Sly Cooper
And
The Shadow Thief
Chapter Five: The Ball, the Fight, and Confessions
Last Time:
"I just want to say… thank you," Penelope said. "For what you did today back at Nyoka's party. You stopped Carmelita from shooting at us. And Bentley… he would have been really hurt if he had gotten hit… so… thanks."
"Anytime, Penelope," Merah said, smiling at her. "I didn't want any of you to get hurt. We're all part of the same team. That's why I did it."
They laughed together before bidding each other good-night. Though they had lost the book again, Merah, for some reason, couldn't feel happier. She had gotten on Penelope's good-side. Maybe the future with this team was looking up after all.
They were on the road again. Bentley was looking up information on the newest Organization member, Christopher. Penelope and Merah were talking about her RC chopper, Sly was asleep in the front seat, and Murray was driving.
"I found Christopher!" Bentley called to Sly, who was sleeping. He didn't stir. Bentley looked over at him and yelled, "Sly!"
"Oh, Bentley, let him sleep," Penelope said as Merah looked over at Sly, who had just shifted slightly in his slumber. "He's exhausted."
"What did you find, Bentley?" Merah asked, going to his side. Penelope followed her.
Bentley had actually discovered quite a lot on Christopher. Lord Christopher Dunford, to be exact. He had been born into a wealthy family, friends of the Queen of England, and after his father died, Christopher became Lord Dunford. His older twin brother, Nicholas Dunford, who was currently working as a cop for Interpol, was supposed to inherit the title, but he left to study law in America.
Christopher made his father's previous business expand greatly by donating many ancient artifacts to local English museums, which paid lots of money, and he was granted his own small castle by the Queen herself after he had saved her from a falling chandelier. He would be holding a ball in his newly-built new home, and many old and very rich aristocrats would be there to admire Christopher's newest 'archeological' gain, the Thievius Raccoonus. Bentley suggested to Merah, since Sly was asleep, that they should attend the ball together, and hopefully they would be able steal the book back without being too conspicuous.
Merah suddenly remembered the table she had reordered, and Nyoka making the comment that Christopher could only wish he could have someone to do with what Sly and Merah had been doing at the time of the recording. He must've been lonely. If she could trick him into showing her where the book was, maybe she could distract him while Sly stole it…
She ran this by Bentley, who listened carefully, and he nodded in agreement.
"That would probably be the best idea," Bentley said. "If you're willing to actually let yourself be escorted by Christopher…"
"I'm not willing," Merah said. "But if it'll get the book back, then I'll do anything I need to."
"Okay," Bentley said. "We'll run this by Sly when he wakes up. Murray, head for England, okay?"
"Sure thing, Bentley," Murray declared.
They were halfway to England now, and Sly and Merah had kept talking about the plan to steal the book back over and over until they, together, and with Bentley's help, had worked out all the kinks until it seemed flawless. Sly was feeling good about this next plan.
It was a while before they got to England, so the crew just chilled out for the remainder of the trip, relaxing, playing card games and board games, and having a good time. Sly didn't expect to ever in his life see someone beat Bentley at chess. But both Merah and Penelope had done it. Bentley was a little bit upset about it, but he quickly brightened up after Penelope gave him a kiss to make him feel better.
Even Guru seemed to be having a good time. He dazzled them with spells and 'light shows' with his moon-stone, making shapes and symbols in the air. Merah was really impressed by this, as with all her training for trying to become a thief, she never really took some time to herself to go see fireworks on festivals and such. Sly was happy she seemed so thrilled by it, and he made a mental note to himself for some reason that once they got the book back and found her brother, he'd take her somewhere to go watch fireworks.
"Here," Sly said, handing Merah a white box. "I bought you a dress."
They were in England now, and Merah was laying on one of the beds in the huge hotel suite they had decided to stay at, reading a book. They figured, if someone at the ball that night asked where two young people from France were staying, they would tell them the name of the hotel. Merah glanced at the box Sly held out to her, and then look at him, her eyebrows raised.
"You know I don't like dresses," She said, but sat up all the same.
