Chapter Text
Look at the way we gotta hide what we're doin'
'Cause what would they say
If they ever knew? And so we're
Running just as fast as we can
Holding on to one another's hand
Trying to get away into the night
And then you put your arms around me
And we tumble to the ground and then you say – Tiffany, I Think We’re Alone Now
“Where am I? Well I’m certainly not there.”
Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera was not at the lab nor was he at his m’ma’s house. Currently he was in a location that, for all he knew, only he and Gandra Dee were aware of: Gandra Dee’s apartment.
And currently he was on the phone, pacing to somehow improve his improvisational skills, or at least that’s what Gandra Dee gathered. She watched in amusement as her boyfriend walked in circles, careful to not step on any of the papers they had scattered around the floor.
“…Yes I realize that’s not really an adequate answer, Dr. Gearloose…Well…I’m…”
Fenton looked over to Gandra for help.
Clearly the situation at hand was nowhere near as dire to the hen as it was for Fenton. For Gandra’s response was a simple shrug as she smirked and looked down at herself and then back to the duck.
“I-I-I-I’m with a friend!” Fenton answered. “Yep! I’m with a friend!” He repeated locking in his final answer to Gyro.
Gandra silently gave Fenton a thumbs up in approval for his answer that wasn’t really a lie, but not a full truth.
“Am I busy at the moment?”
Gandra rolled her eyes as she folded her arms in disbelief and sat against the couch, resisting the urge to say anything, let alone something sarcastic.
“Well as a matter of fact. I am-we are. We are busy. At the moment.”
Gandra rested her elbows on her legs and her head in her palms. She then extended her hand towards Fenton as an invitation to hand her his phone, which she knew was not gonna happen.
Fenton glanced over to Gandra’s palm. And then he looked over to the smirk on her face. Needless to say, the duck was a bit confused. That was until a spark of electricity came out of the hen’s palm.
“Well Manny is still with you, right?! He should be able to assist you!”
Knowing her boyfriend’s phone conversation was near its end, Gandra continued resting her head in both of her palms as she watched Fenton finish up.
“Okay, good! Well best of luck to both of you! I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Fenton sighed in relief as he put his phone away.
“So what happened,” Gandra Dee asked from the couch, “did your office chair get clogged again?”
“No.” Fenton answered, still exhausted from the phone call he just had, and his girlfriend’s sarcasm was not helping. He settled himself down next to Gandra as another sigh of relief released from his mouth. “Dr. Gearloose is adding some modifications for B.O.Y.D.”
“Hard to believe that someone like him has a kid.” Gandra rested her head against Fenton. “Is B.O.Y.D.’s bedroom in that storage closet or do you have to share space with him in the bathroom? Sorry, office.”
Obviously that slip-up at the end of Gandra’s sentence was intentional, Fenton knew that.
“No, he lives with Dr. Gearloose.”
“Ah. Anyway, great save. I’m with a friend!” Gandra repeated with her best Fenton impression. “I’m glad you see me as a friend.”
“You know what I meant.” Fenton scoffed as he kissed her head. “Lying is not my strongest suit.”
“Well you’re a pro at telling half-truths. We are indeed busy at the moment.” Gandra smiled as an exhausted sigh left her beak. “At least we were.”
Which was the truth. The two have been working on a project that was Gandra Dee’s brainchild from back in grad school.It was still in development and yet to be named. She looked down at the papers sprawled across the floor. Gandra blew at her bangs in frustration.
“At least we won’t have to worry about any more interruptions” Fenton assured Gandra.
“Not unless your boyfriend calls you again.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Your trip to Tokyolk together tells me otherwise. It’s okay, I’m fine with sharing. We can alternate on Monday through Friday, but I call the weekends ‘cause he sees you every day during the weekdays.”
Fenton said nothing as he looked back to Gandra. She had a rather smug smirk on her face, clearly she was rather pleased with her sarcastic remark. But her eyes look tired.
She needed a break.
He needed a break.
Fenton looked at the time- it was already seven. Fortunately, he knew m’ma was not expecting him home any time soon, for he had already told he’d be out late working. M’ma Cabrera had wished him a goodnight in case they didn’t see each other that evening, and reminded him to make sure that he ate something. Normally they’d have dinner together around five.
“Wanna order some Chinese?” Fenton said as he pulled out his phone.
“You know, for some reason I now have a craving for some lo mein...” Gandra answered as she sat up and started gathering their sprawled-out work. “I think we’re due for a break, Suit.”
---
“I just don’t want the final look to look so…sterile, you know? Anyone should be able to enter it and instantly feel inspired,” Gandra stated as she sat against Fenton, her container of shrimp lo mein sitting comfortably on her lap. “But, like, at the same time I don’t want users to be so overwhelmed.”
What was supposed to be a very late dinner turned into yet another brainstorming session between the two scientists the very second they each took the first bite of their dinner.
“We could just make it look like the holodeck.” Fenton suggested as he picked at his shrimp fried rice with his chopsticks. “I mean it’s already kinda like it.”
“Kinda, but not really.” Gandra replied. “And if we make it look like that it’d be like a black room with a grid all around the users. Doesn’t really inspire, you know?”
“I guess not, but it would be cool to work in.”
“Oh hell yeah it’d be cool to work in, it’s the fucking holodeck. That could be the temporary look when we finally get it set up. But not the final look, don’t want to rip-off or steal anything, you know?” Gandra responded as she used her chopsticks to snag some of Fenton’s fried rice which of course he was more than happy to share.
“…Well, maybe I could get an opinion from Dr. Gea-”
“No.”
“Well I wasn’t planning on flat-out telling him what the project is, like I could make it seem like a hypothetical question and I can be real sneaky and slick about it an-”
“Just like how you were on the phone?”
“…Okay, maybe not one of my better ideas,” Fenton admitted, “…but still, Dr. Gearloose could make a valuable member of our team. He has a brilliant mind.”
“And a loud mouth.” Gandra deadpanned as she dropped a shrimp back into her container.
“I’m sure he could keep a secret. And no doubt he’d be interested in this project and let it become a reality.”
