AN: Sorry i have´nt been uppdating lately. Atumn holidays just ended an school is wearing me down. Keep rewieving

Chapter 17

Kitty led the procession downstairs, a most satisfied smirk on her lips…followed immediately by a grinning Bentley, hand in hand with a softly smiling Yuri, then finally by Naomi, who was arm in arm with Murray, whose bemused expression spoke volumes.

"Yo, Sly!" Kitty thundered, as she made her triumphant entrance into the living room of the hotel. "Have we ever got some news for you, buddy!" she teased, stepping to one side, allowing the two couples in her wake in with theatric bow.

Sly chuckled at the goofy Kitty's antics, murmuring to Carmelita, who sat beside him, shaking her raven-haired head. "Got to hand it to the girl…she's got style," Sly admitted with a grin Carmelita's way.

"Yeah, style," Carmelita snorted, shaking her head. "Right, yeah, that's it…exactly."

Sly chuckled as he got to his feet, helping Carmelita to her own next. "Inspector Petro," Sly replied, catching Kitty's eye. "What's all the hullabaloo about, my pretty?" he added with a mischievous grin.

Kitty grinned at his flattery. "You'll never guess, Sly," she reported, grinning and arching one slim blonde eyebrow. "Never in a million years..."

"Ignore her, sweetie," Carmelita said softly into Sly's ear. She then turned her attention to the two couples beside Kitty. "So," Carmelita inquired, her smiling brown eyes flicking between Murray and Bentley. "You two enjoy my 'presents' then?" She grinned, noting each couple were shyly holding each others hands.

"Presents?" Sly questioned, giving Carmelita a look.

"Y-Yeah," Carmelita replied hesitantly, then smirked at Sly when she regained her courage. "None too shabby ones either, don't you think?"

Sly grinned over at the clever Carmelita. "I'll say, querera," he responded.

Bentley rolled his eyes at Carmelita's clever response. "Some how Carmelita…I'm guessing you already knew the answer to your question," he informed her, then looked up into Yuri's green-gold eyes, smiling. "Even before you asked it…"

Kitty chuckled, stepping forward…not liking to be ignored. "That's what I was saying, Sly," Kitty announced, brushing her bangs back from in front of her eyes. "Sly…I think that Bentley and Murray here have something they're just dying to tell you..." She turned and grinned triumphantly at the two.

Bentley turned to his long-time friend, but became so tongue-tied that he was forced to blush and turn away.

Sly grinned at that, and instead regarded the statuesque, and beautiful Yuri Sing. He doffed his hat to her, giving her a noble bow and his most charming of smiles. "Ah, I think I understand already," he told Bentley with a grin, eyeing Yuri with an most appreciative gaze. "Just who do I have the honor of addressing, O Scintillating One?" Sly professed in a very suave voice…that is, until Carmelita curbed his flirting with a very telling elbow to his ribs. Sly grunted, but winked Carmelita's way.

Yuri smiled her thanks, her amazing green gold eyes shining in appreciation. "Ah, Monsieur Cooper…we meet at last, it seems, no?" Yuri replied, gazing over at Sly appraisingly. She then turned her gaze to the fuming Carmelita. "Carmelita cheri, no need to glower so," Yuri chided her with a smile. "Your Monsieur Cooper may be a honey-tongued devil…but, I can see that he only has eyes for you, my sweet."

Sly grinned, nodding at the observant Yuri Sing. "See?" he told Carmelita, bussing her cheek affectionately. She knows what's what."

"You behave, Ringtail," Carmelita nontheless rebuked him, taking his arm a bit possessively. "Like I've told you before…I'm the jealous type." However, as she said this, she grinned.

"I am Madame Yuri Sing," Yuri then offered, moving forward to offer her hand to Sly, her slender wrist bent down. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Monsieur Cooper…in person. You are---how they say?---a legend, no?"

Sly suavely reached up to gently kiss Yuri's knuckles, squeezing her hand in the process. "The pleasure is all mine, Madame Sing," he replied, then frowned. "Say, if you go by 'Madame' Sing, then…does that mean that---?" he began.

