A Time for Love, Part 3

It would be exactly fifteen hours later until Sly woke up. When he rose from his bed he thought that he was dreaming, seeing Carmelita and Jake as he had. But when he saw Hathor standing at his door with a look on her face Sly knew it wasn't a dream after all. After dressing into his actual clothes and grabbing his cane Sly walked into the living and saw Jake and Carmelita sitting there. He didn't know what to think, and he didn't know what to say either. Sly had resigned himself to living in the past for good. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine someone would find him.

“Hey Ringtail. Desert scorpion got your tongue?” Carmelita asked jokingly but her smile was more sad than jovial.

“Yeah. We thought you'd have something to say by now.” Jake said, also wearing a sad smile. Gulping down the dryness in his throat Sly finally made himself speak.

“I...I don't know what I can say. Other than...Its great to see you.” Sly said, looking back and forth between fox and cat. “Its great to see both of you. Where's Bentley, Murray and T-Bone?”

“Back in the present. The quantum force core of the time machine was on the fritz and could only carry two people.” Carmelita said.

“And since we used it so much, we're now on a time limit and have only a certain amount of time to get back home.” Jake added.

“What!? How long did you have!?” Sly asked urgently.

“Twenty four hours. We spent the first five finding you, two hours talking to Hathor to learn what was going on with you and you've been asleep for sixteen hours after you fainted.” Carmelita explained. Sly whipped his head outside the window to look at the sun dial.

“That only leaves us with one our to get back home! Why didn't you wake me up before?!” The raccoon asked frantically.

“I told them to let you rest, Sly. You needed it. For now you must perform that ritual I spoke of months before.” Hathor stated.

“Ritual? What ritual?” Sly asked, both confused and upset at what the Goddess said.

“The matter of your heart, my boy.” Hathor said, then grabbed Sly by the shoulders and turned him back to the two orange furred anthros. “You must settle what was unfinished with the two who hold your heart. And decide whom it is that you love most.

Sly looked at Hathor, then back at Jake and Carmelita. Now that he remembered Hathor did mention a ritual involving a matter of his heart. And she asked him yesterday if a cat had shown up at the villa. It all made sense now. Hathor knew that Jake and Carmelita had arrived and set them on the path to meet. And before he can return he must settle things with the both of them. This wasn't how he wanted to go about it, but there's no time like the present. Or past in this case. After calming down a bit Sly gave a nod.

“Alright.” The raccoon said.

“Good. Before you speak, Carmelita and Jake wish to say something.” Hathor said and gestured for Jake to speak first. The cat nodded and after taking a deep breath he began.

“Sly, when we first met I thought you were nothing more than a simple thief. But after seeing what you can do I knew that you weren't. Then as we fought I saw something in you that I didn't realize I was looking for in someone. And it would only be after we met a second time, when you kissed me, that I realized I was looking for something and found it in you. After that our two years together were the happiest years I ever had.” Jake said and gave a found smile, but then he frowned. “However, when you were getting more leads on your family's stolen book...things changed. We were spending less time together, and it hurt. But it didn't hurt as much as seeing you trying to choose between me and your family legacy.” Jake said.

“Jake, I'm sorry I---” Sly tried to say but Jake stopped him.

“No, Sly, you don't have to be sorry....I don't blame you for choosing the Thievious Raccoonus over me. I was sad, but I don't blame you. If I was in your situation I would have chosen the same. And even if you did pick me, I wouldn't feel right having to make you choose like that. I let you go then, Sly, because I didn't want to hold you back. Not because I didn't want to try to make it work. And even then, even now...” Jake paused and then took a breath before looking at Sly. “I still love you as much as I did when we met.”

Sly was very touched by Jake's words. He honestly didn't know what to say. All he could do was nod.

“And now, Carmelita wants to speak.” Hathor said. Carmelita then stood up and started speaking.

“Sly, before I met you way back when, I didn't think that I would ever need a man in my life. And like Jake I thought you were just a simple thief. But more and more I began to realize that you weren't. You showed me that the world isn't as black and white as I make it out to be. For that I can't begin to thank you. I suppose when that happened I realized that I was falling for a criminal. Try as I might to forget about it, forget about you, I couldn't. And I didn't want to either. We had our hard times sure but you had my back more than any person ever did for me.” Carmelita said.

