Braced Company

A Disney Duck Fanfic:

Instead of being purely based on one entity, this story takes background from Classic Donald Duck cartoons, Ducktales, and Darkwing Duck.

Contains Major Spoilers to Double Triangle Trouble

Written By

Stef with a F

Disclaimers

Disney owns most of these characters. Dumbella's past as Bella Widgeon is mine, as are the characters of Melanie Widgeon, Cindy Ganderquack, Jeffery and Ashley Ruddy / Arachnia Ink, Ronnie Mallard, Lisa Mallard, Detective Doberman Pincher, Devin Duck, and whomever else I mention in the future. Time Setting: About eight (8) years after the Darkwing Duck series.

WARNING

This story is rated PG-13 and/or TV-14-LSDV, which means it may or may not (chapters may vary, some will be possibly PG rated only or a less severe TV-14) include references or incidents of mild/moderate language, sexual content and or themes, mild or moderate violence, and possible other adult themes. Not a porno, or even R-rated, but be advised and please no flames.

Chapter 17

Chapter note: This story was supposed to have a time setting of seven days, if the math is off I apologized.

Ashley stared up to ceiling her eyes phasing in and out as she glared at the speckled decoration on each tile. She was at her father's house. She almost tempted to run away to the makeshift home Dewey made just a few days before the second Tank was out of site. But she was just too tired, in both body and spirit. She was glad her father was gone for she had neither the strength nor the desire to voice the dire emotions she now felt towards him. It was the fact that every adult that claimed to be her kin lied to her: it riled her to the root of her bone.

She hated her mother most of all, but in a way she didn't care. If she ever came back to the living to claim what she abandoned nearly ten years ago she would throw herself onto the opportunity in an instant even though the whole idea made her ill, and she knew she would have to purge. She wasn't sure if it was just her parents and aunt that bugged her so, or even Darkwing and/or Quiverwing. She grimaced at the quite possible probability that the thing that haunted her so was the gift that had taken residence inside her.

She suspect the tenant for a few weeks now, and with that and the letter about her truth maternity the woman she thought was only an aunt was not only her mother, but was an art thief. The words burned as if they were acid. She was native as a child, a quality she almost envied to have once again. Her mother's death probably was not an act of murder no matter how much she wanted to believe it so.

The sound of the door opening momentarily interrupted her awful day-mare.

"Ashley?" a male voice called out to her.

Ashley moved only her eyeballs in the direction of the speaker for acknowledgement.

"Ashley, are you alright?"

Ashley pulled herself up, and turned slightly to make eye contact with her brother.

"Yeah Jeff", he said. "I'm fine. We have a wedding to go to."

"Well, not now, they are having an evening service remember? Though rehearsal is at noon. But we're not invited to that."

"Oh, yeah, of course I meant later" Ashley commented. "What time is it anyway?"

Bella opened her eyes and closed them, two times, before she finally dragged herself out of bed.

"Why?" she moaned. "Why didn't we leave last night?" she shouted rhetorically.

"I think we were having too much fun", Loopy answered anyway.

Bella laughed. It was just like Loopy to answer that way. She was happy that she got to know her. Loopy had this free spirit-ness to her that she hoped would always be. Bella had to grow up too fast, and she would do anything to have those carefree days back. Loopy was approaching 30, but has a good job on her hands and a good … man by her side and she hoped one day each of her four children, and any she will have with Launchpad will find someone that truly loves them when their times come.

Bella slipped into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and emerged to out of the tent, where she saw that most of the camp was packed up.

Cindy saw the look of surprise on Bella's face and wrapped an arm around the soon-to-be bride.

"Well, sleepy girl, someone had to pack up and tear down so we can get you to the church on time" the maid of honor said.

Bella smiled, "Hey, where is Melanie? Is she with Ronnie and Lisa"

Morgana kneeled down to make eye contact with Lisa before she addressed Bella.

"They aren't in the tent with you?" Morgana asked.

Bella shook her head. "Cindy?"

Cindy's blood drained from her face as she shook her head, "No Bella, last time I saw them they were in Morgana's tent."

Loopy shook her head to the silent question.

