"I know you're different, Phantom," I said as I saw him wince, making me quickly continue. "And I'm not interested in why or how. The only thing that matters is that I know you can get hurt...so much more than the others ghosts, and you have so much more to lose if you were ever...God, I can't even bring myself to say it. It's just so hard to think of you as a ghost, now...After seeing all of this, after talking to you...you seem so human, and I know it shouldn't be that way. You shouldn't be this way...but you are. And, if you think I'm just gonna stand here and let you do this to yourself, you have another thing coming. I will never again stand on the sidelines like what I did at that battle and watch this happen to you, and I don't care how many times you tell me no, I won't listen. Even if you don't want to tell us anything, just know this, we are already involved; and Jack and I are not planning to get out any time soon."

I could feel Jack's hand on my shoulder, sending me his support; without looking, I knew he was giving Phantom the same determined look I was. I already knew he felt the same way about this and regretted the same things I did.

The ghost boy was stunned, just staring at me with those wide green eyes of his; I couldn't help but smile a bit at his face.

"You don't...care?" The ghost boy whispered, "...about why I'm like this?"

I was stumped at how hopeful his expression was, not really knowing what answer he wanted, so I decided to go with the honest answer. I owed him that much along with so much more.

"Yes, I do care," I said, slowly, I saw his hopeful gaze drop as he looked down, "but," I paused, seeing his ears perk up as he his head popped up to look at me again, "it's for many reasons, now. Don't get me wrong, I am curious about why you are like this after all it's not too often you see a...sort of living ghost, but I'm also worried about you. Maybe you being this way can harm you." I paused thinking about all the questions I had building up in my head, all revolving around his well-being. How could he sustain like this? Does this make him more vulnerable? Can this cause him to actually...die?

I sighed, trying to push them out, especially the last thought. Looking at him again, I sat down next to him; something inside me making me reach out to put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "But, with all that aside, I know you don't want us to figure out. I don't know why-"

"It could be dangerous for you," Phantom interrupted, his voice so soft I could barely hear him, but I could still detect the stubborn protectiveness in it.

"Why do you think it's so dangerous?" I pressed, wanting to get as much information as I could. This boy was completely frustrating, becoming more puzzling by the minute, which is any scientist's worst nightmare. "This is only about you."

He chuckled without humor, staring at something unseen on the ground, his brilliant eyes shaded. "If this was about me, you would already know; and life would be easier. But, it's not about me because I am not the only one involved in this mess. Unfortunately, my enemies are, and they outnumber me. If you were to know everything..." Phantom shuddered. "then, all hell would break loose."

"Why? Why are we so important, enough that finding out would make all this happen?"

"Because...the more people," Phantom fumbled for words, "that know, the more people I have to protect; and I can't be everywhere at once. I can barely handle it, now."

"Danny, that's not true," Jazz interjected. "I think you're doing just fine."

Phantom only smiled, looking older beyond his years. It was weird how just a couple minutes ago he was acting like a normal teenager. It was apparent that he had to do a lot more growing up in the past year since his death...or I don't know even what to call it since he has a beating heart...which reminds me...

"Phantom," I said, seizing the chance before I chickened out. "Do you mind if I just see one thing?"

Oh, great, I'm probably really pushing it; but I just can't stop myself. I have to know.

"Hmm?" He asked, somewhat timid.

"Is it really true that you have a...heartbeat?" I asked, trying to prolong my true question.

Phantom sighed, looking at me warily, a hint of fear in his eyes, but also a sense of longing. "How did you know?"

I almost smiled, knowing that that was his way of saying yes. "I kind of overheard the ghosts talking about it when I was coming over to help you after you fought."

"Oh."

"I was wondering..."

"Yes?"

"If I can...see?"

