Disclaimer: Sly Cooper and the Cooper gang are property of Sucker Punch and I am just using them to entertain the masses with a good story. I only own the character Todd and the other elements of the story I have created my self.

Chapter 5

Dinner between a Cop and Thief

Todd was home in record time, taking every short cut he could think of. When he pulled into the garage and shut off the engine he saw Bentley come into the garage. Todd got out of his car and asked, "So, how is she?"

Bentley sighed and said, "She still hasn't said a word. We've tried everything to snap her out of it. Sly even gave her a peck on the check and she did nothing to retaliate, just kept staring off into space."

Todd walked past Bentley into the living room and saw Carmelita sitting in the center of the couch. He looked around to see Sly and Murray sitting in the two armchairs in the room. Sly looked up and frowned slightly at Todd, while Murray looked up and noticed the envelope in his shirt pocket. Murray asked, "Hay Todd, who's that letter for."

Todd pulled the letter out and said, "This is for Carmelita, it's from the Chief. I caught him snooping around her office when I went to put the security camera in. I got him to leave and then locked the door with a spell so Carmelita's key is the only key in the world that can open it. Now, back to the letter, since she doesn't appear to be any state to read it herself I guess I'll have to read it. The Chief made it very clear that Carmelita had to know the contents of this letter tonight." Todd walked over to the end table and picked up a letter opener that was laying there. He sliced the envelope open and pulled out the contents. It was a single page, and it had the Interpol seal on the top right hand corner. After clearing his throat Todd read the letter. It said,

To: Inspector Carmelita Montoya Fox

It has recently come to our attention that since you were giving the Cooper Gang case you have yet to capture the leader of the gang, Sly Cooper. We have also found that around half the items stolen by Mr. Cooper end up on your desk the following morning. We at the Interpol central command find this very suspicious. When we examined your file closer we found you have a 99 arrest and conviction rate, which we applaud you for. Yet upon closer inspection we found that there is evidence of you being in league with the Cooper Gang. This evidence includes a picture taken by at the party held by a currently incarcerated spice dealer named Rajan. This picture depicts you and who we now know was Sly Cooper dancing at said party. This is not as bad as the information told to use by the Chief of Interpol, France Division. He told us that at one time you had captured Sly and were transporting him to nearest Interpol building via an Interpol Helicopter. The last any of your colleagues saw of you and Sly was when the helicopter took off and headed for the Interpol offices. Now according to our most experienced helicopter pilot that flight should have only taken 15-20 minutes. Now according to the Chief of Interpol France you were gone for nearly 2½ hours, and that when you finally landed you were the only one on the helicopter, even though you had taken off with a pilot and Sly Cooper. Though you have proven to be an excellent member of Interpol we find your actions suspicious and must assume the worst until we can prove other wise. So, starting on the 22nd of August, 2005, you will be put on suspension until the 28th. In that time we will review your entire file, and come to a decision about your future at Interpol.

Head of the Interpol Central Command

Edward Bradford Firefox

Edward B. Firefox

When Todd finished reading the letter he sighed and looked over to Carmelita. Hearing that letter must have brought her back to reality because while Todd had read Carmelita had laid down on the couch, her back to the group, and started crying. Sly, Todd, Bentley, and Murray knew she needed some time alone and each went to there own rooms.

Todd was laying on his bed, looking about his room, trying to think of something to make Carmelita see that Sly would do anything to see her happy, even though they were on opposite sides of the law. Todd's room was a pretty simple one. In the back corner was his bed, with a blue quilt laying over the sheets and blue pillows. On the wall opposite his bed was a book case crammed full of spell book, a few computer manuals, and other books Todd had gotten over the years. By his bed was a night stand that had his alarm clock, lamp, and a picture standing on it. The picture was of himself, Sly, Bentley, and Murray on his birthday. He had treated them to a night on the town. Dinner at the best Barbeque place in Paris followed by a trip to his favorite night club, which was interestingly called the Blue Fox.

That is when Todd was hit with an idea to good to ignore. He jumped off his bed and walked over to his book shelf and began looking for his old cook book. Upon finding it he flipped through the pages until he found his grandmother's old recipes. He read them over quickly and smiled as he also grabbed the spell book entitled "Magic in the Kitchen, The guide to making any recipe in record time." As he left his room he glanced over into the living room to find Carmelita had fallen asleep on the couch. He walked down to Bentley's room, and slowly opened the door to find Bentley flipping through his favorite sci-fi novel. He quickly shut the door and after a little convincing got Bentley to help with his plan.

