Chapter 9

Alright, back with a new, longer chapter! Sadly, updates are going to be rather scattered for a while u.u but they will be here!

Funny thing is, I'm updating on a sick day. Strep throat sucks!

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to message me!

"Bentley, are you inside the security system yet?" Sly was sitting just outside of the air vents, awaiting Bentley's instructions. "The camera's will be down in three… two… one. Okay, you're good to go. Remember, don't dilly dally! I can only keep the cameras down for so long." Sly grunted in acknowledgement whilst crawling towards his destination.

However, the heist wasn't the only thing on his mind. Lately, he's been having an eerie feeling. No one really knew they were in Paris, so the thought that they were being tailed completely left his mind. Maybe he was just being paranoid. 'Why can't I just enjoy being back home until the heist is complete?' While continuing the argument within himself, he didn't notice the shadow lurking just outside of the vent cover.

"Okay Bentley, I'm right above the painting. Is Murray in position?" Bentley switched from his computer to the head set. "Yes, he's waiting ever so patiently for you to get your crap together." Sly chuckled at the impatience of his companion. The raccoon lowered himself down ever so gently and broke through the glass surrounding the artifact. Once in hand, Sly placed a calling card in the paintings place and lifted himself out of there.

"Alright Murray, I'm coming out." Murray spread his arms out in front of him, anticipating the drop. After this, they could finally start their trip back home. Just as Sly was about to drop down, he heard a voice that seemed rather familiar. "You just don't know when to quit, do you, Cooper?" The raccoon turned his head toward the somewhat masculine voice. "Good evening officer, how may I help you?" The bulldog glared.

Save us both some trouble and put your hands in the air. You're under arrest." Sly smiled to himself, 'why not have a little fun?' The game had begun. "Sure thing" Sly complied with the officer's wishes much to his belief. "Sly! What are you doing?!" He could hear Bentley screaming in his ear. "Relax turtle, I know what I'm doing." Sly turned off the ear piece and awaited the man to finally trudge over to his position.

When he finally got within range, Sly was able to make out his name tag. 'Officer Shaw? That's a rather cop like name' He grimaced. The dog smiled. "Finally, no one at interpol has caught you and I finally did it!" Sly chuckled, letting the man bask in his short lived glory for a few more minutes.

Sly waited in the back of the police cruiser while officer Shaw called in to his boss. "Sir, you won't believe who I caught…. No no no! It's Sly… Sly Cooper!... No, I'm not drunk sir, this is completely true!... No, no need for that, it wasn't so hard, I-" Sly took the phone from the cop and placed it to his ear. "Hello police official, I'm afraid I won't be reserving a cell for the night, since I am planning to escape. Au revoir!" Sly tossed the phone to the cop and was gone in a flash. "COOPER!" Ah, another enemy for his prized collection.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING BACK THERE? YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF LOCKED UP! HE COULD HAVE SHOT YOU! DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M MADE OF MEDICAL SUPPLY?!" Bentley was fuming, more so from the fear of losing his family than getting caught. "Bentley, calm down. We're all okay." The turtle stared at his friend. "Don't do something so stupid without warning us first! I need time to devise a plan if you get caught."

Sly nodded and headed over to the turtle. "I'm sorry, but we got the painting! Did we get any good offers yet?" Bentley perked up a little bit. "Yes, our highest bidder is at… Well over $80,000." Sly gulped. That was quite a lump some. "So how are we going to save it?" Murray smiled. "Bentley called in a favor to that one guy from Sweden, and he's going to hold on to a good amount of it." Bentley saw the raccoon's untrusting face, wheeled himself closer. "Don't worry, he's a good guy. Would I ever put anything of ours in jeopardy?" The turtle made a good point. "Well, I'm off to bed. Night guys!" Murray trotted to his room. "Me too. Goodnight Sly. Oh! Are you waiting up for Dimitri?" Sly shook his head. "Nah, he's bringing the girl from the airport home again. I do not wish to stay up and listen." Bentley smiled and headed to the room he shared with Murray.

Finally back on the plane, they had half an hour till landing. Bentley was surfing through thiefnet while Murray resorted to playing the Kim Kardashian Hollywood game. Murray claimed he didn't really care for Kim, but the game was not terrible. In the meantime, Sly was messaging Carmelita with the plane's wifi.

Sly: Good afternoon, Ms. Fox :3

Carmelita: Hiya!

Sly: So, guess who's coming home today?

Carmelita: Hmmmmm… I don't know, you?

Sly: You're so sarcastic and I just adore it. Wanna go out in a few hours?

Carmelita: Sure, what did you have in mind? :3

Sly: The new bowling alley on Franklin ^-^ and I'm going to win

Carmelita: In your dreams ringtail! I have to go shopping with me madre. See you soon?

Sly: Indeed. Have fun c:

He sighed to himself, and continued to read "Night" by Elie Wiesel. A rather good book, if only he wasn't forced to read it. Maybe Ms. Ruby wouldn't make them right a paper. That would be a great surprise to go back to school too. 'Maybe I can just dribble my way through the paper. There is plenty I can say about a by killing his own father.' Sly opened up his documents and began typing a rough draft when the plane landed. "I assume that's God's sign telling me I'm working too hard."

