Author's Note: Hiya! And welcome to the sequel of Extrinsic Souls. This is focused on the Dani x Dash (or Danish, as I call it) pairing.
Here is the full summary. How am I supposed to fit all the thrilling details inside a 385 character limit?
Dani isn't the only one with a difficult past. She makes a startling discovery about Dash's own past when she is forced to overshadow Dash to save his life. Now she is caught in a web of intrigue as she tries to decipher more about Dash Baxter's past. Meanwhile, Dash is falling in love with Dani Fenton, but what would he think about Dani Phantom? Dash is coming dangerously close to uncovering Danielle's secret as she finds herself letting him closer and closer. No secrets remain secrets forever, the only question is – Will their secrets bring them closer together, or tear them apart? Danish. (Sam x Danny, hints of Tucker x Valerie.) Sequel to Extrinsic Souls.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom. Danny Phantom is owned by Viacom International and Butch Hartman. Yes, this is a very disappointing Disclaimer. For those of you who read stories solely for the purpose of finding enjoyment in Disclaimers, sorry to disappoint.
Claimer: (First of all, is that a real thing?) Secondly, I do own the plot line of this story, so if you want to borrow anything, storyline, original characters, et cetera, send me a PM. Thanks!
(This is a really long author's note.) Any and all feedback is welcome. Seriously, if you totally hate something in this story, don't be afraid to tell me about it. I don't care if you flame the heck out of this. Be as critical as you want or don't want to be. I'm using this story to become a better writer, so let me know how I can improve myself. Use word hits! (i.e. PUNCH! SMACK! SLAM! KICK!) One of my favorite authors, ItTicklesLikeCrazy (and also the beta for this story) recommends using these. Because those are the bomb dot com.
Chapter One: Butterflies
Studying himself in his mirror, Dash straightened his collar on his shirt... For the sixth time. He was nervous about the date – was it a date? – he'd asked Dani on. He had even studied for it. Actually did legitimate research online. He didn't even do that for school!
Albeit, he didn't care that much about school (even though he knew he should), but he did care a great deal about this evening going well. He read online that girls were attracted to men wearing blue. Zero guesses as to who drove to JCPenny to buy a dress shirt that matched his ice blue eyes perfectly. Maybe with the magical, eye-catching blue Dani wouldn't find him entirely repulsive. He wasn't entirely sure why she was giving him the time of day in the first place...
In order to spruce up his appearance, he decided to stray from the normal black; he wore white trousers and shoes that matched his silk tie (that was finally tied after several failed attempts). The blonde leaned in closer to his mirror to examine how his hair was laying. He ran a shaky hand through the locks.
Contrary to popular belief, Dash lacked the confidence everyone saw in him. He could always punch his way out of every problem he ran into at school, but things were different at home. So one night a couple weeks ago when Dash got tired of hearing his mom scream at him in a drunken state about getting his grades up, he stormed out of the house, fists clenched, and went to the only place he knew refuge. The train station. It was the first destination Dash and his dad would go to when they were leaving for another job trip. Dash had loved those trips, even if it was solely for the purpose of his fathers job.
But now his father was gone. Disappeared as surely as a vanishing act. Only it wasn't a magic trick. This was real life.
Every time things got tough, Dash went to the train station. The bittersweet memories of his father cooled him down and restored something in him that he couldn't pin down exactly. What he hadn't expected to find at the train station was a girl, not much younger than him, pacing back in forth in an anxious manner. He had studied her curiously as she plopped down on a shiny cobalt blue bench and rested her chin on her hands.
Self-confidence may have eluded him other times, but at that moment Dash felt fearless. It may have been the undeniable effect that train station had on him, but Dash felt something else he hadn't felt before. Like an imaginary force pushing him to the girl. He'd sat down beside her, and the raven haired girl casually looked up. Her jaw dropped as she took him in. Before he lost his nerve, Dash spoke to her.
"Hey," Dash said. "Are you new? I don't think I've seen you around before."
