Disclaimer: I don't own Ducktales!

Title: Counting Cards

Summary: Goldie and Scrooge have known each other a long time now, and that's given them a special kind of closeness. Goldie can't say the same for the children he's dragging around with him now, but if she wants to continue the way they have she's going to have to learn. Too bad Goldie's never been good at being good.

...

Goldie had left the mansion more times than she cared to count- usually from a back door or window- but somehow, packing a duffel bag made it feel more permanent. Like she was going to walk through that front door and never come back.

Who knows, maybe she wouldn't. It was only a matter of time before this house blew up and Scrooge had to make a new one, and it wasn't like Goldie made a habit of visiting often. Once every five years was considering an anomaly (he was lonely, and there were tears, and Goldie didn't know Della Duck very well but she remembered her and her brother running side-by-side as ducklings and it hurt to think that was just... gone) and that was probably not going to happen again anytime soon.

"I know you're there," she said, zipping the bag shut. "Honestly, Duckworth- dead or alive, you could never get the one-up on me."

A blast of wind signaled the approach of the dog, who seemed to assemble himself mid-air. In his hands was a frosted wine bottle. " I had no intention to sneak up on you. Forgive me for the misconception. I needed to get this past the children."

"Is that what I think it is?"

He nodded, smiling just a little. "Spirits, straight from the spirit world. Think of it as a farewell gift."

Goldie let out a whoop. She took the bottle by the neck, feeling her fingers tingle at the cold as she unzipping the duffel and shoved it in. "Oh, Duckworth, I could kiss you. Y'know. If you weren't non-corporeal."

"I've never been more grateful to be dead, then." Duckworth proudly twisted the doorknob, holding the door open for her. "After you."

Despite this, the ghost didn't accompany her physically down the stairs, though Goldie didn't doubt that he was watching as she followed semi-familiar twists and turns to the front door, musing sardonically to herself that she had probably never legally entered or exited that way in her life.

She peered over the railing to find the whole lot of them waiting for her; Louie stared at his phone, probably still embarrassed over their encounter, while Dewey peered at the screen nosily and Webby awkwardly waved up at her. Huey was twisting his hat in his hands like a stress ball. Donald hovered near the oldest triplet, clearly only there for emotional support. Scrooge had his hat, spats, and cane, and even from here she could tell his eyes were a bit watery- he probably thought this was some big deal, the old softie. Beakley was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.

"This feels like an intervention," Goldie commented as she reached the first floor. "I'll have you know I can quit stealing anytime I like."

Beakley's hand went to her hair, pulling out a butterfly knife. "Don't end up dead, you hear?" She half-jokingly waved the blade at her. "I'll never hear the end of it if someone else does what I've failed to do."

"If you're that determined to off me, you should probably sharpen that knife."

"Implying I don't keep my blades in top-notch condition is begging for me to murder you in cold blood." Beakley patted her on the shoulder stiffly. "Safe travels, you crusty witch."

Goldie took the knife. "Drop dead, 22."

"Uh... miss Goldie?" She turned her head as Huey came forward, frowning. "You're not leaving because of me, are you? I know I lost my temper, but I promise it won't happen again."

"You kidding, squirt?" Goldie ruffled his feathers. "A little heat doesn't bother me. It usually makes stuff more fun. I'm just not the domestic type."

Huey moved in for a hug. Goldie held her hands up, torn between pushing him off and not wanting Bentina to immediately punch her for pushing him off. "We'll miss you, Aunt Goldie," he said into her shirt. "You make Uncle Scrooge happy."

"Don't ever call me that again," she pleaded.

Dewey raised an eyebrow as Huey came up on his side. "Did you seriously just hug the weird criminal la- isthatherwallet?"

"Is that my what?" Goldie marched over, snatching it from his hand. Huey laughed. "I'll have you know I let you take that, shrimp."

Louie snorted. "Riiiight."

She walked away with a huff, coming up on Webby. She blinked at her, surprised. "Is that a shadow I spy?"

Webby shrugged. "It's how Lena sleeps, I guess?" She rocked on her heels, shy. "Can I get a hug too?"

Goldie opened her mouth, then looked at Beakley, who had pulled out another, more dangerous knife from places unknown, brandishing it with an eyebrow raised. "Sure, why not."

It was short, and awkward, and Webby pulled back like she was made of fire. "You'll... come back, right?"

"I always do. If you're lucky, I won't lock you in another cabinet when I do." Goldie strode over to Scrooge next. "Only one more goodbye, huh?"

"Fer now," he rumbled. "I'm sure it won't be long 'til somethin' sparkly catches our eyes and we meet again. Jus' remember what we promised, alright?"

"I never forget anything." Goldie gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek- more for luck than anything else. She bent in close to mutter, "Between you and me, I changed all the wi-fi passwords. You're welcome."

Scrooge barked out a laugh. "Yer the best thing to ever happen to this household. This has to be a yearly thing."

"Hmm," Goldie said, trying not to sound as excited as the prospect made her feel. Once a year. She could pamper herself once a year. See them all once a year. "We'll see."

Author's Note: This was a lot of fun! I really like the dynamic between Goldie and Beakley, and I imagine she and Duckworth could be really good drinking buddies lol.

There was A LOT that changed in this little beauty, believe it or not. As I mentioned previously, she was originally gonna take the kids chupacabra hunting while Scrooge was out, leading to tension between them because she took his kids on an adventure without his permission. But it felt a bit whiplash-y to change the scene are the bulk of the 'fic taking place in the mansion, so Scrooge left and came back with some skins.

I also had a mini-subplot in mind with Webby going through some puberty stuff- specifically That Time of the Month- and Goldie reassuring her about it. I was super embarrassed when I got my first period as a kid (oh no blood! nevermind the fact that the first period is typically like two drops total) and I felt a bit of a responsibility to Younger Me to write chill female bonding over stuff like I had as a kid. I might mold it into a Della-Webby thing someday, idk.

Regardless, I had a lot of fun, and I hope you all did too!

-Mandaree1