SUCCESS! I has a cookie! :)

You rock Razor of DOOM. I hope you're enjoying the story.

By the way, I don't think I told you guys but this is my first attempt at a story I actually intend to finish. And first fanfic attempt period. So I appreciate everyone going easy on me.

Ok, done with prattling, let's get to the next chapter.

Chapter 15 We Call it Bella Notte

Sly and his gang indeed got to finish their expedition to Sicily riding comfortably in first class.

After eating a delicious fancy meal consisting of steak, rolls, steamed vegetables, and, by request of Murray, triple chocolate cake for dessert, the whole group got to relax for the remainder of the trip.

Bentley and Penelope played an exhilarating game of chess, the intellectual's pastime.

Murray watched on, baffled as to how they could nearly predict each other's next move.

Across the roomy cabin, Carmelita was resting happily on the cushioned bench by the window as the afternoon sun poured in.

Safe, well-fed, and comfy, she felt wonderful. Her feet were still throbbing like mad though. She sighed and strained to get up and try to take her boots off, but was having some difficulty reaching her feet lately.

"Need some help?" came a silky smooth voice.

Sly appeared at her feet and effortlessly took her boots off for her.

"Oh thank you," she sighed. "My feet are killing me," she informed him.

He took one of her small, delicate feet. "Want a foot rub?" he asked.

"Oh Sly, no that's ok, you don't ha-" At that point he had already started squeezing her tender swollen feet.

"Oooohhh that feels amazing," she said, gradually leaning her head back onto the pillow, closing her eyes.

Sly chuckled as he continued, sitting on the edge of the bench. "Your reward for helping us take down those bare-tailed possums and big-eared hairballs."

"Mmm, thank you," she breathed.

After a minute or so, she lifted her head to say something, and realized she couldn't see past her own stomach, which frustrated her.

"Sly?" she asked.

"Yes?"

She held her arms out. "Can you come up here?"

He stood up. "I thought your feet needed massaging."

"They did," she answered, "But my need to see your face is a little greater at the moment."

He smiled and lay down beside the cuddle-loving vixen, encircling his arms around her.

As they lay beside each other, noses touching, Sly saw Murray out of the corner of his eye, walking over to peer out the large window.

"So Murray," Sly said, a knowing smile playing about his lips. "Saw you and that warthog girl talking. You looked like you were enjoying yourself."

Murray blushed at his words. "What? Oh. Yea well, we just, were, talking about, well…stuff."

"Stuff?" Penelope asked before taking one of Bentley's pawns. "Ooh!"

The others laughed.

Murray shrugged. "Ok, I have to admit, she was kind of cute."

Sly grinned, lifting his head up. "Atta boy Murray!"

Carmelita giggled softly. "Before you know it you'll be all coupled up like the rest of us," she said to the hippo.

He smiled. "Aw I don't know 'bout that. We just met. And she's goin' off for her vacation anyway."

"Where is she headed?" Sly asked.

"Italy," Murray replied glumly.

"Well newsflash Murray," Bentley cut in. "That's kind of where we're going!"

"Yea, I know," Murray said. "But Italy is pretty big. I didn't ask her where in Italy she was vacationing. She could be headed anywhere."

Sly nodded. "Maybe you'll bump into her in lovely Sicily." He turned his gaze back to Carmelita's deep chestnut eyes. "Who knows? If it's meant to be, then it's bound to happen."

Carmelita buried her head into his warm chest, a huge smile on her face.

Murray shrugged again, seriously doubtful of that happening. "Yea maybe, but I'm more focused on taking down this Alfonso dude right now."

Bentley nodded. He moved one of his rooks down the board. "Yes, we may be headed for a breathtaking Italian island, but we certainly won't be there to sightsee or make new friends. We have a job to pull off."

"Right," Penelope agreed.

"You bet," said Murray.

Sly didn't answer. He was busy staring at his lovely vixen's face, running his hand through her cascading cobalt locks. He knew that it didn't matter where he was; she was all the sight that he'd ever need to see.

Bentley began to discuss the plans and ideas he had when he noticed Sly still wasn't paying attention.

"Sly, are you even listening?" Bentley asked in an irritated tone.

"Whatever you say, Bent," Sly answered vaguely before bringing his lips to Carmelita's own.

The turtle slammed his head on the table in exasperation.

Penelope moved one of her chess pieces, placing it in front of Bentley's king piece. "Check," she chirped.

Later that day, after a revitalizing ferry ride, they arrived at their island destination. The magnificent city of Taormina, Sicily.

