Chapter 11
A slice of toast hung from his mouth as he quickly added up the final pictures to the website and opened the voting for people to pick which one they liked best. Mr. Lancer's warning apparently didn't get to be unnecessary worry, though Danny kind of wished it was. He received one set of pictures that came in from an unknown e-mail address late last night, that Tucker was tracking back to the source so that they knew who was to blame for them. The pictures were clearly photo manipulated, and rather poorly, which only led them to believe that whoever did it wasn't very skilled with the program. The pictures were meant to show Dash off in the buff but the work was sloppy. The body type was clearly wrong, not nearly as muscular or broad shouldered as Dash, and the skin tone from the pictures of Dash's head and the body used in the pictures were greatly different.
Danny was pissed when he saw the pictures. Not that he had any reason to defend the jock, or even like him all that much, but he wasn't jerk enough to stoop low enough to purposely do something to embarrass Dash. Being that Dash was the star of their university's football team, therefore a big name in town, Danny thought the contest would draw a lot of interest from everyone. Until last night, he thought people were having fun taking pictures of and sometimes with Dash to enter. It didn't seem like anyone was going to be a jerk and try to enter something offensive like fake nude pictures of the jock.
"If you keep glaring like that, your face might stick that way," Valerie warned before she shoveled a forkful of scrambled eggs into her mouth.
"I can attest to that," Skulker said with a sage nod. "I knew of a ghost once that had his face twisted up for so long while waiting to scare a human that it ended up getting stuck that way. He hasn't been able to change his face in twenty years."
Danny blinked at the blob of a ghost. As ridiculous as it sounded, Skulker stated it in such a serious tone that Danny was inclined to believe it. Danny pulled the toast from his mouth with a sigh. "Sorry. I guess I'm still kind of frustrated that someone thought they could get away with submitting those pictures."
"A man of many talents," Valerie said, staring at Danny.
After the interview with Vivian, Valerie tagged along with him back to campus when it was time for him to put on his midnight to two AM radio show. Valerie remained outside the studio to avoid Sam and Tucker questioning how Danny knew her or why she was there. At first, Danny felt hesitant about her knowing that he was the Badger, but since they already had another identity of his to keep secret, he decided Valerie could be trusted.
"You can sing and dance just as well as Phantom. You're a famous, though highly secretive, radio show host. Any other secret identities I should know about?"
"Nope." Danny shook his head, but a small smirk of amusement slipped onto his face. "I think that's all."
"Well, I'm glad you have integrity. I'm sure there are other people out there that would have been more than happy to post poorly edited nude pictures of someone they hate on the internet for all the world to see." Valerie stood up and carried her plate over to the sink to clean.
"What worries me is that this person doesn't have to rely on my contest to humiliate Dash." Danny closed up his laptop then stuffed it into his bag. "If they have the knowhow, they could set up a website and post the pictures up there." That was the reason he was having Tucker track the pictures back to their source so that they could identify the one that sent them and inform someone with authority of the harassment, assuming anything could be done about it. As much as he wanted to immediately delete the photographs, he kept the e-mail as evidence.
"You are, perhaps, far nobler than I," Skulker said with a certain amount of respect in his voice as Danny hurried to finish his breakfast then joined Valerie at the sink to clean his dishes. "If it were someone I detested, I would not hold back."
"Dash can be a jerk, and he certainly never treated me all that well, but I still believe there are lines that don't need to be crossed." Danny shrugged as he grabbed his bag and slung it across his chest. "Dash never stooped that low in the way he treated me. I see no reason to be the one to cross that line. If I wanted to get back at Dash, I wouldn't go for that kind of public humiliation." He also had Lancer's warning hanging over his head. He didn't want his teacher disappointed in him for making a dumb decision.
"Such a charmer, aren't you?" Valerie followed Danny to the door of the apartment. She dressed casually today in jeans and a long sleeved white shirt over which she wore a zip up yellow fleece vest. "How do you not have the ladies eating out of the palm of your hand?"