Yuri tittered, and blushed a tiny bit. "How clever of you to notice, Monsieur," Yuri said, more than just a bit embarrassed. "And, to answer your question…no, I have never been married, Monsieur…despite my using the title of 'Madame'." Yuri then paused, looking apologetically over to Naomi, whose large amber eyes had gone wide a moment, then narrowed. "I apologize for the confusion, but alas…this is not a perfect world we live in, no? A single woman sometimes can attract the wrong sort of attention to herself, yes?"

Sly nodded. "Oh, yeah, Ms. Sing…I'm sure you've had your share of that," he opined, then flicked his gaze to his lovely Carmelita beside him. "As has my Carmelita. I don't blame you for your deception…you can't really be too careful now, can you?"

Yuri shook her blonde-haired head, her bangs swaying. "Alas, no, I'm afraid," Yuri answered. She then turned back to Sly, smiling thankfully. "Oh, please, Monsieur…do call me Yuri," she asked. "Any close friend of my Bentley is of course a friend of mine. And, Monsieur, friends are never so formal."

Sly nodded his assent. "All right…Yuri it is then," he replied. "But, I insist you call me Sly then. Agreed?"

Yuri blinked, but nodded her head, her smile lighting up the room. "Oui! I should like that very much, Mon---er, Sly," Yuri told him.

Sly then turned his attention to poor Naomi, who was quite unprepared for the force of Sly's personality. "Now," Sly said huskily, his brown eyes boring into Naomi's intently, a charming smile on his lips. "Just who might this third vision of loveliness be, I ask?" He turned on the Cooper charm big time, softly taking Naomi's quivering hand and pressing his lips to the back of her hand. He then looked up into her amber eyes, and smiled his most dashing smile.

Naomi nearly swooned, having to lay a hand on Murray's forearm to steady herself. "Monsieur, I---" she replied, her voice trembling, her big amber eyes blinking as she tried to compose herself.

"Sly!" Carmeltia barked, breaking his spell. "Didn't I tell you to be nice? You're scaring the poor girl…"

Naomi felt her heart pounding, and her cheeks were warm. "Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur," she stammered, looking over to Murray for support a moment, before returning her gaze to Sly's. "I---I am Naomi Rousseau, Monsieur," she informed him, giving him a shy---but adorable---smile.

Sly patted Naomi's hand, trying to reassure her, smiling a disarming grin this time. "I apologize, Miss," he said, giving Carmelita a clever little grin and a wink. "I sometimes forget myself in the prescense of such lovely ladies as yourself," he said grandly.

Now, Naomi giggled, her eyes warm and friendly. "Oh, you!" she replied, softly batting Sly's arm in rebuke. "Mon Dieu…but what a charmer you are, Monsieur!" She then grinned, turning her fair face to Murray. "Were you paying attention, cher?" she asked, smiling speculatively at him.

"Um," Murray mumbled, then shrugged. "Yeah, sure, Naomi. But…c'mon, there's only one Sly, you know," he protested.

"Thank goodness for that," opined Carmelita, who shook her head at her beau's antics. "It's tough enough dealing with just one," she offered, briefly closing her eyes wearily.

Sly laughed, pulling Carmelita to him in a one armed hug. "Admit it, querera…you wouldn't want me any other way," he posed to her.

Carmelita gave him a long look, then grinned, hugging him back. "All right, I'll admit it. You're a rogue, Ringtail…but you're my rogue."

Sly kissed her temple, then turned back to those assembled with them. "All right, we've all been introduced," he began, flicking his gaze to a most irate looking Kitty Petro. "Now, what's your news? And, you'd better hurry up…before poor Kitty over there explodes!"

Kitty grinned at Sly, then stuck her tongue out at him.

Bentley cleared his throat, looked once up into Yuri's lovely face, then looked back at Sly. "Well, Sly…" he started, pulling idly at his trademark bow-tie. "It's like this… Do you remember your last birthday party?"

Sly nodded, then looked lovingly over into Carmelita's bright brown eyes, saying, "Oh yeah, Bentley," he said, his gaze never leaving his lady love's. "I remember it …very well indeed."

