Huge thank you to astrovagant, Anon, Guest, equinelover55,lexosaurus, phantom-thunder, and yuno for your recent reviews! I think this is the most reviews I've ever gotten for one chapter, which is super nice! I was a little worried about this chapter from the jump, because I thought it might be disappointing or seem like a back track, but even if this isn't your favorite chapter, I ask that you stick with me, because I promise it'll all make sense in the end!
Danny didn't waste time retrieving the ghosts from Hayes. Valerie didn't like waiting, but it was all she could do until he returned. She tried distracting herself in the lab, looking around at the various half – finished projects until she stumbled upon some gun cleaning supplies. She hadn't had time to clean her weapons recently, and she figured now was as good a time as any.
She gathered the supplies in her arms and moved them to an empty lab table. She began pulling her weapons out of their hiding spots, piling them up next to the cleaner and rags. Once she was finished, she pulled a stool over and sat, wasting no time as she began taking a smaller blaster apart.
Valerie fell into a relaxing sort of rhythm like that, paying no mind to the time passing. She had just finished reassembling her first blaster when she felt a chill run down her spine. The temperature of the room dropped suddenly, and she clicked the safety off as she turned slowly.
"Hello?" She called, raising her gun. "Is that you Danny?"
No response. Danny would have answered back by now. Unless he was trying to play a trick on her. Ill advised, considering she was trained, packing heat, and paranoid. Danny knew all of this. It couldn't be him.
"Whoever you are," She activated her helmet and switched the view setting in her visor to thermal imaging mode, "Being invisible won't save you from me." She slowly scanned the room.
Just as she saw a shape that she recognized as ghost like, she felt a dull thrum begin in the back of her head. It wasn't painful, per se, but it was foreign and odd. She felt herself grow angry at the feeling. Furious even. In her mind, she saw a memory of Danny flash. A literal second.
Then it was gone.
The thrum, the anger, and, Valerie noticed with a huff, the ghost. She deactivated her helmet again, noting how the room was no longer supernaturally cold. She didn't know if the ghost had done something to her. She felt completely normal.
The thought crossed her mind that maybe the ghost had just been unsuccessful in whatever it was trying to do to her. Maybe she had scared it off. She'd just have to tell Danny about it and see if he had any ideas.
Almost as if on cue, she felt the temperature drop. She once again reached for her weapon, but Danny reappeared and landed on the ground in front of her before it was even in her hand.
"So that was weird," Danny commented, "I see what you mean. Hayes was acting downright smug." He stared at the thermos in his hands. "It makes me anxious to talk to Skulker. See if we were really that wrong." He looked up at Valerie, who was visibly tense. "Uh… Everything ok?"
She shook her head. "There was another ghost here. Never showed itself. Was gone before I could do anything to it."
Danny blinked. "That's…"
"Weird, I know." Valerie finished.
Danny cocked his head. "And you have no idea who it could have been?"
Valerie shrugged. "You said yourself, there's a bunch of new ghosts around here. I'm fine though."
"Are you sure?" Danny asked. She still seemed stiff. She wasn't usually shaken up by ghosts. But then again she usually got the chance to fight them. This one's short lived attack left her unsettled.
"He… My head felt weird for a second. Then he was gone." She didn't mention the anger. She'd done a lot to reign in her temper since her freshman year of high school. It would be embarrassing if Danny knew she had gotten so mad for… whatever reason. Even looking back she wasn't entirely sure why. "It doesn't matter. I'm fine. Seriously."
Danny pursed his lips. "…If you insist." He looked at the thermos again before looking back to her. "You ready?" He asked.
Valerie nodded, activating her helmet. "Are we letting them out manually?"
"Yup." Danny answered as he made his way over to the portal. Valerie walked over and stood next to him as his hand rested above the 'open' button.
"Been a while since I've crossed dimensions." Valerie commented, sending Danny a sidelong smirk.
He grinned back at her. "You miss it?"
"Believe it or not, I kind of have."
