Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick TickRicia clenched her closed eyes and pulled the covers over her head. Normally the rhythm of the clocks lulled her to sleep like a lullaby after all she was a timekeeper. Tonight the incessant ticking would not leaver her rest. Time was in her blood and that was the problem.
The rogue clock was inside her.
You are the last of the Fedoras, you must continue the line
TICK TICK TICK
We must have an heir
"And there's no sleep till Brooklyn." She thought as she reached a blind arm out to turn on the CD player. No Beastie Boys were heard only Trent Reznor crooning,
Try to save myself but myself keeps slipping away.
Ricia sighed and rolled to one side while cradling a pillow next to her belly. Sometimes she felt like such a tool. Being a timekeeper was a great honor but it was also a great responsibility and there was the pressure to produce an heir...She ran an absent hand over the pillowy prosthetic.
Sometimes she had thought of just soliciting someone of good breeding stock but she wanted more. Yes her child would ensure that time continued flowing but she wanted more than a child born out of duty. She wanted a home and a family and she wanted it now. Her clock was ticking. Luckily she had just the man in mind.
Ricia woke the next morning with a musing sense of conviction. After winding all of the house clocks she headed down town to the shop. It was her lively hood since she had been let go from SCU. Tempest Fugit-repair and sales of rare and antique timepieces. He had given her the idea and after work she was going to go see him. "Funny, I was lost in a sea of time and he lives in a beacon," she thought walking toward the lighthouse. Ignoring a large sign that said "Beware of Attack Toasters" she let herself in.
"Hello, Megs?" No one replied. She climbed the stairs to his workshop where she found a note.
Dear Ricia, I have a surprise for you. Mr. Lightbulb will show you the way. Love, M
Ricia picked up the light bulb. The light bulb didn't say anything. She put the note down and stared at the light bulb some more. It stared back. Looking down she noticed another note scrawled on the back of the first. If Mr. Lightbulb decides to be difficult just meet me in the alley behind the old silk mill.
The silk mill was in the historic part of town. It wasn't too dangerous there but she kept one hand on her pocket watch just in case. "Hello," she yelled into the dark alley.
"Greetings," a voice called back. A light started to glow about ten feet away where Megavolt stood holding a bulb between his thumb and index finger. "Did Mr. Lightbulb give you good directions?"
"Perfect," she said as they hugged.
"I have a surprise for you! Close your eyes."
Ricia felt a blindfold being tied around her head. She was excited. What could he have planned? She knew anyone else in the city would be dreading execution by electrocution at this point but she knew more about the supervillain than any of them and she trusted Megs wholeheartedly.
"Give me your hands." She did as he asked and felt herself being lead down the alley. They entered a building and ascended a flight of stairs. "Keep 'm closed," Megavolt said as he removed the blindfold.
Ricia resisted the urge to peak," Can I open them now?
" "Um, OK!"
Ricia opened her eyes.
"Surprise!" Megs shouted as electricity arced from his fingers toward a breaker box on the wall. The room lit up and Ricia saw one of the largest clock faces she had ever seen. They were in the clock tower of the old mercantile building. Strands of bulbs hung from the rafters making the ceiling look like a sea of stars. A robotic chamber quartet played soft strains as Megavolt led her to a table spread for two. Ricia could hear gears moving under the music. Tick. Megs had fixed the old clock. Ricia smiled.
"This is all so wonderful. What's the occasion?"
"Well it was kind of Fredrick's idea..."Fredrick was one of Megavolt's pet toasters. "He said it's been a year since you started visiting us and I should do something nice for you. They all wanted to help." He waved a hand toward the strands of lights.
"Thank you everyone," Ricia could have sworn she heard them answer. Another thing people wouldn't understand. Ah, well he had his 'friends' and she had her clocks so it really wasn't that strange. Was it?
What was strange was that her relationship with this lab rat was the best she had ever had with any man. They could talk physics, he was sweet and kind, a little absentminded, but he was honest and unpretentious and he loved her. OK so he had a prison record, was one of the most dangerous criminals in world and still stole things from time to time. Who was she to judge other's lifestyles? Yeah, it was rationalization but she loved him too.
"Hey, Megs, do you ever think about the future?"
" I was there once. Man was it creepy. I told Quackerjack it might be dangerous messing with the space-time continuum but Noooo he wouldn't listen to me."
" I Thought you wanted a plasma fueled electric skillet..." She took hold of his gloved hands and gazed into his eyes "Anyway, Elmo, that's not what I meant."
