Chapter Text
“Zack and Ivy went out to get breakfast.”
Julia almost jumped out of her skin. Carmen Sandiego stood behind her, coat and all, her signature scarlet fedora in one hand. Julia's face warmed as she remembered cosplaying with the attire in front of the mirror, similarly to a child obsessing over their favourite television character. All she could say was that clearly, Carmen suited the vibrant colour much better.
“Oh, – yes. Okay,” Julia shoved away the memory, cheeks flaming. “That is -good, this could give us time to organise a plan.” She fixed her rounded glasses, composing herself. “So, did you sleep well?”
“Very.” Carmen looked amused, tucking a strand of reddish-brown hair behind her ear.
“So, um, how do you wish to discuss this? Chase and I usually...” her voice faltered.
Carmen eyed Julia curiously. “Where is your partner? Devineax? I’m surprised he hasn’t shown up to arrest me yet.”
“He was given leave.” Julia glanced down at the tiled floor of her apartment. “After the kidnapping incident.”
The vermilion woman's brow furrowed. “Has he recovered?”
“I’m not sure,” Julia replied truthfully. “I haven’t had the chance to see him since.”
“I’m sorry, Jules. He must have meant a great deal to you." Carmen took a step closer. "I know your colleagues don’t trust me, but I promise that I had nothing to do with the abduction.”
“I know.” Julia’s mouth curved up, despite the worry knotting in her chest. Her heartbeat quickened as Carmen's breath ghosted her face. “I always believed you were on our side.”
“Well, you are more perceptive than any other A.C.M.E. member I've met,” she murmured. Carmen's gaze locked with hers, clear grey eyes thoughtful, not sharp as they typically were. “So, is Devineax merely your work partner? Or something more?”
Julia’s skin prickled in discomfort. So many people had asked that question, despite them only working together for a brief period of time. Carmen herself had asked one similar on the train, the time they had met. She took a step back, looking away.
“He was just my business partner.” I don't know what he is to me now.
The thief nodded, slipping her hat onto her head. “You can talk to me anytime you need, Jules." She hesitated before snatching a pen and a slip of paper from her coat and scribbling a series of numbers. "I can't give you my phone number in case someone uses it to track me, but here's if you need Player. He can get you through to anyone." She handed the paper to Julia. "Now. Let’s return some stolen gems, shall we?”
“Of course." Julia gave her a grateful nod and tucked the paper away. "Where should we begin? I was considering using one of the A.C.M.E. tablets to access possible flight paths V.I.L.E. may be using to transport the jewels.”
“No need, already got it covered.” Carmen pulled out a device from her pocket.
There are certainly a lot of things in that coat, Julia countered. Predominantly tools and weapons, from what she'd discovered whilst wearing it.
“Player’s onto it.” Carmen's voice cut into her thoughts. She frowned. “However, I’m surprised V.I.L.E. has stooped to petty theft. Their plans are usually more…grand.”
“That is true. However, the jewels were certainly worth a great deal of money.”
“You know, if they really did want to become ‘jule’ thieves, they should have stolen you.” Carmen's right eyebrow quirked playfully.
“You do have a wit about you, Miss Sandiego,” Julia replied, unable to suppress a smile. “But perhaps you should save it for when we face V.I.L.E.
“Wit alone didn't give me a place to sleep.” Carmen’s expression softened. “Thank you for letting my crew and I stay here. After they attacked our home-”
Her pocket buzzed, and she slid out the phone again.
“Hey, Red!” A youthful voice greeted from the other end of the line. “I’ve traced the gems’ flight path. They just left from Paris an hour ago, and they’re headed to V.I.L.E. Island.”
“Already?” Carmen raised an eyebrow. “That was fast.”
“Yeah. They didn’t have far to go after we lost the fight with them." He didn't mention the sabotage of Carmen's home while she was away fighting. "Unless you’re able to catch a plane, you’re going to have to go to the island to save them.” The voice was apologetic.
Carmen chewed her lip. Julia had never seen her so conflicted. She could almost hear the thoughts sounding in the thief’s mind. Were the jewels really worth it?
“I’m never going back to the island.”
Julia blinked. “You want to abandon the mission?”
Carmen didn't reply, and Julia knew the answer.
“I know where the island is, from what you’ve shown me. Perhaps I could go alone.”
Carmen spun around, eyes stormy. “No. You have no idea what they’re capable of.
“But V.I.L.E. also does not know what A.C.M.E. is capable of.”
“A.C.M.E. is no match for them.”
“Perhaps you are mistaken-”
“I grew up with them. I know them better than anyone.” Carmen’s voice broke, face haunted. She was losing control. Something Julia had never seen before.
“That may be the reason why you are so afraid, because of your history with them.”
“I have every right to be afraid. They are vicious, relentless criminal masterminds, Julia. They will capture and use you.”
Julia flinched. Carmen used the same dismissive tone, the one that Chase often had. The one that gave away exactly what they thought of her ability.
“You said I was the most capable A.C.M.E. agent you'd met,” she responded, voice quavering. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin. “I may not be experienced, or able to face all of V.I.L.E. at once, but together with A.C.M.E., I will figure out another way to get in. It is my duty and I not give up on the mission.”
“Jules, please. No.”
At her pleading expression and those damned grey eyes, Julia’s resolve almost melted. But she averted her gaze from the taller woman, clenching her fists.
“Goodbye, Carmen Sandiego.”
“Then you give me no choice.” The statement was quiet, and it registered too late. Julia spun around to Carmen holding her tranquilizer gun, a grim determination on her face.
Of course, she’s a master pickpocket. In all her charm, she managed to make me forget that, she silently grumbled as she heard the puff of gas. The world rocking, Julia fell into warm arms as darkness clouded her vision.