Note: Apparently, no one, except for Bonnie and Jenny and a few others, in this story belong to me. The characters of Ducktales were around long before I thought to write fan fiction about them…even before I was born! (yikes!)

Once again, it's taken me a million years to update on a story. I wanna thank everyone that's stuck with this story for as long as I've been writing it. Just when I feel I can't break through that pesky writer's block, someone actually sends a review with an actual opinion in it, always pushing me to continue! To all those who've done so, you…are…awesome!

Believe me, I'm trying as hard as I can to get this one finished, as well as something else I've been working on. Since I've started writing about the Beagle Boys and their youngest sibling, I've grown to love them more every time I think of something else for them to go through, as though I were right there with them.

Too bad Bonnie hates having a family like this, cuz I would so adopt myself into it!

Uh…okay, that was weird at all…Oh, well!

On with the story!

Beagle Without A Mask

Chapter 12

Clash of the Brothers…

Bankjob Beagle read the instructions from Glomgold to himself one more time. He pockets the slip of paper after a moment, rubbing sleep from his eyes before heaving a deep sigh, leaning over the kitchen sink, gazing out into the trees again as he finally takes a moment to reflect on the night before while he's still alone;

Threatening Bigtime the way he did was reckless, he knew. But a part of him refused to regret it. In his eyes, his younger brother had most likely inadvertently taken his place as head of the family. Next to Ma Beagle.

Ah, Ma. He lowers his gaze sadly at the thought of his mother, one of the few people who understood him. Even now he failed to see why she'd deemed Bigtime as the one in charge when she wasn't around. He's even more baffled when he notices his reflection through the window's glass, the image of the dog looking back never ceasing to amaze him.

Bankjob Beagle was the largest out of all his brothers and cousins, as well as the strongest. He'd always taken pride in his body, lifting weights and working out, taking advantage of the free time spent behind bars. Unlike the rest of his family, he wasn't concerned with stuffing his face with the food that frequently presented itself whenever they were home, their mother always overjoyed to fill their stomachs, whether it was with something edible or not was beside the point. As long as her boys were full and happy, she was happy.

But he wasn't happy, and he wasn't going to rely on food to fix that. He'd spent most of his life trying to bulk up and toughen up, just like he knew she wanted for him. For all of them. He'd formed himself into a body that could easily double as a young Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Conan the Barbarian, and all just to prove himself to one woman. Her opinion being the one that mattered. He knew he could lead this family, every time he looked in the mirror he could see it, envision it. The perfect choice; the oldest and the strongest should take the reins. It was almost too obvious.

But Ma Beagle saw differently. This he'd learned recently.

Bankjob clenched his fists, remembering how his younger sibling had stayed with her. He'd tried to catch some of the conversation through the closed door, only hearing things like "keeping the peace" and "can't do it alone", and even something about "outside help". The talk had gone on a while longer.

Bankjob shook his head, fuming. He'd tried to get Bigtime to confess what they'd discussed. But it only resulted in him lying to their faces, then storming off to God knows where. He doubted his brother was dumb enough to walk all the way to Duckburg that late at night, alone.

Then again, he'd been wrong about the little runt before.

At this thought, his mind is once again on the piece of paper in his back pocket. He'd forgotten why he'd even written them down. The truth was, he'd let Flintheart Glomgold get to him. His only weakness; wanting to prove himself. To be honest it wasn't even a job worth taking, just something the old duck wanted done for his own personal amusement, for some odd reason delighting in any inconveniences brought upon Scrooge McDuck.

An inconvenience. So, he thinks we're just pushovers, huh?

He raps his fingers on the sink, thinking…planning…

After a moment, the still silence of the empty kitchen is disrupted, Bankjob letting out a deep-throated chuckle as he pulls Glomgold's heist instructions from his pocket. He smirks down at it before crumpling it into a paper ball.

"You want entertainment," he'd said aloud to his reflection as it grins back maliciously. "I'll give you entertainment."

He pauses, listening to the familiar sound of wheels coming up the loose-graveled driveway. His grin widens.

