Author's Note: This fanfic idea hit me yesterday and I had to get it down. OC characters Angela and Ethan are from my story "Magical Intervention" but in this one with different careers. Angela is still a sorceress, but Ethan is dating Drake Mallard from Ducktales. You'll see why.

Deep into the darkness of night,when everyone is slumbering, he lies awake. Among the threadbare possessions he owns, the most regarded ones pawned for money to survive. The apartment, with the leaky ceiling, torn carpet, and moldy kitchen. How did it come to this? He used to be at the top. He was adored, loved, respected. How could all of that just have been forgotten?

How could he had just been easily replaced?

Again. By something he truly loved, by someone regarded as better than him.

"I was replaced once before." He thought angrily gripping the comforter. "This time, I won't go down without a fight."

"Thank you for the audition Mr. Mallard, we'll call you once we have made our decision."

Drake Mallard smiled nervously and shook the hand of the casting director.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity." He said and left the room. Once he was sure he was out of sight, he sighed and leaned on a wall tiredly.

"That was probably a bust." He thought sadly. "Being a superhero has it's perks, but I still need an income."

Hey Drake!" A voice said excitedly.

He turned to see his newest best buddy Launchpad McQuack in his pilot's attire of course running over to him.

"Hey LP!" He said waving to him.

"Audition go okay?" Launchpad asked.

"You'd think getting a part in a commercial would be easier than a movie." He crossed his arms. "They'll let me know. I doubt I wowed them because I got the whole 'don't call us we'll call you' speech."

"Aw I am sure they do that for everyone who auditions." Launchpad reassured. "What was the commercial for anyway?"

"Shoe insoles."

"Oh."

"Yeah I have to wear them and pretend I'm running." He said.

"Well, you've had a lot of practice being you know who."

"With quite a dash of klutz." Drake sighed. Then looked at his watch.

"OH NO!" He cried. "I'm late! Launchpad did you!"

"Bring you the shirt you asked?" He said. "Right here!"

He held up a deep purple dress shirt.

"You are a lifesaver!" He yelled. "Gosh I hope Ethan doesn't kill me! Poor guy is probably so nervous!"

"Relax, the play isn't for another hour!"

"Across town!" He said nervously. "At rush hour!"

"Oh yeah." He said. "Maybe you'd better call him."

Drake pulled his phone out of his purple checked shirt and dialed his boyfriend's number as he ran into the men's room.

"I think I'm going to be sick." The voice on the other end picked up.

"It's going to be okay!" Drake said. "You are going to do fantastic."

"My whole job is riding on this play!" He said. "My whole career! If this flops, I'll never get another job like this again."

"Teaching theatre to middle schoolers?" Drake said.

"I'll be lucky if I'll be able to teach improv to senior citizens."

Drake smiled as he worked on changing and balancing the phone.

"You are a wonderful teacher." He said. "And the kids are going to do great! You've been rehearsing for the last three months, preparing the props, the special effects, you basically helped the school save money by doing this all on your own instead of them having to pay."

"It gets even worse." Ethan sighed running a hand through his already messy hair. "Scrooge McDuck is going to be here!?"

"Scrooge!?" Drake asked. "Why?"

"Apparently I teach his great nephews, those triplets who loved to cause trouble during rehearsal." He said. "The school really wants this play to succeed in hopes they can get a donation out of the old duck."

"Oh boy."

"Not reassuring love." Ethan said.

Drake checked his reflection in the mirror.

"I thought it was a public school?" He asked. "Tax payers money and all."

"A donation is never unwanted." Ethan said.

Drake smiled.

"Well Scrooge McDuck or no, I still think you are going to do amazing." He said. "Don't over do it on the antacid and I'll be there soon."

"You don't have to, you know." Ethan said. "I know with your new night job as you, um, you know, you are exhausted, plus the audition."

Ethan and his best friend, history teacher Angela Pato, had figured out early on that Drake was now the magnaimous Darkwing Duck, fighting crime all over Duckburg and St. Canard. When your lover's best friend is a sorceress, it is hard to get one by her. Ethan supported his new venture, sure it worried him to no end, but when he saw how alive it made Drake, he couldn't protest it.

"The police can handle the criminals for one night." Drake said. "I'm going to see this beautiful masterpiece you created, then we are all going to go out and celebrate, and then, well how about swinging over to my place for some private celebrating of our own?"

