Author's Note: This story taken place directly after the events in "Beginnings and Endings". You will NOT understand this story without reading that first. So I suggest you do that before moving on. The chapter starts off re-living the scene at the factory in the second chapter of "Beginnings and Endings".

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

A Week Ago

Whiffle Boy Distribution Factory

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"Its PLAAAAYTIIIIMMMME! " Quackerjack had yelled out loudly, his voice echoing throughout the factory.

The four heroes managed to dodge the fire arms that was currently shooting at them. Morgana and Quiverwing dodged to the left while Launchpad and Darkwing dodged to the right. Megavolt had been quick to bring the factory to life around them with his electrical abilities, making the factory more dangerous to them with moving machinery.

While Launchpad and Darkwing fended off the machinery that had been brought to life, Morgana and Quiverwing were quickly being pushed up the stairs to the middle catwalks by a dozen toy soldiers since most of them had gone after those two.

"Stand back, Morgana, I'll get these toys with my arrows!" Though instead of shooting them, she took her holster of arrows and started swinging and lobbing it at the toys, crushing them. They looked up to see that Megavolt and Quackerjack had made quick work of emptying their truck with Quackerjack's Whiffle Boy toys. Quiverwing shot an arrow at them, hitting one of the box's lid and tearing it open. A bunch of explosive Whiffle toys began to fall out.

Seeing this, Quackerjack started fussing. "Heeeey! You rotten little girl! Stop that! Megsy! She's not playing nice!"

Megavolt dropped the box he was pulling out of the truck and sneered at Quiverwing and Morgana. "Oh, yeah? I'll teach them to mess with my Quacky!" He raised his finger, preparing to shoot bolts of electricity at them, when something hard hit Megavolt in the back of his head. Megavolt immediately flinched and placed both hands over the spot that had been hit. "OWWWW!" He twirled around to see that Darkwing had started throwing real Whiffle Boy toys at them. "Doh, stupid Dipwing!"

Both Launchpad and Darkwing were throwing Whiffle Boy toys at the both of them, since they were coming off fresh from the factory now that it was in full gear.

Morgana and Quiverwing took this chance to continue fending off the toy soldiers and smashing them with her arrows. Morgana smashed them with little sparks of magic. Distantly, Quiverwing heard Quackerjack cry out in panic and alarm, "NOOO! Now I don't know which kind of which! Megavolt! Make them stooooop!"

"Fine! You take of the brat and the witch and I'll take care of Dipwing and his boyfriend!"

At these words, Quiverwing looked up to see that Quackerjack was indeed headed their way.

Launchpad squeaked. "W-what!? DW and I aren't dating!? What would possibly make you think that!?"

"Relax, LP, he's just trying to get a rile out of you!" hissed Darkwing. He paused. "Is that really what everyone thinks!? That's we're together!?" He never got an answer as Megavolt began advancing on them.

Morgana and Quiverwing, having heard it all, paused and looked at each other in confusion. Quiverwing rolled her eyes and mumbled sarcastically to herself, "Right guys, cause THAT'S what you two should be focused on right now."

Quackerjack fished out some of his toy teeth and released them on Morgana and Quiverwing. "Here ya go, girlies! Chew on THIS!" He instantly went back to trying to figure out which toys were his and frantically trying to sort them back into the boxes.

In his haste, he accidentally set one off, making everyone pause. Quackerjack coughed up some smoke. "Don't mind me, everyone! Carry on with that you were doing! No explosive Whiffle Boy toys here!"

Quiverwing's eyes widened in alarm. "Did you see that, Morgana!?" she asked her companion. "Be careful of those toys there, they're explosive!"

Morgana looked over to see what her young friend was referring to. She watched as the jester seem to frantically sort the toys around. "I'll be careful."

Just as she said these words, both her and Quiverwing looked up at the shouts of Darkwing, Launchpad, and Megavolt. They watched with wide eyes as a large crane came down and picked them up, sending them up and over to one of the other catwalks. Quiverwing winced when she saw her dad land on the bottom of the dog pile when the crane released them.

It was then that their attention was brought back to the toy teeth in front of them. Quiverwing had tried using her arrows on the toy teeth, but Quackerjack seemed to make them out of a tougher metal now for the arrows just bounced right off them. Quiverwing laughed nervously as Morgana and her slowly walked up the steps of the middle catwalk. The continued to be pushed until they were standing over-top the truck Quackerjack was frantically trying to organize. Quiverwing dodged one of the toy teeth just in time before it took a large chunk out of the metal continued to dodge the attacks, but one of them nipped at Quiverwing's arm, causing the young duck to holler out in pain. Quiverwing groaned as she held onto her arm.

Faintly, Quiverwing was able to hear her father cry out in worry for her. "QUIVERWING!" he cried worriedly. Then a moment later, "MORGANA! DO SOMETHING!" Darkwing shouted instead.

Quiverwing rolled her eyes as she tried to ignore the pain in her arm. Once again her dad was over exaggerating. She was fine!

Morgana, who up until now, was mainly just watching and dodging attacks, seemed to remember that she could in fact do magic. "Oh, umm...Right. Sorry, you all know how I freeze up and panic in situations like these!" She immediately tried thinking of spells she could use.

"Yeah!? Well, stop panicking!" snapped Quiverwing. "I left all my other gear in my other costumes! Dad just HAD to go and wash my spare costume and take out all my equipment! I came completely unprepared, thinking it was just gonna be a quiet patrol!"

"Guess we should have known better" sighed Morgana.

Quiverwing shouted again as another chomp of teeth got her on the same arm. Morgana was busy zapping the toy teeth and turning them in fluffy pink cotton balls save for the three cornering Quiverwing, who was trying hard not to fall off the catwalks where the toy teeth had broken the railing.

