Steal Your Heart

by Kahli Stank

"We have enough on file to prosecute you to the highest degree of the law." He looked away sighing, and she could see the slump in his shoulders. She did this to him, she hurt the one she cherished like no other. He soon opened his mouth to speak again, sounding as if he was choking on every word. "With that out of the way, I want…no, I need to know…How much of this was real?"

Cold.

She is not sure if it is the metal of the chair, or simply the air conditioning in the small square room. The whir of the air conditioning complements the thrum of the fluorescent lighting in an excellent duet of irritation. Her black dress does not provide much in terms of insulation, and she is now paying the price for that. Perhaps this is also part of their plan to get her to talk, simply leave her to stew with naught but her thoughts and this constant annoyance. A chill runs through her as her leg shifts onto a barren part of the chair. If only it was just the metal of the chair she had to worry about. A metallic clang rings through the small room as she puts her wrist onto the steel table before her. She winces when the handcuffs rub against her raw wrist, and is thankful that her ankles are at least protected by the straps of her heels. It was a small comfort however, because she still could hardly position her legs in a way that was comfortable. Sighing, she rests her forehead in the palms of her hands. She welcomes the pain of the cuffs rubbing the sensitive skin along with the ache of her head. She shifts her head slightly to peer into the large window in the room with one eye. It being one sided, only allowed her to get a look at herself.

She was a wreck.

Finding she could barely see with the black eye she was now sporting, she picks her head up and gives full attention to her reflection. One of her eyes was swollen badly, and she is now realizing she can not see out of it. Her lip was split, and some blood still trickled onto her chin. Her head was aching and if the bruises on her forehead escaping into the hairline were any indication, she most likely has a concussion. She moves her tongue around along her teeth checking for any loose ones. To her surprise, she only has one loose tooth and it is a molar towards the back of her jaw. At least if that tooth fell out, no one could see she lost a tooth to begin with. Her beautiful smile would still be intact.

"What's wrong with me?" The rasp in her own voice surprises her. "You've been arrested Yor, and you're worried about your smile?"

She almost laughed, not because anything in this situation was funny. But the absurdity of that concern, against everything else that has happened, she can still worry over a smile. Well, not like she will have much to smile about in the future. Maybe her concussion was worse than she thought, or perhaps it is the solemn acceptance that her life was over. Her split lip only got worse with the movement, and she must look like a loon to the officers on the other side of the glass.

She was smiling.

Maybe she has gone crazy. Maybe she simply wished to see her own smile one last time before they put her behind bars. If she was being completely honest with herself though, she is smiling because she knows that whoever is watching her on the other side of the glass will hate to see it. That reason alone, is enough to stretch her lips even more showing her perfect smile to whoever is watching her.

A loud bang rings through the room causing her to snap her head back to look across the table to where the now open door is. The man standing in the doorway causes her good eye to widen in surprise and firmly press her lips together. His red eyes were identical to her own, a strange family trait that has been on every Briar. Even his dark hair was similar to her own, and some have even asked if they were twins in the past. The look he was giving her is something she has only ever seen a handful of times on her brother Yuri, and the strange mirth she held onto was quickly stolen from her. Her brother was scowling with a look of pure anger, and it was directed solely at her.

"Sis…no…" He stopped himself short and his scowled became fiercer. "Rose Princess."

Those words sat in the air for a moment that lasted an eternity. His words were filled with so much malice, and it was another first she has witnessed from her brother. His words were spoken with so much hate, she had to look again to make sure it was really him. Her sweet Yuri, the ever smiling child, her younger brother she cherished. It was like a knife to both her eyes and ears as she perceived this strange imitation of her younger brother. She merely stared dumbstruck as her brother closed the door and stepped into the room. The loud scraping of metal shook her from her stunned state as Yuri sat across from her at the table. He set his elbows on the table and interlocked his fingers while he simply glared at her. He rested his head atop his hands and said nothing. She just sat there accepting the daggers his eyes were stabbing her with, because she knew she deserved it.

"Yuri." His eyes twitched upon hearing her voice. Whether it was because of the sharp rasp or the fact she said anything at all escaped her. All she knew from that small movement was that she still held some sway over him.