Bentley's part in the plan was to keep himself and Murray out of the house until around 10:00. Todd said he would pay them back any money they had to spend to keep them selves entertained. Bentley agreed, but only after Todd told him what he was planning to do. Though Bentley didn't think it wise to surprise Carmelita with something like this he approved and left his room to get Murray and get out of the house. Todd followed him out and then went to Sly's room. He found Sly sitting at his desk, flipping through a scrap book of all his heists.

Todd tapped him on the shoulder as he asked, "Sly, do you still have that Tuxedo that you stole to be able to dance with Carmelita at Rajan's party."

Sly closed the book and looked up Todd and said, "Yeah, why do you ask."

Todd just started heading for the door and said, "You are to be dressed in that Tuxedo and on the 2nd floor patio at 9:00 sharp."

Sly asked, "Okay, but why?"

Todd smiled as he left the room and said, "Trust me, you won't be disappointed." Todd then made his way down the hall and checked the clock that hung in the living room. It was now 7:00 and he still had a lot to do. He ran into the kitchen and laid both his old cook book and Magic in the Kitchen spell book down on the counter. He quickly took a stock of the kitchen and was happy to find all his needed ingredients were there from the weekly shopping trip. He then bent over the spell book and read a few lines. After memorizing the instructions Todd moved to the center of the kitchen and surveyed the location of everything in the kitchen. He then raised his right arm to about shoulder height and snapped his fingers once. That caused every drawer, cabinet, and also the refrigerator to pop open. He then began to mutter something under his breath the food began flying out of the fridge and a few cabinets along with several pots, pans, and other cooking utensils. From then until around 8:00 the kitchen was considered a danger zone due to the many flying items that included, knives, potato, and many other kitchen stuff. At 8:05 Todd left the kitchen with both books under his arm and smiling as he said, "The best food I've ever made, even with this spell book. Now, up to the 2nd floor."

Todd then stormed up to the 2nd floor and went out onto the medium sized patio that was suspended over the back yard. He went over to the railing and saw there lawn furniture sitting under the patio. After sitting there for a while, thinking, he took a few steps back and snapped his fingers. In a few seconds the wooden lawn furniture came flying from underneath the patio and over top of the railing to land softly in the exact center of the patio.

Todd looked at the table for a few seconds. It looked like a table you would find at a campsite, and it was unsuited for what Todd was planning. He walked over and placed his hand on the table and focused his mind on making the table what he needed it. The table's wood soon became like liquid and started to reform itself into a table you would expect to see at a fine dinning restaurant, including two comfortable yet fancy chairs. Todd smiled at his handy work and with a snap of his fingers summoned a cardboard box from the attic of the house. He rummaged in the box and found the white table cloth he had been searching for. He laid it out on the table, and went back to the box. After several trips a candle lit dinner for two had been set up on the outdoor patio.

Todd left the patio and headed down to the living room right as the clock struck 8:55. He saw Sly come out of his room in the tuxedo. Todd nodded in approval and motioned toward the stairs as he said, "Please head up stairs. Your diner guest will be up in a few minutes." As Todd said the last part he motioned toward Carmelita who was still asleep on the couch. An excited grin grew on Sly's face as he imagined having a dinner under the stars with his favorite Inspector. Todd shooed him up the stairs and then walked toward Carmelita. He shook her shoulder lightly and roused her from her sleep. Carmelita looked up at Todd and asked, "What do you want, criminal."

Todd laughed at this and said, "Why have you all ready started labeling me with that name? Well, that is beside the point, you up for some dinner."

Carmelita shook her head, but her stomach suddenly let out a loud growl indicating that she was indeed up for some dinner. Feeling betrayed by her own stomach she slowly got up from the couch and asked, "Okay, so where is the dinning room."

Todd smiled as he said, "Oh, dear Carmelita. You are not eating at our old diner table. You will dine under the stars up on the second floor patio. Please allow me to show you." Todd then led Carmelita up to the 2nd floor patio and opened the sliding door. When Carmelita saw who was sitting at the table where Todd had said she would be eating she immediately turned her head and glared at Todd, but her hunger eventually got the better of her and she head out to met Sly for dinner. Todd muttered something under his breath just before Carmelita stepped through the door way, and then smiled as he headed down to the kitchen to get the couples first course. That is after sealing the sliding door with a spell so Carmelita couldn't leave until the dinner was done.

