Author's note: A twist on Maternal Instinct.
Planned
Maddie suppressed a groan as she carried Danny on her back through the woods. This was so much easier when he was smaller.
"I, uh, I think we gave those ghost animals the slip," said Danny. "Uh… Shouldn't we figure out a way to call Dad?"
"As much as I hate to say this," said Maddie, "I think we should go back to Vlad's."
Danny jumped off her back and onto the ground. Maddie sighed in relief.
"But he's my archenemy!" Danny protested.
Maddie held back a smirk. He was so terrible at hiding his "secret" from her. The cutest thing, really.
Danny straightened. "I mean, he...said all those horrible things about Dad."
Maddie narrowed her eyes. "We both know he's a creep. But he's a creep with a phone and transportation." She brightened. "And pancakes!" She unbuckled the Specter Deflector from around her waist. "Here, put this on."
She fastened the belt around Danny's waist and locked it. Danny predictably yelped in response.
"I know it's girly," said Maddie, pretending she didn't know the real reason for Danny's discomfort, "but it's for your own protection."
Maddie turned and led the way to Vlad's chalet in the Rockies. Danny muttered something behind her.
At last, the two reached the chalet. Maddie started for the front door, her feet hurting and her back still aching from carrying Danny.
"Are you sure you wanna do this?" asked Danny.
"Danny, if we're gonna get out of here, we need Vlad's help," said Maddie.
Maddie approached the front door. Danny stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
"But before you go in there and flirt your way out of here," said Danny, holding out his arms, "I just wanna say…" He sprang forward and hugged her waist. "I love you!"
Maddie smiled and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. "I love you, too."
She wished they could stay this way a little longer.
But there were things to be done. And she knew he was only doing this to get the key to the Specter Deflector hanging from her belt.
She pushed him away. "Clingy!"
She knocked on the front door. Vlad opened it almost immediately.
"Maddie! Daniel! You've returned to me." He looked at his watch. "Mmm, and not a moment too soon."
Danny scowled. Maddie glanced at him before returning her attention to Vlad.
"Danny, go somewhere else while the adults talk."
She gave Vlad a coy smile. Vlad smiled back.
"Sure," said Danny, sounding oddly cheerful. "You and Vlad get cozy. If you need me, I'll be over there." He gestured over his shoulder. "Barfing."
Maddie caught a glimpse of the Specter Deflector key in his hand as he entered the chalet. Maddie followed after him.
"I have a fire going already—" Vlad began.
Maddie shook her head. "No. We need somewhere more private right now," she said in a low hiss, eyeing him hard and crossing her arms.
Vlad's mouth drew into a confused pout, but he nodded and led her to the far side of the chalet to a small lab. Vlad shut and bolted the door behind them.
"I always make sure to build a soundproofed lab in each of my abodes. I never know when I might need it," said Vlad. "I do take my research with me wherever I go, after all." He smiled. "As you do as well, of course. Taking Daniel wherever you go if possible."
"What the hell were you thinking?" demanded Maddie, crossing her arms and staring him down.
Vlad blinked. "What? What did I do?"
"The jet? Forcing me and Danny to actually jump out? What was that?"
"I—I thought that was what we—"
"We agreed to the jet taking us to the Rockies instead of Florida. There was nothing about the plane careening and both of us having to use parachutes to escape."
"I was just trying to play the part you wanted me to!" Vlad sputtered. "I figured making it appear that your pilot was compromised and forced the two of you to jump out would be more believable to Daniel."
"You could've done that without endangering us."
"But—"
"I was terrified," screamed Maddie. "Not just for me but for Danny, especially since he had the Specter Deflector on and I had no time to unlock it in case he needed to use his powers to save himself."
"But you were never in any real danger," said Vlad. "Everything was controlled. If you and Daniel didn't jump in time, the ghost pilot would've gotten the plane back under control but let you know that an emergency landing was required."
"And what if our parachutes didn't deploy?"
"They were very well packed. I made sure of it."
"But what if they still didn't work?"
"I still had ghosts watching that would've rescued both of you."
Maddie looked up at the ceiling, blinking moisture out of her eyes. "You should've told me. You endangered me and also my son." She glared at him. "And I can't forgive you for endangering my son."
Vlad narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I thought we were well past the point of worrying about endangering your son."
Maddie stomped her boot. "You should've told me. If you just told me, I would've known what to expect and how to prepare."
Vlad shrugged. "I just thought it would be more authentic this way."
Maddie sniffled and scratched her upper lip. She looked around the lab, which still somehow maintained the feeling of being in a cozy mountain lodge.
"We need to go back out there," said Maddie. "Finish what we started so Danny and I can get out of here and go home." She pointed an aggressive finger at Vlad. "But you are not allowed to do anything involving Danny ever again without telling me exactly what you're planning, understand?"
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" asked Vlad. "When you and Daniel were here the first time?"
"There wasn't a chance for us to be alone before, but I'm telling you now. Don't ever do anything like that again, Vlad."
Vlad groaned. "Maddie, come on, I didn't mean to—"
"No. Don't." Maddie shook her head. "Let's just go back out where Danny can hear us."
Vlad stared at her a moment longer before sighing and opening the lab door for her. Maddie marched past him and breathed deeply, attempting to calm the heat out of her cheeks.
The research had to continue. Her work had to go on.
Time to set up this new situation and see what Danny would do next.