Carmen is on her way to in her answers.

Enjoy ^^


It was raining. The Red Team was on a dock.

" I agree with Player senorita. You should talk to Shadowsan first." said Chase.

" Yeah, this is pretty risky. More than anything we did until now." approved Zack.

" Shadowsan will only tell me half-truths. No, this is the best option." replied Carmen.

" Alright, you're the boss." sighed Chase, crossing arms.

That's how they were on the sea to VILE island. Sandiego was standing on the deck.

" You're going to catch a cold." she heard behind.

" I'll be fine."

" I wonder about that, senorita. With everything we did to them, VILE risks of welcoming us with an army." pointed Chase.

" I know perfectly well that island. I can sneak in and connect Player to servers."

" Just be careful. I don't want that something happens to you." he said, lifting a hand to her.

Chase let some hair slid between his fingers. Those words made her smile and her heart beat. The man turned heels.

" Chase ?" she called, turning.

" Hm ?"

" Thank you. For everything you did, and being here. It really means the world to me."

" No problem." he smiled.

Carmen wanted to add something, when Devineaux announced he could see an island. Sandiego discovered that she was too late. However, she wouldn't give up just now. Her team watched her going under water.

" Say, ever thought about enclosing her somewhere ?" asked Chase.

" Be our guest !" they said.

Carmen went back after a long while. With what she wanted. During the return, Chase went to find Carmen inside, and gave her a mug. He warned her about the mug's temperature.

" Oh, thanks. I love this kind of attention."

" Sooo, how are you feeling ?" he asked.

" I don't know. Tensed, stressed. A bit afraid of what I'll discover." she admitted.

" Ah, that's only natural. I just hope it won't be too disturbing for you." replied Chase, while drinking.

He didn't see the look full of love she gave him.

" You know … I would have never dreamed you would be so caring." she said with a soft voice.

" Taking care of your partners is normal and natural." replied Devineaux.

" Yyees. About that … I see you as more than a partner now. More like … a friend. You really helped me a lot in my fight, and I'll never thank you enough for that. Not only that, but I also really appreciate your support for a case like this. After all, it has nothing to do with your job. But you chose to follow me, and I … hum …"

Carmen blushed at that moment, at loss for words. The door opened at that time, showing Zack.

" Hey pal ! Can I have another mug please ?" he asked.

" Of course, I'll go prepare some more." said Chase.

Zack noticed Carmen's expression. He tilted his head.

" What ? Did I interrupt something ?"

" Well now that you're saying it … yes. I was trying to tell him you know what."

" You know what ? Like w… Ooooh. Oh man Carmen I'm sorry." made Zack, contrite.

" Ooooh, she sighed. Maybe it's better that way, I was wondering how to do it. I got silent just a second before you arrived." explained Carmen, getting up.

She finished her mug. Sandiego didn't make another try for the whole trip. Once back, she waited for Player's call. Meanwhile, Ivy got wind of her friend's attempt to confess. Poor Zack got another scold for interrupting. The young went to her boss to help her sorting things out.

" So, Zack told me you tempted to declare yourself."

" I just love the privacy we got here." ironized Sandiego.

" Sorry. But I can help you with this. You can train with me." proposed Ivy.

Carmen stared at her, reflecting.

" Why not. You can help me to put order in my ideas." she decided.

" Alright. So let's think. What blocked you the first time ?" thought Ivy, chin between her fingers.

" How am I supposed to approach the topic. I can't simply arrive before him and say out of the blue : hey handsome, wanna date me ? That would be just weird." explained Carmen.

" You're right. Hmmm … then, imagine that I'm Chase. What would you say ?"


Carmen thought an instant. She looked at Ivy, opened her mouth and closed it right away.

She reflected again.

" Chase I …"

" I'm listening." said Ivy.

" You know … there's something I'd like you tell you. It's about … it's … the thing is … you know I … humm…"

" Now I see where the problem is. Okay let's try on another angle. What is it that you like in him ?" asked Ivy.

" I like his reassuring presence. His supportiveness, his attentions, his humour, his courage and composure. His delicious cooking as well." enumerated Carmen.

" Join you on that one. Anyway, maybe you can begin with that. You can say that you want to talk to him. Say how much you like working with him, and what you like in him. Just let your feelings guide you." suggested Ivy.

" Okay. I'll try. But … what if he doesn't share my feelings ?" worried Carmen.

" You won't know until you try."

