Webby was sitting alone in her grandmother's sick room. Lena and Uncle Scrooge were still talking and Della had wanted a word with Dewey. Watching her grandmother in her coma made her feel impotent. It was unnatural for her grandmother to be so still. The bandages had been replaced; Cal had said that her grandmother had been lucky Magica hadn't had a stronger grip on her neck. She could've snapped it. The thought wasn't comforting.

She didn't know what she'd do if her grandmother died. For one thing, she had no idea who her parents were. While she'd helped the triplets locate and rescue their mother, she'd never put that effort into finding her own. It wasn't that she didn't want to know. She did. It was just that her grandmother was so forbidding about her parents and Webby had decided a long time ago not to ask.

Now she regretted it. Uncle Scrooge might know a little about her parents, but not enough to satisfy her. Webby sighed, squeezing her grandmother's limp hand. No one knew what had driven Magica to attack her. Well, other than the obvious of Magica being a bitch, but that was a given.

The door opened behind her, but it was just Cal coming to check in on his patient. He inclined his head toward Webby but didn't speak. That was fine. Webby wasn't sure she was capable of carrying on a conversation right now. She kept thinking of Dewey kissing her and the butterflies she'd felt with him and Lena. If he was right, then Lena was in love with her too.

Why did everything have to be so complicated?

There were situations where three dragons formed a Bond. (A Bond being a sacred magical compact that linked someone to someone else mind, body, and soul and usually resulted in offspring). Webby wasn't sure about the power balance there or how it would work. They all needed to be in love with each other and so far, all she could ascertain was that Dewey and Lena were both in love with her and she loved both of them. But Lena and Dewey didn't love each other.

Webby sighed, curling up in the chair. Her lips still tingled from Dewey's. Who did you talk to about crushes when the only people you normally spoke with were your crushes? She could leave the room and seek out Huey, but Huey wasn't the best at communication when it came to relationships. He tended to do everything by the book, whatever book he happened to be consulting that week. Louie, who would've known about Lena and Dewey long before Webby had, would probably not see this as a problem.

There was always Launchpad, but unless you wanted stoner logic, it was probably best not to speak with him. She wracked her brains for another adult she could speak with. Most of them she discarded out of hand. There were the triplets' uncle or their mother. Dewey had said Della wanted to speak with her.

She wasn't used to thinking of going to Della, despite the older female dragon being back at the manor for years now. When she thought about relying on someone, her grandmother was the first person who came to mind. She wished her grandmother was awake and could answer her questions. Then again...she knew next to nothing about her grandmother's romantic entanglements. There wasn't even a Mr. Beakley. Webby had no idea who her grandfather was and the same went for her parents.

She sat there for a while, staring at her grandmother and trying to avoid thinking about anything in particular. It was difficult when her mind raced. It was like the harder she tried to circumvent those thoughts, the more prevalent they became. She wanted to throttle something.

Cal exited and Webby grimaced. There wasn't much she could do here. True, she could sit and hope her grandmother made it out of her medically induced coma, but that could be days or weeks from now. The idea struck her anew with horror. Her grandmother could be out of commission for a very long time; if she ever woke up, that was.

"Granny?" she whispered.

She reached out to her mentally, but it was like attempting to grasp at straws. They slipped through her fingers and she huddled, miserable. Since she wasn't Bonded, she couldn't reach out to her best friends mentally. Only family members could communicate via telepathy and only close family members at that. Della and Donald had it because they were twins, Huey, Dewey, and Louie had it because they were triplets, and she and her grandmother were tight. Apparently, Lena had it with Magica, though not by choice. It must've had to do with Magica's brand of sorcery.

She could pull out a book and read, but what was the point? She wouldn't be able to focus. Perhaps she ought to seek out Della. In the very least, it might resolve one of her problems.

"I'll be back, Granny," she promised and kissed her on the forehead. Normally, she couldn't reach that high unless she stood on her tiptoes. It brought to mind all the times her grandmother had tucked her in and kissed her goodnight. Webby's heart clenched.

"I love you."

Leaving her grandmother alone was hard to do, though she knew her grandmother wouldn't have noticed either way. And that stung too.

She found Della where she normally would-in her chair in the library. Since the accident had left her paralyzed from the waist down, Della spent a lot of time reading and living vicariously through her sons and the adventure novels she devoured. It was a shadow of a life and it was partially this that made Scrooge expend all this time and money into healing her. The rest was probably because Della didn't want to be immobile forever. She couldn't shapeshift as a paralyzed dragon either.

