Hey everyone,
Sorry that the last four chapters all concerned the same day, it's just so that the first chapter made me feel the need to put it out in to the Point of Views of my 2 favorite characters and the other ones were made that way, because the party itself was taking way longer than I expected and would have overflowed with pages if not split.
Okay, that's that explained,

Venquine1990
PS. Credits for this story's existence go to Kitty Petro


Carmelita's POV

Yesterday feels like nothing short of a mixture of a nightmare and the best dream I could have ever had as I feel myself waking up in a bed that has softer linen than my own and of which the comforter feels warm and slightly furry to the touch, the thick fabric feeling like it's made of carpet the way it tickles my cheek.
I yawn loudly and blink, tiredly taking in my surroundings. A large almost circular room of which the corners aren't exactly bend, yet not exactly pointed either, which is located in a small in-build tower part of the old hotel and of which part of the back wall is completely made out of a large floor to ceiling set of windows.
The walls themselves are cream colored, the floor is made of an broken, off-white color and the way the dark wood of my four poster bed, my new dresser with drawers and my large, double-doors wardrobe match with the color makes them look spectacular, while my own nightstands are made of just a shade darker white.

There is actually a door in the left wall that leads to a very fancy looking bathroom with sink, bath and shower all build into it and Sly told me that, as a last method to lavish his birthday gift, he wanted me to have the room, even after I tried refusing to take it after seeing this. Because of his reasoning had I given in and Sly had smiled.
The room itself is actually three doors further down the hallway from where Sly's room is located and on the left of the hallway, while his bedroom is on the right and while the separation feels almost like something physical, had it not been any less easy for me to fall asleep last night, all the commotion of the day having worn me out.

Yet, right now, I feel nothing of that fatigue and I can't help but think: "If this is the kind of bed Sly sleeps in, then it really is no surprise that he is constantly in such perfect health." Then the thought of living in the same house as my true love makes my toes curl and I rush into the bathroom, preparing myself as quickly as I can.
Putting on the outfit I had worn the day before, do I realize I will need a quick trip home to pack up all of my things as returning there now that I am a Cooper Member just no longer feels like an option and while on one hand I feel as if I will miss the homey, old place, do I feel much more welcome and comfortable where I am now.

I then walk down once certain that I am well-dressed and ready for another day, feeling happily surprised to actually see that I am not the first one down. Sly's already here as well, some strange set of strings wrapped around his neck and the back of his waist and he seems intently focused on something at the stove.
Feeling like a housewife that just woke up to her husband getting ready for work, do I happily approach Sly, the way his tail starts moving in soft swirls of joy making me smile even wider before I wrap my arms around Sly from the back and ask in his ear in a husky, loving voice: "What's you making there, handsome?"
Sly instantly starts to smile even wider, a smile having already been on his face when I wrapped my arms around him and he says: "Just some raspberry pancakes, dearest love. They're my specialty and I felt it prudent to continue what the guys had done yesterday." This makes me tilt my head and Sly smiles at me as he says:
"Both of them made their specialty to make you and your family feel welcome and I felt I should complete the picture." This makes me smile and while I happily take in the delicious scents that are currently wafting up from the single baking pan in front of me, can I not help but ask: "Any other specialties you have, Sly?"

The Raccoon shrugs and says: "Not really, I'm just good with pancakes and Bentley and Murray love raspberry the most." He then turns to me, his eyes smoldering with love and actually making me take a deep breath in shock as he asks: "That yours too, my dear? Or would my angel rather have a different flavor on her pancakes?"
"I thought you would only lavish me on your birthday." I try to counter, not wanting him to work harder than necessary for me, but Sly shocks me as he suddenly turns around, wraps his arms around me and kisses me full on the lips, taking my breath from me before he whispers: "No, I want to lavish you for the rest of our lives."
Making me feel like I am walking on pure clouds of heaven before I softly mutter: "Strawberry. I – I prefer strawberry over raspberry, but –." I want to object, only to be silenced by a second kiss and Sly's husky tone muttering: "Strawberry it is for the lady. Sit down, love. Breakfast will be done within ten minutes."

And with the same skills I usually see him use when out in the field, do I see him twist back to the pancake, flip it over and – at the same time – grab another pan from a cabinet to the right of the stove, putting the pan on the fire and putting a pancake mix into it after making sure the fire under it was the proper temperature and size.
He then moves the mix around in the pan a little before shocking me silly as he turns to the other one, the one that is nearly done already and makes it fly in the air with a single powerful flick of his wrist, catching with what seems like barely to no effort whatsoever, making me speechless with shock as he then does it with the other as well.
He then moves the finished pancake over to a covered set of plates and swiftly takes the top plate off of the bottom one, lying the finished pancake on top of a whole stack of pancakes that are already finished before putting the plate back on top and resetting his focus on the new mix in his second pan still on the fire.

