The next morning, Tiger Lily awoke to the sound of her alarm ringing. She reached over and hit the button to stop it and looked at the ceiling, remembering what happened last night and started screaming into the pillow where she laid her head on. Once she stopped screaming, she sat up and ran her fingers through her hair, frowning slightly at feeling some knots in. Tying on a dark purple robe with golden stars on it, she got out of her bed and went to her vanity, picking up a ivory hairbrush.

She combed through the ebony black locks, her gaze settling on her reflection, softly counting as she did so. What she didn't understand, was why Carmen kissed her last night when she got the diamond back from the said master thief. She had a feeling her questions would be answered soon. Chase told her she needed a break from the case and she completely understood why he said that. It was like he knew Carmen was hitting on her and for that, she was grateful. Once she finished combing out the knots, she did her hairstyle in a different way. Grabbing the whole section of her hair, she twisted and turned it until she was ready to make it into a simple bun with two strands framing her face.

Satisfied with the result, She undid the robe, letting it fall to the floor. She worked her arms out of her nightgown, letting it join the robe in a silent silky whisper. Reaching into her closet, she pulled out a black long sleeve dress.

She had taken out matching low heel shoes with golden snakes wrapped around the heel, a golden choker with a heart shaped pearl, diamonds and sapphires surrounding it to make a circle, her usual pair of earrings, and a red belt with a gold buckle. After she had put them on in their respective places, she went to the ACME building and swiped her ID card and went in. She was getting stares since she wasn't wearing her usual bodysuit. One cold glare from her stopped everyone that was going to say something stupid.

As she unlocked the door to her office, she closed the door and rolled back the red and gold curtains to let the sunlight shine through the windows. The warm sunrays hit her cheeks as she closed her eyes, feeling the tranquility of the sun. She opened her eyes once more and went to her desk, groaning at the sight of paperwork resting at the left corner of the rich deep cherry wood. Sitting down in the comfortable and cool brown leather chair, she picked up the top paper off the pile and started reading it. She sighed, realizing it was a permission form for new parts for Ivan Idea's newest invention. She grabbed her favorite pen which was black with hot pink floral vines and lotus blossoms from a cup she had it resting in, writing her signature and stamped it with her red wax along with a sealer with a lily of the valley on the bottom.

She placed the stamp down and blew out the candle she used for the seal, placing the paper in the green bin to send it to Ivan later. She viewed Ivan as the brother she had lost when she was 19 and her dead brother was 21, the current age she was now. She couldn't turn back the time but could only move on, her brother would've wanted her to live as he was always there for her even if it meant that he got hurt so she would be ok.

Well, she was grown up now, her turn to take the blows for everyone else. She grabbed the next paper and started reading it, noticing it was a shipment form for new beakers for the scientists in the labs. Repeating the same thing she did with the first paper, she placed it into the green bin. She was in the middle of reading the 3rd paper when her watch beeped. 'oh! Time for my break.' she thought. She placed the paper down on the desk and left her office. Chase tapped her shoulder as she walked by his office. "Tiger Lily, can I have a word with you?" He asked Her as she nodded her head, following him inside. "You wanted to see me, Chase?"

"Yes, I did. I know what happened last night and that Carmen Sandiego kissed you. Why didn't you say anything?"

She was silent for a few minutes before speaking. "I.. I didn't want to be labeled as a traitor to ACME by falling in love with Carmen Sandiego as I'm afraid that if I do, she'll kill everyone that I care about like what happened in Sri Lanka.. I know that she's not like that, But the thought of losing everyone like how I lost my brother pains me so." She explained, stifling a few sobs. Chase knew about what happened as he held the woman close.

"I don't blame you for thinking like that, Tiger. Your afraid of falling in love again due to your past trauma in Sri Lanka and losing the people you care about is painful, that I understand. It's ok if you want to fall in love again and I'll do everything I can to hide your love life. You won't be labeled as a traitor if you DO decide to fall in love with Carmen Sandiego and I won't mind it."

She smiled at Chase. "Thank you for the advice, Chase. I will take it to heart." She said as she left his office and out of the building to a small cafe two blocks from her work. She opened the door and went in. Going to the front desk, she started scanning the menu for what she wanted. "See something you like, miss?" Asked the cashier as she decided on a drink. "Yes. I'll have the Peppermint mocha."

"White chocolate or regular?"

"White Chocolate, please."

After paying for her coffee, she went to an outdoor table to wait. She was looking at the shimmery lake when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned her head around and swore up and down she was seeing a beauty.. the woman in front of her had tan skin, warm chocolate brown eyes, brown hair reaching down her back, and she wore a red sweater, black sweatpants, and blood red boots. "Is this seat taken?" She asked as Tiger Lily shook her head no.

"Good~"

The woman sat down in front of her as Tiger Lily tried to keep herself calm. "What's your name?" Tiger Lily asked.

"Isabella, and you are?"

"M-Mariam. Mariam Rose Burman."

"Star of the sea, am I correct?"

