Look! Two chapters within one month! It's a miracle. I just got off of Spring Break and I spent most of that break trying to figure out how I wanted to end this chapter. I would like to say thanks to everyone who got back to me for all the great advice and input. I don't consider myself a furry. I like to draw them sometimes and in some stories I work with humans with animal features, but my two exceptions to this come in the form of Sly Cooper and Fox McCloud. I haven't written any Star Fox fiction yet, but I have an original character paired with Fox McCloud. That aside, I hope you guys like this chapter. This is not the lemon, but it's setting up for it. I'm glad I could get it out in a reasonable amount of time. If any of you would like to see what I've drawn of Maya, I can scan in my pencil drawings and put them on tumblr. Just shoot me a message and let me know because I have pictures of her and some of her outfits.

As usual, I have a couple of shout outs.

Thanks to the new followers of this story: Wizle, BlaZiNg-BrOnY-and-Pokemon, and Terra-Fair. Nice to have you on board.

Thanks also to those who favorited this story: BlaZiNg-BrOnY-and-Pokemon, and Terra-Fair.

A couple of specific shout outs:

ThisIsHope - Glad you liked Maya in the last chapter. I promise to take more breaks and try to update more often. All this crazy, heavy studying isn't really helping me anyway.

Spartan10007 - Glad you liked it! I was a bit worried about how it turned out. Yes! To the Outback we go!

Andilite - I'm hoping to get more Maya-lightning action in this story. As far as romance goes, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Sorry, Bentley's a bit of a turd-le in this chapter. It's not time for the lemon yet, but it's coming up.

We're finally moving on to the Outback. Maya is going to meet Murray's Guru. I'm glad I gave Maya a spiritual dimension of sorts in this story because I realized that in Sly 3 we have two spiritual individuals who are recruited by the gang. I'm excited to have her meet the Guru and later she'll have similar experiences when they first run back into the Panda King. So, with all that out of the way, on to the story!

It was several days before Bentley and I were well enough to leave the hotel, and the cops were finally off high-alert. We thanked Feliciano and the newly forming Vincenetti gang for their help and we were on our way. I was grateful that I could already walk again. It was healing faster the second time around. I found that it was nice to abandon the crutch for the time being and carry my own luggage.

We finally decided to head back to Paris to take a short break before continuing our search for master thieves to help with the Cooper Vault. At first, it was as if nothing had changed. Murray and the guys would play their games while I sat off to the side and did my own thing. Every now and again, one of them would get up to go do something and I would steal their controller. They went out on small heists, but the more they went on the more I could tell that there wasn't something quite right with Murray. Not everything was back to normal, and as much as I wanted to ask Murray what was bothering him, I decided I'd let him come to me.

Only a week and a half had passed since we got home and the boys were dorking around in the living room. They had gotten a new racing game for Murray and had been glued to the TV ever since they'd put it in the console. I'd curled up with a good book and some music to block out the sounds of smashing and crashing in the background. It was around mid-afternoon before we even thought about eating, and then I volunteered to make a quick dinner. I went in the kitchen and started digging through the fridge for something easy to make. In the end, a pizza in the freezer was the quickest choice, so I threw it in the oven. While I had been digging, Murray had come in behind me and was digging in the cupboards for something to snack on.

"Maya" he said suddenly and I turned to look at him.

"Yeah, Murs?" I asked.

"I'm worried" he said after thinking about it for a minute.

"Talk to me" I said as I pulled a stool up to the kitchen counter.

"I didn't get permission to end my Dreamtime training" he said. "It doesn't feel right."

"I'm sure he understands" I tried to comfort him.

"But what if he doesn't?" Murray asked. "How did you tell your guru you were leaving?"

"I honestly didn't" I replied. "She was an amazing clairvoyant and she know I'd be leaving before I did. I wouldn't be surprised if your guru already knew something was up, but it never hurts to talk to him."

"I feel bad" Murray said. "The guys are all excited because I'm back, but I'm having a hard time because I can't stop thinking about it."

"Well, we could start by talking to them. I'm sure they'll understand" I replied encouragingly.

"Do you really think so?" Murray asked.

"Of course" I smiled as I stood up and took his hand. "I'll go with you. It'll be fine."

"Thanks Maya" he said.

"Anytime" I replied and I pulled him into the other room. Sly and Bentley looked up, and Sly gave our linked hands a puzzled look. "Murray has something he needs to tell you guys" I said as I let go of his hand and grabbed the TV remote so I could mute it.

"Did you two start secretly dating?" Sly asked.

"Do I have to get my crutch?" was my reply and Sly instinctively covered his head with his hands.

"No" he said.

"Good, because this is important" I said and I gave Murray a nudge.

