Hey everyone,
I just want to let you all know that I feel myself to be in a bit of a slump. A lot of story ideas are going through my mind and it's making it hard for me to focus on what I already have, while at the same time I don't feel to have it in me to make these stories a reality. I at least want these three new ones out first, so yeah.
Enjoy nonetheless,

Venquine1990

Chapter 04

Carmelita's POV

Waking up thanks to a shockwave suddenly going through the entire house and hitting me from the bed I am sleeping on is not something I hope I will experience more often while staying at this Hideout, yet the action of my sleeping partner that follows up with this makes me feel like falling back asleep peacefully.
Sly first moves himself so that my front is now sided with his own and then, with an ungloved hand, does he gently push some of my hair out of my face before his hand, which is almost so softly going over my hair that I barely feel the touch, making me suppress a shudder, moves up and passes the end of my black-tipped ear.
This feeling, this soft gender caress of the ever strong and confident raccoon makes me able to let go of some of the pain and fear that I felt when making my discoveries in my own bedroom and while I feel like moving a little closer in the hopes that Sly will continue with this, does something else happen instead.

The raccoon pulls away and while instinctively wanting to cuddle closer, do I then hear Sly starting to cough, reminding me that he had stayed out on the street last night and when the coughing doesn't seem to end, do I open my eyes and push myself up, moving over to the raccoon and lying my hand on his back.
I move it up and down over the upper part of his back and feel relieved to hear the coughing subsiding before Cooper, still looking pretty bad as he still has bloodshot eyes and his fur has now become sticky with sweat, which must have broken out when his lungs constricted, yet his face seems more concerned with me.
This warms me from the inside and I ask: "Feeling better, Ringtail?" Sly nods, while his eyes seem amazed at how much I now worry for him and I decide to prove him that, regardless of our professions, I still care for him and appreciate him. I turn my face and start to smile as I say: "They're really gorgeous, you know."

Sly moves his face over to his wardrobe and when he sees the dresses he made me, does he ask: "What are – what are they doing there?" A cough interrupting him halfway through and worrying me again, making me want to pull him back under the covers as I say: "Akudo send them there. He – he changed the room you made for me."
And while I say this, do the images of that chains and those ropes, along with what Penelope told me earlier run through my mind again, scaring me as I had never been used like that before. I, of course have plenty of enemies, seeing my profession, but while I had once been used as bait, have I never been used as blackmail.
My voice becomes softer and more timid as these memories come back up thanks to my little explanation and to my shock, does Cooper instantly hug me, his arms as warm and comforting as they were when Penelope told me the truth and while I tense at first, do I revel in what I wanted when I dashed in here a little while ago.

Yet, after a few minutes of being held like this, does Cooper suddenly mutter: "I really don't want to contaminate you with my germs, gorgeous, so maybe it's better if I change before I offer you some more comfort." Making me again remember his illness, yet at the same time making me feel touched at his need to care for me.
I smile at the Ringtail, his caring tone giving me back some of the strength I lost due to my fear and decide that, even if I can't physically heal him, I can at least make him feel better emotionally and ask: "How about we both get changed? I – I kind of feel like – if you'll accept – putting on one of those outfits you made for me."
And just by looking into Cooper's eyes can I tell that I made the Ringtail's entire day as his mind must be abuzz with all kinds of images of me in those outfits, which makes part of me feel a little self-conscious before Cooper makes me wonder if I can trust him as he asks: "I would very much like that. Could I pick one out?"

At this I turn my face to the cloths, trying to see if there are any kind of outfits that could remind me of what Akudo wanted for me, but then I remember that this is Cooper, not Akudo and while hoping that Cooper can prove this to be true, do I take a deep breath and say: "Go ahead, Cooper. Prove me I can trust your judgment."
And the way that Cooper's face lights up makes me both worried for what I just got myself into and feel as if I accomplished my goal to make the Ringtail feel better. Cooper then seems to work his hardest not to let his illness get the better of him and moves to the open wardrobe, where he picks one out a little too fast for my liking.
Hoping that I can really trust the Ringtail and that he won't take advantage of the fact that I am safest while here for the next few days, do I watch as he takes some cloths out for himself and then hands me the dress, which I realize with a shock is more than just a single dress as there is an actual bodysuit underneath the dress.
The coloring of the dress is even more shocking as the two tones of purple have always been my favorite and while I wonder how Cooper knew this, does he move to give us both some privacy, yet I can't help but call out to him, making him tense before I ask: "How – how did you – how did you make this?"