Megavolt's eyes widened. No one ever called him that anymore. He was Megavolt all-powerful, oh who was he kidding. Megavolt just sounded cooler but hearing this beautiful lady say his name took all the bitterness away from the word.
"Oh you mean 'the future' like about finding someone you really care about, sharing your life with them, kids, a couple of toasters, grandkids, more toasters?" Ricia nodded. "Yeah, I've thought about it, Ricia"
Megavolt stood and lead Ricia to the dance floor.
"I'm glad you've thought about it, because I've thought about it too." He dipped her. " "And I was wondering," he twirled her out and pulled her in tight, "if you would share my future."
Megavolt paused then gazed at her with a look of lucidity Rica had never seen before. He drew his head close to hers.
She could feel his lips grazing her bill as he whispered each word. And they kissed.
Ricia felt like she was slipping into a void. "I wish this moment could last forever."
"Congratulations!"
"Ian!" Ricia wasn't really mad. She somehow knew that Ian would know. "So?"
"I'm happy for you both. It's bout time and despite any worries you might have this is a good match."
Ricia was glad Ian couldn't see her roll her eyes. "Listen I have to make some other calls. Lets meet tomorrow. OK, bye." She loved Ian dearly but sometimes he drove her crazy. At least she was getting one step closer to alleviating his major concern.
Ricia hit speed dial. "Hello," a little voice squeaked, "Mommy it's for you!"
"Thank you, Maggie," Ricia said as the child handed the phone over to her mother.
"Hi, Lil, do you still have that recipe for red velvet cake."
"Why I think I do but I only make it for Valentine's Day or groom's cak...Well I'll be! Do you mean?"
"Yup..."
"Ooh, child, we are going out! Am I coming there or are you coming here. Come here I have some flowers you just have to see. They'd be perfect for a bouquet. I'll see you soon. Oh Reggie guess what..."
Ricia hung up the phone and put on her overcoat and hat. Lily was almost more excited about this wedding than she was. She thought back to when she first met Lily Bushroot at the Old Haunt. See supervillains do deserve happiness. True Bushroot was reformed, but her was never really evil. She could remember him at campus meetings before the change and in her humble opinion the dean deserved what was coming to him. Ricia smiled. If things had been different She and Megs might have even ended up working in the same department at SCU...
Megavolt woke up-"What a beautiful day!" He poured some orange juice and cracked a raw egg onto a plate. ZAP! "Sunnyside up!" he said to a toaster that happily popped out some multigrain toast. "What's that little friend?" he said to a Mr. Lightbulb.
"Yes, she loved it. She loves me!" He spun and the toast flew."It landed butter side up! Oh what a happy day. What's that, oh, I didn't think of that," Megavolt deflated. The blender had a point. If he was going to marry Ricia he needed a ring but where was he going to get a ring. Well he could s t e a l one but he didn't think she's want to spend a honeymoon in St. Canard Maximum Security Prison although the minimum security prison had a nice pool, 18 hole golf-no that wouldn't work.
Maybe he could auction off some inventions on the Internet like the tron-splitter. The tron-splitter that was it! Megavolt grabbed a screwdriver and cracked open the old camera case. He reached in and pulled out a 10kt diamond. Humming happily he headed over to his workbench and began ripping minute strips of gold from discarded circuit boards.
"Could someone hand me a soldering iron?"
As Ricia walked up to the greenhouse Spike began to bark. "Down, boy!"
"Ricia!"
"Maggie!" Maggie toddled toward Ricia; Lily toddled behind her. Lil was tiny (Ricia knew better than to call her that) despite going into her 6th month.
"How's our little guy," Ricia whispered to Lily's tummy.
"He's fine," Lily replied. "How are you?" She gave Ricia a hug.
"Happy."
"Good, lets go inside."
"We were thinking next week, thank you," Ricia took the glass from Lily. "I know it's not much time but neither of us have big families and not too many friends. We don't need anything so we might as well."
"What about invitations and cakes..."
"And flowers, " Bushroot stuck his head in the room. "Congrats, I knew Megs was a good seed at heart."
Ricia smiled, she'd been smiling a lot today.
"Then there's the dress...?" Lily queried.
Ricia sighed-she never wore dresses, she liked her business suits, with pants not skirts thank you! Not that she wasn't feminine there was lingerie.
"Well you could wear a white pantsuit...?"
White was another problem, she liked black and gray. "I don't know yet. I mean I still have the right to wear white," she blushed, " but a dress? Even for a wedding-I don't know."
"Well we'll go shopping at least."
"OK."
