In response to a reviewer, thanks for the advice! Being a beginner I'm still trying to get the hang of the site, so guidance is much appreciated. If the order gets too out of hand, I'll fix it eventually. Just as soon as I figure the system out better…

Glad to hear you're enjoying it, I'm having a blast writing it!

Still working on chapter 3 for the alternate story, so enjoy the next chapter of Sly's version while I write it.

8/24/18: Hey, you guys remember when I actually attempted to hash out a Sly/OC Carm/OC fic? Yea...me neither.

Chapter 8 When One Door Opens, Another Must Close

The next morning, Carmelita ambled down the stairs to the kitchen to the smell of bacon, eggs, and something sweet, unless her nose was playing tricks on her.

Penelope was at the small stove, poking sizzling strips of bacon when she noticed the frizzy haired fox standing in the doorway.

"Well, good morning Sleeping Beauty!" she greeted her mockingly.

Carmelita smiled and shoved Penelope's arm lightly as she walked past, bringing forth a dainty chuckle from the mouse. "Smells delicious," Carmelita complimented.

"That's just your hormones talking," Penelope said with a grin. "Or you're just trying to be nice."

Carmelita smirked, placing her hands on her hips. Over the past several weeks, Carmelita had gotten to know the whole gang a little better. At this point she couldn't believe she used to think they were actually what she considered 'bad'. They all had hopes and dreams, authentic ambition too. It was just that, in law enforcement, officers like her had a very black and white view of crime. She realized now, much to her own astonishment, that she was beginning to see shades of gray.

She had made a sort of closer bond with Penelope though, mostly because she was the only other female in the house. They were getting to be close friends and picked on each other from time to time.

Sly greeted his love with a good morning kiss. "Nice to see ya, Foxy. Now let's get some food in you before you starve our child," he said to her.

She rolled her eyes and sat down beside him at the table. "Oh, not concerned about my own well-being, anymore, eh?" she jabbed back playfully, pouring a glass of orange juice.

"Of course I am, it's just that I know you can take care of yourself. My little guy is helpless."

"Girl," she corrected.

He met her stare with a mock glare, to which she laughed.

"Alright boys, soups on!" Penelope called down the hall. Almost immediately, Bentley and Murray came into the kitchen.

"Great! I'm starving!" Murray exclaimed, to which the other four laughed aloud.

As Penelope set plates of food on the table, Carmelita spotted a particularly appealing food. "Are those…?" she asked.

"Mhm!" Penelope said. "Cherry crêpes! Sly told me they were your favorite."

Carmelita smiled at the lean raccoon sitting next to her. "Whaddya know? You're actually good for something after all."

He smirked and gently flicked one of her two-toned ears.

The others laughed, and then they all dug in, complimenting Penelope on how well she did on preparing the meal.

"So, guys," Bentley began. "And ladies. This morning, I deduced some computing codes for the time machine's gyrostrensic capacitor and the era calculating generator. It's only a matter of time now before it's complete."

Murray snorted, scarfing down two strips of bacon. "Matter of time. I get it."

Bentley scratched his head. "Uh, I wasn't really making a joke. At least I wasn't trying to. It'll be complete soon."

"That's great, hon," Penelope said cheerfully. "Can't wait until we have a chance to test out the finished product!"

"You and I both, sweetheart," Bentley smiled.

Sly stole a piece of Carmelita's crêpe off of her plate, her head snapping over to him, and he looked away smiling. "Rotten thief," she whispered, to which he grinned. "Well until then, we'll have plenty to do, especially if we get a chance to pull off jobs like last night," Sly said.

Once again the gang began to talk about stealing back from the dastardly jaguar criminal. They also brought up great times they had during other heists earlier in the year.

As Carmelita pushed the eggs on her plate in a circle using her fork with one hand, resting her head on the other, she listened on to the conversation she couldn't be a part of. One thing she grasped from hearing the breakfast chat was that she and her Interpol team certainly did sloppy work when attempting to pursue the Cooper Gang. But one other thing she couldn't help but think was how…well…fun it was all beginning to sound to her. The rush of running from the law instead of enforcing it was starting to appeal to her. She couldn't believe she was thinking it. But she was.

Her hand dropped to stroke her stomach, feeling a gentle nudge in response. How was she going to explain to her baby that she lived her life to throw guys like his or her own father in jail? Who was she to deny Sly's own son or daughter the right to take after their dad in the ways of a master thief?

She couldn't. She wouldn't.

"I'm turning in my badge today," she spoke up suddenly.

Everyone at the table stopped talking and looked at her in silence.

"What?" Sly asked, his attention now focused on her.

She continued to push the eggs around on her plate. "I don't want to be a cop anymore. I wanna try a hand at thieving, like you guys."

The four exchanged astounded glances. They knew she'd mentioned it, but never dreamed she was actually serious.

"That's awesome!" Murray blurted.

"Totally! Your skills would be an incredible asset to the gang!" Penelope said, putting her two cents in.

