Hey, everybody, lightheart77 here. It's chapter 10! The heist is about to start and things are going to get really interesting. Alexa & Chase are gonna dance! It's going to be so much fun!

Ahem, moving on. Along with that, we get to hear more about Chase's brother and mind. Ha, ha, he, he… sorry. But, it's gonna get real interesting and it's one of my favorite parts, but it is a little sad. And it's definitely going to be one of the longest chapters, so sorry if that gives anyone an inconvenience.

But, enough of my rambling… just go on and read good people, just read on.

Chapter 10: The Heist

The van pulled up near the palace, ready for the gang to jump in as soon as the heist was done. Ken cut the engine and turned to the girls. Alexa seemed tenser than usual, but she was ready to go. She could feel her adrenalin building up and her heart racing, anticipating the rush of actually doing a real Cooper job. Her thought was interrupted when Jamie asked, "Okay, so everyone has their transmitter set?"

Alexa nodded, "Check."

"I'm set," Ken replied.

"Oh and Alexa," Alexa's ears perked up as she turned her attention to Jamie, "Be sure to give Chase his boutonniere transmitter." She handed over the white flower to the half vixen.

Alexa took into her hands, careful not to damage anything, "Alright, let's move."

Ken and Jamie went out first. Ken offered his arm to the fox with a smile. As Jamie took the wolf's arm, both seem to turn just a little pink underneath their fur. They casually strolled away, heading toward the bridge to set up the distraction for the guards.

Soon after the two left, Alexa stepped out of the van, careful not to hurt herself and walked over to the palace doors. She noticed a lot of people waiting to get in, oddly enough, most of which were guys. As Alexa passed by, she heard many whistles and howls from the guys in suits. Grief came over her. Well, the guys here are defiantly more shameless then the ones at high school, she thought.

She walked a little more and still saw no signs of Chase. And the guys seemed to be coming closer to her, the more she seemed lost. Then, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Alexa turned to see a weasel in a dark blue suit smiling at her.

"Excuse me my dear, but you seem to be lost," said the weasel with overflowing charm. "Do you have an escort for this fine evening?"

"Oh, I do," Alexa told him, trying to stick with a pleasant tone. "But I can't seem to find him…"

"Then, allow me to be you escort," he replied, taking her hand to kiss it.

Alexa reflexes nearly blew her cover. On her person were the two parts of her father's cane that was used for ice climbing and if she didn't have enough of restraint, she would have taken out those canes and beat the crap out of the weasel. But she simply snatched her hand back chuckling, "Oh, no. Really, I just—"

But then a male Dalmatian came up behind the two and called, "Oi, weasel, move aside. It's obvious that she needs someone better to be her partner," he looked to Alexa with a grin, "Isn't that right?"

Alexa chuckled nervously, and began to back away, "Really guys. I'm looking for my partner."

But they still came, and more guys started to come and ask; soon it became an argument among them, trying to determine who would dance with her.

Meanwhile, just a few feet away, Chase stood in his black suit of a white under coat, pants, jacket & bow tie with shined black shoes. It looked very good on him, bringing out the black around his eyes and tail. His dark brown hair was pulled back out of his blue eyes with the use of a comb & water.

Where is she? He thought as his eyes skimmed the crowd again. It shouldn't be that hard to find her. Knowing her, she's probably in short sleeve shirt, and shorts, he chuckled.

Alexa kept backing up, chuckling nervously. But she tripped thanks to her heels and bumped into Chase. She closed her eyes, ready to hit the ground but Chase was able to catch her at the last minute. "Are you alright?" he asked, not recognizing Alexa.

Wait, I know that voice, Alexa opened her eyes and whispered, "Chase?"

"Alexa?" he whispered in shock. Oh, lord. Why did you have to make the girl I have to kill so beautiful? "Is that really you?"

Alexa blushed just a little at his surprise. Ken was right, she thought. He is impressed. Who knew? And… he doesn't look half bad himself… "Of course it's me. Who else would it be?" she asked him with criticism.

"Yeah, that's you," he stated, helping her up to her feet. I can't believe this. Alexa always went on about not ever being caught dead in a dress like this. I mean, she would always look cute but now… she's totally, and impossibility beautiful. Why lord? Why do you torture me so? "I know I'll probably sound conceded but let's just say I didn't expect to see you like this," he told her with a smile.

