AN: So this might be a really long chapter, but I swear it's worth it just to read this first part. Also, I've got an idea for another DxC fic, but I'm afraid I won't have time for it, I'm thinking about just posting the first chapter as a one shot, and then maybe passing it along to someone else to continue it. If anyone wants the idea just message me. It's about a friendless Courtney receiving a mirror with Duncan trapped in it, and he helps her gain some confidence, and friends.
Chapter Seven: Fights, and the Waltz Part 1
I don't own the TD Series, or Monster Hunters.
"Ouch! Duncan! Don't bite down." Courtney said, with a little pain in her voice.
Sera had decided to take the trip home at a normal pace, and Duncan took advantage of that.
He, and Courtney were enjoying a little "quality time" before having to separate when they arrive back home... Or they were trying to enjoy it at least.
"I'm sorry princess, your neck just looks so good." Duncan said, as he began thrusting a bit.
"Ow. Duncan, my back still hurts." Courtney complained.
"You seemed fine earlier."
"Yeah, but I didn't have you working in."
"Okay, I'll slow down."
"Ow, Ughh! Forget it!"
"What's wrong now?"
"I can't enjoy it."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm hurting all over, even down there." She said, as she crossed her arms over her bare chest.
"Maybe I'm just that good." Duncan smirked.
"Sure Duncan."
"Whatever then." Duncan said, then pulled himself away from Courtney, and got out of the bed.
"What are you doing?" She asked, still holding herself.
"I'm gonna get something to eat. We've got about six hours before we get back home." He said, as he got dressed.
"Can you get me an apple?"
"I guess."
Duncan headed out of the room towards the kitchen, and along the way saw Tyler walking back to his room with the two dragons in tow.
"Hey Tyler." Duncan said.
"Hey Duncan! Guess what!"
"Uhh... What?"
"I get to name the dragons!"
"Okay, that's great Tyler."
"Yeah, I've already named the Sun Dragon. His name is Sunny."
"Seems reasonable."
"I'm having trouble coming up with a name for the Thunder Dragon though."
"How about Bolt?" Duncan suggested.
Tyler thought for a minute. "Hmm. I like it! Thanks boss!" Tyler said, as he walked into his quarters.
Duncan continued his walk, and finally got to the kitchen. He opened up the fridge, and didn't see anything that he wanted to eat, so he grabbed two apples, and made his way back towards Courtney's room. On the way back he heard a voice coming from one of the other rooms. It sounded like Mike, but then it didn't. It was like he was talking to himself.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because I am in control, and I will do a I please."
Duncan put his ear against the door to hear what he was saying more clearly.
"But they're my friends. You can't just do this."
"They are not your friends."
Duncan didn't understand what what was being discussed, but he picked up on something that disturbed him a little.
Two distinct voices.
Mike speaking with two different voices was definitely strange, and Duncan knew he needed to figure out what was going on with him.
As he was about to knock on the door, he felt a stinging sensation in his other hand with the apples.
"What the hell!?" He shouted, and dropped the apples.
Turns out it was Bolt biting Duncan's finger, then she, and Sunny took off with the apples.
"You fucking lizards!" He shouted at the two mini dragons, as they went into Tyler's quarters.
"Apples! Thanks guys!" Duncan could hear Tyler shout out.
Duncan turned around to see the door wide open, and Mike staring at him.
"What are you doing?" Mike asked.
"Uhh what?" He played dumb.
"I said, what are you doing?" Mike repeated.
"Well, I was on my way back to my room, when those damn lizards bit me, and took my apples."
"Oh alright." Mike smiled, then closed the door.
Duncan exhaled loudly, and suddenly Mike's door shot open, except now he looked like he had a huge chip on his shoulder, and his eyes were sunken in a bit.
Duncan recognized this look. It was the same one Mike had when Zoey left to get Scott back at the Gateway House.
"You alright?" Duncan asked, just like the first time.