Murray carried the bags and ran towards the van. "Dimitri sure has some good connections." Bentley muttered. Sly nodded and headed toward the van. "Shotgun is mine, and no one can take it from me." He called out the window. Dimitri groaned. It was good to be back.

Sly was anxious the whole ride home. He picked at his nails and brushed through his fur many times. "If you don't stop that, you're nails are going to fall off" Dimitri jeered. The raccoon rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on now cracker box! I'm only kidding. Don't stress yourself, it's just Carmelita. She seems nice." Sly nodded, leaning back in his seat. 'What if she doesn't have fun? What if I screw this up? What if I have lettuce in my teeth?! What if the president declares war?!' Okay, maybe that last one was an exaggeration, but you get the point. Anything could go wrong in his mind.

Carmelita was waiting outside on her porch in a dark blue pea-coat, black jeans, and tan boots. Sly felt his heart flutter a little bit and had the urge to jump out of the moving vehicle. Pulling into the driveway, Sly unbuckled himself and leaped out of the door. He ran over to Carmelita and hugged her tightly. "I missed you" he whispered. "I missed you too" she smiled. Sly felt happy in a strange way. "You look stunning." He brushed her hair out her eyes and kissed her forehead. A light blush tinted her cheeks. Grabbing her hand, he sat on the porch swing with her on his lap. "It's snowing again!" Carmelita smiled, reaching out to touch the falling snow flakes. Cold winds blew the snowflakes away, but made a beautiful scene. "I just love the snow. They never had any in Puerto Rico."

Sly nudged her slightly. "So when were you going to tell me you lived in Puerto Rico?" She smiled ever so slightly. "You never asked." She leaned into his chest and curled slightly. "Would you tell me about it? It seems like a nice place." Sly stroked her hair, making her let out something that sounded like a pur. "It was mostly rainy where I lived, but on certain days it would be exceptionally sunny. Sometimes I would go for a swim on those days, or just play in the sand. On rainy days, we still swam around and played basketball. It might not seem fun in the rain, but when someone swooshed, waster would fly off the rim in a mass amount of small droplets. Sometimes I miss it, but I prefer it here." Sly smiled and played with her tail. "Is it because we have more sun?" The fox nodded.

"Carmelita! Are you not going to introduce us to your boyfriend?" Her mom called from the window. "Pero mamá... (but mom)" Her mom giggled "¡Ven acá aquí! (come here)" Carmelita raised up and took hold of Sly's hand. Slowly trudging to the door, Sly whispered something to Carmelita that made her blush. "Don't say that here!" She tried to keep a straight face but her smile broke through. "Mama, this is Sly." Sly extended his hand to the older woman, but she hugged him. "Hello Sly! Oh, you're so handsome! Carmelita did a good job." Carmelita blushed profusely. "Mommy..." The older fox smiled. "Lo siento bebé, I'm just happy." She looked to the raccoon once more. "Please forgive my rudeness, my name is Carmen." She extended her hand this time. "It's a pleasure to meet you mam." Sly smiled. "Has he met your dad yet?" Carmelita was brought back to reality. "Oh not yet. Is he upstairs?" Carmen nodded. "Be careful to not to scare him, he's been working all day."

"Your dad isn't going to shoot me, right?" Carmelita giggled. "Calm down dear, he's really sweet." Calming down was easier said than done. Carmelita knocked on the door and stepped in. "Papi, there is someone I want you to meet." Grabbing Sly's hand, she proceeded in dragging him in the room. The older fox smiled softly. "Hello, my name is Antonio. You are?" He extended his hand to the raccoon who excepted it. "Sly Cooper. It's great to meet you. Carmelita didn't tell me you were into car models." The fox smiled. "Oh yes! I've been restoring that beauty for a few days now." He motioned toward a duke's of hazard model. It was really a beauty. Shiny outer coating, leather like insides, oh yes. This was a masterpiece.

"This is some really fine work you've done, sir." Antonio chuckled. "Please, you're too kind." Warmth spread through Carmelita at the sight of her father getting along so well with Sly. This is the first person he's never threatened to shoot. "I'd hate to cut this short papi, but could Sly take me to the bowling alley?" Antonio nodded. "Just make sure my baby girl won't get hurt, and have her back by..." he checked the clock. "Let's say six?" Sly nodded. "Understood."

Getting ready, Sly heard a small knock at the door. "Come in." The young fox came in and shut the door. "You look great." Sly smiled, fixing his black and blue plaid button up. "I aim to please, milady." She reached up and kissed his nose. "Ready?" He nodded and opened the door. The couple ran down stairs and outside to the van, eager for their date to start. To go out with Carmelita had been a dream of Sly's for quite some time now, and he was finally able to.

Well well well, what will happen next? I don't know either, but it will be lovely.

Oh yes, i had surgery done, and only have two more to go. Wish me luck!

~PudgyPhantomhive