Tiger Lily nodded her head yes. "The world's most cold, ruthless and gorgeous ACME agent. There are many rumors about you." Said Isabella as Mariam was interested.

"What rumors?"

"One says that you refuse to fall in love because of an incident that happened with your brother, Agent Raven. I don't know if it's true or not-" Mariam cut her off.

"It is. I can tell you more.. if you'd want." Isabella furiously nodded her head yes as Mariam sighed. "Get ready, for what I'm about to tell you is very upsetting." Warned Mariam as she went into her story.

(Flashback! Tw: blood and gore!)

"Today's festival was a success, sister! You did perfectly as per usual." Said Raven as 19 year old Mariam smiled. As the years went by, she was getting more beautiful than when she was a child. Many men and women fell over themselves to just bask in her radiant light that she was willing to share. The two siblings opened the door as they went in. "Mother! We're home!" Called out Mariam as an older woman's back was to them, cutting up radishes. She had the same dusky skin, beautiful ocean blue eyes, long dark hair, and she wore a golden silk sari with matching slippers.

The woman stopped what she was doing and looked at her son and daughter. "There are my little mantis and lotus blossom. Come here!" Said the woman as the two hugged her. "How was the show today?" She asked. "It went beautifully mother! Mariam got the whole village to swoon over her.. again." Mariam blushed out of embarrassment. "I'm going to go and change out of this costume. I won't be but a minute!" She said before heading up the stairs.

She was putting on a soft pink cotton sari when she heard two loud gunshots. Running down the stairs, she came to a horrific sight.. her mother was shot in the head and chest where her heart is, blood staining the golden sari. Her brother was covered in blood as he was fighting a guy when they both noticed Mariam. "Get out of here, sister! Run!" He said before the guy shot him.. looking at Mariam with disgusting lust in his eyes. She started running, grabbing her brother's phone and hiding in the bathroom closet. She called the one number she knew by heart: Inspector Chase Devineaux from the ACME agency in San Francisco. "Chase? You there?" She asked, her voice a whisper.

"Mariam!? What happened, where's Raven!?"

"He and my mother were shot dead.. please help me.."

"Mariam, are you hiding anywhere?"

"Yes sir, in the west wing bathroom closet.. I locked the door when I hid."

"Good girl, I'm coming right now! Just keep quiet and don't make a sound!"

"Ok.. see you soon."

She hung up the phone before she heard footsteps. She covered her mouth as the footsteps went closer and closer until she heard another sound of footsteps. "This is Interpol, your under arrest for murdering an ACME agent and first degree murder!" She heard chase say before she heard the knock on the door. "Mariam, it's ok now.." She heard him again as she slowly unlocked the bathroom door. "Mariam, are you ok? Did your ex hurt you!?" She shook her head no.

(End of flashback!)

"The guy that shot my brother and mother was my ex- boyfriend who still had feelings for me.. since then, I didn't want to fall in love." Finished Mariam as she shivered. "Mariam.. I'm so sorry.. I didn't think it would be that bad!" Said Isabella as she placed a hand on top of Mariam's. They noticed the waitress as she handed them their peppermint white chocolate mocha and caramel macchiato respectfully. Mariam took a sip of her coffee and after so many years, Mariam fell in love. "I haven't noticed you before, but your really gorgeous, Isa." Said Mariam as Isabella blushed.

"Excuse me, ladies."

The two women turned around to see a police officer with a moustache. "Have either of you seen this woman before?" He asked as he held up a poster of the wanted master thief and VILE central leader herself, Carmen Sandiego. "No sir." Said Isabella.

"Haven't seen her." Chirped Mariam as the officer grunted but this wasn't uncommon. "Ok you two, if you do see her, make sure to call it in. She's an international thief you know. You both enjoy your day." He said before interrogating another innocent bystander. 'their patrolling the area..' thought Carmen as she scowled. She looked towards Mariam with a soft smile. She was going to have Mariam escort her to the underground. She could do that, she was a sweet woman. The two women finished their coffee and left the cafe. Mariam walked Isabella to the underground, thinking she lived there. Once she did that, she went back to ACME to finish the paperwork.

Later that night, Mariam was on her balcony when she heard a voice whisper her name. She looked down and noticed Isabella standing underneath her, a blush accentuating her face. "Isabella?! What are you doing here?" She whisper-yelled. Isabella looked at her, hearts in her eyes.

Isabella/Carmen : "My dearest friend, if you don't mind, I'd like to join you by your side. Where we could gaze into the stars."

Isabella/Carmen and Mariam:  "and sit together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see, we're simply meant to be..."

Then, Isabella held her arms out as Mariam jumped down from the balcony and landed into them. The two locked gazes, leaning towards each other and kissed that very night. That night, Carmen made a vow to herself when she finally earned the affections of the beautiful stone faced agent's heart. She promised herself and Mariam that she would never let others hurt her or do anything that would result in more trauma like in her past. More importantly..

She would never let VILE or her old enemies from her days as a detective find out about Mariam.