Sly took both of the vixen's hands in his and looked at her intently. "Carmelita, sweetie, are you sure about that? Think about what you're saying."

"I have," she said. "A lot actually. And I'm sure. I can't go back to throwing others in jail now. It just wouldn't be right. I've seen now that being 'wrong' has its exceptions sometimes. And besides," she shrugged. "You did it for me. Granted not for a very long time, but you did. You became the guy you never wanted to be, for me. It's only fair for me to do the same for you."

Sly stared at her, his lips parted slightly. "Carm…I'm touched."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you are."

"No no, I'm serious. And that's a really big life decision. I mean, any normal bad guy can clean up their act with the whole clean slate lifestyle. But you have to understand that once you're a thief, you can't go back."

"He's right," Bentley pointed out. "Feigning amnesia may have worked for Sly but I highly doubt Interpol would fall for it a second time. The thought alone is preposterous."

Carmelita's hands dropped once again to her stomach. "I'm aware," she said softly. "But…I refuse to deny our baby his or her birthright. If our child wants to take after Sly and be a thief, then a thief is what they'll be! Might as well make it a family affair while we're at it."

Promptly, Sly grabbed her face and drew her into a lengthy passionate kiss. She truly was the girl of his dreams. And he didn't care who knew; he would display his affections for this amazing vixen for all the world to see. Or at least everyone at breakfast to see.

Not too long after, Bentley cleared his throat, signaling the two lovebirds that he'd seen quite enough.

When they parted, Carmelita looked up at Sly, a scarlet color filling her cheeks.

He smiled down at her. "Sorry guys," he said, not taking his eyes off of her surprised expression. "I couldn't help it. I just love her."

Penelope looked over to Bentley who was sipping from his coffee mug. "How come you never kiss me like that?"

Instantly the introverted turtle spat the coffee out in a most comical display, his cheeks turning three shades of red.

There was plenty of blushing to be had this morning at the Cooper Clan dining table.

The whole group roared with laughter at seeing Bentley so embarrassed. Sly laughed so hard, he was nearly out of breath.

When they had all finished eating, Carmelita brought it up again. "So…does that mean that you'll teach me?" the eager fox asked Sly.

"Carmelita, I would love nothing more than to teach you the ways of being a thief…after the baby's born."

"But Sly-"

He put a finger to her lips. "I want more than anything for you to go on a heist with me and the gang, but I'm not letting your lack of covert knowledge put you and the baby in danger." With that he jumped up, taking their plates to the sink.

She frowned but said nothing more. That wasn't quite the answer she was hoping for. She still had a good four months before the birth of their baby, and she didn't have that kind of patience. She appreciated his concern, really she did. Most guys would never have been as caring as Sly was, and she knew that. But she wanted to be a helpful member of the household sooner rather than later.

She would convince him to let her tag along, one way or another.

For now, she had a few things to return to their rightful owners before she would convert to a lifestyle of swiping.

So after breakfast, she went upstairs to get dressed to make her last visit to Interpol headquarters.

Once she left, Sly gathered his friends in the living room.

"Is she incredible or what!" he asked, but it was more of a statement.

"She's something, Sly," Bentley said. "Doesn't hold a candle to Penelope of course, but she is something else."

The slender mouse winked at her soulmate.

"After all this, she is actually going to convert for me!" Sly sat back onto the couch. "Guys, I think I'm in love."

"How long did it take you to figure that one out?" Murray asked.

Sly good-naturedly punched the hippo in the arm. "I mean it," Sly said. "Things are serious now. I…I think I'm gonna take the next step."

His friends exchanged puzzled glances. They didn't say it but they were thinking it; hadn't he already taken the next step? Carmelita was noticeably pregnant now. It was pretty evident he'd taken the next step.

Sly reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring with a fair-sized diamond on it, which he'd bought fair and square with money he'd had saved up while he was a constable.

Penelope gasped, cupping her hands over her mouth. "You mean?"

"Mhm. I'm gonna propose!"

His friends encouraged him, and said it was a wonderful idea. About damn time too!

"Everything has to be perfect when I do though, I wanna go about it in a really romantic way, which is natural for me," he shrugged smugly.

"When are you going to do it?" Penelope asked excitedly.

"The sooner the better. Probably sometime this weekend."

"That sounds perfect!" she clapped her hands.

So it was settled. That weekend, he would pop the question.

Later, Carmelita arrived at the main office of Interpol Headquarters. Her heartbeat thumped unsteadily as she approached the main entrance. She knew everyone knew about her little bundle of joy, and others were bound to be spreading rumors about her. They all knew she had lived with Sly when they were partners. Now he was a thief again. Heaven only knows what everyone thought about her now.

Not wanting to draw unwanted attention to herself, Carmelita wore a heavy black trench coat, and held it closed with one hand. She scurried up to the main desk to see an old friend, Kat the grey wolf. Carmelita always thought it funny that her name was Kat but she was a canine. Kat hated being reminded, and stressed that she preferred everyone to please call her Katrina. But Carmelita had always called her Kat as a friendly tease.

