Chapter Text
Carmen’s heeled boots clicked against the smooth surface of the museum halls, steadying her as she ran for the exit that she’d carefully chosen with her team the night before.
What was wrong with her? She’d lost all sense of reason. Confronting Gray when she could’ve easily slipped by him in the museum? Fighting him? Letting the warm press of his body over hers fog her mind with asinine thoughts?
Carmen let a frustrated groan grind itself out through clenched teeth. “You okay, Red?” Played prodded.
Carmen took a steadying breath then exhaled through a false sense of calm. “I’m fine, Player. Almost to the exit.” She responded tersly.
She could feel Player’s scepticism in the few seconds of silence that followed. Carmen all but blew out a relieved breath when he finally spoke up, evidently dropping the subject, and updated her of Shadowsan’s status.
The former V.I.L.E professor was meeting the twins with the Hope Diamond in tow and driving off to a safehouse on the outskirts of the capital.
Carmen nodded, though she knew Player couldn’t see the movement. He continued, “You’ll join them, I have a motorcycle waiting for you five streets over the Smithsonian.”
Carmen slipped out of the designated exit widow soundlessly, stepping onto the pavement of the Capital City. Running across the streets until she found a roof to hook on to. Carmen shot a grapple and swung herself up.
Her hair flowed in the wind as the jumped across rooftops, though she would normally enjoy the feeling of the wind across her cheeks and the view, her thoughts were too jumbled to care. She sported a rare frown, and her landings held a little too much force as she jumped from rooftop to rooftop.
“Carmen?” Player prodded, and she startled, not enough to disturb the rhythm of her steps but enough to be displeased with herself. Carmen Sandiego did not get distracted during capers. Not even after the fact.
“Uhm…” She started, realizing that Player had been waiting for her response since the museum.
Player sighed on the other line and Carmen winced. “It’s Crackle, isn’t it?”
Carmen looked away guiltily, though Player would never know. She finally conceded through her teeth as she jumped from another rooftop. “Yes. Fine, it’s about Gray.”
Player sighed again, loudly. And Carmen bit her cheek. “You knew he would be here, Red.” Her best friend reminded her, causing her chest to constrict a little.
“I know.” She replied sadly, softly.
“I just miss him. A lot more than I thought I could.” Carmen’s quiet admission contrasted harshly with her slide down a fire escape towards the motorcycle that awaited her.
She mounted the bike as Player kept quiet, likely mulling over her words. The bike revved nicely under her palms, “You knew what you were giving up when you left him on that train, Carm.” He eventually said.
“I know.” Carmen huffed, “I know that if he didn’t join me then, he wouldn’t join me now. But…he was my best friend.”
The streets of Washington flew by as the bike picked up speed, heading for the highway, when she saw a familiar tuft of hair and jean jacket. Unconsciously, Carmen slowed and a lump formed in her throat as she recognized Gray’s broad shoulders.
He was walking with his hands in his pockets, slower than she would’ve expected a disappointed V.I.L.E operative to walk after a failed heist. Carmen slowly followed behind, aware that if Gray only looked behind him, he’d catch her in the act.
“Why’d you slow down?” Player suddenly asked in her ear and Carmen bit her lip, “Give me a sec.” she whispered back, knowing that Player’s eyebrows would knit in that way they did when he was confused, even without seeing his face.
Eventually, Gray’s shoulders drooped, not dejected exactly — Carmen knew his body language like her own coat pockets. The best way she could put it, was…hurt.
Gray was hurting, Carmen realized with a start. And with that, came the realization that she was the cause.
The thought was so absurd, so painful, that all Carmen could do was veer off from the road as soon as she was able, speeding up when she knew Gray wouldn’t hear.
Her thoughts raced, Gray was hurting. He was hurting because of her.
Carmen slowed as she slowly let the information settle into her mind. When she left the island, the train, she’d never actually believed that Gray missed her. Not like she’d missed him.
When she’d organized a whole caper to bring him to her side of the fight in Poitiers, she knew why she’d done it. Of course she did. But Carmen had never, not even for a second, believed that he felt as she did. The agony of fighting her best friend, the person who knew her best, the longing that settled itself in her chest at night, when she’d lay alone in a hotel bed, aching for the constant conversations that would stretch long into the night.