"Ah, yes, but remember," Sly said, smiling. "This is a formal gathering, and dresses must be worn by women. And besides, you have to attract Christopher, don't you?"
"I suppose…" Merah said. Then she gave him a sideways look and said, "You bought me a dress?"
"Look," Sly replied, setting the box in her arms. "Just… go put it on, okay? We have to leave soon."
"Right," Merah said, getting up, and heading to the bathroom to change. "We're leaving… tonight… Aww, I don't want to have to be escorted around by Christopher."
"Why not?" Sly asked.
"He's… I dunno, I just don't… he's not my type." She said. Sly laughed.
"Ah, okay," He said.
"What about you, what are you wearing?" Merah asked.
"A penguin suit I sole two years ago for another formal party like this one," Sly said. He smiled at her. "Go get changed."
"Oh, yes, sir!" Merah said, and she gave a mock salute as she went into the bathroom."
Sly smiled when she closed the door, and he listened carefully for any sign of surprise at all. The dress he had purchased was in fact the same dress he envisioned her in at Nyoka's party, only it was navy blue instead of red. The blue suited her more, he thought.
Twenty minutes later, Merah called Penelope into the bathroom so she could help her with her hair. She sounded a little… whiney when she did it, though, and Sly guessed it was from the dress. He couldn't wait to see her in it though…
In the bathroom, Penelope admired Merah in the dress, giving her all sorts of compliments, even if Merah did feel really uncomfortable in it.
"I'm gonna kill him," Merah said after Penelope said how gorgeous she looked for the umpteenth time.
"Why?" Penelope asked, shocked. "He did a good job of picking it out. It suits you, and the size is perfect."
"I feel too exposed," Merah confessed.
"You look great," Penelope insisted, and she made Merah sit on a stool in front of the mirror so she could get to work on her hair.
Together, the girls decided to leave it down, for putting it up would ruin how nice it looked naturally. All Penelope did was brush it out, part it in the middle, for it was usually parted on the side, let her chin-length bangs frame her face, and put a light spray of hairspray in it. Though it was simple yet beautiful, Merah's hair was so long, nearly waist-length, that she couldn't do anything with it on her own except tie it back into a pony-tail which she did often. Heck, if Merah had her way, she would be going to this ball in jeans and a t-shirt.
After Penelope was finished with her hair, she left to see if Sly was ready while Merah looked at herself doubtfully in the mirror. She was still iffy about the dress… Sly had chosen a sleeveless dress with a plunging neck-line (yes, it was a little lower than she would have liked), and the smooth, silky fabric hugged her body closely, showing off her figure. Many people didn't know it because of the way she dressed, but Merah had a very willowy, hour-glass shaped figure, and this dress enhanced that. Then there was a slit up the left side of the dress that stopped a little higher than mid-thigh, and this showed off Merah's slender legs. Sly definitely knew how to pick a dress that would grab men's attentions. Probably because Sly was a guy who was grabbed by dresses like this, too. Yep, Merah decided. He was dead after this party.
"Sly's ready to go," Penelope said, coming into the bathroom. She was all smiles. "He looks really handsome! Come on out."
Merah took a deep breath as she stepped out of the bathroom, and she stopped when she saw Sly. Her heart started to thump hard in her chest. He looked… amazing! The tuxedo we wore made him looked sophisticated and regal. And when she noticed his reaction when he saw her, she blushed. He was staring, mouth slightly agape. Then he cleared his throat.
"You look fabulous," He said, smiling. She gave a small smile back.
"You do, too," She said. Then she noticed his bow-tie wasn't on strait, and she went up to him and fixed it. He gave her a curious look, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. She just smiled a little nervously.
"Sorry," She said. He laughed softly.
"It's alright." They stared at each other for the longest time. But then Bentley cleared his throat.
"You two better get going," He said. Merah glanced at Penelope, who winked at her. She smiled, and turned to Sly.
"Yeah, we'd better move it," She said. Sly offered her his arm, and she took it, and they left the hotel together. Bentley, Penelope, Murray and the Guru all watched them go together.
