A/N: Sorry for the long wait and any spelling/gramatical errors but here it is. Now onto the story.
Previously on Mobsters Meet thieves:
"Stefan said green. So I'm cutting green, "
"No, " she said, grabbing his wrist.
They wrestled for the knife for a few seconds when there was a knock on the door.
"Oh sh-, "
break break break
Caroline quickly took off the lid to reveal the mystery item. She looked in the box and disappointment filled her.
"Seriously!"
Stefan looked in the box. In the center sat a small flash drive. He reached his hand in there and with a small tug pulled the flash drive out.
Immediately bright red lights began to flash and the sound of blaring horns filled the air.
"Oh, sh-"
"I'm cutting all of them, " Damon spoke quietly.
"No, it doesn't work like that," Bonnie opposed, but it was of no use when he snipped all of the brightly colored wires in half.
"Damon, " she chastised, thumping him on the arm.
"It's better than nothing," he offered.
"You have no idea how the security system will react-"
The sound of knocking interrupted them yet again. They remained tight-lipped until the next knock that was paired with a voice.
"Mrs. Shepherd?" the voice called.
"It keeps getting better and better," Damon quipped.
Bonnie hushed him," I'll answer the door. You deal with the body," she pointed towards the man in uniform laying on the floor.
"What do you suggest I do with him," he countered as she made her way to the door.
"In the bathroom, quickly," she ordered, hand on the brass doorknob. "Oh God help me," she let out a huff then opened the door.
"Ah, Mrs. Shepherd nice to see you," the woman behind the door said with a strong British accent, as she pulled Bonnie into a tight squeeze.
"Pleased to see you as well," Bonnie replied.
The women stepped back and Bonnie took in the woman. She was tall and slim with strawberry blonde hair. She had red square glasses and bright purple lipstick. She donned a brightly colored, patterned dress paired with a large brown fur coat. On the left was a small name tag reading Cheryl Dubose.
Bonnie knew Caroline was present the poor girl would spontaneously combust upon seeing such fashion faux pas. She suppressed a rising chuckle from the very idea.
"Mrs. Dubose to what do I owe this visit?" Bonnie asked, trying her best to stay in character. She was no professional actress, causing large distractions being Carolines fortay, but she could certainly hold her own.
"Oh, I am no longer Mrs. Dubose. Frank and I divorced again. Didn't I tell you,"
"Must have slipped my mind,"
"But just call me Cheryl, 'Ms' makes me feel old," she insisted, waving a hand around.
"Hm, Mrs. Shepard you look... different, " Ms. Dubose observed squinting behind her large square glasses.
"Um,"
"Your eyes are a dark brown last I recall,"
"Contacts," Bonnie answered as she subtlety glanced away, avoiding further eye contact. That's when she noticed the two bodyguards standing outside the doorway.
Turning her head away from that direction Cheryl was now right in front of her.
"Mhm," Ms. Dubose nodded. "They look dazzling darling,"
"Thanks but uh... I'm actually pretty busy right now you should-" Bonnie began.
"-Oh dear, what happened to the cameras," Ms. Dubose said walking towards the monitors on the desk.
"I have no idea I was just gonna have someone check on them," She replied gently ushering the woman towards the door.
"Shame," Cheryl frowned. "Well, I'll leave you to it," Ms. Dubose was nearly at the door when she turned around.
"Oh I just remembered, I just wanted to personally invite you to my yacht for,"
Will this woman ever leave Bonnie contemplated letting out a breath.
Thump
"AHHHHH," Cheryl let out a deafening holler. At the same time, the two bodyguards pulled their guns out of their holsters and Cheryl took protection beside them.
Bonnie quickly twirled around to see the body of the guard Damon was supposed to be hiding sprawled out in the bathroom doorway. Not a moment later Damon exited said bathroom.
"I don't remember seeing him when I was in there," Damon shrugged, gesturing towards the bathroom.
Bonnie looked from Damon to Cheryl, quickly calculating any possible solutions. Unfortunately, it was not long before Cheryl's lakkies began to fire.
Bonnie and Damon immediately dove behind the large office desk for cover.
Not too long after, intense chatter erupted from the doorway and footsteps increased.
"I think there's more of them," Bonnie expressed peering around the desk. At the door now stood about ten guards' weapons evident. Her revolver held about six bullets. She could easily take out half and Damon the others.
But no, murder is off the table. It would only draw more attention.
"It's too risky to kill them all," Damon spoke up as if reading her mind. "But I have an idea,"
She gave him a curious look.
"Give me your gun,"
"What?!"
"We have to go. Now!" Stefan said, grabbing Caroline's hand and rushing towards the door.