Alexa blushed again, "Whatever… listen we need to head inside as planned."

"Ahem, you may want to get rid of your fan club," he pointed at the swarm of guys looking over at the two of them.

Alexa sighed, as she was use to this sort of thing, "If we head inside together they'll leave me alone." She looked down at her hands and saw the white flower, "Oh, and before I forget," she put it in his jacket pocket, "This is a transmitter that will let you walk into that ballroom and not be seen by the cameras. So hold still," she noted, trying to adjust it.

"Uh, sure," Chase said, a little surprised. "A transmitter like that is always good…" She's so close… he blushed. He looked up from her trying not to think about it when he noticed all of the guys from earlier glaring at him. Hehe, they're all jealous. Who knew she'd be so popular. This will make being the distraction so much easier.

Alexa soon finished the adjustments, "There we are, all done."

"So," Chase scanned the area, "Where are the others?"

"They went to get things set up for our dance. And by the way, their names are Jenny Sauda and James Washer, just to remind you."

"Oh," Chase realized what she meant, and whispered, "And your name is…"

"Lindsay Racoo, Mr. Robert Beauregard," she replied.

"I see, Lindsay," he smiled offering his arm to her, "Then, shall we go inside?"

Alexa reluctantly took his arm in hers, saying, "Listen, I just want to get this done and over with as soon as possible, so don't make this painful."

He chuckled, leading her in, "That's just fine with me."

Just before they made it through the door, the guard with the list, held them up. "Wait yous two. Names?" questioned the mammoth sized boar.

"Robert Beauregard and Lindsay Racoo," Chase told him naturally.

The boar examined the list, "Alright… yous two are clear."

"Thank you," said both the teens as they were able to go through the door.

They entered into a magnificent ballroom with two levels. A gold color seemed to be everywhere. The ground was covered with expensive rugs, swimming in many colors of red, blue, green and yellow in beautiful designs. The roof above had unearthly designs of gods and angels, as if they had descended from the skies above to greet them. Along with that, people were everywhere. Some stayed to the left, where the tables were covered with foods so appetizing, with one glance your mouth would start to water. Others stayed to the right, where tables were put for people to eat, drink, and talk about how wonderful everything was. The rest of the people would stay to the center to dance and amaze the other guests with their moves. Behind the dancers was Ricardo Katz watching his guests with his eyes always wandering towards the females. And finally behind him, the star of his collection that he wanted to have some recitation for: one of the biggest and flawless rubies.

Alexa was in utter awe. "This place is so amazing…" she stated in almost a whisper. "I've never been to place like this."

"Neither have I," Chase agreed as he walked along with her, but then noticed something on Alexa's person.

Alexa looked up to him and noticed that he was staring at her, "What?"

Chase chuckled, pointing to her neck, "I just noticed that you're wearing the necklace that I gave you."

Alexa seemed to turn a little redder than usual, but calmly responded, "It matched my dress, and Jamie wouldn't stop bugging me about it, that's all."

"Right," he chuckled.

Alexa became frustrated with him, saying, "Yes, that is right. And I would appreciate it if you leave it at that."

"Alright, alright, there's no need to be touché about it," Chase stated.

"Listen, I really just want this done and over with… so can we please just scope the place out and wait for Jamie's signal," said Alexa, trying not to lose her cool.

"But of course," the gentleman raccoon replied. He put out his hand for her to take, "Shall we dance?"

Alexa sighed taking his hand, "Again, don't make this painful."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he smiled. "Shall I lead?"

"I guess."

"Then, just try and keep up," he said lightheartedly.

"Oh, I won't have a problem with that," she replied.

Then they began to dance as if they had rehearsed it. They were in perfect step with the other dancers, so flawless that some of the other dancers stopped to watch. But it was time to switch partners; Chase spun her around to the next guy, as he caught the other girl. What was surprising to Alexa was that she was in the arms of Captain Will Marsh!

He smiled to her and said, "Hello, I hope you don't mind me dancing with you."

