes were now on me.
"Where do I start? God...I'm just...I've been trying to wrap my mind around this, but haven't had the chance to." I mumbled.
I looked down, closing my eyes as I took deep breaths, trying to recall everything.
"Bentley called, asking for my help in all of this after explaining the situation, being careful not to give me all of the details. I didn't know about Sly...I thought he was still missing..."
Tennessee reached for my hand, gripping it gently.
"You don't have to tell us if you're not ready, darlin'." He mumbled.
"It's okay..." I faintly smiled at him. "I- -uh...let's see..."
Oh yeah...
"Bentley and Dimitri were acting suspicious, but I only assumed it was because they didn't want me to get hurt. So I just stayed behind with Dimitri. Dimitri tried his best to help me, to cheer me up, but it was eating away at me. He suggested that I should get coffee, hopefully thinking that it would take my mind off of things. Before I knew it, I was just running. A horrible smell filled up my nose after I got cornered in an alley. Le Paradox was standing right before me and snatched me up. I was put in some device, but after getting here to the old west, I realized that it was a time machine. I was so confused, scared, and frazzled...Toothpick got to me as soon as I arrived, I didn't react fast enough. I didn't know how Carmelita got there, but I was stuffed into that carriage with her...and you all know the rest from there." I explained.
For what seemed like the longest time, we were all silent, I didn't have to look at the looks of guilt and pity that the gang was giving me.
It made feel weak...sick to my stomach.
Finally Sly spoke up, hoping to relieve some of the tension in the room. Tennessee never released my hand, hoping that it would help me remain calm, which it did in a way.
"Look Bella...I'm sorry that I never contacted you after the Cooper Vault. I just assumed you would want to start a new life...away from the Cooper Gang." Sly apologized.
I couldn't help but scoff and roll my eyes.
"Oh please. We've all been best friends since we met at that orphanage. Or have you forgotten? I didn't stop looking for you and I ended up depressed because of it. I almost lost my mind not being able to find you, and I was always reminded of the Cooper Vault. Penelope and Bentley did everything they could to comfort me. If you had at least sent me a message, anything, I would have accepted that you wanted to start a new life. I would have been able to move on!" I felt tears stinging in my eyes.
"Bella- -"
Sly tried coming over to me, but I had a sudden feeling of panic. I tried controlling my breathing, and whipped out my pistol, warning Sly not come any closer.
"Bella stop! This isn't Sly's fault! He was just trying to do the right thing! He did that for you!" Bentley finally snapped.
I felt my hands trembling, unsure of what to say.
I was just hurt...
"Think about it! You weren't yourself, you were in a bad mental state, you weren't in the best shape and it took you a while to recover from your injuries! Sly wanted to protect you! To wait until you were stable enough to handle it! If you want to blame someone...blame me. I should have told you the truth." Bentley looked ashamed. "I just didn't know how to tell you...or when the time would have been right."
I finally lowered my gun from Sly, realizing that Bentley was right. I put the gun away back in my holster, trying to find the right words to say, trying to calm down, to be understanding.
I couldn't have imagined how hard this was for Bentley.
"You're right...I forgive you." I smiled sadly at Bentley.
"Do you forgive me too?" Murray pouted.
I glanced over at Murray, he looked just as ashamed and guilty as Bentley did. I never even realized how Murray was dealing with all of this. I playfully punched Murray, giving him a smile especially reserved for him.
"I could never be mad at you, big guy."
"What about me?" Sly smiled nervously.
"I don't think so Cooper." I glared at him again.
"Cooper? Since when are we at a last name basis?" Sly pouted.
"It's gonna take a while for you to earn back my trust." I grumbled.
"Oh come on! Bentley just told you everything and you're still mad at me?"
"I just learned that you've been alive this entire time! That you've been in contact with Bentley! That you've been with Carmelita! HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?!" I snapped.
"Now let's all calm down here shall we?" Tennessee stepped in between us.
I deflated instantly, trying to remain calm.
"I just...I need time to accept this...right now...I don't trust you. I don't even know how to react right now!"
"Just calm down, you know, before you get yourself worked up again." Tennessee put an arm around my shoulders.
"You're right..." I sighed.
"...this is so weird right now. Do you have a thing with my ancestor?" Sly asked.
My eyes widened in shock and my face was about as red as a tomato.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE SLY COOPER!" I growled.
I got ready to fight Sly, until Tennessee pinched my butt. I yelped as I rubbed my butt, giving Tennessee a glare. Tennessee only gave me a stern look, not backing down this time.
"Nuh uh! We're not having anymore fightin' around here!" Tennessee said.
Tennessee then glanced over at Sly.
"And are you really tryin' to get yourself killed? I mean, I know you're a Cooper but seriously- -"
"What in the hell was that for?!" I yelled at him.
"A pretty little lady like you shouldn't have a mouth like that either. What did I tell you about that sharp tongue earlier?" Tennessee smirked.
I blushed from the memory and folded my arms.
"And what are you gonna do about it?" I challenged him.
Tennessee sighed as he shook his head, chuckling slightly from my response.