"Is it just me, or are these toy teeth stronger than usual? My arrows are having no effect on them and I could have sworn they have in the past!" wondered Quiverwing out loud as she dodged another bite from one of the said toys.

"Either that or my magic is weakening..." replied the enchantress. Just as she said these words, she noticed her magic was in fact, failing her. She looked at her finger, curious as to why she suddenly couldn't do the spell. "Ooh, darn-it! I had it!" She started snapping her fingers and random objects suddenly started appearing in her hands. They were all useless and she tossed them over the catwalks where Quackerjack's toys were.

"Hurry, Morgana!" screeched Quiverwing.

Meanwhile, Darkwing was running towards the catwalk Quiverwing and Morgana were on, bounding up the steps.

One of the toy teeth attacking Quiverwing then got her by the cape and fell down over the catwalk, taking Quiverwing with it.

"Ahhhhh!" screamed Quiverwing, feeling herself descending down to the ground below, whistling air in her ears. She fell backwards off the catwalk and landed on a pile of mixed Whiffle Boy dolls. She groaned at the impact, which caused several of Quackerjack's explosive dolls went off.

Quiverwing cried out in pain as the blasts went off around her. Her vision was suddenly blurry and her mind felt numb. She felt like she couldn't move. Behind her she heard a great towering crash as the truck that Quackerjack had driven in fell to its side. The gas tank on the truck was now open and starting spurting gasoline everywhere.

The heavy thick smell of the gasoline slammed into Quiverwing's, causing her to wince and turn away; but it was everywhere. Her head was starting to feel like it was splitting in two.

Somewhere in her hazy mind she could hear her father's voice.

"QUIVERWING! I'm coming for you, sweetheart!" He called down to his daughter in the best comforting way he could.

Faintly, Quiverwing nodded, but that only seemed to make her head spin more and the pain intensify. At this point she just wanted to go home. She wanted Darkwing to come get her, take care of Quackerjack and Megavolt, and they could go home and have ice cream or something. She was done with being Quiverwing for the night. With the way she was feeling, she'd rather do homework.

Just when Quiverwing thought that things were going to be okay, she heard Darkwing shout out in the most heartbreaking voice she had ever heard him speak in, "NOOOO! GOSALYYYN!"

Something told her to look up. She looked up and saw a lit flame falling down towards her. She wasn't sure why, but something told her that was NOT a good thing. She closed her eyes; her instincts telling her this was going to hurt. That this was the end.

The last thought Quiverwing had before everything went black was: "I love you, dad."

Then there was nothing. No pain. No sound. Just darkness.

Blearily, Quiverwing opened her eyes, which felt like a harder task than it should. She could no longer feel the pile of broken Whiffle Boy dolls underneath her. Nor could she smell the gasoline anymore.

Was she dead?

"Nyeh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!" came a woman's high pitched cackled. Quiverwing didn't recognize it.

Was it Quackerjack's laugh?

No, no. This laugh was far different from his. This laugh was a woman's laugh. The only woman she knew who was around them was Morgana and she certainly didn't laugh like that.

She couldn't bring herself to open her eyes; her eyelids were too heavy. All she wanted to do was sleep.

The maniacal laughter was suddenly combined with a chilling clank of metal footsteps. Quiverwing knew in the back of her mind that she had heard those footsteps before, along with the faint whirring sound of robotics.

She knew no more as her mind lost the battle and she lost consciousness.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Five Days Later

In An Unknown Location

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

When Quiverwing woke up once more, her mind was much more clear and she found it a lot easier to think without her head screaming at her to stop.

With a groan, Quiverwing slowly pushed herself up off the cement floor she found herself to be lying on. No wonder she was so sore. She coughed and cleared her dry throat, wishing for a glass of water.

"Dad?" she rasped in confusion.

How long had she been out of it? Surely not more than a couple hours, right? Darkwing and Launchpad would have taken care of Quackerjack and Megavolt by now, right? Her dad had to be nearby, he wouldn't let her out of his sight and she remembered him shouting to her that he was on his way.

She really wished she had some answers.

She sat up completely, placing both hands on the sides of her head as she tried to figure out what was happening. Were they still at the factory? Or were they back at the Tower? She was laying on the cement floor, making Quiverwing think they were still at the factory. Darkwing would have put her in bed if she'd been knocked unconscious and managed to get back home.

'He's such a worry wart' she thought offhandedly. She pulled off her mask, thinking it was safe to do so.

Out loud she said, "Seriously though, dad, where are we? Why aren't we at the Tower?" She finally glanced around at her surroundings and saw that she was not in the factory nor the Tower. She was in a cell. And her dad was no where to be seen.

Suddenly there was the sound of mechanical whirring and humming accompanied by heavy metallic footsteps. The feathers on the back of Gosalyn's neck stood on end and her heart beat raced faster as she recalled the last time she had heard such a sound.

With wide eyes, Gosalyn sat in the middle of the cell and looked through the bars. She appeared to be in some kind of furnished cave. She could see several tables filled with books and potions and other such things. It looked like something she would see at Morgana's family's house. The right side of the room was a long thick deep red curtain which seemed highly out of place. Glancing up, she saw that the stone was carved into the shape of an elaborate dome.

Where the heck was she!? This was like no villain's hideout she'd ever seen.

The metallic footsteps seem to get louder and Gosalyn assumed that was because they were coming closer. She pushed herself further back into the cell she was in for fear of what she would find. Memories of that awful time in her life came to mind unbidden and she tried her hardest to will them away. That deep, heart wrenching fear and pain of having lost of seeing that building rooftop explode and seeing how, at the time, was the only person who seemed to understand her die. She had been wrong, thankfully, but the fear had never left her.