"Uh- no, not at all…" she tried to keep her eyes on her feet, in case he would've recognized her.

He danced with her just as well as Chase, but thanks to her heels and nervousness, she tripped. Marsh caught her and asked, "You okay?"

Alexa looked up to him, saying, "I think so… thank you."

"No problem, Miss…"

"Racoo, Lindsey Racoo," Alexa said, quickly, as they danced on.

"Well, there's this odd thing… You look a lot like someone I know. Have we met before?" Marsh questioned.

"I don't think so… No, I'm sorry but we haven't met."

"Are you sure? You don't deal with law enforcement or anything like that do you?" he asked again, wanting to make sure.

"Yes, I'm sure," Alexa told him, getting more nervous, as the music slipped away and they stopped by the end of the dance floor.

"Darling," Chase came up from behind Alexa, putting a hand on her shoulder, "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you." He looked up to see Captain Marsh. "Oh, hello; I hope my partner didn't slow you down during the dance," he smiled.

Alexa turned red thinking, Chase! Don't talk like that! Especially not to him!

"Not at all, in fact, she seemed to be quite an accomplished dancer," Marsh explained. "But it does seem that she needs to work more on those high heels, though. Now that really is like someone I know," he chucked kindly. Then a blood hound came up behind him and whispered something to him. "Excuse me, Miss Racoo, I have to go." He turned to walk off, looking back once to say, "Thanks for the dance," then kept walking mumbling to the hound.

"What was that about?" Chase asked. "You seemed so uncomfortable."

"That… was Captain William Marsh. He works with my parents. I was afraid of him recognizing me. That would have ruined everything," she clarified. "Also, what gives you the nerve to—"

"Alexa?" Jamie called over the communicator.

Alexa sighed, puting her hand on her earring, "Yes," she mumbled.

"We've done it! It went flawlessly and marvelously. What a rush! It was amazing: Ken knocked out at least twenty guards protecting me while I set the bombs then I sleep-darted the rest of them, and we made a run for it before they went off. Ah, man, it was—"

"Yes, Jamie. I get it. It worked! Just tell me if we can go on with the plan or not?"

"Oh, sorry, it was the adrenaline talking there… but yes. Ken and I are just freshening up and we'll be inside in a few. That should give you enough time to talk to the boss and make you way out to the dance floor," Jamie elucidated.

"Thank you. We'll get to work, just be sure to be in position soon."

"Will do; Jamie out," the signal went dead.

Alexa removed her hand from ear, and looked to Chase, "We have our cue. We just need to get an appointment with Katz."

"I don't think that will be a problem," said Chase as he looked out to the crowd.

"And why is that?" she retorted.

"Because it seems he's sent an usher to collect us…" he motioned to the boar guard coming by, as the rest left out the door. "The others must be checking out the commotion."

"That's good. It's just as we planned," Alexa said confidently.

The usher came up to the two teens and said, "Good evening, madam and sir," he seem to struggle getting the words out in such a manner. "Mr. Katz would like to speak with you two."

"Of course," Chase replied taking Alexa's arm as they followed him back. He then whispered to the half-raccoon besides him, "Are you ready for this?"

"Please," she whispered back in annoyance. "I've had to deal with head-strong high school boys, so I'll be fine. Besides, why do you care?" she probed.

"Uh…" he looked off to the side, avoiding her gaze, "You're my partner for now, right? So I'm just making sure." Why AM I so worried? I mean, this is Alexa were talking about. She can handle herself… well, somewhat, he thought, as Alexa just stared at him in confusion.

"I can take care of myself," she replied in a whisper once more, when arrived in front of Ricardo Katz himself.

"Good evening," said the portly tabby-cat crime boss in a cheerful manner, "You two are those fabulous dancers I noticed earlier, and well, for some reason, I do not recognize you."

"Oh," Alexa put herself into the conversation first, "That's because Robert here is one of your middle class fighters but he's very close to making it to the top class."

Katz turned all of his attention to Alexa, looking at her up and down, in other words, "checking her out." He then asked, "And who… might you be?"

"My name is Lindsey Racoo; I'm Robert's date," she explained, under her false identity.

"Well, it is very nice to meet both of you. I always love to meet our middle class fighters; they always seem to bring interesting people with them," said Ricardo in a sleazy tone.

