After Cole led Anne-Marie into the open air, he knew Charlie and Itchy were right behind though he remembered that they didn't really make plans for where Anne-Marie would stay.
"Thanks for taking me out Mr. Cole.", Anne-Marie said gratefully.
Cole looked her way smiling.
"It's my pleasure Miss.", he said politely.
Charlie then looked eager as he and Itchy came out into the night air.
"Alright Cole, now that Anne-Marie has gotten a taste of fresh air, she should stay at Itchy's."
Itchy looked firm.
"Charlie, I think this is still a bad idea.", he insisted.
Cole then looked a bit alarmed.
"Guys, maybe we should go somewhere private."
Charlie didn't seem to hear as he turned to Itchy and quickly tied Anne-Marie's bag which surprisingly was able to do so on Itchy.
"You have no compassion.", he said firmly before turning to Anne-Marie and changing tones to a persuasive one, "She'll stay with me."
Cole raised an eyebrow.
"And where will that be?", he asked, "I was thinking of taking her to someone who might-"
Charlie quickly came over and smacked his paw over Cole's mouth cutting him off. Anne-Marie looked interested so Charlie kept talking.
"You'll love my place. Canopy bed under the stars, open hearth, 3 square meals a day, radio, heater, whitewalls."
"Charlie!", Cole snapped as he pushed Charlie's paw away, "Can we go somewhere where Carface's thugs won't be around?"
He gestured to a couple of tough looking dogs and for once, Charlie seemed like he agreed. Itchy was clearly having trouble with Anne-Marie's things so Cole took a moment to help him up and place the Dachshund on his back.
"Thanks Cole.", Itchy said gratefully.
"Don't mention it.", Cole told him.
As the group made their way through the dark streets of New Orleans, Cole felt uneasy and started wishing it wouldn't rain anytime soon.
"Charlie, I have to agree with Itchy.", Cole stated once Charlie and him were side to side, "Isn't there any other place she can hide out in?"
Charlie looked his way a bit miffed.
"Hey, you want to scare our guest?", he asked.
Anne-Marie looked a bit tired and yawned which Cole noticed, but thought it would be a bit much if he tried carrying her when an idea came to mind.
"Charlie, could you let Anne-Marie ride you?", he asked pleasantly.
Charlie looked firm, but when he saw Anne-Marie's face, he sighed.
"May I carry you to my place, Anne-Marie?", he asked trying to sound nice.
Anne-Marie got on Charlie's back and though Cole thought it was kind of cute, Charlie gave him a firm look.
"You owe me.", he said to Cole.
/
Finally, they made their way to a junkyard near Itchy's place and Charlie led them into it as Anne-Marie got off his back clearly able to walk. Cole felt Itchy slide off and he saw the Dachshund walking after them.
"You going to be okay?", Cole asked.
Itchy looked back and nodded while giving a smile before following Charlie. Cole then noticed a bubble float alongside him which showed Carface was seemingly driving on a car ride in front of a screen and Cole then saw it was merely a projection one would use to give the idea they were driving while a fan blew Carface's way to provide wind. Still, under that riding gear, Cole could tell Carface wasn't happy.
"What?!", he yelled as he hurled a lantern at Killer who ducked and it shattered, "What do you mean, she is gone?!"
Killer tried explaining, but Carface clearly wasn't in the mood as he stopped the projector and removed his goggles.
"Morons!", he yelled, "I'm surrounded by morons!"
Killer of course yelped as Carface pulled a lever sending a full-sized car engine to fall from the ceiling and almost squash Killer who managed to avoid doing so.
"But Boss, it wasn't my fault.", Killer protested, "To be perfectly honest, you see-"
He paused as Carface threw a horn his way clearly showing he was still upset and he disappeared behind the engine.
"Thunder was on duty.", Killer said as he reappeared with a hood ornament, "Take it up with him."
Killer cautiously made his way closer to Carface and avoided the bumper Carface threw at him before the pit bull looked especially ticked off.
"I love that girl.", he growled, "I want her back, now."
Killer looked unsure.
"Boss, you see, the thing is-"
"Now!", Carface roared making the room shake.
Cole saw Killer dash out as the projection screen came back on and even though it looked like Carface was driving again, he felt uneasy as the bubble popped into magic sparkles again.
"We are in serious trouble.", Cole said to himself, "I should warn Charlie and Itchy."