"The world's a great mystery." Danny shrugged. He paused when Valerie joined him out in the hall. "You're going to follow me around everywhere?" He frowned, not entirely sure he liked this arrangement. Hanging out with Valerie was fun. He enjoyed talking with her. But having her around at every turn might become overbearing rather quickly.
"It sort of comes with the job." Valerie led the way down the hall to the elevator, and Skulker followed suit. "You're my responsibility for as long as you fill the role, so it's my job to keep an eye on you and make sure nothing happens to you." She hit the down button then turned around to face Danny. "Plus Vlad will contact me with any appearances that you're needed for, so I'll need to be around you to give you the heads up if we need to leave to prepare for that." The elevator doors opened, and their group of three entered. "But don't worry. I won't go into your classes, and I'll stay back when you hang out with friends."
Danny shook his head as he leaned back against the elevator wall. "We'll need a story."
"What?" Valerie blinked at him.
"An explanation for why you're hanging around me," Danny explained as he stared at the numbers over the elevator doors. "People are going to wonder if a beautiful woman starts hanging around me all the time. Who isn't my best friend Sam. So we need some way to explain your presence. I can't say you're an old friend because my friends will know that's a lie and we should stick to the same story for everyone just to make sure things don't get mixed up or if people start talking to one another and find that there's more than one story going around."
Valerie nodded. "Of course. Secrets are no foreign thing to you."
Danny glanced at her and caught the smirk tugging at one corner of her mouth. "I guess that kind of makes it easier for me to play the role of Phantom. Since I'm already so good at hiding my identity as the Badger." The elevator jerked to a stop, and they stepped out as soon as the doors slid open.
"Got any far removed relatives that people wouldn't really know all that much about?"
Danny considered her question as they walked through the lobby of the hotel. "I have an aunt in Spittoon, Arkansas. I've never really talked much about her with anyone. I only really met her once when we went down to celebrate her tenth anniversary after her divorce."
"Great! I can be her step daughter in her second marriage. That would make us cousins-in-law," Valerie explained, working quickly to think of all the details. "I'm considering college options, and my parents decided to send me out here to visit with my cousin," she grinned, hugging an arm around Danny's shoulders, "and see how I like the place you go to. That sounds pretty plausible, right?"
"But we're the same age," Danny pointed out after mulling over the story. "Wouldn't it be a bit late for you to be considering college options?"
Valerie paused but bounced back quickly. "Not if I took some time off from school after high school to do some world traveling. Now I'm back and ready to continue with my education."
Danny nodded, deciding that could be believed. People did take some time away from pursuing their education after high school. In this case, Valerie would have taken quite the extended vacation, but it could still work for a story. "What about your name? Would anyone be suspicious if you use Valerie Gray?"
"I think we'll be safe. I'm not exactly supposed to be seen on camera and well known for my job."
Danny nodded, happy to have a story worked out prior to reaching the university. He didn't want to get that deer in the headlights look the first moment someone asked about Valerie, which usually was a dead giveaway that he was about to lie. He glanced toward Valerie as they walked toward the entrance gate to the university. Skulker was describing, in detail, one of his more spectacular hunts in which he managed to fell the three headed ghost leopard, whose pelt now adorned the floor of his lair. Danny smiled a little as Valerie nodded along and asked questions that only spurred Skulker to go into more detail. He was glad his two "protectors" got along so well.
When they passed through the gate onto campus grounds, Danny had a sudden fear of people swooping down upon him with demands of whom Valerie was. He nearly laughed out loud when he realized how completely silly that sounded. The only ones that would really care were Sam and Tucker. Perhaps Lancer, if only because the man liked to keep the lines of communication open with his students. Only people with early classes like Danny were wandering around at the moment, and many of them seemed to still be in a half asleep stupor as they headed for class or to the cafeteria for a quick breakfast. Danny led the way toward the building that housed his first class of the day.
"Phantom's been famous for a couple of years now," Danny mumbled, thinking out loud as he turned his blue eyes onto Valerie. "If you've been his bodyguard the whole time, have you never wanted to go to college?"