"Ahem, Mr. Katz?" mumbled Alexa, trying to act shy. She had learned that was the perfect way to get guys like Katz to listen.

"Please, call me Rico," he stated, rolling the "r" in his name.

"Alright, Rico," Why must I deal with a pig like him! She moaned in her thoughts. "Robert and I were wondering if it would be too much trouble if we stole the dance floor for a while."

"Ah, so we'll have some entertainment? What a marvelous idea!" he emphasized.

"Yes," Chase agreed, "I hope we are up to your standards."

Ricardo looked up and down Alexa once more before saying, "Oh, I think you'll be." He snapped his fingers, said to the guard, "Be sure to find a nice song for these two will you. Then go outside and see what you can do to help the others." The guard nodded and walked off.

"Is there a problem?" asked Chase.

"Oh no, it's just one of our guards got too drunk and fell in the river and took a couple others with him. But everything's under control," he assured. "Now, if you two would make your way to the dance floor, I will announce you."

"Thank you very much," Chase took Alexa's arm and took her down to the edge of the dance floor. "You did see the way he was looking at you, right?"

"Of course I did. I've had worse looks than that, though," she looked up at Chase and added, "So, will you stop bringing it up! Gosh, you're worse than my mother…" Why is he still bringing it up anyway? Maybe he's actually worried about me… No! He's just trying to confuse me; trying to get at me.

Katz stood up by his chair and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen! We have wonderful entertainment for you tonight. One of our middle class fighters is actually an accomplished dancer: Mr. Robert Beauregard and his lovely partner, Miss Lindsey Racoo."

Many of the males clapped and cheered as Alexa stepped to the floor in front of Chase; the women then joined in with the applause, as they cleared the dance floor along with the men. Chase took her hand into his as they stood in the middle of the floor.

"Alexa, everything's ready," Jamie's voice came over the communicator; "Ken and I are in position. Once you start dancing, I'll hotwire the security system on the glass case, then Ken will snatch the gem and we'll make a run for it. As soon as your dance is done, you head out too. Just nod your head, I have you in sight."

Alexa nodded her head, and got in position with Chase. "Don't mess this up, alright. We wouldn't want you to take the blame, now would we?" she said casually.

"I think I can keep up," he grinned. The music began to play at a slow pace, and they step forward. They spun and bowed down. Chase then twirled her in his arms, and dipped her down.

"You're not half bad on your feet," stated Alexa.

Chase whirled her back into him, "Thank you." He then turned her out with arm extended and they both stopped with the pause in the music. "You're quite graceful yourself." Then the music picked up and they got close to each other into a salsa like dance.

On the other side of the floor, Jamie went to it, splicing and re-wiring here and there. "Okay, that should do it." Jamie lifted the case gently but it was a little heavy for her and she nearly dropped it. Fortunately, Ken caught it in the nick of time.

He smiled, gently putting the glass on the floor, "What would you do without me, eh, Jamie?"

"I have no idea," she chuckled. Ken was about to pick up the gem, when Jamie hissed, "Wait! I have to some last work on the gem's security." She grabbed two wire and started solder them together.

"Jamie, we don't have the time. Their song is nearly over, so we need to go," Ken urged.

"If we need more time, Alexa will think of something. If she's anything like her father, she can think on her feet. I'm sure she is too," Jamie explained.

"I hope you're right," Ken replied, taking out his binucome to look at Alexa dancing with the other raccoon, "You know what? She's even smiling while she dances with him. It's like she's enjoying herself, amazingly." He took a picture that was zoomed in on Alexa's beaming face.

"Yes, it is amazing that our little girl is finally being with boys," Jamie said sarcastically, while the wires sparked red and orange.

The music then slowed to a quiet halt, with the two dancers ending with a twirl of Alexa then concluding with her back in Chase's arms. Applause and praise broke out about the audience, with whistles and cries from most of the guys, including Ricardo, who called, "Encore, encore, and encore!"

Chase allowed her to be free and she bowed with him. Alexa was still smiling, and she couldn't believe she was. But it was short lived when Jamie said, "Stall them; we still need more time. We're nearly there though."

