Disclaimer: I own nothing affiliated with Disney whatsoever.

Author's note: Welcome to the 10th chapter of this fic. This will be the final chapter of this story, while the next chapter will be an epilogue. I hope you enjoy it. No flames or criticism.

Squad unit 19.

A MOUSIE LOVE TALE

The sound of a rooster was what woke the young mice from their peaceful slumber the next morning. Mickey and Minnie woke up at the same time and blinked as their eyes focused to the light of day. When their vision cleared, they smiled at one another as each were the first thing they saw when they woke up.

"Morning," Mickey greeted with a drowsy smile.

"G'morning," Minnie greeted, smiling a sleepy smile. He yawned which made her yawn too, making a cute little squeak as she finished.

"How'd you sleep?"

"I slept really good," she replied with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I did. I slept like a log," he replied, smiling.

"So you sawing logs was what I heard last night," she joked.

"I don't snore much," he said. She giggled.

"No - you squeak." He grinned.

"I heard you last night too."

"I don't snore."

"No - you squeak too." They chuckled as she nudged him playfully, then she snuggled her head against his shoulder.

"Sorry I snored," he apologized. She nuzzled him affectionately.

"Don't worry, sweetie. You don't snore very much at all. You just whistle a little as you exhale. Besides, it never bothers me. And I didn't wake up any last night. I slept like a log too," she said.

"You don't snore. And I never woke up once last night," he said. She smiled as she leaned up and brushed her lips over his, giving him a good morning kiss.

"Good morning, Mickey."

"Good morning, Minnie." They shared a smile and laid there gazing into each others eyes for a bit before they remembered that it was Monday morning. "We better get up and eat some breakfast."

"Right. We hafta get ready for work soon. What wouldja like to eat?"

"You don't hafta fix me anything," he said humbly. "I can get something at home." She shook her head.

"Oh, no you don't, buster. You're going to stay here and eat," she said with a firm smile. "Besides, I don't mind. I want to."

"I don't wanna eat all your food," he protested.

"I've got plenty of food," she affirmed. "No sense in you goin' home without eating."

"Okay. If you're sure." Smiling, she leaned up and smooched his cheek.

"I'm sure." She eased up, allowing him to get up too, and both stood as they folded their blankets. Afterward, they took each others hand and walked down to the lower section of the barn, and out to the house. Walking inside, Figaro jumped off the love seat and walked over to Minnie, meowing as he greeted her. "Good morning, Figaro," she said, rubbing its back. The young girl mouse turned to her boyfriend. "This is my kitty Figaro." She gestured to Mickey. "Figaro, this is Mickey."

"Hiya, Figaro," Mickey greeted. The little kitten walked over to Mickey and meowed as it rubbed against his leg.

"Aww, he likes you," Minnie smiled, watching the display.

"I like him too," Mickey said as he rubbed the little kitten's back, making it purr. "I want'cha to take care of Minnie when I'm not here, okay?" Figaro meowed and nodded.

"Mickey's going to eat breakfast with us this morning," Minnie told Figaro, who nodded in agreement. Looking back up to Mickey, Minnie started for the kitchen. "So, what wouldja like for breakfast?" He shrugged as he followed her.

"Dosen't matter to me. What would you like?" She turned to him as she stopped in front of the sink.

"You choose. You're my guest."

"But it's your house. You choose."

"No, you." Both started to laugh.

"You know if we keep this up, neither of us will get to eat."

"Okay - how about some pancakes?" she suggested.

"Sure!" he replied.

"Okie-dokie! Pancakes comin' right up!" she said, then opened the cabinet and got out the pancake mix.

"Let me help," Mickey said as he got a frying pan, removed a cover from one of the stove eyes and placed it on it.

"Thanks, but you don't have to, Mickey. I don't mind," Minnie replied gingerly. His offer touched her deeply.

"And I don't mind helping you," he countered with a satisfied smile. Deciding not to argue, she smooched his cheek.

"Thanks, Mickey," she smiled sweetly.

"You're welcome," he replied, slipping an arm around her waist and kissing her cheek, making her giggle.

