A/N: I got nothing... Just enjoy.

Ok, on to the chapter. Read and Review.

Chapter Five: Aurora Borealis

As it turned out, staying curled up in bed for roughly thirty hours wasn't hard to do for Danny. Like any teenage boy he had a lot of experience being a bedroom hermit for days on end. There were long weekends where Danny never left his room unless it was to grab a shower or find something to eat. Then he would go right back to his room and close the door. Curtains would be shut and the room would be dark, the only light coming from Danny's computer screen and desk lamp.

His mother had teased him about it before, calling him their ghost son. With his parents being in the "supernatural" business they found it pretty funny. Danny on the other hand was less than amused. He thought they were crazy as it was. If their joke did anything, it made him hide out in his room alone more often. Though there were weekends where he and Tucker would hang out and see how many video games they could clear in forty-eight hours.

But this time around, Danny didn't have much to do. Of course he didn't want to be doing anything in particular. So he stayed in bed and wasn't bothered until the weekend was over.

On Monday morning the quiet sound of Danny's alarm buzzed through his door room. Normally it wasn't as annoying as it was today. Danny dragged himself out of bed and turned the alarm off as quickly as he could.

It was going to be a long day. He grabbed a five second shower down the hall, before throwing on a lose sweater and jeans. With his hair wet and ruffled, Danny threw on sneakers and headed out for his first class of the day.

Being in a bad mood was one thing but by the time Danny walked into the library at the end of the day, he was downright suicidal. Dragging his feet, Danny wandered towards the back of the library. Like any time during the day there were students working away as table and computers. It was a crowded atmosphere and pretty much dismissed the point of working in the library.

The astronomy study group worked upstairs in a back corner. It was quiet enough there for everyone to focus. The unfortunate thing was that Danny wasn't focused on studying at all. He was paying closer attention to Vlad, and not in a productive way. It was more of a 'pathetic-love-struck-teenager-day-dream' kind of way. This made class much trickier. Danny was trying to ignore the twist of his gut when he walked up the stairs to the second floor, though it was proving difficult. Now that he had come to terms with his annoying feelings Danny was dreading being in the same room as Vlad, which made him wonder why he was going to their study group today at all. He could just skip it. Well, in theory he could do that. Knowing his luck he'd get asked why he never showed up. This made Danny pause.

One hand was on the fire exit door, perfectly OK with going back to his dorm room. If Vlad stopped him after class to ask why he had missed their meeting today, would that mean he actually noticed and cared? Or would he just be doing his job? Would he wonder where Danny was on a personal level, or something else? The answer seemed obvious. Danny was his student and nothing more. Vlad didn't think, no, would never think of his as anything other than a student. He was an immature kid and Vlad was successful, handsome - and for all Danny knew – probably married.

Danny leant his forehead against the cool metal door. He closed his eyes and sighed to himself. If he wasn't bummed out before, he sure was now. There was no helpful way of putting it all.

Deciding not to be some depressed loser, Danny stood up straight and chose to have some pride. He wasn't a spineless sook. Even though he felt like one. So with his head held high he forced himself to walk through the book aisles. Danny had a feeling he was a bit early because he couldn't hear anyone talking. There were a few people on the floor with him but they weren't part of his class. They minded their own business and Danny left them alone.

Danny peeked around the last bookshelf on the row. The large table was empty of teenagers. Proving he was early. But moving around the table sorting out paper was Vlad Masters. It made Danny freeze mid step. Whatever confidence Danny had, it was now shattered into insecurity and heartache. Danny stepped back and hid himself around the corner of the metal book shelf, keeping an eye on his teacher. A small blush creeped onto his face involuntarily.

Vlad hadn't seen Danny yet so was unaware of him hiding like a scared little child behind the U7000-V1300 shelf. He was busy sorting out sheets of paper onto the table for the study group. Vlad was dressed in his usual attire: dark dress pants and black shoes, a white button up, vest and tie. The sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up, but it didn't make him look any more relaxed. His light hair was pulled back by a black band. Danny thought he looked wonderful as always. Then again, Danny was starting to think this man was incapable of looking like a normal human being. He wasn't complaining though because he liked Vlad just the way he was. Right now, that seemed to be a bad thing.

