-1Epilogue

Sly sat perched in the rafters of the large room looking down at the lively party that went on. Jazzy music blasted from the bandstand as several police officers engaged in merriment. Unfortunately Sly paid no attention to the other cops, his dark eyes were locked on Carmelita would still sat on the sidelines watching everyone have fun. It was easy to see that Carmelita was dressed in the beautiful Asian dress that Sly had gotten for her on his last trip to the Orient. As Sly had believed she looked absolutely stunning in it.

Sly softly tucked his nose into the leather jacket that he wore over his blue shirt. The warm smell of lavender entranced him as it always did. It had been a few months since he "stole" Carmelita jacket. He never missed a chance to wear it either. It was tight around his wrists which was good since he still wore the handcuffs that she had slapped on him last Christmas. Stealing the coat seemed like a harsh retaliation, but it was necessary to keep the game going.

Boredom was written all over her face as she rested her chin into the palm of her hand. He knew what she wanted, but he knew deep inside that after last years shenanigans at the Policeman's Ball, it was too soon to join her again. A smile crept across his muzzle as he stepped back into the shadows moving towards the window that he had come through. It was time for him to leave her to her moping, he knew he would see her again. Carmelita felt a tingle run through her as she looked up into the rafters and saw a familiar ringtail. She got up from her seat and headed off away from the crowd.

Sly passed through the window onto the slick roof of the community center. He tucked his hands into the pockets of the jacket as he scanned the roof for an escape route. It was hard to pull his mind from thoughts of Carmelita's beautiful face. His mind was pulled back by the sound of footfall on the roof behind him. A warm smiled traced across his lips at the smell of Lavender and ginger drifted through the cool night caressed his nose. He looked over his shoulder back at Carmelita who slowly approached.

"Look at us Ringtail. A cop and a robber meeting in a secret rendezvous, something wrong with this." Her accent was soft as a huff of breath escaped with her words.

"Be that as it may sweetheart, its sexy in a way." Sly chuckled softly as he turned to look at her leaning on his cane.

"Not nearly as sexy as you in my jacket." Carmelita hugged her arms against the cold.

"You think so, I always thought it looked better on you." Sly smiled warmly.

"Oh really, does that mean I can have it back then?" Carmelita winked at him and moved closer.

"Well I guess it does." Sly smiled softly as he slipped the jacket off and lay it gingerly along her shoulders making sure it stay there.

Carmelita giggled as she could see the handcuffs still hanging from his wrist. "Oh my god, you never got those off?"

"No, I consider it a gift I'm honored to have them on." Sly said softly as he pressed himself against her warm body.

"You're a fink you know that?" Carmelita blushed softly at the feeling of him being so close.

Sly nodded gently looking into her eyes. "Me a fink, of course I know that?"

"But the beautiful thing about that is…you're my fink." She whispered gently against his lips before giving him a soft peck.

Sly kissed back gently as he took a step back. "I wish I could stay, but I really can't, its dangerous to be here tonight. In about five minutes the patrol will be through here to make sure no one came through the window."

"I know Sly, but it is your fault for the patrol. If you wouldn't have made such a fuss last year." Carmelita laughed softly as she walked along the roof with him to the edge.

"Who, little ol' me. Yeah I guess I did kinda crash the party huh?" Sly said softly giving her a soft wink.

"Yeah you did. Will you be joining me for Christmas this year." Carmelita blushed softly.

Sly gave her a soft shrug in a playful way. "Well that depends if you're naughty or nice this year."

"What should that matter, you like it when I'm naughty and nice." Carmelita giggled softly and rested her head against his shoulder.

"You know I'll be there. I love you so much Carmelita." Sly said turning his back to her, reaching out to grab the ladder leading down to the utility boxes.

Sly felt his heart skip a beat as her hand rested gently on his shoulder. Slowly he reached back taking her hand in his and turned around. Slowly she pulled him tightly against her, her lips lightly caressing along his in a passionate kiss. The warmth of his lips made her weak in the knees. She reached up and gripped the ladder to stabilize herself. Sly pulled away looking at her blushing face.

"I'll see you around beautiful." Sly whispered as he jumped up over the edge of the roof, grabbing the ladder with his cane sliding down into the dark below.

Carmelita smiled and watched him go, softly she sighed out. "I love you too, filthy Ringtail."

As she stepped away she felt a sharp tug on her wrist, she glanced back and saw that Sly had handcuffed her to the ladder rung. She reached up and pressed her hand gently against her left breast feeling where the key had been, but now it was gone. She bit her bottom lip and smiled softly. Sly slipped down the last drain pipe onto the waiting Cooper van below.

Sly opened his gloved hand and saw the street light shimmer off the small key. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself as his ears perked up at the sound of Carmelita's voice echoing through the night.

"Damnit Ringtail, I'll get you for this."

The van jumped to life and sped away as he balanced on the top of it. "Oh sweet Inspector Fox, I sure hope so."

The van sped away into the night towards their local hideout.