Chapter Six

Danny looked for Andy at school the next day. He needed to talk to her. He had been so overcome with anger and fear that he'd pissed her off. The light bruise on his jaw was proof enough of that.

She wasn't in any of her classes. Neither Tucker nor Sam had a clue where she was. By the end of fourth period, he was beginning to worry.

When he walked to the cafeteria for lunch, he spotted the Mayor coming out of the office, making the feeling of anxiety more pronounced. Masters gave him a malicious grin as he passed by.

"Ah, Daniel," Masters cooed in his public-speaking voice. "Enjoying your education, I presume?"

"What are you doing here?" Danny snapped, his eyes flashing a ghostly green.

"Word amongst the townspeople is that your little friend Andrea is quite a skilled mechanic. I had the principal excuse her from school for a few days to help me with the cars for the parade next month. I hope you don't mind." He looked down his nose at Danny.

The teen was speechless with fury. He knew Masters was up to something, but he didn't know what.

In a few hours, he would find out.

…

Andy stood outside of the school with her backpack, waiting for the Mayor. He gave her the creeps, more than just because he was half-Ghost.

He requested her help in maintaining the cars that were going to be in the Halloween parade next month, and insisted on pulling her out of school so she would have time to do it. Being that she was still pissed at Danny from that morning, she didn't really mind not being in class.

She saw the Mayor exit the school, walking toward her.

"Should I follow you, Mr. Mayor?" she asked. "I'm parked around the back."

"That won't be necessary, child. I will ride with you." He smiled politely and dropped a friendly hand on her shoulder.

"You won't be more comfortable in your limo?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter to me," he responded. He leaned in, "Truth be told, I have a guest in the limo whose company I can no longer stand. I was hoping to catch a few moments without them."

Andy nodded, "Who is it?"

Vlad looked around subtly, "My younger brother." At least that's how the townspeople will know him.

Andy hummed a laugh as she approached the diesel, "I wasn't aware you had any siblings, Mr. Mayor."

"Well, you could say we aren't close. But you know how siblings are," he responded.

"Not really," Andy replied. "I'm an only child." They approached the truck, "Here it is."

She could tell Vlad was disenchanted by the large, old pickup, but he didn't verbally complain as she tugged the passenger door open.

She drove the bumpy old rig up the cobblestone driveway to Vlad's house. It was a big, flashy mansion with a driveway wrapping around a large fountain.

"Pull back down that little road on the right," he instructed.

Andy obeyed, parking beside a garage-like unit the size of a regular person's house. Her mouth fell open at the sight of it.

"This is your garage?"

"Why, yes," Vlad replied, stepping out of the truck. "I do love American classics, but, I'm afraid I don't know much about how they work."

A hiss of air fell from her lips when Vlad was at the steps to the main house.

"I dropped my phone under the seat, I'll be right behind you!" she called up when he looked behind him.

"Danny, so help me…"

He appeared in a crouch behind the tire, out of sight. "What are you doing here? Masters is a bad guy!"

"I'm just here to fix up a few cars, don't get all worked up about it," she grumbled.

"You shouldn't be involved with him. You know who he is! Why are you even considering it?" he hissed.

"Because some of us have bills to pay," she snapped. "And I'll be damned if I skip out on rent because you and Plasmius had a hissy fit."

Danny opened his mouth to speak but Andy cut him off.

"Get out of here before I scream 'Ghost' at the top of my lungs," she hissed.

He lowered his brows and frowned, "You can't avoid me forever. We need to talk."

"Make an appointment like everyone else," she slammed the door and started up the walkway.

Andy followed Vlad up the neatly manicured walkway to the main house, trying to mask her irritation. She took care to wipe her feet on the mat outside before stepping into the exquisitely decorated 'foyer', whatever the hell that is. Vlad's butler took her backpack and books with a polite smile. She handed him the hat as well, remembering her mother telling her it was impolite to wear hats indoors.

"Tom?" Vlad called. "I pray he's not here, but it would be rude to not introduce you," he said to her. "Thomas!"

Andy raised a brow.

