Sly Cooper

And

The Shadow Thief

Chapter Seven: Inspector Nicholas Dunford

Last Time:

Eventually, as it always does, one thing lead to another. Neither of them had planned to go very far. But they had.

Sly couldn't help but feel a little bit worried, though. If they had conceived a child, it would mean more danger in this whole mission. He just hoped that everything would stay the same at least until after they bagged the Master, and got the Thievius Raccoonus back.

Carmelita was still shaking as she walked back to her car. She had seen Sly and Merah on their way to the Eiffel Tower, and she thought she could arrest them when they were oblivious. But then… she saw the start of their 'act', and had to turn away. She ran back down the stairs from the roof of the building she was standing on, watching them, to the bottom floor. And now she was next to her car.

She couldn't believe that… that she had witnessed them going at it. And on top of the Eiffel Tower! She definitely felt scarred. And a little bit saddened by it. With no emotional ties, she started to doubt if she would ever get married, and have kids. She knew that after Sly and Merah had done the act showing unconditional love that they would definitely end up getting married and having children. And who knew? Maybe nine months from this day, there would be a child. But Carmelita was still upset about it. She thought she would drive for a long time to get her mind off of it. She pulled the latch on the car door.

It was locked.

She felt her pockets for her car keys.

They weren't there.

She looked in the driver's side window.

There were there in the ignition.

"Oh, come on!" Carmelita yelled, kicking her door. It dented. She gave an aggravated scream. "What the hell did I do wrong? Why does nothing good ever turn out for me!"

"Carmelita?" A voice said, and she turned to see a car that had just parked behind hers. The driver had just gotten out, and she recognized him instantly. Nicholas Dunford. He was wearing is brown trench coat, as always. She crossed her arms.

"What do you want, Nick?" She asked.

"Well, I saw you looking distressed, and I thought I'd come over to help," He replied. His gentle voice seemed to calm her a little bit. But she didn't let her guard down. It wasn't the first time men from the office had tried to hook up with her. She had refused every one of them. But then again, maybe that was the reason she had no emotional ties…

"Well… thanks for the offer, but I think I can deal on my own," She answered. Nick just gave a small laugh.

"You are you going to unlock your car?" He asked. Carmelita blushed.

"I'll…. Figure that out," She said defensively. "Eventually."

"Here," Nick said, and took his car-keys from his pocket, and tried to fit them all into the lock. The last one fit, but not perfectly, though he did manage to turn the lock. Now it was only the task of getting the keys free from the lock. Carmelita watched him, and had to smile when he couldn't get them free.

"Way to go," She said. Nick glanced in her direction, and tried again, this time getting them free. She laughed a bit.

"Well," Nick said. "Hopefully I didn't bust the lock. But there you go, your door's open."

"Thanks," Carmelita said honestly. "I'm just wondering how the key actually managed to fit in there."

"I have the same kind of car," Nick explained. "Certain keys fit all of the door-locks. It's just a fight to get them in and out."

"Ah, I see," Carmelita said. "Well, thanks again."

She moved to climb into the car when Nick suddenly grabbed her arm. She turned to look at him, and she caught sight of his brown eyes. They reminded her forcefully of Sly, and she turned away quickly.

"There's something wrong," Nick observed quietly. "Anything on your mind?"

"Nope," Carmelita lied too soon. Nick raised a brow.

"Nothing… at all?" He asked.

"Nothing," She answered, looking him in the eye.

"Something is definitely on your mind, Miss Fox," Nick said seriously. "You look sad."

"I'm not sad!" Carmelita yelled.

"Okay, now you look sad and angry."

"It's Sly Cooper, okay?" Carmelita shouted at him suddenly. "I just witnessed him and his new… girlfriend getting busy on the roof of the Eiffel Tower."

"Getting busy… as in…?" Nick started. Carmelita glared at him. "OH! Oh, okay. Wow. That, uh… that must've been weird."

"Just a bit," Carmelita snapped in a sarcastic whisper.

They were quiet for a while. Then Nick said, "You're jealous."

"I am not!" Carmelita yelled.

"Then why are you so upset about it?" Nick asked. "You said so yourself Cooper was nothing more than a criminal. Why does it bother you so much he spends his time 'getting busy' in public places?"

"It… doesn't bother me…" She answered hesitantly. Did it, though? Why was she making such a big deal? Oh, right. Because she was feeling lonely with herself, that's why… She sighed.

"Okay, okay," Carmelita answered. "I… I've been feeling a bit lonely for a while, and… it's starting to get to me."

"So you want someone to drag you up to the roof of the Eiffel Tower, so you can get it on with them?" Nick asked. The look Carmelita gave him was enough to make the biggest, meanest, scariest, toughest man ever shrink in fear. Nick gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, okay, um… I guess that's a no."

"I just…" Carmelita sighed. "I just don't like the loneliness, that's all."

"If it bothers you so much," Nick started. "Why don't you go out with one of the guys from Interpol? I know lots of them would be happy to go out with you."

"They're all weenies."

Nick had to laugh. "So the Princess is picky. That's why you have no emotional ties, Carmelita; you turn down every man who dares approach you."

"They only want me because they think I look good," She answered. "I want someone who likes me for me."

"Maybe there are guys who like you for you," Nick said. "But you've just turned them all down on assumption that they only like you for your looks. Try going out with a few of them and see."

He did have a good point. Carmelita smiled at him.

"I never thought I'd be taking advice from an overly self-confident idiot like you," She said fondly, crossing her arms over her chest. Nick smiled.

"And I never expected a hot-tempered hag like yourself would even bother to listen to it in the first place," He replied just as fondly.

"Thanks, Dunford," Carmelita said, opening the door of her car. "For your help. I owe you."

She got into the seat, as she as she was about to close behind her, Nick stopped it with his hand, saying, "Uh… Carmelita… would you… come to dinner with me? You could repay me that way."

Carmelita considered it for a moment. She looked Nick over. He was incredibly handsome with a strong jaw, gentle eyes, and a dashing smile. He was strong, too. And a good cop. He had a great personality, gave good advice… What the hell.

"Where are we going to go, then, Nicholas?" She asked.

"We're, uh… you mean... tonight?" He asked.

"Well, we're both already out," She pointed out. "So… we may as well."

Nick raised a brow. Then she smiled. "Follow me; I think I know a good spot."

Carmelita got out of her car; she made sure she took her keys out of the ignition this time, locked her door, and followed Nick to his car. She got into the passenger side, and he drove off down the street.

She had smile. At least something went her way today.

A/N: Aww… She found someone! Nicholas is originally the guy Merah was supposed to end up with in my own little universe. But I figured… Hey, Merah's a thief, Sly's a thief, and they're both raccoons… let's pair them up!

Hope you liked this! Sorry it was short. R&R!