The worse happen, the time suddenly stops.

Time and space can really be mysterious. Travelling through time is a wish for a lot of us. For whatever reason, good, bad, or superficial. That would be … a terrifying power actually. It could change so many lives. It could have so many consequences, depending on how or why it is used. Or perhaps, it would have little consequences if it only touched on or two persons. Who could tell. Anyway, this a power miss Carmen Sandiego would want to possess right now. A mean to go back to the past. To change it. To not feel … this pain anymore. Little did she know, power to interfere with the past will be granted to her. Let's see how exactly. Let's go and attend to the event that raised that desperate wish.

Every day began more or less normally. No mean to tell if a catastrophe would happen when you set foot on the floor after waking up. Setting a foot on the floor was the first challenge of the day for Carmen. She had just switched off her alarm clock, when she felt suddenly imprisoned, and her back met with something warm. She chuckled.

" Chase. Let me get up."

Only a kiss on the neck responded. Carmen smiled. Practically everytime she was to get up first Chase Devineaux, ACME agent of his state, dating Carmen for six months, would protest and hold her back in his arms. Before getting a girlfriend he too would get up as soon as the alarm clock would rang. But now, it was so warm and comfortable with her, that he wanted it to last. The only way for her to get up with no protest was him awaking first, enjoying her presence until she open her eyes. Or, when they were taking a plane.

" You know the rule." he said.

Carmen giggled, before turning to face him. Alright, morning cuddle before all. She found his neck, responding to his first move. Chase had a purring sound. Then, Carmen had her share of kisses and fondles, before trying to get out of bed again.

" Why are you always in a hurry to leave, hm ? Don't like it in here ?" he asked.

" I'm not in a hurry, and of course I love this first moment of the day. But I also know … that if I don't react soon, then I'll spend the whole day in here." confessed Carmen, nuzzling her boyfriend again.

Chase had a smile she couldn't see.

" Then … why the hell not ? Come on, stay with me. Let's enjoy this warmth, and cuddle until the end of the day." he tempted.

Carmen widened eyes. Oh boy. That … that was … hey, why did her body suddenly froze ? Come on, move ! Oh darn, he was attacking her neck again and a hand went in backup under her shirt. To top it all, her own arms found nothing better than to surround his neck. Those traitors.

" Ch-Chase … no … honey … st-stop please. We … must …" she weakly protested.

Why in hell was her neck so sensitive ?! And her will so weak now ? All she could do was returning those caresses, and savouring the ones received. Until it stopped, sir Devineaux deciding he had his fair share of cuddles. Now they could get up, he added kissing her one last time on the forehead. Carmen had a smile, as the blanket lowered as he was leaving. Those mornings were the best, she thought while stretching. Someone keeping her warm and watching over her sleep, comforting her each time then cuddling her upon awakening. How could she do without it before ? Anyway now there was no way she would do without it. She grabbed his hand while on their way to the kitchen, extending this moment of tenderness they shared, or continuing it.

As long as possible. Before … before the darkness. Later on the morning, everyone was listening to Player about their next move. Nothing but the ordinary. Once the details planned, the team dismissed. Carmen leaned against her boyfriend.

A month later.

Carmen burst in tears.

" I'm sorry miss Sandiego. If you don't want to talk about it anymore..." said Julia Argent, tending her a box of tissues.

Carmen shook her head, taking the box.

" No … my teammates are right. I … have to exorcise this. And you have the right to know as well what happened that day."

Julia leaned eyes. Yeah … thought she really wondered if she wanted to know. It seemed hard to believe. Carmen wiped her eyes.

" Just to you know … parts of this cursed day are blur to me. Guess it's because it's too painful."

Julia waited, letting her friend take her time before continuing. According to her team, she practically didn't talk lately. To be frank, Julia got shocked when she saw her. Her eyes were red from tears, dull, empty, lifeless. Her delicate face features were drawn by sorrow and lack of sleep. She was slimmed down. Only natural reactions to what happened. She needed time. They were in a living-room, Carmen all curled in an armchair while Julia was sat near on a sofa. To think it was her first time in here. Argent never thought she entered this place, but would rather had it in different circumstances.

" You know … you're the first one I talk about this, apart from my family. It … was hard … to accept to see you again." confessed Carmen.

