Disclaimer: I own nothing from Danny Phantom

Note: So much for not "shipping" anyone in this story but we've got a lot of Greyghost vibes going on in this chapter, there's a reason for it though later on don't worry! Also sorry this chapter is all over the place, wasn't really sure how to handle the aftermath of the last one but I think I did ok. It sucks that Dani's been off her game so much and still becomes a damsel a lot but hopefully once I hit the next big milestone in the story that will solve the issue. Still, for what it's worth at least she kept herself from being spirited away by a sexy pirate ghost! Lolz!

Lastly, I sure hope this scene is believable since Vallen and Danielle weren't technically enemies before so I feel like it'd be easier for him to accept her once he calms down and after all the angst I felt like I needed to throw the poor girl a bone. Either way, I'm glad I rewrote this chapter since it flows a lot more naturally and doesn't leave Danielle a total train wreck. We'll be doing a time skip soon though since I'm still not sure how long this story is going to be and still plan for a lot more stuff to happen but we'll see! So for now please enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 33: Accept Me As I Am

(Chapter inspired by Lay Your Weapons Down by Ilse DeLange)

Danielle's POV

Time became a total blur to me as I fell but I remember hitting the water and the pressure of the water all around me pushing in like the darkness threatening to consume me. Even though I was dazed I tried to swim back up, I really did, but it was no use. The current was too strong for me and the pain in my shoulder from the lightning strike made it difficult to move my arms. I only managed to break the surface of the water once before being dragged back under. It was so dark that my ghost night vision didn't really help at all. I could just barely make out the ship bobbing up and down in the distance but there was no sign of Vallen. Not until I saw a glint of red in the water as he swam towards me before my lungs gave out and everything went black.

I'm not entirely sure what happened while I was unconscious but during a brief moment of consciousness, I guess somehow Vallen managed to bring get us both back to the ship and I heard him pleading for me to wake up, felt something warm on my lips, and someone pushing on my chest. After a while I ended up coughing up seawater, staring up at the stormy sky above us as it cleared to reveal a beautiful night sky with thousands of stars I've only been able to see far away from the city. It reminded me of Nocturne and how his skin or form I guess is as black as the space between stars and shimmers just like it with small glimmers of light...

I could have sworn I heard Vlad's voice too as I was carried inside, but I was so lightheaded that before long I lost consciousness again. By the time I woke up again a few hours later I was back in my room on the ship with a massive headache but apart from that I only felt a little sore in the shoulder area and my throat felt a bit raw and scratchy too from swallowing so much saltwater and that's about it. Resting my arms over my eyes I sighed heavily and thought what a huge mistake it was coming here after all.

I'm such an idiot! No matter what I do, no matter what I decide, it feels like I'm always making things worse. Why can't I do anything right anymore!? I mean god, I couldn't even fight off a bunch of pirates by myself without screwing up-! Suddenly sitting bolt upright I exclaimed, "Wait a second if I'm in here then what happened with ghost pirates!?"

When they heard my outburst, Vlad immediately entered the room along with Trish, Sam, and Vallen. Judging from their disheveled hair and clothes both of them must've had some kind of a disagreement. I was relieved to see that Trish didn't look as pale anymore. As for Vlad, he kept his expression blank but I could tell that inside he was seething and probably wanted to personally go after those pirates and sink their ship for good after they almost ruined our vacation. When I looked at Vallen though he seemed unsure but relieved to see that I was ok now which gave me hope that maybe he doesn't hate me for being half-ghost after all.

"Hey Dani, you ok...?" Vallen asked timidly to break the silence, earning a glare from Sam.

"How do you think she is genius? Because of your stupidity, Dani nearly drowned and got kidnapped by ghost pirates! Seriously some ghost hunter you are-!" Sam huffed until Vlad put on his scary face and threatened-

"Did I not warn you that should you continue on like this I will be sending you both home in my private helicopter as soon as we make landfall? I won't say it again. Besides which I thought I told you may see her one at a time. Now I suggest you wait outside and behave yourselves while Miss Foley has her turn since she seems to be the only one with any sense between the three of you." Glancing at me Vlad nodded, "My apologies for all the noise my dear, I didn't mean to overwhelm you so we'll just wait outside until you're done."

