DISCLAIMER!!! Okay, So the ducks aren't mine... I love them, though, and would take them for myself if they weren't already taken . --Jaz

"Guys, this is Melinda. I found her in Dragaunus's ship, all tied up there. Couldn't just leave her." Dive smiled. "Mel, this is my big bro Wildwing, out weapons specialist, Miss Mallory McMallard, Tanya, she's the tech guru here, the Grinster, the brawn of the team, and Duke L'Orange, company thief and ancient weapons dude!".

Mel bowed. "Hiya. It's nice to meet you all." She looked at all of the ducks, a big sadness on her heart from what she used to be.

"Hey, where'd you get that necklace?" Duke asked, walking towards her, grabbing the green jewel that hung around her neck on a long silver chain.

"I found it on Dragaunus's ship." She looked down at Duke's hand, which was still gripping it. She looked up at his one visible eye, seeing a sudden sadness in it. "Why?"

"It looks identical to the one I gave my lady friend back on Puckworld. She was captured by Dragaunus."

"I'm sure it's hers then." Mel smiled, taking the necklace—something she had always held dear to her heart—off and placing it in Duke's hands. "You should give it to her."

"She's gone," he said softly, looking away.

Mel shot a glance to Nosedive, who looked back at her in a 'you've got to tell him' tone. "I'm sure she would want you to keep it for her."

"Yeah. Thanks. I think I'm gonna, you know, retire for the night." Duke walked off to his quarters.

"Night, Duke-man!" Nosedive called after him.

"Well, Melinda, do you have a place to stay?" Wildwing asked reluctantly.

"No," Mel said quietly.

"My room has an extra bunk!" Dive offered, putting a hand on Mel's back.

"I'm not so sure it's safe to have a human around." Mallory said, looking from Mel to Wildwing. "Last time we had company, it was a duck, and we couldn't even trust her!" she shivered, thinking of Lucretia DeCoy.

"C'mon!" Nosedive protested. "She was a known con-artist! This is a human out for revenge on Dragaunus."

"Well," Tanya began. "That was the exc-exc-exc what Lucretia told us, too, ya know."

Dive sighed. "Let her stay."

"I'm harmless," Mel agreed.

"Fine, fine," Wing said. "She stays in your extra bunk, Dive. And, Melinda, if anything happens, you're our first suspect."

Mel shuddered when she heard her brother say that, but nodded slightly. "I'll be on my best behavior." She held up three fingers. "Scout's honor."

Nosedive laughed, patting her back. "This way, Miss Melinda." He smiled, leading the way to his quarters.