Unfinished Business
by Roaming Tigress

Chapter Seven:
Uncertainty







It had been five months since Steelbeak had a run in with the Trigger-Happy Trio and was subsequently sent to jail. As the day for his release approached, he felt an edge of uncertainty. He felt an odd sort of comfort in his cell; Javert wasn't there pointing a gun to his head and Amelia and Roberto wasn't there bringing up abusive accusations and memories of a painful past. Yet, Steelbeak desperately sought freedom, even if it did mean allowing his nemesis - - and his daughter - - to help him.

"I do not make friends wit' my enemies," Steelbeak muttered to his cell mate, a scruffy badger named Tyson whose convictions were practically as long as the Audubon Bay Bridge. "I suppose dere's woise t'ings out dere dat could 'appen to me, but I

"You don't know what you want to do with yourself, do you?" Tyson asked, reading through a horror novel titled Nightmare on Jay Street. He placed a bookmark in it and plopped it down on the ground, seemingly more interested in trying to reason with the rooster.

"Look, I never said you had to make friends with the git. I only said it's purely ridiculous to say you would prefer to stay in here than to be a free bird. Word of mouth has it that you wanted out so much you bloody well almost cauterized yer bloomin' tongue off to get out. Didn't work mind you, but heck, must've been worth it. Poor, crazy messed up bloke . . . "

Steelbeak ignored Tyson's comments and looked out the barred window, the waning sun reflecting onto his beak. Soaring across the edge of the river was an eagle, giving him a reminder of what it would like to be truly free.

"Must be nice being a F.O.W.L agent," Tyson chuckled. "Nice posh apartment, nice big paychecks and all them pretty ladies to flirt with. Not to mention, being paid for just being a villain! Sure beats being a run of the mill thug."

"Eh, it's not all what it's cracked up ta be," Steelbeak indifferently shrugged his shoulders. "Sure youse get dat stuff, but its rat'er like bein' stuck in 'ere. Ya don't 'ave much in de way of freedom because ya got stupid Eggmen ta deal wit' and evil overlords 'igh Command breathin' down yer neck! Dey're woise den Negaduck on a bad day."

"I heard that . . . " Negaduck growled, his gravelly voice sending a chill down Steelbeak's spine. "I will not be compared to a bunch of shadow puppets!"

"Speaking of the devil . . . " The English badger scoffed, returning back to his reading. "Ya gotta be careful of what you say in here because everyone hears everything."

Steelbeak let out a groan and mumbled something incoherent. He stepped away from the window and paced around for the up tenth time, trying to think of a good reason why Darkwing would want to help him. Was it out of pity? Was it to make himself look good? Surely Darkwing, with his ego the size of a small planet, wouldn't waste his time helping a villain.

"'I get out tomorrow . . . "

"Consider yourself lucky. I still have to stay here for another year!" Tyson said in a half-laugh. "Still uncertain, are you?"

"Not anymore. I'm gonna step right outta dis place like I own de woild!" Steelbeak lied, but Tyson fell for it.

By next morning, Darkwing Duck was all set and ready to go to jail. All that was needed was to invite Gosalyn with him. After all, if Steelbeak agreed to not harm her, then what was the harm in letting her come along? Worse comes to worse, he could always put his Quack Fu skills to good use.

"Look, Gos, what would you say if I asked you to come along with me on a quick trip to the prison?"

"Sure! What for?" She asked, her green eyes alight with curiosity and excitement. "Do we get to interrogations?"

"Ohhhh . . . Let's just say we're visiting with an old friend!" Drake answered, giving her a cuddle. "Listen, I know how you feel about Steelbeak - - "

The very mention of the rooster's name had nearly caused Gosalyn to change her decision. She viewed Steelbeak as a contemptible creature that was best kept locked away behind bars. "Well, I suppose there's worse people out there."

"You said it, Gosalyn."

Steelbeak was still sleeping by the time the two had arrived at the penitentiary. Bravely, Gosalyn approached his cell and spoke to him softly. It had been many years since the two had seen each other. Darkwing stood behind her protectively and didn't let his eyes off the prisoner, just in case he had changed his mind about the deal.

Hearing Gosalyn's voice, Steelbeak slowly stirred out from his sleep and looked up at her. In his weariness, he mistook her for an old girlfriend and he smiled warmly.

"Janette McQuest?" He asked softly, holding out his hand. "What made ya decide ta come down to visit ol' Steels, hon?"

Gosalyn smiled and held back a laugh, slightly amused by his confusion. "No . . . It's me, Gosalyn. Remember that girl in the pigtails who used to bug the heck outta ya?"

Steelbeak's smile turned to a slight scowl in disappointment. He smacked himself in the face and pretended to not act embarrassed about the mix-up between Gosalyn and the ex-girlfriend who left him for a "beakless mutant".

"Ehhh . . . Don't mind me. Mid-life crisis, ya know."

"Yeah, I know how ya feel about that, " Darkwing laughed slightly. "Anyway, ready to get out of here? Five minutes in here's bad enough, let alone five months!"

Steelbeak nodded quickly and took a step back as a guard came around to unlock his cell. His release was like a surreal dream and he hesitantly stepped out.

"I . . . I dunno what to say . . . " He spoke in a humbled tone, retreating back into the cell and looking around nervously.

"A simple thanks would be good enough," Gosalyn replied, crossing her arms with annoyance. "Or would that put a dent in your ego?"

"Gosalyn!" Darkwing hissed under his breath.

"T'anks fer everyt'ing youse done over de past few months," Steelbeak finally answered with newfound confidence, yet still staying behind bars. "I gotta say, yer a crazy duck fer lettin' go a criminal who's got more den sixty convictions under 'is belt!"

"My duty is to protect my citizens, whether or not they are larceny-loving lunatics or carefree children!" Darkwing explained proudly as if given an award.

"Okay, okay, I'm goin', I'm goin'!" Steelbeak complained, picking himself off the ground after Tyson gave him a kick to the rear to get moving.

Darkwing felt uncomfortable about bringing a villain to his house, but it was the safest place for Steelbeak to be at the moment. Even safer than the Darkwing Tower, which Javert knew the location of.