The next chapter. So sorry this took a while. Thieves was was designed such that every chapter is a story in itself so that one don't have to worry about continuity while enjoying the individual chapters. There is also a larger storyline that would eventually become apparent when one strings all the stories together... There would be alternating series of humorous or somewhat serious chapters to advance the main storyline over time.

Finally, one of the reason for the delay of this story is, well, there were some issues I had to work out after getting some interesting pms. I understand a mother's concern that making a Thief sounds 'cool' might have a 'negative effect' on 'impressionable kids'. So, I would like to state here once and for all time:

I DO NOT ADVOCATE THEFT. STEALING IS WRONG. IT IS A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

ps: if there is any country that think otherwise - I really would love to know!

All Right! Hope you enjoy this chapter too!

ps: Next bit is Summer in Vegas - and yup the boys get to meet dear Ocean. And yes, the hoys' girlfriends? - Story: Stealing Dates. Boys at school? - Story: Class Test. As for making Laura the mastermind... well, a true mastermind rarely show his or her hand until the very end, sometimes not at all. I think I answered all questions.

Thieves War

By Jolly

Fenton's Challenge

Many years ago, a young man sat alone in the quietest corner of an almost empty library trying to read from a text that was so old, part of its texts was blurred and there were pages missing. It was an old school building very much in need of an upgrade that every one knew it was not going to get. It was a poor public school located in the poorer end of New York City. It was also a mediocre school because of the sheer effort and determination that was poured into the school by a handful of dedicated and selfless teachers.

The young man was fully aware of all those facts. That was why he was still there, despite the fact that his father could easily afford to send him to one of the few exclusive private schools in the city. And he knew he was smart enough to make it to one of the Ivy League Colleges on his own later. And he would – after he did what he had to do for this particular school.

His father was one of the leading members of the highly exclusive and secretive organization known as the Thieves Guild. Yes, Thieves – highly professional, highly honorable… Thieves. They all led exciting double lives, had a career in respectable professions, and they met in secret to boast about who executed the most daring and most skillful Thievery. And later, they either return the loot in some innovative way, or, if they stole from another crook, they used the proceeds to help the poor and the weak. And that was the very important distinction between a Guild Thief, and a common crook. Or so Fenton's father always stressed to him.

Now, at seventeen going eighteen, he was just a short time away from having to prove his worthiness to take his place amongst his Peers and fellow Honorable Thieves. And this school was his membership Challenge. He had ascertained that this school and that handful of dedicated teachers were deserving of a windfall, financed by a robbery that was about to take place.

The young man in question was Fenton Hardy. He was tall, just a little over six feet, and had a lean yet athletic build. He could be considered good looking, with his dark wavy hair and piercing hazel eyes that was perpetually hidden behind a pair of most unseemly and ugly glasses. Many of the young impressionable teenage girls looked at him and sighed: Yes, Fenton was good looking and had what they considered a 'hot bod' during the few occasions when they saw his physique during physical education. Too bad he was too intelligent and too geeky. None of them wanted to be seen with a nerd – that was just too 'uncool'. And that was the way Fenton wanted it to be, especially since none of those shallow and materialistic girls interest him in any way.

Alas, things happened, and shit happened. And when shit happened, it poured. And the poor young man was left cursing and spluttering, wondering why couldn't he be one of those ordinary young teens whose next worry was what to wear and who to date?

First, there was the arrival of a new Thief in town. Now, that was bad, because that Thief was encroaching on his territory. And if he did not find out who that person was, and oust him or her soon, that would reflect very badly on his family honor. It would even affect his bid for lifetime membership into that most exclusive Guild.

Then, there was the arrival of this new girl at school: Laura Allvalach. She was beautiful, smart, sassy, and sexy… Fenton sighed as he conjured up her image in his mind yet again. Shoulder length silky blonde hair, a heart shaped face, a most winsome smile, and a pair of vivid blue eyes and shone with an inner almost mischievous light. Unlike all other girls he knew, this one knew her classics and mathematics. She played basketball and was a valued member of the track team. He was attracted to her, and his growing teenage hormones went nuts whenever she was near. He walked into a pillar, tripped and spilled his lunch, and was caught daydreaming in class. So now, every one knew that the resident hopeless geeky nerd was in love with the new and most popular girl in school.