"Um, yeah, I am actually. Just moved here recently from Wisconsin." Her vivid blue eyes fluttered nervously as she glanced away.
"So you didn't live too far away from here then?" Dash gave her a small smile. "I'm Dash by the way." He extended a hand towards her.
The girl shook it, eyeing him cautiously and said, "Danielle."
Dash cocked his head. "Now that I think about it, you look really familiar. Are you sure you just moved here?"
"Well, I do look an awful lot like my brother, Danny."
"You mean, Danny Fenton?" That didn't make any sense!
"The one and only," she confirmed.
"I thought he only had one sister?"
"Well, the Fentons adopted me recently," she explained. "My parents were related to Maddie and Jack. Jack's sister. One day when they went out to the grocery store... they got into a crash. They didn't make it out, so Maddie and Jack took me in." There was a deep sadness in her voice.
"I'm sorry. My dad was always going on business trips to other countries. One time he never came back. Mom went a little crazy afterward, and she started drinking. She really doesn't even notice I'm there most of the time, so it's like I really don't have parents either." There was a slight shake in his voice. Dash cleared his throat, hating that he'd let his guard down like that in front of this girl.
"At least you only have two more years to endure it. Then you can move out and live on your own." Dani smiled at him sympathetically.
"Yeah, I suppose. But I'll always feel like I need to take care of Mom and – wait a second. How did you know I only had two more years of high school?" Dash furrowed his eyebrows and gave her a suspicious look.
"You just look that age. Junior, right?" Dash could see her chewing on the insides of her cheeks.
"Oh, yeah." He knew she was hiding something. "So, will I see you at school?"
"Possibly," the girl replied as they both stood up from the bench.
"Well, I'll see you around," Dash said. He smiled again at her and turned around. Suddenly he heard laughter behind him. Dash turned to face her again and asked what was so funny.
"You – you're – jack – et!" Danielle told him in between breaths as tears began running down her face. He drug a hand across his lower back and when he brought his hand back around he saw it covered in blue paint.
"Aww, man! My new jacket! Wait, what about yours?" Dash inquired innocently, not missing the opportunity to poke fun at the girl.
She reached a hand to her upper back and looked at her shiny, blue streaked hand. The two began laughing uncontrollably and after a few minutes stopped and looked at each other.
"I better get going," Dash said. He was sad that he had to leave so soon, but his mom would probably call the police if he didn't show back up at home soon.
"See you around, Dash."
"See you around, Danielle." He walked away with a slight skip in his step.
"You can call me Dani! With an "I"!" She called to him.
He walked backwards as he smiled and waved. Dani waved back with a reflection of his smile on her face.
Dash cleared the memory from his head. Nothing could stop the smile blooming on his lips.
After viewing himself from several angles, Dash took in a deep breath and sighed with the sound of self-approval, hoping desperately he wouldn't mess this up.
"What do you think, Pooky?" Dash asked his greyhound who was laying on his bed.
He yipped with delight. Dash smiled and knelt down to scratch his companion behind the ears.
"I'll be back home soon, m'kay buddy?" Dash reached into his mini fridge to retrieve a bottle of water that he poured Pooky's bowl. He goodbye to him, but only after submitting to the puppy-dog-eyes look and giving Pooky a bacon strip treat.
Grabbing his Letterman jacket (force of habit), and the keys to his Taurus, he exited his bedroom.
Walking past the living room on his way out the door, he spoke softly to a haggard looking woman sitting on a couch. She was watching TV with her head resting heavily on her fist, her eyes bloodshot.
"I'm going out, but I'll be back soon, okay,?"
The woman slowly turned her head towards the boy. She spoke in a gruff monotone. "That's what your father said."
Dash rolled his eyes in exasperation. She was suffering from one of her famous hangovers no doubt. Surprising, seeing how it was only a little before five in the evening.
"I'm just going out with a friend. I'll be back before midnight, I promise."
