Hello again! Lightheart77 here again, comin' at you with chapter 5, oh yes, I hope you all like it. This is where we learn a little more about our new character, Chase. But that's all I can say.

Hope you read and review! And again to new and old readers, thanks for reading!

Chapter 5: The New Cooper

The morning sun came through Alexa's window, streaming onto her face. Her eyes twitched open, seeing the bright rays. She sat up stretching and yawning from her goodnight's sleep. But then she remembered what happened the night before and ran to the window to see no sign of Chase. She breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Thank god."

She quickly showered and changed getting ready to meet up with her friends. She had to tell them what had gone on last night; her parents not so soon. If she did they might get in the way and get hurt, even… no, Alexa wasn't going to think like that. Everything was going to be fine.

As soon as she was done changing into her favorite black shirt with a sliver dot star on it, a pair of blue jeans, and a quarter shelved jacket that hid the Thievius Raccoonus; she rail sided down the staircase rail. She looked around to see her parent's had already left for work and it was only her in the house, "No one's home but me… perfect. Then mom and dad won't be able to find out unless I tell them."

A knock came at the door, and Alexa nearly jumped out of her skin. She cautiously went to the door and looked into the peep hole. Ken and Jamie were on the other side, talking to one another about yesterday.

Alexa opened the door, and ordered, "Get in… quickly."

Both of them gave confused looks and said, "Wha-"

"Now," she replied expressively.

They both did as they were told, but didn't stop asking questions. "Bu-"

"No questions. I'll explain in a minute. But for right now, follow," Alexa closed the door, locking it and motioned her two very confused friends to her basement.

A million things were running through Alexa's head, but for that one moment, the main thing was getting to the safe spot in her home. The safe spot was a sound and gun proof room with a secret door leading into it. Bentley had it put in for just in case one of the big mobs that either one of her parent's had put in jail wouldn't be able to get them.

Alexa went down the basement stairs, jumping four steps at a time. Jamie and Ken still had no idea what was going on but knew that if she was this freaked out, it had to be important, or at least they hope it was.

Alexa then swiftly maneuvered through the clutter that occupied her basement, over to the far corner. She then hit the wall five times in a systematic order. The secret door then showed itself. Alexa slid the door aside and pointed inside, saying, "In, and I'll explain."

Ken allowed Jamie to go in first and he was right behind her. The room was painted tan and was small, but had enough room to fit about five people. A few chairs were place along the wall, with mats and food for long stays. As Alexa closed and sealed the door behind her, Jamie was the first to speak.

"Okay, Alexa. This has gone on long enough," she insisted.

"Yeah, tell us what's up. I mean, why'd we have to come here? Your house is empty and the neighbor is nearly deserted," Ken added trying to get some answers too.

"This was the safest place I could think of to tell you guys what happened to me last night and what I plan on doing about it," Alexa began.

"What happened?" Jamie asked immediately with worry in her voice.

Alexa grabbed one of the chairs and sat in front of them, with the back of the chair at the front of her body. "You two may want to sit down too."

Ken grabbed two chairs, one for him and the other for Jamie. They sat down and stared ideally at Alexa.

Alexa took a deep breath and began, keeping her voice low and calm, "Okay, as you two know, I was finally able to gain the Thievius Raccoonus. But… last night, when I was reading in my usual spot, someone tried to take the book from me and most likely was going to kill me."

Both of her friends jumped to their feet, almost knocking down their chairs, nearly screaming, "What!"

"Yes, I know. It's a big surprise, isn't it: for someone to come here and try to kill me plus steal the Cooper heirloom. If you two remember the stories I told you, you wouldn't be so surprised," Alexa replied in an almost sarcastic tone.

Jamie slowly sat back down in her chair, "You seem very calm for someone who was about to be killed."

"Well… it's just this guy didn't seem up to killing me," she murmured. But shook her head realizing she was getting off subject, "Never mind that though. I am freaking out here. I'm scared and everything else that goes along with it."

Ken went back into his chair looking over to Alexa with a serious expression, one he didn't usually have, "Why didn't you tell us last night?"