“I doubt it. This is what’ll happen:” Gandra began as she set her to-go box down on her coffee table so that she can face Fenton and lay down her story, “he’ll see that it’s me, immediately dismiss my idea and go, “‘Oh Mr. McDuck that awful F.O.W.L. agent who shocked me is back!’ and then Rich Old Man McFuck will sic his family on me and on you for fraternizing with the enemy.”
“Not if I talk with them!” Fenton assured Gandra, “I’ve known Dr. Gearloose, Mr. McDuck, and their family for quite some time now! They’re practically fa-”
“Oh my god don’t say family.”
“Well they are!” Fenton argued. “They’ve been there for me, they’re the reason why I’m Gizmoduck, they’ve helped me become the scientist I am today!”
“Then why the hell is your office a bathroom?!” Gandra scoffed and sat back against her couch, “Fenton, you just work for the family, you don’t have to be buddy-buddies with every single one of them. It’s not like I see anyone from F.O.W.L. as friends, let alone family.”
“Well that’s different! They’re e-”
“Evil? Yeah, I know. Which is why I don’t really hang out with them after work. Instead I live my life without even thinking about them or letting them bother me.”
“Oh well the McDucks are never a bother.”
“Between the two of us, which of us has worked overtime to find eighty-seven cents?”
“Oh come on, that was one time! And you know that he really did lose the eighty-seven cents.”
“Not the point, Suit. You work for the man, that is your relationship with him. Sure he and his family have done some good things for the planet and, I admit it, both Huey and Webby seem like good kids, but they’re still just another one of those rich families that think they control the world. And from the way they treat you, there’s no way Old Rich Man McFuck sees you as anything more than a tool for him to continue being the richest man there is.”
“…You’re pretty proud of that nickname, aren’t you?” Fenton deadpanned to his girlfriend.
“Yep!” Gandra smugly smirked back at her boyfriend.
Fenton scoffed and shook his head as he went back to eating his fried rice.
“…Look,” Gandra began as she picked up her food, “I’m not saying you can’t be friends with them. If you really think you matter to them as much as they matter to you, fine. It’s just…you’re a good duck, Fenton. You don’t deserve to be taken advantage of.”
“Oh I know they don’t. That's why I’m still there.” Fenton assured Gandra. “…Does it ever get lonely at F.O.W.L.?”
“No, I’m surrounded by evil assholes.” Gandra chuckled as she went to pick up another shrimp with her chopsticks.
“I mean,” Fenton could not help but chuckle as well, “What I’m saying is…surely not everyone there is evil, well not fully, I know you don’t hang out with anyone, do you ever talk with anyone while you’re at work?”
Gandra once again dropped her shrimp into the container which was returned to her coffee table.
“Well, there’s you...” Gandra began as she started counting on her fingers. “…”
“…” Fenton waited for Gandra to continue.
A rather disappointed look appeared on Gandra’s face. “And that’s it.”
“Oh…they’re all that bad, huh?” Fenton asked as he watched Gandra grab her food.
“Evil assholes, Suit.” Gandra repeated as she picked up some lo mein noodles with her chopsticks. “First you got Bradford Buzzard: Mr. I’m Not Evil I Just Want Control of the World and For Everyone to Continue the Progress of this Bullshit System That’s Doomed to Fail. Then there’s Black Heron. It’s great that she can at least admit she’s evil and embrace it, but oh my fucking god she’s such an overbearing egomaniac. I think she’s trying to ‘mentor’ me, trying to shape me into her ideal villainess. Rockerduck is just another old rich asshole with backwards views and being around him is probably about the same as being around an unfrozen Walt Disney. Phantom Blot: impossible to work with, literally no one likes being around him and talking to him is like trying to make smalltalk with a brick wall. And Steelbeak, well, he’s just an ass.”
“…Wow, so I’m really the only other person you talk with, huh?” Fenton asked slightly upset that he was now just realizing this.
“And you’re all I will ever need.” Gandra said as she gave Fenton a reassuring smile pointing her chopsticks at his mouth.
Fenton opened his mouth and ate the shrimp and noodles off his girlfriend’s chopsticks.
Gandra pulled the chopstick out of her boyfriend’s beak and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m getting another beer;” Gandra stated as she got up from the couch and exchanged her lo mein container for her empty beer bottle on the table, “do you want one?”
“No thanks,” Fenton said as he took of a sip of his bottle, “I’m still working on mine.”
“Take your time, Suit.” Gandra went over to her kitchen while Fenton remained on the couch.
The young hen went ahead and dropped her beer bottle into her recycle.
“While we’re on the subject of coworkers,” Gandra began as she opened her fridge, “I got a question about Manny and that little bulb guy you work with.”
BZZT! BZZT!
Gandra went ahead and pulled her phone from her pocket.
That Dumbass from Work
2 Text Messages
“Oh you mean Lil’ Bulb?” Fenton asked all the way from the couch.
“…Yeah, him.” Gandra responded as she unlocked her phone. “Can you actually understand what those two are saying?”
That Dumbass from Work:
hey
whatcha up to?
well i wasn’t talking with you
what do you want?
“Yes, and in a way yes!” Fenton answered as he swallowed some more of his fried rice. “I’ve cracked the code with Manny’s hoof clapping, but for Lil’ Bulb it’s more of a broader general understanding of him. But hey, we make an efficient team!”
“More members of your ‘family’?” Gandra teased as she grabbed her beer.
oh
are you busy?
i’m off the clock
what do you want?
answer my question
are you busy?
i’m trying to enjoy my evening
now answer my question
what do you want?
“…Well, yeah.” Fenton confirmed from the couch. “I’ve worked with them so far that we all have a better understanding one another. We’ve had some great times together.”
“Sounds nice…” Gandra softly responded.
are you alone?
yeah
trying to enjoy my dinner in peace
your full of shit
and YOU’RE wasting my time
talk to you tomorrow
I think your gonna
wanna talk to me now
“It really is, I know they always got my back.”
Gandra did not have time to respond. For several pics were sent right to her. “…”
The first looked as if it was taken right out of her apartment window, Gandra selected it and started swiping past each photo. The next pics showed Fenton arriving at her apartment, the two sharing a tender kiss, and then Gandra closing her blinds to allow them some privacy. “…”
CRASH!