God, she needed him. Carmen knew that. There was no point in denying it.
That is when Carmen Sandiego made a decision. A possibly life altering one.
Carmen searched for a turn that would take her back to Gray’s path and veered towards it suddenly. “Carmen, what are you doing?” Player asked with some alarm.
“I- just let me try one more time, Player.”
“You can’t be serious.” Player hissed, “It’s one thing to miss him, but an entirely different thing to follow him in hopes of what? Convincing him?”
Carmen winced at Player’s scathing tone. “I saw it tonight! He’s not-“ the words stuck in her throat, “I have to try, Player.” Her tone bordered on begging.
“You already have once! What did that get you?” Player’s temper rose along with his incredulity. “He’s with V.I.L.E, Carmen! He made his choice.”
“There’s still good in him!” Carmen’s voice rose with her agitation. She hated fighting with Player.
“No, he still loves you. There’s a difference.” Player stated matter-of-factly.
Carmen could only let the words hit her and stare ahead of the road, speechless.
“Look, I know you won’t back down on this, but I would feel a lot better if you let me send the twins as backup.”
Carmen blew out a breath of relief. Despite knowing she would’ve done it with or without Player’s approval, she felt much better about it with his support, begrudging or not.
“No, they’re with the diamond. Besides, I’ll be fine, Gray won’t hurt me.” She refused. The Australian might think she hadn’t noticed he had only feigned trying to hit her with his crackle rod, but Carmen wasn’t stupid, nor was she naïve. Gray wouldn’t hurt her. No matter how much he might wish he could.
“You put too much faith in him.” Player grumbled, “He’s still evil! It’s in the name!”
Carmen chuckled, “I’ll be fine, Player, don’t worry.”
The teenager huffed, “I always do.”
Her red lips quirked at that. She slowed the motorcycle, tailing Gray. He was leaning on a building wall next to the hotel she presumed the operatives were staying at. His head was tilted towards the sky, Carmen could vaguely make out his expression. What she saw hit her like a blow straight in the chest.
The unadulterated anguish painted on his face, even as far away as she was, was clear as day. Carmen rubbed the ache in her chest with her gloved hand, unable to look away from his pain.
Eventually, he picked himself up, glanced at his watch and started towards the hotel entrance.
Carmen parked the bike in an alleyway between two buildings next to the hotel and hopped off. She sneaked her way into the hotel through an open hallway window and waited.
Finally, Tigress’s slightly whiny voice getting closer. Carmen sneaked behind a turn in the hallway and peeked, she watched as Le Chevre and Tigress— dressed in civilian clothing, entered in the second room to the right of the hallway. A minute later, Gray swiped a card and entered the same room.
Carmen waited until she was sure they wouldn’t come out and guessed Gray’s door— She knew he always picked the room on the left, and let herself in with one of her many tools.
Carmen stepped into the dark room, her heels making a soft thumping sounds on the carpeted floor. Her gaze flew across the room, cataloguing. The hastily made bed, the door that led to the bathroom, the couch next to the untouched curtains, the messy opened suitcase on the floor, at the left foot of the bed and the empty coat-hanger.
Carmen took off her hat and hung it, she debated taking off her coat, wondering if it would heighten Gray’s guard if she didn’t. After a few seconds of internal debate, Carmen slipped off her coat and hung in next to her hat, leaving her in her usual black stealth suit and heels.
She knew that the three next door were currently in debrief, likely being scolded. Carmen smiled smugly at the reminder that she had bested V.I.L.E once again. She approached the curtains and cracked one of them open. Knowing Player, he would be watching through a security camera across the street. She crossed her arms and nodded at the closest facing camera, wanting to reassure him.
She almost heard his sigh through the comm. The call was muted on both sides, as much as he disliked the idea of Carmen throwing herself in the ‘den of wolves’ as he had called it earlier as she snuck into the hotel, he trusted she could handle herself without his commentary.
All that was left to do was wait.
Carmen’s gaze lifted towards the night sky, the stars were only visible when she squinted. Kuddos to light pollution. Loud voices pulled Carmen back, and she recognized Tigress’s shrill voice.
“Are you kidding me?! Of course we have no chance of catching them if we don’t believe we can! Black Sheep is just some girl! She didn’t even graduate!” The voice was muffled but clear. Carmen’s lips pulled into a frown.
