Happily Ever After???

Chapter 1: Reunion

Hello Fellow readers!! I've shipped RedCrackle for like 4ever!! If you agree that the creators of Carmen Sandiego should've turned them into a couple comment "AustraliaxArgentina" in the comments below. Thank you so much for reading, and if you like this story, please go check out my two other books, "Denial" and "Daydreams".

It had been two years since the fall with V.I.L.E. and not a single sign of Carmen. He knew had other things to worry about than an old classmate who disappeared after the fall of V.I.L.E.. After the hospital released Gray, he went straight to the Sydney Opera house in Australia. A few times he thought he saw the bright red coat and fedora of the famous Carmen Sandiego, but when he'll look back...she'll be gone. 

He saw Shadowsan last year, and said that Carmen was in Buenos Aires, Argentina reconnecting with her lost mother. Ever since then, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Enough is Enough! He thought at the end of a play. I need to see Carmen. I–I just need to make sure she's alright. That night he packed his bags and hopped on a plane to Argentina.

Police sirens echoed all around him as soon as he hit downtown. Struck by instinct, he followed the sirens. He didn't have to wait long for the sirens to find him, he just followed them in his gray-blue Honda rental car as soon as it passed. When the cars had stopped, he recognized them as A.C.M.E. cars. Gray excited out his car and hid behind the museum.

 Zac and Ivy came out from one car and Julia and Devenoux in the other. It was nightfall.

"We got this," Ivy said coolly and shut the car door.

"I think someone already did. . ." Julia remarked, pointing to Paper Star who was tangled up in ropes.

Paper Star. . . Gray slid back into his hiding place before she could steal a glance at him. Then they all looked to the roof.

"You know we're gonna have to take her down, right." Playfulness was in Zach's tone.

"We are not going to do that! I don't care if you are Chief's favorite! I'll take you down myself!" Ivy angerlily remarked.

Her? Who's her?! Gray wondered. He looked up as well and saw someone on the roof and the person dipped her fedora to the A.C.M.E. agents. Carmen!

Fortunately, there was a ladder nearby leading up to the roof. Gray climbed it and ran after the mysterious person.

 "Hey! Who's that!" Julia pondered seeing Gray running through the building.

Shoot! So much for 'low profile'! The person heard Julia's comment and turned to see who was following. The person calmly walked towards Gray. Gray couldn't see the person's face, but he was sure it was Carmen. Goodness, he hoped she still wasn't working for V.I.L.E.! Another caped figure appeared by her side in almost an instint.

The women looked completely identical. "Carmen?" Gray finally ventured, remaining cautious. One of the females releases their tension.

"Gray?!" Carmen questions, taking off her fedora and comes into the moonlight. The other one also releases her tension and looks from Gray to Carmen.

"Carmen. . . Who is this?" The older one asks, having the same Spanish accent Carmen did.

Carmen looks to the older person. "Mother, there is so much I need to catch you up on!" Carmen reaches for Gray's hand and leads him down the building, through the dark alley, the suburbs, and slows down near their neighborhood, Carmen's mother following behind. Carmen opens a house door, her fingers still laced in Gray's. Carm leaves Gray to make himself at home to get something to drink. Carmen's mother was eyeing him from the doorway, hands on her hips.

Gray settles down on the couch and anxiously waits for Carmen to return. "What happened?" Gray asks when Carmen hands him some Hot Cocoa. "The last thing I remember is you were still under V.I.L.E. 's influence and you electrocuted me with the Crackle Rod."

"You electrocuted this handsome young man!" Carmen's mother shouted.

"Only because V.I.L.E tried to control me." Carmen explained softly.

"Hi, I'm Carlotta Valdez. You and call me Carlotta." Carlotta introduces herself.

 They could hear Player through Carmen's earpiece. "Carmen, what's going on? Zach and Ivy gave me a call saying something came up and that I should call you! What happened?" Carmen chuckled. "You would not believe who I found–or should I say, found me." A loving tone escapes from her mouth, which then makes her immediately blush.

"Car-men? Are you okay? I've never heard that tone in your voice."Player teased.

 "Oh-Uh-its nothing...." Carmen corrected herself.

Gray shoots a knowing glance at Carlotta, who winks and excuses herself into the kitchen. Gray gets up from the couch and walks to where Carmen was standing.

"Carmen. . ." Gray spoke softly, waiting for her to put her coat and fedora away to wrap his arms around her waist.

"Gray?"

"Gray? Wait a sec, Gray–as-as in Graham? -As in 'Crackle'? What is he doing there? Carmen?" Player's voice warns. "Ca-Carmen. Carmen!" Gray takes off Carmen's earpiece, disconnects it, then tosses it onto the couch.

"He's gonna hack the camera's. . .Gray—"Gray softly pressed his mouth to Carmen's. A kiss delicate and gentle.

"Just shut up. . ." He whispers before kissing her again, with more self assurance. Carmen's tense but then wrapped her hands around him, Gray's right hand cupping her chin.

"YES!! FINALLY! YES!" Player shouts joyfully through the camera's mic, laughing. "Yes!"But then the voice was close. . .real close. Carmen breaks them apart, hands on Gray's chest and laughs. They turn their heads when the backdoor opens.

"PLAYER!?" Carmen's eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing here?"

 "For a professional thief, I'm surprised that you didn't realize I moved to Argentina, as your neighbor." Player waves dismissively and changes the topic back to the kiss. "You finally kissed her! You actually kissed her! Oooh, This is epic!"

"Wait what? You've been expecting this?" Gray asks, still keeping his arms at Carmen's waist.

"Heck yes!! Seriously, you too have a major in chemistry." Player shouted gleefully.

"Where's the proof?" Gray and Carmen said in unison.

"Went to school together, Gray didn't kill you on the train to Paris, Gray asked you on a date: the coffee shop, Carmen tried to save you from that jail so V.I.L.E. wouldn't get you first. Carmen went ALL THE WAY to the Himalayan Mountains to save you from Dr. Belium, which broke her heart when you stayed with V.I.L.E.'' Carmen blushes. "And you were the one worried for her and got in touch with Chief to use the memory thing to get Carmen's memory back."

 "I think that's good enough proof!" Carlotta smirked entering the Living Room. "So when's the wedding?"

"MOTHER!"

Zac and Ivy burst through the door. "Yea when's the wedding??"

"I hope I'm invited." Shadowsan walked behind Player.

"Zac! Ivy! Shadowsan!" Carmen laughs.

Gray releases his grasp on Carmen, slowly kneeling down on one knee. "I think they're right. I might be the logical next step.

"Gray. . ." Carmen raises her hands to her mouth.

"Carmen Sandiego. . .Will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

Gray scoops her up in his arms and kisses her passionately, while everyone else cheers.

Sorry if that was "Moving to fast" but if you're like me, you want them to be together no matter what. I'll be posting when I can, Thank you for reading. AGAIN! Reply in the comments below, "AustraliaxArgentina" If you think the creators should've made them a couple!