Carmen woke up from the golden streaks of sunlight seeping through the window and into her slightly opened eyelids. Grumbling, she clenched a fistful of her covers and threw them over her head as she turned away from her window, trying to go back to sleep. But that wasn't going to happen. She was already wide awake.

Carmen muttered a word her mother would never let her use as she sat upright in bed. She stretched out her arms, earning a loud 'pop' from them. She blinked a few times before she squinted into the blinding lights. The sunlight bounced off her full-length mirror, the red see-through curtains, her dresser, and the couch-bed on the other side, where Gray slept.

Grinning ear to ear, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and quietly made her way to Gray's side.

She stood over his bed, gazing down at Gray's sleeping form. She could now see a trace of drool on his lower chin, his fingers clenched around the sheets, and the covers rose and fell with his body as he breathed slowly. He looked so peaceful, so vulnerable.

Had she ever seen him like this?

She probably did, but it had been a long time since.

Carmen crouched down on her knees, so her face was level with Gray's. She was pretty close to him now, their noses almost touching. And Gray had no idea.

Carmen's eyes then drifted upwards towards Gray's hair. It looked like a disaster. Parts of it were falling on his face while others popped out from left to right in blotchy tangles. It probably would've come off as repulsive to anyone else, but to Carmen, it was flat-out adorable.

She chuckled to herself as she gradually began running her fingers through his hair. She gingerly smoothed out the tangles and tried fixing it to Gray's usual style, which wasn't hard since his hair was soft, and easy to brush through.

This wasn't anything new to Carmen since she used to fix up Gray's hair all the time back at VILE. He always told her there was something special about the way she did his hair, and he liked it. The gestures were always friendly and nothing more. This felt like old times.

Carmen continued playing with his hair, making sure to be extra delicate while fixing his tangles to avoid waking him up. But overall, she enjoyed this. And for the first time in a while, Carmen got a better, more vivid look at Gray.

She observed his dimples, sharp nose, and clean-shaven face. As well as his thick, knitted eyebrows that cast a shadow on his eyelids.

Carmen's eyes continued their path downwards until they stopped at his parted lips, and that's what made her gut sink. Her hands froze in his hair and she looked at him. His hair was still a mess and in the bright morning sunlight, he had looked more handsome than Carmen had ever seen him.

Her heart began pumping blood ten times faster than it normally did as a wave of unfamiliar warmth formed in her cheeks and stomach.

It made her feel.... sick. Nauseated.

Carmen had never experienced a feeling like this before. Yes, she's had her body overheat before. She's dealt with stomachaches and a racing heartbeat she couldn't control. But they never felt like... this.

The 'nauseating' feeling didn't feel harmful to the point where she had to visit a doctor or something. No, this 'sickness' emerged from a feeling of desire. Something sensual and passionate. This wasn't any type of medical issue Carmen had perceived.

But what exactly was it? And why did she feel like this towards Gray?

Carmen looked at his lips again, the very spot where all of this began.

Her pupils dilated as she examined them once more. She never noticed how kissable they looked until now.

She licked her dry lips while continuing to stare at his with hungry eyes.

The heat in Carmen's cheeks now spread throughout her body like a virus. Her blood boiled in her veins and was getting hotter and hotter. And her heart pumped so fast she felt like she was gonna have a heart attack.

What is going on? What is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way?

Suddenly, Gray began groaning softly, a clear indicator that he was waking up. Carmen panicked and swiped her hands away from his hair, watching with tensed eyes as Gray yawned and his eyelids fluttered open.

He looked at her, and she looked back like an idiot.

"Good morning, Carmen," said Gray, not bothering to ask why she was so close to him. (Because he really didn't mind) His voice was raspy from sleep, yet his thick Australian accent didn't fail to make Carmen's heart skip a beat.

"Uhhh... G-Good morning, Gray."

Woah, why am I stammering?!

(Umbrella scene reference ;))

Gray smirked, "Don't you mean Graham, Lambkins?"

Carmen returned his smile, "You know I go by Carmen now."

"See how it feels?"

"How what feels?"

"How it feels to get called by a nickname you don't want."

Carmen scoffed, "Not really. Besides, Gray suits you better than Graham."

