A Thief At Heart - V2

by Venquine1990

This Is A Rewrite! Carmelita has been struggling under a corrupt boss for almost 2 to 3 years. But on Sly's 24th birthday some unexpected allies from both sides come to her aid. She gets reunited with her family and discovers how she really feels about the Master Thief. And while she struggles she learns that she's truly A Thief At Heart. ON HIATUS FOR 2022!

17. A Reward And A Recording

Hey everyone,
Well, this day really just flew by. To be honest, I almost feel like going back to the chapters in regards to the 23rd and see if I can't merge a few of them together. But I'm not going to be doing that as I would much rather get to the good parts. Such as what Michael has planned to do to make sure he can arrest Barkley and take his little team of bozos down. Also, I forgot to mention in the previous chapter, but do you know another word for Notice Of Departure?
Let me know,

Venquine1990

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Chapter 17
A Reward And A Recording

24th of June 2007
Cooper Hide Out
Sly's POV

After Carmelita left with the Binocucoms and the earpieces, I made sure to keep an ear out for her. I'm sure that she might think that I don't trust her or something, but it's more that I don't trust her so-called former colleagues. I may not yet have heard the recording that Bentley got from Michael the other day, but I heard enough the other day to consider the majority of Interpol officers and other employees a personal enemy now.
At first I had simply heard her greet Urmila and this had made me decide to just leave her be and check up on her later on. Bentley had asked me if I wanted to listen to the recording now, but I told him: "Not yet, Bentley. I'd rather wait for her to come back. For now, I want to focus on watching over her while she performs her test." Bentley had agreed to this and a half an hour later, I had checked in on my beloved.

She had still been having fun with Urmila, so I had let her be. Another half an hour wait and I heard her say goodbye to my sister in all but blood. Instantly Bentley and I were on high alert and we both kept our finger stuck to our respective earpieces. Yet as we listened to her head inside, I realized a mistake that Bentley and I made. I pulled my finger from my earpiece and whispered: "We didn't tell her how to use the Binocucom's camera function."
Bentley had hit himself on the head and I had put my own Binocucom over my eyes, ready to help educate my beloved vixen. And after the explanation things had gone quite smoothly and Bentley and I had simply gone back to using the earpiece. We had both whitened and worried when we heard that Carmelita had been spotted by someone in her parents' place, but Carmelita had amazed us. Right on the spot, she had created an incredible cover story, just like that.
After the cleaning lady had left, Bentley and I had both made sure to keep our fingers on the earpieces and we had heard her finish up at her parents' place, put the first of three Binocucoms in her parents' bed and leave for the next house. I had worried a little at the noise of her boots as she ran, but I just decided that I would help her learn how to run more swiftly. Also I would ask Urmila if she could design boots with a softer heel and sole.

Carmelita had worked another person, this one I assumed to be a neighbor of Cheren's or something, just as brilliantly as she did the cleaning lady and the fact that she got the woman to keep her presence there quiet with the excuse of this all being a surprise had made Bentley and me grin widely at each other. Bentley had praised my talented girlfriend, yet I had also felt a sense of awe and respect for how the other lady had responded to Carmelita asking for her silence.
Murray had also been listening in at this point and he had promised to make his specialty for dinner as a reward for her excellent work so far. Yet what Carmelita showed Bentley and me of her brother's living room had almost horrified me as the state of the furniture was just deplorable. Instantly I had decided on a change of plans and told Carmelita to just pack whatever was still in one piece. Bentley and Murray had wholeheartedly agreed on this.

When Carmelita took the chains up from the cellar back to Cheren's place, I had worried over the rattling sounds, but Bentley had reassured me. "Remember Sly, your hearing is much more sensitive than ours or that of regular folk. It's not as loud as you think. Carmelita is doing great." Murray had agreed with my turtle brother and I had smiled gratefully at them both. And to all of our relief Carmelita visiting her sister goes off without a hitch.
We hear the vixen climbing back onto the roof and when I hear plastic crunching, I check the time and grin. "One-thirty. A good time to have some lunch." Bentley mutters and Murray says: "I might not have been listening in the whole time, but guys, am I the only one who thinks we should have recruited Carmelita after she helped us take down Clock-La?" Bentley and I shake our heads, yet I also shake my head because of what Michael told us.

