A/N and Disclaimer: Sorry about the wait! My computer wouldn't upload my stories to documents! Anyway, last time I left in the middle of a heist (sorry about that!). So now we'll see who Carmelita is running from, and what the cop's intentions are…And once more, no, I do not own Sly Cooper, Carmelita, Bentley, Murray, or any police artillery. I did invent the officer that chases Carmelita, but I'm sure it's not that important. On with the story!
Carmelita leapt onto an adjacent rooftop and ran. The officer shouted and ran on the road beside the houses. She aimed a gun up at Carmelita, and fired. The young fox was expecting bullets to fly at her, and was most surprised when a lightning blast came hurling at her. She almost stopped as she realised what the officer was using.
My gun! she thought angrily. I'm 'on holidays', and this officer just takes my weapons! Oh, she's going down, she thought angrily, leaping over a small alleyway. She paused and turned to the officer behind her.
Wow, she is really far behind! Carmelita thought, more than a little surprised. I wasn't running that fast, was I? She looked at the distance covered. It's not far enough, she thought, I'll wait for her, then keep going, so we'll get far enough from the gang.
She caught what little breath she had lost, as the officer below her ran to where Carmelita was. 'Stop!' she yelled. Carmelita rolled her eyes. I already have, she thought, but turned fully to face the officer. Eventually she got close enough for Carmelita to see her properly. She was a tall wolf, greyish fur, dark hair and (Carmelita frowned) not much clothing, a tank top and a miniskirt. Who wears that to work? Carmelita thought, especially at Interpol!
'Halt!' the wolf yelled again. Getting frustrated, Carmelita jumped down from the roof. Not a smart idea, but she was getting angry with this officer! The wolf walked up to Carmelita cautiously (she had landed in a small alley, and the officer couldn't see her very clearly). 'Put your weapons down, Cooper! You're under arrest!'
Carmelita laughed inwardly at the officer. She had realised that this was Officer Lax, one of the bimbos from her level, and one of the worst and most jealous girls at Interpol. How she got this case Carmelita didn't know. Well, she had an idea, but she didn't like to think about the quite disgusting situation that Lax must have been in (or who she was on). Carmelita stuck her tongue out in disgust. Bleh! she thought, somewhat childishly, that's gross!
Officer Lax moved forward slowly, with Carmelita's gun held out in front of her. It was shaking mightily, and Carmelita frowned at the lack of control the Officer had on her precious gun. She decided to tease the girl, and the fact that she had spread half of almost all the awful rumours about Carmelita made it all the more easier to put the girl down.
'You really should have picked a gun you could control, girl.' she said from the shadows of the alley. Confusion spread on the officer's face.
'You're not Sly Cooper.' she said, lowering Carmelita's gun. Carmelita was offended by this action, and brought the fake cane up as a threat.
'That doesn't mean I'm not dangerous!' she said defensively. The officer's eyes had become adjusted to the dark now, and she looked at Carmelita and giggled. 'Hey!' Carmelita yelled. 'What's so funny, girl?' she scowled at the officer, who had a hand over her mouth to stifle her girly giggles.
'You're just a boy!' she said, smiling at the scowling fox. 'Of course you're not dangerous. What are you, his nephew or something?' the tall wolf paused, then asked. 'But why did you run? You haven't committed any crime; we only want the Cooper gang.'
'I am part of the Cooper gang!' Carmelita shouted at the wolf, determined to prove her worth. But the officer just laughed.
'Oh, sure you are, kid!' she joked. 'I can just imagine that handsome Sly Cooper working with a kid to pull off a robbery. What would you do? Hold his cane for him?' She laughed at her own joke. Carmelita smiled.
'Actually,' she said confidently. 'I'm the distraction. By now, Sly Cooper is long gone.' And she grinned haughtily at the wolf
'Oh, I don't mind,' the officer said casually, catching Carmelita off guard. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. What! she thought, What kind of officer lets a criminal go like that? The officer looked over at Carmelita's surprised face and lowered guard (or cane) and stepped forward to the shorter fox. She cupped Carmelita's face in her palm, saying. 'At least I have good company, right? And what gorgeous company it is.'
Carmelita stepped out of the wolf's reach, and felt herself back against a brick wall. She grabbed her cane more forcefully, crying. 'Back off, lady! You don't want me to hurt you!'
