Disclaimer: I don't own any Sly Cooper characters; they belong to Sucker Punch Productions.
Claimer: I own all of my original characters.
This chapter, along with many more after this, is telling the events that led up to chapter 1. For a while this story will stay in the Sly Cooper section and it might have to become a crossover since Dr. Cortex belongs in the Crash Bandicoot section and not to me. But I'll probably write it in a way to where it won't need to be one, unless I'm asked otherwise by enough people. So, please read and review and let me know what you think. And again, I know this chapter is short but things are getting started and the first few will be short.
Chapter 2: Thinking Back
6 Months Earlier
I grunted as I tossed another heavy packing box on top of one already on the living room floor. I hoped that this would be the last time I would have to pack up my things and go to a new location. I was close to completing the task I worked my whole teenage and adult life for. I only had two keys I needed to steal before I confront Cortex myself. This job might have already been completed if Charlotte hadn't found more things that I had needed to steal a year ago. But, all the moving would be worth it after this was all over with.
"I hate moving." I said after turning around. Sly handed another box off to me and I stacked it with the others. He had stopped by while I was in the middle of packing and I had coaxed him into helping me.
"Then why do you take everything with you if you come back in two months?" I moved to the middle of the room and sat before piling more things into a box.
"Because I don't want someone breaking in and stealing things, ironic as that is. And I know this place can be broken into." I shot him a glance and he flashed a smile.
"I only come over when I know you're home or in the country. So if you hate packing just get a house sitter. I'll watch it if you want me to."
"Not going to happen." I snorted a laugh as I placed the last piece into the box. I folded the flaps down while Sly applied packing tape on them.
"Why not? I think I can take care of an apartment." We stood after the box was shut and secured. He picked the box up and placed it with the others before we continued to conversation.
"Because you're gone just as often as I am," He nodded as I flopped onto the couch, "and I won't have to pack for a while after my plane lands." He sat on the cushion next to me.
"How long do you plan on being gone? You were gone a good a while last time."
"Well," I though of my time plans, "if I leave tomorrow morning and make my flight, it'll take about eight hours to get from Paris to Tokyo if I don't get delayed. Then, I'll plan for a week before going after the key. So after I get the key I'm taking two weeks off and I turn into a tourist." I chuckled when I realized I turn into a tourist every time I visit a new place, "After that, I pack everything up and catch a plane to southern Peru. I'll search the ancient cities until I find the second key. After all that's done, I go back to Sydney and stay with my sister while we make out final plans. If everything goes smoothly like planned, I should be back in six or nine months but if things go wrong, anywhere from ten to twelve months."
"That's" he paused, "that's a long time. Are you coming back to Paris after everything's done?" he rolled his head in my direction.
"Probably, if I stay in Australia it'll be a higher chance of getting arrested. Paris would be the safest place to go. But I'll lie low for a while anyway so no matter where I go I won't steal anything."
"So are you going to stay a thief after this is over or blend into normal, law abiding society?" I stood and walked to the sliding glass door. Winter was approaching quickly and snow was already falling and sticking. I looked out at it while I answered.
"No, I'm staying a thief; I love what I do. I just have no idea what I'll steal after this is all over. The only things I've always gone out to steal are the items I need for taking down Cortex. I'll figure something out after it's said and done." I realized he had gotten up off the couch when he placed his paws on my shoulders.
"You're worried about this, aren't you?" Sly always had a way of finding out the emotions I desperately try to hide.
"I'd be lying if I said I was worry free and ready to get on that flight." I was ready to get all of this over with but I would have no way of knowing how things would turn out. Even if I had my back to him, I could tell he quickly smirked. '
"You'll work things out." his arms wrapped around my waist briefly in a backwards hug before I was released, "I have to get going. I've got a job to pull tonight and I have to make sure every thing's ready." I nodded silently and he slid the door open. He was halfway out the door before he turned back briefly.
"Just do me a favor and come back in one piece, ok?" I chuckled briefly.
"I'll try my best." And with that, he darted from my balcony and to wherever he was heading. After sliding the door closed and locking it, I returned to my packing. I only had the living room to pack up into boxes and I could relax. Since I already had my kitchen supplies packed, I'd decided just to go out for dinner. I sat back in the floor to finish packing and go over my plans. I didn't know the importance of the keys I was getting ready to retrieve but Charlotte said they were important. I didn't argue with her and figured I'd need them no matter what. I knew they were extremely well hidden in their locations and be difficult to find.
I spent the rest of the afternoon packing my things up and when the sun started setting, I went out and brought home my dinner. It took almost an hour to get to the Chinese restaurant, order my food, wait for it, and come back home. I would have taken my car but I've had engine troubles for the past few months and I'd need to look at it. So until then, I had to walk everywhere. I had decided to leave my car in Pairs while I was on my two upcoming jobs and fix it after I had returned home. I was nervous about being so close to completing my life goal, but I was also exited for having this completed. I relaxed after I had gotten home and eaten. My packing was done and I went to bed early so I could get enough sleep and sit though the painfully long plane ride in my future.