He then keeps one hand on the steel handle of the pan and moves himself over to a cutting board, fetching some strawberries from a nearby fruit bowl and, while constantly switching his gaze between the board and his pan, does he hurriedly slice the strawberries he picked and washed before returning to the stove.
By this time, do I notice how Bentley and Murray, who seem just well-rested enough to follow their noses into the kitchen, enter the room and Bentley hums as he says: "Mmmm, raspberry pancakes." And then Murray halts, sniffing deeply before he says: "Yeah, but – wait – the Murray is smelling a different scent as well."
And while he amazingly enough keeps his focus on his pan instead of his friends, does Sly answer: "I'm making some strawberry pancakes too, big guy. Carmelita came in first and she told me she prefers them over raspberry." Yet the Hippo seems not to care for this as he just smiles and then moves over to set the table.

A few minutes later, when the table has been completely set, do my parents and siblings walk into the room and just when they greet us all a good morning, does Sly amaze me as he – without even any effort – flips the pancake high up into the air and catches it, his eyes following only the pancake, while his hand moves on instinct.
"How did you do that? Most of the time when I do that, they either fall half off or get stuck to the ceiling or the hood." I ask in shock and Sly smiles as he says: "The handle of our pans is the same handle size as my cane. Because I can use my cane like my own arm, using the pan feels similar to using my cane."
This shocks me senseless and I hear Cheren mutter: "Working with a cane can make you use kitchen tools with that much precision? Damn, and I thought I was excited for training yesterday." This makes Sly smile and while my family looks on in amazement, does Sly make several more pancakes, flipping them like he does.

Then he moves two sets of covered plates over to the set table and sits down next to me, kissing me on the cheek as he moves some of his strawberry pancakes over to my plate and whispers: "All for you, my loving rose." To which I reward him with a kiss on the lips before starting my meal, cutting a piece off and taking a bite.
Instantly I feel like I have been during the last two meals, as if there is a piece of heaven melting on my tongue as the strawberry juice is somehow strengthened in flavor thanks to Sly's pancake mix and while squeezing my knife and fork in delight, do I happily munch on the piece of pancake in my mouth, attempting to salvage the taste.
My family seems to share this sentiment and when I have finally finished my pancake, half of it having actually gone a little cold without me really caring, do I wait for Sly to finish washing the dishes before I rush at him and kiss him full on the lips, having kept some of the strawberry sauce on my tongue.

I lick Sly's lips in a silent request for him to French Kiss me and Sly happily agrees, his lips only slightly parted when his tongue dips itself into my mouth and I quickly wrap my own tongue around his, wanting to taste a mix of his own divine lips and the delicious strawberry meal I just consumed and moaning as I do.
Like this we stay standing for the longest time, Sly's arms, lips, tongue and stance making me forget all about where I am or what I am supposed to be doing and when oxygen becomes a must, does Sly tease me yet again as he asks: "Will I be getting such a delicious dessert every time I make my morning specialty?"
At this I smile happily, feeling like I am more than willing to make that agreement when suddenly Bentley asks: "Shall we get started, Sly? The Foxes need to move to Interpol to hand in their badges and pistols and I thought you wanted to get started on making their canes." And just that first order of business makes me shiver.

Sly instantly wraps his arms tightly around my waist and says: "We'll be right there, Bentley, just give us five, will you?" The turtle nods, his eyes obviously catching onto my fear for confronting that lowlife mongrel and he moves out of the kitchen, Sly pushing me so that I have my chin lying on his shoulder as he says:
"Just remember, gorgeous, when this is all over, you have me to come home to. That man can do all he wants, you just remember where your real home is. With me, gorgeous, and whatever that bastard tries to do to you, I will pay him back twice if not triple as hard. Just remember that, gorgeous, just remember – that I love you."
And this makes the shivering in my whole form recede, my whole body relaxing against the powerful, trusting form of my beloved raccoon and while a few tears of gratitude get stuck between my lashes, do I smile at Sly nonetheless, wanting to convey to him with my face and eyes how grateful I am for what he just told me.
Sly smiles back and kisses me softly on the nose before he moves us so that he has one arm wrapped around my waist and leads me over to the living room, the rest of my family, Bentley, Murray and Guru already there. Sly seats me across his lap and says: "So, anyone against it if I measure you for canes before you leave?"