“Gandra?!”
but then again you two look like ur busy
i’m sure heron and buzzard wood
be interested in your little friend
we can talk
“…Shit.”
“Gandra?”
Startled, Gandra quickly pocketed her phone and looked up to see Fenton standing in front of her.
“I’m sorry, I heard something break and you didn’t respond, I got worried, an-”
“I’m fine, Suit.” Gandra tried to assure Fenton as she took one step forward only to realize her shoe stepped in some broken glass and spilt beer. “…Stay back! I don’t want you to step in glass. Dropped my beer.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Suit…” Gandra repeated as she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, “…just got a message from work. It startled me.”
“Oh…is it urgent?” Fenton asked, preparing for the worst.
Gandra pulled out her phone, “I think so…”
good girl
asshole
😂😂😂😂
there’s a bar not too far from you
ten minutes don’t be late
you and your boy toy better finish up
😜
🖕🏾
“…Gonna have to take a raincheck on this date, Suit.” Gandra said as she walked past Fenton and out of the kitchen.
“I take it that it’s urgent?”
“Afraid so, Suit.” Gandra said as she went over and grabbed her to-go box container of her remaining lo-mein from her coffee table.
“Do you need to get going now?” Fenton asked as he grabbed some paper towels and bent down to clean up the mess on the ground. “I can lock up for you if you’re in a hurry.”
“Fenton, it’s fine!” Gandra snapped as she yanked the paper towels from Fenton. “…Just, finish your dinner. I got some time to clean up, Suit. Besides, it’s my mess.”
“…Actually, I think I might go ahead and take the rest to the lab.” Fenton softly responded. “You know since plans have changed I might as well assist Dr. Gearloose tonight.”
“Give him a kiss for me, will ya?” Gandra requested as she shot a quick smirk at her boyfriend.
An amused scoff left Fenton’s mouth as he got up from the ground. “Only if you keep me updated, okay?”
“I’ll call you when it’s over, I promise.”
Gandra locked the door to her apartment as Fenton zipped up his duffel bag, securing his Gizmoduck armor and leftover Chinese food.
“At least we can walk out together.” Fenton smiled as he wrapped the bag’s straps over his shoulder.
“Yeah…” Gandra’s smile faded as she wiggled the doorknob making sure she actually locked the damn thing, “actually, I was thinking maybe Gizmoduck can exit from the roof?”
Gandra faced Fenton, the let down expression on his face made that difficult for her.
“Oh…” Fenton trailed off, “is Agent Dee in any danger?”
“No,” Gandra lied. “Agent Dee is just being cautious.”
“Gandra,” Fenton went ahead and grabbed her hands, “are you going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine, Suit.” Gandra responded as she rubbed her boyfriend’s hands. “Just give me a good few minute head start before you leave, okay?”
“I, uh…okay.”
The two leaned into one another for a final goodbye kiss. As they shared one final moment together before they went their separate ways, Gandra went ahead and closed her eyes, so that she could just enjoy her time with Fenton without thinking about the world around them. The second Gandra closed her eyes, Fenton did the same allowing his other senses to enjoy this moment with his girlfriend.
Neither knew how long their kiss lasted, but the second Gandra pulled away knowing that she’d better get going despite them both wishing it would last a little bit longer. Their eyes met; Gandra flashed a quick small smile at Fenton which he returned.
As Gandra stepped out of the building, her eyes focused on the pics Steelbeak sent her. Swiping through each of them, studying each pic as if the answers she was looking for were in each photo.
She looked over to the window into her apartment, she was up on one of the higher floors and Steelbeak was big but not THAT big, he must’ve used a drone or something to catch her in the act, but why?
WHOOSH
As she was lost in her thoughts, Gandra’s attention was brought to the sky where she spotted Gizmoduck flying away from her apartment and in the direction of McDuck’s Money Bin.
Well Fenton was not the only one who had somewhere else to be, Gandra went ahead and continued walking to the bar to meet up with Steelbeak.
---
“So this is the reason why we came out?” The moonlander inquired as she stared down at the drink that was ordered for her, which was the same as the other two drinks present at the table. “To drink a beverage? It does not seem like something that would be specific to us ‘girls’ for a ‘night out’ to make it special.”
“Yes, but also no; the activities alone do not make it special, but the fact that it’s us girls are doing it together.” The goddess answered. “Besides, drinking is a lot of fun; especially when you’re with Della Duck.”
“You got that right, Selene!” Della Duck agreed as she smiled up at the two women accompanying her. “Besides, it’s not like I can do stuff like this every day, Penny. I’ve got kids! I can’t drink in front of them, especially Dewey. That kid is very impressionable. Now go on! Take a sip!”
Penumbra was not in her comfort zone tonight, but she was okay with that. She was out with friends. Well at least one friend, Della; Della’s other friend that was present, a swan who was also the Goddess of the Moon that Penumbra was still getting familiar with. But so far, that night had gone smooth for the moonlander and she was glad Della convinced her to go out.
In fact, the outing this trio was partaking in was all Della’s idea. It had been a long time since the duck had a night out with friends and the stars were all aligned for her.
Selene was in town due to her father temporarily losing his god powers and had wanted to have a fun night with her dear friend. Della was more than happy to fulfill her friend’s request for it had been far too long since she had a fun night out with friends and she knew a certain moonlander who had to be there. Penumbra did have an interest in trying out more of Earth’s customs and was curious about meeting her new friend’s old friend.
Della needed this night to be one her girlfriends will never forget. She wanted both of her friends to know how much she loved their company.
Della, Dewey, and Webby put together matching shirts for the group and their night out: light blue shirts with the words Moon Crew on the front. On the back of each of their respected shirt was their own name.
Della even took them to what she considered one of the best bars in Duckburg.
Clearly the duck wanted tonight to be special night. And Penumbra knew it.
The moonlander grabbed her drink and once again inspected it. In the light, the beverage did look like some shade of gold, yet the foam flowing out of the mug was white. Penumbra took a sip of the beverage known as “beer”.
Della and Selene sat in silence while the Moonlander took a big sip of her beer, tasting it in her mouth before swallowing it down.
“…This tastes awful.” Penumbra stated.
