Back in ACME's headquarters, a blue portal opened and from there it leaped our courageous group. The other detectives came to receive their friends, but were surprised to see enemies instead.

"Don't worry they are with us," Armando said.

"At least for the moments," Josha said looking at Lars and Moe scratching the doors trying to get out.

"They won't be arrested, at least for today," Tatyanna said. "They helped us defeat those things."

The VILE relaxed.

"More important than that we must clear something here," Chief was strong in what he just said.

Everyone looked at Chief then at Carmen.

"So start telling friend," Chief said. "I think you owe an explanation to me and most importantly to this young lady, who's life could be destroyed at the blink of an eye."

Carmen looked at Lina and sighted.

"Well here it goes," Carmen looked at her chain. "Please sit down, it is a very long story."

SCENE 2

(If you want to read the story again then just turn to chapter 7. I won't write it again, you know.)

"And so I became the greatest thief in the world," Carmen ended her story.

"That…(sniff**)…is the most beautiful story in the world," Paige said crying, all the other VILE members were crying too.

"Wow, that must have been some pressure on you, huh," Tatyanna said.

"So, you leave me behind," Lina said.

"Look, I had no choice. If you stayed with me, you could have gotten hurt or maybe even killed," Carmen retorted.

"That is no excuse for abandoning a child," Zahyra was immersed in fury.

"If any one in the 'underworld' knew I had a daughter, she would be hunted down for capturing," Carmen explained. "She would be the perfect prisoner to get to me. If she were to be captured, they would make me do things I won't normally do. Like killing someone, stealing something, or even worse, only to get my daughter back save. Finally all that effort would be lost because to take revenge on all the plans I have spoiled for my competitors they would massacre her in front of my eyes." The group was in shock. "And that is why I left her with her grandparents. So she could have a decent life, away from a life of crimes like mine. She could have seen things that a child shouldn't see at a young age."

"I don't know about you guys," Charlie said. "But she convinced me."

Everyone fell to the ground in shock, unable to believe someone that stupid could exist in this planet. (Hardly surprising.)

"That is not the point, my boy," Miguel said.

"The point is that…that…," Jasmine was out of words. What Carmen said seemed reasonable an excuse to leave a child.

"Well, she obviously wanted the best for her child," Josha said. "That is quite admirable for someone with that age."

"But it still doesn't make up for abandoning a baby," Paige said angrily with a fist up in the air. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Ah, Paige you are on my side remember," Carmen said with a hand over her face.

"Oh, in that case… it was necessary to do it like that. I would have done the same to protect my child. It is known that a mother would do practically anything to protect her baby, even kill someone. It is not surprising Carmen, as a responsible mother did that. I believe we should praise her for that effort. She gave her own flesh and blood up, for her child to have the greatest life there is. That is what I call a real mother," Paige finished her conference standing on a chair.

Everyone was paralyzed by such a speech. They never had expected such clarity of mind from someone that was more clueless than the movie itself.

"If you put it like… that… it does make sense," Ivy said.

"Well, its all well that ends well," Hugo said laughing.

"It ends well how," Chief said. "We haven't decided what to do next."

"Decide on what?" Lars asked. "Everything is clear now."

"For clear, fresh eyes, try Clear Eyes." They started to laugh at Moe's reply, and they continued chatting together, except Carmen and Lina. (Wow! That was obvious.)

Lina was eating at a corner of the big table in front of Carmen. She didn't ate as hungrily as she used to, she was spending most of her time looking at Carmen. The latter was only eating some meat and bread, she finished up with some of the wine. 'I just hope she grants me my wish,' Lina thought. 'I know she doesn't feel me as a real daughter, but, by the Gods, please let her hear my wish..'

Carmen felt Lina's eyes on her, but she didn't turn to meet her face. 'What in all damnation is she thinking about?' Carmen questioned herself. 'I hope she accepts my apology. I know is my fault, all of this, but what is done is done.' She turn to look at her, and their eyes lock for a moment, then both turned their heads away at the same time.

SCENE 3

The hours passed, and so the feast, everyone went to wash up and go to bed. They all promised Chief they will be a meeting tomorrow to clear all of this up.