Finally.

Once they reached the enormous city surrounded by refreshingly clear waters, they took off their wigs and heavy coats, as the weather was actually fairly warm out despite it being winter.

The group admired the vibrant color-splashed buildings and houses on the Italian island. The tranquil and tropical feel was a nice change compared to the big city of Paris.

"It's beautiful," Penelope noted.

"Stunning," Carmelita agreed.

"Yea yea," Bentley said as he wheeled along beside his friends. He pulled up a map on the computer screen attached to his wheelchair. "After assessing the area, I've found a prime location for our temporary hideout. Just follow me."

The rest of the gang did as they were told and followed the turtle as he led them through the bustling streets of Taormina.

The odd group got quite a few stares from locals along the way, but they were used to that. The Italians seemed friendly though, despite what stereotypes convey. With Bentley as the navigator on the expedition, the gang traveled through the city without worry of getting lost. He led them through the lively crowd of upbeat couples and families. As they all made their way down the winding sidewalks, passing the small markets and quaint shops, one member seemed to be lagging behind.

Sly turned to see poor Carmelita, sluggishly following, one hand on her back. The lengthy trek seemed to be getting the best of her.

An ever concerned husband, he ran back and put an arm around her to support her.

She managed a pained smile up at him. "Thanks. I'm slowing you down again," she said apologetically, her eyes dropping to the ground.

He put a finger under her chin and she looked back up at him. "It's not a problem. Can't imagine the toll this must be taking on you."

Never being one to whine and complain, the vixen grunted. "Nah it's not so bad. I'll tough it out," she joked with a reassuring smile.

Though she denied it, he could tell she wasn't being completely honest. Seeing her so weak and pained caused Sly to worry. She seemed fine that morning, but she apparently couldn't keep up the fight very long. He began to think that maybe it wasn't the best idea to bring her along for the dangerous raid…

Soon the peculiar five found themselves in an obscure part of the tropical city, staring up at a fair sized house that looked over the ocean.

"According to sources and allies we've made here in Italy already, I've established that this place is completely vacant," Bentley informed everyone.

"I'm the master thief, so I call the master bedroom!" Sly announced, abruptly grabbing Carmelita's wrist and leading her up the steps to the door before she could argue.

"That's...fair," Bentley said, though the two had already run inside and closed the door behind them. He turned to the others. "Well, that's Sly, always selfless and thinking of others. C'mon, let's go look around and claim whatever's left." Using his rocket-powered chair, Bentley shot up over the wooden steps and went inside. Stairs were no match for this chair-bound turtle. Penelope and Murray followed, being content with any of the remaining rooms.

Sly and Carmelita had found a room to their liking and set their things down. Then they settled on the large couch in the main room. Soon the others joined them after they had done the same.

Bentley held a rolled up map in one of his hands as he wheeled over to the large center table near the couch.

Penelope and Murray sat crossed-legged at the edge of the table. Penelope gathered up her notes on Alfonso De Luca, the Italian coyote and powerful leader of illegal casino operations.

"So," Bentley began, spreading the map out. He pointed to a spot on the surface. "We're here, and Alfonso lives here, on his own private island. And right here, about 6.5 kilometers away from his island, is the Crystal Cove Casino. It's apparently he and his team's hot spot."

The team listened on to all their specific jobs, what they would be in control of, and what strengths would help them in certain situations during the heist.

All except for Carmelita. It was soon evident to her that she wasn't being considered for a certain job, so after a while of keeping quiet she spoke up.

"What can I do?" she asked.

Bentley looked at her cautiously. "Uhhh…" He nervously twirled the pencil he was holding between his fingers. "W-well, Carmelita…you see, this is gonna be a pretty dangerous mission..."

"I can handle danger," she said, glancing to the others, who were displaying expressions of unease.

Bentley looked to Sly apprehensively.

Sly put a hand on her shoulder. "Carm, sweetie, look. Maybe you should consider sitting this one out," he said quietly.

Her ears shot up. "What! But, but I wanna help too!" she protested.

"I know," he said guiltily. "And maybe you still can. Just in a way that doesn't involve you actually getting face to face with these guys."

"I can handle myself Sly," she assured him. "Did I not help you take out one of those fennecs today?"

"Yes you did," Sly said carefully, not wanting to anger her. "And I was scared to death you were gonna get hurt the entire time."

She crossed her arms as her eyebrows knitted together in annoyance at his lack of faith in her ability. "I didn't though."

