AUTHOR'S NOTE: IMPORTANT! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG, I am SOOOO sorry I haven't updated this story, guys! D8 University just finished for me, and it's really hard keeping track of two websites (deviantart and this one) I am SO SO SORRY!
So I am updating three chapters today! Omg, you guys have no idea how excited about this I am! I can't believe the great response I've been getting!
Okay, here goes!
It was nearing ten at night. Most people had already left for the residencies or their temporary stays on the Space Center grounds. Only a handful was still up, doing things.
Danny was one of them. He had a few last errands to run before calling it a night. And while he carried documents this way and that, mostly to help his boss or Dr. Johnson out, he had his Bluetooth in his right ear, which allowed him to have a conversation with his best friend, who was currently sitting in front of the television at his home, playing video games.
"It just feels like they want to get something out of me about Danny Phantom," Danny announced as he handed the secretary a letter. While she ran into the back room, Danny turned around and examined the papers he had in his hands. "A few days ago, they wanted me to tell stories; now, I think they just wanted to see me fight ghosts."
"That's cuttin' it pretty close, Danny, don't you think?" Tucker said seriously. "I mean, you could have transformed right in front of them."
"I know that, Tucker," Danny replied tiredly while rolling his eyes. He looked at the secretary when she returned with a box and a large poster container. "I almost did when Dan Phantom used his Ghostly Wail on me." He took the packages and smiled at the woman while mouthing a thank you.
"Danny, I already told you in high school that you shouldn't play with that thing," Tucker warned sternly as Danny tucked the poster under his chin and his shoulder while carrying off the box. "He's the only one that seems to physically contact you in the entire game. You can seriously get hurt!"
"I know, I know."
"If Sam found out that you had decided to give this thing to NASA and made a demonstration, she'd kill me!"
"Why kill you?"
"Hello; I'm the one who redesigned it, Danny. You're her hubby. She won't kill you—you're too cute!"
Danny chuckled as he walked around a corner. "I feel safe," he said.
"Danny, just promise me you won't use that thing anymore, okay? Not even if someone asks you to. Either you'll be forced to transform, or else you'll seriously get hurt!"
The astronaut sighed softly. "I promise, Tucker," he replied quietly. "I don't really intend to use it again, anyway."
"Good…" There was a pause on Tucker's end before he spoke once more. "So… how's this Stevenson kid?"
Danny rolled his eyes as he stopped in front of the elevator. "Don't get me started," he groaned.
"He's that bad?"
"Bad? Tucker, he's driving me bonkers! Just a few days ago, I stopped some dumb robot he let loose in the cafeteria; he keeps running into me in the hallways, and I do mean literally, and today, he tried to help me while I was still virtually fighting Dark Danny!" The elevator door slid open and Danny walked in. "I'm in the elevator, Tuck; if I cut off, I'll call back."
"Sure," Tucker replied. "So, he's annoying; has he done anything to blackmail you yet?"
"Blackmail me?"
"About your powers?"
"No, not yet. He actually hardly speaks to me."
Tucker sarcastically laughed at his end. "Ho-boy," he sighed.
Danny frowned. "What does that mean?" he asked.
"Danny, have you even given him a bit of a chance to prove himself trustworthy?" Tucker asked. When Danny did not reply, the man went on. "Maybe the reason he's not speaking to you is because he's scared you'll bite his head off. Maybe he's trying to prove himself, but you're so busy being ticked off at him for peeking that it makes him nervous."
Danny leaned against the elevator wall before the doors opened and allowed him passage. "I never thought of that," he said quietly.
"Of course you didn't. Sam usually thought of that. She was the smart one in this type of situation, remember?"
"Well," Danny began, frowning softly, "What do you expect me to do? Open my arms wide, give him a hug and say, I trust you? Tucker, I'm trying to balance the life of an astronaut with the life of a superhero, here! If I make one false step, the balance will tip!"
"I'm not saying to just jump in and trust him," Tucker replied. "In fact, a little caution never hurt. All I'm saying is that maybe you should be a little easier on him. Maybe Sam's right; maybe he is good at heart."
Danny sighed softly and stopped walking. "I'll try," he said softly. He looked worriedly at the package in his arms. "I'm just… I dunno, scared I guess."
"That's natural for someone in your situation, Danny. We all get scared about things like these, some more than others. You're a nervous wreck, remember?"
"Don't remind me."
"You've been taking deep breaths?"
"Plenty."
"Good. Then I guess that's all I can do for now. I'll be in Washington DC for the next few days, Dan. I've got this new computer debugging program to present, so I'm taking the opportunity to travel with my dad. I'll watch the launch from there, and I should be back home by the time you land again."
"Sure. Have fun in Washington."
"Danny."
Danny waited silently for his best friend to continue.
