CrazyQuilava: Thanks for the support, hope you'll enjoy the next chapters.

Sorry for the long wait. Life got a little bit in the way, but I finally found time to finish this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it.

Red and Blue

"I'm coming home."

The silence was deafening, she just wanted him to say something, anything. "That's good, Do I need to come and get you? Where are you now?"

The relief could be heard in his voice, happy that she finally decided to return. She had enough time to think about it on the long drive back to civilization. She was no step closer to having anything against the person she used to call uncle.

The more she dug in his secrets, the more she started to fear for her life. If he was prepared to align himself with an organization like the fiendish five, she didn't want to know what he would do just to get his hands on her money.

It was time to get external help. "I am on my way to Salt Lake City. I'll try to find a police station there, I'll do my story and it will all be over," she said more to myself than to him, trying to build up some courage.

"That's good, that's good.. you do that. I'll get there as fast as possible." He sounded nervous, tired. The guilt returned overwhelmingly most off her nervousness. She couldn't imagine how Sebastian would feel right, she owned him and explanation when she returned.

"I need to go now, I'll meet you in Salt Lake City, oke?"

"Just a little bit longer and everything will be over. The police will no what to do and, I'll make sure that bastard won't dare to hurt you anymore." A small smile appeared on her lips.

"Just be careful, we don't know what he will do just to get me."

"Always" With that little reassurance, she clicked the phone in the horn leaving the phone booth, making her way back to the van.

The escape from Mesa City went smoothly enough they were long gone before the police arrived making it an easy drive to their destination.

She was exhausted, keeping up the facade for Sly and his friends, they didn't need to worry about her. They had their own problems, it would be selfish to put her problems on top of theirs. No, it was time to say goodbye.

"Are you ready." Sly jumped from his position on the hood.

With a nod she entered the van, leaving the rest to follow her. "Okay then.." the friends looking at each other for an explanation for her downbeat behavior. None of them having an idea what was going on they decided to just get on the road.

The ride was quiet too quiet to Sly's liking. Looking at Sam he saw her sadness, this had been the status since they left Mesa City. he saw the hatred in her eyes, trying to convince her to leave, before she did anything to Muggshot she would later regret. Once her anger was cooled down she just became sad.

He knew that she needed some alone time, still, it felt weird that they would leave on such a sour note. For the short time, he had known her she had grown on him. She was quick on her feet and even quicker in her responses. Even her stubbornness he had grown to love, looking at her now, all of that was gone.

An idea popped into his head, it always cheered him up, so it could work. Whispering his idea in Murray's ear the hippo nodded in confirmation before going off the main road into a side dirt road.

After a 10 minute drive, the van came to a stop. "We're here," Sly said full enthusiasm, getting a confused look from Sam in return.

"We're in Salt Lake city already?"

Opening the van door, her eyes fell on a little shop in the middle of miles of cornfields. "Somewhere even better."

She couldn't get a good view of the shop itself, with Sly almost ripping her arm off, trying to get her as fast as possible inside. The inside itself was plain looking nothing special it consisted off a counter, with behind it a whole pallet of ice cream flavors.

"Welcome to my little shop. How can I help you?" The female elderly pig asked from behind the counter, like a grandmother talking to her grandchildren.

"Hi, I would like two scoops of chocolate." With that, she nodded and started preparing the order. "What do you want? The chocolate here is amazing."

Finally getting her bearings on the onslaught of new information. "I don't have time for this, why are we even here?"

"Ice cream!" He stated like it explained everything.

Having enough of it she made her way back to the exit. He grabbed her arm before she could open the door. "Wait, wait, just relax. It's not like the police will run away or anything and besides I wanted to end our little journey on a high note."

She hesitated for a moment. "Vanilla. I want three scoops a vanilla."

This got a grin eating smile on his face. "Three scoops of vanilla for milady here."

Saying goodbye they left the shop making way for Bentley and Murray to make their order. Grabbing her hand again he dragged her off into the fields. "Where are we going now?"

"Just you wait, you'll love it." He reassured her. Moving to the top of a hill, they arrived at one of his favorite places.