"Maybe so, but I still don't want you near this shady coyote and his thugs."

"But I wanna help take him down!" she argued, irritation clear in her tone. "Lately I've felt like I haven't helped you guys at all! Besides, you said I could-" she attempted.

He held a finger up. "I said you could come along. Not participate."

She looked at him in disbelief. "Wha…so that's it? You're not gonna let me get in on the action at all? Are you ever?"

"Of course Carm," he answered. "Just not right now, when you're…so…vulnerable and…pregnant. It's too dangerous for you."

Though it was the exact opposite of his intention, she was deeply offended by his words, and her blood boiled within her. As her fiery temper flared, she shot to her feet. "Well fine then!" she yelled, her hormones running rampant and taking control. "If I can't help you and I'm just a burden and a useless liability to you in this state, then I don't even know what I'm doing here in the first place!" She stormed out the front door and took off down the beach.

A worried Sly jumped up and ran after her. "Carmelita, wait!" he called before slamming the door behind him.

Bentley removed his glasses and rubbed his temples. "Oh dear," he sighed.

Sly leaped off the steps into the white powdery sand below, looking for a sign as to which way she'd run. He soon spotted a set of footprints and followed them down the beach, until he found her, sitting at the base of a large looming palm tree.

She was staring straight ahead at the crashing waves, hugging her knees to her chest. When he knelt down in front of her, she looked away with an angry scowl.

He took her hands in an attempt to get her to listen to his reasoning. "Carm, please don't be mad," he pleaded. "You're not a burden to me at all. Please don't ever think that you are. I'm just looking out for you and the baby."

She glared down at the white sand beneath her toes. "I can look out for myself," she said quietly.

"I know you can," he said, looking up at her. "And you're great at it. You're strong and independent and you can defend yourself like no other girl I know. But...Carmelita, if something were to happen to you on a heist…if anything were to go wrong…anything at all…it would be all my fault."

She looked up at his somber expression.

He couldn't meet her gaze as he continued in a soft voice, "And…I don't think I could take it."

The anger melted from her eyes, and a look of mild perplexity replaced it. She tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

He exhaled deeply. "I'm not ashamed to admit it, but you're my whole world now Carmelita. You and that kit in there. And if something were to take my world away from me…" he closed his eyes. "I-"

She touched a finger to his lips and he quickly opened his eyes once more in surprise.

"That's not gonna happen," she whispered. Without warning, she took his face in her hands and drew him into a kiss.

Instantaneously, Sly gave into the gentle exchange of affection.

Soon after they had started to kiss, Sly crawled atop her, pushing her lightly into the sand. Keeping himself suspended by pressing against the soft sand below with his hands, he and Carmelita both lay horizontal on the shore.

As the birds called in the distance and the roaring waves crashed, their muzzles meshed together urgently, their tongues touching ever so slightly, dancing together tenderly. Sly then bit gently at her lower lip and she whined softly as he began to trail tiny kisses down her jawline and neck. His desirous lips barely reached her collarbone before moving back up along her cheek. Pleasant shivers rushed down their spines during the intimate instance. With a quiet moan, she locked her hands around his neck tightly, as his lips reunited with hers. They lingered there for quite a while.

When he finally released her and looked down at her, she stared up at him, speechless.

"Wow," she sighed dreamily after a moment. "Never been kissed like that on the beach before."

He chuckled. "There's another first for our list."

She smiled, gently raking a hand through his head fur. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just thought you didn't want my help, even though I really want to help."

"Carm, the simple fact that you want to help me in my thieving ways instead of hinder is more than enough for me."

"I know, and I shouldn't have gotten so mad. You don't want me getting hurt because you care, and I know that. You're just worried about my well-being."

"Of course I am," he murmured. "You're everything to me, Carmelita. I love you."

"I love you too," she said brokenly. Her eyes suddenly got misty and she looked away. "Damn it, Ringtail," she said through gritted teeth. "There you go again, making me all teary-eyed."

He grinned and pulled her into his lap. "Nah, it's your rampaging hormones that do that."

She chuckled through the trickling tears. "No, you just have that captivating effect on me."

He wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumbs. "You have that same effect on me."

They sat together in silence, listening to the tranquil sounds of the beach in the late afternoon. They watched the waves crash again and again into the shallow waters, splashing among the rocks, and could feel the gentle breeze blow in from the ocean. As they stared ahead at the reflections upon the crystal blue water created by the golden sun above, she in his lap, Sly rested his hands on her belly, and she placed her own hands upon his.