It was very early in the morning when Ivy woke with a startle, there was someone in their bathroom. She quietly got up and took one of her boots. She went for the door and open it slightly. Too bad she could only see the crooks arm and hand. It was holding something thin, like a handle of some sort. In a swift move, Ivy thrust open the door and grabbed the victim by the shirt. She pushed it up wards and smacked it on the counter.

"DON'T TRY TO GET AWAY, YOU BASTARD! DON'T YOU EVEN THINK YOU ARE WASHING YOUR HANDS FORM THIS!"

"OH, NO, NO, NO… I ALWAYS WASH MY HANDS EVERY TIME I GO TO THE BATHROOM, HONEST! I ALSO HAVE A GOOD DENTAL CARE, AND I FLUSH MY MOUTH EVERY NIGHT, AND I BRUSH MY TEETH EVERYDAY!"

Lina's unmistakable voice warned off Ivy.

"Sorry for that Lina."

"Don't worry, I'm used to this kind of treatment."

"But, what are you doing here so early in the morning?"

"Well, everytime I sleep in air conditioning I need to go very often."

"Yeah, me too." They both started to laugh and chat preparing themselves.

"Sooo….are you going to the meeting today?"

"No, I need to straight somethings in my mind. Hope you don't mind though?"

"No, no. That is OK with me, well see ya then." Ivy hugged the girl for a moment and then strolled out of the room.

SCENE 4

The meeting room was full, with all the ACME agents involved in this and the VILE that were currently on custody, also Carmen and the Chief. They were all shouting and protesting and trying to decide what to do. They were all gathered around a big table, but Carmen was a little away, she didn't felt she belonged somehow in the conversation.

"I'm telling you all, if it is Carmen's daughter she definitely belongs to us." Lars signaled at Carmen.

"Well, we don't care for her parentage, she will not be a criminal." Zahyra stormed at him.

"Well, as a matter of fact it is not yours to decide," Moe said. "There is blood in the matter."

"Well, there also exist blood transfusions," Jasmine said.

"Well, haven't you heard the consequences of that," Hannah said. "It is of bad luck to have one."

"Well, I don't like the idea that Lina goes into a life she can't get out alive," Miguel said.

"Well, no one gets out of this life alive, old chap," Hugo said.

"Well, you are only prolonging that she suffers, not only form abandonment, but from social judgment," Lee said.

"Well, the only ones that makes us suffer are you guys," Sara said.

"Well, excuse us for wanting to protect the happiness of others," Armando said.

"Well, she is Carmen's daughter, she should be with her mother. I mean… a child needs someone to take care for them, and to love them, and to sing Barney songs together and…"

"SHUT UP, PAIGE!"

"Well, some mother she has turned to be," Josha said.

"Well, Josha, you shouldn't use that term of mother, there has never been something like that to Lina," Tatyanna said, looking in Carmen's direction. Well, actually everybody by now was looking at her, they were surprised she hadn't said anything up till now. She was tranquil and serene, which infuriated both parties.

"Well, I am not sitting around waiting for some idiots to take her away," Zack said starting to leave.

"Well, you are not one to decide that," Lars said.

"Well, who then, both her parents aren't here to speak for her," Ivy said in the Carmen's direction. She remained motionless.

"Well, Carmen you'd better react," said a voice from behind them, it was Olga, Lina's grandmother. "The fate of your child is at stake here."

"Well, the girl is hopeless then," another voice said, it was Edward, the grandfather. "She is the most heartless person there is."

"Well, come on now, this is very difficult for Carmen," Chief said, getting close to the thief.

"Well, anyhow, she is ours," Moe said.

"Yeah, she belongs to us," Hugo said. (Wow! A change on words.)

And a great discussion broke out. Everyone shouting, and snarling, and making excuses for their way of living. Carmen was paying little interest on it, she was just concern on how to apologize to Lina. At the end someone shouted and everyone jumped up.

"LOOK EVERYONE! This is not for us to decide," Chief cried out.

"He is right you guys," Ivy said. "There are only two people who can decide about this. And disgracefully they are Carmen and Lina."

Everyone looked at Carmen, who was in a nearby corner. Her eyes were not on the crowd, but on the sky outside that high window. She sensed everyone's stare, but didn't turn to look. She just sighted and crossed her legs and arms.