"If you'll excuse us, I gotta teach this lil' lady a lesson."
Tennessee threw me over his shoulder and proceeded to walk out from the safe house.
"HEY! Let me go!" I shouted.
Tennessee ignored me, carrying me away from the safe house.
Oh god...that sounded wrong...Teach me a lesson? He's a kinky little bastard isn't he?
After being away from the clock tower, Tennessee proceeded to carry me all the way near an abandon motel just outside of town. After kicking the doors open he finally put me down. Ripping off the piece of tape he'd put on my mouth to keep me quiet and from drawing attention.
"Why the hell did you embarrass me like that?! And where are we?!" I screamed.
Tennessee only grabbed a dusty old chair nearby, kicking his legs up on top of a table as he attempted to relax.
"I thought we could have a little talk." He said. "So why have so much hostility towards Sly huh?"
"Why do you think?! Did you not hear a word I said back there?!"
"No need to yell, Bella. But don't you think if you're gonna be working together again that it's time to forgive and forget?"
I sat down on another dusty chair and frowned as I realized that Tennessee was right.
I'll have to forgive Sly at some point.
"I'm sorry...I guess I was just...blowing off some steam. I was so mad and I couldn't keep it all in." I sighed deeply.
I don't want to lose my best friend again. But I'm just...SO MAD at him.
"I understand that...I understand that more than anyone, but I think it's time that you let it go and talk things out with Sly like normal folk. Plus you already heard what Bentley told yah. Take that into consideration before you blow someone's head off." Tennessee put his hand on top of mine.
"You're right." I mumbled softly. "I'm just...I'm so angry at him- -"
Tennessee smirked at hearing me say this, that he was right.
"What?" I glared at him.
"Now what was that? I couldn't quite hear ya!" Tennessee leaned in closer cupping his ear with his hand.
"I said that you're right damn it!" I huffed and folded my arms, pouting while doing so.
Tennessee pulled my chair until we were sitting right next to each other. In under three seconds, his lips were on top of mine. I immediately closed my eyes, melting into the kiss as I leant against him. Our tongues swiped across each other, doing a dance of some sorts. I could feel heat pool into my lower belly, I felt like I was on cloud nine. Suddenly, I jolted as he bit my tongue. I pulled away, staring at him in surprise.
"Now I done told you I'd do something about that sharp tongue didn't I?" Tennessee smiled deviously.
I was stunned. I didn't think he'd actually meant it.
I thought he was just joking around with me!
"You- -I- -you're a confusing man you know that?!" I stammered.
Tennessee chuckled at my behavior and ruffled my long auburn hair before kissing my cheek.
"I couldn't resist Bella. You're just fun to mess with sometimes...now let's get back to the other's shall we?"
"Yeah. They'll think you killed me or something." I teased.
"I'm a Cooper! I have morals!" He argued.
"Uh huh...shooting other outlaws and stealing on a daily basis? Okay then...some morals." I smirked.
"You makin' fun of me now?" Tennessee chuckled.
"Oh no! Of course not!" I feigned innocence.
Tennessee stole another kiss.
"That's enough outta you." He smiled.
By the time we left, it was dark. We noticed that everyone was sleeping in safe house as we returned. Everyone except Sly that is.
"Where in the world were you two?!" Sly practically yelled.
"Keep your voice down stupid! You'll wake everyone up!" I whispered loudly.
"I just had a talk with Bella here is all, Sly...I'd never do anything dishonorable. I'm a Cooper after all." He smirked.
Tennessee then nudged my arm with his elbow and gave me a look that said, "Go on! Tell him!"
"I forgive you." I blurted out.
Sly looked surprised at my calm tone.
"Really? Just like that?"
"For now..." I grumbled.
Tennessee pinched my butt again and my face went completely red.
"Stop doing that!" I hissed at him.
"That's not what we talked about, Bella. Now apologize for your behavior...or do we need to do something about your sharp tongue again?" Tennessee smirked.
"Okay fine." I sighed deeply. "Sly I'm sorry that I yelled at you earlier, but you have to understand what I went through...how devastated I was when I thought you were dead."
Sly came over and I resisted the urge to pull my revolvers out and shoot him. Sly then hugged me which caught me completely by surprise.
"Hurting you was the last thing I wanted." Sly mumbled in my shoulder.
I was tearing up at those words.
God damn it...I can't believe I'm crying...
I pushed him away, and playfully punched him, feeling a huge weight lifted from my shoulders for what felt like a long time.
"You jerk! You're making me cry!" I laughed.
Sly looked shocked at the sight of me crying. There was probably one other time that he witnessed me cry. Crying was something I didn't do that often, unless I was seriously upset.
"I'm so sorry!" Sly grabbed a napkin and started wiping my tears away.
"They're tears of joy I reckon." Tennessee smiled softly.
I laughed again at Sly's behavior and hugged him again.
I'm glad to have my best friend back.
I hope you liked the rewrite of this chapter! I had so much fun with this! Please be nice with your reviews! I'm extremely sensitive!