Greeting everyone. This is my first fanfic about Carmen Sandiego. English isn't my mother tongue, so sorry for the mistakes.

Hope you'll like happened during season two. Our dear Chase managed to be back on stage sooner.

Cartoons characters do not belongs to me, disclaimer for all the fanfic.

I can't believe it.

" Ack ! Glurgh ! Gaaaaasp !"

I … am lying on the floor … my body hurts so much.

" Nnnngh gwaaaah !"

My whole life is passing before my eyes. I can't believe it. I can't move.

A voice near her. It's the one who inflicted her this pain. The one who managed to ambush her, and finally took her down. A white foam is coming from Carmen' s mouth.

Didn't know I could produce so much saliva.

Carmen couldn't hear what the woman above her was saying, but she couldn't care less. The young woman moaned. Unable to move, she was lying here. Steps resonated, a song too. Sandiego's sight was getting blur. Another voice came to her ears, with a mocking tone.

Get lost, I don't want your voice to be the last thing I'll hear.

The reality hit her. The last thing she'll hear … that's right. She has been poisoned. She came here in France, in the famous town of Nice, to keep VILE's agents to steal roman's remnants then sell them back at the black market. It would have granted them a nice gain. But she failed. Carmen retrieved the agents in charge of the case : Lady Dokuso and that damned Paper Star. The stupid girl lured her here with the objects. While fighting her, Carmen didn't notice Dokuso's presence. The woman known for her poisons cut Sandiego with a long hairpin. And on the ground she was. Her contact with Player has been severed by one of Paper Star's origamis, which almost cut her ear in addition of her cheek. Not to mention her phone, properly crashed.

I'm going to die … here … VILE has won.

Fear rushed into her veins. But it wasn't of any help. She couldn't move. Aaaah, what a pity. There was still a lot of places she would have loved to discover. Carmen coughed. Dokuso was still here, informing the organisation about her success. Paper Star already left to bring back the fruit of her larceny. Carmen winked her eyes. This poison was so painful. She just wanted to close her eyes and get over with it. This time, it was really over. Game over for Carmen Sandiego.

I still don't know anything about my past.

A tear ran on her cheek. Carmen's body convulsed, she rolled on her back. The sky was starry. Her eyelids were so heavy.

Come on … hold on a bit more … Zack … Ivy … will come. Player must have alerted them already.

A loud sound reached her.

Now what ?

Something fell near her. Carmen was trying hard to not close her eyes. A silhouette appeared. Was there someone coming to her ? That was a silhouette indeed. Everything went dark.

"Player ! Player we have a problem !" called Ivy.

"What is it ? Did you find Carmen ?"

" No, and that's the problem. We're just here where you told us she'd be, but there's no one." replied the ginger-haired girl.

" She mustn't be far. Look for her quickly, I'm afraid she has been poisoned." replied Player.

"Zack is looking everywhere but there's no tracks of her. Can't you localize her ?"

" No, her device is out of order, probably during the fight."

" I still can't find nothing apart from her hat." announced Zack.

" Impossible … could it be that they brought her with them as a proof ?" advanced the hacker.

" Oooh I hope not ! Send us Red drone, and check the whole place." asked Ivy.

"Right away."

The little red sphere arrived and immediately scanned the area, the bushes and streets around. Player also used all the cameras around to localize their friend. But as minutes passed, nothing allowed them to know where Carmen Sandiego was. Player hit his desk with his hands. How could this be ?!

" It can't be !" moaned Ivy.

" Sis … don't tell me … that this time, we lost her for good." made Zack, very worried.

His sister turner her head to hide a tear. It was impossible. It should be. Carmen never lost any fight, nor failed any mission. Thus they believed her invincible somehow. She was stronger than any agent of VILE. Carmen always came back from everything.

"No. We WILL find her no matter what, even if we have to take her corpse back from those scoundrels." decided Ivy.

" I … I'm going to call Shadowsan. He must be aware of all this." intervened Player.