“Yeah!” Della nodded.
“…And yet” Penumbra stated as she inspected the beverage yet again, “I wanna take another sip.”
“Yeah!” Della nodded.
“Let’s all take a sip!” Selene suggested as she grabbed her stein.
“Oh yeah!” Della exclaimed as she grabbed her beer and rose it up high. “To the Moon Crew!”
“To the Moon Crew!” Selene rose her glass up.
“To the Moon Crew.” Penumbra solemnly repeated as she rose her glass up high.
Della and Selene clinked the beers against Penumbra’s. The three then began their sip.
Not knowing how long the sip was supposed to last, Penumbra kept an eye on her two companions who looked as if they intended on finishing their beverages. Which they all did.
“Woo!” Della exclaimed as she slammed her glass against the table.
CRASH!
Penumbra slammed her glass down a little too hard, the only thing that remained intact was the handle in her hands.
Selene had to stop herself from spitting her beer out at the table. Once she gulped down the remainder of her beer she burst out in laughter. “Oh you were right Della! Your friend here is a lot of fun.”
“I am indeed a barrel of monkeys.” Penumbra proudly stated as she set the handle on the table. “And it looks like our night out will be just that.”
“YEAH! That’s what I wanna hear!” Della excitedly told her friend.
“…Do we have to keep drinking this beer, though?” Penumbra asked.
“Oh no, there are plenty of other drinks you can choose from, Penny.” Della handed the moonlander the drink menu as she called over for their server.
“Yeah, a round of Jell-O shots for the table, a Jack and Pep for me, and an order of nachos and the fried app sampler.” Della looked over to her goddess friend, “Selene. Do you need to see the menu?”
“I’d like a Xinomavro, leave the bottle.” Selene requested.
“That’s my girl!” Della looked over to Penumbra, “Penny do you need more time?”
“Hmm…” Penumbra looked at the menu and then to the server, she then pointed at the menu to the waiter and pointed at her order, “I will have the Volcano.”
The server looked at the menu and then back to the moonlander, “Ma’am that drink is meant to be shared by at least three different people.”
“Then forget the Jello-shots and get three for the table!” Della requested.
“…Alright then.” Their server walked away.
“Oh and three waters!” Della looked back to her friends. “Do you think they heard us?”
“Eh, we’ll see.” Selene shrugged as she looked around the bar. “Is this place normally this busy?”
“Yeah! Every Saturday night is Trivia Night. I figured we could take a crack at that and show these regulars we mean business.” Della said.
“Our night will be a triumphant one.” Penumbra proclaimed.
“They don’t stand a chance against the combined intellect of the Moon Crew.” Selene smirked at her friends.
Just then the host of trivia night approached the mic.
“Welcome to Trivia Night. Tonight’s category is Movies that Were Released from 2007-2017”
“Damn.” The Moon Crew cursed in unison.
“Well, we could always do darts or karaoke once they finish up.” Della shrugged.
Gandra stepped into the bar and immediately scanned the area for Steelbeak.
It was a busy night, practically every seat was taken; however, it did not take her long to spot Steelbeak for he was looking directly at her.
After the two locked eyes, Steelbreak rose his glass to welcome the hen but then shot her a rather cocky smirk.
Gandra fired back with a scowl as she made her way to Steelbeak’s table and took her seat as the two kept their eye contact.
“Gaannnndraaaa,” Steelbeak greeted, “I was worried you wouldn’t make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Gandra deadpanned as she folded her arms, “what do you want?”
“I’ll get to that eventually,” Steelbeak grinned as he dumped the rest of his drink down his throat, “but first why don’t you go ahead and order something? Afterall that’s why we’re here, right? First drink is on me.”
“Oh well now I guess we’re even on the blackmail, huh?” Gandra rolled her eyes as she grabbed the drink menu and began scanning it.
Steelbeak set his glass down onto the table as his eyes narrowed down at Gandra in disbelief. “Know what ya want?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you mind telling me?”
“I can order for myself.”
Eye contact was still made between the two off-duty F.O.W.L. agents as they sat silently as the sound of the other patrons of the bars surrounded them.
As a server passed by, Steelbeak took it upon himself to stop her in her tracks. “Yeah, I’ll have another beer and the little lady over there will have…”
Gandra looked over to the server. “Double shot of whis-”
“She’ll have a double shot of whiskey.”
“…neat.”
After the waitress nodded at Gandra, she went ahead and left the hen alone with Steelbeak. Once again the two at the table remained silent until they received their drinks.
Steelbeak went ahead and raised his glass up at Gandra, who decided to just down her whiskey.
Gandra went ahead and slammed her empty glass down onto the table. After letting out a rather dry sigh, she went ahead and sat back in her chair folding her arms when she had perfectly good sweatshirt wrapped right around her waist.
After blowing the foam off his beer (and onto a random patron of the bar whose “hey!” went unheard) Steelbeak took a large gulp.
SLAM
“Ahhhh!” Steelbeak sighed in satisfaction as he wiped his beak clean.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…Ugh!” Steelbeak groaned before going in for another sip. “Well don’t just sit there, in silence. Let’s talk.”
“Why are you spying on me and how long has this been going on for, Steelbeak?”
“I’m still drinking!” Steelbeak whined, “sheesh! Is this how you interact with all your friends?”
“We’re not friends, we just work together.”
“Don’t like to mix your personal life with your work life?”
“Only with certain people.”
“I guess your little lab partner is an exception, huh?”
“Well I don’t work with him, do I?” Gandra rolled her eyes.
“Oh don’t play dumb with me, chicky.” Steelbeak slammed his empty glass down getting a rather unamused reaction from Gandra. “You know that pipsqueak geek you’re seeing is the enemy, right?”
“Last time I checked his last name wasn’t McDuck.”
“Yeah, it’s Kabbalah or some other kind of Mexican name.” As Steelbeak continued, he failed to notice the hen’s eyebrow being raised. “But he still works for and is awfully chummy with McDuck who is, NEWSFLASH, the enemy.”
“He just works for the rich bastard, Beaky; it’s not like he’s out there every week going on adventures with the old miser and those kids.” Gandra retorted. “Like us, their relationship is strictly professional. Now tell me why the hell were you spying on me and how the hell did your dumb ass pull it off?”