"What is it, Vlad? I told you not to disturb—" the man Vlad had called stomped heavily down the stairs, grumpily responding to his brother, until he caught sight of a guest.

Andy ran her fingers through her hair nervously, hoping she didn't have hat-hair. She felt so out of place in this mansion already, she didn't need dumb hair on top of it all.

"Forgive me, brother. I didn't realize we had company," Thomas said as he collected himself to finish his descent of the stairs.

"Thomas," Vlad said, hiding his irritation, "this is Andrea Carter. She will be working on the parade cars for the next few days."

Thomas approached, keeping his eyes on her in a familiar way. He had black hair that he kept long, hanging messily in his eyes and a little shaggier than was neat on his neck. He had a patch of scruff on his chin, wide shoulders, sculpted arms, and a mischievous smile. He was fairly casually dressed compared to Vlad, in dark jeans and a black t-shirt. He looked at Andy with emerald eyes.

"It's just Andy," she extended her hand to him, expecting a firm shake from his large hand.

Instead, he gently turned it over and kissed her knuckles. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Andy. I'm Thomas Masters, Vlad's younger brother," he replied huskily.

Andy looked at him, her eyes filling yellow, wondering what was so familiar about him.

"It's nice to meet you, Thomas," Andy nodded.

He reluctantly released her hand as Vlad dropped his onto her shoulder, "I will show you to the garage."

Andy nodded, turning to follow him.

"Thomas," Vlad turned. "Do try not to interrupt Ms. Carter. We are on a timeframe."

Thomas frowned as they turned to go. Vlad tugged Andy out to the garage and opened the side entrance for her. When he flipped on the lights, Andy gawked.

The garage was pristine. Cars ranging from the twenties to the current year were lined up precisely along the perimeter of the garage. One wall had five fully-stocked tool boxes and four different air compressors. There were two lifts, a paint booth, a heavy machinery room, and a break room in a loft above the garage. Andy felt tears welling up in her eyes, thinking of her father and his dreams for a garage like this to work in.

"Is there anything else you require? I tried to acquire the basic necessities in automotive restoration and maintenance equipment." Vlad clasped his hands behind his back, looking proudly around the large shop.

Andy took a moment to gather her thoughts, "I think this should be just fine, Mr. Mayor. Anything I would need, I could probably bring from home. Do you happen to have a speaker somewhere?"

"Ah," Vlad pulled a small remote from a shelf. "There is a stereo in the wall over there above the tool boxes. It will play the radio, CDs, and you can connect your phone to it, if you wish."

Andy took a deep breath, pulling her hair back into a ponytail, "Where and when would you like me to start?"

…

Andy had been working for nearly an hour, listening to the music Tucker had downloaded onto her phone playing through the many speakers in the shop.

She was lying on a creeper underneath a convertible 1955 Chevy Bel Air when an icy breath fell from her lips. She wheeled out and stood, looking toward the back of the shop. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

She turned back to the car, but bumped into a broad chest covered by a soft black t-shirt. A low hum of a laugh sounded from within it at her short, profane exclamation.

"I didn't mean to scare you," the voice said.

Andy stepped back and looked up. "Oh, Thomas. It's just you."

"Where you expecting someone else?" he raised a brow playfully.

Andy had to shake off the sense of familiarity before she could speak, "I didn't know I should be expecting anyone while I was working. I figured Vla—Mr. Masters was keeping everyone out of the shop while I was here."

"It's just because I'm here that he's so skittish," he replied, crossing his hands behind his back. The pose made his shoulders appear wider and his chest more pronounced. Andy caught her eyes wandering and they flushed a rosy pink along with her cheeks.

Thomas smiled crookedly. "What are you doing?"

Andy kept her eyes down, knowing they were changing, "It's a '55 Bel Air. I'm just looking it over at the moment to see if it needs anything."

She turned and popped the hood, careful of the classic candy-red paint. Thomas leaned over her shoulder and the scent of his cologne filled her nostrils. She stiffened, nervous at his closeness.

"Incredible," he hummed.