"Webby!" Della called and wheeled over to her. The library originally had thick carpets, but as it didn't work with the chair, Scrooge had had them ripped out and replaced with wood. Della was happy to see her and, for a few seconds, Webby saw Dewey in her face. The boundless enthusiasm was catchy.

"Hi," Webby said. She was never sure whether to call her "Miss Dragon" or "Aunt Della"-the latter of which Della preferred. It just felt awkward for some reason; it'd taken her a long time to get used to "Uncle Scrooge" as opposed to Mr. McDragon.

"I heard about your grandmother," Della said and patted a chair nearby. Webby dutifully went over and sat down. Tables were spaced throughout the library so that anyone, like Huey for example, could grab a book and plunk himself down. Her granny usually kept the library well organized and cleaned-Webby had no idea what would happen with her out of commission. It might fall upon their ghost butler, Duckworth, to do something.

"Bad news sure travels fast," she muttered.

"But that's not the reason you came here, is it?"

Della cocked her head and surveyed Webby. "Ah, I see. He told you how he felt."

"He kissed me," she said and blushed. "I told him I don't know how I feel about him or about Lena and then I kissed him back and I don't even know what's going on. And I can't talk to Lena about this because she's involved in it and then there's the whole thing with Magica…"

"What 'thing' with Magica?" Della asked sharply. "This is the first I've heard about anything with Magica; other than her biting your grandmother's neck, that is. I don't see how she has to do with Lena."

"Lena's Magica's niece and her puppet for the last four years," Webby said. "She's been trying to control her and hurting her mentally with magical attacks when she doesn't do her bidding."

"For Scrooge's number one piece of treasure, I'll wager," Della said softly. "And the elixir that permits anyone to shapeshift. Magica must be going crazy right about now. That would explain why she attacked your grandmother. Lena's been stalling for years."

"But why?" Webby asked. "Why would she do that when it hurts her?"

Della gave her a pointed look. "Louie's been taking bets on how long it would take for you to realize she was in love with you. So far, he hasn't had to pay out."

"She really is in love with me?" she asked and Della nodded.

"Then...she's enduring all of that pain for me...because she wants to be near me…" Webby said. She felt awful, both for Lena and because she'd kissed Dewey back. How could she prize one friend over the other? How could she let Lena down like that when Lena had gone through hell and back for her?

But she loved Dewey too.

"Uncle Scrooge will protect her as long as she's under this roof," Della said. "So you needn't worry about Magica getting into the manor or attacking her or your grandmother again."

"I hate that I have to choose and that, one way or another, someone's going to end up getting hurt," Webby groaned.

"You don't have to choose," Della said and squeezed her shoulder. "Go with your heart. And if your heart wants them both, well, they'll have to share you."

"Did you do that?" Webby asked.

"Selene and the triplets' father," Della said with a small smile. "It didn't work out, but that wasn't anyone's fault. And Dewey and Lena are much more loyal to you than the boys' father was to me."

She wasn't sure how to take that. Della spoke only sparingly of the boys' father. They didn't know who he was-in fact, other than Della, no one knew who their father was. She wasn't sure why Della was so reticent to share details, but it was no doubt painful to recall.

"Do you think they'd be okay with it, though?" she pressed.

"I can't speak for them," she said. "It might be shocking at first, but, if they really love you, they'll give it a chance."

Webby wasn't sure what to say now that wouldn't be repeating herself. She nodded and Della squeezed her shoulder.

"No matter what you decide, I'm here for you. Even if you don't pick Dewey," she said and then smiled. "But I may be prejudiced in his favor. I am his mother, after all."

Della watched Webby leave with a small smile on her face. Yes, she was hoping for Dewey to win Webby over. She wouldn't deny that she had a fondness for the girl too. Webby was a sweet girl and a good counterpoint to her middle son. Plus, she had always felt like Webby was part of the family. This would just make it official.

With no one watching her, she eased herself out of her chair and walked, slowly, toward the bookshelves. She had lied to Dewey when she'd said she couldn't really walk. It hurt, stabbing pains down her legs, but she could move about. With a cane, she could pace the length of the library. She ought to know-she'd been practicing. She wanted to be able to dance at the triplets' coming out party, but she wanted it to be a surprise.

