A/N- Sorry for the wait. I had some hang-ups on chapters that came before this one. And yes, Gizmoduck did just all but tell Scrooge who Darkwing was, but I get the feeling that Scrooge has no interest in spreading that particular fact around town…especially in light of the circumstances. Now, please enjoy!

Chapter 5- Uncomfortable

Night had fallen. Bushroot had gone out. This was probably due to the fact that the air between he and Negaduck had gotten a tad tense, to say the least. Gosalyn had not left her makeshift room much, afraid, not of Negaduck, but of her own tenseness. She knew she had questions that could not wait for their answers. However, she was not sure how to put them forth. Finally, about an hour or so after hearing Bushroot clear out and the television come on, Gosalyn ventured out into the living room area.

There on the couch, remote in hand and his leg crossed over his knee at the ankle, was Negaduck. When he heard her approach, he smiled in her direction. His attention fell quickly back to the T.V. Gosalyn took a seat beside him, forcing herself to sit down a bit harder than normal. She had hoped that this would cause him to inquire what was wrong. However, he took no notice. Waiting a few moments, she let out a long sigh. He only switched the channel. Finally, she sat forward on the couch and cleared her throat. He turned to her.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, turning off the television.

Gosalyn looked away, unsure on how to begin her round of questions. Finally, she said, "I had an unusual dream last night."

"Oh?"

He was smiling at her, awaiting her continuation.

"Well, I was on the trampoline that was in the backyard of my old house. We still have it now, it's just not the same place, you know? Anyway, my father was there. And…he…reiterated something he had said to me before I left."

Negaduck now turned to face her completely. Gosalyn stood and began to pace in between the couch and the television, causing Negaduck to sit in his original position.

"Gos…what is it?" he asked kindly.

"I don't know how to begin," she said, ceaselessly pacing.

"Then just begin."

She stopped for a moment, her back to him. It seemed as if she was considering this proposition. Finally, still facing away from him, she put forth her topic of interest.

"I…want to ask about some of your crimes…"

She waited, not daring to face him. She did not know what to expect. Anger was the most likely outcome with the past Negaduck. However, he had changed much since she had become involved with him. This left her with nothing but her held breath. Finally, she heard Negaduck sigh and the squeak of the couch springs as he sat back.

"I was wondering when we would have to have this discussion. I honestly didn't expect it so soon. However, I guess it's better late than never. What do you want to know?"

Gosalyn turned, her eyes wide. He had taken it all so calmly. This perhaps scared her more than the typical angry outburst. Her eyes fell to the floor as she thought. She wanted to word her questions lightly…so as to not arouse a feeling of mistrust. Finally, she chose to go somewhat in the order that her father has shouted the crimes at her.

"I know you've stolen…being the daughter of Darkwing Duck has allowed me to see you do that countless times. I also know that you've murdered. However…have you committed more than the one murder?"

Negaduck nodded. Gosalyn waited, unsure if he was nodding his understanding of the question or in answer to the question. Finally, he looked at her and said, "Launchpad was my second murder. I've put many, many innocent lives in danger, but I've killed only twice."

"Who was the first?"

"It was a henchman that had stolen from me. I baited him, because I had had my suspicions. When I caught him in the act, I blew him away."

Gosalyn nodded, quickly reminding herself that her love had not always been who he was now. Then, sitting down, she asked her next question.

"Dad told me…he told me that you had…that you had raped…Is it true?"

Negaduck sat forward again, sighing. Shaking his head, he said, "I was actually hoping that you did not know about that. I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of, but I hope you'll understand that even where the murders are concerned, that is what I am most ashamed of."

"You've raped? Why? Who?" Gosalyn asked, her questions coming out more quickly that she had intended. She could only hope that Negaduck did not take them in such a way that could damage their relationship.

"Yes, I've raped. I did it because I was angry, which is not a reason at all, I know. As for who it was, it was just a woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. You see, one of my robberies had been botched thanks to your father. I had planned it so perfectly beforehand, and it still failed. On the way back to my hideout, I was steaming angry. I came across a young woman, probably making her own way home that night. I kidnapped her, raped her, then the next morning I dropped her off someplace far away from my hideout."

A silence fell. Gosalyn was looking at the floor, and Negaduck was staring at Gosalyn. Finally, Gosalyn stood.

"I have to…go…I have to think about this," she said, turning to leave.

"Gosalyn..." Negaduck said, standing. She did not turn, but merely inclined her head to show that she was listening. "Please believe that I'm not like that anymore. I would never do any of it again. Especially to you."

She nodded, then disappeared into her room.

…………………

Hours later, Negaduck lay, unsleeping, in his own bed. The look of sheer horror on Gosalyn's face when he had told her of his past transgressions was haunting. He was simply staring at the ceiling…and yet not seeing it. He wanted desperately to go to her…to tell her that it was all okay…that he would never do that to her…not with her being unwilling. However, there was this crippling fear of rejection from his beloved that helped him stay in his place.

A knock on his door caused him to raise up.

"Enter," he said.

Slowly, the door squeaked open. Gosalyn stood there, a cotton nightgown extending down over her ankles. It was sleeveless, only thick lacy straps holding it up on her shoulders. The gown in itself was not particularly sensual. However, this was the first time he had ever seen her in night clothing. He could not help but stare, then, thinking on the evening's previous conversation, he looked away. She advanced into the room.

She stopped a few inches shy of the bed. She ran her hand across the top sheet, before hiding both behind her back. Looking as if she was actually addressing the floor, she spoke to him.

"I'm sorry I left in that way. I don't want you to think that I…think something awful of you. I love you, Negaduck, and I know you are different now," she said.

"I meant what I said," Negaduck said, nodding.

It was silent for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, Gosalyn climbed up into the bed. She crawled over to him and kissed him adoringly. He rested each of his hands on each of her upper arms and pushed her back.

"You don't have to do this…if you're not…" he said.

She placed a finger on his beak to quiet him.

"I trust you. And I'm ready."

End Notes: Okay, so what did you think? Yeah, we all know what happened. I know I just kind of left you hanging, but there are things that even I can't type. Well, please review!