"I needed time to think," said Alexa in a quiet voice.

"So, what do you plan on doing?" he then asked.

"I'm running away… and becoming the next true Cooper, a master thief," she replied pouring emotion into every word.

There was nothing but silence in the room.

"My mind is made up. Nothing you two say will change my mind. I'm going. I have to protect my family and that means they have to stay here where it's safe. You two can come with me but don't try to stop me," she continued.

Jamie nodded, "I see." She stood up and went over to her best friend, putting as hand on her shoulder. "Now who said we were going to stop you? Besides, you're going to need the brains of the gang to come with you. Lord knows you'd get lost or something along the way."

Ken stood up and followed Jamie's suit, putting a strong hand on Alexa's other shoulder, and added with a warm smile, "Don't forget the muscle. You're defiantly going to need some heavy lifting done."

Alexa looked up at her two friends with tears beginning to gather in front of her eyes. She was so happy she wasn't doing this alone, and if it would be with anyone it would be with these two. "You guys…" she wiped the tears from her eyes that blurred her vision and continued, "You're really coming with me?"

"Well, we're going to need some supplies, but why not?" Jamie smiled.

"Yeah, and with it being summer and all, why not make it an adventure?" Ken agreed.

"But what about your parent's and summer stuff? Aren't you going to get in trouble?" she questioned her.

"Nah, most of the cheerleaders despise me as it is. So, why would I send five hours of practice with them when I could go on this huge journey with my two best friends? And my parents, well… I can handle them later," Jamie explained herself.

Alexa then turned to her other friend to get his answer; she asked "And what about you, Ken? Are you really able to go, too?"

Ken shrugged saying, "I'm flexible. I can train on the go. I mean if the old Cooper gang muscle could do it, then so can I," he added with enthusiasm.

Alexa grew a smile across her face and stood up, "Then it's settled. Today we're just plain ol' Alexa, Jamie, and Ken. But tomorrow marks the day when the new Cooper gang is formed."

"Great, now can get out this room. I feel like I'm becoming claustrophobic," Jamie said sarcastically.

"Of course; I wanted to head outside anyway and breathe in the summer air," Alexa unlocked the door and opened it, heading back up into the basement. Ken was right behind her, helping Jaime out.

Alexa got out side and inhaled deeply. She was always one for being outside, but her favorite time to be out was at night. Just like her father before her. She then spun around a couple time before collapsing in the green grass of her backyard. Jamie then joined her in the grass but sat cross legged looking up to the sky. Ken, being the different one, chose to sit in a yard chair and looked at his friends.

Alexa sighed, finally breaking the peaceful silence, "So, what do you think? Would it be awesome to be the new Cooper gang?"

"Of course it would," Jamie gave an assured nod. "But we're not stealing from museums."

"The only reason why my dad did that was because he wanted to get my mom's attention," Alexa put her hands behind her head, making it a little more comfortable.

"Then I don't think we'll have to worry. I'm pretty sure Alexa doesn't have a crush on any one in the police force," Ken laughed, and that made Jamie join in with a giggle.

"Please! You both know for a fact that I haven't had a crush on a guy since the first grade," Alexa scoffed.

"Well… we don't really know that," Ken said trying to make a point.

"Come on. When have I not told you two anything?" she asked defending herself.

"That is true," Jamie pointed out.

"So, let's get off the subject then," Alexa turned to look back up to the sky. The clouds slowly rolled by in a graceful matter, giving a couple minutes of shade then they moved on giving off sunlight again. "I wonder…" Alexa said thinking out loud. "Will things ever get back to normal after our adventure? You know, nice and safe, everyone together like family and no one trying to steal the Thievius Raccoonus from me."

"I doubt that," came an unfamiliar voice from behind the three.

They quickly stood up and veered around to see a raccoon male standing up in the tree near Alexa's room, only a few feet from where they stood.

Alexa quickly recognized the raccoon and growled, "Chase."

"Chase?" her two friend's questioned, thinking he was one of her many admirers.