And while I hate how my shock and amazement made me stutter, does Cooper seem to relax, making me know that he had indeed tried not to pick out anything I wouldn't like before he pulls up his pants and, with the confidence I always hear him speak with, he says: "Just like I always do. With a lot of effort and hard work."
This makes me look at him, remembering what Bentley said about our instant connection, yet wondering why Cooper never thought of proving this with gifts like the dress on my lap and when Cooper asks: "Would you rather have another, perhaps?" Do I quickly shake my head, before he says: "I'll be outside."
This shocks and worries me, yet the fact that Cooper keeps his tail between the balcony doors makes me feel relieved and at the same time a little uncomfortable as Cooper shouldn't be wanting to leave his room just to give me some privacy. I then again look down at the dress, my hand going over the fabric before I hear cursing.

I look up and see Bentley, Murray, Penelope and Panda King all standing in the doorway, Panda King looking like he just came out of a fire and his canisters completely blown to bits, making me finally understand where the shockwave I felt earlier must have come from before Bentley asks: "Carmelita, where's Sly?"
And while the uncomfortable feeling returns, do I mutter: "Outside, he – he wanted to give me some privacy so I could change." The turtle turns red and says: "Knock when you're ready." To which I nod before he closes the door, the red hue on his face obviously one of embarrassment and taking away some of my own awkwardness.
I then change out of my Interpol Uniform, making sure to fold it all up and lie it down on the desk chair before moving into the body suit and zipping the dress up over it, the buttons on the bottom side easy to reach and made of actual gold, making me wonder if Cooper perhaps used gold of his own vault to make them.

I am then fully dressed once again and walk back to the wardrobe, where I had seen a full-length mirror having been build into the inside of one of the doors and when I take a look at myself, do my eyes widen as I cannot believe how well-fitted the outfit is, the bodysuit accentuating my muscles and the dress itself my actual curves.
Having never seen myself in something that proves the beauty of my own looks as exquisitely as this double-pieced outfit, can I not help but wonder how Cooper knew my sizes to this extend, yet at the same time, do I move myself from one side to another, loving everything that I see as I view myself in the mirror from different angles.

I then close the doors of the closet and walk over to the door, knocking like Bentley told me before opening the door and, while feeling clichéd, do I ask: "Well, what do you think?" And the way that the jaws of Bentley and Murray drop, while Penelope lets out a startled gasp and Panda King's eyes widen makes me feel very good.
I smile at the four and say: "I know, I – I was shocked myself when I saw how good this fit. Any of you an idea how Cooper knows my sizes so well?" To which Bentley groans and says: "Knowing him, he must have nicked some of your Interpol Uniforms for a few minutes and measured the sizes before putting them back."
And while part of me feels violated that Cooper can get in and out of Interpol Headquarters, not to mention get to my locker and take my cloths, without anyone knowing, does the fabric that is wrapped around my body make that feeling of violation disappear and I say: "Knowing Cooper like I do, you're probably right, Bentley."

Then Bentley rolls his wheelchair in and asks: "Where is he now?" And to my shock, do I realize that Cooper has yet to reopen his balcony door or come back in. I turn to where the Ringtail is now leaning over his balcony wall, apparently looking at something in the distance and Bentley mutters: "Oh, I cannot believe this."
Before he hurries his wheelchair over, pulls the doors open and shouts: "Sly! What do you think you're doing still being out? You've got a cold to heal from, remember? Get back inside already!" And the way that the Raccoon jumps up startled makes me wonder what could have made him go off into dreamland like that.
Penelope, Murray and Panda King then leave downstairs, while I move over to stand besides Bentley and when Cooper looks at me, do I again feel warm and cared for as the way that his eyes widen in amazement at seeing my form in the dress proves me that the Raccoon had actually underestimated the beauty of his own creation.
Yet, when Cooper keeps looking at me, completely ignoring how Bentley seems to get angrier and angrier the longer he stays outside, do I raise an eyebrow at the dumbstruck Raccoon and ask: "Cooper, did you even hear Bentley? Get in here. You've been outside long enough this week." Shaking him awake.