There was suddenly a deep chuckle that could be heard just outside her view and Gosalyn's whole body froze. "No way..." she whispered.

After several more heavy footsteps, Taurus Bulba stepped into view, casting a shadow on Gosalyn's small form in the cell as he blocked out the light. Gosalyn gasped as she stared up at the villain who scared her the most.

"Well, well, if it isn't Gosalyn Waddlemeyer..." he spoke calmly. It was the same chilling voice she occasionally had in her nightmares. "Time certainly seems to have changed things... No longer are you the pathetic little weakling orphan I met all those years ago. Now you are hero in training!" he exclaimed mockingly. "Just like her dear ol' adopted father..."

Gosalyn willed herself not be afraid as she glared at the bull before her. "What do you want, Bulba!?"

Taurus seemed impressed by her courage, for her smirked down at her with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, just the typical revenge most villains want on others...Though, in my case, its to avenge the body parts I lost no thanks to that no good has-been Darkwing Duck!"

"Not his fault you had to go and steal my grandfather's invention. Should have tried a life that wasn't crime!" she argued back.

"Ahh, your youthful innocence and naivity is amusing, Waddlemeyer" he chuckled, his red mechanical eye gleaming. "You say this yet you have never been taunted by the world's most darkest temptations. You will soon learn that the world is far from black and white. And once you hear what your father has done, you won't be so cavalier with your opinions."

That got Gosalyn's temper riled up instantly. She found herself pushed up against the bars in her anger. "What did you do to Darkwing!?"

"Me?" he gestured to himself innocently. "I have done nothing. It is Darkwing who has ruined everything for himself. He has dug himself quite the grave."

"Well, whatever it is you're planning, he'll stop you! I'm sure he's on his way now, trying to find me and kick your butt!" threatened the red-headed duckingly.

"Nyeh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!"

There was that laughter again. Gosalyn remembered hearing it before she had passed out. A puff of smoke appeared and the source of the cackling laughter showed itself.

Magica de Spell continued her laughter for another few moments before she finally went quiet.

Gosalyn stared at her with wide eyes, having never seen her before. The duck before her had sleek shoulder length black hair and a black dress with ruffles at the end. Red heels finished off her outfit. Magica turned her eyes to Gosalyn, who couldn't help but freeze up in fear. She had never seen this woman before and the fact that she was clearly working with Taurus Bulba didn't make her feel any better.

"Silly girl!" began Magica. "Darkwing Duck is not coming to save you!"

Despite her uncertainly of this new villain, Gosalyn couldn't keep herself from biting back. "Oh, yeah!? And just what makes you so sure!?"

Taurus Bulba was the one who replied, "Because your father t'inks you are dead."

Gosalyn's face fell into one of pure horror. "WHAT!?"

Magica laughed again, though not as loudly or for as long. "Thanks to simple parlor trick, your father thinks you died in explosion! It was so easy!"

"Explosion!?" echoed Gosalyn with wide eyes. She could suddenly remember falling onto Quackerjack's exploding Whiffle Boy dolls and smelling gasoline. She knew she had heard her father call out to her, which would explain why she had thought everything had been alright. She thought she had just lost consciousness from the fall.

"Yes" said Bulba. "Thanks to Magica you were saved at the last moment before your otherwise painful death."

Reeling from all this information, Gosalyn found herself mumbling in confused shock. "Magica?"

At the confused mention of her name, Magica smiled and looked slightly bashful and sassy at the same time. "Ahh, it is time I is properly introducing self!" she said. She placed a hand on her chest. "I am the great enchantress, Magica de Spell!"

"Awk! Magica de Spell! Great enchantress!" called out a scratchy male voice.

Gosalyn jumped at the voice and looked up to her high left where she saw a crow perched up on one of the many chandeliers illuminating the room.

Getting irritated for the lack of knowing what was happening, Gosalyn blurted out, "What did you mean about my dad!?" She glanced over at Magica, knowing she was revealing that Darkwing was her father, but she had sinking feeling in the bottom of her stomach that Magica was already highly aware of it.

"Ahh! So much to say to answer simple question! Why don't we SHOW you!?" suggested Magica happily. She threw up her arms and in a whirl of purple smoke, she procured a large mirror. The smoke continued to swirl around the large round mirror, which floated in the air.

Gosalyn watched in awe. Magica was clearly more advanced in her magic than Morgana. Morgana had never done anything like this before. At least, Gosalyn was assuming this was more difficult magic; she honestly didn't know.

Taurus Bulba shuffled his large metallic feet impatiently. "Must we show her all that we've been watching the past week?"

Magica scowled at the bull opposite of her. "Not everything! Just important parts! Don't be getting bolts twisted!" She turned her attention back to the mirror and after a few elaborate arm gestures, the mirror began to glow. She looked around the mirror to Taurus and asked him almost mockingly, "Would you like to tell story or shall I?"

Taurus sneered at the magical mirror. "T'is your magic. You tell it."

Magica shrugged and as she started speaking, the mirror followed along with her words. "It was simple, as Magica said. That silly jester and his sniveling rat companion game me perfect chance! I whisk you away from explosion at very last minute! Leading everyone in that factory believe you to be dead! Including Darkwing Duck!"

The mirror's shiny surface quivered like a drop of water hit it, its rippling effect changing the mirror until it showed a picture. It was like watching a video. Gosalyn could see her father sobbing in front of the burnt and charred remains of the Whiffle Boy toy pile she had landed on; one of her arrows clutched tightly in his hands. Gosalyn felt her heart pull at the sight of her dad in the mirror.