The vixen smiled at the memory of her wolf friend. But unfortunately she wasn't here to reminisce.

"Hey Kat," she greeted.

Kat's head whipped up at the mention of the hated name. Her face broke out into a big smile. "Carmelita! Oh my gosh! How are you?"

"Wonderful," she answered with a smile. "And you?"

"Great! I've missed having you around to call me by that putrid name, though."

Carmelita laughed.

"How's the baby?" Kat asked suddenly.

Carmelita's cheerful expression melted into an anxious one. "Fine. It's…fine. So, you heard about that huh?"

"Oh the whole office is talking." Kat leaned in, clasping her hands together, flashing a set of purple acrylic nails. "They all think you're hangin' out and sleepin' around with crooks. Isn't that crazy!"

Carmelita laughed, doing the best to cover the outlandish amount of anxiety she was experiencing. "Heh. You don't say? That is crazy!"

"I know right!" She looked from left to right, her eyes scanning the room. "Between us, you've picked up the nickname 'Carmelita the Criminal Concubine'. Petty girls come up with the most ridiculous things sometimes don't they!" It was quite hilarious and so hypocritical to hear that come straight from the gossip queen herself. "Anyways, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I need to talk to Chief Barkley about…something. Is he in his office?"

Kat peered around the corner and nodded to her. "Enter at your own risk though!"

The vixen smiled and thanked her wolf friend and headed down the hall. Quite flustered after hearing those very embarrassing details, she wasn't looking where she was going, and bumped into a familiar face.

"Tony!" she exclaimed.

He looked up at her, but didn't look as happy as she did. "Oh, Carmelita. Hey." He cleared his throat. "Haven't seen you around the office."

"Oh I uh, I'm on maternity leave, remember?" She pointed to her stomach, which was a stupid thing to do, but it was too late at that point.

"So, then, what are you doing here?" He eyed the two objects in her hands.

"Ummm…" She exhaled deeply, knowing she had been trapped in a lie, no escape. "Well…actually…actually I'm not just on maternity leave." She glanced down at her shock pistol, knowing she would never get to use it again. "I'm leaving Interpol."

His brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing. "So you can live with Cooper, right? And be a criminal just like him."

Her eyes grew wide in fear. "Please don't say anything! To anyone!"

"But that's it, isn't it?"

Her lips became a thin line. "Tony, this is a very complicated situation. I always had feelings for him, but when he was good-"

"When you were tricked into believing he was good, you mean."

She ignored that and continued on. "I thought everything would stay that way. But it didn't…and now…now I'm seeing things differently."

Tony curtly nodded, as if he didn't care in the slightest. "Right. Well, see ya." He continued to walk.

She grabbed his arm. "Wait. So…enough about me. How have you been?" She tucked a curl behind her ear. "I haven't seen you since-"

"Since our date," he cut her off. "After which you kind of fell of the face of the earth. And lost all communication with me. Basically."

His words cut like knives. She bit her lip. "Look, I'm sorry about that. Really. I just…we were giving dating a shot about the same time I got back in contact with Sly. That's all."

"Yea I figured," Tony said, casually running a hand through his spiky head fur.

Carmelita took his hand and smiled. "So, maybe we can't be in a relationship, but I was hoping we could still stay close friends though, Scruffy."

Tony slipped uneasily out of her grasp, his eyes focused on his shoes. "I'm not that close, Carmelita. Not anymore."

She drew back, feeling like she'd just been slapped.

It wasn't the tone of his voice that hurt her so, but the lack of emotion. He looked at her with a stoic expression, all traces of his friendly smile and the warm caring look in his eyes…gone.

"I do hope he makes you happy though. Honestly. And the baby too. It was nice working with you while it lasted, Inspector. Bye." And with that he strolled down the hall, out of sight.

She stood there frozen for a moment. What just happened still didn't fully register. So everything couldn't be perfect in her world, after all. She may be gaining a family and a loving…well, lover, but she didn't know that meant she would lose Tony as a friend. Though platonic, she thought very much of their relationship. Once good friends…now nothing at all.

Her mind clouded, she stepped into Chief Barkley's office to turn in her badge and shock pistol.

Later, as she was leaving, a mysterious shadowed figured watched her from nearby as she got into her car and sped away, a maniacal smile on his face.

"So…Miss Fox is calling it quits, eh? Going to join Cooper and his merry little band of thieves?" Dark laughter echoed in the shadows. "How perfect!"

With every important decision, comes one consequence or another. Sly and Carmelita may have each other, but you can't have everything just the way you want it. Unfortunately, Tony can't be a part of her life too. What kind of outcome will this make for the story? And who is this mysterious figure? Keep reading and you'll surely find out.

Guys I was SO close to calling it the flux capacitor. So close.

8/24/18: College me wishes she should go back and tell high school me that all these end notes were superfluous. I keep them for memories though. Memories of simpler times.