Danny slid back along the shelf and sat down on the floor, back resting up against the books. It was tough having self-esteem sometimes. He knew he should have just left. Class was going to be a pain in the ass now. With a sigh Danny sat there quietly. Behind him the rest of the study group filed in soon enough.

"The aurora australis, or the southern lights, has almost identical features to the aurora borealis..." He could hear Vlad's deep voice clearly. It was kind of like going to their meeting. "They can be seen in Antarctica, South America and Australia."

Danny moped to himself on the floor. He pulled his knees into his chest and sulked. All he felt like doing was listening in on Vlad lecture. It was nice to hear his voice even if he couldn't stand looking at him right now. Sure he felt like a coward and a little bit like a stalker, but he didn't feel like going back to his room alone.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there without moving. His feet were tingling oddly and his legs had fallen asleep at some point. It wasn't very comfortable on the floor but Danny wasn't moving any time soon. As far as he knew that was. It took him a while before he realised that Vlad was quiet. Maybe the study group was over now. That meant he could go back to his dorm without guilt.

"Daniel?"

Danny jumped seeing Vlad in front of him looking baffled. He blinked and got to his feet slowly.

"Mr. Masters... What are you still doing here?" Danny asked, trying not to sound anxious.

"I was just about to leave. You weren't at our study group. Have you been sitting here this whole time?"

Vlad took a small step forward. It made Danny jump back in a mild panic. This turned out to be a bad move because the next thing Danny knew he was on his back, holding his head. White spots dotted his vision and there was a slight ringing in his ears. A warm hand wrapped around his own.

"Daniel? Daniel, are you alright?"

Danny looked up at the concerned face of his teacher. He blinked the spots away and tried to sit up.

"Yeah I think so..." He replied in a daze. Sitting was proving harder than he thought it would. Vlad had a strong hold on his shoulder to keep him up straight.

"Be careful Daniel. You tripped and hit your head on the shelf."

"I'm ok..." Danny pushed himself up. When he got to his feet he swayed unstably. Again Vlad had to help him stand. Danny leaned into his touch slightly. It was nice, and he needed the help. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Vlad trying to get his attention. He looked up at him with hazy eyes.

"What?" Danny asked in confusion. "Did you say something?"

"Yes I did." He said "I suggested going to the medical clinic. You're looking pale."

"Oh... Yeah ok," Danny said leaning on Vlad a little to walk. He was helped out of the library and through the campus yard over to the Student Union building. It was a rather embarrassing walk over to the medical clinic but Danny wasn't paying any attention to the weird looks he was getting from passing students. He was inside Vlad's personal space, and it was heavenly. Vlad was warm and strong. He was perfect. It was just too bad that it was going to be over soon.

A little while later Danny found himself sitting in a nice cushy chair with an ice pack on his head. The world had stopped spinning, thankfully, but he still felt dizzy. Probably because Vlad was still sitting next to him, it was making him a bit uncomfortable and completely at ease at the same time. He dared a glance over at the man next to him and was rewarded with a handsome smile. It made Danny melt. He smiled back with a lopsided smirk, which was much dorkier than attractive. The smile quickly vanished when this thought crossed his mind. Danny felt like such a loser compared to Vlad.

"Are you feeling better Daniel?" It was touching how concerned Vlad sounded but damn it if Danny was going to think too much into that. He might later but not in context to this situation.

"Yes," Danny nodded "and thank you, for this."

"It was the least I could do." Vlad offered casually.

"You didn't have to stay and sit with me. It was nice enough of you just to walk me here."

"I simple wanted to make sure you were looked after."

"Well thanks." Danny couldn't help how bright red his cheeks were getting. "That's really nice of you." His voice dropped significantly for the last part. He was really hoping Vlad didn't hear him. And if he had, Vlad didn't say anything about it. He just smiled.

The sweet moment was interrupted by Danny's stomach rumbling loudly. His smile fell and he groaned.

"Sorry about that. I haven't eaten since lunch."

"It's pushing six o'clock."

"Yeah, I know. I'm going to have to run over to the cafeteria while it's still open. This is the busiest hour too for some reason. It's going to close in an hour and a half. You'd think people would have some common sense to eat earlier." Danny paused feeling a little weird rambling like this. "Sorry... My brain is still a little rattled..."

"Not at all," Vlad said. "Your complaint is valid."

