Author Note: Hello everyone. Welcome to chapter 3. Last left off where the Cooper Gang's heist becomes an immediate rescue mission. Sly be in for a rough time when face to face with Carmelita.

Chapter 3: Protection

Late into the night, Carmelita paced around the house unsure in rage or just worry.
"I'd hate to think all the worse things happened..." She glanced to the time, soon her ears perked hearing the door and runs to. " Sly?"

Sly lightly smiled. "W-we're back?"

Carmelita glared at him as he sat Shuala down into the chair nearby as she began to wake up. "Sly Cooper..."

"Easy Carmelita, before you rage. She's back safe and sound. Isn't that what matters?" Sly said and was forced back away by Carmelita.

"I'm getting really sick and tired of this, Sly. I understand you're a thief and its part of your family. But since I married your troubling ring-tail, I figured you change for good, not like that one time. But because we started a family together." Carmelita said. "You really been driving these stories which are real into their heads and look what happened, Sly. I wish you would be a much better father to them. They really need you."

Sly looked away feeling terrible. "How much I did wish I could, Carmelita? My own dad even stopped being a thief to settle down in life. But I just cant do that with so much that's been going on. I'm not just doing all this still cause I want to and like doing it. But for you all too. Remember, I steal from other thieves... In the end, its all to protect everyone especially those that mean the world to me."

"Sly..." Carmelita said and shook head. "I'm sorry... If you wish to be 'protecting us' wouldnt it be better if you weren't around then?"

"I think I understand what you mean. I would be endangering you guys if they knew." Sly nodded after thinking about it for the moment.

"I really cant believe its turning out like this..." Carmelita sighed. "Its been really hard enough without you around as is. Guess I just have to find more a way to deal with it like this."

"You can still count on me dont worry, I wont let anything happen to you guys. And I guess I better get going then too." Sly said and turned to walk out.

Shuala looked between them, getting up and grabbed Sly's arm , clinging tight. "Dad, please dont go..."

Sly turned and looked down, both their ears going back. He kneeled down petting her head and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry Shuala. But your mother is right. Just play safe I think best I dont visit during my heists. We dont want what happened earlier to happen again."

"Ok..." Shuala said and began to cry, hugging back. "Please come back soon?"

Sly smiled and nodded. "I'll try my best. But promise me you stay on your mom's good side."

Shuala kept nodding and rubbed her eyes.

Sly felt so heartbroken seeing her like this and knew Carmeltia felt the same but he knew as she was crying though on the inside. Sly gave a final pet to Shuala's head and a kiss to her forehead. "Dont cry Shuala. I need you to be strong for me not matter what happens, cause you're my Little Cooper."

With that Sly swiftly nodded, tipping his hat to Carmelita with a smile and left instantly. Shuala ran to the door as he left and looked around. Carmelita walked over soon realizing to the corner of her eye something familiar, grabbing and observing it as a smile crosses her face with a chuckle shaking her head. "That Sneaky Ring-tail."

Sly's card sat there in her hand, reading on the back. 'Take Care, my love~Love Sly'

Author: *Insert crying in corner in pool of tears here.* T.T I'm not joking this makes me cry to no end. I feel so bad for Sly being with no real family. Its really heartbreaking.