I laid right next to sly, in a hammock meant for one. His arms wrapped around my hips, mine around his neck. I warned him not to try anything the night before, but that was gone from my mind. I seriously loved sly, and those feelings I tried to hide.

"You are so pretty. " he muttered, taking a hand off my waist to brush my hair away from my face. I blushed deeply and looked up at him.

"Do you give the same thing to other girls?" I asked.

"No. I only care for you. Why is it that you say those things? "

"I wish to not be hurt again. If I listen to a man's empty promises and lies, and figure out he was playing me, it will crush me. So by being alone, no one can hurt you."

"You don't have to be alone. I will never hurt you." He said truthfully. I looked at him as our lips met. The kiss was passionate and sweet, all our emotions in one place. I broke away, and hugged sly, us both laying under the Indian night sky.

My eyes shot open, realizing that it was a dream.

Why was I remembering that now? I thought, running my hands through my hair. I stared at the clock, six in the morning. I got dressed in a black hoodie and pants, complete with boots and my backpack for my goodies. I grabbed my staff and jumped out the window, not a true fan of doors. I walked on rooftops, avoiding the annoying flashlight guards. I hoped to see that sneaky raccoon, but I knew that he wasn't out here. I sighed and sat on the edge of the building, watching the sky change colors. I just watched the sun rise, sighing in content. Someone then joined me.

"Don't you feel you are the most peaceful at this time of day?" I looked up to see Murray in his spiritual getup, and looking at the sun.

"Yeah, I can just forget all my troubles. Just let the sun wash over me. "

"I agree, little sister. Why aren't you with sly and Bentley? "

"I could ask you the same question, I know you feel awful about what happened to bents, but it wasn't your fault. Clock-la was after me." I said.

"Yes. I do blame myself, and the guru will help me. So please, I must make the black water run pure. But I am not the only one for the task." He said, I turned around and he was gone.

"Figures.." I muttered, pulling up my hood.

Sly

Putting the final touches on our plan to expose Octavio wasn't easy. I was forced to dress like a mobster, and was in his opera house. I got pass the guards and was in the tar pump room. Everything was going fine until a certain snow leopard showed up. I was happy to see her, but she was only business.

"Okay, Cooper. Bents contacted me and notified me of your situation. He needs to be let in by that side entrance. Apparently, Octavio doesn't have his 3D technology to secure this area, so I have to hack the door open. Once I start, guards will be ask over the place. You do what you do best, break heads. " She said, walking to a security lock and took the panel off. She then pulled out a lap top and hooked up several wires. She cracked her knuckles as she began to type. Soon enough, guards came running in. Thank goodness no flashlight guards came running. I did my best to protect Avery, and soon our friend Bentley joined us.

"Nice hacking, Avery." Bentley said, smiling at her.

"Couldn't of doing it without you training, bents." She smiled back at him. She was so cute like that. I was a little miffed to see her smiling at him and not me.

"Okay, we need to blow up the tar vaccumms and then Octavio can't sink the buildings."

"Great, you handle the explosives, bents. Sly and I will handle the guards." She said, flipping around her staff. I just noticed how beautiful she was in her black leggings and black hoodie. Complete with her converses and backpack, she was perfect.

"Cooper! Stop day dreaming and help me! We got more company!" She yelled snapping me out of my daydreaming. I joined her, defeating the guards. She sighed and sheathed her staff in her leg pouch.

"No more tar." Bentley announced.

"Awesome. Let's knock this mob boss on his sorry butt." Avery said, walking where Bentley entered.

Avery

So Bentley was singing against Octavio, and Sly was going to knock the chandelier on octavio's head and I? Well, I was to look out for the one person who always messed up or plans. My sister and ex-partner, Inspector Fox. As sly hit the last string, Carmelita yelled out and shot the chandelier out of the way so Octavio lived. Or rather didn't get ko'd.

"Damn it, Carmelita!" I yelled. Octavio ran and jumped on a boat, driving in the canal. Sly and Bentley joined him on a different boat, leaving me with a very angry Carmelita.

"All squad units. Criminals are in the canal. Block all of the exits." she said in her radio as she pointed the gun at me.

"Do you consider everyone you don't like a criminal? Or is it something else?" I taunted, dodging a shock blast.

"No, its just that I enjoy putting double crossing criminals in their place." She sneered and shot at me again. I ducked, and smiled sweetly at her.

"Awww, Carm, you didn't have to call me double crossing. That my dear sister, is not me. I Enjoy being called the no good lying thief. But no reason to steal Sly's thunder. " I said, shrugging and dodging more of her shook bolts.

"Speaking of sly, why did you work with him in Cairo? Why return to theiving?"

"Simple. I was bored! I had the opportunity to thieve again, and I took it! Look, I grew up being a thief. And you seriously took that away! I was stupid to think you actually wanted me to be your partner. You just wanted me to get away from that life I was living."

"Avery..." Carmelita began, lowering her pistol. Then I saw a flying boat come out of nowhere and crash into the stage I was right next to. The dust was too much that I couldn't see, and when it settled, I didn't see Carmelita.

"Did you guys see that boat fly out of the water, and crash! That was awesome!" Murray yelled.

"You think that was awesome?" Octavio yelled, pressing the switch on his remote.

"No!" I yelled as one of the buildings sank.

"Stop it you monster! Stop it!" Bentley yelled and Octavio knocked him down. Murray then got angry and attacked Octavio. As sly and Murray were handling him, I was helping bents out. I picked him up and put him back in his chair. He nodded in appreciation and I smiled.

"I have to, you know, save my raccoon's butt." I said, running after them. When I got there, however, Octavio was knocked out.

"Hey!"I complained, "you didn't save some blows for me? " I asked.

"Sorry, miss kitty. Maybe next time."

"Who says that there is going to be a next time?" I snapped, crossing my arms.

"Can't you two just admit you miss each other?" Bentley asked, rolling up. I turned a deep shade of red, muttered a few incoherent mumbles and crossed my arms, turning away from sly.

"Let's go before Carmelita shows up." Sly suggested, and we all ended up in my hotel room.

"I have my own modes of transportation. My jeep can hold all of us. Including y'alls gear." I said as we all packed our stuff and loaded up the jeep. I let Murray drive, and had myself in the passengers seat. Sly and Bentley were in the back, I becoming part of the team all over again.

This should be really fun. I thought as we drove to the airport.

Author's note

Thanks for your support! I still need some ideas and suggestions about the pacing and levels. I kinda rushed this one cuz, come on, its the first level and I played it many many times. I also would like to know if you guys want more romance or not. I'd appreciate it! Thanks again,

Skywing8