A/N: Finally! The time has come for this story to be updated. I've heard controversy about it, and I do have something to say about it. Those who feel that Danny's parents and Jazz cannot be mean to him are welcome to that opinion. This story is AU for a reason, and in AU, anything is possible. His parents being mean to him are just as possible as a kid being able to be half ghost.

Thanks so much to: Deleila, Celestial Moonshine, briedee, starlight wishes, Hisoka Lover, phantomdog, Ghostboy814, Black January, divinedragon7, Missmeliss4251, and Inuyasha-Babygirl for reviewing. You give me much joy.

Note: This chapter is probably the only one that will NOT be in Danny's POV, for it gives information on what's going on, for he's out of the picture right now. And to all the people who think like above, this is the chapter for you. The whole situation is changing…After you read, the preview for the next chapter is in my profile, as usual.

Chapter 2: Fallacious Reasoning

When Maddie first discovered that she was pregnant, she freaked out. If she were any other married woman, she might have rejoiced. But she had no room for another child. She was a scientist, and she barely had enough time for her first child, who would turn two in eight months.

'And just enough time for the baby,' she mused.

She had informed her husband of the matter, who was more pleased about it.

'Honey,' he remarked. 'This is great! Why…aren't you happy?'

'I don't know,' she replied honestly. 'I mean, we have so much on our hands already…and with us not being able to find a paying job in our field…'

'Come on Maddie!' he remarked in an attempt to lift her spirits. 'This'll be great! It'll be another child to love and care for…we don't need to worry about that right now…'

'But honey, how are we going to afford the bills in the next few months. We have to find someone…who would buy our inventions!'

'We'll just have to find a way to invent something the government will like. For instance…' He paused for a second, thinking.

'How about…an improved laser system! That way, it will detect trespassers and net them at the same time so they won't escape! Then the police will automatically be called to arrest them! How about that, Maddie?'

'That sounds good, Jack. That might work. And about the new baby…should I get an abortion? I mean…'

'Oh goodness, no! This is a good thing! Why don't you ask your mother for advice. She'll tell you, and help you out. In a few months, we'll be adjusted and you'll be much happier, ok? I'm going to look for that department now…what was its name again?'

'Look in the Fenton index, dear…' Maddie said, waving him off.

Jack left, scratching his head in confusion. Soon after that, Maddie picked up the house phone, dialing her mother's number.

'Ring….Ring….Hello?' an elderly voice asked.

'Hi mom. It's me, Maddie.'

'Why Maddie…you haven't called me in over a month! How's Jasmine?'

'She's good, mom. Listen, I'm having another child.'

'Oh good for you. I, however, chose to have only you, because a second child is too troublesome.'

'Really? Mom, I'm calling you because I need advice. What should I do?'

'Oh, have the baby dear. You know, some people have more than one child so they can help with the housework. Of course, the oldest deserves all the attention. The other children are only there to help. You have to teach that baby when it's born to be obedient, ya hear? Otherwise, things will get quite messy…' The woman said. She held contempt for her younger siblings as a child. She never was paid attention to. She would make sure that her daughter didn't make the same mistake as her mother did.

'Ok. Thanks mom, you helped me a lot. I wouldn't know what to do without you.'

'I know dear. Hugs and kisses, I love you, ba-bye.'

'Bye mom. I love you too. Have a nice day.'

'Click.'

------T-------

Nine months had passed by. Jazz's birthday had passed and she was feeling miserable. Jack was driving in the family SUV to the hospital.

'Daddy!' Jazz screeched in her two year old voice.

'What, Jazzypants?' Jack asked, concentrating on the road.

'I wan' food, NOW!'

'No, Jazzy. We have to go to the hospital now to have your new brother or sister, ok?'

'Don't wan' no brother or sister. I'm hungry!'

'Wait a few minutes, Jazz. We can get you food as soon as this is all over, ok?'

'Food, NOW! NOW! I'm HUNGRY! FOOD! FOOODD!' Jazz then started to bawl loudly.

Maddie just closed her eyes. Maybe she shouldn't have gone through the trouble to keep this baby. After all, this was just creating disorder in the whole family.

'Maybe this will cool off later,' she hoped.

There was only fifteen minutes left till they arrived in the hospital emergency room, yet to her, it felt like a nightmare that lasted for eternity.

----------TTTT------------

The rest of the hospital trip was a blur. All she recalled was loud screaming from Jazz, It seemed to echo in her mind, blocking out recognition of anything else. She then remembered pain, and then darkness.