" Alright. We'll continue to look for her. Maybe she's hiding somewhere waiting for us to help her."

Ivy exchanged a look with her brother. It was like they didn't believe they could retrieve Carmen on time. But they had to try, they couldn't just give up now. So they pulled themselves together and continued.

Meanwhile, farther than where the gingers were, a door was brutally opened.

" Put her here." made a voice.

The room was dark, but light quickly enlightened it. Carmen was put on a bed.

" Show me what you picked up."

" There." replied another male voice.

" Thanks, you're sure about what you're heard ? It's very important to know what the poison is made of."

" Certain."

" Okay. I'll sample a bit of her blood. You meanwhile, will give her what to stabilize her."

A moment later, a syringe took blood from an arm, a sample from her wound as well. Just when Sandiego began to struggle fiercely.

" Stop her from moving !"

Two firms hands caught her wrist, keeping her from clawing her face, and pinned her on the bed.

" Ngh ! She's quite strong."

"Hold on, I'll fetch ropes or something."

In her unconsciousness, Carmen send her feet and hit the person.

" Ouch ! Hey hurry ! You … you'll stay put for once !"

And to literally sit astride on her.

" Nnnngh waaaaaah !" yelled Carmen.

" Are you stuck somewhere or what ?" called the man.

" Here here. I just had to fetch some bread while on my way."

" You should have asked, I would a give one hell of a bread in your face. 100% craft."

" Hahahaha ! Glad to know you didn't lost your humour."

They tied Carmen with bed sheets.

" That should do. Now, to that antidote."

They went to the table in the middle of the room. Carmen was still struggling like a savage beast. It appeared she was also having dreadful hallucinations.

"I really hope you tied her tight enough."

" I hope too."

"And in how long you'll have that medicine ?"

" Faster if you don't interrupt me."

So for a while, only Carmen could be heard moaning. From time to time a towel wiped the sweat wetting her forehead. Finally, three hours after the cure was found. Carmen slowly calmed down.

" Is she safe ?"

" Yes. However since it was a rare poison, you'll have to administer her the cure three times more, to be sure her body can eliminate it completely."

" Perfect. Thank for your help."

" No problem. Do you have somewhere to bring her ?"

" Of course, as soon as possible we'll leave."

" Wait until morning."

One of the men watched over Carmen until dawn where he gave her more of the cure. The after a fast breakfast, he carried her to his car.

" I'll be in my familial house. I'll call you as soon as she's awake." warned the one.

" Won't be before a few days, I'm afraid." replied his friend, leaned on the frame of his door.

" Alright. See you soon then."

The other one waved while the car roared. The trip lasted three hours and twenty minutes. Sandiego was put in another bed. Later in the day, she tried to open her eyes. But the light was too strong and she immediately closed them. As for thinking, it was like impossible. She also fell asleep right after.

The next morning, she managed to opened them a bit. She could feel something fresh and wet going and coming back on an arm, then the other.

" Oooow my head ! What … what happened ? What's going on ?"

There was someone here. If only her sight was clear. Carmen blinked.

" I think it's someone … I know."

Aaaand back to sleep. Ever since the cure was first given to her it took her three days to completely wake up.

" Wha ?! Where … where am I ?"

The Argentina looked around. The room was diving in darkness.

" Ugh, I have vertigos." thought Carmen, a hand on her head.

That's how she remembered everything. The fight, the poison … she was alive. She's been saved.

" Looks like Zack and Ivy found me in time after all. I must thank them, they must've been worried as well."

Carmen stood up. But she had trouble walking straight. Leaning on the wall, she reached the door. She tried to open it, and toggled. She hit someone.

" Well. Finally awake as I see." made a male voice.

That … wasn't Zack's voice. Carmen felt nauseous because of the vertigos. She was lifted, and brought back to bed.

" Yuuuuck…" moaned Carmen.

" Here. A basin." she heard.