He peered through the peephole and saw a few guards standing outside. Caroline's hand still in his, he rushed to the back exit.
Seeing that they were in the clear he pushed open the door and the two took off down the hall. After turning a few corners Stefan felt something tug him back.
"Guards, " Caroline murmured.
He nodded and let out a breath, his heart racing from the situation. Taking in his current surroundings he noticed they were at a dead end.
"I think somones' coming this way," she spoke up.
"Do you think we could take them?" Stefan suggested.
"All I have are my knives and you only have your handgun, Let's try to avoid that," she answered sharply.
"Who's there?" a voice bellowed through the halls.
"What should we do?" Stefan looked to Caroline
"I don't know," she retorted.
"What do you mean you don't know? You are notorious for these types of things," He gritted out.
"Usually, I'm sufficiently armed," she spat back.
Footsteps began making their way towards them.
"Oh my God, " Stefan breathed out, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Kiss me! "
"W-what," he stammered
"Just kiss me," she repeated in a lower voice.
The approaching steps only grew louder.
Ultimately, he had no time for a rebuttal before her lips crashed against his.
At first, he was startled at the sudden feel of her warm lips against his but soon began to relax into the kiss. Her arms rested around his neck. Naturally, his own hands moved to wrap around her waist.
Her lips moved against his soft and commanding while he remained slightly hesitant. Thoughts ran through the back of his mind about what to make of all this. She hated him. Well, hate was a strong word, more like disliked. Or did she. He was pretty fond of her and he assumed vice versa. But it was pretty hard to tell.
They first met barely a week ago, completely intent on killing each other. Now they were working together to stop a common enemy... and apparently kissing.
This was not a part of the plan.
The sound of a throat being cleared interrupted his running thoughts.
Caroline slowly pulled away from the kiss but her hands remained on him.
"Oops, babe you said no one would catch us here, " she said, giving Stefan a swat to his chest.
The guard frowned looking between the two.
"Uh..." It took Stefan a moment to catch himself "Sorry, date night, " he shrugged.
"Uh... right... just... ah clear out of here. There's been some security system malfunction and this area is restricted, " The guard explained.
"Sorry man," Stefan said to the guard. "Let's go... uh honey," he directed at Caroline tugging her hand.
"Wait, " the guard directed his hand now hovering over his gun holster. "Why are you two wearing gloves?"
Stefan looked down at Caroline and his joint hands covered by the black latex gloves they used while searching the lab.
"Uh..." Caroline started up her rebuttal.
The guard quickly pointed his gun at her at the same time Stefan directed his handgun at the guard's head.
"Drop the weapon," Stefan warned.
The guard didn't move.
"Drop it!" Stefan pushed the nozzle of the gun towards his temple.
The guard flinched at the feel of the cold metal and released the weapon from his hand. It hit the ground with a clunking noise and Caroline scrambled to pick it up.
Just then his pocket radio rang.
"Captain speaking 10-45"
Caroline reached for the radio and held it as a voice spoke. "Clear,"
"West wing 10-22," another voice said.
A moment of silence
"Unit 4 do you copy?" The first voice they assumed was the captain spoke again. "Unit 4?"
"Answer them, " Stefan directed as Caroline held up the radio to the guard's face.
"Unit 12..." the guard began, "reporting 10-32,"
Caroline pointed the gun in her hand towards the guard. "Tell them 10-22 right now!"
"Unit 12 confirms 10-32," the captain stated.
"I-" the guard stuttered as the color in his face began to drain in fear.
"I'll blow your head off before they get here disregard the message now," Caroline repeated. Her knowledge of police codes was very useful during times like this. She knew 10-32 was for 'man with gun', 10-22 to 'disregard message'. The codes differ among departments but are usually the same. However, why the guard didn't call a 10-33 for immediate emergency backup was beyond her.
"10-22 false alarm, " the guard quickly spoke into the radio. Ultimately realizing there was no way to survive two pistols pointed at his head.
After restraining the reluctant guard with his own handcuffs Caroline and Stefan strode through the familiar halls heading back to the main room of the penthouse. The sound of the orchestra could be heard as they made it just outside the room's doors.
"Caroline, " Stefan took her arm.
"Yeah, " she turned to face him.
Stefan wasn't sure what he wanted to say. What he should say. If he should even say anything at all. All he knew was that he wouldn't be able to get that kiss out of his mind any time soon.
"Um..."
"What? Is there something on my face? Is it my hair?"
"No never mind, " he said, opening the door for her.
"Thank you, " she gave a half-smile as she entered the large room. Stefan in following.
Consequently, shrieks filled the room as a security guard crashed into one of the podiums, and of the victim of what seemed a harsh push.
Running in came Damon and Bonnie weapons in hand. A few guards followed.