Bentley then interrupts the both of us as he huffs and says: "Let's just go, Murray's getting dinner ready and I'm pretty sure the others have been greatly worried about you since you went to bed earlier." And the smile that Cooper sends his friend at hearing this proves to me how much he values the friendship they have.
I then feel my curiosity grow yet again and ask: "Any reason you were outside for so long? I changed ten minutes ago, you know?" Cooper turns red at this and says: "My balcony watches over a small river that leads straight to the Eifel Tower. The sight of it just always takes my breath away and makes me forget the time."
This makes me look over his shoulder in shock, the small river that I see past his balcony window almost making the Eifel Tower itself looking more beautiful than usual and I nod before deciding to trust Cooper just a little more as I sigh before admitting to them both: "You know, I've never even been up that tower my entire life."

Both Cooper and Bentley look at me shocked and Cooper asks: "What? Why not?" And while I can't help but wonder what it would be like up there – and while part of me envisions me up there with Cooper – do I answer: "Because I swore myself that my first time up there – would be with the man of my dreams."
At this Bentley – to my shock – quickly gazes between Cooper and myself and I look back at the Raccoon, his hazel brown eyes easily read and making me realize that he's actually envisioning the both of us up there. Remembering Bentley's words, do I wonder what it would be like if that happened, but then shake it off.

We then all walk back downstairs and while I can easily tell that Cooper is still envisioning us both on top of the Eifel Tower, does the slight fear, the determination and the soft burning hope that I can see growing in his eyes confuse me, especially the way that those feelings pass each other as they flash through his amber brown gazers.
Yet when we arrive downstairs and while Cooper leans himself against one of the walls, proving how much he feels at home in this interesting building and how happy he must be to be back here, does Bentley suddenly confuse me as he asks: "Ah Dimitri, was there by any chance a blue ribbon attached to your seat?"
Dimitri looks up from where he sits as Bentley goes on and says: "You see that brown ribbon over there? We placed that there when Guru came to join us. We didn't need it before because Sly, Murray and I all knew the unspoken rule of which chair belonged to who. I still have mine, I just don't use it anymore now that – well, this."
This alone intrigues me and Dimitri asks: "So, what does blue ribbon mean, brain bro?" And Cooper proves that he cares for his new team members as he answers: "The Brown ribbon means that it's Murray's chair. Bentley had a green ribbon and the blue one's mine. We can make ribbons for the rest of you as well, if you want."

The Iguana seems shocked at hearing this, yelping as if the chair suddenly caught on fire and dashing for a different chair and while amazed that the three original members of the Cooper Gang actually each have one chair that they love the most, does Murray shock me as his voice comes from behind me and shouts: "Dinner's ready!"
And while part of me is shocked that, in my feared state, I actually slept the whole afternoon away, does Cooper prove that he really does care for me in more ways than just friendly as he softly grabs my waist and leads me over to the kitchen, answering my raised eyebrow with one of his trademark dashing grins.
The kitchen itself is made out of tiles and granite mostly, the table tops and work benches made out of granite, the cabinets made of a very sturdy kind of wood and the walls, ceiling and floor all made of soft peachy green and broken white colored tiles, while the dining table is actually one that can be expanded on command.

