Hi! I hope whoever is still reading this will enjoy it!

It's not the best chapter and is a return to the 'present' time line.

If you don't know where I am, I live in China. Currently I am dealing with coronarvirus outbreak. my city doesn't have any confirmed cases but my province does. #wuhan.

TFG

Chapter Twenty-Three

By the time Wildwing had made his way to the players' lounge the rest of the male side of the team, plus all their human friends and allies had already gathered. There were about twenty people assembled all spread around the room in different groups. It was always very odd to see so many people that he knew in one spot, and even odder to see everyone dressed well.

He could see the younger members of the party all gathered to one side of the room with Nosedive, each wearing their nicest shirts. That was where the entertainment centre was as well as all the table top games such as air hockey and foosball. They were all obviously talking about some kind of video game, as he heard the phrase 'First Person Shooter' multiply times.

On another side of the room he saw some of the older members of their support staff, including Hugh who was still setting out the buffet. There were some men from other teams as well, plus Cleghorn who had become a very good friend over the years. It looked like the tiny human had tried to dress nice for the occasion, but it looked just like what he usually wore that it was almost comical.

"Hey there Hugh, looks great!" Wildwing said as he approached Hugh and Cleghorn, who were discussing some television show that they had both been watching. Apparently, neither was happy about the series finale and were venting their frustrations.

"Hey, thanks Wing, I still think it's odd to be part of the staff as well as a guest. But, it is Phil, speaking of which, where is the man of the honour?" Hugh said, gesturing around the large room.

Casting a quick glance around the room, Wildwing did realise that Phil was not present. Neither were his brother, his future brother-in-law, or Duke. He had a feeling that the men of Phil's family were probably doing something together, whereas he had a feeling Duke was being held up by his ongoing argument with Roxie.

"Hey, Johner, do you know where Phil is?" Wildwing asked as Johner walked up to the buffet, still on his phone. The young man was on his phone so much it was more likely to see a sparkling, rainbow unicorn than to see him without it.

"No idea, sorry Wing. Been on the phone all day warning the tabloids about this as well as some other media outlets. I have several assurances that we will be left alone, as long as nothing is too tabloid worthy. Which is why I'm looking for Duke now, have you by any chance seen him? He's not in his office or downstairs," Johner replied around mouthfuls of chips and not noticing the look of horror that Wildwing was giving him.

"Why would you need to talk to Duke? If anyone is going to do something I'd put my money on Nosedive and Buzz over there, they look like they've already downed a quart of vodka and are counting the singles they have in their pockets," Hugh said, his brows drawn in curiosity.

It was lucky for both Johner and Wildwing that Grin chose that moment to pick Buzz up and throw him over his shoulder so that he can have a word with him about his underage drinking. It distracted the entire room enough for Wildwing to berate Johner silently about keeping things mute.

"Sorry, I keep forgetting that not everyone knows. He's not exactly being discreet at the moment," Johner replied, before he hurried off in search of his target again.

Wildwing helped himself to some more food and a beer before he walked over to Matt. He liked talking to the equipment manager, they seemed to have a fair few things in common and were similar ages. Matt also began to explain all the things that happened at every other bachelor party he had ever gone to. Including his own, where he ended up walking down the street dressed in drag.

"Let's not do that to Phil, I doubt he'd make a pretty woman," Duke's voice suddenly said as he appeared next to Wildwing, causing both Matt and Wildwing to drop their drinks and Duke to burst out laughing at the two of them.

"Don't do that, please. Johner's been looking for you, by the way, he wanted to go over some things before we left," Wildwing said quietly to Duke once he had excused himself from his conversation with Matt.

"Why do you think I've been hiding, already heard what he said to Roxie before she left for work, didn't feel like listening to the remix," Duke said with a smirk on his beak while he drank his whiskey straight.

Taking a deep breath, Wildwing decided not to press the issue, as he had already tried earlier and didn't feel like spoiling the evening this early on. So, instead, he took a long draft of his beer and continued to eat his sandwich while he watched the younger members of the group behave like immature idiots. Which was a very common occurrence, but they usually didn't have so many of them, in one place, with that much alcohol and the promise of strippers.

There was also the added complication that they were all going to the Birdcage and would see Roxie's aerial dance while some of the younger players would likely be in the vicinity of Duke. That was a disaster waiting to happen. Thankfully, it was only the aerial stuff and not the burlesque. Roxie had specifically asked not to be on the floor show that evening because they were all coming that evening.

It wasn't long before Phil and his groomsmen, plus his future step children made an appearance. It had been agreed that the boys could come to the players lounge for the start of the party, but would have to head home to Diana's mother for the rest of the party.

