Hey! I'm back – after only 24 hours no less! Thank you to Guest, KaliAnn, Steampunk Wilson + Melodysouth65 for the lovely comments you guys made in your last reviews.

Part of the reason I wanted to get this up now is because I think I might not be able to update for the next couple of days. Or maybe the next week. So I'll give you this for now – hope you enjoy the longest chapter to date!

So, I do have a bit of an over-arching storyline to this fanfic. Can any of you guess what it might be? If you manage it I'll PM you instead of a shout out.

But anayway, I'm writing the chapters as and when they come to me in flashes of inspiration. This chapter came to my mind when I realised Della hasn't made any mention of a certain person yet…

Also – just a heads up. Anything I sat about Mickey and Goofy is my own personal headcanons and is not in any way to be taken completely seriously.

Warning: Swearwords and potentially upsetting subjects.

So with no further ado see chapter 1 for the disclaimer and let's crack on.

So I finally saw Gyro today. It's kind of always been in the back of my mind to do so ever since I got back but I kinda…never got round to it? Awful of me, I know, but there you go.

I probably shouldn't have gone today. I have SO much other stuff I probably need to do…talk with Scrooge about Feathry..talk with the boys about, well, EVERYTHING. SO much to do…

The boys, I'm waiting for the right time. I don't know when that will be but I'm sure it will come. I tried to draft a letter to Louie but literally got as far as 'Dear Louie' and stalled. Where the hell do I start? Well. Sorry's probably a good idea, but it seems…hollow somehow. I need to think about it more.

Huh. Funny that. Me actually thinking about stuff. God I've grown from the headstrong kid I used to be. It's just…I'm so scared. I just don't want to make another mistake. I've made enough for a couple of years.

On the flip side I NEARLY managed to talk with Scrooge. I had the perfect opportunity. He was alone in the kitchen making himself a tea - he's been very busy with adventuring plans lately – and I happened to walk in. "Hi." I said, after a moment of Awquad Silence.

He looked up and – seeing my reflection in the microwave – said, airily. "Ah. Hellooo Della…"

Then there was another silence and I considered walking out, but put on my big girl pants and said. "H-how's the plans for the caves coming?"

Another pause while he slowly stirred his tea. Then he said. "It's been going well. I've ordered more warm clothes so none of us will be poorly suited to the conditions." He wrinkled his beak and added. "It cost a pretty penny, it did. Those kids never stop growing."

I chuckled. "Tell me about it. The boys will be up to my shoulders soon. I think they get there height from their dad." As soon as I said it, I felt the same way I always feel when I talk about HIM. Sadness and a lot of anger. I mean – I don't know where he went. He just fucked off and left. Gyro'd out when I told him there were three eggs.

"What – at the same time!?" I remember him saying in audible horror.

I rolled my eyes. "No. I thought I'd space them out a bit…give us more time to adjust – of course I mean at the same time!"

Yeah. So shortly after that conversation he left and Donald, let me tell you, let out the LONGEST line of curse words EVER when he heard, which was quickly joined by Daisy. Even Mickey – Mickey of all mice – was like 'Well. That's freakin' unacceptable' [Freakin' is the closest Mickey will ever get to swearing. He's the type that will come up with multiple variations of swearing to make sure he doesn't actually say the word. I think it comes from being a role model to so many kids. I couldn't do it, I know that. I enjoy cussing to much.]

And Goofy – oh. Bless Goofy. Cos by that point Max was about…5? I think? I'm not sure. But no older than 7 for sure, and all that stuff with his wife was still kinda raw and he was like, proper seething. 'What kind of man can turn his back on his kids? Kids are wonderful. They're a joy to have. I mean – they're very hard work at times…' [Cue him looking at his living room floor that was almost entirely filled with toys] …But they're a joy.'

So yeah. Back to the kitchen. After that comment about the boy's dad the atmosphere got, like, proper frosty because no one likes to mention that asshole of a duck on a good day, let alone when we're still getting over an argument.

So I left the kitchen and was pondering for something to do, when an idea struck me and I though 'I know! I'll go and visit Gyro! I'm SURE he'll be pleased to see me!"

What the duck was I thinking? When has Gyro ever been pleased to see ANYONE let alone ME!? So I turned up at the Money Bin, cos I figured he still worked there, and I found his way to what used to be his office – I wasn't sure if it was his – but I grew more confident that it was mainly due to the sheer amount of NOISE that was emmiting from the room. And the door wasn't even propped open, it was shut. And it's a big metal door as well. Kinda reminds me off the one on Selene except that one was a different shape – and not REALLY the point Della!

So I knocked on the door – as you do – and the silence just stopped. Literally stopped dead. And I heard Gyro's voice from inside, still as loud and annoying as ever. "Go see who that is, Cabrera!"

Already I was regretting ever coming over, but I had no time to make a quick escape as the door was opened and this, rather NICE-LOOKING Duck opened it and looked at me, clearly puzzled. "Er…Hello?" He said, curiously.

To which I said, something along the lines off. "Hi! Della Duck – Donald's twin sister. Is the King of Crazy around?" Now. 'The King of Crazy' is one of my many, MANY pet names for Gyro. It's my fifth favourite, just falling shy of 'Mr Eureka' [4th], Royal Pain [3rd], 'Leonardo De Nutjob' [2nd] and – my personal favourite – 'Mr Sociable'. I love that one! Gyro always looks so offended when I use it, it's hilarious. And it gets a good laugh if there's other people around.