Player chose that moment to call. What he revealed … felt like a bomb to Carmen. She rushed to confront Shadowsan.

" Carmen ?" called Chase, seeing her passing.

She didn't heard him. He saw her going to his mentor's room. He decided to wait for her to get out. Ten minutes later, she arrived, with a defeated face.

" Hey." he said, raising her chin.

Carmen looked at him for a while, before embracing him. He blinked in surprise, then gave her hug back. Carmen tightened her grasp. Her body tensed against his, as if she wanted to merge with him. Devineaux waited patiently that she feels better. Carmen on her part, backed away a little.

" Sorry, it's just that .. I'm a bit lost right now." she said.

" You discovered something about your past, right ?" replied softly the French.

" Exactly." breathed Sandiego.

" Want to talk about it ?"

She nodded. Chase accompanied her to the living-room, Ivy and Zack were here too. The Argentina exposed what she learnt. Shadowsan arrived at the end of her story.

" Do you remember what does that woman look like ? I mean with precision ?" asked Chase.

" Yes. That's not something I could forget. For what reason ?" said the Asian.

" In order to make a portrait. Then we could search for her."

Shadowsan nodded. Chase called someone from Interpol via his computer, explaining what he was expecting.

" You sure about this ? I can't possibly see how that man could draw a similar portrait." objected Shadoswan, sceptical.

" Believe me, it's impressive. I did the same for you and that wardrobe when you abducted me." announced Chase.

" You gave a picture of me to the police ?" said Shadowsan.

" What did you expected me to do back then ? If you so wish it I can collect it, that way you'll keep it under your pillow."

Shadowsan just mumbled while the others smiled. However, he did what asked. From time to time the portraitist showed his draw for correction. Chase frowned. That face …

" That's it. That's exactly her. I'm really impressed." said Shadowsan.

" You're sure about this ?!" exclaimed Devineaux.

" Completely."

" Hngh !" made the French, facepalming.

" Chase. You know her ?" asked Carmen.

The one made his hand slide on his face until the mouth, his eyes on the computer screen. He asked his colleague to scan the portrait, sent it and thanked him.

" To answer you senorita, yes I know that woman. And you'll gonna laugh when you know who is she."

Chase received the mail on his mailbox. He printed the picture.

" This, is the ACME boss." he announced, showing the drawing.

Carmen opened her mouth in surprise.

" To think that I wanted to call her …" she said.

" The world sure is small." commented Zack.

" And now what ? I assume this isn't the kind of person we can find easily." said Shadowsan.

" Speak for yourself, intervened Player. This woman have a life apart from her job. So I can find her outside."

" Then do it." said Carmen, cold.

" Carmen, I think I know what you got in mind, and I must say that I disagree with you." resumed Chase, rolling the portrait.

" And why ? You heard it she killed my father."

" I heard indeed. But senorita, if you allow me to be objective : she surely didn't do this out of cruelty, nor was it against you. It happened during a mission. If she had felt in danger then that kind of thing can happen. You have to react fast and not take any chance, otherwise you die." he said.

" So what do you want me to do ?" wondered Carmen.

" I won't prevent you from confronting her. Just let me come and do the talk first okay ? I'd like to hear her version. Let's see if she had any valuable informations." he proposed.

" Hmph, I intended you to come anyway. For the rest … I don't know." she replied.

" Carmen. Don't make yourself other enemies. You have more than your share with VILE, you don't need this." insisted Devineaux.

" Chase is right. We don't know much about them, except that they possess important means. They can be big trouble." approved Shadowsan.

" I already dealt with them several times before, and I'm still here." reminded Carmen.

" What I mean is do not mistake your fight."

Carmen kept silent. A few moments later she thanked Chase for his help and left. Everyone dismissed. However, worried about the young lady Devineaux looked for her. He found her in the fitness room, boxing a bag.


" I hope you're not thinking about me while striving that way." he said.

" Of course not. On the contrary you helped me well once more. I just needed to evacuate." replied Carmen with a little smile.

" You don't say."

" What do you think she'd say ? I'm a bit worry about this encounter after all." wondered Carmen.

" That's natural. I don't have the answer, alas. But if she suggests you to go to winter sports, say no okay ?"

Carmen had a little laugh.

" Well. Time for me to prepare our dinner. You'd like something special ?" he noticed, looking at this watch.

" Apart from you ? No do as you feel like it."

