Hey guys! I'm back again with another new chapter! This one was supposed to be out on Valentine's Day buuut I ran into writer's block. But I'm super excited to show you guys this one! In this one, I'm introducing, a new love interest for Carmelita! ACK! I'm doing it again! Let's get this party started!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sly Cooper, but I do own the handsome devil in this chapter.

Chapter 27: A New Face

It had been a long night for Inspector Fox. Between her current investigation into Neylas reappearance, and figuring out Slys next move, to say she was stressed would be an understatement. It had already gotten to a point, where Barkley had to put her on mandatory leave.

"But Chief, I can't just… drop everything to take a vacation. Cooper could strike at any time!" she had told him the day she had been pulled into his office.

"I don't think you fully understand, ." he had countered. "You're overexerting yourself, and I think it's taking a toll on your psyche." he explained, to which she had scoffed much to his annoyance. "For god's sake, Fox, you put a janitor in the hospital!" he had said putting his fist down on his desk, much to Carmelitas embarrassment, recalling that particular spurt of paranoia. He lightly fumed, as he recomposed himself.

"Look, you're good at your job, one of the best I have. But even the best need a break once in a while." Barkley continued, but as Carmelita was about to respond he held a hand up to her. "and since I know how stubborn you are, I'm putting you in for mandatory vacation." he said much to Carmelitas dismay.

"B-But-" she had started to say, which was silenced by another fist to Barkleys desk.

"No buts!" he growled, before taking a breather. "Listen, your research will all still be here, and I promise, if Cooper or Neyla resurface, you'll be the first to know." he offered with a softer tone. "Now please… go home, take some time to collect yourself, if not for you, then for me." he pleaded, which was met with a resigned sigh and nod from the Inspector. "Good, I'll be seeing you in week." he said extending his hand to her, which she took and shook.

Now, here she was at a bar nursing a mug of beer just trying to enjoy herself. All the while, she took into account, everything that had happened up to now. Her worst enemy's return, the attempt on her life… her potential loss of Slys affections. She let out a deep sigh, maybe, just maybe, had she told him sooner… it was moot at this point. She waited too long, plain and simple, and now she was paying for it.

"You gonna nurse that all night long, or are you going to drink it?" came a male British voice, which she took with a sigh. Men had been attempting to flirt with her for the better part of the night, and at this point she was ready to start cracking skulls.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" she said turning to the newcomer and was surprised at what she saw. Before her was a tall, well built, grey furred Lynx male, with combed black hair in one very sharp looking charcoal colored suit, with an equally sharp pair of glasses. In the one hand, he carried a mug of beer, and in the other an… umbrella? Odd choice of attire for a bar patron. It appeared her response earned a chuckle from the man.

"I wasn't trying to take you home miss, just wondering if you minded good company." he replied to her earning an embarrassed look from the fox.

"N-Not at all, please feel free." she said motioning to the spot across from her. She was quite surprised that she had stuttered like she had. The new arrival chuckled, as he took a seat across from her, earning the attention of the other male patrons, wondering what made this guy so special.

"Much appreciated luv, I hope I wasn't intruding on anything." he said softly, his voice have a very light and smooth baritone to it, his fur contrasted with three black stripes along his cheeks, topped off with two radiant blue eyes. Realizing she was staring, Carmelita cleared her throat.

"Not at all, I actually do enjoy the company." she said softly smiling at him. He was handsome, she'd give him that, and he seemed like a proper gentleman too. He nodded returning the smile before chuckling.

"It appears I've forgotten my manners. What is your name miss?" he asked locking his gaze with hers, blue meeting amber.

"Fox, Carmelita Montoya Fox." she says, noticing him raise an eyebrow to her.

"That wouldn't be Inspector Fox, would it?" he asked a playful grin on his face. This caught her attention, how the heck did he know? She had left her badge and uniform at home.

"Yes… why?" she asked softly, her own eyebrow raised. Then blinked when he saw him close his eyes in thought.

"Well, this is an interesting first meeting." he said opening his eyes. "I was supposed to be meeting with you tomorrow." he said with a soft smile.

"and you are…?" she asked as she watched him adjust his glasses and offer his right hand to her.

"Sebastian Hartman, transfer from MI6 to Interpol." he says, as a shocked Carmelita shook his hand. "I was called in to aid in your investigation into the resurfacing of former Interpol Agent Neyla." he explained the last sentence catching Carmelitas attention.