“HEY! I am NOT DUMB-” Steelbeak cut his sentence short when he noticed he was drawing attention to their table.
The rooster took a deep breath which he let out. Steelbeak then smirked back at the hen, “I really don’t think you’re in a position to be throwing insults around, doll. And as for how I was able to catch you get a little too comfy with the enemy, well you can thank yourself for that, nerd.”
Gandra did not say a single word as Steelbeak casually reached into his shirt pocket.
A rather devious grin remained on the rooster’s face as he opened his palm, the hen’s eyes widen the very second she spotted what he had in his hands: a mosquito.
Gandra wasted no time getting onto her chair and reaching across the table to take the tiny spy cam from Steelbeak, unfortunately for her that was exactly what he was expecting her to do.
“Uh-uh-uhhhh,” Steelbeak practically sang as he clamped his palm shut, raising his fist away from the hen. To his surprise, Gandra was rather persistent in her goal to grab the tiny spy cam from him. Even going as far as climbing onto the table to help her reach up and grab it from him.
“Ooh feisty little nerd aren’t we?” Needless to say, Steelbeak found the sight more amusing than Gandra did. “I must say, seeing you like this is quite adorable. You’re kinda cute when you’re all pissy.”
Gandra’s eyes narrowed up at the cocky rooster. Electricity made its way throughout her body and into her eyes and clenched palms. She was done playing nice.
“I wouldn’t do that.” Steelbeak smirked directly at Gandra and motioned over to the other nearby patrons of the bar pretending they were not paying too close attention to the disagreement going on. “We don’t want to make a scene now, do we?”
Gandra said nothing as she slowed her breathing down, she then sat back down in her chair, not taking her glare off Steelbeak as the rooster clutched the mosquito cam she made for F.O.W.L. in his palm.
“You pull another move like that, I’m telling Buzzard and Heron about your little boyfriend, comprende?”
Gandra let out an exasperated sigh; she wasn’t going to let Steelbeak intimidate her. Gandra sat back in her chair, folding her arms. “…Fine.”
Steelbeak could not help but laugh to himself as he opened his palm and inspected the little spy cam. “You know it’s pretty funny when you look at this situation: the teacher’s pet gets caught by the cool kid using one of her toys. Ironic, isn’t it?”
“No.” Gandra deadpanned. “And you’re right it is funny hearing that observation come from Black Heron’s lap dog.”
“Hey! I’m not her lap dog, okay?! Besides, I never hear her complain about you.”
“Because I just do my job, Steelbeak.” Gandra answered, “I’m not trying to stand out or rise up there; I clock in, do my job, clock out, and get my paycheck every other week. And that’s it.”
“Ha! Yeah, right.” Steelbeak scoffed. “You’re up to something, Dee. And I know it.”
“And what exactly do you know, Beaky? That I went to first base with one of McDuck’s corporate drones?” Gandra rolled her eyes as she sat up in her seat. “I’ll get slapped on the wrist for sure, but I doubt they’ll fire me. Who are they gonna get to do my work? Rockerduck? Phantom Blot? I don’t know if your little peepshow photos are gonna make you F.O.W.L.’s Employee of the Month like you think it is.”
“Oh I don’t know Dee, I’m sure the other members will be just as suspicious as I am about you and your little padre.”
“…Amigo?”
“Whatever! I didn’t pass Spanish!” Steelbeak whined. “The point is, the F.O.W.L. agent who spends most of her days locked up inside her little office is definitely hiding something.”
“I like my privacy when I work. The work I do is way more complicated than threatening kids who haven’t hit puberty yet, and I don’t like to be distracted.”
“Bullshit, you’re hiding something!” Steelbeak countered. “And I’m sure that lame excuse isn’t going to sit well with the other members. Do you really think anybody will have your back once I show them what I know?”
“…” Gandra did not want to say it out loud, but no. She did not have any friends at F.O.W.L., she would never call anyone from F.O.W.L. a friend. If anything remotely suspicious were to come out about her, no one would have her back. And for all she knew, this might not be the first time Steelbeak had spied on her. He could have more damaging evidence than he’s letting on. Things could end badly for both her and Fenton, but she was not going to let Steelbeak intimidate her.
Gandra let out as much frustration she could in a single sigh.
“What do you want from me, Steelbeak?”
A small smirk snaked its way onto the rooster’s beak, “I want you to break up with your boyfriend.”
Gandra glared over to Steelbeak. “Excuse me?”
Steelbeak’s face remained unchanged. “Tell me, how close are you with that pipsqueak geek of yours?”
Gandra looked away from the cocky rooster and looked down at her empty glass. She couldn’t just tell her coworker that the two weren’t that close. The photos he snapped of the two don’t exactly show a relationship that the two are "just friends”.
“…I like working with him.” Gandra finally answered. “When we work together it’s like we’re always on the same wavelength. Not only does he have relevant feedback he contributes to my projects while also giving me the space I need. I like being around him.”
Gandra looked back up at Steelbeak with a stern look on her face. “He’s harmless, Steelbeak. We’re just two overworked birds confining in one another afterhours relieving our stress whether it be through our own science experiments or…more intimate ways.”
“Then you better start looking for a new lab partner, doll.” Steelbeak spoke up. “You might not take your job seriously, but I do. That scrawny string bean might be harmless, but he’s still one of McDuck’s men.”
“…Fine. I’ll break up with him after I get out of here.”
“Oh no. You’re gonna break up with him here, in front of me. I don’t trust you and I need to make sure that you’re not playing any more games with me, Dee.”
Steelbeak’s smirk grew more devious as he saw the worry grow on Gandra’s face.
“Yeah, not so dumb am I?” Steelbeak rhetorically asked. “I’m like a hawk.”
As Steelbeak bragged about his cleverness, Gandra could not help but notice a nearby swan and a moonlander chant “Della! Della! Della!” as the duck in question downed an entire drink meant to be shared with three people.
“…Can I use the bathroom before we do this?”
“By all means, please do so. Just leave your phone. Don’t need you messaging your boy toy.”
“Fine.” Gandra silenced her notifications and left her phone on the table. As she got up to leave, Steelbeak spoke up.