The room was now silent as patrons observed the surrounding scene while a butler tended to the injured man.
"What is the cause of this!?" The host, Mr. Shepherd shouted.
Cheryl spoke up from beside her entourage, "That one is an imposter, " her point moved from Bonnie to Damon, "and the other killed a man, "
The audience gasped and small chatter erupted.
"Killed? Come on I only temporarily knocked him o-"
"Quiet." Mr. Shepherd directed "Security, " He pointed towards the accused.
"Wait, " Bonnie began.
"Stop them," A man in a suit came running into the room from the elevator entrance. He pointed towards the rear of the room near Caroline and Stefan's spots.
"They stole your- arg!" His accusation was cut short by a knife impaling his chest courtesy of Caroline.
He dropped to the floor as screams erupted yet again as patrons began pushing and shoving towards the nearest exits. Amid the commotion, Caroline and Stefan managed to make it to where Bonnie and Damon stood. Unfortunately, still surrounded by a few guards.
The four were easily able to fight them off just enough to make it to the elevator exit.
"Wait my knife," Caroline exclaimed, preparing to run.
"Leave it," Stefan tried to hold her back but it was too late.
The elevator was starting to close and could only be held for so long.
That's when Bonnie slipped through the closing doors, "Get the cars ready," she said upon her departure
"Wait," Stefan called but the elevator doors shut too soon.
Bonnie ran back into the chaotic room to see Caroline kneeled over the man with her knife in his chest. She yanked it out and the guard let out a low grunt. Using the tie of the man to wipe away the excess blood she pocketed the knife then looked up to see the brunette standing over her.
"It's been in someone's body," she stated.
"It can be cleaned," Caroline returned.
Bonnie gave her a hand to help her up and they rushed out of the room unnoticed. Heading straight for the elevator Bonnie pressed the down button about a dozen times before the elevator finally arrived.
"Hold the elevator," a man called running towards them.
He entered and pressed the button for the forty-fifth floor.
Bonnie and Caroline stood quiet at their places on the right of the elevator facing horizontal from the door. The elevator lowered one floor down and in came one man in a suit. They further descended and reached the forty-fifth floor. In came three men this time one in a suit and two security guards.
Just as the elevator was about to close Bonnie put her foot between to stop the doors.
"Isn't this your stop?" She asked the suited man who first joined them in the elevator.
"As a matter a fact," his hand reached in his pocket, "It's not,"
"Bad decision," she shook her head.
The man pulled out his gun but Bonnie grabbed his hand and twisted it back causing him to lose his grip on the gun. She then slashed the side of his throat and pushed him out of the elevator, the doors soon closing behind. At that action, a suited man put her in a headlock from behind and she used the same bloodied knife to stab him in the hand prompting the man to quickly release her.
Guard one fired his weapon towards her only succeeding in indenting the elevator door. She grabbed the tip of the gun and directed it upwards just as he released another bullet, bursting one of the elevator lights. The stray glass fell leaving the brunette victim to multiple cuts. She kicked the guard and he fell back landing on the emergency stop button. The elevator jostled and the suited man then knocked her harshly toward the left and cuffed one wrist to the handrail of the elevator.
Simultaneously suited man number two and guard two tried to restrain Caroline. They each pinned one of her wrists to the wall as guard two grabbed his handcuffs and bound both her wrist. The elevator jolted to a halt, someone must have pushed the emergency button.
Caroline used the momentum to headbutt suited man two causing him to stagger back then landed a kick in his shin. Next, she used her cuffed hands to strangle guard two. Once suited man two regained his balance he swung his fist at Caroline's face. On instinct, she veered to the side causing him to strike guard two in the face. From the strangling and that last knock, he was out. Caroline began to move her cuffed hands from around the unconscious man's neck when suited man two threw another punch. This one catching her off guard and bruising her cheek. She was pushed to the near side of the elevator now shoulder to shoulder with Bonnie.
The two suited men and two guards stood at the right side of the elevator weapons pointed towards the ladies.
Suited man one hit the emergency stop button putting the elevator back in motion. Both Caroline and Bonnie tried to silently communicate a plan unsure of what to do next. With one was bound to the wall and the other with both hands restraint there wasn't much they could accomplish.
A second later the elevator stopped. Everyone turned to observe the opening metal doors revealing what could be assumed a mother with her young child in an olive green stroller.
The dark-haired mother looked across the elevator taking in the scene. She then took a step back offering an awkward smile "I'll catch the next one,"
Unknowingly to the rest, this was just the distraction Deux Lamort needed to get the one up on their attackers.
In the lobby stood Stefan and Damon. After retrieving their cars from the valet they parked them further down the street and away from the hotel's front cameras. The brothers then returned to the hotel in the event they might be needed for backup.
