Before last chapter. Time to take down VILE once and for all.

Enjoy ^^

"I knew it." thought Chase.

He hid to avoid bullets. They went to capture VILE heads thinking, and just as Devineaux feared it went wrong. They were waiting for them. The Red Team had to separate. More exactly, Zack and Ivy were to wait for them outside, while the three others went inside with Interpol agents. Carmen disappeared from his sight, and he was scared like never. He had to find her quickly. He heard bodies falling, then sound of a submachine gun.

" Go find your girl, Chase."

" Thank you Zag."

Devineaux ran out of the room. In the corridor, guards were here. They all got shot.

" Thank you Snipes." he said, although she couldn't hear him.

The woman was indeed hidden somewhere to act as her alias would indicate. Now, where was his precious girl ? He opted for a direction. Meanwhile, Carmen was also fighting agents. She was also worried about Chase. That horrible moment when she saw him getting shot danced before her eyes. She had to deal with them fast.

" Well we meet again, Fedora the explorer." she heard.

Tigress. She ran to her opponent. Carmen was waiting for her when suddenly someone just jumped above her. Razar. He attacked Tigress with blades.

" Your man is over here." he indicated to Sandiego, tending a finger.

" Thank you !" she said.

Carmen let him deal with Tigress. She arrived in another hall. Shadowsan was here. He had to use a sabre in this fight. Carmen ran then jumped to intercept an agent.

" Have you seen Chase ?" she asked him.

" You have to focus Carmen. If you're too distracted you'll lose." replied the man.

" Yes or no ?"

" No."

" Thank you nonetheless."

She let him here. Shadowsan sighed. Those two were too afraid of what could happen to the other. This could be bad. Carmen looked around her. Where to go now ?

" Player. Can you tell me where is my man ?" she asked.

" You're both at opposite sides. Take at your left."

" Alright thanks."

To be sure to find him, she equipped him with a tracker. Player would also informed Carmen if anything went wrong, just as the young would inform Devineaux. As Sandiego was running through a corridor, something hissing winded around her calves.

" Argh !"

" Well well well. Looks like we got the master piece." made a male voice.

A VILE operative she didn't knew stood above her. Two others were accompanying him.

" Come, someone is eager to reunite with you."

They tied her then one of them carried her on his shoulders. They brought her in a smaller piece, where she was tied to a pole.

" She's really handsome, think we could play with her ?" asked one of the men.

" Maybe, we'll have to ask."

Carmen shivered. The door down the room opened, revealing a well too known silhouette. The massive body of Coach Brunt appeared.

" Well done boys." she praised.

" Will we be able to play with her ?" asked one of them.

" Why not. Can't promise she'll be in one piece for that. Unless … I let you play with her first." replied Brunt.

The men smiled, while Carmen felt a retch.

" Before that, how come Shadowsan is still in one piece huh ?" asked Coach Brunt, catching her face.

" Because you're goddamn idiots, maybe ?" dared Carmen.

Coach slapped her.

" HEY !"

They turned. Lifting her head, Carmen discovered something that terrified her even more. Chase was here.

" Oh ? I remember you. You're the man we captured to bait her. Looking fine despite what you went through. Not bad, cutie." said Brunt.

" Good thing that you remember that, you barrel. I have a score to settle with you." retorted Chase.

Carmen shook her head. No, he was no match for Brunt. She would put him to pieces, crash every bone in his body. Carmen struggled to get free. They tied her well. But she had to break free, she had to protect the one she loved. Hearing Chase, Brunt just burst into laughing.

" Did you lose it after all ? I'll crash you like a bug, idiot."

" Then come. I dare you. Unless you'll get tired with just running to me, elephant girl ?" provoked Devineaux.

Coach Brunt narrowed her eyes.

" Well ? I don't have the whole day. So hurry and come to dance with me, triple fat."

Carmen shook her head.

Shut up, stop provoking her, I'm begging you. Leave, I'll be fine.

Lifting her head, she could see the summit of her pole. So she put herself upside down, then began to climb little by little.

" Alright. You want a dance with mama bear, I'll give you one." decided Brunt, walking to him.

" Mama slug sounds more like it." smiled Devineaux, getting on guard.

Carmen arrived at the pole summit. Just in time to see Brunt racing to Chase. Just like when he got shot, a scream got stuck in Carmen's throat. Chase dodged Brunt with suppleness. That one tried to punch him again, just to see him vanishing. In fact, he just slid under her and hit her knees. Brunt fell.

" Is that all you can do ? Is age reaching you ?" asked Devineaux.

Brunt got on her foot and rushed to him with a roar. Carmen decided to act : she went down and defeated the ones who captured her. Meanwhile, Chase was turning around his opponent. He knew fully well he had to avoid being hit at any cost. He caught her wrist and made fell on her back, just like Shadowsan taught him.