"And Lambkins is way cuter than Carmen."

Carmen rolled her eyes while trying to hide the embarrassed smile on her face, "Wh-Whatever. We should head downstairs and help make breakfast for the kids."

"Aw, trying to change the topic now, are we?" Gray slyly asked as he sat up, bringing his legs over the side of the bed, so he was sitting in front of Carmen, who was still on her knees on the ground. She smiled up at him, the sunlight highlighting her pearly white teeth.

"No, I'm just doing my job," she said, finally standing up. She tugged on his hand and pulled him out of bed.

"Now, come on. You should go get ready. Your hair looks like a disaster."

Gray chuckled as Carmen hugged his arm and pulled him with her towards the door.

"Does it really look that bad?"

"Not really. I think you still look cute!"

Both Carmen and Gray stumbled to a halt right after those words were said. They looked at each other and shared the same startled complexion.

What the hell were you thinking? Calling him cute? What is going on with you today?

Gray was the first to break the awkward silence, his cocky smirk returning to his lips, "You think I'm cute, eh?"

That same 'sickness' from earlier engulfed Carmen once more, and the seductive flash in his eyes only made it worse.

"D-Don't g-get your hopes up," Carmen managed to spit out, "It was just a compliment. That's all."

"Riiighhttt," Gray said slowly. Clearly, he wasn't falling for Carmen's 'excuses', "Anyways, I'm taking a shower, so I'll fix up my hair then. I'll catch up with you later."

"Okay," was all Carmen could say as Gray grabbed a fresh pair of clothes and left the room. That "sickness" slowly died down once he was gone.

"Now, what was that all about?" She asked the walls surrounding her. Obviously, they didn't provide an answer for her. Carmen was left in her golden-lit bedroom to ponder about it on her own.

***

Carmen had just finished making breakfast for the orphans and was now making her own toast in her families' lounging room. Elena was sitting on the couch on the other side, eating a bowl of cereal and watching another episode of Miraculous. And Carlotta was in the other room serving the kids breakfast.

As Carmen waited for the toaster to finish making her toast, she glanced over at the TV a couple of times, taking a keen interest in the current episode Elena was watching.

The toaster eventually dinged, and Carmen hastily took out the bread and headed over to the couch.

"Hey, what episode are you watching?" Carmen asked as she plopped herself down.

"Oh, I'm watching Dark Cupid. Wanna watch it with me?"

Carmen sighed and took a bite out of her toast, "I guess I don't have anything better to do."

Your hairs as dark as night, your pretty bluebell eyes. I wonder who you are beneath that strong disguise. Every day we see each other, and I hope that you'll be mine. Together our love could be so true, please will you be my Valentine?

Wow! Now that's a love poem!

"Eh, I can do better," Carmen laughed.

Elena rolled her eyes but didn't say anything.

Who could he possibly be talking about? Hair as dark as night? Bluebell eyes?

Well... you.

Me? No way! There are plenty of other girls with dark hair and blue eyes.

Yeah, but bluebell eyes?

"They're so oblivious."

"They're not the only ones," Elena mumbled.

Gray entered the room minutes later, drying out his wet hair with a blue towel. Almost immediately, he recognized the show playing on the TV screen.

He joined Carmen on the couch, hanging his towel around his neck, "Are you guys watching Miraculous Ladybug?"

"Yeah!" Elena beamed. Clearly, she was having the time of her life, "Have you watched it before?"

"I've watched the first two seasons. Never finished the third season."

"Never thought you'd be interested in a kids' show," Carmen laughed.

"I had a bunch of free time on my hands before I got promoted to chief electrician. And once I started watching, I couldn't put it down."

In other words, Gray was instantly intrigued by Cat Noir and his famous puns. (And he probably has a whole notebook in his bedroom drawer filled with cat puns he planned on using in the future.)

Falling for me already, M'lady?

There's another one for the books, Gray thought as he glanced over at Carmen.

I need to talk to you.

It's gotta wait. Dark Cupid-

Shhhh. I promised myself I'd tell you as soon as I saw you. Ladybug... I... I lo- look out!

The villain, Dark Cupid, shot an arrow at Ladybug, but Cat Noir jumped in front of her to save her just seconds before she could be hit. (We all watched this scene, right?)