Alexa touched her earring as if she was fiddling with it, "Jamie, we don't have a minute. Any song they do will defiantly be too long. We wouldn't make it."

"I have an idea. How many minutes do we need?" Chase asked quickly.

"Uh… how much time do we need?" she asked Jamie, a bit surprised by Chase's urgency.

"A minute or two will do. Then get out as soon as possible," Jamie said with magnitude importance.

"A couple minutes," Alexa looked up to Chase, "Then we need to bolt."

"Perfect; follow my lead," he whispered. He then cleared his throat, replying to the applause, "I'm sorry to say, but we cannot do an encore." Murmurs broke out in the crowd of disbelief, but Chase continued, "But I would like to say something," he looked to Alexa carrying on, "If anything is true this woman is responsible for this lovely dance we just had. Believe me; she'd want to be anywhere but here right now. So please, give her a round of applause." The sounds of claps and whistles permeated the air and echoed off the walls.

Alexa turned a little red and pushed some stray hairs out of the way. "I suppose that's true," she chuckled.

Chase smiled, taking Alexa's other hand, and said in a lower voice, "Thank you for the dance," with that, he bent down and kissed her hand, allowing her to feel the grin on his lips.

She certainly was shocked; having this guy she was so confused about kissing her again. What on earth is he doing! she shouted in her head, as her body went stiff. Most of the men in the mass of people were all glaring at the male raccoon when Chase looked up to the crowd once again.

"Thank you very much," he called, "But we must be going." He dragged the still stiff Alexa out to the doors where no guard stood, and whispered, "You were awfully quiet about that."

Alexa shook her head, replying, "I-if I wasn't, they would've suspected something. So, you should consider yourself lucky, because you would have gotten such a beating."

"I guess I could believe that," he chuckled. "So when do we run?"

"The ruby!" Ricardo's voice drifted from behind the two, "It's been stolen!"

"If you didn't get the hint, now would be a good time!" shouted Alexa, running ahead of Chase, but he was soon right behind her. She got the two pieces of her cane from underneath her dress and put it back together in seconds, ready for anything, then put a hand to the earring saying, "Jamie, we need pick up!" she yelled looking back seeing whatever guards were left coming after them.

"Ken's on it. We'll be by your location soon," replied the fox. Then on cue, the van pulled up in front of Alexa. She jumped in and closed the door behind her, leaving Chase outside, banging the van door.

"Ow," he groaned, rubbing his hands that blocked him from hitting his face against the metal. "Hey, I kinda want to get away, too!" he shouted looking back.

"After the stunt you pulled if you want to get away with us, you'll have to ride on the roof," Alexa called from the doors.

Chase sighed, but smiled. He climbed up to the top of the van with ease and grabbed onto the bars of the roof, ready for the speed of the van. It was worth it, he thought.

When Chase tapped on the roof, Alexa shouted, "Go, Ken! Go!" Ken hit the gas and the van shot forward. Chase held on tight, but the trio in the van could hear bumps of Chase's feet going across the roof of the van.

Alexa let out a sigh of relief, and took off her dress, revealing her undershirt and shorts. She folded it up neatly and put it up on the one of the van's selves while Jamie sat on the van's seats trying to relax. But Jamie then asked, "Alexa, why are you so mad at Chase? What was his idea to stall for time?"

"He went on about how the dance was thanks to me, blah, blah, blah," she went on, "and then… he kissed my hand."

Jamie cocked her head to the side in curiosity, "What's wrong with that? That's a very gentlemen thing to do…" she blushed a little adding, "Ken does it all the time."

"Well, I don't want him doing it to me!" stated the frustrated ring-tail getting all the pins and such out of her hair.

Then there was a knock from the roof. Jamie looked up, "Um… Alexa… I think Chase is trying to get our attention…"

"Ignore him," she said bluntly putting her hoody on over her head. "He's just trying to get on our nerves." Then another knock came from the roof.

"I don't know…" Jamie muttered looking back up at the roof.

"Don't worry about it," Alexa noted, standing up to her feet. "He's just-" but when she turned on her feet, she saw Chase upside-down looking at her.

"Excuse me but we have a problem," said the topsy-turvy raccoon.