" Stop dancing and fight like a man !" she exclaimed.

" Oh ? I thought we were supposed to dance together. Is that too fast for you grandma ?"

Brunt's fist just crashed a wooden box.

" Eeeek !"

Sandiego arrived at that time. Noticing her, Brunt changed target. Chase widened. Then he interposed himself : an arm blocked the lady at the waist while his other hand went to meet Brunt's wrist. He managed to pull Carmen away. She hit a wall while Devineaux tried to deviate the VILE's head punch. However, she sent her other fist that he could barely block. Result she sent the man flying.

" Gwah !"

Carmen took over, allowing him to recover. She hold a while before being sent in the air too. Chase moved and amortised her fall.

" Are you totally crazy for wanting to take her down on your own ?" asked Carmen.

" I'll have you notice I was doing fine until you mingle in." replied Devineaux.

Brunch was racing to them. They dodged each on a side. Their enemy gauged them for a while. Finally, they both attacked. Brunt had no problem holding against them, and sent them on walls again.

"You're almost boring." she said.

That was when she noticed something. The duo couldn't help but exchange a worried look, and their body tended toward the other for a split second. Long enough to be spotted though.

" Oh oooh ! Now that's something new and interesting ! Did you finally take an interest on men, lambkin ? Then watch me torturing him before your eyes !" announced Brunt.

" Like hell I'll let you do so !" retorted Carmen.

She ran to Brunt with an astonishing speed. If she couldn't make the hitman who separated her from her love pay, then the silent partner would do. Carmen furiously attacked Brunt, letting her former rage coming back. Even if it took all her agility to avoid nor hit her adversary. But she WOULD protect Chase this time. Brunt sent a slap that made her roll on the floor. This time, Brunt's face got some bruises.

" Not bad lambkin. You improved since last time. You must really love him."

By the way, where was he ? Her green eyes scanned the place. She suddenly felt a strong punch on the face that unbalanced her. Devineaux pushed his advantage and hit her several times, on the face first then the body. Sandiego was about to resume when a weight tackled her on the floor.

" How about you play with me this time ?" she heard.

One of the VILE agents. She struggled in vain. Her arms were stuck on her back.

" This time I'll make your skull explode ! Are you watching lambkin ?" said Brunt.

She was holding Chase's head between her formidable hands, and had lifted the man.

" She totally is." replied the agent.

" CHASE NO !" yelled Carmen.

She tried to break free again. Her keeper pulled her hair, lifting her head so she would be compelled to watch.

BANG !

The sound froze everyone. Brunt fell on her back, releasing Chase who landed on his feet. He pointed his gun on the man holding Carmen and shot. He hit him at the shoulder, freeing the young woman. Seeing the turn of course the other two agents tried to flee. Chase walked while shooting each one on a knee. Carmen stood up and raced to him, embracing him strongly.

" Oomph !"

" You are totally out of your mind ! Brunt is the strongest next to Shadowsan if not better ! She could have killed you with one punch, what were you -" she just yelled.

After listening for a while Devineaux silenced her with a kiss.

" I love you. Thus I want to protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you under my watch. And I really had a score to settle with that ogre, for kidnapping me, beat you, and sent a killer." he answered.

" Why you !"

She cupped his face and kissed him as if her life depended on it. Devineaux gladly responded, replying to her worry with intensity, to reassure her and him. She was fine. That's was all that mattered to him now.

" I love you too Chase. I want the same thing as you." she breathed, pressing against him.

" Well, that's a problem." he said.

" Why ?" she asked, surprised and looking at him.

" We're over worrying for the other. That could be fatal." he answered, his mouth on her forehead.

" You're right. But I'm afraid I'll never stop worrying about you." she said mid-voice.

" Same here. It's only natural when you love someone."

Carmen nuzzled his neck.

" So what should we do ?"

" Learn to trust the other I suppose. Won't change the need to protect each other and help from time to time. But it will allow us to focus on our battles and give our all."

" That won't be easy, but we have no other choice for now." she granted.

" Fine, let's go finish the job. If we defeat VILE today, you'll worry less." concluded Chase.

" Right."

They separated. Approaching the one who held Carmen, Devineaux shot him on a knee to be sure he wouldn't get away.

" Next time you dare lay a hand on my woman, I won't stuck a bullet on your shoulder nor knee. But directly between your eyes." warned Chase, with an expression that would make anyone wanting to hide underground.

Carmen looked at where Brunt was lying on the floor. So far she has been a mother figure, until she tried to kill embrace her. She sighed, went pick up her hat and followed Chase, lodging her hand in his. They both felt reassured by this contact. Sandiego called for Player.

" Phew are you two alright ?" asked the latter.

