Note: *sigh* Once again I am letting you know that I had nothing to do with creation and concept of Ducktales…This story however is all me!

WARNING!! This story may actually have a plot forming at this point…and it may or not be half over…Just a heads up.

Beagle Without a Mask

Chapter 10

Preparations…

"Well, this is the last of 'em. Where ya want it Mr. Mc D?"

Scrooge looks up from the jeweled necklace he'd been inspecting with his magnifying glass. "Oh, um, just right there is fine, lad."

Launchpad McQuack grunts under the weight of the wooden crate, setting it down slowly. Once relieved of the load, he stands up straight to stretch out his back. "Wooh! Thought I'd never get all of it up here." He takes his pilot's cap off, fanning himself with it. "Just my luck the elevator's busted too."

"Uncle Scrooge didn't wanna pay the electrician to fix it," said Louie from behind a large antique vase, peeking through one of the handles attached to its side. "Says he was overcharging."

"He always says they're overcharging." Dewey mutters while spraying window cleaner on a glass display case, containing a number of worn doubloons.

Louie, attempting to polish a number of other gold pieces he'd pulled from one of the numerous crates, smirks up at his brother. "I'm beginning to think that Uncle Scrooge's definition of 'overpaying' is any price with more than one zero added to it." The triplets snicker at this, their uncle's harsh tone silencing them.

"I heard that, boys." Scrooge rolls his eyes. He couldn't help but smile, knowing they were only trying to pass the time quicker by amusing themselves. It was Saturday after all, probably the worst possible time during the week to ask for his nephews' help in getting his private museum ready for the charity ball he'd be hosting next week. Lucky for him they were still at an age where the mention of a higher allowance was still appealing.

Launchpad shrugs, replacing his head gear. "Ah, it's no problem. I'm always more than happy to help out for charity." He clears his throat, nudging Scrooge. "Especially if there were a pretty good chance that, oh I don't know, maybe someone would offer an invitation of sorts. Take part in the festivities, ya think?"

Scrooge turns to look up at the pilot. "Launchpad, ya can't actually be serious. It's not exactly that easy." He continues while still looking over a pair of earrings that he was hoping contained authenticate rubies. "I can't just openly invite someone, they need to offer up a generous donation of sorts, or-" He stops, changing the subject. "well, it just can't be done. That's all."

"A generous donation?" repeats Huey. "But Uncle Scrooge, I'd call hauling this stuff up all those stairs and bringing it all back from Florida is more anyone at that stuffy ball is going to do."

"Plus, I thought each guest could invite at least one person to go with them," adds Louie.

"Hey, yeah!" It's Dewey's turn to pipe up. "Why don't you just take Launchpad, Uncle Scrooge? It's not like you ever have a date to take to these things."

Scrooge frowns at them. "Gee, thanks lads." He then looks to Launchpad again. "Oh, well. When they put it that way, I suppose it only makes sense to offer you an invite. So how 'bout it?" He asks, not too enthused about watching Launchpad like a hawk for an entire evening in hopes of him not breaking anything just by looking at it.

"Sure, Mr. Mc D! It's a date!" He pats him on the back. "So is it alright if I wear my vampire costume? I been dyin' to see if it still fits."

The older duck looks on at him blankly, always concerned about the goofy pilot's sanity. Almost more so than his own at times. "Launchpad, what're you talking about?"

Launchpad frowns. "Hang on a second? You mean to tell me that you're having a party on the same week as Halloween, and nobody's gonna wear a costume?" He shakes his head in disappointment. "Where's yer holiday spirit Mr. McDuck?"

"Are you out of your air-headed mind? It's a charity ball, not a Halloween party!"

"He's got a point Uncle Scrooge." Huey comes to stand at his side, his brothers not far behind. "The least you could do is let us wear our costumes if we have to go. Otherwise what's the point?"

