Shirley Comes Home by Leloni Bunny (lbunny@wingsisp.com) Of all of the main Tiny Toon characters, only three were never given explanations for not having parents. Those three toons are Buster Bunny, Fifi LaFume and Shirley the Loon. Many fanfics have tried to explain the reason for Buster not having parents on the show. I thought Fifi's parents were explained really well in "Le Wedding De Fifi." (by, Jeremy J. Jurrens, jjurrens@ilcc.cc.ia) However, I haven't seen one fanfic try to explain the reason for Shirley not having them. So, I'm offering my own explanation. This isn't necessarily the only story, but it is something. One minor note. I strongly recommend that you read Kevin Mickel's (HKUriah3.aol.com) Buster & Babs Trilogy before reading this story. If you've already done so, go ahead and enjoy! Shirley the Loon was truly happy for Buster. The long time secret that Buster had kept most of his life had finally been told. Shirley had always known that Bugs and Buster were more then just mentor and protegee. That was why she hadn't been too surprised when Buster told her and Plucky at the airport while they were looking for Buster's cousin, Clyde. Shirley snapped back to reality as she got to Babs' burrow. Babs' parents had hired "The Amazing Three" to baby-sit again. Fifi was already there when Shirley walked in. She perked up a lot when she saw the avian. Fifi untwisted the five little bunnies that had gotten in her tail and hair. She got off the couch quickly. "Ah am so glad vous are 'ere!" she said, "Ah was beginning to loose mon patience with zose...zose children." "Aw, you know you love us," said a small blonde bunny sticking his head out of Fifi's tail. Fifi turned around, shocked. She thought she'd gotten them all out of there. She glanced at Shirley pleadingly. Shirley held her arms out to the blonde bunny, "Like, ok Bladey, you're wearing Fifi's patience thin." Blade jumped into Shirley's arms without a second thought. He stuck his tongue out at Fifi, "Nyah! I like Shirley better anyway." Fifi turned slightly red and muttered some Fench phrases. She returned to her position on the couch. The five bunnies, plus three more, jumped back into her tail and hair. Fifi fought the urge to scream. "Hiya, Shirl! Glad you could make the party," chirped Babs treading her way through her siblings. She was nearly tripping because of the two bunnies on each of her legs. Babs' mom and dad came over too. "Oh, good. You're all here," said Babs' mother, "Now, you know where everything is. I'm sure you'll have a great time now don'tcha know. Good-bye kids!" A very loud "Bye Mommy and Daddy!" was heard from all the bunnies. With Blade still clinging to her, Shirley sat down beside Fifi. Two more bunnies hopped up in her lap. Shirley just chuckled. Another night of being bunny hugged at Babs' home had begun. Fifi looked at her friend, "'ow can vous 'ave so many kids on vous lap and still smile?" "Easy," said Shirley taking a baby pink bunny off her head and setting her in what little space was left in her lap, "I just, like, remind myself that I totally get to leave these little rodents here at the end of the night." Fifi laughed, "Oui, Ah did not zink of eet zat way!" She winced under the painfully strong grip of a blue bunny clinging to her arm. "Thanks a lot, Shirl," groaned Babs, finally getting to the couch. She was holding a sobbing Mortimer. He hated being left with baby- sitters, even if the sitter was his sister. Fifi and Shirley glared at Babs. She knew why too. They were covered in bunnies while she only had one sitting on her. "I'm around all the time. You guys are rare territory," she explained, beaming. A little lavender bunny tugged on Shirley's foot. "Shirwey, do that funny woony thing you do," she asked with sweet looking doe eyes. "Oh, like, not this time, Trixie. I'm totally not in the mood tonight, or some junk," replied Shirley. Babs eyed Shirley suspiciously, "You're not really that concerned about Mr. "You're Despicable," are you?" Shirley chuckled, "Daffy? Like, no way. Why would I be totally worried about him. That's Plucky's mentor, or some junk, not mine." Fifi was just about to get angry with the brood of bunnies all over her. "Please!" she pleaded, "Do zomezing with zese rabbits! Ah'm about to pull out mon 'air! Eef zey don't do eet for moi!" Babs handed Mortimer to Shirley and stood up. She clapped her paws to get her