He nodded. Carmen resumed her training. After what she went for a shower. When she finished it, she could hear screaming. Now what ? Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and slammed. Carmen had a look. Chase was here, face to the door. Obviously he was fleeing someone.

" Pheeew." he said.

Insert Who want to be a millionaire jingle here. Okay Miss Sandiego, here's the question : what are you going to do, with four answers :

A) Stay hidden.

Bad idea. He could have the wonderful idea of hiding directly in the tub.

B) Yell.

Not my style.

C) Going out and try to seduce him.

Aaaaah that's better.

D) Obi wan Kenobi

Who or what is that ?

Carmen silently grabbed a towel she wrapped around her, then got out just as silently. Chase walked backwards. She cleared her throat. He froze. Then he slowly turned. He discovered a wet and oh-so-naked-under-her-towel Carmen.

" OH &$§ _ ! HOOOOOT !"

Someone calls firemen please. Like right now. His eyes followed a little drop descending her skin. Carmen was amused by his expression, and flattered.

" May I know what you're doing here, pretty please ?" she said.

No answer.

" Chase ? Hello, someone in here ?" she resumed, snapping her fingers.

" Huh ? Oh erm … I broke the Shadowsan, and his towel is pursuing me." he said, pointing the door with both hands.

" His towel is pursuing you ?" repeated Carmen, trying to not laugh.

" No not his towel ! His vase."

" That's crystal clear."

" Urgh. I went to his room asking what he'd like for dinner, and I accidentally broke a vase there. Now he's quite mad." explained Devineaux.

Footsteps, or stomping, could be heard at that instant.

" Hide in here." advised Carmen, pushing aside curtains under the bathroom sink.

" Do you really think I can enter under there ?" he asked.

" You can go out if you prefer." she retorted.

Hearing the Japanese yelling his name, Chase plunged. Just in time, because Shadowsan opened the door.

" HEY !" exclaimed Carmen.

" Oh sorry young lady." said the old man, hiding behind the door.

" How about you knock next time ?"

" I was looking for that damn French. He broke a precious vase, haven't you see him ?"

" As you can see, I was under shower. We're not that close." replied Carmen.

Under, Chase gulped. Naughty images incoming.

" Grmph. If you find him you know what to do."

" Fine, I'll give him a spank from you."

" Don't you dare putting your hands anywhere on him ! That's not of your age !" exclaimed Shadowsan.

" Eh ?"

The Asian closed the door. Not of her age, seriously ?

" I'll put my hands where the hell I want to, and on his ass if I feel like it !" she said.

" I'm here you know." informed the concerned.

Carmen went ruby. Where is a mouse hole when you need one ? Chase rolled to get out. Carmen turned her back, unable to face him. The man didn't dare to look at her as well.

" Thanks for the help, senorita."

" Hun hun."

It took her a while after his departure to move again. When she looked at herself in the mirror she was still red. Later, she arrived for dinner. Chase was still alive, despite his mentor's killing glare. His eyes crossed Carmen's ones. They both blushed and looked away.

" Okay. What happened this time ?" wondered Ivy.

The dinner was unusually silent. So as soon as it was over the Bostonian kidnapped Carmen.

" Bwaaaahahahaaa !"

" This isn't funny Ivy ! I'm dying with shame here !" exclaimed Carmen.

The two of them reunited in her bedroom. Ivy was now biting the blanket, in an attempt to stop her laugh.

" Huff, huff …. Pfffrrrtt !"

" Are you done ?" asked Carmen, crossing arms.

" Ohohohohoh ! Sorry, sorry."

" Anyway, that sure doesn't help my cause. I'll have to find the courage of looking at him in the eyes now." made Carmen.

" You said it. My poor Carmen, just your luck. But at least, you know he isn't indifferent to you."

Thinking about that part of the incident made her smile.

" So I have a chance ?" she asked.

" I think so. Otherwise he would have kept his cool."

Carmen asked then how did Devineaux survived his mentor's wrath. Ivy said he simply fixed the vase.


A few days later, while Sandiego and Devineaux carefully avoided each other, the Red Team assembled to confront Tamara Fraser. Zack and Ivy infiltrated a coffee shop. The ACME boss entered and ordered as usual. Until she noticed two familiars presences.

" Well well well. Who could've expected that. You two, working together." she said.

Devineaux and Carmen were at the door, the man leaned near it. Sandiego closed the door without leaving eyes off her. Then Chase straightened.

" We're here to talk about a matter of high importance. So please, sit down." announced Chase, pulling a chair.