The three boys had no problem with this, as they were all hockey fans and every time they visited the pond they all got star struck. Wildwing was sure that he had given each boy his autograph at least five times. But, he didn't have a problem with them being around and it, in fact, reminded him of all the summers he had worked as a camp counsellor.

"Hi Wildwing!" Eric, the eldest boy said enthusiastically, walking over to where Wildwing was sitting.

"Hi Eric, Jamie, Kevin, how are you doing?" Wildwing asked, knowing that the only one who is going to speak would be fifteen year old Eric. The other two would just nod along and smile.

The young boy then launched into everything that they had done with Phil that day. It seemed that the tight-fisted, money-grubbing manager had actually enjoyed spending his money and time with his future stepchildren. And they, it seemed, really enjoyed it too. Then again, their biological father didn't seem to be a shining example of fatherhood from what Eric had told him.

It made Wildwing both angry and upset. He would never get to have the opportunity to know fatherhood and he could barely remember the times he got to spend with his own father before his death, and he knew some people just threw it away. Wildwing was glad that Phil seemed to be taking to the idea that he would be responsible for children soon, and that he needed to mend some of his ways to be a good influence on them.

Phil had taken the boys out to Disneyland for the day, and they had had a very nice lunch at the boys favourite restaurant. Eric had explained how they had taken lots of pictures of their fun, male bonding time. Even Jamie and Kevin added to the stories of their exploits, which is the most either had ever spoken in any of the Ducks presence.

"Man, your good with kids," Duke said as he sat down next to Wildwing. The three boys had just been ushered off to get some more food, and to play air hockey in the corner with Buzz and Nosedive.

"Well, I used to work with kids every summer at the summer camp."

"It's a shame none of us will ever have biological kids. Well, unless you're willing to give some of your swimmers to Mallory or Tanya. I wouldn't suggest that though, could get really complicated," Duke said taking a long drink of his whiskey as he gazed wistfully at the three boys playing with Nosedive.

It was not lost on Wildwing that his friend had specified biological children rather than just children. He really wanted to ask him what he meant, but Wildwing was pretty sure he already knew what Duke meant and he didn't feel like being proven right tonight.

Luckily for Wildwing, he was saved from further contemplation by the room being called to attention by Phil. He wanted everyone to say goodbye to his three stepsons, who were being taken home by their grandmother. And though the boys protested greatly, everyone knew it would be best for them to leave or else the party wouldn't more along.

"Well, since it's now just us men, and Buzz, how about we really get this party started! But first, I want to thank everyone for coming, especially everyone who came from out of town and will be staying here for the week for the wedding."

At which point a whole bunch of men around Phil's age lifted their glasses. Wildwing had spoken to some of these men, they were friends of Phil's from high school and college, which shocked him. He had no idea that Phil had that many friends. But, they were all probably still friends because they didn't interact with Phil regularly.

"And I want to thank Hugh for the food, Ross my best man for the ideas, and Johner and Wildwing for helping to organise!"

Another cheer from everyone else in the room to the people what had been mentioned. Though, Wildwing knew that most of the night could not have been organised without Johner, it was almost insulting that the young man didn't get all the credit.

"Now, we've got a great night planned, first we're gonna drink here," another cheer, "then we'll head out to the Birdcage where we have the star table! Then, off to the Gentleman's Club!" A giant cheer resounded for the last one, which was one of the better strip clubs in Anaheim. Not that any of the drakes had ever ventured into it, or any other strip club.

"But first, we drink!" Phil finished to a thunderous cheer. Everyone raised their glasses and drank deeply from them, before getting another drink.

They stayed in the players' lounge for another hour, just drinking and chatting before they finally made their way down to the large party bus that was waiting for them. There were twenty men, plus the four ducks to cater for after all, and though Nosedive had wanted to volunteer the migrator for the festivities everyone else squashed that idea quickly. Having a chauffer was the better option than someone being made to remain sober, as it seemed drinking was the primary goal of the evening

Once they were all settled in, the younger crowd of humans began to play a very boisterous drinking game, while the older crowd and the ducks looked on.

"What on Earth are they doing?" Duke asked, nursing his latest glass of whiskey.

"It's 'I have never', it's a drinking game. Your supposed to say something that you've never done and if someone has done it they have to take a drink. We should totally play!" Nosedive explained while everyone else looked on sceptically, looking around at their companions. There were some things they obviously did not want to find out about each other.

Unfortunately, Nosedive wouldn't be deterred and began to explain that it was almost mandatory to do while they were drinking. Eventually, Matt and Hugh came to his defence, and encouraged the rest of the ducks to take part in the game.