As Minnie and Mickey started fixing their breakfast, the fun possibilities that presented themselves weren't overlooked by the two young lovers. Mixing the batter provided the first opportunity. Minnie stirred the batter while Mickey added the eggs and flour. As he poured the flour in, it created a small could of white, which gave both mice an idea. Dipping his finger in the flour, Mickey touched it to her cheek, getting a small spot of white on her peach skin. She giggled and returned the favor, dipping her finger into the flour and touching it to his cheek. Both chuckled at this.

Then Minnie dipped her finger into the flour and touched it to his nose, painting a small spot of white on his black nose. She couldn't help but giggle. Deciding to even the odds, Mickey dipped his finger into the flour and touched it to her little black nose, making a little spot of white. Both laughed together. Minnie smiled mischievously as another idea popped into her mind. Setting the bowl on the table, she leaned up to his face, stuck out her tongue, and licked the flour off his cheek. When she pulled back, she had a wide smile on her lips and a pink tint on her cheeks. Grinning, he leaned close to her, deciding to return the favor. She smiled widely in anticipation of what he was doing, and felt her heart skip a beat when she felt his tongue brush across her cheek, licking the flour off. As he pulled away, both had a light blush as they smiled.

Then he picked up a paper towel and gently wiped the flour off her nose. She smiled at him then used the same paper towel to get the flour off his nose. Giving him a kiss on his cheek, she picked up the bowl, turned to the stove and poured the batter into the frying pan while Mickey put the flour back into the cabinet. As he closed the cabinet door, they turned to one another and smiled. He stepped over to her and slipped his arms around her slender waist, and she relaxed instantly as she felt his warm, protective arms around her and his front against her back. She turned her head around and smiled at him, then craned her neck and kissed his lips before smiling at him once more, then turning back to the stove.

"I'll set the table," he said softly, and she quivered as his hot breath caressed the side of her neck. She turned around to him.

"Thanks, sweetie," she smiled. He let go of her - though she didn't mind if he held her all day - and started setting the kitchen table for them. He placed their plates on the counter so she could slide their pancakes over into them. After he finished, he walked back over to the stove and stood next to her as he took a whiff of the yummy smell.

"Mmm, those pancakes sure smell good."

"Thanks. Are ya feelin' hungry?" She flipped one of the pancakes and he was amazed at how easily and swiftly she flipped the pancake and caught it in the pan.

"You bet! I can't wait to dig in to your delicious pancakes." He licked his lips and rubbed his stomach, making her giggle her melodic giggle he loved.

"Well you won't have to wait long. They're almost done." He watched her for a few seconds, admiring how swiftly she flipped the pancake in the pan and caught it with ease. He knew she loved to cook. And anytime she tried out a new recipe, he was the first person she wanted to try it. And he loved everything she made. She was a wonderful cook, and made the most delectable dishes. Even something as simple as homemade pancakes that she made tasted scrumptious. Much better than any he could get from a restaurant. "There - all done." Her sweet, angelic voice brought him from his thoughts back to reality, and he found that their breakfast was done. He watched her place their pancakes in the plates, then put the frying pan in the sink.

"Allow me," he said, picking up the plates and placing them on the table, then pulling out a chair for her.

"Why, thank you," she smiled. She gave him a peck on his cheek before she sat down, then he took his seat next to her and they each held hands as they said their prayer. Afterward, they started eating.

"Thanks for fixin' breakfast, Minnie. This is really good!" he said, taking a bite. She giggled.

"You're welcome, Mickey. I'm glad you like it," she smiled.

"And thanks for having me over. I really appreciate it," he added.

"You're welcome. You're always welcome here. My home is your home," she said. They shared a smile, then continued with their breakfast. After they finished their breakfast, they placed their plates and forks in the sink.

"I'll wash the dishes - since you made breakfast," he told her as he started washing one of the plates.

"You helped me," she pointed out.

"You still did all the work."

"I didn't mind. Besides, I love to cook. It was no trouble at all."

"I'm still going to wash the dishes," he said. She matched the smile he wore as she grabbed the other plate and began to wash it, standing beside him.

