Wow. I'm so smart. I can't believe I forgot to upload this.

I'm thinking of working on a sequel? Hm.... Maybe find someone for Roxanne?

Haha. Get back to me.

Chapter 7

"So I'm... grounded?" Sly asked in disbelief.

"Well, yeah, basically, Sly." A familiar nasily voice responded. "You became emotionally involved with a criminal, lied to us, went missing in the middle of the night, and stayed at a Inspector of Interpol's house for the past week or so."

"I can't believe this. The last time I was grounded was the time I hotwired that car when I was 17. I though Mrs. Finch's beak was going to fall out." He remembered with a chuckle. "Now I'm being grounded by the two guys I grew up with? Well, I guess that's fine... for awhile at least. I'll stay home for a few days and heal up completely then I have an Inspector to stalk." He smiled and then ran down to his room. Once inside he tore off his clothes and hopped into the shower.

He was happy with the results of the past few days. He had no idea what was gonna happen but for once that was okay with him. Suprises, at least some of them, were good. He began humming a new song he heard on the radio at Carmelita's house.

Do you catch your breath when I look at you? Are you holding back? Like I know you do.

A FEW DAYS LATER

Carmelita stood on a lonely rooftop. Snowflakes were falling from the heavens, each one different. They danced to the ground individually like ballerinas. She exhaled and could see her breath.

"Hello, Inspector." She turned around and saw Sly Cooper standing ten feet behind her in his normal get up. "Cooper!" She gasped and ran up to him and greeted him in a hug. He laughed and held her in his arms. "I missed you, Beautiful."

"I missed you too, Mapache." She pulled away from him and searched his face with her beautiful eyes. "If we get caught, I'll be fired." She said with a pout.

"We wouldn't want that now would we." Sly grinned handsomely. He pulled her close to him again and he whispered below his breath "We're not that different. You could always come work with me and the gang."

"Your wrong, Ringtail. We're very different but I'll remember that." She smiled prettily. "Just incase."

They held each other a moment longer before Carmelita pulled away from him. "You better go now." He frowned a moment and then said, "But i have a surprise for you." He opened the pack he had on his leg and took out a little red felted box. "I even bought it." Carmelita giggled and took the box. She opened it up and looked inside. It was a gold locket. "Oh, Sly! It's beautiful!" She cried softly.

"It's nothing compared to you." He whispered in her ear. "Look inside."

She opened the little flap and squinted to see what it said. Two wrongs make a right. "I love it!" She told him. He leaned over and kissed her sweetly on the cheek. "I'll go now."

"Chase ya later, mapache!" She told him excitedly.

"Hasta manana, Beautiful!" He called over his shoulder. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks as he heard a loud blast. A shock wave flew past his shoulder. When she saw a confused look on his face she said, "We have to make it believable." He chuckled and blew her a kiss before jumping off the side of the building.

"Bye bye, Ringtail." She whispered.

Carmelita finished her shift two hours later. She got home and opened the door to see Roxanne sitting on the couch. She was clenching a letter and crying hard. Carmelita rushed towards her and wrapped her arms around her. "Roxie, what's wrong?" Roxanne showed her the letter. There were two pages. The first was a flyer for a two bedroom, one bath house in Paris the other was written out in Sly's messy print. "What?" She choked out and began to read.

Dear Roxanne,

If you went to 211 West Acacia Street you would see the house on the flyer. If you walked up to the front door you would be able to open it. If you walked inside you'd see a hardwood floor, blue walls, and a patio. If you went down the hall to your right and entered the bedroom on your left you'd see your new bedroom. Congratulations, Gorgeous. You just got yourself a new house. Its all paid off. The papers are on the kitchen counter along with !,500 pounds to start you in your new life.

I worked out a deal with the Happy Camper Orphanage here in Paris and landed you a job as a big sister role model kinda thing. THe buisiness card is on the counter along with directions how to get there. You start Monday. And how will you get there? Well if you walked down the hall and opened the second door on your right you'd see a white XTerra. The tank is full and the keys are in the ignition.

I'll see you soon and be sure to say hello to everyone at the orphanage for me.

Lots of love and gratitude.

Sly Cooper

"Roxanne! This is wonderful!" She almost screamed. The tears were of happiness not of sadness. Roxanne nodded and managed to stop her tears for a moment to say. "I know. This raccoon is the blessing I've been praying for." She paused and sniffed. "He left something on your bed for you."

Carmelita's heart began to race and she ran down the hall and threw open the door. She looked and on her bed was a stunning red strapless bubble dress. Next to it were some white strappy stilletos and a white clutch. She gasped and after checking the windows were closed she tried it on. It fit her perfectly and so did the shoes. She twirled around in her beautiful new dress when her eyes fell on two tickets on the bed. They were tickets to Romeo and Juliet.

When Sly got home he jumped on the couch and kicked back. Bentley was tapping away at his computer and Murray was reading the comics. "Bentley. I broke my binocucom." Sly lied to his friend. "Again? Fine, i'll fix it in a minute."

"Thanks, I left it on the table in the kitchen."

"'Kay." He moved his mouse around and then closed his laptop. "I'll be back in fifteen." He waddled into the kitchen and they both heard a loud gasp. "Sly!" The nasily voice shouted.

He had no doubt noticed the complete collection of Star Wars movies, the Spiderman decals, the virtual reality head set, the new Suckerpunch video games, the computerized chess set and the remote controlled helicopter camera.

Back in the living room Sly assured everything was all right, he had just picked up a few gifts for him. Murray obviously looked jealous. "I got you something too. It's in the garage." He assured him. Murray threw down the newspaper and ran into the garage. Waiting for him was a certificate for 5 race car lessons.

JANUARY 2, ONE MONTH LATER

A white mustang pulled into a parking spot outside of Carmelita's apartment. A moment later a tuxed raccoon climbed out of it and walked to the front door. After three short knocks, Carmelita opened the door. She was wearing a strapless red dress and white heels. She had no problem recognizing him though he wasn't wearing his mask. The fur around his eyes was a dark grey not black. "Did you know you're my favorite hello?" She blushed and kissed him softly on the lips. "And you're my hardest goodbye." She whispered to him. He offered her his arm and they walked to the car together. He opened the door for her and after she got in he scrambled around and got into the driver's seat. "Ready, princess?"

"Yes. Sly, I have something to tell you." She said.

"What, querera?" His heart started to beat faster.

"Do you remember when you asked me when the last time my heart decided was?"

"Yeah" He said softly. He was afraid to admit he was scared.

"I know you totally stole that line from Aladdin." She giggled. Relief filled the young raccoon's body and he pulled the mustang into drive and they rode off.