Note: I own nothing associated with Disney…which I feel is such a crime, since Disney belongs to the kid in all of us. :)

Beagle Without a Mask

Chapter 1

There is another…

Silence fills the air in the small weathered house, only broken by the light rainfall outside; drops softly making contact with the glass windows. The pine trees in the forest surrounding the building sway back and fourth with the brisk October wind. A fire burns brightly in the old stone fireplace, giving off a comforting warm glow; the perfect peaceful end to a chilly autumn afternoon.

But today is no ordinary autumn day, and this is no ordinary cottage in the middle of the woods. It's a hideout; a refuge for the most ruthless lowlifes to ever grace the suburban streets of Duckburg with their presence. A safe place to go after being released from prison either by conventional means, or by their own frowned upon methods; busting out. To the infamous criminal syndicate known as the Beagle Boys, this nearly rundown cabin in the middle of nowhere isn't just a sanctuary from the local authorities. For them it's home, and for one singular reason; Bettina "Ma" Beagle.

Normally the very thought of being home on a night like this was enough to brighten any dark mood. But tonight was different; even with the flames burning brightly through the night to warm the small house, it does nothing for the numbness running through each of the seven Beagle brothers, one way or another finding their way back to the most important influence in their lives. Instead of being welcomed in with open arms, they're met with something unheard of; even heartbreaking. Something none of them were prepared for...

They continue to look down at their mother's bed in silence, each of them holding their hats glumly. A few of them are fighting back tears, hoping the others don't notice. The site of her being so ill is almost too much to bare. Only one of them has the courage to be at her side, attempting to be strong for the rest of them. He holds her frail hand in his tightly, speaking softly; so unlike his usual gruff demeanor.

"Ma," Bigtime says quietly. "You awake? It's us…we, came as soon as we heard."

He can feel his throat closing in on itself at the silent response, but ignores it, squeezing her hand. "Ma?"

Slowly, Ma Beagle opens her eyes, looking around the room, receiving slightly brightened reactions from her boys. A grim smile crosses her lips at seeing who's at her side. He returns the expression, eyes beginning to sting from tears threatening to fall. He keeps them at bay. He was the leader, and leaders didn't cry. Well, not him anyway. When she finally speaks, the voice that they were all expecting to hear doesn't come. Instead, it's weak and brittle; nothing like the mother they remember.

"Hello, boys. It's so nice to, see you all here…together."

Bigtime can feel his bottom lip begin to quiver, but fights to keep it under control. He has to be strong; just like Ma always taught him, he has to be strong. "We all came as soon as we got yer message. How ya feelin'?"

She sighs, going into a small fit of raspy coughs. One of them-Burger-can't stand it anymore as he steps outside of the room, hidden from the others as he begins to quietly sob. She still looks on at the son next to her with glazed eyes, smiling at his usual take-charge attitude, attempting to return the embrace on his hand. She shakes her head. "Boys…I'm afraid I'm not doin' so well."

Bankjob kneels down at the side of the bed opposite of Bigtime, holding onto his green cap vastly. "What do ya mean, Ma? What is it?"

She finally breaks away from Bigtime's solemn gaze. "I don't really know how to tell you all this." She pauses to cough a few more times. "But, I'm afraid you're poor, old mother doesn't have much time left…" She looks all of them over with the same weak smile, already come to terms with her fate. "Not long from now…I'm gonna be leavin' this world."

The silence between all of them is finally broken by a number of things; at least three different hats are dropped onto the floor out of shock. There's a stunned gasp from two of them, followed by "Oh, no" and "What?" coming from either Baggy or Bebop, while Bouncer Beagle can only lean up against the wall, staring down at the old wooden floor boards under his feet. The loudest is Burger, who finally lets out a grieving howl just outside of the room. Babyface goes out to join him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder as he cries in silence.

"No!" Bankjob shakes his head vigorously. "No don't...don't be ridiculous, Ma!" he says desperately. He gets closer to her. "You'll be fine. Ya just, need to rest! That's all it is."

She shakes her head slowly. "I'm afraid that ain't gonna do the trick this time, honey." She sees all of their different reactions to the news, somewhat surprised at how they're all taking it. When she speaks again, it's only directed at six of them, as one of them had already known this was coming; his grip on her hand only getting tighter. "Now you've all known I've been sick off and on like this for a while. Besides; I ain't gettin' any younger." She stops to take a breath. "But it'll be alright, once I'm gone you'll-"

"Don't say things like that, Ma," Bebop blurts.

"Yeah," adds Baggy. "Ya still got a lot uh years left in ya."

"Ya can't leave us now, Ma," says Bouncer feebly, joining the other two, the tears formed in his eyes beginning to fall. "We need ya."

"Yeah! Plus, you've always been the one to get us all outta trouble. What're we gonna do if you leave us?" Bankjob takes her free hand as he says this, unknowingly receiving a glare from Bigtime as he does. "Who else is gonna bake a cake with a shovel in it, or grenade brownies-"

"I'm sure we'll manage, Bankjob," Bigtime finally speaks through grit teeth, not agreeing with his older brother's method of grieving.

Bankjob returns the glare. "All I'm sayin' is that we've relied on her for a lot. If it wasn't for Ma, we'd all be shipped off the Aquatraz for life!"

"How 'bout we not make this about us for once." Bigtime doesn't look away from his oldest brother. "I'm sure not bein' the center of attention for once ain't gonna kill ya."

Bankjob narrows his eyes at the shorter Beagle, clenching a fist and cracking his knuckles. "I'd watch that tone uh yours, Big, if I were you. It might get ya into trouble with the wrong people-"

"Uh huh." Bigtime noticeably rolls his eyes, hoping it hides his true angst towards the larger thug. "Bank, if you were me you'd actually be smart enough to figure out yer own prison breaks, instead of having yer Mommy do it for ya-"

"Yer askin' for it, Runt!" He threatens to throw a punch.

