The months went by slowly. I kept in contact with Bentley and Penelope, I even heard from the Panda King and Murray every now and again. Which, at least I was having some sort of social interaction outside of just Bill and Tia. Not that I minded them. It was just nice to have friends and family around.

I found myself giving up on Sly a little every day. I began to let go of a lot of the feelings that I had for him. Somehow, it made me feel better. I began to accept the fact that I wouldn't hear from him again. And I was okay with that…

Bill and Tia had taught me everything from filling out paperwork, to finding and booking jobs to finding people to fill the job positions for each specific job. I couldn't believe how many people they had on call. It was incredible. They both had even taken me to the warehouse where they kept everything from decorations to menus and everything in between. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"This is… Wow…" I breathed. "I can't believe I'm looking at the innards of your business."

Bill laughed. "This is only a small part, Scarlett. There are warehouses like this all around the world that I own. We have to be prepared for anything and any occasion. Hastings Corp is very well known, you know."

I giggled. "I'm very impressed."

"As you should be," Tia joked. "We've worked very hard to build this business into something amazing. Not only are we living large but, we're doing something honest. Instead of the thieving we're all used to."

That little tidbit was interesting.

"You used to be a thief?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes, yes I was. Long story short, I had messed up on a job and had gotten seriously hurt. That's how I met Bill. He got me fixed up and took care of me. I never became a thief again."

I knew then that there was a small spark between them. There had to be. Instead of finding love for myself, I would be finding love for them, with each other.

I walked over to both of them and hooked arms with them.

"Well, when do we start?"

A few weeks later, we had been asked to work at the annual Interpol Ball that would be taking place in a few months. Bill couldn't possibly say no to an offer like that. The Interpol Ball was one of the largest events that Hastings Corp could possibly host. Not to mention all the money it brought in from doing it. It was a big opportunity that I didn't expect Bill to refuse.

After he got off the phone to tell me the news, he had asked me if I wanted to work it knowing that Carmelita and Kaylita may be there. I simply nodded and told him that I wouldn't miss it for the world. I would make him proud even if they showed up.

Bill made a few more phone calls to some of his coworkers then got to work on preparing on the specifics. He made calls to anyone and everyone he could possibly think of that was connected to this ball, including getting a hold on the committee itself. It was astounding how much work he did in one day on this one event. I couldn't believe that I could possibly be doing this one day… It was so much!

A week before the ball, Bill explained that I would be bartending that night and that I would be allowed to bring a dress if I wished to enjoy myself while I was there. Everyone would cycle out to at least see and have fun at the party. When I told him that I didn't have a decent dress to wear, he had promptly ordered me to go shopping with Tia the next day, with his credit card no less, to find me a dress to wear.

We were flown out to the location of the ball in Europe a few days before so we could set up and see what we could do with the place to spruce it up. The enormous ballroom had reds and golds all around and had floor to ceiling windows, as well as its own balcony. The bar was pretty much equipped with everything we needed to serve the guests. Luckily we didn't have to bring too much to this job to make it amazing for those attending. Of course, because it was the annual ball for Interpol and the other well-known precincts, I kept an open mind that it was possible that Carmelita and Kaylita would show.

The day of the party, the guests began spewing in at dusk. Many of them were in their dress uniforms. Bill had stationed me at the bar that night. I was asked to wear a long sleeved, white shirt with a deep red vest and black tie. I waited on people all night and didn't take my turn to out and about. I didn't feel the partying mood and I didn't want to dance unless I had someone to dance with. Bill had offered to take me out to dance but I politely declined and told him that I'd rather work the bar and make him money.

As I was making daiquiris for another couple, someone unexpected came to the bar.

"Could I get some red wine for…" He trailed off.

I froze. That voice… I knew it… I knew it all too well.

"Annika…?"

I looked up at the person talking to me only to drop both of the drinks in my hands in shock. Before me stood the most perfect gentlemen, the one person I didn't expect to see ever again.

"Sly…?" I whispered quietly. I turned away from him. "This can't be happening…"

One of my coworkers rushed to pick up my mess as I turned back to Sly. Bill and Tia were coming to me then noticed who was speaking to me and slowly backed away.

I couldn't think or speak. I couldn't believe he was really here… In the flesh… After all this time…

"What are you…" I lost my voice as soon as Carmelita came up to him and attached herself to his arm.

My heart broke into pieces and fell into my stomach. I couldn't believe this… I couldn't believe he disappeared just to show up again with Carmelita. I take that back… Yes, I could. I could believe it.

"Annika!" Carm cried. "Is that really you? It's been so long!"

I swallowed hard. "Yeah. It really has been. How are you?"

