She didn't get much further. Already, she had switched her gun from her steady right hand to her left in order to tug on the weighted fabric. She had also momentarily directed her attention off of her captive while adjusting her grip. Finally, her weight had shifted onto her right stiletto heel as she prepared to take a step backward.

None of this was missed by the careful eyes of the master crimefighter. As her left foot lifted off the pavement, Darkwing simply rolled from Gabriel's dress. She was already shifting her weight to compensate for his resistance, and now without it, her center of gravity was thrown back. She stumbled, bringing her left foot quickly down in an effort to stop her fall. Instead, the heel slipped out from under her, causing her to twist her ankle painfully.

Steelbeak was already on his way to catch Gabriel when Darkwing tackled him, prying his precious gas gun from the agent's fingers. He jammed a different canister into the barrel and fired it, befogging the scene with a noxious green cloud. By the time both the F.O.W.L. agents' coughing and the smoke died down, Darkwing was long gone.

Gabriel winced in pain as she limped down the parking lot toward her waiting vehicle. She swore bitterly each hobbled step of the way, kicking at some loose gravel. "That's the second time we've lost an opportunity because of Little Miss Creampuff!!!"

"Uh -- not dat I especially care ta defend 'er, but she didn't have anyt'in' ta do wit' you losing Darkwing. 'Cept all yer hollerin' about her probably drew his attention."

"Don't go getting all technical on me," Gabriel grumbled, kneeling to inspect her ankle. "Damn him! I think I sprained my ankle."

Steelbeak knelt beside her to get a closer look. "It don' look too bad. Jest a swell." Reluctantly, he helped her to her feet. "Do ya t'ink you kin walk on it?"

"Kinda. Probably. It hurts, though"

Steelbeak chuckled as he helped Gabriel across the parking lot. "Tink of it dis way . . . At least we don' gotta tell 'Igh Command about dis. Dey jest t'ink we was out fer a night on de town."

"But, damnit, I can't believe that the first time we get Darkwing in our grasp, I'm stuck wearing this -- this dress. And it fouls everything up. Mark my words, this is the last time you'll ever see me dress all girly-like!"

"Dat's too bad," Stealbeak replied with a smirk. "Ya oughtta visit de infirmary 'n' get dat taken care of. Tell 'em . . . Tell 'em you 'n' I played rough."

Gabriel snorted. "In. Your. Dreams, playboy."



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