“You know damn well that Shadowsan failed her on purpose, Sheena.” Gray’s retort came quick, a scowl evident in his voice.
Carmen’s throat constricted. Even now, he still defended her.
“Do I? Or is this just more proof that we’re better than her?” Shenna replied, her voice dripped with fake sympathy as she continued, “Poor little lamb, top of our class fallen to her own ego.”
Carmen rolled her eyes, but Gray snapped, “You-“ and then a pained groan that distinctively belonged to him came. Carmen snapped to attention, rushing to the shared wall.
Sheena’s goading stopped, replaced by concern as she called his name. Gray dismissed her, along with Jean Paul, feigning a run in with a sharp corner. Carmen felt guilt pulling at her, he was lying for her sake. She’d kicked hard at his chest in her efforts to get away. Clearly hard enough to leave an impression.
She heard Gray promise the two that he would get checked by the cleaners in the morning, they bid each other goodbye (Sheena teasing Jean Paul some more) and Carmen listened as the door opened, Sheena and Gray walking out respectively.
Carmen scrambled away from the wall, opting for standing in the middle of the room, where Gray wouldn’t see her as he came in, but would still notice her without much effort.
She blew out a steadying breath, letting her arms hanging loosely by her side. She’d told Player with much confidence that Gray wouldn’t hurt her, now she was doubting her earlier conviction. He cared about her, that much was sure. Carmen saw it in the way he pulled his punches around her. An embarrassing thought formed in her mind as she thought back to Player’s words,
He still loves you, there’s a difference.
Carmen shook her head, then straightened when the door opened, letting in a sliver of light from the hallway until it closed again, leaving only the shine of the moonlight from the cracked curtain. Gray walked in, unceremoniously dumping his bag and jean jacket onto the couch, he froze, his tired frown contorting into one of pain. Carmen bit her cheek.
Gray shuffled towards the edge of the bed and peeled off his shirt more carefully than the jacket. He paused, letting out a groan that had Carmen’s stomach twist in concern. Her eyes were drawn to Gray’s chest, more specifically, to a large dark bruise on his upper chest.
A breath blew out of him as he leaned down to sit on the bed, when he paused. His eyes darted from the coat hanger that held Carmen’s things, to her.
She continued staring at the bruise, guilt nipping at her heels.
“Did I do that?”
//////////////////////////////////////////
Gray’s breath hitched, he straightened like a taut string and immediately regretted it. The pain flared and he let out a strained groan. Carmen’s eyes widened and she rushed to him. Her hands fanned around, hovering, unsure.
“You shouldn’t be here.” He finally said. Eyes darting to the wall he shared with Jean Paul. Carmen followed his gaze, something knowing in her expression.
“Sit down.” She urged, her hand finally settling itself on his shoulder and pushing him down towards the bed.
Gray obeyed, letting her gloved hand push him down. He sat on the edge, “How long have you been here?” He probed, hoping she hadn’t heard his brief petty argument with Sheena.
Carmen met his eyes, “Long enough.” She crouched before him as he winced at her reply. No chance of that, then.
“Black shee-“ Gray started but was interrupted when she abruptly stood, “There’s ice in that mini fridge?” she asked, pointedly looking at the small black fridge next to the television.
Gray shifted uncomfortably, “Uhh, I haven’t checked.”
Carmen nodded, expression unreadable as she reached the fridge and yanked it open with more force than needed. She reached for the ice compartment and the drawer in the shelf that held the TV simultaneously. Pulling out a towel and the ice at the same time, Gray watched incredulously as she folded the ice into the towel into a makeshift icepack.
She stood and walked back, crouching on front of him again. She gently pressed the towel on his chest and Gray got the message, he reached for the towel and replaced her hand with his.
Gray grappled for anything to say, “How did you know— about the towel?”
Carmen stood again, shrugging her shoulders in an attempt to be casual. Gray knew better. “Educated guess.”
Gray frowned as she rummaged through his suitcase. “Where’s the first aid kit?” she asked, facing away from him.
“First compartment on the left side.” He answered uselessly.