The view before them was a sea of red flowers, for miles the field was filled with poppies. She was speechless at the beautiful landscape.

He guided her to a little bench overlooking the field, enjoying there ice cream and each others company.

"How did you know about this place?"

"My parents introduced me to this place. It was one of their favorite places, whenever they went on holiday in the states they tried to pass by." He smiled fondly thinking of the times they had dragged him here. Never really having appreciated the view. It took their death for him to see the beauty that they tried to show him.

Feeling a little bit of pressure on his hand he looked down to see her hand had enveloped his. His eyes went up, meeting hers in the process. One of the first things he noticed was how beautiful her blue eyes where. Looking at them he felt himself drown in them. The moment lasted only for a second when she turned her head back to the field. Releasing his hand in the process, he already missed the feeling.

"You know a little part of me is going to miss this" Sam interrupted the silence. "I want to return to my normal life, but somewhere deep in my mind is a little voice who says I don't want to go. Stupid isn't it?" She looked at him for confirmation.

"No, it's not." He hesitated a little, thinking how he would explain it. "I felt the same way when I was in the orphanage. I got this feeling of uselessness. My life was made miserable by Ms. Puffin. She would scold us almost every day, that we needed to stay out of trouble. That if we didn't behave nobody would ever try to adopt us."

"I hated her guts, I remember she loved eating cookies. So in one of our childish retaliation, we decided to steal her cookie jar. Bentley made this whole plan with crayons, Murray was so hungry he started eating them." Sam could only smile at his enthusiastic explanation.

"With a cable attached to me I entered the office, Bentley and Murray were waiting for me outside with a tricycle. I jumped from desk to lamp, to the bookcase where the jar was situated on. And just on that moment, the door started to open. Bentley and Murray started to panic. With a force, I felt myself being dragged back outside. Murray had decided to abort the mission."

"And did you get the cookies." Sam couldn't wait to hear the conclusion.

A cocky smile appeared on his face. "They were the most delicious cookies I ever tasted. Mrs. puffin still found out and chewed us out. Looking back I think she would only want to best for us. Maybe she did it with a harsh hand, I think she only wanted us to find a happy family. And some nights a little voice in my head says I want to return to the orphanage, just lead a simple life. But it's just that a voice. Just like with you, my life is too dangerous you would only get hurt."

It looked like she wanted to ask something, only to look back at the view."We should go." She mumbled absent-minded, "It's still a ways to go and the sun is going down" She ate the last of her cone. He followed her example and they sauntered back down the hill, the good atmosphere they had a couple of minutes ago was gone replaced by the silent trek back down.

"There you are, can we go. I don't want to camp again, and I don't think we can afford to stay much longer." Bentley grumbled why pulling Murray's arm. Looking at the hippo they immediately got what he meant. The big guy's face was covered in ice cream, with a dozen ice cream cone remnants laying around him.

"This is heaven" Were the only words that came out of his mouth.

"Come on big guy, we need to bring our lady back to the city." Sly took his other arm and started to heave the hippo back in the van.

They finally got him in with Sam pushing while the other two pulled him further in.

"Murray I really think it's time to start thinking about a diet." Bentley calmly tried to ease Murray into the idea. Only they got the most dramatic gasp she had ever heard. The look on his face told her enough.

"I need the energy to drive." Murray tried to defend.

"It's not normal." Bentley ignored his friend and continued talking. "We really should go see a doctor."

Sly positioned himself in the driver's seat, a slight smile on his face. "Buckle in children we are leaving." With that, he shifted the van into first gear and left the way they came, after a minute they were back on the main road back on track to Salt Lake City.

The ride itself was calm, except for the occasional grunts and snores from Murray who fell in a food sleep.

"We have arrived." she felt someone shaking her shoulder a little bit. Looking around trying to find her bearing she realized they had already arrived in Salt Lake City.

It looked like she was more tired than she thought, having followed Murray's example she dozed off not long after him. Looking at the one who woke her up she came eye to eye with Sly's chocolate eyes.