"They could be anywhere!" Bella worriedly shouted, as wandered off, finding herself helpless shouting the names of the two children aimlessly.

Morgana started to go after Bella when she felt her daughter Lisa tugging on her dress.

"I don't know where they are Mommy, but maybe?" she started hesitating in regard to the two other adults staring at her.

Morgana opened her mouth and gasped. "Do you think he could be home" she whispered.

Lisa shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe."

Melanie awoke in the strange place, reaching out for a sleeping bag that was not there. She started to panic because between the stage of sleeping and awake she forgot that she asked Ronnie to will there the night before.

"Shhh…" Ronnie pleaded from the bunk above her. "We are at your uncle's house remember?"

Melanie looked around in the darkness, and shook her head. "No, this isn't Uncle Donald's house."

Ronnie rolled his eyes. "No silly, your Uncle Scrooge" Ronnie said. "We have to be quiet."

"Maybe we should go back?" Melanie assisted.

Ronnie started to climb down the stairs when he fell onto one of the toy boxes, making a huge noise.

"What in the world!" a voice on the other side of the door exclaimed. The owner of the female voice hesitating opened the door.

"I have a broom and I am not afraid to use it!" Mrs. Beakley yelled waving her broom up and down and left and right.

Ronnie started laughing as he picked himself up.

"Eeek! A mocking rat" Bettina Beakley hollered.

Melanie couldn't help it anymore. "Mrs. Beakley, please don't be frightened it's just me and Ronnie Mallard.

Mrs. Beakley released a sigh of relief before dropping the broom and entered the room, now unarmed.

"Melanie Elvira Widgeon" she scolded. "You scared me! I'm going to call your mother."

"You can't" Melanie shouted. "She's at her bridal shower."

"And probably worried sick! Besides Melanie, she is due home in a few hours for the rehearsal. Goodness do you even have clothes for it here."

"How do you know my middle name?" Melanie whispered.

"It was your great-grandmother's name. I figured someone in the family would finally use it if they brought a daughter into the world."

Mrs. Beakley kissed Melanie on the forehead. I'll see if I have something that used to belong to Webby for you to wear. And Ronald? I think you ought to call your father before I do."

Ronnie nodded. "Is there a phone I could use." He wished he could just disappear but he couldn't without further freaking out Mrs. Beakley.

"It's a little after nine", Jeffrey answered Ashley's earlier question. "I have been worried about you. Haven't seen you in days. Were you with Dewey?"

Ashley glanced at her brother trying her best to make eye contact.

"Why do you ask?" she managed, quite invested in the answer.

"Huey Duck called me the other night, he seemed very concerned."

"About Dewey", Ashley redirected.

"Yes. Supposedly they haven't heard from him in almost two days. I even left messages for him."

Ashley nodded. "Dewey's fine. He is probably home now. Probably got too wound up in the festivities last night to call you."

"Really? You saw him last night"

Ashley nodded. "Yeah, I was at Tank's."

Jeffrey looked at Ashley"I thought you two are done."

"We are. Just some loose ends."

"Just loose ends? Ashley, why do I get the feeling that you aren't telling me the truth?"

"What makes you think that I'm not telling you the whole truth?"

Jeff took a seat next to Ashley and placed his arm around her.

"Ashley, I might have not known you all my life. Your mother chose to keep you out of our father's life, my life."

Ashley rolled her eyes, "You don't even know half of it little bro."

"That's because you don't let me in. It's been a little less than 10 years, I know, but that still is a very long time. I love you Ash."

"Jeff, what do you mean that I don't let you in?"

"What I'm trying to say is that you are afraid to trust me. I don't understand why you feel this way."

"People I trust end up either hurt or they hurt me."

"Ashley, who has hurt you? Please tell me because I really care."

"Jeff, I can't."

"Why Ashley"

"Because I'm scared."

"Scared of what Ashley. Please let me try to help you if I can. I really want to try to help because I love you so much."

Ashley broke away from Jeff's embrace, yet with great remorse. Instead, she grabbed Jeff's left hand and squeezed it gently, affectantly. "I appreciate your help Jeff, I really do. But it is much more than that. I found things about my life that I wish I never knew." She hesitated on her words, she wished she could share this burden with her brother. But that was just it, it was a burden. If she didn't deserve it, no one else did- especially her talented younger brother.

