Sly's POV

I headed to the casino part of the palace, where I nearly bumped straight into Muggshot. He was on the phone arguing about something that sounded important, although I doubt it was. He was walking out of the casino and knocking over anyone in his way. I could tell his anger was increasing and rather than hang around here I followed him.

I could hear him mentioning spice shipments, and bargaining prices. I understand Rajan building his spice empire before but now he's got all this going what is he doing with the spices now and why is Muggshot involved. They don't seem like the perfect team. Then again I can't really judge.

Muggshot was heading for the palace, this may be my chance to not only find out about this spice operation but also find Lola's contract, and then we can send her out to do all this while I sit out for a while.

Boy I was tired, I don't know how long I've been on my feet, but hopefully it'll be worth it.

Muggshots entrance to the palace helped me sneak in and I watched him travel upstairs, sticking to beams in the ceiling I kept track of everyone's movements. I also took note that Muggshot went through the double doors that I first assumed was Rajan's office.

It could be Muggshots, if it is that makes it even more suspicious. I still haven't worked out Muggshots motive; he was never one to take orders from others.

I managed to pick the locks to the rooms; each one was either bare or stuffed full or paperwork. I quickly scanned over any file or folder but most of it was junk, nothing on contracts or spice operations.

I heard a loud yell and I scampered out of the room I was in and back up the ceiling beam.

I witnessed Muggshot shouting and hollering as he left his office, he was furious and the best part was he was so angry when he stormed out and forcefully slammed the door he broke it. This meant giving me easy access. The guards had scurried off in fear leaving the corridors free for me to roam in.

I entered the double doors and noticed the room was a lot clearer, more organised and there was a large folder left on the desk. This must have been the cause to Muggshots anger and as I approached I noticed it contained information on the casino and palace.

I quickly skimmed through and found out that the casino was secretly dishing out spice either through the air vents acting as an intoxicating spray or it was in a lot of the food in the palace. Boy I'm glad I never had some.

But I also found plans to a spice operation Rajan mentioned, from what I could see it just contained designs and structures to how the spice is made and packaged.

I presume somewhere down the line Muggshot got ripped off.

I continued to raid the place and I came across a filing cabinet that unlike the others wasn't empty, it contained more information on the spice and casino, I took what I could and put it in my backpack.

To add upon this luck the last drawer of the cabinet contained a bunch of paperwork and contracts. Tearing through them I found employee contracts and after short listing those I managed to find Lola's. Boy this was going well.

I hurried out of there and headed to the back of the palace, where the dressing rooms and production took place, it was pretty easy to sneak through as loads of performers were preparing to go on stage.

I found Lola's temporary dressing room and strategically placed the contract on her dressing table. I took a look around, the place was covered in flowers all with signed cards; I didn't bother to read them. We've only been here a few days how could she have made that much of an impression. I didn't have long to look as I heard someone coming.

I snuck into a loose air vent above the table and waited to see who came in. Good thing it was Lola, it would be a problem if Rajan came in and found the contract on the table. Now I just hope Lola sees it.

It didn't take long, she didn't seem pleased at first and timidly picked it up, of course she started to smile when she realised what it was. I watched her pull out a lighter from her dressing table drawer and burn the signature off the contract.

After primping herself she strutted out the door with what seemed to be a skip in her step.

In the meantime I had to prepare for the next part in our plan which involved getting back into that tux.

Bet the others were having a better job than I was.

Penelope's POV

Turns out my advanced remote control device skills would be needed in this mission as I would have to use Bentley's chopper to destroy the air defence jeep.

This jeep needed to be taken out if we were to have control over the skies.

But it wasn't easy with the jeep moving erratically and not to mention it having its own defence in the form of missiles. I should be fine as long as I avoid them.

I gracefully moved the chopper through the air, dodging attacks and hitting the jeep perfectly.

It took a while but soon it was down and we were done.

I just hope the others get their part of the mission complete in time. We needed Sly and Lola to complete their mission in order for us to start the final operation.

It must be weird for them having to work together; I don't think I could work with my ex. Then again neither of them seems to be taking it well. Although I think Sly is trying, even if he too isn't pleased with the situation.

Lola needs to stop being so stubborn and move on, I know she tried and she claims to have gotten passed it but I can tell it still hurts. She hasn't gotten the amount of closure she needs and it's understandable.

She needs to tell Sly exactly how she felt if she's to move on completely, he has to be aware of how badly he handled the situation and then they can work on being friends.

At least then we can all be happy, and maybe we can stay as a team. I enjoy the Cooper Gang's company, particularly Bentley's it's so nice to have an intellectual conversation with an appropriate correspondent.

Not that there's anything wrong with Bess and Lola but I just can't have such in-depth discussions, at least not without having to explain most of my points or the topic first.

So I guess I better make the most of the time I have left.

Sly's POV

Well I'm back on the dancefloor and back in this tux. I hate to admit it but this tux is starting to grow on me, might make it more a part of my look.

Now all I had to do was find Lola, we needed a way to attract Carmelita's attention and I think I have it figured out. The plan is I will take Constable Neyla to the dance floor, we dance people watch its going well, meanwhile to ensure Carmelita is watching Lola will approach her and comment on the spectacle on the dancefloor, your truly, and persuade Carmelita to dance with me.

But first I had to find Lola and tell her. It doesn't help this place is getting more and more crowded by the second, there's still a line of people outside the door.