Carmen and he sat face to her.

" I suppose I won't see the colour of this coffee." guessed Tamara, approaching.

" I wouldn't even drink it, if I were you." made Carmen.

" So, what is your business with me ? I don't think it's for allying with ACME ?"

" Indeed, not this at all. We're here to remind good old times actually." replied Chase.

Fraser raised an eyebrow.

" Old times likes twenty years ago. In South America."

Well, if he hadn't all her attention is was now done.

" We know … that you were there. And what happened during this mission. That's our business with you." continued the French.

That wasn't a memory she liked.

" And ?"

" And you see, the world is pretty small, or destiny likes to laugh a lot. We would like to hear your version of the story, because it has a link with that young woman's past."

Tamara didn't understood. But Carmen's eyes were fiery.

" That's confidential." she said.

Sandiego gritted her teeth and tightened her fist. Chase put his hand on hers under the table. Carmen intersected her fingers with his.

" Not anymore. We know you were on a mission to capture a man. Dexter Wolf. But it didn't turn out so well." reminded Chase.

Fraser leaned eyes.

" Better talk to us. Because you know, that man had a daughter."

The ACME boss looked at him with surprise.

" And here she is." he revealed, showing Carmen with his free hand.

" I … I had no idea … nothing mentioned that Wolf had a child." she said low voice.

" And as you can imagine she isn't thrilled with what happened. So we want to know what you know about him and eventually his wife."

Tamara sighed. Then after a moment, she decided to speak. Dexter was a known thief she was assigned to capture. It took her one hell of a time to finally localize him. Tamara discovered the existence of VILE by interrogating an accomplice. He was supposed to give her more informations about this mysterious organization. However, when she arrived to arrest him he tried to flee. Thinking he was pulling out a gun … she shot.

" I'm not proud of it. That's why all my agents use gas guns." she concluded.

" Alright, thanks for that. Is this all you know ? Got any clue about his wife ?" asked Chase.

" Hmmm … no. I'm sorry but like I said, I didn't know he had a family."

Chase stared at her.

" Very well. We would appreciate if you sent us all you have on Wolf."

" Normally I can't communicate that kind of informations." said Fraser.

" Then let's buy this informations. You sent it on this mail, and in exchange we offer you a VILE operative." suggested Chase, giving her a paper.

Tamara rounded eyes. Carmen glanced at her teammate. The ACME chief thought for a while, then agreed.

" That will be all. I'll call Interpol so they can deliver the prisoner here. However, not before we got the file, alright ?"

" Fine by me. I must add, inspector Devineaux, that I'm pretty impressed by the work you've done. I know that Interpol is now aware of VILE'S existence thanks to you."

" Flattered, but you should praise the lady here. She's done most of the work on her own." he said getting up.

Carmen stood up slowly, and glared at that woman. Tamara, faced to her guilt again, leaned eyes.

" I'm sorry." she said.

Devineaux gently took his teammate by the arm and exited.

" Were you serious about this exchange ?" asked Carmen.

" Yes. Interpol got a lot of informations, enough to arrest many of them. Not to mention Player's help in this. They can afford to separate from one or two person." he said.

" And who would that be ?"

Chase had an ironic smile.

" The thing is … that's not mine to decide. So maybe it will be no one useful."

" Would you look at that ! Aren't you a little trickster ?" smiled Carmen.

Chase giggled. They went back on the van. Later, Chase checked the mail box he gave to his former boss. There it was. He taped on Carmen's shoulder and gave her the phone. The young woman browsed the documents. Shadowsan said the truth, that at last relieved her. And then … she saw her father's face. A portrait like the one that was made for Shadowsan. Carmen caressed that picture. So that was what he was supposed to look like. A tear fell on the screen. Chase put a hand on her shoulder. She smiled to him and responded by placing hers on his. On the hotel room, the young woman informed Shadowsan about this meeting. She also thanked him for being on her side.

" I have something else to do. According to Player, my mother is presumed dead. But I don't believe the report on it." she announced.

" Then, we have to check." said Shadowsan.

" Exactly."

Of course, Carmen asked her precious Chase to accompany her on this again. And that one agreed. The coffin was exhumed. Carmen grabbed Devineaux's hand. Shadowsan opened the coffin. Empty. He glared at their hands. Sandiego sighed. Her mother was alive somewhere. She released her teammate's hand. Now, she had another mission : finding her mother. She glanced at Chase. And confessing of course. For now, they went back to their hotel.