Negaduck grumbled, "[Knob]"
Megavolt held up a blue ruffled shirt.
"No, [lucky knob]" why was he here-the clerk wasn't even tied up! He wasn't even friends with Megavolt so why was he here?? Because he was a sucker for flattery. "No!"
Megavolt put down the plaid cummerbund.
"Let me help you, Dimbulb." Megavolt had come a knocking that afternoon.
"Hey, Boss." Megavolt was grinning like a fool.
"What do you want?" Megs was still grinning.
"Nothing, I just wanted to tell you...I'm getting married!"
"What!?!" Negaduck slapped his forehead. There went another lackey. After Bushy went straight there was the Fearsome 4 now it was turning into the Family 4. "That purple chick?"
"Yeah, Ricia..." little hearts floated above his head. Negs popped one.
"Anything else!?!"
"Um, yeah, would you be... my best man?"
Negaduck's pissy look washed away. He was shocked.
"You're my boss and I know nothing about fashion and I need help learning to say the right thing and pick a tux..."
"Sure, pal."
Now they were at a gentleman's store. Negaduck looked through the racks.
"Try this," he said handing a pile of clothes to Megs."What do you think?" modeling Megs asked.
"Pretty suave [for a knob]. I'll be outside." He shook a fist at the clerk. He couldn't bear to watch Megavolt pay for the clothes. "So'dja get her a rock?"
"Yes, sir!"
Sure he thought. "Like what a chip?"
"No 10kt."
Negaduck's eyes lit up, "did you give it to her yet?"
"No tonight."
"I'll see you around Megs, " and he ran off. "Woooh, 10 kt! Too bad the best man doesn't got to hold the engagement ring."
Ricia was sitting on the hideous orange couch petting Fredrick. Megavolt walked in and sat down on the other end.
"Hey, Ricia, I have something I want to show you."
"Hmm?"
"Here." He took her hand and slipped on the enormous ring. Ricia was stunned it was so, big (a little too big but she couldn't tell him that).
" Oh Megs, wherever did you get ..."
"I made it for you..."
"Oh and I thought you made it for me!"
"Negaduck [nice hat]!" exclaimed Ricia!
"Hey what are you doing here?" Megs was smiling. Negaduck looked menacing.
"Lets play a game...in one hand we have a water gun, " he pointed it at Megavolt, " and in the other we have a mirror," he pointed that at Ricia. "Now hand over the ring."
Ricia cursed under her breath. Megs was starting to spark. Negaduck squirted Megavolt with the water gun laughed and left.
"He was going to be me best man. I'm sorry, Ricia," Megavolt stammered as he shorted out.
"It's OK."
"No, " he got up, " I'm going to get it back."
"Then we're going to get it together."
Negaduck accelerated his motorcycle and looked at the jewel-not bad high on the 4C's, probably leftover form some laser element. Now he had to figure out what he was going to do with it.
A shadowy form appeared in the road. "2000 points for pedestrians," Negs yelled.
"Give it back!" The figure shot a bolt of electricity knocking Negaduck off his bike. The bike skidded into a median and exploded.
Up on the tower Darkwing was scanning the city. "What was that?" He honed in on the blaze where Megavolt was fighting...Negaduck? This was a change. "Well, can't let them have all the fun, " he said and headed toward the fray.
"Whoa, Sparky, watch it!" Negaduck's hat caught fire.
"Don't call me that." Megavolt let another bolt fly.
Negaduck dodged and pulled out a gun. "Bye, bye battery boy," he taunted while firing off a clip.
"Stop!" There was a flash of green light and the bullets paused and fell to the ground.
Negs looked at Ricia stunned. " What the hell."
"I am the terror that flaps in the night..."
Negaduck got up; wasn't this turning into a bachelor party.
"I am the ..."
"Do we really have to listen to this?" Negaduck asked sarcastically. "We all know you're..."
"Darkwing Duck!" Ricia and Megavolt exclaimed together.
"Here this is for you," said Ricia handing him an envelope. Darkwing lost his poseur and blinked. Megavolt gave him a hug.
"We were trying to figure out how to get this to you."
"Oh isn't this sweet, but I'm gonna jet," cried Negaduck as he ran away.
"Not so fast," said Ricia as she let loose another freeze beam.
Negaduck jumped aside, "Ha, ha."
"Hiyah!" Darkwing drove a flying kick into Negs upper back sending him to the ground.
Megavolt walked over eyes sparking. "I thought you were my friend. I thought..."
"Aren't you going to stop him? " Ricia asked Darkwing.