"Don't you trust me Ashley?"

Ashley heart's stopped that moment as she struggled on how to answer that question.

"Of course I do," Ashley assured.

"Yet you won't tell me!" Jeff demanded.

Ashley laughed uneasily. "Please let me keep my secrets. There are mine."

Jeff took a deep breath before he continued"Ashley, I just want to understand. Appears that many separate things are happening here that you do not want me to know. I can respect that. But if you could just take one and tell me, that will be on less thing to worry about."

"I made a mistake…And it turned into several more."

"Does it involve Tank", Jeff pressed.

"Yes Jeff" Ashley sighed"Part of it involves Tank but I can't tell you anymore than that."

Ashley kissed Jeffery on the forehead before grabbing her keys and storming out of the door.

The sound of ringing interrupted Drake Mallard's sleep.

"Why" Drake shouted. "First the party, then a late night with Tuskernini at the television studio. And now with my luck this call is from The Liquidator trying to sell me some malicious substance…"

"Hello" Ronnie called. "Dad"

"Ronald" Drake shouted. "Where are you calling from! Are your mother and sister all right? Why aren't you home"

Ronnie flinched; this was the second time this morning he was addressed by his given name"Umm, I'm not with Mom and Lisa."

Drake's eyes widen. "Are you all right? Where are you" he repeated.

"I'm fine. I'm here with Melanie."

"Where are your mother and Lisa" Drake shouted. He was loosing his patience and his cool.

"They are still at the camp. Melanie and I are at her Uncle Scrooge's place. Mom doesn't know."

Drake's feathers became red hot; "I will send your Uncle Launchpad to go get you."

On the other side of the phone, Ronnie's eyes widened in surprise"You are not coming to get me"

"No" Drake answered, keeping his voice as steady as possible. "Daddy isn't in such a good mood right now."

Drake noticed the harshness of his voice and continued more softly"I'm sorry Ronnie, but I just had a busy night last night…when you get the chance, do let your mother know you are alright, I'm going back to bed now."

"I'm not in trouble" six-year old Ronnie asked.

Drake nodded. "Yes, you are. But after the wedding."

Drake smiled, this was the first time Ronnie seriously misbehaved, and if he were anything like his older sister, it would not be the last. Drake hung up the phone and made his way up the stairs.

"Do you suppose we should call the police" Cindy asked concerned.

Bella shook her head, looking at Morgana.

Morgana started to open her mouth when a phone interrupted her spoken thoughts. "Bella? I think it's your phone."

"My phone?" Bella muttered.

She ran back into her tent and rummaged through her handbag until she found the ringing phone.

"Hello?" Bella inquired.

"Good Morning my bride to be" Launchpad greeted.

Bella tried to smile yet found that she could not hide the concern in her voice, "Good Morning Launchpad."

"What's wrong?" Launchpad asked, but he didn't give Bella chance to answer"It is not about Melanie, I hope."

Bella gasped, "She's with you"

Launchpad laughed, "Yes she is."

Bella made a sigh of relief, "Thank you."

"Do you want to talk to her?" Launchpad asked.

Bella shook her head. "I'm not sure I should. I just may commit anascide on my own daughter on my wedding day. And that just doesn't seem appropriate."

Launchpad chuckled. "They are just kids."

"Kids? Ronnie is there too? Of course he is. Sure they are just kids, but now I am starting to know how my grandmother felt when Donald and I misbehaved, though we never did something such as running off at the middle of the night."

"Bella…" Launchpad whispered. "Like you said, this is our wedding day. Punish Melanie if you must, but maybe give her reprieve just for today? I love you so much, and I want this day to be the happiest day of our lives."

Bella smiled"Okay. I love you too. Can't wait to see you at rehearsal."

Launchpad kissed into the receiver of the phone. "Until then."

To Be Continued

Author Note: anascide… in case you did not yet figured it out, that is the duck version of the word "homicide"- get it? LOL

Thank You: To my friend Kristy, who helped some with Ashley and Jeffrey's conversation.