Warning: Sex talk at the end of the story.
Tornado Warning
1999
Liz stood on the front step, cigarette in hand, watching the dark storm clouds rolling in. In the distance the sound of a siren could be heard. The wind had picked up quite a bit, blowing all sorts of debris across the front yard.
Taking a drag off of her cigarette, Liz turned her gaze to the sky, it was only 5pm and the sky was already dark grey. This was gonna be one hell of a storm. She felt something hit the top of her head, just as the hail started. "Wonderful," she muttered to herself.
Behind her the front door opened and Quackerjack poked his head out. "Weather says theres a severe tornado watch for all of St. Canard. You better come back inside."
"Let me finish my cigarette first." Liz took a couple more drags before tossing the cigarette butt to the ground and crushing it with her boot. Turning around she headed back into the house. The weather was playing on the TV, with warnings scrolling across the bottom of the screen.
"We don't have a bsement," Quackerjack commented.
"If it comes down to it, we've got a garage. Its reinforced concrete." Liz moved into the living room and flopped onto the couch. Quackerjack joined her. "Do you think the other guys are okay?" Liz asked him.
"Dunno. You wanna call everyone and make sure?"
"I better," Liz grabbed her cell phone off the end table and pulled up Amys number. It rang a few times before Amy answered.
"Hey, Liz."
"Hey, Ames, I'm just calling to check on you."
"I'm fine," Amy replied. "Sitting in the basement with Elmo."
"Oh good, hes safe too."
"Yeah, we're playing Scrabble."
"Alright," Liz told her, "I'm calling around to make sure everyone is okay. Stay safe."
"You too, bye Liz."
Hanging up the phone Liz flipped through her contacts before hitting Darkwings number.
Drake Mallard was watching the storm clouds out his front window when one of his cell phones started ringing. The cell phone he used as Darkwing. Picking up the device he saw Liz's name and sighed in relief. "Liz, are you okay?" he asked as he answered.
"I'm fine, Darky, I'm just checking on everyone."
"I'm alright," he assured her. "You don't have a basement, do you?"
"No but I got a reinforced garage."
"Good, as long as you have somewhere safe to go. I worry about you."
"I'll be okay, Darky. I'm glad you're safe. Take care."
"You too, Liz."
Next on the list of names was Negaduck. The phone rang and rang but there was no answer. No one was at the hideout. Liz frowned. She knew Negs had other hideouts, but the man never kept a cell phone on him and Liz only knew the number for one hideout. Hanging up the phone she glanced up at Quackerjack, "Negs isn't answering."
"I'm sure hes fine. Try Bushy.
Liz scrolled through her contacts again until she found Reggie. He answered on the first ring, "Hello?"
"Reg, its Liz. Everything okay?"
"Yeah... well, I dunno how well the greenhouse is gonna hold up against this wind."
"You wanna come over to our house?"
"Are you sure?" Bushroot asked. "I don't want to put you out."
"Nonsense," Liz told him. "Get your trunk over here. Its safer here."
"Okay then, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"See ya soon, Reggie."
"Bye Liz."
Liz frowned, "I'm worried about Negs. I know Bud is fine, he doesn't use phones anyway and its not like he can be hurt in a storm."
"Negs is likely just hiding out somewhere until the storm passes," Quackerjack told her. "Hes got places he goes when he wants to get away from things."
"Yeah," Liz nodded, "I'm sure hes fine."
"I guess with this storm it will be hard to order a pizza. I doubt the delivery drivers will want to get out in it." By now the rain had started and was coming down in a torrent, slamming against all the windows.
"I'll make dinner, don't worry. Good thing we got a gas stove in case the power goes out." As she said that the lights flickered slightly. "Yeah, the powers probably gonna go out," she turned her attention to the TV. The tornado watch had switched to a tornado warning.
A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and Liz rushed to answer it. A very drenched Bushroot stood on the front step. "Get in here," Liz grabbed his arm, pulling him into the house. "I'll get you a towel," she turned and hurried down the hall, returning with a big fluffy towel, which she handed to the plant-duck.
"Ar-are you sure you guys don't mind if I stay for a while?" Bushrooth asked as he dried himself off.
"Do you think we'd ever turn one of our friends away? Stay as long as you want. You can have dinner with us. I've got your favorite fertilizer."