siblings' attention. "Ok, rugrats, IIIIIIIIIt's showtime!" she called. The couch was immediately bombarded with bunnies. They sat everywhere they could get. Some of them were even IN the couch. Babs pulled a quick spin-change and reappeared as Ed Sullivan. "A thank you. A thank you. We've got a reeeeally big shew for you tonight folks..." She was interrupted by the phone. She quickly changed back to herself to answer it. "Hello?...Oh, hi Bugs. Buster's not here...Who?...But why would you....Well, ok. I'll get her," Babs handed the phone to Shirley. Shirley took it, "Hello?...He what?!...NO! I'll be right there!" She clicked the dial tone button and handed the phone back to Babs. Shirley looked more scared than Babs or Fifi had ever seen her before. She glared at all the bunnies on her, "Get off, NOW!" The little bunnies were so surprised, that the couch was cleared in two seconds flat! "What's going on, Shirl?" asked Babs. Shirley was nearly out of the door by the time Babs finished her sentence. "I have to go to the hospital. I, like, don't have time to explain. Call your parents and get them back here, like, NOW. I'm totally gonna need you guys with me later," Shirley called back down the burrow. She ran off as fast as she could go. As she made her way to the hospital, Shirley's mind returned to the past few days. "Earth to Shirley! Get off the asteroid plain and back to reality," It was Plucky, who, as usual, had to be the center of attention. Shirley looked up, just in time to see Babs shove a whopper sized Weenie Burger into Plucky's bill. Shirley grinned, "Like, thanks, Babs." "No problem," she replied taking a sip of her shake. The engagement ring on her finger gleamed as it caught the light. It was just another typical day. The gang had gone to Weenie Burgers after school, as usual. Plucky managed to swallow the enormous burger. He looked at Shirley, "Is it just me or are you and Babs on the same mind junk?" Both girls giggled. "It's just you," Babs finally said. Buster, who'd been quietly munching on his fries until now, joined in the conversation, "But, seriously, you have been acting weird lately. Even for you, Loon Girl." "I've just, like, got a lot on my mind right now. That's all," Shirley said. "What mind?" asked Plucky. He had to duck quickly to avoid being punched by Babs. Unfortunately, Plucky ducked his head toward the table and landed face flat in a pie that Buster had waiting for him. "Oh, ha ha! That's a real hardy har har!" Plucky scowled as he wiped the pie off his face. "Huh? What, Plucky? I'm, like, sorry, or some junk. I think I need to, like, be alone," Before anyone could speak, Shirley got up and walked out. She hadn't gotten far when Buster stopped her. He looked at her with sympathy, "It's him again, isn't it?" Shirley fought back tears, "Like, I can't help it! I feel so totally alone now that your secret is out. At least before, you knew how it felt. We could always turn to each other for support." Buster managed a chuckle, "Yeah, the best kept secrets in Acme Acres." "And, like, now everyone knows about you and Bugs. But they'll never find out about my parents," Shirley was on the verge of tears. "Bust, Shirley, that was a long time ago. We graduate in a month. Don't you think it's time to patch things up?" Buster asked. "Like, my dad would never be proud of me. He hates me!" Shirley cried. "Shirl, that's not true at... Shirl...Shirley!" Buster called. But Shirley had already taken off down the street. Shirley felt bad about leaving her friends like that. She had just been too upset to tell them how she really felt. She felt especially bad for Plucky. She didn't mean to leave him like that 'And, poor Buster,' she thought. 'He was only trying to help.' Shirley gulped, trying to hold back her sorrow, as her thoughts returned to earlier today. During class, Shirley didn't know who she felt worse for; Buster, for having to deal with everyone knowing he was Bugs' son; or herself for now being the only one with no known parents. Buster sat in the seat next to her, looking even more miserable than Shirley felt. She nudged him, "Like, you're giving off some mondo bad karma. It can't be that bad, or some junk." "You have no idea," he replied, "Everyone's been acting so dang NICE to me ever since...that incident. And I'm already starting to get bugged about connection favors." "Lucky stiff," muttered Shirley. She was jealous but tried not to show it. Buster