Scrooge points down at the triplets who stare up at him hopefully. "First of all, I never said you three were going. It's for a adults, there's nothing for you boys to do. Secondly, it's too late to make it a costume ball. It's a black-tie affair only." He pauses, seeing Launchpad brighten at a sudden thought. "And don't you even think you can get away with still wearing those ridiculous plastic teeth, or that cape, neither! No costumes." He eyes him sternly. "Is that understood?"

Launchpad slumps forward. "Yes, sir…but what if I-"

"No capes, Launchpad!"

He kicks at the floor. "Ah, shucks."

A few minutes later, the three young ducks are once again working on their assigned tasks, quietly sharing their opinions as to why they had to help set up for the event if they weren't even going to it. Launchpad had decided to stay and help with the artifacts, only working on the crates containing works of art, old tapestries or anything else that wasn't breakable, at Scrooges "request". The billionaire himself decided to move into his office to finish examining the priceless studded jewelry; an assortment of necklaces, rings, medallions, and other golden and silver items, all adorned with precious gems such as rubies, diamonds, opals, sapphires, and a variety of stones that dazzle under the lamp light of his desk.

He admires a large golden wristband, studded with emeralds of all shapes and sizes. The way the light danced off the brilliant metal in his hands always brought a warm feeling to his old heart. A smile crosses his beak.

"Ah, beautiful gold," he says aloud to himself. "Where would I be without ya?"

Probably in the poor house.

Scrooge shudders at the thought. He replaces the gold piece on his desk next to an array of similar accessories, letting out a sigh before glancing over to his right at the extraordinarily large vault door taking up the majority of the well furnished room. He leaves it ajar this time of day, not wanting to keep heaving open the huge metallic door every twenty minutes.

He abandons the treasures on his desk, wanting to admire his own at the moment. He walks through the opening, leaning on the railing welded onto the small landing looking over the inside of his bin. The many gold coins, mixed in with several bills of different value, seemed to illuminate the entire room in the light cast down by the lamps he'd had installed not long after he'd constructed the building, wanting to see every last cent of his vast fortune.

McDuck knew almost everyone fantasized about being able to see every penny to their name in one large bulk. It was different than reading a bank statement or visiting an ATM. This way, you could see all of it for yourself. True, not all people wished for it to be in gold form such as himself. Others would choose to see it in bills, small or large. The smart thing would be to have it organized and labeled in bundles, at a glance making it easy to see how much there was. But where was the fun in that? It was much more thrilling to throw piles of single bills up above one's head, wallowing in them like a child playing in a pile of newly raked leaves

He smiles again. Boy, ain't that the truth!

After a moment, his expression changes, now solemn at remembering that not everyone had this luxury, but still desperately wanted to experience it. Naturally not just the poor come to mind. He furrows his brow at the memories surrounding him. The bad ones.

The Beagle Boys. His mind is once again on the newspaper from this morning, and the conversation with Duckworth on the drive to work and what he'd said about them not being in the news much lately;

"It's almost as if they've decided to call it quits…if only for a short time. But, you never know."

He stood by what he'd responded with; something wasn't right. They'd never gone this long without attempting something, the only time being when they were all incarcerated at once. Unfortunately that wasn't the case as of late.

He wasn't sure if it was relief he was feeling, or concern that his fortune had been left alone. Though normally, the longer they waited to launch an assault at his bin or mansion, the more time they had to perfect their latest scheme, giving them more of an advantage.

And yet, as he continued to gaze down at the contents within the great cement tower surrounding him, he felt a twinge of…guilt? But why?

Looking back, Scrooge couldn't remember a time in his life after he'd come to America from Scotland that Ma Beagle and her bunch hadn't been there every step of the way, even when he barely had enough money to get by. It's almost as if they were meant to haunt him and his family for as long as it took until they'd gotten what they wanted.

He hated to admit it at times, but he couldn't help admiring their persistence, their determination. Ma Beagle had always meant well by her family, always looking out for them…even if it did mean screwing over everyone else to give them a better life.