"You know," Penelope said suddenly. "There is definite chemistry between them. I wouldn't be surprised if they hooked up."
"I don't think any of us would be surprised," Bentley said.
At the entrance to the ball, Merah suddenly pulled Sly away from going in right away, and dug in his tuxedo pocket until she found what she needed.
"Penelope slipped these into your jacket for me," Merah explained. "I want us to be able to have contact with each other the whole time, even when we're separated. I don't want Christopher to pull any moves on me that'll get me into trouble."
"Understandable," Sly said, taking the ear-piece and mini-mic Merah held out to him. "You're taking a huge risk, willing to let yourself be alone with him. Thanks."
"It's really only to help your get your book back," She said. "And don't thank me just yet; I don't know if I'm going to screw it up."
After their mini communication devices were in place, and working, they proceeded once again together into the ball. Sly presented their invitations, which he had swiped from a young couple, and they made their way with many other pairs into the formal ballroom. Merah tried not to look too amazed when she stepped in, because she was supposed to look like she was used to being in big, elaborate places like this.
Classical music was being played by a mini orchestra in a corner, and there were people out on the dance floor, waltzing. The room was kind of shaped like a dome, he roof painted with clouds and cherubs, with the dance floor being in the centre, and a kind of walkway that went all the way around the room for people who were not dancing to chat and watch those who were dancing. There were two sets of stairs, one in front of Sly and Merah and one at the other end of the room for going onto the dance floor. There was also a kind of in-door balcony at the other end of the room where people were looking at artifacts Christopher was showing off. Merah wondered if the Thievius Raccoonus was up there.
"He's watching you," Sly whispered to her, and she looked at him questioningly. "Christopher. He's watching. He and some rabbit guy who looks like he's on steroids."
"Great," Merah said sarcastically, and Sly laughed.
"Come on, let's go dazzle him with some dancing," Sly said. "You can waltz, yes?"
"Surprisingly I can," Merah said with a smile, and she let Sly lead her onto the dance floor. The music had already started, so Merah let Sly take her right hand as she rested her left on his shoulder, and she felt his hand at her waist as they started to waltz.
"I thought you said you couldn't dance?" Sly questioned, though he was smiling.
"My mother signed me up for ballroom dancing classes when I was six," Merah said, smiling back at him. "It's just like riding a bike; you never forget."
"Well, that explains it," Sly said. "I thought you were just a naturally divine dancer from the beginning."
"Sorry," Merah replied. "I'm afraid I'm not that magical."
The waltz ended, and Sly gave Merah a kiss on the hand, his eyes never leaving hers. She smiled, and she took his arm again as they went to get something to drink.
"He's watching again," Sly observed. Merah didn't bother to look and see if he was right. She could practically feel Christopher's eyes. Sly then loosened his arm from her grip, and said to her, "I don't mean to make you feel like a trophy, but stand here and look pretty while I go get some punch for us. It may encourage Lord Dummy to come over."
Merah laughed at his remark, and waited for him to come back. And, true to Sly's prediction, Christopher did come over, followed by the muscular rabbit. Christopher was wearing a white tuxedo with gold thread pattern around the cuffs and collar. He looked like a duke with the way he had his chest puffed out. The rabbit guy was just wearing a plain tuxedo, but he looked like he was about to rip it off at any moment. Christopher gave Merah a dashing smile, and he took her hand, bending down to kiss it gently before introducing himself.
"Lord Christopher Dunford," He said. Then he directed to his friend. "This is my associate, Mister Bun-Bun."
"What a pleasure to meet you both," Merah said, giving an incline of the head to each of them.
"Excuse me, Chris, I'm gonna go talking with some men from the business," Mister Bun-Bun said, obviously not wanting to be around. He bowed to Merah, though she could tell he hated being formal. "Miss."
She bowed back, and then turned back to Christopher, who said, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of such a beautiful young lady?"
"Rachelle Lavoie," Merah answered, smiling back at him and giving a little courtesy. Both she and Sly had chosen false names for this party. He was Pierre Trouleau. "It is an honor to meet you, Lord Dunford."