"I really don't want to be a bother."
"If Liz says its fine, then its fine," Quackerjack told him.
"Have you seen or heard from Negs?" Liz asked.
"Not since yesterday," Bushroot replied. He handed the towel back to the girl and she took it to the bathroom to hang it up.
"Come in and sit down," Quackerjack told him, patting the couch. "Its fine if you're still a little damp."
Bushroot moved over to take a seat on the couch as Liz returned to the living room. "Do you want some water, Reg?"
"If its no trouble."
"You want it in a glass or dishpan for your roots?"
"Glass is fine."
Liz turned to head into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a glass of water, which she handed to Bushroot. "So no one knows where Negs is?" the girl sat down cross legged on the floor in front of the couch.
"No, but I'm sure hes fine," Bushroot told her.
"Thats what I told her," Quackerjack commented. "I'm a bit upset that she worrying so much about him."
"Negs is my friend," Liz told him.
"You're also in love with him."
Bushroot coughed uncomfortably and Liz sighed. "Hes still my friend," she said.
"What time is dinner?" Quackerjack asked.
Liz glanced at her watch, it was 5:30. I'll start it about 6:30. Cheeseburgers okay with you?"
"Only if we can have french fries too."
"Thats fine. Reggie can have the fertilizer I have."
"You really don't have to do that," Bushroot spoke softly.
"Its okay," Liz smiled at him. "I got the fertilizer just for you. Just in case you ever stayed for dinner." By now the storm had gotten even worse and a loud crash of thunder startled the three of them and they jumped like they had been shot. The lights flickered again and Liz groaned, glancing up at the over head light. "I better go find the candles and flashlights.
Standing up she hurried into the kitchen. "QJ come give me a hand," she called.
"How will you see to cook dinner," the jester asked as he joined her in the kitchen.
"We'll put a couple candles in here," she sat up two candles on the counter near the stove, then they both took 3 candles each along with 3 flahslights back to the living room. Liz passed one of the flashlights to Bushroot and began setting candles up on the tables and TV stand.
"Is everyone else okay?" Bushroot asked.
"Amy and El are staying in her basement, Licky will be fine, Darky is fine. Negs is the only one I can't reach."
They sat in silence for a while, watching the weather report, and listening to the rain slamming against the windows. "It sounds like its getting worse," Bushroot commented, casting a wary glance toward the front windows. Your garage is safe, right?"
"Yeah, I hope the greenhouse will be okay."
"Me too."
Suddenly the power went out, plunging the house in total darkness, Liz squealed in surprise. Flipping on her flashlight she went around and began lighting candles.
"Quess we can't keep an eye on the weather report now," Quackerjack said as Liz headed into the kitchen.
"Don't we have a battery powered radio somewhere?" Liz asked as she returned to the living room.
"Yeah, but I don't know where it is and I think the only batteries we have are in the flashlights." The other two flipped their lights on and shown them around the room.
"You guys wanna play a game?"
"What kind of game?" Bushroot asked.
"Well I've got card games and boardgames. We can play Monopoly."
"Doesn't that destroy friendships?"
"Card games sound fun," Quackerjack piped up. "UNO is good."
"I'll have to find my deck," Liz told him. "Hang on." she stood and hurried down the hall with her flashlight. She returned a few minutes later with a deck of cards. "Okay everyone in the floor."
The other two moved to the floor and Liz sat down to open the deck, shuffling them and passing seven cards out to each of them and herself. Laying the rest of the deck face down in the middle, she flipped over the first card and laid it beside the deck. It was a green 8.
"QJ goes first," Liz told them.
Quackerjack picked up his cards and glanced over them, placing a green 5 on top of the 8.
Liz went next, placing a red 5 on top.
Then Bushroot went, placing a wild card on top. "Blue," he said.
Quackerjack frowned, pulling a card from the face down deck. "No luck," he said. The turned moved to Liz, who placed a blue 3 on the pile. Then Bushroot, who placed a blue 2 on the pile.
They continued to play the game for a while, before Liz said it was about time to start dinner. Standing up the girl started to head toward the kitchen when there was suddenly a loud crash of thunder, just as the front door flew open. Lighting flashed and the three occupants of the house shrieked.
"One of you knobs get me a towel. NOW!"
