Chapter 7
Carmelita worked even harder after her success with the Tennessee Kid's Rail Walk maneuver. She stunned both herself as well as Sly in mastering the Rail Slide the very next day. Carmelita had to shake her head in amazement at her apparent epiphany. She found her head swam as it had only days before… however, her mind now reeled from just how much she was learning instead of how little! Life was pretty good…
"Wow," Carmelita said softly to herself as she stood in Sly's workout room the very next day. She was panting softly, trying to get her breath back after a particularly trying session. Her red t-shirt was stained with her sweat down the back and under her arms, and her raven-dark hair---held back in a thick ponytail by a red rubber band---was slick with sweat as well. She smiled as she arched her back, raising her arms above her head to stretch. That smile came from the satisfaction of having just mastered the pretty impressive move called the Ninja Spire Jump.
Her reverie was cut short a moment later when she heard someone giving her a round of soft applause. She lowered her arms and turned toward her newest 'fan'.
Sly Cooper stood there, having just watched her pull off a pretty decent rendition of the very difficult Ninja Spire Jump. He shook his head as he moved over toward her, tossing her a towel. "I really have to hand it to you, Carmelita," he told her. "Once you finally get something…watch out! There's no stopping you."
Carmelita wiped her face with the towel he'd provided her. "Thanks," she replied, thrilled he was proud of her…but, just a little concerned that she might not be at her best just now appearance-wise. "But, I probably look a mess, right about now…"
"You never looked lovelier to me, querera," Sly told her then, moving forward to put the knuckle of his index finger gently beneath her chin a moment before he kissed her on the mouth. "You've got that after-workout glow going, girl." His eyes twinkled, but Carmelita could see he was speaking the truth.
"Sly," she protested, smiling after being kissed. "I'm dirty, I'm sweaty, and I probably don't smell all that wonderful right now, either."
"Eh," Sly responded. "I didn't notice," he said with a shrug. "Put it down to my living with a bunch of bachelors all these years maybe." He reached over and took Carmelita's slender hand and pressed her knuckles to his lips once. "I was wondering…could I interest you in some lunch, my sweet?"
Carmelita had to suppress a shiver from him kissing her hand. It gave her goosebumps sometimes when he did things like that. She grinned over at the charming raccoon. "Sounds great," she told him. "Just give me about a half hour to get cleaned up, okay?" She really wanted a shower…and a chance to wash her sweat-streaked hair.
Sly chuckled, but nodded. "A half-hour it is, Carmelita," he answered, then turned, offering her his arm. "Shall we, my love?"
Carmelita laughed softly at him. "You are such a goof sometimes, Cooper," she informed him…just before she kissed his cheek quickly. "But you're my goof."
Sly grinned…like the happiest man in the world all of the sudden. "I like the sound of that," he told her, as she took his arm, and they moved toward their respective rooms.
Carmelita grinned. "What? You mean you're being a goof?" she teased.
Sly flicked his eyes over to her, and grinned. "That too," he added mischievously. "But, you knew what I meant, you clever girl."
"I know," Carmelita said, pressing herself up against him once before she ducked inside her room to clean up. "See you in a half-hour, mister," she called out through her door, even as she began to strip off her sweat-dampened clothes.
"I'm counting the minutes, sweetheart," Sly called back, then turned and headed downstairs to prepare lunch for both his lady love and the others.
Carmelita, her hair still damp, appeared right on cue, one half hour later. "So…what's for lunch, guys?" she asked. "I'm starving!"
Sly looked up, then turned his head to look at her. "Ah, there's my girl!" he declared. "It's going to be country fare for lunch, I'm afraid. Tuna sandwiches with tomato soup," he declared, placing the last piece of toast on a plate before him. He gathered up their lunch fare as Carmelita, Murray, and Bentley rustled up the dishes and set the table. The four of them proved to be quite famished, as they managed to polish off a huge pot of piping hot soup and nearly ten sandwiches…five of them to fill up the always hungry Murray.
"Mmm," Carmelita sighed, wiping her mouth with a paper napkin. "That was very nice." She was feeling very content just now…pleasantly tired, but clean and full. "Thanks, sweetie," she said then, reaching over to stroke Sly's arm thankfully.