"Oh, no, the honor is all mine," Christopher said. Sly came up at that very moment, carrying to glasses of punch. He handed one to Merah before giving an incline of the head to Christopher, who returned it.
"Thank you, Pierre," Merah said. "Lord Dunford, this is my dance partner for this evening, Pierre Trouleau."
"Monsieur Trouleau," Christopher, extending his hand to Sly.
"Lord Dunford," Sly said, shaking his hand briefly.
"I was, perhaps, wondering if I could possibly steal away your beautiful companion for a waltz, Monsieur Trouleau?" Christopher asked, glancing at Merah in a way that made her feel acutely uncomfortable.
"Of course," Sly said. "I don't mind sharing her. That is, if Rachelle doesn't mind."
"Not at all," Merah said to Sly, and she smiled at Christopher. "It would be a pleasure. Please hold my glass for me, Pierre."
"Of course," Sly said, and he took her glass from her. "Enjoy yourselves. Of course, I will be expecting her back before the end of the evening."
"You don't have to worry, Monsieur Trouleau, she's in good hands." Christopher said, and he offered Merah his arm. "Mademoiselle Lavoie."
Merah took it, and she let herself be lead out onto the dance floor by Christopher. Sly watched them go, and he felt a strange emotion that he had never felt before grip him. He felt suddenly angry that Merah was acting so… so cozy towards Christopher. Wait… was he… jealous?
Yes, he was. And Sly didn't like it at all. But why would he be jealous? He knew he had small feelings for Merah, but he never expected to want to go over there, and pull her away from Christopher.
Then he noticed something else that set him off. Christopher hand was awfully low on Merah's waist, and he was holding her so close…
Sly exhaled deeply, and he went to set the punch glasses down somewhere, so he wouldn't have to watch them. But he did watch them, because he had to know when Christopher was going to show her where he was keeping the Thievius Raccoonus. Then he remembered his ear piece, and turned it on, thankful to hear Merah's soft voice coming through it. He could also hear Christopher's voice, which was good, too.
"What sort of relationship do you and Pierre have, exactly?" Sly heard Christopher say, and he looked out at the dance floor, watching them, making sure he didn't try anything on Merah.
"Well," Merah said, sounding thoughtful. "I guess it's been a relationship that's strengthened over the time we've known each other. I'm very fond of him. He's like my best friend. I hold him in highest regard."
"How charming," Christopher said, but Sly picked up on the slight bit of annoyance in his tone, which made him smile. "Now tell me, have you been up to see my collection of artifacts this evening?"
"I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to yet, my Lord," Merah said. "Perhaps you would like to show me yourself?"
The waltz ended then, and Sly felt like he wanted to break something when Christopher kissed her hand, and then slipped an arm around her waist. He could see Christopher's hand roaming around her bare thigh. Why did he choose that dress?
"It would be my pleasure." He said.
"But I'm sure Pierre would love to see your artifacts, too," Merah said, pulling away from him. "Perhaps I should go get him?"
"We'll go get him after," Christopher said, pulling her close again, and leading her off to the balcony. "I want to show you something first."
"Really?" Merah said, sounding interested. "I'm curious to know what it is. Maybe my new escort would like to tell me?"
"It's a surprise," Christopher whispered into her ear. She gave him a flirty smile, and let him lead her. Sly was about to go over there and yank her away when Merah looked back to look for him, and when she saw him, she gave him a distressed look. Sly tapped his ear-piece lightly, indicating for her to turn it on, and he saw her reach up to her ear.
"I'm right behind you," Sly said into the mini-mic that was attached to the collar of his jacket. "You're doing a great job, by the way. Truth be told, I'm getting a little jealous."
He saw her give him a smile, and he smiled back, before casually pushing his way past some people so he wouldn't loose Chris and Merah.
Sly followed behind at a good distance so it wouldn't seem like he was following, and saw Christopher lead Merah up a flight of stairs that lead to the balcony where all of his artifacts were displayed. He heard him tell her about some of the artifacts, like where it came from, and its history. But Merah kept insisting on seeing his newest gain.