He looked down at his hands, which were delicately placed on his lap, one was neatly wrapped with gauze while the other was bare, only some shallow cuts decorated it along with a huge bruise. (Half his hazmat suit was still off, but it didn't matter because most him was covered in bandages anyway) He flipped the un-bandaged hand over slowly as if he wasn't too sure what to do and placed the turned palm in mine, looking at me steadily.

Now, I was beginning to have second thoughts about this; I knew he didn't want this. He was only trying to please me, or worst, he was thinking that he had no choice other than to do this. I didn't want to make him. Although there was nothing else in the world I wanted to do but see if I was right, I knew it was wrong. Just plain wrong. I didn't want to force something like this. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, thinking that after all this time, I truly haven't changed one bit. I still remained selfish enough to do something like this. I still continued to prod and put my nose in things where they didn't belong. And, I did all this to the one person I promised myself to never do it to again.

"No," I said, looking at the scraped hand in mind, the sight of it making me feel even sicker. "Not like this. I won't make you do this. You don't have to show me."

"I trust you. And Jack," Phantom said quietly his eyes downcast, looking at his hand, the hand that would reveal a part of him that I've never seen before. The very thing that would verify how different he truly was, put an end to all the half guesses and half truths because if he had a heartbeat that means he's alive; and that would change everything.

I was near tears as I heard each word of his ring in my ears, then play back again instantly in my head. The very words that I thought he would never say; that I thought I never deserved.

"How...How can you?" My voice wavering at every word as I tried to keep the tears in. Everything, every emotion, everything I saw, every injury of his I wrapped, every blow he took from that ghost, all flashing in my mind, one after another; building up with nowhere else to go; but somehow, I managed to keep it just barely under, not letting it spew out just yet.

"Because I've always have," Phantom smiled, making the child, with his snow white hair delicately framing those gem like, emerald eyes, look more angelic than ever. "Just realize, I can't tell you everything, now; but I will tell you...just not now. Not in the middle of all this." The boy shook his head lightly as if her was silently berating himself, "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you guys."

That struck me deeply. I knew that my feelings toward Phantom had grown, but I would have never guessed he would ever feel the same way about us. I looked up at Jack seeing my own surprise mirrored back at me. A slow smile spread across his face, making his eyes crinkle; I couldn't help but smile as well. Jack dropped down on one knee, putting a large hand on Phantom's shoulder (his good one-Thank God Jack was careful enough to take note of that). "Take all the time you need, but just know this, we will always be here. I know you don't want anything to happen, but Maddie and I are not that fragile." He chuckled deeply, side glancing at me than looking back at Phantom. "We know how to hold our own."

"Thanks," Phantom said, smiling.

Jack's smile widened. "And besides somebody's got to watch out for you," Jack laughed, playfully messing up the boy's white locks with his hand. "Might at well be the Fentons!"

Phantom laughed, peering at Jack through scrunched eyes, his smile never wavering. I could feel a sort of pride for my husband spreading within me from hearing the boy's laughter; leave it to Jack to be able to get a laugh out of anybody even during the most emotional moments. "Then, I guess that means I'll have to stick around."

"You better," Jack said in mock seriousness.

I found myself laughing with the two of them, marveling at how natural they sounded. It seemed like their laughs were synchronizing; the sounds intertwining with one another as if they were used to being in the same room. The sound of them both laughing almost seemed familiar.

My attention was drawn to a slight movement in my hand; looking down, I saw Phantom's hand, still sternly placed in mine, long child-like fingers attached to a strong, calloused palm, covered in shallow cuts and a few small bruises. I looked at his wrist, there was a huge blue/purple bruise right above the spot where I would take his questionable pulse as if coaxing me further to take his wrist and place my fingers right there...Right there and you would know, Maddie. But then, didn't I already know; didn't I already see the life in him for myself. See the light in his eyes, the humanity in him, in everything he did like the way he laughed, the way he spoke, or the way he cared so much. Didn't I already know? There is life in him; I can see it.

I can see it.