"My pleasure," Sly replied, gathering up the dishes, and taking them over to the sink to clean.
Carmelita sat back in her chair contentedly, and watched Sly clean the dishes, feeling very domestic all the sudden. Her thought were interrupted by the sound of Bentley clearing his throat.
"Ahem, Carmelita?" Bentley nearly croaked. "Um, do you think I could ask you something?
"Sure, go ahead, Bentley," Carmelita replied, sitting forward, leaning her chin upon the palm of her hand. "Now…what's on your mind, buddy?"
Bentley smiled, and despite his best efforts, blushed slightly at being called 'buddy' by the lovely Carmelita. "Er, um…it's about your weapons…you know, those canes that Sly gave you as a welcoming gift."
Carmelita nodded her understanding. "Sure, what about 'em?" she asked, her big brown eyes showing her interest.
Bentley couldn't hold her gaze long though, and looked away. "Um, yeah…er, right. Um, it's a question about your style, I guess. Now, do you always carry them in your hands, or have you figured out some other way to carry them somehow?" he inquired, just a bit dodgy, in Carmelita's book.
But, she put that down to Bentley being uncomfortable with talking with a woman…namely her. "Well, no…I usually just hold them in my hands, really. Why do you ask?" she wanted to know.
Bentley nodded, then went on. "Well, you see…that's what I thought too. Okay, look…the problem with that is that it could conceivably complicate matters on a heist."
"Hmm? How so?" Carmelita asked, looking over to Bentley for answers.
Bentley felt like a deer in a car's headlights again. Why did her gaze unsettle him so? he asked himself…and not for the first time either. "Well, Carmelita, it's like this…let's say you were…er, have to climb a pipe or a downspout. How could you manage that if both your hands were busy holding those canes of yours?"
"Hmm, I see your point," Carmelita mused softly, thinking. She had considered that…and that oversight concerned her. She looked over to Bentley then, hoping he had some solution to this problem. "Okay, that's a problem, all right. But, Bentley…what can I do? I have to have something to defend myself with, right?"
"Well, yes, you do," Bentley agreed, but then smiled in obvious satisfaction about something. "And, that set me to thinking…"
Sly interjected from the sink. "Thinking is what Bentley does…in case you haven't noticed, Carmelita," Sly told her. "Eh, not that I'm complaining…his thinking's gotten us all out of more than a few scrapes."
Bentley initially frowned, but his smile returned when he heard Sly compliment him. "Look, each of us wanted to give you something to welcome you to the Team, all right?" Bentley observed, waiting. Carmelita nodded, so he continued on. "Sly gave you those canes as his. I made you your own binocucom. So…this morning, Murray came to me with his idea of what his gift might be. And, I think it's a good one."
Carmelita was intrigued even further. After all, she told herself, what girl doesn't like receiving gifts? She grinned, and looked coyly over to Murray. "So, Murray…whatcha get me? Hmm?"
Murray's eyes bulged, and his cheeks went beet red, though he did smile and grunt on occasion.
Sly laughed. "Carmelita, you seem to have the oddest effect on my friends for some reason. Wonder why?" he mused aloud, grinning.
"Why…I haven't the faintest of ideas, sir," Carmelita professed, feeling the beginnings of a giggle forming inside of herself.
Bentley interceded for poor speechless Murray. "Hey, is it our fault that she's so pretty, Sly? Huh?" he demanded, then promptly blushed.
Carmelita erupted in giggles then, her eyes full of amusement. She controlled herself quickly though, and reached over to squeeze first Murray's hand, then Bentley's in thanks. "That was sweet of you to say, you guys. Thank you," she told them both.
Bentley tried to keep his face impassive, but failed…and he knew it. "Yeah, well," he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "To procure Murray's gift for you, Carmelita…well, we two need you to accompany us downtown this afternoon," he explained, looking over to Sly all of the sudden. "If that's all right with you, Sly?"