The Foxes shake their heads and Sly nods, giving me one last kiss before he stands up again and says: "Good, who wants to go first?" And Helena beats me with only a second of a mile in speed, her body up and standing before I can push myself in standing position and she says: "I'd like to, Sly. Do you need anything?"
Sly nods and says: "First, take a stance in which you feel yourself most comfortable when beginning a fight." The vixen nods before doing as told, spreading her legs just enough to get a firmer stance and extending her left arm almost completely forward, while bending her right arm at the elbow, both hands half opened.
Sly nods, his face pensive and thoughtful as he walks around my sister, apparently in deep focus as he takes all of the features of her stance into himself before he asks: "And when moving your arms in this stance?" To this Helena moves them with lightning speed, making them swish together and apart almost faster than I can see.

Yet Sly seems to actually see something in this as he nods and smiles before he asks: "Bentley, can I have a tapeline and can you write down everything I measure up for me, pall?" The turtle nods and takes out both a bloc note and pen as well as throwing Sly the requested tapeline and when Sly catches it, does he ask:
"You okay if I get a little close?" To which my sister looks at me, but I know in my heart that Sly is only trying to help us and shrug, giving them both a warm smile to convey that there will be no hard feelings. Both give me thankful smiles back before Helena turns to Sly and playfully mutters: "Live yourself out."
Sly rolls his eyes at this, obviously taking the banter like a real player and then moves over to my sister, taking all kinds of measurements such as the height from her elbow to the floor, her arm length, the length of her wrist to her elbow, the distance between her hands when in pose and the distance between her hands and face.
This last one kind of confuses me, but Sly seems to take most interest in this one before he says: "Okay, I got everything. Are there any kinds of woods or gems that any of you are allergic to?" To this Cheren nods and says: "I really can't stand the touch of Kauri. It's really rare, yet I somehow got the allergy for it."

Sly nods and asks: "Want to be next?" Cheren nods and while Helena takes back her seat does he stand up and Sly asks: "Your ability was highly defensive, right?" Cheren nods, his face lighting up slightly at hearing the tone of interest in Sly's voice and my partner nods back and says: "Take your stance, pall."
Cheren then shocks and intrigues me as he, for some reason takes a stance where his right arm is completely stretched to the front of his form while his left arm is bend so far back his hand is only inches away from his arm pit and his left knee is bend so that is almost lies into the crook of his right leg, both of them bend to a crouch.
Sly, however, seems even more intrigued by my brother's stance than his actual ability and quickly takes the measuring tape, not even asking Cheren to move like he did Helena, but instead just taking a few more measurements, Bentley writing it all down and Sly constantly waiting until Bentley gives him the clear to continue.

Wondering how my brother could be comfortable in such a crouched down position, do I suddenly realize that Sly must have been in similar positions his entire life and I think: "Cheren might be the one who will find this whole Master Thief Training the easiest of us all, if he's that comfortable in a crouched-down position."
This makes me smile in relief as my brother can be highly stubborn, sometimes even worse than I myself and when Sly is done, does Cheren sit down and do I quickly stand up, Sly's intrigued smile changing into that of an excited loving one and while I feel a smile growing on my own face in response to that, do I kid:
"You know my stances by heart, don't you Ringtail?" But then Sly makes me laugh as he says: "I do, but I'm also gentlemen enough that I still need to take some measurements as I have no intention of just going by my memory and your dress sizes." Which both makes me laugh and feel flattered at the same time.

I then take my most familiar stance, my left foot only one step in front of my right and both my arms right in front of me, one of my hands curved as if holding onto my shock-pistol, while the other is holding onto my wrist. Sly nods, but then tilts his head and says: "Carmelita, let go off your wrist and lay your open hand over it, instead."
I feel curious to his request, but comply, for some reason feeling even stronger, as if I am both holding an offensive weapon and being ready to defend myself at the same time. Sly seems to catch up on this and says: "Just move your hand until your arm feels comfortable lying on your wrist. I'll start taking measurements when you're done."
I nod, but don't feel like moving my hand at all and Sly seems impressed with this as he instantly comes over and starts measuring a few things, one of them strangely being the diameter of my hand when closed around a weapon, while another makes a little more sense as Sly measures the distance between my wrists.