Bentley grinned, pleased. "Good. Now, remember that red outfit we dressed Ms. Fox in that day?" he added, shuddering at the flinty glare Carmelita momentarily directed his way. "Sorry 'bout that, Carmelita."

Carmelita waved his apology away with a grin. "Already forgotten, Bentley," she assured him.

"Oh, I remember my Carmelita in her Reds all right," Sly said, gazing at Carmelita hotly, until she couldn't stand it any more, and turned away blushing. "Oh my, yes…"

"Stop that!" she told him, softly punching his arm, shaking her head.

"Well," Bentley continued. "Yuri was the one that created that, you see. And, it was during those weeks---when we met once a week, at least---that I, er, discovered, um, that…er, well, I…um, had…er, well, feelings for her, y'know?"

Sly grinned, pretending to leer at the lovely Yuri…until she blushed and looked temporarily away, grinning. "Hey, buddy…I get that. Your Ms. Sing is a real looker, pal," he told him.

Bentley smiled proudly. "Yes, she most certainly is. And a whole lot more than just her looks besides, Sly," he confessed, looking over to Yuri, whose eyes shone with warm affection for him. "Let me tell you…man, was I ever surprised when today, she came and told me that she had feelings for me as well!" Bentley shook his head, grinning over at Sly. "Can you believe that, Sly?" he demanded. "A girl like Yuri…and she loves me!"

"Congrats, pal!" Sly replied, moving over to give Bentley a quick hug of thanks. "She's a smart and lovely girl. Couldn't of happened to a more deserving fella…in my opinion, at least…" Sly grinned happily over at Bentley.

Yuri nodded her head eagerly. "Oui! That is precisely what I have been telling him, Sly!" she told him, putting her hands on Bentley's small shoulders. "But, does he listen? Oh no!"

Sly moved over to put his arms around both Yuri and Bentley. "Give him some time, Yuri," he suggested. "He'll come around. All he needs is the right person letting him know what a great guy he is, you know."

Yuri smiled graciously, kissing Bentley on top of his head, then she leaned over to thankfully buss Sly on the cheek. "Merci, Sly," she said softly, but with all her heart.

Sly then moved quickly over to where Murray and Naomi stood. "Okay, big guy," Sly prompted the nervous looking hippo. "What's your story?"

Murray looked over to Naomi, who looked back at him. "It is much the same as Madame and Bentley's tale, Mon---er, Sly," Naomi began, blushing softly and very prettily.

"Yeah, Sly," Murray replied, backing up his lady love's story. "I noticed---er, well, more than noticed---Naomi at C'est Sing---that being Yuri's shop, you know."

Naomi grinned, continuing for him. "Oui, and I noticed him noticing," she said cleverly, causing Sly to chuckle. "Oh, but we nearly allowed our fears and prejudices to keep each other apart. If it had not been for Kitty here…" Naomi stopped to put a very fond hand against Murray's cheek. "…my Murray and I would not be as happy as we now are."

"Well," Kitty then interjected. "That's a pretty good summary of things," she stated. "But…let me tell you how it really happened, Sly…" Kitty then proceeded to take Sly through the entire process of the two romances…in minute detail. "…and, that, buddy…is exactly what happened." Kitty grinned at the end of her tale.

"Well, well," Sly finally stated, after taking a few minutes to digest it all. "I can see you two---," he pointed to Carmelita and Kitty, "---have been very busy now, haven't you?' He laughed then, and hugged Carmelita, who grinned at his hug. Sly then waited a moment, watching for Kitty to be distracted, and then leapt over and pulled the startled vixen into his arms, pausing to kiss her cheeks again and again.

"Stop! Stop!" Kitty laughed, pushing futilely at the grinning Sly. "You matting down my fur!" Kitty then surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly back, before she released him and stood back.

"Thanks, Kitty," Sly told her truthfully, "for helping make both my pals so happy." He paused, then continued. "They haven't had an easy life. And, well, they---as well as I---have been alone most of our lives. I guess that's why I appreciate what you---and you too, Carmelita my love!---did for them both. That's just too good to be true. You're aces in my book, Inspector!" Sly then playfully chucked Kitty under her chin, noticing that her big blue eyes were beginning to glisten from barely suppressed tears.