The creepy smile made its way into Mike's face, but this time he spoke.
"Yeah. I'm doing just fine." He said slyly, and in a different voice.
"Alright then, see ya later." Duncan said, then walked away, and into Courtney's room.
"Where's my apple?" Courtney asked.
"Uhh. Sorry, I forgot." Duncan said, as he sat down on the bed.
"Ughh." She huffed, and pouted.
Duncan quickly drifted off into his thoughts, and almost tuned Courtney out completely... Almost.
"Duncan!" He heard his girlfriend shout.
"What?"
"You aren't even listening to me."
"Yeah, I am."
"What did I just say then?"
"Uhh... Something about apples?"
"I knew it. You're just ignoring me."
"I am not. I've just got a lot on my mind."
"Like what?"
"Well, have you noticed the way Mike's been acting lately?"
"What do you mean?"
"He's been acting really strange, and I wanna find out what the hell's wrong with him."
"If you're just going to make excuses for ignoring me, then just leave." She told him.
"Fine. I'll see you later."
"We'll see about that." She said, with an upset look on her face.
Duncan merely rolled his eyes at her comment, and walked to the control room.
"Something troubling you Duncan?" Sera asked, noticing his slight look of unease.
"Umm, something is, but I don't know how to explain it."
"What does it have to do with?"
"Mike." Duncan said, as he shut, and locked the door to the control room.
"Is it of that much concern, that you must lock the door?"
"Yeah, something is up with him, Sera. He's been doing weird shit, and talking to himself in different voices."
"Hmm, maybe you should keep an eye on him." Sera responded.
"That's what I told Trent, before I left, but Mike ended up here with us."
An hour passed before anyone else came to the control room. Duncan had been lost in his thoughts for the entire time, then someone tried to open the door, but knocked after they failed.
Duncan went to open it, and found Courtney on the other side. She raised her eyebrow at him, and then noticed Sera still in the control room as well. She gave Duncan a pissed off glare, before storming off back to her room, and Duncan followed, wanting to know why she was pissed.
"Court, what's wrong with you?"
"You wanna know what's wrong with me!? First you get all upset, because we couldn't have sex! You forgot to bring me my damn apple! You completely ignored me earlier! Now I find you alone with Sera in the control room, with the door locked!"
"Don't you think you're overreacting? It's Sera, that'd be like messing around with my older sister."
"What am I supposed to think, Duncan?"
"Courtney, just calm down, I'm sorry for being a shitty boyfriend. I would never cheat on you."
"Promise?"
"I promise." He said, as he wrapped his arms around her, and she snuggled into his chest.
"I'm sorry for acting like a bitch." She said, looking up at him.
"It's cool, Princess." He said, then kissed her forehead. "Let's just go to sleep, I guess."
"Okay." She answered sweetly, as they got into the bed, and fell asleep together.
A few hours later they arrived home, and after docking, and getting off the Wayward Beast, they were greeted by one of the leaders of the council.
Gatling the Cannon.
Named for his knowledge, and proficiency with all Firing weapons. He even designed the artillery form of Lion's Bane. Gatling was born into a weapon manufacturing family, the same family that built Scruffy's original design. His one known weakness would probably be his name, since he was often teased as a child for being named after a gun, but now that he is one of the leaders of the Hunters Council, not many dare to call attention to his name. Even though Gatling designed part of Lion's Bane, he and Sera have been at each other's necks for the past five years, due to an incident in their past.
Gatling's armor set is a special royal edition created by his family, though he is not really royalty, that features high neck guards it even has enchanted runes built into the side, and a small mounted cannon on his back, which can be removed, and used as a sidearm. He usually carries around six different guns with him at all times.
"Hello Sera." Gatling said slyly.
"Hello, Gatling. What is it you want?" Sera responded.
"I've just come to see your return... Also I came to see if you had failed." Gatling said, then laughed.