"Gee," he states with mock concern. "I sure hope they found 'um." Before heading for the kitchen door, he tosses the forgotten instructions into the trash, laughing cruelly.

"I couldn't possibly do this without our fearless leader…"

"I think this place gets smaller every time I see it," Bonnie had said once emerging from the crowded vehicle, scanning her surroundings. She hoists a duffel bag over her shoulder, sighing. "Don't suppose my room is still available?"

"Are you kiddn'?" responded Babyface, shutting the front passenger door after being the last one out. "With a family like ours we need as much space as we can get. You movin' out was the best thing that ever happened." He shrugs. "We'll see what we can do, though…seein' as how we got us a real house guest, and all."

"Thanks." Bonnie rolls her eyes. "It's good to know you all don't miss me too much." She then glances over the car roof, seeing her room mate emerge slowly. She was glad to see that she'd taken the sweater from around her waist and pulled it over her torso. The last thing she needed was to worry about scolding her brothers for gawking at Jenny's figure. "Okay, let's just get this over with."

"Easy for you to say," Jenny mutters, grabbing her own bag, taking a deep breath. "I'm not so sure about this now-"

"Oh no ya don't!" Bonnie shakes her head, grinning. "Too late for a change of heart now, girlie." She goes to the other side of the car. "Besides, you wanted to meet the family. As I recall, you were the one that brought up the whole 'chick-flick' scenario…about best friends being introduced to each others brothers. Etcetera, etcetera." She elbows her playfully. "Remember, Jennifer Anne?"

Jennifer glares, turning a shade of red. "Ha ha, very funny…but yes, yer right." She looks up at the old house, blowing hair out of her eyes. "Time to eat my own words."

Bonnie pats her on the back. "Atta girl."

She goes to follow Jennifer and the others, but stops, looking back behind the car. She smiles at the only one not heading up the walkway just yet, leaning up against the spare tire hanging from the rear side of the green vehicle, arms folded contently as he kicks at the dirt beneath his boots.

Bonnie gestures. "Come on, you…I'm not going in there until you walk through that door first."

Bigtime Beagle is silent, only exhaling, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Bonnie looks on at him for a moment. Coming back home was never easy when you'd tried running away the night before. She knew because she'd done it a few times when she was growing up. But she never got very far, whether it was from being found by her family, or returning out of guilt and the fear of nowhere else to go. It's one thing for a rebellious teen to leave home, but another for someone they all depended on to just drop everything and leave…

She leans on the spot next to him. After a moment of silence she finally says, "Big, you can't stay away forever. Yer gonna have to face Mom eventually."

He shakes his head. "It ain't that."

Bonnie shrugs. "Then what is it?" She pauses, arching an eyebrow. "Don't tell me this has anything to do with Bankjob? Come one, Bigtime, the guy's a jerk! We all know it. Even him. Since when has that bothered you?"

Again, his head moves from side to side. "I've just, got a lot on my mind is all…bein' back here don't really help."

Bonnie studies him. "You, uh…wanna talk about it?"

He's quiet again, but for a moment, it seemed like he was about to share something. Instead he clears his throat. "Eh…no. No, I'm fine." Finally, he raises his head up, breathing deeply. "I just wanted to get some air. You remember how stuffy it gets in that old house." He smiles over at her, but rather uneasily.

She looks on at him, still not sure what to make of his odd behavior. Ever since he'd showed up at her place the night before, almost immediately she'd sensed something out of place with her older sibling. At first, she'd dismissed it as just his way of dealing with their mother's illness. But now that they were alone again, and so close to home, it was obvious that something was definitely troubling Bigtime. If only he wasn't so stubborn, maybe she could get him to talk. Unfortunately, the Beagle Boys weren't exactly known for sharing their feelings, even if it was with her.

Maybe having someone like Jenny around wasn't such a bad idea right now. At least then she'd have a better chance of him or any of the others opening up a little.

Bonnie repeats his actions, her eyes searching the forest in front of them. "Well, stuffy or not…things aren't getting any better in there the longer we stay out here."

"Yeah, I know." He smiles again, just as forced as the one before. "Never hurts to try, right?"