“And you know I always will.” Sly said with a smile, and the vixen smiled back.

“Of course I do. And when I came to save you from Dr. M and you get your “amnesia”, I thought that we could start over. Live in our own little world. For a good few years we did. I don't think I've ever been so happy and thought our time would never end. But all good things must come to an end. And when you stole that sword at the museum after promising not to steal anymore all I could think about was putting you in jail.” Carmelita explained as she took on an angry expression at the memory. Then she calmed herself and spoke again. “But if I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have said the things I did that made us split apart. And I want to tell you here and now, Ringtail, that I don't care that you're a thief. If you're proud of what you do then that's good enough for me. And you shouldn't ever change yourself for the sake of one person. If someone can't really love you for who you are, master thief and all, then you shouldn't bother with them...And that includes me. I tried to make you into someone else rather than accept you for who you are. I'm sorry that I ever did that, and I hope you'll forgive me. And even though we're not together like we used to be, I'll always love you and look out for you.”

Again, Sly was touched. And again, he nodded at the two. What Jake and Carmelita said answered a lot of questions he's been asking himself in concern with the two. And to hear them say what they said lifted a great weight on his heart he's been carrying for far too long. Hathor smiled widely at this. As a deity of love it made her feel empowered to see emotions settled like this and hearts given the closure they need. The fox and cat got to speak, and now it was time for Sly to perform his part of the ritual.

“Sly, now that Jake and Carmelita have spoken, it is time for you to perform the ritual that will decide everything. And only then, if you can perform well in this, will you be able to return home.” Hathor said.

“What do I have to do?” Sly asked. Hathor reached into her robes and pulled out a scroll.

“This is a magic riddle that will reveal your true heart's desire if you can get the answer right. Once you do the name of whom you desire will appear under the riddle. And to help you, I shall tap into your heart of heart so that you can be completely honest with yourself. Fear not though, young Cooper, for the process won't harm you.” The cow anthro explained.

“Don't worry, Hathor. I trust you.” Sly said with a smile and the woman smiled back.

“Good. Now open the scroll, and I'll tap into your heart. Then start reading.” Hathor said and closed her eyes as she concentrated. Her hands began to glow with an ethereal golden hue and she laid her hands on either side of Sly's head. The raccoon suddenly felt a surge go through his soul and heart, properly meaning that Hathor tapped into his heart of hearts. Focusing his mind on the scroll Sly opened it and began to read from the Egyptian scribes.

“It grows and blossoms, it dies and wilts.
It happens in the beginning and happens in the end.
It can make you cry, it can make you sad.
It can make you smile and can make you brave.

What is it?”

Sly thought for a minute, and then a minute more. As he searched through his heart of heart he tried to find the answer but came up with nothing. Sly feared that he wouldn't be able to figure it out until he happened upon a memory. Its a vague one, but he can see himself sitting on a rooftop with someone at his side. However a shadow cover's the person's face so he can't make them out. But he can make out that he's holding hands with whoever is beside him. And then, Sly hears a voice in his memory.

“No matter what you do, you'll always be my first love.” Said the person holding Sly's hand in his memory.

First love...That was the answer.

“Its...First love.” Sly said aloud. When he did he saw a flash of gold light in his mind's eye. The shadow covering the face of the person he was holding hands with is lifted and Sly can finally see who it is...

Its Jake, and they're sitting on the rooftop of the same building where they first fought when Sly stole the Kat's Eye Scepter. Now I remember, Sly thought to himself. This was the time when he told Jake that he had to continue his search for the Thievious Raccoonus and that he couldn't carry on their relationship anymore. Despite his obvious pain Jake was understanding and they mutually split after that. And he said those words Sly almost forgot, that he will always be his first love. That day was so painful for him after he and Jake split apart that Sly must have shoved it to the back of his mind. But now that he's reunited with Jake he won't forget any of their memories together.

“I knew you'd say that.” Said the sweet, motherly voice of Hathor. Then just like that, in another flash of gold light, Sly was pulled out of his mind's eye.