"You're in a lot of trouble..." Before spitting venom, he sneered. "Rose Princess."

The moniker was said with such contempt she cringed at the sound. She remembers the day she first earned the name, and the elation she felt upon hearing Shopkeeper say it. She was sure that the name would always be revered, always something her ears would eat up and savor. Funny how the things one can be sure of, rarely ever remain that way. Hearing the title said from her brother just left her feeling hollow.

"You may have noticed I'm empty handed." She did not notice, but now she can see that he came in with nothing but the black suit he is wearing and black leather gloves. "I'm sure you know from my stories how situations like this normally go."

Yes, her brother would step inside the interrogation room. The perp would be handcuffed, like she is right now. Then he would begin asking her questions regarding the crimes she has committed. Of course, most tend to deny any accusations regarding any crimes they may have committed. Who would ever confess to a crime? She does not have that luxury though, as she was caught red handed. She hardly paid any attention to his ramblings about his work at Interpol, a simple nod and smile would usually keep him happy. Even though she was hardly interested in the topic of interrogating perps, she can not help but feel she is missing something.

"Let me jog your memory." He said with a cold undertone to his voice. "This is normally the part where I would be questioning the perp. I would ask them about the crimes they commited, perhaps rile them up to make them get emotional. Then hopefully they would say something that could be used against them or outright confess."

Then he laughed, and it lacked any warmth with what is usually a lovely sound. It was harsh and made her feel like a child being reprimanded by a parent or teacher.

"Fortunately for you." He looked at her, and she could see beneath the sneer that he still held some affection for her. "Or unfortunately, depending on who you ask. I won't be the one performing this interrogation."

She could not help but sigh in relief at the news. Of course they could never allow her own brother to head this interrogation. She was sure it broke all manner of codes and conducts for the investigation. It was no small relief that she did not have to listen to her brother speak to her with such contempt for much longer. It hurt her tremendously to hear her brother speak to her in such a way. Like he was a member of the nobility of old, and she was a simple maid sent to clean his chamberpot. It was a fitting description for them at the moment, because he was making her feel like shit.

And she deserved it, but she would never regret her decisions.

"I only came in here because I wanted to talk to you one last time." His voice was solemn. The finality of the situation never really struck her until those words hit her. Her life was over, all the crimes she committed would see to that. She was probably looking at life in prison with no chance of parole. If she was lucky, they would just execute her.

"Yuri…" She reached out to grab his hand, the cuffs never felt heavier as they hung from her wrist. Her fingers barely brushed his knuckles before he slapped her hands away. She winced from the sudden pain that caused her sensitive wrist.

"Why?" She could hear restrained tears in his voice. "Why did you do it?"

"I could never forgive him." It was her turn to glare, and it may have been petty, but it felt good to turn the tables on her brother. He was now the one sitting in sadness, while she sat there defiant. "He stole everything from us."

"Revenge is a double edged sword." He let the words hang there for a moment. "You may have gotten vengeance, but look at you now!"

He may have tears threatening to spill from his eyes, but the sharpness to his eyes returned and were stabbing her in full force. The tears never fell, and she never softened her glare as they simply looked at each other for what could be the last time. It was painful to have her brother look at her in such a way, and she was sure it was painful for him too. She was always the strong one though, and today would be no different. So, it came to no surprise to her when he was the one to look away first. He rubbed the sleeve of his suit at his eyes, removing the tears before they could fall.

"As strong as ever I see." She tried to cross her arms, but only managed to suck in a breath as the cuffs once again agitated the raw skin on her wrist. She set them back down on the table accepting the cold metal on her skin. He sent a smirk her way, and she narrowed her eyes at him. His expression softened and for the first time since entering the room he appeared to be sorrowful. "I just wanted to say even though all this has happened…I still love you, sis and I'm sorry."

"I love you too, Yuri." Her expression softened so she was not glaring at her brother anymore, but she still had a look of defiance. "But, I won't apologize for my actions."