"We could have spared her two years of having to endure an ungrateful, selfish, disgusting monster of a boss." I think to myself and, in an effort to make myself feel better, I head upstairs. During the few times that Carmelita was just packing, Bentley had worked hard to help Helena and the other fox had apparently worked wonders with the discovery we made about Barkley and his hidden stache of spices, spices I thought we were rid of two years ago.
I had also wondered something and asked Bentley: "How much do you think Barkley changed those spices? I mean, the ones we dealt with all those years ago needed the radiance from the Clockwerk eyes to work, so how do you think Barkley adapted these?" Bentley had been curious about this as well and he had contacted Michael. The leopard had promised to meet us at Carmelita's tonight and that he would research some of the spices that Helena had kept to herself for evidence.

I pull a massage table from one of the hallway closets and put it down in Carmelita's room. I look around the room and a grin adorns my face as I think back to late last night and earlier this morning. Carmelita, obviously, fell in love with the room the minute she stepped inside and the way she helped me realize I wasn't dreaming this morning was just brilliant. Then another thought strikes me and my grin grows even wider.
"She's part of the team now. I can stop stealing kisses. She loves me, so I can kiss her whenever I feel like from now on. With her on the team, I can really get started on courting her and making her my bride to be." This thought spawns a fantasy and my eyes glaze over with desire and love as I imagine Carmelita in the same wedding dress as she wore the other night. And the next fantasy is of her actually lying in bed, her belly swollen with an unborn child.

I stare at the bed and can almost see it being a reality as I do. But then I shake my head and think: "Don't get ahead of yourself, lover boy. You need to take this relationship one step at a time. Besides, you made yourself a promise. You would not continue the Cooper line until a wedding ring is on her finger, remember that." These thoughts help me center myself and I quickly return to what I was doing before I lost myself.
I head back into the hallway and over to one of the few closets build into the wall of the hallway. I pull the lotion that I usually spread across my own arms after a tough heist or a long day of training and smile when I realize it has the same aroma as the shower gel that Bentley and I use in the shower. "This will really help her relax – and reward her for her excellent work during the test today." I think as I move back to her bedroom. I put the lotion on the table and sit down on the bed.

A few minutes later, I hear something and Carmelita's voice comes from my bedroom as she asks: "Anyone home?" I grin at this and call back: "In your room, gorgeous. Your massage awaits." Carmelita happily rushes in yet instead of heading for the massage table, she rushes at me. I quickly stand up and Carmelita pleasantly surprises me as she wraps her arms around my neck and lovingly kisses me on the lips.
"Great minds think alike. Looks like my gorgeous vixen realized the same thing I did." Then Carmelita makes me laugh as she says: "I can't believe I never knew that you and your gang were hiding so close to Interpol. The idea that I could have had this life years ago, that you were this close by the entire time." She tilts her head and asks: "How come you never tried to abuse that fact? You know, use the short amount of distance to check up on me or something?"

I grin at her and mutter: "Who said I didn't? I just seemed to always pick the wrong time as I never once heard Barkley treat you horribly or anything. You always seemed to just be working diligently. Though I do admit, that often made me stay longer than I should. It was just such a thrill to see you put your best effort in, no matter if you were doing paperwork or preparing for your next case." Carmelita smiles, but then she looks down and asks:
"Have you listened to the recording yet?" I shake my head and say: "No, I wanted to keep my focus on helping you with your test. I told Bentley I would do it after helping you relax upon your return. Speaking of which, get on that table, you incredible student of mine." Carmelita grins at me and even quips: "Yes master Cooper." This little joke makes my eyes widen and yet I reward her with a grin as she heads for the table.