I nodded, still feeling a bit lost but at least Trish was there to help clue me in on what happened. She explained that after I passed out Vallen handed me off to Vlad and then went on a ship-wide ghost hunt to corner any of Kaden's crew that he could and captured them, using them as hostages to force Kaden to return everything his men stole. As for the person who supposedly got hurt when the ghost pirates started scaring people for laughs, it turns out it was her own fault when she pushed someone out of the way who pushed her back and she broke some champagne glasses which cut into her arm when she felt. Karma's a bitch since it was actually that model who gave Vlad and me grief before. And the weird thing is that even though she was in a lot of pain she seemed more worried about ending up with scars from her injuries.

Either way, Vallen kept his promise and released the ghosts he captured once Kaden returned everything then once he double-checked to make sure the ship was ghost-free he came to check on me. When Sam heard what happened though he went ballistic and picked a fight with Vallen, feeling protective of me because I was planning on telling Vallen the truth about me even though I was afraid of how he'd react. Sam really ripped into Vallen saying there's nobody more loyal and generous than I am and that Vallen didn't deserve a friend like me. Trish tried to stop them but still felt woozy, especially when the ship kept churning during the storm.

It was only after Vlad and the doctors gave me a clean bill of health that he scolded both of them pretty harshly saying they were both idiots for putting their problems before mine when I chose this vacation so all of us could have fun when I could have done something more aligned with my interests instead. So basically he called them out on being selfish when I wanted to make sure we'd be safe and have a good time and that none of this was anyone's fault, it was a freak coincidence. That made me feel a little better apart from not knowing how Vallen feels about me...

"What a mess, if I had known this would happen I would have suggested just staying in the castle," I muttered, laying down and resting my arms over my eyes, my lower lip trembling slightly. "I already felt really bad that you got sick during the trip and now this. I'm so sorry Trish..."

"Dani, stop it," Trish began harshly, "Don't blame yourself for this because it wasn't your fault. You tried to pick out the safest trip for us where we could still have a good time and since I've never been on a cruise before it's not like I knew I was prone to seasickness. I mean come on! We've flown all over the damn place in Amity Park with you carrying us and even into the Ghost Zone so I seriously thought my stomach could handle it. As for Sam and Vallen, they've been going at it since you invited Vallen because he's jealous which isn't your fault either. You're in high demand girl so count yourself lucky!"

Laughing humorlessly I replied, "You have no idea how true that is. Still, are you sure you're not disappointed in me? I feel like I let you all down."

"No way," Trish scoffed, "You're the most dependable person I know but you've been through a lot and haven't fought ghosts for a while so it makes sense you were a little off your game. It's not like any of us expected to run into ghost pirates!"

Waiting until I moved my arms to look at her, Trish continued more seriously, "Dani, are you sure you're going to be ok? I'm worried about you because it's like you're tearing yourself apart wondering if you're doing the right thing. We want to help but there's not much we can do from back home. If it wasn't still dangerous for you there since we're not sure what your parents are up to I'd tell you to ask Vlad to move back there so at least we could watch your back again like before. And, well, Vallen is shocked by the whole Dani Phantom thing but he seems worried about you too so I think he still cares."

"I hope you're right," I replied, forcing myself to give her a small smile as I said, "Thanks Trish, I really needed some encouragement since I've been feeling so down in the dumps lately because everything I do feels like a mistake. But you're right, sometimes things just happen so I just have to roll with the punches as usual."

"You're welcome, Dani. Anyway, I better let the boys have their turn but still, I mean it Dani, don't blame yourself for what happened with that ghost or with me because I could have easily gotten sick if we went on a different vacation too. That's not anyone's fault. As for Vallen, well, he did still save you so that has to count for something," smiling Trish gave me a supportive pat on the shoulder then left and said she was done talking to me and wanted to grab a snack or something now that her stomach has settled down.

After that, Sam came to visit me next but complained that Vlad said he had to make it quick as punishment for picking a fight with Vallen. I suppose that's understandable in a way since it only made things more complicated for me since Sam and Vallen are both my friends, or at least I hope Vallen still wants to be after this. Still, talking to Trish made me feel a lot better since she didn't blame me for things getting out of hand and for the most part has been really enjoying herself. I really needed that. And Sam admitted he's worried about me too and still doesn't think getting close to Vallen is a good idea, but he's glad I'm alright too.