Bonnie shrugs. "Sometimes it doesn't. But, not always." She places a hand on his shoulder. "Now, let's go put up with all the usual crap, shall we? We can suffer together."

He sighs, finally breaking himself away from the one spot, letting her lead him towards the house. After taking a number of steps he asks, "don't suppose you'd rather go back to Duckburg-"

"Bigtime."

"It was worth a shot."

"I don't care what Ma says, Bigtime is gettin what he deserves the second he gets in here."

Bankjob continues to pace through the living room heatedly, Baggy and Beebop following his movements as they sit quietly on the beat up sofa. They'd been up most of the night, hoping to see Bigtime walk through the front door at any moment, but when he never did, Bouncer had taken it upon himself to take some of the others and search for him. But with each passing hour, the Beagles left behind had begun to suspect the worse before hearing their family car pull up outside.

Everyone except Bankjob, anyway…

"I mean, the nerve a' that guy! Runnin' off in the middle of the night, worryin' her half to death. He coulda' at least said what he was doin', or where he was goin'." He stops, growling at the front door before he goes back to his ranting, rubbing his knuckles. "I'm givin' that little twerp a piece a' my mind the moment he walks through that door. And then some!"

Baggy clears his throat. "But, umm, isn't that kinda the reason why he left in the first place?"

"Yeah, man," adds Beebop. "It was a little harsh what you did to him yesterday. I mean, it's old news that you guys go at it like alley cats sometimes, but…well, maybe you just went a little too far this time."

Bankjob stops, glaring over at them. "So, what, yer gonna take his side now? After his whole secret meeting in there with Ma, you still wanna do what he tells ya to do?" He almost laughs, gesturing towards the door. "Cuz I'm not stoppn' ya. If you wanna go out and find the rest a' his search party slash fan club, be my guest."

Baggy shakes his head. "It's not that we're takin' sides, Bankjob. No one is."

"It's just that, with Ma not doin' so hot," agrees Beebop, but rather hesitant. "You should probably, I don't know, maybe take it easy on him."

Bankjob almost laughs. "Yeah, that's what that twerp needs, is to catch a break." He glares absently down the hallway to his right, spying Ma Beagle's closed door. "Like he hasn't gotten enough a' the glory around here-"

The front door to the old house clicks, slowly opening, letting through three more of the Beagles; Babyface, Bouncer, and Burger. Upon spotting Bankjob however, they stop dead in their tracks, looking downward.

The eldest of the group folds his arms. "Where the hell have you three goons been? It's bad enough that runt up and left in the middle of the night. The last thing Ma needs is to worry about your sorry butts, too." He then grins as a fourth brother makes his way past the others, his smaller size making it difficult for him to get by. "Well, well, well…look what the cops dragged in."

"Not now, Bank." Bigtime trudges through the living room, headed for the kitchen. "I'm not in the mood for this-"

He shakes his head, reaching down casually to grab him by the shirt, bringing him up to his level, as if to pick up where they'd left off the night before. "Don't think so, Bro. You owe us an explanation fer where ya wandered off to…so start talkin' ya little-"

"Probably had something to do with me."

All eyes are on the front door at the sound of a woman's voice, Bankjob nearly dropping Bigtime at the sight of the last person he expected to see.

"Bonnie?"

Immediately, Beebop and Baggy jump up to hug her simultaneously, each greeting her with great enthusiasm. She returns the embrace, exchanging a few friendly words here and there before getting back to the scene she'd just walked in on, expressing a cold stare as she looks on at both Bankjob and his captor, clearing her throat. None too pleased.

Bankjob swallows, glaring at Bigtime before lowering him back down onto the floor, forcing a laugh as he holds out his arms. "Sis! How ya been?"

Bonnie doesn't answer, only letting out an agitated sigh before walking towards him.

"Jeez, would ya look at you! All grown up an-owowowow!" He whines as she yanks down on his ear.

"Kitchen." She states, grabbing a startled Bigtime by the back of the shirt. "Now."

"Hey!" he protests. "What'd I do?"