narrowed his eyes and groaned. Suddenly, Shirley felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around. "What, Calamity?" she asked the coyote genius sitting behind her. He said nothing but handed her a note. Shirley already knew it was from Babs. They had made so much noise while they were allowed to sit together, that the faculty soon learned to keep them separated as much as possible. That hadn't stopped them from writing notes to each other though. Shirley opened it. Heya Shirl, my parents want "The Amazing Three" to baby-sit tonight. Feel up to it? Babs. P.S. IF YOU SAY NO FIFI AND ME'LL DIE! Shirley laughed. She knew what an enormous family Babs had. It usually took all three girls and then some to sit for all those kids. She looked over at Babs, who regarded her with pleading eyes. Shirley pretended to think it over for a few minutes. She loved to watch Babs squirm with the thought that Shirley might actually say no. Finally, Shirley nodded. Babs mouthed a silent "Thank You!" She turned her attention back to the teacher, who was trying to get through a few wild takes, without much success. "Gee, I gueth I'm getting out of practith or thomething," he tried to chuckle. The class actually looked concerned for him. Although Daffy Duck wasn't the world's greatest teacher, he could always pull off a great wild take. Plucky looked up at his mentor, "Um, are you feeling ok, Daff?" "Uh, yeah, sure, kid," He sounded kind of depressed. "Well, clath, I think that'th enough for today. You're all dithmithed." Daffy walked out of the room, leaving an amazed bunch of students behind him. "Wow, I've never seen Daffy act like that," said Plucky. He stood at the door, looking down the hall after his mentor. "He didn't even boast about being a great actor," said Babs, "Usually he ALWAYS says something about that." Shirley put her hand on Plucky's shoulder, "I'm, like, sure he's, like, fine, or some junk." She was a bit concerned herself. "Hey!" cried Montana Max, "What the heck are we sitting here for? FREE TIME!" He zipped past Plucky and Shirley. The rest of the class followed Max at a much slower speed. Shirley arrived at the hospital, completely out of breath. The memories of her past life seemingly haunted Shirley as she tried to calm down before going inside. By now, she knew better then to fight them. She learned a long time ago that fighting her memories only made them worse. Her mind wondered back through the years, to her life at age seven. That was the faithful year of that life changing school event. Shirley's school had decided to put on a Vaudeville style show and needed students to audition. Shirley wasn't sure she was good enough to be in something like that. Her father thought differently. He suggested that she could do a comedy magic act. He was very encouraging in helping Shirley plan out her act to perfection. They spent weeks rehearsing the act. It was a lot of fun for Shirley. She enjoyed working with her father. He was always a lot of laughs. She enjoyed it so much, that her enthusiasm showed in her performance. The judges and audience alike loved it. From that day forward, Shirley was pushed into acting. She took voice lessons; dance lessons; even instrument playing! It was one of the reasons she enrolled in Acme Loo. (Another was to be with her friends.) Soon, the classes stopped being so fun. Shirley's father became obsessed with her becoming a great actress. No, not a great actress, he wanted her to be the best actress the world had ever seen! There was even talk of trading Shirley's ballet classes for something more career building. That was the last straw. Shirley and her father got into a huge argument and she left. Being only eleven, at the time, and not knowing where else to go, Shirley turned to the only person who, she knew, would understand. She went to Buster Bunny. He listened carefully to her story. And, he insisted that she stay with him for awhile. A few weeks later, Buster introduced her to Plucky Duck; an ego- ridden; self-centered green duck. At first, Shirley wanted to pound the duck senseless every time he opened his beak. Soon, she saw past all that. She found that Plucky was actually a caring, sweet, fun loving guy. Plucky even suggested that Shirley should move to the swamp. "A burrow is a nice place, if you're a rabbit," he told her, "But, the swamp has its upsides too. There's peace and quiet. You don't have to worry