Magica continued. "He cried and cried until mindless witch unknowingly smuggles my very own Emoti-Gone potion to his not so secret hideout! Nyeh heh heh!" The mirror changed to show a tired and drained Morgana holding a potion in her hands and speaking to Launchpad at the Tower. "Fool thought it was an ancient potion passed down by family! Ha! Not even close! I sneak it there, knowing fool would show it. Just to be sure, I made sure to bump potion and make it fall!" The mirror showed how the chest of potions magically shifted so the bottle would fall to the ground. "I even made sure bumbling father came down for drink so he would hear all about the potion that would take away all feelings!"

Gosalyn frowned. "A potion that would take away all feelings?"

Magica nodded. "Keep watching! Magica explain!" she encouraged.

Taurus turned away as she continued, opting to pace around the area.

"Potion is old recipe that I re-designed and made more powerful! I knew bumbling hero would drink it. He was in so much pain from feelings he could not control. He drank potion and lost all abilities to feel emotions! No sadness, no grief, no happiness, no jealousy, no anger, no annoyance-Nothing!"

Gosalyn watched through the mirror as a blank faced Drake Mallard walked about their house on Avian Way and spoke to Launchpad as though he was a robot.

The mirror changed and showed her Drake standing in front of their burning house. Gosalyn's whole body tensed and her eyes widened, feeling as though they would pop right out of her head. "Our house!"

At this, Taurus spoke up, starting with a taunting laugh. "He burned it. He burned down your cute little suburban house. He no longer desired to live there and saw need to burn it. It only reminded him of the pain he was so desperately avoiding."

Gosalyn had looked at the half robotic bull in shock before looking back at the mirror. "But why!? Why do all this!?"

Magica raised a finger in the air to gain Gosalyn's attention. "Keep listening! It was from then on, bumbling hero dug himself metamorphic grave! Without his emotions, he no longer kept himself from insulting everyone left and right. He pushed everyone away, even silly pilot sidekick! Who ended up making all this even better!"

"Who, Launchpad?" questioned the confused hero in training.

Magica nodded. "Yes! Sidekick made this all the better! This was not part of plan, but it worked so well! Turns out silly pilot has been harboring feelings for bumbling hero. You can imagine his broken heart when Darkwing turns him down harshly. Pilot's heart break ended up helping me find another piece of the puzzle I need for plans!"

Gosalyn, completely gobsmacked, shook her head. "WAIT! Launchpad is in love with my dad!? SINCE WHEN!?" She didn't know if she was happy or disgusted; not that she disliked the idea, but because the idea of her dad being anything close to romantic was not a sight she liked to imagine.

"Since now, apparently" shrugged Magica in disinterest. "Not only did bumbling hero break pilot's heart, but he spat in the faces of all of St. Canard's Police Department, sassed S.H.U.S.H., drove knife through Negaduck's hand, shot officer in leg then blame it on his doppelganger, and nearly had silly pilot killed before he finally caved and broke the effects of my potion!"

Gosalyn had watched little snippet scenes of each event take place as Magica listed them off. Gosalyn's face was on of horror and heart break as she watched her father, her role model, reduced to this emotionless drone. It was like someone else was playing the role of her dad and failing miserably at it. This person looked just like her dad, but as she watched the mirror, she saw the coldness in his eyes. That wasn't her dad. It couldn't be. He would never do any of those things.

He'd been so lost and hurt when he thought he'd lost her that he hid himself away.

There was a twinge of annoyance at her dad's actions; but her sympathy for him won out. She knew she would be just as big of a mess had the situation been reversed.

"So!" Magica pressed on. "Here we are today! Hero fought back against potion! Effects are gone! Emotions are back! And I know have the perfect ingredient for my plans!"

Taurus stepped forward as Magica spelled the mirror away and making it disappear. "And now we can do what I have been wanting to do all week."

"All week!?" Gosalyn interrupted.

Taurus raised the only eyebrow he had left. "Have you not figured it out? You have been unconscious for seven days...Almost eight now. Magica kept you under a light sleeping spell. We couldn't risk the chance of you getting away and running off to your father before our plans came to bear fruit."

Gosalyn scowled. "Now what do you plan to do!?"

Taurus Bulba turned to face her completely, his face contorting to a dark grin. He opened his mouth to explain when Magica cut him off.

"We release you."

Taurus stopped and turned to her and at the same time, both Bulba and Gosalyn asked, "What?"

Magica, who was now facing her potion table, shrugged and replied without facing them. "We release you. There is no longer any reason to keep you here. No longer any reason to hide knowledge that you are still alive."

Taurus turned on Magica immediately, stomping his way over to her angrily. "What!? That was not part of the deal, Magica! The deal was we kidnap the girl and use her to our advantage!"

Unfazed by the threatening half cyborg who was yelling at her, she calmly turned to him. "And we did just that! We got Darkwing to drink potion! And potion's effects were broken! I knew the moment that pilot's feelings existed, he would be one to break it. Girl was back-up in case that failed. It does not matter if Darkwing knows if she is alive to us anymore. She is no longer useful."

Growling, Taurus demanded, "But then why kidnap her at all!?"

"Fool!" snapped Magica, clearly not liking Taurus' impudence. "She was so Darkwing would drink the potion! He did just that and now that potion is over, it no longer matters what happens! Send her back!"

"What about luring Darkwing to us!?"

Magica ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "That comes later in plan. You're getting ahead of self. Your need for revenge is blinding you. Must be patient! Send her back! Keeping her here will only be more work later!"

Taurus was at a loss. "But-!"