Alexa knew that tone and replied angrily, "Don't even think about it! He's the one who tried to get the Thievius Raccoonus and kill me!"

Chase held up one of his black gloved hands and protested, "That is not true. I was simply going to knock you out. I only want the book."

"Yeah right," Jaime glared at Chase. The words that came to mind were 'if looks could kill…'

"Well, I'm sorry. But I'm going to need that book of yours before you three go on your 'adventure,'" he replied in a smug tone.

Alexa's face turned into shock and she stared up at the raccoon. "But how did you-"

"Predictable," Chase interrupted. "You've become very predictable."

"Oh, yeah, then what does that make you?" Jamie questioned.

"Yeah!" shouted Ken in agreement, "Cooper-hater!"

"I'm just doing what I'm told," Chase put simply.

"Wait, you have a boss?" Alexa questioned in surprise.

"For me to know, and for you to not. Now, about that book of yours," Chase continued.

"It's not here," Alexa lied. Ever since last night it hadn't left her side. She never wanted to see him have it again. "I put it in one of my safest spots. You're not stealing anything," she ended proudly.

Chase gave an amused smirk, and replied, "Well, there is one thing I can steal."

Alexa and her friends tensed up, and Alexa then asked curiously, "And what, pray tell, is that?"

Chase didn't reply. He jumped down from the branch he had been standing on and landed right in front of Alexa. He was so fast that Alexa didn't have enough time to react. "Ah," she was able to gasp.

"Alexa!" her two friends screamed.

But Chase had no intention of stealing her life. He put his lips to hers and then flipped back away for a safe distance. "A kiss," he said ideally. "A good thing to steal for now, don't you think," he smirked.

"You-you-you're so dead!" Alexa screamed charging at the suave raccoon.

"See ya," he laughed as he threw down a smoke bomb to cover his escape.

"Shoot," Alexa coughed, wheeling around on her heels trying to catch a sight of that blasted raccoon in the smoke. Boy, doesn't that sound similar? "Are you guys alright?" she asked trying to find her friends since Chase was long gone.

Soon the smoke cleared and Ken replied, "I think so." Ken had Jamie in his arms, protecting her from whatever dangers that might happen.

Jamie was completely red in the face. That was the closest she's ever been to Ken. She could almost hear his heart beat. She tapped him on the chest and said, "Thanks Ken. But I think it's safe. You can let go of me now."

"Oh, sorry," he apologized, letting her go. His face just a little bit red, he added, "It was… a, uh, reaction."

"R-right…" Jamie blushed again. She looked over to Alexa and saw that she was standing there stiff with her fists balled up. "Alexa, are you okay?"

"I'm gonna kill him," she growled. "How dare he k…k-k-"

"Kiss you?" Jamie finished.

Alexa's teeth clenched with more anger, "Yeah, that." But not only that, he could have hurt Jamie and Ken…

"Are you sure you're okay, Ally?" Ken questioned in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine…" she took a deep breath to calm herself. But… for some reason, I don't feel as mad as I should be. I should want to beat him within an inch of his life, but I feel okay… she thought as she stood there dazed. "Listen, I'll get him back, believe me I will. But for right now we need to plan our trip to where ever for our first heist." She gestured them to follow her back inside, not saying another word.

Her friends exchanged worried glances. They were sure she wasn't okay with this that easily. They quickly followed after her to make sure she wouldn't break anything on her up to her room. Alexa was known for having a bit of a temper when it came to stuff like this.

She grabbed the Thievius Raccoonus from out of the hidden pocket in her jacket. She began to flip through it staring at the entries that her father had made so many years ago. She sat on the edge of her bed and looked through at the positions of their old hideouts. Best not to waste those old places.

Jamie went to Alexa's computer and asked, "So, where should we start?"

Ken leaned against the door frame thinking, "We need a place where we can get a good bit of cash to get us started."

Alexa turned to the window and looked out. Nothing was there but Alexa felt worry in the back of her mind. She closed her blinds and turned back to her friends, "Well, I think the best thing to do is go somewhere where my dad had a safe house already set up."