She took it just in time. Meanwhile, the curtains allowed sunlight to enter. A handkerchief appeared in front of Carmen's eyes. She wiped her mouth, while the basin was took off her hand. She rolled on her back. In the shitty mission kind, that was a success. Sandiego sighed. VILE won the game this time. She narrowly escaped death.

"…"

Wait. That voice earlier. Who the hell was it ? Carmen realized that she was also in an unknown place. She waited a bit for the vertigos to fade. Then, she observed the place. A white room, simple furniture such as a wardrobe, a desk … The door remained opened. Should she tried again ? Before she could find an answer, someone came in. Carmen rounded eyes.

" De … Devineaux ?!" she exclaimed.

Chase Devineaux pulled the chair from the desk and brought it close to the bed, where Carmen was wondering if she wasn't hallucinating.

" Himself. So, how are you feeling, miss Sandiego ?" asked Chase, crossing legs then leaning his head against his hand.

Carmen just stared at him. His expression was neutral. No more arrogance, nor aggressivity.

" Were you … the one who saved me ?" she wondered.

" Oui. I mean yes." he replied in french.

" Oh. Then why am I not in a jail ?"

" You have weird tastes." retorted Devineaux, rising an eyebrow.

" Then care to explain me why did you save me ? Knowing you I can only assume it's to deliver me to the authorities."

" Nope. That's not my objective anymore, miss Sandiego." revealed the inspector.

" HUH ?!"

" Your ears are functioning right. But just in case : I won't send you in jail." he repeated pointing her.

The thief blinked. They stared at each other for a while.

" I don't get it." admitted Carmen.

" I can understand. Before I give any explanation, let's take care of you first. I called a friend of mine who gave you the antidote, so he can examine you. I guess you'll like a shower ? I tried to wash you a bit, with a towel, but that was summary."

" Oh … right. Yes please."

Indeed, she wasn't smelling very nice. So Devineaux stood up, and naturally went to lift her in his arms.

" Oh ? He smells really good." noticed Sandiego.

Chase brought her to the bathroom. He put her directly in the tub.

" There. I'll let you do it. Don't hesitate to call me if you need help. Here's shampoo and shower gel. Towels are right here as well as a bathrobe. I'll fetch you once you're finished. And don't you dare getting out without me. I didn't save you so you can foolishly fell and kill yourself in a bathroom. You still can't stand up." he said.

" I suppose I must thank you. Did I cause you any trouble ?" made Carmen.

" Ever since we met ? Want a list or a summary will do ?" he replied, eyebrows raised.

" No. While I was ill. I remember seeing horrible monsters."

" Well, I can be like that before breakfast." said Devineaux.

She laughed, surprised.

" I'm joking with Carmen Sandiego. The end of the world must be close." he thought, embarrassed.

He decided to left, to take his famous breakfast. Carmen on her side, began her shower. Devineaux dressed her with one of his shirt. Her body was stiffed, certainly due to the poison. The shower was going to be long. After a while she managed to wash her body.

" Is everything okay in here ?" asked Chase from behind the door.

"Yes, I'm fine."

Now, time to wash her long hair.

" Urgh, never thought my hair could be so heavy." thought Carmen.

She took a break after wetting it.

" To think that Devineaux of all people would save me. I wonder how did he get there, and why did he changes his mind about me."

But she'll know soon enough. Better get over with this shower before. Chase went to ask twice how was she before she could finally finish. To think it would have usually take ten minutes at best. Carmen grabbed a towel for her hair. That part wasn't easy as well. Then the bathrobe. She wasn't stupid enough to try to get out with vertigos, she was still feeling even now. So she called her host. That one arrived rapidly. Without a word, he came and lifted her. Direction the bedroom.

" By the way, where are we ?" she interrogated while being deposited on the bed.

" Last time I checked, in a bedroom."

" Don't toy with me."

"And why not ? You toyed with me a lot before, so it's only fair. We're at Le Grau du Roi." he said, while approaching an armchair.

" The what of what ?"