Magica turned on him, her hair whipping around at the quick movement. "Don't you dare, Taurus Bulba! Don't ruin this for me! You do as I say or I make sure your metal parts rot with rust!" With a wave of her hand, his metallic hand began to do just that. Taurus watched in horror as the metal of his hand began to turn to rust and start crumbling.

"FINE!" hollered a panicked Taurus.

Magica stopped the spell and Taurus' hand returned to normal, much to his relief.

Gosalyn meanwhile, was now watching Magica with a new awe and fear. This woman, who she had never seen nor heard of, was not the least bit scared or worried about Taurus Bulba, who was known for being one of the most nefarious and difficult of villains her and her father have ever faced. It was a terrifying concept. Just who was this Magica de Spell and what was she planning!?

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Feverish whimpers broke the quiet of the night. Images of Gosalyn, his precious daughter, falling to the toy pile and then going up in flames repeated itself over and over in his sleep deprived mind until finally he cried out.

"Gosalyn!"

Drake shot up from his spot in the hammock he shared with Launchpad. He breathed heavily, his eyes wide, as his senses slowly returned to him. He looked around the darkened room that was known as their current home. Sweat mingled under his feathers as he slowly closed hsi eyes and rubbed his left eye with his hand. He moaned in despair. He couldn't sleep; his mind wouldn't let him.

He'd had the luxury of no emotions for far too long and now finally, Drake Mallard was properly grieving the daughter he lost. Tears welled up in his eyes as his chest tightened with emotion and he felt it harder to breathe.

Just when Drake was starting to think he would explode from it all, a gentle hand reached out to him, grabbing onto his arm.

"Shh...It's okay, DW..."

Drake started slightly from the sleepy voice of his best friend. He turned his head to look behind him where Launchpad's head was. The pilot was still laying down, but his eyes were half open and looking at Drake in sympathy. "I miss her too..."

Drake sniffed at Launchpad's confession and looked down at his lap. "I can't...I can't sleep, Launchpad. I can't stop thinking about it. My mind won't let me. Every time I close my eyes I just keep seeing-Keep seeing-" He wasn't able to finish his sentence as Drake curled in on himself and willed back his sobs.

Watching Drake curl himself up into a ball, he punished himself up on his elbow and with his free arm, wrapped it around Drake and pulled the grieving mallard to him. They moved about in the hammock until Drake was laying in front of Launchpad; his back pressed against Launchpad's chest. Launchpad's left hand rubbed at Drake's arm soothingly. "It's gonna take some time for both of us, DW, but we can get through this. I promise..."

Drake miserably nodded, his head now back on his tear stained pillow.

"Just try to think of other things. That's what I do when I'm sad" suggested Launchpad with a yawn. "Come on, let's talk about something else and maybe that'll help ya get sleepy again so you can rest."

Drake couldn't help but give him a wan smile he knew Launchpad couldn't see.

"How about thinkin' about your first day at your new job in the morning?"

Drake closed his eyes, his small smile vanishing. He groaned and shifted his feet. "Don't remind me!"

Launchpad squeezed his arm encouragingly. "Aww, have some confidence, DW! You'll do great! And the best part is, you'll have Fenton there to help ya out! He knows all about that stuff and he's worked for Mr. McDee for years! Any questions can go to him! It'll be like havin' a cheat sheet on a test!"

Drake rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I know he's your friend, LP, but you're gonna have to give me a bit of time to get used to the guy. He's...quite the character..."

Launchpad laughed. "Heh, Fenton is Fenton, I'll give ya that. But he's a good egg. Worships the ground Mr. McDee walks on...And that was BEFORE they started dating!"

Drake shook his head again. "Odd fellow..." He sighed. "Though I guess you're right. It is nice to know I can go to him for questions..."

Launchpad shifted uncomfortably behind Drake. "Um...Why do you say he's odd?"

Drake didn't reply right away. He half shrugged, which was awkward since he was laying on his side. He turned around in the hammock so that he was now facing Launchpad. "I don't know. Just comes off that way to me, I guess."

Launchpad opened his beak then closed it. He was no longer looking at Drake and instead was looking above Drake's head and to the dresser that was behind him.

Seeing Launchpad's sudden uncomfortable silence, Drake asked, "What's wrong, LP?"

It was clear Launchpad was debating whether or not to say anything. Finally, he admitted, "You say Fenton is odd. You don't think that because he's in love with Mr. McDee, do you? I mean, according to Gyro, a lot of people were uneasy and disliked the idea of them together."

It finally occurred to Drake what was bothering his friend. He nodded in understanding, being able to read between the lines. The two of them still haven't discussed the dynamics between them yet. He should have known Launchpad would be worried about where Drake stood in dating another guy. "Ahh, I see. No. Trust me, LP. That has nothing to do with it. I've always thought Fenton was an oddball. Long before he started dating Scrooge McDuck." He paused and thought his words out carefully. "Look, I've only really met the guy once. When he stayed with us in St. Canard that one time, remember?"

Launchpad nodded.

"Well, the real reason I call him odd is cause...he's just odd to me! He's just too positive, too loud, too talkative. And he kept wearing my red robe!" This last bit was adding in more out of a irritation than anything else. "He's just a lot for me to take in, okay?"

Launchpad smiled before asking, "So it has nothing to do with who he's dating?"

Drake shook his head. "I don't give a flying hoot who he dates. He just needs to stop talking a mile a minute around me. And also-I don't know why-But he reminds me of that annoying spotlight hogging buffoon- Gizmoduck! I don't know-it's the way they both talk or something-And you know how much I can't stand him!"

That got another laugh out of Launchpad before he yawned hugely again. "You and your dislike of Gizmoduck. I'll never understand it. I think he's great!"