Murray was silent for a moment, as he had been with me. I knew that he was actually a pretty timid guy sometimes. He took a few more moments where he looked around and then finally blurted out "I'm worried about my guru."

There was silence for a moment, and then Bentley spoke up. "Is that all?" he asked. I was ready to yell at him for being rude but then I saw that he was smiling, probably as happy as I was that Murray had finally come out with it.

"What do you need us to do, Pal?" Sly asked.

Murray looked to me with a smile and I gave him a thumbs-up. "You guys talk about this, make a plan. I'm going to check on the food" I said and as I walked out I watched as Murray sat down with them and started talking openly about what was going on.

They probably took half an hour to discuss what was happening. In the mean time I felt like a single pizza wouldn't feed them so I also made some frozen wings I'd found in the freezer and a stir-fried noodle dish for myself because all that heavy food didn't look that appetizing.

"We're going to Australia" Sly said as he practically barged into the kitchen. Murray was behind him and already had a plate made before I could even mention what I'd made. Bentley came in a short time after them and announced that he had the tickets booked.

"Now all we need is disguises" Bentley said.

"Clothes shopping!" I cheered. I actually loved shopping for clothes in Paris. You could find almost anything you wanted there. My wardrobe was also basically limited to active wear, those couple of outfits I'd gotten for Venice and what was left of my clothing from India.

"No nose goes!" I heard Sly shout as he jammed his finger to his nose.

"Seriously, guys!?" I said as I turned and saw that they each had a finger on their nose.

"Looks like you're taking yourself" Sly said with a little mischief in his voice.

"Sly, you're the only one here who shouldn't be talking" I replied. "I'm your girlfriend."

He laughed nervously. "I'm in trouble, huh?" he asked.

"No" I replied. "I'm a big girl and I can handle myself in a clothes store. I'm going to need some money, though."

"Money I can do" Sly said, pulling a wallet out from his leg pouch on the table.

"Thank you" I said as I snatched the wallet out of his hand.

"Hey!" he said.

"Well, you're not going to keep an eye on me, so I figured I'll be done once this is spent" I said, dangling his wallet out in front of me. "Besides, it's not like you don't have more."

"That doesn't mean I want you to spend all of it" Sly said.

"Oh, what kind of disguise are you planning on wearing?" I asked him as if I hadn't heard him.

"I'm going for a punk rock look" he replied.

"Okay" I answered. "Just want to look somewhat appropriate."

"What do you…"

"Bye!" I was out the door before Sly could finish his question. I had a plan of my own and I didn't want him to know what it was. We were going to the Australian Outback so I needed something that was appropriate for the situation, but there was also the ride there and I could have a lot of fun finding an outfit to match what Sly was doing.

Despite my big talk about spending money, I ended up at a fairly inexpensive clothing store. I got two pairs of khaki shorts and a pair of jean shorts, a couple of button-up t-shirts in green and blue, and two black tube tops. Along with that, I got a couple sets of summer pajamas – both with shorts and a tank top – one lavender and one yellow. I was feeling colorful. Lastly, I found a pair of hiking boots that I actually liked. I figured we'd probably be doing a lot of walking and a pair of comfortable hiking boots was one thing I'd wished for back when I was looking for my master.

What I was more excited about was the outfit I'd picked out in order to match (and maybe mess with) Sly. I was thinking more just plain bad-girl instead of matching Sly completely, so this outfit consisted of a black leather mini skirt, a cropped red top, and a cropped black leather jacket to match the skirt. I'd bought a pair of black boots that came up just below my knees. I was kind of proud that I'd put something together that was so simple and yet had so much sex appeal. For whatever reason, I'd actually bought lingerie as well. Maybe my brain was just in that mind-set but I looked at the lacy black thong and bra with distaste. It wasn't something I would usually wear, but maybe I was getting a little hopeful.

With my purchases in hand, I made my way back home. It was getting dark out already. I would need to pack quick before heading to bed because knowing Bentley he already had the plane tickets for tomorrow. On the way there was a little costume store selling fake jewelry. I stopped in to buy myself a couple of false earrings and a fake belly-button ring. Part of me hoped that when Sly saw what I would be wearing that his head might actually explode. Again, I think I was getting hopeful.

When I finally got back to the safe house, I walked in on a very one-sided wrestling match between Sly and Murray. I just shook my head and made my way to my room. As I started to fold things and stuff them into my suitcase, Sly walked in.

"Bentley has us leaving early tomorrow" Sly said. Early usually meant just after noon around here.

"I figured" I said with a smile.

"What did you buy for tomorrow?" he asked, going to dig in my bags.

"Hey!" I said and I swatted his hands away. "You'll get to see tomorrow."

"I want to see now" he said.