Not bothering to wait for a response, Dash closed the front door to his two-story limestone house and locked it. The boy got into his car and turned the key in the ignition unsteadily with shakiness that had returned to his hands.
Calm down man, he thought to himself.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Peering critically at her reflection in the mirror, Dani wiped under her eyes to clear her face from the mascara fall-out that had flaked off. The tiny girl made an indignant "Hmph!" and crossed her arms.
"Oh, stop, you know you like it," a certain ginger said proudly, her hands placed on her hips.
Dani guffawed. "Yes because I looove being made to look like a plastic barbie." She pulled at her soft and shiny hair. "Thanks a lot, Jazz."
"You're making it sound way worse than it is," Jazz said with a shrug. "You don't have to be a tom boy around the clock. Don't let Danny's boy genes get to your pretty little head."
At that time, the sisters' brother stormed into the room.
"Speak of the devil," Jazz mumbled under her breath.
"Is it true?" Danny asked, his fists clenched and eyes flashing green.
Dani rolled her eyes. Instead of beating around the bush, Dani said point-blank, "Yes, Danny, I'm going on a date with Dash."
"Are you serious?" Danny growled. "Need I remind you that we're talking about the same kid whose bullied me since before he could count to ten? How could you even consider going on a date with him?"
"He asked very nicely," said Dani simply.
He was her clone, not her dad. She didn't need his protection, nor him snooping around her business.
Danny glanced around the room looking desperate for something that could prevent her from going.
"What if there's a ghost attack? One, you'll be all alone. Two, Dash doesn't know you're my clone or a Halfa. Or did you give away all the secrets away to the enemy?" Danny crossed his arms, the look on his face suggesting he thought he had won the argument.
"No, Danny, he doesn't know anything," the girl sighed. "And he isn't the enemy. I can handle myself; I've already proven that. Besides, the restaurant is sixty some miles away from Amity. In case you haven't noticed, the majority of the ghosts stay here." Which was entirely true. They were like moths to a flame, hungering for any ectoplasm they could get their hands on. Well, if they had hands.
"I still don't like it," Danny grumbled.
"You don't have to," said Dani dismissively. "I'll be home before curfew. Go hang out with Tucker or make-out with Sam."
Danny narrowed his eyes and then sighed in defeat. "Just be careful, alright? I don't want you coming home melting into a puddle of ectoplasm again."
The Halfa snorted. "That won't happen." She crossed the room to hug her older brother to comfort him. A few moments later, Danny left the room and Dani, seeking relief from the now humid air, went to her cold window.
"You can't blame him Dani," said Jazz. "It's in his nature to be overprotective."
Dani nodded. The conversation was to be expected. She leaned her head against the window.
Looking down at the streets, she saw Dash's Taurus start slowing down by the sidewalk of her house. She started to panic, but that feeling was replaced with confusion when the car took off and turned right at the stop sign. Dani stood there staring at the street and was rewarded when she saw his car pull up again. Only to shoot off like a rocket and make a circle around the block once more.
What was he doing? Dani asked herself.
"I'll make sure Mom, Dad, and any other unwanted onlookers aren't there to bother you when Dash comes to the door," said Jazz with a smile.
"If he comes to the door," murmured Dani, not quite loud enough for her sister to hear. She went back to her mirror and flattened out the skirt of her dress. Butterflies were dancing the Thriller inside her stomach.
Calm down, she thought to herself.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Dash drove to the Fenton house and circled the block at least four times, trying to slow his racing heart and bring his nerves under control. He pulled over to the curb and after straightening his collar one last time, stepped out of the car into the chilly fall, evening air. (It was pretty cold for five o'clock.)
Dash left his jacket on the passenger seat, all thought of it lost in the maelstrom that was his mind. As he finally reached the front door, he hesitated, his fist poised in mid air.
Oh, Lord, Dash thought to himself. What if her dad answers the door? I'm a junior, and she's... she's just a freshman! What are they going to think? Or worse... Danny. He was bound to hate Dash after all he had done, but now taking his... cousin (if he remembered the relationship right) on a date? Dash wasn't anxious to have the boy blow up on him.