"Then I'll help you," she said. They smiled at one another and finished washing the dishes. Afterward, both had to get ready for work. Mickey rode Tanglefoot back home while Minnie started getting ready. After he got home, Mickey started getting ready too. As Minnie checked her appearance in her mirror, she couldn't help but giggle and twirl around on one foot as she thought about the wonderful weekend she had with Mickey. She felt as if she were on cloud nine. She felt so alive. But then Mickey always had that affect on her - making her feel so joyful, giddy and happy. One might could say she was high on love. As she finished her spin, her eyes landed on the picture of him she had setting on her nightstand. The day after they were reunited, when they went out on their date, they had also stopped at a little photo booth to get their picture taken.

In the first photo, Minnie was kissing Mickey's cheek, in the second, he was kissing hers, and in the final one, both were smiling at the camera as they hugged one another. She also had some additional pictures taken of just herself to give to him, and he had done the same for her. She used her printer/copier at home to enlarge a picture of him, then she placed it in a frame and set it on her bedside table. Every morning since, his picture had been the first thing she'd see when she woke up, and he was the last thing she saw before she drifted off to sleep at night. She smiled at his photo as she thought about the boy who had her heart and the key to it since the beginning. As her eyes drifted to the clock, she realized she had to leave for work. Giving herself a quick look over in the mirror, she nodded, rubbed Figaro's back as she bid him a good day,
then got her keys and purse as she headed outside and got in her car.

Just a little way down the road, Minnie met up with Mickey who was just leaving his house, and followed him into town. As Minnie arrived at the diner, she honked her horn at him and he honked back as he drove on to the police station. After stopping her car and putting it in park, the young, little girl mouse unbuckled her seat belt and got out, and ended up skipping merrily into the diner.

"Good morning, girls!" Minnie greeted her friends.

"Morning, Minnie!" Cathy said.

"Good Mornin'!" Ember greeted.

"Sorry if I'm late," Minnie apologized.

"Don't worry; you aren't," Cathy told her.

"Yeah, I just got here a couple minutes ago," Ember said. Cathy was counting the cash in the register while Ember placed some napkins in one of the napkin holders, and both noticed their friend's particularly chipper mood as she walked over to the counter, humming merrily.

"Wow, somebody took a ride on the chipper train this morning," Cathy said, noting Minnie's mood.

"I take it you had a good weekend," Ember reasoned, glancing at the mouse as she placed the napkin holder back on the table.

"Oh, yes. It was wonderful!" Minnie said with a smile. "I had an amazing weekend." She walked around the counter to where Cathy was as she started placing some straws into some of the containers.

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that you spent it Mickey," Cathy surmised with a victorious grin. Minnie stopped what she was doing and looked at her friend quizzically.

"How'd you guess?" Cathy chuckled.

"Isn't it obvious? Why else would you be so chipper today?"

"She's right - surprisingly," Ember agreed, walking over to the counter and earning a narrow gaze from Cathy. "Ever since you and him got back together, you just seem happier. Love can do that." Minnie smiled innocently and blushed a little as she continued what she was doing, knowing it was true. She hadn't told her friends this, but when she was away from him, her life just seemed so dull; empty. Her heart felt empty and broken. But all that changed in the moment their eyes met. No longer did her life feel empty or dull. Now it felt complete and bright. Her heart now felt complete and whole. She just felt so much better physically, mentally and emotionally now that Mickey was back in her life. Truth be told, being away from him was bad for her health. She had him back, and she wouldn't want her life any other way.

"Yeah, you're right. I did spend the weekend with him. I had so much fun."

"So what did you two do?" Cathy asked.

"Cathy!" Ember snapped. "Don't be so nosey. You know what they say: Curiosity killed the cat." The white girl cat rolled her eyes.

"Oh, ha ha, you're so funny. As if I haven't heard that one before." Minnie giggled at her friends. "Why don't you hop back to work?" Cathy teased. Ember smirked.

"I'm already done." Minnie started laughing at this point, and Cathy and Ember joined in the laughter.

"So how was your weekends?" Minnie asked, now finished with the straws as she got her apron and tied it on.