The officer smirked, and stepped forward again. 'I don't think you could, boy. I think-'
But she was cut off, as a golden edged cane hooked under Carmelita's arms and lifted her easily from the alleyway to the comfort of the rooftops above. Carmelita looked over at her familiar rescuer, who winked at her, before turning back to the wolf.
'You shall have to forgive my rudeness, Officer,' he called from above to the startled wolf. 'but this boy has spent enough time in your company for one night.' There was a clear humour in his voice, and his bade his farewell. 'Until next time, Officer!' and they were away, leaving the promiscuous wolf in the alley behind them.
Sly and Carmelita ran along the rooftops to the gang's van, parked casually outside a take away pizza place. They dropped down just behind it and quickly climbed in. Sly broke the brief silence, turning to Bentley and Murray.
'Hey guys,' he said, that mischievous tone returning. ' I went to go and get Carmen, and you wouldn't believe where he was.'
Bentley sighed. 'Where?' he said, humouring his friend.
'In an alleyway two streets down from the heist, flirting with a cop.' he said, grinning.
'HEY!' Carmelita said indignantly. 'I was not flirting! That…officer, was coming on to me! I was trying to get her to go away!'
'Sure, sure,' Sly joked. 'I'm just glad I turned up early enough to stop you guys from whatever business you were up to.'
Carmelita fumed, and the others laughed. 'Relax Carmen,' Murray said from the driver's seat. 'We're just kidding. I'm sure your intentions were good.' And they laughed again. Carmelita, knowing now it was a joke, joined in, having a o at the raccoon next to her.
'Well, lucky it wasn't Sly in that situation,' she started. Bentley caught on and added. 'Yeah, otherwise, we wouldn't have finished the heist yet!'
Murray, Bentley and Carmelita laughed, while Sly pretended to look hurt. 'Hey! No fair! I'd never do that.'
Bentley snorted. 'Sure, and all that time you jeopardised our heist to flirt with Carmelita?' he asked sarcastically.
Sly grinned. 'Yeah, but that's Carmelita! Come on, you can't not spend time with her!' Carmelita hid her delighted smile behind a hand, but her eyes shone at the compliment.
Murray and Bentley replied in unison. 'We can.'
'Aww, you guys have no romantic imagination!' Sly joked. He looked over at Carmelita and winked. 'Fine looking men like us know what I'm saying, right Carmen?' Carmelita laughed at his antics.
'I think we should get back to the hideout.' she said smiling. Sly threw his hands to the air.
'The support I get around here,' he said, grinning. 'You couldn't see it with a magnifying glass.' And the gang, and Carmelita, cracked up again.
The van slowed and came to a halt, beside the hideout. It was late at night, and the gang crept into the hideout as quietly as they could, leaving their equipment in the van. After all, Bentley reasoned, they could get them out in the morning, and his security was more than enough to keep the van secure for the night.
The gang walked down the corridor, past the kitchen and sat at the dining table. Sly slumped into a chair, Bentley seated himself, and Murray sat down. Carmelita sat next to Sly and Murray, with Bentley at the head of the table.
'Okay,' Bentley began. 'the heist went according to plan. The vial, Locco Hombre and all the evidence has been set up for Interpol to find. We stopped his creation, and we didn't get caught doing it.' Bentley smiled at the gang. 'I think we did well today gang.' He looked at Carmelita, kindness shining behind his glasses. Carmelita saw this and smiled back. An understanding has been reached, she thought, and I think he trusts me.
'Well, 'The Murray' is tired.' said Murray (would you believe it?) and yawned hugely, his jaw spreading widely. Soon everyone was yawning, and Sly spoke up.
'I think you're right, pal.' he said, getting up. But stopped mid stretch. 'Oh. Carmen, we haven't got a bed for you yet.' He looked over at Bentley, who was doing some quick thinking.
'Well,' he said. 'There's a mattress in the attic, but we wouldn't be able to get it down til tomorrow morning. Do you mind sleeping on the couch again?'
Carmelita shook her head firmly. 'Don't worry, Bentley,' she assured. 'One more night on a couch won't kill me.' And she walked over to the living room.
