Chapter 2

Drake heaved a heavy sigh. He was lost in his thoughts about what happened between him and Binkie this morning. He didn't know what possessed him to do such a fiendish act. He thought about how he didn't realize that he had a thing for Binkie. No wonder he felt uncomfortable when she was around. Drake pondered on maybe how his hidden desire for Binkie began. Sure, he knew that he was smitten at first sight by Binkie's sister, Trudi. Trudi was practically identical to Binkie except for her eye patch over her right eye. He had convinced himself that the eye patch made a world of difference between the two women. Drake snorted that he was fooling himself; Trudi and Binkie were physically twins.

Drake rubbed his chin and reminisced about the time he and Launchpad traveled back in time to stop Quackerjack from destroying the first yo-yo. Drake remembered the lovely Binketh looked just like Binkie and they were getting along really well. Of course, being a Binkie ancestor she was destined to fall for one of Herb's ancestor's. Drake rolled his eyes when he thought about how like a fool he thought when Binketh was talking about a handsome guy, he thought she meant him. Drake huffed at the notion that such a lovely lady would have to fall for a big lout. Just what did Binketh see in King Herbeth anyways? He, not King Herbeth, was her knight in shining armor and the slayer of the dragon. Well, sort of.

Drake absentmindedly rubbed his neck and considered the second time the brain sucking space alien hats attacked. He could've sworn he and Binkie got passionate while under the aliens influence. Drake rubbed his eyes to distract his thoughts.

"Earth to Dad!" Gosalyn yelled from across the table.

Drake startled and looked up at Gosalyn.

"Gee, Dad. You still haven't finished eating; Launchpad and I finished our meals two hours ago."

Drake looked down at his plate. He hadn't eaten a bite; he just basically moved his cold food around the plate. He pushed his plate aside and shrugged. "I'm not all that hungry today." Gosalyn thoughtfully stared at him. Drake warily inquired, "What?"

Gosalyn narrowed her jade eyes. "Something's up. What is it? It must be major."

Drake jumped up from the dinette chair. He pointed his finger towards the door and growled, "Go to your room."

Gosalyn confused, scrunched up her face. "Huh! Why? What did I do?"

Drake folded his arms and barked, "Just go! Do your homework and clean your room."

Gosalyn yanked her scarlet ponytails and gasped, "Oh the humanity!"

"Enough with the histrionics, Gos." Drake once again pointed towards the door. Gosalyn glowered at her dad before stomping off towards her room.

Drake watched Gosalyn leave before he proceeded to clean up the kitchen. He hated sending Gosalyn to her room like that but he just couldn't deal with her in his current funk.

As Drake cleaned up his plate; his thoughts turned once again to the events of this morning. He wondered where everything went wrong. Sure Binkie kissed him first but it was an accident. Maybe he even inadvertently led her on to that accident. When he went to kiss her it sure wasn't an accident then. He knew that Binkie surely didn't resist the second kiss. Drake felt he can't really fault her since any normal woman would find his kisses irresistibly. The worst part was that he had an indescribably ache to finish what he started. He wearily held a hand to his head and scolded himself for being a horrid home wrecker. Maybe Binkie was starved senseless due to Herb's neglect but Drake knew that he had a good loving relationship with Morgana.

Drake moaned when he thought about his girlfriend Morgana. Poor Morgana, she's the perfect girlfriend. She's beautiful, intelligent and understanding. Well, of course she wouldn't understand what happened between Binkie and him. That's to be expected. Drake's shoulders heavily slumped as he thought how Morgana's too good for a rotten low down snake in grass like himself. Drake figured he's better stock up on lots of barbecue sauce since he's going to roast in hell for all eternity.

"Um, Drake. Drake!" Launchpad loudly spoke.

Drake startled once again out of his stupor.

"I better get a mop." Launchpad looked to the overflowing sink.

Drake looked in the direction of Launchpad's gaze. Drake became conscious that his torso was soaking wet and the hot water in the sink had overflowed unto the floor. "Damn it!" Drake huffed. He shut off the water and grabbed a sponge. He quickly wiped up the water that had collected around the countertop and grabbed a handful of paper towels.

Launchpad grabbed the mop and bucket in the corner and started to mop up the wet floor around the sink. Drake got out of Launchpad's way and plopped down on a dinette chair. Launchpad spoke as he continued to mop the floor, "Are you ok, Drake? You seem very distracted today."

Drake utilized the handful of paper towels to dry off his green patterned sweater vest and salmon shirt. He muttered, "Yeah, I'm ok." Launchpad suspiciously eyed Drake. Drake tossed the wet towels into the wastebasket. "Oh no. Not you too."

Launchpad laughed. "I suppose Gos must've gotten to you first. Well, if you didn't talk to her about what bugging you, it must be something really serious."