“Carmen-“ Gray tried again. He was once again stopped by Carmen’s outstretched hand, palm up, offering two small pills. Gray sighed and took the pills, swallowing them dry. And forcing himself into a more casual position by relaxing his legs and widening their position.
Finally, Carmen stood before him, arms crossed and stormy eyes burning into his.
“What the hell are you doing, Gray?” She accused, voice low. He knew she was accounting for the thin, shared wall.
“What the hell am I doing? What are you doing?! Do you have a death wish?!” He wished he could stand to be at her level but knew she would only push him back down. Ever caring even as they argued, enemies accusing each other of lack of self-preservation.
Carmen scoffed, resisting from rolling her eyes. “Please, I could escape easily. Can you say the same?” The double meaning burned like her eyes into his skull.
“Gray, look me in the eyes and tell me that you’re happy with all this.” She gestured around the room, towards the shared wall.
He scoffed, the gesture causing the pain to flare. He didn’t let it show when he quietly hissed back, “It’s not that simple.”
Carmen peered down at him, “Is it?” she stepped closer, voice getting even lower, “I don’t think it’s that. I think you’re scared.”
Gray inhaled sharply, resisting abandoning the icepack to put his hands on her thighs and pulling her to stand between his legs. He swallowed instead and sighed. Meeting her eyes, he asked, “Scared of what?”
Carmen scowled. “Of abandoning the comfort of petty theft. Of being in control of your own life. Of betraying V.I.L.E and joining me.”
“Stealing the Hope Diamond is hardly petty theft.” Gray deflected. Carmen’s eyes darkened. “Gray.” She warned.
He sighed, pushing his hair back with his free hand. “Yes, alright. I’m scared.” He admitted. “But unlike you, I don’t care for the fact that the world loses a priceless artifact every time Professor Maelstrom gets a deranged craving.”
Gray’s mind glitched when Carmen stepped between his legs. “Then why does this all bother you? I saw it at the museum and-“ She stopped, not wanting to admit she’d tailed him earlier. She breathed, “You aren’t happy.” She formed the words as if they were a fact, he supposed they were.
“Why?” Carmen almost demanded, and Gray would’ve laughed at the absurdity of her concern for his thieving happiness if she wasn’t close enough for him to smell her soap. Freesia, with a leather undertone from her coat. Entirely unique, entirely her.
Gray’s heart beat out his chest. He licked his lips and she followed the movement with her eyes. Gray suddenly became very aware of the fact that all he wore was jeans and the shoes he’d never gotten to take off.
Her questioning gaze melted a little, giving way for…heat? That wasn’t right. Gray let out a breathy chuckle, her blue eyes darkened. He froze. Oh god. That was definitely heat.
He forced himself to focus and to not grab her thighs. His grip on the icepack tightened.
“Carmen-“ He started, then paused. He lifted his free hand, and slowly, settled it on her thigh. Carmen tensed but didn’t move.
This was a bad idea, a really bad idea.
“My friend said something earlier, I thought he was being ridiculous.” She eventually said after they’d both stared into each other’s eyes, none of them making a move.
Gray swallowed, Carmen followed the movement of his throat. “What did he say?”
She hesitated, her lips parted but no words came out. His hand branded her skin, the heat of it disorienting.
“He said that you still love me.”
There, the words were out.
Gray’s hand tightened on her thigh; his gaze focused on it.
“No.” He uttered the one syllable word quietly and Carmen’s expression shifted, ready to lose the vulnerability she was showing him.
“I’m still in love with you.” He sighed, like the fact pained him, “Two different things.”
Carmen’s breath hitched, she watched as his gaze stayed on his hand on her thigh, his coffee brown hair was messy, kudos to his nervous hair fiddling tic. The sharp slope of his nose was angled down, almost as if he was ashamed of the admission.
“Gray.” She murmured. He lifted his head, meeting her gaze. The vulnerability in his eyes matched her own, and she realized how much this cost him.
She lifted her hands, settling them on his cheeks. He warmed under her touch and she smiled fleetingly. She lowered herself between his legs, so they were level, and Gray’s eyes widened as what was happening dawned on him.
Carmen wanted to laugh at his expression but settled for bringing their faces closer. Gray released the icepack and settled his hands on her hips and waist.
The cold of his hand contrasted with the heat of the other, their breaths mingled together, lips hovering but not yet touching.