"Well," Cathy grinned meekly, "you're not the only one who hung out with their date this weekend."

"Really?" Minnie looked at both of her friends, and both nodded.

"Oswald and I had a lot of fun this weekend," Ember said with a smile.

"I hung out with Tom, and had a great time," Cathy said. Tom was a tabby cat that Cathy had met a few month ago and the two had become very close.

"Well I'm happy for both of you," Minnie smiled. All three young women smiled at one another, then a customer walked through the front door, making the bell ding and getting the girls' attention.

"And here begins the work week," Cathy said.

Down at the station, Chief O'Hara had called Mickey into his office. Arriving at the chief's office, Mickey promptly knocked on the door.

"Come in, Mickey." Mickey opened the door and stepped into the chief's office. "Have a seat, me boy." O'Hara gestured to the seat in front of his desk, and Mickey did as he was told.

"You wanted to see me, Chief."

"Ay, I did. I have some info for ye about the case." Mickey's eyes widened a little at that mention. He had been looking over the reports from the robberies trying to see if their was anything that would give them a clue, when Casey informed him the Chief wanted to speak with him.

"Really? What have ya got?" O'Hara looked at his desk as his eyes scanned over some papers. Selecting one, he handed it across the desk to Mickey. The mouse looked over the paper, then back up to the chief with a puzzled expression. "This is an accident report."

"Yes it is. That's out break. You remember how the manager of the last store that was robbed came back to get something and thought he heard a vehicle?" Mickey nodded, remembering.

"Yeah."

"He must have spooked the crook. Apparently, as the crook fled the scene he left behind some evidence during his getaway. It seems the crook's truck was hiding in an ally nearby and when the perp left, he was in such a hurry that he damaged his vehicle."

"How'd you find this out?" Mickey wondered. The Chief began to explain.

"It would seem that our crook was in such a hurry to get away, that he side-swiped a parked car on his way. The driver found the car the next morning and reported it to the police. There were scraps and green paint on the side of the car. That's the report from that accident you have there."

"So the getaway car would have some body damage," Mickey mused.

"There's more." Mickey cocked a brow.

"Like...?" O'Hara opened a file and pulled out what looked like a photo. Handing it to Mickey, he saw that it was, indeed, a photo. In it was a green truck.

"That was taken yesterday morning. A camera mounted on a light pole at that intersection captured that photo as that truck sped through a red light. You can see what looks like some scraps on the right side of it." Looking closer, Mickey could faintly make out the scrapes in the side of the truck. "I've already put out an APB for a green truck with body damage, and alerted local garages."

"So now we just have to wait," Mickey said.

"Maybe not so long," the Chief said with a halfway grin. "The camera also captured the van's license plate." Mickey smiled excitedly.

"So we now know what the vehicle looks like and the license number!"

"They may not be the same vehicle, but it's all we have for now."

"I'll keep a lookout for it, Chief," Mickey informed. "I'm gonna stop by the diner and tell Minnie about this. And I'll keep my eyes peeled for it."

"Okay. Thanks, Mickey." After leaving the station, Mickey headed for the diner to tell Minnie about the development in the case. Before long, he pulled up to the diner, parked his car and got out. Minnie was wiping off a table when she heard the bell ring. She glanced at the door and smiled brightly when she saw her favorite mouse in the world walk through the door. She walked up to him, a bright smile across her face.

"Hi, Mickey. A little early for lunch, isn't it?" she giggled.

"Actually, I didn't come here to eat," he explained. "We just had a break in the case." This piqued her curiosity.

"Really?" He nodded.

"Remember the last store that was robbed?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded.

"Turns out the thief got into an accident as he escaped and damaged the truck. Not only that, but the next day, a truck sped through an intersection and the camera got a photo of a of it and its license plate." Minnie's eyes widened as her curiosity rose.

"Is it the same green truck the thief used?"

"We think so, and it should have some damage on the right side of it. Chief O'Hara already alerted all of the officers to keep an eye out. If you happen to see anything suspicious, call me, okay?"

"Don't worry, Mickey," Minnie said solemnly, raising her hand to her forehead in salute motion. "You can count on me."