Liz turned to hurry down the hall, returning a moment later with a towel. "I'm so glad you're safe," she said as she handed the towel to Negaduck. As he took the towel from her, he brushed his fingers over hers, and the girl blushed.
Closing and locking the front door, Liz stood aside, waiting for Negs to finish drying himself off. She then took the towel to hang it up.
"So what are you knobs doing sitting in the dark?" Negaduck moved into the living room, flopping down onto the couch.
"Powers out," Quackerjack told him. "We're playing UNO. You wanna play, boss?"
"I will pass. UNO is a kids game. Make it poker and I might join you."
Liz returned a moment later and headed into the kitchen. "Guess we have two guests for dinner now," she called over her shoulder. "Negs you're welcome to stay."
"I planned on staying."
20 minutes later dinner was ready and the four of them gathered around the table. Liz had placed some fertilizer into a bowl with a spoon for Bushroot, and placed her two candles on the kitchen table.
They ate in silence for several minutes, before Liz spoke up, "I guess since Negs won't play UNO we'll have to find something else to do. We're not playing poker."
"Why not?" Negs asked her.
"Cause I don't know how to play or know where my regular deck of cards is."
"Lame," Negaduck mumbled. "Your hamburgers are a little too well done."
"Well, excuse me, it was too dark to see how to cook properly. Oh! I know, lets play Truth or Dare."
Negaduck raised his head to glance across the table at the girl. "What are we, teenage girls? He asked.
"Come on," Liz grinned. "It'll be fun."
"I'm game," Quackerjack replied."
"Just don't dare me to do anything embarrassing," Bushroot added.
After dinner the four of them went back to the living room and Liz took a seat on the floor while the Quackerjack and Bushroot took the couch and Negaduck took the recliner. "I'll go first," Liz told them. "Negaduck, truth or dare?"
He stared at her for a moment, before rolling his eyes. "Truth," he mumbled.
"Do you have feelings for me?"
Quackerjack tensed as he waited for Negaduck to answer. "I told you at the wedding that I tolerate you," Negaduck glared at the girl. "Isn't that enough?"
"Actions speak louder than words, Negs."
"What actions?" Quackerjack asked, seeming rather irritated.
"I don't know what shes talking about," Negaduck replied. "I tolerate her, thats it."
"Okay, fine," Liz sighed, "its your turn."
"This is stupid. Quacky, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to make a totally normal toy that doesn't do anything."
"I made Liz a teddy bear."
"Okay then," Negs smirked, "I dare you to play a video game."
"Powers out," Liz reminded him.
"I know you got handheld games," Negaduck told her.
"True," Liz stood up, disappearing down the hall and returning with her Game Boy which she handed to Quackerjack. "Thats Pokemon," she told him. "I don't expect you to play the whole game but fight at least one pokemon."
Quackerjack frowned at the device in his hands. "How do I work this thing?" He asked.
Sighing, Liz took the Game Boy from him and started a new game. "Just play for a couple minutes."
Taking the game back, Quackerjack stared down at it. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing."
"Just go through the grass and kill anything that attacks you."
"How do I kill things?"
"Arrow buttons to select attacks, A to confirm the attack."
"Oh shit, somethings attacking me!"
"Kill it," Liz told him. "Pres A to attack."
Quackerjack rapidly began pressing buttons. "Do you play this a lot?"
"Once in a while," she told him.
"I killed it!"
"Good job, sweetheart."
"Can I stop now?"
"Yeah, fine," Negaduck replied. "I just wanted to see you actually play a video game."
Quackerjack handed the game back to Liz, who turned it off and placed it on the table. "Its your turn, honey."
"Bushy, truth or dare?"
"Truth," Bushroot replied.
"Do YOU have feelings for my wife?"
"Wha-what?" If plants could blush, Bushroot would have been bright red. "Well, I-I mean, shes really pretty and sweet."
"Not as sweet as you might think," Negaduck snorted.
"Yeah, I know shes pretty and sweet," Quackerjack said, "but do you have feelings for her?"
"N-no," Bushroot shook his head. "Liz is just my friend."
"Good," the jester nodded. "Okay, Bushy, its your turn."
"Liz, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Oh, umm," Bushroot thought for a moment. "I dare you to... play with one of Quackys toys."