"We did not fail, we did more than the request added. You will see at the Council meeting tomorrow." Sera said. Luckily she thought ahead, and had Tyler hide the dragons in a traveling pack, before they arrived.
"Hmm. Who is that fine beauty over there?" Gatling asked, pointing at Courtney, as she, and Duncan walked down the ship's ramp.
"That is Courtney of the Fallen Angels."
"And who is that mongrel with her?"
"That is Duncan the Wolf of Gateway to Hell."
"Hmm." Gatling said, then walked over to Courtney, who had separated from Duncan for the moment, so he could go relieve himself in the woods, the entire journey back, and he did not even think to use the restroom once.
"Hello there." Gatling said to the tanned beauty.
"Oh, Umm hello?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"Not really. Should I?"
"I am the one, the only, Gatling the Cannon!" Gatling shouted.
"Of the Council Leaders?"
"Yes."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, I am Courtney of the Fallen Angels."
"It's nice to meet you, Courtney. I hate to be brash, but would you like to accompany me to a Council Leaders dinner?"
"I don't think that's a very good idea." Courtney said thinking of Duncan.
"What's there to be displeased at? It's a simple dinner between two new friends, it's not like we would be alone, even Sera would be there."
Courtney thought about it for a moment, thinking it could be beneficial for her, and the Fallen Angels to get to know some of the people at these dinners, but she definitely didn't want to be alone with Gatling and his overbearing attitude.
"Sera would be where?" Duncan's voice came from behind, and Courtney turned to see him staring at her with his arms folded across his chest.
"The lady here will be accompanying me to a council leaders dinner, I would extend an invitation to you as well, but it's only plus one."
"Uhh, so you're going?" Duncan asked his secret girlfriend.
"Well, I…" Courtney trailed off.
"Of course. What woman in their right mind would deny an invitation from Gatling the Cannon.
Duncan was starting to get pissed, and glared at Courtney, who only smiled nervously while rubbing her arm.
"What? Are you two intimate?" Gatling asked.
"No!" Courtney shouted, which surprised Duncan.
"You know what, I don't give a shit if you go on a date with this loser, do what you want, it's not like I can stop you." Duncan said, then stormed off.
Courtney went red in the face. "Fine! Asshole!"
"Okay, I'll go." Courtney said to Gatling.
A few hours later, Courtney, and Mike arrived home to the Fallen Angels HQ.
"Welcome Home." Sierra the office manager greeted the two.
"Hi Sierra. Have any new requests come in?" Courtney asked, while Mike went off to the kitchen.
"Nothing too big, but Geoff, and Bridgette have taken care of them."
"That's good, I suppose."
"Also, you have a message on the comm rune."
"From?"
"Heather Yin."
"What the hell does she want?" Courtney said, as she walked over to Sierra's desk, and picked up the comm rune, and listened to the message.
"Hey Courtney, I was wondering if you're going to the Council Leaders dinner tomorrow? What am I saying, of course You aren't. If you wanna go, I've got an extra invite because Alejandro is going on a night request. Let me know. Bye."
"Ughh. Why do I have to be her only friend."
Heather Yin is the leader of the number one guild, Arch Queen. The term "friend" is used very lightly, when describing Courtney and Heather's friendship. The two girls bonded over a common interest while at an exclusive private school, that only the richest families can gain access. That interest being Monster Hunting. While everyone in the school had dreams of being business tycoons, or Governmental leaders, and Royal Aides. Courtney, and Heather had dreams of taking down monsters in a guild together, however after severing ties with her rich family, Courtney drifted from her friendship with Heather, until it ended with an argument over who was a better hunter. Two years later, Courtney set up a permanent guild hall for the Fallen Angels, without realizing Heather has already stationed her own guild in the city as well. It was not a happy reunion on Courtney's side. Spending one day catching up in the city was the worst thing Courtney could have done. Heather had become snobbish, and arrogant, probably since her step father Chris McLean had been elected governor. Courtney decided she wanted nothing to do with her. Heather on the other hand was intent on continuing the friendship.