" Why, didn't you heard us ?" made Devineaux.

" I cut the sound when you were having a moment."

" Thanks, we're both fine." smiled Carmen.

" As fine as a carpet who went under a battalion's foot can be." added Chase.

" Snort ! Well, about the situation. VILE is clearly in a very bad position. Lots of agents got captured and a few killed." informed Player.

" How are my colleagues ?" asked Chase.

" Fine. Razar killed Tigress, and Zag wounded and captured La Chèvre and El Topo. They joined Shadowsan and are on their way to get the bosses."

" Perfect. Guide us to where they went." demanded Carmen.

Chase reloaded his gun. Then, they ran to where the others were supposed.

" Honey wait !" called Carmen.

" What ?"

" Outside, I recognise them : it's Maelstrom, Bellum and Countess Cleo, they're about to escape." made Carmen, before a window.

Outside, Chase could see them approaching a chopper.

" Damn ! Snipes !" called Devineaux.

" Yes ?"

He explained what was happening. The woman got up quickly and went to where his teammate was according to Player. She could see the engine being started. She adjusted her weapon. The helicopter began to fly off. Sniped aimed.

" Yaaaaaahaaaaa !" yelled Player.

Carmen and Chase looked at each other, confused. In fact, the young sent Red Drone directly in the rotor at the back. It was enough to cause malfunction. The helicopter zigzagged. Snipes shot. Her bullet hit a pilot. Another shot, second pilot out. That allowed Interpol agents to arrive on site and arrest them.

" Phew !" sighed Carmen.

" Good job Snipes. You too Player."

" I played my part ! Down with you VILE !" exclaimed the one.

He turned on his chair. After a while, it was over. Interpol defeated VILE. Carmen Sandiego won her fight. She and Chase walked this time toward the exit. She watched her former teachers getting on cars. Shadowsan arrived. She welcomed him with relief. Zack and Ivy arrived too, embracing the couple, nodding to the Japanese.

" It's hard to believe." she said.

" Indeed. They've been on the shadow for so long, even I wondered who could take them down." said Shadowsan.

" Well, they will remain in a shadow of a prison from now on." said Chase.

" Hope they won't escape." intervened Ivy.

" Don't talk about misfortune." made Carmen.

" Yo Devineaux ! Glad to see you're still in one piece !" exclaimed Zag, rising a hand.

" Same to you guys, and thanks a ton. You've been of a great help." smiled the one.

" Just did our job." commented Snipes.

" Hey ! Looks who's super late." said Zack, showing a direction.

" HAH !" laughed Chase.

The ACME agents were arriving. The chief arrived in person. Spotting the group, she walked to them. Julia followed.

" Well, for once the cavalry is late." greeted Tamara.

" Depends which cavalry." retorted Chase.

Julia's eyes descended on her former partner's hand, to find it crossed with Sandiego's one. She opened her mouth in a perfect "o". So that was it. He did managed to capture her, just not the way anyone would have imagined. Not even him maybe. Carmen gave her a little smile. Tamara sighed. Twenty years of tracking, of false tracks to finally be late and lose. How and when did the situation got out of her control ? She closed and leaned eyes … to open them wide when she too spotted what her employee understood. She looked at them with surprise. Oh. So that was when and how. If she could have imagined that firing Devineaux would lead to her being not only forestalled by Interpol but also utterly failing her mission …

" Is there a problem ?" asked Chase.

" No, just a big surprise." replied Fraser.

" Anyway, it's not that we're bored but we must go now." he ended.

Chase put his hands on Carmen's shoulders and pushed her.

" Darling what's wrong ?" giggled Carmen.

" I don't want her around you. I haven't forget that she caused you an accident."

Carmen kissed him on the cheek. Chase said goodbye to his teammates. The Red Team went back to their beloved HQ. The next day Devineaux announced he had to go back in France for a meeting with his superiors.

" Aaaw." commented Carmen.

" Don't worry sweetheart, I won't be long." he said, kissing her on her forehead.

" You better not be !"

However, she knew he had been away from his home for a long time, as she said, and wouldn't mind him stayed over there for a little while.

" But just a little while ok ?" added Carmen.

" Without you I don't know if I can." he sighed.

" You're too cute sometimes."

He left the place. Carmen went to join the others in the living-room. For a moment, no one dared to speak.

" So. What should we do now ?" dared Zack.

They looked at each other. VILE reunited them, and now the fight was over. What was awaiting them now ? Carmen looked at the floor. She has been so used of tracking VILE operatives all around the world. Did this mean she had to stay put here ? Zack and Ivy were away from home too, not to mention Shadowsan and Player.

" I don't see any reason about why we should part or something." answered Shadowsan.

" But what will we do from now on ? We don't have to track VILE anymore." pointed Ivy.