The raccoon gasped as if he just came up for water. Hathor held firmly onto Sly's shoulders to keep him from tumbling. Carmelita and Jake could only look on in concern. They didn't want to do anything at risk of ruining the ritual. Once Sly regained his senses he looked down at the scroll. Just like Hathor said the name of the person whom he desired appeared under the riddle. And the name was Jake Clawson. Sly looked up at Jake, and gave a wide smile. The orange tabby seemed to know what this meant and smiled back. Then Sly turned to Carmelita and his smile lowered a bit. While it was true that he was in love with Jake, he still loved Carmelita. Like a dear friend and something of a sister. And he didn't want to break her heart. Sly carefully rolled up the scroll and handed it to Hathor before approaching the vixen.

“Carmelita, please understand, its not that I don't care about you. I love you....but, I can't honestly say that I'm in love with you.” Sly said as he took Carmelita's hands. The woman nodded in understanding and returned the hold.

“I know that Sly. You're not the type of person who would purposely break hearts. I don't blame you for choosing someone you're really in love with. And as they say, true love can't be denied.” Carmelita said then took Jake's hand and joined it with Sly's, giving the two the warmest smile ever. “And I won't deny yours.” The cop then stepped back and looked on.

Jake and Sly looked at each other, gazing deeply into one another's eyes. Its been so long since they've looked at each other like this. Slowly they came closer and closer until their noses touched. Then their foreheads touched. And finally, after more than a decade, lips once separated joined again. Carmelita gave an approving nod and hugged herself, relishing in the feel good moment. Her eyes then wandered to the timer and she did a double take before gasping! They only had two minutes to return to the present!

“Maldita sea! We have to get back home now! We only have two minutes!” Carmelita exclaimed. Sly and Jake's eyes widened in horror and they broke the kiss and looked at her in horror.

“Are you serious!?” Sly asked.

“As serious as being stuck here for who knows how long can get!” Carmelita stated.

“We have to contact Bentley then!” Jake said frantically.

“Relax, young ones. You are in the presence of a goddess. All you had to do was ask.” Hathor said.

“But isn't the management of time Khonsu's job though?” Sly asked.

“Details, details. What Khonsu doesn't know won't hurt him. Off with you now.” And with a clap of her hands Hathor sent the trio back to the present time.

“Its one thing for you to take over Khonsu's duty when you know he hates it, but I don't like being apart of such en elaborate lie.” Said a voice from behind.

“Why Thoth, my old friend, whatever do you mean?” Hathor asked with a smile as she turned to look at the mortal looking baboon anthro behind her.

“Don't feign innocence with me, woman. Why didn't you tell the modern Cooper the truth, and make all this up?” Thoth asked.

“Which truth? That it wasn't the time flux that sent him here? That it was in fact I who was the cause and tested his abilities for an entire year then took him in? That I made the Pastmaster provide the Cooper Gang and SWAT Kats with the information they needed to find the castle? That I revealed to them the crystal ball that would help?” The cow anthro asked.

“All of the above.” Thoth said simply. The woman gave a chuckle at her comrade's stoicism and picked up one of the pomegranates that Sly bought yesterday and tossed it in the air a bit.

“You of all deities should know that, Thoth.” Hathor said.

“Of course I do, but I want to hear the answer from you so I can tell the others. You know how Seth doesn't catch on easy.” The baboon anthro said with a grin.

“Ah yes. Well, I did what I did because a great true love was broken. And as a goddess who represents love it is my duty to protect and repair such a powerful bond. But I couldn't just jump in and make Sly love Jake again. No, he had to first be tested by his legacy, then his life and finally time before I could step in. There are times, Thoth, when true love hardens to the point that it seems hard to break.” Hathor explained as she worked to open the red shell. “But after a while it softens again and the hardened shell opens to reveal the sweet emotions it kept away.” Finally the female deity was able to open up the shell and reveal the succulent red seeds inside.

“Very well said, Hathor. It actually makes going through all this worth it.” Thoth said.

“Glad you think so. Now that those two are settled, I can focus on getting you date for the next tribute festival.” Hathor said with a grin.