In combat, Heather wields a Katana infused with fire runes. She chose this weapon, because of her obvious Eastern Clandian, and it fit her very well. Her armor has so much sex appeal, it can barely be called armor at all, with her exposed legs, and lack of arm guards. The armor features a painted queen chess piece surrounded by a heart on her chest armor.
Courtney dropped the comm rune on the desk. "Sorry Heather, but I've already got my invite." Courtney said to herself, but then felt some remorse over her fight with Duncan earlier.
"Umm Courtney?" Sierra said to her guild leader.
"Huh?"
"There's a man by the name of Gatling outside waiting to see you."
"Tell him I'm not in!" Courtney said frantically.
"But I already told him you're here..."
"Ughh." Courtney lamented.
Once outside, she was greeted by Gatling, and in his hand a dress that only a lady of the night would wear.
"My dear Courtney, I would be most pleased if you would wear this tomorrow night." Gatling said, as he handed her the very short, and skimpy garment.
"Isn't this a bit much?" Courtney asked him, while holding in her disgust of the dress. "Or maybe not enough?"
"Nonsense. Now I expect you to be ready no later than 7, and do not expect to return home early tomorrow night... Or at all." He laughed.
"I doubt that very much." Courtney shot back.
"You simply have not been enamored by enough of my charms. Have a wonderful day, I will see you tomorrow." Gatling said, as he climbed back into his horse drawn carriage, and Courtney walked back inside the guild hall.
Courtney was now feeling immensely regretful. Gatling's intentions have become to get her into bed tomorrow night, or they may have been that way all along. She started thinking about Duncan, and how angry he probably is. She decided she couldn't go through with this.
She opened the door to return the dress, and tell Gatling she would not be going.
"Gatlin-" Courtney was cut off by the sight of Duncan with a crestfallen look to him.
"So, you're going with him after all?" Duncan said slowly, with a bit of sadness behind his voice.
"Uhh no I-"
"Save it." He cut her off. "I don't care, do what you want.
"Duncan, wait I-"
"You even denied me again. Don't you understand how much it hurts every time you do that?" He walked away before she could answer him.
Courtney began to cry. She didn't mean to hurt him like that, but once again her insecurities over their relationship have gotten the better of her. At this point she feels like she won't have him to herself much longer.
"Sierra?" Courtney called.
"Yes?" Sierra said, as she popped her head out from the other room. "Why are you crying?"
"What would you do if there's someone you care about, but you keep on hurting them without meaning to?"
"There's a very simple answer to that. Stop hurting that person." Sierra, who is usually bubbly, said seriously.
Courtney retreated to her room, and thought about what Sierra told her. She ended up reflecting on her thoughts for a few hours before anyone disturbed her.
"Courtney?" Sierra said opening the door. "There's another call for you." Sierra said, as she tossed the comm rune to her guild leader.
"Hello?"
"Courtney?" It was Bridgette.
"What's up?" Courtney asked.
"Umm well, your not gonna believe this, but I just saw Duncan walking by the tavern with Heather Yin."
"What!?"
"Yeah! I'm so sorry for making all those jokes about you, and Duncan. I had no idea that idiot passed on you for Heather."
"But isn't Heather dating Alejandro?"
"That's what I thought too. But then Geoff passed by without being noticed, and heard them talking about going to the Council Leaders Dinner. Together!"
Courtney clenched her open hand into a fist, and gritted her teeth. Wherever Duncan is, he's probably gonna be dead, once Courtney gets a hold of him. Now she had really made up her mind. She was going to the dinner with Gatling.
The next day….