"Yeah but I'm actually tired of cafeteria food. It's never any good. I might grab Sam and go downtown for food... She's vegan though... It's not so much food as in vegetable mulch."

"Lovely, and is this Sam your girlfriend?"

Danny looked up at him curiously. It was a fair question, although it was definitely the last thing he figured Vlad would be interest in knowing. It still made Danny snicker a little to himself.

"Oh god no," He said. "We're just friends. We've been friends since we were kids. Besides, I'm not seeing anyone."

Vlad nodded as Danny went on rambling.

Then Vlad said something that completely dumbfounded Danny. It literally caused him to go speechless, which was a hard task to do because he could make a comment about anything really. Yet Danny couldn't even stammer. He looked at Vlad with big round eyes which said everything for him.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you would allow me to treat you to dinner."

Nope. It still made Danny's brain freeze.

Yes it was weir and yes it was probably giving Danny the wrong idea but he sure as hell wasn't going to say no. It's not like he was just asked out on a date or something. He smiled though and said in a cheery voice,

"... Sure!"

Danny set the ice pack down. If he didn't know better he'd think he was dreaming. Though if it was a dream, Danny doubted he'd have hit his head so hard. And if it was a dream the two of them would have had hot sex right on the floor of the library. And with that happy though in his head, a very red Danny stood up to leave.

The two walked out of the clinic together and towards the elevator. Danny was comfortably quiet and was still grinning from ear to ear by the time they left the building. So with his resolution on to get too attached to Vlad completely thrown out the window, he let himself be lead about to the school's parking lot. No one was really around at this time. It made Danny feel a bit better for some reason. He knew no one was going to be staring at him for hanging around a teacher. But then again, Danny was so happy that he probably wouldn't care if anyone did look at him strangely.

"That's your car?" Danny asked with a short, sceptical laugh. It was a nice car too. Though Danny didn't really know a lot about car's it was pretty obvious that it cost a lot of money. The car was classy and a sleek black. It had slightly tinted windows and the interior looked like leather.

"Yes it is." Vlad said casually as he unlocked the door.

"I'm impressed. This honestly looks like it cost more than my house."

"It most likely does."

Danny nodded and got in, snuggling back into the fresh leather seat. Normally he was the first to judge people solely on the basis of having nice things but it was too nice to complain about. However, he had to ask.

"How can you afford this as a teacher?"

It made Vlad laugh a little. Danny knew that he wasn't being laughed at though – for once.

"My boy, if there is one thing that I am good at, it is making money. And I make a lot."

"You are insanely lucky," was Danny's only comment to that. He'd have to put Vlad's good fortune on his list of things to be jealous over.

"I'll let you in on a secret Daniel," Vlad leaned over a bit. "It doesn't take hard work or luck to make a fortune. All you need is to know the right people and the ability to lie."

"And yet, I'm still impressed." Danny said with an unintentionally flirty smile.

"That is good to know."

As pleased with his good luck as Danny was, he wasn't fully content. Yes he was so happy he thought he could float away, and yes he didn't care what anyone else thought about him. But there were a few things burning at the back of his mind, and it was no longer his headache.

Danny looked out the window, ignoring the little voice in his head. He wanted to enjoy himself for as long as he could. As far as he was concerned, they weren't at school anymore so he didn't have to think of Vlad as just his teacher. Danny could think of him in any way he wanted, for now.

During the car ride Danny never asked once where they were going. He didn't really care. Was it irresponsible? Yes, probably, but Danny was happy. Every so often he'd glace at Vlad out of the corner of his eye. It made him blush lightly and smile. Vlad looked so content. It really made Danny wonder...

"Don't you have better things to do tonight than taking me out?" Danny asked out of nowhere. He probably should have thought that through a little before blurting it out.

Vlad looked over at him, it almost made Danny want to jump from the moving vehicle.

"No, not at all," He told Danny in a pleasant tone. "While I may have other things to do this evening, I would rather be here."

Danny was very relieved to hear that. It did bright up his previous questions he had about Vlad.

"So you have no work to do, or family to go home to?"

"I constantly have some kind of work to do." Danny nodded at his answer, waiting for him to continue.

"And as for family," Vlad gave a small laugh. "I rarely talk to them."

"Why?" Danny was a little shocked now. "You don't talk to your wife or kids?"

Now Vlad was really laughing. "I have no children."

"Really? I figured someone like you would be at least married."