The others can only watch in silence as the three of them head around the corner and out of sight, the sound of a door being slammed. Beebop scratches his head curiously, murmuring, "Talk about a trippy reunion."

"Um, excuse me, hi."

They turn to see a second young woman now standing in the door frame, waving shyly. "Sorry, but, do I need to wait outside for a while? Ya know, until they sort out-" she points- "whatever that is?"

Babyface shakes his head. "Nah, come on in. They're gonna be a while."

The two brothers not familiar with Jennifer only stare. Baggy leans over to whisper to the one standing next to him.

"Hey, uh, Bouncer. What's wit' da' dame? Yous guys take a hostage or somethin?"

Bouncer shrugs. "Not exactly…more like witness protection."

Baggy and Beebop look on at Jennifer in silence.

Babyface rolls his eyes. "Don't ask."

There's a long moment of silence before Jenny decides to finally break the ice. "Well," she starts, smiling brightly. "I doubt this could be anymore awkward, huh?"

"Give it a minute," one of them murmurs.

She looks to Bouncer. "Say what-"

A loud crash is suddenly heard coming from behind the kitchen's closed door, as well as shouting and various swear words, making her cringe.

Burger Beagle nods, elbowing Jennifer in the arm. "Now it's more awkward."

"Both of you, pull up a chair."

Bonnie's request goes unheard as the two immediately go into a shouting match, only infuriating her further;

"What the hell, Bigtime? I barely lay a hand on ya and you go run to Bonnie and tattle on me?"

"Oh, you'd like that wouldn't ya? Well sorry to disappoint ya, Bank, but I ain't that helpless! I don't need our baby sister to fight my battles for me. Especially if it's with you."

"Ha! Yeah, ya sure had everybody fooled last night! Yer a real tough guy, ain't ya? What with Bouncer jumpin' in, havin' him take a cheap shot at me-"

"Shut up! I didn't tell him to do that! He don't know any better."

"And then what do ya do? Ya skimp out on us and Ma and head for town…probably to pull off some job all on yer own. Get rich quick and disappear. To hell with the rest of us, right?"

"I told ya to shut up!"

"That's it isn't it? That's why you found Bonnie, so that way you'd have someone in on whatever it is you've got goin' on…or maybe with at least one member a' the family in on it, the guilt wouldn't be as bad for you, knowin' you've been such an ungrateful little bastard to yer own mother, and all-"

Bankjob is suddenly pinned down onto the floor as Bigtime lunges at him, delivering hit after hit to his jaw, swinging in a blind rage. Bankjob brings up his arms in defense, trying to force him off.

He laughs at the site of Bigtime struggling to get another hit in. "Not so, tough now," he grunts, not sure how much longer he can hold him. "Are ya, Runt?"

"Don't, call me, dat!" Bigtime spat through his teeth. "Momma's boy!"

Bankjob cries out when his ear is pulled on. He rolls over onto his side, putting Bigtime in a head lock, only to receive another few hits to his jaw.

"Look who's talkin'. At least, I don't have my, own little fan club…with secret meetings no one else can, sit in on." He tightens his grip in an attempt to refrain him from thrashing about-

The brawl ends abruptly by a sudden gush of ice cold water pouring down on them. They both sputter in confusion, not having a chance to realize what's happened before more water comes crashing around them. They both look up to see Bonnie standing over them, holding a large empty bucket while another rests at her feet.

Bankjob shakes his head in surprise, panting. "Where…where'd ya get duh-"

"It's called a sink," she answers sharply, making them flinch. It was eerily similar to that of Ma Beagle's tone. "Are you two done?"

She tosses the bucket aside, causing a loud clang as it bounces off the wall. She points at the kitchen table. Her voice is loud but firm. "Sit down!"

They exchange glares before doing so, taking a seat at opposite ends of the old wood table, facing away from each other. It's silent as Bonnie begins to pace back and fourth heatedly. Every once in a while she catches one of them glancing up at her. After what feels like an eternity, she stands in place, arms crossed.

She shakes her head, their temper never ceasing to amaze her. "Honestly? I don't know where to start."

