A/N- Well, only a few more chapters to go! I hope you enjoy this!

Chapter 11- Unexpected Confrontation

Negaduck slowed his motorcycle as a dark figure came into focus through the rain. The figure stood from its place on a crate and seemed to simply be waiting for him. Negaduck stopped his cycle a few feet away from the figure and decided it would be best if he walked the rest of the way.

The former Mallard Menace shuddered not from the cold rain but from a terrible feeling of déjà vu. Years ago, on a dock similar to this one, he had ruthlessly slain Launchpad, forever changing everyone's lives…even his own. That night, he had gone begging to Morgana to kill him. Well, everyone knew the result of that.

Closing in on the figure, its purple, rain-drenched hat and cape came into focus. Negaduck stopped a few feet from his do-gooding double. Crossing his arms, he huffed.

"I might of known that it was you. Where's Gosalyn?" Negaduck asked.

Darkwing smiled bitterly.

"Forget about Gosalyn. She's safe and sound right where she belongs…with her family," he replied.

"With her family, huh? That's where she belongs?" Negaduck asked, putting on an equally bitter smile. "How about with someone who loves her? Or does that not matter anymore?"

"Stop it!" Darkwing hissed, shocking Negaduck for the first time. He had never suspected that Darkwing could be capable of such hatred filled tones.

He didn't like the road they were on. This night was only going to end in sadness the way things were going. Negaduck knew he should probably just walk away…so that Gosalyn wouldn't be hurt by the injury and/or death of either her father or her lover--since that was the inevitable end. But…he couldn't. Life without Gosalyn by his side would be meaningless. She was his love…his redemption. His life was eternal, but if she only had one lifetime to spend with him…than it would be enough.

"Stop what?" Negaduck asked.

"Stop saying that!" Darkwing yelled in reply.

"What?" he yelled back in frustration. "Stop saying I love her? I can't, Darkwing! Or haven't you figured it out yet? I thought you had always known!"

"What are you talking about, Negaduck?"

"You were the first one who recognized it. Don't you remember? That night, you realized it. I've given up crime, Darkwing…for her. For the good of everyone, really. You always knew that I was dangerous, if I wasn't stopped. Well, I stopped…for her. I've never hurt her. I never could. I told you that that night too, remember? Why can't you accept this? Not for me, but for her. Always for her!"

Darkwing didn't seem to have a reply for this. His beak opened and closed soundlessly for a few moments. Finally, he pulled from somewhere within his cape a gun. And not his gas gun. A real, shoot-you-dead gun. Negaduck took a step back.

"Have you lost your mind, Duck?" he whispered, holding out his hand--as if that was going to stop any bullet.

"What did you do to her? You've hurt her! I know it! Morgana told me…told me that you two--" Darkwing said, waving the gun.

"What? Morgana told you what?"

"That you two slept together! But do I know that for sure? Maybe my little girl was willing…maybe she wasn't. How am I to know?"

"She was willing, Darkwing. Please believe me…I would've never touched her otherwise."

A long, loud laugh issued from Darkwing. Somewhere, in that part of Negaduck's mind that everyone has--the one that can never stay fully in the moment--he thought that Darkwing, in another life, would've made a great villain. The laugh alone was bone-chilling.

"Believe you?" Darkwing said though his laugh. "Honestly, do you even remember what's going on? Really? I'm not likely to believe you anytime soon."

Just as suddenly as his laughter had started, it stopped. Aiming the gun at Negaduck, he said, "However--" and pulled the trigger.

The bullet lodged itself into his leg, causing the former Mallard Menace to fall to the ground. Darkwing walked over and stood over him.

"I will shoot you," he said, apparently completing his earlier sentence. "What did you think? That I would kill you right off? Please! Do you know how you've made me suffer? Worrying over the safety of my little girl? Trust me, you have much more suffering coming your way."

Negaduck glared up at Darkwing. "And trust me, ending my life, before I can spend some of it with Gosalyn, will be suffering enough."

Darkwing paused, seeming to consider this. Finally, he pointing the gun at Negaduck again. This time, though, it was aimed at his head.

"Very well."

End Notes: Oooh, nasty little cliffy. I hope that everyone liked this. I must confess, this was all very fun to write. Now, only two more chapters to go. And if there are any major, major mistakes in my typing, please blame my cat--Drusilla--who decided that she wanted a front row seat to this little showdown and parked herself on my lap. Please review!