"Tone down the brooding I'm sure they can handle themselves," Damon reassured a worrisome Stefan who was checking (his very recently gifted watch) for the fourth time.
Ding
Damon's words proving true the elevator sounded upon its arrival. The doors slid open and stepping over the unconscious (or dead it was difficult to tell) bodies on the elevator floor came their two partners in crime.
Bonnie stepping out of the elevator first had a few cuts on her right arm and one under her eye victim of the glass. Her heels were in her hands the glimmering silver now covered in spots of red. The same dark red spots running up the side of her dress. Caroline stood beside her. The blonde's once fair-skinned cheek was beet colored with a bruise... Her previously pinned-up curls had fallen across her shoulders and there was a long tear on the right arm of her lace sleeve.
"We're fine," Caroline held up a hand as the brothers both opened their mouths to voice concern at their appearances.
"But my feet are cold so let's go," Bonnie added, moving towards the exit.
The group quickly made their way out of the hotel ignoring the many stares and down the street.
Damon, not one to deny his curiosity spoke up. "What happened to your shoes?"
"I'll be more than glad to demonstrate," Bonnie shot back.
"What's your problem?"
"You nearly got me killed!" Bonnie exclaimed recalling Damon's plan back in the office.
"Did not!"
"You used me as bait!" She shouted.
"The plan worked didn't it!?" He returned in the same volume.
"Yeah, the plan you came up with last-minute that nearly got me killed,"
"You're exaggerating,"
"Are you kidding me,"
Caroline and Stefan stayed quiet as the two went back and forth until they reached the cars.
"I'm riding with Stefan," Bonnie announced climbing in the back of Stefan's car before he could speak.
"Couldn't care less," Damon hollered as he slammed his car door.
Stefan and Caroline climbed in the car, took the front seats and pulled off soon behind him. The ride between the three was tense as Stefan stared at the road in front contemplating life, Caroline farted over the bruise on her face in the small car mirror and Bonnie silently fumed with anger in the back seat.
Once at the apartment, everyone retreated to their rooms with no interaction in between. Unless counting Bonnie's attempted assault at Damon with her high heels.
Caroline sat with Bonnie and sat on her bed as she applied a bandage to Bonnie's largest cut on her arm.
"Remind me to never shoot a lightbulb," she said with a chuckle.
Caroline let out a giggle then laid back against the headboard and held an ice pack to the side of her face. "What a night," she sighed.
In a dimly lit room sat the short-haired brunette woman in a grey desk chair, staring at the television screen in front of her.
"-tragedy struck tonight at Dr. Shepherd's exclusive technology exhibit in Manhattan," the news anchor began. "One couple originally thought to be guests stole one of Dr. Shepherd's newest inventions. While another pair attempted to steal documents from his office. It is unclear if both parties were working together,"
The camera turned to Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Zeroni in the Penthouse of the Waldorf Astoria Building, the aftermath of the event could be seen behind them on the screen in broken glass and thrown over furniture.
"Who do you think would want to steal from you, Dr. Shepherd?" The news anchor held the microphone towards him and began her query.
"Well, you can never be entirely sure. When you establish an industry such as mine you will always attain enemies along the way-"
"They must be spies..." Dr. Zeroni cut in grasping the microphone, "working for the Ranger Tech companies in Europe who wanted to get their hands on my new work, " Dr. Shepeard cleared his throat.
"I mean our new work..." Dr. Zeroni corrected himself, "...before its timely release. The CEO of Ranger Tech, Mr. Bonjay has always been jealous of my- our companies technological advancements so it's obvious-"
"That should be them," the brunette woman spoke.
"Why do you say 'should?' " The bald man raised to question.
"They work alone. You heard the news it was two pairs that may or may not be working together,"
"Maybe they've aligned themselves with one of the many enemies of Elegen," The bald man proposed.
"Perhaps they have,"
"You've been on this case for years and have no record of them working with others correct?"
"Aside from, in the beginning, that is correct,"
"So what does this, " he pointed at the television "...mean?"
"Good news for us, " a sly grin formed on the woman's face, "Deux Lamort is most likely losing their game,"
A/N: I absolutely loved writing that Steroline scene. My goodness is writing Bamon angst fun. Sorry, but I had to. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Remember ya'll can ask the characters question like I said in the last authors notes. Just a fun thing to make the story more interactive for you guys. Thank you so much for reading and stay tuned in for more.
Reviews: To Rhi, Joanie's Daughter, Estu and Tonia thank you for the reviews and for the kind words i'm so glad you're enjoying the story. Dj thank you I try my best to keep them in character but also add my own touch.