"Ah, go on!" Kitty protested, waving her hands. "I didn't do anything that special." She looked over at the two smiling boys, and jerked a thumb their way. "They did all the hard work…I just…well, gave them a little teeny nudge now and then…when they needed it." Sly nodded, but then gave Kitty a big wink, which made the girl laugh.

"Now, gather 'round, folks," Sly announced. Carmelita snuggled in, ducking her head under his arm and wrapping her arm around his waist. Naomi led Murray closer, while Bentley led Yuri to gather around Sly and Carmelita. Carmelita, noticing that Kitty was slowly edging away, grinned and pulled the blonde vixen close, wrapping her other arm about her shoulders. "Bentley? Murray?" Sly asked them.

"Yeah, Sly?" they both answered.

"Never thought this would ever happen now, did we?" Sly asked, smiling a nostalgic smile. "Back when we were at the Happy Camper's Orphanage, I mean."

"Nope," Murray stated, squeezing Naomi's slender hand.

"Not a chance, Sly," Bentley told him, pressing his head to Yuri's side.

"Well, then, guys," Sly then said, a catch in his voice. "I guess it's official, huh?" He turned, kissed Carmelita warmly on her cheek, then upon her lips. "We're a family…finally. We're finally a family, guys!"

Sly's eyes brimmed with happy tears, and Carmelita---upon seeing them---pulled Sly to her, hugging him fiercely. Murray put one arm around Carmelita, then his other around Naomi. Bentley wrapped his one arm around Sly, his other around his Yuri…who pulled Kitty to her, her green-gold eyes tearing. Kitty hugged Yuri back.

Sly pulled away from Carmelita then, laughing, wiping at his eyes. "Hey, what's with me?" he asked aloud. "Here I am cryin'…when we all should be celebrating!"

"Oui, Sly!" Yuri proclaimed. "You are right, mon ami!" She then looked around at all of her new 'family', and felt a fierce pride in them all. "That is it…we are all going to Le Bistro Bourgeot---a favorite of Naomi and I---for a dinner…a family dinner. My treat!" she said.

Naomi then piped up. "But, Madame," she reminded. "Won't Monsieur Sly be recognized? I mean, I do not wish to ruin on everyone's parade, but…"

"No, no," Yuri replied, thinking. "You are right. Our Sly is a bit notorious." Yuri thought a moment, then grinned. "Ah, but I know the maitre'd there, and, I am certain that 'arrangements' can be made."

"Merci," Sly teased, gleaning a smile from both Yuri and Naomi. "Now, you gals are welcome to stay with us…long as you like."

"Merci," Yuri teased right back, causing Sly to chuckle. "Thank you for your generosity, Sly. Naomi and I planned to stay at least the entire weekend. However, come Monday…I do have a shop to run, you know."

"Oui, and I a job to perform," Naomi reminded them all.

"Well," Sly thought aloud. "That's not a problem. After all, we're only minutes away from downtown Paris…and isn't your shop, C'est Sing---oh, catchy name, that, by the way!---located downtown somewhere?"

Yuri grinned at his teasing, but nodded. "Oui, Sly. It is just on the outskirts of downtown Paris proper," she assured him.

"See?" Sly replied, nodding happily. "Not a problem then, right?"

Naomi winced then, but straightened and raised her hand to be noticed. "Pardonnez moi," she apologized. "But, would not Interpol or the Paris authorities realize that Le Hotel Champlain---which is supposed to be vacant, no?---is occupied, and being frequented often?" She blinked, hating to ruin the moment. "I simply thought it should be mentioned…"

Kitty nodded, frowning. "No, you did right, Naomi," Kitty said. "Yeah, even some of the dimwits I work with would eventually notice cars coming and going from here, you know." Kitty then frowned. "Say, what sort of cars do the both of you drive, anyway?" She then turned toward the two girls. "Nothing too flashy, I hope?"

Yuri laughed a soft laugh. "Oh, no…nothing too flashy, cheri," she teased. "Come, all," she commanded, getting to her feet, pulling Bentley with her. "You must see our autos…then you can judge for yourselves, yes?"

