I think I jinxed myself. As soon as I tell people that I'm getting a massive amount of hits each day, it slows down. Really, guys, did Chapter 6 just turn everyone off my story or something? I know it didn't have any action in it, but it couldn't have been that bad.
Thanks to DragonSword35d, ilikedan, Halfa-MariNaruko, phantomshadowdragon, Ghostboy814, kawaii chibi shun, linkmaste, purrbaby101, Jenna Dax, My Eternal Facade, Lt. Commander Richie, and Kirstyn.T.
Halfa-MariNaruko: That's blackmail! And don't worry about writer's block. I think Ghost Writer's possessed me because I can't stop writing.
Jack found Phantom patrolling the air above the city. He flew up alongside him and began to keep pace. Phantom acknowledged his presence and they chatted briefly. Then Phantom asked him what the trouble was. He could see that Jack had something on his mind.
"I just got a visit from Desiree. She said I have these powers because I wished to share my son's problems. I was just ..."
"You did?" Phantom blurted. Panic flashed across his face before he managed to compose himself again. "I mean, you did? You were that worried about him?"
"Yes. But it got me thinking. Does that mean that Danny's a halfa?"
"Um, not necessarily. Desiree's wish granting tends to go wrong a lot, like she perverts the wishes or something. This could just be a metaphor or something, to show what his life is like."
"All right." Jack didn't understand metaphor well. He was too direct. "I suppose that makes sense. But Danny's showing a lot of the same symptoms I am. Running off, the weapons, the jumpiness... Are you sure he's not a halfa?"
"Like I said, I haven't heard of any others. Just you." Phantom's voice was quavering.
"It wouldn't hurt to ask him, would it?"
"Not if you do it nicely, I guess. I wouldn't run in there and fire a weapon at him or anything."
"What sort of things should I say? You seem to know how teenagers these days think."
"Umm... wait till he's alone and then chat for a bit with him. Let him know you're a friend. Then maybe mention that you've figured out that ghost hybrids are possible, or something, and say that the Portal accident might have triggered ghost powers in him. And then you ask. And promise not to kill him or anything, because he might not tell you if he thinks you're going to hurt him."
"And that will work?"
"Should."
"Thanks. Need any help out here?"
"Nah. I'm good, thanks." Jack flew off and headed home.
---
That evening Jack Fenton went up to his son's room and knocked.
"Danny? Got a sec?"
"Sure, I guess." Jack pushed the door open and sat beside Danny on the bed. Danny kept the magazine he'd been reading raised so that it obscured his face below his eyes.
"How are things? Enjoying the summer?"
"Yeah. Really great. Loving it."
"What did you do today?"
"Hung out with Sam and Tucker." Danny cocked an eyebrow. "Why the sudden interrogation?"
"Just realized we hadn't talked in a while and wanted to catch up with you. Can't I be interested in my son for once?"
"Guess so."
"Want to hear my latest ghost theory?"
"Sure, Dad, go ahead." Danny sounded resigned. For a moment Jack considered not going through with the plan. But he'd gotten this far, and he wanted to know.
"Well, ectoplasm can stick to a lot of organic matter, make it have ghostly attributes, like those hot dogs last fall, and I got to thinking, what if you stuck a human in a vat of ectoplasm? Would it make them become a ghost?"
"Lemme guess. You want to test it on me."
"No, Danny boy, of course not! I'd never harm my son like that. I just thought that, well, if you were inside the Portal when it turned on..."
"That I might have ghost powers? I told you, Dad. I was outside the Portal. I've never been near that much ectoplasm in my life."
"Oh." Jack was disappointed, even though he knew that Danny probably wouldn't have told him anyway. "But I thought, your change in behaviour, your problems in school..." Danny sighed.
"Dad, don't worry about me. I'm fine. I'm glad you worry, and I understand why you do, but I'm okay. My problems are something I have to deal with on my own. You and Mom don't need to get involved. Actually, you might make it worse if you do. So, just leave me alone. Okay? If I really need help, I'll come to you, but I'm doing fine on my own right now." It was the same speech he'd given his parents on many other occasions.
"All right. I won't push, then. But I would feel better if I at least knew what was going on."
"I just ... can't, Dad. If I tell you, you'll get involved, whether you mean to or not. Just leave it, Dad."
"If you ever..."
"I told you, if I need help, you'll be the first to know." Danny smiled and Jack gave up. He wasn't going to get anything out of his son tonight. He left the room and headed to the Op Center. He needed to fly to clear his mind.
---
Danny looked out of his window several minutes later to see his father, in ghost mode, fly past. He sighed. I wish I could find some way to get rid of those powers before he gets any more suspicious. And before Vlad finds out. I've got to keep it secret or Dad will be in danger from Vlad, and I really don't want that. I just wish I didn't have to hurt him to keep him safe.
