**This is my first story on this site under this account. Enjoy!**

Chapter One

Charlie looked out the window, his breath fogging up the glass. It was a foggy fall morning, and had rained the previous night. He saw movement out by a trashcan across the street. "Huh?" He squinted his eyes. It looked like...a dog! He jumped off the window seat, and nudged the door open. Looking both ways, he darted across the street.. The dog appeared to be trying to tip the trash barrel over. "You look like you could use some help with that," Charlie said.

The Dalmatian turned it's head, clearly startled. "Oh! Uh..uh.." She stammered, staring at the ground.

"I haven't seen you before," Charlie said. "You new here?"

She nodded, blue eyes looking up at him. "Y-Yes...My name is Bailey."

Charlie smiled, and woofed, "I'm Charlie. So, which house is yours? Mine's that gray one across the street." He pointed to it with his muzzle.

Bailey stared at the sidewalk again. "I uh well actually uh I'm a s-stray."

Charlie lifted a paw than set it down. "Oh. I see. Well if you'd like something to eat that's better than garbage, and maybe a place to sleep, you can come to my house if you'd like to. I mean you don't have to but...you can. If you want. My person, David, won't mind at all. He's very nice."

Bailey's gaze remained on the ground. "Well..." She looked up at him again, sitting down. "That would be very nice," she whispered.

Charlie turned to cross the road. "Let's go than, follow me!"

The two dogs crossed the road, and walked up Charlie's driveway, Bailey cowering behind him. Charlie pushed through the dog door. David was sitting at the table, eating his cereal. "Charlie!" He crowed, getting up and hugging the dog. Charlie woofed, licking his cheek. Sasha, Charlie's girlfriend, stood in the doorway to the kitchen, looking on but not coming any closer. David let go of Charlie and moved toward Bailey. "Charlie, where'd you find her?" He asked, than shouted, "Mom! Come here!"

David's mom came into the room. "David, where did you get this dog? We already have two!"

"Mom, Charlie found her!" David reached down to pet Bailey. "Look she's so thin and her fur is all messy. Can we pleeeease keep her?"

David's mom sighed, looking from David, to Bailey, to Charlie and back to David. "We'll ask your father when he gets home tonight. But we can at least give her some food." She patted her knee. "Come here girl!"

Bailey looked at Charlie, who nodded. "Go on, she won't hurt you," he said. Bailey padded to David's mom carefully. She filled an extra bowl with some food, and set it down. "You need some food, doggy. Here, come and eat!" Bailey ran to the food, eating eagerly. David smiled, and went to pet her again.

Charlie sat nearby, observing. Sasha made her way over to Charlie, walking past Bailey with a small nod. She sat down beside him. "Hey Charlie," she woofed, swishing her tail over his. Charlie smiled. "Hi Sash," he greeted her, leaning his muzzle over and licking her cheek. "So, ya think David's parents will let Bailey stay?" He asked her, turning to look at her.

A strange look flickered in Sasha's eyes for a second but it was gone before Charlie had time to think about it. "Well, I don't know," she said without emotion. "There is two of us living here. Three might be a bit...much." She shrugged. "But, I suppose we'll have to wait and find out."

Charlie nodded. "Yes, I suppose..." He trailed off, eyes shifting to look at Bailey. "We need to be friendly to her," he told Sasha. "You know, make her feel welcome."

"Sure," Sasha said offhandedly.

Charlie stood up and woofed to Sasha, "Come on. Let's go say hi." Sasha got to her paws without a word. The two dogs walked to the other side of the kitchen. "David, I"ll drive you to school!" David's mom said as she grabbed her purse. "I need to be at work early today."

David ran out of the bathroom. "Bye Charlie! Bye Sasha! By new dog!" He hollered, getting his backpack than racing out the door with his mom in tow.

Charlie sat down near Bailey. "This is Sasha," he introduced Sasha, who gave a small smile. "Hi," she said.

Bailey wagged her tail. "Hello! Do you live here too?"

Sasha nodded. "Yep! And maybe you will too, if David's parents let you."

Charlie smiled to himself. I think Sasha's warming up to Bailey, he thought happily. That's good. I have a feeling Bailey will be living here.

Charlie stood, and glanced at the clock. "Shit!" He cursed. Bailey raised an eye brow and looked at Sasha, who looked just as confused. I have no clue, Sasha mouthed. "I should have been at the bar five minutes ago! He paced in circles. "Okay. Bailey how old are you?"

Bailey thought for a moment, closing her eyes. "A year and three months," she said.

"Damn," he growled. "Too young to get in the bar...Sasha I don't suppose you want to stay home today?"

Sasha shook her head quickly. "No way, Charlie."

Bailey said, "I can stay by myself."

"No," Charlie said, "I'm sneaking you in. I got a friend who's a bouncer. I can just pay him to let you in. Come on let's go I'm late!"

Bailey followed behind Charlie and Sasha, who were speaking in hushed tones, as they headed towards the bar.

"Charlie I don't know if it's a good idea to bring a minor to the bar," Sasha said worriedly.

"Yeah yeah I know that!" He snapped. "But what choice do I have? I don't want to leave her by herself."

"And why not?" Sasha growled in a whisper.

"Well," Charlie began, "Because if any of my...stray friends decide to show up...you know how they stop by sometimes. Go in and eat... If they show up I don't want her there by herself."

Sasha shrugged. "Yet you are bringing her to a bar! How do you know she won't get beat up? Or raped or kidnapped? If someone makes her drink?"

"I don't know!" Charlie growled. "But we're just about there and I don't need to be feeling guilty."

Sasha quit talking. Both dogs slowed down. The bar was within sight. Charlie turned around to face Bailey. "Bailey, listen to me. If anyone asks you to come with them, or anything along those lines, don't do it and come find me or Sasha. Don't talk to anyone older than me. Stay away from creepers. If someone's drunk and looks like they are coming near you, find me or Sasha. Stay away from corners. And for God's sake don't drink or eat anything!"

Bailey nodded. "Sir, yes sir!" She lifted a paw in salute.

"I'm serious!" Charlie barked.

Bailey laughed. "Okay okay sheesh! I know!"

They headed towards the bar. Charlie went around to a side entrance. A chocolate and white colored bulldog was guarding the door. "Hey Charlie," he greeted, than stopped smiling when he saw Bailey. "How old's she?" He asked gruffly.

"Tyreese dude, I know you aren't supposed to bring minors but please? She won't drink anything I swear," Charlie said hurriedly.

"You didn't answer my question," Tyreese snapped.

"She's a a few months over a year," Charlie replied to his friend.

Tyreese sighed. "Alright, I'll pretend I didn't see you take her in." He turned his head and shut his eyes.

"Thanks dude," Charlie replied, leading Sasha and Bailey into the bar.