When Sly saw Carmelita coming he said, "Why Carmelita, I didn't know you cared."

Carmelita huffed as she said, "What are you talking about Ringtail."

Sly smiled as he said, "Why, you got all dressed up for me. I am truly touched."

Carmelita was about to chew Sly out until she looked down and saw that she was in the same dress she had been wearing when she and Sly had danced at Rajan's party. She quietly cursed Todd, knowing it was he doing before she took a seat across from Sly. She looked around and saw that the area was being lit by a patio light, and that the candles weren't lit. She said, "Yeah, well you sure pulled out all the stops up here Cooper. The candles aren't even lit."

As if on cue the patio light went out and the candles lit themselves as Todd walked out the door, dressed in a waiter's uniform, and carrying Sly and Carmelita's food like he was a real waiter. He slowly placed the bowls full of a nice hot tomato soup on both there plates and then bowed as he back off and said, "Sly, call me when you two are ready for your next course." Todd then turned and left through the sliding door, still needing to prepare last part of his little gift to Sly and Carmelita.

Sly and Carmelita ate in silence until Todd brought there main course, a prime cut of steak with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and a small salad on the side. As soon as Todd left Sly spoke up and said, "So, how are things at Interpol? I mean minus the whole suspension thing."

Carmelita huffed as she cut of a piece of her steak and placed it in her mouth. After she swallowed she said, "I must admit Cooper. Todd is quite the cook."

Sly smiled thankful that Todd's cooking finally got Carmelita to make conversation. He replied, "Yeah, he rarely does the cooking, but when he does it is always wonderful. So, you feel like telling me about thing at Interpol."

Carmelita took another bite of steak, and after finishing her piece said, "And why should I do that Ringtail?"

Sly replied, "You should because every time I am working, you seem to be there to make my day interesting. So, feel like talking now my fair lady."

Carmelita took another bite of steak, trying to avoid the question, but she knew Sly would keep pushing the question until she told him. So, she decided to get it over with rather then have Cooper nag her about it all night. After finishing the piece of steak in her mouth she said, "Fine, I'll tell you about my wonderful life at Interpol. Let's see, every Monday the chief comes in and chews my butt out because I have yet to catch you."

Sly shrugged and said, "What can I do. Would love to help you out with that my lovely Carmelita, but to help you I have to go to jail. Then if I were to go to jail we couldn't have our night time rendezvous."

Carmelita smiled slightly thinking about Cooper being behind bars, but then she thought about all the times she had chased him and all the complements Sly had given her. Carmelita realized that she would miss there night time meetings. She then said in a sarcastic voice, "Oh yes Cooper that would be a shame. I don't know how I'd go on."

Sly smiled and said, "Now Carmelita, I wouldn't kid a kidder. I just may get the idea you enjoy my company."

Carmelita smile quickly turned into a frown as she said, "Now don't you get any idea's Cooper. One day I will still see you behind bars."

Sly smiled and shrugged his shoulder as he said, "Oh well. Now, you were telling me about the daily life of my favorite Interpol inspector."

"Fine, to continue my usual day I spend the entire morning poring over your file, trying to figure out where you will strike next. Then about 10:30 I head to the break room on my floor and get a cup of coffee while enduring the cat calls of almost every male officer except for one or two like your friend Todd who treat me with respect."

Sly began to frown and said, "I didn't know you had to endure that. I would expect Interpol officer to be up standing members of the community."

Carmelita laughed and said, "If that were only true. I have endured this kind of treatment since I was a constable fresh from the Interpol police academy. I mean, there was one guy who tried to put his arm around me during a meeting. To cut to the chase he missed the rest of that meeting and a week of work."

Sly smiled and said, "I would expect no less from the only Interpol officer that can keep up with me. I'm wondering though, what are the female officers doing while this is going on. Surely they are disgusted by these guys behavior as much as you are."

Carmelita frowned and said, "Yeah, they are just as disgusted with the behavior of some of the male officers, but they blame me for what the guys do."

Sly frowned, a flicker beginning to form in his eyes as he said, "How could they blame you for the way those butt heads act. It isn't your fault they don't know how to behave themselves. Well, at least they are acting a little bit better then the guys."

