A/n: I love Daisy. And I'm not upset that she's not in the show, I understand how that wouldn't really fit episodically and would draw attention away from what the show is about. But, that doesn't mean I can't find a place for her within this universe, separate and between the adventures.

III

Traffic ruined lives. Or maybe the universe was just letting Donald know he was hated. Again.

Already fifteen minutes late to his new job, and he wasn't going anywhere fast. He sat, gripping the steering wheel with one white-knuckled fist, and holding his cell phone to his ear with the other. He'd been on hold with his boss for sixteen minutes now.

It was easing up just a bit, more touch-and-go than the snail crawl he'd been stuck in for a good lone while. Car horns blared from behind him. Someone drove up the edge of the road, trying to bypass traffic because they were obviously so much more important than the rest of these peasants.

"Lousy, good-for-nothing—"

"Excuse me?"

Donald winced, but he wasn't surprised. "Morning, boss. I wasn't—"

"Never mind. You're late."

"Yes, I know, but traffic is—"

"Your coworkers made it to work just fine."

Donald tried his darnedest not to let his frustration show over the phone.

"I had to take my kids to school. Listen, traffic is letting up a bit. I'll be there in ten minutes, tops. Please."

"…Ten minutes, Duck."

Donald sighed, and stepped on the gas to follow the graciously moving traffic. "Thank you sir. I—"

Just then, Donald was jolted as his car was hit first from the back, and then rammed into the car in front of him. "Sonova—"

He looked at both cars, seeing the mortified driver behind him sitting behind the wheel, and the peeved looking woman leave the car in front of him, standing hands-on-hips and glaring. Donald sighed heavily.

In his ear, his boss spoke up again. "That sounded like a crash."

"…I'm going to be more than ten minutes."

"You're fired."

"I figured."

He hung up without waiting for a response. The lady in front of him had figured out what had happened, and had thankfully shifted her focus onto the man who was actually at fault. In the current traffic standstill, she'd walked right on back and was having a very forceful chat with him.

She let him be, for the moment, and started walking back to her car. Donald rolled down his window as she passed.

"Anyone hurt?" He asked.

"No," she said. "Just some idiot texting. He's lucky we weren't going any faster."

"He going to put up a fuss?"

"I don't think so. Listen, traffic's picking up again. As soon as we can move, pull over and we'll all do the insurance/blame game thing."

Donald, despite the circumstances, cracked a tiny smile. "Oh good, I love that game."

The woman's tense shoulders relaxed a fraction, and she huffed out a little laugh. She held out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Daisy."

"Donald."

She glanced up at the traffic movement slowly but surely making its way to them. "I guess I'll be talking to you soon," she said, and then went back to her car and got in.

Donald rolled his window up and waited for the traffic to move just that little bit. He should be steaming mad, but in all honestly, he wasn't even surprised anymore by how unlucky he could be. Though, at least this time, the company he found himself with was rather pretty.

…

…Nope. He wasn't going there.

The long line of cars inched forward enough for the three vehicles to pull off to the side. The tree of them exited their cars, all bracing against the bitter January wind. The man at fault—Lucas—was apologetic, but not nearly enough in the eyes Daisy. Don took no small amount of pleasure from watching her wring the guy out, watching him shrink into himself with every word she spoke. Honestly, it was impressive.

At long last, she ended her tirade, and jabbed a delicate, forceful finger at his chest. "Go get your information. Right now."

Lucas retreated a few steps. "Are you going to call the police?"

She and Donald exchanged a glance, and Don shook his head. "Not enough damage for that. Plus, I kind of just want to go home."

Lucas scuttled away to retrieve his info, as did Donald and Daisy. The tree of them exchanged information. Lucas, still flighty, left as soon as he could. Donald sighed yet again and turned to take in the damage. Again.

His car was screwed on both ends. The fender looked like it might come off after a few sharp turns and bumps. Though he'd be honest, if his insurance didn't cover it, he'd probably just leave it as is. the thing ran, and he had other things to pay for first, thanks very much.

He then looked at Daisy's car. Her's was less dented than his was, but there was an ugly scrape of paint and exposed metal marring the new-looking silver finish. He winced a bit. Daisy herself was texting, muttering under her breath, still agitated. Donald, without meaning to, chuckled.

Daisy looked up. "What?"

Don cleared his throat. "Nothing. Sorry."

Daisy, oddly, looked down and blushed just the slightest bit. "Sorry you had to see that. I try to keep my temper to myself."

Oh, if she only knew. "Don't worry about it. I know a thing or two about having a temper. Very impressive, by the way. I think you almost made him cry."

Daisy looked startled. "Oh. Thank you. I think."

They were quiet. Daisy pulled her coat closer around herself, and Donald was snapped to attention.

"You should probably get going, I'm sure you don't want to be late to…wherever you're headed to."

"Right, right. Traffic's starting to move."

"Yes, it is."

She lingered for only a fraction of a second. "Well, goodbye, then. Good luck with your car."

"Yeah. You too."

And then she turned to leave. And as she was opening her driver's side door, Donald, beyond his own rational thinking, found himself going with his gut instinct for the first time in years.

"Daisy," he called to her before she entered her car, "how'd you like to go for coffee sometime? With me?"

His nerves flared for all of half a second before she smiled at him. She pointed at the notecard in his hand which held her information. "You have my number," she said, and hopped into her car and eased back into the lane.

Donald leaned against his abused car and watched her drive off. He then unlocked his phone and saved her as a new contact. Daisy Duck.

This was a bad idea. Probably. He hadn't even tried to date since adopting the boys.

He wasn't nearly as nervous as he thought he'd be.