“Don't you even go there, woman. I don't need to be the Egyptian God of Knowledge to know that any escort you get for me will be one worse than the crocodiles.” Thoth said with a glare and the cow anthro laughed.

Meanwhile, back in the present at the Cooper Safe House...  

The whole while since Carmelita and Razor first left Bentley called the rest of the Cooper Gang to inform them of what was happening. It didn't take long for Panda King and Dimitri to arrive and they all waited anxiously for Razor and Carmelita to hopefully return with Sly. But when the next day come, and the finally few hours were ticking by, it wasn’t looking good. And when it came down to an hour it especially wasn't looking good. At two minutes the Cooper Gang and T-Bone started to resign themselves that the worst had happened when suddenly a flash of gold light appeared before them. They all shielded their eyes from the brightness and then heard screaming. The anthros looked at the flash of light and soon through it came Sly, then Razor and finally Carmelita as they landed in a heap on top of each other.

“Sly! You're back! You're really, really back!” Bentley exclaimed in joy and astonishment.

“And Carmelita is too!” Murray exclaimed.

“Jake buddy, you're alright!” Chance shouted joyously.

“Totally groovy! Raccoonus Dudeus and friends have returned!” Dimitri let out.

“My heart sparks like a set off firework to see our illustrious leader home safely.” Panda King said.

The Guru exclaimed happily in his native tongue.

“You can say that again, Master.” Murray said.

“Talk about a reception. I should get lost in time more often.” Sly said jokingly as he got up with the help of Razor then helped up Carmelita.

“Oh Sly, you don't know how much I've missed those sarcastic jocular comments! I...I didn't think I'd see you again.” Bentley said, tears brimming behind his glasses.

“Me neither, little buddy! I missed you too.” Murray said, looking ready to cry himself. Sly felt a tug at his heartstrings as he looked at his two best friends, partners in crime and surrogate brothers with a smile.

“I missed you too, guys. I didn't stop thinking about you for even a minute. I just knew you'd find a way to bring me back.” Sly said as he walked up to Bentley and hugged the box turtle.

Bentley cried softly as he hugged his best friend back. Murray sobbed happy tears and picked up both of his smaller friends and hugged them tight. Carmelita, T-Bone and Razor looked on with smiles as the Cooper Gang reunited with Sly. Everyone looked so much brighter and happier now that their leader has returned. And something told them that Sly wouldn't be let out of their sights for a moment.

“They have a real strong bond.” Jake said.

“Yep. They sure do.” Carmelita agreed.

“Well, not that I don't love all the feel good emotions here but I'm feeling pretty hungry. I'm going for a place to eat.” Chance said.

“I know a nice little restaurant on the Champs-Élysées avenue.” Carmelita said.

“Oh yeah? Mind telling me where it is?” The stripped tabby asked.

“I'll do you one better. I'll escort you there. As a Paris officer, its my job to help people whether they're native Parisians or visitors.” Carmelita said. “Or do you mind letting a woman lead?”

“Actually, I prefer it. I follow by my fly girl's GPS all the time.” Chance said.

“Wonderful. Then let this fox girl use her GPS to show you around.” Carmelita said and offered her arm which Chance accepted.

“Hope you don't mind if I order something hot. I like it spicy.” Chance said as he and Carmelita walked to the door to leave.

“Really? You sound like a man after my own heart, Chance.” The cop said as they left. Sly watched the pair and couldn't help but smile. It seemed like Carmelita found her true heart's desire too.

“Sly, I'm sorry pal.” Murray said sympathetically.

“Are you going to be okay?” Bentley asked.

“Don't worry guys. I'll be just fine. Carmelita and I came to an understanding just before we came back. She didn't deny my happiness so I won't deny hers.” Sly said.

“Deny my happiness? What do you---?” Before Bentley could finish his question Sly and Jake embraced each other lovingly, tails coiling around like they used to when they were dating. “Oh...”

“It would seem that just as it heals all wounds, time creates love as well.” Panda King said.

The Guru spoke in agreement and nodded.

“Can you feels the loving tonight...” Dimitri trailed off as he sang.

“Honestly? It couldn't have happened sooner.” Murray said with a smile.