"I heard from some of the guests that you've recently obtained a new book," She said to him. "A historical artifact that dates back all the way to ancient Greece."
Of course she was talking about when Socrates and Lucien first started the Thievius Raccoonus.
"Ah, yes," Christopher. "It's over here."
He lead her over to a glass cabinet where the book was being held, and Sly, who had climbed up the stairs and was now pretending to examine the remains of some ancient pottery, whispered into the mini-mic, "Get him away from the book, and I'll grab it. I can see from here there's a small little door that I can pull it out of."
"It's such an interesting object," Merah was saying. "I've never seen a leather-bound book as well preserved as this."
"The, uh, minerals of which it was found in helped kept it in good condition." Christopher said.
'Liar," Sly thought bitterly.
"Fascinating," Merah said. Then she started to fan herself with her hand. "My Lord, would you mind if I stepped outside for a moment? It seems to be getting very warm in here."
"Of course," Christopher said, and he followed her as she walked to an outdoor balcony into the cool night air. People who had been standing out on it before had just left, and everyone who was on the indoor balcony had gone down to the ball again.
Sly silently and slowly crept past the balcony that they were standing on, but he had to stop when he saw that Christopher was stroking Merah's arm. He could see the uncomfortable look in her eyes, but otherwise, her face looked emotionless. He felt bad for her, and selfish. She was putting herself through the torture of letting Christopher follow her around, and she was doing it for him, Sly. He continued forward a bit, but not looking where he was going (he was too busy making sure Christopher wasn't trying to force himself on Merah), he bumped into a stand that was holding an antique vase. Luckily Sly managed to catch it before it fell, but it made a clattering sound which Christopher heard.
"What was that?" He asked, and was about to look back and spot Sly when Merah suddenly grabbed him by the collar, and planted a serious kiss on him. Sly only stared in astonishment and… shock, and… anger. What the hell was she doing!
Merah looked at Sly while she was still kissing Christopher, and she pointed to him, and then into the direction of the book, indicating for him to go get it while she 'distracted' Chris. And then she winced slightly when Christopher's hand slid its way down her backside, but she didn't do anything about it. Sly was too furious to do anything. And then, to make it all worse, Carmelita showed up, wearing the same dress she had worn two years previous as Rajan's party when he was showing off the Clockwerk wings. She had her shock pistol aimed at Sly, and she smirked at him.
"Hello, Cooper," She said. Sly just looked at her with no expression, finally having managed to pull his gaze away from Merah and Christopher.
At Carmelita's words, Christopher pulled away from Merah so fast to look at Sly. Then his eyes widened in anger, and then he looked at Merah, who had already backed away from him. He was furious, for he knew now that she wasn't really Rachelle Lavoie, and he also knew that Sly wasn't really Pierre Trouleau. He was about to slap her, but she kneed him in the stomach, and ran away from him. At the same moment, Sly shoved his way past Carmelita, knocking her gun out of her hands, and he and Merah ran for the exit. They ran until they were back at the van, which is where Bentley had told them to meet up with the rest of the team. Merah spat on the ground after they reached it, and then she wiped her hand over her mouth.
"That was disgusting," She whined. "I still can… fell that perverted jerk's lips against mine."
"What the hell did you do that for, anyway?" Sly demanded, losing his temper. Merah stared at him in disbelief.
"I was giving you a chance to get the Thievius Raccoonus back," She said defensively. "But you were to busy gawking and Chris and I to get it! What was with that?"
"I didn't expect you to kiss him," Sly said. "So, sorry if I was a little bit too shocked to do anything."
"I didn't want to kiss him," Merah said. "I had to kiss him! If I didn't, he would've seen you, and we would have been busted."
"We're busted anyway!" Sly said. "But then, if you didn't want to kiss him, that still doesn't explain why you didn't do anything about the fact that he kept touching you--"
"Why do you even care?" Merah demanded, cutting him off. "I would have thought you would get mad if someone was doing that to Carmelita!"
"Don't start with that again!" Sly ordered. Merah gave him a shove.