"Besides you?" said Alexa harshly.

"Ha, ha, no; we have people following, with guns."

"What?" she shouted going to the window. As Chase said, behind them were two black cars, with at least four of those guards from before hanging out from the car windows with guns at ready. "Damn it! They've caught up. Jamie, get in the front seat and get Ken through the alleyways so we can lose them. Ken, just try to lose them as best as you can, and keep low so you won't get hit; that goes for both of you." Jamie nodded and jumped into the front seat, telling the wolf directions and Ken began to go much faster. Alexa then turned back to Chase, "And you, get down here," she grabbed his shoulders and dragged him down.

He yelped, "'Ey!" then fell to the ground, moaning, "Ow…" He stood up nearly screaming, "You could've given me a fair warning before dragging me to the freakin' ground!"

"Well, I'm sorry. Next time we have guns pointing at us, I'll just leave you outside," she replied explicitly, turning her back to the window.

Chase looked over to the window and saw a small red light go through and hit Alexa's back. "Look out!" he called taking Alexa into his arms, right after a gunshot cracked through the night and came through the window.

The two then fell to the ground with a thud. Alexa mumbled an "Ow", and looked up to see Chase shielding her; W-why is he doing this?

Gun fire went everywhere and had some screams from within the van. Jamie yelled left and right to Ken as they went from alley to alley, and finally the sound of the shots faded into nothing and the place became peacefully again. Jamie looked to the side window and saw that the two black cars were no more and they were safe. She breathed a sigh of relief, "I-I think we finally lost them."

"That's good," Alexa murmured but then her voice became stern, "Chase, would you be so kind as to get off me!"

He did so calmly and asked her worriedly, "Are you alright?"

Alexa was embarrassed that he kept being concerned about her, but even so, she replied, "I think so. I'm just a little shaken." She looked to him and saw a tear in his suit on his shoulder, with a ring of red around it. "Your arm!" she gasped.

"Hm?" he looked down and saw the crimson liquid coming from his shoulder. "Oh, I didn't even feel it. I guess it was all of the adrenaline. That bullet that came through the window must've grazed it," he thought aloud.

It happened when he shielded me… he saved me… Alexa thought in disbelief. "Sit down," she ordered him as she grabbed the first aid kit from underneath her chair. "I'll bandage you up."

He sat down, replying, "Really, I'm touched that you care."

She sat down beside him, opening the snow white box with the blood red cross, looking for an alcohol wipe, "Don't be ridiculous; I just don't want blood in the van."

He grinned kindly, "Fine then, but thanks."

She found the pads and bandages, "It's… no problem. Listen; just take off your shirt. It will get in the way of bandaging it."

"Oh… um…" he looked down nervously at his tux.

"What?" Alexa questioned.

He sighed in defeat, "It's nothing." He took off his jacket, then his shirt. Alexa looked at the condition of his body and was shocked. Across his chest and even along his back were old brutal looking scars. Alexa could only stare for a moment, trying to determine why on earth he would have his body in such a harsh condition. "Is there a problem?" Chase asked.

Alexa burned red from the anger and embarrassment of herself staring at him. So she simply replied, "Nothing," she applied the alcohol wipe to his shoulder, "not one thing."

"Ow," Chase hissed. "That stings!"

"That means it is working, so quit your whining," she continued to clean his wound, but she could have sworn she heard chuckling from the two up front. As soon as she finished that, she grabbed the bandages, and began to wrap his injury. And every so often, the top of her hand would go by his shoulder, feeling a scar.

After two layers of bandaging went on, Chase said, "So… you're not going to ask?"

"Ask what?" she continued to bandage up his shoulder.

"Now, I know you can be thick-headed, Alexa, but you know exactly what I mean."

She stopped bandaging and looked at his scars, and responded, "No, I'm not going to. Your past is your business."

"Do you want to know?" he asked.

"Do you want to tell?" she questioned back.

Chase laughed, "This is fun. It almost reminds me of…" but his voice trailed off.

"Of what?" she probed.

He smiled sadly, "Never mind. It's nothing…"

Alexa looked down at his arm and felt like she could feel his sadness. She asked, "So, this story of yours…"

"Ah, yes," he sat there and thought for a moment, then looked up to her, "We'll wait for another time for that."