"Alright, I'll go first!" Nosedive exclaimed while after he refilled his drink, "I have never drunk an entire bottle of whiskey!"

Several people, including Duke drank, while Nosedive nodded and smiled that people were taking part in the game. He told everyone that it was that easy and would definitely be a fun way to pass the next thirty minutes of travel time.

"Okay, me next, we'll go clockwise," said Chris who came to sit next to Duke much to his chagrin. "I have never had sex with a stripper."

Only Ryan drank that time. A few of the youth team players, who were old enough, had come out that night. Wildwing had said it would help inter-team bonding, whereas Nosedive had said that Phil didn't have that many friends and needed to make up the numbers.

"I have never had sex at work," Matt said holding up his glass with a smirk and glancing around. More people and ducks drank for that round, causing a raucous laughter and demands for details. Only a few were willing to give those details though. Duke, managed to sidestep easily, which Wildwing was thankful for as he knew exactly who Duke had had sex with at work.

"Is this going to be just about sex?" Grin asked, to which everyone replied that yes, yes it was going to be mostly about sex. The giant tried to back out of the game, seeing as he was next, but everyone encouraged him to go on, and told him he didn't have to say anything about sex if he didn't want to.

"I have never, um, had sex with more than one person at once?" Grin said, almost puzzled and clearly uncomfortable with what he had just said. Though, everyone applauded his effort and only Duke drank. Which he did with a flourish so everyone would ask him questions and he could go into the epic explanation of his night with five girls.

There were several rounds with several people drinking their way through a lot of alcohol. It seemed that Duke had to drink for almost every round when they were discussing sex, except when it verged into oral sex territory. The older drake then had to explain to the other ducks what oral sex was and to the humans that ducks are really equipped for it.

"And, uh, how do you know what it is?" Hugh asked through his own drunken giggles.

"I watch porn," Duke replied completely nonchalantly, causing loud guffaws from everyone assembled.

"Okay, my turn, um, well, I have never, um, had sex?" Nosedive said next after a long pause. Everyone drank that time and then started to ask for an explanation to that statement.

"What, I left Puckworld at sixteen and who was there around to have sex with?"

It seemed a good enough explanation for everyone else, who were still a little shocked that Nosedive had willingly admitted such a thing. Everyone then went on to loudly talk about their best sexual experience and what the youngest drake was missing out on.

"Okay, I have never been caught in the act," Phil's brother said with an eyebrow wiggle.

Several people drank that time, but the most shocking one was that Wildwing drank. Everyone was flabbergasted and asked for details, but it wasn't Wildwing who answered, as it was Nosedive who had caught his brother in the act. He then went on to describe, in almost vivid details what he had seen causing his brother to blush heavily across his beak and stutter an explanation. Which did not deter his younger brother whatsoever.

"And, and, I wasn't the only one who caught you two in the act, was it? Our mom caught him too! The first time that he brought her home!" Nosedive almost yelled out in utmost glee while he waved his arms around. He then launched into another tale about his brothers' sexual exploits, much to the amusement of everyone in the bus.

When the intercom came on Wildwing could have thanked every god that would listen. He had no desire to go into anymore details about his personal life. Until recently no one knew anything about what he had left behind on Puckworld and he would have rather kept it that way.

"Didn't know you had that in you, Wing. Your girl definitely sounds like a girl I would have liked to meet," Duke said loudly while slapping his captain on the back.

The group of now rowdy men and ducks exited the bus once it pulled up to the curb. There were a few photographers there, as some other sportsmen and managers were joining them inside. Everyone who was called by a photographer just stood and smiled and waved, knowing that it would be worse for them if they didn't.

During their time on Earth, the ducks had had a mostly positive media following, especially once everyone found out they were there to save the world. Their final battle with the Saurians hadn't been that quiet.

It didn't take long to answer all the questions of the mostly male reporters. They were all asking the same questions anyway, mostly about wedding traditions on Puckworld and if there was anything similar to a bachelor party where they were from.

"Well, yeah, we have a party with male relatives and friends where we get advice about a successful marriage. And there are gifts and things, it's definitely a male bonding thing. Don't remember it having anything to do with seeing half naked women dance though, that's something that is very unique to here," Duke answered as the only one of the ducks qualified to give an answer.

"And, what do you think of that custom?" asked one of the reporters.

"Well, I guess we have to be respectful of one another's culture," Duke answered sounding far more sober than he should be.