"Why not?" She asked, pushing him again. "It's true. You would have been beating on the first guy who dared touch her. Am I right?"
"Why do you care if I would?" Sly asked, blocking her hands so she wouldn't push him again.
"I don't care!" Merah shouted.
"Then why are you making such a big deal about it?" Sly asked.
"I'm not!" Merah yelled. "I'm making my point."
"What point?" Sly yelled. "The fact that I have feelings for Carmelita? Yeah, I do, okay? I admit! I have feelings for her! So what?"
"This is exactly what I'm talking about!" Merah yelled. "I'm just the pastime until you find the hobby! You are such a sleazy player!"
"If I'm such a sleazy player then, why do you keep freaking out whenever I so much as mention Carmelita?" Sly demanded.
"Because I love you!" Merah yelled. Then they both froze when they realized what she just said. Sly just stared at her.
"What…?" He managed to say weakly. Tears had started to form in her beautiful blue eyes, and she rubbed them in annoyance, trying not to burst into tears.
"You heard me," She said thickly. "I have for a while now. So now you know how I've felt every time you've gone off to see her, or when you talk about her."
She glared at him before a tear escaped her eye, and when this happened she turned away from him, and started to jog away.
"Where are you going?" Sly called.
"None of your business!" She yelled back, and Sly could hear that her tears had started to flow freely now. He sighed, and leaned his forehead against the side of the van. He had messed up big time… he felt so… horrible… Getting angry with himself, Sly punched the side of the van hard, and then went and pounded on the back doors. They opened, and Penelope poked her head out curiously. She smiled at him when she saw him.
"Hey, Sly! How'd it--" She started off happily, but then her face fell when she saw his expression and when he pushed past her without a word. "Hey… what's the matter?"
"Nothing," Sly said flatly, pulling off his bowtie and throwing it on the ground.
"Where's Merah?" Bentley asked. Sly sighed. He had hoped they wouldn't bring up that subject.
"She went for a walk," He said said, and after he had taken off his tuxedo jacket, he left the van again, and climbed up onto its roof. He just sat there for the longest time, staring into space, and then he buried his face in his hands. He couldn't deny it any longer. He'd known it since the beginning of tonight.
He was in love with Merah. And after that fight, he was sure she would want nothing to do with him, now.
Merah had run as far as she dared, for she knew, even if she didn't want to, she'd have to go back eventually. She was still crying, and leaned her forehead against a tree, bringing her hands up to her face so she could sob into them. Why did Sly love Carmelita? Why? She didn't understand it. She didn't understand his infatuation with her. And not understanding it made her hate it. She punched the tree, wanting it to feel the same pain she was feeling… like her heart had been ripped from her chest. She just wanted to die. It's not like Sly would care if she did, anyway…
She cried for a long time against that tree. She didn't know how long. Half an hour, maybe? But it felt like so much longer. She wiped her eyes with her hand, and then looked up at the sky. The stars twinkled distantly, but she had to look away from them, because two particularly bright ones reminded her of Sly's eyes. The way the twinkled in amusement, or when he laughed. She hated how she couldn't get him out of her head.
Suddenly, she heard a clicking sound behind her, and she turned her head around quickly, surprised to see Christopher there. And, to her horror, he was holding a gun, aiming it directly at her. She could see the crazed look in his eyes. He was furious. His clothes were torn a bit. He must've had one heck of a time trying to get away from the cops.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's not nice to play with a person's emotions?" Christopher muttered darkly. Merah knew she was in trouble then. Christopher pulled the trigger, and she heard the sound of the gun go off. She threw herself to the ground, dodging the bullet, but she felt it clip her in the side. She put a hand on her waist, and then quickly scrambled to her feet as Christopher took aim at her again. He was crazy! He was trying to kill her!
Merah never thought she'd be so happy to see the cops at that moment. A male fox, who looked very much like Christopher, tackled him to the ground. After he handcuffed him, the guy stood up. Merah could see he wore a brown trench-coat
"Good to see you again, Chris," the guy said, smiling. Merah heard the American accent from him.