She woke up, barely opening her eyes. Jack was there.

'Oh Maddie, you're awake!'

'What…day is it?' she asked, rubbing her eyes.

'Why, it's Friday.'

'But we came in here on a Monday…'

'Well, I have an explanation for that. The doctor accidentally dosed you with too much of the anesthesia so you ended up being knocked out for a week! I'm just glad that you're up now, and that you didn't fall asleep before our new son was born.'

'I fell asleep…right afterwards then? Ugh…why do I feel so sleepy?'

'Yup.'

'Did you name the baby, Jack?'

'Yea, I had to. I also got to cut the…oh, what was it called again? Oh well…well anyways, let me tell you what I named our son. His name's Daniel.'

'Daniel…sounds good. Did you give him a middle name?'

'I couldn't think of anything but my name, hun'.'

'It fits.'

'Well, we have to go home now ok? I brought some clothes for you.'

'Jack…where's Jazz?'

'She's right on the seat in this room, dear,' he said, indicating to where she slept.

'Where's the new baby…Daniel?'

'Oh, he's in the car. Why?'

'Oh my…'

-----------T-------T-------

She remembered, that time she went to first see her son, who was left in the car for who knows how long, and it scarred her life forever. He was, first off, in the backseat, the car straps a tad too tight. The seat wasn't properly strapped in, so it had tipped over, assumingly during the car trip. His face was swollen blue and black, and his limbs were limp. He almost died that night. Thankfully, they still had insurance, and the bill wouldn't be due for another month. Otherwise, they would never be able to pay it off. But she felt that it was well worth the risk, even if they didn't have insurance, if it would save her new son.

She remembered, what the doctor told her after his operation. He was barely four days old, and was already experiencing heart trouble and breathing difficulty. The surgery was successful, so he wouldn't have to wear an oxygen tank. Her poor baby…the image when she first saw him flashed in her mind and she almost screamed again, but bit her lip to muffle it. The doctor had given her medicated milk powder to give him when she wasn't breastfeeding.

'Curse that doctor,' she thought angrily. 'If it weren't for him, I would have woken up earlier, and this whole thing wouldn't have happened. But it's impossible to change the past…'

Oh how she hoped to change it all. Her baby will be messed up for life, and it was her husband's fault. And partially her own…

TTTT

She remembered when she first taught Danny how to walk. He had staggered painfully slow, which was expected of a six-month-year-old. The first time, he only made two steps before he fell down again. She tried again and again, until finally it felt as if it were impossible for him to even be able to walk. She thought about her mother's advice so often. But how could she possibly even sort out her family if her son couldn't walk? Maybe he sensed her inner agony, so he looked at her funny.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' she said accusingly, then regretted her words.

He just blinked.

'Stop it! No, I mean it! Stop it this instant!'

'Stop,' he said.

She was shocked. Had he just said something? She didn't work up to teaching him how to speak yet.

'Say it again,' she demanded, reaching down from the sofa to pick him up.

'Eh?' he cooed, blinking his deep blue eyes again.

'Please say it. Say mommy, say something.'

All he did was blink.

For the rest of the year, and the year to come, she could never get another word out of him, nor could she teach him to walk. On his first birthday, Jack had finally got them a job working for the government experimental laboratory. They were so busy working on the new security system that they had no time to celebrate Danny's birthday. Luckily for themus, it was successful, and installed for them a permanent position. The family was saved!

The next year, it was once again Danny's birthday, and he couldn't do a thing right. Maddie had made him something special for breakfast, and Jazz was fussing again.

'Mommy! Can't we do something fun?'

'No, Jazz. It's Danny's birthday today.'

'Do I care?'

'You should, he's your brother.'

'So? Mommy, you're ig-nor-ing me!'

'No I'm not, Jazz. I'm just making his plate so he can have breakfast.'

'Why don't I get a specs-ial breakfast on my bir'day!'

'Because, he's a picky eater.'

'Mommy! Why don't you love me anymore!' Jazz said, crying.

Then, Maddie recalled her mother's words.

'Of course I care about you dear,' Maddie said.

'No you don't,' Jazz sniffed.

'Yes I do, and just as much as Danny. How about I take you to the park?'

Jazz nodded. And the two left, oblivious to Danny, who was left on the stairs by himself. Jack had gone to the supermarket, so he was left alone.