Tyler was up bright, and early for his morning workout, then he was going to head for the entrance to Vantage to wait for the rest of Gateway to Hell to arrive, so he can show them the hotel he, and Duncan are staying at. The other members all wanted to come to the after parties that follow the Council Leaders Dinner, with the exception of Dawn, who is only coming because she doesn't want to be alone. Sunny, and Bolt refused to let him leave without them, but they had to be kept a secret until the dinner, so Tyler placed them in a travel pack, and went about his morning wearing it. Tyler is going to be Sera's guest, and together they are going to present the dragons, and Tyler's ability to capture, and control them.
The Council Leaders Dinner is a yearly event that acknowledges the accomplishments of the most notable hunts, and requests undertaken for the first half of the year. The dinner tends to be exclusive to Council Leaders, elected officials, and a few select guild leaders.
"Hey guys!" Tyler shouted, as he jumped into the wagon with the rest of his guild mates.
"Hey dude." Trent said. "Any luck with that girl yet?"
"I went looking for her yesterday, but she wasn't working at the tavern, so I gave up." Tyler said disappointed.
"Don't worry Tyler." Gwen said. "I'm pretty sure she'll be working today, anyone working at a tavern will have to be."
"You're right!" Tyler shouted.
"Calm down Romeo." Scott said with obvious annoyance, and Dawn glared at him. Things had only been exasperated between them because of Duncan leaving for the Thunder Dragon hunt. Dawn attempted to get closer to Scott, and Scott kept trying to push her away. The same day Duncan left, Scott decided to go out, and hunt for some rabbit. He was actually just trying to get away from Dawn. When he came back to the guild hall, Dawn blew up at him, when she saw the dead rabbit in his hand. He didn't think she'd be so angry, but figured this is the best way to keep her away from him.
"Where's Duncan?" DJ asked.
"I don't know. He left earlier than I did, and I've been up since around eight." Tyler answered
"That's not like Duncan. He usually sleeps in, especially when he's here in Vantage." Gwen added.
Duncan is up so early, because Heather insists they wear the same color to the dinner. Duncan's plan was to make Courtney jealous, using Heather in return for helping her catch her boyfriend cheating on her.
"So you really think the night request is bullshit?" Heather asked Duncan, while looking at matching dresses, and suits.
"No doubt about it, I've heard a lot of shit lately, and it's usually about him." Duncan answered.
"And why do you wanna go to the dinner?"
"I just wanna go."
"Well, then you should've gotten a hold of an invite. I know your dad can get you one easy."
"I didn't wanna go until recently."
"Is it because Courtney is going with Gatling?"
"How did you know about that?"
"Oh please Duncan, Gatling is not the type to keep things quiet. He was visiting the old man while I was there, and boasted about how he was going to bang her tonight."
Duncan clenched his hands into fists, bending the rack he had them on. Heather took notice of this, and smirked.
"You could just do the same thing as her. You know, get busy with a friend." Heather said seductively, while leaning over the rack, showing some cleavage, but Duncan was not entranced.
"Calm down, I'm supposed to help you catch your cheating boyfriend, not help you cheat on him."
"I was just kidding. Besides, Courtney is my best friend, I would never do something like that to her."
"Somehow I doubt that you're actually her best friend."
"And I doubt you have the balls to ask her out." Heather smirked.
Duncan rolled his eyes, and thought to himself, while Heather continued looking for their clothes.
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Courtney said mostly to herself.
"Court, don't worry. Just have fun, and meet people tonight, then work things out with Duncan tomorrow." Bridgette assured.
"But what about Gatling?"
"What about Gatling? Just tell him you have to leave once he tries to get you in the sack. You can meet us at the tavern's after party."
"Okay, I'll do it. This is for the good of the guild after all."
"Good girl."
"Sierra walked into the room. "Courtney. He's here."
Courtney exhaled, then walked out of her room.
Duncan was messing with his tie, while Heather finished applying her make up. Heather had decided on a light blue dress, so he wore a suit with a light blue tie.
"Relax." She said, as she walked over, and straightened his tie. "You'll have your princess in your arms soon." Duncan looked away when she said that. "You're not getting cold feet now, are you?"