It was the most sensible answer that Duke and Wildwing could come up with, with the help of Johner. He almost envied the girls, they were having a very secluded party, while they would most likely run into this question again and again all night.

Finally, they were able to enter the Birdcage, which had been decorated for Phil's big night. They could see lots of congratulation banners hanging from the star table, with drinks on ice already on the table. It looked really expensive, but they all knew that they had gotten a huge discount due to Johner and Roxie.

"Evening gentlemen," Roxie said, coming up from behind the group. She was accompanied by the clubs' photographer as well as some of the other waitresses and Lola, the drag queen MC and owner of the club. They all posed for pictures with the assembled women and drag performers, with big smiles on their faces and congratulations on their lips.

"Wow, you look amazing, um, Roxie? Or do we have to call you Rainbow Brite?" Chris asked as he stood next to Roxie who was leaning against the seat.

It was true, she did look amazing in her costume. Which was really just a deep blue sparkly bra with the same coloured ribbon criss-crossing over her body, creating a cut out leotard with her ballet slippers to match. She had a blue wrap covering her legs as well, giving her a little more coverage than normal, most likely as she was going to be greeting a big group of friends. Her usually bright hair was partly up, to keep it out of her face for her performance.

"Rainbow Brite is probably best here, but thanks Chris. Are you guys enjoying your night?" Roxie asked, moving closer to the young player as the club was rather loud and not noticing the rather annoyed looks that were being shot towards them.

But Wildwing noticed, he saw Duke standing perfectly straight and staring daggers across at the young man who was standing close to Roxie. Wildwing tried to get Duke to join in the conversation with Lola, who was always fun to talk to, but it seemed that Duke would not be distracted.

After several photos and kisses on the cheek, Lola called for everyone to get ready for the show. But not before everyone had to sit in the booth for a big group photo. It took a few minutes to get all the bachelor party guests, plus the performers together for a good shot. They put Phil in the middle with two girls on either side and Lola next to them, with everyone else spread around the table and chairs holding up drinks. Some of the girls were sitting on the laps of some of the men, as well as some of the drag performers. And, out of the corner of his eye, Wildwing noticed that Roxie was sitting on Duke's lap.

Once the photo was taken, the performers all excused themselves, the only one who hung back was Roxie, who was off to the side talking to Duke once again. Wildwing could see that Roxie looked annoyed and was backing away slightly with her arms crossed, obviously still annoyed about the fight from earlier. He also watched as Duke tried to take her hand but she just shook it off and walked away.

"What was that about?" Matt asked Duke when he sat down at the edge of the table next to Wildwing.

"We had a disagreement earlier," Duke replied curtly before grabbing another drink and ending the conversation. But Wildwing and Matt were the only ones who noticed, everyone else were too engrossed by what was going on around them to notice.

Until Chris and Nosedive came to sit across from Duke, Matt and Wildwing to try and start a conversation. Though Duke was having no part in the conversation, only drinking and brooding while looking towards the backstage area.

"So, have you guys come to watch Roxie perform before?" Matt asked, trying to engage the ducks in conversation.

"This is actually my first time, been trying to get up the courage for a while. I mean, she's so, everything, it's been a little intimidating," Chris answer before anyone else could, clearly showing how smitten he was and making Duke clutch his glass even more firmly.

"You thought about asking her out? I mean, if I was several years younger and in entirely one piece I would," Matt said with a sly smile, causing Nosedive to burst out laughing while Wildwing eyed Duke wearily.

That was when the lights dimmed and Lola arrived on stage to raucous applause. She had such a great stage presence that everyone was enraptured by her. Even her hecklers loved her, as she gave just as good as she got. She had wonderful comedic timing and looked absolutely spectacular as she asked for applause for the bachelor party that was present.

Then the lights went low as the music grew louder. Blue ribbon then dropped from the rafters as they watched an almost ethereal Roxie glide across the stage to the music. The music was slow and sensual, but then built up as she moved from the floor to the ribbon and to the air, dropping the sarong like cover that was hiding her almost bare legs. When she was finally up in the air she swopped and dove and looked as if she was a magical creature.

When she was finished she got a standing ovation from almost everyone in the club. There were so many comments about her looks and talents thrown around the bachelor party group as she took her bows and blew kisses out to the crowd before she coquettishly disappeared off stage.

"Wow, that was amazing, she is amazing!" Matt said as he sat down, "What did you guys think?"

Duke didn't give a reply, which made Wildwing look around curiously. Usually Duke always had something to say about Roxie's performance. But the older drake wasn't there, making tense in worry. He knew that he had had a lot to drink that evening and was having issues with Roxie. He also knew that he had heard everything that Chris and the other boys on the team had said, which wouldn't have made him feel any better.

