A/N- Sorry for the long wait! My friend, SlinkyAndTheBloodyWands, and I have this buddy list of sorts for our fanfics. It's supposed to keep us from ignoring any one fic for too long. Anyway, I'd like to make a couple of notes here. First, about this chapter, if you've visited the forum for my fanfics, I'll have to disappoint you on a small fact. Gyro Gearloose won't be making an appearance in this chapter. Sorry. I don't own many Ducktales episodes, so I don't want to try and do Gyro's character…I don't know it well enough. As for my second note, about my forums, occasionally, I'll post little spoilers or bits of info about certain fics under the appropriate thread in the forum about my fanfics. Drop by and take a look, if you like! Thanks! Please enjoy!

Chapter 4- Over Hearing

After Gosalyn awoke from her second attempt at sleep, she cleaned up a bit. Her second attempt had been about as successful as the first. She reflected briefly on her second dream as one of Bushroot's trees kindly provided her with a leaf to dry her face with. This dream had not taken place on a trampoline. In fact, it had not really taken place anywhere at all. It was more of just her father's voice repeating certain things over and over and over.

Sighing, Gosalyn discarded the leaf and turned. She was about to push her way through the trees--that had been instructed to not move from their spots--when she heard both Negaduck's and Bushroot's voices. However, it was not just the fact that she heard their voices. It was the fact that Bushroot's voice had just said her name. She leaned forward and, as quietly as she could, pushed one of the branches out of her way, just enough so she could peek into the scene beyond the green.

"…Why do you have her with you, honestly? I would just like to know why Darkwing's brat--" Bushroot was saying.

"You watch your beak, mulch!" Negaduck snapped, using that harsh, dark growl Gosalyn had not heard him use for so long.

Bushroot threw up his leafy hands in defense.

"Sorry," he said. Then, continuing, "…why is Darkwing's kid is here? What's the deal? You said you'd explain."

"So?" Negaduck growled, collapsing on a nearby chair.

"So, out with it! How'd you snatch her and get her to play the nice little girl?"

The former Mallard Menace didn't answer. Bushroot's eyes widened.

"She's here of her own free will! I don't believe it! Why? What would compel her to be here with you? And on top of that, where have you been all these years? What's it been, six years now? What's going on?"

Negaduck sighed and looked away. Bushroot leaned a bit, trying to catch his former boss's eyes. Finally, the plant-duck began to chuckle.

"No…no, no, no. I'll never believe it. It could never happen. Not with Negaduck, anyhow…" Bushroot muttered, a grin on his bill. Then, as Negaduck began to glare at him, the grin disappeared. "It's true. The guys and I, we used to joke about it behind your back…every time we'd hear you complain about her…but…it was just a joke. We'd have never believed it to be true. But it is, isn't it?"

"What are you yammering about?" Negaduck demanded, still trying to avoid Bushroot's stare.

"You're in love with her. You're in love with Darkwing's kid! I don't believe it!"

Gosalyn, from her place behind the trees, narrowed her eyes a bit in worry. She knew that their safety depended on Negaduck being about to intimidate the hell out of anyone who messed with them. However, if all the old enemies and acquaintances of Negaduck's found out what Bushroot had just discovered, it could prove…difficult for them.

"What's it to ya, Bushroot? Why do you care?" Negaduck responded, glaring at the green duck.

Bushroot shook his head and waved his hands, palms straight up in front of him, quickly. "Don't get me wrong. If you love her, more power to you. But, where have you been all these years?"

"That's none of your business. Ask that question again, and you'll regret it," Negaduck threatened.

"Oh, yeah, sure. You'll fess up to being in love with Dipwing Dork's kid, but you won't tell me where you've been all these years. Oh, yeah…that's smart."

"And what does that mean?"

Bushroot shook his head. "If someone found out about her, and how you felt about her, and that you were here--"

Bushroot didn't get to complete that sentence. Negaduck leapt out of his chair and, grabbing Bushroot's neck as he went, pinned the plant-duck against the nearest wall. It was all Gosalyn could do to stifle a gasp.

"You're the only one who knows we're here got that, Bushy? That means, if someone finds out we're here, it's because you told them. And, to go a bit further, if she gets hurt because you felt the need to gab a little…well…you're gonna hope and pray I don't find you. Understand?"

Bushroot could only nod. Gosalyn quickly ducked back into her room, shocked and trying not to show it that Negaduck was still capable of that violent of an outburst.

…………………

They were walking in front of McDuck Manor. Well, Gizmoduck was rolling. Scrooge McDuck was walking.

"Ah. Such a wee little one. And the lass is Darkwing's daughter?" Scrooge said, not relying on his cane, but rather walking with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Yes, Mr. McDuck. He's…well, understandably, distraught over it all," Gizmoduck said.

McDuck turned to stare over at his nephews--Huey, Dewy, and Louie--now sixteen themselves, playing a friendly game of baseball. Scrooge shook his head. Turning back to Gizmoduck, he sighed.

"I canna imagine what Darkwing must be going through. Why, if the boys were ever to get kidnapped like that--" Scrooge paused. Then, stopping his slow walk, he stared upwards at the mechanized duck's hulking figure. "What do you need me to do?"

Gizmoduck smiled.

"I knew I could count on you, Mr. McDuck. I don't need much, sir. If only you could advertise her name around town a bit, maybe a picture of her. I can get one from Darkwing. And if you hear anything before I do…anything like that would be greatly appreciated," he said.

"Aye, laddie. Consider it done. You get me that picture and that poor girl's face will be all over Duckburg in no time. But…you've never told me her name. What is it?"

"Gosalyn Mallard. Now, I have to go. Darkwing is checking out some of the less reparable places in the city. I ought to go give him a hand. Thanks again," Gizmoduck said, speeding off.

"Don't mention it!" Scrooge called as the hero disappeared out of sight.

End Notes: Okay, after a few minutes of debating, I've decided to end the chapter here. The scene that I was thinking about putting in here will appear at the beginning of the next chapter. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this. Someone please tell me if my portrayal of Scrooge was alright. Thanks! Please review!