"Tomorrow" I repeated more sternly.

"Fine" he said, giving me a face like a kicked-puppy. That might have worked in the past but it wasn't going to work now.

"So what's the whole plan?" I asked.

"Well, we're going to take a plane to Australia and head for the Outback to see if we can find Murray's teacher. He said his teacher was near a place called Yuendumu. We figured we'd go there first and then if he's not there we'll have to look in other places for him" Sly said.

"Well, I've had experience with the wandering spiritual type and I can tell you that it's unlikely he's stayed in the same place" I replied as I folded some of my new clothes into the suitcase.

"I hope that's not the case. I want to meet him and talk him into joining our gang for the Cooper Vault job" he said.

"I hope you're not seriously just going to ask a spiritual individual like that to join in on a crime. I know for a fact that my master would have told you to go jump in the river. She wouldn't have done something like that" I said.

"I can be very persuasive" he replied.

"Not that persuasive" I muttered to myself as I took the bags with the lingerie and the outfit for the morning and set them off to the side. I really didn't want Sly to see either of them.

"What do you mean I'm not persuasive?" he asked with a pout, giving my tail a tug.

"I mean exactly what you think I mean" I replied.

"How am I not persuasive?'' he asked.

"You're just not as persuasive as you think you are" I said with a shrug.

"I am totally persuasive" he argued.

"Name one thing you've persuaded me to do since I joined the Cooper gang" I challenged him.

"Date me" he replied smugly.

"Okay, now name another" I said.

"Umm…" he started but he couldn't seem to think of anything else. I gave him a moment to think and finally he said "Show me that outfit you're hiding from me."

"No" I said and I zipped up my bag.

"Please" he begged.

"Persuade me" I deadpanned.

At first he seemed confused but then he got that look on his face that told me he had some sort of evil plan. He didn't do anything at first and I very quickly got tired of waiting for him to say or do something. I turned to place my suitcase on the floor and while I had my back turned to him he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him and he kissed my neck.

"Sly…" I groaned.

"Hmm?" he hummed against my neck as he placed feather-light kisses along my shoulder, pulling my collar down as he did so.

"I said persuade me, not seduce me" I said as I let him do it anyway. It wasn't going to persuade me but that didn't mean I wasn't going to enjoy the attention. The way he ran his hands up and down my arms made chills run down my spine and I could feel my hair raise. "It's not going to work" I muttered.

"Just give it some time" he whispered in my ear, his voice becoming husky.

"Hmm…" I replied. I allowed him to turn me around and he slipped his hands under my shirt, slowly sliding it up over my head. We had never really had time to be intimate like this before. Usually we were just too busy doing different things, being in different places, or for one reason or another we were angry at each other.

He walked me backwards until he had me pressed up against the wall. Our bodies were as close together as possible. I could practically feel his every heartbeat as he pressed his lips to mine and dug his fingers into my sides. He drew away to bite my shoulder and a growl escaped from my lips. I resisted the urge to dig my claws into his skin. Previous encounters had taught me that men did not like to be clawed by a tigeress. Truthfully, Sly had not been the first man to kiss me or touch me, but those who had before him were nothing more than shadows of memories. They had been suitors and fools who never had my heart like this man before me. My train of thought was broken by his lips on a particularly sensitive spot on my neck.

"Damn it, Sly" I gasped.

"I'm sorry, do you like that?" he asked with a hint of smugness in his voice as he returned to that spot. I pulled his body closer to mine and took off his hat, tossing it to the side.

"This is hardly fair" I muttered.

"Am I persuading you?" he asked as he continued to work on my shoulder.

"No" I growled. In fact, I'd already completely forgotten his goal, having replaced it with my own. "This" I said in a hushed whisper as I grabbed him by the collar and switched our positions, slamming him against the wall now. I wanted to rake my claws down his shirt and shred it but I knew he wouldn't go for that. After a heated kiss, I pulled his shirt off over his head and discarded it into the room. For a moment I drew back and examined his sculpted chest. It's not like I'd never seen him shirtless before, but I could admit now that I'd never appreciated it. He took advantage of my distraction and forced me backwards. I didn't know to what end he was working until the back of my legs hit my bed and I fell backwards onto it, taking him with me.

His knees were on either side of me and for the first time he took a moment to scan my body with his eyes. I suddenly understood the frustration he must have been feeling only moments before. He didn't give me time to retaliate as he had. Suddenly he placed his hand on my abdomen and trailed it up my body, against my fur in such a way that it made me arch my body into his touch. As his hand made its way between my breasts, he took advantage of my back being off of the bed, discreetly slipping his hand under my arched shoulders to unclasp my bra. There was a level of smoothness to it that reminded me not to underestimate my soon-to-be lover.