Cooper then receives a warm hug from the cooking Hippo, something that proves to me there is more than just friendship going on between Hippo and Raccoon and while slightly jealous over this, as I never had any siblings myself due to my mum's reproduction organs growing ill after I was born, do I smile nonetheless.
The Hippo then leads both me and Cooper over to the table and sits us down before I see Cooper take a deep breath through his nose as he looks at what is stalled out on the table, which I personally recognize as the recipe for Bobotie, a recipe my mother used to love making, yet of which she could never get some parts right.
Wondering if the Hippo can do what my mother cannot, do I feel touched as he fills our plates evenly before he says: "We're all together again and the team's fully complete, so the Murray decided he should celebrate." But while I feel touched, does Dimitri shock me as he asks: "Team complete? Even Mss. Lady Cop?"

At this I look at all those seated around me, Bentley having dropped his spoon, Penelope having her hand clenching her glass filled with milk, Guru and Panda King looking as if Dimitri has grown a second head and Murray cringing in shock before I turn to Cooper, his tenseness intriguing me before I see the look in his eyes.
Elation and shock seem to rival each other on those brown gazers and while I feel shocked that the Raccoon actually feels excited over the idea of me joining the team, do I not feel insulted one bit at the fact that he would even think of such a possibility as I again remember what Bentley told me about how Sly feels for me.
I then take another look around and see that, with most of those around me, the shock has turned to feared gazes, which are all aimed my way and I sigh before I shake my head as I say: "Lousteau, you may have been a famous art forger and money scrambler, but you really need a new brain if you think Murray meant me."

And while I calmly take a bite of my meal, the way that the sauce drips onto my tongue as I eat making me moan in delight, do I sneak another glance Cooper's way, the relief and slight sadness that he seems to try and hide from his gaze making me want to giggle at the fact that he had hoped I would confirm the Iguana's beliefs.
The others then also start to eat and while conversations seem a little tense, do I keep my gaze mostly on Cooper, silently loving the way that he seems to try and keep his disappointment out of his form as he seems to struggle not to let his shoulders sag down, something that is obviously made easier as he joins in on the conversations.

Still, as dinner comes to an end, can I not help but feel worried and scared for the choice that is ahead of me; sharing a room and bed with Cooper for another time – probably giving him the wrong idea – or trying to sleep in a room that was almost used to turn me into some kind of playgirl, which makes shivers run down my spine.
Yet, while Sly helps Murray with the dishes, does Bentley guide me to another part of the kitchen and whispers: "I know what you're afraid of, Carmelita, and you don't have to worry. Murray, Panda King and I already took out everything Akudo collected in your rooms. It's back to how Sly build it and all those things are destroyed."
This makes me feel a little more relieved, yet doesn't take away all of my fear and I whisper back: "Would Cooper mind helping me fall asleep. I – I don't really like the idea of staying there alone, you know, but – but I don't want to give him any wrong ideas or false hope or anything." The turtle nods and says:

"Sly's a real caring person, he'll understand." Making me smile at the confidence that the turtle has in Cooper and making me ask: "You, Cooper and Murray really are close, aren't you?" The turtle nods and says: "Sly may be a thief, Carmelita, but the way he fights for his family's legacy – makes us feel as if we have family too."
And while my eyes widen as I had never even thought of looking at the bond between the three in that way, does Bentley then mutter: "Head for the living room, I'll talk with Sly and make sure he helps you fall asleep tonight. Don't worry, Sly knows just how to do that. We know how to get him asleep, but his methods are better."
And while I wonder what the Raccoon could be planning, do I nod nonetheless and leave the three friends together in the kitchen, Sly sending me a curious look before I leave and me sending him a warm smile back to assure him that I'm still okay, the caring smile I get back warming me from deep within my own heart.

Okay, that's it!
I know, I know, it's pretty much the last chapter in Carmelita's POV, but I really want to experiment with these two and at the current moment are they still very much with different opinions on a lot of matters, bar the things Akudo did to Sly and the things Akudo's team wanted to do to Carmelita.
I just don't like writing about that, so I decided to keep to that as little as possible. The next chapter will again be in Sly's POV and will be a bit of the dish-washing – I know, BORING – and a little something that you can find back in one of my other stories. I try to give Sly different talents in different stories, but not always.
Hope you enjoy,

Venquine1990