Looking around, Wildwing hoped that no one else noticed that Duke had left. But, as the burlesque performances were starting, he really didn't have to worry about anyone at the table noticing that Duke had left and would likely not be back for a while.

Using all his years of experience as a thief, Duke was able to sneak past the bouncer would was always stationed at the entrance to backstage. He managed to make it through the corridor without anyone noticing and almost silently went through the door to Roxie's dressing room.

The backstage area of the club was rather large, with a huge communal changing room for most of the performers. Only a few managed to get private or semi private changing rooms. Roxie, in fact, shared hers with two other girls, but each of them worked a different night. So, it was like she had a room to herself.

The girl in question didn't even notice that he was there. She seemed too focused on unpinning her hair from the complicated updo that she was wearing. So, he just watched as her fingers moved through the brightly dyed tresses. Only drawing attention to himself when he closed and locked the door, causing an alarmed intake of breath from the girl in front of him.

"God, I wish you wouldn't do that! What do you want, aren't you meant to be out there drinking more and causing more trouble?" Roxie said, disdain and annoyance dripping from her voice.

Duke didn't say anything, he merely walked over and began to help her take down her hair. His swift and skilled hands making quick work of the pins holding it in place. And it wasn't long before his hands started to wander to other places, including the hooks and eyes of the back of her costume.

"Don't. not here," Roxie said softly, not really putting up much of a protest.

"Stop me then, Angel," Duke replied, humour and lust in his voice.

She didn't stop him, and she decided to let the argument they had been having recently drop. She was putty in his hands, when he was being tender like he was doing. Even though she had sworn to herself that she wouldn't let him do that to her in her dressing room again.

It was forty minutes after he left that Duke slid back into his seat, looking remarkably calm and satisfied. Only a few members of the party noticed that he had left and even fewer noticed that he was back. Everyone was far too caught up in the performances or the drinks on offer.

"Hey, Duke-meister! Where you been?" Nosedive called over, almost falling out of his chair as he did so. Much to he amusement of everyone around him.

"Went to get another scotch, then thought I'd go and apologise," Duke answered with a smile.

"It took you almost an hour to apologise?" Chris asked through his beer haze.

"I wanted to be thorough," Duke said with an even more sly smile.

It took a lot of Wildwing not to groan at that response. He knew exactly what Duke had been doing, and why he had taken so long. He just hoped that no one had seen him either enter of leave Roxie's dressing room.

After another twenty minutes, Roxie came to say goodbye to all the men assembled. She had changed into a pair of jeans and silky top, looking both relaxed and dressed-up at the same time. When she arrived most of the men instantly shot up out of their chairs to tell her how great her performance was or how great she looked, but this time Duke stayed sitting down and calm. Even when Chris moved closer.

The last person to get up was Phil and his brother and best man Ross. Both enthused about how great the evening was and how thankful they were for what she organised. And Ross even insinuated that he would return when she was doing the burlesque performances.

"Well gents, enjoy your night, I'm off to join the ladies. Try not to get too drunk, and throw up everywhere, Nosedive," Roxie said much to Nosedive's annoyance.

She then waved goodbye to everyone, and began to leave until Duke stopped her. He walked her out, saying that he would wait with her until she got a taxi.

"Wow, he is such a gentleman. I would have expected this one here, to have tried something like that. You see Ryan, that's how you're meant to treat women, you all could learn a few things from Duke," Hugh said through his own laughter.

Once Duke came back five minutes later, all the younger or single members of the party began to ask tips on how they should act more gentlemanly. Duke tried to brush them all off, preferring to go back to his drink and not answering questions on how to woo the girl he was seeing.

"So, that's being discreet?" Wildwing whispered to his friend.

"It's not like anyone actually suspects," Duke whispered back before loudly proclaiming that Wildwing tells them all more about all the times he was caught by other people having sex with his girlfriend.

"That's not fair, I already went!" he tried to protest, but to no avail as everyone pointed out that Nosedive explained the times when he caught his brother and his girlfriend having sex, not the other way around. And, according to Nosedive, he knew of at least eight different people who caught the two of them in the act.

That caused a mass outcry, as no one could believe that the straight-laced captain and leader could have ever been caught in such a compromising position once. Let alone eight times at the very least. It was only the threat of Nosedive pulling out pictures that made Wildwing begin to explain some of those situations. But not before threatening his younger brother with all manners of torment for putting him in that situation.

hoopsandyoyo42: thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

rockey704: haven't given up, just got a huge dose of writers block and was working on an actual novel.

TFG