Jamie turned to the computer screen, "I'm on it." She typed furiously. Checking all sites where her father had been in his hey-days. Only a couple minutes later and she said, "I think I found a match."

"Really?" asked Ken curiously, as he went behind Jamie looking at the computer. "Where is it?"

"India," she replied.

Alexa flipped to the correct entry that her father wrote and said, "Ah-hah. Here it is. It was the Rajan job."

"You mean that spice tiger?" Ken inquired.

Alexa stood up, nodding. She went on the other side of her computer, to see the screen, "The very same. But it says here that he's given up on the spice business and went into the rug business."

"Well, that's a bit different…" Jamie thought as she scrolled through the information.

"So, which part of India and what are we stealing?" Alexa asked scanning the book entry.

"Amazingly it's in Rajan's palace. It seems that some thieves have moved in, and are throwing a party," Jamie read.

"Sounds like we get to crash it," Ken grinned.

"Not only that but the item which we're going to steal, is the same ruby that your father sold after his first India job," Jamie continued.

"Really?" asked Alexa with wonder. "Who ended up with that huge gem?"

"His name is Ricardo Katz. He's a very rich and very portly crime lord. He could put Murray to shame, he's so big," she added.

"I've heard of him. He's also the guy who owns over half the women in India, too," Ken looked over to his two friends. "You two are going to need to be careful. I'm sure he'd try to snag you two if you came into his sight."

"I'll take that as a complement but not necessary. Jamie and I can take care of ourselves. In fact, I'd like to see any guy try anything on me and he'd get a fist full," Alexa countered shaking her right fist.

"Now, don't get ahead of yourself, Alexa. We still need supplies," Jamie turned to Alexa and asked, "And how are we going to get those supplies exactly?"

"Well, we're going to grab some of Bent's old gadgets and then Ken is going to try and get the van from Murray," Alexa tapped her chin. "And I think that should do it, along with getting some food and water for the trip."

"Are you insane?" Jamie nearly screamed, standing up out of the computer chair. "What makes you think Bentley is going to give you those old gadgets? What makes you think Ken is going to convince Murray to give him the van?"

"I really don't know if it will work," Alexa replied thoughtfully. Jamie gave an annoyed sigh to her friend's answer that made no sense as she sat back down in the chair. "Besides, Murray barely uses that van anymore, so I'm sure he won't mind if Ken were to have it. And we don't have to deal with Bent for the gadgets," Alexa grinned. "We're gonna go to Penelope. She's been complaining to Bent about getting rid of those old gadgets, so I'm she would just give them to us."

"You sure it would be that easy?" Ken questioned.

"Nope, but it's our best bet," Alexa then stuffed the Cooper book in the secret pocket of her jacket. "Come on. If we go now, Bent won't be there and I'm sure Murray is eating lunch."

"Fine," Jamie sighed, standing up next to Alexa. "But the only reason why I'm coming is so I can check out those toys. I've always wanted to do some remodeling to some of them."

"And I want see what's under the hood of that van," Ken said, adding his thoughts. "There has to be loads of awesome stuff in there."

"Then we're off," Alexa said with a sly grin on her face. She took the arms of the wolf and fox in hers and they walked out the door.

It's done! I hope you all liked this chapter. I'm sorry about this not getting in so soon. I tried my hardest to get this done during school but it's hard with all the stuff they require us to type though. *sigh* oh well. What cha gonna do about the school system?

Enough about that though. Review, review, REVIEW! I want to see reviews. I want you old readers especially to review. I want to know what your thoughts are for the chapters ahead.

Oh and just to get you thinking here's a snip-it from one of the upcoming chapters:

Chase held out his hand but being careful so not to anger the half vixen besides him, "So… Can we be friends?"

Alexa sighed and took his hand, "I guess, for now."

Chase leaned in and kissed her cheek, catching Alexa off guard. "I look forward to working with you," he grinned.

Hehe, I hope I got you wondering what's gonna happen next. (Hint: this is most likely come up in chapter 7. Don't worry it's not that far away)