"Gosalyn Bernice Mallard, what on earth is going on here?" Dad threw his cape over his shoulder and stepped up to the table, landing his fists on the checkered tablecloth.

Dewey snickered from behind. "Your middle name is Bernice?"

Gosalyn pushed herself away from the table and glared back at Dewey. "You don't have any room to talk, Dingus. How is that even a name?"

"Who told?!"

Ignoring him, Gosalyn stood face to face with her father. "Dad, please. It's not what it looks like."

"Oh yeah? Well it looks to me like you're on date with Scrooge McDuck's red nephew… behind my back and in my own backyard no less!"

"Okaaay, so maybe it's exactly what it looks like." Gosalyn rubbed the back of her neck. "Look, Dad, you weren't supposed to find out like this. I was gonna-"

"Tell me? When? When you're walking down the aisle?!"

"Daaaaad!" Gosalyn threw her arms over her head, her face growing hot.

"It's not that serious!" As soon as the words left her mouth, she looked over at Huey. The soft, dejected look in his eyes made her whole body hurt. "No… that's not what I meant. I mean… it's not that serious yet. I still… oh brother…." She dragged her hands down her face. This is why I don't date. I can be such a bull in a china shop.

Dad stepped into her line of sight, blocking her from Huey. "Have you thought this through? You barely know the kid! Last I checked, his brother went to prison for fraud. Who knows what else they're hiding?"

"Hey! It was only six months," Louie piped up.

"And parole," Dad grumbled before setting his hands on Gosalyn's shoulders. "You don't need to get involved in that, Gosalyn. I'm so proud of you for all that you've accomplished and I know you can do so much for this city… for the world. You're doing great on your own." He took a deep breath and smiled, touching her chin. "I just want what's best for you."

Gosalyn stared at the ground and then up into her dad's eyes. "Dad, you've taught me so much. I've never once doubted my abilities or wavered in my confidence… thanks to you. You taught me how to harness my brash boldness and how to use it for good." She sighed and looked past him at Huey, who had taken several steps back to join his brothers. But what if I don't want to do it alone? Maybe I want to see what life could be like with Huey Duck in it. She rubbed the side of her face. How can I ever get Dad to understand that? He's always been content with it just being us… me and him. He never wanted more than that.

Gosalyn clenched her fists. But I want more. She met eyes with him again. "Dad, I know this is hard for you… and I'm still your little girl… the one who launched hockey pucks through your living room windows and who always forgot her sweaty skates in your station wagon." She pulled him into a hug, ignoring the fact that they had an audience. "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm a grown woman now. I think I deserve the chance to go out… fall in love… maybe get my heart broken a little." Looking up into his warm, worry-filled eyes, she smiled. "You've helped me grow into the woman I am. Can you please trust me to make my own decisions? And to do it well… like you taught me?"

Darkwing Duck swallowed, looking into her eyes as he slowly released her from the hug. "Gos, I just… I don't like what that might mean… for us."

Gosalyn tipped her head back and sighed. "Dad-"

He stared at the ground. "I do trust you. But if I let this one thing happen-"

"What do you mean?" She grabbed his hands and squeezed them to get him to meet eyes with her again.

"I don't want to let you go, Gos. You're my little girl. I don't want to share you… least of all with one of Scrooge's deadbeat nephews." He muttered that last part.

"I heard that!" Dewey huffed.

Gosalyn pulled him into another hug and smiled. "Aw Daaaad! You won't lose me. I still have so much to learn from you. And it's just a date or two. Who knows what will happen?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Buuut if he ever becomes my boyfriend, promise me that you'll learn to like him? And I promise to keep an eye on his criminal brother."

Dad chuckled and squeezed her tight, like the whole world would shift if he let her go. "Fine. But you need to be sure about him before I get on board with the whole thing."

"Deal!" Gosalyn squeezed him back. "But you know I don't make a shot unless I'm confident that I can scooore." Her voice graveled in a slight sing-song tone.

Dad looked skeptical. "You need to be confident you can win the game… before I try to like him. Got it, sister?"

Gosalyn's chest flooded with excitement. She punched him in the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. "You've got it, Dad."

Dad glanced around at everyone. "Well? What are you all staring at? Go find something better to do! This date was clearly a disaster before I showed up." He pulled his cape around himself and walked into the house, pausing to moan about the spaghetti all over the door. "And clean this up!"

Gosalyn smiled over at Huey. "That didn't scare you off, did it?"

He flashed a sneaking grin back at her, puffing out his chest. "Who? Him? Nah. It'll take a lot more than that to scare me off. What does that mean for you and me?"

"I think it means you should start planning a second date."

He glanced around at the lights that were slowly falling down the shoddy poles and the cold spaghetti on the table. "If you're seriously considering this as our first official date."

"Why not? There was food, mood lighting, music, nice conversation, and even a little drama. I'd say that counts." I'm pretty sure that's in every rom com in the book!

He snickered. "And your dad is totally fine with it?"

"My dad will always be my dad… he's as distrusting and hates change. But he trusts me, that's what counts." She took a few steps closer. "And I trust you."

Huey's cheeks flushed slightly. "Wow, even after the cheesiest date in the history of first dates? That's saying something."

"I mean, we had a nice time and afterwards my dad didn't totally berate you so I think that's a win." Gosalyn gazed into his soft, caring eyes. Being around him lit the little spark inside of her that made her whole body feel warm and full of tiny fireworks. His eyes were so kind and she liked how sweet and honest he could be, even if most of the time he was a little cheeky and sarcastic.

"No, I guess not. I mean, he debased Louie, but we all do that." He smirked and ran his hand through his curls. "He seemed to forget that I was even here."