"Nah."
Megavolt looked back at Ricia and powered down a little. He reached down and grabbed the ring out of Negaduck's jacket. Negaduck's back arched as Megavolt slightly shocked him. "He's all yours, Darkwing."
Darkwing bound the unconscious Negaduck and loaded him onto the Ratcatcher.
Megavolt walked over to Ricia. "Maybe it is a little big," she said. Megavolt smiled.
After dropping Negaduck off at the maximum security prison Darkwing Reached into his jacket and pulled out the envelope. He was touched; he must have been touched because he hit his communicator. "Darkwing to base, Darkwing to base."
"Base here, over."
"Hey, Hon, how'dcha like to go to a wedding?"
The week passed quickly, there was a lot more to be done than had been anticipated, but now the ceremony was about to start. Ricia was absentmindedly rubbing her thumb on the face of her pocket watch. Lily was fixing her hair.
"Calm down now. There's nothing to fret about. Tilt your head forward."
"I'm just a little nervous, " Ricia said into her chest.
"Lo'bout what? Did you decide which headpiece?"
Ricia picked up her head and looked toward the dressing table. Sitting there were two pieces: one a confectionary veiled delight, the other...
"Ricia, if you go out there and find Megs wearing the yellow jumpsuit will you love him any less?"
"Noooo," she said with a slight grin as he reached for choice two.
"Good choice. Now that you're set I'm going to join Reggie." Maggie pranced around her mother practicing tossing flower petals.
"That's wonderful, sweetie, and thanks, Lil." The three hugged.
Home weddings were definitely the rage and theirs was working out well. It was a crisp fall day, the waves were breaking along the cliffs and white chairs had been laid out on the lighthouse lawn.
Music began to play and Maggie began to prance down the aisle scattering purple and yellow rose petals left and right. Ricia stepped out of the lighthouse and blushed as she heard the oohs and ahs. Lily waved as she passed her chair; they'd done good I guess Ricia thought.
Megs thought so too. He had never seen Ricia look so lovely. She was wearing a diamond white matte satin coatdress with sheer sleeves and a Queen Anne's neckline. that led into a row of tiny buttons. Below the buttons the coat cut away to reveal cigarette pants and satin mule pumps. Obscuring her face was a delicate veil, which hung form the edge of a matching white fedora adorned in back with silk roses.
Ricia was just as stunned. Megavolt stood dressed in a black mandarin collar jacket with silver buttons. He wore black pants and lustrous leather boots and gloves. Ricia cocked her head; it was a slightly military look especially with the copper dress helmet. He kind of looked like the battery that he wasn't wearing nor was he wearing his goggles. That was a gesture of trust for the day especially with a mixed crowd of villains and heroes.
Ian took Ricia's arm as she reached the third row. "You look beautiful," he whispered. "Your parents would have been proud."
"I know, " she replied and she did, she could feel them somewhere in the stream of time loving her.
They stopped in front of a flowered arch where Ian lifted her veil and kissed her on the cheek. Megavolt took her by the hand and the judge (the one who had overseen all of Megs' trials and paroles) began.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman. Does anyone object to this union? So noted, we shall begin. Do you come here freely of your own will?"
"We do," they responded.
"Then repeat after me. I, Megavolt, take thee, Ricia, to have as my lawfully wedded wife."
"I, Elmo," Megavolt paused, " take thee, Ricia...." "I, Ricia, take thee, Elmo..."
"You may now exchange rings as a sign of unity." Megavolt and Ricia both bent down and took a ring off the pillow that was sitting atop Fredrick.
" Take this ring as a token of my affection, " Megavolt slipped on the small gold band and then the modified engagement ring. With the stone cut down Ricia could see the delicate gold work Megs had done. Both rings had a gear shaped motif that reminded her of clockwork. The band fit perfectly into its mate.
Ricia removed Megavolt's left glove. "Take this ring as a token of my affection,' She slipped on a seamless ring of strange luminosity. It was specially made from an insulative compound so that Megs wouldn't get shocked or burned while he wore it.
" I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
"I love you, Elmo, " she whispered "I love you too, Ricia, " he whispered back and as they kissed he could have sworn he heard ticking.
The reception went surprisingly well considering the mixed company. There were flowers from the Bushroot's greenhouse everywhere and Megs had rigged up the strands of lights.
The receiving line had taken forever, she didn't realize how many friends they had, and even Renard had made it! The Liquidator and his girls were playing around with the microphone and it wasn't long before he became MC. "Now presenting the happy couple in their first dance." "First dance!" the girls chorused.