Drake didn't respond at first. He was absently plucking at the small thin bed sheet between them. When he did speak he said seriously, "Launchpad, I want you to know, I'm okay with the idea of dating you. Or another guy for that matter. It's just...After everything that's happened lately-"

Launchpad interrupted him. "That's all I needed to hear, DW! I understand why now is a bad time. I'm not tryin' to rush you in any way! I'm just glad to know its not me."

Drake gave him a tender smile and pushed himself closer; filling the space between them. He rested his head against the pilot's chest and wrapped his one arm around his waist. "No...It's definitely not you, LP. You've been so good to me...Even when I was horrible to you."

Launchpad beamed down at Drake, his chin resting above Drake's head. He held the shorter mallard close. "Aww, shucks, DW! I know that wasn't really you!"

Reality seemed to settle back in as Drake's melancholy returned. He groaned. "I just don't feel as though things will be getting any easier of me anytime soon, LP. I'm going to need some time..."

Launchpad nodded. "I understand! Really! Take all the time you need!"

Drake nodded. "I don't think its even fully registered with me yet that things are officially over with Morgana and me. I...I don't blame her for what happened...But just the idea of seeing her just hurts too much, you know? And the idea of dating anyone at the moment is the last thing on my mind."

Launchpad nodded understandingly.

Drake continued. "Just, help me get through the next few days and this new job and we'll go from there..."

"You got it, DW!" yawned Launchpad again. "Now let's try to get some sleep, okay? I'm bushed!"

Drake nodded and moved until he was comfortable. It didn't take long for Launchpad to fall back asleep and Drake wished he could say the same for himself. There was just this little aching deep inside of him that said something wasn't right. Something bad was going to happen and he usually had been right about such feelings in the past as Darkwing.

Closing his eyes, Drake ignored it and willed himself to sleep.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Bright and early later that morning found Launchpad and Drake making their way to Scrooge McDuck's Money Bin. The sun was bright and the sky was clear; which was the complete opposite of Drake's current mood. He had been thrilled at the idea of getting a job so quickly for he and Launchpad were desperate since they had to start everything from scratch, more or less.

Fenton's offer had been a God send, but now that it was time to actually show up to work, butterflies were starting to dance around inside the shorter mallard's stomach. All of his adult life he had been Darkwing Duck: masked mallard and secret vigilante to St. Canard. He had used the money he had gotten from his foster parents to support himself and cut costs wherever he could. Mainly by living in the Tower. But now it was time to act like a true citizen of the world and have a full time job.

Drake swallowed the lump in his throat as the taxi they had taken to get to the Money Bin drove off behind them. They looked up at the towering building that contained McDuck's three cubic-acre fortune.

"What does a duck do with that much money?" Drake asked out loud.

Launchpad shrugged. "He swims in it, of course!"

Drake turned to his taller friend. "No, he doesn't! You can't swim in money!"

Launchpad frowned. "No, really. I've seen him do it myself! He actually swims through his money! He wears a bathing suit and everything!"

Sensing that Launchpad wasn't joking, Drake's eyes widened. "How do you SWIM in money!?"

Launchpad shrugged. "Beats me! I've never tired. Not that he'd let me. I know his nephews have tried and they can't. I guess its just something only Mr. McDee can do..."

Drake shook his head and they both looked at the front doors in time to see the said billionaire duck step out of the doors with Fenton at his heels.

Upon seeing them, Scrooge gave a smirk and leaned on his cane, waiting for them to walk up the rest of the way to them. Following Scrooge's gaze, Fenton saw them approach as well and beamed at them happily.

"Hi, Launchpad! Hi, Drake!" he greeted them in too chipper of a voice for Drake's taste. It was too early to be so happy and energetic.

Scrooge seemed unfazed by his companion's exuberant mood and regarded the two of them in a cool manner. "Good mornin'. Yer right on time. I admire that. Time is money, laddie" he said to Drake specifically. "MY money! So be sure t'always be on time or ya won't have this job long!"

Drake nodded. "I can do that."

"Are you joining us on the tour we're gonna give Drake, Launchpad?" asked Fenton.

Launchpad shook his head. "Nahh. I'm just dropping Drake off. He's still new to Duckberg, so he's not entirely sure where he's going half the time."

Drake gave him a half lidded glare. "Though, like I told you, I would have been able to find the very large, very noticeable building that towers over the city without problem, thank you, Launchpad."

Scrooge seemed flattered by Drake's annoyed comment. He looked up at his money bin fondly. "Aye, me Money Bin is quite the beauty, ain't she?" He admired the view for a brief second before turning back to them. "Now, let's get started. I have a very busy day ahead of me. I need ta get ya settled as soon as possible. Follow me." Before he went, he turned to Launchpad. "It was good seein' ya, laddie!"

"Same to you, Mr. McDee!" smiled the pilot.

Drake looked uncertainly up at Launchpad, not wanting to see him go. He was in unfamiliar territory and in the emotional and mental state he was currently in, he wasn't sure he was ready to be. He gave Launchpad a small wave, who returned it and smiled back encouragingly. Despite Launchpad's distraction the night before, Drake had still found it hard to sleep and he was paying for it now.

Without further hesitation, Drake followed the world's richest duck and his significant other into the money bin.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The 'tour' Scrooge had given him had been more like a trip to the elevator and a short walk through the offices where he introduced all his other employees. And by "introduced", Drake meant, pointed them out with his cane and said who they were and what they did for him. Not that Drake would be able to remember any of this.