'Aid me? Barkley!' she thought to herself. This had his prints all over it. She thought she made it clear to him, that she didn't want anymore partners after what happened with Neyla.

" ?" she was shaken from her trance. It appeared she had spaced out in her own thoughts for a moment.

"I'm sorry about that, this… kind of took me by surprise." she admitted, she knew Neylas return could've been bad, but to involve British Intelligence? Then again, seeing what she was capable of in the past, she could see why.

"Ah, no worries. Either way, I'm going to be looking forward t-" the next thing he knew the other five patrons approached the table, giving Sebastian a venomous glare.

"Hey there sweetheart, why waste time with this geek, when you could be with a real man?" one of the patrons, a German-Sheppard , said his eyes looking over Carmelitas body.

"I thought I told you bozos to piss off." she growled, already regretting not bringing her shock pistol with her tonight.

"Aww, come on, we were just playing around earlier!" said another, a large Pit Bull. Alongside them, was a Rottweiler, a Bloodhound, and a Poodle. Though despite the death glares, Sebastian kept calm.

"Now, now gents. The lady asked you all to-" he was cut off as the dogs fist slammed into his side of the table.

"Nobody was talking to you pretty boy! Why don't you go back home to your precious tea and crumpets ey?" the dog said in a mock english accent. This irritated the daylights out of Carmelita, but wondered why Sebastian kept so quiet, then lightly frowned as he stood up with his umbrella.

"Sebastian…" she said softly watching him go to the door while the gang jeered at him.

"Look at that! The posh Brit doesn't want to get his hands dirty! How pathetic!" the dog jeered, as Sebastian stopped at the door, examining the locks. 'what are you up to…' she thought as she witnessed this.

"Manners…" he said punctuating his word by locking the first lock, catching the gang and Carmelitas attention. 'he can't be…'

"Maketh…" the second lock was now engaged, the gang turning serious as they got into battle position. 'he can't be serious!' she thought.

"Man." he finished, with the final lock now engaged, the dogs growling in warning. "Do you know what that means?" he asked his tone turned from playful to dead serious.

"It means you're mince meat pal! Sic him boys!" with a collective howl, the dogs charged at him, but unexpectedly, he jumped up high into the air,landing nearby as the canines circled him. Carmelita watched, awestruck at what she was seeing, he was either really brave, or really stupid, either way this was happening.

The first to pounce at him, was the Poodle, trying to run at and bite him. His response was using his umbrella to quickly catch him, then throwing him into the Rottweiler, who dodged leaving the poodle to crash into a table. The Rott would respond, attempting to grab him, to which the Lynx responded by side stepping, and whacking him upside his head with the hook of his umbrella.

As a result, he was dazed to where he followed up with a swift and powerful roundhouse, knocking the dog onto the ground with a yelp. This was followed up when the Bloodhound tried throwing a chair at him, but with a swift reaction time, and careful timing, he hooked and threw the chair right back at the hound, effectively knocking him out. While this brawl took place, Carmelita was just in utter shock.

Watching him as he used his umbrella to parry and block the pitbulls attacks, then using it to attack him left her speechless. 'Who is this guy?!' she thought as he delivered a powerful right hook to the Pits head.

Then once the pitbull had fallen, he locked his bespectacled gaze onto the Sheppard, who charged towards him at full speed, jumping in a running tackle. but with precise timing, he caught the hound, and suplexed him, crashing the canines head hard onto the floor. With one final thud, the last of the canines had fallen, leaving an exhausted Sebastian the victor.

"Class dismissed…" he said with a heavy breath as he walked back to a jaw dropped Carmelita. "I'm terribly sorry you had to see that, but I couldn't let them pester you a minute more." he says with a slight chuckle.

"I-you-how?" she stammered trying to find some semblance of an explanation for what just happened. He would close his eyes, and smile.

"An explanation for another time. But for now…" he said raising his still untouched beer. "I believe a toast is in order." he says back to playfulness. Shaking her head, she picked up her beer and nodded.

"I'm holding you to it." she said as the pair clinked their mugs. Though there was one matter left. Who was paying for the damages?

Wow! I finally got another long one out! So yes, this fight was my own tiny tribute to the Kingsmen Bar scene. I have a lot in store for him in the future! But, that aside I got some HUGE news! I recently made a home in a Sly Cooper Amino! Now you guys can chat with me actively, ask me questions, and hang out with others for all things Cooper! You can find me at #Cooper Nation as Sephiel the Lion! Ack! My Rambling! Till next time guys, this is Sephiroth 200 signing off!