"Will you make up your mind already," Alexa sighed.

He laughed, "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."

"Right," she tightened the bandage even more; enough that Chase winced.

"God, can you get it any tighter?" he complained.

"God, can you complain anymore?" she threw back at him. "I have to apply pressure so the wound will heal properly."

"I know that, but not that much," he went on.

She chuckled and continued to bandage his shoulder; then finally she clipped the end and attached it. "There, that should do it," she then began to put everything back into the first aid box.

Chase moved his shoulder and arm to make sure everything was comfortable, "Wow, you've done this before, haven't you?"

"Yes," she replied, putting the box back, "I'm certified, and I've had to bandage myself up and sometimes them too," she motioned to Ken and Jamie.

"It's true," Jamie said, getting into the conversation. "We would always get into scraps after school because some guys could not take the hint that Alexa wasn't available."

"Gah!" Alexa nearly shrieked. "Jamie, don't tell him that!"

"Actually, I find it quite interesting," Chase chuckled. "How a girl who is chased by so many but she can't seem to find one that she likes."

Alexa truly turned red, and her eyes went wide. "T-that's none of your b-business…" she said, stumbling over her words.

Chase grinned slyly, "True, but I still can't help but wonder."

Alexa left being embarrassed to fuming with anger. But soon she calmed down enough to say, "So… where can we throw you out- I mean, drop you off."

He sniggered, "Still hold grudges I see. I'll be just fine getting off at your safe house, if that okay with you."

"Oh, it's… just fine," she twitched.

Chase continued to smile, replying, "Great."

An hour went by since the whole chasing incident, and the gang had finally reached the safe house. Ken made sure to have gone in many other directions before they arrived so there would have been no way for anyone to track them. He cut the engine, saying, "'Kay, we're here." He looked to the passenger seat to find Jamie fast asleep, and then he turned in his seat to see the back seat and saw Alexa curled up with her tail covering her legs sleeping soundly. He sighed, but smiled, "They're both past out."

Chase nodded, "They're both so peaceful." He stood up and stretched, saying, "I'll help you get Alexa in."

"Uh, no… I think I can get them both," Ken replied.

"Please," Chase persisted, "It's the least I could do."

"Well, alright," Ken sighed, "Just be careful." He opened the door, looking back to him, "If she wakes up in your arms, you may lose one."

Chase laughed quietly, nodding his head, "So true."

Ken got out and went around to the other side, taking Jamie into his arms, and inside the safe house. Chase looked to Alexa, and sighed.

"I can just hear my father now… yelling and screaming at me to kill you," he whispered. He picked her up into his arms; her tail still covering her bare legs and her hair mixed into her hoody. She looked so beautiful, especially because she was so serene and calm. "But I can't…" he continued. He walked inside, up the stairs and went into her room. He noticed that she had already personalized it.

Up on the walls were a few posters of her favorite bands and TV shows, and across one of the walls was a push pin board with dozen pictures of her mom and dad and her friends going crazy with funny faces and costumes from Halloween and other holidays. He glanced at all of the pictures, then set Alexa on her bed and tucked her into the covers. He then kneeled down by her and went on. "It's been four years since I've started shadowing you; two years ago, I first met you…"

There was a long pause, as he listened to her breathing. "I can't kill you because over those four long years, you got to me," he smiled remembering those days, "Your gleaming smile, your big heart, your beautiful face, even that spunky attitude of yours…" he leaned in closer to her face, "I know that you probably can't hear me but, I have to say that I love you…" he went in closer and finally was close enough and kissed her on the cheek. After a few seconds, he pulled back, "Heh, I wish you could hear me though that might make things worse." He got to his feet, and walked out the door. He looked up and saw Ken crossing him in the hall.

"Wait right there," he said sternly. He went past the raccoon and went to the door fame and saw that Alexa was just fine. The wolf came back and said, "Okay, you're clear."

"You think I'd hurt her?" asked Chase.

"Don't blame me," Ken defended. "She's always been suspicious of any guys who try to come into our trio. So, I try my best to make she'll be okay."

"She's like a sister to you, right?"

