Hey everyone,
Just want to warn you about two things. One, the talent Sly showed in Family Traditions won't come up this chapter. I wanted to at first, but then I decided against it seeing the revelations of previous chapters. Two, there is an altered movie reference in this chapter.
Care to find it,

Venquine1990

Chapter 05

Sly's POV

I won't deny the disappointment that went through my heart when Carmelita denied the idea of her joining the Cooper Gang, yet just the fact that, at least for the next week, the incredible vixen will be sharing a house with us makes some of that sadness fade away easily and the way that the others share their stories with me adds to this.
The way that Akudo's men had treated my friends had both been uncomfortable and a bit of a relief to hear as they definitely constantly made sure that my friends couldn't fight off their captured status, yet they never really felt as if they were prisoner. Well, except Murray, who had special drugs added to all the meals he was fed.
"It was really bad, you guys. Those drugs, they – they messed with my mind like the Contessa tried. You know, back in that detention center. Anyway, they didn't make me as violent as she tried making me or bring out the full power of The Murray, they – well, they made me feel how I felt when Bentley got his accident."

This is something none of us liked hearing, yet the Hippo shakes his head and says: "It was awful, but the Murray knows better. That accident was not my fault and though I felt like I did back then again, did this only happen because those bastards knew exactly when to feed me and when the drugs could possibly wear off again."
"They really studied us for months. They must have, to know so much about us. I bet they even studied us before we started gathering our fellow team members." Bentley says and I nod and say: "They must have struck when they did, because, like us, they didn't expect for our Iguana friend to join us.
It must have caught them off guard, they must have been planning to catch us anyway and to hear that there might be an added member to our gang that would set their plans back because they would need to study us. They must have not wanted to take that risk, so they struck hard and they struck fast." The others nod and I mumble:

"There is just one thing I just don't get." Everyone looks at me and I say: "Why? Why did they not just leave me on that boat? They obviously wanted me to feel alone and defeated, so why not add to that by making me worry for you in the time it would take me to get to you guys? Why take me to Paris as well?"
The others look confused and worried about this and then Carmelita says: "It must be because of what you said, Ringtail. They got caught off guard with Dimitri, so they struck hard and fast and decided to strike at you emotionally in a more direct manner. Who knows, maybe they wanted to strike you at home right from the get-go."
I nod and then something happens that I really don't like. The channel we were listening to on the radio suddenly stops halfway through a song by a female band of singers and instead of that, does a male voice say: "We interrupt this Top 40 Hit List for an important news flash." Which instantly draws all our attention.

Yet my stomach, not feeling all that well thanks to the flue, twists in even more knots as I hear the man say: "The Infamous Japanese Crime Gang, under lead of Rendell Akudo, has been arrested after a perfect bit of collaboration between the famous Police forces of Interpol and one of the newest members of the Infamous Cooper Gang.
Now unlike what was suggested two years ago, was it not Inspector Carmelita Fox who led this collaboration as she too was a target for the devilish actions of the filthy wolf. Instead of that, did Chief of Police, James Charles Barkley, work together with technical specialist Penelope to trick the wolf out of the Cooper Hide Out.
When asked where this location was, did Barkley respond We see no reason to disclose this information seeing as how the Cooper Gang were both our partners in this arrest as well as the main target for Akudo's actual plans. We are just relieved to state that, other than a bit of flue, none of the Cooper Gang members were badly hurt.
When asked why this was so important, does Chief Barkley say Cooper may be a criminal, I will not deny this, but when a criminal is taken the people he considers family and even the home he has lived in for the longest time, he becomes a citizen first and a criminal second and we of Interpol dedicate our lives to the safety of citizens."

Yet this is the last we hear as, by this time, Murray has finally gotten over his shock and reached the radio, turning the device off and sighing in defeat as he says: "Should have seen that coming. I heard them hinting at something like that at the five thirty news. Sorry about that, guys, I should have turned off the radio when I heard that."
But while I feel weighted down by yet another reminder of what Akudo has done and tried to do, do none of us blame the hippo for keeping the music on while cooking and after a few minutes and a funny comment by the Guru has everyone returned to more peaceful conversations and has the mood been returned to normal.