--T—T—T

They had arrived home, giggling. They had stayed too late. It was now 5:30 PM. As soon as they went inside, they were met with Jack, who had a panicked look upon his face.

'Maddie…' he started. 'Tell me that you took Danny with you…'

'I didn't. Wasn't he here with you?'

'Remember I told you that I was going to go to the store? I thought that I had told you…'

'You didn't tell me Jack…' Maddie said. In her head she was thinking, 'What's this all about?'

'Well, I checked everywhere, even the lab, and Danny's nowhere to be found.'

'What do you mean, Jack!'

'What I mean is, that he's gone.'

'He wasn't there when you got home?'

'No, and I had gotten here three hours ago.'

'Oh my gosh…'

---T----T----T

They had searched for hours. They had driven in the car, looking everywhere in the town, even though they had a feeling that he wouldn't be there. Maddie knew that he was incapable of going anywhere on his own. After all, he couldn't even walk yet! He was probably kidnapped…but she hoped with all of her might that he was there, somewhere, still in the town, waiting for them to pick him up. But at the end, it was to no avail. Jazz was cocky at the beginning, but soon she was fearful as well. The family would return home…without the one they were looking for. The mood was solemn, and it had sunk in like the moon which has just rose into the crisp night air, casting silver reflections onto the clouds above. It was all very surreal, and so sudden. The cool sunk into their souls like leaden iron. As their souls sunk, so did the condensation in the clouds. The slivers of rain fell upon the earth as surreally as the night began, and an uneasy peace settled in. The family knew that this announced that their search was over.

Finally, they drove back to their home. When they pulled up in front, there was a dark figure on the stairs in front of the house, but they didn't take notice of it, too caught up in their suffering. Solemly, they trudged to the door. And sitting on the doorstep was the boy that they had been looking for. His small body drenched in rain, he shivered, and then looked up to face his family.

'Danny?' Maddie asked, unsure.

'Mommy!' Danny murmured happily, then got up, to everyone's surprise, and hugged Maddie's leg.

Maddie thought, 'he's too independent. He taught himself how to…he didn't need me.'

At this moment in time, she came upon the belief that Danny, her own son, didn't need her anymore, although he was two years old. She knew that Jazz still did, however. She reassured herself that this was true, and then decided to rearrange her life, and let Danny grow on his own, like he was supposed to.

'Let go of me,' she said reluctantly.

Danny looked at her in a questioning manner.

'I said, let go!' She said, kicking her leg free.

Danny fell to the pavement with is eyes wide open, with tears streaming out.

'Mommy?' he said.

She walked inside the house, and Jazz and Jack followed.

"Mommy? Mommy? Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!'

His voice trailed throughout the house. He crawled in to follow her. What she failed to notice was that his legs were swollen and bruised. When he had entered all the way, Maddie closed the door, and then picked him up. Danny immediately stopped talking.

'It's your bedtime, Danny,' she told him. At least she could still do this. She walked up the stairs and placed him in his bed, then tucked him in.

'Goodnight Danny,' she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Danny winced, and she took it was a sign of dislike.

'Mommy…?' Danny asked.

But he never got a response. Maddie turned out the lights and closed the door, before walking back down the stairs.

Maddie thought that she was making the right decision. Finally, she would be doing things right…or so she thought.

T-T---Present Time—T-T-

But still, after three years, she had not gotten things right. Instead, she had made a huge mistake.

'Jazz! Why did you say that to him?' Maddie screamed angrily.

'Because it's true,' she retorted.

'No it's not, and you know that Jazz.'

'He'll come back, like he always does.'

'Ok.'

She truly believed that he would, for like her daughter said, he always came back. He was pretty mature for a five-year-old. She still admired his independence, and no matter what she said, he would always maintain that philosophy he has. She was very proud of her child, and at that time felt that it was the best thing in the world that she had not intruded into his life. But after thirty minutes, she realized what she truly had done or a part of it at least.

'Jack?' she said, shaking her husband awake.

'Wh-wha? Did Danny come back yet?'

'No, and that's the problem. We have to go look for him.'

Jazz was suddenly reminded of what happened three years ago. She involuntarily shivered.

'Ok, Maddie.' Jack said. 'Let's go!'

They left again, just like before, but not in a car, like they did before. Once again, they set out to look for him as far as they thought he might wander. And like before, they did not find him. It was getting late. The sky was brimming with anger, or so it seemed.