"No, I didn't think you would." He sighed then reached out to grab her hand. She let him hold her hand for a moment, then the warmth soon left leaving her with nothing but the cold table once again. "I didn't think you would apologize to me anyway."

"Yuri?" She narrowed her eyes at him again, not in anger this time, but in confusion at the tone in his voice.

"Him on the other hand." Him? Who could he possibly be…

Oh lord no. Please, no.

Her good eye widened and she bit her lip causing her split lip to bleed once again. Her brother chuckled humorlessly before sliding his chair back. He stood from the table, looked down at her and now it was her turn to look away first. Then her brother spoke again, and she could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"You know why I was so angry when I walked in here?" Because she ended up being the Rose Princess, the thief that he has been hunting for years now. No, not just her brother…He was leading the investigation. "He's actually standing right there."

Taking a moment to gather her resolve, she looked at her brother again. He was pointing at the glass on the side of the room, the one way window. She followed the trail his finger was leaving, and could see it was directly on the glass opposite of her. Exactly where she turned to get a look at her reflection.

Exactly where she smiled.

"You looked so happy." His voice was dripping with disgust, she was afraid she would never hear admiration from his voice ever again. The thought hurt, but not nearly as much as the revelation he just unveiled on her. "You looked right at him and smiled."

How could she possibly know? Why would he be here? Surely he would be much worse to have in this situation compared to her brother. Yes, that is right. There is no way he could be here, and curse Yuri for having her think he was! She turned away from the window before scowling at her little brother.

"Oh? You don't believe me?" She growled when he laughed at her. "He is the reason why I'm not performing this interrogation. Believe me, I wanted to. Partiality be damned!"

"Shut. up." She growled out at him. It is one thing to be angry at her, but to torment her like this?

"Me and him shouldn't even be here." He shook his head as if he disbelieved his own words. "Hell, I didn't think he would even want to!"

"Shut up, Yuri." Her fists were clenched now.

"He insisted though, and I actually believe he can get you to talk better than anyone else ever could." He looked at her sadly, his eyes filled with pity. "You broke his heart, you know that?"

"I said shut up." She looked down at her lap, not able to face her brother.

"We both knew you couldn't see us through there." She was able to see him gesture to the window in her peripheral vision. "Sometimes you forget that though, and seeing you smile like that…"

"Shut up!" She was trembling now, and the chain from the cuff rattled against the table.

"I was angry to see it, but you know what really pissed me off?" No…He is not here, right? Surely, he would see the detriment in such actions. "My superior, My friend, a man I consider a brother! He broke down sobbing right there!"

"YOU'RE LYING!" She snapped her head up to scream at her brother. How could he be so cruel? Did he not say he loved her just a minute ago?

"Am I?" His voice was cold as a harsh winter wind, and cut through her just the same. "Goodbye, Yor."

With those words he turned on his heel and headed for the door. He grabbed a hold of the handle then paused for a moment. He turned his head to send another look of pity over his shoulder, while she was still glaring at him. He turned back around and merely shook his head before leaving the room, and her life, entirely. The door closed with a resounding click, leaving her shaking against the cold table. Her breaths were coming in short and her heart was beating erratically. The worst part? She has nothing to vent her frustration with, all she could do was sit here and boil in her rage. At least she was not cold anymore, but she would gladly take the chill over this inferno raging inside of her.

"He's lying." She laughed like a mad woman shaking her head all the while, welcoming the headache it caused her. "He was just trying to rile me up."

It worked, She will give her brother that. They will say whatever it takes to get the perp to talk. In this case, it just so happens that they need to get her to talk. So, of course Yuri would lie to her, it is literally his job to get her to talk. She always knew he was good, but she never thought he had it in him to lie to her like that. He has never lied to her after all, so it came as a surprise today. He has also never looked at her with pity before either. Well, how else should he feel about his sister being an international criminal? It was also the first time he ever shied away from her touch too. He is just ashamed! Yes, surely he is ashamed that the sister he always bragged about is a criminal. She was still trembling and taking short breaths. She shook her head, and immediately regretted it as another dull ache assaulted her head. She stopped and tilted her head back, closing her eyes to the world.