Ethan smiled.

"The tower?"

"Where else?"

Ethan chuckled.

"I would really like that." He said. "Can't we just skip to that part now?"

"Couple of hours my love, I will have you in my arms." Drake said. "But please know, I am in pure agony longing for your sweet kiss. Until then, I will move the heavens myself to get to you."

Ethan's soft laughter made Drake's heart melt.

"Just take it slow, especially if Launchpad is behind the wheel or controls." He said. "Angela said she'd meet you in school's lobby."

"I will." He said. "And hey."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Drake bid his love goodbye and hung up.

Checking his reflection one last time, he left the men's room.

"You have the gift right?" He said when he met back up with Launchpad.

"Sure thing!" Launchpad said when they got out to the car. "It looks really neat!"

Drake grinned.

"It may not be flowers." He said lifting the box that was in the passenger seat. "But I think it'll be more special." He lifted the lid and smiled. It was a simple leather bracelet with the comedy/drama mask plated in the middle.

Angela Pato stood outside tapping her foot.

"Come on Drake!" She thought nervously. "The play is going to start any minute."

She watched down the street as a blue sedan came hurtling. It braked hard in front of the building. Drake all but fell out of the passenger side.

Angela sighed annoyingly and helped the dizzy duck to his feet.

"You really had to let him drive?" She asked him.

"He insisted." Drake said shaking his head. Launchpad got out to the car unscathed as normal.

Angela pulled him up the stairs of the school building.

"I'm not too late am I!?" Drake asked anxiously as Angela held his arm.

"You were right on time!" She said checking her watch. "Curtain's up in five minutes!"

They ran inside.

Unbeknown to them, he was watching. Shrouded by the setting sun and the high rooftop he stood upon. Canary yellow mixing with the gold of sunset.

"It can't be?" He had uttered looking down at the woman. The soft array of curly hair, the thin frame, blue dress, and low heels. She looked so much like...

"Maria?" He choked out.

The play was "Peter Pan" and it was everything one could expect from a child's play, but better. Ethan had not only directed the play, he had gotten the school's orchestra department involved. Ethan used all sorts of special effects to give the audience the fact that they too were flying to Neverland, battling Captain Hook, (played by Louie Duck), meeting the Native Americans. John and Michael Darling were played by the other two triplets, Dewey and Huey Duck. Wendy was played by Lena Sabrewing and Tinkerbell, her sister Violet. Granted Violet had auditioned for the part on a dare, and was thrilled when this play would soon be over.

The lost boys and pirates were played by an array of a middle schoolers. Parents watched as their little darlings sang their hearts out (though some begrudingly of course), danced, and acted.

"That's my little buddy!" Launchpad said when Dewey recited a scene.

"Launchpad if you get anymore emotional they are going to have to cancel the play to drain the auditorium from your tears." Angela said handing him a tissue.

"Yeah, hold it together LP." Drake said.

Angela took his arm again.

"Ethan is doing great!" She said excitedly.

"He is!" Drake said putting his hand on Angela's. "I knew he would. He is fantastic!"

They watched as Ethan positioned a fog machine and used it to create the clouds that Peter, Wendy, John, and Michael were flying through.

High above in the rafters, he looked down and sneered angrily.

"So, not only does he take my livelihood, he takes away the one I loved most of all."

He wanted to just jump down there. Reclaim the woman he had lost and kill the foe who had touched her. In front of all those people, in front of the world.

He was about to make the jump when the audience stood up suddenly cheering. He didn't realize the play had ended. He hid himself away as the lights turn on in the school auditorium.

It was a zoo in the school as the three friends tried to worm their way to meet up with Ethan. When they saw him Drake had to literally keep himself from running into his love's arms and kissing him with all his might.

But not in front of the kids. And right now they were up to their elbows in them.

"Good job director." Drake said shaking his hand warmly. He leaned in for a bro hug.

"I'm so proud of you." He whispered lovingly. "I love you so much."

Ethan nodded against his shoulder.

Suddenly the room became silent as an elderly duck in spats and top hat approached him. He was followed by his niece Della, the mother of the triplets and nephew Donald.

He extended his feathery hand.

"Well done lad!" He said in his Scottish accent. "You did a great job with the children!"

"Thank you sir." Ethan said sheepishly. And the crowd started up again in volume.