The gorgeous fox lies herself on the table on her front and I crack my knuckles once again as I head over. The look on her face almost undoes me and I quickly peck her on the lips as I whisper: "Do you have any idea what you do to me?" The fox might not tilt her head, but there is a curious look of wonder on her face that looks utterly adorable on her. "I guess I now have all the time in the world to find out, don't I?" She asks me and I grin and nod.
I grab the bottle of lotion and Carmelita's eyes widen as she sees this. "Wow, you're really going to lavish me this time around, aren't you Sly?" She asks and as I cover my hands with the lotion, I happily tell her: "Only the best for those who pass their first tests." At this Carmelita laughs, yet then for some reason she sits up. This confuses me, but then my eyes widen as she actually pulls off her jacket and shirt.

My throat dries up and my eyes turn wide as saucers as, in all the years I have known her and even with her sexy uniform, I have never seen Carmelita undressed from the top up. What's more the bra that she is wearing really emphasizes and pulls my attention straight to her impressive cleavage. I gulp and then hear her ask: "So are you going to do the same for my family when they pass their first tests?" And she tilts her head to the side as she asks.
This allows me to focus on her face instead of her torso and I grin at her and say: "Oh, I'm sure one of us will reward each of them once they do. But it will depend on their choice, not to mention that I won't put in the same effort and love as I do with you. I do want them to be physically ready and healthy, but you – you deserve my full attention and expertise." Carmelita grins at me, yet then she taps me on the nose and say:

"I love that you're this sweet to me, but I do feel like I should warn you. As much as men were always after me for my looks and my developing forms, Helena had it much worse. If you ever give her a massage with lotion and all – trust me, she'll make your mouth drop with her shapes. She's just better at hiding them in every day life." She leans back and says: "To be honest, I stopped doing that out of pride myself.
I – I didn't want to hide my looks just to keep them off my back. I didn't feel like hiding what I was so proud of just because it attracted some childish jerks." I smile in pride at the woman as she seems to feel the need to defend her reasonings for wearing a more revealing uniform the last few years. I gently kiss her on the lips and whisper: "Never hide who you are, gorgeous. And never think you need to defend yourself to me about this. I love it about you."

Carmelita smiles, yet I can tell that she is still a little bothered, a little uncertain. I remember her other words and roll my eyes as I say: "Carmelita, your sister might have tried to hide her looks the other day, but I was easily able to notice that. I was already aware that she had – ahem – bigger assets than you. But it was never those bits of your looks that drew you to me. I won't deny that they didn't play a role, but I've always appreciated character over looks.
I love you, Carmelita Montoya Fox. And while you and your sister do share some similar looks, enough to prove that you are indeed closely related, her looks still pale compare to yours. You might have been an Interpol Inspector all these years, but you stole my heart the day we met." Carmelita smiles at me with tears in her eyes and I gently kiss both before I say: "Now you go lie down and let me take care of you, beautiful."

Half an hour later

After her massage, I realized that Carmelita had fallen asleep thanks to my treatment of hers. It had warmed my heart that my beloved trusted me enough to fall asleep in my presence and I had gently lifted her into my arms and carried her over to the bed. Bentley had actually come to check up on us and my buddy had helped me by using his mechanical arms to pull back the comforter. I had put my beloved down and we had left to let her sleep.
Bentley closes the door behind us and then he turns to me. "Are you sure you still want to hear that recording?" He asks and I nod as I say: "I've already heard enough to believe that I have a pretty good idea on what this is all about. But I need to hear that recording, Bentley. I need to know exactly what I am going to have to protect my girlfriend from tomorrow." Bentley grimaces, but he doesn't disagree. Instead he says:

"Then follow me. I'll let you and Murray listen to it at the same time in the Hazard room. Better you let your anger out on that once you hear what I've heard the other day." I nod at him and the two of us head down the stairs. Then Bentley uses his mechanical arms to open the staircase up and with this he reveals the staircase that heads down into the cellar. I notice Murray sticking his head around the living room door and call him over with a simple head motion.
The Hippo follows us down and we head into a room that is entirely made of dark blue metal plates from the ceiling down to about first floor height with grey metal plates covering the lower half of the walls and brown cement on the floor. Bentley brings up his computer and hands Murray and me both a set of earphones as he says: "This is my last warning to the both of you. Even our enemies have never said something this disgusting to any of us."