With that, he pressed the button. The heavy doors slid sideways, revealing the swirling green rift that led to the Ghost Zone. Valerie activated her sled and flew through first. A chill raced down her spine, and even as her suit adjusted to the immense temperature drop, she still felt her skin tingle. Danny followed her in.
She watched as he immediately took a deep breath in upon entering, eyes shut. When he opened his eyes again, she noticed how the glowed a little brighter, and she could see his aura extend further than usual. Somehow the Ghost Zone made him seem more… alive. Ironic, considering the reason for that was because he was half – dead.
He began fiddling with the thermos in his hands, quickly reversing the settings so it released ghosts. He waved her over to him. "Stay behind me. Most ghosts fly off when I let them go but occasionally one or two is pissed and looking for a fight."
She obliged, pulling out a blaster as she did so. He pointed the thermos out towards the expanse of the world before them, and pressed a button. The effect was immediate. Ghosts began pouring from the container. Most of the ghosts flew off quickly once they were free.
The device beeped, alerting the two that it was empty. The flurry of ghosts cleared quickly after that, leaving Skulker and the Box Ghost staring down the two hunters. The Box Ghost looked over at Skulker in surprise. Skulker's intense gaze remained on Danny and Valerie.
"Did I succeed?" He asked tentatively.
Danny and Valerie shared a quick look before Valerie nodded. "Uh, yeah Boxy. You did great."
"Aha!" The ghost exclaimed. "Once again, the Box Ghost saves us all! I must return to my family and tell them of my bravery!" With that, he sped off to his lair.
A heavy silence fell between those who remained. It was Skulker who broke it as his eyes slid over to where Valerie was hovering beside Danny.
"Traitor." Was all he said.
Valerie balked. "What?!" Danny put what he hoped was a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You heard me," Skulker ground out, "You're a traitor."
"To who?" Valerie sneered. "In case you've forgotten, I've always hunted ghosts."
"With honor. Integrity. And now you wear the suit of those who don't." He snapped back.
Valerie ground her teeth for a moment. "I do work for the Guys, because ghost hunting is what I do best and freelance doesn't exactly pay well. I don't need you of all people judging me!"
Danny cut off Skulker before he could retort. "Enough, Skulker. She was the one who told me something was going on that we needed to investigate. She was willing to risk her job to help me save you and anyone else the Guys took."
Skulker was still glaring at her, a look Valerie returned. Danny sighed.
"Skulker," He said, drawing the ghost's attention back to himself, "What happened? We're at a loss here. At first we were worried that you were being tortured. Dissected and stuff."
"Nothing of the sort. I was an informant."
Valerie furrowed her brows. "An informant?"
Skulker nodded, crossing his small arms. "They were looking for a specific ghost. Once they had deducted that I wasn't him, they were going to release me. Until the director recognized me. He figured that as a hunter I'd know what breed of ghost he was looking for."
"And what was that?" Danny asked.
"That's the thing, I'd never heard of anything like what he was describing. They thought I was lying, so he decided to keep me until I was willing to talk."
Valerie huffed. "What did he describe Skulker?"
"Some… Rage ghost."
Danny furrowed his brows. "A lot of ghosts are angry."
Skulker shrugged. "I know. I asked for more clarity. Like his powers. The man told me wrath was his power. It sounded like he hadn't encountered this particular ghost either. Like he had just read about it somewhere."
Valerie frowned and looked over at Danny. "Hayes just caught a ghost today. And then he suddenly releases his prisoners? He must've caught this thing!"
Danny winced at the thought. "That's not good. Hayes could be toying with something he doesn't understand. And if it gets out of hand…" He trailed off. "I'm sure we'd be able to beat it, I mean, Hayes did, but imagine the collateral. Angry ghosts can be… destructive."
Skulker watched them talk with little interest. "Are we done here?"
Valerie shook her head. "Not quite. When you were in your cell-"
"You're referring to the 'merciful' comment, aren't you?" Skulker interjected.