"Launchpad are you coming to the cast party!?" Dewey asked his best friend. "Uncle Scrooge is having it at the mansion and he's invited everyone including Mr. Treadbill!"

Launchpad rubbed his pal's head.

"You betcha little buddy!" He said.

"What about you Ms. Pato?" Huey asked.

"Well I don't know if I am invited." She asked.

"You are now!" Della said said. "Wouldn't mind hearing how the kids are doing in your history class?"

The kids froze except Violet and Huey. She was a straight A student and Huey's best subject was history. Well second to Webby Vanderquack, but she was homeschooled.

Angela giggled.

"Invitation accepted." She said.

"We'll head over to the mansion in probably in the next hour or so." Ethan said. "Is it okay if I bring my friend Drake as well?"

"Sure thing." Scrooge said.

"Yeah, sure, 'friend'." Louie said saying giving air quotation marks. "Jeez why can't just say he's your boyfriend!?"

Ethan and Drake froze. That kid could be so darn blunt.

"Louie be polite!" Donald scolded. "How would you like it if I aired the name of your special someone to the world?"

The boy panicked.

"You wouldn't?" He said.

"It is.."

"No, no Uncle Donald!" Louie said shaking the life out of him. He turned back to his teacher. "Okay, sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be rude."

"Sheesh boy calm yerself." Scrooge said watching as the boy nearly had a coronary.

The principal then decided to come over and sweet talk Scrooge into getting a donation for the school, so the two teachers, actor/superhero, and pilot decided to duck out. Launchpad was going to spend sometime with the adults then head to Scrooge's like they had planned.

"So was all that panic worth it?" Drake asked as they walked down the street. They were heading to a little club, Curtain Call, that Drake and then Ethan would frequent. It was mainly an escape for theatre actors and the like.

"What did Principal Beakster say?" Angela asked.

"He said that I can stay on the books for next year." Ethan said. "But I have to keep producing the same results if not better."

"Wow, pressure much?" Launchpad asked.

"Tell me he said congratulations at least?" Drake asked.

"In so many words."

"Well hopefully the guy will take his retirement soon." Angela said. "And we will get a principal with more heart."

"I think you should apply for the job when the time comes Angie." Ethan said. "You've been there a few years now."

"Me a principal?" Angela said. "Yeah right."

"Why not, the kids love you!" Drake said.

Scaling the roof tops he heard bits and pieces of the conversation. But when he heard, that, that menance, say "love you" to her, he thought his heart would explode with rage.

"How dare you." He uttered. "You could never love her like I do! She is just a thing to you, a bauble on your arm!"

"Does anyone get the feeling we are being watched?" Ethan asked as they approached the club.

Everyone looked around, but shrugged.

"Huh, maybe I am imagining things." Ethan said.

"Probably because you are so tired." Drake said. "Well now you can ease your mind."

They went inside to the club.

He couldn't believe it. It was still there, after all of these years. The Curtain Call had been his old haunt when he was struggling himself. After bit parts and failed auditions he'd drag himself there. Amongst the crowd of kindred spirits. Practicing their talents on the dance floor, reciting syloques on top of the bar, singing musicals on the tables. Drowning their sorrows and triumphs with cheap drinks and watery spirits.

And it was also where he first laid eyes on her.

He sat at the bar, gripping his glass that once held his scotch, the ice melting into a puddle at the bottom of the glass. He craved another, but his wallet told him no. He needed it to pay this month's rent. If he was one more payment behind he would be evicted. He had to get this role. His life depended on it.

Suddenly a band of merry actors bursted into the front doors. Their opening night had been a success. He curved his beak into a fit of jealousy.

"And it's all thanks to the lovely Maria Dovell!" A voice yelled extending his hand.

In she walked. Fresh faced, feathers aglow, curls the color of honey and a dress of light yellow. She was small and almost timid with all the bravado she was suddenly receiving.

He had never seen her before.

"Show them all Maria!" The actor cried leading her to the center of the club. "Show them how you brought the audience to its knees."

She refused with a laugh, but the urging was strong. A member of her entourage ran to the old piano in the corner and started playing.

And then he heard the most beautiful sound ever to grace his ears. She sang with passion and strength, transforming into the character she had just played an hour earlier. Hardly anyone could bring tears to his eyes or make his heart want to burst, but this one, she had done it all.