The only good part about the 'tour' was that, firstly, Fenton seemed to keep more quiet than he expected and actually allowed Scrooge to do the talking. But also, he found that Drake's new desk was right behind Fenton's. As Launchpad had said, this was good, because Fenton would be able to help him out. And the shorter mallard had a feeling he would need a lot of it.

Scrooge had left Fenton and Drake in the offices shortly after they got upstairs; shutting the door to his office behind him. In the wake of the rich duck's absence, Drake looked to Fenton who was still standing beside him and noted that the accountant was staring at the door with hearts in his eyes. "Isn't he amazing, Drakey?"

Drake blinked, looking back and forth between Fenton and the door. "Mr. McDuck? Yeah, I suppose so. He's a very important duck after all. Very um...intimidating? He really fills a room, despite being even shorter than me."

Fenton's happy gaze faltered as he turned to Drake. "He's not short! He's fun-sized!"

Drake awkwardly looked away. "Alright. So..."

Fenton had the decency to blush and look away as well. "Let's get to it then!" His smile returned as he guided Drake over to his new desk. "If you have any questions, just me know!"

Drake sat in his chair and looked at the computer and basic office supplies on it. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Um...Yeah. Exactly WHAT will I be doing?"

Fenton leaned on his desk and began explaining. "Okay, well, in simple terms: you're Scrooge's Data Analysis Manager. So, basically, your job is to process statistics and techniques within the company. All the information and data from Scrooge's company will be coming and going from you and it'll be your job to collect and analyze it all."

"What will I be looking for?" was Drake's question.

Fenton shrugged. "Oh, patterns and such. Say a company is not doing so well, you'll be able to look through their documents and files and stuff and help us figure out what's wrong." He paused and looked at Scrooge's office door before leaning in towards Drake and whispering. "Honestly, all you'll have to do is just organize and collect files. It's a pretty simple job. Just make it look like you're doing your job and you'll be fine. Scrooge rarely ever fusses over the details, unless of course, a situation arises that he needs to look more closely at one of his companies for some reason. But even then, just find him what he's looking for and you're fine."

Drake nodded slowly. He clicked a few buttons on the computer, bringing up a program that he will be using. "That's it?"

Fenton nodded. "That's it. You'll be doing a lot of printing too. Print off the files and reports you get and keep them together. Usually the reports come in about the same time each week like clock work. The filing cabinent over there is where you'll be stocking it all."

Drake followed his gaze and nodded again. He pulled anxiously at the tie he'd found in Launchpad's little shack. It happened to match his salmon shirt and vest so he put it on in an attempt to look more professional.

"I think I can handle a printer..." mumbled Drake as Fenton turned back to work at his own desk.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"I can't even handle a printer!" groaned Drake two hours later. He was frantically trying his hardest to keep the printer from printing out any more copies of the report he had been trying to print. The printer however seemed jammed and didn't want to listen to him.

Sweat was rolling down Drake's temple as Fenton walked over to see what the problem was. "What's wrong, Drake?" He glanced down at the printer tray. "Blathering Blatherskite! That's a lot of copies of the Happy Fizzy Drink statistic report! You know you only had to copy it once, right?"

Drake glared at the accountant, feeling the question go straight to his ego since it insinuated he was stupid. "Yes, I knew that!" he snapped. "But I don't know what I did wrong! The printer just won't stop copying!"

After looking over the printer and seeing that it was in fact jammed and refusing to quit, Fenton hummed in thought. "Hmm...You know, this happened to me once when my toaster just kept cooking my toast over and over again. It wouldn't give me the toast. It was stuck. Wanna know what I did then?"

Drake frowned at him. "You told me how this was story was relevant?"

Fenton shook his head, not catching the jibe. "No, I didn't know you back then. Heh, when the toaster wouldn't stop...I went and found my M'ma. She took care of it."

Drake face palmed. It was then that the printer starting going into hyper drive and started spitting out the papers faster and faster. They both stepped back in alarm. By this point everyone in the office was watching them.

Now more worried as ever as the machine spat papers everywhere, Drake said loudly, "Okay, well, your M'ma isn't here! So what now, genius!?"

Fenton opened his beak to reply when the door to Scrooge's office opened. Drake turned in time to see the rich duck heading out of his office and he cursed under his breath. Scrooge McDuck WOULD pick now of all times to step out of his office.

Upon seeing the papers spitting all over the place, Scrooge threw everyone his signature glare. "What is the meanin' a this!?"

He stepped up to Drake and Fenton who were being rained on by Happy Fizzy Drink statistic reports. "Uh, ya see, Scrooge-Drake was trying to print out the Happy Fizzy Drink statistical report and-"

Scrooge didn't let him continue. "So he started printing out hundreds of them and started wasting my ink and paper!?" Without wasting another moment, Scrooge pushed past them and around to the other side of the printer where he unplugged the printer all together. The printer immediately powered down and the mess of papers stopping flowing out of it.

Drake shut his eyes, asking himself hatefully inside why he hadn't thought of that.

Fenton whistled. "Huh...You know, that's the same thing M'ma did with the toaster..."

Drake bit back a growl. That! That right there was why Fenton annoyed him so much!

His annoyance didn't last long as he opened his eyes to see a furious Scrooge in front of him. "I would appreciate it if ya didn't go wasting my supplies!" he snapped. "It costs MONEY for those supplies! What a waste, Mr. Mallard!"

Drake forced himself to stay strong. This recent botch up with the printer and Scrooge's anger was just the cherry on top of everything else that had happened to him in the past week. Loosing Gosalyn by failing to be a better protector and father, giving in to his selfishness and drinking that potion and ruining his life further, forcing him and his best friend to move after burning down their house, losing his girlfriend, possibly gaining a boyfriend in the process, being in a new city and completely lost, and now angering his boss two hours into his new job? He couldn't handle this.

