In her nightmares, they found him. Because of her own selfishness, VILE plucked him from his Civilian life in Sydney and tortured him. The great Carmen Sandiego, undone by exploitation of one man.

Pathetic. She was meant to be the best in the game, the mastermind among criminals. But her weakness was one that was easily targeted. It was not spiders, heights, an old injury, or anything like that.

Her weakness was people. Specifically, those she loved.

And so she tried her best to leave him alone. To let him go. On that first night Gray had asked her out, she pulled a disappearing act, catching hold of a door of a bus that had passed by.

The second time, she couldn't stay away. Her selfishness, her desire got the best of her and she met up with him. And against her own and others around hers better judgement, she kept seeing him.

It was random. Twice or thrice a month. Maybe less, maybe more.

Whenever there wasn't a caper to complete, she'd run off to Sydney. She'd find him and they'd talk and simply be, and for that period of time, her pain and burdens would be forgotten.

I'll only see him once more, She'd tell herself. Just for closure. Over and over again.

But then, one day, at his apartment Carmen realized she was already in too deep. She was sitting comfortably on his couch, a beer in her hand. She had been laughing with him about something or the other.

Carmen had gone too far, stuck around too long. There was no way she could back out now. If she tried to run, eventually it would be back to him.

Carmen was staring into Gray's hazel eyes with desire pulsing through her body. His brown curls were slicked back with gel, and his clothing crumpled over his fit figure.

The light of the moment faded, something a bit more serious entering the atmosphere.

So she lied to herself and kissed him. Just one more taste, she promised to whatever rational sense was left inside her mind. Then I'll go. Just to see one last time what it would be like to be with him.

He had been surprised at first, but kissed back with equal vigor. Equal want.

It had begun innocently, like all of their previous meeting of the lips had been. But all the simplicity faded away, however, as something primal Within Gray and Carmen took over.

Something animalistic.

The kiss was injected with a ravenous hunger for more, more, more.

She kissed him deeper, harder, and pushed him back against the couch. Carmen pressed a warm tongue to his lips, delving deeper and bringing them closer upon his parting. She sighed against his mouth, her bright red fingernails raking against his chest. They slid low and slipped under his shirt, her calloused fingers exploring the taut, muscled definition that lay beneath.

Gray almost stopped kissing back. Her touch was a sweet poison that rendered one paralyzed. He wanted her to poison him more but was afraid of losing his proper senses.

He left her lips behind and found her neck, using enough force in his mouth that he left bruises behind. With precise fingers, she lifted off his shirt, her eyes feasting upon his meticulously defined chest. Following suit, Gray gently unzipped the red dress she had worn over, letting it pile on the floor. She inhaled deeply as his fingers, rough like hers, gently found their way over her curves.

"You have...so many scars." He whispered, sadness pooling within his eyes.

Carmen gave a dark, bitter laugh. "They're Perks of the job."

Gray's eyes whispered apologies. Promises, to never let her get hurt again. He didn't know where they came from. Didn't know why he felt the need to say them.

He kept quiet, looking away, determined to bring her peace of mind and let her forget the hurt that resided within those voids of grey.

Gray's hands rested on the small of her back, pulling her close. Her smell intoxicated him, though he couldn't place it. There was a spritz of cinnamon scented perfume, rosey soap, and something else. Something that was from across the world.

Gray breathed her in, drunk with feeling. Deep down inside, a revelation descended upon him. Love. Gray was in love with Carmen, a fact that made absolutely no sense at all. How could his feelings for her carry such depth so soon?

Carmen had been in and out of his life as of the last year. She disappeared for weeks at a time, maybe even months. But whenever she called, he came running back.

He had to see her.

That was all he could be sure of. Despite knowing next to nothing about her, not even if her job was completely moral, she had become the best part of his life. Not a day went by when he didn't think of her, hoping that she would appear from nowhere again.

Every part of his life was falling apart due to his memory loss. He awoke in that hospital bed two years ago to find that he had nothing. No one. No family, no loved ones. The friends he believed he was close with were gone, having lost contact with him during the years he couldn't recall.

Now, Gray could be certain of only two things: His job and feelings for Carmen. Somehow, in the midst of the insanity that was his life, she was his only clarity.

Gray's arms scooped under her waist and her legs, carrying her into his bedroom. Her skin was smooth and warm against his, making him want to keep her close forever.

Carmen giggled rather uncharacteristically, letting him sweep her away princess-style. She threw him a meaningful glance to shut the door, wanting this more than anything before. Again, she lied to herself. Again she made a false promise.

Just this once. Then I'll leave and let him stay safe....

She swore to her self as her body met his sheets. Just this once. She promised as his lips found the sweet. Warm skin of her neck and began to dance down her throat. Just this once.....

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