"… Cheer up, okay? A frown never looked good on you, trust me. Things will turn around, you'll see."
Danny sighed and grinned weakly. "Okay," he replied. "Later, Tuck."
"See you in a week, dude."
Danny waited for the signal to be cut before he continued walking around the corner.
To his complete surprise, he ran directly into Dr. Johnson. The scientist groaned in surprise and stumbled backwards.
Danny gasped. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" he apologized.
Johnson chuckled softly before leaning down and picking up the papers that belonged to Danny. "That's quite alright, Daniel," he said, straightening his glasses. He looked at the astronaut. "A lot on your mind, I'd assume."
"You… you could say that."
"I heard about the incident in the training room," Johnson began. His eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
Danny looked at the box in his hands. "Yeah, just exhausted, that's all," he said. "And maybe a little freaked out."
"I thought you said you would never try that again…"
"Lancer wanted to see me try it. So I figured I'd give them a few pointers."
Johnson nodded solemnly. "Nicholas told me what happened," he said lowly. "How he attempted to help you."
Danny rolled his eyes tiredly. "I don't want to talk about it," he said stubbornly.
"Daniel, could you not at least give him a second glance? He only means you well—!"
"I just had my best friend give me a lecture about that, Sir," Danny interrupted with a frown. He looked away again. "I don't want to talk about it."
Johnson sighed. "Danny, Nicholas is only trying to help you," he said. "Could you not give him a chance?"
"You're not the one with ghost powers, Doctor," Danny whispered sharply. "If word of this slipped out, the Guys in White could swoop in and experiment on me, and who knows; maybe they'll even do it on my son, considering he's inherited two of my powers!" Danny bared his teeth for a moment. "You-have-no-i-dea what I'm going through! No one does! Why is everyone telling me how to protect myself? I'Ve had these abilities since I was fourteen! I don't need pointers!"
"I am not trying to lecture you, Danny, I am only trying to guide you," Johnson replied gently, placing a hand on Danny's shoulder. "Not only am I concerned for my nephew, but I am concerned for you as well. You seem to get uptight whenever he dares to touch you. If you bottle up this much fear, I'd hate to find out what could happen to you."
Danny's frown softened and he looked downward sadly. "I'm just scared," he said softly. "I don't like being mean to anyone, but when something as important as my powers are let out, I get scared."
"I know," Johnson replied softly. He pushed up his glasses. "Let's drop the subject then, if it makes you feel any safer." He looked at the package in the man's arms and the poster that was now tucked under Danny's arm. "I would assume these are for me?" he asked.
Danny looked at his parcels and immediately handed them over to the scientist. "I was just going to drop something off at the library before delivering them," he said.
"I'll take them off of your hands then." Johnson held up the packages once Danny had taken his papers off of them. "Better get some sleep, Boy; if you intend on starting training an hour earlier tomorrow, then get some rest."
"Yessir."
Johnson nodded gently and grinned before walking around the corner. "Good night, Daniel," he said softly before disappearing from view.
Danny watched him leave before turning and continuing on his way to the other end of the building. He figured that a short walk would do him some good, so he would go down the stairs at that end and then walk the rest of the way until he had reached the wing where the offices were. From there, he'd climb to the second floor and head for his temporary office.
Passing by the second floor of the library, he dropped the book he had borrowed off and then continued on to the stairs. He walked down them slowly while flipping through the papers he still carried in his hands.
Arriving on the main floor, he walked subconsciously passed the virtual training room. At first, he took no heed of it; but then something caught his eyes and caused him to stop.
He heard a loud groan. Danny raised his head and waited until he heard another groan before retracing his steps and stopping in front of the opened doors. There, he peered into the room.
Nicholas was swinging a stick around through the air, all the while dodging invisible items. On his head, he wore the Fenton VRC.
Danny watched him in silence as the astronaut trained vigorously. Despite still being untrustworthy, Nicholas had proven to be an incredibly apt pupil. He never complained when Danny scolded him or shot him icy glares. He may not have followed every single order given to him, but he had the highest score on the virtual reality game out of all of Danny's crew.
Nicholas swung the stick once more before groaning loudly and stumbling backwards. Here, he furiously tossed the stick across the floor before removing the helmet and walking up to where his manual was sitting. He picked the book up, quickly flipped through the pages and began reading one section while sliding his finger over it. Once he had finished doing so, he tossed the book aside, replaced the helmet over his head and went to grab the stick before continuing his training.
Danny silently marvelled the perseverance this man had. He could feel a tug of guilt pull at his heart, making him feel horrible for putting Nicholas through what he was experiencing. But despite this feeling, the fear of having his powers revealed was still overpowering.
Danny waited a moment longer before finally turning his head away and leaving, all the while considering the words his wife, best friend and mentor had each said to him.