Valerie nodded. "That's how we got to thinking you were being tortured. It didn't make sense as an insult."
Skulker stared for a moment. "I know. It was meant to make you think that way."
Valerie blinked. "What?" Danny frowned, confused as well.
"Your director… He told me what to say to you in return for my freedom."
The duo froze at his words. Valerie couldn't find the words to speak, so Danny did instead. "How could Hayes have known Valerie was going to look at the cells?"
Skulker raised a brow. "Really?" He chuckled a little. "I hardly know you, Huntress, but it seemed so perfectly in character for you." His eyes narrowed. "After all, you were never one for trust, were you?"
Valerie felt her eyes burning, but managed to hold back tears. She tried to keep the tremble out of her voice when she spoke. "You mean to tell me he had this… contingency already set up?"
"He told me my mission the day you first met. Said it was only a matter of time before you found me. I wasn't exactly hidden."
"Why?" Valerie snapped. Danny placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Skulker shrugged, looking entirely unbothered by her outburst. "To keep you distracted, I'd imagine. And it worked, since he apparently caught his ghost."
Valerie felt Danny's energy flare around her in time with her own shock and anger. "Why would you do this Skulker? Who knows what he's planning with that ghost! It could be in danger. Hell, Hayes could be in danger!"
Valerie rarely saw Danny get so angry. Her adrenaline spiked at his tone. She could see the lines of his muscle through his suit; a testament to his desire for a fight.
Skulker simply took in his rage with a dark chuckle. "I'm not bound to heroism like you. I don't know what he has planned for the cretin, and it matters none to me. I've grown to respect you, Phantom, but I care little for you. And I know you feel the same."
Valerie felt herself reacting instinctually, easily taking up the role of offering comfort. Her hand came to rest in between Danny's shoulder blades, settling on the tense muscles there.
"We tried to save you," Danny growled out through a clenched jaw.
Skulker scoffed. "But at little cost." He leveled them with a knowing stare. "Tell me honestly… If the stakes were higher, would you have been so kind?"
The silence between them was deafening. Valerie knew the answer to that, and she also knew that Danny would never say it aloud.
Skulker laughed. "That's what I thought."
With that, he flew off into the swirling depths of the ghost zone.
They had been sitting on Danny's couch in silence for about ten minutes before Valerie spoke.
"This is my fault," She mumbled, "It was my predictable behavior. My overthinking." She clenched a fist. "My sympathy for that monster."
Danny reached out and grabbed her fist, straightening it out in his hand. "Val," He looked into her eyes, "Never, ever think little of yourself for sympathy. You were trying to do the right thing. That's no crime."
Valerie pursed her lips as she looked up at him. "Except now Hayes has this other ghost. And we don't know what that means because we spent all this time investigating the wrong thing."
Danny frowned. "Valerie. Hayes is no villain." He shook his head. "I talk bad about him all the time, but I'm biased. I don't like him. Never have. He's not going to endanger the city though. That much I know."
Valerie blinked at him for a moment before groaning and hiding her face in her palms. "And now I'm forgetting he's supposed to be our ally." She looked back at Danny, frustration evident. "When did I lose my touch? It's like I'm some overemotional rookie again."
Danny chuckled, pulling Valerie in for a hug she didn't know she needed. "We all make mistakes Val. Then we just… Keep going." He gave her a gentle squeeze as he nestled his face in her mussed curls. "It's what we've always done, and it's what we'll keep on doing."
Valerie sighed into the embrace, finding warmth in the hold even though Danny's body temperature ran a little colder than what was normal. "Thank you," She mumbled, "For everything. For a chance to have you in my life again."
Danny simply hummed, as no words were needed. They stayed like that until it finally felt a little easier to breathe.
"Maybe it wasn't what we thought but we still know more now than we did. And besides," Danny said as they pulled away, "I'm kind of glad we were wrong."
Valerie sighed. "You're right."
"Woah, can I get that as a recording?" Danny asked, grinning down at her.