And she dated the current captain of the school's football team – that was the direct cause of his next problem. Matt Granger had decided that he did not like competition, not even from a supposedly 'hopeless nerd' and decided to make an example of him. Fenton had to gnash his teeth and pour a huge amount of his energy into not acting rashly and showing that bully a thing or two about being a real man – like thrashing him soundly and letting the whole school know that he was a Karate and Wing Chun expert.

Add the fact that the finals were round the corner…

"No wonder Dad says life was crazy at seventeen!" Fenton sighed. "And if one survived his seventeenth year with his sanity intact, he's made for life…"

The clock struck five and the librarian announced that the library's closed. So Fenton left and turned his attention to his most pressing problem – defending his territory. He had worked out the MO of that new Thief, and tonight, he would get him or her. Actually, he was certain it was a 'her'. After all, as a male, he was sure that no other male would call themselves the 'Speeding Kitty'.

That night, he took one of his Dad's sport cars, and set it up to be stolen. Meanwhile, he waited in the well-designed hidden compartment, and waited. Sure enough, the 'Speeding Kitty' struck just before midnight. Fenton smiled – he could not wait to confront her. He slowly extricated himself from the hidden compartment, saw this 'Thief' and…

Laura?! His mouth popped open in shock, but at the same time, he felt a warm flush rush through his body and up to his face.

"Fenton? What the heck are you doing in MY car?" Laura yelled at him.

"Your car?" Fenton repeated a little stupidly and again cursed his stupid raging teenage male hormones.

Then, both their attention were diverted by the sound of sirens.

Police! Fenton thought and almost panicked. Shit! What else could go wrong? Why were they chasing his Dad's car when he made sure the alarm was disconnected? Damn!

He could hear Laura cursing as she threw the car into overdrive, floored the gas pedal, and sped off, with six or seven police cars chasing after them.

Fenton could already imagine his Dad coming down to bail him out at the local police station and cringed at that image. He would have to work out a plausible story why he was in a car with a car-thief… No! That would also mean the end of his dream for the Guild membership! He forced himself to calm down and reassess the situation he was in.

At least Laura could drive, he admitted with grudging respect as she executed yet another graceful turn at breakneck speed that cause two police cars to swerve off the road.

"Two down and four to go!" He could hear her muttering in glee even though her face was screwed up from concentrating on the high-stake race she was currently engaged in. And she still looked beautiful to him. Okay, Fenton admitted he had it bad.

Suddenly he realized why the police were chasing them. "You stole something else and this is your getaway car!" he accused. "All those other car thefts were practice runs!"

"Very good, Fenton!" Laura answered, throwing him another cheeky grin as she executed yet another sharp turn, and throwing him hard against the door.

"What the heck did you steal?" he asked, even though a part of him was already denying that answer.

"The Weisman ruby collection," Laura answered. "I love rubies."

Fenton would have cried if he could. The current owner of the Weisman rubies had stolen it from the original Jewish owner right after the Nazi occupation. And the Jewish descendents had promised a handsome reward for anyone who could retrieve it. There goes his target for his Guild membership Challenge and the windfall for the school…

"How could you!" He hissed, both in anger and in desperation. Now he had to start all over. With both the exams and his eighteenth birthday just round the corner, where was he going to find time to conduct all the necessary research to complete his Challenge?

Then he noted to his horror, that Laura's about to drive herself into a dead-end. Lord! If he and Laura got caught tonight, he won't even have to worry about failing his Challenge! The cops would never believe that Laura napped him – more likely they would pin the robbery on him the male and let Laura the female go. Drats! Damn! Shit!

No wonder Dad insisted Helen was the downfall of Troy and not that Trojan Horse!

"Turn right, turn right now, or we're going to get caught at a dead end!" he yelled at Laura, and was grateful she took his advice instantaneously.

"Then the next left!" Fenton continued as he automatically charted an escape route on the spot. "Turn into the tunnel and turn off the lights… there's a hidden alleyway just after that and this car could just scrape through. Just don't leave any scratch mark along the walls to give us away, and we'll be fine…"

He ignored the curious glance that Laura shot at him, and was happy to note she was as skilled a driver as he made her out to be. She slowed and executed that 90 degree turn flawlessly and silently and the police cars sped by without even realizing they were now chasing a non-existent target.