Bentley still writes down all of Sly's measurements and when he's done, does he kiss me on the cheek and say: "Brilliant. Your siblings are definitely in for some interesting canes, but yours is the one I feel most excited to make. And that's not just because you have my heart, my gorgeous." Making all of us laugh in the end.
Dad then stands up and spreads his arms widely, yet not behind him as he crouches into a running position, but more to his size, shocking me and intriguing Sly as he says: "Interesting arm position. I take it you often hold a set of Shock-Pistols in both hands to make sure you can shoot no matter where you run, huh?"
Dad nods and Sly nods back, the impressed look not leaving his face as he measures several things, strangely enough even the distance between my father's wrists as he keeps his arms spread like he does and the distance between my father's arms and the floor and when he's done, is my father the first to comment:

"You know, some of your measurements make sense, Sly, but why the distance between my arms and the floor?" To which Sly shrugs, yet speaks with great respect and pride as he says: "Almost every cane made by a Cooper is made of different materials, heights and other aspects. Barely any two canes have ever been alike."
My father nods and says: "So all these measurements you make, even the ones that don't really make sense –." And Sly nods as he says: "Will make sure I make canes that are exactly up to what works for you, your form and your ability. Of course, they might have to be adapted at the end of the training, but we'll get there when we do."
My dad nods and then mum stands up, her face looking a little forlorn as she says: "Sure wonder what kind of cane you plan to make for me, Sly. Remember, my best skill is to heal any wound I encounter, so –." Sly nods, but instead of asking my mum to take a stance, does he hold up a hand, telling her to stay in her current position.

He then walks around her, his eyes searching for something I can't imagine he will find as my mother looks highly vulnerable and weak with how she now has her hands clasped in front of her and her head slightly tilted down and when Sly's done walking, does he ask: "How quick can you go from that stance into a fighting one?"
My mum looks confused and he says: "Like this." He then mimics her stance and suddenly, with swiftness even I didn't know he possessed, moves himself so that his hand is fisted and aimed for the ceiling, having obviously swung at what I can only imagine must be some made-up guard or enemy and shocking us all.
Mum then tries to copy his move and while her punch is quite sloppy in aim and precision, does Sly still seem to notice something he likes as he nods appreciatively and he says: "Yeah, I think I know just the kind of canes I need to make for you. I will need to take measurements from both stances though, for this to work."
Mum nods and when Sly's done taking measurements from both stances, does he walk over to Bentley, who happily gives him the papers with the measurements and says: "I made sure to write down each family member's measurement on a different note. Will make it easier for you to keep an eye on who's who."

But then Sly shocks him and while smiling, does he say: "Good, now – get in position.""Position? Sly, what are you talking about?" Bentley asks and Sly answers: "Get in a comfortable fighting position. I need to take the right measurements if I want to make a proper cane.""You're planning to make a cane – for me?"
Bentley asks, sounding completely overwhelmed and Sly retorts: "Didn't I say that the Cooper law allows for canes to be made for all members? Because I'm pretty sure I did before you had that epiphany about the wood samples we took with us some time ago." And Bentley seems overwhelmed with this answer.
He then sends Sly a grateful smile and asks: "You really think you can make me a cane, Sly? You know I'm more of a long-distance and quick running kind of guy. I don't think there's any kind of wood that can make a cane proper enough for that kind of out in the field work." But Sly smirks at his friend and says:

"Actually, I already have an idea in mind. I just need to be absolutely sure it's the right sizes and all." The fact that he already has a vision in his head shocks the turtle and then he sighs before crouching in his own wheelchair with his left hand on one of his wheels and the other on one of the devices installed within the chair.
Sly nods and takes the tapeline out again, handing me the bloc note and pen and I quickly write down Bentley's name on a new piece of paper, writing down everything Sly tells me as he seems to measure mostly Bentley's height, the height difference between him and the floor and the length of his arms before he stops.

Bentley seems shocked that he only needs a few things and then Sly turns and says: "Your turn, Murray." This makes Murray share a look with the Guru, who quickly motions him forward and the stance that Murray takes makes me perfectly understand why this guy is considered the muscle expert of the Cooper Gang.
Murray's legs are bend just enough he can jump at any unsuspecting enemy without the guy even noticing, his hands are in front of his face and the fists are held only inches apart from each other, his left a few inches in front of his right, while the muscles in his arms prove that he is ready for any kind of fight that could possibly occur.
Sly and Bentley smile in happiness at seeing this stance and Sly quickly takes the measurements required, Bentley again taking the bloc note from me and writing down everything his friend and leader describes, although I can't help but wonder why Sly is again interested in the distance between Murray's fists.

When the Raccoon finishes, does he turn to Guru and while the little Koala looks a little hesitant, does Sly smile warmly and say: "Don't worry, I'll make sure to make one that can easily incorporate your Moon Stone and I'm almost certain we have samples of that kind of wood back in the cove, so I can make something highly similar."
This seems to appease the Koala Spirit Guide and he easily takes a stance, his walking stick raised slightly behind him and only two inches off the ground, while his left hand has spread fingers and is aimed for the north west in front of him, both his legs spread wide enough he can easily bend one way or another at any time.
Sly takes a few more measures, this time including the size of the actual walking stick the Guru already has on hand and Bentley writes it all down before he asks: "What about you, Sly? Are you going to make your own cane?" But Sly shakes his head and says: "I performed a special ritual with my father when I got this.
It was the last thing he was able to do before the Fiendish Five interrupted my birthday party and – well, you know." At this I can't help but feel downright horrible as no one – not even a criminal – should have to lose their parents on their birthday and Bentley and Murray nod, their faces speaking the language of the heart.