Yuri led them all to the hotel's garage. "And…here we are," she said grandly, sweeping her arm out to indicate the two cars parked there.

"Whoa," Sly gulped, then laughed. "Nope, nothing too flashy. Yeah, right, Yuri," he grinned.

Bentley smirked. "Oh no," he intoned. "Everyone drives a brand new, fire-engine red Ferrari F40. I myself have two or three, don't you know." He then turned back to Yuri's fiery red sports car. "I wish…"

"Oui," Yuri said with a grin. "He is my pride and joy. He cost me nearly a year's salary…but I don't regret a single franc." She softly rubbed the car's gleaming flank with one smooth fingertip.

"Wow…what sort of car do you drive, Naomi?" Murray asked, eyeing the bright yellow sports car parked beside Yuri's Ferrari.

"Ah, but I only drive her," Naomi replied, blushing. "She is Madame's other car, no? She is a Lamborghini, and a beauty she is too. Very fast. She is a Murcielago Roadster...as Madame so graciously put it once…a most fitting car for a cheetah."

"I'll say," Kitty gushed, rushing forward to nearly drool. "That puppy has a V-12 engine, and can do over three hundred twenty miles per hour! Oh, man…what a car!"

Naomi grinned proudly. "She is very lovely, no?" she asked hopefully.

"She is very lovely, yes!" Kitty agreed, then canted her head wistfully at Naomi and Yuri. "Um, there's not…um, any chance, er…that I might be able to…um, get a ride, is there?"

Naomi grinned at Kitty's enthusiasm. "Um, perhaps," she teased. "You do not mind, cher, do you?" Naomi asked Murray.

"Nah," he replied. "I'm too big to fit in that little car of yours." He grinned. "Besides, I prefer my van anyway…" It might not be either a Ferrari or a Lamborghini…but, the tan panel van was his baby.

"I understand," Naomi replied, sidling up to kiss Murray on his cheek. "He is not as flashy as my girl, but he can do things she could scarcely even dream of, no?"

Murray grinned, glad that Naomi didn't think badly of his old panel van. "Go on, girls…have fun," he told them both.

Naomi looked quickly to Yuri, who gave her a smile and a barely perceptible nod of approval. Naomi moved to the driver's side, while Kitty raced over to the passenger's door. Naomi opened the door, and sat down into the luxurious leather driver's seat.

Kitty sat into her seat as well, and sighed, breathing deeply of the leather smell inside the Lamborghini. "Aw, man…this is sweet!" she exclaimed softly. "C'mon, Naomi…fire this puppy up!"

"Patience, Kitty," Naomi replied, smiling. She inserted the key, and twisted. With nary a whir, the big V-12 rumbled to life, then set itself into a sexy purr. "Seat belts on, my friend. After all, safety first, no?"

Kitty readily complied, snapping the seat belt in place. "Hoo boy, this so so great!" she said, grinning from ear to ear.

"So, you like her too, no?" Naomi said, as she depressed the clutch and shifted the Roadster into gear. "What sort of car do you prefer, cheri?"

"None," Kitty answered.

"None?" Naomi replied, looking curiously over at her.

"Nope," Kitty said. "My preferred mode of transport is sitting on the back of Ling's big Yamaha, with my arms around his waist." She sighed, enjoying the memory of that feeling.

"Then, this shall be a treat for you, no?" Naomi replied, easing the clutch out and smoothly moving the car toward the garage's exit.

"Oh, yeah!" Kitty thrilled aloud.

"Punch it, Ms. Rousseau!" came a voice from the rear seats.

Naomi gasped and looked in her rear-view mirror. "Monsieur Sly? However did you---?" she exclaimed.

"You heard the man, Naomi!" Carmelita demanded. "Hit it!"

Naomi shook her head, smiling. She then looked over at Kitty beside her. "Shall I then?" she asked.

"You better believe it!" Kitty crowed.

Naomi nodded, eased the Roadster out on to the deserted street. "Hang on," she warned, then jammed the pedal to the floor, popping the clutch.

"Woo hooooooo!" Sly, Carmelita, and Kitty all screamed as the Lamborghini squawked its tires briefly before---with a throaty roar---accelerated like a bullet from a gun!