Drake snapped, "What do you mean by that! I'm so sick and tired of everyone picking my brain." Drake sprang off the dinette chair and pointed towards the door. He commanded, "Go to your room!"

Launchpad grimaced. "What! You can't send me to my room."

Drake defiantly continued to point towards the door. He insisted, "Just go! Just go … somewhere. I'm sure something needs to be repaired at The Tower."

Launchpad quizzically observed Drake for a few moments before he dejectedly walked out of the kitchen. Drake snorted when Launchpad exited the room. Drake angrily grabbed the discarded mop and finished with the clean up.

Launchpad stopped in the hallway and sighed. He dolefully arranged his lucky tan aviator scarf and headed for the front door. As Launchpad got to the front door, he heard a "Psst" sound from above him. He looked up and saw Gosalyn at the top of the stairs gesturing for him to come upstairs. He got up to the second floor and Gosalyn lead him to her room. Gosalyn peered out from her room before closing the door.

Gosalyn sneakily spoke, "Ok. It looks like the coast is clear. What's the deal with Dad?"

Launchpad shrugged and responded, "Sorry, Gos. I don't know. You know how he can be when he doesn't feel like discussing something."

Gosalyn deflated. "True. I wish he didn't have to be so mysterious."

"It comes with the territory." Drake irately stood in Gosalyn's room doorway. Launchpad loudly gasped while Gosalyn fearfully jumped around to face the doorway. Drake narrowed his eyes and dryly spoke, "Predictable."

Gosalyn frowned. "Dad! Can't you knock?"

Drake cantankerously rejoined, "This is my house…."

Gosalyn interrupted, "So! I have rights you know."

"While living under my roof, I decide what those rights are."

Gosalyn threw up her hands and complained, "Whatever! This really isn't about me or Launchpad. Why should we suffer your wrath when all we're doing is showing some concern for you?"

Launchpad added, "Yeah, Drake. Something seems to really be upsetting you. We just wanted to help or at least give you a shoulder to lean on."

Drake slumped and pouted. He knew Gosalyn and Launchpad were right and their intentions were honorable. He wished he could've been that honorable towards Binkie. Drake whimpered, "You guys are right. I'm just a creepy person. Pardon me."

Gosalyn concernedly asked, "Dad, what is it?"

Drake looked downward to avoid Gosalyn prying eyes. "Don't worry. It's something only I can deal with," he bewailed.

"When you need us; we're here for you," Launchpad said.

Drake muttered, "You guys are too good for me." He turned and dragged himself out of Gosalyn's room.

Launchpad and Gosalyn exchanged worried glances.

Drake drowsily adjusted his robe and groggily slumped towards the coffee machine. He didn't get any sleep last night; all he did was toss and turn. As Drake leaned against the countertop and sipped his coffee, he pondered some more about Binkie. What could've caused the riff between her and Herb? They seemed like a happy couple. She said the trouble started this past winter. He knew of nothing unusual that happened this past winter; well maybe except the incident with the out of control car. He remembered that a car swerved out of control on the icy road of Avian Way and it almost ran over Binkie on her sidewalk. Poor Binkie was just putting out some trash and almost ended up road kill. Thank goodness he happened to be leaving the house and saw what was occurring. He nimbly got over to Binkie and got her out of harm's way. She was so shocked by what happened and extremely grateful. She couldn't stop bragging about his daring rescue. He had to admit that it sure as hell felt good to be not only praised for his heroics but for it to be as Drake Mallard. He remembered Herb eventually got miffed by Binkie making over him and that appeared to be the end of it. Although, it seemed since that event there's been a barely perceptible change in Binkie's attitude towards him.

"You're obsessing. It's all over your face," Gosalyn teased.

Drake snapped out of his thoughts and grimaced. He commanded, "Gosalyn! Go to school."

"It's Saturday." Gosalyn broadly grinned.

"Oh." Drake refilled his coffee mug. He turned his attention back to Gosalyn and ordered, "Go out back and play then." Gosalyn gleefully saluted and bolted out the backdoor. Drake shook his head and laughed.

Drake finished off the pot of coffee and began to clean up. He looked out the kitchen window and saw Gosalyn playing with Honker and Tank. Drake's heart sank; how could he face Honker and Tank after what he has done. Drake's moping was interrupted by the sound of the front door bell. Drake mumbled, "What now," as he headed for the door. He opened the door and was petrified; it was Binkie.

Binkie stared at him for a few seconds before she said, "Can I come in, Drake?"

Drake stood motionless as he thought about if he should let her in. He was afraid to be alone with her but to leave her standing in the doorway wouldn't be a good idea either. Drake answered, "Okay." Binkie stepped inside and Drake hesitantly closed the door.

"Um, have you found the garden trowel yet?" Binkie asked.

Drake disbelievingly stared at Binkie. "That's what you came over here to ask me about?"