Her life couldn't have been easy, that had always been a given. Having to raise that many troublesome boys had to have been next to impossible. The thought of her doing it without a father around baffled him. Perhaps if she'd actually had a fortune of her own then crime wouldn't have been necessary. The Beagle Boys could've actually had a good life…no crime, no larceny or petty theft, no scams…no more failed attempts at robbing an old billionaire duck's money bin-

"Sir, do I perhaps detect a of hint of concern for your enemies?"

Scrooge pinched the bridge of his beak. I wish Duckworth would stop putting thoughts like that into my head.

He turns, heading back to his desk, hoping to take his mind off of the strange empathy he suddenly felt for his most hated counterparts…other than Glomgold, that is.

Bonnie clears her throat before speaking into her cell phone, keeping an eye out for her brothers.

"Hey, Jack, it's Bonnie…Listen, we're, uh, still on for Wednesday, I just wanted to give you a call and let you know that, Jenny and I have gone on a little trip. Nothing big, just felt like going camping for a few days…kind of a pre-Halloween thing; smores, ghost stories, the whole nine yards…so anyway, I might not have service out here, but just in case you tried to contact me, at least now you know."

She smiles to herself. "I can't wait for next week. I'll talk to ya later."

She closes her cell, watching the glow of the display finally dim to blackness. She hated leaving voicemails. But she'd had a feeling Officer Russell would come looking for her before their date…if not him, then Pinscher.

She'd suggested they stop at a rest area before driving the next couple of miles into the forest to get home, not only to make the call but to clear her head.

Bonnie leans up against the man-made wooden barrier, breathing in the cool autumn air as she looks out over the tree tops, grateful for the "photo-op" next to the small road side stop. The view and sound of the small river in the distance was always so relaxing when she'd been younger, going back and fourth from Duckburg to her mother's house. At least once, either to or coming from the city, she'd pull over, getting an eyeful of the sight before her. No matter how troubled she was, she could always clear her mind…feel like herself again. Clearing her mind of-

Wait.

She furrows her brow, searching the landscape, confused. Her mind was having difficulty processing a sudden thought at the sight before her…

When did I ever stop here and get out of the car…? I've, never stood out on this ledge before…have I?

She glances over her shoulder. The small wooden building that housed the restrooms was just off to the side of the highway, two of her brothers, Burger and Babyface, lean up against it while waiting to get back in the car. But she couldn't recall ever using them until today. She'd only just passed it while on the road. Thinking harder, she honestly couldn't recall a single time that she'd actually taken time to look out over any of this.

And yet… Why did it feel so, familiar…?

She shakes her head, rubbing at her eyes furiously. Get a grip, girl. Don't go crazy on me just yet…we've got a sick mother to see…

Bonnie takes another deep breath to calm her sudden anxiety. She glances to her left, seeing two people leaning onto a similar wooden barrier, also looking out into the distance.

Bonnie had to smirk. Well, at least someone is enjoying the view…

"It's gorgeous out here isn't it?" asked Jennifer, her eyes drinking in the view before them. She looks over at Bigtime. "You are so lucky to have grown up out here, ya know that? I would've killed for that chance!"

He shrugs. "I guess…never really did much sight seeing. Kind of always wanted to, though."

"Why didn't you?" Jenny inquires, keeping her voice low. "I know I would almost everyday if my family lived out here." She pauses. "I figure that'd be a good reason for you to. Ya know, get outta the house. Take a break every so often?"

He suppressed a laugh. "Yeah, right. Like I ever had time…They're the whole reason I never leave the house…I'm surprised I left last night."

She looks on at him curiously, leaning further onto the log barricade. He catches himself before he inadvertently looks down her shirt. Although this one wasn't as revealing as the one she'd had on earlier that morning, this one having long sleeves, it failed to do much for concealing the top of her chest area. He only hoped she'd put on the sweater wrapped around her waist before they reached the house. His brothers would be a little less discreet than he was around a pretty face, with accentuating curves to match.