about anyone 'dropping' in on you. And, you get to go swimming any time you want." He helped her weave the hut that she now lived in. In fact, she had fallen in love with the duck. Yet, she still couldn't tell him about her family. As sweet as Plucky could be, he still had a big yap. Shirley turned to meditation and the psychic world to relieve the loneliness and pain she felt. But sometimes, nothing could stop the pain. She and Buster promised each other to never tell anyone else the truth about their families. So, until recently, everyone in Acme Acres believed that Buster and Shirley's parents had all died in the same plane crash. While the story was partly true, for Buster's mother at least, Shirley felt bad about saying it. Since neither of her parents denied the story, Shirley figured they were happier that way. After Clyde Bunny was kidnapped, Buster and Bugs told their secret to the world. It wasn't a big surprise. Most people suspected it by the way Bugs acted around Buster. Babs Bunny was the one who got Shirley interested in acting again. Babs even coaxed Shirley into auditioning for Tiny Toon Adventures. Since everyone thought Shirley's psychic abilities were "loony", Shirley decided to use Loon as her stage name. Although she didn't get the lead role, Shirley was just happy to be doing something with her friends. As Shirley was finally catching her breath, a car pulled up next to her. Fifi and Babs jumped out. "Thanks, Dad. Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing," Babs called slamming the door shut. Shirley blinked, "Like, how'd you guys get here so fast?" "When I called my parents and told them about how you left, they freaked out and got home about two seconds after you left," Babs explained. She looked at Fifi with sympathy. The poor skunkette had all she could do to hold her guts in. "And Ah zought zat vous were a terrible drivair!" squeaked the skunkette. Both girls looked at Shirley questioningly. Shirley just shook her head and motioned for them to follow her. The three girls made their way to the intensive care unit. When they got there, they were surprised to see who else was already waiting there. "Buster, Plucky, Bugs, what are you doing here?" asked Babs. Plucky was actually crying. Buster was trying to calm him down. Bugs was sitting near the two boys with a sad and worried expression. He stood up and walked over to Shirley, putting a gloved paw on her shoulder. "Daffy had a heart attack," he said gravely, "He's barely alive. Da doctors don't t'ink he'll live t'rough da night." Babs and Fifi gasped. Shirley lowered her head, sobbing. The door creaked open, snapping everyone to attention. A nurse came out, closing the door behind her. She looked sadly at the group. Shirley walked over to her. "I want to see him." "I'm sorry, but only relatives are allowed to-" "I'M HIS DAUGHTER, YOU IDIOT!" Shirley screamed. The entire hall fell silent. Plucky, Babs and Fifi's jaws dropped to the ground. The nurse was so shocked that, all she could do was step aside. Shirley zipped past her, closing the door quietly behind her. She turned around and peered into the room. Daffy was there all right. He lay motionless in a hospital bed. A respirator was breathing for him. His wife, Daphnie, sat beside him. She looked up as Shirley entered. "M, Mom?" asked Shirley trembling. Daphnie smiled through worried tears. She motioned for Shirley to come over. Shirley's stomach was so full of butterflies, that, she could barely walk. "Um, like, is he..." Shirley couldn't say the word. Daphnie shook her head, "He's still alive. Ah should've made him stay home this mornin'. He's been so depressed for so long, Shirley." "Depressed? Like, why?" Shirley asked. "He missed you. After you left, he was so heart broken," Daphnie looked down at her limp husband. "He's been able to keep et quiet up 'til recen'ly. Ah guess, Bugs bein' able to publicly call Buster son was just to much for Daffy to take." Shirley was now crying, "He, he missed me?" Daphnie nodded, "Why, of course he did. And so did Ah. Why didn't you just come back home?" Shirley gulped through her tears, "I, I thought you guys h- hated me for, like, not being the star you wanted." Shirley thought she saw Daffy suddenly wince as she spoke, but wasn't sure. "Hated you? We're your parents! We could never hate you!" Daphnie took one of Shirley's hands. "But, like, I never did get, like, a starring role, or