Authors Note: Hello again! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I just wanted to say that I know this chapter came out quickly, but I update at random intervals. I might update once or twice a day one day for a week and then not update for a week, then update twice a week, etc. It all depends on my school, work, and personal life; plus my inspiration. Sorry if this inconveniences anyone, but., rest assured, I have never discontinued or abandoned a story. If I don't update for awhile, it just means that I got side tracked with another aspect of my life that had more importance at the time. Or, it could just mean that I got sick again and it distracted me from writing. Anyways, I don't plan on not updating. I have a good idea of what I want for the moment, and I have the time to do it. Just be warned. Please review if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, or comments. Enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own Danny Phantom. Cujo ate the adoption papers. :'(

Chapter Two: Support from Unsuspected Places

It had been a good day for Vladimir Masters. He had gotten the two business deals he'd been working for the last month, him and Daniel had made a truce of a sorts, and Maddie had invited him for Thanksgiving next month. It seemed like everything was going in his direction. So, when he forgot his phone in his limo, he just gave a semi shrug and went to get it himself. However, to his great surprise something humanoid fell from the sky and stopped in front of him, and then fainted into his unsuspecting arms. To his greater surprise, it was Daniel.

What is he doing here, Vlad thought. And...why does he look like he flew through a hurricane to get here?

It was true. There were twigs in his dirty and straggly hair. His clothes were ripped and hanging off his too thin frame. However, what alarmed Vlad the most was his pale complexion and tear stained cheeks.

What could have happened to him, Vlad thought. For him to come here it must be bad.

Vlad shook his head, that didn't matter at the moment. What did matter was getting his little badger into bed and making sure that he ate something when he woke up. He sighed as he picked him up bridle style. It was time to take him to his room.

….Danny's POV...

Danny woke up groggily. His eyelids felt like they were glued shut, and his body felt tingly and semi-numb. Slowly, Danny started to open his eyes, but he immediately shut them again when a glaring white light erupted in his line of view. He waited a couple minutes, then reopened his eyes. When he confirmed that the light wouldn't blind him, he started to take in surroundings. The room he was in was lavish and it was so big he could fit three of his ro—no, his old room. The room was a dark maroon and the curtains were a royal purple. All the furniture had a dark oak finish—besides the deep red leather chair that was positioned by his bed. The comforter had a royal purple background with maroon and black embroidery sophisticated designs. The sheets were a brisk black, and the pillows followed suit. The mattress was the softest he's ever laid on in all of his fourteen years. It felt like laying on a cloud. Danny decided that he was so comfortable, and since didn't seem to be in any danger, that he'd probably go back to sleep. If only for awhile. However, right when he was getting comfortable again, a voice stopped him cold.

"Daniel," Vlad gasped in suprise. "It's good to see you awake. I wasn't expecting you to be up until a couple more hours. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?"

Danny immediately tensed when he initially heard Vlad speak, they were arch enemies. However, as Vlad spoke, he became increasingly confused. It almost sounded like Vlad was worried about him. That didn't make any logical sense. Why would Vlad his arch enemy worry about him?

"Daniel," Vlad said, his voice slightly strained. "Are you okay."

"Huh," Danny said intelligently. "Oh... I'm fine. Just thinking..."

"So, how are you feeling," Vlad asked again.

"Just tired," Danny said, and then his stomach growled. "...And, hungry."

Vlad nodded, like he expected his answer.

"I've already asked the cook to have something ready when you awoke," Vlad said. "I can have him ready it now, if you'd like?"

"Yes please," Danny said. "Thank you."

"Not at all, my dear boy," Vlad said as he made his way over and sat down in the leather chair. "Now, it's not that I'm not happy to see you here of your own free will, but I have to ask why it is that you fell into my arms unconscious yesterday evening."

Suddenly, everything came back to him, and Danny's whole demeanor slumped in painful recollection.

"Well...umm...you see," Danny started then sighed in defeat.

Vlad sighed too, however his was more from exasperation, and then said, "Daniel, why are you here?"

"I...I...," Danny said, and unbidden tears started to sprinkle in his eyes as his shoulders shaked.

Vlad, astonished, froze for a moment. In that time, Danny started to brake down into heavy sobs; which, in consequence, broke Vlad out of his stupor and allowed him to move over to Daniel as he surrounded the emotionally unstable teen into his arms. Once he had felt the stablility of another body, he clung to Vlad's check in search of support. His hands wound into Vlad's jacket creating deep wrinkles from the sear force of his hold. His body shook like a leaf as he let out his painful sobs. Vlad just held him tight against his chest, and glided his figures gently through Danny's tangled hair. Feeling the comfort, Danny leaned even more on Vlad's chest; his face pressed into Vlad's neck. For about fifteen solid minutes, Danny cried his soul out, and slowly his sobs become cries which dampened into hiccups. When he became calm Danny loosened his hold on Vlad's jacket, but he didn't move further as he still craved the comfort being embraced brought him.

"I...I," Danny whispered. "My parents...they found out."

When Danny said this, Vlad's stomach dropped.

"The-they didn't take...take it very well," Danny said. "They...they didn't even...l-let me explain. They...they just...kicked me out. They called me...scum."

Danny started to cry again, and Vlad tightened his hold, unconsciously, to let him know that he was still there with him. However, Vlad's heart was braking, and he tensed in disbelief. They couldn't hate their son. At least Maddie wouldn't.

"And..and then," Danny continued. "The took off the safety from the guns they were pointing at me. I ended up having to transform and fly out."

Vlad had to do a double take at that.

"You weren't in your ghost form before that," he asked shaken.

Danny shook his head, "N-no."

"Then why were they holding a gun at you," Vlad asked, confused.

"The-they found Kit-Kitty in my room hiding from Johnny," Danny told him. "Then John-Johnny came in with his motorcycle and called me 'Phantom'. They knew something was up, so they pointed guns at me, and started to question me. I couldn't avoid then, so I escaped."

Vlad frowned, and slowly he began to hate Maddie. Fury began to burn in his core, but he kept his face looking calm, he didn't want to scare Daniel.

"What about Sam and Tucker," Vlad asked.

"Traitors," Danny whispered. "They're traitors. They lied to me. They were dating behind my back. Leading me on. Traitors!"

They were going to pay for hurting his little badger.

"I see," Vlad said, his voice tinged with anger for the people that harmed his son.

"Can I...can I stay here," Daniel asked meekly.

"Of course, little badger," Vlad whispered to him. "You'll always have a place here."

Danny smiled with gratefulness, and then slipped into sleep; his even breathing echoing in the large room. Vlad messed with his hair while he steamed. Those imbeciles will never get Daniel back. He would make sure of it.