Sly then takes the bloc note from his friend and takes a good look at all the sizes Bentley and I wrote down before he nods, his eyes determined like they were when he took down Clockwerk and later Clock-La and then he confuses me as he puts the bloc note in the pocket of his shirt and shortly says: "Murray, cove."
The Hippo nods and stomps on the floor in the same manner he did yesterday, only this time causing for a set of hidden doors to jump open right in front of the bookcase that is located behind my chair, making me switch around in my seat as the sound of them opening shocks me, while Bentley and Sly seem used to it.
Sly then walks over and kisses me on the lips before he whispers: "I'm still here, remember?" And while this confuses me, do I then see him running and jumping in between the open doors, Murray actually stomping the floor a second time and making the doors close again, their material sinking into the floor flawlessly.

"Murray's the only one who can open that door. I placed sensors on it that are sensitive to his exact body weight and power, making it so that they only get a tremor of shock to activate and open or close when Murray stomps like that. Unlike our hidden door up top, which can be opened by anyone who knows of its existence."
Bentley then says and I ask: "Do you know why he assured me he would still be here? What did that mean?" But Bentley seems as confused as me and I decide to figure that out, when Cheren sighs and says: "Let's just first get the nasty business out of the way and then ask our leader about his strange message and motives, shall we?"
And while I had been trying my hardest to forget about what we actually have to do, do I still take a deep breath before nodding in agreement, my whole family coming to surround me from all sides and my mum softly letting a single hand go through my hair and down my back, calming some of my raging nerves.

A few minutes later are we in my dad's car, which we had picked up from Madam Svetlana with help of Murray, and have we arrived at Interpol Headquarters, me walking between Cheren and Helena and both of them having a comforting and powerful arm around my waist and clear determination showing on their faces.
We enter the large four story building, that is made of concrete on the outer sides of the walls and of dark red bricks on the insides and while at appearing in the doorway, I can already see some of the more cocky grapevine-loving males starting to leer at me, do they quickly gaze away upon seeing who I am actually with.
This alone hurts more than I expected as it proves that these men were actually in on Barkley's plan to make me feel alone and vulnerable and while I just don't understand why men that work to protect the law can think of a plan this low and demeaning, does the way that Cheren squeezes my side upon noticing this comfort me.

We head up to the third floor of the building, this floor holding the office where all members of Interpol store their weaponry and other equipment for different reasons and when we enter the office itself, do I come face to face with someone I would have rather avoided until later; Chief James Barkley himself.
The man has his back turned to me and seems to be inspecting a list of equipment, yet it's the grin that is on his face that already makes me feel vulnerable and scared as it's obvious that he's either planning to ensnare another poor girl like he did me or that he has yet to realize that I am indeed quitting my job and is planning his next move.
"That little wrench thinks she can just escape? I'll just send her to some missions where she has to be undercover and plant some subtle hints that whatever she's guarding is highly valuable. The right kind of cameras and I can make sure all of Interpol thinks her the Cooper Slut. That will teach that little wench where her place is."

Barkley's words cut through me like the knives of the legendary forty thieves, making me feel as if I am about to walk into some brothel against my will and while I try desperately to hang onto what Sly told me this morning, do I take a deep breath, remember the strength I saw gleaming in his eyes and hiss dangerously:
"You will do no such thing, you lowlife mongrel." And just those three words make me feel as if a whole new world has opened; as if I am finally free of his constraining hold on me and as if I have really said goodbye to my life as an Interpol Inspector, which in turn gives me the actual strength to finally speak my mind.

Barkley turns around in shock and Helena hisses: "Tell him, Hermanita." And the pride that rings through her voice strengthens the amounts of courage and strength I feel within my heart, while at the same time I finally feel ready to release all of my righteous anger at the only one who really deserves it; the badger in front of me.
I storm at him and say: "For years now, Barkley, for years have I kept up with everything you threw at me. All the disgusting pigs you call officers, all the shouts and insults you threw in my face, all the threats of losing my job and dishonoring my family name. And you know what? I never deserves ANY OF IT!"
The badger seems shocked at hearing me shout like this, but I glare at him and snarl: "Who caught Railleigh the Frog, Panda King, Muggshot and Mss. Ruby? Who arrested Dimitri? Who made over 50 arrests on a single night? Who defeated Clock-La? Who stopped the illegal spice operations? Who brought Octavio to justice?"
By now my family is looking at me in shocked pride and I growl as I say: "That was all me and yet the only thing I ever got for it was snarls, yells, threats and more of your lowlife behavior. You didn't even have anyone at Interpol question me when Neyla threw in that ridiculous claim that I was an associate of the Cooper Gang.
Yet when I actually had Sly Cooper in custody, you completely ignored what faith had almost befallen Paris and made all the accusations against me disappear as if they were never there. You never apologized for believing some runt over the one person who helped you get where you are today and DON'T YOU DARE DENY IT!"