Valerie snatched her arm - which had still been in his grip – away before standing and walking into the kitchen. Danny followed. "When are Sam and Tucker supposed to get here?" She asked, reaching into the fridge and pulling out a water bottle.
Danny pulled out his phone and glanced at the time. "Sam's supposed to be calling me when she lands so I can go pick them up. It shouldn't be too much longer now."
Valerie took a sip of water before speaking. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see me." She intoned sarcastically.
"I don't know about thrilled but I highly doubt they'll be hostile after so many years."
Valerie hummed as she thought. "At any rate, would you mind if I just stayed here when you left to go get them?"
Danny frowned but eventually nodded. "Nah, its fine. Besides, I'm not sure exactly when Jazz is going to get here so it would probably be good if one of us were here to meet her."
"Great." Valerie was genuine. She actually really liked Jazz. The older girl probably had more reason to hate her than anyone, since it was her brother Valerie had been hunting, but Jazz was pretty understanding.
She didn't agree with what Valerie had been doing, of course, but could see what brought her to it. Apparently Jazz had wanted Danny to tell her the truth for a while, insisting that talking about the situation would go a long way in making it better.
Danny didn't follow her advice until he was sort of forced to reveal himself to her. Valerie had been so angry that he hadn't said anything to her. That he just let her hunt him, not once considering what it would do to her if she found out the truth too late.
Jazz just got that. After the dust had settled and she and Danny had a talk (it didn't go well), Jazz had been the one to reach out to Valerie, suspecting right away that she couldn't just be fine with everything. Valerie hadn't kept in touch well enough to know exactly what Jazz was up to career wise, but she hoped that the older girl had gone on to be a psychologist like she wanted. She was a natural.
Danny's phone chiming interrupted their comfortable silence. The sound caused Valerie to look over at him, and she realized that he had been staring at her. As he answered the phone, she turned away to walk into the living room, blush staining her cheeks.
He was probably worried about how everything would go down between her and his best friends. After all, Sam and Tucker were much better at holding grudges than Danny was. She sat on the couch, deciding then that no matter how they reacted to her, she'd take it all in stride. They were only here for the weekend anyway, not to mention the fact that they are helping her and Danny out a lot by flying in.
Danny walked back into the living room, grabbing his wallet and shoving it into his back pocket as he spoke on the phone. "Yeah, yeah, I know Sam. Yes you're the best. What? But you… ugh fine. See you soon." He hung up, staring down at his phone for a moment before sighing.
Valerie snorted at his expression. "What's up?"
"Sam's making me get her some of her expensive vegan wine in exchange for her help this weekend." He answered. He grabbed his keys and walked to the front door.
"Ew." Valerie scrunched up her nose, an action that made Danny smile at its familiarity.
"I don't think it's fair of you to judge anyone's lifestyle choices Val." He commented with a smirk.
Valerie rolled her eyes. "Don't you have some hard earned money to throw away on weird alcohol?"
Danny stuck his tongue out at her, causing her to burst out laughing at the immature action. He blushed, but grinned at her all the same. With a final wave, he walked out of the front door, shutting it behind him.
Valerie settled into the couch, letting her eyes drift shut as she relaxed.
Valerie awoke to the sound of the front door unlocking. She sat up, stretching quickly and standing, figuring that Jazz had arrived.
"Jazz?" She called, moving to the door. It opened, revealing Jack's large frame. His face was uncharacteristically blank. "Mr. Fenton?" Valerie blinked at the surprise visitor. "What's up?"
He attempted a smile, but Valerie could tell it was forced. "Valerie. I just stopped by to drop this weapon off for you. Maddie and I are leaving for a convention in a couple hours." He entered the house, and she noticed the weapons case in his hand.
"Oh, cool." She shut the door behind him, following him deeper into the living room. "I can't believe you guys finished it so fast." She tried to sound casual, but Jack's odd demeanor made it hard.
