Notes Before the Story:

Author's Note: Due to family complications, all of my fanfictions were put on the back-burner. But, I'm back in full swing and wanting to get all of this posted! As always, I appreciate the reads, but more importantly reviews!

Full Summary: A year has passed since the events of the C.A.T.S, and thing seemed to have finally calmed down. But, things head downhill when an old enemy gets loose and threatens to turn his world upside down, and Danny must risk everything to stop him. But will he be able to save those he cares about before it's too late?

Warnings for Rating: Violence, Character Death

Parings for the Story: Doesn't really focus on pairings, but involves Danny/Sam and slight Danny/OC (that's complicated)

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or any of its associated characters. I only wish I did.

Special Thanks: As always, to my sister for her editing and plotting :)

Chapter Two

The brightness of the white room blurred as eyes squinted open. His breath brought in the unpleasant smell of sanitation and latex gloves, and a steady beep echoed over and over at a steady pace as his eyes started to focus. Danny lifted his head from the pillow, and his whole body began to ache. His head started to spin and he let it fall gently back to the pillow. 'What happened…?'

An IV was in his hand and its stand beside his bed. Right next to him was a gray nightstand with a couple of drawers and a phone on top. Beside the phone, daisies smiled at him. He glanced around to the other side of the room. He smiled when he saw that Sam and Tucker sat in the chairs nearby. About that time, Sam stirred. Yawning, she glanced over to Danny. Realizing he was awake, she walked to his bedside.

"You're up," she smiled.

"What was your first clue?" he half-heartedly joked. "Where are Mom and Dad?"

"With Jazz," she said. "What about you—are you okay? How do you feel?"

"Well, I'll live, if that's what you mean…how's Jazz?" he asked.

"In critical condition," Sam sighed, bracing herself. "They…don't think she's gonna make it," she said, tearing up.

Danny tried to swallow the lump that clogged his throat. "Can…I see her?" he asked.

"She's not awake yet," she replied. There was a brief pause. "So what happened anyway?"

"I…can't remember…" Danny stared at the ceiling, trying to remember. Jazz swerved…the car toppled…finally landing on its roof. Weakly, Danny opened his eyes. Jazz had looked like she was sleeping in the driver's seat when he had looked at her. A limp ragdoll. Blood speckled her face, and a trickle slid down from her left temple. What after that…?

"Have a nice nap."

"Danny? Danny?!" Sam said loudly, snapping him out of his trance. Tucker stirred in the background as Sam continued. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…I just…I'll explain it later," he said as Tucker joined Sam with a small wave. "Who found us in the car?" Danny asked to change the subject. Before an answer came, the door opened quietly and a strange and tired couple tip-toed in.

"Mom? Dad?" Danny said, his voice cracking a little.

"Danny! How do you feel, sweetie?" Maddie asked hugging him gently. Jack, too, joined the hug.

"Fine, I guess…how's Jazz?" he asked.

"Fine," Maddie replied, "The doctor expects her to make a full recovery."

"Mom, tell me the truth," Danny demanded.

She looked up at Jack, who nodded sadly. The poor man looked like if he spoke, he might fall apart. "Danny," she began, "Whatever happens…there was nothing you could've done to stop the crash. It isn't your fault."

"You don't know the half of it," Danny muttered to himself. "I'm gonna get some rest, okay?"

"Of course, sweetie. We can talk later," Maddie replied, kissing him gently on the forehead. His parents departed again, and were soon followed by Sam and Tucker, who had to go to school.

*~*~*0*~*~*

Only two days later, Danny was released from the hospital, receiving a week's sentence of bed rest. Since Jack and Maddie were at the hospital with Jazz, Sam and Tucker took turns missing school to take care of him. Apparently, Lancer and the other teachers were very understanding of the situation. Valerie had also stopped by every day to check up on Danny, and help keep him caught up.

Monday came too soon. And though he would've rather been with Jazz, Danny had to return to Casper High.

"Sam, can I ask you something?" he asked as he closed his locker in the crowded hallway.

"Sure," she replied.

"Do you…remember going into the future? When I was evil and…all of that?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason, I just…couldn't remember if you did or not," he lied.

"Oh, by the way, do you remember what happened?" she asked as they headed towards the classroom.

"With my evil self?"

"No, the accident. What happened in the accident?"

"Oh…yeah…an SUV slammed into Jazz's door. The driver…must've been drunk or something," he lied again. He had already decided he didn't want to get them involved; there really wasn't anything they could do. He needed to find someone that was a necessity to the outcome—to his future.

"Tell Lancer I'm not feeling well," Danny said.

"Why? Danny, what're you—?"

"Can you just tell him?"

"Okay, sure…but where are you going? To see Jazz?" she asked.

"No," he replied. "I have to go to Wisconsin."

"Wisconsin? What's in Wisconsin?"

"An old friend."

*~*~*0*~*~*

The clang of the golden knocker echoed through the Packer's castle. It took a minute, but an older man in a black suit answered the door. Eyes were weary, dark circles deepening and hollowing his eyes. To Vlad Masters' surprise, Danny stood on the door step.

"What do you want?" he spat.

"Vlad…I need your help," Danny sighed.

"Of course you do," he replied arrogantly. "Unfortunately, you aren't going to get it." As Danny had expected, Vlad tried to slam the door in his face, and Danny caught it with his foot.

"Vlad, just let me explain," he begged. Vlad kicked his foot out from the door and slammed it shut. The door locked quietly, and Danny sighed as he sat on the doorstep. He could just phase through the door…but then, he really didn't want to make Vlad too angry. Somewhat desperate, he tried to think of another option. Finally defeated, he began his long flight home.

*~*~*0*~*~*

"So, did you meet up with your 'old friend'?" Sam asked, sitting beside Danny on the couch.

"Yeah…" Danny replied, "But I don't wanna talk about it…"

There was a pause. "Danny," Sam began, "Why'd you really ask me about your evil future self?"

"I…couldn't remember if you knew or not," he lied. With their usual perfect timing, his parents came through the door. "How's Jazz?" he asked almost immediately.

"She's…getting there," Maddie replied, smiling weakly.

"Mom, the truth? How is she?" he asked again.

"Getting worse," she replied sadly. It was strange; Danny had never seen his father this silent. It was almost eerie not hearing him blather on about ghosts or his latest ghost-catching device.

Sam bid them goodnight as she left and Danny went upstairs. On the way up, he told his parents he was going to bed. After locking his door, he changed into his ghost form and flew out his open window.