My Funny Friend and Me
by Roaming Tigress


Chapter Nine:
Reconciliation







"Hey, Steelbeak . . . I heard what happened," Darkwing Duck spoke softly, sitting at the chair that was pulled up beside his bed. "I'm so sorry this happened!"

Steelbeak slowly opened his eyes and scowled, both surprised and annoyed by the mallard nemesis' presence. All he wanted was Bushroot to be with him, not this masked mallard glancing down at him. What's dis mook doin' 'ere?

"What do youse want?" He wearily demanded, rolling his eyes. "Are ya 'ere ta arrest me and to further ruin my life? I've already been t'rough enough, t'ank youse very much."

"I . . . Don't want anything!" Darkwing stammered, somewhat taken aback by Steelbeak's anger. "I'm not arresting you. Not this time. I just wanted to know how you were doing."

"Why do you care?" Steelbeak snapped. "Is it because yer too much of a do-gooder?"

"No it isn't . . . " Darkwing whispered, trying to keep everything calm. "I might disapprove of your actions with F.O.W.L, but that doesn't mean that I don't care about your welfare. When I heard on the news that you were shot, I wanted to come down and make sure you were OK."

Steelbeak had a hard time believing this. He sank his head into the pillow and let out a deep sigh. "If youse cared so much about my welfare, den why didn't youse go after Javert? Why didn't youse step in when I was nearly killed out dere at de park?"

"I did as a matter of fact," Darkwing answered rather arrogantly, folding his arms across his chest. "I caught him trying to sneak into the hospital to finish you off. He's in jail now, sharing the same cell as Negaduck. Word has it that High Command had fired that slimy spy when they found out that he tried to kill the organization's top agent. Spying is one thing. Attempted assassination is another."

Well, damn.

Steelbeak wanted revenge, and being thrown in jail wasn't quite what he had in mind for Javert. "I rather wished youse let me deal wit' 'im. If it were up ta me, I'd be sending Javert to de 'hospital emergency room ta see 'ow 'e feels! If I was up to it, I'd send 'im six feet under. Dat guy brings nothin' but trouble wit' me and I want 'im outta my life."

"Tempting, but not worth going to jail for," Darkwing said in a lively voice, attempting to cheer up the morose Steelbeak. "I have dealt with him in the past, and with the criminal past he's got, I'd say he'll be locked up for thirty years. Now that he's out of the way, you and Bushroot can -- "

"Youse know about dat?!" Steelbeak interrupted in a panic.

"Yes," Darkwing whispered, getting up to leave. "Bushroot told me this morning how much you mean to him. I must go now, but as I was saying before you interrupted me, now that Javert's away, you and Bushroot can enjoy each other's company without that sneak watching every move you make."

"Easier said den done, Dipwing," Steelbeak moaned, carefully sitting up. "I still gotta contend wit' Igh Command about dis. Dey . . . Disapprove of homosexual relationships between deir agents. Dey said it's because we'd get too soft and distracted, but I t'ink it's just a stupid homophobic issue dat dey 'ave. "

"That will change in due time," Darkwing replied just before he walked out of the door. "Since you're the greatest agent they've got, and while they're not too happy about it, they've forgiven you for it."

T'ank God fer dat . . .

A week and a half later following the shooting, Steelbeak was returning to his old self again. Although devoted to Bushroot, the rouge rooster proved that he was still very much of a lady's man. Flirting with the nurses (of both sexes) had become a favorite past time, and his strength - - and attitude - - were returning rapidly.

After a last examination, the moment finally arrived when he was ready to be released from the sterile environment. Never in my life 'ad I ever felt to so much freedom as I do now.

"I'm comin' 'ome, Bushroot."



Disclaimer:
Darkwing Duck, Bushroot, High Command, Negaduck, Fearsome Five and Steelbeak are © Disney. That sneak is © Roaming Tigress.