Fenton glanced over at Drake and saw the shorter mallard's hands start to tremble. Seeing and knowing the signs of a break down from personal experience, the accountant quickly latched onto Drake's right hand and pushed him out of Scrooge's line of sight. "Give him a break, Scroogey!" he smiled fondly at his favorite duck.

Scrooge stepped backed at Fenton's intervention. "What?"

"Give the guy a break! He just lost his daughter and he's living in a new city! He's nervous, is all!" said Fenton pragmatically. He noted all the papers and wasted ink around them. "We'll clean up this mess in a jiffy and I'll even buy you new ink and paper myself, okay, Scrooge?"

The two of them shared a brief staring contest as Fenton's words sunk in and Scrooge gave it some thought. The older duck huffed before saying and looking away. "Fine! Get him sorted out! But I be havin' anymore of this! We have a business to run! No time for such mistakes!"

With a turn of his heel, Scrooge moved past them and over to Mrs. Quackfaster, who seemed to be the real person he had come to speak to.

Drake had just watched, stunned that Fenton was sticking up for him so much. He squeezed Fenton's hand slightly. "Thanks" he managed to get out.

Fenton turned his attention to Drake and wordlessly led him out of the money bin. Drake followed the accountant down the stairs and outside where they could get some fresh air and privacy.

Drake took in a deep breath, enjoying the breeze. He was once again amazed at how clear and fresh the air smelled as compared to back in St. Canard.

Fenton urged him to follow, having let go of Drake's hand. "Come on, there is a bench here."

The two of them sat on the bench and enjoyed the warm sunny day for a few minutes before Fenton broke the silence. "So? Are you feeling better?"

Drake shook his head. "No." He admitted honestly.

Fenton frowned and leaned forward to get a better look at Drake's downturned face. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?"

"Pfft, trust me, Drakey, I know an emotional break down when I see one. Believe me, I"ve dealt with them myself" replied Fenton, leaning back and gesturing to himself with his hand. "When I first admitted my feelings to ol' Scroogey, he broke my heart in two by screaming at me about how big of a screw up I was and how I never listened. But you want to know what got me through it?"

"Not your M'ma again, was it?"

Fenton thought about it for a second before shaking his head. "No. I mean, she helped...a little between her soap operas...but no. My determination and loyalty ended up making Scrooge realize I was worth keeping around! And the same can be said about all the other times I had break downs. I just never let myself give up!"

Drake gave him an uninterested expression. "That's lovely and all, Fenton, and I'm happy for you, but have you ever had to deal with losing a daughter? A daughter that you didn't protect when you should have?"

Fenton paused, knowing Drake had a point. "No, I've never experienced anything like that. But, it's going to be okay, Drake! You're just going through a tough time in your life. But just look at everyone who's rooting for you. I am, in case you didn't know!" He laughed and fiddled with the sleeve of his jacket. "And what about Launchpad? He's there for you, right?"

Drake managed a small smile at the mention of his loyal sidekick. He nodded. "Yeah. He is..." His smile vanished. "But I just feel so drained, Fenton. I'm messed up SO much this past week and with so many things...And when Mr. McDuck started yelling at me...I just...I couldn't do it. I feel thin and stretched and I can't sleep...and I can hardly eat. I've barely had a chance to move on and accept what all has happened and suddenly I'm expected to start this new job with a temperamental boss obsessed with money!?"

"Hmm...Scroogey does love his money..." agreed Fenton passively.

Drake took in a deep breath and let it out. "Thank you, Fenton. I needed a breather."

"Do you think you'll be okay?"

Drake shook his head. "No. But, I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? I have to keep pressing on regardless, right?"

Fenton nodded sympathetically. "Yeah...But don't worry! I've got your back, Drakey!" He patted Drake enthusiastically on the back. "I'll help you out! You just leave Scroogey to me! Not to brag...but he's uh...Got a bit of a soft spot for me." He winked at his friend.

Drake smirked. "I would imagine so, seeing as how you're dating him!"

Fenton suddenly looked like a little kid on Christmas. He leaned over to Drake and said quietly, "Not for long! Soon I'm planning on proposing to him! I want to marry him, Drakey! He's the love of my life, the apple of my eye, the cream in my coffee!"

Drake couldn't help but grin at Fenton's lovesick attitude. "He really makes you that happy, huh?"

Fenton nodded excitedly. "He has the power to make or break my day! Just a single smile from him makes my heart flutter. He's just too amazing not to love!"

Drake nodded, patting Fenton on the knee. "I'm happy for you, Fenton. I wish you luck and I hope he says ...thank you for cheering me up. We didn't talk much, but it helped."

Fenton smiled hugely. "Anytime, Drake! Now come on, let's go figure out that printer!"

The two of them walked back into the money bin and Fenton spent the rest of the day helping out Drake, knowing the poor guy needed the extra help. Normally Drake wouldn't appreciate the extra help, his ego not allowing it, but he knew he wasn't up to the challenge of handling any of it by himself.

He just wished he could get rid of the sinking feeling in the bottom of his stomach that something bad was going to happen.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Back at the cave, Magica was busy reading through a spell book. She didn't notice Taurus Bulba walking closer to Gosalyn's cage. The young duckling had fallen asleep from exhaustion from lack of nutrition and properly recovering from the events at the factory.

Looking down at her, Taurus spoke quietly, "I care not what Magica has planned. I am getting my revenge on Darkwing Duck and you...Gosalyn Waddlemeyer, are gonna help me do it!"

His shadow covered over the sleeping Gosalyn's face as he chortled with laughter.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()