My Funny Friend and Me
by Roaming Tigress

Chapter Two:
Love Not at First Sight





"Just what is he up to?" Bushroot gasped, spotting Steelbeak scramble over the wrought iron fence that separated the zoo from the main park. He was surprised by the rooster's agility, but what was more surprising was the fact that he was here. After all, the zoo wasn't exactly the Ritz. It was a weathered, Victorian-style zoo that still kept it's animal collection behind bars. Perhaps he was stealing the zoo's koalas to sell to the exotic pet trade. Perhaps he was just taking a shortcut home. Whatever the reason, Bushroot wanted to know.

With some hesitation, Bushroot made a mad dash over to the fence and slunk behind the admission booth. From there, he clambered onto the roof to take a better look of what Steelbeak was doing.

"What are you doing?!" Bushroot yelled, seeing Steelbeak approach the plant pavilion. It was more or less just an ordinary shed with a few windows and a leaking tin roof.

Steelbeak spun around and recognized the voice as that belonging to Bushroot. "Eh, just you," he shrugged indifferently. "What are ya here for, any ways?"

"That's what I want to know!" Bushroot demanded, jumping down from the fence. He marched up to Steelbeak like a little drill sergeant and tried as hard as he could to look threatening. It didn't work, and he cowered at the agent's angry glare.

"Takin' a walk through de zoo! What does it look like?! Steelbeak snapped. "Look, I'm doin' my job, and yer in my way so MOVE IT, Petuniabrain!"

"Y-Yes sir!" Bushroot yelped, jumping away from Steelbeak. He scowled as the agent once again tried to get into the pavilion, but he dared not to interfere this time. As far as he was concerned, Steelbeak was every bit as threatening as Negaduck, maybe even more so.

With one quick snap of his jaws to the padlock, Steelbeak broke into the pavilion. He quietly stepped in and paid no attention to the fact that Bushroot was right behind him. The moment he laid his hand on the pot of orchids, Bushroot jumped atop of his back.

"Not so fast, Steelbeak! They're mine!" Bushroot snarled, wrestling the pot away from Steelbeak's hands.

"Oh really?" Steelbeak replied snidely, reaching from behind and snatching Bushroot by the tail. "Not anymore!"

Bushroot yelped, dropping the pot. "Oh no!"

"Now look at what ya did!" Steelbeak snarled, kick-dropping him out of the pavilion. "If youse just learned ta stay outta my feathers dat wouldn't 'ave 'append!"

"I'm sorry..." Bushroot whimpered. "I-I only wanted them to have freedom...Forgive me!"

"Youse don't know de meaning of freedom!" Steelbeak roared, slamming Bushroot to the ground the moment he got up. "Fer twenny years de organization I always woiked fer promised me freedom. I never got it! Day after day, dey're always ordering me to do dis and dat, but ya know what? I would've better off been in jail fer all dose years!"

"I know how you feel," Bushroot sighed. "It's like working with Negaduck."

"Only ten times woise!" Steelbeak growled, getting up off of Bushroot. He went back into the pavilion to collecting the other orchids and left in a fury. "Now get outta my way or I'll make a salad outta youse..."

Bushroot defiantly stood in his way. "No. Not until you free my friends!"

"Don't meddle wit' me, Reggie, I'm not in de mood," warned Steelbeak, shoving Bushroot out of the way. "I've gotta take dese back to 'Igh Command so dey can send 'em out ta be sold."

Bushroot got in Steelbeak's way again and was once again harshly pushed away. "You don't have to, you know. I got some nice imitation Brazilian Orchids!" Bushroot pleaded. "I'm sure High Command will understand. They need our protection!"

"I gotta, Reggie..." Steelbeak sighed, growing weary of Bushroot's incessant begging. "I've gotta do dis. If I don't, dey'll kill me, or fire me. Dis is de last chance dat I've got. Whatever dey choose, one is not woise den de ot'ers. Dere's no easy way wit' 'Igh Command." He knew Bushroot probably didn't understand the concept of F.O.W.L's policies regarding repeatedly failed missions, but it was worth a shot anyways.

Bushroot's heart sank at the mention of death. While he wanted to give the orchids a better life, he placed the life of another villain above the welfare of his beloved plants. "Alright," Bushroot sighed. "You can take them."

"T'anks..." Steelbeak muttered.

His eyes met with his as Bushroot handed over the orchids. For a moment, Steelbeak smiled, but quickly scowled once again.

"Need any help, Steelbeak?" Bushroot asked amicably, not wanting to push Steelbeak's anger any further.

"Er, no..." Steelbeak muttered, just wanting to get the hell back to F.O.W.L's headquarters. He walked off quickly, with the third pot threatening to fall and smash to the ground. In his rush, he failed to notice this.

"Alright, suit yourself..." Bushroot sighed. "I only wanted to help a fellow villain and my fellow plants..."

As fate would have it, that pot did fall.

"WAIT!" Bushroot yelled, rushing over to the hurried Steelbeak. Before it could fall to the ground, Bushroot pounced and grabbed it before it made contact with the pavement. "Oh thank heavens you're okay!" He sighed with relief, giving the plant a kiss before sheepishly handing it back to Steelbeak.

"Uh, I suppose this is yours!"

Steelbeak looked down at Bushroot with a confused expression. In a way, he rather felt sorry for the plant-duck hybrid. He gently took ahold of the pot and looked down at Bushroot with a warm smile.

"Alright, youse can help me."

They made eye contact with each other, and this time, Steelbeak didn't look away. He looked deep into Bushroot's blue eyes and winked. "I t'ink we kin compromise 'ere."



Disclaimer:
Darkwing Duck, Bushroot, Steelbeak and other characters mentioned are © Disney.