Work Text:
As Sly swung from the lamp posts with his cane he couldn't believe his luck. Not because Bentley had managed to free him and Murray from the Contessa's prison, and not because they had managed to stop the Contessa and get the Clockwerk eyes back. No, he couldn't believe what, or rather who, he brought with him as he made his escape. He took a quick glance down at Carmelita, who was looking back at the police chasing them, her shock pistol drawn and ready. Sly did feel slightly bad for her, but he couldn't help but be excited. After all, it wasn't everyday that he had an opportunity to help his favorite police lady escape from the cops. He looked at the rooftops beside him and saw Bentley and Murray slightly ahead of him, then looked ahead to see the hideout coming into view, with the van parked in the makeshift garage underneath, everything was going to plan so far. Thankfully Bentley, always thinking ahead, had the gang load all their gear into the van before they pulled off the heist, meaning they could make an even quicker getaway, which they would definitely need now more than ever. Sly watched as Murray hopped into the driver seat of the van and Bentley took the shotgun seat, before the van pulled out of the garage and stopped, and the back doors opened for Sly. Normally the passenger seat was Sly's, with the back being saved for Bentley and his tech, but with their extra passenger it was understandable why Bentley wouldn't want to be back there, especially given the encounter they had just a short while ago. With one final swing he leapt into the back of the van, making sure that Carmelita landed safely as well. Before closing the back doors Sly could see red and blue flashing lights in the distance.
"Floor it Murray, they're closing in!" Sly yelled, before looking down at Carmelita. "You might wanna hold on to something."
She did so without hesitation, grabbing onto the seat she was sitting on, just as the van took off at breakneck speed, with Murray navigating the large, bulky vehicle through the narrow streets of Prague with the speed and agility of a Formula One car. For the first time since she had (reluctantly) accepted Sly's help, Carmelita spoke up.
"My safehouse is on the outskirts of town, right across the bridge, just drop me off there."
Without looking back Murray gave a quick thumbs up, the only acknowledgement that he'd heard her as he continued driving, meanwhile Sly was eager to make the best of the situation he'd found himself in, being able to sit right next to Carmelita without her trying to arrest him.
"So, how you holding up?" He asked her.
"Fine." Was all she said, not even bothering to look at him, instead staring blankly at the wall in front of her.
"Being on the run isn't all that bad, you know. No bills, no rent, no responsibilities, and you get to camp out under the stars a lot."
"Sounds lovely."
"Yeah, the only real downside is having to eat out of the trash every night."
Carmelita finally looked over at Sly.
"I'm kidding." He said with a laugh. "We only have to eat trash every now and then."
"Why are you doing this?" She asked.
"Just trying to lighten the mood, that's all."
"That's not what I meant. I mean why are you doing this," She said as she motioned to herself, "Why are you helping me?"
"Because it wouldn't have been right to leave you behind."
"But you could've made things so much easier for yourself, if I get locked up they'd send someone else after you, and no other officer could ever keep up with you like I can."
"Exactly."
Carmelita raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I don't understand."
"Being a Master Thief doesn't just mean being able to steal from the best thieves in the world, it also means being able to escape from the best law enforcement in the world too, and you're the only one who's ever been able to put me through my paces. Besides, stealing wouldn't be half as fun if I didn't get to see that lovely, angry face of yours."
She didn't reply, instead looking away with a slight blush on her face.
"Come on now," Sly said with a smirk, "You know your job wouldn't be any fun either if you were just arresting two-bit thieves all day instead of chasing the best of the best. You and I? We were made for each other, whether you wanna admit it or not."
"No comment."
Suddenly the van screeched to a halt.
"We're here." Was all Murray said as he put the vehicle in park.
"Guess this is your stop." Sly said as he opened the back doors for Carmelita to exit. After she stepped out Sly was about to close the doors again before Carmelita caught it with her hand.
"Sly."
Sly looked back with a questioning look on his face.
"Thanks."
"The pleasure was all mine." He replied with a smile.
"Sly, we gotta go, now!" Bentley called from the front seat.
Sly looked back down at Carmelita. "Till next time, Inspector." And he closed the doors as the van peeled off, and Carmelita watched it drive off until it was out of sight.
"Till next time, Ringtail."