"In other news, Looks like Cece Mavis is making a new move in her newfound singing career. After only 2 years of working on "Lie La" the musical, she's looking into recording an album of her own."

Skylar was eating dinner with me at the table, as I was looking through sheet music and lyrics that didn't seem to all fit in the right place. Every now and then I listened to whatever news station Skylar was watching. Most of it was celebrity news and I drowned it out with my own thoughts, until I heard news of my career. I didn't think my presence would grow this quickly in the theatre world or the music industry, but I guess I should've known since I had Skylar right by me.

"Katarina Lark, Cece's understudy, will temporarily take on the role of Lilah, until a full time actress will be set in stone. Notably, Skylar Mavis has been managing both upcoming stars at the same time. Quite admirable to say the least. Now we have two new young ladies ready to show the world what they got."

I looked over at Sky, he shrugged before getting up to wash his dishes. Skylar has been praised every now and then for Katarina's popularity, even by the lady herself. However, he always answered it with "all in a day's work" or "it's their talent not mine", but I don't doubt that his hard work has a lot to do with it, even for me.

"Over all the hype?" I spoke up, breaking the silence between us that the TV only seemed to fill.

"Pretty much. But if it means you guys are doing well and you're doing more, it's fine."

"You don't seem to get a break with us." I teased, piling up all all the stray papers in front of me, and leaning back into my chair.

"Well of course not, I'm related to one of my 'stars'."

We both shared a chuckle. He was organizing the kitchen, cleaning the counter tops and floors. His job doesn't stop when he gets home. He spends all day making sure all my jobs all go to plan; that all my shows go smoothly. He has spent months trying to get me out and into the light, having me practice my vocals, dance, acting, all of the works. Then at home he cooked, cleaned, and worked in between each of those chores. If I ditched to go back to Sly, would it all just be for nothing? I waited years to see my brother again, and if I left now it would all be pointless.

"One of your stars is a wanted criminal actually." Sky snickered, nodding his head.

"I'm doing my best to give you something closer to normal."

"But not everyone knew who Mariellena was. Only interpol did."

I didn't know where I was going with this. It was like poking a bear. He was bound to bite sooner or later. When I said that, Sky looked confused. He glanced at me for a second as he continued to wipe down the counter top.

"Was that better? I mean we still have more work to do with your music, and at least you don't have to run away when anyone sees you."

"I still kind of do."

Skylar sighed, frustrated as if I was missing something, but he kept his cool.

"You don't get it Marie. What Dad did isn't for us. You never know when you'll be left in the dust."

Now I was confused. Left in the dust? My only guess is that it had to do with the Coopers.

"It's not just Sly with me. There's Bentley and Murray too."

"You say that as if they're still with you. Marie, where are they? They're not here," He glanced back at me for a second, as if I were crazy to depend on the gang like I did for more than a decade. "Put that past behind you. You're not a criminal. No one is ever meant to be brought up as a criminal." Skylar's tone was deeper, as if he was getting angry.

"You asked me to leave them. I left them behind so I could finally see my brother who left me in the first place."

Sky threw the wet rag on the ground, and the slapping sound it made caused me to flinch.

"How do you know that they won't leave you for death when it comes to desperate measures?" He snapped. Skylar came up to the table, grabbing onto the chair opposite to with an iron grip.

"Because I have been with them since day one. They were my whole life. You don't know what it's like to work with them." I felt my blood boiling in me. Sure I was hurt when I left the gang, but we still had a history that I deeply cherished.

"See that was exactly what Dad thought when he worked with Coopers! So, where is he now? Look at where we are now! It's their fault, Marie!" Skylar jammed the chair into the table, and I jumped up from my seat. He immediately stepped back and caught his breath. Skylar wouldn't look me in the eye.

"Why are you blaming the Coopers?" I asked quietly. Skylar turned away from me, running his hands through his hair. "We're no different from Sly, you know that right? Both of our parents were killed by the Fiendish Five." He flinched at the name. I continued on.

"If anything Sly lost more than us. He was left all alone. At least I still have you. So how can you say it's the Coopers' fault when we're all in the same boat?"

Skylar took a deep breath and headed towards his office. He didn't look in my direction once. I just watched him as he closed and locked the door behind him.

I slumped back into the chair and stared at the papers. I debated continuing to work on my music, wondering if I would really get back with the gang after all. I buried my face into my hands and took a deep breath, before setting my hands down on the table in front of me. I ripped the empty bottom half of a music sheet and just started writing.