"It is in pretty good condition. It doesn't need much beyond basic maintenance." Andy tried not to stutter as she felt his smooth-shaven cheek against her ear.

"I wasn't talking about the car," he laughed, standing back to let her turn around.

Andy tried to maintain her composure. She turned and met his eye directly, "I was."

She walked back to the toolboxes, taking off the latex gloves she was wearing. If Phantom saw how this human was behaving, things would go very badly. It was in her best interest to remain detatched. She lowered the volume on the stereo and searched the drawers for the correct wrench. The boxes weren't organized like hers at home, so it took twice as long to find things.

She felt a chin rest on her shoulder and stopped pulling out drawers. "Can I help you, Thomas?"

He laughed, "You could recognize me. That would be helpful."

She turned. He was a head or so taller than her, with tanned skin and a confident smirk. Instead of looking down at her, he tilted his head down to meet her eyes. They flashed red.

She knew.

"Phantom?" it came out as a whisper, but at the sound of his name, he smiled at her.

"In the flesh, as the phrase goes," he gestured to himself.

"Humanity looks good on you," Andy kept her voice low, a smirk on her lips. She rounded him, eyeing every inch without reserve. "But I have to say that your Ghost self is a tough image to beat."

He laughed genuinely, basking in her attention. She had become more and more herself since he had arrived in Amity Park, and he was more taken by her now than ever before. He sighed contently, running the backs of his fingers over her cheekbone, "I could say the same thing to you."

Andy's eyes flashed pink, making him smile. "It's only been hours since I last saw your beautiful eyes, but each time is better than the last."

Andy smiled, blushing. "I missed your sappiness."

He hummed a laugh, lowering his forehead to hers, "I don't have long, but I needed you to know that I was here."

"So Vlad was the 'friend' you were referring to?" Andy clarified.

He nodded, stroking her arm. "I've laid the groundwork for explaining my presence to the public, but there is still a lot to be done. Plasmius has agreed to help me, but he knows nothing of you, I promise."

"Be careful," was all she said. He was too close to her. She couldn't think straight, she was so blissful. "If you plan on something destructive, Clockwork will surely send someone to stop you. I don't think I could stand by and watch that."

He smiled, "I'm aware of Clockwork's intent to stop me. I didn't bet I could sneak around him, but given that he knows everything and he hasn't stopped me yet, I assume things are all going to plan." He leaned back on the railing around the raised area the toolboxes sat on. "I need you to stay here during the day. Some old enemies are planning on paying me a visit, hoping to expose me. I can't have them using you as leverage." His eyes flashed red at the thought.

"I still have your gift with me," she reminded him, touching the necklace. "I'll be fine."

A moment's wave of relief flowed through him. He found it endearing that she valued his gift as much as he had hoped she would. Caring for others was a weakness for an enemy like him, he told himself. He knew someone as strong as Andy could be skilled enough to protect herself. With his gift, she would be more powerful, as well. He hadn't told her what it would allow her to do, she figured that out on her own. So far, it seemed she only knew it gave her the power to manipulate ice as he could. But it was so much more than that. It nearly drained him when he made it. She didn't know that either. He ran his fingers over the bare skin on her neck and part of her chest before touching the crystal. She fought the urge to shiver, trying his control.

He took pleasure in her little reactions. Only he could touch her this way. No one else would dare try, or they would face him for it.

"How did you come up with the name?" she asked. "Thomas."

"Phantom," he emphasized. "Tom, Thomas… It was simple. I certainly wasn't going to call myself 'Daniel" now, was I?"

She laughed, earning a smile from him. He loved that he could make her do that.

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear delicately, as if he thought she would crack if he were too rough. It took immense control not to take her into his arms and carry her away to a safe place to hide until he had built their territory for her to roam. But he knew she wouldn't have it. She would fight right along with him if given the choice.

And dammit, he was crazy about her for it.

"Plasmius is planning a party of sorts. A 'welcome party' for his little brother," Phantom smiled comically at his role. "Knowing him, it will be big and expensive. The whole town is invited. I want you there. I won't be able to focus on keeping my image up if I worry about you the whole time."