"Nicholas," Christopher said bitterly. "You've always wanted to throw me in jail, didn't you?"
"Only whenever you've done something bad, little bro," Nicholas said, but that was all Merah heard. She needed to get back to the van. That bullet had hurt her a lot more than she thought…
Sly was still out on the roof of the van, just staring up at the sky miserably. Bentley used the boost on his chair to get up there, too, and he wheeled over next to Sly. They didn't look at each other.
"You two had a fight… didn't you?" Bentley asked quietly after a while. Sly sighed.
"I'm surprised you didn't hear it," He said just as quietly. "We were yelling pretty loud."
"What happened?" Bentley asked.
"I got mad at her for kissing Christopher," Sly said.
"Wait—she kissed Christopher!" Bentley shouted.
"Yeah… so he wouldn't see me when I went to get the book," Sly said. "But… but I didn't go get it. I don't know, Bentley… when I saw her grab him like that, and just… kiss him… It hurt to watch. I wanted to die, disappear right through the floor."
Bentley nodded. "You like her, don't you?"
"I love her," Sly said. "But I screwed it up. She's right; I am a sleazy player. I kept flirting with her. And then I'd start to talk about Carmelita, like she was the greatest thing…"
"She doesn't seem so attractive anymore, then?" Bentley said.
"Oh, no, Carmelita is beautiful," Sly said. "It's just… Merah had been there to help me this whole time. And Carmelita's been trying to throw me in jail for years. We're on opposite sides of the law. I thought about it, and… I came to the conclusion that it just wouldn't work."
"But you're going to try to make things right with Merah again, right?"
Sly shook his head. "No… I wouldn't be surprised if she's already quit the team… I screwed up. And now I'm paying for it."
Bentley patted Sly on the shoulder. "You'll make up with her. I know you will."
"Thanks for the confidence, Bentley," Sly said. "Listen, I think I'd just like to be alone right now. Get my mind around it all."
"Okay," Bentley said.
"Thanks, pal," Sly said. "I'll come back in soon."
Bentley left him alone, and Sly was left staring out into the night. Then he heard something, and he tried to peer through the darkness to see what it was. Then he recognized the dress…
"Merah?" Sly said, hope gathering in his chest. His hope was quickly taken over by fear when she suddenly collapsed to her knees. "Merah!"
He rushed over to her, and he heard her panting heavily. She was shaking badly, and Sly could tell it was hard for her to breath.
"Merah, what's wrong?" Sly asked, taking her shoulders. She slowly took her hand away from her side, and Sly gasped when he saw the blood. Her hand was soaked in it.
"Christopher…" She muttered weakly. "Ambushed me when I was alone…" She took a deep breath. "He aimed his gun at me, and I tried to dodge it, but it clipped me… I didn't think the injury was that bad, but…"
"Shh," Sly shushed her, and helped her get to her feet. She fell against him, and he immediately scooped her up into his arms. "You'll be okay. Try not to talk."
He went to the van, and kicked the back doors. Penelope opened them again, and she gasped when she saw the blood on Sly's shirt, and Merah looking like she was about to pass out at any second.
"What happened!" She asked in alarm, opening the other door for him.
"She got shot," He said, gently setting Merah down on the floor. "She needs help."
"Oh, no…" Penelope said. She went to Merah's head, and gently touched her forehead. "Merah… Merah, is the bullet still there?"
"I…" Merah coughed. "I don't… know…"
"I'll have to see," Penelope said. "It'll be worse if it's infected."
She went and got some plastic gloves from the first-aid kit that was in the van, and she also came back with what looked like a big pair of tweezers. She helped Merah roll onto her good side, so she, Penelope, could see the injury well.
"Okay…" Penelope said softly to Merah. "I'm going to see if it's still there… this will hurt, so be prepared."
She gently prodded the injury that was just above Merah's hip, and as soon as she did, Merah let out a pained cry. Sly grabbed her hand, and gently stroked her hair. He leaned down, whispering words of comfort in her ear. He could feel her shaking. She was scared. Sly was, too. She had lost a lot of blood, he could tell, and he didn't want to lose her… not to death.