" I can understand. I thank you for telling me all this. Though to be honest … a part of me is reluctant to know about the details. But if we want justice to be done, it's necessary." answered Julia.

Carmen leaned eyes again. She kept silent for another moment. She was arriving at the most awful part of her story, the one she would love to forget. The one she wished ardently to erase, or better to correct. To prevent. The thing she dreaded the most had happened. Carmen opened her mouth again. Her team had arrived on the site supposed to be burglar by VILE. Sandiego added that she couldn't remember the town's name. In revenge, she recalled having a lovely evening with Chase. It snatched her a smile.

" That's beautiful, isn't it ?" asked Carmen, leaning on a rail guard, her eyes on an illuminated city.

" Hm, not bad indeed." commented Chase.

" Not bad ?" repeated Carmen, looking at him.

" Compared to you, it's not bad." he precised with a smile.

He made her blush. His arm grabbed her waist. She kissed his cheek and leaned her head on his shoulder. Once again Carmen was amazed at how serene she was. Before dating Chase, the young woman had been on guards nonstop. Always analysing everything around her. That kind of reflexes didn't entirely disappeared : she was still cautious and checked her surroundings. Except that now she could relax, enjoy moments of peace. Sandiego was also feeling safe, especially when his arms were to wrap her. They remained here, sightseeing for a while before they decided to go.

" Do you want an ice-cream, sweetie ?" asked Chase at her ear.

" Oh why not, for once."

He paid for two cones. Carmen smiled again : another thing she wasn't used to do six months ago. It felt like being a normal couple, without this fight and all that danger hovering above them. He caught the look she was casting at him, and interrogated her with his.

" Have I ever thanked you for everything you've brought me ?' she wondered with a loving voice.

" Actually yes. But you can keep on saying it." he replied amused.

" Then once again, thank you for all our moments, your support and love."

" That's my line miss Sandiego. Before dating you, I believed I'd never be happy. That maybe … I wasn't even deserving it. Now, I feel like in a dream." he admitted, before dropping a kiss between her eyes.

Chase thanked her too for those happy times. They went back at their hotel room, purring like cats. What Carmen recalled after that … hard to tell. Her brain kept being back at the happier moments, like a broken disk. She tightened jaws. She didn't forget that moment though, how could she. Just … her memory was sort of blocked. So she paused, trying to assemble her recollection of that cursed day. She took a breath, her throat tightened, tears threatening to flow again. Pain invading her heart.

The team entered the place VILE was supposed to visit. Sandiego noticed that her boyfriend was preoccupied.

" I have a bad feeling ever since this morning. I … already felt that before. It's not good." he announced.

" Don't worry my love, it will be fine. We'll have to be more on our guards then." reassured Carmen.

But Devineaux couldn't shake this feeling. Every time he had it during his career, something very bad happened. As they were progressing, he kept looking at his girlfriend as if he could transmit her his feeling. Chase wanted to tell her they should give up, turn back and leave. His own body was reacting to this, slowing him down. On the other hand, he didn't want to appear as a coward. Having a bad hunch didn't mean it would necessarily end bad. They could achieve their mission, prove his guts wrong. But … Chase knew better. Each time he had this sensation, he knew how it would end. He finally paused.

" Sweetheart ?" made Carmen, low voice.

She and Shadowsan turned to him. Biting his lip, eyes on the floor Chase hesitated. His mind was whispering that he should heed this warning. It wasn't there for nothing, it was here to avoid a disaster.

" Carmen. We … we can't do that. Not this time."

" What ? What do you mean ?" interrogated Sandiego.

" I know it might sound ridiculous, but every time I had this bad feeling something dreadful happened. Something like … a death." confessed Chase.

In the living-room where she was discussing with Julia, Carmen tightened her chair armrests. The brunette felt a crisis of despair incoming.

" Why didn't I listen to him ?! He warned me, he already faced that ! He had experience on that ! But no ! I had to listen to my pride instead, and it happened as exactly as he said !" yelled Carmen.

She hid her face on her hands, crying again. Julia leaned eyes, feeling tears coming too. The thief was now cursing herself, hitting the chair at the same time. Chase had been right. It ended terribly :

" Listen darling, it's okay. You can wait for us outside if you want. I understand there's good and then …" made Carmen, cupping his face.

" No no, you don't understand. None of us should be here. Please Carmen, we should leave." cut Chase, catching her forearms.

