Disclaimer: I do not own All Dogs Go to Heaven or any part of it. Ownership of the characters, plots, etc. belong to MGM, if I recall correctly. However, the fan character Keith Wiles does indeed belong to me; do not use him without permission.

An All Dogs Go To Heaven Fanfiction

A Soul's Price

Chapter 2: Look, A Distraction

The next day was much brighter than the rainy day before, and unbeknownst to the young boy David and his two dogs, Charlie and Sasha, that day was a little more bright and happy in more ways than one. The sun shined down on the San Francisco streets, warming its denizens.

Charlie and Sasha were out on a walk with David that fine morning. Charlie was a little bit hung over that day – only the other day had he been cleared of the accusations of abusing his role as a guardian angel. Because of this, those over at La Fleur Den, better known to its denizens by its English name, The Flea Bite, had a huge celebration. Through his muddled, clouded brain all Charlie knew that night was one thing: if he had another thought of being forced to work for Belladonna in hell, it would be too soon.

Charlie's head ached like a son of a gun, the bright sunlight and noises of the people all around him making him miserable. He stumbled about, whining softly now and again when the noise level was a bit too much for him.

"Man", he groaned, "does everyone and their grandma have to be outside today?"

Sasha chuckled next to him. She kept her voice down, however. The reason she did this was due to the miracle Charlie had performed on her those many days ago, the same day he met the boy David. Because of it, she still to that day had the power to speak English. Chances were high she would end up drawing unwanted attention if someone suddenly heard the Irish Setter talking; bad enough the two were anyway, as they walked obediently ahead of David without any leashes on.
"A little too much to drink last night, Chucky?" she said with a grin.

"Do NOT", said Charlie, "call me that"

David agreed. "That's not funny, Sasha", he said, "Not one bit"

Sasha shook her head. "Alright, I admit that's true. Sorry about that". Not thinking too much into it, Sasha's paw was metaphorically in her mouth over calling Charlie a nickname Belladonna gives him from time to time.

Charlie shrugged. "No big deal", he said, "Just… this darn hangover's killing me is all"

As soon as Charlie finished his sentence, he heard something. To David it would be another bark of a dog, but to Charlie and Sasha it was their native tongue. The voice sounded smooth as silk as it called out, "Hey, hon… come on over here".

Charlie smiled softly, the voice attracting him to the sound of the voice like a bee to honey. "Hmmmm. Halo. Who do we have here?" With that he walked into the alleyway, abandoning David.

"Hey!" called out Sasha. "Charlie, what do you think you're doing?" By then however Charlie had slunk into the lane, and sighing followed him. "Be right back, David", she told her owner. "Have to try and talk some sense into your 'guardian angel'".

Charlie, deep into the alley, looked about. There appeared to be some bloodstains on the pavement below him, which he walked around. At the very back, by a wooden fence, was indeed a dog. She was a beagle. "Hey cutie", she cooed, padding over to Charlie. "What's your name?"

Charlie sat back on his haunches and slicked back the fur on his head as if it were hair. "The name's Charlie, babe", he said coolly.

"Nice to meet you, Charlie", said the beagle. "You can call me Tara" Immediately Sasha's voice broke up the two's introduction.

"Charlie!" she called.

"Hey, lighten up a bit, Sasha", responded Charlie. "Just seeing a new face"

Tara giggled. "She your mate, Charlie?" Charlie was not sure what to respond to that. He and Sasha had been having sort of an on-and-off, love-hate relationship. Sure, he could easily call her his girlfriend, but would she say the same? Would she consider Charlie her boyfriend?

Keeping it cool, Charlie shrugged once more. "You could say that", he responded.

Sasha rolled her eyes. "Hi, Tara", she said quickly, "I'm Sasha, nice to meet you". With that she added at a normal pace, "Charlie, can we go now? David was taking us for a walk, if you forgot, and I don't have a good feeling about this all"

Tara smiled. "Come on now, Sash, I don't bite"

"Yeah", added Charlie, "Would you loosen up a bit? We're just having a little meeting. I don't think David would mind us talking for awhile. Besides, what could possibly happen?"

Charlie and Sasha would soon find out.

As soon as Charlie's maw shut, all three of the canines picked up David's distressed voice. "Yikes!" he cried, "Get away from me!"

"I dunno", shot back Sasha sternly, "How about that?" With no time to lose she bounded after her owner, Charlie following suit.