However I forgot that this perfect stranger doesn't know about my affectionate nicknames for The Royal Pain, so he looked very confused until I explained to him I wanted Gyro. He told me to wait a minute and shut the door.

However he didn't shut it properly so I could hear every word off it.

'Cabera': Er…Doctor Gearloose-"

De Nutjob: What!?

Cabrera: There's…um…there's a WOMEN at the door for you.

Beat

De Nutjob: A what?

I nearly wet myself. He genuinely sounded like he didn't have a clue what women were. Although to be fair, I'm not surprised. He doesn't like PEOPLE regardless of the gender. Anyway:

Cabrera: A women. Says her names…Della Duck?

To which Gyro said this immortal line.

Gyro: You imbecile! Della is not a 'women!'.

Cabrera: [Clearly very confused] …Well, what is she then?

Gyro: [As he flings the door nearly off its hinges] SHE'S A PAIN! What are you doing here!?

Me: [With a sweet smile] Well, I was getting a withdrawal from nerd-talk so I thought I'd come down and rectify that immediately. That and I missed your lovely and kind personality.

Gyro: [Glaring daggers at me] Crackshell, go analyse something.

So Cabrera – who also apparently goes by Crackshell – whether that's his actual name or a nickname bestowed upon him by The Royal Pain I don't know – goes off to analyse something and Gyro reluctantly let's me into his lab, with his usual warm and friendly welcome off: "Don't touch anything!"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry, I won't touch your precious test-tubes. Can I sit here?" I indicated a chair.

"No! That's mine. The floor will suffice."

"Doctor Gearloose!" Crackshell said, with an embarrassed laugh. "It's only for a few minutes! Why don't you let her sit down? It's considered very polite."

Gyri scrunched his beak up and spat out. "Fine! Take a seat."

"Thannnnkkkk you." I said, with exaggerated politeness as I sat down.

Then, I heard this kind of weird beeping sound and I turned my head to see what it was to be greeted with this small…thing with a lightbulb for a head. Not expecting it to be there I proceeded to literally scream my head off and jump off the chair with the following sentence: 'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god – what is that thing!?'

The thing made this kind of high-pitched sad sound and the bulb flickered a bit before it ran off and Gyro snapped. "Oh well done, Dumbella! You scared him!" Before proceeding to stick his head under the desk it had ran under and mutter soothing words to try and get it to come out again.

By now I was over my shock and I whispered to Crackshell – who had materialised next to me at some point – "So, what is that thing?"

"The THING." Crackshell said, in a tone that indicated he clearly didn't like my terminology. "Is called Lil Bulb. To put it simply he's a robot with a lightbulb head." He then lowered his voice and hissed meaningfully into my ear. "He's also basically Gyro's child."

Of course he is. Of COURSE he is! I've heard of being married to your work – but this is ridiculous! Maybe I should promote Dr Nut-Job to the top of the list…

I was still reeling from this news when I became dimly aware of Gyro saying. "Apologise."

"What?" I said, turning to look at him before jumping back as he literally shoved Lil Bulb in front of my face.

"APOLOGISE." Dr Screw-Loose snapped, eyes narrowing dangerously.

I tell you what, it sure feels like you've have hit a low point when you're forced to apologise to a robot, but I did it and even bowed a little to make sure I got the message across. After all I'm not sure how smart the thing is. Although, to be fair, its [presumably] created by Gyro so I think it's safe to assume it's fairly smart at least.

So after that little adventure Gyro banished Crackshell from his lab – telling him to go home early – and proceeded to ask me questions about how the Spear of Selene was on my test run. I answered his questions as best I could and then, just as I thought he was nearing the end, he changed direction completely. "So, you found the Oxo-Chew then?" He asked, casually drawing circles with a compos on his desk.

"I did! Thank you, that…that literally saved my life so yeah…thank you."

"No problem. I mean – don't get me wrong – you are a COMPLETE pain in the tail feathers - not to mention completely un-intelligent – but, I wouldn't like you to die."

Which is basically Gyro's way of saying 'I love you.'

So I went 'Aw! Thank you!' and threw my arms around his neck. He squawked and pushed me off while going.

"Get off, get off! I don't do physical contact! Go away! Go on – out!" He pointed dramatically at the door and I laughed and said, fondly.

"Don't ever change, Gyro, will you?"

He looked confused at that. "Most people want me to change." He pointed out.

"I know." I said. "But don't. Anyway, I'll catch you next time. Bye!"

So I left in a dazed state and walked out. I felt really happy to be honest. I enjoy winding Gyro up. Most people assume we hate each other – mainly because we're always bickering – but I prefer to think of us as 'those best friends who act like they hate each other but totally love each other' kind of like Betty and Veronica except, you know, he's a guy.

Oh! One thing he also mentioned when I was asking him how things had been in the past eleven years is apparently the Board of Directors – or as Gyro called them – That Committee Of Total Prats – keeps trying to shut his inventions down? Now, if this was any other day of the week I'd probably think it was just, you know, Gyro being his usual over-dramatic self, but that's the second time the B.O.D have been mentioned in 48 hours – and both times negatively. I mean – I'm sure it's nothing, but now I've DEFINETLY got to speak to Scrooge about it. I mean, because of THEM – either directly or [assumingly] indirectly Feathry is now officially homeless and Gyro is CLEARLY extremely stressed. And I'm sure Scrooge doesn't have a clue about either of them, cos, you know, he wouldn't cos he's Scrooge.

So yeah. I'll make that my priority over the next couple of days. Whenever I get a spare moment to speak to him.