Acey couldn't bear to stay and listen to the other excited chatter. The Conte wanted to meet them the next day, at 1 am on the Sacca Della Miserecordia... Acey couldn't help but wish they'd never stolen that wing in the first place.

Acey slipped out the door of the hotel room quickly and quietly, hoping to escape before being noticed. Once outside the stuffy hotel, she kicked at the stones on the street. What could she do? She knew it was Scipio's choice, but she couldn't help but think he was cheating himself... cheating all of them.

"Acey!" She had to hold back a sigh. It was Scipio. She had told him she didn't want to discuss it, and she had meant it.

"What?" she demanded, turning back to face him. She didn't want to explain it any further. She knew she'd cry. She wasn't in the mood to cry.

"Acey, I've been thinking about what you said-"

"Yeah? Well, I told you already, forget I said anything, okay? Just forget it. I shouldn't have come here. I should have stayed at home. I've caused you guys nothing but trouble," she muttered, truly believing it. "It's my fault everything is messed up. Maybe I should go home..."

"Acey- No, y-you can't!" Scipio looked appalled at the thought of it. "Really, I've been thinking about what you said... and... well, the truth is... I may have changed your life, but you've changed mine more than you can imagine."

"That might be true," she said, sighing, "But it's my fault the police know for sure Prosper and Bo are here. I feel so bad... You'll tell the others I said good-bye, right?"

"Are you crazy?" Scipio yelled, shocked. "You can't just leave! You can't just walk away from here! They need you! We need you! Acey, I need you! I'd go out of my mind if you weren't here to make sure I didn't! You're the reason I'm going to get to be a grown up!"

"You're cheating yourself," she muttered, looking at the ground.

"What are you talking about?"

"Scipio... being grown up doesn't solve you're problems. What are you going to do? Just walk out on your father and never go back? He'll never learn that he was doing anything wrong! That's not solving your problems, Scipio! You're just leaving them behind! Why do you want to wish your life away? So you can be free from your father? You're always going to be his son! You're the Thief Lord, for God's sake, you should be able to stand up to your dad!" Tears spilled down her face, she had lost control of them. She turned away, ready to go back upstairs.

But she didn't make it that far.

A strong hand gently grabbed her shoulder, and spun her around. Before she knew what was happening, she was caught in an embrace, and she knew she had gotten through to him.

At least he knew what she was trying to tell him.

"Acey," he said, looking her in the eye, "I think I love you the way you are, too."

So, the Thief Lord took the hand of the traveling author, and the two made their way up towards the hotel.

THE END

Hey guys! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it. I felt like it was seriously dragging on, I had to end it somewhere. Use your imaginations, and I may come out with an awesome sequel, if I ever have the time.

I could never stop writing about Acey and the gang.

xD