Carmen watched in horror as Cat Noir transformed into a bitter and vicious version of himself and became a puppet under Hawk Moth's command.

The scene took Carmen back in time, as she remembered how she was brainwashed herself and used as a VILE operative, a puppet. Just like Cat Noir, Carmen transformed into a nefarious and unforgiving version of herself, who unknowingly tried to hurt and even kill her allies. First, it was Zack. Then, as Carmen sank deeper into VILE's clutches, she killed dozens of innocent citizens. All until she reached her final heist. The Eye of Vishnu in Morocco.

There, Carmen had attempted to murder her closest partner and best friend, Gray. Guilt clenched at Carmen's heart with cold fingers as her mind poisoned her with a vivid vision of that night.

There she was, crackle rod held firmly in her vicious claws, pointing it directly at her best friend who had seemingly betrayed her. His pleading cries clouded her mind as he begged the real Carmen to come back. Not a minute later, Carmen had shot him, without giving it a second thought.

Carmen glanced at him. His attention was still glued to the TV screen.

If Gray wasn't wise enough to change the settings of the crackle rod, he wouldn't be sitting on this couch, breathing right next to her.

Carmen bit back tears that threatened to fall down her cheek and onto the couch cushions below.

How could she have been so careless? If she was more cautious of her surroundings, she would've caught the Cleaners and escaped them before they could take her back to VILE. She put everyone she loved in danger because of one silly mistake... and Gray.... he could've...

Carmen bit her lip to keep any sobs from escaping her. Her raging thoughts, also identified as her demons, all attacked her. But she was defenseless, She had no weapons or courage to fight. All she could do was sit on that stupid couch as they struck her with constant 'What if's" and "It's All Your Fault's."

She was close to breaking down right there on the couch. But she didn't. She didn't want to create a scene so early in the morning, so she excused herself and speed-walked to the door before that could happen. The corner of her eye caught the faint view of Ladybug and Cat Noir's first kiss before she left.

Carmen hastily wandered through the halls, her hands tugging a fistful of her hair. In times like these, Carmen needed someone to talk to, someone who was wise enough to help her find the right path. But she didn't want help from Gray, or Elena, or Zack, or Ivy...

"Isabel? Are you alright?"

The edges of Carmen's lips quirked up as she whirled around to see her mother walking up to her.

Of course! Her mother could help her!

Her shoulders sank with relief, "Mom! I really need to talk to you!"

"Is something wrong, honey?"

"No... well, yes... I just... I just need to tell you something... is that okay?"

"Aw, Isabel," Her mother said as she caressed Carmen's cheek, "You know I'm always here if you want to talk, but you'll have to tell me about it later. Right now, your ACME friends are waiting for you at the front door. Go greet them and find out what they want."

Carmen smiled warmly, "Thank you, mom! I'll go check on them now."

Carmen rushed to the front of the orphanage, where Chief, Chase, Zack, and Ivy were waiting for her as her mother said.

"Morning, everyone!" Carmen greeted.

"Morning, Carm!"

"What are you all doing here? Find out anything about VILE?"

"Not exactly. Everything has been dead silent since last night, after you and Mr. Calloway's run-in with them," Chief explained.

"Oh, then what did you come here for?"

"Well, we decided it'd be best if we kept you company. Y'know, if you have any unexpected visits from VILE." Zack winked.

Just before Carmen could respond, Gray walked into the room, holding his phone up to his ear, "Yes, mate, I understand. I'll see if I can pop by and pick her up," He spoke into the phone before he hung up the call.

"Who was that?" Carmen asked.

"My coworker. He was looking after my pup', Luna, while I was here in Argentina. Trouble is, I wasn't expecting to run into you or VILE or stay here longer than I had initially intended to. And I don't know how long I'm staying here, but I don't think my coworker can take care of her for very long. So I have to fly back to Australia to pick up Luna today."

"Are you... gonna stay in Australia?"

"No, of course not. I promised you I'd help defeat VILE, besides I can't leave now that we're roommates. I'll fly back to Argentina once I have her."

Carmen shook her head, "I don't think it's a good idea to go by yourself. VILE could easily find out about your little trip, follow you back and strike you when you least expect it. It'd be best if you go with someone."