Finally, Gray lost patience. He pulled her to him, his hand shifting to the back of her head, meeting her lips with a fervour.
Carmen made a small noise of surprise but quickly recovered, matching his intensity, her hands moved on their own, one to the nape of his neck and the other gripping his shoulder.
Their lips danced, he nipped at her lower lip and she sighed in appreciation. Her fingers dug in his shoulder and hair. Gray pulled her closer still, deepening the kiss. Their tongues met and a groan escaped him, Carmen smiled against his lips. Eventually, they separated for air. Gray immediately moved to her throat, depositing searing kisses in his wake, he travelled lower then made a strained sound. Pausing, he caught his breath.
Carmen frowned, pulling back slightly, she cupped Gray’s cheek. “What is it?” She whispered.
Gray shook his head lightly. “Nothing…it’s just my chest.”
Carmen gasped, pulling away, Gray gripped her, pulling her back even as she exclaimed, “Oh god!” then slapped a hand over her mouth. They both paused, listening for any movement in the other room.
When they were sure that no one had heard her, Gray removed his hand. Carmen had that expression she used to wear when she’d accidentally hurt him in sparring. “I’m sorry, Gray.” She looked at his chest, of which she was still palming, then back at his eyes.
He chuckled quietly, “I’ve had worse.”
His hand moved to the nape of her neck, pulling her forehead to meet his.
Carmen still had that sad expression on her face that always made Gray want to kiss her. He realized with a start that he now could. Smiling, he met her lips in a soft kiss, much less intense than the previous one. She kissed him back, letting out a small moan that struck him low.
Gray was very content to continue the night like this, but he knew Carmen well. And soon enough, she pulled away, “Gray, wait…” Ever the pragmatic girl he knew, she needed to process it all.
She blinked, meeting his gaze. “You love me.” Carmen stated. “You’re in love with me.”
Gray laughed softly, “Yes, Black- Carmen, I’m in love with you. You gonna say it back or keep me guessing?”
She laughed quietly, still accounting for their dangerous neighbours. Their eyes met, and everything faded to background noise, their smiles faded, replaced by a hopeful air. Finally, she said earnestly, “I love you too, Gray.”
Gray smiled widely, and then, just because he could, he pulled her into a kiss. One of unadulterated happiness, of hope and quiet love hidden for too long.
Gray grabbed her legs and pulled them around his waist, making him straddle him. She made a noise of delight and eventually, they pulled away. Their breaths mingled and Carmen asked, “What now?”
Gray paused, letting the possibilities wash over him. He thought of Sheena’s concern, of Jean Paul willingness to disregard protocol to get Gray’s chest checked. His hand tangled in her thick auburn hair, “Now, I guess we start taking down V.I.L.E.”
Carmen laughed, almost too loud, but she didn’t care. “You’re telling me that all I needed to do to get you to fight V.I.L.E with us, was kiss you? That information would’ve been very helpful six months ago, Gray.”
Gray’s lips pulled into a bittersweet smile, then a playful one, “And telling me you’re in love with me, don’t forget.”
Carmen smiled, wide. Then leaned in a breath away from his lips, “Of course, how could I?”
//////////////////////////////////////
Sheena knocked aggressively in fast succession, “Crackle! You’re late!” She huffed, “The Cleaners are waiting outside of the city! I told them about your injury, now come on!”
There came no response and Sheena huffed. Jean Paul joined her; sporting a bag hoisted on his shoulder and a questioning look.
Sheena huffed and pounded on his door, “Graham!”
Jean Paul shifted in anxiety, “What if something happened to him?” He paled, “What if his injury was worse than we thought?”
Jean Paul’s words spurred Sheena into action, and she crouched, picking the door lock.
The door swung open and they both rushed inside. Only to find an empty room. The bed was well made, the corners sharp. No suitcase or belongings were sprawled out on the floor. No indicators showing that anyone had stayed in the room at all.
Sheena seethed, enraged but unsurprised.
As much as Graham liked to think she didn’t, Sheena knew him. Just like she knew he was lying the previous night, about his chest and about Black Sheep’s presence at the museum.
“Merde!” Jean Paul cursed.
Merde indeed, Sheena echoed in her head, sighing and turning away.