Murray looks worried, but I just take out my earpiece and replace it for the earphone instead. Murray follows my lead and Bentley grimaces one last time before he turns on the recording. Instantly I hear Barkley's gruff voice yelling in my ear, though Bentley obviously brought the volume down to an acceptable level. But while I had already been expecting it, the fact that Barkley insults Carmelita in the first yelled line alone shocks me.
Line after line follows after this and each of them is just worse than the last. Insults are thrown from the mutt's mouth like candy at Christmas and so much of it is nothing but derogatory. All of it also continuously insinuates that Carmelita can't catch me because instead I constantly catch her and have my way with her. And the fact that the man is actually ordering her to get her head in the game and not elsewhere just makes it all the worse.
I hear Barkley take a deep breath and realize that he is going to continue even more. But my patience with his words has crossed the line after the third sentence and I forcefully rip the earphone from my ears. Murray follows right after and I am sure that we both feel an equal amount of rage and that anyone other than Bentley would be terrified from the looks of hateful fury that are probably on our faces right now.

I growl at Bentley: "Full capacity." The turtle nods and Murray, stomping with every step he takes, follows me to the center of the hazard room. We stand opposite each other and glare at each other. And I have no doubt that, like me, Murray is envisioning me to be Barkley right now, if the look on his face is anything to go by. Yet I am also sure that I have the same look on my own face; a look that, without words, states my desire to break every last bone in his body.
Four small poles come to stand in the four corners around us, with only a bit of space available to the left for Bentley to stand in and the poles light up. Four laser beam lights shoot from each of the poles and the beams connect to each other in the center between two of the four on each side. A ring is forged around us and Bentley says: "Remember, we still need to be in shape for the move tonight. Just release your anger, but try not to hurt each other."

Ten minutes later

Murray and I are panting harshly, Murray with his hands resting on his knees and I am crouched down while leaning against my cane. I'm sure that I hit and scratched him with the cane tip bad enough to leave a few scars here and there, but I also feel badly winded from the times Murray managed to catch and throw me from one side of the room to the other. And more often than not his Ball form and my cane were the only things protecting us from the lasers guarding the ring.
Then Murray hiccups and I look up to see tears run down his large face. "It's not fair, Sly. She – she doesn't deserve to be treated like that. Inspec – Carmelita is way too good to be treated like that. Hasn't – hasn't she been through enough when Neyla made her a fugitive? How could – how could anyone want to say that about her? That recording!" I nod in agreement and pull myself up on my feet with my cane. "I know, Murray. Trust me, I know."

The laser beams dissipate and Bentley wheels his chair over as he says: "But that's what we're here for now, buddy. To help her and to protect her. That's the plan, remember? We'll keep her here tomorrow and keep her safe and calm and in the meantime, Michael will take the whole case to Interpol International and get Barkley arrested. He'll make sure that the mutt pays for everything he ever said and did.
And now that we have the spices, we have another case against him. And finally, the fact that we are bringing this all to light only days after her anniversary will increase our chances to get the public on our side. We'll do to Barkley what he once did to that famous singer." Bentley's words are incredibly motivating, yet Murray frowns and growls: "It's too late. I feel like we're too late." But I shake my head and say:
"We're not, buddy. You have to keep Carmelita's strength of character into account. And think of it this way. If she was any weaker than she was, she probably would have asked me to do what Barkley kept insinuating. But she hasn't, Murray, and that proves that she's still holding strong. She's still the same powerful Carmelita Fox she was when Barkley began his tirades against her. He never got the chance to break her and now we'll make sure he can't even try to."

And this time Murray seems to take the words to heart as the angry frown on his face vanishes and gets replaced with a look of reassured trust and confidence. "Thanks guys, it's just – this whole thing – it just reminds me so much of –." Murray turns quiet and his face turns sad again as he turns to look at Bentley. And just that look says more than he ever could. Bentley rolls over and slaps him on the arm as he says:
"You should tell her that, Murray. If she knows that you think of all this like that, she'll realize how much you care about her. And I'm sure she'd really appreciate that." Murray nods and asks: "So where is she?" I grin and say: "Asleep. I got her to fall asleep when I massaged her back. Also a lot of the tension I felt in her back yesterday was gone this time around. Though unfortunately, the muscles in her upper back and neck were still pretty tense."