Once my bra was off he drew back to look at me once again. His eyes held a kind of heat I'd never seen in them before. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he asked.

"No" I said with a chuckle.

"That's because there are no words for this" he said suavely before swooping in to kiss me. His words alone were enough to light my body on fire. He ran his hands down my body, over my breasts, causing me to arch once more, and then stepped off of the bed for a moment to slip his fingers under the band of my pants at my hips. I lifted my hips off of the bed so he could slide my pants down my legs. Once they were at my ankles he abandoned them and climbed up between my legs as I kicked them off. I took his face in my hands so I could bring him in for another kiss. It was as if I wanted him to be as close to me as possible. My legs wrapped around his hips of their own accord and brought his body down on top of mine. I could feel his arousal throbbing against me. He broke from my lips and went for my neck again with a quiet growl of his own. The heat between us was becoming unbearable.

"Sly" I growled as he found that spot on my neck again that he had been torturing earlier. We'd taken long enough to get here, and even now there was the annoying, thin barrier of my underwear still separating our bodies. I bucked up against him,

"Kind of hasty, aren't we?" he muttered into my skin.

"I believe back in Venice you said something about making up for lost time" I replied.

"I did, but what's the harm in a little foreplay?" he asked.

"I would have thought that you of all people wanted to get to the main event by now" I said and I felt him smirk against my skin. He pushed himself back up into a kneeling position. I was hyperaware of how his muscles rippled under his fur as he steadied himself. His molten gaze scanned my body once again before his eyes met mine.

"The main event it is" he said, his voice was husky and it sent chills down my spine. Whatever small ember had been burning in my gut before had now burst into flame. I wanted him and I could see in his eyes that the feeling was mutual. He smirked at me and leaned back down to trail kisses down my neck. His trail of kisses extended down my chest, and then he kissed gently between my breasts, continuing downward until he reached the hem of my underwear. He bared he canines before taking the hem between his teeth and beginning to pull down. My breath hitched in my throat. This was actually doing to happen.

"Hey, Sly!" there was a loud knock on the door that made me nearly jump out of my skin. It was Bentley. He had amazing timing.

"Are you kidding?" I heard Sly growl as he turned his head to look at the door for a moment. "What?"

I chuckled at how angry he sounded. He rested his forehead on my abdomen in exasperation. "There are a few things we need to go over before tomorrow" Bentley said from behind the door.

"Can't it wait?!" Sly asked. I reached down and slid my fingers under his chin. He obediently followed my guide as I led his face back up to mine and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.

"We wanted to do this before bed" Bentley replied through the door.

"Ugh" Sly groaned and looked down at me, running a hand through my hair before kissing me.

"You know he won't take no for an answer" I said. When we looked into each-others eyes it was obvious that the mood had been completely shattered anyway. "There'll be another time."

"You're right" he sighed as he stood up. "I'll have you eventually."

"Sooner than later" I replied as I pushed myself to my feet and wrapped my arms around his torso. I pressed my hips to his. He groaned and closed his eyes, tilting his head back.

"Don't do that. You'll get me started again" he said.

"And that's a bad thing?" I asked.

"I don't need the guys to see me with a hard-on" he replied. I smiled, thinking about how funny that might be because certain raccoons I knew got away without wearing pants… most of the time. My mind snapped back to the serious stuff pretty quickly, though.

"Don't go too hard on Bents. He didn't know" I told him.

"I know" he nodded and for a moment he pressed a hand to his forehead. "I just…"

"I know" I interrupted him, pressing my hips to his for emphasis. "Soon."

"The next time we're alone" he whispered in my ear before nibbling on it a bit.

"Is that a promise?" I asked.

"It's a guarantee" he replied with a smile.

"I'll be looking forward to it" I told him with a sultry grin.

"Hmm" he said as he leaned back down to kiss me again.

"Sly?" we heard Bentley say from the other side of the door.

"Coming" Sly answered as he retrieved his shirt. I went to my closet to find a nightgown. For the most part I felt too lazy to put clothes back on. "See you in the morning" Sly said as he opened the door.

"Good night, Sly" I replied. I was fully intent on going to sleep once he was out of my room. Staying awake and thinking about such a disappointment was no longer an option. I lay on my bed and folded my arms behind my head. As I closed my eyes I couldn't shake the image of Sly looming over me. I could still feel every touch and taste every kiss and it did nothing for helping me forget. In frustration I rolled over and pulled a pillow over my head. My tail swayed in annoyance behind me. I thought for sure the scare Bentley had given me had put a quick end to my desires, but the persistent throbbing between my legs told me otherwise. With a groan, I rolled onto my back, keeping my pillow behind my head and curled into a ball. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, but it would still be a while before sleep would finally take me.