some junk," Shirley said, lowering her head. "So? Daffy was so overjoyed when he heard about you bein' on Tiny Toons! He went 'round sayin' how his little girl had made him so proud. And, then you started tellin' that story about us bein' dead. We thought you hated us! That's why we never denied your story, sweetie," said Daphnie squeezing her daughter's hand. Shirley held her arms out to her mother. The two ducks hugged each other tightly, crying into each other's feathers. Back in the hall, Shirley's friends were trying to figure out what had just happened. "Ah cannot believe eet eez true," said Fifi, breaking the shocked silence, "Shirley eez Daffy Duck's daughtair?" Plucky looked at Buster, "That's even more amazing then you being related to Bugs." Buster laughed, glancing at his father. He stopped quickly. Bugs was not in a laughing mood. He looked really worried about Daffy. Babs was confused, "I thought you and Daffy were in competition. Why are you so worried?"" "Dat was just an on camera t'ing. We was only doin' dat cuz the big boys at WB t'ought it'd be funny. Dat duck is one of da few good friends dat I've got in dis woild," Bugs said facing the wall. He was trying to hide his worry from the kids. This wasn't a side of Bugs Bunny that he liked to show anyone, not even Buster. Both Buster and Babs could understand what Bugs meant about having few good friends. Ever since Tiny Toons, everyone wanted to be their friend. Most of those people were only looking for a status booster. "Speaking of good friends," Plucky turned to Buster, "You didn't seem too surprised about this. Care to tell us why?" Buster shuffled his feet, not really wanting to say it. The glaring look Plucky was giving him made it impossible not to say. "I've always known," Buster said, softly. "You've always known," echoed Plucky, darkly. "You, above ALL people, have always known. She could've told Fifi, or Babs. They're her best friends. I could've understood that. But, no, she.. told.. y-o-u." "Plucky, calm down," said Babs. "Calm down? YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN!!!! MY OWN GIRLFRIEND CAN TALK ABOUT HER FAMILY TO SOME PASTEL RODENT, BUT SHE CAN'T EVEN TELL ME?!?!?!?!?!?" Plucky was livid. Bugs tried to quiet Plucky down a bit, "Now, wait a minute, duck, ya don-" "Don't tell me what to do!" growled Plucky, turning on Bugs. "You rabbits and your secrets! And now Shirley too?? Just leave me alone, ALL of you!" Plucky stalked off down the hall. Buster raced after him, trying to make him stop. He finally tackled the green duck, outside the front door. Buster held Plucky down, "Now, Plucky, just listen a minute!" "Get off me Buster!" yelled Plucky, struggling. "You're the last person I want to talk to." "But, Plucky.... YEOWCH!!" Buster went flying backward as Plucky snapped his head back, hitting Buster square in the nose. Plucky jumped to his feet. "Never mess with a pro wrestling fan," he informed the pained rabbit before storming off. Buster made his way back to the others, rubbing his nose. He couldn't believe he'd just been beaten up by a duck. After seven long years, it felt wonderful to talk to her mother again. The two had reached one of those moments of silence where, there was so much to say, but how to say it. "I'm so totally sorry, Mom!" Shirley blurted out, embracing her mother, again, even tighter this time. "For, for everything! And now (sniff) I'll, like, totally never get to tell Dad that (sob) I still love him! He's, like, going to die and it's, like, my fault!" A soft sigh below the two ducks caught their attention. They pulled apart and looked down at Daffy. His eyes were open and looking straight at Shirley. She felt uncomfortable about it. She wondered if Mom was wrong and her father really did hate her. Daffy could barely talk above a whisper. "Shirley," he said. Shirley looked down at him, trembling. Daphnie had a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Like, yeah, Dad. I'm here. So is Mom," Shirley finally answered. Daffy cast a quick glance at his wife. "How are you, like, doing...Dad?" Shirley asked tentatively. Daffy's eyes actually brightened a little at the word "Dad." "I'm thtill here, aren't I?" he whispered, "Ith going to take more then a bad heart to get rid of thith black duck." "Um, Plucky's outside, if- if you, like, want to see him," Shirley said. "Not now. He'th a great kid, but I don't want him theein' me