"How 'bout with him," Bigtime grumbles, removing his hat to wring water out of it. "He don't need to be actin' like this while Ma's sick. It's disrespectful."

"Speak fer yerself, Runt." Bankjob brings a fist down onto the table, still short of breath from their brawl. "Ya got some nerve up and leavin' the way you did-"

"I had somethin' ta do, alright! Just stay outta my life, ya oversized mutt."

"Look who's talkin', ya pintsized mongrel! You'd betta' watch that smart mouth a' yours if ya know what's good for ya!"

"Says who!"

"Says me!"

"Yeah, you and what army!"

"Yer askn' for a world a' hurt, Short stack! Now shut yer trap before I do it for ya!"

"Try takin' yer own advice for a change, ya loud-mouth psychopath!"

"Who you callin' a psychopath, Shrimp!"

"You, ya psychopath! Ya see any other back-stabbin' family members around here?"

"I'm gonna ring that fat little neck a' yours, ya piece a sh-OW!

"YEOW!"

Bonnie had given them each a hard pinch to the arm, always her method to ending any disagreement between members of the family. The reaction she gets is rather satisfying as they whine simultaneously, rubbing at their arms furiously.

"Bonnie, what the hell?"

"What're ya tryin' to do, break a blood vessel!"

"Ya know, fer someone who's such a badass, ya do a pretty good impression of a baby."

"Shut up, Bigtime!"

"Why don't ya make me!"

"Maybe I should-Ah! Hey!"

They each receive another pinch.

"Would you two stop it already!" Bonnie states, readying herself to do it again. "Fer God's sake, they probably hear the two of you bitching and moaning in China for all we know!"

Bankjob stands, towering over her. "Bonnie, I swear if you do that one more time, you'll regret-OW!" She hadn't pinched him, but rather slapped him across the face. It takes him a moment to recover himself, only to have her do it again. "Are you crazy?" He cowers behind a raised arm, not noticing the whimpering tone in his normally rugged voice. "What're ya doin'-"

"Alright, put 'em up!" She slugs him in the arm. "Let's go, hot shot, you n' me!" Bigtime only watches the odd spectacle with wide eyes, just as surprised and thrown off by it as Bankjob. Though he tries to hide a smirk.

"I might be taller than him, but he's gotta be what, three times stronger than me? And you?" She punches him in the other arm. "You've gotta be twice as big as me!" Another good punch to the arm, and one under his ribs. "Come on, bring it! Where's that big, tough guy everybody keeps talking about? Huh! I wanna know what they're so afraid of!"

"Knock it off, Bonnie!" He stops her hand before it comes in contact with the side of his face again. He's seething with anger, returning her glare.

Bonnie is unfazed by this, almost standing on her tiptoes so she's able to look him in the eye. She lowers her voice dangerously so it's close to a growl. "If ya want me to stop, then go ahead…hit me, since you wanna start a fight with someone in this family so damn badly."

Bankjob leans back slightly. "Hey, now that's ain't fare," he argues, not even convincing himself. "Who says I actually wanted to fight anybody? Besides, he started it!"

She yanks her arm out of his grip, grabbing onto the front of his shirt forcefully with both hands as she grits her teeth. "Well, If yer not, then drop the badass façade, sit in that chair, shut the hell up, and calm, yer ass, down. Because now is not the time for any of us to be losing our heads over something as childish as who's the favorite, or who's in charge, or who can kick who's ass. Especially not you. So chill out!" She yanks hard on his shirt for good measure. "Got it?"

Bigtime gapes at how his sister handles the situation before him. He would never admit to it, but she was actually scaring him a little. As far as he knew, she would never be caught dead talking to someone like Bankjob Beagle in that tone. The pinching was expected. But this…? It was so similar to his mother's methods of discipline it was frightening.

Though he had to admit, he was rather enjoying the well deserved bitch-slap taking place…it's almost a shame he's the only one witnessing it.

Bankjob had finally nodded slowly, swallowing a lump in his throat. He keeps his mouth shut as he retakes his seat, face beet red.

