That had become a horrible, daunting fact to Danny over the years. He was surrounded by friends and family, and was still horribly alone. There weren't many halfas in the world, and the few he'd met had already made up their minds as to where their abilities were better suited: robberies, horrible mischief. Even in that respect, he was alone. But hearing Vlad admit that same loneliness was almost like realizing he wasn't on his own anymore. Danny looked from the man to the blazing fireplace, his thoughts wandering.

"I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that. You never seemed troubled by that before."

"That's because I wasn't. It was easy to feel more powerful than everyone else. I have power any human would kill to have. And unlike normal ghosts, I'm not forced into a world of emptiness and memories long gone. I can come and go where I want, whenever I want. And it's never been a problem."

"So why now?" Danny looked at Vlad, feeling himself get sucked in by everything the man said. All this time, and it turns out they were thinking the same thing: I'm alone here.

"The first time I found out about my powers, I went crazy. I stole, and I pulled so many pranks. And when that wasn't enough I moved up to bigger things, and made myself everything that you see now: an untouchable billionaire," Vlad looked at Danny then away, his eternal gaze fixed on the flame before them. "But the high died so fast, I didn't even realize just what it meant to be what I was. I wasn't completely human anymore, or a full ghost. I was stuck in the middle of two worlds that can never meet."

"That's why you invited us back? You had no one else?"

A little chuckle left Vlad, and let his head hang back as he stared at the ceiling. "Your father may have a completely disrupted idea about ghosts, but I never stopped considering him my friend. It was hard for me to realize that the only reason we lost that friendship was because of me. That accident wasn't anymore his fault than it was your mother's. We all just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"You're really serious about this? You're not upset anymore?"

"I don't have the energy to be upset anymore Daniel. And frankly, I'm tired."

He'd never seen that expression on the man's face. In all the years that Danny had known Vlad, he'd seen a wide array of emotions, from his darkest rage, to his most sincere happiness. But never had he seen, even for a second, the deep regret that was now on his face.

"I guess that means we're not enemies anymore."

"No, we're not. I was I hate to admit, foolish for picking fights with someone so young. It's distasteful when I think back on it now."

Danny laughed, and he really couldn't help himself.

"At least I don't have to sleep with one eye open anymore."

Both of them shared a good laugh, and continued speaking for quite some time. He'd never really felt so relaxed. Even around his friends and family, Danny had always had to watch what he said. He couldn't get Sam and Tucker to understand what it was like for him being a ghost. And he'd never mention it to his family. If it hadn't been for that slip up a year back, they'd have never known. Of course, under the circumstance, it was either change and expose himself or watch his family die. It took a long while for his parents to accept what he was, and when they finally did, it seemed as though they didn't understand either. They were constantly checking up on him, afraid that he would be taken away or turn against them. They still overreacted, more often than not they would use more weaponry than they needed against a ghost so Danny wouldn't have to transform. It was ridiculous. He'd helped them countless times before, and now they treated him as if he were made of glass. And it didn't help that they knew he was gay either. Danny heaved a deep sigh, and didn't even realize he'd taken a seat next to Vlad on the table.

"Something wrong?"

"Hmm? Oh, no I was just thinking." Sky blue eyes looked into the fire, which had begun to die down ever so slightly. "My parents don't want me to leave for college."

"I thought you were already settled in the dorms?"

"I am, and that's the worst part. They're worried that I'll be more vulnerable to ghost attacks if I'm there on my own."

"Hah! If nothing else they should be worried about other ghosts being vulnerable to you."

"Hey V-man! Do you mind if I pick another room? I found a real beauty down the hall!"

Jack burst into the library suddenly, a big grin on his face. Vlad looked back at the man and nodded, his smile going cold again.

"Make yourself comfortable Jack. Which room did you chose?"

"It's the one with the huge TV against the wall!"

A disappointed frown marred Danny's face as Vlad followed Jack upstairs to the room. Then something else began to tug at Danny: his feelings towards the man. He'd finally found someone he could speak to freely about his powers, and he was going to be too busy putting up with the rest of Danny's family to really talk. Danny felt selfish, but he also felt he had to the right to be that way. Vlad was the only one who really understood what it meant to be a halfa. He wasn't going to let go of the chance to feel normal for once. Just as Danny was about to storm over, he saw the look of joy on his family's faces, and his anger was quashed.

Everyone insisted on going on a hike around the mansion. It was surrounded by nothing but forest and mountain side for miles around, and offered the perfect chance to get immersed in nature.

"You know Dad some of us would like to relax while we're here."

"Oh come on Jazz! Lighten up and get into the spirit! We are relaxing, right here in nature!" Jack took a deep breath through the nose and sighed out in excitement. He led the small expedition, Vlad at his side. Maddie tried to keep Jasmine chipper by showing her plants and bugs, neither of which did much to attract the young woman. And behind everyone was Danny, his eyes wandering everywhere. So this was what it felt like to be so far from the city? It was unnaturally calming. Danny caught himself smiling, and he felt like taking off into the air and just zooming around through the trees. And apparently he was just about to.