Their happy little loving family. Together.

The tender moment was cut short all too soon by Carmelita's growling stomach.

They both laughed. "Must mean it's time for dinner," Sly said. He leaped to his feet and helped her to hers.

"Good, I'm starving!" she exclaimed, to which Sly said, "What do you say we have some spaghetti tonight?"

"Really? That sounds delicious!" she said.

"Well, we are in Italy after all."

They walked together back to the new Safe House, arms wrapped around one another happily, the angry feelings forgotten as quickly as they had been brought on.

After Penelope had gone out to the nearby market to pick up foods to prepare a scrumptious dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, the gang ate and worked on their remaining plans for taking down De Luca. For a while, Carmelita just sat back on the couch, listening to all their impressive strategies. But soon she grew bored of her inability to participate or give input and decided to go upstairs.

Once she reached the second story, she noticed a doorway at the end of the hall, leading to another set of stairs. Curiously, she climbed it and soon found herself on the flat section of the roof of the house, staring up into the night sky.

She walked over to the railing and gripped it, gazing up at the thousands of tiny stars in the sky. As she took in the splendor of the glowing moon overhead, she couldn't help but think that stars in the sky were so simple. They just hung there, illuminating the night along with the glorious moon. But they didn't have to do anything except stay suspended up there in the vast atmosphere, and shine, and others always seemed to find themselves admiring them in awe.

Her blue hair rustled in the chilly wind as she thought about this amusing but undeniable concept.

"There you are."

Carmelita turned to see her beloved raccoon walking toward her. "Thought you had run off again," he said in a jesting tone.

She smiled and shook her head. "Nah, I just wanted to come admire the sky on my first night in Sicily."

"Ah, enjoying the bella notte, my bella signora?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, gazing up at the beauty of the stars and moon with her.

"Mhm. You can see the stars so much brighter here it seems."

"The stars are always brighter when I'm looking at them with you," he crooned.

She looked up at him, wrinkling her nose. "I think you've used that line on me before."

"Oh no, that's quite impossible," Sly said. "All my sentiments are original and are never recycled."

"Sure they are," she said playfully.

They were soon lost in the peaceful ambiance, taking in the serenity of this lovely bella notte.

"Do you think we'll make good parents?" Carmelita asked after a while.

Sly looked at her with a smile. "I think so."

She didn't say anything, just continued to stare into the night, a troublesome look on her face.

"You're still scared aren't you?" he asked.

"Terrified," she squeaked, barely audible.

He brushed his nose back and forth along the fur of her cheek. "Don't worry. I told you, we'll figure everything out, one step at a time. It'll be like a cool new chapter in our lives."

Carmelita rested her head against his chest. "I don't deserve a guy like you Sly," she whispered. "I have no idea what I ever did to deserve you."

He laughed his smooth subdued laugh. Then resting his hands on her arms he teasingly stated, "Yea I think your own parents share that opinion."

She lightly hit him on the arm with the back of her hand. "Very funny. You know that's not what I meant. I meant the good kind of deserving."

"Oh sure sure!" he answered with a grin. "And as far as what you did…well I believe it had something to do with you becoming an underhanded crook…or something like that."

She rolled her eyes and grasped his hands. She interlaced her fingers with his as the two looked back up at the stars above. The night wind continued to rustle their fur as well as blow Carmelita's long locks of hair in all directions. She could almost hear the gentle lyrics being sung, could almost hear the Spanish guitar strum the romantic melody.

"Side by side with your loved one, you'll find enchantment here.

The night will weave its magic spell, when the one you love is near."

"So," she started, breaking the silence. "You still have to let me have a little fun. I'm fine with staying out of harm's way but I still want to come along."

He thought for a moment. "Ok, that's fine. You can hang with Bentley and help give us direction."

"That's…adequate," she finally decided, still not fully satisfied.

His lips pressed together tightly in consideration. "Maybe we can figure something out for you to do. As long as it's remotely safe. Maybe."

"Good."

He sighed. "There, you happy now, my lovely lady?"

She grinned up at him. "Happier than I ever thought I could be."

They returned to the living room downstairs to rejoin the group, who were still discussing their plan and tossing ideas and strategies around.

Several minutes later, a loud, forceful knock came at the door, startling everyone.

"I know you're in there Cooper Gang!" called a voice. "You can't hide from me!"

Ooh…I wonder who could be at the door.

Well actually, I don't wonder, I know, and you'll find out who it is next chapter.