He headed into the yard of used and broken-down cars until he heard Jazz music and followed his ears to what he thought passed as a cab once, but that was a long time ago. Then as he got up to the door, he heard voices over the music.
"So Robin says to Little John, "This sheriff is a real jerk. Let's say we knock him off and take the gold. Not for ourselves, we'll give it to the poor suckers who got took from in the first place"."
"Charlie, where do you get that stuff?", Cole heard Itchy though Itchy didn't sound happy, "What kind of Hood is this guy anyway? Giving dough to the poor without taking his cut?"
"I like this story, Mr. Itchy.", Cole heard Anne-Marie say.
"You would.", Itchy said rather annoyed.
"Quiet.", Charlie told him quietly, but firmly, "Trying to get the little brat to sleep."
"Then what happens?", Anne-Marie asked.
Cole popped up and pulled back what was a curtain and saw Charlie, Itchy, and Anne-Marie all seated in the back of the cab though Cole thought it was a real fixer-upper.
"Anne-Marie, I'll be happy to tell the rest of the tale.", he said cheerfully.
/
Charlie looked uneasy, but then Anne-Marie looked interested so he tried putting on a straight face.
"Well, after that, Robin Hood and Little John soon found other like-minded people who were treated unfairly.", Cole said clearly enjoying that he had Anne-Marie's attention, "So the people weren't so down in the dumps."
"Yeah, but this Hood guy's out 50%.", Itchy grouched.
Cole shot him a raised eyebrow.
"So what if he was?", he answered, "He had a noblewoman named Maid Marian who loved him more than life itself."
"Was she pretty?", Anne-Marie asked Cole.
Cole gave her a glance and a smile.
"Oh, you bet she was.", he answered, "Robin would gladly give his life for her if he had to."
Anne-Marie looked more interested right away though Itchy had clearly reached his breaking point and left the car while Charlie took over.
"Now, the whole gang wondered, would Marian ever marry him? And…she did."
Cole got into the car as Charlie looked his way.
"Cole, would you get her to sleep?", he asked, "Mr. Itchy and I need to talk some business."
Cole sighed as Charlie left also and turned to Anne-Marie as Charlie talked with Itchy.
"Look Boss, let's get something straight about the kid."
"Good night, Mr. Itchy.", Anne-Marie said cheerfully.
"Good night, kid.", Itchy called back.
Cole then helped Anne-Marie clear out the front of the cab to make it at least comfortable while still listening in on the conversation outside. Thank Heaven, his dog ears were so sensitive.
"I don't like this.", Itchy continued, "We're reading fairy tales to a little time bomb like she was Bo Peep and—ooh!"
Cole guessed Itchy was scratching before he heard Itchy continue.
"Why don't we at least stash her up at the old church?"
"Itchy, would you relax?", Charlie countered, "Carface ain't going to look for her here. He thinks I'm dead, remember?"
Cole and Anne-Marie looked out the side window to see Charlie and Itchy deep in conversation hardly noticing them.
"Now, get some sleep, pal.", Charlie told Itchy, "Tomorrow, we take this little time bomb to the horse track, and we make ourselves a fortune."
"Horsies?", Anne-Marie asked playfully.
Charlie looked over his shoulder to see Anne-Marie looking his way smiling while Cole looked his way with a raised eyebrow.
"Now look what you've done.", Charlie said to Itchy before backing off, "8:00."
"Okay Boss, 8:00", Itchy answered, "I'll be there."
He headed out and Cole sighed as Charlie made his way into the cab's backseat.
/
Cole took a pillow and propped it up so he could lay his head down. Anne-Marie cuddled up to him and Cole couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable, but then another pillow came out and hit him in the face.
"Here.", he heard Charlie say, "Now go to sleep."
Anne-Marie then looked interested.
"Charlie, would you please tuck me in?", she asked.
Cole then had an idea.
"Well, she did say please.", he said teasingly to Charlie, "Now, be a good dog and oblige would you please?"
Charlie poked his head through the curtain and looked Anne-Marie's way.
"Sure.", he answered.
As he did, Anne-Marie spoke again.
"Charlie, may I please have a good-night kiss?"
Cole snickered as Charlie looked his way and by the look he gave, he was asking Cole to do it.
"Charlie, if you do this, it might help your case for what you did.", Cole said to him
Charlie frowned as he had an idea what Cole was getting at.
"Oh…sure."