As per usual I found her charming the room, most of which were men. But that's fine she can talk to men if she wants. Even if they are dirty, disgusting, randy men who are probably thinking gross and degrading thoughts about her, but if she's fine with it then so am I. Although she could do a lot better, then again she could just be playing her role too well. I don't know and it's not like I care.

I sauntered over and took her hand pulling her away from the crowd who groaned at her disappearance. It didn't help she was pulling back to continue talking to them. But too bad we had an assignment.

To make things easier Neyla happened to be heading this way, I stopped her and tried to talk about my plan but apparently Lola had been away too long and Rajan came looking for her.

He noticed our hands still connected, which I had forgotten till this point, Rajan dragged her away from myself and Neyla.

I started to tell Neyla about my plan.

"Okay so all we have to do is ensure that Carmelita is looking when we…" I guess I must have drifted into silence as Neyla tapped me and snapped me out of my daze.

I couldn't help it Rajan was talking to Lola for a long time and I noticed he was moving closer to her, she didn't seem to mind either, which oddly enough angered me. Why is it she allows him to do that?

If I did it I would have been slapped away in an instant, I know he's her boss and she has to keep up appearances but this is getting too far and she needs to set some boundaries, otherwise she can stay here and become Rajan's Spice Lady.

Neyla once again snapped me out of it and tried to get me back on track. I started to explain the plan but all that came out was "Just make sure Carmelita is watching."

She looked confused as I walked away and towards Lola and Rajan, watching that giant oath shamelessly and actually quite creepily flirt with her brought out a bad side in me. I could feel my anger moving to the surface as I started to march over to them, I don't know who I was angrier at him for getting in the way and constantly trying to get in her pants, or her for letting him and even encouraging his behaviour.

They noticed me approaching and I halted in front of them.

"Miss Lola I believe I was promised a dance." I grabbed her hand gently and kept eye contact on her and Rajan.

Lola looked at me confused but soon caught on.

"She's busy come back later." Rajan interrupted.

"Well I'm sorry Rajan, but I did promise him a dance and I have kept him waiting all night. I really should comply." Lola defended.

Rajan grumbled and gave a disapproving look at Lola before giving in.

"Fine but back to work immediately." Rajan walked away and we moved towards the dancefloor.

I signalled to Neyla that my plan was starting and she whispered something to the conductor of the band.

"What are you doing?" Lola cursed through her teeth.

"Attracting Carmelita's attention, now get ready and don't step on my feet." I replied only to receive a glare from my dance partner.

We stood in the middle of the dancefloor; it was empty apart from a few couples who stopped when they noticed our presence. We had already got the rooms attention as they wondered what was about to happen.

I knew Lola could dance as could I but my knowledge is limited, I just hope its music I can dance too.

Which is was, but not my ideal choice.

Neyla had selected for us to dance a tango.

We both looked surprised, the tango required close contact and passion, both of which neither of us were fond of. But we had to make this look convincing.

We grabbed hands and moved close together, it felt weird being so close but it was something I was used to years ago.

We got in time with the music, performing many turns and twists as well as a few impressive moves.

We stepped in synchronisation and kept close at all times. It gradually became more comfortable especially since we had to make this look good.

The key to great dancing is great chemistry, something we lost a while ago, but that didn't mean we couldn't fake it.

We continued to stride around the floor, twisting and turning in rhythm. I was surprised at how good we were at improvising, since we didn't rehearse this at all.

Although the awkwardness came back at some of the more sexy moves, like when Lola had to wrap her leg around me or when I had to run my hands down her sides.

But soon we were gracefully and sensually moving across the dancefloor, it became apparent after many lifts and erotic moves that we no longer felt awkward, nor did we care about our situation.

It reminded me of more spontaneous times we had, like once we danced in the rain, not for any particular reason nor was it romantic, mainly our try to prove how silly clichés were, as we just ended up with colds and Lola complained about her makeup running, not that you could really tell.

All eyes were on us including Carmelita and Rajan, I could see her talking with Neyla, but her gaze remained on Lola and I. I also noticed Rajan staring at us the whole time, his fists clutching the arms of his chair, face slightly stoic with a hint of frustration as his eyes followed us around the room.

Soon enough the music came to a stop and the room applauded us; we modestly took our bows and inched away from each other.

Before we were about to go back to our tables, Carmelita walked towards us.

Lola's POV

Well that was unexpected; it felt so weird dancing with Sly. At least it was awkward at first but soon I felt like I was in some kind of trance, I just went with it. No thought required and after the praise we received clearly we didn't need any.

Carmelita came by to talk to us, I hope she doesn't recognise us, I mean Sly although in disguise it isn't much of one, and all I have is fancy get up and a new hairstyle.

I lowered my face slightly to try and cover myself from being caught.

"You two are quite accomplished dancers." Carmelita said, only looking at Sly.

"I try to make him look good." I joked, partly.

"Well I think his skills are very impressive." Carmelita looked at me with a smug expression before looking back at Sly.

Bitch. Oh well I have the last laugh she doesn't know its Sly. I wonder how Interpol would react to finding out she flirted with Cooper. This is a Kodak moment.

Sly smiled at me with that stupid grin before turning to Carmelita.

"Perhaps later you and I could share a dance? Miss…"

"Fox…Carmelita Fox." She replied ducking her head slightly.

Oh I can't wait for the big reveal.

The odd thing is if Carmelita wasn't a cop I think we could've been friends; I mean our detest with Cooper is surely grounds for friendship right?