"Hey Carmen, what is it gonna be," Sara said with a displeasment on her voice.

"Yeah, Carmen what do you think Lina should do," Tatyanna said scornfully.

"How should I know," Carmen looked at them. "I don't know her at all to come now and order her to do this or don't do that."

"What!" Hugo looked surprised. "Carmen, this is your daughter, the daughter of VILE."

"Are you going to let her go again," Hannah said.

"She let her go once," Edward went towards the door and he started to walk for the gates. "I don't see why she wouldn't do that again. In fact I don't care anything for the blood that killed my son. Goodday to you, not all."

"Sorry for my husband, but what ever you decide, please let us know. And our house is always welcomed for Lina in any case, goodbye," Olga went after him.

"So, Carmen what did you decide," Chief went to her.

"I'm not the one with enough authority to decide the life of a girl that is out of my hands," Carmen turn to look towards the window again. "Lina, herself is the one who decides her destiny. If she wants to be a detective, she can be it. If she wants to go off on her own and make herself of some other carrier, she can," she swallowed. "And if she wants to come with me, she would be accepted." They all agreed to ask the guest of honor, but Carmen urged VILE to get the planes ready to depart in half an hour.

SCENE 5

Ivy found her coming from the ice machine. She was happily munching on the ice. Behind Ivy came the other girls of ACME, they were all secretly discussing how to ask Lina to join them.

"Hey, girl, wazzup. What did all the meeting went about?"

"Nothing to trouble yourself about," Tatyanna said with a smile. "We talk only about you, and your future."

"So, are you staying with us?" Jasmine asked.

"I had a dream ounce in where I meet my mother and I didn't care whether or not she abandoned me. I just wanted to go with her. And so I was hoping she would take me with her, but I starting to believe she won't do that." When she finished, everyone's jaw dropped. Then they started telling her what were the consequences of her decision, they wanted her to stay. They even promised she will never had to track Carmen if she didn't wanted to. They spend hours telling her every consequences, even the guys, but not Chief. When he heard her decision, he smiled at her and only told her to take care of her mother for him.

"Lina, what are you going to do?" Ivy asked her apart from the group.

"Ivy, I've always wanted to go with my mother. Ever since I can remember my grandfather has always been so indifferent with me. He hasn't treated me badly, but he hasn't treated me with love. Ivy this is the opportunity of a life time, my mother is here, yes I know she abandoned me to this misery, but she did it for love, I have received less than that up to now. I have been already marked as a bad person in Miami, and I believe nearly in all Florida they know about me. What do I have to loose?"

"You will loose your freedom in the world," Ivy said concerned. "You will have no peace being the daughter of the greatest…"

"I don't care if my mother is the greatest thief, or the greatest murderer, I just want to belong to a family."

"We can be your family here at ACME, think about it."

"Of course ACME could be like a family to me, but then my own family must capture and imprison my own mother. I would feel like a traitor, and that is something I could never live with. I… I… I just find it fascinating and exciting what she does, I find it challenging and inspiring, don't you? Wouldn't you give anything in the world right now to be with your mother?"

"Well, I don't know about the first question, but the second one is pretty obvious. OK… OK… I understand how you feel, well there is only one problem." Everyone just looked at Ivy in approval. "Come one guys, lets convince Carmen of what is the right decision this time." They all cheered and salutated Lina very lovingly telling her how much they'll miss her. She promised she would not be lost for them given the circumstances.

SCENE 6

Carmen was in ACME's hangers and her head was going to explode with all the commotion around her. Her comrades were discussing and begging her to take the girl with her, to teach her all the secrets of the trade. To make this the greatest moment of VILE, it was becoming a hereditary privilege. Even Chief, on the other hand, was asking Carmen to come back. But this was enough for her, she slammed her things with a loud thud on the back of the plane, and left everyone paralyzed.

"OK…OK! That is enough! First of all," she turned towards Chief, more calmly now. "I can't return to ACME, because I don't desire it, even though I don't deserve it, and worse of all it will look so strange that from one moment I was a fiend and the other a friend. Second of all," she turned towards her comrades. "It is not for me to decide whether or not Lina wants to go with us."