The others saw this as a signal to go to sleep (if they stayed up, they wouldn't be able to make much noise, as Carmelita would hear everything and not get a wink of sleep) and bade her goodnight, before retiring to their rooms.
Carmelita smiled to herself. Perhaps sleeping here had its advantages, she thought, at least I get a bit of private time. The thought had barely entered her mind when her heart began again.
You like Sly Cooper, it stated bluntly.
No! her cop side rebutted instinctively. It paused. Well, maybe as a friend…
And maybe more? her heart asked.
Well, perhaps, her cop side suggested reluctantly.
Carmelita flopped over on the couch. She didn't need this. She had other things to worry about. That Officer Lax, for one. And whether Sly really knew who she was. She couldn't seem to figure out what he really knew. But do you think her heart would listen?
You love him, it said.
What? No! her cop side defended, I can't! I couldn't. I…
You're making excuses, her heart pointed out, why can't you accept it? He's handsome, charming, loyal, brave, what's not to like?
I just can't! her cop side said weakly.
I think you can, her heart coaxed, you can love him, like he loves you.
He doesn't love me! Her cop side said, a little flustered at such a suggestion, I'm just a cop to him. Nothing more, nothing less.
Oh really? her heart said mysteriously. We'll see…
Carmelita rolled over again. Okay, maybe private time wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Rolling over again, she found she couldn't sleep. Sitting up, she looked around the quiet house.
A clock ticked in the kitchen, and there was hardly any light. Carmelita looked towards the windows for moonlight, before remembering it was a new moon tonight. She stared at the curtains. I haven't been outside yet, her mind thought, and stood up.
Creeping to the door, she silently pushed the handle down, and opened it. Peeking out just a crack, she gazed upon the yard. It was almost empty, a small shed in the far back corner, and tatty lawn covering the rest of the garden. Carmelita didn't feel comfortable about sitting in such an open place, and stood at the doorway for a moment, thinking. She looked up at the guttering of the roof, and smiled.
Slowly, she closed the door behind her, and walked out a few paces. It was as dark as an inkwell outside, but she turned back to the house, and could just make out the roof guttering. She looked at one of the supporting pillars of the small veranda. She looked up. And she began to climb.
Reaching the small hideout's rooftop, she leant back on the cool tiles and focused her eyes on the stars. There were so many more she could see here than at her apartment. Her mind became peaceful, and she gazed up at the heavens, seeing the stars twinkle and returning their fondness. She felt so small, looking at these amazing suns millions of miles away. She believed she could truly loose herself, just gazing at the stars.
Carmelita felt as though the stars were absorbing all her troubles. She didn't feel afraid that the gang would find out who she was, or that she would fail her boss, that it was wrong to be friends with criminals, to be in love with a thief, or that she may never live a full or happy life without a certain raccoon. She felt utterly calm, looking up at the universe.
'Peaceful, isn't it?' Sly asked. Carmelita jumped. Okay, maybe she wasn't that relaxed. She watched Sly as he sat next to her, and looked up at the sky. She followed his gaze, the peace returning.
'Why are you here?' she asked.
Sly looked over at her, before saying. 'I could ask you the same question.' Carmelita turned her head to look at him, once again wondering how much this secretive raccoon knew. Sly stared back into her bright brown eyes, an odd glint returning. Carmelita broke their connection, turning back to the sky.
'I couldn't sleep.' she said, answering the not so cryptic question. Sly kept looking at her. She asked him again. 'Why are you here?'
Sly lay back on the cool tiles, and Carmelita's heart began beating a little faster at his closeness. 'Bentley has a lot of security on the house,' he said honestly. 'A silent alarm went off when you came out here. He woke me up to check it out, because I'm the sneakiest.' He folded his arms behind his head, gazing up at the constellations in the sky. 'He was worried for your safety.'
Carmelita turned her head, her cheek pressed against the terracotta beneath her. Her eyes were widened in surprise at the unexpected news.
Sly sensed this, and moved his gaze to Carmelita's surprised face. 'Oh yeah,' he said. 'Bentley cares for you like a brother. Like us. I mean, he doubted you at first, but I knew he'd warm up to you.' He sat up, leaning back on his hands. 'Speaking of warm, there seems to be a lack of it out here. Care to come inside now?'
