AUTHOR'S NOTE: So I was just about to go to bed, but then I got this idea. I couldn't sleep until I worked it out.


It was the perfect start to the perfect morning. The pitter-patter of the water against his feathers, the cleansing steam warming him to the bone, and the hot tunes pumping from the wireless speaker.

Launchpad McQuack was currently enjoying the best shower of his life. He hummed along as he lathered his chest with the milky soap. He was in absolute bliss, and nothing could spoil it.

Until there was a frenzied pounding at the door. Granted, it was first a knocking, but Launchpad didn't pick up on it due to the volume of the shower radio.

"What?" he called out.

A voice called back to him, but he couldn't understand what they said.

"Come again?" he said louder.

The muffled voice also raised its volume. "I...otta...to...athroo…!"

"You bought a kangaroo? You can show me later, DW! I'm gonna be a while!"

On the other side of the door, Drake Mallard growled in exasperation and desperation, while bouncing from side to side. A gnarly fight with the Liquidator last night had left his bladder in a sorry state this morning and, unfortunately, the only bathroom in his house was currently occupied by his sidekick.

He was having a word with Launchpad about his showering habits later, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

"Dad? What's with you?"

Drake yelped and came face to face with Gosalyn, who rubbed her eyes.

Drake quickly steeled his nerves and leaned against the wall, crossing his legs just enough to ease himself while still remaining casual-looking. Smooth, Mallard. Smooth. "Um, nothing, sweetie. Just, uh...waiting for the shower."

Gosalyn eyed him suspiciously. "But didn't you take a shower yesterday?"

Drake bit his lip and grinned, disregarding the sweat forming on his brow. "Well, you can never be too clean when you're scuffing sinister saboteur slime from the streets." He rested his balled fists on his thighs.

Gosalyn shrugged and traipsed past him down the stairs. As soon as she was gone, Drake exhaled and took to resuming his feverish potty dance, hand between his legs. He used the other hand to beat on the bathroom door again. "Launchpad, are you done yet?!" he pleaded.

No answer.

With a groan, Drake waddled slowly to his room, careful not to jostle himself too much. As he sat on his bed, the ache of his need was starting to become too much to bear. He bounced on the springy mattress, willing himself to keep holding it in.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm gonna do it right here if I don't find a bathroom now! He glanced over his shoulder and stared out the window.

Wait. That's it! The window!

...admittedly, not his finest brain blast, but bladders couldn't be choosers.

"Howdy, neighbor!" greeted Herb Muddlefoot, peeking over his fence. "Grand ol' day we've got here, don'tcha think?"

His neighbor, Drake was inside one of his bushes, looking quite relieved for some reason. When he saw Herb, he stiffened and looked as if he'd seen a ghost. He sighed and replied, "Um, yeah, sure, Herb. Just peachy."

"Why are ya in your bush like that?"

Drake giggled nervously and ducked inside the plant, popping out again later holding a flower. "You've never heard of the Ewbelus Parciniolus bush? They've got flowers on the inside! And today happens to be harvest day, so…"

"Gee, that's nifty, hoo hoo! I bet Binkie would love one o' those! Thanks for the tip!" With that, Herb waved to his neighbor and dipped out of sight.

Drake tossed the flower aside and proceeded to finish his business, sighing in euphoric relief. Once finished, he pushed out of the bush and returned to the house, brushing leaves off his sweater vest all the way to the back door.

Walking into the foyer, he met up with Launchpad, who wore a towel around his waist. "Hey, DW. So, what did you need me for earlier?"

"Kitchen, now," Drake demanded dryly.

Launchpad did as he was told, and Drake followed him in. Gosalyn entered the foyer to see her guardians enter the kitchen. She watched them with a curious eye but shrugged and thought nothing of it. Grabbing her backpack, she headed out the door to catch the bus.