He probably had clapped the loudest when she had finished.

Inside the club Angela, Launchpad and Drake were toasting Ethan's success.

"Told you you would be fine!" Angela said.

"Yeah, yeah." Ethan said. "Gloat all you want."

"We are not gloating." Drake said. "Just letting you know we believe in you."

"Even if it had not gone good tonight." Angela said. "We'd still be so proud of you."

"Always." Drake said squeezing his hand underneath the table.

Ethan smiled as a sultry song was being played on the piano.

"Oh!" Angela said. "I love this song! Okay who is dancing with me!?"

Ethan and Launchpad immediately did the "not it" by placing their fingers on their beaks, unfortunately Drake was last.

"Haha!" Angela said grabbing his hand. "Sorry Ethan, I'm stealing your boyfriend!"

"Just be gentle with him Angie!" He yelled to her.

"I am really not a good dancer!" Drake said when they got out onto the floor. "Choreography was never my strong suit!"

"Relax!" Angela said putting her hand on his shoulder. "Just move with me! Think of it as a lesson for later tonight when you and Ethan have some time together."

She winked and he blushed putting his hand on her hip.

He saw that hand sitting on her waist and he nearly screamed.

They moved together a bit clumsily.

"Hehe." Maria had laughed. "You need to relax!"

"I'm sorry." He said for the millionth time.

"You gotta let the music take you." She said. "Don't think about anything else."

"But I don't want to step on your foot or something."

"I'm a musical stage actress." She said. "Trust me these feet are more than used to a little pain."

He couldn't believe he was holding her so close. She smelled like flowers and her feathered hand was so soft. Her theater group had given him an extra ticket to their show that fateful night he first met her. He had gone and watched her perform. He was so moved by her that he kept going anytime he had the money for a ticket. Even forgoing a meal just to see her. She had noticed him and after a performance had chased him down. An after work drink, led to meetings at the park, to her standing outside when he went to an audition, to him waiting for her after rehearsal.

And now this. She had closed her eyes and was humming to the music from the rehearsal room stereo, her lithe body swaying gently in his arms. He was so captivated that he couldn't help himself and he kissed her.

She opened her eyes suddenly and he thought he had destroyed it. The beauty that he was now holding would be ripped away from him.

"I'm so sorry!" He pleaded. "I didn't mean..

His words were muffled by the kiss he was now experiencing. He stumbled back in surprise, but then wrapped his arms around her.

"I was hoping you would do that at some point." She had asked when they broke for air.

"You were?" He asked nearly drunk with happiness.

She tapped his beak.

"I appreciate that you are a gentleman though." She said.

"I'll be anything you want." He said quietly pulling her closer to him and running a hand through her hair.

She made a face like she was thinking.

"Would you be mine then?" She had asked sweetly.

He expressed his joy the only way he could, by kissing her over and over again.

And now her she was, in the arms of that, that two bit loser, smiling and laughing.

He slammed his fist against the concrete.

"See you're not so bad!" Angela said.

"Does Ethan thinks so?"

They looked over and Launchpad and Ethan waved to them. Angela could tell on her best friend's face that he was swooning over the man in her arms.

"I'd say it's a pretty safe bet." She said. "Don't be surprised if he wants an encore later, but with him instead of me."

Drake chuckled.

"Think he'll like this!?"

He dipped Angela suddenly. She laughed heartily.

"He'll probably take you you to the floor with him!" She said.

That was it. The rage overflowed. From the angle it looked like the two were in a passionate embrace. He couldn't let him take the one thing he had missed for so long.

Drake lifted Angela back up just as the song ended. A flurry of cheers radiated the room and the two realized they were the only ones on the dance floor.

"I guess we take a bow!" Drake said laughing.

Angela nodded and the two thanked the adoring crowd.

Suddenly, a loud bang erupted and a flurry of glass rained upon the dance floor. Drake and Angela covered themselves from the impact.

"You." An deep voice uttered. Drake opened his eyes to see man in a Darkwing Duck costume. Except it was yellow, black and red

And very, very angry.

"It wasn't enough for you to take my career." He uttered to Drake. "You had to take the woman I loved too!?"

It took Drake a few moments to register.

"Your career and the woman you love?" He asked. "But I didn't.."

"YOU DID!"

Ethan and Launchpad tried to get to their side, but the angry man in yellow pointed his cannon gun at them.

