A/N Hi! Loved all your theories on what was going on with Sophie. Some of you got it right! I hope you like where I went with this.
She hanged up the phone with a sigh and hid her face in her hands. She was already feeling guilty about lying to Nate. She couldn't believe it that she actually did it. She openly lied to him. She had spent the last few days in London for Karen's birthday, it had been fun. A week-end filled with parties, hanging out and excitement. That morning she had taken a plane for Rome and she was now staying in a hotel near Piazza San Pietro. She had told Nate that she was going to stay an extra few days with Eleanor and Karen telling him that she had missed them so much and wanted to spend more time with them. He believed in her and trusted her that he didn't question her, he promptly took her word for it and that made her feel even more awful.
After seeing Parker at the British Museum and after hearing Nate praise the thief's accomplishment, she had felt a void inside her. She realized she really missed grifting and stealing. As much as she wanted to change for Nate and for a life together with him, she was a thief and she had loved doing what she did. That was when she noticed another article in that newspaper. She saw her opportunity to get back into business, to steal something that was going to be perfect for her collection and for that she needed to be Jenny Sinclair.
She stood next to the table covered with documents and pieces of paper where her whole plan was laid out. It wasn't going to be difficult getting inside the Vatican Museum with her Professor Jenny Sinclair badge, the difficulties were going to be getting out with the object she was planning to steal. She studied her work and slightly chuckle. She could definitely see the Nate's influence. She had learned a lot from his way of planning things when they had worked together.
She jumped at the knock on the door.
"Servizio in camera (Room service)" said a male voice outside the door.
Sophie opened it and let the waiter in. She smiled at him and gave him a generous tip. "Grazie" she thanked him.
The young man nodded and left the tray on the trolley, before exiting the room.
After dinner and a quick shower, she went straight to bed. A long and difficult day was waiting for her ahead. She turned on her right side and saw the empty space where Nate should have been. She ran a hand over the cold sheet. She missed him. He had a way of making her feel safe during the night. Since the shooting accident her nights staying at Nate's had doubled. Even if they still hadn't admitted to each other, they were both ready for the next step. Maybe that's why she subconsciously needed to do this. One last big heist before retirement.
The morning after she was standing in front of the desk of the Vatican Museum. The guard was checking her credentials. He typed something on the computer and then looked up to give her a quick glance.
"Buongiorno professoressa, il direttore la sta aspettando.(Good morning Professor, the director is waiting for her)" he smiled at her.
Of course he is. I've sent the request weeks ago she thought Roberto Varsalli greeted her shaking her hand.
"E' un onore averla qua, Professoressa Sinclair. (It's an honor having you here, Professor Sinclair)" he told her leading her through the big halls of the building.
"Grazie" she thanked him carefully looking around her. They were getting near to her prize.
"Il suo contributo per la restaurazione della sala sarà fondamentale ( Your contribution for restoring the hall will be crucial)"
"Lei è così gentile (You're so kind)" and then she saw it. The artifact she wanted in her collection.
"Eccoli qua (Here there are)" he proudly showed her the different statues and paintings that needed to be restored.
"Sono così belli! ( They are magnificent)" she exclaimed, but her focus was only fr one particular object.
Without being noticed she pressed some keys on her mobile phone. A few second later the director beeper went off. He quickly checked the message and called someone. After finishing the conversation he turned towards Sophie.
"Mi dispiace, ma hanno bisogno di me altrove. Posso lasciarla da sola (I'm sorry, but they need me somewhere else. Will you be okay on your own?"
"Certamente. Inizierò subito ad analizzare il lavoro. (Of course. I will start studying the work that needs to be done)" Sophie smiled, her beauty distracting the man.
He left the room and as soon as the grifter was sure it saw safe she took the object and started walking away. She made sure that her face was always hidden from the surveillance cameras. She rushed towards the exit and saw the guards still standing there. She went to the fire alarm and pulled the lever. Alarms started ringing through all the corridors and the guard ran from his post to check for fire. Sophie took the opportunity to run away leaving the museum far away behind her. With the object hidden inside a piece of cloth, she hailed for a taxi to take her the warehouse she had in Rome. It was going to be too dangerous to fly with the statue now. She was going to come and collect in a couple of months, the priority was to leave Italy and go to London.
She paid the taxi driver and walked towards her warehouse. Stopping in front of it, she entered the combination. The door automatically opened and after looking around making sure that no one was watching her she went inside closing the door behind her. She switched the light on and she looked at the boxes filled with artifacts and paintings that filled the room. Here she had stored all the objects she had stolen in Italy and part of central Europe.
She took her prize from under the piece of cloth. Here it was finally in her hands: The First David. The little bronze statue of the famous monument felt heavy and rough. She took a moment to admire the artwork. It was magnificent. Her collection wasn't complete yet was going to be with the Second David next to it. They two statues hadn't been together for nearly 400 years and to have them together would be magnificent accomplishment. One step at a time she scolded herself.
She checked the time and noticed that she had to leave soon. She still had to get her things from the hotel and check out. Her flight was going to leave soon and she couldn't miss it. From London she had to then catch the flight for L.A. and acted like nothing had happened, like she hadn't spent the last couple of days in Rome because Nate was going to pick her up and she couldn't tell him about the theft, he might not understand why she did it.
She gave one last look to the David. It hurt her to leave there, but it was for the best. She put it inside a secure box and then switched off the light. She closed the door behind and then changed the security code, like she always did when she was leaving one of her warehouses.
Five hours later she was relaxing on a flight for L.A. anxious to see Nate again.
At the same time someone was checking the security footage at the Vatican Museum.
"Well, well, well… Look who we have got here." The man muttered. "Jenny Sinclair. This time I've got you!" He glared at the photo of Sophie on the screen.
A/N 2 Who was it at the Vatican Museum? Will Nate ever find out about what Sophie did? And if so, how will he react? Thanks for reading and reviewing. More soon! :)
OT: I'm organizing 10 weeks of Nate/Sophie. If you're interested check it out on the nathan_sophie community in livejournal. :D