Carmelita shuddered and after a few quite seconds he said, "You would think they would be better, but there worse then the guys. They view me as a threat. They are afraid I will take there boyfriends away, so they make up nasty rumors. Rumors I rather not repeat."

Sly now had an angry flame in his eyes and was grinding his teeth. Carmelita saw this and asked, "Sly, are you okay."

At the sound of his name he instantly calmed down and his usual devilish smile crept onto his face as he said, "I must have something in my ear. Did you just call me by my first name my dear Carmelita?"

Carmelita blushed slightly and said, "I just noticed how angry you looked, just hearing about some of the jerks I have to deal with on a daily bases. Do you really care that much."

Sly smile turned from devilish to comforting as he said, "Carmelita, you mean the world to me. In the beginning, I was talking with you to distract you, but as time went by I began to see just how much truth my words had, at least in my eyes."

Carmelita's face continued to get redder. Carmelita thought as she looked across the table at Sly, "Sly has always treated me with respect. In all his complements and flirty chit-chat he always keeps it in the best of intentions. Come to think of it I owe a lot to Sly. He rescued me from Clockwerk. He risked his own life to save mine, even after I threatened him with jail time every time we met."

Carmelita's train of thought was interrupted by Todd coming through the sliding door. He walked over and picked up the dirty dishes before he went back into through the sliding glass door. Even though Carmelita wasn't ready to leave she guess that the sign that the dinner was over, that was until Todd came back through the door, now dressed in a pair of blue jeans, cowboy boots, light blue button down shirt, and a cowboy hat. Carmelita and Sly both stared at his strange getup. Wondering what he still had planned; Carmelita turned and asked Sly, "Okay Ringtail, What is this all about?"

Sly shrugged and said, "To tell you the truth Carmelita, none of this has been my doing. Todd just came to my room a couple hours before you got up her and told me to get dressed in this tuxedo and be up her at 9:00 sharp."

Carmelita was about to say something when she heard Todd snap his fingers. Suddenly the table, chairs, and everything else disappeared leaving Sly and Carmelita completely alone on the patio. Then they heard another snap and four speakers appeared in the corners of the patio, and several lanterns also appeared along the patio's railing. They then heard one last snap and Todd appeared on the top of the house, standing behind what looked like a DJ's table. He then picked up a CD, and inserted it into the disk player. A few moments later the country song "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts began to play over the speakers, and before Carmelita knew it Sly was asking if he could have this dance.

Carmelita stopped just short of taking Sly's hand, thinking about what she was about to do, before she let her hand fall into his outstretched and they began to dance.

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

Carmelita felt a large weight lifting off her shoulders as Sly and her danced. Something about this just felt so right to her, and she couldn't understand why.

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow, kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Carmelita and Sly continued to dance. While they dance Sly heart was racing. He had stolen artifacts from the deadliest of security systems, and faced a giant robotic owl down, but never had his heart ever been going like this. What could it mean?

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms

Carmelita's and Sly's eyes meet, and they both became lost in each other's eyes as they continued to dance and draw ever closer to each other.

This much I know is true

That god bless the broken road that led me straight to you

Carmelita looked down, and wondered what had just happened, and why it had felt so good, so right. Why did it feel as if she was meant to get lost in those eyes for all eternity?

I think about the years I spent, just passing through

I like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you

That is when Carmelita felt Sly's hand on her chin, as he brought it up so their eyes would meet once again.

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan and that is coming true.

Sly said, "Carmelita, I love you."

Every long lost dream led me to where you are.

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

Carmelita look deep into Sly's as she said, "I love you too, Sly Cooper, my one and only Ringtail."

This much I know is true

That god bless the broken road that led me straight to you.

Sly and Carmelita brought there bodies close together as continued to dance, wishing the moment could never end.

And now I'm just rolling home, into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That god bless the broken road that lead me straight to you

Carmelita and Sly's faces began to grow close, and then with no hesitation they began one loving kiss.

That god bless the broken road that lead me straight to you. (End Song)

Carmelita and Sly separated as the next song began. They soon came close together as the next song began to play, and they danced again. Todd watched as the pair danced well into the night, and just around 11:00 he brought out his laptop, which had several more mood appropriate songs ready to go. He set it up and then, with one last look at the thief and the cop, snapped his fingers and was gone in a puff of smoke, leaving Carmelita and Sly to their dance.