"Don't even try it." He said.

Patrons began running out of the club. Soon it was only the five of them.

"Listen, sir." Drake said. "I don't know what you are talking about or who you are, but please, if I did something to you, I'm sorry."

The figure laughed.

"You don't know who I am do you?" He said.

"N-no." Drake stuttered.

"Let me refresh your memory."

He pulled something out of his pocket. Removing the black mask around his eyes, he replaced it with a pair of sunglasses, blue and yellow sunglasses.

Drake stumbled back in shock.

"Jim Starling?!" He said. "It can't be."

"You are supposed to be.." Launchpad uttered not sure whether to faint or cry out with joy that his favorite actor wasn't..

"Dead as a doornail." He said with a laugh. "You'd be surprised at how you can escape death at the last minute."

He looked to Angela.

"Maria." He said. "I can't believe it, after all of the years, you came back! Why didn't you contact me!?"

Angela made a face.

"Hang on buddy." She said. "My name is not Maria."

He walked up to her, wanting so desperately to caress her feathered cheek.

"You are still so beautiful." He said. "I wanted us to be together so badly, but you were taken away from me! I tried and tried to find you, but no one would tell me where you were!"

He moved to close the space between them, but then purple.

"Leave the woman alone." Drake said.

"GET AWAY!" He pushed Drake hard to the floor.

"Maria." He said. "Please, come with me. Let me hold you again."

Angela kept backing up.

"Listen, Jim, is it?" She said. "I am sorry, but I am not this Maria you believe me to be."

"This guy is out of his mind!" Ethan whispered to Launchpad. "Why does he keep calling Angela, Maria?"

"Beats me." Launchpad said.

"Jim." Drake said getting up. "She's not Maria. She's my friend, Angela."

Jim pointed his cannon gun at Drake.

"You have no right to call me that name!" He yelled. "Only she does! You..will refer to me as..Negaduck."

Drake gulped.

"Ji..I mean Negaduck." He said. "Please, we were so worried about you. But now, you are back! You can get back on your feet again, we'll help you!"

But Negaduck/Jim wasn't listening.

"My love." He said approaching Angela. I gave you my heart and soul. You were going to give me your hand. They said you had forgotten everything, but now, can you see me, can you remember me!?"

Angela's back hit a wall.

"Don't hurt her!" Ethan yelled.

"I could never do such a thing." He uttered still approaching her. "Not to my Maria."

Angela knew she had to move. Conjuring her power she flew from the wall over to where Drake was kneeling besides Ethan and Launchpad.

"Did your Maria do that?" She asked.

But again, all Negaduck could see was his Maria by the side of that meddling idiot.

"What does he have that I don't!" He yelled. "Can't you see he'll just take and take until there is nothing left!"

And the rage boiled over again.

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!"

He yelled and amazingly pulled out a chainsaw.

"I'M GOING TO DESTROY YOU ONCE AND FOR ALL YOU FAKE DARKWING DUCK!" He said charging. The group ran out the door.

"He's insane!" Ethan yelled as they ran. "Jeez where are the cops!?"

"Cops take too long!" Drake said. "Come on!"

They ran into an alley.

"Angela, Launchpad cover your eyes!"

"Drake are you sure!?" Ethan asked as his love changed.

"He wants Darkwing Duck, he'll get Darkwing Duck." He said. "I'll be okay!"

He kissed Ethan quickly, murmured an 'I love you' and ran out.

"I am the terror that flaps in the night!" He yelled blasting his cannon gun.

"No!" Negaduck yelled.

"I am the letter you are too scared to give your crush!"

"Ugh not the best choice of words Drake." Angela said in the alley.

"I..am..Darkwing Duck!"

"YOU ARE NOT HIM!" Negaduck yelled charging at him when the smoke cleared. "I AM DARKWING DUCK!"

"If you are!" Drake said jumping out of the way of the chainsaw. "Prove it!"

"I don't have to!" He yelled.

"You're either Darkwing or Negaduck." Drake said. "Good or evil. You can't be both!"

"Who says?" He said. "You are just as evil. You just swoop in and take over like the brat you are. Darkwing was mine. My life! You stole it!"

Darkwing kept getting out of the way. He needed to hear what Jim had to say. Let him get his rage out.

"Then like a final blow!" He said searching. "You took my Maria!"