"Hell no, can we go already."
Heather, and Duncan walked out of her room in the Arch Queen guild hall, and spotted Heather's cheating boyfriend, and a former guild mate, Alejandro, and Lightning.
Alejandro is the son of a wealthy family from Southern Clandia, who made their fortune as gold miners, and eventually became owners of those mines. Alejandro is well known for his suave demeanor, and heart breaking ways, which made many people wonder as to how Heather locked him into a relationship, that is until the dirty secret of his came about. He specializes in dual sword combat, using his Los Muertos sword set, and his armor shows off his Southern Clandian heritage. His chest armor is shaped like the head of a bull, even having the horns extend into the armor's shoulders, and a helmet with bull horns as well.
Lightning is the fastest human in all of Clandia, therefore he must wear light armor similar to Cameron, but for a weapon he wears spiked gauntlets with thunder enchantment on his hands. Lightning comes from a poor family in Northern Clandia, and was only noticed by Chris McLean who at the time was trying to convince Scott to leave Gateway to Hell for Arch Queen. To get back at Scott, and Duncan, McLean took Lightning as a part of Arch Queen.
"Well look who it is." Lightning said, as he and Alejandro walked over.
"What's up, traitor?" Duncan said smugly.
"You can't talk to me like that." Lightning said, as he raised his fists, but Alejandro cut in.
"You will be taking care of my Heather tonight will you?" Alejandro asked, while stroking Heather's cheek with his hand, and she put on a disgusted face.
"Uhh yeah." Duncan answered dully.
"Good." Alejandro said, as he, and Lightning walked out of the guild hall.
"What a douche bag." Duncan said, and Heather laughed, as they walked out.
Seven O' Clock, and everyone was arriving at the Hunters Council, and heading up to the second floor.
All attendees were seated, and immediately served dinner. Duncan spotted and immediately checked her out. When Courtney met his gaze, she did the same. The two couldn't keep their eyes off of each other throughout, even though Gatling kept trying to attract Courtney's attention with a story of his past triumphs
Tyler, and Sera made their way up to the stage in the front of the room.
"Hello everyone, I Hunter Council Member Sera the Lioness, present to you two things we all thought once lost. The first is a Dragon Master!" Sera shouted.
Tyler placed Bolt on the floor, and began playing his flute. Bolt began growing in size, until she eventually returned to her normal form. Tyler demonstrated his control of dragons by riding Bolt above the head's of the seated attendees.
"And now our second is the original drake! The Sun Dragon!"
Tyler began playing the flute while riding Bolt. His bag began stretching, until finally, a growing Sunny tore through the bag, and continued to grow until he was at his original size, which is much larger than bolt.
"There you have it everyone, the return of the Dragon Masters is upon us, and it begins with Tyler Arten of Gateway to Hell!"
Duncan suddenly felt a lot of eyes on him, including Heather's. Even Chris McLean was having a hard time understanding what guild Tyler is in.
"Well, that was really surprising." Heather said.
"Yeah, I know." Duncan rubbed his neck.
"Looks like someone's surprised by other things." Heather pointed at Courtney, who hadn't taken her eyes away from Duncan the entire time.
"Our next bit of news is a surprise as well. We here at the Hunters Council are proud to announce that we will be naming a successor to Tauren the Silverback's seat on thew council. The news seemed to shock everyone, just as much as Tyler, Sunny, and Bolt did.
An hour passed and the dinner part was basically over. Now begins the ball part.
Duncan, and Heather arrived to the ballroom, and went straight to the alcohol. They had only been there for around twenty minutes, and were having a good time, but the alcohol probably helped. Courtney, and Gatling arrived, and she was ready to pull her hair out. Gatling had only talked about himself, and his accomplishments through the ten minute trip to the Hunters Council, and unsurprisingly talked about himself on the walk to the ballroom. Courtney was not going to sleep with Gatling from the beginning, and now she viewed him as not even if he was the last person on earth. She had realized how much of an asshole he was.
