Gladstone sat in the corner booth of the restaurant, his hand going to the book hidden under his coat as he waited for Magica to arrive. He'd spent a couple of hours with his cousins arguing over his plan. Donald had called him several insulting names and eventually walked out, determined to carry out his original plan to get Glomgold. The others had stuck around longer, trying to talk him out of it, but he was just as stubborn as them.

He knew he couldn't capture Magica on his own, but still he turned up at the restaurant in his favourite suit. Something had told him it was important that he look his best, and when he saw Magica walk through the door he understood why.

She looked incredible. He was speechless for a moment, before remembering his manners and getting up to pull out her chair and compliment her appearance. She looked suspicious at his words, but thanked him and sat down.

"So, where is the book?" she asked, holding out a hand.

"Are you hungry?" he passed over a menu instead, smiling at her.

"You did say you were paying, correct?"

"Yes."

Magica looked at the options, her eyes flicking up to check on Gladstone every so often, trying to figure out the cheerful gander. The restaurant was ridiculously expensive but served a lot of her favourite dishes and she was looking forward to a meal here. When she had made her selection, she folded the menu and placed it on the table, meeting Gladstone's gaze.

"What?" she snapped at him, a small crease appearing between her brows.

"You have beautiful eyes," as soon as the words left his beak he realised how lame it sounded, he had intended to find a better way to describe them but had lost the words while staring into her eyes.

It had been a long time since anyone had flattered Magica. At least, anyone not begging for mercy from her magic. She couldn't sense any deceit from her dining companion and a small part of her relaxed. Perhaps she could have a little fun while she was in town. No-one she knew would have to find out.

"I don't even know your name... handsome," she flirted back.

"G-Gladstone," his real name slipped out and he wondered whether she would figure out his relationship to Scrooge.

"I'm Magica, if you didn't already know."

"I've seen you on the news," he admitted.

"So you know what I can do to you with my magic?"

"Yes."

"And you aren't scared?"

"You haven't cursed me yet and you accepted my invitation to dinner."

"How do you know I'm not just here for the book?"

"Are you?"

Magica smiled, "I'm also here for the free food. Have you read it yet?"

"Not yet, what is so special about one chapter?"

Magica scowled, "my last attempt to use one of the spells mentioned didn't go according to plan. I'm hoping that book holds some answers."

The waiter brought over the starter, a sharing platter that Gladstone had ordered when Magica only ordered a main meal, placing it in the middle of the table. Gladstone let Magica choose first from the plate.

They'd ordered the same dessert, a chocolate torte with freshly whipped cream, topped with chocolate shavings and a few fresh berries. Magica finished first, with Gladstone a few mouthfuls behind.

"Now, hand over the book," Magica ordered.

"Wouldn't you rather go somewhere quieter to read it?"

"I will once you hand it to me."

"How do I know I'll get the book back?"

Magica sighed, "fine, you can come with me."

Gladstone smiled and passed over the book. The cost of the meal had already been taken of, thanks to his luck and a local radio competition, so he followed her outside after leaving a generous tip on the table.

"I hope you're not afraid of heights," Magica told him, leading him into a side alley.

"As long as you don't plan on dangling me off the edge of a building I'll be fine."

She grinned, reaching behind some dustbins and pulling out her broom, "come on then."

He watched her hover on the broom, holding out a hand for him to join her. He'd never flown on a broom before. Magic carpet yes, enchanted chair also a yes. Never a broom. Taking a deep breath, Gladstone accepted her hand and managed to swing one leg over the flying device. After she placed his hands on her hips, Magica took off. Gladstone gripped tighter as they soared up, moving his hands so he had wrapped his arms around her waist to feel more secure.

They flew over Duckburg, out past the Beagle's Junkyard, until they were passing the farms at the outer edges of the town. When the broom dipped suddenly, Magica had to yell at it to keep going. It was around this time that Gladstone started to worry. No-one knew where he was and he didn't even know where Magica was going.

Eventually they landed in the woods just outside of Duckburg. Gladstone was shaking as he got off the broom. There was a small cottage in the distance and Magica began walking towards it. She had the book, so Gladstone followed her.

"Is this where you live?" he asked.

"Until I get my revenge, yes."

Magica had been re-reading the same chapter for hours. At least that was how it felt to Gladstone. At first he had watched Magica turning the pages, but when it was clear she was so focused on the book that she was ignoring him, he wandered through the cottage instead. The small building was mostly empty, just a few basic necessities in the bathroom and bedroom (he had quickly closed the door after realising which room that was), items which looked more like spell ingredients than food in the kitchen, and the one door he couldn't open which had an ominous green light shining through the gap below. In living room, where Magica sat with the book, there were only two chairs. She was sitting in the comfortable cushioned one leaving him with a rickety-looking wooden chair. He managed to make himself a drink in the kitchen, but there was only one mug so he couldn't make one for Magica. She was still reading when he returned.

"You must have read that a dozen times by now," he complained. "can I have it back yet?"

She looked up from the book and glared at him, "no."

He sighed and sat on the wooden chair, which creaked but didn't collapse, "is something wrong?"

"I did the spell exactly as it says to in the book, so I don't understand why it didn't work."

Magica looked back down at the pages, running a finger along the lines, "I even paid out for the good quality dragon blood. I don't know how Scrooge keeps thwarting me, it's not fair!"

"Maybe you need to find another target for your magic."

"No, he needs to pay for what he did and with his dime I'll..." Magica quickly shut the book and tossed it towards Gladstone.

It landed in his lap with enough 'oomph' to push him back so the chair rocked onto the back two legs for a moment. Gladstone opened the book and glanced at the chapter she'd been reading. It was directions to create an amulet which would manifest a creature from gold coins and other treasure, this creature would then grow depending on how much treasure was consumed and could be controlled to hunt out specific items of value.

"Scrooge probably has tons of anti-magic stuff, maybe that's why it didn't work. He's smart enough to have all sorts of security around his Money Bin," Gladstone told her.

"Perhaps."

"If he knows you'll use magic to try and get his dime, that's probably what he's done."

"But how else am I supposed to get my revenge?"

Gladstone shrugged, suddenly remembering that he wasn't supposed to be helping Scrooge's enemies, "no idea."

Magica looked over at him, "you will help me."

"What? No... me, I..."

"Yes. He knows what I look like, but you are a stranger. If I send you in ahead he will be distracted and I can steal the dime."

"I don't think that will work."

"Why not?"

"We've... met."

"And you failed to steal his dime as well?" Magica looked at him with a little more interest. "Now I understand why you are researching magic."

"Actually..."

"If we work together," she moved towards him with a smile on her face, "I'm sure we can succeed."

Gladstone hugged the book to his chest as she leaned in, captivated by the golden glint in her eyes. He didn't move as she came closer and his heart beat faster as she kissed him.

"You will help me, won't you?" she asked.

"Um... I..."

Magica kissed him again, sure that he would agree.