" Look out !" yelled Shadwosan.

He pushed them both. A silhouette just fell from the ceiling. An operative. A woman, wearing gloves with silvered claws. She had several kunais at her belt. Her outfit was light grey. Carmen would never forget her face. That smile … this expression of evilness. Those icy brown eyes surrounded by auburn hair. She was going by Pandora. This said, she exited a wakizashi, a short Japanese sword. Chase frowned : that expression when she laid eyes on Carmen. He gulped. His bad feeling. She was here to kill Carmen.

Shadowsan attacked first, while Chase was trying to hide his girlfriend. As one can guess, she protested. The Latina managed to pass, deaf to Chase's desperate call. It was at this moment that the young woman's memory tended to erase details. She could feel it, a blockage. But this time, she struggled a bit. Pandora was quick to attack Carmen. That one dodged kunais and blade, even if some of the stars teared her outfit. Chase attacked too, with the obvious objective to take her on his own. That angered Carmen : couldn't he see she was too strong for him ? Pandora didn't take long to get rid of him. Chase crashed against a wall. Carmen managed to tase Pandora, ending the fight for a moment.

Devineaux felt relief : maybe … it wouldn't end bad this time. Anyway, they hurried to fetch what they came for. Chase decided to check the surroundings just in case. They were close to get out without too much damages. Later, they'll laugh about his feeling. Well, he'll be more ashamed than anything but he'll survive. Until his eyes caught a move, not far away. He shivered. Pandora. She was up way too early. The operative was struggling against the paralysis induced by the taser. Pandora fell on her knees, lifted a hand, ready to launch. Chase gasped. He would never have time to warn Carmen. So he did the only thing he could do. It was like his body moved before the decision reached his brain. Hearing him running, the Lady in Red turned head to him.

Only … only to see him throwing himself before her. His groan of pain. Shadowsan launched something too, compelling Pandora to retreat. Carmen's sudden scream startled the rest of the team. Zack and Ivy, waiting for them outside, exchanged a quick look. They saw Pandora running out as they were entering.

" Player ! Call an ambulance quick !" yelled Carmen.

" On it Red ! Hang in there Devineaux !"

That one whined in pain. Carmen was holding him in her arms, kneeled on the ground.

" Chase, hang on my love, help is on the way." she added.

She pulled out the blade while Shadowsan teared his outfit and applied it on the wound.

" They … won't be there … on time. She aimed … too well." said Chase.

" Don't say that ! You will be fine, you hear me ? You better not let me down on this !" replied Carmen, panicked.

Shadowsan tightened jaws. The French was losing too much blood. Chase looked at the ceiling. He had been right. Once again. His body was already getting heavier.

" It's okay my love, it's going to be fine. Just hold on, alright ? Hold on please." begged Carmen.

The siblings arrived, and gasped. They kneeled near them.

" What's taking this ambulance so long ?!" exclaimed Carmen.

" Maybe we should get him to hospital ourselves." said Zack.

" No. We can't move him, he's already losing too much blood." replied Shadowsan.

" Oh Chase I'm so sorry ! You were right, I'm sorry, this is my fault !" cried Carmen.

He lifted a hand to caress her cheek, before addressing her a warm smile.

" No … it's not. I wanted to protect … you, and I'm glad … I could."

" Shhhh, don't speak babe, save your strength." said Carmen, kissing his forehead.

Chase saw his sight blurring. So it really was the end. He always figured he would end on the field. He was getting cold now.

" I'm sorry sweetie. I really wished … that our relation would last … longer than that." resumed the man.

" It will ! I want to keep you as long as possible, so don't give up ! Please Chase, I love you, I love so much I won't stand losing you !" exclaimed Carmen.

" You were a perfect girlfriend. Almost … too good … for me." he smiled.

" Chase … you're scaring me. Oooooh what are they waiting for ? Player, can you see something arriving ?" questioned Carmen.

" They're not so far away, they should be here soon." announced the hacker.

Player noticed that his hands were shaking. The situation was dire. Desperate. He found himself suddenly praying for Chase to be okay. For him to survive. Like everyone he learned to know Chase. He discovered how unsure he could be about himself, his abilities and usefulness in the team. How he wanted to make Carmen happy, fearing to not be good enough for her. But doing the best he could, trying to improve to earn his place among them. That touched Player. He started appreciating the man, thanking him secretly for taking care of his best friend.