like thith. Ith bad enough ole Bugsy had to walk in jutht before I conked out," Daffy replied. "Like, that explains why Bugs is here, or some junk," Shirley muttered. "Who else is here?" Daphnie asked. "Like, when I came in, Buster, Plucky and Bugs. Babs and Fifi were, like, right behind me," Shirley told them. "Have you told them why you're here?" asked Daphnie. "Um, yeah, it sorta, like, just came out," Shirley replied, sheepishly. She noticed Daffy's eyes getting brighter. Daphnie did too. "Why, Daffy, Ah think you're gonna get through this," Daphnie managed to smile. "Not 'til I thay thomethin' to our daughter," Daffy whispered. Shirley began trembling again. She thought that maybe she was going to be told what a disappointment she was to her father. Daffy weakly took one of Shirley's hands. He looked her right in the eye as he spoke, "I'm thorry I wath thuch a jerk to you." "Aw, Dad, I-" "Quiet! I'm not finished yet. I wath wrong to make you take all thothe thtupide lethonth. I should've come looking for you when you left, but I didn't. I should've vithited you when you built that shack, but I didn't. I should've done a lot of thingth that I've really regretted not doing. If it weren't for theeing you in my clatheth, I- I think thith would've happened a long time ago. Thith whole thing ith MY fault, Shirley, not yourth at all. Now, how'th about a hug for your old man?" Shirley burst into tears of joy and hugged her father. Daffy hugged her as tightly as he could, which wasn't very tight, since he was still weak. But it was good enough for Shirley. She was really crying hard. She felt the pain of seven years of loneliness and heart break come out all at once. Daffy freed one of his hands and held it out to Daphnie, who gladly joined in the hug. The three ducks held each other that way until the door opened. The group looked up at the nurse standing there. The looks she got clearly told her to get out. "I'll be back in a few minutes," she said backing out of the room. The nurse turned around and looked into the concerned faces of three rabbits and a skunkette. "Well, from what I see, he's at least awake. That in itself is a miracle," said the nurse. She had other patients to see to, so she left the group alone. "What should we do?" asked Fifi. "Shirley needs us, but, what about Plucky?" Buster scowled, "Don't look at me. I'm not going after him again." Babs sighed, "Ok, I'll go. Who knows what he'll do. That duck's crazy enough as it is." "Non, Ah will go. 'e might be more willing to talk to moi." Fifi told Babs. "But, Fifi, you can't even stand Plucky. I'll go. I'd have a better chance of getting through that thick skull of his." protested Babs. "Neitha of yas are goin'," Bugs told them. "Da kid needs some time to t'ink. Leave him alone." The door opened again attracting everyone's attention. Daphnie was standing in front of it. "Well?" everyone asked in unison. Daphne said nothing. She pushed the door open with a small smile. Everyone gasped. There stood Shirley, with Daffy standing next to her! He was leaning on Shirley for support. He still looked weak, but happy. A smile gleamed from all three ducks' faces. "Monsieur Daffy, vous are alright?" asked Fifi. "Sure I am," grinned Daffy. He looked at Bugs, "And don't think thingth are going to change between uth jutht cuth of thith. Fuzz-face." "Eh, I'll try not to let it go to my head," Bugs replied. Shirley looked at the group. "Where's Plucky?" she asked, bewildered. "He left. He was kinda upset that you never told him about your parents," Buster explained. Daffy looked at his daughter crossly, "Shirley Daffina Duck, how could you not tell your own boyfriend about your family?" "DAFFINA?" cried Buster, Babs and Fifi together. A harsh look from the adults told them that this wasn't the time for making fun of names. Buster walked over to Shirley. "You'd better go after him," he said, "A heart broken toon is very unpredictable. I oughtta know." He glanced at Babs. She lowered her ears a bit. She too knew what it was like to be heart broken over loosing someone you loved. "But, like, I have no idea where he's, like, gone, or some junk! What am I, like, supposed to do?" Shirley demanded. "Vous are a psychic, non? Find 'im psychically," suggested Fifi. "Like, ok, I'll totally try," said Shirley. She sat down on one of the chairs and began chanting her montra," OhwhataloonIam...OhwhataloonIam...Oom..." She concentrated