"I thought I'd drop by and let you know."

"I'm glad you did. Thanks." Her warm smile made his heart flutter.

"Aw, it was nothing," he said bashfully. She smiled at him. She loved how humble and bashful he was. She thought it was sweet and cute.

"Since you're already here, how about something to eat?" she offered. He chuckled.

"Isn't it a little early for lunch?" She grinned.

"How about a late breakfast, then?" Both chuckled. "I suppose I could get a little something to eat," he reasoned. She nodded, and he sat down at the table she had just cleaned as she got out her pen and notepad. "So what would you like?" He thought for a second.

"Well, I'm not really hungry. So I guess I'll just have something light." She thought for a second.

"How about a ham and cheese sandwich?" she suggested.

"Okay. Thanks. I'll take a small soda too, please," he replied.

"You got it." She scribbled it down, then smiled at him. "One sandwich comin' right up." She gave him a wink as she turned and started toward the counter. As Mickey sat there, his vision switched between two directions: the window, keeping an eye out for the van, and Minnie's direction, watching and admiring the young, beautiful and sweet little girl mouse. Though the latter had his attention more. But when he did glance out the window, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. A pickup truck, a minivan, a four-door car, a delivery truck; common vehicles in this little town. Nothing suspicious drove down either lane of the two-lane road that ran outside the diner.

Glancing back in his girlfriend's direction, he saw her walking toward him, carrying the tray.

"One ham and cheese sandwich, and a small soda," she said gingerly.

"Thanks," he smiled.

"You're welcome," she smiled back. After handing her the money for his food, and saying a silent prayer, he took a bite of his lunch. "Anything else I can get you?" she asked in her normal sweet and polite voice.

"No thanks," he replied. She couldn't help but smile as she watched him, but then another customer walked through the door and took a seat. Minnie saw that Ember was busy taking another order, so she knew she had to take this one. She turned back to her boyfriend. "I'm really sorry, but I need to take that order," she said apologetically.

"Don't worry. I'll still be here when you're done," he assured her, making her smile.

"Okay. Thanks, Mickey." She kissed him on his ear, then headed over to the other customer to take their order. It didn't take Minnie long to get the customer's order and take it to them, and once she finished, she headed back over to Mickey's table. He was just taking his last bite as she walked up to him.

"Thanks for the meal, Min," he said.

"You're welcome, Mickey," she replied. "I didn't want you going back to work on an empty stomach."

"Well, I'm definitely full now," he chuckled, making her giggle. "Don't worry; I'll still come by at lunchtime." This made her smile brightly.

"Thank you. I was hoping you would." He stood up and smiled at her, making her heart flutter.

"I wouldn't miss it." She smiled dazedly into his eyes for a moment, lost in them. After a moment, both blushed as they looked away. "Um... I better go and let you get back to work," he said. Though her heart and mind were loudly protesting, she knew she had to get back to work.

"Okay. But I'll see you later," she smiled.

"You know it," he replied. They took each others hands as they closed the distance between them and touched noses for a couple seconds before each pulled back. "If you spot anything-"

"I'll call you immediately," she said.

"Right," he nodded. They shared a smile. "I'll see you later," he said as he let go of her hands and started toward the door.

"See ya. Be careful," she said.

"I will. You, too." She watched him exit the door, then started over toward the counter. Glancing back toward the window, she saw him standing next to his car looking across the street. Curious, she followed his gaze and saw a green truck pulling up to the little hardware store across the street from the diner. A soft gasp escaped her, getting Cathy's attention.

"Minnie? Something wrong?" Ember also looked concerned at her friend.

"I need to take some time off," the little mouse said quickly, then looked t Cathy. "Mickey may need my help." Cathy could see the determined and desperate look in her friend's eyes and knew that Minnie was going with Mickey one way or another. She smiled.

"Go on. Ember and I can hold down the fort while you're gone."

"Yeah, we've got things covered," Ember smiled. Minnie hugged her friends.

"Oh, thank you! Thanks, guys!" Releasing them from her hug, she pulled off her name tag and apron, then dashed around the counter for the door.