A few minutes passed like that as she simply focused on her breathing and the sound of the air conditioner. The resounding click of the door being opened fills the air and she can not help but smirk. Now that she knows what game Yuri is playing, she is better prepared to handle it. No amount of taunting could get to her now, she will be as calm as can be. She hears the scrape of the chair once again and this time she can also hear the sound of papers hitting the table as well. Ah, he brought the case files this time. He left me to stew for a while, and is back to apologize and get her to talk. He wants her to talk? She can oblige.

"Yuri, back so-" She started but stopped when she opened her eyes to look at Yuri. Except it was not Yuri, It was him. She stopped breathing entirely and all she could do was stare with her good eye. His blond hair that is usually so lush has now lost all the shine she loves so much. His handsome face is always clean shaven with skin so soft, if she were to feel it now she was sure it could be rough like sandpaper. His well tailored suit that is resplendent and wrinkle free, now has dark stains and looks as if he has been sleeping in it. Everything she took in was like a pinprick to the eye, it hurt to see him like this. The worst thing, what stabbed her eyes and heart was the blue orbs she always found herself getting lost in. They are so expressive, everything he is feeling she can see in those eyes of his. Eyes the same shade as the sky on a good day, and would always seem to brighten hers. The eyes she adored, and fell in love with the first time he ensnared her inside them. They were pink and puffy from the tears she is sure he must have spilled.

They lost their light and seemed so lifeless.

In that moment she realized that Yuri never lied to her, he was there the entire time. He was standing opposite the glass when she smiled. He broke down in that very room sobbing in anguish because of her actions. He watched as Yuri had to confront her in his place. She did this to him, The man sitting before her. The one who she curls up with at the end of each day. The one who welcomed her into his family with open arms. The one who would whisper to her sweet nothings after a night of passion. The man she loved like no other, her husband.

Loid Forger.

"Yor Briar-Forger." The words were cold to her ears, not at all the passionate warmth they have always sounded coming from his lips. To think that her own name could ignite a fire within her when mouthed by him, her husband.

It seems that was a luxury she took for granted.

"Grand larceny, assault of the first degree, artnapping." He paused to look at her, and his eyes hurt her. She could see all the anger, no, fury he held within them. She could see the betrayal of her stabbing him in the back from the one he trusted like no other. If she looked hard enough through the mirage of all those hideous emotions directed at her, she could see despair and was that…

Affection.

"We have enough on file to prosecute you to the highest degree of the law." He looked away sighing, and she could see the slump in his shoulders. She did this to him, she hurt the one she cherished like no other. He soon opened his mouth to speak again, sounding as if he was choking on every word. "With that out of the way, I want…no, I need to know…"

A moment that lasted too long, an eternity for her in this tiny interrogation room. He turned to gaze at her once again, from across this cold metal table she watched as her strong husband. The man that always seemed invincible, a pillar that held up the world like Atlas never faltering from his duty.

And he was breaking before her eyes.

"How much of this was real?" She could see the tears trailing down his cheeks, and each one fallen stabbed her through the heart like a serrated blade.

"Loid…" His name was all she could get out, and she struggled to even manage that. His name that she could shout to the heavens as her savior now sounded so blasphemous coming from her lips. It was all she could do to even say his name, if she opened her mouth again she was sure she would throw up.

"Why, Yor?" She had to look away, it was too painful to look at him in such anguish.

Anguish that she caused.

What could she say? She could barely breathe, let alone speak. Every breath she took was torturous and in this moment right here she knew she would never be forgiven. She would never forgive herself for causing him so much pain and despair. What was that her brother said about revenge? That it was a double edged sword? Well, it is certainly fitting because she is sure no one is experiencing as much pain as her at this moment. No, that is not true. She felt tears trail down her cheeks and she struggled to breathe as she started sobbing.

"I'm…" She coughed and gagged as she could feel her heart breaking. "Sorry."

"It…" She snapped her head up at hearing him weep in anguish. "Was all fake?"

"No!" She cried and reached across the table to hold his hand in both hers. His hands were shaking and she held onto him like he was hanging off a cliff. "It's real!"