The Badger starts to cower, his lips quickly closing when I shout this at him and while feeling as I am breaking one chain that he has had on me after another, my heart feeling more free with every accusation I throw in his hairy face, do I not let him see for even a single minute how much I enjoy this new sense of freedom.
I just keep my glare on and say: "I know all about your disgusting methods, Barkley, and I am not against using them against you. In fact, I have someone on my side who will be able to help me do exactly that and you've known that for years. Why else would you work so hard to keep me separate from my own family?"
By now it almost looks as if all of Barkley's fur has turned white or grey, while the badger's fur is actually a mix of brown and beige and I smirk, feeling absolutely wonderful as I say: "You and I both know where my brother works – or should I say worked – and we both know what needs to be done when he resigns."

"And resigning I will." Cheren then says, stopping me in my rant and making us both look at him as he looks at Barkley with a mix of proud arrogance and he says: "Carmelita told us everything yesterday, Barkley and you and I both know you can't stop me from going to my bosses – as they are your superiors.
My father doesn't work for you either and my sister might have some connection to you, but in the end, even she has her own boss to answer to. And before you even start, if Carmelita comes with me to resign, you will have no further say in the case as they are and remain your superior workers, you little conniving bastard."
This alone makes me feel relieved as I had completely forgotten that the actual resignation had to be filed by the bosses of each department that my family worked for. Then Barkley growls and asks: "So that's it? You're all just going to give up and quit?" But this time my father is the one to speak, stepping forward with a glare as he says:

"No Barkley, we're not just going to give up and quit. We're going to resign and be what you tried to keep us from being. We're going to be a family.""And what about crime, huh? You foxes have always cared about that! You've always worked your absolute hardest to keep crime of the streets. What about that, huh?"
Barkley then tries to shout, but at this I smirk and ask: "Since when do you have to be an officer of the law to take care of crime?" And while the badger turns whiter than the fur of his eyebrows, does he then turn red with rage and shout: "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT ALL ALONG! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A FILTHY –."
But before he could so much as utter another word, does my mum rush over and actually squeeze a part of Barkley's neck, shocking him and making him fall out cold as she says: "Patients that go into seizure are best calmed by squeezing the right set of nerves. And I will not hear you call my daughter any more names, you lowlife."

This alone shocks me and mum shrugs as she says: "Guess my first lesson is paying off already." Making me remember what Sly taught her earlier on about moving from one position to another. I then smile at her and turn from the out cold badger to the little Chihuahua girl sitting behind the desk Barkley was standing at.
Her round whitish blue eyes are wide with shock and I sigh, removing my badge from my necklace and taking my shock-pistol from the holster I had taken with me the other day and lie them both down as I say: "Just put them back in storage and empty out my locker. I have nothing left in there that I find of importance to me anymore."
The Chihuahua nods, her eyes still wide and my family quickly does the same, my sister requesting to empty her locker out herself and coming back with a small notebook that has a purple cover and large rings on the sides. We then leave the office and while I wonder how long it will take for this to reach the grapevine, do I not feel like caring.

We then head for where dad and Helena work and while dad seems to have some trouble with getting his boss to understand, does the large Indian Lion indeed concede when told about what Barkley had been doing, keeping me away from working with this department, just so he could split the bond between father and daughter.
The lion had actually offered to file a complaint, but I had requested him not to do so until it was fully official that I was gone from Interpol and the big cat had agreed to this. Helena's boss had been more willing to let her go and had even offered an apology for letting Barkley manipulate her like he had tried to.
None of us had blamed the Martyr for what had happened behind his back and my sister had even hinted at the little promise given to us by the lion my dad used to work for. The martyr had taken to the hint and laughed at how subtle Helena tried to bring it, his eyes promising he would help his partner against this injustice.

We then head for my brother's superiors and while part of me fears and wonders if any of them hasn't already been manipulated by Barkley enough not to let either of us go, do the chains I feel have been released from my heart not allow me any chance to turn back on my decision as the emotional freedom I have now is one I want to keep.
We enter the office in question, where a zebra, an antelope, a hare and a jackal are all seated, all of them behind differently styled desks and all of them in very fine looking suits that accentuate both their naturel coloring as well as the shades of their hair and eyes. The group looks up and the zebra asks: "Family fox? What brings you here?"
Just the tone of his voice makes me know that nothing we have done for the last hour has reached the grapevine just yet and this gives me strength as I say: "Commander Enstips, my brother Cheren and I would like to officially resign from our functions as assistant to you and your co-workers and Inspector for Interpol."

