Just another Day at the Bar

  It was summer, a sunny afternoon in San Francisco, and it was hot. Business was up higher than usual in the Fleabite, all the dogs getting nice cool drinks. It was Joey's shift, and he was working quickly at the bar. Sitting at an end seat was his-half brother, Zak, who was watching his older brother work. His shift would be in a few hours, since he got a job to pay the rent with Joey while they stayed in Charlie's place. Though he still helped when he could so the pure Doberman wouldn't get overwhelmed by himself.
  “When do you think the usual two will be here?” Zak asked his older brother when he was nearby.
  “Dunno, probably soon, they can't stay away from this place.” Joey said. “Just keep an eye out for them if you really wanna know Zak.” Just as he spoke, two mutts started pushing their way through the crowd. One looked to be in his thirties, the other in his teens.
  “There's our favorite two dogs Joe!” Zak said, to which he was promptly smacked on the back of the head by Joey. “What was that for?” The tan Doberman asked, rubbing the back of his head.
  “You know I only like to be called by my full name ya runt.” Joey growled, but it was in good nature. He would never really hurt his brother unless he was really ticked at him, which wasn't often. “I'll set up the usual's then.” Then he went and got the drinks.
  “Hey Charlie, Andrew.” Zak said, wagging his stubby tail.
  “I don't see why you bother wagging your stub Zak, it looks odd.” Andrew said, to which he got a small ear yank by the elder.
  “Be nice.” Charlie growled, releasing his son's ear. Andrew rubbed his ear ruefully, rolling his eyes. Zak simply shook his head.
  “Not easy to teach to behave huh?”
  “Not at all.” Charlie replied. Joey seemed to spot something over their heads. It was someone who had been coming there for awhile, and it always seemed to be when Andrew was there, whether alone or with Charlie. The Doberman's eyes narrowed slightly when the dog picked his own booth, close to the bar.
  This dog, in particular, was Christian J. Sheperd, Charlie's half brother. Nobody knew who he was, but Anabelle had sent him on Charlie's request to keep Andrew in line. He always watched to make sure the teen stayed out of trouble, knowing his reputation as a cheater, a deceiver, an all around nasty piece of work. But since he knew Charlie was related to him, he was going to try and do all he could, keeping an eye on Andrew. However, Chris didn't know that he was the watcher and the watched.
  “So Joey, I see you've already set up for us.” Charlie said, snapping Joey out of his thoughts and the Doberman looked at him. “I guess we have Zak to thank huh? He's always keeping an eye open for us being your watch dog.” He continued, grinning as he took his drink and took a good gulp.
Andrew seemed slightly agitated. “Sheesh dad, do you have to talk so much?” In reply was the usual ear tug (which he hated).
  “You don't keep your mouth closed as much as you should.” Charlie replied as he released his son's ear again. Andrew then looked around the bar and spotted some girls. They looked pretty to him, so he spat on his paw and flattened his hair down a bit.
  Time to put on the old Barkin charm. He thought, leaving his drink at the bar. Joey rolled his eyes, not really liking Andrew's way of things. But out of the corner of his eye, something happened. The German Shepherd-Siberian Husky mix in the booth had started going on the move.
  Charlie was to distracted talking to Zak, asking how business at the Fleabite was going, to notice the two moving simultaneously through the crowd. Joey watched as the older of the two got in the way of Andrew, then speaking. He couldn't hear over the bar noise, but apparently whatever Chris was saying wasn't getting the approval of Andrew. They talked a few moments until Andrew got so annoyed that he went back to the bar, disgruntled.
  “Hey Andrew, where'd you go?” Charlie asked, tilting his head to one side in curiosity.
  “Nowhere.” Was the flat and annoyed reply. This only made Charlie curiouser, but the elder knew not to pursue. Teenagers could become real testy really easy. Since Joey had seen what had happened, he was a bit angry.
  Who did that dog think he was? He watched Chris starting to leave, and looked at Zak.
  “Could you watch the bar for me?”
  “Sure Joey.” Zak said, hopping over the counter and Joey did the same over to the other side. He shoved his way through the crowd, which was easy for him. He was big for a Doberman, and he had a look on his face that could kill, so everyone tried to move out of the way best they could. If anyone messed with his friends and annoyed them, someone was going to pay.
  He got outside and looked around. He saw the mix turn a corner and chased after him. Chris heard himself being followed and sped up to a run. Joey sped up, teeth bared.
  You aren't getting away from me mutt, nobody disses my friends. Joey thought, growling. Chris turned another corner into a junkyard. He hopped over cars, trash, and other things. Joey didn't miss a beat as he followed.
  Chris eventually gave up, knowing Joey would catch him either way. He purposely went into an alley and sat to wait for Joey. The Doberman found him and growled.
  “Alright punk, you think that you can annoy my friend Andrew? I know his dad, and if you mess with him ya mess with me.”
  “Considering that I'm his uncle and Charlie is my brother, I think I got more free reign over what's the best for Andrew.” Joey stopped snarling and looked curious.
  “... What?”
  “Andrew is my nephew.” Chris said, looking bored. “I'm doing Charlie a favor by trying to keep him on the right track.” He scratched behind his ear with a footpaw, and when he finished he suddenly found his shoulders grabbed and himself shoved against the wall, Joey's teeth inches from his neck.
  “Better start explaining.” Joey growled, looking stern. Chris gave a sigh and started explaining (leaving out the parts about Heaven) that Charlie had wanted someone to keep an eye on Andrew, and he was doing just that...