"Who is Maria, Negaduck!" Darkwing asked. "There is no Maria here."

"Because you stole her away from me!" He yelled. "How did you find her huh!? Did you just see her and smooth talk her. Did you play on her feelings, her heart!? You couldn't possibly love her like I do!"

"Negaduck!" Darkwing yelled. "I didn't take anything from you!"

Next thing he knew, he miscalculated a dodge and Negaduck caught him by the throat with his hand.

"You liar." He nearly spat. "And now I am going to reclaim what is mine, my life, Darkwing Duck, Maria, everything!"

"LET HIM GO!" A voice yelled and next thing Negaduck knew, a steady blow had been applied to his head. He let go of Drake and clasped his head.

"ETHAN DON'T!" Drake yelled as he watched his boyfriend try again with a steel pipe. But this time Negaduck got the upper hand. He caught the pipe before Ethan could land another hit and punched him in the gut, hard enough to knock some distance between him and Negaduck.

"So I see you have a posse fake Darkwing." Negaduck said approaching Ethan and taking out his cannon gun. "Yet I always worked alone. Kind of pathetic really that you can't seem to do your own thing."

Ethan coughed as the crazed duck got near him.

"Maybe killing you first, fake Darkwing, would be too simple, less painful." He said. "Perhaps I should start with this little friend of yours, then the big one. Maybe then you will understand how I feel."

Ethan tried to scurry out of the way, but Negaduck used his cannon gun to lasso a rope around the young man. He pulled him hard across the gravel.

"Whatdya say?" He asked.

"I say fat chance!" Darkwing grabbed onto Negaduck and start pummeling him. Negaduck laughed with every punch.

"You are such a weakling!" He said grabbing Drake's wrist. "You really think you can defeat me?"

"Why can't you understand that I don't want to!" Drake yelled to him. "I don't want to hurt you! You were my biggest hero Jim! You were the only one who helped me get back up when I thought I would just stay down!"

Back in the alley..

"Come on Launchpad." Angela said. "Time to get into sidekick mode!"

Drake fought the tears threatening to spill. He hated this. He didn't want to do this to Jim. Any other criminal yes, but not Jim Starling. Not the real Darkwing Duck.

"Why can't you get it through your skull." He said choking on a sob. "Are you so bitter that you can't see that I am only Darkwing now because of you?!"

Negaduck just laid there, his hand still clutching the wrists that were now shaking.

"If you want to be Darkwing again, then prove it!" He said. "Prove it to me and all the other Drake Mallards out there that they can get back up, no matter how bad!"

He looked down into the hazy eyes, still covered by the sunglasses that were now chipped.

"Please." He begged.

Launchpad was now holding Drake's shoulders, while Angela untied and helped Ethan to his feet.

"You want to help me?" Negaduck finally asked quietly.

"Yes." Drake said with a tearful gasp. "I want to."

Negaduck looked at him.

"Then.."

He kicked Drake off of him.

"You can go rot!" He yelled picking up his chainsaw and revving it up.

"Drake!" Ethan yelled as Negaduck came after him.

"That's it!" Angela flew, armed with her bo staff, grabbing Drake before Negaduck could get another shot.

"Angela!" Drake yelled as Angela pulled him back.

"You can't get through to him!" She yelled hovering as she placed Drake back on the ground. "He's too far gone! He's not going to stop until your dead!"

She turned.

"He wants Maria." She said quietly. "He's going to get her and he won't like it."

She flew in between Negaduck and Darkwing.

"Maria!" Negaduck yelled when she landed. "What are you doing! Get out of the way!"

"No Jim." She said walking towards him. "How could you do this?"

"Maria?"

"You say you love me." She said. "But you call this love!?"

She turned to see Drake running to scoop Ethan into his arms.

"How could you be so stupid!" Drake said tearfully and angrily. "He could have killed you."

"I could ask the same of you." Ethan said clutching his love's costume. "You maybe Darkwing Duck, but you are also the man I love. You think I'd stand idly by if I didn't have to."

He took Drake's hand.

"We are in this...together." He said. "And I am not going to let you fight this one alone."

Drake choked on a cry and kissed him.

"He...and he?" Negaduck said in surprise.

Angela nodded.

"You were going to hurt my friends." She said. "You honestly think I'd cheat on you!?"

"Maria..I?"

"I thought you trusted me?" She said sadly. "I thought you loved me?"

