CHAPTER THREE - Anger, Pain, and Sadness
"Gee DW, ain't it glad to be home? Hospital food sure does suck huh? Gee, we'll have to redo the house with ramps now huh? Gos would like that, she''ll be racing around on her skateboard in no time!" Launchpad said cheerfully as he pushed DW's wheelchair into the house. DW only muttered in response. "...Come on, cheer up, everything will be okay DW. Just give it some time and-"
"Okay? ....OKAY?! You think things will be OKAY?! Look at me Launchpad! How the hell can you think it'll be okay!? I'm useless! My crime fighting days are over!" Darkwing fumed, pulling the chair away from Launchpads grip. "I can't even go upstairs, nevermind my lair!"
"Gee it'll be okay! Hey, remember when you broke your legs? You got through that! You're tough! Nothing can beat you!" Launchpad gave him a reassuring smile, to which Darkwing only scowled.
"Broken legs heal! A broken spine doesn't! I'm worthless! Useless!"
"But DW..."
"Save it you buffoon! I'm sick of your cheerfulness, and your idiocy! If you had get Gosalyn home like you were supposed to, this wouldn't have happened! I tell her time and again to stay home, and you only encourage her to follow! Now look what's happened! Because of her, I'll never walk again!" Darkwing roared. Launchpad's shoulders sagged, he had never heard Darkwing so enraged before, and the words stung.
"I... I'm sorry DW... I..." he looked down at him meekly.
"Save it. Just leave me alone, would you!? I don't need a sidekick anymore, so I don't have to put up with you!" Darkwing then wheeled away, towards the kitchen.
Launchpad stood in silence, breathing in small gasps, as if someone had punched him in the gut. Slowly, he turned his head, looking towards the stairwell. There, he saw Gosalyn poking her head around the corner. She quickly pulled away, retreating to her room. Launchpad followed and walked in quietly. Gosalyn curled up on her bed, sniffling.
"It's all my fault... I'm to blame..." she whimpered pitifully. Launchpad sat beside her on the bed, and pulled her into his arms.
"It's not your fault Gos... it was an accident. You know it, I know it, and he knows it. He'll just... need time. You know he doesn't like being helpless."
"But... but he said...!" she sniffled.
"I know what he said. he's hurting, and he's real scared, so he's gonna say bad things he don't mean. That don't mean he don't love you any less." He gently brushed his fingers through her hair. "You're his little girl, ain't nothing gonna change that."
"But what about what he said to you...?" her bright green eyes were filled with tears.
"Aww... now you know he's called me stupid stuff before! You don't worry bout ol' Launchpad. I'll be just fine! And so will DW, he just needs time to heal!" He gave her a reassuring smile.
"I hope you're right Launchpad..." Gosalyn sighed and curled into his arms.
"I know I'm right. DW ain't one to give up so easily. I promise he'll be okay..." he held the little duckling closely. If only he felt as confident about those words as he sounded...