“You know, Dee if you ever need anybody to take care of your more “intimate” needs, I’m not too far away.”
“…And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Steelbeak rolled his eyes. “I’m a rooster. You’re a hen. You do the math.”
“Why? Was that another class you couldn’t pass.” Gandra responded, heading right to the bathroom before Steelbeak could respond.
---
Gandra stood alone by one of the sinks in the women’s restroom. Once she wiped her eyes, she finally had the courage to look at her own reflection. “You idiot,” she sighed to herself as she turned on the faucet.
SLAM
“WHY SHOULD I WORRY!?” Della belted out, slamming the women’s bathroom door open, “Why should I caaaaarrrreee? I may not have a dime! But I got streeeet savoir faire!”
The drunk duck’s singing ceased as the far more sober hen stood at the still running sink.
It was Della who decided to break the awkward silence.
“Yo.”
“Hi.”
“How’s your night going?”
“Oh just peachy.” Gandra answered through her teeth. “Yours?”
“Oh I’ll tell you how it’s going,” Della began as she pushed the door closing in on her away, “…peachy.”
“Oh good.” Gandra answered in a faux concerned tone, “I was worried that your night was anything but peachy.”
“Heh.” Della then snapped her fingers and fired two finger gun shots at Gandra while she waddled over to the one of the stalls.
“Why should I worry!? Why should I care!? It’s just be-BOPulation! And I got streeeet savoir faaaiire!”
Gandra said nothing as Della made her way into one of the empty stalls.
Once Della closed the door, Gandra felt as if she had her privacy again. The hen then proceeded to splash the sink’s cold water onto her face.
“AHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Della stopped her singing and instead gave out a sigh of relief that everyone in the bathroom could hear. A rather annoyed sigh left Gandra’s mouth as the running water showered down into the empty sink.
FLUSH
“Woo!” Della exclaimed as opened the stall door and chuckled. “Alcohol just goes RIGHT THROUGH ME!”
“I know.” Gandra replied, keeping her eye contact with her reflection while she shut off the cold water. “I heard.”
“Heh, sorry.” Della apologized, “I just really needed that.”
“The rhythm of the ciiitah! But once ya get it dooooown!” Della continued singing as she made her way over to the only other sink which was right next to Gandra’s. “Saidthenyou can own this toooown!”
Gandra’s attempt to tune out Della’s singing next to her was thwarted the moment the duck bumped her butt against her.
“You can wear the croooooown!” Della snapped her two fingers and pointed directly at Gandra.
After realizing she was not getting a response from the hen silently staring back at her, Della spoke up. “…Billy Joel.”
“Yeah,” Gandra dryly replied, “I know.”
“Cool!” Della winked as she fired two more finger gun shots at Gandra.
As Della went ahead and soaped her hands, Gandra cranked the hot water faucet on allowing it to blast out as she slapped some soap out of the dispenser and into her palm.
“So,” Della spoke up yet again, “how’s your night going?”
“You already asked me that.”
“Right, right.” Della cleared her throat. “…So, do you come here often?”
“To have conversations with drunk soccer moms, no. I can’t say that I do.”
“Ha!” Della honked, “fair enough.”
As the two washed their hands in sync, Della decided to silently continue her song.
“Ev’rything goes! Ev’rthing fits! They love me at the Chelsea they adore me at the Ritzzz!” Della hissed as she shut off her sink.
“Hey, you mind if I give you some advice?” Della asked as she leaned against her sink.
“For some reason I have the feeling I don’t have a choice.” Gandra sighed.
“I really think you should break up with your boyfriend.”
“Excuse me?!” Gandra shut off her sink as a mixture of various emotions (not to mention a whole bunch of nanites) ran through her body as the hen began planning for any possible scenario that might happen next.
“It’s just advice.” Della defended as she grabbed some paper towels for herself. “You don’t have to listen to me if you don’t want to. I just think you can do way better than the guy you’re with.”
“Wait, what?”
“That rooster guy you’re with. He’s got that beak that I think might be made of steel. Dressed up like he’s attending a wedding being held in a casino. That guy.” Della said being a little more specific.
“Oh for the love of-, he’s not my boyfriend!” Gandra said as she shook her hands allowing them to air dry. “He’s just some jackass I work with.”
“Ah I should’ve known, sorry” Della apologized as she dried her hands. “It’s just I saw you two together near my table an-”
“He’s just not my type.” Gandra interrupted as she leaned against the sink hoping to end this conversation.
“Oooooooohhhh…Well cool! And hey congrats for gals like us, huh? I recently found about what has been legalized since I got back to Earth.” Della nudged Gandra.
“Hey!” Della spoke up before Gandra could say anything, “why don’t you join me and my girls?!”
“Thanks, but I’m good.” Gandra folded her arms.
“Oh come on, why not!?”
“No offense, but I normally prefer to hang out with people my own age.”
“Whoa, okay. Selene may be an immortal goddess, but she’s still just as fun as gals our age.”
“…I’m not in my thirties.”
“Yeah! Me t-…Fuck, no I am in my thirties!” Della realized as she rubbed her hand against her face and laughed. “So, I’m pretty drunk.”
“You just realized that now, huh?” Gandra leaned against the wall. “Well you better head back to your gal pals before you forget about them too.”
“Oh that ain’t gonna happen, chicky.” Della assured the unamused hen, “I may be drunk, but I’m just as sharp as I would be if I were sober.”
“That I might actually believe.”
“Well believe this, I know for a fact you’re scared to leave this bathroom.”
“Oh? Just like how you knew for a fact that the guy I was with was my boyfriend?” Gandra inquired. “Tell me, was it because he’s a rooster and I’m hen?”
“Whoa, hey. I was wrong and that was my bad.” Della defended herself. “Honestly I didn’t even think that at first when I first spotted you two; you looked like you didn’t really care for him. And the whole time I was like, ‘This chick looks like she’s the type that doesn’t take shit from anyone and plays by her own rules, why is she with this douchebag?’. And then my mind dug out some memories I haven’t thought about in long time and was thinking ‘Oh shit, maybe she’s in a toxic relationship!’ And boyfriend or not, I can just tell that he was getting under your skin.”