Carmelita looked once more at the stars, who winked at her, then stood up. 'I think I will.' she said, holding out her hand to Sly for him to get up. But he was already up and standing beside her. She quickly dropped her hand to her side.
Sly ignored it, and walked over to the edge of the roof, smiling at her before jumping down. Carmelita watched as he landed, light as a feather onto the grass below. Carmelita looked at the distance. Sure, she could jump, but she felt that she would jar her knee, or something equally as important. She considered her options. Swinging on the guttering would probably break it. Hmm… what was that?
A piece of paper caught Carmelita's eye. It was wedged underneath a loose tile, only a corner sticking out. What an odd place to put something, she thought, pulling it out of its hiding place.
A seal on the paper made Carmelita gasp softly.
Interpol.
I.S.P to be exact.
She shoved it quickly into her shoe, looking down to see where Sly was.
'What was that, Carmen?' a voice from behind her asked, startling the young fox. She whirled around, to see Sly on the other side of the roof's edge. How did he get up here so quickly? she wondered. He couldn't have seen much on the paper, her mind thought, but he still saw it.
'Not much Sly,' she said, trying to act calm. 'But, uh, could I, uh, ask for some help down, please?' she said shyly. Sly smiled.
'Sure,' he said kindly, making Carmelita feel awful about lying to him, again. He walked over to her and said. 'I'll jump down, and catch you when you come down.'
Carmelita nodded, and Sly jumped down, performing exactly the same move, and impressing Carmelita just as much. She shuffled to the edge as Sly called softly. 'Okay Carmen, jump down.'
Carmelita paused, gaining her balance so as not to tip over the edge, and swung her feet over the edge of the gutter. Taking a moment to look for Sly, who was smiling up at her, she pushed herself off.
Right into Sly's arms.
'Got you.' He said as his hands caught Carmelita under her arms, before putting her gently on the ground, his arm curled around her, just above her waist. They stood like that for a moment, Carmelita looking at Sly to see what he was thinking. He looked curious, a small grin on his face. She silently pulled away from his inviting embrace, still looking into his eyes.
'Tell me Carmen,' he said softly, the curiosity clear in his tone. The dim light of the stars shone on his handsome features, and Carmelita feared for the worst as Sly spoke. 'What are you wearing?'
Carmelita looked confused for a moment, and an unusual tingle shot up her spine. She looked down at her clothes. 'A jumper, pants-'
Sly cut her off, still curious. 'No, there's something hard under your jumper. What is it?' he asked, looking down at her jumper. His fingers began to lift the edge of her jumper, brushing against her fur. Carmelita panicked for a moment, grabbing her jumper and pulling it down quickly to stop Sly, again stepping away from him. Her cheeks burned, but he could see nothing under her black fur.
'It's, uh, it's…' she stuttered, backing away and thinking quickly. She most definitely couldn't let him see the corset under her jumper. What else do you wear under a jumper?
'A bulletproof vest!' she blurted suddenly. Sly looked at her quizzically. She tried to explain what she knew nothing about. 'Uh, my uncle gave it to me after, uh, that riot in Marsonne.' She said, vaguely recalling a file she had dug up years ago.
Sly examined her, his chocolate eyes narrowed as he tried to decide whether to believe this odd story that had gotten Carmelita so flustered. After a moment, with Carmelita's lungs tingling from holding her breath, Sly nodded.
'Fair enough,' he said evenly. 'The people in this neighbourhood are pretty untrustworthy.'
Carmelita saw she had hurt Sly with her lies as he turned to go inside. 'Sly, wait,' she said stretching her hand out after him. He looked back at her, frowning. She opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't find the right words. Her eyes begged him to forgive her. She tried again to say something, but still nothing. Only one word came to mind.
'Sorry.'
Sly looked at her. Suddenly feeling angry with him for not believing her, she crossed her arms and frowned at her shoes. After a pause, she heard him open the door and shut it behind him.
Glumly, she went inside, collapsed on the couch and let the blanket take the tears from her eyes. It was like this that she drifted into sleep.
A/N: Aww, sad ending. Don't worry, it won't last forever! But her stay couldn't be perfect, otherwise it wouldn't be interesting! But we are probably near the halfway mark (unless I get massive bouts of inspiration), so things should be fairly interesting the next couple of chapters. Until then!