Ken nodded, "She's always been like that ever since kindergarten, when I stood up for her and we took down four other guys. We got in so much trouble, after that we'd always watch each other's backs."

"Then Jamie's the one you really like?"

"What?" the wolf nearly howled in surprise; his face went a dark crimson red.

"I'm observant; over the last couple years that I've watched Alexa, I've caught many things about you and the vixen. If it counts for anything, I think she likes you too."

"I, um…. Thanks, I guess," Ken replied embarrassedly.

Chase smiled, "I'll just be going now," and he turned to walk away.

"Wait," Ken looked down at his feet, still a bit red from the "Jamie talk," but continued on, "Thanks for helping us. You really did save us, and Alexa."

"It wouldn't be the first time," the raccoon mumbled.

"What was that?" Ken questioned.

Chase gave a quiet laugh, "Nothing, nothing." He looked back, saying, "Give my regards to Alexa. And tell her 'you're welcome.'"

"I will," Ken nodded to him, and then added, "And Chase, I know it must seem like she doesn't care, and that she doesn't like you, but deep down, I think she might like you."

Chase turned his head away to hide his smile, replying, "Thank you." With that he walked out the door, without looking back.

He walked for a while through the jungle, making his way through the vines and webs produced by spiders. After at least fifteen minutes of walking went by, he found a stone without moss or anything else growing on it. He sat down, and looked at his hands.

"Why…. Why has my heart clouded my sight… and my mind is allowing it to do so," he sighed, putting his head into his hands, letting the silence seep in. Bugs buzzed in his ears, and the birds flew over head, as the wind combed its fingers through his fur. Then the silence was broken; the vibrating cell-phone made Chase jump in surprise. He took out the black phone, and sighed holding it up to his ear, "Hel—"

"You've done well. I watched the new this evening and saw that you did very well, considering you worked with the enemy," his father's voice complemented.

"T-thank you, Father," he replied, taken aback. "Then, can I speak to him? Please?" he pleaded.

"Hmm… I suppose so," he contemplated.

YES! He thought overjoyed, "Thank you, Father."

There was silence for the longest time, until finally a weak voice came over the phone, "Chase?"

"Chris!" he exclaimed, "Oh thank god you're okay."

"Yes, I'm fine…" he replied in a small voice. "Brother, when are you coming home?"

"Soon, Chris, soon," his older brother told him.

"You promise?"

Chase could hear the child-likeness in his nearly ten year old brother's voice, and he felt tears coming to his eyes, "Yes, I promise. I'm sorry it's taken this long, Chris."

"It's okay," the young raccoon told his concerned brother, "Dad's been a lot nicer lately. That must mean you're close, right?"

Tears trickled down Chase's cheeks, but he wiped them away as soon as they left his eyes, "Yeah."

Silence came over both lines. Then Chris asked, "Brother… is she nice?"

Chase was surprised that he asked that question but smiled, answering, "Yes, she's very nice and very pretty."

"That's good," Chase could imagine Chris's happy smile with his answer, "You don't have to deal with a big meanie."

Chase chuckled, "Yes well, she can be a bit of a meanie sometimes." There was no response from his brother. He panicked, calling, "Chris? Chris!"

His father's voice came over the phone, telling him, "I'm sorry, Chase. But your time is up." With that he hung up on the other end.

"Wait!" Chase yelled, but it was too late. He closed the phone, and screamed to the sky, and its echo came through the air. He put his head back in his hands and began moaning, "Why… why…"

It's so sad isn't it? That's on of the saddest parts I had to write. I hope you all liked the chapter though. It took me forever to write it. SO, thanks so much for reading and getting through what is probably the longest chapter I'll ever do, but I can't make many promises; I'm hoping for at least 20 chapters.

I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to up-date very soon for the next chapter. I have other stories I really need to up-date and school is catching up with me. But I promise that I'll up-date as soon as I can.

Enough of my babbling though, I want some reviews. I really want you all to review, and I want to hear want you all think, and maybe even what you want to see. That's right, for the next chapter I want to know what animal policemen you want to see and any names you want with them. It's the least I can do for my loyal readers. So, I beg and plead, REVIEW!

Till the next chapter, later.