'It's all my fault!' Jazz declared as she started to cry.

'No it's not,' Maddie said, although she wanted to blame her child ever so badly, but she knew that it wouldn't help the situation, not in the least bit. 'We're going to find him soon, ok?'

'I'm sorry, Mommy! I chased him away…I should be pun-i-shed…' Jazz whined, tears cascading from her face. 'I'm so scared Mommy…what if we never see him again?'

'Don't think like that honey! Now where did Jack go?'

After she said that, she saw Jack running towards them out of the corner of her eye.

'Jack? Where did you go?' she yelled to him.

After he made it back, gasping profusely, he made out a few words:

'I called the police.'

'Jack, don't you think they'll scare him? You know, after Danny stayed up with me to watch those real life police runs, I don't think…'

'You showed him those? Those are rated M for a good reason!'

'I know, but he wanted to and, he seemed so mature about it…'

'Maddie, I know you feel you should, but Danny's just a five-year-old, he's not much more mature than any other five-year-old, and you need to realize that.'

'Jack…'

'I didn't get a change to tell you before, because we were always too busy working on our 'side project'. Please think about it, we're affecting him more than you realize. And I admit, it's also my fault, because he tends to be unnoticeable at times. After we find him, promise me you'll try to change. I know I will.'

'I promise, Jack. Now let's hope the police find our little boy…'

NEW SCENE

Vlad Masters was currently reclining next to a brook. What was special about this brook was that it was the same river that was at the back of Amity Park. Originally, he was going to go there, but he had heard that it was raining. So he chose the next best thing, which was to watch the now calmed river, along with the added rain water, trickle harmlessly down through various pebbles and soil. The thing he regretted though was that he didn't bring his camera. This would have made a great picture for his living room, to calm him from his ever edgy nerves. At least there were trees here to provide him shelter, if the rain clouds drifted his way. For he, the heir of the Dairy King, was always prepared, just like he was when he had received ghostly powers from a freak accident.

He scowled. 'Stupid Jack,' he said aloud. 'Ruining my chance at living life…Ohh calm down, calm down…'

He breathed deeply to inhale the serene atmosphere. Remembering Jack had always spiked up his stress level. His doctor told him to watch it, and so he did. He joined the coin collecting club, the Green Bay Packers fanclub, and of course, the Photography club. He liked the latter the best, because if he spent so much at the store, like he needed to do anyway, he would get discounted trips. And he loved saving money. It did wonders for his stress level.

It was now nighttime, and he still wasn't tired of watching that same river. It was even more entrancing than at daytime. As he was watching, his eyes caught what looked to be a large ball with hair, bobbing up and down on the river. He ran from his sheltered position to see what it was, and then he was glad that he did. It was an unconscious boy with sleek black hair and closed eyes, whose head was barely above the water. Vlad acted quickly and grabbed him, pulling him out. Then he dropped him, accountably for the shock of the ice-cold water. The boy fell onto the rocky bank. First, he checked his pulse. His heart was still beating, although terribly slow. His hand was clammy also. Then he checked to see if he was breathing. It was also affirmative. The next step to do was to take him to the hospital. He picked the boy up again, and then ran to his cabin to call the emergency number.

He would not get stressed out, even though this boy that he had never met before was in danger of dying, or at least of pneumonia and amnesia because of the cold water. Vlad Masters could no longer allow himself to become so. No, he had to wait, and bide his time. For now, he'll concentrate on getting this boy to the hospital.

In thirty minutes, he arrived at his cabin. He reached into his pocket to get the key, and then opened the door with it. He took out the key, opened the door, then closed it behind him. He locked it, then set the boy on the couch and went to the kitchen. He picked up the phone and dialed the number.

'Brrng…Brrrng…Hello? You've called the emergency hotline. What's the problem?'

'I would like to be transferred to the nearest hospital. I've found a boy that needs immediate attention.'

'Right away. Click. Brrrng…Brrrng…Hello, this is the Northwestern Memorial Hospital. What seems to be the problem?'

'I need an ambulance.'

'And you are?'

'Vlad Masters.'

'Password?'

'JRMLSICNGAD.'

'Ok. You're location?'

'The Amity Brook.'

'Right away sir. They'll be there in 20 minutes, tops.'

'Have a nice day.'

'Click.'

--JRMLSICNGAD: Jack ruined my life so I could never get a date.

I'm not going to update unless I get 8 reviews.