"Pretty good. Things aren't how they used to be. It's been very quiet."

"I bet," I answered simply.

Sly cleared his throat and turned to Carm.

"Aren't you going to introduce us, dear?"

Dear? Did he really just call her that? What in the world…

"Of course," she said with a smile. "Sly, this is an old colleague of mine, Annika. Annika, this is Constable Sly Cooper."

"Constable? He's the Constable?"

Carm nodded. "Crazy isn't it?"

Yeah it was… I didn't know what to think. I was mad for the simple fact that he disappeared without a trace at the vault. I tried looking for him for months and not a thing… Then, all of a sudden…

I straightened up. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Constable." I quickly got them their wine.

"The pleasure is all mine."

I looked around. "I take it that Kay stayed to do paperwork?"

"She's much like you at these functions. She doesn't come unless she has someone to go with."

"I see…"

Sly took Carm's hand. "Love, would you mind if I asked Annika to dance? I've been watching her coworkers rotate out and she hasn't had a chance yet."

"I don't see why not. You and I have already done plenty of dances." She turned to me. "Annika, why don't you take him up on his offer?"

"I… I couldn't…"

"Go on, Scarlett," Bill said as he came up behind me. "Go have fun. You might as well."

I sighed. I knew there was no sense in arguing with Bill…

"Alright. I'll go change and meet you out there, Constable."

I went to the bathroom with my dress and such. It didn't take me long to look presentable and cleaned up. As soon as I came out, I got quite a few stares. But none of them compared to how Sly's surprised face made me feel.

He offered me his hand and walked me to the dance floor where we began a slow waltz. Carmelita was nowhere to be found.

I shouldn't be doing this… I'm over him. I should be over him. But he was here, dancing with me. Here with Carmelita.

"It's been a long time, Annika…" he said quietly so only I could hear.

"What the hell happened to you?" I asked hotly. "Bentley and I went to look for you and you weren't there. I searched for you for months!"

He shrugged. "You want the truth?"

"Of course I do!"

"I feigned amnesia to be with Carmelita. She came barreling in to help me and I took a hit for her. It was the least I could do."

"The least you could do, or you might actually care about Carmelita?"

"I've always cared about Carmelita. Long before I met you, I had something for Carm. Hell, my first major heist against Clockwerk I even kissed her for Pete's sake. So, yes, I've had a liking for Carmelita."

"I don't think 'a liking' quite describes what you have for Carmelita," I spat. "Beside the point. The least you could have done for your friends is let us know that you were okay. Like I said, Bentley and I searched for you for months. I even lived with him and Penelope until everyone left to see if they heard-"

"Bentley found me not to long after the job was done," Sly interrupted. "Just an FYI."

He dipped me low then rose me slowly. The hurt in my heart was tangible. Why the hell was I dancing with him when he played me? I gently pushed away from him only for him to pull me back.

"Please don't," he whispered. "I don't want to cause a scene."

"Of course not…" I sighed. I looked up at him. "You told Bentley not to tell me, didn't you? That's why he hasn't said anything to me and would also explain why he's been avoiding it."

"I did," he said.

"Why…? Why make me worry? Why dance with me?"

"I want to dance with you," he answered honestly. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't. If you want the real truth… I went with Carmelita and lied about my memory so I could get a taste of having a normal life. And also for me and Carmelita to have a chance." He shifted to look me in the eye. "Now that I've had it… I kind of miss my thieving life."

"And Carm?" I asked.

"She's starting to catch on… Poor Kaylita knew exactly what was going on as soon as Carmelita brought me into Interpol. Carm seemed content with the lie I was telling her… So Kaylita kept her mouth shut."

Always the noble one that Kaylita… She would do anything to protect Carm's happiness. And mine, if it ever came down to it.

"I shouldn't be surprised…" I murmured. "Kaylita always put Carmelita's wants and needs first. Mine too…"

There was a silence between us for a moment then he looked toward the bar. I cast a glance to where he was looking and noticed that Bill was keeping an eye out for me. I had to grin to myself.

"So… that's your mother's partner, huh?" Sly said. "He's not quite what I imagined. He's not…?"

I knew what he was insinuating and quickly shook my head. "Not at all. I don't look like I could be his anyway." I laughed. "I think he had feelings for my mother but not the right ones to father a child. Besides, his business partner and him seem to have some sparks flying. But I didn't tell you that."

He smiled at that. "Are you happy staying with him? He's taking good care of you?"

"Of course. He welcomed me with open arms and tears in his eyes. I'm better now that I have family again."

"I'm glad."