Pushing down the wave of nausea climbing up his body, he swallowed and knocked purposefully three times. It was quite unlike his habit of slamming his fist on his door at home until his mom woke up from her drunken stupor to unlock it for him. His jaw dropped as the door inched open and Dani stepped into view.
Dani, short for her age, stood there in four inch, pearl white heels that seemed to do nothing for her height; she was still a foot shorter than Dash. A knee-length, long-sleeve white and floaty dress covered in lace graced her body. A thick, glittery blue satin belt embraced her small waist. Her raven hair that was normally straight was now flaunting soft, voluminous curls that cascaded down past her shoulders almost to her waist.
Unlike Paulina, Dani had done her make-up tastefully. A nude pink lipstick, mascara that wasn't overkill, barely rouged cheeks, and a sparkly copper eyeshadow all seemed to contribute to making her vivid, ocean blue eyes sparkle in the evening sun.
Dani laughed lightly as she took in Dash, making the fidgety teen before her wring his hands.
"What's wrong?" he asked nervously.
Dani gestured to him then to herself. "We match."
Dash blushed fiercely and looked down at the floor (first to scrape his jaw up off of it) to hide the crimson erupting in his cheeks. He mumbled to the floor, "I've never really dressed up this much before." He looked her in the eye and a tender smile spread across his face as he said, "But you look..." he paused searching for a suitable word, "Breathtaking." And with that he took her by the hand and escorted her to the Taurus.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Dash drove carefully, coming to slow gentle stops, and accelerating ever-so gently. He had precious cargo and didn't ever want to put Dani in harms way.
The restaurant was an hours drive (there was nothing in Amity Park that warranted the ensembles they were wearing), so Dash and Dani had plenty of time to talk to each other. Unfortunately, Dash found himself grasping desperately for a topic. He could not let this girl lose interest in him. Maybe if he went slightly over the speed limit to get there faster–
"What's your favorite type of music?" Dani inquired suddenly.
Dash was stunned temporarily before he snuck a glance over at Dani. She was smiling at him in a curious and expectant way.
"Well, um, I don't know," said Dash, mentally tripping over his words. He probably sounded so stupid to her. Anxious to redeem himself he quickly added, "I like listening to oldies music."
Dani raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You, Dash Baxter, like listening to the Golden Oldies?"
He nodded slightly, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. Should he have lied and said Ke$ha or Bieber?
Dani leaned back in her seat folding her arms into her lap. She smiled and said cheerfully, "There may be hope for you yet."
Dash forced a small nervous laugh then grew serious and began to panic. He knew it was his turn to ask a question.
"Well, um, Dani..." He started, his knuckles white and clasped around the steering wheel. "Do... do you read much?" He asked lamely, mentally smacking himself on the face for such a stupid question.
Dani didn't seem to think so as her whole face lit up at his question. "Oh, yeah!" she exclaimed. "Where do I begin? There's this one series about Greek mythology..." She began naming off a list of her favorite series, giving a short summary of each.
Dash couldn't help but smile. Her talking about something she was obviously so passionate about made him feel... invigorated.
Dani slowly trailed off, feeling suddenly self-conscious. She always managed to talk way too much. She cautiously glanced at Dash, only to catch him grinning like a fool as he reached across the car and took her hand in his. He hadn't realize until now that she had his Letterman jacket draped across her legs. Light smudges of blue still marked the red.
He ran his thumb over her smooth skin. Those butterflies in her stomach were doing the Just Dance routine to "Rasputin" now.
He chuckled, "There may be hope for you yet."
So Dash likes to read, huh? Dani thought. "Hey, now, watch it. That's my line, Buster," said Dani teasingly.
"Actually, it's Baxter," Dash mocked, sarcasm layered on his words.
