Author: So when I said I had the whole story planned out I meant it. I just have to tweak a few things. So Stick around as we wind down to the end of Return.

Return

Chapter Twenty Five

…..Danny smiled as he hefted the three year old onto his shoulder enjoying the laughter that filled his ears. Twirling her around he watched as his son ran over to them their mother following behind him a soft smile on her face.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mommy and I made lunch!" His son shouted as they reached them.

"Oh really now? Do you remember to make the wormy sandwiches?" Danny asked winking at his son as he lowered his daughter to the ground.

"Eww daddy that's gross!" His daughter protested scrunching up her face cutely.

"Aww but I love your mother's wormy sandwiches." Danny said reaching over and snagging Sam around the waist and pulling her to him.

"Stop being silly Danny." She said bopping him on the head.

"Alright alright, who's ready for a picnic?" He asked turning back towards their kids.

The all cheered and ran over to their mother grabbing the blanket she held and running to spread it out. Chuckling he went to follow them warmth filling his body at the sight before him. His children. Sam. It was all perfect. Sitting down he took the sandwich he was offered smiling gently as he bit down…

Danny woke up slowly. His mind fought to keep the truth from him as he became aware of his surroundings. He was in a cell that much he was certain off. Something was off about it though. It took him a moment to clear the remaining fog in his brain and realize he was in a cage not a cell like he'd originally thought. Groaning he tried to move his muscles spasming as Danny fought to stretch in the limited space.

Now fully awake Danny glanced around the room his cage was in gritting his teeth in irritation when he realized it was a bedroom. Vlad's bedroom. How did he know? There was a fifty foot portrait of the man lining one wall, if that didn't say egotistical then Danny would gladly eat one of his own plasma balls.

Another look at the room showed him that no one was around. Vlad either thought him too weak to try an escape, or there was an anti ghost field surrounding his cage. Figuring it was a little of both Danny tried to summon up his ghost powers rolling his eyes in irritation when nothing happened. Slumping against the back of the cage Danny ran through the limited options he had trying to find a way out of this situation. When he came up with nothing Danny slammed his fist against the bottom of the cage in frustration.

Why now? Everything had been going fine. They'd found the ancient. They'd found a way to stop Vlad. He'd even gotten part of his old life back through Jazz and Dani. Now though it looked as if this was the end of the line. Vlad had the ancient now. He held all the power and soon, if Danny chose to believe him, Jazz and Dani would be killed in a show of dominance.

Drawing his knees up to his chest Danny wished none of this had happened. He knew he was acting like he was a teenager again but whatever Vlad had done had left him feeling drained. Empty. He wanted his parents, Sam, Tucker, he even wanted Mr. Lancer to come and scold him for something Dash had done. He wanted things to go back to the way they were. But they wouldn't, couldn't, Vlad had made sure of that.

It wasn't long until Danny's exhausted body succumbed to the call of sleep again. This time he dreamed of a memory.

Danny was six again sitting on a blanket as he watched his dad run past trying to get their kite to fly. He laughed as his dad fell for the second time tripping over the same rock. His sister Jazz sat next to him pretending that she wasn't really there. Looking to his left Danny smiled as his mom shook her head and got up to help their dad.

"Come on Jack there's obviously not enough air." His mom said gently taking the kite from him.

"No can do Maddie I promised Danny we'd fly this kite together and I'm going to do it." HIs dad said snagging the kite back and taking off again.

"That man." Their mom muttered before walking back over to them, "Okay kids how about we set up lunch while your father works on the kite?"

"Sure mom the sooner we get out of here the better." Jazz said using her "mature" voice.

"That's my girl, now how about you start unpacking the food while Danny and I get the drinks."

Jazz nodded and started to unpack the basket they'd brung while their mom reached out her hand to him. Taking it Danny smiled brightly at his mom as she led him back towards the rv. Stepping inside she rummaged around for a bit before she came back out holding some paper cups and a jug of lemonade.

"Alright Danny you take the cups and we'll head back." She said smiling down at him.

"No mom I can care the lemonade!" Danny protested stomping his foot.

"Are you sure it's very heavy?" She asked with a teasing smile.

"Yes!"

"Alright then be careful now." She said before handing the jug to him.

Danny nodded seriously as he stumbled back to the picnic area careful not to spill anything. It was slow going but when he made it back he felt a sense of accomplishment that he hadn't before. Even better as he set the jug down his father started yelling that he'd done it. Turning Danny clapped as he saw the kite gently swaying in the breeze. Running over he begged the string from his dad eyes wide with excitement when he got hold of it.

"Now Danny my boy you hold onto that string and maybe it'll take you somewhere far away." His dad teased.

Danny barely heard him as he stared at the kite. He wanted to be up there with it. Flying through the air. It seemed like the greatest thing in the world.

When Danny woke this time it was to a sense of peace. His dream from earlier had left him feeling empty at the possibility that it might never happen. This one though only served to remind him what he had. His sister was still alive, so was Dani. And once he was freed, found Sam, and defeated Vlad he had no doubt that things would start to get better. Stretching out his legs Danny tried to push past the grogginess he felt as the door to the room he was trapped in opened.

Author: Sorry for the late update I had to rewrite this last chap because the ending just didn't strike a chord with me.