Valerie shrugged. "I guess college isn't for everyone. But it's not like I don't have an interest in learning new things," she added quickly as if she was afraid he would judge her negatively for that fact. "I read and study up on things when I'm not on the job. Having Phantom missing for a while gave me the chance to sit back and catch up on a few things. Not that I'm saying I'm glad that he gave me the slip. Just, you know-"
"Thinking of the positives?" Danny smirked, and with a smile, Valerie nodded. "So is being a bodyguard all you want to do with your life? You don't have any other dream careers that you might want to pursue later in life?"
"Awfully curious, aren't you?" Valerie eyed him briefly then took a moment to consider the question. "For now, it's a pretty good gig. I get to live in a great apartment that my boss basically pays for. I get to travel around the world whenever Phantom tours. There haven't exactly been people showing up to try to kill or kidnap him, so the job's been a little laid back. Mostly I just watch his back wherever he goes, but I don't use that as an excuse to get lazy. I keep up with my training."
Danny remembered how they first met and definitely had to agree Valerie was no slouch when it came to fighting. "But it doesn't sound like the job gives you a lot of room for other things. You know, like friends or," he shrugged, "dating."
Valerie's mouth pursed to one side in thought. "Well, we're still pretty young. I'm not going to get too hung up on the whole dating thing. Friends," her green eyes glanced away, "would be nice. I've got Phantom and everyone at Spook Records. But I guess sometimes it would be nice to hang out with people off the clock. You know?"
Danny nodded. Doing the radio show with friends was great, but Danny liked the times when he could kick back with his friends and just hang out without having to think about the job.
"Speaking of dating," Skulker spoke up, reminding the pair that he had tagged along. Danny had, admittedly, forgotten he was there during his silence. "Is that Ember seeing anyone?"
Danny stared, and he could have sworn there was a faint blush upon the ghost's cheeks. Biting down on his lower lip, he tried not to laugh at Skulker's question. It simply seemed unbelievable to him after all this time that Skulker was interested in someone, romantically, but Danny guessed even ghosts were prone to the same emotions as humans, such as love. It was something discussed at length in his classes on paranormal studies. Even after speaking directly with ghosts, some of the "experts" still didn't believe ghosts were capable of feeling anything remotely human. These same "experts" also tended to align with the ideas of the anti-ghost groups that wanted to rid their world of all ghosts.
"Well, Ember hasn't mentioned being interested in anyone recently," Valerie answered, trying to hold back a smile. "But I could try to slip in a good word for you, though I do suggest watching what you say next time. I don't think she appreciated you calling her babe."
"Hey!"
Danny halted outside the door to the building with his first class as a sense of dread washed over him. He turned and cringed when he saw the angry man storming over to them. After moving out, he thought his troubles with Spike would be over, but of course he wouldn't be so lucky. He didn't need to throw a glance at Skulker to know the ghost would glaring, practically growling as he snarled at the spiked haired, tattooed man approaching them. That was about all Skulker was able to do because if he did what he wanted to do, he would be tossed off campus and banned from over coming back.
"What do you want?" Danny asked tiredly, wanting to get to class before he ended up being late.
Spike seized the front of Danny's hooded sweatshirt, yanking him forward a step. "What's the big idea just up and leaving in the middle of the night like that?" He narrowed his eyes, drawing back his upper lip in a snarl that made him even less attractive than usual.
"Well, you see, my cousin here," Danny gestured with one hand toward Valerie, "just arrived in town to visit me. Since my new uncle-in-law has so graciously decided to rent an apartment for us, I decided I no longer needed to live with you." Danny smiled as innocently as he could. "Weren't you the one who suggested I move out if I was unhappy being woken up by your drumming at the crack of dawn?"
Spike glowered even darker as his hand twisted about the fabric of Danny's sweatshirt. "And who exactly is going to pay the rest of the rent?"
