As soon as the children were closer to the Stella, they slowed to a walk. Riccio whooped. "That was a close one, huh, Scipio?"

"Definetly," Scipio said, finally able to relax. "Thanks to Hornet's smooth talking."

Mosca grinned. "Yeah, Hornet. You can give me lying lessons, maybe."

Hornet smiled back. "It came easy. Just think: the one time the mighty Thief Lord really screws up, he gets away with it!"

"And I suppose now you have full faith in me again, Hornet?" Scipio teased.

"Yeah. But I hope you don't do anything stupid like that again." Hornet crossed her arms in front of her.

Scipio shook his head. "I have enough sense, Hornet." He became thoughtful and said in a more serious tone, "Why would Prosper do that to me?"

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the others. Hornet cleared her throat and said to Scipio, "It had something to do with...you know."

"He might know, but we don't," Riccio said. "What's going on here?"

Scipio sighed and looked at Hornet. "Do you want to, or shall I?"

Hornet nodded and walked with Riccio and Mosca. By the time she had finished telling them about everything that happened over the past few days, they had arrived at the Stella and the two boys were staring from Scipio to Hornet, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

"Close your mouths before you draw flies..." Hornet retorted good-naturadly. Scipio rang the doorbell and waited. A moment later, Bo pulled the door open.

"Scip!" Bo exclaimed, and hugged Scipio's middle. Scipio froze, his arms pinned awkwardly to his sides, but grinned nonetheless and ruffled Bo's hair. "Where's Prosper?"

"In the room. Pouting." Bo answered simply. He led the others into the auditorium. Scipio pulled off his mask and placed it on a chair. He told the others, "Stay here," and walked behind the curtain. "Prop? You there?" he called into the bedroom.

There was a low grunt in reply. Scipio walked into the room to see Prosper sitting on the bed, his knees drawn up to his chest. He did not respond to Scipio at first, not even looking up.

Scipio stood in the doorway for a while in silence. He finally spoke, but it was only one word: "Why?"

For a one word question, there was a one word answer from Prosper: "Hornet."

At Scipio's call, Hornet came into the room. She was a bit pale, and she was trembling slightly. Her stomach was turning, and the same message ran across her mind like a never-ending ribbon: This is it. This is it. This is it.

Scipio could hardly speak himself. He managed to choke out, "This is too much. We have to know. It's turning me and Prop against each other, practically." Scipio failed to mention that it was only Prosper turning against him.

Prosper said quietly, "I won't care. I was stupid and jealous. I'm so sorry, Scip."

Scipio nodded dismissively. "Hornet, you said you decided. Now you have to tell us. It's fine either way."

Hornet's eyes darted back and forth between the two boys. She heaved a great, shaking sigh and breathed out, "Scipio."

A smile tried to creep its way across Scipio's features, but he did his best to suppress it. Prosper made a small noise in the back of his throat, and that was all. He stood up and sighed. "Okay. I know now. Thank—Hornet?"

Hornet had gone very pale. She stared at the ground, her breath coming in fluttering puffs. She wrung her hands nervously. "Hornet?" Prosper said again, and took her hands in his. "Hornet, it's alright! Really."

Hornet looked up. "I'm sorry, Prosper. But you make too good a friend to loose in a more serious relationship." She stared at her hands in his. "I need you as a friend, Prop." She smiled weakly.

Prosper returned the grin. It filled him with an odd pride for Hornet to say that to him, but the pang of disappointment did not go away so easily. He no longer wanted to do Scipio any harm, but he still had a flame for Hornet. He would just have to grin and bear it, he resolved as he dropped Hornet's hands. "But now what?"

Scipio slipped his hand into Hornet's. "I can take a break now. We have quite enough money, don't we?"

Hornet nodded. It was like an enormous brick had been taken out of her stomach.

Suddenly, Riccio and Mosca ran in, their eyes wide. Bo followed a moment later. "Scipio! The carabineri! They followed us!" Riccio cried.

Scipio turned pale. He ushered the others outside and into the men's bathroom. He shut the door and bolted it tightly. Prosper hugged Bo to him. Scipio recalled Bo would have to go back to his aunt, and Prosper to an orphanage. And Riccio, Mosca, and Hornet...what would happen to them? And himself...Father would have his head.

Scipio raised a finger to his lips, made sure the door was locked, and stood with the others. The shouts of the police officers pierced through the door. Hornet put her arms around Scipio, and he held her tightly. He bit his lip and waited.

It was only a moment later that Scipio realized that he did not have his mask. If the officers got in to the room, there was no hiding who he was.