Binkie stared back and replied, "Well, yes."

Drake was taken aback. Drake cautiously inquired, "Binkie, come on. That can't be the real reason you came here."

"What do you want me to ask?"

"What about what happened yesterday?"

"What about yesterday?"

Drake scowled; he knew Binkie was dizzy but she's taking it to whole other levels. Drake spoke through clenched teeth, "Binkie; You, I, the kiss."

Binkie blushed and demurely placed her hand on her chest. She moaned, "Ooh! Gosh that was something."

Drake's jaw dropped and he incredulously gawked at Binkie. Binkie fluttered her eyes and gaily grinned in return. Drake grabbed Binkie and hastily escorted her to the door. He gently but firmly pushed Binkie outside and addressed her, "Um, I'm going to search for that garden trowel. When I find it, I'll give it to you. Bye-bye. Have a good day!" And with that he quickly shut the door.

Drake leaned against the closed front door and breathed a sigh of relief. He muttered to himself, "Something is definitely up and it isn't me." He quietly chuckled and thought that as ditzy as Binkie is, she has always shown some sense of morality. There's no way she would normally act so indifferent towards an extramarital affair. This bamboozling bugaboo demands some investigative inquiry.

Drake peered inside the Muddlefoot's kitchen window. Binkie was humming away and baking cookies like she usually does on a Saturday afternoon. Drake crept past an awakening flowerbed to the basement window of the house and glanced around to make sure no one was present. At least Drake got Launchpad to take Gos, Honk, and Tank out to the nearby amusement center. Drake also knew Herb was out of the house on Quackerware business; so for all intents and purposes, this was the perfect time to snoop around. Drake figured this investigation was best suited for Drake Mallard since it wouldn't have made sense for Darkwing Duck to get involved, at least not without something more than just a hunch. Drake easily unlatched the small basement window and slithered in. Drake looked around and scratched his head. Where should he start and what should he look for?

Drake decided that the basement was the best place to start since he was currently there. He rolled up the long sleeves of his shirt and searched for any kind of evidence to Binkie's strange behavior but came up empty. He then proceeded to investigate the rest of the house. He easily slipped past Binkie who was still busy in the kitchen and went through the various rooms of the house. Luckily the Muddlefoots' house design was very similar to his own so getting around was a snap. Drake finally got to the attic on his quest for clues. Drake searched the items and boxes that were stashed away in the attic. He felt a little envious since the Muddlefoots' attic was so tidy and clean, unlike his dusty junky attic. With the exception of the kitchen, his examination of the house was complete. Drake sighed and felt guilty that he spied on The Muddlefoots for nothing. Maybe Binkie was just having a nervous breakdown and he like a paranoid fool took it to be the machinations of a devious plot. He was so desperate to place blame elsewhere and battle a straw man instead of dealing with his own personal demon.

Drake decided to get out of the Muddlefoots' house ASAP. He proceeded to head towards the attic window so he could clandestinely climb out of the window. He got to the window and heard a coughing sound. He instinctively whipped around into a fighting stance.

"Oh my! Are you going to beat me up?" Binkie asked wide-eyed.

Drake immediately went into at ease mode. He rolled down the long sleeves of his shirt and buttoned up the cuffs. He nervously tugged on his sweater vest and shamefacedly grinned, "You startled me."

"I startled you? You're in MY attic, Drake."

"Oh—yeah. My mistake. Anyways, I was so determined to find that garden trowel that I ended up here." Drake unconvincing grinned.

Binkie placed her hands on her hips and grimaced.

Drake apologetically spoke, "Forgive me, Binkie. I've acted ignobly towards you. You needed help and I took advantage. The terrible shame of it all; it's been eating at my soul."

Binkie relaxed and her annoyed expression changed to sadness. "Oh, Drake. Of course, I forgive you. I know you're not a malicious person. I'm just as responsible for what happened." Binkie looked around the attic. "I guess you were poking around because you just wanted to have some kind of explanation for my behavior."

Drake's eyes widen in astonishment at Binkie's astuteness.

Binkie walked up to Drake and continued, "The secret you're searching for can't be found in a box."

"And what secret is that?" Drake asked. He felt uncomfortable; Binkie was so close to him and was gazing directly into his eyes.

Binkie smiled and daintily placed her hands on Drake's chest. Drake anxiously gulped as Binkie leaned in closer. She cooed, "I think you already know."

Drake was speechless. He felt like his heart was going to leap out of his chest. He had no idea how to respond. It didn't matter; Binkie never gave him the opportunity for a rebuttal because she silenced his voice with a sensuous kiss. Drake's normally staunch moral fiber began to unravel; he couldn't gather the strength to resist. Binkie tenderly ran her hand up Drake's chest to the base of his neck. He felt her caress on his neck tighten; he reflexively jerked back and silently gasped before passing out.