Vlad didn't move to retrieve his phone, he was stunned. How on earth had someone taken a picture of them together like that? He moved back to the study and flipped on the small flatscreen television. Clockwork got up and walked to his side, intertwining his hand with Vlad's. "So are the Packers playing?" He'd have to admit it was rather fun to listen to Vlad give him the play by play, not only because he could hear just how happy it made him but also becausen of how much life Vlad brought to just about anything he described.

"No…" He flipped to a news channel and there they were, snuggled together on the couch. It would be rather innocuous if Clockwork was not floating, glowing, and generally looking very not human.

"Sugar cookies!" The newscaster stated that the picture was only made public 15 minutes ago. How on earth? He looked over to the window and back to the couch. They were on the second story, he hadn't even thought to close the drapes. Someone had managed it anyway, climbed the drainpipe maybe, and the GiW were already heading towards the estate.

"We have to get out of here… we have to leave now." He looped him arm around Clockwork's, they had to get out… what if they were already surrounded? The portal, they could go through there.

"Vlad, I don't understand. What's going on?" All he knew was the government anti-ghost group was heading towards the mansion, why they was a complete mystery to him.

Vlad looked around in a panic. Everything could be replaced should they knock it down. Everything that is, except his cat. "You head towards the portal, I will catch up with you in just a second. I have to find Maddie, if they take the place down again-"

"You go look for her, I will be okay." The time ghost cut in, Vlad was frazzled enough without worrying about him, his tone let Clockwork know that much. He kissed his forehead gently and phased down to wait for Vlad by the portal.

Vlad flew around the house, phasing in and out of rooms with reckless abandon. If someone was still watching that was another secret out of the bag. He finally found her lying on his bed. "Oh thank god." Maddie meowed at him curiously and he picked her up, phasing her into the cat carrier. No time to do things the nice way. He zoomed back out and towards the subterranean lab. At least there was a good chance they wouldn't find this.

"Okay are you ready to go?" Vlad asked Clockwork, relieved to see he had made it down as well.

"Yes, but will you please explain what is happening?" He could see various outcomes that all became extremely unfavorable but no source, was it because the cause was too close to him? This was the danger about spending so much time around Vlad, he couldn't really see anything about him.

"I will once we are in the zone." Just in case they did find the lab, Vlad put a delayed lock on the portal. Couldn't have anyone following them.

"Let's go." They both flew into the zone, the portal shutting behind them a few seconds later. "Oh god… I should have asked this before but Maddie won't die in here right?" Could living things besides humans make it into the ghost zone unharmed? She looked okay but…

"No Vlad, she's not going to die anytime soon." Though that had been a distinct possibility until they had fled. "Now can you please tell me what is going on? I can't see anything but a whole slew of less than desirable futures that weren't there yesterday and I am both worried and confused." Sure, there was going to be some negative publicity, a few months headache at worst but nothing of this caliber.

"Someone somehow got a picture of us sleeping." He said, not really believing it himself. How had anyone or anything gotten around his extensive security measures, not to mention the small detail that gravity applied on his grounds? It just didn't make sense.

Clockwork gave him a look of confusion, people already knew they were together. Unless… When he had woken up he wasn't disguised anymore. Both of them together, along with the similarities between the two forms, it was child's play to make that connection.

"Oh."

"Yes, we wouldn't have even known if it weren't for Daniel." Vlad realized he left Danny hanging. He was probably pretty worried at this point. He should really let him know they were okay.

"Well, we can thank him for that." Danny really was looking out for them. They could have been caught in a very bad spot if he hadn't been so persistent.

"How about you get back to the Clocktower. I'll see if the Fentons can take care of Maddie for a little while. She'd probably be happier there anyway." He also needed a few minutes alone to collect his thoughts. So much of his life just came crashing down around him in a matter of minutes and it was a lot to take in.

"Yes, just don't go outside, or near any windows. You should be okay then." He almost didn't want to let him go, there were so many bad outcomes it made his head spin but Vlad would never listen to him if he told him to stay, the man was too damn stubborn. Not to mention someone had to tell Danny they heeded his warning. "It's going to be okay. You'll see." Clockwork just barely held the confident facade. Several dozen awful futures hit him out of nowhere and he almost took it back, almost. Instead he settled for another kiss and a hug that he hoped conveyed just how much he cared.

"I'll be careful, I promise. Don't you worry either. I'll be back before you know it and we will figure out what to do together." With that Vlad took off towards the Fenton portal, he could only hope that it would be open.

AN: I'm back! Sorry for the long absence, I will be trying to post a chapter a week here from now on. This one is rather short but hopefully you all enjoy it!