Phantom's other hand took my fingers, guiding me to the place on his wrist, his face was placid, filled with a sort of acceptance, his eyes looking at my fingers that were now on the very spot where I would find out, if I added enough pressure.

"I already know," I said, but my fingers remained on the same place on his wrist.

The boy looked up, a little startled by my voice in the now silent room. He cocked his head, giving me a reassuring smile. "Ya, I know."

Looking down, biting the inside of my cheek, I pressed my fingers lightly. At first, I didn't feel anything as I searched expertly for the beat, applying more pressure once I knew he was comfortable, his wrist relaxing in my hand; but then I felt it. A slow, steady beat, strong and vibrant. I couldn't help but let out a small gasp, breathing, "Impossible."

It was merely a whispered reflex because I was already expecting it, already coming to the conclusion that he was alive; but it was so different actually feeling to the life in him, imagining that heart in him beating to the very rhythm I was feeling at my fingertips. I was feeling the life in the ghost that I thought was dead, in the ghost that I once thought was evil and vile and did not feel. I was feeling the life in the ghost I hunted just because of those reasons; reasons that were completely wrong.

I looked up, thinking how on earth he can be both alive and a ghost at the same time.

Seeing the question in my eyes, the boy smiled, a red tinge slowly spreading across his face, trying to laugh it off, "Ya I know... I can't say it didn't shock me at first either, nearly gave me a heart attack."

I smiled, shaking my head, knowing he was trying to make the mood lighter. "It's still unbelievable."

"Tell me about it," Phantom said exasperatedly, sounding like he still couldn't believe it himself. "But I got used to it."

I laughed, although I was a little unsettled, "Getting used to being alive?"

"No!" Phantom said, bringing his hands up in front of him, palms facing me. "Used to being a ghost."

"Oh!" I said, feeling relieved, but something still troubled me. "But, you know; you're not really a ghost. I mean you completely go against every fact about ghosts, so you can't be one...Not entirely that is. I wonder why though; maybe it's the way you died...or maybe you didn't die entirely or it could be..."

I trailed of when I saw Phantom's uneasy expression, blushing as his eyes gazed at me uncomfortably. "Oh...sorry, just thinking."

"Well, at least we know, now," Jack interjected, I shot him a thankful glance. "All the while I thought all of our research was completely wrong!"

"Sorry about that," Phantom sheepishly said, his expression lightening. "Ya, you guys are right about how ghosts are dead and everything...like all that kind of stuff, but there is something you were wrong about."

Jack and I both glanced at each other, a little scared of what we missed. After all, we were scientists, and this was our life's work. To think we got something wrong after stating it a fact...It was probably the worst thing a scientist could do.

"Ghosts although they are not humans exactly, they still are in a way," Phantom said. "I mean they are not all bad, some are evil and want to take over the world and all, but others just want to be left alone. Like Frostbite, he's good, and I know some other ghosts are too although I really can't say I know a lot of good ones. I guess what I'm just trying to say is that not all ghosts are evil."

I smirked at him, "Ya, I guess we sort of figured that one out."

Phantom smiled.

Suddenly, I heard a low grumbling sound coming from Phantom's direction; looking at him questioningly I saw him gripping his stomach with an embarrassed expression. He was smiling guiltily at me, looking like a kid who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Hungry?" I said, playfully, still feeling a bit weird I was saying this to a ghost, no matter how human he was, it was still weird because what I initially thought he was was completely contradicting with everything I knew. His face grew redder.

"Heh-heh, a little."

"Great, because I'm starving," Jack said.

"I didn't get the chance to make anything, so I guess we can just make something quick. Do you like sandwiches, Phantom?" I said as I got up heading towards the kitchen, not really sure what kind of food he was used to eating. How did he even get food before? Did he have money to buy it? I tried to picture him stealing it (I wouldn't hold it against him if he did), but it just wouldn't match up with the boy in front of me.

"Ya, I like 'em," he said, he began to rise, gripping his chest. "I'll help you."