"Not anymore, no."

"Not anymore...?" Danny stared at him, feeling a little less despressed.

"We divorced years ago." Vlad said sounding entirely alright with the fact he was divorced.

"Oh, Ok." Danny smiled. He could deal with Vlad being divorced. Danny now felt pretty good being around him. Vlad was divorced. He had a flaw. That was great. Danny did find him too perfect to be true.

He was cheering on the inside.

The two didn't have to drive much farther. Vlad parked before Danny knew where they were. This made him quite shocked when he got out of the car. It was now that Danny started regretting this whole ordeal. He should have just gone back to his room when he had the chance.

"I hope you're hungry Daniel." Vlad said, walking him to the door.

"Starved..." The anxious tone was horribly masked. Danny followed anyways, trying to straighten his shirt. It was far too nice of Vlad to be taking him out at all, but here? No, no, no... This was insane. It was the fanciest restaurant Danny had ever seen, though he never saw many in Amity Park. So it went without saying he never ate some were this posh. He was more of a burger and fries kind of guy, not a black tie man like Vlad.

Feeling underdressed, Danny followed after Vlad closely. He stayed as quiet as possible trying not to draw attention to himself. But of course just being there made him stand out. Everyone in the restaurant looked so fancy. It was warm and softly lit, and really expensive. It'd almost be romantic if this was a date.

They got seated shortly. Danny wasn't feeling any less like a fish out of water. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Vlad was sitting right across from him. Those stormy eyes watched him curiously. It was making Danny's heart flutter.

"Are you alright Daniel?" Vlad asked resting his chin on his knuckles.

"Of course," Danny rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm just hungry."

"May I ask you a question?"

Danny nodded. He could very easily guess what the question was going to be.

"In the library earlier, what were you doing sitting on the floor?"

"I was... uhmm..." Danny tried. It was just too bad that he was such a bad liar. "I wasn't feeling too good."

"Please Daniel; you can do better than that." Obviously Vlad was too smart for him. Danny sighed softly.

"You've wanted to ask me about this since we were at school, didn't you?"

"Of course I did. I chose to pick the right moment though."

"And the right moment was in the middle of a fancy restaurant?" Danny asked a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Perhaps, I hoped you would feel more obliged to tell the truth."

"That's kind of, oh what's that word... manipulative."

"Yes, thank you." Vlad said with a smile. Danny followed suit, lips turning up. "Now answer the question."

"Uhmm..." Danny frowned. He didn't know what to say. Anything would come out wrong. Vlad waited patiently for a reply. It was causing an uncomfortable silence. Danny looked down to avoid eye contact.

"It's alright Daniel." Vlad finally said. Danny looked up at him, eyebrows knitting together.

"Huh?"

"I understand."

"I doubt that." He argued. Danny was obviously fighting a losing battle, but he was stubborn. He knew what Vlad meant and Danny knew he was right.

"Believe me. I know."

"...Are we talking about the same thing?" Danny asked.

"Yes," was the answer.

"You're ok with that?"

"I was counting on it." Vlad smirked in enjoyment over Danny's surprise.

"You're an evil genius." Danny finally said after a minute.

"Hardly, I am a genius though."

"Smooth." He said. "You have a high perception of yourself." Danny snickered. Vlad was too charming.

"I wouldn't say that."

"Oh really, and why's that? Are you too full of it to admit?"

"Well, let me ask you something. What do you think of me? Do you think I'm 'full of myself'?" Vlad asked. Danny opened his mouth to make some snarky comment but couldn't think of anything to say. Danny leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

"I think," He started "that you are very, very full of it."

Of course that's what he said but he said it in such a way that it sounded like he said, 'You're smug but you are so hot.' Danny would never say that in front of Vlad but he was sure thinking it. Apparently however, Vlad was some kind of mind reader because he raised an eyebrow in amusement. Though Danny saw this coming, and didn't mind so much. He took it as a win that Vlad hadn't rejected his flirting yet. If he was going to be a tad bit of a flirt, he was going for it.

"You are an interesting boy Daniel." Vlad admitted.

Danny tilted his head to the side. He thanked Vlad for the partial complement, and returned it. However his comment was meant as a tease.

"And you're a very interesting man Vlad." Danny said with a dolling glance.

"In the best way possible I hope."

"Yeah, in the best way,"