"You want me to get killed? Does Mr. Banana Brain count?"
"No. Play with one of his other toys."
"Fine," Liz stood up and disappeared down the hall, returning a moment later with a small puppy. "If this thing bites me, I'm gonna kill you." She sat down in the floor with the puppy in her lap.
"It won't bite you," Quackerjack told her, "just watch the switch on the back."
Liz patted the puppys head, then glanced up at Negaduck, "Negs, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Are you just gonna keep picking truth?"
"I don't trust any of you knobs to dare me to do anything."
"He probably doesn't even tell the truth," Bushroot said, earning a hardened glare from Negaduck.
"How do you really feel about us? I mean all of us, Licky, El, and Amy included."
"I think you're all idiots, but some of you make good bait for that stupid counterpart of mine. You and Amy have the most sense, but you're still idiots. Especially you, Liz."
"Why me?"
"Cause you keep sticking around no matter how many times I try to kill you."
"I've told you why I stick around."
Negaduck nodded, "And I've told you that you're an idiot. Quacky, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Is Liz trying to reform you?"
"No," Quackerjack shook his head, "she said she likes bad boys."
Negaduck snorted again, "Well that explains some things. Your turn."
"Bushy, truth or dare?"
"Umm... da-dare, I guess."
Quackerjack thought for a moment, "I dare you to... prank call Darkwing Duck."
"I don't know his number."
"Liz has it."
"Cell phones on the table there," Liz nodded. "Star sixty-nine him so he doesn't know its me calling."
Picking up the phone, Bushroot pressed several buttons. "What should I say to him?"
"Ask him if his fridge is running," Quackerjack replied.
"Thats too obvious," Liz told him. "Tell him you're calling with a survey and ask him a bunch of stupid questions. Just don't ask for his real identity, thats not fair."
"What kind of questions?" Bushroot asked.
"Oh! I know," Liz grinned. "Tell him you're from the cell phone company and you're doing a test on the sound quality. Then ask him to test it by doing things like clucking like a chicken and barking like a dog."
"O-okay," Bushroot nodded, "I'll try." Hitting the call button his put the phone to his ear and waited.
Drake Mallard glanced up as his Darkwing cell phone began to ring again. Unknown number. Normally he didn't answer unknown numbers, but this could be important. Answering the call he put it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Uhh, y-yes, sir, this is... Robert Quacksworth, with AT&T. We-we're doing a cell phone sound test, and I was hoping you might be able to help test the sound quality of your cell phone."
Drake frowned. Why did that voice sound so familiar? "Sure, I guess so," he replied. "What do you need me to do?"
"Can you please..."
"Cluck like a chicken," Liz whispered in the background.
"Cluck like a chicken," Bushroot said into the phone. Liz moved over to the couch, leaning over so she could hear better.
What the hell? Drake blinked. Well, if the cell phone company wanted him to test the sound quality. He started clucking like a chicken and Liz had to clamp her beak shut to keep from giggling.
"Thank you sir," Bushroot had relaxed a bit more. "Would would mind barking like a dog now?"
"Arf arf arf!"
Liz couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. On the other end of the phone Drake frowned. "Who is this really?" He asked.
"S-sorry Darkwing, its Bushroot on Liz's phone. Quacky dared me to prank call you."
"Is that Liz laughing in the background?"
"Its me," Liz called. "Sorry Darky."
"All of you grow up," Drake told them. "Liz I will talk to you later."
"Bye, Darky!"
Hanging the phone up, Bushrooth placed it back on the table and glanced at Liz. "Liz, truth or dare?" He asked.
Liz stood, moving back to her spot on the floor and placing the toy puppy back in her lap. "Truth," she replied.
"Are you really in love with Negaduck?"
Liz was silent for a moment as she glanced between Quackerjack and Negs. Quacky looked a bit miffed and Negaduck was leaning back, with an amused expression on his face. "Yes," the girl nodded. "If QJ and I hadn't gotten together I would have gone after Negs."
"But he tried to kill you," Bushroot said.
"I know he did, but I still love him. Negs would never seriously hurt me."
"Are you sure?" Negaduck asked her. "I did try to blow you up and that hurt you pretty badly, plus I tried to shoot you in the head."
"Thats was years ago. You like me now."
Negaduck scoffed, "I told you I tolerate you."