A gentle rain began to fall.

"Please, Maria." He said.

"I can't be with someone who would hurt those I care about." She said. "That's not the man I want to spend my life with."

She decided to press and looked at him.

"What happened to you?"

Negaduck fell to his knees in agony.

"I..but..you...you left me." He said choking on the tightness in his throat.

"Why do you think I did?"

He tried to take her hands, but she stepped back. She wanted the truth.

"You don't remember?" He asked. He huffed. "Of course you don't."

"Refresh my mind."

He sighed shakily.

"We were really happy, you know, the two of us." He said. "It still shocked me that you would want someone like me. I had nothing to give you. I was a struggling actor trying to make it..somewhere...and you were a stage actress with the most beautiful voice I had ever heard. You were also so kind and loving."

He looked up at her and Angela could see tears.

"You said yes." He said. "I asked you to marry me. I proposed with a ring I bought at a dollar store and you still said yes. You acted like I had given you the Hope Diamond and jumped into my arms."

"I didn't want anything but you." Angela said. "The ring didn't matter. I had you."

Negaduck, now Jim, looked up at her.

"Then why couldn't you remember me?"

It was a beautiful day. A glorious sun was out and the sky was as blue as his love's eyes. Jim Starling whistled as he walked down the street to the theater Maria would be rehearsing at. He had just proposed to her just after landing the biggest role of a lifetime. He was going to play a television superhero named Darkwing Duck. He had just come back from his first table reading and couldn't wait to tell Maria how it had gone. The character was bit pompous, but he had a tender side, and he loved the fact he was going to do his own stunts. Maria would probably be a bit worried about that, but he would make sure to keep her safe.

He saw the theater across the street and caught the glimpse of the honey curls. He called out to her. She saw him, her face broke out into a beautiful grin, and she waved. Making sure the road was clear he started heading over.

Suddenly Maria's face turned to fear and she ran out to meet him. But instead of a hug, he was pushed, practically flung back to the other side of the road.

When he got his bearings, he looked up. A group of people were circled. A car stopped. His heart in his throat he pushed past them to see his beloved Maria lying motionless on the ground. Blood pooling from behind her hair. He fell to his knees, cradling her, calling to her, screaming her name until the paramedics came.

"You were hit by a drunk driver. You were in a coma for weeks." Jim said. "The doctors thought you may not come back."

Jim sat at the bedside of his love. Curls peeking out from the bandage around her skull. He held her hand that felt thinner than ever before. He wanted so much to hold her, to lie next to her. To pretend that this was all a bad dream and he would wake up back in his studio apartment, Maria lying next to him, her soft feathery arm draped around his chest, her hand on top of his as she slept.

Suddenly, the tiny hand in his began to move. He looked up in shock as Maria's eyes were beginning to open.

"Maria?" He uttered as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Maria!" He said. "Thank heavens, you're awake."

She tried to speak, but having gone almost two months without talking her voice was very hoarse.

"Here, here." He said shakily pouring water from the jug beside her bed and putting a straw in the glass. As he helped her drink, he couldn't keep himself from crying.

"I thought I had lost you." He said tearfully. He put the glass back on the stand beside her bed. "I was so scared."

He smiled through his cries though gently stroking her head.

"I have missed you so my darling." He said. "I love you."

"Wha.." She uttered.

"Yes, what it is my love?" He said.

"Who...who..are you?" She had asked. And Jim's heart crashed to the floor.

"I had amnesia." Angela said.

Jim shook his head.

"You didn't remember me!" He yelled. "You didn't know who I was!"

"You blamed yourself, didn't you?"

He once again looked to the ground.

"I wasn't the only one."

Maria's parents had made it clear Jim was not their choice in suitors for their daughter. Nor were they happy with both Maria's and Jim's career paths. Nevertheless before the accident Maria had told them that if they couldn't support her life, then they could stay out of it. She wasn't being rebellious, she was being truthful. She was happy.

But after the accident, her parents did everything they could to separate Jim from Maria including blaming him for the accident. They tried to keep him from visiting her at the hospital. They said he was nothing more than a friend. Nevertheless, he never stopped seeing her. Everyday after he acted as Darkwing Duck, he turned back into Jim Starling. The man who loved Maria Dovell.

"You came back!" She said happily one day when he appeared holding an bouquet of yellow roses.