Sly waved to them, granting them his approval. "Hey, if it's all right with Carmelita…why, then it's all right with me, fellas," he told them, his eyes moving over to Carmelita's.
"Sure, I'll go," Carmelita consented. "When do we leave?"
"How's about right now?" Bentley suggested. "Oh, and bring your thieving outfit, as well as your canes. But, please wear your normal clothing, okay? We don't want you to get arrested before you've actually done anything wrong."
Carmelita got to her feet, feeling just a bit curious, and sort of intrigued by this invitation. "Right now? Well, give me a chance to brush my hair, and get changed, and you've got yourself a deal, chums!" she announced. "Back in a flash, fellas!" She dashed out of the kitchen and up the stairs to make her preparations.
"Thanks, guys," Sly told them after Carmelita had left. "It means a lot to her…you guys being so nice to her. I mean. She wants you both to like her very much," Sly said, nodding.
"Hey, she's aces with me, Sly…you know that!" Murray replied, finding his tongue apparently.
"Yeah, she's not so bad," Bentley added. "For a girl, that is…and an ex-Inspector…"
Sly sighed…knowing it was going to take time for Bentley to fully trust Carmelita. "Go on, then…have fun," he told them, grinning. "But…watch out for my girl, okay? I'm depending on you guys."
Bentley grinned over at Murray, who returned his proud smile. "Sure, Sly," he said, getting a nod from Murray. "She's safe with us two on the case, buddy!"
Sly nodded. "See you soon," he said, putting the last dish from lunch away. "Ah, I think I hear our fair teammate on the steps, guys."
"C'mon, you two!" bellowed the eager Carmelita at the front door. "Time's a-wastin'!"
The three climbed into the non-descript panel van the Team used for it's mobile operations. With Murray behind the wheel, they headed toward downtown Paris. It took only fifteen minutes before Murray deftly parallel parked the tan van in front of a small posh-looking storefront. Bentley was the first out, sliding open the van's door so Carmelita could exit. She stepped down, trying to get her bearings.
"Well," she stated after a moment. "I'm surprised, boys. This is the prestigious part of the shopping district." She smiled, then looked over to the marquee of the shop they stood in front of. "C'est Sing," she read. "Woo…now, I'm really impressed! This place is the height of fashion, guys!" She looked over at the two. "Are we really going inside then? Wow, that Madame Sing…she makes the most gorgeous clothes I've ever seen!" She shrugged, smiling. "Not that I could ever afford anything of hers…I mean, what with me on my Inspector's salary, and all…"
"Yep," Bentley informed her. "We're here. Hmm, let's say that Murray and I are, um, visiting an old friend of ours, say," Bentley told her rather mysteriously. He gestured to both Carmelita and Murray, and the three of them made their way inside the posh establishment.
Carmelita gasped softly once she got inside. The clothes inside were…just beautiful! Oh my yes! She walked along in a sort of a trance, gazing at the many outfits, dresses, suits, that lined the walls and hung upon the ritzy displays…following after Murray and Bentley. "Oh, wow…" she gushed softly.
Bentley moved purposefully toward the young, rather pretty cheetah girl behind the counter. It was a good thing that Carmelita was so in awe of the place…or she would of most likely frowned at the familiarity that two admittedly awkward bachelors showed at being in such a place. "'ow may I help you, monsieur?" she asked politely.
"Please inform Madame Sing that Bentley, Murray, and Ms. Fox are here for our afternoon appointment please," Bentley informed her.
"Oui," the cheetah replied, smiling at him. "Un moment, monsieur." She turned and left the three standing there.
As Carmelita move about gazing with admiration and not a little bit of envy at all of C'est Sing's wares, the tall, elegant cheetah girl returned…with someone in tow. A very beautiful Snow Leopard woman strolled gracefully toward them, her lovely face lighting up with a gentle smile.
Carmelita blinked upon seeing her. "Wh-Why you're Yuri Sing!" she gasped, then clapped a hand over her mouth in stunned surprise.