  “I wonder what's taking Joey so long?” Charlie asked, looking around. Even Andrew was wondering where his Doberman friend had gone.
  “Either hitting on a girl or hitting someone's muzzle.” Zak replied, grinning, which made the two laugh a bit since, knowing Joey, it probably was true. “Either way, he should be back soon. So c'mon, finish up your drinks so I can refill them, my treat.” The tan dog winked at them.
  The two dogs followed his advice and gulped the drinks down and he refilled them. Just as he gave them back, two big paws grabbed the two's shoulders.
  “I thought there were supposed to be no free refills?” He asked. The two mutts looked up nervously, but were grateful to see Joey smiling. “Unless I'm the one giving them.”
  “Hey Joey! Where've you been?” Andrew asked. Joey glanced at the mirror, and saw Chris standing there, shaking his head.
  “Had to catch up with an old friend of mine.” Joey said, not wanting to tell Andrew what was going on with his uncle. Chris gave a nod of approval and went off to his hiding spot (which he refused to show Joey.)
  “Well since Zak has taken over your shift your free to shove booze down you throat.” Charlie said, grinning. Zak rolled his eyes as if to say Oh joy... Joey hopped back over the counter and ruffled Zak's head fur.
  “Don't worry, I'll finish my shift.” Joey said, watching Zak hop back over to the customer side. “We really need to stop doing that, I just cleaned these counter-tops.”
  “I don't think they care as long as they can booze themselves to death.” Zak replied, watching dogs continue to buy beer. Andrew tried to sneak a beer for himself, but Charlie whacked his paw.
  “Stick to soda.” Charlie growled. Andrew rolled his eyes and did so. All in all, the friends had fun all day, laughing and chatting. Joey kept Chris's secret to himself and, even though he didn't like it, allowed him to continue keeping an eye on Andrew.

  “Happy Birthday Saske! I hope you enjoy this writing, and my creativity.” I said as I winked at the audience towards Saske, who I knew was reading as soon as she could. I took a noisemaker out of my shirt and blew on it, creating a small, elephant-sounding noise.
  “Yeah Saske, we were happy to star in this story.” Charlie said, giving a thumbs up.
  “Keep up the good work with drawing us, we know we're epic. Especially me.” Chris said, grinning.
  “You are dead wrong, she loves me the most.” Joey growled.
  “And now you're wrong Joey, she thinks I'm the best.” Was Andrew's response. Then a whole brawl started.
  “... Security?!” I called, crawling offstage.

Fan fic © Me (Ansem555)
Joey, Christian, Andrew © Saske Italian Wolf
Charlie B. Barkin © MGM