"We already had the components," He explained, placing the case on the coffee table and opening it, "It was just a matter of replacing our usual stuff with this… extract." He held up the gun.
It didn't look special. In fact, she had another gun just like it. The only visible difference was a thin pink strip that decorated the side of the barrel. Jack stared at the gun for a moment, gaze flicking back and forth between it and Valerie. Finally, he set his jaw and handed it to her.
Valerie took it, hand shaking. "Thank you."
Jack stared at her, eyes more piercing than she had ever seen them. "It's no problem." He closed the empty case and picked it up. He made his way to the front door, still strangely quiet. He froze when his hand touched the knob and turned to look at Valerie again. "Valerie," He sighed, looking downwards for a moment before meeting Valerie's gaze with sad eyes, "Please… Please don't use that unless you have to."
And with that, he left.
Valerie stood there in shock for a moment. She had never, never seen Jack act like that. She knew without a doubt that Jack and Maddie had seen right through her. They knew exactly what the weapon was for. Who it was for. With a shuddering sigh she placed the gun on the table.
They didn't even know it was Danny who was so adamant on having the gun made. They probably thought she was the same slightly unhinged girl from years ago. The fact that they had still made the gun for her only proved their dedication to protecting the world and their trust in her.
She looked over at the family photos hanging on the walls. Images of a younger Danny with his family smiled back at her. There was so much innocence in his eyes. She tried to imagine a time where he wasn't worried about ghosts or the city or his own potential.
She couldn't.
It wouldn't be the Danny she knew if it weren't for all of that. Hell, she probably wouldn't have known Danny at all. The thought didn't sit well. For all their troubles he was one of her closest friends. He made her happy in a way she didn't even know she was capable of.
Valerie picked up the gun from the table, weighing it in her hands. She held it properly, staring down the barrel. She turned slowly, occasionally snap aiming on objects in her peripheral. Her gaze flicked back to the photos, and she turned her aim on a picture of Danny. He looked to be 7 or 8, with a missing tooth and a goofy smile. He held a model spaceship up to the camera.
She felt her heart clench.
Danny had chosen her to wield the weapon because he believed she was the only person he could trust that would also be willing to use it.
Valerie wasn't so convinced.
She felt a lump forming in her throat as she stared at the photo. Then she pulled her phone from her back pocket, dialing before her brain could catch up with her.
"Guys in White. How may I help you today?"
"I need to be patched through to Dr. Brannen."
There was silence on the other end. "I'm sorry ma'am, but a certain level of clearance is required to-"
"My employee I.D. is 0002251. I have the clearance. Please get me Laura." Valerie listened to the sound of the operator typing, surely checking the number.
"Of course Ms. Gray," The operator said finally, "One moment please."
Valerie listened to the hold music. She didn't know if this was a good idea or not, but she quickly decided that she didn't really care. She needed this.
"Valerie?"
"Laura!" Valerie winced at her own volume. "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I really need your help."
Laura sounded unsure. "Um… What do you need?"
Valerie began pacing. "You've done a lot of research on these Blood Blossoms, right?"
"I have," Laura confirmed, "Why?"
"I have this idea… I'm not sure it's possible but I figured that if anyone could figure it out it would be you." She walked up to the picture of Danny and stared at her reflection in the glass.
"…Oh?"
Valerie could hear the interest in the other woman's voice. She smiled.
Who was Danny to tell her what to do anyway?
So fun fact, vegan wine is a thing. I'm not sure what it entails since that info wasn't necessary right now, but anyway... I think I think I rewrote the portion where they speak to Skulker something like 4 times. I just didn't know quite what I wanted him to be. After all, he helped out several times in the series, but he always remained Danny's enemy in the end. I also had to truly figure out who I wanted Hayes to be, which sounds strange since I wasn't even writing him here. Trust me though, it really did matter. As of right now I do know the ending of the story, though I'm not entirely decided on how we get from here to there. At any rate, I assure you there's drama to come, and eventually Valerie and Danny are going to stop hitting dead ends.