" Well, I still have my mother to retrieve. We'll think about the future later." announced Carmen.

" Right ! We could also peacefully visit same places too. We're on holidays, that's all." added Zack.

" Of course. You're still with us Player ?" asked Carmen.

" Naturally. Just tell me when to begin."

" Now that you mention it, I want to see the house where lived my father."

" You sure about this ?" made Shadowsan.

" It began here, and I want to connect with my past." replied Carmen.

" Red, there's probably nothing left or another house." said Player.

" I know. But still."

" Alright. Let's begin by this then."

Carmen wondered if she should wait for Chase. That was an important part of her life, and she wanted him involved in it as much as possible. Shadowsan eased her, saying that they weren't in a hurry. Sandiego smiled to him : she would wait her beloved one's return. Plus, Interpol would surely be of a great help here too. Reassured by all this, everyone dismissed. Carmen went to Chase's room. She laid on his bed, breathing his sweet scent. That will have to do until he comes back.

" It still lacks the warmth and cuddles." she thought, opening her eyes.

She could almost feel him just behind, wrapping her with his comforting and reassuring arms. His suave and warmth voice whispering words of love.

" …"

One of his hands gently caressing her.

" …."

His lips kissing her in the neck.

" …..."

Or simply kiss him.

" Gaaaah get back already !" she exclaimed.

Alas, she'll have to wait.

Mister Devineaux went back two weeks later. Ivy saw him through a window. She opened her mouth :

" Car …"

A loud noise could be heard, then a red blur just passed before the girl.

" -men." ended Ivy.

That one threw herself on Chase's arms.

" Whoah, calm down honey." he laughed, while she kissed him all over the face.

" What took you so long ? I was lonely in here." she pouted.

" How come ? Everyone is here with you." replied tenderly Chase.

" Yeah but … something was still missing. I missed your love, your presence, your warmth and all." she moaned, while passing a hand behind his head.

He smiled, before kissing her. Both felt like they could never have enough of this.

" Same here. I missed you too, my love." he muttered, his nose in her hair.

" Apart from that, did you have a nice trip ?"

" Yes. They wanted to promote me for VILE dismantling, but I refused. It's your work more than mine. I have some work to do, a research on a missing person. I'll probably have to check some tracks from time to time, just as I did over there." he announced.

" Alright. I hope you'll succeed." smiled Carmen.

She took his hand to enter with him. Later, they were on the living-room. Carmen laid on the sofa, her head on Chase's shoulder while he was reading. She would purr if she could. The radio was on.

" Oh ! Listen, that song is special." made Carmen, opening her eyes.

" It is ?"

" Yeah … it helped me realize I was in love with you."

" Aaaah, special indeed." he smiled.

They exchanged a deep kiss.

" Before I forget, there's something I want to do now that VILE is defeated." she announced.

" Defeated huh ? We still have some work to do in reality. There's still some henchmen here and there, not to mention all their connexions." corrected Devineaux.

" Hm hm. However, I'll go search for my mother. I was thinking about visiting the house where Shadowsan found me. And, if Interpol could lend a hand in my research."

" Of course they will. When do you want to go ?"

" As soon as possible. I was waiting for you to return in fact." revealed Sandiego.

" Alright."

He patted her hair, she curled against him again. Her fingers were gently caressing his flank, while his were doing the same. A few seconds later, she lifted her face to kiss him in the neck. Chase titled it, granting her more access. Her hand ascended gently, meeting the other side of his neck.

" Hey guys !" made a voice.

The lovers startled a bit. Zack faced them.

" I'm making a sandwich and I'm hesitating between this kind of cheese and that one. Which one according to you ?" he asked, showing two packages.

Carmen narrowed her eyes. Those became darker.

" You … are interrupting us … in the middle of a cuddle just for that ?!" she exclaimed.

" Hum … well, I couldn't decide so I went for an opin-"

Carmen threw him a cushion right in the face.

" Out of my sight !"

Zack understood he kinda pissed her off, and retreated, contrite.

" That was a bit rude, my love." smiled Chase.

" Interrupting me while I'm cuddling you is rude." replied Carmen.

Chase snorted.

" Didn't think you'd be the cuddle addict." he made.

"Oh, well me neither. I think it has to do with when I thought I have lost you. During that period, I would have given anything just to be in your arms. I would have stopped tracking VILE for a month if it allowed me to do so. Just thinking about that time make me shiver …" she said.

Carmen embraced him again, breathing his scent.

" Aaaaw, don't worry my love. I'm here now and you'll have to deal with me for a long time." said Chase, kissing her on the head.

" You better."

He had a little laugh. Carmen straightened.

" Now, where were we ?" she smiled.

" Come here, I'll remember you." replied Devineaux, getting her head closer.

Their lips joined, sealing in a kiss.