"You go, girl!" Ember said encouragingly. Mickey had snuck over to the van and checked out the licence plate and the right side, confirming that it was the right truck. He dashed back over to his car, pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called the police. He closed his phone about the time the truck started to drive away. He opened his door and started to get in, when Minnie came running out of the diner toward him.

"Wait! I'm coming with you," she said determindly. He nodded, knowing protesting would be useless.

"Hope in. That's the truck we're looking for," he told her. She jumped into the passenger seat as he got in, and both buckled their seat belts before they pulled out, tailing the truck. They followed close behind it, but not far enough to be spotted. Pulling up to the next intersection, the mice rolled to a stop behind the truck. Also at the stoplight, on the opposite side of the intersection, was a police car.

"There's the police," Minnie said.

"We better hang back a bit," Mickey said. Once the light turned green, the truck began driving on, while the mice began following it. Glancing behind, the mice watched as the squad car made a U-turn and began following them. The unit passed them in the passing lane, then crossed over in front of them. Then they saw the overhead emergency lights come on. However, the patrol car only sped up, indicating the truck had sped up too.

"He's running!" Minnie exclaimed.

"Hang on, Min!" Mickey advised. Mickey switched on his hazard lights and began following the police car. The truck sped on, trying to elude the police. Another unit soon joined the pursuit as it made its way through town. Mickey and Minnie hung back, letting the police handle the chase, but they did keep up with it. Though Mickey's little jalopy coupe was old, and though not as powerful or as sturdy as the police cars, it still had some fight in it. The mice followed the pursuit as it made its way out of town and made its way down a two-lane country road, and soon made its way onto a dirt road. As the pursuit headed deeper down the road, the mice realized that it was nearing their homes. Soon though, the truck turned down another road, one that was rocky and bumpy.

The road was mainly gravel and dirt, and it shook the jalopy, as well as the young mouse duo inside. The pursuit had slowed down a little due to the road, but up ahead the mice could tell the patrol cars were having trouble too. The truck, however, wasn't having any problems. And to make matters worse, the road was only wide enough for one vehicle, and only had a few places to turn around. The mice were soon prompted to stop when the squad car ahead of them stopped. And when the officer got out, the mice got out to see what was up.

"What's goin' on?" Mickey asked.

"I ran through a pothole and blew a tire," the officer from the first police car answered distastefully. The lead patrol car had blown a tire, and the secondary unit couldn't pass due to the narrow road.

"And we don't have time to get an off-road unit here," the second officer complained. Mickey and Minnie glanced around the area they were in and didn't notice anything familiar. But they did know they were close to their farms. So the road must have ran along the same mountain they went horseback riding on the day before.

"I think I know where he went," Mickey said, thinking.

"So do I," Minnie said. Both mice grinned, then turned and jumped back into their car.

"We think we know where the crook went! Tell Chief O'Hara to come to my house and wait," Mickey hollered to the officers as he jumped inside.

"And tell him to have a cell waiting at the station," Minnie added as she jumped into the jalopy. Mickey quickly turned his car around, then he and Minnie headed back down the road toward their farms. The two officers looked at one another, then one of them picked up the CB and radioed the chief about what the mice said.

It only took about nine minutes for the little mouse couple to get off the mountain road and back to Mickey's house. Arriving, they jumped out of the car, and headed for the barn. After quickly saddling up Tanglefoot, Mickey then helped Minnie onto the horse and he climbed on afterward. She sat behind him with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as they headed down the road for Minnie's house. When they arrived, the young girl mouse hopped off Tanglefoot and headed into the barn where she quickly saddled up Celestial, then climbed onto her back.

"You ready?" Mickey asked her as she rode up alongside him.

"Let's hit it, partner," Minnie smiled coyly. He loved her feistyness and spunkyness. The mice took off together up the mountain trail, heading for the cabin they found the prior day. Both had a hunch it was where their suspect was hiding out. Making their way up the trail, the mice kept alert, being wary of anything that looked even moderately suspicious. Before long, the mice had found their private spot. It still looked undisturbed, but both was glad for that. Hopping off their horses, they tied the reins to a tree, then cautiously and quietly started along the path toward the old cabin. Slowly and cautiously, they walked along the trail, keeping an eye out for bear traps, and other traps that the crook may have set. Minnie stayed right by Mickey, making sure that she was close enough to grab him like before if need be.