By now Murray, Bentley and I are peacefully doing the dishes, Bentley actually using his board computer to play off some of our favorite songs through an internet site and while Bentley had taken some time before coming to aid us to talk with Carmelita, do neither Murray or I comment on this until he scraps his throat and says:
"Sly, Inspector Fox is in need of your – ahem – personal talent." This makes me look at my friend strangely and he says: "The talent you use on us when we push ourselves too far during training. That talent." Yet, while I know what my friend means, does his message make me worry for our guest and does it make me ask:
"Really, why is that?" And while his words increase my worries, does Bentley say: "She's worried about going back into the room where Akuda gave her such a scare, yet she doesn't want to give you the wrong impression by sleeping in your room instead of hers. I just thought your gift could help her relax and fall asleep."

At this I nod, my inner Coon screaming for Akudo's blood for ruining what was supposed to be my ultimate masterpiece for the endearing vixen, yet while keeping my hands under the warm water of the tab to make me feel a little better, do I say: "I get your idea, Bentley, but I'm not sure it's the right course of action."
"Why not? Your massages are amazing, Sly." Murray tells me and I smile at my friend as I say: "I know they are. You guys tell me that plenty of times, believes me. But let's face one fact, guys. Whenever I work my magic on you guys, Bentley gets out of his shell and you always take your cape and mask off, remember?
I just don't think Inspector Fox will appreciate it if someone she has been feuding with for so long asks her to take off her shirt or jacket on the same day she discovers that another criminal wanted to rape her. I think that's just pushing thing a little too far, guys." At this the other two nod and Bentley grunts as he says:
"You got a good point, Sly. I didn't think about that." Yet I shrug as I had already thought of a little something to make the Fox feel more comfortable and ask: "How about a movie night? Watch just enough movies that it gets really late and watch a few easy ones to make the good Inspector feel comfortable and fall asleep that way?"

To this my two friends smile widely and Bentley says: "That's a great idea, Sly. Way better than what I suggested. Better tell Inspector Fox, though." I nod and then ask the question that is actually on my mind and ask: "You think she would feel offended if we ask to call her by her first name? Calling her the inspector all the time –."
I shrug in the end and my friends smirk at me as Bentley says: "Give me a break, Sly. You only call her that if we start the conversation about her and even then you often refer to her with her first name." This makes me laugh as my best friend is indeed very right and a few minutes of silent work later are all the dishes done and back in their cabinets.

My friends and I then move ourselves over to the living room, where we do indeed notice a small level of tension hanging around the group that is seated on the chairs and couches, yet while Dimitri and Panda King seem to emit this tension, does it seem as if Carmelita is growing very close with the Guru and Penelope.
The two girls are actually discussing various outfits that they like wearing when not at work and the Guru is even aiding them in this by telling them about the kinds of materials that are best used when going somewhere outdoors. The three of them are smiling and the girls even giggle from time to time, making me smile as well.
Yet suddenly, Bentley prods his elbow in my side and with a voice that just drops over with playfulness, does he say: "Follow my lead, lover boy?" And while Murray looks at him confused and I glare at him playfully, does he roll his wheelchair over to the girls and say: "Man, it warms my heart to see my girl happy like this."

And while it seems as if the arrival of Bentley, Murray and I makes Dimitri and Panda King feel more at ease, does Penelope smile at Bentley with great budding love growing in her eyes, shocking Carmelita as Bentley opens the board in front of him and Penelope happily seats herself on his lap, to which Carmelita squeals and asks:
"No way! How long have you two been an item? Why didn't I know this?" And while adjusting my step to the same smooth moves that Carmelita knows of me, not exactly easy as the flue is affecting me more than I let show, do I walk over and say: "You didn't know, gorgeous, because they got together at our last adventure.
We were at the Spanish Main and fighting off some wicked ass pirate who called himself the smartest man of the seven seas, yet Bentley proved him wrong, saved Penelope from kidnap and turned that upstart into shark food. And all he did was use his brain and his belief in us as a team. That's why Bentley is one of a kind."