"Indeed I am, Mademoiselle," Yuri said with a chuckle. She then turned to Bentley. "Ah, Monsieur Bentley!" she gushed, her green-gold eyes lighting up in recognition. She extended her hand to him, and was happily surprised when Bentley---yes, Bentley!---gently took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"It's wonderful to see you again, Ms. Sing," Bentley told quite honestly, smiling at her.
Yuri felt a merry flutter in her stomach, but pushed it away. "Ah, and Monsieur Murray! How wonderful to see you again as well," Yuri proclaimed, and gave both Bentley and Murray quick friendly hugs, grinning softly when her actions caused both the men to blush in pleasure.
Carmelita couldn't help herself, observing the display, and the two blushing gents…and giggled.
Yuri blinked, then looked over into Carmelita's big brown eyes. Obviously, Yuri recognized her, but this, of course, Carmelita didn't understand. "So, my dear… exactly who might you be?" she asked politely, with interest.
Bentley smiled, making the introduction. "This is Mademoiselle Carmelita Fox, Madame Sing," he explained. He then looked comically to his left, then to his right. "She's the Cooper gang's first and only apprentice."
"Ah," Yuri replied, nodding knowingly, suddenly understanding just why they had come to visit. She turned to her cheetah assistant. "Could you be a dear, and watch the store for me, Naomi?"
"But of course, Madame," Naomi replied, bowing her head gladly.
"If anyone should ask after me…kindly explain that I am in a very important meeting," Yuri explained to the girl, who nodded.
"Oui, Madame," Naomi replied, bowed slightly, then went back to work.
"Come, gentlemen---and lady---we will be far more comfortable in my office, nes pas?" Yuri told them, beckoning for the three to follow her as she moved them all into her office. "Please, do sit down, my dears," she offered graciously, and indicated the plush sofa.
Carmelita did as she was told, and took a seat on the couch. As she leaned back, she was struck with the strangest feeling…as if she had been here, in this very room, before. But, that was absurd, she told herself, shaking her head, I've never been in the place in my life! "It's an honor to meet you, Madame Sing," Carmelita told her.
Bentley grinned, knowing exactly what Yuri would say next.
"Please," Yuri asked. "Do call me Yuri. All three of you." She cast a knowing look---and a mischievous one at that---to both Bentley and Murray.
Carmelita watched enviously as the graceful and elegant Yuri moved fluidly over and demurely sat herself behind her big glass-topped desk. "First, my dears, before we start, I think you should inform this young woman just who I am," Yuri said, meaning that they should explain about that infamous night.
Carmelita frowned, then snorted. "You're the famous Madame Yuri Sing, the most exclusive fashion designer on the Left Bank of the Seine. Everyone knows you!" she explained, not understanding at all.
"Yes, they do, Carmelita," Bentley said then, then cleared his throat…obeying the fierce look from Yuri. "However, Madame Sing---er, sorry…Yuri---here also has talents on the other side of the law as well…like procuring designer outfits for thieves like us as well."
"Really?" Carmelita intoned softly, hardly believing her own pointed ears.
"Really," Bentley assured her. "You see, we---I mean, Murray and me---meet Yuri quite some time ago. Um, around four weeks before Sly´s birthday party, to be exact."
Carmelita frowned again, did the math, then her left eyebrow rose questioningly.
Bentley continued quickly, thwarting her line of questioning. "Do you remember, Ms. Fox, when you woke up in Sly´s room, dressed in that dusky red outfit instead of your---er, ahem!---nightgown?"
Carmelita blinked, then frowned again. "Yeah, and I've been meaning to ask you two…did you---?" she began, only to break off blushing furiously. Did Murray and Bentley take her clothes off that night? Had they seen her…er, um, naked??
Bentley caught on quickly, and nearly gurgled! "No! No way!" Bentley yelped, blushing so furiously that his cheeks felt as if they were burning. "Ask Yuri! We didn't! C'mon, Carmelita…what sort of cads do you take us both for, huh?"
Carmelita believed them right off, and heaved a sigh of relief. "No, silly," she reproved them, grinning now. "What was about to say---before you jumped to conclusions, and I warned you about that, buddy!---was while we were on the subject of nightgowns…mine's still missing. Did you guys see it?"