We finished our dance then I pulled away from him. He caught my hand though, and brought it up to his lips for a lingering kiss. As soon as he let me go, Carmelita came up and quickly plastered herself back to his arm. My heart was already in pieces but, somehow, seeing that, seemed to make me break a little more inside. I knew that he didn't want that from me. But I wanted it so bad… As long as he was alive and happy and with someone as capable and loving as Carmelita, I could ask for nothing more.

I cleared my throat and smiled as best as I could. "Thank you for the dance, Constable. I really enjoyed myself. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to work."

I quickly took my leave heading toward the bathroom but my tears stopped me. I leaned against the wall and cried. My heart was broken… He broke promises and left me hanging for months. And Bentley… He would be getting an angry, frustrated call later, that's for sure. The one person who I spilled my heart to was the one person who could break me… How could I have been so stupid?

I sank to the floor in the hallway when Bill came around to check on me.

"Scarlett?" he said as he knelt down to me. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

I quickly wiped at my tears. Bill brought me to my feet and held me to him.

"Shhh… It's okay, Scarlett," he soothed. "I'm right here. Tell me what happened."

Before I could say anything to him, Tia rounded the corner.

"I'm going to kill him," she said angrily. "Bill, let her go back to the hotel for the night. Please. If that man says anything else to hurt her… I may kill him."

Bill didn't look like he understood what was going on but, he went along with it.

"Alright, well… Get dressed Scarlett and go to the hotel for the night. We'll be there after the party."

I nodded and quickly went to the bathroom and got dressed. When I came out, Tia and Bill rushed me outside to a cab.

"I have to stay here with the others," Bill told Tia. "I'll be there later on." He came over to me. "Are you going to be alright, sweetie?"

I nodded as best as I could.

"Okay. Go to the hotel. Relax. Tia and I will take care of this."

"Okay…" I couldn't really think clearly. I felt too broken to really think of anything else.

Tia and I got into the cab and headed toward the hotel. Hopefully I could get rid of all the thoughts of him…

~Sly

After seeing Annika leaving, I ignored whatever Carmelita was saying and ran after her in hopes of catching up to her before she left. Unfortunately, by the time I had caught up with her, she had already hopped in a cab and driven off. I cursed.

"You should give her some space, Cooper," said a deep voice from behind me.

I turned to see an enormous Tauren of a man. He was a lot bigger than I could see initially.

"Am I right in assuming that you're Bill Hastings?" I asked him.

"I am. And I suggest you give Scarlett some space. It's going to take her awhile to forgive you for lying to her."

I was surprised. "You knew?"

He nodded. "Bentley told me and Tia instead of telling her. She'll eventually forgive us. But you… You may be a lost cause in her book."

"What are you saying?"

"I'll let you in on a big secret about Scarlett. Before you're last big heist, when we would talk on the phone, there wasn't one conversation that you weren't mentioned in in some way. She was very obvious in how much she cared about you. That's the only reason I even gave her the push to go on that wild goose chase in the first place."

"You talked her into it?" I asked.

Bill nodded. "Believe me, had I not said anything, she wouldn't have gone. Although, now that I think about it, she probably would have anyway simply because she cared about you." He sighed heavily and rubbed his brow in frustration. "Crim went through the same thing with your father… I hate watching this again…"

"Wait…" I said. "My father…? Annika's mother was…"

"Yes, Sly," he interrupted me. "Crim cared very deeply for your father. She had even warned him about M at one time and he shrugged her off. Can you imagine how I feel watching it happen again with their children?" He shook his head. "Give her some time. She'll calm down and then you can pursue her if you so choose it. Until then, leave her be. I won't tolerate you hurting her anymore. And, quite frankly, neither will Tia. I have never seen Scarlett this way. Honestly, I hoped and prayed I would never have to."

"But I-"

"Scarlett was over you Sly. She put on a brave face tonight and took this job anyway knowing that she might see her old Interpol friends again. But you… You were the curve ball that she never saw coming." He got very close to me. "Give her time then maybe she'll give you a chance. If you hurt her again, I'll sic Tia on you. She's not as forgiving or as patient as I am in these types of situations. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to work. Before I go though…" He handed me a business card. "If you need to talk, I'm available as much as possible. Keep to my business phone number. Tia won't answer that one."

"Why are you doing this for me? For Annika? You know how I hurt her just now and yet you still want to give this to me."

"Because you ran after her. Believe me, that's enough proof for me to know that you care about her. I don't know what was said Sly but, I do know that if you really care about her, you'll still want to be with her and she'll eventually forgive you. Please just give her some space." He left me at that.

I didn't know what to think. He had to have been planning something. He was genuinely trying to help me.

Carmelita came running out to find me. "Sly, what's going on?"

I looked at the card then to her. "Carm… There's something I need to tell you…"