"You boys are late! Having too much fun out there, eh?" Dad patted me on the back, almost knocking my exhausted self to the floor before Vlad pulled me back up.

"We all already called on the shower line. Looks like you two are last!" he beamed.

"That's great Jack." Vlad panted slightly. I so gave him a run for his money.

"We're gonna...go pick out...some clothes." I gasped, inching my way for the stairs.

"Okay then! See you later!" And he trampled off to the lab.

We made it to our room and collapsed on the air mattress, sprawled out. I was breathing heavier than Vlad, but I didn't care.

"Good race, Danny. Your getting better." he complimented.

"I better be. I've had these powers for two years now!"

Vlad chuckled and closed his eyes, breathing gently.

"Your friends are...entertaining." he said suddenly.

"Well I'm glad you approve." I yawned.

We laid there for a while, listening to the beginnings of chaos in the house, waiting for our individual turns in the shower.

"So, how bad is it going to be?" Vlad was referring to the party.

"Horrible. My Dad's parents are just like him and he has three brothers too, but they're a lot smaller in size, still obsessed with ghosts though. I'm not even going to bother telling you their names. You'll forget them all. My mom's side is coming too. Her parents are moderately interested in ghosts, but not so much. Grandpa used to be a master in martial arts and Grandma is still a brilliant scientist. Then we've got all the cousins and nephews and in laws to deal with too. All in all, the house is gonna be packed."

Vlad groaned and smacked his palm to his forehead.

"Oh, they're nice people, just really loud and I don't exactly know half of them. But that's how most families are."

"Are they?" Vlad asked, something hidden in his voice. Wistful, maybe?

"Well what's your family like."

Vlad snorted.

"Cockroaches." he said flatly

"What?"

"My family is like a bunch of cockroaches. The only reason they ever talk to me is on the hope that I'll write them into my will. Except for my sister. She just flat out hates me."

"She hates you? Thats a pretty strong word-"

"Trust me Danny, she hates me."

"Why?"

"I don't really remember anymore. We lost contact about a year ago after I called her fat and kicked her out of my house."

"You called her fat?" Geez, doesn't he know to never call a chick fat.

"She pissed me off. A lot."

I couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Well I've got good news for you."

"And whats that?"

"When you get that cat, you can just tell everyone it belongs to your sister and she'll never know." I laughed.

Vlad then proceeded to strangle me with the blankets as I cracked up laughing.

"Whose next!" A booming voice called.

Vlad pushed me out of the bed, a playful smile on his lips.

"Go take a shower. And try not to use all the not water now."

"Mom and Jazz got in before us. There's no hot water left." I rolled my eyes, but trooped out, shivering slightly as I closed the door behind me.

I was in and out of the water as fast as I could. I was bathing in ice water that actually turned to ice once that I had to scrap off when I tried to try off. Unfortunately, it was all stuck in my hair and wouldn't melt along my arms, chest, and legs. I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my waist, my legs feeling uncomfortably stiff as I forced them to move. I peaked out the bathroom door and once I was sure the hallway was clear I ran to my room. I didn't want to use my ghost powers because that would have sped up the icing.

I ran in and slammed the door shut behind me, locking it quickly and turning around to spy a surprised Vlad blinking at my toweled form, a sarcastic glint passing over his eyes.

"You know Danny, you might be taking things a little too fast-"

"Oh just shut up and help me." I rolled my eyes, walking toward him.

He laughed, but melted all the ice quickly, some water dripping on the floor. Then the jerk kissed me, caressing my face and dancing across my lips, only to pull away teasingly with a playful smirk.

"Don't forget to get dressed." And he left. Jerk.

"Meh meh meh don't forget to dress." I grumbled. "Like you'd rather me be dressed."

So, for the hundredth time since Vlad first arrived, I painfully punched down a certain part below the belt and attempted to get dressed. I had to look at least semi-Christmas-y or my mom would throw a fit, so I tugged my black dress pants on and a forest green turtle neck that was a little snug, due to it shrinking in the wash. Just to make her happy I threw on a Santa hat and that was the extent of my celebration. Vlad walked in as I was pulling the belt clasp shut and he paused in the doorway. I could feel is eyes roaming over me as I put my socks on, until finally I looked up at him.

"Wh..."

The word died on my lips. I had never seen Vlad with his hair down and damn did he look good! The silver color of his hair fell in rivulets, brushing his shoulders. He was wearing black dress pants and a deep red, button up shirt. Finally, he broke the silence, clearing his throat and shutting the door softly.

"You look nice." he commented, still staring at my shirt.

"Yeah, you too." I coughed.

There was a really weird silence where I just want to jump his bones like some stupid school girl, but I successfully restrained myself. Vlad meandered over to the mirror, occasionally looking at my reflection as I cleaned up the water on the floor, and I watched as his hands started glowing. He ran his hands through his hair and a soft hissing sound signaled the water turning to vapor. I watched, fascinated, as the silver color brightened and cascaded down his neck. He pulled a black ribbon from his pocket and I think he caught my slightly downtrodden expression at the sight of it because he looked at himself in the mirror with a smirk and said,

"You think I should keep it dow-"

"Yes."

He turned around and laughed, walking to his suitcase and putting the ribbon away, instead pulling out a brush. He shook his head and laughed a bit more, running the brush through his hair.

What? The man was gorgeous with his hair down. I sure as hell wasn't going to deny it.

Then there came a very loud knock at the door.

"Maddie! Jack! How good to see you!" a booming voice echoed through the house, obviously a relative of my Dad's.

"Good, good. I'm glad you could make it." Mom was probably smiling.

"Of course! Wouldn't dream of missing the smiles of my favorite family!" Came another equally loud voice.

Who were these people?

"Come on." Vlad sighed, "We better get down there before Maddie or Jazz comes up here to get us."

"Yeah I guess."

But just before I opened the door Vlad suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me right up against him, running his hands down my body.

"Damn you look good in tight shirts." He commented, a hungry grin crossing his features. I blushed and smiled sheepishly.

"Okay, now we can go." He turned me around and pushed me out the door.

"Your such a fruitloop." I laughed, the blush still there slightly.

Vlad flicked me in the head, raising and eye brow and smirking when I turned around to yell 'Hey!"