" You see ? It will be over soon deary. You'll be on your feet in no time." announced Carmen, rubbing her face against his.

" I love you, Carmen."

" I love you too, Chase."

She looked at the exit, waiting for the help. Chase's hand was still caressing her cheek. His sight was getting dark more and more. Shadowsan's face too, as he was witnessing life fading away from Devineaux. Zack was holding the inspector's other hand, while Ivy had surrounded her leader's shoulders in support. Suddenly, the hand on Carmen's cheek fell. She vividly turned her face to see his eyes closed. She widened hers.

" No …. No no no no Chase ! Chase please open your eyes, say something to me !"

Carmen shook him. In vain. Shadowsan closed eyes briefly, in resignation.

" Come on buddy ! You can't do this to us ! You can't leave now, we need you ! So get back immediately !" exclaimed Zack, shaking him.

Tears were appearing as he was doing this. Chase had been a parental figure to Zack. Someone he looked up without fearing rejection. Even if he was annoying the man, Chase was always here for him. Alas, the French remained still. The rescue works finally arrived. Ivy pulled Carmen out of the way, compelling her to release her boyfriend so they could do their job. Carmen was staring at him, as if her sole will could bring him back. They tried to reanimate him.

" I'm sorry madam, but … he's already dead."

" No … no don't say that. Please try again, you have to heal him ! You can't give up so soon !" pleaded Carmen.

" It's too late."

" No it's not ! Chase ! Chase can you hear me ? My love please !" exclaimed Sandiego, crawling to him.

Nothing. She called him again, until Shadowsan grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him.

" Carmen. I'm really sorry. But it's over." he said.

She shook her head. No. it couldn't be. It had to be a nightmare. She freed herself from her adoptive father, returning to the man she loved. Carmen performed a cardiac massage, all while begging him to react. But as minutes passed and as he wasn't responding, reality imposed itself on her. She brutally stopped to cry a river, desperate sobs where only her voice filled the place. Zack tuned to Ivy he hugged, both starting to cry. Shadowsan leaned head. After that, Carmen had no idea what happened. She just woke in her hotel room. For a moment, she had hope it had all been a nightmare. She stormed out of her bedroom, to meet with Shadowsan.

" Chase ?" she asked.

" Oh Carmen."

So … it was true. Chase Devineaux, her boyfriend, really died. From now on, the thing only she could felt was despair and void.

A few days later, his funeral was held, in France. Ivy knocked at Carmen's door.

" Carmen ? Are you ready it's time."

Silence. Ivy knocked again, then announced she was coming in. Carmen was sat on her bed, turning her back to the door.

" Hey. It's time, we must go to the burial."

" No."

Ivy frowned.

" But … we have to, Carm. He was our friend, part of our family we have to say goodbye to him."

Sandiego stiffened.

" I said no ! I won't go anywhere I just want to be left alone, is that clear ?"

Ivy never saw her so angry.

" Bu-but… he was your boyfriend. How can you not …"

" GET OUT !"

Ivy startled. Then, she understood it was too hard for her leader. She couldn't accept to say Chase goodbye, for good. She couldn't admit the situation yet. So the ginger nodded before leaving. The door closed on the Latina's sobs. Ivy let go of the handle, and went to find her brother and Shadowsan downstairs.

" Where is Carm ?" wondered Zack, surprised.

" She isn't coming."

" What ?"

" I see. She'll time to accept that he is gone. We won't force her. Now come." said Shadowsan.

They arrived at the church. It was different from America : first the coffin was closed. No photo of him too. They met there with Julia Argent and agent Zari. Argent greeted them friendly, admitting she was under the shock. She noticed Carmen's absence, Ivy explained it.

" The poor thing, how awful it must be for her. I wonder if I could see her later."

" To be frank, I have the sensation she'll want to avoid anything that can remember her her loss." warned Ivy.

Julia had a slight nod. Yeah, that was possible.

" Sooo … who are those people ?" asked Zack.

" Most are from Interpol. As for his family, I don't know. He never mentioned them." replied Julia, looking around.

Only a ten persons or so came.

" For what I could see in his file, his mother passed some years ago. She was divorced." intervened Zari.