" Don't even try to translate it. There, I washed your clothes excepted your underwear. I can do it if you wish." he said, giving her her black suit.

" Thanks. But I'd rather do it myself, if you don't mind."

" Of course. I'll let you dress then. I'll be back to dry your hair."

Carmen just nodded. She informed him she was ready. Chase arrived with a brush and a dryer. He sat right behind her, then untied the towel. While she liberated her face from the brown bangs, he plugged the dryer. Before all, brushing the hair. Carmen raised her eyebrows. Devineaux's moves were surprisingly soft.

" Sooo … why did you decide to save me?" asked Sandiego.

"Ah. Right. As crazy as it seems, it happened by chance." began Devineaux while brushing.

" Huh ?"

" Well not exactly. You see, I was pretty frustrated with you escaping all the time. Nothing but failures everytime. It didn't do me good in the end, and I was demoted. However, I didn't give up. That was pride back then, and stubbornness. How to capture you ? I restart from the beginning, by assembling what I knew of you. You were a skilled fighter and thief, cunning and agile. If I wanted to go toe to toe with La Femme Rouge, I had to improve myself."

So he went under training. He also had to get out the closet he was in. So he brought out the old manuals, and studied again. From time to time, he gave advices on cases here and there.

Finally, he was noticed and promoted elsewhere.

" I didn't ask to take back your case. Everyone knew how I utterly failed, so I decided to do it my way. I didn't stop training, and I had to prepare carefully for our next round. And eventually I stumbled upon you during a mission. It was like my old stupid self was back. I forget everything and simply rushed to catch you." continued Devineaux.

He switched on the dryer. Since the young woman wasn't feeling good, she laid on her belly.

" I saw you with a girl in a costume. What she said back then … it completely took me aback. She said she had more than enough of you ruining VILE's projects and humiliate them. She was determined on ending you once and for all."

Carmen winced. That was Tigress.

" I couldn't move. Why in hell would she said that ? Shouldn't she be your accomplice ? Then, why fighting ? Not only that, but right now she did confirmed the very existence of VILE. An organization which I doubted to exist. I was completely puzzled and confused. I could only stay here watching. Naturally, you won and escaped. But this time … I didn't mind. I went back to my colleagues the head full of questions. At first, I refused to believe what I heard. You were a thief, a criminal to be punished and that's final. However, I couldn't forget those words."

He reminded what Julia said about Carmen, how strange each case was, how unlogic. What she once discovered : stolen objects belonging to an import export society. So Devineaux reminded what the books told : sometimes you had to take a problem on another angle.

" And so I did. If I admitted that VILE did exist, I also knew how invisible it was. A woman who hired me was fighting them for twenty years after all. I didn't know your links with that organisation, but if you were stealing from them then obviously you were their enemy. Even if you wanted to stay on the side of the law, you just couldn't possibly go to the police and said : hello, I want to report an unknown society which existence isn't even confirmed. Please help me. I understood that with your skills and knowledge, you were the only one able to truly do something against them."

He was still sceptical with that theory. Devineaux continued to search for Carmen, hoping to learn more on the way. He didn't know what to do if he ever meet her again.

" That's when you decided to visit my country again. I heard about that new exposition about Roman's remnants, and how it could interest thieves. Was that my chance to meet you ? Well yes. I was in charge of surveying the preparative of the future exhibition. And found you I did. Fighting as usual. I hid myself, waiting for an opportunity. Alas, this time it didn't turned well. You were poisoned. One of your opponents left, while the other remained. She said that this time it was over, with the poison she gave you, you wouldn't be a problem for VILE ever again."

Sandiego's hair was almost dry. Chase made up his mind. VILE existence was definitely confirmed. He began to approach while the Asian woman called. He heard it : people of that organisation of international thieves. Once she finished her call, he acted. Devineaux knocked her out.

" You took out Dokuso ? Where is she now ?" asked Carmen, turning a bit.

