Disclaimer: Disney owns "Darkwing Duck" and its characters.

Note: I'm very, very, very bad with chapter stories . However, I plan on having this done before the end of the year. Wish me luck! And enjoy.

Before: Chance and Probability

In the few short months that she had been at the orphanage, Gosalyn Waddlemeyer had learned a lot. For example, the food there wasn't as bad as hospital food, but it was a lot worse that a home cooked meal. Since she didn't have a home to go to though, it was something she could deal with.

"You get what you get, and you don't get upset," she was told by one of the other orphans. Other than "Annie", she didn't know about orphans and adoptions. She never had to worry about any of that living with Grandpa. But now that he was gone, she realized that she was truly, officially an orphan. There was no family outside of the grounds to pick her up and take her home.

And any and all possible parents were put off by her "rambunctious behavior." Grandpa called it "spirit", and told her it made her special. And Gosalyn knew that because of that, only a special family would be right for her. Only a family who knew how to live with and appreciate someone with spirit.

Not even the other orphans could keep up with her. She was always on the go, getting into some sort of trouble, sometimes with others, but usually by herself. She was used to being in trouble and also learned how to deal with Mrs. Cavanaugh. Mrs. Cavanaugh was very fond of compliments and, depending on the amount of trouble caused, could usually be calmed down by flattery.

She learned that tip from one of the older girls, Kirsten-Christine, the girl with the unnecessarily long first name, also known as "Chris", only because Gosalyn though "Kirst" sounded kinda stupid. Chris arrived at the orphanage only a few months before Gosalyn, but she was more than willing to take Gosalyn under her wing. Gosalyn still didn't know why, but after a while, she didn't care anymore.

Every time Adoption Day came around, Chris and Gosalyn would talk about how realistic the chances of them getting adopted were.

"The problem," Chris told Gosalyn, "is a prospective parent doesn't seem to want 'damaged goods'."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gosalyn said slightly offened.

"Most of the time, adults go for babies, cause babies can be molded, like a ball of clay. But us older kids, we've already grown up. They don't want someone who is going to make trouble for them."

"But I'm NOT a troublemaker!"

"I know that, but them out there? They don't. Besides. You've a better chance of getting out of here than I do. You're not a baby, but you're still growing up. There are adults who want a kid like you. Me? I'm 16. In two years, I'm out of here anyway. With or without a family."

That conversation bother Gosalyn a great deal. And Chris could see that. After that day, the never had that conversation again. Not that there would be another chance to have a deep conversation.

One month after that heart to heart, it was Adoption Day again, but Chris was nowhere to be found. Gosalyn went looking for her, but still nothing. Sitting outside on the swings, Gosalyn saw Chris on the other side of the fence, suitcase in hand.

Of everything she'd learned in the orphanage, math wasn't one of them. Gosalyn sat there, watching Chris get in a car, somewhat bitter. Chris told her that her chances of getting adopted, or even just getting out of the orphanage, were better because she was younger.

As she watched the care drive away, Gosalyn wished she'd paid more attention in math class, so she could understand chance and probability better, and figure out why she was still at the orphanage, minus one friend.