"Hey sleeping beauty, time to wake up." Leaving the van she was met with the cool night air, a pleasant change from the stale air in the van.

Sly had parked the van in a parking lot opposite off the police station. A groggy Murray and Bentley appeared in the van doors, rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.

"So this is our second goodbye." Sly hugged her out of nowhere. "Make sure that we don't need to save you again oke?"

She rolled her eyes at his remark. He started to remove his hands from her when Murray joined them in the hug, squeezing them closer to each other. Her body was in a really bad position, squirming a little she repositioned herself to move her arm around the Hippo's body, while her other arm was around Sly, making it a real group hug.

Looking around she saw Bentley being his grumpy self, looking at their little spectacle. "Are you going to keep staring at us like that or are you finally joining." She released her arm from Sly's embrace, waving it for him to join them.

He rolled his eyes a little but didn't make a move.

"Come on, I see you want in on this amazing hug." She joked, trying to get him out of his sour mood. Waving her hand again she pressured him.

The other two just looked at the turtle and wolf's interaction. After a couple of seconds looking at them, Bentley finally caved in. With a little grumbled he joined in between Sly and Bentley.

After a couple of minutes, they let each other go. All of them had a sad smile on their face, even Bentley.

"Keep yourself okay, I don't want to know what if I would do if something happens to you." Murray hugged her a more gentle hug this time.

"And you make sure that you keep yourself and the other two safe okay." She whispered in his ear.

Turning to Bentley he just looked like he wasn't in the mood to hug again. "Make sure you keep Sly from doing anything stupid."

A corner of his mouth raised a little at the remark. "Who else would do it?"

She turned back to Sly. "Last but not least, trust your friends a little bit more."

He awkwardly scratched the back of his head "I will, and you make sure you find Carmelita and get that bastard."

With a nod and a quick hug, she turned to the lit up police station. Moving across the street she turned one last time back to the gang, giving them a little wave, getting one in return from all of them.

It was no surprise that the lobby was completely empty the only sign of life was a tv that currently was playing some sort of late night show. Wasting no time she made her way to the front desk.

Looking over the counter she finally noticed a small bunny, trying to fight her boredom with a crossword puzzle. "Hm, excuse me."

The only reaction she got was a quick glance, only for her eyes to immediately return to her book. After a couple seconds, she cleared her throat again.

"I heard you the first time." She stated in a monotone voice.

Sam was getting a little bit irritated. "And would you kindly put away that puzzle and help me."

In return she got the nastiest glare the little thing could muster. To her relief, she complied with her request and retrieved a notepad with a pencil. "So with what can I help you on this wonderful night."

"I would like to speak to Inspector Fox."

"Inspector Fox isn't in for the moment, it's best if you return tomorrow morning." Without missing a beat her notepad was gone and she continued with her crossword puzzle.

"It's important I need to speak with her tonight." If it was needed she would stay the whole night. She was going nowhere without speaking with Carmelita.

The bunny saw she was being serious putting down her game she moved her attention back to Sam. "Inspector Fox is currently busy with another case."

"Could you just call her."

She looked at her like she asked her to murder someone, but with a sigh, she finally took the horn off the phone. Her little fingers ticking off a number in lightning speed "Good evening Inspector, I have a woman here who would like to speak with you."

"Mh, yeah she 'insisting' to speak with you as soon as possible." She looked her over while putting the emphasis on the word. "Have a good evening, Inspector." With that, the conversation was over. The receptionist took her crossword puzzle in the hand again completely ignoring Sam.

"And?" She was starting to lose her patience with the bunny, knowing that the little thing was doing it on purpose.

"Inspector Fox will be here in a half an hour. You can wait here until she arrives."

Having had enough of the receptionist's cold attitude she made her way to one of the many chairs positioned around the room. Her eye fell on the coffee machine she changed her course going straight for the caffeinated beverages.

The machine sputtered to life giving her the so needed drink. Moving to a chair, she put the cup to her lips, letting the hot liquid warm up her throat and tummy. Oh, how did she miss this so much.