Bigtime goes to stand, ready for a fight, but is held down by his mother's hand. He sees her pleading look, deciding against his actions. He quickly sits back down, ignoring the fuming Bankjob ready to sock him in the jaw.

"Sorry, Ma." He lowers his voice, a little ashamed at his behavior while she's in this state. "It won't happen again. We promise." This last part was directed up at Bankjob, only receiving a cold stare in return before getting back to her. "Listen, you've had a lot uh excitement for one day," he offers. "How 'bout we let ya get some rest?"

She gives him another weak smile. "Whatever you think is best, Sweetheart." He goes to leave, but she stops him by grasping at the hem of his shirt. "Not you, Dear…I need to speak to you a moment…alone." She glances at everyone in the room, this being their cue to leave, receiving all understanding nods of response but a rather hurt look from her eldest boy. Reluctantly, they all begin to pile out of the room, Bankjob clearly hesitant to leave her and Bigtime even half a second alone together. But after a quick glance back over his burly shoulder, he follows his younger brothers, shutting the door behind him, leaving the one son once again holding onto his mother's hand.

Bigtime shakes his head, wishing he wasn't so thickheaded sometimes-

"You shouldn't let him get to you, son…he just doesn't know any better."

He brings his attention away from the door, seeing her once again look upon him with admiration. For some reason he found it to be a little unnerving. He sighs deeply. "I know, I know…It's just, he gets on my nerves is all…always thinkn' about himself."

Bigtime feels something warm on the side of his face. He looks up to see that she'd placed a motherly hand on his cheek. He suddenly begins to feel a wave of sadness hit him, finding it even more difficult to hold back tears as she continues to smile at him. He doesn't know how much longer he can look on at her without breaking down…

Although he fights against his tears, she doesn't, welcoming them as they well up in her eyes. She studies every inch of his features, a mother doting over her child. "My Little Big," she says quietly, stroking his cheek. "You've grown up so much."

Bigtime grimaces, but welcomes the affection. "Ma, please don't call me that…I don't like it."

"I know you hate that nickname, but it makes me happy to say it…reminds me when you were just a boy." She shakes her head, her smile slightly faded. "You were all so innocent then-"

"Ma, seriously." He brings his hand up to rest on hers, now very worried. "Yer startin' to sound delirious. You should really get some rest."

"I will, Sweetheart. I will. But first…" She lowers her hand, now grasping his stronger one. She takes a deep breath.

"What is it, Ma?" he asks, eyebrow raised. "What's so important that the others couldn't hear? Why just me?"

She looks down for a moment before once again seeing into his eyes. "Bigtime. When I'm gone…I want you take care of your brothers, even Bankjob."

Bigtime only stares at her in surprise. He hadn't been expecting this. He's about to protest, but she's already speaking again.

"But you can't do it alone. You'll need help." She pauses, catching her breath. "Listen to me very carefully, son…"

Bigtime is wide-eyed as he leans in, now more curious than worried. Her eyes are still glazed over, but her tone is very serious. He can't recall her ever looking so sincere, yet grave at the same time.

"You need to find someone who's understanding towards what it is we do for a living…someone who'll be there to help you out of those tight spots, when the rest of you aren't able to help one another. You need to find a way to keep the peace between all of you, so you don't end up at each others throats."

He had to smile at this. She was right about one thing; members of the Beagle family we're known for their tendencies to start random fights and brawls, mostly with each other. But when the occasion called for it, they always had the back of the one who needed it most, despite any of their differences.

"You need to remember who you all are; a family. I'm not going to be around to remind you all of that. But you will be."

Bigtime expresses a frown. "Ah Ma, you know us Beagles ain't good with gushy stuff-"

She nods. "Which is exactly why you need someone who is; someone who will keep you all together when things get too tough for ya…give you a pat on the back, or maybe even a hug once in a while…"

She lifts his head up a little more so he faces her. "You boys may not realize it, but you need a woman's touch every now and then."

He raises an eyebrow. "But Ma…there ain't nobody who can do all that. Just you."

"There is someone aside from me, Bigtime. You should know that."

Bigtime watches as she suddenly reaches back behind her pillow to retrieve a small, faded picture. She admires it for a moment with a somewhat regretful look before handing it over to him.

Upon seeing who the picture is of, he immediately looks to her with wide eyes again. "Her? But, but Ma…She barely speaks to us anymore…I'm mean, save fer Christmas this last year. She hates us!"

"Oh, she doesn't hate you boys! She loves you all as much as I do…she just doesn't agree with our line of work, is all."

He gazes at the small faded picture again, studying every inch of it…remembering what it was like having a little girl running around the house so many years ago, always laughing and wanting to play games with him-

"She'll be twenty-four next month." She says simply, as if reading his thoughts.

"Yeah, I know." He sets the picture down on the bed. "But there's no way she'd wanna have anything to do with us…not anymore-"

"If she had to, she would." Ma Beagle grins. "There's a lot you boys don't know about our Little Bon Bon…she's always been stronger than she looks.

"You need her help, Bigtime. Just tell her that." Her hand is on his cheek again as she speaks softly, something else he's not used to. "I know your brothers are strong enough to take care of themselves…and you're smart enough to show them all how; you've all got muscle and brains pretty much in the bag…"

He doesn't put up a fight when she tries to wipe away at what was probably a smudge of dirt from their most recent prison break. "All you really need now, is your sister to be the heart."

Well, what do ya think so far? I need the feedback so I can keep writing. Ch. 2 is in the works, so stay tuned!