“Well…you’re not wrong there,” Gandra admitted, “but he’s just a dumbass. I deal with him every day at work, he’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“But by yourself?” Della asked as she crumbled her used paper towels into a ball.
Gandra scoffed. “What makes you think I’m afraid?”
“Cause you’ve spent the last few minutes talking to a drunk soccer mom when you could have left her alone with her amazing talented singing voice.” Della said as she threw her makeshift ball into a trashcan several feet away.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Della rose her hands in the air as her trash went into the can.
As Della Duck cheered, Gandra Dee stood in silence as she came to the horrible realization that yes, she was afraid.
“So I take it, I was right?”
“…There’s no way around it.” Gandra confirmed.
“Nothing gets past, Della Duck.” The aviator bragged to the off-duty F.O.W.L. agent. “Now come on, how are we going to deal with this jackass?!”
“We? Oh no, I really don’t think that’d be a good idea. Things might get…worse.” Gandra warned.
“Oh please, I’m sure it’s nothing I can’t handle.” Della shrugged. “Not to oversell myself, but I’m a bit of a badass and have been in my fair share of fights. And a good chunk of them I was drunk too! Plus I got my girls with me and the minute that cock decides to fight me, I know they’ll have my back!”
A soft chuckle made its way out of Gandra’s mouth, after it left reality set itself back in.
“Look, I appreciate you wanting to help, but it’s not that simple.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s not that complicated.” Della said as she grabbed a few paper towels that she offered to Gandra which the hen declined. “Why don’t you tell me all about this situation you got yourself stuck in?”
“Well-”
CREAK
Just then another patron of the bar entered the bathroom.
“HEY!!” Della yelled at the woman, “GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!! I AM TRYING TO HELP MY FRIEND HERE DEAL WITH SOME SCUMBAG AND WOULD LIKE A LITTLE PRIVACY!”
“Della! Della!” Gandra grabbed Della and held her back, “Della, it’s a public restroom! She’s allowed in here.”
“…Oh…” Della’s face flushed as she calmed down, “right…sorry.”
“Uh…it’s fine.” The woman replied.
Della turned to Gandra as she pocketed her paper towels. “Let’s go somewhere a little more private, come on!”
Della grabbed Gandra’s hand and walked over to the bathroom window.
“Boost me up?”
As Gandra gave Della a boost, the two looked back at the only other woman in the bathroom who was still standing in silence staring at the two.
“…We’re not dining and dashing.” Della explained. “She’s got an asshole she needs to deal with and I got my crew out there.” Della motioned to the front of her shirt that had Moon Crew printed on the front.
“We’ll be back!” Della assured the stranger as she jumped out the bathroom window.
CRASH
“MREOW!”
“I’m okay!!” Della assured the two in the bathroom from outside. “And that cat you just heard didn’t get hurt! It was just startled!”
“…”
Gandra stared back at the woman and then over to the bathroom window. “I uh, guess I’ll be following her…”
“…Well, good luck.”
“Thanks.” Gandra backed up and gave herself a running start before diving out the window.
“…Why do all the weirdos come to Duckburg?”
---
The two remaining Moon Crew members sat in silence as they waited for their missing member. Selene was busy sipping on her wine while Penny was busy stretching the cheese of a mozzarella stick.
“…So.” Penumbra spoke up, setting the fried cheese down. “How long do you plan on staying in Duckburg for?”
“Oh I’ll probably just head back to Ithaquack tomorrow morning. Or the afternoon. We’ll see what Della has in store for us tonight.” Selene winked before taking another sip of her wine.
“Yes.” Penumbra nodded. “Della can be quite unpredictable at times…”
“But that’s why we love her, right?” Selene chuckled.
“Right, she sure is something else...” Penumbra awkwardly concurred.
Seeing the moonlander was doing her best to keep a conversation going, Selene decided to help Penumbra out.
“Why don’t you tell me about your home?” Selene suggested. “I’ve heard things about the moon from Della, but I’m sure someone who has spent her life protecting her home might have a different perspective.”
“I’m a bit surprised that you don’t already know so much about the moon. From what Della told me you seem to have an important title that fits with the moon.”
“Not familiar with gods and goddesses, I take it?”
Penumbra shook her head. “I never heard or saw any while I lived in Tranquility, I don’t think there were ever any on the moon.”
“Well, it is hard for a god or goddess to exist when there aren’t any believers.” Selene chuckled to herself as she took another sip of her wine. “And as for me being ‘Goddess of the Moon’, it’s honestly more of a title if anything. I used to drive a chariot to bring the night sky onto the world.”
“Why did you stop?”
Selene shrugged. “Just didn’t seem necessary when I could just let the earth do its thing. I still have the chariot if you’re ever interested in riding it. It can fly and you get a beautiful view of the night sky and the moon while you’re up there.”
“That sounds…wonderful.” Penumbra stated to a smiling Selene. Penumbra looked over to her still rather full volcano and took another sip. “You know, I think I’m starting to really like what Earth has to offer.”
Meanwhile, over at Steelbeak’s table, the rooster in question’s thoughts were interrupted by a “Psst!”
“PSST!”
Steelbeak spat out his drink (hitting a random patron whose “Hey!” went unheard), “Jesus! Don’t sneak up on me like that, Pepper! What?!”
“Just thought I’d give you a status update while Agent Dee is in the bathroom, sir!” Pepper answered while saluting Steelbeak with a purse in her arms while rocking a shirt with the statement Frankie Says Relax.
Although she was out of uniform, Pepper still acted like she always does while on the clock. Steelbeak found it rather irritating, but he would not be able to pull off his secret mission without the help of Pepper or her fellow Eggheads.
Steelbeak always had his suspicions about Agent Dee. And when he found out that Pepper had access to some of the technology the agent built for F.O.W.L. he bravely had her “borrow it” for a secret mission from Bradford Buzzard and Black Heron that only Steelbeak knew about.
Steelbeak did not know how to operate the mosquito cam so he had Pepper operate it and snag a few photos. Steelbeak knew he was tough, but he also knew that Gandra was not a bad fighter herself, which is why he had backup in the form of six Eggheads who were at the bar with him.