Before long, they found the cabin. And instantly, both noticed a bit of smoke coming out of the chimney.

"Wait here," he instructed softly.

"No way," she said, shaking her head. "We're in this together. We're a team." He studied her solemn and determined expression, and knew there was no changing her mind. Sighing, he nodded.

"All right. But stay close and be careful."

"You be careful too." Cautiously, the mice quietly crept up to the side of the cabin, to the window they found before.

"Lift me up; I'll see who's inside," Minnie said. Mickey, though against the idea, interlaced his fingers.

"Be careful, and try not to be seen."

"Gotcha," she replied, and placed her foot in his hands. He lifted her up high enough for her to peer in through the window, and as he lifted her, he blushed upon seeing a little of her frilly white panties peeking out from underneath her short dress. Shaking it off, he steddied his hands so she wouldn't fall, and as she peeked through the window, she saw a man sitting at a table.

"Somebody's in there, but I don't know who."

"See anything else?"

"He's sitting at the table, and..." She looked closer. "Those look like the items stolen from the stores." He helped her back down.

"We need to call the cops." Minnie nodded, then both started back toward the front of the cabin, but a familiar figure stopped them.

"Well, look who we have here."

"Pete!" both mice cried in alarm, before being snatched up by the big cat. He grabbed them, one in each hand.

"Hey, you big palooka!" Mickey snapped.

"Put us down!" Minnie said angrily.

"If it isn't Mickey da Mouse and his little girlfriend. How ya been, Mouse?" Pete sneered. Minnie remembered Pete, too well to be precise. Pete had been Mickey's mean boss at the construction site where he worked. Minnie also remembered different occasions where they had run-ins with the big cat. He had kidnapped her more than a few times and Mickey had always rescued her.

"What the heck are you doin' here, Pete?" Mickey asked.

"Just enjoyin' the great outdoors," the cat sneered, then began to laugh as he started around the front of the cabin. The mice struggled in the cat's grip, but couldn't get free. The cat burst through the door of the cabin, carrying the mice with him.

"Hey, Dexy! Look who I found snoopin' around outside." The man at the table looked up.

"I told you; don't call me Dexy!" Then he looked at the mice. "So we have a couple of snoops, huh?"

"You're the one who robbed those stores, aren't you?" Mickey said, glaring at Pete. "You robbed all those stores and used this cabin as your hide out."

"This is where you hid all the stuff you stole too, isn't it?" Minnie added.

"Well done, runts, you figured it out," Pete laughed. "With the help of my partner here and his gizmos, we're gonna rob this whole town!"

"Tie them up in the bedroom. We don't want them getting away," the man instructed, sitting back down at the table.

"You won't get away with this!" Mickey said. Pete scoffed.

"And how are you little pipsqueaks gonna stop us, huh? Har har har!" He then got Mickey by his tail, holding him up.

"Put him down!" Minnie snapped, angry at the sight of Pete holding Mickey up by his tail. Anybody that messed with Mickey, messed with her too. Pete only laughed as he looked at her.

"And what are you gonna do about it, little lady? You're just a little mouse," Pete said, now holding Minnie up by her tail too.

"I'll show you little..." Minnie and Mickey caught each others eye and winked, then Minnie decked Pete in his eye, making him drop the mice. Once on their feet, each stomped on one of Pete's feet.

"Yeoww!" Then Mickey jumped up and slugged Pete, knocking him out. The big cat hit the floor - hard. The man at the table jumped up and started for the back room, but Mickey and Minnie were right behind him.

"Hey!" the mice yelled. Being mice, Mickey and Minnie had a better advantage as they caught him and tackled him to the ground.

"I've got this crook. Find some rope to tie 'em up with," Mickey said.

"You sure?" Minnie questioned. She wasn't about to leave Mickey with this nut, not even for a second.

