Danny woke up already feeling anxious. Would Vlad keep his promise? What would they talk about? Would he do or say something that would betray his feelings for the man that was supposed to be his enemy?

"Argh! Too many questions. I haven't even had breakfast yet." He said as he walked downstairs to find his parents sitting in the kitchen with none other than Vlad Masters.

He felt himself turning red. He could feel how wide his eyes had gotten. The trio was engrossed in conversation and had not noticed Danny standing there in his pajamas.

"…well, yes Jack. That's what I'm saying. The boy has been ill, cooped up here for days on end. A day or two of fresh air and sunshine at my mansion would do him wonders. I'll have him back by Monday night." Vlad turned his head ever so slightly and winked at Danny, who made a small, strange sound.

"Danny! Good News! V-Man is taking you to Wisconsin for a few days. You'll have a change of scenery; get to hang out by the pool. And hey, If you see the Dairy King Ghost…"

"Now sweetie, Danny isn't going there to hunt the Dairy King Ghost" Maddie interrupted.

Jack pouted and Maddie gave him a muffin to cheer him up.

"W...Wisconsin?" Danny stammered.

"Why yes, Daniel" Vlad answered mischievously. "If you're going to goof off someplace, why not a mansion, I always say".

Danny looked at his parents. "You're both ok with this?"

"Sure Son. You couldn't be in better hands" Jack replied as Maddie nodded in agreement.

Danny stood there for a minute in disbelief. He hadn't expected Vlad to do something so bold. He looked at the man, who said nothing, but grinned wickedly. A shiver ran up his spine. He was sure that his parents had to have noticed him blushing. Not wanting then to think there was something wrong, he said "I'll, um, go get some stuff together" and ran upstairs.

Vlad loved how he was able to catch Daniel off guard. The poor kid looked like his head was going to explode. He thought of the couple sitting across from him. They actually trusted him with their son. They wanted to be friends with him. Couldn't they see what he was? Deciding he'd heard enough from his conscience for one day, Vlad stood up and brought his tea cup to the sink. He couldn't keep thinking like this. And yet, upstairs in his room, was the one that had consumed his thoughts for months. He would, at last, have the real thing, all to himself, with no one to question or judge them. From here on, there would be no more substitutes.

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Danny had to admire Vlad's quick thinking. As he thought about it, he realized that trying to get out tonight would be difficult if Jazz had anything to say about it. The way Vlad looked at him made his body tense. He swore it was lust he saw in the man's gaze.

Could he be imagining this? Vlad couldn't possibly…not after the thing with his mother. But somewhere inside, Danny hoped that he was right. Could he be that lucky? Could he get to live that dream?

He knew he should call his friends, but truthfully, he didn't want to. They had been scarce lately and Danny's feelings were hurt. If they even cared, they would try to talk him out of going. He wondered if Sam And Tucker were keeping something from him. He couldn't think of any other explanation as to why they would suddenly stop calling and visiting. A few months ago, Danny would have been destroyed at the thought of Sam dating his other best friend. He'd liked her as more than a friend from the moment they met. Somehow, it wasn't as painful now. He just wished they would tell him already. It hurt a little, thinking this, but she never showed him or told him anything to make him think she wanted anything more from him and he wished he knew why.

"What am I doing? I need to pack. He's waiting downstairs and…"

"Aren't you ready yet?" a voice from nowhere asked.

"Jeez, Vlad. Don't do that around my parents."

"Relax Daniel," Vlad said as he became visible. "I told them I was coming up to check on you. What kept you?"

"I dunno. I started thinking about Sam And Tucker. I got sidetracked. Sorry"

"Well, we will talk about them too, this evening. I suggest you get moving, if you don't want your sister to get home before we leave."

"Ooh, Jazz. You're right. Give me a minute and I'll be down."

"Less thinking and more packing, Daniel" Vlad commanded, as he walked out the door.

Danny shoved a change of clothes, his mp3 player and a Fenton Thermos into his backpack, brushed his teeth, combed his hair, and ran downstairs and right into his mother.

"Now Danny, don't overdo. Get rest and mind what Vlad tells you. You call me if you need anything"

"I will, Mom."