Shock goes through all four and the jackal asks: "Resign? Whatever for? The Fox family has always worked for the sake of our profession, it's tradition." To this my father steps up and says: "It is indeed Fox family tradition to defend the law, yet my family and I have found reason to believe that Interpol is no longer the right place for this."
The four look at my father and I step up again, my heart heavy with fear and anger and I say: "For years, Commanders, has my own boss, James Barkley, been setting me up as a toy for Interpol to play with, using the grapevine within this very building to make my life miserable and even manipulating others to do his bidding.
A piece of evidence for this is the amount of times my department and my father's have been working together in comparison to the amount of times I got to work with my father. Another is that I myself overheard Barkley throw in small obscure hints in a meeting with you that made it so I didn't see my brother for a good fortnight."

By now the Antelope has her ears turned low on her own head, is the zebra bristling through his nose, has the hare been swishing with his ears in anger and does the jackal attempt to keep his claws from tearing at his own desk. Taking comfort at the signs of their anger to all of this, do I take a deep breath and say:
"Another piece of evidence is that, over the last few years, my sister has been gaining more and more paperwork with almost every case I solve and only with the cases I solve. Other cases she remains to be getting the amount of paperwork that is protocol and this to can be directed back to the lowlife skunk that is James Barkley."
But just when I finish, does said Barkley burst through the door, his face steaming with rage as he shouts: "DON'T LISTEN TO HER! SHE'S NOTHING BUT COOPER'S LITTLE WHORE!" Shocking everyone and angering my parents, yet I feel absolutely nothing as I look at the winded badger before me and say:

"Sly Cooper, in the entire career that I have had attempting to capture him, has only given me one kiss, one dance, one date and the chance to reunite with my family. It was a plan that I had thought out to thank him for helping me capture the Fiendish Five, the Claww Gang and Clock-La that allowed me to reconcile with those I loved.
He may be what people call a criminal, but you, sir, are nothing but a wolf's in sheep's clothing and your behavior makes him look like the royal prince of England it's that low and underhanded." By now everyone is shocked at how calm and serene I speak and I smirk, having planned this since Barkley's first rant as I say:
"And as revenge for all you have put me through, will I – from this day forward – work my absolute hardest to make it so that – if anyone in the future ever needs aid against criminals, they call for the Cooper Gang first." The badger gasps and the Jackal asks: "And you think you can get the Cooper Gang to accept this?"

I nod and say: "When has the Cooper gang – other than the stamp, chocolate bar and statue of the Venus De Whalo – ever committed anything that has harmed, endangered or otherwise threatened our citizens, my dear Commander?" And instantly an interested smirk of pride appears on the face of the Jackal Commander.
"You're smirking? Why are you smirking? She just admitted to working with a criminal! WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE UPSET ABOUT THAT?" Barkley shouts and the Antelope shocks me as she says: "Because we already suspected that there was some form of cooperation going on between Inspector Fox and the Cooper Gang."
I look at the Antelope, wondering in fear if she would mean those accusations Neyla threw against me, but the friendly smile on the female's face calms my nerves as she says: "No offense, dear, but none of us here just ever really believed that you defeated Clockwerk all on your own and we know Cooper was with you when you shot down Clock-La."
This makes me sigh in relief as I say: "He was my tail gunner in the fight against that wrench and he was the one to save me when Clockwerk had me locked in a gas chamber. He was also the one to actually deliver the finishing blow to Clockwerk's form and who used my jetpack to take the mechanical menace down."

The antelope nods and says: "Well, doesn't that prove it then? The Cooper Gang obviously cares for you and if they're willing to take a few gems or stolen paintings in return for making sure we have criminals ready to be shipped off to jail for their crimes – why, who are we to deny them their rightful payment, no?"
This alone makes my heart sing with delight, while Barkley now looks ready to sag through his own two legs and weakly mutters: "You can't be serious." But the antelope glares at him and says: "I am very serious, Barkley and you can expect yourself in front of the Board of Inquiry soon enough for your actions, rest assured."
The badger whitens again and dad says: "My former boss promised to file complaints with you against Barkley as soon as it was official that my son and daughter have been released of their functions and have their resignations made official." The antelope nods and the zebra, who finally seems to have calmed down, says:

"Then let's get down to business." This alone makes me smile widely and no more than ten minutes later do my family and I again walk out of Interpol, all of us wearing our regular outfits, but none of us wearing anymore signs that we are working for this building and this fact seems noticed by everyone as they all look at us shocked.
Walking through the front doors of the building, do I take a deep breath, feeling for the second time this day as if a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and mum seems to realize this as she wraps an arm around my shoulders and asks: "Feeling better, dear?" I nod and then, with excitement in my voice, do I say:
"Let's go home. I can't wait to tell Sly the good news of what Commander Speds offered to us." This makes all of my family smile and nod and when we come home, are Bentley, Murray and Guru all bend down over the coffee table, on which I can see the map to Kaine Island lying open, several marker signs showing all over.
Bentley himself has a deep frown on his forehead and is tapping his lips with a red marker, while Murray has a bag of chips in his hand and Guru has a look of deep contemplation as he speaks in his native tongue and points out certain spots on the map, Bentley grunting and nodding in agreement with the koala.

Murray then notices us and asks: "How'd it go?" Making us all smile and I say: "I gave Barkley a piece of my mind when meeting him in the Storage and Locker Department and we got both dad and Helena's boss to agree on filing complaints against him when they found out what he had been doing to separate us.
We also spoke with Cheren's bosses and they're going to put Barkley in front of the Board of Inquiry. Oh, and Commander Speds has a very special proposition for the Cooper Gang, one that makes mine look like the idea of a two year old." This catches the attention of Bentley and Guru, but then I notice something and ask:
"Where's Sly?" Bentley shrugs and asks: "Where else? He's still in the cove working on the new canes, of course. We heard him work on the wood samples a few times, but he seems really intent on working in peace and quiet as it seems he moved himself deeper inside. Doubt we'll be seeing him anytime soon."

This makes me look at where the Cove is hidden, part of me wishing I could go in there, but Bentley seems to read my mind and says: "You can't go there, Carmelita. Not because you're not allowed in the cove, it's because when Sly went deeper in, we decided to check the manual for instructions on Cane creation.
Apparently it's tradition that if a Cooper makes a new Cane or set of canes he does so in solitude and doesn't return to the Gang until the canes are done. We can make meals and drop them down there, but we're not allowed into the cove until Sly finishes those canes. That's been Cooper tradition for 500 years, just so you know."
And while wishing that my beloved was here with me, do I nod nonetheless, finally understanding what he meant when he said that he would still be here. I then sit down with the rest of the gang and ask: "Interested in the proposal?" The three nod, my parents smiling as they see how happy I am myself and I say:

"Interpol is willing to accept that – in return for you continuing to make sure we have our criminals ready for arrest like you did with the Fiendish Five, Dimitri and Octavio – they will overlook the fact that said criminals may be missing some stolen treasure and will even consider it your new payment from them in return for your help."

The turtle, Hippo and Koala look at me shocked as I shrug and say: "Hey, your methods of getting those crooks will probably still be illegal and you fighting them will probably never really be very pretty, but at least you won't have to worry for the law as much as before as long as you help Interpol capture those breaking the law."
"So – we will be working – for them?" Bentley asks, but I lounge back in the same chair as before and say: "Of course not. Didn't you listen? Your working methods and secret fights will continue to be offensive against the law. You're still criminals and there will probably still be other agents put on your case now that I resigned."
This makes the turtle smile and he says: "Good to hear. For a minute I thought your little trip had caused the opposite effect." Making me laugh before suddenly the sound of wood hitting wood is heard and when we look around, do we see Sly sticking his head out, a smile on his face as he looks at me and says:

"I thought I heard some sweet melodious sound. How'd it go, gorgeous?" And while feeling a little amused at how strange it looks to see just his head sticking out of that gap, do I snicker and say: "You're looking at the four resigned members of the fox family, monsieur Cooper. As of today our jobs at Interpol are officially over."
The raccoon smiles at hearing this and asks: "Good, so – no more Barkley?" And when I shake my head, does a look of relieved happiness show on his face and he says: "Good to hear. Got to go." And just like that does his head disappear and do I see a streak of his tail fluttering down at the lowest part of the door opening.
Murray then closes the doors and Bentley says: "Guess he's allowed to check up on us every so often. Wonder how far he's come since you guys left, though." To this I shrug and say: "I'm sure he'll let us know when he's ready. We just – we just need to make sure he remains in good health while down there." And the others nod.


Okay, that's it!
Next chapter will be with a little summary on how the Gang fares while Sly does his little crafting and will then continue onto where the Fox Family first learns what's it like to work with a cane. Now I do want to admit that ForeverFreelancer had thought out and described an amazing idea for a Cane for Carmelita, do I have slightly different plans.
What they are, you will find out soon,

Venquine1990