Stumbled (A Carmen Sandiego/Gray Story)

Chapter 10

Sorry for my hiatus! I was not in a good headspace.
Anyway:
SEASON 4 OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I LOVED IT BUT GRAY AND CARM NEEDED CLOSURE

I'LL POST MY THOUGHTS ON THE SEASON AFTER THIS!!

JUST THINK OF THIS AS THE ENDING WE DESERVE
*ahem*

Hopefully this chapter is okay, I'm so bad at writing romantic scenes!!
Hope you enjoy the last chapter! It has been a privilege to write this for you, even if it took me months. Because of that, I thank you for not only reading, but making it to the end of the book!
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Reminder: Gray and Carmen have just done a heist at the Louvre, Gray asks Carmen if they can talk back at the hotel.
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I waited in the lobby, wondering what Gray had to say to me.
I felt nervous. What if he wants to quit the team?
Gray hadn't arrived yet, but that was okay. I turned up ten minutes early, not wanting to embarrass myself by being late.
Suddenly, there was movement by the door. Gray stepped through, and I immediately felt underdressed. He was wearing a button up shirt with dark jeans.
I had just come down in leggings and a hoodie. Whoops.
"Gray, what's with the formal attire?" I raised my eyebrows, smiling at him.
I watched Gray's face flush. "Oh, uh, I just wanted to look nice."
"And why would that be?"
He looked away, then looked back at me. "I was hoping we could go somewhere?"
My heart rate accelerated. Is he asking me on a date?
I tried to not show my nervousness, smiling coyly. "Are you asking me on a date?" I joked.
He paused, then said. "Do you want it to be one?"
The unsaid question hung in the air around us. The air was so thick with tension you could cut it with a knife.
"Yes."
Gray looked so shocked that I wish I could've taken a photo. "Where would you like to go?"
"I don't mind. Should I go change?"
"No Carmen, you look perfect."
I blushed. When Gray said that the realisation hit me all at once. I was going on a DATE. With GRAY.
I was going on a date with Gray.
I'd had flings with other people before, but I didn't feel the same way about them as I did about Gray. This was... different.
"Thanks, but I want to change anyway." I said, staring at the floor.
He nodded, "no problem, meet you back here in 15?"
"Uh-huh." Leaving the room, I processed what just had happened. I was completely dumbfounded, but in a good way.

When I got back to the hotel room I immediately started tearing through my closet. Living abroad most of the time meant that I didn't exactly bring clothes for each occasion.

But then I saw the perfect dress. It was a red, knee length dress with gold straps and a gold trim. I had picked it up months ago, back in the USA, but I carried it around, just in case I needed a change of attire for a caper.

I didn't imagine I would be wearing it on a date...

I paired the dress with a pair of gold ballet flats and grabbed a red cardigan, in case it got cool. I then went to the bathroom to let my hair out of its bun, falling down my back in its natural waves.

Out in the hall I was intercepted by Ivy. "why do you look so nice?" She smirked.

"Uh, I'm going out with Gray." I could feel my cheeks heating.

Ivy's mouth dropped open. "Finally! You have no idea how long I've been wanting this to happen!"

That was concerning. "How long, might I ask?"

"Since you saw him at the opera in Sydney! You know, where he threw you out of the building and asked you on a date in the same hour? As soon as we learnt that he was no longer V.I.L.E. and had amnesia I was wrapped."

"Okay then... I'm just going to go now. Au revoir!"

"Bye!!"

I shook my head, chuckling. That girl was something else.

When I arrived in the lobby I snuck up on Gray, tapping him on the shoulder. "Boo!"

He turned, grinning. "you always were top of your class..." He trailed off, staring at me.

I blushed and looked away. "So where to now?"

"Well, we are in France, fancy a trip to the Eiffel Tower?"

"I would be delighted."

----

Gray and I sat on a park bench, gazing at the Eiffel Tower as we finished our dinner.

Gray stood up, grabbing the waste. "I'll just go throw this in the bin, back in a second!"

He looked nervous, so I smiled reassuringly.

When Gray returned he still looked worried, so I turned to him. "What's on your mind?"

He sighed. "I just don't want to mess this up."

"Don't worry, this is perfect." I rested my head on his shoulder. "For once, everything is perfect."

I felt Gray wrap his arm around my waist, and I lifted my feet up onto the bench, curling up against him.

I'm not sure now long we stayed like that, gazing up at the stars, but as the other inhabitants of the area trickled away, Gray turned to me.

"Carmen, I just wanted to apologise for that night on the train."

That caught me off guard. "What, why?"
"I never wanted to hurt you." He sighed.

"It's okay. We've all made mistakes." I snaked my arms around his neck and looked him in the eyes. "None of that matters now."

Then I leant forward and kissed him. It was like flint hitting steel, my body immediately came alive. Gray was surprised at first, but then he melted into the kiss. I could feel him playing with my hair, softly touching the tendrils. Gray was a good kisser.

I pulled away, out of breath. Gray smiled.

"You know what, I'm so glad I stumbled into you that night at the mine." He chuckled lightly.

"Me too, Gray, me too."

                                                                     fin