"So I guess you're going to continue giving her a massage the next few days, huh Sly?" Murray asks as we head back up. I nod at him and say: "Every day. At least until her muscles are calmed down when she just lies down to relax. As long as that's not the case, as long as there's still underlying tension in her tendons and whatnot, I'm not going to stop." Bentley grins while he boosts himself up the staircase and says:
"Uh-huh. Sure Sly, and it's not just because you enjoy being close to her or anything." I grin back at him and shrug as I say: "What can I say? That's just like a nice reward to my effort." My friends laugh and Murray and I both head for our respective bathrooms as neither of us wants Carmelita to see us looking disheveled. And just like my delicious and gorgeous – and currently sleeping – fox, I happily lavish my skin and fur with the shower gel as I shower.

An hour later

After our shower Murray, Bentley and I returned to the living room and Bentley and I stayed there, while Murray headed to the garage to prepare the van for tonight. Bentley turned on the tv and after a few minutes Guru, who has spent most of his time since he joined us in his room, came to join us while we watched. The Guru inquired about Carmelita and I told him that she was asleep. He asked about the recording, but Bentley said:
"Best wait till tomorrow, Guru. Sly and Murray already heard it earlier and they almost wrecked each other. I'm sure that recording is bad enough to unleash even your temper and I'd rather not risk Carmelita waking up to that." The koala had accepted this and we simply turned our attention to the tv and the spiritual mystery show that was on. The show is about a young lizard woman who is able to see the spirits of those who have died, but aren't ready to pass on yet.

The show is definitely interesting, yet my mind isn't really able to focus on it. My eyes, more often than not, drift from the screen to the corner in the right back of the room. And even through the paved stone bricks of the walls and ceiling I feel like I can stare into the bedroom that my beloved is sleeping in. And several times over the past hour I find myself wondering if she's still asleep or if she's woken up yet. Yet I don't really worry either way and just keep watching.
Then suddenly, just as we reach the finale of the second episode of the series, I hear something. I look up again and a grin grows on my face as I hear Carmelita walking down the stairs. "She is really going to have to work on that. Then again, that hearing of yours is just unbeatable." Bentley mutters to himself while he keeps watching the episode. I grin at him and Carmelita walks in, at the exact same time as Murray who is covered in oil and dirt.

"Murray, how much did you do to that van?" Bentley asks shocked and Murray explains: "Hey, I've been without my van for almost two years now. That poor thing has been stuck in ice for way too long. I've been in the belief that we got lucky to get to use it to this point. I was not going to continue trying that luck, not with our current missions going on. My baby needed my help and my care." Bentley nods and Carmelita grins at the Hippo.
Murray grins back at her and then his face turns a little red as he says: "In – Carmelita, I just want you to know that Sly and I heard the recording when you were sleeping. And if it weren't for the fact that I need a shower, I would have given you another hug, just like I did yesterday before Sly arrived at Urmila's for his birthday." The tone of his voice actually sounds guilty, as if Murray feels bad that he can't offer a sign of support right away.

Yet just Carmelita's smile is enough to reassure the Hippo and he grins back at her before he heads upstairs. Yet as he leaves, he says: "I'll start dinner once I'm done with my shower. Why don't you guys decide which set of furniture we need to pick up tonight?" We nod and Bentley turns off the tv while Carmelita comes to sit on the couch with me. I lovingly smile at her and pull her close against my side while Bentley opens up his computer.
I notice Carmelita wincing, but I already feel sure that I know what it's about. I smile at her and say: "Don't worry, gorgeous. All pictures taking by the Binocucom are instantly sent to Bentley's computer. His computer is in constant contact with all Binocucoms and he always instantly installs the required drives and whatnot in new Binocucoms when he makes them." Carmelita smiles at me for this explanation and Bentley mumbles:
"Okay, let's have a look at those pictures. Carmelita, which décor did you say would fit our style best again?" And while with a few movements of his arms Bentley actually makes it so that the pictures expand and show up above his computer screen, Carmelita answers: "Definitely Helena's. Just check out the pictures I took of her living room. You'll see. She somehow managed to turn her room into a swamp like room and still make it look homey and romantic even."