Soon, they arrived safe and sound at Laura's drop-off point, and he stood silently by as Laura had his Dad's car loaded onto a waiting truck and got some cash in return. He wasn't concern about the car – his Dad's insurance would cover it.

"Here!" Laura threw the stack of cash at him, which he caught deftly, and just as quickly return to her.

"I rather have the Weisman rubies," he told her. "And you owed me, since you stole and sold my car."

Laura's eyes sparkled. "Oh? And why were these rubies so important to you?" She asked. "And don't bother denying – it's all there in your body language – minus the fact that you've the hots for me, of course."

Fenton cursed. His face turned red as he tried to get his traitorous body to behave. But the way she talked and looked at him only served to inflame his passions further.

"Hmmm… you planned to catch me, didn't you? That's why that car was parked there the last few nights… but things are not so simple… you showed a remarkable knowledge of all the little alleyways for a nerd at school. Not to mention a very, very deep interest in those rubies…"

Fenton shivered as Laura ran her finger over his chest. He had never allowed any other female that close… until today. Actually, it was Laura that helped herself to him. And a part of him, for some strange reason, was drawn to that.

"Really?" he just managed to ask in a nonchalant tone, as his fingers reached out for her silky hair. Two could play the game… not that he had much practice there, but, his fingers had been itching to touch those strands for a long time, and he decided he might as well let his traitorous hormones lead him. After all, they got him here in the first place. He let his other arm slid around her waist and drew her close, and let himself enjoy the feel of her curvaceous body against him and breathe in that sweet womanly scent.

Laura laughed softly. She tilted her head at him as she reconsidered everything, before leaning in close and whispering huskily into his ear. "There could be only one reason… The Guild… And you're turning eighteen soon, aren't you?"

She shook her head at the deadpanned expression on Fenton's face. "Tsk, tsk. I see you're desperate. But since you did save me today, I'll give you a chance. Win this challenge, and I'll give you the rubies."

"What challenge?" Fenton asked even as the beauty in his arm took the opportunity at his distraction to twirl away from his less than romantic grasp.

"Steal a kiss, Fenton boy, and I'll hand over the rubies. Just steal a kiss from me – if you can! By Prom Night…"

And Fenton watched as Laura sashayed her way into the shadows that night. Steal a kiss? That's all?

"And how would I know if you'll give me the rubies if I win?" he yelled after her disappearing form and could not help the smile that tugged the corner of his lips as the answer came floating back through the night breeze.

"Because a Thief will always honor her word… and do get some breath mints before making any attempts…"

The next few days were a frustrating lot for young Mr. Fenton Hardy. He discovered too late, that stealing a kiss was very different from stealing rubies… or stealing a Siamese cat. Laura, being the most popular girl in school, was almost always surrounded by friends or with her boyfriend – he never understood what Laura saw in that bully. And the very few moments where he managed to corner her alone, she somehow managed to slip away – and he ended up kissing a book, a newspaper, choked on a chocolate, and finally, kissed that big chubby ugly friend of hers.

By the end of the week, he was growling in sheer frustration, driven to the edge by his own hormones, as well as his continued failure. That was about as much as his battered ego could take. So, on Sunday night, he decided to execute a daring feat: Break into her house and just take the kiss.

He leapt nimbly over the fence, and climbed up the pipe and onto the second storey window ledge. There she was, asleep and buried under her blankets. Slowly, he pried open the window, and crawled into the room, careful not to make any noise. He tip-toed over to the bed, then, in a swift movement jerked off the blanket and bent down for his stolen kiss, only to find a pair of furious brown eyes glaring up at him.

"What the fk do you think you are doing, you fag…"

Shit! Fenton thought as he backed hastily away and raced for the window, sliding down the pipe so quickly the friction burned his arms and legs. What the heck was Laura's big brother doing in her bed? Wasn't he supposed to be in the army? Fenton cursed as he ran. He could hear angry voices behind him, and felt the lights came on room by room. Then to his consternation, he heard the dogs… and were those… were those… Alsatians?