"Why's that?" she asks simply.

"Well," he began. "Because, believe it or not most of my family isn't all that smart…I hate to say it, but, without me or Ma there, things just sorta fall apart around there; no one thinks about how to support each other, what to do if there's a heist or robbery, nobody else makes plans but me and her. Hell, they don't even think about where the next meal comes from!" He rubs the nerve points between his eyes. "It's just, too much of a headache to up and leave. Even for a few hours…I have a feeling I'm not gonna like what I see when we get out there."

Jenny giggles. "Oh, come one. They can't be that bad." She stops, seeing his arched brow as he stares up at her. "Really? Wow…I guess Bonnie wasn't kidding about you being a full time babysitter, huh?"

He gives a weak smile, nodding.

Jennifer looks up to their right. "Huh," she states. "Wonder who she's talking to?"

Bigtime follows her gaze, seeing his not so little sister holding a cell phone to her ear. She's facing away from them, but when she turns slightly, he notices her smiling at whoever it is she's talking to. After a moment, he watches as she flips it shut, staring down at it for a moment before looking out at the view of the forest and river, just as he and Jennifer were.

He looks on at her for a moment longer, wondering what's going through her mind…and what would be said once back with Ma Beagle. As much as he'd want her help, Bonnie deserved better. He just hoped she thought about herself coming first once their mother brought up the concept of the youngest Beagle filling her shoes. If he knew his baby sister, and he did, she'd eventually give in, her feelings getting the best of her-

"Hey, Bigtime?"

"Hmm." He looks back over at Jennifer, surprised to see her watching Bonnie with sad eyes. Her gaze lingers on her friend for a moment before she meets his. She doesn't respond right away, prolonging the eye contact between them. He swallows the lump in his throat.

"I've been wondering something," she finally says, not breaking her stare. She bites her bottom lip. "But, I'm a little afraid of what the answer will be…"

"W-What's that?" He clears his throat. His voice had almost come out in a squeak. Probably afraid if what she said next had to do with the moment between them on the rooftop of Swan Heights earlier that morning. Despite the cool breeze around them, he starts to sweat. "Er, what do ya mean?"

"Well." She glances over in Bonnie's direction again before getting back to him. "I was just curious about…um…"

"Yeah?" he asks, moving a little closer to her. "It' all right Jenny…you can tell me."

He'd almost sighed when she smiles at him. God, her eyes…I could look into 'em all day…they're so-

"Why was Bonnie never involved in crime? I mean, what steered her away from it?"

Bigtime stares. "Oh." He steadily moves back a little, hoping she didn't notice. He clears his throat again, gathering his thoughts. "Well, that's a little hard to say…" He pauses, stealing a side glance at Bonnie again. "Actually, no…it's not."

She looks on at him quizzically. "Why?"

Bigtime doesn't respond right away, looking back behind him to make sure no one's watching them. If he was going to share this with her, he didn't want to have any interruptions. It was a story that was difficult for him to get through. But since no one ever brought it up, it had never been a memory he'd wanted to dwell on for more than he had to.

But Jennifer had earned his trust, as well as Bonnie's…and for as long as he could remember…ever since that horrible day…trusting in another person wasn't something that came easy for her. Not anymore.

Especially in Ma Beagle…

Bigtime Beagle takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He avoids looking into her eyes this time, not wanting to see the change of emotion that waves over them…

He begins to tell Jenny about the day that made Bonnie Bettina Beagle refuse to wear her mask…

Alright! We finally get to see why Bonnie has such a problem with the family business... DUN DUN DUN!!

But, unfortunately there's just a little bit more to it than that. Never fear, all will be revealed in time...

Stay tuned...and review...but only if you feel like it....cuz then it tells me that people are actually reading it!

That makes updates come faster. Inspire me people!!!