Courtney walked away from Gatling while he talked with his friends fleetingly about his plans for her tonight. She didn't think he could be so disrespectful, but he had already taken it way past what she could handle, when he slapped her ass. She however did not lose it, and punch his lights out, because of the backlash her entire guild could face.
As she looked around at the art pieces made for each of the legendary hunters. She stopped in front of the memorial for Tauren, when she locked eyes with a certain mohawk haired guild leader. They stared at each other for a moment, but then she dropped her head to the floor, before a word was said.
Duncan walked over to her and bumped her shoulder with his. "Hey." He said to her.
"Hi." She said quietly.
"So, how's your day been?"
"Bad, and getting worse. How about you?"
"It's been pretty decent to say the least. Heather's actually really cool, I don't know why you don't like her."
"Because she's a snob!" Courtney said lightly.
Duncan pointed to Heather, who was drinking, and socializing at the same time. "That is not a snob, although she is a bit rough around the edges."
"What, now you want her?" Courtney asked upset.
"Of course not, she'd be more like a friend. She even brought me so I could steal you away from that jackass." Duncan said, pointing at Gatling now.
Courtney smiled. "Meet me at the balcony."
About five minutes later, and Duncan was at the balcony waiting for Courtney. When she came, he wrapped his arms around her, and she covered his face with kisses.
"I'm sorry about all of this." She said.
"It's alright. You really didn't want to come hear with him, did you?"
"No, I just thought it would be good for the guild."
"HEY!" The obnoxiously buzzed voice of Gatling came from the ballroom. He walked up to Courtney, and Duncan, who had let go of each other just in time. "This is-is my date." Gatling drunkenly said. "And I am going to dance with her." He said as he grabbed Courtney's hand, and pulled her back into the ballroom, and onto the dance floor. The dance was a waltz, and Gatling surprisingly didn't know how to Waltz, even while sober.
Duncan walked back into the ballroom a bit upset, until Heather put her hand on his shoulder. "Let's go get your princess."
"All right." Duncan said. Unlike Gatling, Duncan learned how to waltz from his grandmother when he was younger, it's not that he liked it, but he did it because it made her happy.
Duncan, and Heather began waltzing, and slowly moved their position towards Courtney, who was just standing awkwardly, as Gatling attempted to sober himself up by shaking his head.
Once they got close enough Duncan, and Heather switched partners swiftly. Heather, with Gatling, and Duncan, with Courtney. Gatling didn't notice, and Courtney didn't care. She waltzed with Duncan to her hearts content.
Gatling eventually realized it was Heather, not Courtney who was standing with him, and he immediately went after the couple. Without warning, he punched Duncan in the face, and grabbed Courtney's hand again.
"Let her go!" Duncan yelled.
"She is my date, and she will dance with me!" Gatling said, and suddenly Heather was behind him.
"I've just about had enough out of you!" Heather yelled, as she kicked Gatling in the back of the leg, causing him to fall to the floor. "Someone finish it, please." She said.
Duncan walked up to Gatling, and rolled up his sleeve. However, he didn't get the chance to do any damage, because Courtney punched him in the jaw, knocking him out cold.
"Well, that was unexpected." Heather said, and Courtney turned to Duncan. By this time, everyone in the ballroom had noticed the incident, and stopped dancing.
"What's gotten into you?" Duncan asked Courtney.
"I've just had the worst date of my life." Courtney answered.
"Worse than our first?"
"Just kiss me." Courtney said, then pulled Duncan close to her. They shared a kiss in front of everyone at the ballroom for a moment, and when she pulled her lips from his, he gave her a relieved look.
"I guess the secret's really out now." He smirked, and she smiled.
AN: Was this too long for a chapter? It was going to be longer, but I decided to split it into two parts. Criminal Crisis Chapter 9 will be up momentarily.