Fenton ran for his dear life…

The next day, Laura cornered him in his favorite corner in the library. He was just too hurt – both physically and egoistically to try stealing any kisses. Especially not with Matt's pals watching them. He got bitten, torn his favorite pair of Levi jeans, fell into a nettle bush and was now covered with rashes.

"Big brother came back for a short vacation before starting his next tour of duty," she whispered to him with barely suppressed humor. "So I let big brother have my room while I camp over with Aunt Melody in a sleeping bag. Wasn't I lucky? I think you're going to lose, Fenton," she taunted.

Fenton glared at her as she walked away laughing. No way was he going to lose to that… that… pretty face party girl! He vowed even as he was starting to feel the start of a grudging respect for her wiliness.

Then he realized his problem. So far, she had been taunting him daily, and he had been led by his hormones, when he should be thinking and using his brains. And now, in his favorite corner in the library, he finally knew how he could get that stolen kiss. He started to laugh quietly – almost evilly. He's going to win that challenge after all, and Laura would never see it coming.

Two weeks later, the old school was buzzing with excitement. It was the night when the school was staging the Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet, starring Matt Granger and Laura Allvalach. It was part of the school's annual fund raising efforts to purchase the necessary textbooks for the next year's classes.

And Fenton had his plan all set. At the end of middle of Act V, poor unsuspecting Matt Granger suddenly develop a bad case of stomach pain, leaving him, the geeky understudy to take over the role of love-struck Romeo.

He would forever remember that shocked expression on Laura's face when he appeared before her at that scene at the tomb where Romeo was to poison himself and join his love in the ever after.

"… the yoke of inauspicious stars / From this world-wearied flesh." Fenton as Romeo spoke those famous last words, and leaned down towards his Juliet to take his fateful kiss while Laura watched helplessly from beneath her eyelashes.

"Gotcha," he whispered before standing up and drinking his poison before dying a dramatic stage death, letting his arm drape loosely over her bosom. How he loved Shakespeare and its cultured language! And what lovely warm soft bosom!

And Fenton could not resist but add cheekily in a soft voice as he 'died' with his mouth right next to Laura's ears. "And Juliet darling, I am stealing two kisses, not one."

He could barely smother his very satisfied grin as Laura went through her final lines, and leaned down to kiss Romeo's supposedly poisoned lips in a failed attempt to kill herself before finally resorting to the knife.

"Okay, you win," Fenton heard Laura's reluctant admission as she dies over him.

"And the rubies?"

"Will be yours by Prom Night…"

Fenton almost purred with satisfaction. He passed his exams, got his rubies, completed his Challenge, got his kisses, and has a most beautiful woman lying atop him – what more could any man asked for?

Fenton took his bows with the casts before a mildly excited audience before retreating backstage… only to come face to face with a really furious Matt Granger.

"How dare you kiss my gal!" he hissed before shoving Fenton into a pile of boxes.

Fenton had enough. He stood up and took off his Romeo costume gloves and threw it at Matt's face. No one could miss the meaning of his statement. Matt charged and Fenton easily side-stepped and tripped his opponent, then jammed his right arm forcefully into the unsuspecting football captain's solar plexus. Matt went down like a ton of bricks, much to the shock of his team mates and friends.

Good riddance, Fenton thought as he returned his attention to his Juliet, and executed a courtly stage bow. "Juliet, dearest Juliet, thy beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light. Please be my date for the upcoming Prom Night?"

At that moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of them as Fenton waited with bated breath and a pounding heart for Laura's answer. After what seemed forever, at least to him, Laura finally said 'yes' amidst the cheers from the rest of the cast. He lifted her into his arms, just to make sure she could not run away, and gave her another kiss – a proper one this time, not a stolen one. It was a long while later before he let Laura go again, setting her down lightly on her feet.

"Pick you up at seven?" he asked softly. After she nodded, he turned and left. There was a musical rhythm to his steps as he marched jauntily away – very much a Romeo in love.

"Ah, my Romeo, how does one steal something that was given to them willingly?" Laura asked quietly as she watched Fenton Hardy walked away. Slowly her lips curled into a satisfied smile – she got her man, hook, line and sinker.

please review!