" So that's her name. Nickname I assume. I immediately called for reinforcement, after I handcuffed her. When policemen arrived, I said that you were a special agent who needed tending. I quickly got out of here, without wait. I called a friend who's a doctor, one of the best in his field. Before that, I took what I could on her. It helped finding a cure for you. You know the whole story now."

He finished and switched off the dryer. Carmen thanked him and laid.

" I'm glad you understood my true motive. Still, what do you intend to do with me ?" she wanted to know.

" I was thinking of keeping you under glass bell. What do you want me to do ? I'd like to know your version of the story first."

Carmen smiled a bit. She didn't know he has humour. However, telling him the truth although he could change his mind again …

" You discovered most of it by yourself."

Chase looked at her.

"Ah, je vois.¹ " he said with a smile.

" ? "

He went back to the bathroom to stow away his tools. Carmen rolled on the side. Looks like he understood she didn't trust him yet. Chase came back, asking if she wanted to do a bit of laundry. Carmen accepted, he carried her. When she finished she called him.

" You know, to be honest I'd like a partnership between us. I can convince Interpol to lend you a hand from time to time. We do possess means and numbers that can be very useful." said Devineaux.

" Hmmm, I'll think about it."

He just nodded. He then asked if she had someone to contact.

"Oh right ! Yes please."

" I'll lend you my phone."

The doorbell interrupted them. Chase went to open. Then, Carmen saw a cheerful, blond haired man entering.

" Here is our patient, Romain." announced Chase.

" Well hello young lady. So, how are you feeling ?" asked Romain.

" Much better thanks to you. But I still have vertigos." smiled Carmen.

" No wonder. Let me check on you." replied Romain.

" Do you think she can eat ?" asked Devineaux.

" If she can keep the food. I brought antiemetics and against vertigos as well. Other than that she seems fine to me. I'll sample your blood young lady, to check if the poison is gone."

Carmen nodded. Romain took his sample. He announced that he would call within the day for the results. That was all.

" Dis donc, elle est rudement mignonne. Une amie à toi ? ² »

« Jusque-là, tu n'as pas posé de questions et c'était très bien.³ » made Devineaux.

Carmen hid a smile. During her years in VILE's academy, she learned several languages so she could understand. Chase didn't gave her identity, and his friend stopped asking. Sandiego heard the man announcing he'll prepare a meal. Carmen took antiemetics. Soon, a delicious scent reached her, awaking her appetite. Devineaux brought a tray he put before her.

" Here you go."

" Thank you for your care." replied Carmen.

" We're even now."

" What ?"

" When I was looking for you, I found a message on the dark web. At your attention but talking about me. When I got abducted, you came to save me, I remembered it." explained Chase.

Carmen smiled, then dug in.

"Wow, delicious. Looks like our inspector is full of surprises.".

Devineaux ate elsewhere. He went to take her tray, and gave her his mobile phone. Carmen swiftly called her friends.

" Ivy ? It's me Carmen."

At the other end of the wire, Ivy stood speechless. She didn't recognize the phone number. The whole team was devastated by Sandiego's disappearance. To hear her right now …

" Hello ?" asked Carmen.

A weird sound answered.

" Waaaaaah Caaaarmeeeen ! You're alive ! I can't believe it, is that really you ?" sobbed Ivy.

" Yes, it really is me. I'm fine I got rescued by an unexpected ally." answered softly the thief.

She could hear Zack speaking, crying as well. They questioned her, what happened and where were she. Chase arrived with a piece of paper. On it, the address of the place. She thanked him with a nod then related it. Ivy said they were arriving. Devineaux tended his hand to recover his phone.

" Want to watch TV maybe ?" suggested Devineaux.

" Why not."

He lifted her again.

Translation :

¹ Ah, je vois. = ah, I see.

² Dis donc, elle est rudement mignonne. Une amie à toi ? = Say, she's very cute. A friend of yours ?

³ Jusque-là, tu n'as pas posé de questions et c'était très bien. = Until now, you didn't ask any question, and it was fine.