She smiled. Dewey was her favorite, even if she said she didn't play favorites. Dewey reminded her the most of her. It was probably why Dewey was also Uncle Scrooge's favorite, not that he'd admit it either. However, Louie was Scrooge's second favorite because of his affinity with treasure and money.

For years, she had lived alone, depending on herself and feeling awfully lonely. At one point, she'd started imagining what Donald and Scrooge would say to feel less isolated. It hadn't helped that she knew she'd orphaned her sons. Their father wouldn't come forward-their father didn't even know he had fertilized their eggs and she hadn't told him. He wasn't fit to be a parent.

Then again, for years, she hadn't been sure she was either. She still regretted missing her children's lives and coming in after having lost so much. The boys didn't hold it against her, but she did.

The boys were angels to stop blaming her. She wasn't capable of such forgiveness, not of herself. It was difficult to forgive herself when she had permanent scars from her ill-fated adventure. Sighing, she grabbed the edge of the table to keep from falling over. Easing her way slowly back to her chair, she pounded a fist against the chair's side.

She wanted to be whole. She wanted to be the mother the triplets deserved. She couldn't help but feel she was failing them.

Although they'd been separated for years, Donald always seemed to know when she needed him. When she turned her chair toward the entrance, she found her twin waiting for her. It might be twin telepathy, where he could read her emotions, or perhaps he was just checking up on her. The sight of him was comforting.

As always, when she feared he might be an apparition conjured by her desperate mind, he walked over to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. It was soft, warm, and real. Della met her brother's gaze.

He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. They'd been together so long that she could read him intuitively. Donald moved away to close the library door and after she was certain no one was coming in, she gave vent to her misery. Only Donald knew the extent of her doubts and concerns regarding her inadequacies as a mother. He'd raised the triplets before her rescue. If anyone knew them, it was him. If anyone knew her, it was him too.

Grabbing a chair, he sat beside her. Her lips quirked; it was the same seat that Dewey had vacated. She rested her head against his shoulder and they sat in companionable silence, occasionally punctuated by her sobs. He was letting her cry herself out; he wrapped an arm about her waist.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when he spoke.

"You're enough," he said quietly. "They love you and you're a good mother."

Della shook her head. "I don't feel like it."

"You are," he insisted and squeezed her hand. "And you'll dance at their party and it'll all work out. You'll see."

Della laughed humorlessly. "How did you know I've been practicing walking?"

"I know you," he said. "If it's a challenge, you won't give up until you've conquered it."

She sighed. "I wish I had the confidence in me that you have."

"That's because you don't see yourself as I do," he said, smiling at her. "You're the brave explorer/adventurer Della Dragon. You're not going to let this get to you and if you need a little help getting there, then I'm here for you."

She smiled back.

"Are you asking Daisy to the party?" she said, wanting to change the subject to visit a more pleasant topic.

"I was thinking of it," he said. "Are you asking Launchpad? He has a crush on you, you know."

"Oh, I know," Della said, stifling a groan. "He's about as subtle about it as his crashes. One of these days, he's going to break his neck. If he hadn't figured out a way to be immortal, that is. He has to be immortal to survive all of those crashes."

"Then who are you taking?" he asked.

"No one that I know of…" she said, shaking her head. "I have enough trouble thinking of how I'm going to walk around and interact with people."

Donald stroked her hair, which reminded her of when they were children and he'd brushed it out. She relaxed against him.

"It'll all work out," he reassured her. "You'll see."

"Maybe," she said, unconvinced but wanting to be for Donald's sake. "I guess 'we'll see' is right."

"Aw, c'mon," he soothed. "Things couldn't possibly get any worse, could they?"

"You always say that just before the pit full of spikes opens up beneath us…" she said, shaking her head. "Excuse my lack of confidence."

Lena de Spell felt like she was treading on thin ice, although Scrooge had assured her she was all right. Never mind that she was now a virtual prisoner within McDragon Manor. It was the only place where Magica couldn't reach her, which meant it made strategic sense for her to remain here. It also meant that she couldn't leave or Magica would attack her with a vengeance. So, really, when you thought about it, nothing had changed, save that everyone now knew she was in thrall to Magica.

It hadn't taken long for the triplets to find her a room and Dewey was talking to her, but she'd been tuning him out. She was fussing with the friendship bracelet Webby had given her years ago. Whatever Dewey was saying might be important. She didn't know. She wasn't terribly interested, to tell the truth.