He looked like he really didn't want to, but Cole didn't take his eye off him. Finally, he gave a quick lick and retreated back clearly disgusted.
"Okay, that I can live with.", he chuckled.
"Thank you for rescuing me.", Anne-Marie said gratefully.
"No problem.", Cole told her, "It's what guardian angels do."
Cole felt himself doze off, but then he heard squeaking and then Charlie spoke up.
"Hey Squeaker, knock it off."
"Charlie, be nice.", Cole answered before fidgeting, "Geez, this front seat is so uncomfortable. Charlie, could Anne-Marie sleep back there?"
Charlie was silent as Cole helped Anne-Marie into the back, but he clearly wasn't on board.
"Oh, sure.", he said rather hesitantly, "Sure, okay."
Cole smiled as Anne-Marie got settled though Charlie gave him a firm look behind her back.
"Suck up.", he said quietly.
"Fallen one.", Cole shot back just as quiet as he helped tuck Anne-Mari in with another quilt.
Charlie was soon in front and Cole then looked thoughtful.
"You know Anne-Marie, we should thank the lord for the day he gave us."
Anne-Marie looked onboard as she and Cole got into kneeling positions and looked up out the broken back window of the cab.
"Dear God, thank you so much for my new best friend Charlie.", Anne-Marie started.
"Oh no.", Cole heard Charlie complain clearly showing he wasn't enjoying this.
"And thank you for sending him to rescue me.", Anne-Marie continued as Cole silently prayed alongside her, "And God bless Mr. Itchy…and God bless Cole…and God bless Charlie."
"And Lord, give us the strength we need to persevere in all that you do.", Cole put in, "Guide us as we strive to do your will and provide the guidance we need to find what we seek. And in-"
"Oh, and please help me find a mommy and daddy.", Anne-Marie quickly said.
/
Cole gave her a smile as he wrapped up the prayer.
"And in Jesus' name, amen."
Cole heard Charlie breathe a sigh of relief, but as Anne-Marie got settled, she looked his way.
"Cole, do you think you and Charlie could help me find a mommy and daddy?"
Before Cole could answer, Charlie spoke up.
"Kid, I'll help you find the lost city of Atlantis. Just please, please, go to sleep."
Cole rolled his eyes comically before Anne-Marie tapped his shoulder.
"Cole?"
"Yes?", he asked her.
"I have to go to the bathroom."
Cole sighed as he opened up the cab door and led her out to the main house where she got to the bathroom in time. A bit later, they were back in the cab and Cole had an idea.
"Dream by night, wish by day.", he sang soothingly, "Love begins this way. Night's a friend with love to send each new day. Bless your heart, bless your soul, let your dreams come true. Future songs and flying dreams wait for you. Love it seems made flying dreams, so hearts can soar. Heaven sent these wings were ment to prove once more that love is the key."
Cole saw the song soothe Anne-Marie until she was soon asleep and Cole tucked her in before giving her a good-night kiss of his own and settled down to sleep himself.
"As you wish, as you will, dream a flying start.", he sang on looking up into the night, "Love and care, the power's there, trust your heart. Trust your heart."
He then yawned and laid his head upon the pillow under his arm while he remembered the song again. Mrs. Brisby sure risked a lot for her son and Cole couldn't help but see the miracle of bringing Nicodemus back from the dead. He wondered how he was doing right now, but then Charlie whispered something to him.
"Is she asleep?"
Cole didn't answer as he drifted off, but he heard Charlie breathe another sigh of relief. When all was quiet, Cole then slipped off into slumber as the sounds of crickets chirping and the smells around him were a little overwhelming, but still it was peaceful. He adjusted himself as he reflected on his past adventures and the faces of all the friends he met along the way. From when he helped Balto in Nome, to traveling around a prehistoric land with Littlefoot, to helping Fievel reunite with his family while discovering America, and to helping Mrs. Brisby save her home while meeting the rats of NIHM. Then Cole thought about the rhyme he had while he would be in this world.
"A sacrifice on Earth will make it right.", he thought, "Was that how it went?"
He chose to shake it off and kept sleeping. He had seen Charlie leave Heaven and he really wanted to keep his word to Annabelle that he would help Charlie repent, but then he remembered that he didn't promise Anne-Marie that he'd help her.
"Anne-Marie, I'll help you find a family to take you in.", he said drowsily as he opened an eye Anne-Marie's way before drifting off to sleep once more.