Bentley focuses on his camera, yet my sharp eyes had already spotted the right set. "Top right corner, buddy." I direct Bentley and he mutters a word of gratitude. He then moves his hands across his screen again and the other pictures vanish from sight while the set that I pointed out now spreads itself across the area above his screen. And as I study the pictures in front of us, I can't help but ask: "Is your sister a painter by chance?"
Carmelita shakes her head and says: "No, but she used to have really creative friends when she was in high school and I'm pretty sure she kept up the contact with those for a while after. I'm guessing they helped her paint her home when she moved in. The whole décor does remind me of Jasmine's style, though Lena and Jasmine actually had a falling out a few months before you guys helped me take down Dimitri."

At this I wince as I remember that I had to help Dimitri escape back in Venice just to have an easier time finding Murray. I scratch the back of my head and guiltily mutter about this. Yet Carmelita rolls her eyes and says: "Don't beat yourself up over it, Ringtail. Those idiots almost let him escape twice before you helped him. They wanted to give him a meal while the power was on the buzz and it falling out scared them so much, he took his chance. Twice."
"And yet he failed both times. And when I helped him, he managed it." I mutter, but then Carmelita crawls into my lap and kisses me on the lips as he says: "He only managed because my apes were idiots and because I had better things to focus on. Like I said back then, you're the only one in my sight. Back then and right now." Her words easily bring the grin back to my face and then Bentley mutters: "Yeah, I think this will work."

We turn to him and he asks: "Carmelita, do you have any idea on when your family is done with work?" The fox in my lap thinks on this for a moment and she asks: "It's nearing four o'clock, right? I'm pretty sure that mama is about to return home, but papa, Cheren and Helena won't be out until five o'clock to ten past five. Now Helena will probably be home by a quarter past five, but papa probably won't be until a quarter to six."
The turtle nods and says: "Alright, I'll give them a call after dinner." Yet then suddenly Carmelita asks: "Wait, why would Murray have to start dinner this early?" And Bentley and I grin at each other before I say: "Murray's specialty is usually one of two things. It's either pasta where he even bakes the spaghetti or other kind of pasta himself or he cooks pulled pork. Both take a couple of hours, so he usually starts around this time."

Carmelita licks her lips and I feel my blood going straight down while my gaze follows her tongue wetting her lips. "I haven't had pulled pork since I left home." The fox whispers and I notice Murray walking in the hallway. "Murray, make the pork. Carmelita hasn't had any for – how long now, gorgeous?" Murray turns to us and Carmelita answers: "Almost 8 years." All our eyes widen and Murray yells: "One full dish of pulled pork coming up!"
And while he rolls up imaginary sleeves as his shirt only has sleeves that reach up just past his shoulder pads, he heads into the kitchen. The four of us grin and while Carmelita changes her position on my lap, Bentley turns the tv back on. For another half an hour we watch another series that is now on the same channel. But then suddenly someone calls Bentley and after a few minutes of him conversing with the other person, he says:

"Helena asked me to secure her line. I think she has an idea on how to keep Jason from following Barkley's orders." Carmelita stares between us and while it pains me, I explain her about what we found out. "Barkley has been letting that Jason elephant guy grow mutated versions of the spices that the Klaww Gang tried to use two years ago. He planned to mix them with the pasta for tomorrow, but Helena already managed to switch them up with regular plant leafs."
The vixen in my lap whitens and I quickly make sure to pull her as close against my form as possible. I run my hand up and down her back, which is once again tense like a steel rod. "But – but that – that means that – he would – I – I would – just – just like –." She stutters and suddenly I realize what she isn't saying. The poor love of mine hearing of this must be thinking back to the time she was almost a victim of the Contessa's mind control.