Growling, he put his hands on his hips and then clapped his hands in front of her.

"You're not paying attention," he snapped.

"Demanding attention," she said. "Must be a middle child thing."

"I declared my intentions for Webby earlier," he said with the air of someone who was repeating himself and not expecting a response this time either. "And I know you have feelings for her too."

Lena felt like someone had dropped a rock into her stomach.

"You're kidding me," she said. "You're in love with her."

"So are you," he pointed out.

Holy shit, she so did not need this right now. As always when she was stressed, her magic went haywire and one of the lamps fell off a dresser table to land on the rug. It hadn't shattered, perhaps because it'd landed on a soft surface. If she had had her druthers, it probably would have shattered.

Dewey's gaze followed the lamp and then returned to her.

Lena knew how courting worked with the upper echelons. Since Webby was of a higher class due to her grandmother's position with Scrooge, that meant it would be advantageous for Webby to pursue a relationship with Dewey. The lamp's base cracked and she balled her fists. She was sitting on a green four poster bed and her heart was racing.

"I also, might have, uh, kissed her," he admitted and she bolted upright. This time, the lamp's base shattered, sending shards flying everywhere. Dewey ducked before he got hit; Lena might be frustrated with the situation, but she didn't want to hurt him.

"So maybe you should kiss her too," he suggested hurriedly. "To see what it's like. And help her make her decision."

"She said she didn't want to decide between us, didn't she?" Lena said, arching her eyebrows.

"She might've said something like that, yeah," he agreed. "She doesn't have to, strictly speaking."

"How many three way relationships have you seen?" she countered. "It's not like it's the norm in Dragonburg."

"I'm saying we can make it work if it's important to her," he stressed. "You know she loves us both."

"I know, but in what way?" she pressed, exasperated. "With Webby, she's so enthusiastic and affectionate it's hard to tell."

"Ask her? Maybe not right now-she was talking Mom earlier-maybe wait until Mrs. Beakley wakes up?"

"You didn't wait," she said, cross. "Boys have no sense of timing."

"She looked like she needed to be kissed!" he said defensively. "You've seen her! Can you honestly say that she doesn't look like she needs to be kissed all the time?"

"At least I have self control."

"And you're saying I don't."

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"I had to kiss her, all right? And she kissed me back!"

Lena went cold. Dewey hadn't revealed that little tidbit earlier. If Webby had kissed Dewey back, then didn't that make it game over? Webby wouldn't have kissed Dewey back if she didn't have feelings for him. But Dewey had said she loved both of them. Or was that just a crock designed to get her hopes up before he smashed them?

"Lena," he said and she glowered at him. "That's why I suggested you kiss her too. So she knows where she stands with us. And, even though it hurts to think it, I would share her if that's what she wants."

Lena was silent for a time. Usually, love triangles didn't work out in the underdog's favor. Dewey had all the advantages here. Plus, his mom would put in a good word for him with Webby. Aunt Magica would sooner tell Lena to jump into an active volcano than compliment her to Webs. Lena tried not to feel despondent, though it was difficult.

"We'll see what she wants, shall we?" she said, sounding braver than she felt. She moved toward the door and Dewey tugged at her hand.

"I'm sorry if I upset you," he said and he looked earnest. "I didn't mean to. I know you're going through stuff too right now. I'm here for you too, if you want me to be."

She studied him. Though she had always been suspicious of people's motives, she knew the Dragon family well enough to know they were rarely duplicitous (and even then, it was usually Louie). She withheld a smirk. Llewellyn. Lena still didn't know why their mother had named him that, although it was the bane of Louie's existence.

"Okay," she said and he surprised her by hugging her. She hugged him back, albeit reluctantly at first. She wasn't used to being touched by someone who wasn't Webby or, unfortunately, Aunt Magica.

"Just talk to her, okay? You're closer to her than anyone I know and besides, you both need to talk things out," he reasoned.

She nodded, feeling like a puppet on a string, and went to seek out Webby. Lena wished she had the ability to track her down mentally, but that was only for Bonded couples. She didn't share Webby's mind, spirit, or her soul right now. Yet. Although if Dewey was right, then they'd all be wrapped up together. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.

But for Webby...she'd do it. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that. Hopefully, Webby would make up her mind...and make it up in Lena's favor. Not that Lena would pressure her. She wanted her best friend to be happy, even if it wasn't with her.