The ceremony began. Some people talked about the man they knew, then Shadowsan spoke too. The siblings shed some tears. This done, everyone move to the cemetery. It surprised the Bostonians : it was … brimming with austerity. Big grey stones everywhere, or brown, all apparent. Gravels under the feet. No green grass. The coffin was deposited. Then, the Red Team was the only one staying, with Julia.

" It seems so unreal. Yesterday we were all laughing and together, and today … he's already only a memory." said Ivy.

" Yes. I already miss hearing his voice, even if it's for telling me I only talk about dull facts, boring things." added Julia.

" It's so unfair. He only wanted to protect Carmen. He was a good guy, always looking after me, even if I was being an annoyance … he always encouraged me, supported me. So … why him ? Why him and never those fucking bastards of VILE ?!" intervened Zack before crying again.

" Bro …" made Ivy.

She took him by the shoulders. Zack was the most affected by Devineaux's death after Carmen. Shadowsan patted his back. The four of them remained here for a while, before parting. On the way, Shadowsan asked Player about Carmen. The little hacker had a dull voice. The Japanese remembered him cursing when he realized that their teammate was gone.

" She doesn't talk, only cries."

" I see. I'll go to her once back."

The man arrived in front of her door, knocked on it. When she saw entered, it was like the reality punched Sandiego. She shook her head. Shadwosan was part of what reminded her the awful event.

" No … leave me alone no …"

But the Asian closed the door and stepped to her.

" Please tell me it's not true. That he didn't … that he isn't …"

" I'd love to, dear. But the man you loved isn't anymore." replied Shadowsan.

" No … it can't be … I don't want it … I don't want to live without him, I can't ! I need him, I need my boyfriend, I want my Chase back !" moaned Carmen.

" If there was a way to bring back, then I'll do it on the spot. Alas, I can only be here for you, helping you going through that."

He hugged her on that, letting her express her sorrow on his shoulder. Carmen kept asking why, that she wanted him, being in his arms, that it couldn't be that way. Later during the day she was informed that Julia wished a meeting. Carmen's face displayed fear, and she vigorously shook her head.

A whole month passed, during which she had no real recollection apart from being blank and doing nothing. She couldn't even bear to leave the country. Julia Argent came one morning, to have news from the Crimson Shadow. And to announce they had to do something about his apartment. They exchanged a look. Oh, right …

" Being here is so … I don't know. It's full of his presence so I have the impression he's still among us, that he'll soon be back. But at the same time, it is full of him and reminds me that ... that he …" commented Carmen.

" Yes, even I can feel it." said Julia.

She finally met with the thief, before Chase's door. She proposed her help to empty the place. But it's been two days and Carmen couldn't bring herself to even touch a single speck of dust. Julia didn't mention anything. She simply waited, as it wasn't her place to decide such a thing. It had to come from her, it would be proof that Carmen accepted this disappearance and was mourning. That she was slowly moving on. Without him. The first day in here they just observed the place. Julia noticing how empty it was, reflecting a past loneliness. Then, she spotted some lying frames. Discreetly taking one, she saw it was a photo of him and Carmen. She probably couldn't stand this view and hid it. Those were the sole source of warmth, a proof that life improved for him.

Maybe he would have continued to decorate it, maybe Carmen would have bring her own touch. But it would never happen. The second day, Carmen decided to talk about what really happened that dark day. Now, she asked the agent if she wanted some tea or coffee. The brunette accepted. But, as Carmen was preparing it, Argent had the sensation she was rather making herself at home. She immediately shook her head. What a stupid idea. Despite her pain, Carmen knew inside that the owner of the place would never come back. She wasn't going to live here. Knowing where were things for tea didn't mean anything. She stood up when Sandiego announced it was ready.

Julia sat in front of her. Spotting the Latina's face, her previous thought surfaced. Carmen looked ... calm somehow. As if her mind just decided something.

" Hm, simple curiosity : did you already come here ?"

" Yes. We had a caper in this town, and Chase suggested to shelter us. But it's too small for five persons, so my team decided to go to the hotel while I stayed here with him."

" She is indeed calmer. I can't shake the idea that she will … remain here for a while."

It was too sudden for Julia. She mused on this. Was it good or bad ? Did she want to sort her boyfriend's stuff all alone ? Should she voice her concern ? What if it was part of the Latina's own way of grieving ? Torn by this, Julia couldn't reach a decision.