~Annika

I awoke to some light snoring in the corner. I sat up slowly so I wouldn't get dizzy. Then I noticed Sly sleeping in the corner in front of me. He must have stayed up all night to look after me. If anything, he probably only fell asleep an hour ago. He took care of me this whole time… Unfortunately, I had to get going. I was already in enough trouble as it is.

I got up from the bed and made my way to the door. I stopped when I felt a tug at my ankle and a little sound. I looked at my ankle to find a piece of string around it and a bell.

"Nice try. But you're not getting away that easily."

I looked at Cooper. He only had one eye open and he had a grin on his face. "Did you really think we would just let you walk out of here?"

I let out an exasperated sigh and sat down again. "Why are you doing this? I owe you now, I get it. Now let me go. Kaylita may be in trouble because of me."

He closed his eyes again but the grin was still visible. "You should of thought of that before you showed up at the museum last night."

"What do you want with me anyway? Look, if you want a thank you, fine. Thank you for taking care of me and for staying up all night to look after me. I appreciate it."

He chuckled. "You're getting desperate, aren't you Police Girl?"

"Are you saying there's something you're planning to do with me?"

He smirked. "We'll probably do a practical joke for Carmelita's sake. Murray and Bentley are in on it too. Come to think of it, they're setting it up now. I hope you understand, we're trying to stay on the good side of Interpol."

"You're kidding, right?" I questioned skeptically. "So you nurse me back to health and then you use me to get closer to Carmelita and give her more reason to come after you? Lovely…"

"Are you implying that even thieves can't have fun? You disappoint me Police Girl."

"It's all part of the job, Cooper. Besides, I can't always let you have all the fun, right? At least some law should be in place here."

"You sound just like Carmelita."

"Scary, isn't it?"

He couldn't help but laugh at that. Just then, Murray and Bentley showed up. I was dreading every moment of this already. And it hasn't even started yet!

"It's all set up Sly," Bentley reported. "And we left a calling card on Carmelita's desk. They should show just as we finish up."

"Good. Blindfold her and tie her hands. Murray, you get to carry her."

"Sweet! This is going to be fun!"

At that, they tied me up and covered my eyes with a handkerchief. I was picked up and carried around like a burlap sack. To where, I had no idea. I knew one thing was for sure, I was about to find out in a few minutes.

Suddenly, the police sirens were beginning to surround us. I could hear them from miles away. Unfortunately for me, I had no idea what was going on. Murray put me down and held me steady.

"Cooper, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of an Interpol officer. Now hand over Annika peacefully."

It was Carmelita. At least she was trying to get me back. Probably the one thing I was still worried about was Cooper's "practical joke" that he hadn't sprung yet.

"Ah, Carmelita. You're looking as lovely as usual."

"Save it Cooper. Now give Annika back."

"But wait. I had hoped to give you a parting gift before I go. Watching the Police Girl walk the plank."

"You have got to be kidding!" I cried out. "You're playing pirates at a time like this? The police are about to arrest you and you want me to walk a plank?"

"You really think I would let you walk onto solid ground? Well, since you can't see, we're about fifty feet above the river."

"Fifty… Feet…" I breathed. I could hardly believe it. Actually, come to think of it, I didn't believe it. If it was really that high, Kaylita would be having a cow and a half. Unless…

"Well go on," Sly said as he nudged me with his cane. "Walk."

I walked slowly so that I would know where the edge was. I took one more step and noticed it was the end. I turned around toward Sly.

"Are you sure this is the only way?" I whimpered. "I mean… we could come up with a better solution than this, right?"

I felt the plank move a little. Apparently, someone was on it with me. A hand gripped my arm and I felt a cool breath against my ear. I shuddered.

"What exactly were you thinking?" Sly asked seductively.

My knees started to buckle. I wasn't exactly expecting anything like this at all. Then, I felt his other hand on my waist and making it's way up to my stomach. I bet my face was redder than a tomato. That's what the heat felt like anyway. I felt like I was on fire.

He let go of my arm and pushed me off the plank. In seconds I landed in a net of some sort. Sly was laughing from above me along with Murray and Bentley.

"The look on your face," Sly said between his laughs. "It was priceless!"

"Men! Retrieve Annika," Carmelita ordered. "As for Cooper, there are other chances to get him later."

After all that, all he wanted me to do was get caught in a net?

"Hey! That was dirty! How could you do this?"

"All in a day's work, Police Girl. See you around!"

I didn't hear anything else from him. One of Carmelita's men got me down from the netting and brought me down to a boat. He took off my blindfold and bondages. Carmelita found us shortly. Kaylita rushed to me and hugged me.

"Annika! I'm so glad you're okay! You're not hurt, are you?"

"No, Kaylita. I'm fine. Really."

"Well, that's good," Carmelita said as she stood in front of me.

I stood in front of her. "I'll save you the trouble of wasting your breath on me. I want to take full responsibility on what happened at the museum last night. Along with not being able to catch Sly Cooper. Therefore, my punishment should be four months of probation. If you find that agreeable of course."

She thought for a moment then smiled. I was quite surprised actually. I didn't think she would smile at the seriousness of the situation. Unless it was just me over thinking again.

"Actually, I find that a little too agreeable. More like too tempting but, I think you're being too modest too. We'll make it two months instead of four. How's that?"

"But… Carmelita, I totally disobeyed orders."

"You came clean with it and told me straight out. That's the most important part. That and you're unharmed. Making it even better. In which case, you don't have too bad of a punishment. Now, you know the drill. Badge and cuffs before I change my mind."

I handed over my badge and handcuffs without a fuss.

"I suppose I should head home… I'll see you guys later then." At that, I ran off toward my apartment.