He glanced over to see Dani staring at him with a slightly goofy smile (that he found endearing) spreading across her delicate features. He winked at her and Dani seemed to melt.
I did something to make her swoon, Dash thought proudly.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
When the two high schoolers arrived at the location of their dining pleasure, Dani sat stock still while she gazed up (and up and up and up) through the sun roof at the tall building.
While she was busy gawking, Dash had already made his way to her side and held the door open, his outstretched hand ready to help her out of the car. She blushed as she accepted his offer, and she climbed out of the car subconsciously clinging to his Letterman jacket.
"Do you want to take that with you?" Dash asked nodding towards the jacket.
"Oh," Dani mumbled, her cheeks heating up even more so. "I didn't even realize..."
"It's a little chilly, you might need it later," Dash suggested, saving Dani from embarrassment.
Her ghost powers would block out the cold, but it was nice to have his sweet, musky smelling jacket along her side.
The two walked slowly to the front doors with Dash nearly pulling Dani alongside him when her attention returned to the remarkably tall restaurant. In a gentleman like manner, Dash opened the door for her, causing a pink glow on her cheeks.
How many times am I going to blush like this tonight? she asked herself.
A huge unsupported dome rising dozens of stories high loomed over them. Around the dome were balconies overlooking the ornate lobby that consisted of many lounge chairs, stone fireplaces, and expensive looking lamps atop mahogany end tables.
Dash led his date to the glass elevator located across the lounge, and they patiently waited for the elevator to reach their level. After entering (and allowing Dani inside first) Dash pressed a button at the top that read... well, it was jibberish to Dani. If she had to guess she'd say French. Maybe her nerves were affecting her more than she thought.
The raven haired girl rested her hands on the support bar and gazed down at the magnificent lobby as it got smaller and smaller. A soft ding sounded, and the couple exited with Dash's arm placed daringly on Dani's waist. The attendant on duty greeted them as they walked through the doors of the elevator into a much smaller lobby.
"Bonne soirée, Monsieur Baxter, avez-vous une réserve ce soir?"
"En fait je ne, Alfonse," Dash replied fluently, a lilting accent flavoring his baritone voice.
Dani turned to Dash agape, completely unaware that he could speak another language, let alone fluently! A light scarlet coloured his cheeks and he chuckled nervously. A silence ensued, but before it became uncomfortably long Alfonse interjected.
"Who would be this this ravishing young maiden you've entreated the company of tonight?"
This time it was Dani's turn to blush – again –, her usual outgoing self disappeared at the comment.
"My name is Danielle, sir," she mumbled, too shy to even use her nickname.
Alfonse complimented her appearance (to which Dani said a nervous thank you), and he led them to an available table. Dani felt an odd sensation of movement when she stepped past the lobby. She furrowed her eyebrow and looked around for a threat from a ghost.
Dash nudged her and said, "It's a revolving restaurant. See?" He pointed to the lobby which was now moving at a barely noticeable pace.
She continued to look outside the windows as they followed Alfonse. It appeared they were in downtown Chicago, though how Dani missed that fact she had no idea.
Their waiter seated them and took their drink orders. Dani took a Virgin pina colada daiquiri after a quick perusal of the menu, and Dash a cherry crème soda. Then with a flourish of his pen, Alfonse swept their drink menus away, replaced them with the main menus, and went off to prepare their drinks.
"Well, this is... amazing," said Dani, feeling lame with her limited vocabulary. She leaned back in her one person booth seat that appeared to be upholstered in some sort of satiny velvet material. What she wouldn't give to have a pillow made out of that.
The whole dining room was a circle (like a doughnut) around the lobby and kitchens and bathrooms of the actual restaurant. The windows curved along with the dining room providing a 360 view of Chicago. The lights were dimmed very low to allow the lights from the skyscrapers outside to engross everyone in the room. The experience was like no other. What made it all the sweeter was the window seat they had gotten for a close up view of their surroundings.