Huh, this will be interesting; I can honestly say I never pictured Phantom being able to make sandwiches. I guess it was due to the fact that it was too normal.

Leaving the rest of the family plus Frostbite in the living room, we entered the kitchen.

I went to the cabinet getting out all the supplies, giving some of the load to Phantom but not too much despite his protests that he was fine. Once everything was out on the small table, which was usually used for eating at, Phantom stationed himself right across from me, beginning to take out the pieces of bread as if he always did this. Again, I was struck by the pure normalcy of it.

I took two pieces of bread and headed over to the toaster, deciding to start making Jazz's. Having a second thought, I looked back at Phantom, "Do you want your bread toasted?"

Phantom looked up, scrunching his nose. "No thanks."

Hm, that was weird; the only person I knew who didn't like toast was Danny; it was kind of funny too because it was such an odd trait. I never thought Phantom would be the same.

Putting the bread in the toaster, I came back to the table, taking out another set of bread slices, making Jack's, all the while I kept glancing at Phantom as he made his sandwich, a little curious what he liked. It was simple, just ham, cheese, and mayonnaise; he put that one aside starting his second, which didn't surprise me much. He was a teenage boy after all.

The toast popped up right when Phantom was finishing making his plate. I looked down, noting that I wasn't nearly finished with Jack's (that man liked anything and everything on his, and at least 3 sandwiches would fill him up). I made a move to go get the bread, but Phantom beat me to it, grabbing a plate as he did.

He came back, placing it in front of him. He reached his hand over the turkey slices, but stopped. After a short pause, he asked, "Uh, what does Jazz like on her sandwich?"

I smiled, "You guessed right, she likes turkey, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and mayonnaise."

"Oh, okay," he said as he began to take the slices, evenly placing them on the toast.

I finally finished up Jack's than started on my own. "You know, I would have never guessed that I would be making sandwiches in my kitchen with Danny Phantom," I said jokingly, trying to start a conversation.

Phantom chuckled reaching for the cheese. "Kind of a twist, huh?"

"You could say that. It's kinda hard to believe because it's just so..."

"Normal?" Phantom interjected with a wire smile. "Believe it or not, I'm pretty normal."

I gave him a sharp, incredulous look, but still maintaining my smile.

Phantom laughed, "No really! If you just ignore all the other stuff. I like to hang out with friends, play video games...normal stuff, you know?"

"What other things you like to do?" I asked, more interested in the fact that it wasn't just fighting ghosts that he was interested in.

"Um, hanging out at the park, watching horror movies-"

"Horror movies?" I couldn't help but chuckle, "That's not ironic."

The boy laughed, his smile growing wider, "I know; and they are so funny too."

"What do you mean?"

"That stuff never happens, especially the stuff in the ghost movies. It's kind of weird how now, that kind of stuff seems silly. I guess once you live it, all the those movies just seem like half-baked parodies of the real thing."

"What was the 'funniest' movie you've seen?"

Phantom cocked his head, staring at the wall behind me; and with a definite tone he said, "Ghostbusters."

We both laughed. It was nice seeing this other side of Phantom, and apparently, he had a good sense of humor.

Getting the drinks, I called to Phantom, "Can you go get them and tell 'em that dinner is ready?"

"Sure." After putting away the last of the supplies (he must have memorized where everything was to be able to put it all away so fast), Phantom walked out the room, grabbing one of his sandwiches as he did. I shook my head.

It wasn't long until I heard Jack's booming voice followed by the man himself along with the rest. They all piled in, each grabbing their plate.

Taking a bite out of my sandwich, I gazed at the people in the room. Frostbite seemed to be missing from the group; he probably went back in the ghost zone. Jack was standing near the counter, scarfing down the sandwiches as if he never a had a meal in his life while Jazz was seated next to Phantom at the table; both quietly eating.

