Chapter Text
At first, Sly maintained his act as "Constable Sylas Cooper," an amnesiac cop Inspector Carmelita Fox saved during the final moments of the Cooper Vault job. It took some convincing for both law and order, but the partnership became official. Carmelita gradually fell for Sly while training him in Interpol.
It was great for both of them to finally enjoy each other's company without a Shock Pistol being involved. It got to the point where Sly's love for her became genuine. He retired from thievery in secret at the 1st arondissement. However, he dropped a hint to Bentley that he feigned amnesia.
Love was what life was about, after all.
As the months rolled by, the old itch came back. Sly kept it in check through relaxation techniques, but it wasn't easy. Detective Winthorp was pining for the Inspector in the background, praying that her feelings for Sly were superficial. The raccoon dropped hints for the vixen to help her finally learn about his big crush on her.
Ultimately, they did the trick. Carmelita turned the ferret down gently near the Eiffel Tower.
The Inspector notes her partner's behavior changes while alone one night. He was trying to meditate after the opening of Le Paradox's art gallery. The raccoon had quickly excused himself upon seeing a samurai helmet on display that time. She starts believing that their love for one another is all a trick of the light, and that his thieving urges are overriding their romance.
And then, the vixen brings this up out loud: does she want to marry Constable Cooper?! She quickly told herself that it was just a casual comment before getting ready for bed. The fox made sure that her work on the cold case file of Andrea Leparine was tucked away for later. She had a feeling there was a connection between her and Le Paradox, but what?
Little did she know, Sly had overheard that "casual comment."
Carmelita's troubled sleep-talking distressed Sly late one starless night in their room.
In her dreams, she feared that if they were to commit, he would grow bored of a domestic married life. She believed that their relationship only worked best when it was forbidden. Both of them wanted to commit to each other on a deeper level. Sly realized that he can't do that as he is right now.
The raccoon made up his mind and released a breath. This wasn't going to be easy for both of them.
That hotshot art collector dealing in black market antiques? Once that case is solved, he's coming clean in Rue Molière. No more masks.
One night at the balcony of his and Carmelita's shared apartment, Sly was trying to figure out what to say to her once the case closed. He had just gotten an opening statement together, but was drawing blanks on what else to say. As if on cue, Bentley showed up. While the raccoon was happy to see his old friend again, this was definitely not the time for a homecoming.
Penelope had vanished during a supply run some days after an incident in their laboratory. Shortly after learning this, the contents of the Thievius Raccoonus were vanishing before his eyes. The raccoon didn't want to return to thievery at first. Given the circumstances, he didn't have a choice. He left a note to Carmelita saying he'd be gone for a while. Once he comes back, he's got something important to tell her.
That note confirms what the Inspector was suspecting about her "Constable," and she drives to the skunk's art gallery full speed.
Getting a look at security footage during the Cooper Gang's theft of a priceless samurai dagger only reinforced what she learned. With the revelation that Sly faked amnesia, his badge was revoked that night in Paris. Not only that, Carmelita's career was in jeopardy due to her helping Sly for one year. She was suspended with pay during her time-traveling adventure. An internal investigation went underway afterward.
Even if it was without their knowledge, the law must be upheld.