"Dad and I use to come here to celebrate my birthdays," Dash said in a nostalgic tone. Not wanting to dwell on the past, Dash quirked his eyebrow and asked, "Danielle, huh? You never use your full name."
Feeling silly again, Dani simply nodded, her attention focused on the magnificence of the John Hancock building which was escaping her view due to the rotation. "I guess I was just shy back there with you two spouting... French nonsense."
Dash leaned across the tiny mahogany table only meant to seat two. "Surely I could call you that, too." Gazing deeply into her eyes he continued softly. "With name as beautiful as Danielle, I could not bear to part with a single syllable of it."
If she wasn't blushing before, she sure as hell was now. "Where did you learn to talk like that, Mr. Baxter?" She couldn't hide the genuine surprise in her voice.
"You can learn a lot of things from the French, it seems. After all, it's the language of love." The devious boy winked again before leaning back in his seat.
A second later a slim waitress deposited a selection of breads which was quickly followed by two small dishes of spreads. One was honey butter and the other was sun-dried tomato basil.
As soon as the waitress left, and at exactly the same time, both Dani and Dash swept the latter of the two spreads to the end of the table. They exchanged a knowing look.
"Tomatoes... blah," the two agreed.
The dinner date continued with Dash buttering up a soft roll for Dani (which melted in her mouth blissfully) and the teenage boy attempting (and succeeding) to make his date swoon with more romantic comments. Who knew he was such a smooth talker with the ladies?
"So how did you learn French anyhow?" Dani inquired. "The school only offers Spanish, German, and Swahili."
Dash's face seemed to crumble like a pastry for a second before he regained his composure and said quietly, "Back when dad was still around we, uh... we used to travel a lot. He was a linguistic specialist and he'd take business trips to all these exotic places where he'd live with the indigenous tribes. He would document everything he could about their language. I picked up on some of those languages, and others, along the way. Hence the French.
"There were times when he was gone for an entire year. Every summer he'd take me with him on at least one trip. And then... one year we never heard from him again. Mom's convinced he ran off with some other woman."
Dash was then silent for a long time before starting again.
"Sometimes I wish I could hate him for not coming back, but more than that, I just wish I knew what happened to him. Whether he's still out there somewhere. Whether or not he thinks about me. The police haven't found him, but you know, that doesn't mean he isn't... "
For the second time that night Dani's hand met Dash's – this time across the table – and his shimmering blue eyes lit up considerably.
He smiled for a second and then asked, "What about you? Ever travel?"
Dani returned the smile. She was grateful for not dwelling on the conversation because she had no idea what she would've said. "Actually, yeah. Last year when I was thirteen I went overseas to Rome, Paris, Athens, Lower Egypt, bunches of places."
"I really liked Athens when Dad and I went. Even though the Parthenon was in ruins, it was still pretty amazing," Dash reminisced. "How did you get everywhere?"
"Oh, I flew," said Dani flippantly. Only after it was done did she realize what she had said. She gave herself a mental rare-quadruple-face-palm.
"That seems like it would be really expensive. I would suggest taking the Metro in Europe. Much cheaper. Well, it wouldn't matter I guess if your parents were loaded," Dash laughed. "They went with you, right?"
Biting the inside of her cheek, Dani wracked her brain for an excuse. She felt horrible lying to him... "Uh, well –"
At that exact moment a siren began wailing and sprinklers went off overhead.
Glancing around confusedly at first, Dash realized it was a fire alarm sounding. Waiters were ushering people out a door that led to escape stairs.
No, not this! Dash thought. This was not how this date was supposed to go.
Cursing under his breath, Dash led Dani (who was promising herself to say a few choice words to Jazz about the four inch high torture devices adorning her feet) by her arm to the escape exit.
Before they could reach the stairs, an earth-shaking crack pierced the air. Take the sound of someone popping their knuckles magnified by fifty. The floor split beneath Dani's feet, and gravity snatched her from the air like a marionette whose strings had been snipped.
Until the next chapter...
-A.M. Williams