The tv was the only thing from making the room completely quiet. An octopus was hosting a cooking show, it couldn't really capture her attention. She was already missing Sly's jokes, Murray's cooking and even Bentley's bossing around. How weird they had grown on her so quickly. Only if Sly's last remark hadn't left a sour taste in her mouth. Now it was clear he didn't want her around.

*grrr* The coffee had moved already to her bladder. After looking around a little bit she found the toilets.

Exiting the restrooms a familiar gruff voice could be heard coming from the lobby."Now listen to me lady, just tell me if she's here or not."

"I don't know who you're talking about, sir. Now would you calm down or do I need to become violent." The monotone voice of the bunny could be heard, with a little bit of anger in her voice.

"I have shown you my certifications, do I need to tell again why this person is a very dangerous criminal." The male voice became more threatening.

"And like I have said to you sir, I haven't seen anyone here tonight, so if you would mind, I would like to continue."

Getting enough courage she peeked around the corner. Seeing the two, filled her with death. Mike and Ike were standing in front of the front desk, having switched their shirts for suits. Her eye fell on a little white tag, with 'FBI' spelled on them in big blue letters.

One of them looked in her direction, retracting her head she hoped he hadn't seen her.

That was immediately crushed by the next spoken words. "Don't worry I've already found her."

Wasting no time she dashed back into the toilets. Putting her back against the door she felt a force on the other side trying to get inside. "I know you are in there just come out and we won't hurt you, don't make it more difficult than it has to be, missy."

She had three options, let them in and do what they say, wait for backup, or find her own way out.

Option one was out of the question, she barely escaped last time, and they wouldn't make that mistake a second time.

"What is going on here, this is a police precinct, not a bar. If you want to make a ruckus you can do that outside." She let out a sigh of relief, maybe the receptionist wasn't as incompetent as she looked. "Now if hear you guys again I am going to call my superiors."

Scratch that she was as incompetent as she looked. If she wasn't holding the door right now she would strangle that little pipsqueak with her own ears.

"Time's up, I am coming in if you want it or not." The pressure on the door stopped, what were they doing. She got the answer when she felt herself jolt forward, feeling the door go out of the lock, giving the rhino's a view in the room.

Wasting no time she retaliated by pushing herself off of one of the toilet stalls. With the added stability she pushed the door back into the lock. A second time one of them rammed the door. A searing pain went through her back to her legs, she could even hear something crunch, hoping that it was the door and not her back.

With every assault, the door started to creak more and more. At the rate it was going she hadn't much time left. So there was only one option left finding a way out, her eye fell on the only window, it was going to be tight but seeing as this was the only exit, besides the door, she had no other choice.

Hearing them back off, indicating they would try to breach the door again she moved away. Wasting no time she moved to the window, luckily it wasn't locked. Once open she started moving through it.

"What the ... " The door flew open, having herself removed as blockage, the two brothers flew right through the door into the toilet stalls. "Get off me, she's getting away!"

Taking one look back she couldn't stop a little grin from appearing on her face. The two rhinos were trying to untangle themselves, giving her plenty enough time to get out of here.

She didn't know where she was going, the only thing in her mind was that she needed to keep moving. Put as much distance between her and the police station. Once she was safe she could think about what do next.

Headlights appeared at the end of the alleyway blocking her way out. Holding her breath she hoped it wasn't them.

"Ride back around I'll make sure she can't escape this way." The heavy voice was unmistakable Mike's. Not wanting to know what they were planning to do with her she bolted away from the car, away from those brutes.

The alleys were dark and hard to navigate, she didn't know where she was the only thing she was sure off, were the heavy footsteps of Mike.

"Don't run away, your only making it harder on yourself." Turning the corner, her eye fell on a side alley, putting in the last of her energy she spurted into it. Hiding behind the dumpsters she held her breath, listening at her pursuer's footsteps.

They stopped for a moment in front of her hiding spot. A flashlight shining right over her. She was petrified, not daring the move praying he would continue his search further.

Her prayers were answered when the light moved away, and the footsteps continued. She wanted to stay in her hiding spot, but knowing if he came back to the streets without having seen her once, he would definitely backtrack.