Bonnie exhales. "Good." She then cracks her knuckles. "I gotta tell ya guys, this whole testosterone thing is starting to get on my nerves, and I haven't even been here that long!"

"Yeah, well at least I'm willin' tuh' keep things going without him around. Stepping up like a real man." Bankjob growls, fighting to regain his composure.

Bigtime rolls his eyes at the attempted insult. "Boy I bet that must've been a real learning experience fer you."

"Bigtime," Bonnie cautions.

"What?" He shrugs. "It's not like he actually did anything that could count as useful around here." He smirks. "Unless you count brown-nosing to yer Mommy as a constructive talent."

"Fer your information, ya ungrateful pup," Bankjob says matter-of-factly. "I did just fine without you or Ma tellin' me what to do. In fact…" He puffs out his chest, knowing what he's about to say will only fuel Bigtime's frustration towards him. "I even managed to get us a job."

As if on cue, the shorter criminal snaps his head in Bankjob's direction. "You did what?"

Bonnie groans, hanging her head in defeat. "Oh, god."

Bankjob nods once. "That's right. I got us a heist. This very morning, actually. Something you couldn't do Mr. Bigshot Beagle!"

Bigtime stands in his chair, leaning down on the table. "Because, you moron, we're supposed to be laying low. Why would I find us a job if we're staying under the radar!"

Bankjob examines his fingernails. "How should I know? Outta stress, maybe…from what I hear, yer not exactly smooth under pressure anymore." He gives him a side glance, glad to see his brother clenching his fists so tightly. "And that's not just with heists, neither. Ain't that right, Casanova?"

That did it. "Why you son of a bitch I'll-" He'd attempted to scramble over the table and strangle him, only to be held back.

Bonnie has to put all of her weight into her grip on Bigtime's broad shoulders, anchoring him down onto his chair.

"Stop it! Both of you!" She shouts, throwing up her arms once she'd managed to get him seated again. "Do you know how pathetic this is? The two eldest Beagle brothers, being nagged by their youngest sibling, their BABY SISTER, because they're the ones acting like children!"

Neither of the two respond, looking away from the table with their arms crossed.

Bonnie shakes her head in disgust. "Fine. Have it your way. I'm going to see Mom…" She points back and fourth between them threateningly. "And if I hear so much as one fowl word, one smartass comment coming out of either one of you, I swear to you right now…you don't know what pain is until you've had to deal with me after zero sleep, no coffee, and a visit from two different police officers in the same five minutes while trying to hide a room full of wanted criminals in my own apartment!" She pauses. "Not to mention I have to worry about keeping all of your grubby mitts off my best friend while she spends the next few days here!"

Bankjob snaps his head up. "Say what? Since when do we have house guests?"

She rolls her eyes. "My roommate, Jenny, she's gonna be staying with us fer-" She stops, eyes going wide. "Crap, I forgot about Jennifer!" With that, she sprints to the kitchen door, bursting through it, shouting at those beyond it. "Okay, seriously, Jen? You've known them, like, twenty seconds and yer hugging them? Ya know they pick pockets fer a living, right!"

Rather than be left alone with his least favorite person, Bigtime shoots the larger goon yet another hateful glare before getting up from his chair, following Bonnie-

"That's right, Runt," he hears from behind him. "Don't wanna be too far from the only one willing to stick up for ya…But yer little bodyguard has tuh' leave sometime, and when she does…yer a dead man."

He's not worth it, Bigtime, came the voice inside his head. Just ignore him.

He'd stopped, only for a second, blocking out his brother's cruel laughter. He breaths deeply in hopes of calming his nerves before he joins the rest of the family in the living room.

Wow! Talk about sibling rivalry! I have to confess, I thought about my own brother and me getting into a shouting match every once in a while…well, maybe not quite this bad.

I'd still rather fight with him than someone as big as Bankjob. Yeesh, scary!

I'm struggling with Chapter 13, but I at least wanted to get this out so you know I'm not giving up on this one yet. I like it too much. So stay tuned!

Oh, and please offer feedback if you've got it. It really does help a lot.