There was more I wanted to talk to him about, however, as soon as Vlad came in and told Sam his time was up he gave him and Vallen a dirty look before giving me a hug, letting me know if there's anything I need he'll be there for me. Before Vallen could say anything Vlad cleared his throat and told me evenly, "I'll be outside if you need me little badger since I'm sure you two have much to discuss. I suggest keeping it brief however since the head of security here would like everyone to give a statement who was involved with those ghost pirates," Turning to Vallen he added a bit more harshly, "Oh, and one last thing my boy. Remember what I told you though Vallen, the decision is ultimately yours but think carefully about what you stand to lose."

"Right," Vallen nodded, sighing and settling down in the armchair next to my bed. We sat there in silence for several minutes before Vallen finally asked me unsurely, "So um, I...tried to ask Sam about how you ended up with ghost powers I guess but he got all huffy and we got into a bit of a fight about it so can you tell me how long you've been like this? I mean, I don't really understand how this happened to you, but I'm trying to. It's a lot to process but you've always tried to do the right thing and put up with a lot so I'm sorry for being one of the problems you had to deal with along with your parents. I didn't know."

Taking a shaky breath and sitting up I began, my voice becoming thick with emotion as I explained, "It's not your fault. The truth is I wanted to tell you the truth about me a long time ago once we started to become closer as friends, but at the same time, I was afraid you'd reject me. Especially after you ended up becoming a ghost hunter just like my parents. Funny right? I used to fight ghosts ten times my size and walk away from a fight with broken ribs or other major and shrug it off since I had school the next day, but when it comes to being honest about myself I'm such a coward. Vallen, I never meant for you to find out this way or to hurt you by lying this whole time. I was just...afraid of losing you too. You've got to believe me!"

"Of course I believe you," Vallen assured me reaching over to hold my hand. "And honestly, you had every reason to hide the truth since I didn't exactly make you feel comfortable sharing such a huge secret like this considering the way I used to openly share my feelings about how much I despise ghosts. But I don't despise you, Dani. How can I possibly be anything but grateful to you for being my friend and after you did so much for me even though I used to be such a jackass to you like almost everyone else at school? Back then I never would have imagined us becoming friends but now I can't imagine my life without you. That's why I'm going to try to accept you as you are, as hard as it might be at first to get used to you also being Dani Phantom."

Giving him a skeptical look I asked, "Do you really mean that?"

Nodding Vallen gave my hand a squeeze and continued, "I do. And I'm sorry I was such an asshole to you earlier because I should have known you'd never resort to robbing people like some common street thug. I was angry and confused but that's no excuse for the way I acted. Now more than ever I know how ungrateful people can be and I don't want to be like that. Not with you. Because now I understand how much you had to deal with for our sake and I wish I could have helped you sooner."

He blushed a little after that for some reason but I was so touched by Vallen's acceptance that I pulled my hand free and hugged him tightly, smiling and telling him he has no idea how much that meant to me. It felt like I could finally breathe again knowing that Vallen accepts me or at least he's willing to try. That's more than I ever got from my parents...

As soon as I let go Vallen blushed an even deeper shade of red and coughed into his fist as he muttered, "A-anyways, I should probably go now so Mr. Masters can get your statement or whatever. We can talk again about what happened later when you're feeling better. Oh, and Dani?"

"Yeah?" I asked, having a hard time looking him in the eye since I was blushing too.

Giving me a firm nod he added seriously, "Don't worry about me because it doesn't matter if you have ghost powers or not because to me you're still the same old Dani. That's what I've decided. This is still a lot for me to process though to be honest so just give me some time to sort it all out in my head, ok? Until then I'd appreciate it if we pretend none of this happened and continue our vacation the same as before. Also, promise me you won't be so hard on yourself from here on out since you did say you were planning on telling me eventually which must've taken a lot of guts after what you've been through. Can you do that for me, Dani?"

Nodding I gave him a sheepish smile and replied, "Ok."

Smiling back, Vallen turned to leave but before he got too far I blurted out, "Vallen wait. Does this mean we're still friends?"

"I don't see any reason why not," Vallen shrugged, obviously trying not to make a big deal out of it and left.

As soon as he did, I grabbed the nearest pillow and cried happily because that simple answer took such a huge weight off my shoulders and the relief I felt was just...indescribable. It felt like finally...FINALLY, there was a silver lining in all this bullshit I've been dealing with. So even though I didn't say it to Vallen himself, I sniffled and smiled, "Thank you, Vallen. Thank you so much for believing in me..."