...If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting, time after time...
After dinner and a relatively messy cutting of the cake the party really got started and Ricia removed her coat to reveal a beaded bustier.
"Hey, baby, " Megs said with a seductive look. Ricia just thought he looked goofy but kissed him anyway. She was so happy and everyone appeared to be having a marvelous time.
Quackerjack and Mandy were blowing wedding bubbles over the dance floor where Serena and Steelbeak and Cryptic and Annelle were dancing to a slow song. Gremilyn tried to catch some bubbles. Ricia saw Ka-Tessa and Launchpad talking by the punch and Claudia and 'Cedez were looking for something outside the tent. Travis and the girls were trying to toss Jordan almonds into each other's mouths.
Sparky, Ergot and Livewire came over and congratulated Megs."Good job big bro."
"Thanks, Wire."
"Yeah, I really hope you'll be happy," sniffed Sparky.
"I will, you will too one day, " he said kissing her hand.
At table number five most of the single women (including Aero, Cheridon and Jean) were grumbling over Darkwing.
Morgana, Suzzie and Mander just laughed as they watched him waltz away with his 'date'."If I ever get married,"his dance partner coyly paused, "I'm not wearing a dress either," she said looking up at Darkwing.
"We'll see about that, little missy, " he replied tosseling Gosalyn's hair.
The dance floor was called for the garter toss and from somewhere off Ricia's person a garter was produced. Megs turned around and threw it over his head. Cryptic grabbed for it but it soared over his hand landing in the glass Darkwing was about to drink from. Suddenly the crowd for the bouquet toss doubled. "Throw it while he's still stunned," a female voice shouted.
"OK, ladies, " yelled Ricia. " One, Two, Three!"
She let the bouquet fly and as it reached the top of the arc the ribbon unraveled scattering flowers over the writhing crowd of women. "I've got it, " they all called holding up their single stems. Glares abounded then the flock turned toward the tables where Darkwing was still fishing the garter out of his drink.
" Oh, Darkwing..."
"Eep! " was followed by a poof of smoke.
The girls went to search for Darkwing while the dancing resumed. The couple of the hour was doing the passé-double when a black helicopter rose from below the cliffs. "Oh no, " Ricia clinged to Megs, " It's Negaduck."
The guns on the copter set Ricia and Megs in their sights but just when they thought it was 'till death do we part' a loudspeaker blared:
Roses are red, Violets are Blue. What a couple of knobs but I'm happy for you.
The couple sighed relief while Claudia waved at the copter. Negaduck dropped a rope, which she grabbed, and they flew off in the distance. Megavolt had a feeling things were going to be a little different with Negaduck from now on.
As the party was winding down Ricia noticed an odd, kind of cute, fellow in a jumpsuit and fedora talking with Ian. He was showing Ian something attached to a watch chain. They waved when they saw her curious look and went to join her. Judging their approach Ricia tapped Megs on the shoulder.
"Hello, " the young man said removing his hat. " I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful evening."
"You're welcome -um-I don't believe I caught your name." Her chest felt a little numb.
"Oh, Static, Static Sputterspark."
"Sputterspark?" Megavolt raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry," static said holding their hands, " but I must be going," and gave them a slight squeeze before he let go. He then took what looked like a remote control garage door opener and pressed a button. A doorway of light appeared, which he stepped through, and he was gone.
Lightheaded Megavolt questioned, "Ricia, you don't suppose?"
"See, my girl, I told you it was a good match, " Ian beamed.
Ricia rolled her eyes at him then focused lovingly on Megs.
"Yes, a very good match."
*
*
*
*
Disclaimer:Megavolt, Bushroot, Negaduck, Darkwing Duck, Liquidator, Quackerjack, Steelbeak, Launchpad, Morgana, and Gosalyn are all belong to Disney.
Ricia, Ian and Static belong to Ricia F. Lily, Maggie and Annelle belong to Tracy P.
Aero and Kat belong to Ang D. Jean and Suzzie belong to me, Lady Jessica.
Static belongs to Ka-Tessa
Claudia belongs to Cedez. Cheridon belongs to Mander.
Cryptic and Gremylin belong to Cryptic.
Mandy is Mandy. The Trio (Livewire, Ergot, Sparky) belong to ?? Travis belongs to his girls (and vice versa).
Serena is Serena. Renard is Renard and I am figuring out the respective owners to all other characters and giving them the credit due with appreciation for allowing them to come to Ricia's wedding.
J. Kwasny 1999