"Are you saying you're unable to find another roommate?" Danny managed to look stunned by the news. "Such a great roommate as you? I'm sure with your lovely personality, you'll have a long line of possible roommates at your door in no time. After all, I'm the one no one wanted to be roommates with, right?" He was beginning to understand the situation a bit better now. Spike knew Danny was about the only one desperate enough to agree to be his roommate, just as Spike was about the only one that was willing to accept Danny living in his apartment. Danny resisted the urge to smirk widely. If he really wanted to ensure Danny would stay his roommate and pay the majority of the rent check, Spike should have treated him better.
Spike drew back his free hand, balling it into a fist. Before he could even start on the forward thrust of a punch, Valerie stepped in, sliding between the pair of them and seizing his arm. With a hard twist, she managed to wrench his hand free of Danny's sweatshirt. Then suddenly, Spike was laying on his back before them, and Valerie stood up straight, clapping her hands as if brushing away dust. Danny blinked wide eyes of surprise while Skulker landed upon his shoulder with a smirk about to crack his face in half.
"I'll ask that you not touch my cousin again," Valerie said icily with a glare at Spike. She turned Danny around, pushing him toward the door of the building. "Do you have a death wish?" she wondered, eying him once they were inside and walking down the hall. "You can't fight, but you'll provoke a bully into a fight?"
"That wasn't exactly my intent," Danny said, wincing.
"But I can't say that guy didn't deserve it. He seemed kind of like a jerk." Valerie cracked her knuckles like she wanted to go back and give Spike a few punches to make the message stick.
"He really was. But, um, thanks for stepping in like that." Danny rubbed at the back of his head awkwardly, knowing that if she hadn't done something, he probably would have stood there stupidly and let Spike punch him.
"It's my job to watch your back." Valerie grinned as she slapped a hand to his back.
"Hopefully, I won't make you work too hard at your job." Danny gave half a smile. "I wouldn't want to seem too pathetic in your eyes."
"Not everyone's a fighter. You shouldn't feel bad about that." They stopped at one of the doors within the building, the one to Danny's first class. "But," Valerie added with a sternness in her green eyes that reminded him of the looks Sam would sometimes give him, "maybe you should try not to provoke the bullies too much."
Danny held up one hand, placing the other over his heart. "I shall do my best to watch what comes out of my mouth from now on." He grinned when she rolled her eyes. "I'll see you after class." He gave a short wave then disappeared into the classroom.
The Magnetic Witch: Ah, if only something like that could happen in real life. 8D Sadly, my voice probably sounds like dying cats in an alley. D8
NikaStarlight: Poor Phantom! D: He probably won't be too happy that they found a replacement.
Rii: Danny probably could have gone into acting. XD But he's much more comfortable not being in front of a camera. That would be so sad if Phantom passed on though! D: I don't think Danny wants to take over the role of Phantom permanently. XD;;
MsFrizzle: Their voices are similar enough that most wouldn't notice the difference. Someone with a really good ear though probably would. XD;;;
sohrem666: XD I guess Phantom probably isn't the type to sit around playing chess. XD
ShaksieGirlBenniBoy: Thanks! =) I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
midnight: He's just glad he knows all the words and steps to the song! XD Otherwise that could have been really embarrassing. XD;;
Inisfree: Danny had them all in a panic! And Vlad's just like "this going to go perfectly." XD;; When is Vlad not a bit creepy? XD; Then again, if he's going to pull off this Phantom replacement, he needs to make sure Danny can fill the role completely.
XD: You're back! Omg! Hi~ 8D Welcome back! Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying them. 8) I should probably get a few more of those What Ifs written up sometimes. I've been distracted with more stories. That is a good point because yeah, Ember will still have her hypnotizing abilities, which Vlad doesn't approve of her using. Well, Danny didn't actually say he didn't like her song *cough-washypnotizedintolikingit-cough* just that for a while, it was Ember everything everywhere. I don't think Dan would exist here. Plasmius could be a possibility though. Phantom will eventually make an appearance! Of that much, I can be certain. XD;;