Well, I know it's been a long wait, but here's chapter 7.

Unfortunately, the peoples in charge of have banned me from responding to reviews. In order to respond I would have to do a long process of links I don't have time for. Sorry, but thanks for the reviews.

I don't own Sly, yadda yadda yadda, on with the story! Wait, the yadda yadda yadda's from Seinfeld, so I don't own that either...

Chapter 7 He's back

Carmelita first felt the golden rays of sunlight rest upon her cheek. She felt warm and welcomed, though she didn't know where she was. She soon came to wonder that and opened her eyes. She was in a small room that was almost bare, had it not been for the bed she lay on and a stool next to it. The room had one window, from which Carmelita could only see the sky. It was a fairly gloomy day, raining with endless gray skies.

Carmelita tensed at the sound of the door opening. She rolled over to face Sly, who had changed. His usual flirty demeanour was replaced with a deathly solemn one. He looked upon her, and the faintest trace of smile came on his face.

"You're all right then…" he whispered as he came and sat on the bedside.

Carmelita could not speak. Sly had always been the careless thief who would steal a part of her heart every heist. Now he stood before her full of nothing but loving care and worry. She could only nod, and except the kiss he gently laid upon her lips.

Her voice returned. "Sly, he's back. Robert's back. I don't know how, but he's back" She told him hardly above a whisper, tears slowly gliding down her cheeks leaving streaks of darkened hair.

"Shhh" Sly hushed her as he removed one of her tears with his finger. "Don't worry. We beat him once and we can beat him again." Sly comforted her ignoring the dreadful sinking feeling in his heart. How could Robert be back? They had a hard enough time killing him before. And what came back after they killed him this time?

Sly's thoughts were interrupted by Carmelita's hand stoking his chest as she leaned in closer to him. He knew they would face Robert eventually, but for now, they only had to worry about each other.

For a while, neither of them noticed the note sitting on the stool. The white paper seemed to glow. That's what drew Carmelita's eye to it. She slowly rolled over and reached of the bed to grab it. Sly watched her as she did, for her movement had attracted his attention. She opened the note slowly and both she and Sly read it.

Dear Sly and Carmelita,

You seem to be a happy couple. But rain clouds darken the horizon. The Lord has decided to let us come down to earth and help you defeat Robert. He did kill me after all. But our help is limited. For now, we can only tell you to have Bentley look up "The Book of Lost Souls", it will require a trip to your past, but we think you'll do fine. Make haste, for time is of more than the essence. For there are larger things than time working here.

It was strange, sure enough, but after seeing your boss be possessed by someone who you killed, anything's possible. Carmelita was about to rise when immense pain ran through her leg. She winced and fell back down upon the bed.

Sly stood from his spot on the bed. "You shouldn't move." he told Carmelita in a voice of pure concern for her.

Carmelita had no choice against this different Sly, for his sorrow tore at her heartstrings. "All right, I won't move. But you have to tell me everything you guys learn." She told him as she assumed a more comfortable position.

"All right my dear, I promise" he said in a still solemn voice, but a grin was back on his face. Not the Cooper grin, but a caring grin that made her wish he could stay with her. She let him go though, and fell back into her sleep within moments.

Sly slowly walked into the living room, where Bentley and Murray were. He paused a moment at their concerned glances before advancing to inform them of what he and Carmelita had learned.

Carmelita once more awoke from her sleep. She turned over and stared at the sky once more. The rain had ended, and now the sun was setting, casting a red haze upon the sky as it ran into the retreating clouds. But after that barrier of clouds the sky was an even better crimson color with dark blue cutting into it as the dusk turned into the night.

She also found she was hungry and thirsty. A problem soon solved as Sly escorted himself into her room with a tray that contained a fish fillet with a salad and dark chocolate pudding. He also toted some wine and glasses.

"You always now exactly what I need, eh Ringtail?" Carmelita said as she slowly shook her head.

"Only the best will do for my dearest love." Sly said as he put on the Cooper grin.

Carmelita quivered from that grin. It always had a way of making Sly even more irresistible. "Yep," Carmelita thought "he's back."

"So, are you going to tell me what you guys found out or not?" Carmelita inquired in a mock annoyed tone.

"A deal is a deal, I suppose." Sly said as he placed the tray on her lap and poured some of the wine into each of their glasses.

"So, as it turns out," Sly began "this "Book of Lost Souls" is located in one of the most guarded crypts in the old castle of our old friend, The Contessa. Even she and her guards couldn't get into it because of the traps and soulless guards inside." Sly paused for a sip of wine. "Bentley says that if it's our last hope for defeating Robert, we don't have much hope. But, if it is our only way of defeating Robert, we have to find it."

Carmelita thought on the subject. "I'm guessing you and I will be the ones going in there." She asked as she turned to look at Sly.

"Wrong, I'm sorry to tell you Beautiful. But I'm the only one going down there." Sly said with so much concern, Carmelita almost didn't want to argue with him.

"No, Robert's after me, so I'm going in there." Carmelita said as though it were final.

Sly stood up and walked to the window, and with his back to Carmelita whispered one thing.

"I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to you." Sly then turned around and avoided Carmelita's gaze as he left the room.

Carmelita couldn't help but wonder where this new Sly came from.

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