And while Carmelita seems amazed at both the tale and how I speak of my friend, does Penelope happily kiss Bentley on the lips and says: "One of a kind and the only one for me, that's for sure." Making the rest of us smile at the happy couple before I work my hardest not to just collapse into my favorite chair.
Instead of that, do I make it look as if I am just sagging into its warm, comfy embrace and with a lazy arm, do I pull the lever on the right of the chair, making the backrest bend backwards and making a footrest shoot out of the front. Moving along with the chair, do I let out a sigh of relief as I feel my whole body relax.
The others smile at hearing me come at rest like this and then, before I can fully get lost in the warm comfort of my chair, do I sigh and say: "Listen inspector. There are two small things we would like to talk with you about." The fox nods and I say: "First off, would you object to us calling you by your first name while here?"

The fox shakes her head and a little more of the tension that hangs around us seems to elevate as I smile and say: "Good, second thing. Bentley told me of your worries and I can fully agree on them, I really can. Plus, if you do try and share a bed with me, you might just wake up feeling as horrible as I do, come morning."
At this the others nod, while Carmelita smiles at me gratefully, but then I say: "However, the solution Bentley came up with that he suggested to you is not exactly the right one either, seeing the events that have just transpired." At this the tension returns tenfold and while the others look at me worriedly, do I take a deep breath and say:

"You see, I take the health of my team members very highly and whenever either Bentley or Murray would try and push themselves too far in their training, would I tell them to either take off their shell or their cape and mask respectively and would I give them a good massage to make sure they get relaxed afterwards."
At this Carmelita looks intrigued and while part of me screams to just drop the act and go for it, do I sigh at the lost chance and say: "However, seeing what we discovered today, do I just not feel willing to ask you to take off some of your cloths, if only to do the same. I don't want to do anything you feel uncomfortable with."
The others look shocked, most of them probably because they know how I actually feel about the fine inspector and then I shrug and say: "So to avoid such tense moments or possibilities, I suggested we just have a movie night and see who falls asleep the first. You game, Carmelita?" And the nod of the fox is all I need to know.

I pull my chair back up, pull my aching, fiery body out of the chair and move over to the rack of dvds that is stood on the left of the flat screen TV Bentley and I bought after selling some of our loot on Thiefnet and while keeping my back to the fox, do I make sure to pick a few Rom Coms and a couple of easy adventure movies.
I put the first of them called Fox Almighty in the DVD player and then lie myself back into the chair, my whole body screaming at me that it will not move again anytime tonight, yet while Panda King raises his eyebrow at seeing the actual chosen movie, do the others all happily smile as we watch the opening trailer.

Four hours later.

It took two Rom Coms and a single action movie before Carmelita succumbed to her sleepiness, the fox having silently yawned and rubbed her eyes every so often during the action movie, yet refusing to go to bed when we offered it to her before setting the second Rom Com on, yet she had luckily given in halfway through the movie.
I myself had tried getting out of my chair so I could carry her up, yet Bentley and Murray had apparently seen how badly I needed to rest my body myself and had forbidden me from doing so, Bentley even pointing his Stun Gun at me while Murray went on to pick up the sleeping vixen, being very, very gentle with her.