hard on finding Plucky. Her aura floated over Acme Acres trying to pick up his vibes. She soon found them over the swamp. Shirley went in for a closer look. Plucky was sitting on the dock in front of his grass hut. He looked forlorn and helpless. Shirley snapped out of her trance. "Ok, I, like have to go see him," she told the group. Looking at her parents she added, "I'll, like, see you, tomorrow?" Both ducks shook their heads. "No way," said Daphnie, "We still have your room set up at home. We'll wait for you at your hut." "But, like you don't know where it is," Shirley protested. "Don't worry, Shirl, we'll make sure they get there," Babs assured her friend, "Now go stop Plucky before he does something crazy." Shirley took one last look at the group before she dashed off for Plucky's hut. Plucky sighed heavily. This really hadn't been one of his better days. He'd nearly lost his mentor and did loose his girlfriend all in one night. He couldn't believe that Shirley didn't trust him. Of all the toons in all the world, Plucky always thought that Shirley would trust him. "Plucky?" He didn't bother to turn around. "Shouldn't you be spending time with your parents," he scowled, tossing a stone into the swamp. "Plucky, I wanted to tell you, but-" Shirley trailed off. "But what? You didn't trust me? Is that it?" Plucky spun around to look at her, "Don't even bother to explain. We both know the truth. You honestly don't trust me. You can tell some long eared hairball about your family. Yet, I'm not good enough to tell." "Plucky, like, shut up before I do it for you. I, like, didn't tell you, because I was so totally ashamed of myself, or some junk. As for Buster knowing, Bugs and Daffy are, like, friends, so of course Blue Boy knows. We, like, practically grew up together," Shirley said glaring at the green duck. "Ashamed, of what?" asked Plucky. "Ashamed because I thought my parents hated me and, like, never wanted to even hear about me again," Shirley said lowering her head, "But, like, I found out that I was wrong." "That still doesn't explain why you didn't tell me," snapped Plucky. "Like, cuz you would've gone around telling everyone that you were the boyfriend of Daffy Duck's daughter, or some junk. Like it or not, duck, you do have a totally big mouth," Shirley softened her tone a bit, "And yet, it is, like, one of your charms." Plucky wasn't sure what to say. He didn't know whether he'd just been insulted or complimented. Shirley took hold of Plucky's shoulders, looking into his eyes. "I really am sorry that I, like, didn't tell you. But, if it weren't for you, I, like, know I wouldn't have made it through the last seven years." She kissed him, "Like, thanks for being there, or some junk." Plucky blushed, "Homina, homina, homina...Aw, shucks, I don't know what to say, Shirl." "Like, just shut up and kiss me then," she said. Plucky gladly did as he was told. Plucky was more then happy to help Shirley and her parents pack up Shirley's things. He was a bit sad that Shirley wouldn't be living so close to him anymore. Yet, he'd never seen her as happy as she was tonight. Just as Daffy was about to back his car away from Shirley's hut, Plucky suddenly realized something. "Hey, Teach!" he called rushing up to the car, "Since I'm dating your daughter, does that mean that I can skip Tuesday's test?" Daffy eyed his pupil wryly, "Actually, kiddo, it meanth that the tetht you're going to get ith twice ath hard." "WHAT?" "Well, yeah," grinned the old duck, "I don't want my daughter dating lazy thlackers. So, now you're going to have to prove yourthelf worthy of her." With that, Daffy backed out and drove off. Plucky looked after them, miserably. 'Aw, great,' he thought. 'I finally get the girl and STILL don't come out ahead! I bet this never happened to Patrick Swasy.' He slowly made his way home. THE END A special thank you goes out to the Curmudgeon. Without his encouragement, this story would've died in its rough draft form. Editing credits go to Michael Kraft (mkraft@writeme.com). He deserves a big thank you for helping me straighten out Fifi's accent. Editing thanks also go to Buster J Bunny (busterb@dreamscape.com) and to Dennis Hurst (dhurst@appstate.campus.mci.net). All Tiny Toon and Looney Tunes characters are copyright (c) 1998 Warner Bros. Inc, all rights reserved. In closing, I'd like to make a small request... Please don't kill me for this Shirl! Thank you