"Of course I did." He said. "Where else would I be?"

She shrugged as he handed her the bouquet.

"I love yellow." She said. "It's my favorite color."

"It's pretty." He said. "But not as pretty as you are."

She blushed.

"I'm sorry I can't remember you." She said out of the blue. "Mom and dad say you are just a friend I have here."

Jim withdrew a shaky breath.

"What do you think?" He asked.

"I think you are someone very dear to me." She said staring out into space. "I hate it when you have to leave."

He reached out for her hand.

"I hate leaving too." He said.

"Will we be together again?" She asked.

"We are together now."

"I mean, out there." She pointed at the window which showed a beautiful view of Duckburg. "Not this hospital room."

He nodded.

"I promise." He said. "I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

She looked out the window.

"I want to fly." She said. "I want to go somewhere faraway, just with you, and no one else."

Jim placed a soft kiss on her hand.

"Then that is what we will do." He said. "Just you and me."

"You smiled so brightly." He said. "We started looking at travel brochures. The first season taping of Darkwing Duck was wrapping up so I was going to be able to take the time off. I had saved enough for us to go anywhere your heart desired."

"It didn't happen." Angela asked kneeling down to him. "Did it?"

He shook his head.

Jim entered Maria's hospital floor with yet another bouquet of yellow roses to replace the ones wilting in the vase. He had also brought with him another travel brochure for her to look at. This one was about Japan. Maybe she'd be interested because it was chock full of history. There were hot springs, exotic food, temples, so much they could explore. No matter what, he was determined to care for her, he would give her all the time she needed. If she couldn't regain her memory, then they would make new ones. Regardless they would be together.

He approached her room and was about to knock on the door when he froze. Maria's room was empty. The vase of flowers were gone, the pictures that had been hung up on the walls gone, every bit that had been his love had been erased from that room.

Panicking, he ran to the nurses station.

"Excuse me nurse!" He asked. "Where is Maria Dovell? She was in Room 649! Did they move her!"

The nurse turned and checked the records on the computer.

"Maria Dovell was released this morning sir." She said. "Doctor says she is ready for rehabilitation."

"What!" He asked. "You released on her own!?"

The nurse shook her head.

"Certainly not." She said. "She went with her parents."

Jim stepped back from the nurse's station in shock, dropped the roses, and ran out the door.

He ran to her apartment building, pressing the buzzer repeatedly until the super stepped out.

"Where's Maria!" Jim asked nervously.

"Listen, Jim, I, uh."

But Jim ignored him and ran into the building. He knocked on Maria's door repeatedly calling her name. He turned the doorknob and it opened, revealing a completely vacant apartment.

"She isn't here kid." The super said sadly. "Folks paid the remainder of her lease and moved all of her stuff out."

Jim's heart was pounding in his ears. This couldn't be happening.

"When?" He whispered.

"Few days ago." He said.

Jim leaned against the wall to keep himself from passing out.

"Did they say where they were going?" He asked.

The super shook his head.

"Not a word." He said. "Just left."

Jim's legs gave out and he slid to the floor.

"Maria..." He uttered putting his head in his arms.

"Why did they take you from me, why why!?" Negaduck was now lying there, head on the ground, his tears mixing with mud and rain. He was crying out, practically screaming.

Angela sat there with Darkwing, Launchpad and Ethan.

"Jim?" Darkwing said kneeling down.

"Don't touch me!" He cried flinching. "Leave me alone!"

Angela looked to Darkwing and he got up. She then reached out, hesitated when he flinched, but then slowly rubbed his back.

"She loved you, you know." Angela whispered. "She wouldn't be happy with what you have become."

"I loved you so much." He said as he placed his head on Angela's lap. His sunglasses slipping off his beak. Angela took them off his face.

"You still have a chance." Angela whispered stroking his face gently. "It doesn't have to turn out like this."

He slowly looked up at Angela and caressed her face with a muddied hand. Then he slowly leaned in and kissed her.

Everyone moved in, but Angela held up her hand. She didn't kiss back and her eyes were open, but she would give Jim Starling this moment.

"My Maria." He said breaking the kiss and holding her. He wouldn't hear the sounds of the police sirens, or feel the rough arms that would push him into a squad car, the flashing of cameras or the clanging of metal bars locking him in a prison cell.

For that time, all he would feel, was happy.