"Thats why you flirt with me."
"He flirts with you?" Quackerjack looked like he was about to have a fit.
"So what if I do?" Negaduck turned to glare at the jester. "What are you gonna do about it, clown?"
"QJ calm down," Liz spoke up. "Yes Negs flirts with me, but I promised you I would only ever be his friend."
Suddenly the lights came back on and everyone glanced up. "Maybe the storm is passing," Bushroot commented.
"Good," Negaduck growled, "I can't take much more of Liz's slumber party games."
"You had fun," Liz smiled as she stood up and went around blowing out all the candles. Stopping at the front window, she pulled the curtain back and peered outside. "Rain is just a light drizzle now," she told them.
"I'm leaving then," Negaduck stood up and headed toward the door.
"I'll walk you out," Liz followed behind him. Slipping outside behind the masked villain, Liz closed the door behind her. "I know you like me," she told him as he turned to face her.
"Girl, I would fuck you senseless if I could."
Liz blushed, "You never would have married me though, and you are a bit of a jackass."
"Yes, but you like it."
"I do like bad boys, and you're the baddest one. I'd let you fuck me if I was single."
"Should ask that clown for a free pass."
"QJ would never agree to that. Hes already jealous enough. Hes probably watching us right now."
Negaduck smirked, taking a step toward her. "So if I kissed you right now, he would have a fit."
"Yes," she placed a hand against his chest, pushing him back slightly. "I better get back inside. Stop by any time, Negs."
"See ya later, piss-ant."
Slipping back into the house, Liz found Quackerjack standing by the front window. "I knew you were spying," she told him.
"I don't trust him with you."
"I can handle Negs on my own. I would never let him try anything."
"I better go too," Bushroot stood up. "Gotta make sure the greenhouse is still standing."
"Okay," Liz smiled, "come back any time. Take care of yourself, Reg."
"You too, Liz. See ya Quacky."
"Bye Bushy."
After Bushroot had left, Liz moved over the flop down on the couch. Quackerjack joined her. "You spent nearly half and hour with one of my toys in your lap," he told her. "I told you my toys were fine."
"Yeah, I suppose it wasn't too bad. But they're still dangerous. I love your toys, but they scare me."
"I made you a normal teddy bear."
"That you did, and it really means a lot to me."
"Liz, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
Quackerjack turned to face her, looking more serious than she was used to. "Do you ever... think about Negaduck when we're... you know?"
Liz sighed, that was not a question she wanted to answer. "Does it matter?" She asked him. "I'm only have sex with you."
"I... guess it doesn't matter, as long as you never do anything with him."
Liz chuckled, "He told me to ask you for a free pass."
"Absolutely not!"
"I told him you'd never agree to it. Don't worry, love, I swear to you that I will never do anything with Negs."
"Okay then," he slid closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on her shoulder. "Tonight was kinda fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, we should get everyone together and do it again. Maybe next time I can teach everyone to play D&D."
"Nerd."
"You like my nerdiness."
"I do," he replied, kissing her softly. "I'm even okay with the video games. You still need to play Final Fantasy for me."
"How about I start a game up right now? I'll make some popcorn and you can watch me play Final Fantasy 7."
"Okay."
Standing up Liz headed down the hallway. Five minutes later she returned with her Playstation and the game. Sitting in front of the TV she began hooking the console up. Once that was done she headed into the kitchen to make popcorn. "I can't believe you actually want to watch me play a video game," she called into the living room.
"At least its not Whiffle Boy."
"Yeah but I know you still hate video games."
"I do, but they make my wife happy. You know you can leave the Playstation in the living room, you don't have to hide things anymore."
"Thank you," Liz called from the kitchen. Ten minutes later she returned with a large bowl of popcorn and sat down in the floor in front of the TV. "Its a really long game," she told him. "So it will take a few days to get through. I will skip all the side quests and just do the main story line for you, but the leveling up is gonna be a bit tedious to watch."
"Thats okay," he joined her on the floor and Liz popped the game into the Playstation, starting up a new game. Leaning over, she kissed him, then turned her attention back to the TV. "Thanks," she said.
"For what?"
"Being more reasonable and mature." The two of them watched the opening, and Liz began to play, thankful that her husband had matured quite a bit since they first met.
-Finis-