The Guru came over then, and said something to Sly before gently touching Merah's forehead, and chanting a spell. Merah's eyes slowly drooped closed, and her breathing slowed greatly. The Guru had put her to sleep. Penelope set to work again, and five long minutes later, she pulled out something small and silver.
"She was lucky it didn't hit any vital organs, or anything," Penelope said. "She'll be fine. She just needs rest. And bandages. I'll have to ask all guys to leave while I patch her up."
Sly didn't want to leave Merah, but he did anyway after Penelope promised him he could spend all the time he wanted with her after she was done bandaging her injury. Sly paced anxiously outside, and then he leaped into the van before Penelope had a chance to open the door all the way. He went strait to Merah's side, and was thankful to see that Penelope had put a blanket over her, and gave her a pillow.
"She'll be okay, Sly," Penelope said, patting him on the shoulder. "She just needs sleep."
"Thanks, Penelope," Sly said. "For taking care of her."
"I wouldn't have done anything else," She said, and went over with Bentley again as Murray started up the van, and drove it to a safer spot. The cops would probably be coming by to look for them, so it was necessary to move.
Twenty minutes later, when they were out of Christopher's area, Murray parked the van in a secluded spot. Everyone was tired, and they all needed sleep. Especially Sly. But he was too wired even though he was exhausted. He wanted to stay awake in case Merah woke up and needed something. Everyone else got out blankets and pillows, and they all lay down in the back of the van for sleep. Penelope tossed sly a blanket and pillow, too, but he didn't use them. He just leaned against the wall of the van, looking down at sleeping Merah, stroking her hair.
A long, long while later, just as Sly was about to fall asleep, Merah started to stir, and he was immediately snapped awake. She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, and then winced, and grabbed her injured side. Sly gently and carefully set a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey," She said softly. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, and muttered groggily, "Water."
Sly went and got some for her, and he helped her hold the glass to her lips. She finished the whole thing in one gulp, and Sly took the cup away as she rubbed her eyes.
"Where am I?" Merah muttered, looking around.
"The van," He whispered. "Everyone's asleep."
"Asleep?" Merah repeated. "What happened?"
"Guru put you to sleep," Sly explained. "And you just woke up now. Penelope removed the bullet and bandaged you up. She says you'll be fine, you just need rest."
Merah nodded, but didn't say anything. She was staring at the floor, forcing herself to not look at Sly. He noticed this, and gently lifted her chin to make her look at him. He saw her eyes were brimming with tears.
"I'm so sorry for whatever I've said or done to upset you all this time," Sly said softly. "I didn't want to hurt you."
"Too late for that," Merah muttered.
"Okay, I deserved that," Sly said. "But… Merah, I'm so sorry. I am so sorry; you don't even know how bad I feel… especially since it's kind of my fault you got hurt… I made you run off. If we hadn't gotten into that fight, you'd be okay."
"What are you trying to say, Sly? I'm tired," Merah said. Sly lifted her chin again, because she was looking down again, and he used his other hand to gently comb his fingers through her hair.
"I'm trying to say that I want to make it up to you," He said. "And… and that I love you. I really do. No joke."
"You… you do?" Merah asked, her eyes wide. Sly smiled at her as an answer. She took a deep breath, and then smiled back at him, putting a hand over the one he had rested on her cheek. Sly leaned in closer then, and gently kissed her. But it wasn't like the kiss he had given her while they were eaves dropping, or when he kissed her to 'see something'. This was a loving kiss. And Merah could tell he wanted it feel that way. He wanted it to be full of love.
They kissed for a while longer, and then just cuddled together, eventually falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, when Penelope, Bentley, Murray, and Guru woke up, the first thing they all did was make sure Merah was alright. And Penelope actually laughed when she saw her laying there with her head on Sly's shoulder. They were both still sleeping soundly, and they all felt it could be cruel to wake them at such a peaceful time.
"We were right," Bentley said to Penelope. "They did end up together."
A/N: Sweet chappie, no? I especially loved typing this one out! It was so much fun!
R&R! See you next update!