She leaned over the table and pulled his hand towards her face. She held it dearly like a wailing infant and pressed her lips against the rough calloused skin of his palm. He pulled his hand away, and she reached out grasping at the air. His head was turned away from her and his eyes were clenched shut while tears continued to spill from them. It was only fitting that her heart was breaking like glass, afterall she already broke his. She breathed deeply trying to catch her breath and get rid of this sense of nausea.

"Loid." The desperation in her voice scared her. "Please look at me."

He flinched as if he was slapped and she could see him bring a hand up to clench at his chest. Right where his heart is. He obliged with the request though, and turned to face her. His eyes opened and more tears spilled out dripping onto his chest. Now she knows where those stains on his suit came from. She looks into those beautiful eyes of his and shudders from seeing the raw emotion inside them. She feels more tears trail down her cheeks as she tries to catch her breath again.

"I love you, Loid." His eyes soften and she smiles as a small part of him now seems familiar. "It was always real."

"Against all odds." He sniffs and wipes his eyes against his sleeve. "I believe you."

"It's the truth." She smiles at him trying to show him her sincerity. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"And yet here we are." He gestures around them, and she once again is reminded of the weight on her wrist. "I was a fool."

"What do you mean?" She watched as he closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I was a fool for loving you." Her breath hitched at his admission, and the knife in her heart twisted painfully. He opened his eyes to look at her again. "I'm still a fool."

"You still love me?" He was dangling water in front of her in this barren desert.

"I never stopped." She smiled brightly upon hearing the sincerity in his voice.

"Oh, Loid." He reached a hand out to her, and she eagerly reached out to hold his hand in hers. She rubbed his knuckles affectionately and she noticed that his hands were no longer shaking.

"It breaks my heart to see you here." She bit her lip and welcomed the pain of the cut there, for it distracted her from the pain she was feeling inside. Tears started falling from her eyes again knowing that this may be the last time she sees him. He sighs again, then his gaze hardens looking at her. "It'll break her heart too."

Another sob escaped her as the realization of who she could be, hit her with the impact of a truck. Oh no, she is such a selfish woman. She is an awful wife. But most of all, she is a horrible mother. How could she ever make it up to their daughter? Her sweet sweet Anya. She fell forward onto the table sobbing as the dawning horror that she will never see her daughter again crushes her. She weeps against the cold metal of the table holding onto Loid wishing she could see their daughter.

"I'm not the only one you hurt." His words cut her deeper than any before. "She's already lost one mother, and now she is going to lose another."

"I'm sorry, Anya!" She heaves struggling to draw breath as her tears soak the table she lays on. How could she ever atone for this? She can not fathom a world where Anya would ever forgive her for leaving her. She told herself she would have no regrets if she ever got caught, but that was before she had a family of her own. If she knew it would end like this, she never would have gone down this path. They say hindsight is twenty-twenty for a reason, and she has to live with her mistakes. Forget her thirst for vengeance, all she wants now is to hold her daughter. She wrenches her head from the table and looks up at Loid like he was a god sitting before her. For her next request, he might as well be. "Can I see her?"

"You know that's impossible." His voice chokes at the end and tears fall from his eyes. She weeps truly for the loss of something that she took for granted. Something she did not know she was missing until it was wrenched from her hands. The thing she told herself was her reason for traveling down this path of vengeance to begin with.

Her family.

"No, please Loid, no." She held tightly to his hands afraid she would fall apart if she let go. She looked into his eyes seeing nothing but despair, and she hoped he could see all her remorse. She thought that maybe his hands were shaking again, but she soon realized it was her own that were trembling. "Don't take my baby away."

He wept at her words and she joined him feeling something she has not felt since the loss of her parents. Helpless, she was utterly helpless before the man she loved like no other. While he was powerless before her, and from the sound of his weeping he knew it too. They sat there for some time wallowing in their despair and remorse. Two bitter emotions that complement each other like bleach and ammonia, for the recipients will surely perish before long. They just sat there wallowing in their sorrow of the cruel hand fate has dealt them. Sometime passes, and while neither of them have stopped crying, they eventually calm down. Loid pulls her hands up to his lips, and she welcomes the pain of the cuffs on her raw skin. He kisses each hand then rests his forehead against them as she watches him try to catch his breath.