"Have a good time Son."

"Thanks Dad."

He hugged his parents, asked them to say goodbye to Jazz for him, and left with Vlad, who assured Jack and Maddie that he would take good care of their son.

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After several minutes of uncomfortable silence between the two, Vlad looked at Danny and said "I want to talk about your parents."

Danny was crushed. Vlad was going to start talking about his mother and how they should have been together, etc.

"What about them?" he asked sadly.

"Why do they still think of me as their friend?"

At this, Danny sat up straight and looked at the older man. "They like you."

"Yes Daniel, I know that. What I don't know is why. Don't they see who I am? I'm not talking about Plasmius, but just me. They let you go with me without a second thought. Even after…well, you know…they let you go. I wouldn't have."

"Maybe they see something in you that you don't. Maybe they know that underneath it all is a decent guy. They think you saved my life. They don't know the half of it."

Vlad looked at the young man beside him, surprised at the depth of his answer. Could this be true? It had to be, on some level, or Daniel wouldn't be here. As much of an idiot as Jack Fenton was, when it came to his family, he would do anything to keep them safe. Vlad had seen him in action more than once. and one of those times, he pushed Vlad out of the path of the Fright Knight. Jack would fight for him too, Vlad realized. No wonder Daniel turned out the way he did.

"What are you thinking, Vlad?"

"Hmm. That I transport us home instead of driving there. What do you say?"

Danny smiled. "Sounds good to me."

"Yes Daniel, it would sound good. I hope you won't turn from me when I tell you my truth" Vlad thought.

"Of course I want to get there now." Danny thought. "I need to know what you're thinking and feeling". Danny realized that there would be many revelations today and he was glad that he wouldn't be the only one telling a truth.

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One of the many perks of being a billionaire is that you can have servants fix your home as you like it, have a meal prepared and laid out on the table and have the home totally empty by the time you arrive, if that is your wish. Once inside, Danny was greeted by the smell of food and he absentmindedly walked to the dining room. Vlad laughed, and followed.

"Don't they feed you at home?" Vlad teased.

"Sure they do. I'm just always hungry" Danny answered, aware of the double entendre that made his host cough.

"Well, then, by all means, lunch is served"

Danny tried his best to mind his table manners. Vlad, being the refined evil villain that he was, would most certainly take notice. Vlad, on the other hand, wasn't noticing much else besides Danny. They ate in comfortable silence and without thinking, Danny started clearing the table. Vlad, surprised by this, said nothing and moved to help. Once everything was cleared away, Vlad asked "How are you feeling? Do you need to rest?"

"No, I'm ok. Now what?"

"You do like to get right to the point, don't you? Very well. Shall we continue our conversation from yesterday?"

"um, ok"

Danny followed Vlad outside into the courtyard, where a snifter of brandy and a pitcher of lemonade sat on an antique wrought iron table.

"Isn't it early in the day for alcohol Vlad?"

"As a matter of fact, no it isn't. If you don't mind…"

"Hey, no problem. Are you ok? You seem pretty tense. You know I'm not up to a fight. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong" Vlad answered as he sat down. "As for fights, there are no fights during a truce."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No. I must admit I'm at a loss right now, but not for long. Now, Back to last night. Have you given thought to what I've said?"

"I don't know how to find balance. I thought I knew what I wanted, but it didn't work out. It hurt, but…"

"The lovely Miss Manson, I presume. Am I to gather she is dating your other friend?"

"I think so. Neither of them have called or stopped by in a couple of days. That isn't like them."

"It doesn't bother you as you think it should, does it? And that bothers you. Daniel, feelings can and do change. Perhaps she wasn't right for you. Perhaps she is, but just not now. Maybe there's something else you need in your life right now."

Vlad moved close enough to Danny to whisper in his ear. "Love comes in the most unexpected of packages, dear boy. Keep an open mind and heart."

"Whoa. Was he just hitting on me?" Danny thought. He had to know for sure, so he leaned in and said kissed Vlad, tasting the brandy on his lips. They broke away from the kiss, each of them wearing the same expression of desire. They stood up and locked in an embrace that seemed to last an eternity. Neither of them had to admit anything. They both just knew.