Chapter 4: "Love like Winter" by AFI

Danny gaped as he saw Annia hovering before him. Unlike the other ghosts, she was normally colored; if normal included silver hair. The violet eyes he could understand, since his mom had them, but the hair was strange.

"Annia?" Danny gasped. Annia smiled at him before flying around him, twisting her body around his.

"Maybe it has been awhile." She sighed as she took him in. He was well into six feet and had grown into the wiry frame of his youth. Danny's bangs fell into heavy blue eyes that stared at her with some cold fire. She shivered and moved her gaze. His chest was broad, a man's body versus that of a child's. Annia reached out to touch him and…

"That feels weird." Danny muttered as her hand passed through him.

"Who are you talking to Danny?" Danny turned and found Tucker standing behind him. Danny reached down to grab his book bag and fumbled with it.

"You can't see her." Danny said, more as a statement than a question. He felt like he was trapped in some cartoon.

"Another ghost?" Tucker questioned, peering over Danny's shoulder. Danny sighed and glance at Annia, who stood next to him.

"Yeah." He said simply and let it go. Annia seemed like a ghost and almost felt like one, but Danny knew that she wasn't. She had more substance.

"Sugar and Ice, Danny. And I am made." Annia whispered. Danny smiled at the reference and Tucker raised an eyebrow.

"It's in the blood." Danny replied. With that, a strange feeling rippled through him. He shook his head and Tucker took a step forward.

"Are you okay man?" He asked. Danny nodded and shifted on his feet.

"I'm fine. Aren't you meeting Jasmine somewhere?" He replied. Tucker's face brightened in a moment of realization and Danny groaned.

"Actually, Sam sent me. She wants all of us to go out and do something together." Tucker said. Danny shook his head and Tucker's smile fell.

"No way. I have other things to do tonight." Danny said.

"Like what? It's been quiet around town for the past few weeks. Why don't you come out with us?" Tucker questioned. Danny glanced over at Annia, who was leaning against a row of lockers looking bored.

"I think it's going to be getting interesting around here soon." Danny said.

"Do you not like Javier or Jasmine?"

"No, it's nothing like that."

"Then is it something about Sam or me?"

"Tucker…"

"No, I'm serious Danny. You've been practically cutting yourself off from us ever since Annia died and-"

"She's not dead."

"Danny."

"She's not dead Tucker. I can feel it. And I'm the one with the ghost powers here."

"You're right, you're right. But where has she been then?" To this, Danny stayed silent. Either he was unwilling or unable to describe what exactly was going on but Annia had no problems with that. She had wandered away and now leaned against the doors leading out.

"Fine Danny, but we're not going to be around forever." Tucker said, taking Danny's silence as denial. Danny sighed and watched as Tucker passed him and walked through the doors; passing right through Annia.

"That feels weird." She said as she wrinkled her nose and moved toward Danny. Danny shook his head and turned to follow Tucker out.

"After I drop my stuff off, I'll change so we can be together." Danny said and pushed on the heavy metal bar.

"Is Inviso Bill really invisible to everybody else?" Annia asked, using Danny's old nickname. It elicited a smile and Annia felt a warmth spread through her. She could see Domine in that smile.

"No, since before everyone could see me, but I've picked up a few traits along the way." He replied. He didn't mention that it had been due to a stint in Vlad's clutches that had enabled him to do that or that he frequently used it to sneak into Sam's bedroom when they had been dating.

"You're blushing." Annia stated as she hovered in front of him. Danny walked down the stairs and was slightly unnerved by her level gaze.

"Meh." Danny waved her off and pushed past her. Only a few students were outside the school now, all of the buses had left long ago.

"Danny, did you miss me?" Annia whispered into his ear. She clung onto his shoulders and pressed her face against his. All he could feel was a chill but he could see where she was.

"Of course I missed you." He replied, feeling his pulse jump in his skin.

"How much did you miss me?" She asked thickly. Danny nearly stumbled down the last step and felt his face blush.

"See, I like it when you blush for me and not for Sam." Annia said as she pulled away. Danny felt the flush drain from his face and he muttered under his breath.

"You've done too much research on me." Danny stated as he walked to his car.

"I had to see what you were up to over the past four years." Annia retorted. Danny shrugged and paused as he got closer to the senior parking. Leaning against the passenger's door to Danny's mustang was a familiar figure. And leaning against the hood was a more impressive one.

"Danny…" Jazz said from the car.

"Oh! Daemon's here!" Annia squealed and went off to stand next to her guardian.

"Why are you talking to yourself?" Jazz questioned. Danny groaned and went to the driver's door.

"I'll meet you at your house Danny!" Annia called before flying off. Danny followed her with his eyes till they disappeared from sight. When he looked back at his sister, he found that she had been looking in the same direction.

"Ghosts?" She whispered sharply over the hood when she lowered her gaze. Danny sighed heavily and unlocked his door.

"Do you need a ride home or something?" Danny questioned as Jazz opened the door and slid in.

"I actually wanted to ask you about Annia." She said as she closed the door. Danny's heart began to race but he started his car to try and remain calm.

"What about her?" Danny asked coolly as he backed the car out from its space. His mind raced; did she somehow remember what had happened? Did she remember Takune?

"I don't think it's healthy to be seeing an older woman." Jazz said softly. Danny stopped the car and looked at his sister. She had seen Danny's notes, which he knew said nothing about the supernatural aspect of the four days Annia had been around.

"Is that all?" Danny asked and continued backing up.

"Danny, she's in her twenties and you've only known her for a few days." Jazz said.

"First of all," Danny said and shifted into drive. "I don't appreciate you snooping around in my room while your home for the summer. Secondly, that was four years ago and I haven't talked to Annia since then." He blended the truth with a lie; he hadn't had a chance to really talk with Annia yet, and especially not about their relationship.

"Well, I just want you to know that you can always talk to me." Jazz said, trying to cover for her fumblings.

"Oh and Jazz," Danny said as he pulled out onto the main road. "She's old enough to be my mom."

It always made Danny smile when Jazz had a conniption fit.