Webby awoke disoriented and reached for her weapons. They were missing and she bolted upright, staring around her. Sunlight came in through the window on an unfamiliar room with a too small bed. Heart pounding, she jumped to her feet and scanned her surroundings. A knock came at the door and she lunged, yanking it open and grabbing the person by the collar.
"What am I doing here and where are my weapons?" she demanded.
"Woah, intense in the morning," Dewey said. "Maybe I should've sent Lena to wake you up."
"Dewey?" Webby said, releasing him. How had he penetrated FOWL HQ? Something didn't make sense.
"Last time I checked," he said. "And, uh, I think your grandmother took your weapons away. She and Uncle Scrooge seemed to think it was a bad idea for you to walk around McDuck Manor armed."
The pieces slipped back into place. She had agreed to work with SHUSH or at least consider the possibility. She had returned to her old bedroom and slept in a child-sized bed. Her grandmother was alive and well and Dewey...Dewey had kissed her.
"Told you that you should've asked someone else to wake her up," Huey called. "She was trained by FOWL. She probably doesn't get pleasant wake-up calls."
Webby relaxed her guard minutely. "How long was I out?"
"A day," Huey said. "You must've really needed the sleep. There's something you should see."
"Does it involve my weapons?" she said, testy. "I don't like walking around unarmed."
"You don't need weapons against anyone in this house," Huey replied. "And to be honest, all of us would feel a lot better if you didn't have them."
Webby scowled. She, conversely, would feel much better. However, she didn't need blades to pose a threat. She wouldn't pretend that their loss didn't bother her, though. It was the first time in years she'd awoken without anything remotely resembling weaponry.
"Not that we're saying you're not lethal without a knife," Louie called. "Because you're pretty tough. Also, don't hurt me again."
"Sorry," she sighed, though she didn't entirely mean it. Not having the sheaths at her hips was making her uneasy. She missed her dagger belt more than seemed reasonable.
"We checked on you in your sleep," Dewey said and Webby hissed, tensing up and only relaxing when he cringed. She had no idea how to purport herself around normal people.
"Mrs. B did, anyway," Dewey added. "You have a lot of nightmares, she said."
Webby's gaze fell to the floor. She did have a lot of nightmares. It was rare for her to have pleasant dreams. She thought she might be suffering from some form of PTSD.
"So, uh, it turns out that FOWL noticed you disappeared," Dewey said, in a hurry to change the subject seeing as Webby wasn't responding. Her gaze shot back up and intensified. Dewey took a cautious step backward. Maybe she was a bit intense. What of it?
"Black Heron was here," Huey added. "She tried to take on Mrs. B and Mrs. B still kicked her butt. Then again, I'm pretty sure Black Heron has a concussion."
Webby laughed. It was cruel and she stopped as soon as she saw the expression on the boys' faces.
"I gave her that concussion," she said. "She was trying to hurt Lena."
"Oh," the three said in unison. "Okay."
"Argh! Just because we're triplets doesn't mean we have to speak in unison! One, two, three, stop! Antidisestablishmentarianism! Gah! Really?"
Webby studied the three of them. She hadn't had much time to really look at them, seeing as she'd been in the middle of a mission the last time they'd all been together. Aside from their color choices and their hairstyles, they were identical. She still felt like there was something more to Dewey, something beyond his brothers. But then again, she didn't know any of them very well.
"You said Granny took down Black Heron," she said. It felt weird to say that. "Granny". She'd always been referred to as Agent 22 at FOWL. "She didn't let her get away, did she?"
"I most certainly did not," Mrs. Beakley said, coming up behind them. She was no longer in a wheelchair and was walking with a cane. "Gizmoduck picked her up yesterday and she's spending some time in DPD's jail cell."
Her eyes narrowed. "I wanted to keep her here for questioning, but Mr. McDuck was afraid I might let my emotions cloud my judgment."
A look of intense loathing crossed her grandmother's face. Although Webby shared in that hatred, she didn't think it quite matched hers. If anything, Mrs. Beakley looked homicidal. This didn't scare her, as she had spent a majority of her time around psychopaths growing up. The boys, however, took another step back.
Webby didn't know who or what Gizmoduck was, but she didn't think now was the time to ask. Her stomach rumbled; she'd forgotten that prior to passing out, all she'd had to eat was a milkshake, which was just empty calories.
"Now, dear, what would you like to eat?" she asked. Webby blinked. Other than her scant experiences at the diner, no one had asked her that. She ate whatever she was served and if she didn't like it, she didn't eat. She'd gone a few days without eating once because Steelbeak had canned pork on the menu...pork that had used to be a SHUSH agent. Just thinking about it made her stomach cramp.
"I don't know," she said. Her mind was racing, returning to the DPD and Black Heron. Black Heron knew she'd failed, then, and had guessed at her location. She would be sending FOWL agents there to corroborate her story. This brief reprieve would only last until someone breached McDuck Manor's security system. Once it broke, the boys and Scrooge were in danger. She had put them in danger.