Phantom looked a drowsier as more time passed, his eyes seemed to be drooping more often, his chin prompt up by one of his hands as he took another bite mechanically. He grew even more distant from the conversations taking place as the dinner went on. Jazz kept giving him worried side glances. A couple times she whispered something in his ear, but he waved her off every time, saying something I couldn't hear.

"Are you okay, Phantom?" I asked, finishing the last bite of my sandwich; I walked over to the boy, placing my hand on his head, an automatic reaction. His forehead was a little clammy, and felt too warm for my liking.

Looking at me through half lidded eyes, he said, "Ya, I'm fine...Just a little tired, that's all."

"Well, I think you should get some rest; you don't look too well," I said, taking in his pale face, which made the dark circles around his eyes stand out even more.

Not waiting for his reply, I guided him out of his seat, taking his hand. "Here, you can sleep on the couch. Hey, Jazz, can you pick up the dishes while I help Phantom?"

"Sure, Mom...," Jazz said hesitantly, looking like she rather wanted to come help; but if she did, she didn't voice it.

I led Phantom to the couch. Leaving him there, I turned to one of the cabinets in the room, taking out a pillow and a couple of blankets, already knowing he was able to get cold; and the last thing I needed was him to be shivering all night because Lord knows he wouldn't wake me up to ask me for another blanket.

I turned back to see him just standing there, swaying on his feet in a tired trance. Plopping the pillow on the far side of the sofa, I said, "Come on, you can sleep right here, okay?"

Following the command without saying anything, he laid on the couch, looking as if his whole body just gave out on him. With a deep sigh, his head turned to his side, facing me, his eyes distant, diving into half formed dreams. I draped two blankets over him as he buried himself further into them until all I could see was a puff-ball of white hair covering fragments of tired green eyes, somehow reminding me of a small child.

Kneeling down, I brushed through his hair gently, watching his eyes slowly close than reopen, the process repeating. I probably should re-bandage him before he goes to sleep, but he just looked so exhausted. I didn't have the heart to make him get up and go all the way down the stairs to the basement (especially judging from this morning how the trip was so strenuous on him despite how fine he said he was when he all but collapsed on the sofa).

His mouth was covered by the blankets but I could hear a small yawn as his chest moved up and down, another sign of him still being alive. "Get some sleep, okay?"

I brushed some of his hair away from his eyes, in the process revealing a small bruise on his temple. I felt my stomach go uneasy. "And, if you wake up feeling any pain; just tell me. You can wake me up, okay?"

"Okay..." he said, looking more fatigue than ever, "but it doesn't hurt that bad...only a little. I'm used...to. It."

I sadly smiled at him, knowing that he must have been really delirious from exhaustion to admit that; but I could still sense there was more to it than that. His injuries were still intense; in fact, I was surprised he was able to stay up this long. Even though it was only nine at night, it was still long for somebody in his condition; and I was definitely happy with the progress although I was still worry about the pain that he was no doubt in.

I gave his hair one last stroke; walking over to the entrance of the kitchen, I turned off the light. "Goodnight, Phantom," I said softly, looking at the soft glow of his aura, the only light in the room.

"Goodnight...Mom...," Phantom half yawn, half whispered.

I paused momentarily, thinking I must have heard wrong. I probably did, but maybe I could pretend that he thought of me in that light, at least, delude myself for a little while. With a big smile and the image of the slumbering boy in my head, I walked in the kitchen to help Jazz finish cleaning the dishes, all the while thinking about the extraordinary boy sleeping in my living room.

A/N Man, that was a long chapter :) Sorry it took me so long to write it; school started last week and the week before I had to finish my summer reading and all so I barely had any time to write. I have to say I really liked writing this chapter, especially the last scene. I'm a sucker for those little adorable moments. Haha, I love the irony I put in it 'Maddie pretending that Phantom thinks she's his mother' it's so small but so ironic. :3 Well, hope you guys like it, and I will update as soon as I can.