Disclaimer: I own not, you sue not?

Authors note: I am so sorry it took me so long to update. But don't' worry it's nothing personal to my thief lord story, because I didn't update my harry potter one either.

Catarina realized that the only way she was going to get Scipio to let her track the smugglers was if she was very careful about what she said.

She gave herself a silent pep talk while Scipio wandered around the room, examining their old home.

'Get a grip Cara, you have a fabulous lead. You are fabulous.' And as an extra precaution, 'you have fabulous shoes and purses! What more do you need to convince this silly man in front of you to let you help him dangerous criminals? You are successful!'

Reassured, Cara ventured "Scipio? Hey, can I ask you something?"

Scipio turned to her with a humorous glint in his eye and said "seems to me that you just did."

Cara was confused. "what do you mean? I asked if I could ASK YOU SOMETHING!"

Scipio smirked at her. "yes you ASKED me if you could ASK something. Get it?"

Catarina rolled her eyes. "Whatever Scipio. I wanted to ask if it would be all right if I kind of… well… helped you with your smuggling ring."

There was a definite gleam to Scipio's eyes this time. "Provided that I let you write a big long story for Venician Times once we've finished, I suppose."

Catarina was tempted to skirt around the truth and say that she was just doing it for the experience or some other such false hood, but then she remembered, yet again, that with Scipio, the truth was the best route to take.

"Well, yeah. But only because it's the kind of story I need to move up. And also because, well, because I just found you after like ten years and I don't particularly want to lose you now."

Scipio's amazing smirk was back. Along with it he had one eyebrow arched above the other. Catarina had always wondered how to do it, she remembered spending hours in front of mirrors when she was younger, trying to succeed in what Scipio was doing effortlessly. She had never succeeded. His eyes seemed to be laughing as he replied

"Yeah, all right you can come. Just let me do the dangerous stuff, kay? And I really think that it was I who found you, don't you think?"

Even though she was basically indebted to him, Cara found her self a little incensed with Scipio. "Of course I'm not going to let you do all the dangerous stuff alone. I'll have everything equal, thank you much. And by the way, as I was the one to walk in the door, I found you. So don't' try to think your better than me"

There was a definite glint in Scipio's eyes as he came closer to her and put his hands on her waist.

"Oh I know that I'm definitely better than you."

And then he kissed her.

He looked down at her and said, with a reluctant impressed acceptance in his eyes this time and said

"in some things anyway."

Thank You's:

Miss Lady Maurader: thanks for review! Yah I just started your story and I really like it… I haven't gotten to chapter 5 yet, because I wanted to get this up but I will def. be reviewing.

Cassiopeia Black: I really thought that this was an obvious pairing when I read the book, but that's because I like tall dark strangers or something… no idea… why exactly.. is it you that has the story about the three Black sisters?

Child of Blood: (looks sheepish) sorry. Oops I did it again! … thanks for the review!

Asterisk Truly: I'm trying to keep on!

Spectrorial Warder: I'm sorry the way I told it was confusing, but I'm glad you liked it. That's…. nice that you are used to reading fanfiction and reviewing… what website? I do have fun writing though!

Ayla: More Scipio arrogantness coming up! (that's cause I adore books where the male lead is arrogant.)

Blueicedragon129: I'm glad you like it. Yah, my friends make me hyper too.

Schizophrenic Squirrel: I see…. How do you act when you DO HAVE SUGAR? I heart this pairing!

Kinokokichigithing: sorry, your name is very confusing, I'm glad I made you happy enough to throw a party! Amazing the way a story that has the pairing you want and the specifications you like can make you want do some thing crazy!

Isley: thanks for the spelling… thanks for reviewing!

Rainbowkneehighsox: I'm glad you love it! That makes me happy!

REVIEW! Oh and I've decided that the name of my story is kind of lame, so if anyone can THINK OF A NEW TITLE, PLEASE review and tell me!