"SHUSH already figured on Black Heron having a backup plan," Mrs. Beakley said, watching the play of emotions on her granddaughter's face. "We're well prepared for it."
She stepped forward, pushing past Dewey to place a hand on Webby's shoulder. "We'll be all right. Take a deep breath, Webby."
Then, as if she couldn't resist any longer, she hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry...I've wanted to do this for ten years...oh, my poor Webbigail…"
She choked back tears and Webby didn't know what to do. The hug did feel nice, though Webby didn't quite feel the reciprocal emotion. She supposed some part of her must have, to botch killing her, but that part wasn't strong enough to say she loved her outright. Feeling uncomfortable, she glanced over Mrs. Beakley's shoulder at the boys and then at Scrooge McDuck, who was approaching and studying her in turn.
"Good morning, Webbigail," he said quietly. "I assume Dewey told you there was something he wanted you to see."
At this, Mrs. Beakley broke off, swallowing her tears. She took a minute to regain her composure.
"Yes, he did," Webby said, relieved when her grandmother released her. Her chest was tight too with an emotion she couldn't name.
"She should eat first," Mrs. Beakley said, scowling. "I suspect she hasn't eaten anything in the last few days."
"I thought I was going to die," Webby admitted, not meeting anyone's gaze. "I didn't see the point."
"You knew you weren't going to kill me, but you came anyway," Dewey said. He shuffled forward a few steps and clasped her hands. He rubbed his thumb along the top of them. "You could've stayed there."
"I would've been cutting short what was left of my life," she said and then, still not looking at him, added, "I wanted to say goodbye."
"No more of that," Mrs. Beakley said stiffly. "You're not dying and you're not going anywhere. Now, come on, all of you. I'm cooking breakfast. You don't have any preferences, Webby?"
Webby shook her head. Her hands were warm where Dewey held them and her heart skipped beats. When he released her, she mourned the lost connection. Her beak tingled in remembrance of the kiss they'd shared.
They headed toward the kitchen; the boys had to lead the way because Webby's memory no longer included the McDuck Manor's layout. Dewey walked at her side and they picked up Lena along the way. Lena looked tired; she had shadows under her eyes and she covered her mouth when she yawned. She brightened when she saw Webby and, despite herself, Webby smiled back.
"I thought you would've absconded during the night," Lena teased and walked at her other side. "I'm glad you're still here."
Huey and Louie were at her back, perhaps feeling that it was safer if she wasn't behind them. Mrs. Beakley brought up the whole procession and Mr. McDuck was behind them. He cleared his throat when they reached the hallways leading to the security room (why she remembered that but not where the kitchen was, she couldn't say). Dewey's hand brushed Webby's and she fought the strong temptation to seize his hand and squeeze.
He gave affection so readily, without asking for anything in response. Was this what it was like to be normal? To have grown up in a normal household?
"Come along, Webbigail. I have to show you something," he said and, somewhat reluctantly, Webby broke away from the group and trudged after Mr. McDuck into the security section of the manor.
"I know we haven't really talked about your choice in girls, Dewey, but, uh, a raised supervillain with a tendency to kick first and ask questions later?" Huey said. "Are you sure?"
"She has a good heart," he insisted.
"She does," Lena agreed and the boys looked at her. She glared back as a warning. "How is that any different than what I did? I betrayed you all to get Uncle Scrooge's lucky dime."
"You did that against your will," Huey replied.
"Just like Webby joined FOWL against her will," Lena shot back. "She was pressured into everything she did. I know what it's like to have your back against the wall and a proverbial gun to your head."
"But do you think she's capable of being normal?" Louie asked.
"I don't know," Lena said. They sat in the dining room while Mrs. Beakley made eggs, pancakes, and waffles. It was going to be a huge breakfast, perhaps to compensate for Webby not eating for the last few days. Lena hadn't skipped meals like that, but then again, she'd never had a definite day she'd die, either. She wondered whether her behavior would've been different if she'd had an ultimatum like that instead of what Magica had put her through.
They looked up when Della walked in and smiled at them. Lena smiled weakly back. She never knew how to purport herself around the boys' mother. Della was a warm, adventurous soul, but she was far more outgoing and vivacious than Lena. It was off-putting.
"I haven't seen Mrs. B that happy in a long time," she said. "What's going on?"
"Webby's home," Dewey said and ignored his brothers staring at him. "What? This is her home."
"But she was with FOWL…" Della said, assembling the mental puzzle. "Is she all right? Does she have Stockholm Syndrome?"
"It's safe to say she probably does," Huey said. "It took Dewey kissing her for her to admit that SHUSH might be able to help."
"You told him that?" Dewey exclaimed, glowering at Lena.
"No, Gosalyn did," Huey corrected. "She's staying in a hotel in town. Her and her dad."
"SHUSH thinks it's better to keep our agents close by in case of trouble," Mrs. Beakley added, sticking her head out of the kitchen door to chime in. She resumed stirring the pancake batter.
"You kissed her?" Della said, looking at her middle son. She smiled at him. "Oh, that's so cute. Did she kiss you back?"