"Why, Yor?" He manages to choke out.

"Why what?" She asked genuinely curious.

"Why did you do these things?" He lifts his head from her hands before setting them back on the table. She keeps a hold on one of his hands afraid to let go. With his free hand he opens the pale folder on the table. She forgot all about the file he brought in, and was now looking curiously.

"Desmond took everything from us." She answered, spitting venom. "He killed my mother."

"Your mother committed suicide." His tone was spoken with certainty. Yes, he was right. She did commit suicide, and it tore her family apart.

"It was because of Desmond!" She gritted her teeth and Loid watched her through sad eyes. He leaned forward while bringing her hands up towards his face. He kissed her hands once again along the back before setting them on the table. The handcuffs that were a constant presence for her now, clanged loudly. "He took everything from her."

"What do you mean?" He looked at her with concern, and it comforted her somewhat.

"My mother was an aspiring artist." His eyes widened slightly upon hearing the words. "He took her greatest work, and claimed it as his own."

"It was his first piece then?" She nodded in confirmation at his question.

"The heart of war" It was a piece she poured her soul into. It held all the grief from losing her husband and the love they shared. It was hope for her mother, she did not even want to be recognized for it. It was merely a memento from a widow to cherish as the last real thing she could have of her husband. But that bastard Desmond saw her pour her soul into the work, and knew it would be worth a fortune. "It was never his, my mother created it for the love of her husband that was killed during the war."

"Your father?" She nodded again. He Furrowed his brow, and she could not help but think how cute he looked while he was thinking. He separated some papers from the folder, and removed a paper clip holding them together. He spread out the pages before her, letting her look over the documents for a moment.

"These are the details to what we believe were your first heist." He pointed to a document sitting on the table before her. Specifically at a picture of a notable landmark that still manages to bring her happy memories, even in this situation. She still remembers how beautiful that glass pyramid looked in the afternoon sun. There were a lot of wonderful works of art she saw that day, but only one that really resonated with her. That piece of art is sitting across from her now.

"It is also where we first met." She said feeling strangely giddy. Even Loid managed a small smile once he heard those words. "Louvre Museum."

"I never thanked Yuri for introducing us three years ago." He chuckled and it sounded as if a choir of angels started singing before her.

"I did." She rubbed his hand lovingly. He laughed again and she would miss that sound.

"Desmond had no pieces here at the time." He looked at the documents for a moment before looking back at her. "No one was able to figure out what you stole that day either."

"You don't know what I stole that day?" This could be her last day with the man she loves, she may as well stretch it.

"No." She laughed at his honest admission.

"Your heart." She laughed at the slight blush that warmed his face.

"Aside from that." He asked, smiling at her.

"Nothing." He merely blinked at her. "Honestly nothing."

"I don't understand." She smiled at him.

"Would you like me to explain?" She asked him and he nodded in response.

"If you would be so kind." She pulled his hand up to her lips and kissed it. Then she whispered against his skin.

"It would be my pleasure."

AN: Hello everyone! Kahli here with another SpyxFamily story. Those of you who read TMKF and read my notes there will recognize this as the aforementioned phantom thief story I mentioned. Those of you may remember I said it would be a one shot…well…It may come as a surprise to you all, but I am horrible at writing one shots. I had a whole simple one shot planned out for Yor to be a thief, and Loid being her husband who was also a detective investigating her case. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there would be no way I could get all I wanted to write in one chapter. So, here we have a third story of a different variety. This story will be more noir in style, hence the start in the interrogation room. Updates for this will probably be infrequent, as I've already dedicated time to Red Herring and TMKF. Speaking of stories, I will actually have a fourth story out as well. I'm crazy, I know, but this one was requested. I was PMed asking if I could write a story for someone if they gave me the idea. I figured sure why not. This fourth story will be a crossover of my hero academy and SpyxFamily, and that is all I will say on the matter. If you like my hero academy, look forward to it. Thank you for reading, and I will see you all in the next one. Ciao!