Peering around the corner she stared right into the darkness. Her heartbeat calmed down a little. Having gathered enough confidence she started running again this time in the opposite direction.

Her first priority to get out of these dark, desolate alleys, to a more public place.

Maneuvering her way back to the streets, the silence was broken only by the beating of her heart in her ears. Until heavy stomps joined the beating. Looking back around, she started to panic again.

"Found you!" The only thing she could see was the light coming closer and closer. The adrenaline coursing through her body raised her energy levels, giving her another chance at escaping.

Rounding another corner, she saw her chance. At the end of the alley, the inviting lights of the street greeted her. Only a couple of steps left. That was until a car backed into her path, blocking the exit.

Turning back was no option, stopping was no option so running was the only thing left to do. There was no way for her to get past the car, she was trapped still she continued hoping for a miracle.

And for the second time that night her guardian angel protected her. This time it came into the form, off Sly wielding a Machine gun out of the back of the car.

Getting closer she recognized the Cooper van. "Duck!" The raccoon screamed. Not needing to say her twice she threw herself on the ground, the bullets starting to fly above her.

She couldn't hear anything besides the bullets leaving the gun, with a sickeningly speed and power. After a couple of seconds the onslaught stopped looking up, she met Sly's brown eyes. Having no energy left, Sly heaved her on his shoulder, dragging her to the safety of the van. Looking around she saw that Mike was still alive, having hidden behind a dumpster. What surprised her the most was that she still felt a little bit of relief at seeing him alive.

"Let's go, Murray, we have attracted more than enough attention for one night." That were the last words she heard before the adrenaline left her body and she fell into a deep slumber.

It wasn't her night, first Sly escaped her grasp, at least she captured Muggshot, but that brute kept on screaming about the unspeakable things he was going to do if he ever got his hands on the girl. After they finally got him in the paddy wagon, her coffee got cold. And as last, she needed the drive all the way back to salt lake city because of someone who wanted to specifically meet her.

Grumbly she entered the precinct, beelining directly for the reception.

"I was called in for a case."

The bunny was more interested in her crossword puzzle, then doing her job. "I would appreciate it if you could put down your little game and help me."

This got the reaction she wanted, finally, the receptionist put the puzzle down. "How may I help you tonight, Inspector?"

She stopped herself from letting out a sigh. "You called me about a kidnapping?"

The bunny kept staring at her getting no reaction of her.

"Hello, I would like to see that person now."

"She's in the waiting room." She stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Looking around Carmelita only saw an empty room. "If you looked around you would have seen that nobody is here."

Raising herself a little bit the girl looked slowly across the room. "Well would you look at that, you are correct." Without hesitation, she restarted solving her crossword puzzle.

"Where is she now then?" Carmelita whispered through gritted teeth.

"I don't know." The bunny didn't even lift her eyes from her book.

Carmelita was getting nowhere with the woman, and too tired to start a discussion. In the morning she would talk with her superior but for now, she would rest a little bit.

Setting herself down in one of the chairs, her eyes fell on the tv. The news was currently on. It was one of the few times she had time to sit down and watch it, her life was too hectic to follow it every day.

"In other news, the search for transport mogul, Samantha Steele, still continues. Samantha disappeared two weeks ago when the SS albatross got stuck in the storm. All passengers were accounted for except for Samantha. Edward Steele, uncle of Miss Steele, who has taken over as CEO of Steele transportations until further notice, had the following to say."

The image switched to Samantha's uncle surrounded by a dozen microphones.

"We won't stop searching until we find her, alive or ….." He left the words hanging, but everybody knew what he meant. "Anyone who can give me any information about her whereabouts will be compensated."

The reporters face, reappeared on the tv.

"Like Mr. Steele has said if anyone has any information about the whereabouts of miss. Steele. You can contact the free number at the bottom of the screen."

Carmelita felt a little pity for the woman. She could only imagine how the family would be feeling right now. "I hope your alright Ms. Steele wherever you are." She mumbled to herself, dozing off from a long night.

Leave a review, so I know you are enjoying the story, what I can improve or just tell me what you think about it.