Instantly my instincts take over and I press my lips against hers, trying to reassure her with the love I feel for her. Carmelita's hands reach for my neck and her fingers grab onto my fur in such a way I wonder if she will ever let go of me again. Yet I don't even care for this as the only thing on my mind right now is to help the poor terrified vixen calm down, reassure and comfort her. I express this through my kiss and through the motions of my hands.
With one hand I start to softly caress her hair and with the other I run lines up and down her back, my fingers gently caressing her down her spine in an effort to help it loosen up. Slowly but surely I feel Carmelita calm down, I feel her ears unfold themselves from the back of her head and I feel her body sag down against mine. Oxygen becomes a thing and I gently pull my lips away from hers. "You're safe, love. I won't let him get near you. Never again."

I really haven't ever felt this level of protectiveness and possessiveness before in my life. While I focus on my task at hand, my instincts are raging within me, the Cooper within me that considers Carmelita mine and the one destined to continue the Cooper line with me rages with a need to ensure that this future can never be threatened like this again. But Barkley, regardless of his horrible plan, becomes unimportant to me in light of Carmelita and her reaction to all this.
And because she is still slightly shivering while in my arms and lap, I just keep myself seated in my place and keep my stance comforting, yet also hopefully excluding an aura that will help comfort and reassure the precious, usually powerful fox. "Guys, would – would you mind if – if I –." Carmelita stutters and already I feel sure that I know what she wants to ask. And Bentley proves that he's on the same wavelength as me as he says:

"Absolutely not, Carmelita. You stay here with Sly while your parents, siblings, Guru and I take care of the move." Carmelita smiles at the turtle and then whispers: "I left my balcony doors open as I left. Mum left her bedroom window open and I made sure to open the doors of both Cheren and Helena's balcony doors as well." The three of us grin at her and Bentley says: "That's great, Carmelita. We'll make full use of that. Anything else we need to know?"
I silently thank my best friend with a look for his excellent way of changing the subject and giving my love something else to focus on. Carmelita nods and says: "Most of everything is packed in travel bags. I was able to pack everything of mine in just two travel bags, they're hidden under the cabinet in the living room. I also hid Cheren's chains for his motorbike underneath the jackets hanging from his hat stand. Most of the other travel bags are hidden under the beds."

Bentley nods while apparently typing it all down on his computer. I then remember something that was discussed today and sternly tell him and Guru: "And make sure you take her cd's with you. Carmelita didn't pack those as they would instantly alert anyone that she was up to something, but they deserve to come along." Bentley nods and mutters: "I did hear your conversation with her regarding that. Don't worry, I'll get my old tablet later."
I grin at my buddy and then turn to Carmelita as I say: "Great, that gives us something to do while the others are out. I can access the pictures you took of your collection through my Binocucom as well, so we can work on adding those to the Spotify list. That way, you'll have the original and a list for when we're out in the field." Carmelita gives us both a grateful smile, yet then she says: "Thanks, but I'd rather just make it an early night."
The three of us nod, yet then Carmelita makes my eyes widen. She turns her face to mine and the look of desperate need on her face deeply worries me before she almost begs as she whispers: "Sleep with me tonight? Please?" Instantly I need to fight down on my inner Cooper instincts and while they might interpret the request differently, I whisper: "I won't loosen my hold on you, not tonight." Carmelita gratefully cuddles her head underneath mine.

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Poor girl.
Yeah, I decided to let her look weak and vulnerable. But I know that if you break down emotionally, like Carmelita did when she first met Urmila, it's going to take some time before you can build yourself back up. And in only a few days' time, a lot of Carmelita's life is being turned on its head and not just by her own actions. She might have been strong and resilient when the Contessa tried to brainwash her, but her boss makes it a completely different story.
Anyway, this was actually supposed to be the chapter that would describe the move taking place, but – as usual – my muse ran away with me and I decided to cover a few last loose strings and whatnot. I wasn't really planning on having Sly skip out on the whole move thing, but I feel like this can give me more of a chance to give some limelight to Guru, who I admit I have really been neglecting to mention from time to time so far.
Sorry, Guru,

Venquine1990