I had given into their demands, but not into the demand that I just stay and watch another movie. Instead I had told them that I would hit the sack myself and the two had nodded, yet a few minutes after I had heard them leave, do I crawl out of my own bed and move over to the room I made for my lovely inspector.
Her uniform is hung up on the metal hanger on the right of the canopy bed along with the upper bodice of her dress, yet as I tilt my head, do I see that the sleeping fox is still dressed in the underdress and that she seems perfectly calm where she is as there is a soft smile lingering on her white orange lips as she breaths in and out calmly.
The sight of her, so calm and peaceful, in a place where she should feel tense and out of place warms my heart and makes my legs turn even more jelly than just the flue is doing and while making sure not to make a noise, do I sneak over to her and plant a soft kiss on her left temple, before I whisper: "Sweet dreams, my beautiful."
And with that do I sneak back out and back to my own rooms, happily curling under the extra thick blanket Murray laid out for me after putting Carmelita to bed and hoping with all that I am that my flue will be much less when I wake up in the morning. Yet, while I let sleep take me, do I not know of something unexpected.

Carmelita's POV

I had felt someone stare at me a few times during the movies and know it was probably Cooper, which had put the official officer in me on edge and made it hard for me to fall asleep. Yet the second Ron Com had been so sweet and dull at the same time that my body had succumbed to dreamland against my best urges to stay awake.
Yet, even while I was asleep, was my body still awake enough to sense out what is happening around me, yet to my relief had none of the Gang of Thieves taken advantage of my slumbering state as Murray had picked me up and carried me as if I was his little girl or something, the feeling of his arms encasing me feeling very welcome.

Yet a few minutes after he had laid me down – obviously in the room I had been slightly fearful off – does another presence make itself known to my senses, my body not really responding as all I could really feel was his or her eyes gazing at me as I slept. Yet, while I had felt his or her gaze, had I not felt uncomfortable by knowing this.
What had shocked me was the soft kiss on my temple, making me know it had to be Cooper who had been watching me as he would be the only one who could be silent enough I would not hear him approach, yet before my body could respond to this, had his voice said four words that had shocked me back awake.
"Sweet dreams, my beautiful." Of course, I had not opened my eyes at this as Cooper has been calling me sweet names for as long as he has been my target, yet the devotion, loyalty and – dare I say it – love that I could hear coming through his voice as he said this had floored and overwhelmed me to the core of my person.

I had kept my eyes closed until I could no longer feel his eyes on me and had then gone to sit up in bed, one of my arms over my blanket and the other used to keep my upper body upright and while I had gazed at the open door for the longest time, had no one else passed my door for minutes, making me lie back down.
Yet while I lie back, my face now facing the canopy above me, which I suddenly remember Bentley telling me that Sly had made it himself, do those four words and the emotions with which they were spoken repeat themselves in my mind along with the sight of Sly's disappointment when I denied the chance of joining the team.
"If there's one thing that makes Sly special, it's how far he is willing to go for those he cares for. And for you, Sly went all out. Sly dreamed and from his dreams – well, he made this." Bentley's words ring through my mind again, making me take another look at the amazing room Cooper put up himself just for me.

The whole room looks incredible and has been made in a stunning design and style, the same I had actually hoped to use for my own home when I first got to move into a place of my own, yet in the time I was moving was this actual style either very rare to come across or too expensive for my small budget to afford.
I had been able to decorate my house a little in this style by making a whole lot of trips to Greece before I got a full-time job at Interpol and thanks to those trips is now my entire living room filled with statues of the Greek gods in all kinds of different shapes, different kinds of stone and different sizes and colors.
Wondering if these statues were what made Cooper decide to give me such an amazing room, do I feel slightly uncomfortable with the idea that Cooper might know my personal address, that is until a voice in my head whispers: "Has he ever abused that info then?" And with that calming thought do I fall back asleep, smiling happily.

Wow!
This story was hard. My situation in my personal life is ever changing right now and it really affects my mood, so because the start of this story wasn't exactly positive, was it hard for me to get this story started, yet I am very much relieved with how this turned out, the chapter becoming easier once I got to the movie plan.
Now I do want to let you know that this story will actually be about every day of the week that Carmelita is with the Cooper Gang, yet I will try not to make it too boring as I know that a story with no real progress can quickly become a drag, which I intent not to let happen here as I already have the epilogue planned.
Enjoy,

Venquine1990