That's my dad alright. But at least Huey seems to understand. He also knows my dad is Darkwing Duck. That would save me from having to find a boyfriend and keeping that a secret. Gosalyn smiled to herself. It's a perk. "It takes a little while for my dad to get used to people."

"Uh, guys?"

They all turned to Webby. "Uncle Scrooge and your mom are going to be here tomorrow."

"You told them where we were?! Are you crazy?!" Louie snapped, snatching her phone and reading through the messages.

She rubbed the back of her neck. "Heheh, well, that was before you guys told me what you were up to."

Gosalyn's heart sank. "I guess that means you guys should leave tonight and get a heads start." She turned back to Huey who looked just as disappointed on his face as she felt in her heart. They were just starting to get to know each other. Duckburg is hours away by car. When will we have time to see each other to know if this will even work?

"You couuuuld come with us!" Webby appeared behind her and shook her by the shoulders.

Gosalyn slid out of Webby's hands. "I would love to, but I have practice and Dad would be furious if I left all of my responsibilities here. Besides, someone's got to cover for you guys when your mom and uncle get here."

Dewey leaned on Huey and smirked. "See? What'd I tell you guys? Gosalyn is amazing."

Huey's eyes didn't leave hers for a moment. "Yeah. She kinda is."

This guy with his eyes. He looks like a love struck middle schooler. Gosalyn rolled her eyes and laughed. "Alright, I get it, I know. I'm amazing. But you guys really should get going. I'll come up with something to tell your mom and uncle." She grabbed Webby and pushed her towards the boys. "The more miles you can put between you the better."

"Come on, boys. Gosalyn's right." Webby she pushed the boys through the yard. "We'll make sure to come back soon and give you all the tea!"

"The tea? What are we, Boston?" Louie squirmed out of the brown tuxedo and pulled his hoodie over his tank top.

"You know! The tea! Spilling the tea? The hot gossip. All the girls are saying it nowadays."

"That's the thing, Webbs. No girls… or anyone under the age of fifty says 'nowadays'. You sound like a boomer when you say things like that or try to be hip."

"Well, I was genetically cloned from a boomer! What do you expect?!"

"Ugh, don't get her started on that," Dewey mumbled.

Gosalyn shook her head and smiled, watching them go. They are entertaining. I'll give them that.

"Wait!" Huey stopped in his tracks, spun around, and ran back to her. "Say, uh, when did you say your next hockey game was?"

Hockey? He didn't strike me as a sports guy. "Um… My first game for the season is in two weeks. On the 3rd."

The corner of his lips slid into a cheeky smirk. "I'll be there. Bring your skates?"

My skates? "Well, it'll be hard not to. I'll be wearing them for the game." She laughed.

"Then it's a date."

Gosalyn crossed her arms, leaning back on her hip. "You're not actually thinking of playing me, are you?"

Huey's look turned smug. "Why? Are you afraid you might lose?"

"Hah! I'm afraid for you!"

"I have two brothers. We used to pummel each other all the time in hockey with Uncle D."

"Still do!" Louie called from across the yard as he, Dewey, and Webby walked back over.

Gosalyn raised her eyebrow. "You seem a little overly confident… and you've never seen me play."

"What can I say? I like a challenge." He puffed out his chest.

Gosalyn rolled her eyes, smiling. "You want a challenge? You've got it, Duke." She tapped him on the beak. "See you on the ice?"

"Like I said, it's a date."

Gosalyn tried to keep a reign on her smile so he wouldn't see how excited and nervous she was at the idea of him coming to her first game… and then playing her afterwards. I've never had a guy I liked actually come to one of my games… much less make it into a date! I'll talk to Honker. Maybe I can convince him to come to the game to keep Huey busy. Less eye contact should help calm my nerves. Yeah, that's it.

"Were you paying attention, dear Dewford? That was the art of flirting in action." Louie spoke up from behind him, his arm on Dewey's shoulder.

"What are you talking about? I don't need notes."

Louie heaved a sigh. "Yes, yes you do. At this rate, you're going to end up alone. The lonely uncle."

Dewey shoved him. "Like you're doing any better. Meet any girls recently? Oh wait, you were BEHIND BARS!"

He just shrugged and threw his arm around him, heading back towards the RV. "I choose to be alone. If I ever find the perfect girl, flirtation will not be a problem for me, I assure you. You, on the other hand, are still terrified by the concept of love."

"Oh don't act all smart like you know what you're doing. And Huey? He's just fumbling back there. Did you see his face-" Dewey faded off as they turned the corner.

Huey still stood there, smiling at her. "Ignore them. They're just jealous. I'll catch you later?"

Gosalyn nodded, her cheeks flushed. "Yeah, catch you later."

He turned to leave before spinning around again.

"Can't pull yourself away can you, red?"

"Well, yes and no. I just wanted to ask if Lou gave you back the serum."

Gosalyn pulled the vial of green liquid out of her jacket. "Hasn't left my side since he handed it back to me. I'll get it to the lab… aaaas soon as your brother is safely out of the city." She laughed. "And we're going to pretend like it never happened." Dad won't let me near them, much less go on another date with Huey if he finds out Louie stole the serum.

"I could kiss you!" He blinked, as if he didn't plan to say it out loud until it had already spilled out. "But I will not… beeeecause I am a gentleman and we barely know each other." He chuckled nervously, inching backwards. "Aaaand that's just crazy. Aaaaand I'm just making this more awkward. I'm just gonna go."

"Wise choice." Gosalyn laughed, watching him make a mad dash for the RV. "Good luck!"