"Aw, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine on my own."

"You kidding? You almost got jumped last night! Who's to say it won't happen again? And I can't have you getting hurt!"

Gray sighed heavily, "Fine, you have a point. You wanna come with?"

"I can't. I have to look out for my family and the children here. But you can take... Zack and Chase!"

Gray glanced over at the two men Carmen was pointing at. He didn't recognize the redhead, but oh boy, did he remember Chase.

"You."

"Long time no see, Mousier Calloway. I see you have chosen a path of good now."

"I'm pretty sure I'd be in jail if I didn't," Gray huffed, crossing his arms. He and Chase's history was a pretty interesting one. Gray took a disliking to Chase the moment he walked his butt in that interrogation room in Iceland. And then they met again in Vienna, where Chase was trying to blow his mission with VILE.

The man was a loose end, that was for sure, and the fact that Carmen entrusted him to 'protect' Gray was ridiculous.

Carmen raised a brow at the two, "You guys have already met?"

"Oh, yeah. Had some pretty good times, eh flatfoot?"

"Maybe you did. The last time we had a normal conversation like this, you beat me up."

"And I'll gladly do it again," Gray mumbled under his breath.

"Anyways!" Carmen boomed, attempting to kill the tension in the room, "You guys should get ready for your flight. Chief?"

"The flights already booked. It leaves in 2 hours."

"Perfect."

Not a moment after, it was Elena's turn to walk into the room. Her black backpack hung over her shoulders, her dark brown hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her sneakers were tied tightly onto her feet. She walked past the agents, hands in her pockets as she headed for the front door.

"Uhh, where do you think you're going?" Carmen asked hands on her hips.

"School. Where else?"

"Elena... I don't think it's safe to go back right now."

"Why? Because of those villains?"

"Well, yeah!"

"Pfftt, I highly doubt they'll find out Carmen Sandiego has a little sister in less than 24 hours. They wouldn't expect it. Besides, I'm totally capable of protecting myself."

"You couldn't even walk into the bathroom for weeks after we caught a spider in there."

"Hey, don't compare spiders with villains. They don't got eight legs and a thousand eyeballs."

"Elena... I don't know..."

"Please, Carmen!" Elena pleaded, giving Carmen her best baby doll eyes.

Baby doll eyes don't work on Carmen, and that's a given. But she didn't want to keep Elena cooped up here at the orphanage until VILE was officially defeated. Who knows how long that's gonna take? It could be weeks, months, or years...

"Alright, you can go."

"Yay! Thank you, Carmen! You're the best!" Elena cheered as she bounced on her toes.

"Yeah, I know. But don't make me regret my decision!"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Now, are you gonna walk with me again?"

Carmen furrowed her brows, "I don't know. If VILE sees us out in the open together, they'll find out about you."

"Makes sense. How about I walk myself?"

"That's out of the question."

"I can drop her!" Ivy volunteered.

"Are you sure, Ivy?"

"Of course! It's really no problem."

Carmen sighed, "Alright, I guess it's settled then. Ivy, you go drop Elena, but please be careful. Both of you. Gray, Zack, Chase, you guys should head to the airport."

"Got it, Carmen!"

She turned to Gray, "I'll see you in a bit then?"

"Yeah, if I manage to survive these two."

"They aren't that bad, trust me. But promise me you'll call in regularly, so I know for sure that everything's okay?"

Gray squeezed her shoulders in reassurance, "Hey, you don't have to worry so much. I'll be fine. But if it makes you feel better, I promise I'll text you as often as I can."

Carmen gave him a half-smile before slowly sliding her arms around Gray's torso, "Okay, Gray," she whispered.

And there was it was! That same 'sickness' from earlier that morning found its way back to Carmen. Her pulse accelerated against his chest, pounding so hard Carmen was sure Gray could feel it. Warmth radiated from his blue jacket like an oven as it toasted Carmen and made her hotter than she already was.

She could hear Elena snickering in the background as Gray hugged her back, but she chose to ignore it.

Just Elena being Elena, she thought. She instead chose to focus on Gray. She found herself digging her cheek into his shirt until she felt familiar, rapid pumps. His heart.