"Ah, Ms. Fox. I believe that I might be able to decipher that particular mystery," Yuri declared with a smile, getting to her feet smoothly, going over to one of the many wardrobes in her office. She opened the door breezily, and after browsing through one of the sections, she exclaimed softly, and removed a turquoise plastic garment bag, and returned to where the three sat. "These all are yours, I believe, yes?" she said, opening the bag, and retrieving the three items within.
"Your jacket, I presume," she said and laid down Carmelita's old leather jacket, the one Bentley had stolen. "As well as your jeans, no?" she added, laying down her old pair of jeans. "Oh, and of course, one black nightgown…in your size, I do think, yes?" Yuri laid down the nightgown on the table too.
"Hold on one bloody minute," Carmelita demanded. "Just how in blazes did you get a hold of---?" Suddenly, it all clicked, and she understood exactly what was going on…as well as what had went on too!
"Yeah, Carmelita," Bentley said, very sheepishly. "We provided Yuri here pictures of you, as well as your clothes so she could make you that outfit for the night. So, that explains the jacket and jeans, okay? Now, as for your nightgown (and here Bentley blushed again!), look…we brought you here that night, the night of Sly´s birthday, so she could change you into your new clothes. Um, that is, uh…we two figured that we would, er, feel far more comfortable letting another lady do the undressing and dressing of you for that evening."
Yuri nodded, backing the guys' story up. "I will understand, cheri…if you are somewhat angry with the three of us, yes? However, all humbleness aside, dear, your outfit was some of the best work I've ever done," she said, looking at the flustered Carmelita. "Your outfit…if fit nicely, did it not? And it looked very good on you, Ms. Fox…did it not?"
Carmelita snorted, then shook her head. She should have been furious with the three of them…but, oddly enough, she wasn't. "Yes, Madame Sing, you did very well, indeed," Carmelita said. "I looked like a female Sly Cooper in that outfit of yours."
"Ah! Then my work was tres manufique then. For that was exactly what I had planned, cheri," Yuri said. "But, alas, that was then. This is now. What I am interested in hearing now is exactly why you are here---in my office again---yes?"
Bentley explained Murray's request, and as soon as he had finished, Yuri nodded, assimilating everything he had just said. "Ah, I understand now. You would like me to incorporate some sort of---what is the word I am looking for then?---holder? Holster, perhaps…for your new weapons then?"
"Exactly, Madame Sing! We---hell, I!---would greatly appreciate anything you could do to help," Carmelita said, nodding.
"Ah, but of course, my dear," Yuri replied demurely, smiling. "Oh, and cheri…please, do call me Yuri, hmm?"
Carmelita grinned, liking this famous woman more and more each moment. "Right. Yes, Yuri," she corrected herself.
"Might I assume that you have thoughtfully brought along these weapons of yours…as well as my initial creation too, nes pas?" Yuri asked, her exotic green-gold eyes gleaming with the upcoming challenge.
"Oh yes, Yuri…we have," Carmelita assured her, nodding again. She held up a garment bag of her own that contained her outfit as well as her canes.
"Merci," Yuri nearly purred. "Now, dear, there is a changing room over there," Yuri instructed and pointed to a far door. "Do be a love and change into the outfit, so that I can ensure these holsters that will hold these canes you require are placed just so, yes?"
Carmelita nodded her assent, and hurried over to the changing room, closing the door behind herself. After a few minutes, the door opened, and Carmelita re entered, wearing her criminal outfit, holding each of her canes in one hand.
Yuri smiled, liking what she saw, moving over to move around Carmelita, seeing her from every angle. "Mmm, it is always a pleasure to see some of my best work. Your outfit was a great challenge, you see, and as such, it give me great pleasure to see how delightful it looks upon you, cheri. You look stunning in my creation, Ms. Fox."
"Merci, Yuri," Carmelita replied demurely, softly blushing at the compliment. "Thank you."
Yuri smiled at her thanks, then waved a hand her way. "Ah, it is nothing, no? Now, my dear Carmelita---may I call you Carmelita?---let us see what I can do for you, yes?"
"Oh, yes!" Carmelita replied eagerly.