Maybe: (by timydamonkey)


Summary: Drabble of sorts. Everybody has dreams. Some say that they'd do anything to make them come true, but you never want something at the expense of your son.


It had been their dream. It had been proof of the existence of a ghostly realm, and a gateway into there – a place to find specimens to study. They'd never be laughed at anymore – ghosts were real, and the portal would prove it.

It took years to build. Time and time again, it malfunctioned. They were disheartened, but never stopped trying, although the stress was certainly mounting. The children had even wanted them to accomplish something, and they didn't even believe in ghosts.

The amount of times it had malfunctioned and been rebuilt hit two digits, and maybe, just maybe, they started to doubt the existence of a ghost realm anyway, and maybe that showed.

And maybe that was why Danny had gone to the portal, figuring out what was wrong and activating it. On one hand, she couldn't have been prouder. He'd helped accomplish their dream, and wasn't that the best you could ask of a child?

On the other hand, he'd died in the process.

If you'd have asked Maddie Fenton years ago, she'd have told you that completing the ghost portal was the one thing she wanted most in the world. Now, though, it was untouched – left open.

No dream is worth the expense of a son. She'd have her son back with her for never having a working portal any day. Children are irreplaceable, and no adult should have to outlive their children.

Some days, when Maddie stares into the portal, she thinks she can see him, her Danny, but he never emerges, and maybe she's just imagining things. She wonders if he knew what it would cost him, and wonders if he'd make the same decision again – if she could figure out his intentions in time and stop him.

Everybody has dreams. Hers used to be of completing the portal. Now they're of catching her son, and holding him – and after everything he's endured for the sake of her and her husband, never letting go.