“Ugh, proceed, Pepper.” Steelbeak rolled his eyes as he took a disinterested sip of his beer.
“Me and the other Eggheads are remaining incognito sir! And ready for action! We decided to blend into the scene and split up into two trivia teams! Me, Kowalski, and Lenny have formed a group called The Eggs-quites Minds! Get it?!”
Steelbeak rolled his eyes while Pepper chuckled to herself before continuing. “And Chip, Carl, and Charlie have formed a group called The Eggs-cellent Brains. Also very funny and cute!”
“Uh-huh…”
“How are things going with Agent Dee, sir? Were you able to crack her and figure out what she’s planning, sir?”
“Uh…not yet, but she’s close, Pepper.”
“Shall I report our status to Buzzard and Heron, sir?”
“No! Er…I can do that, thanks Pepper.” Steelbeak responded hoping to end this conversation.
“I just can’t believe Gandra would betray our cause like this!” Pepper stated while Steelbeak silently groaned to himself while focusing on anybody but Pepper. “I never really knew Gandra all that well, but she’d always stop and listen whenever I talked with her. And I’ve heard how she is out in the field. I can’t even say I moved that like when I was her age, all though I was a member of my local gym’s volleyball team so I found ways to stay active. She’s also a brilliant worker, you know!? That mosquito cam was very impressive and easy to operate! It reminded me of this remote control airplane I had when I was a little girl but it flew waaay smoother. Let me tell ya, I did like Gandra a lot more than our previous tech employee, Agent X. He was also a smart guy b-”
Steelbeak got up from the table and walked away from Pepper.
After walking away from her, Pepper watched as Steelbeak went over to the table where Penumbra and Selene were enjoying each other’s company. The duck then followed close behind
“Good evening, ladies.” Steelbeak began as he placed a firm hand on the table.
Selene and Penumbra looked over to the rooster in slight confusion.
“Uh…hi.” Selene politely responded. “Can we help you with something?”
“Actually, I was thinking I can help you two out. You both look like you’re not from around here.”
“Well one of them is a moonlander, sir.” Pepper spoke up.
“Pepper!” Steelbeak barked at the Egghead before turning his charm back on to the two women at the table. “Can I buy you ladies a drink?”
Selene and Penumbra (and Pepper) looked around at the many glasses on the table that still had alcohol in them.
Once again it was Selene who spoke up. “We’re fine but thank you. We’re actually having a girls night with our friend who is…relieving herself as we speak. So we’re good on drinks.”
“So it’s just you three ladies out and about by yourselves, huh?” Steelbeak questioned. “I don’t know if you two know this, but Duckburg can get pretty dangerous at night. I think you ladies might need some muscle in your group.”
“…” Penumbra looked over to the steel beaked stranger in irriation, her eyes quickly scanning the rooster. “I could easily destroy you.”
“WHAT?!” Steelbeak snapped.
“Whoa!” Pepper tried to laugh to herself as she grabbed a hold of Steelbeak. “Let’s reel it in, buddy.”
Penumbra then felt Selene place a gentle hand on her arm.
“What my friend is trying to say, the three of us are more than capable of taking care of ourselves. She’s actually a well-respected warrior on her home world and I know how to handle myself. You clearly have a lot of fire in you and I’m sure there’s someone out there who would like that about you once you learn to control it, but Penumbra has no interest in Earth males and I’m here to have fun with my friends. So if you don’t mind leaving with your friend, we’d like to be left alone”
“Okay first of all, she’s not my friend.”
“Ouch…” Pepper said to herself.
“Second, I’m not interested in either of you.” This got a double take from everyone that wasn’t Steelbeak within ear range. “I was just being a nice guy and offering to get you two some free drinks but then your Martian friend was being a bitch.”
“HEY!”
To everyone’s surprise that reaction was not from Penumbra or Selene, but from Big Time who was at a nearby table of his own along with the two other Beagle Boys he associates himself with, Burger and Bouncer. Not to mention the Beagle Boy for some odd reason had a lot of beer dripping from his body.
“You better watch what comes out your fancy metal mouth there, boy!” Big Time threatened
Burger grunted in agreement.
“Yeah,” Bouncer jumped in, “we don’t like when the proper term for a female dog is used in a derogatory manner towards women.”
Burger grunted in agreement.
“Yeah! Wait, no! We-…Ah, shut up Bouncer!” Big Time barked up at the larger Beagle Boy.
“Ugh, The Beagle Boys.” Steelbeak rolled his eyes. “Look, shouldn’t you guys be out there in the trash drinking gutter water or something?”
“Uh, sir? Maybe that’s not the way to handle t-”
Big Time got up from his chair and stomped his way over to Penumbra and Selene’s table and glared up at Steelbeak.
“Now you listen here! You’ve been disrupting my night while me and my brothers are just trying to have a good time!”
“The Top Dogs never miss Trivia Night at Barks’.” Bouncer stated from behind Big Time.
Burger grunted in agreement.
“So you best behave yourself or else.”
“We’ll leave you fellas alone,” Pepper spoke up, “we just got a little exc-”
“Or else what, shorty?!” Steelbeak asked Big Time. “I could take you and your lanky bro out in with one hit. And your big dumb brother doesn’t frighten me either.”
“And what about the rest of us?” Big Time smirked.
“Uh, sir?” Pepper tapped Steelbeak’s shoulder and motioned around the bar.
Around the table and throughout the bar were other Beagle Boys including: The Glam Yankees, the Deja Vus, the 6th Avenue Meanies, the 6th Avenue Friendlies, the Longboard Taquitos, the Deja Vus, the Tumblebums, the Ugly Failures, and the Deja Vus.
POP!
The table remained silent as Selene went ahead and poured wine into her empty glass.
“I don’t know who any of you people are or what you have against one another. But I’m sure we all came to this tavern to take a break from our own stressful lives and have a good time. Because that’s why me and my friend are here.”
“And our good friend Della.” Penumbra added.
“And our good friend Della” Selene smiled at Penumbra, not noticing the alarmed look on Pepper’s face before she continued speaking. “So please, whatever beef you guys have with one another please take it away from here. We wouldn’t want things to get ugly here on our night out, right?”