"Mom!" Dewey complained and reddened. He sat at the table opposite his mother. "And yeah, she did."
Louie rolled his eyes. "I should've been taking bets that she would. I would've made a fortune."
"What happened exactly?" she asked. "None of you have told me anything."
They took turns filling her in. When the food was ready, Webby returned, looking strained. She immediately sat beside Dewey and her hands were shaking. Dewey put an arm around her; he seemed to sense she'd been touch deprived and any affectionate gestures would be well received. She wasn't sure it was a good idea to be so touchy-feely with someone who was on edge like that, but Dewey seemed to be an exception to Webby's prickliness right now.
Scrooge entered last and Mrs. Beakley served them. She sat across from Webby.
"Steelbeak called while we were in the security room," Scrooge informed them. "He wants his daughter back. He wasn't pleased with my response."
Mrs. Beakley put down the orange juice pitcher with a thud and glowered at him. "You didn't think to call me?"
"It was a very short conversation," he hedged and faltered under her glower. "It was!"
"What did he say?" Huey asked, looking at Webby rather than at his great-uncle and housekeeper, who remained locked in a tense look.
"He wants me back," Webby said. She stared ahead of her as she spoke. "He realizes that SHUSH made me an offer and made me a counteroffer. He'll wave my punishment for failing to kill you if I'll accept house arrest for the next six months."
"How generous," Lena said sarcastically.
"You didn't take it, did you?" Louie asked and Webby shook her head.
"He told me he loves me, but he only said that to manipulate me," Webby said. She clenched her beak. Like Mr. McDuck said, it was a very short conversation."
"Steelbeak doesn't take setbacks very well," Mrs. Beakley said, jerking her gaze away from her employer. "I imagine he'd already anticipated your reaction before phoning Mr. McDuck."
"He said if I don't agree to his terms, he'll kill Dewey himself," she said and Lena understood why her hands had been shaking when she came into the room. Her voice trembled too. "Just to teach me a lesson."
"See what you started?" Huey exclaimed, staring at the middle brother in dismay.
"No one is dying!" Scrooge interjected. "SHUSH knows that he'll have to appear in person if he wants to attack any one of us...and we'll set a trap for him. See how he likes being the one kept apart from anyone who cares about him."
Lena thought it unlikely that anyone cared for Steelbeak; Webby fidgeted and Dewey drew her closer. They were acting like they were already a couple. Or, at least, he was. Webby, other than kissing him back last night, hadn't reciprocated. Given her upbringing, Lena wasn't surprised. Whatever affectionate impulses Webby had were buried beneath conditioning. Lena felt that strange and almost overwhelming desire to protect her.
"We set a trap for him and then what?" Webby asked.
"He'll be buried so far underground that he'll never see the light of day again," Mrs. Beakley snarled. At the raised eyebrows and exclamations, she clarified. "I don't mean to kill him. I mean to keep him where he can never touch anyone again, especially Webby."
"When does this plan start?" Lena asked, curious. She wanted to watch but from a safe distance. She didn't want to chance her aunt suddenly appearing, though she didn't understand why she would. Magica might have been recruited by FOWL, but she had no stake in their future. Not really. And she probably had a concussion like Black Heron after Webby's assault.
Lena smiled at the memory.
"You're something else, aren't you, Webby?" she said and Webby flushed with pride.
"The plan starts as soon as Steelbeak shows his cowardly face," Mrs. Beakley said. "And not a minute sooner."
Black Heron was indisposed of. Other FOWL agents he had brought along with him had likewise vanished. Steelbeak had the feeling of a trap closing in on him. However, he needed to shock Webby into realizing that the other side would never support her. Sure, they might appear all nice, but they weren't forgiving. She was his flesh and blood. Sure, she was also theirs, on her mother's side, but he knew she had the potential to be ruthless. He just needed to show her how it was done.
Killing Dewey and Agent 22 should break all her ties to the outside world. He didn't know how his daughter had grown attached to the kid, but that ended now. Once he was dead and she realized no one else cared for her outside of FOWL, she'd have no choice. As for Lena, well, Magica de Spell could take care of her as readily as she had the first time.
He needed to make her as vulnerable and scared as she'd been when he'd first abducted her. He needed her to understand that only FOWL could provide for her and accept her. The others never would. He didn't know why Scrooge McDuck had taken her in, but he didn't expect it to last, especially not after Agent 22 and Dewey Duck died.
If there was one thing you could count on, it was that billionaires didn't waste money on bad investments. And, as far as Steelbeak was concerned, Webby was a bad investment for both sides. But she was his to punish and keep for as long as he deemed her useful. And no one else should dare to touch her. That went double for Agent 22 and Dewey Duck-did she think he was blind to the affection between them?
Lena, Beakley, and Dewey could undo everything that he'd worked to accomplish with Webby. They had to be eliminated, one way or another. Then he could call all of his chickens home to roost. Proverbially, of course.
He cast a glance at McDuck Manor on the town map on his phone. Black Heron had failed to penetrate its walls. Steelbeak had something else in mind. Not over...but under.