Everyone turned to continue on their tasks of filling up their equipment to go when the group entered. They looked sad at the girl, when they saw her with ACME all around her. Lina spotted Carmen on the biggest plane and went for her. Chief came towards the group, but the group just moved their heads sideways, and he understood with a smile.

Lina walked towards the plane and went around it. She pulled a stair towards the other side of the plane and climbed up. Carmen was startle by this sudden motion on her plane, she looked at Lina and then continued packing her stuff. The girl continued to look at her and that created a bit of discomfort. After a while she pulled herself up and stood with her hands under her chin and looked at the girl.

"Look I am really sorry for all that has happened to you. I am sorry you haven't had someone else at your side all this years. I am sorry that because of me you have ruined your life. I'm… I'm really sorry girl. What can I do to redeem myself before your eyes?"

"Would you make my wish come true?"

"Yeah, anything at all."

"Take me with you."

Carmen's eyes widen and she felt her heart stop. She couldn't believe what Lina had just said to her.

"You want to come with me? How come?"

"I just want to be in a place I can call a home. And I felt at home when I was with you and your gang."

"No way. No way I am taking you with me," Carmen slammed her fist on the plane. "I gave you away for you not to endure this hardships. You can have any life you want right now, don't take away all this years for a moment of doubt."

"It is not a doubt, it is a decision."

"Chief," Carmen turned away and climbed down going towards Chief. "Tell her Chief, tell her you want her here. Tell her she doesn't belong in the life she just decided to be in." Chief remained silent.

"No one here has the authority to decide for her, Carmen. Not even you, don't you remember?"

"But… but…."

"Awww, come on boss lady, " Hugo said. "Take her with you, she really knows how to kick ass."

"Yeah, even though it won't make our job easier," Jasmine said. "It would be really nice to have someone to pursue once we capture you, Carmen." Everyone wanted that Carmen take Lina with her, but she continued to decline. It was Charlie's' suggestion that made her change her mind.

"You know what is to be an orphan, no Carmen? You must also know that those kids long for a family. You once stole her family from, her, you would loose all respect if you were to take them again."

"Unusually sharp, Charlie," Lina said very impressed.

Carmen was looking from side to side, she couldn't believe what she was experiencing. This people actually want that VILE continued after her. She was naturally excited, she had always wanted that VILE continued as a force, but haven't found the right person. Now two of her dreams where right in front of her. Carmen took a deep breath, and sighted. She looked at the girl, then at the group, then at Paige, who was crying hugging a teddy bear. 'Where the hell did she got a teddy bear?'

"OK… I accept that she comes with us."

"YEAH! ALRIIIGGGHHTTT!" Everyone was delighted with it and they hurled and jumped around Lina, Chief and Carmen. Charlie was jumping with Lina when Carmen turned to look.

"But, don't you ever get close to my daughter again," she said sternly.

"Of course madam, as you say madam, no problem madam…" he continued to say incoherently things as he got behind his father. Everyone laughed at his reaction and they continued to party on.

Night fell and they got into the planes saying goodbye and Chief trying to convince Carmen to go back to ACME. After that big shouted NO being said they took off.

It was very dark around the main plane but the two women chatted about the past occurrences, and their unsure future. Lina was delighted on all the stories Carmen's companion protagonized, and Carmen in turn on all the stupidities her daughter had done. Carmen then asked if she had ever stolen something big time. Lina said she did, just a week before this whole thing happened, that she stole a great painting on the tallest building in Florida, and she dumped it on its own mailing service to recover it at a later time. As she related her story Carmen took out a brown sealed tube and opened it. She took out a rolled piece of what looked like paper and started to open it.

"It was not ingenious… it was perfect!" Lina said in a giggle.

"Yeah it must have been," Carmen showed Lina the unfolded paper. Lina's eyes widened and her jaw dropped, it was the painting that she stole.

"How did you get it?"

"Why steal the penthouse when you can steal their mailing service at the bottom?"

"Wow! That really blew me off."

"Who is Mr. Cobas?"

"Someone who gives money for stolen goods, and it is a long story that started with grandpa being sick and well it goes. Anyways, how did you knew it was in the mail?"

"You've got a lot to learn, my child. You've got a lot to learn indeed."

THE END