Okay...last chappie...I promised myself I wouldn't cry... :'(. Here it is.

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Carmelita woke up in...

her bed?

Believe you me, that was the most welcome thing she had ever felt. 'You know...there's only one thing that would make this better...' but she didn't have to finish her thought, because as she sat up, she met eyes with none other than Sly Cooper...standing at the doorway of her room. She stood and walked over to him, smiling the most beautiful smile Sly had ever seen on a woman. She stopped in front of him, together and resting them in front of her. Sly brought one hand up and caressed her cheek, making her shiver with the electricity of his touch.

"You feeling alright?" He asked her in a truly concerned tone. Her smile slipped more and more until she was on the verge of tears. Yes, physically, she was fine. Sly had bandaged all her wounds, so she was doing considerably better...but...in her sleep, she had thought about what she wanted more: Love, or Law? She wasn't sure, and telling Sly her plan would only make things more painful for both of them.

"Sly...I..." Her throat was caught up in a knot, making it difficult for her to talk. She had to tell him, though. There was no question about that.

"I'm...going away for a...a while...away from Paris...I love you, Sly...I just need time...to think...clear my head...I'm sorry..." She found she could no longer go on. She began to silently let her tears fall down her face. She thought for sure Sly would think her a baby, but her thoughts were proved wrong when she felt Sly bring her into his arms and just hold her there in a gentle embrace.

"I understand. I love you, too Carmelita, and whatever you do, I'll support you." They walked out into the blowing snow, down her steps, and stopped in front of her apartment building. Sly watched with great curiosity as Carmelita took off her Interpol choker. His eyes widened when she took his hand in hers and pressed it into his palm. His fingers enclosed on the pendant. He looked back up into Carmelita's tearful eyes.

"Promise you won't forget me...promise." Sly doubled the choker around his wrist, his eyes locked onto hers. He said in a serious voice only one word as he pulled something out of his pocket...

"Promise." He revealed what he had taken out of his pocket. It was a gold chain. On the chain was a beautiful oval shaped locket. In the center of the locket was a star shaped diamond.

"Here..." He put it around her neck, closing the clasp. She gazed at him, tears falling down her face, showing no signs of stopping.

"I've been meaning to give it to you. If ever you need a place to stay, I'll be here. Always remember that." Before Sly even realized it, Carmelita threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Their eyes met...as their lips did, but only for about five seconds. Sly did nothing to stop her as Carmelita slowly slid her arms away from his body and began to walk away. He watched her go until December's icy wind blew her away from his sight. He turned and started to walk away, but stopped and looked back after taking five steps. He looked back at the building's stairs. Now, the footprints there meant something more to him. It resembeled their relationship now. They once walked the same path, now they're apart. Buthewasn't sad. He smiled as he walked away,a single tear running down his face. Sly Cooper faded into the snowy wind, head held high, tears running down his face in streams, for he knew...somehow...someway...

Their footprints will walk together once more.