"Don't worry; I've got him," he assured with a confidant smile. "We just need some rope to truss them up."

"I'm on it," she said, getting up and looking for some rope. She quickly found some and brought it back to Mickey, then both began to tie up the man.

"Looks like you're a little tied up," Mickey said with a chuckle, standing up. Minnie chuckled too, then caught him in a tight hug.

"Oh, Mickey, you did it! You caught the bad guys!" she cheered, then kissed him a few times on his face.

"We did it, Minnie. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for all your help," he smiled.

"You're welcome. I wanted to help you. And I told you we're a team," she smiled, then pecked his lips.

"Come on; let's tie up Pete before he wakes up," Mickey said.

"Right," she agreed with a chuckle. Both then tied up the big unconscious cat, and the man back to back. As they did, the man explained that there was another horse nearby they had used to get to the cabin. Mickey then got an idea.

"Hey, Minnie. You thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked with a wide grin. Minnie matched his expression, as she had the same idea as him.

"I sure am," she replied.

Back at Mickey's house, Chief O'Hara and a few other officers sat waiting for any word from the mice.

"Where are those kids?" O'Hara pondered aloud, looking at his watch.

"They said for us to meet them here," one of the officers replied, leaning against the front of a squad car.

"But that was over twenty minutes ago," the chief remarked.

"You want us to-"

"Look!" O'Hara looked toward where one of the officers was pointing.

"Well I'll be."

There, coming down the road on horseback, was Mickey on Tanglefoot and Minnie on Celestial. Riding between them was another horse with two men, both tied up, riding it, and the mice were each holding one end of the rope.

"Here ya go, Chief," Mickey said as they rode up.

"Two crooks all tied up for you," Minnie said.

"So these are the crooks that's been robbing stores?" The mice hopped off their horses and stood close to one another.

"Yep. Turns out this guy," Mickey pointed at the other man that was tied up, "made a glass cutter that Pete used to cut through the windows in the shops. He also made a device that could hack into the breaker box and disable the electricity. That's how Pete was able to break in without setting off the alarms," Mickey explained.

"When he left, he used the glue this guy made to glue the window's securely back into place. After cutting the windows, Pete would glue the windows back in, and when he was done, he'd exit out the front door since he was able to unlock it from the inside. He'd lock it back as he left, so that's why the locks showed no forced entry," Minnie explained.

"So what about the last robbery? How did the crook escape," O'Hara questioned.

"He hightailed it out the back door," Mickey replied simply. "He heard the vehicle pull up, grabbed his stuff, and escaped through the back door, locking it as he went."

"He jumped in the green truck and headed for their hide out up that mountain road," Minnie elaborated. "They went so far up the road, then ditched their truck and used a horse they had hiding nearby to make it the rest of the way."

"Well, thanks to you kids, these two won't be robbing anymore stores for a while. I owe you both a big thanks," O'Hara said.

"No biggie," both mice replied nonchalantly.

"How'd you manage to catch the both of them?" The mice looked at each other with a smile as they took one another's hand, then looked back to the chief.

"Teamwork."

"Well you two make a great team," the chief complimented. The mice looked at one another and smiled, both knowing that statement was true. They really did make a great team. As the cops hauled the crooks off to jail, Mickey and Minnie watched the police cars drive away.

"Thanks again for all your help, Minnie. I couldn't have done it without you," Mickey said, smiling at her. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"You're welcome, Mickey. I'm glad I could help you," Minnie replied, smiling back at him. Then she giggled as she turned fully to him and circled her arms around his shoulders as she stood on one foot. "I told you we're a team."

"Yes, you did. And we make a good one at that," he replied, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"We make a great team," she smiled. Sharing a smile, both then leaned close and shared a kiss, making her moan as her leg rose higher behind her. What the chief said was true; the young mouse couple really did make a great team.

A.N.: There is still one chapter coming up - the epilogue. Also, the man, "Dexy", is actually Dexter Dingus from the comic "The Right Mouse For The Job", Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, October No. 637, and "The Great Birthday Robbery", Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, November No. 638.

Squad Unit 19.