Andy smiled, "It's not a date, but since you asked so nicely…"

Phantom laughed, flashing his perfect teeth, sans fangs. "Please? For me?"

"Do I have to wear a dress?" she wrinkled her nose.

"You'll look radiant," he replied without hesitation. "If I have to wear a tuxedo, you can manage a dress."

"You're the guest of honor," she quipped. "I'm just the mechanic."

Phantom met her eyes, tilting her chin up, "That can't be further from the truth."

Andy's eyes dimmed to a rosy pink. He ran his hand over her arm, brushing over the bandage there. She winced.

"What's this?" he demanded.

"It's almost healed. It's just a little tender," she defended. "It's nothing, I promise."

"Who gave it to you," his tone was stern. Anyone to leave a mark on her aside from him would meet their end, he would be sure of that.

"I took care of it. His is worse. It just grazed me. I'm fine, really," Andy took his face in her hands and met his crimson eyes with her own cool blue ones. "It's taken care of."

His eyes dimmed back to a humanly green. "If it happens again, I'll kill him."

"That wouldn't be a good idea," Andy replied. "Besides, murder is hard to accomplish while maintaining a low profile in a public position."

"Far worse has been accomplished by less competent in higher positions," he responded, tilting his head into her hand.

Andy laughed. "But you are far smarter than that."

He smiled and opened his mouth to say something before tearing his eyes away and looking to the door. "Plasmius." He met her eyes, "He doesn't know who you are, but I don't want him to get the wrong idea."

Andy was about to respond, but he disappeared. She felt him pull from her grasp and she dropped her hands with a frustrated sigh.

The door opened behind her, "Is all going well, Ms. Carter?"

Andy turned to the door from her position by the open drawer of the tool box, "Swimmingly."

He seemed pleased. "Wonderful. I have another matter of business I would like to discuss with you while you work, if you don't mind."

Andy retrieved the wrench and an oil pan, "Not at all. What's up?"

Vlad followed her down to the floor and stood by the front of the Chevy as she wheeled beneath the car. "I am putting together a bit of a festivity to welcome my brother to the townspeople this Friday."

"Sounds like fun," Andy responded, smashing her finger and cursing. "Sorry."

Vlad continued, "I was wondering if you could lend a hand with the planning. My hope is to appeal to all ages, but today's youth is all but lost on me, I'm afraid."

Andy laughed, "I hate to tell you, Mr. Mayor, but I'm not sure I could really be of much help with that." She slid out from under the car, letting the oil drain. "I could gather a few helpers that might be more suited for the job, if you've got your heart set on teens."

"That would be splendid. Let me know when you've gathered them up and we will begin planning," he nodded a bow and exited the building.

…

Andy had arrived at Nasty Burger and walked back to the booth where Tucker and Sam sat.

"Andy? Where were you today? Danny said Vlad excused your absence. What's up with that?" Sam wrinkled her nose as Andy plopped in the seat.

"I'm helping with the Halloween Parade next month," she answered. "I guess it's good for his image to bring youth into service." She looked around, "Where's Danny?"

Sam and Tucker pointed out the window as the Box Ghost and Danny flew by.

"Ah."

"What are you doing? Building a float?" Tucker managed around a bite of fries, pulling her attention back to the task at hand.

"I'm doing maintenance on the classic cars in the front of the parade," she responded.

"Does he have any plans for the parade yet? All the A-listers are talking about is the Halloween King and Queen contest. I personally hope they're walking," Sam grumbled, stabbing at her salad.

"I don't know about the plans. All I know is that I have until Halloween to get the cars up and running." Andy pulled her hair over her shoulder and began to braid it. "I do need a favor though."

"What's up?" Tucker asked.

"There's going to be a party on Friday night for the whole town. Apparently the Mayor's brother is in town. He asked me to help make the party suitable for 'all ages'. I need some help." Andy finished the braid, then shook it out.

"You want us to help you plan a party for the Mayor's brother?" Sam looked like she was offended Andy even asked. "Masters is a creepy guy. I can't imagine his brother is any better."

"It pays," Andy said.

"We're in," they said in unison.