Author's Note: I own nothing.

30 Birthday Crisis

"Half the year with the living." Vince's voice was clear as he spoke, echoing all the way to the back of the theater where Casper High's drama class was held.

"Half with the dead." Dani wasn't quite as loud but her smile was genuine as she took Vince's hand. "I will return in autumn as promised." Vince reached up and carefully pushed back the flower crown currently resting in black locks.

"I would wait for you forever. What is six months to an eternity?" He asked with a smile. He released her hand and she exited the stage but not before pausing to look back at him, still smiling. A smattering of applause rang from the audience and Dani practically skipped out of the wings. Lancer was clapping, a few of their classmates were too though Paulina remained resolutely quiet.

"Very nice Mr. Grey, Miss Fenton. Very nice interpretation of the myth. And the costumes are a nice touch." Lancer said marking something down on their script. Vince held up a hand to high five Dani. She returned it enthusiastically, the crown of flowers in her hair tilting dangerously to the side. He laughed lightly. He'd honestly never paid Dani much mind before now, but she was honestly pretty cool. Tanya was reasonably warm to him and Sam was icy. But Sam had a reputation for icy behavior. The only time his chill exterior seemed to melt was when it was just Tanya and Dani around. Tanya grinned as she sauntered up to them in her own toga, though hers was white where Dani's was green with hastily hot glued flowers and leaves on it.

"Nice. So, Dani turns out Sam accidentally bought four tickets to that Dumpty Humpty concert for your birthday. They're non refundable so he wanted to know if there was someone else you wanted to drag along." Sam had raced off to the bathroom as if on fire as soon as he and Tanya were done with their skit to change out of the white toga he'd worn as Orpheus. He'd have much preferred the black toga Vince was wearing, though in reality it was just a bedsheet he'd found at the thrift store. Dani grinned and turned to Vince.

"Vince, would you like to tag along? It's the Dumpty Humpty concert this coming Friday." Vince grinned.

"I would love to. Their music rocks!" Dani grinned at him. "I didn't know your birthday was this weekend though." He commented and Dani shrugged.

"I usually only do something small for my birthday, it's on Friday same day as the concert. We are gonna meet up at my house at six to have some cake and dinner before the concert!" Vince smiled as the flower crown tilted further in her hair. He reached out and carefully adjusted it so it sat straight.

"Sounds like fun I'll be there." Tanya nodded and steered Dani away so they could change before their next class. Sam had returned and looked a bit annoyed at Vince but said nothing. The bell rang before either of them could say anything anyway. Vince headed off and stopped at his locker to drop off his toga, which he was wearing over his clothes. He spun in his combination and blinked. There was a box waiting there for him. Written on top in the same spidery handwriting as before was Vince's name. He stuffed the box into his backpack without opening it, a slight smile on his face.

Dani woke up Friday morning and stared up at her ceiling for a few minutes. She should be happy right? It was her fifteenth birthday. She was supposed to be excited about it right? But all she could do was wonder if this birthday actually counted. Did a birthday really count after one died, even if she'd only mostly died. She shook her head as a knock sounded on her door.

"Dani? You up?" It was her father. She shook her head and got out of bed and opened her door. Her father was standing there grinning with a large plate of pancakes. Dani couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips. The school day went by much as it usually did though Sam had brought some cupcakes for lunch. Vince approached her too to wish her a happy birthday and confirm that they were still on for the concert that night.

The concert was a big hit, though they were stuck next to Dash and his crew. They didn't let that keep them down. Dani had a blast and Vince stayed a little later after Sam and Tanya headed home. His dad was a little late picking him up since Fentonworks and Axiom labs were pretty far apart. They wound up sitting on the Ops Center looking up at the sky. It wasn't great for stargazing, too much light pollution in the middle of town but it was a nice night for it anyway. Vince glanced at Dani and cleared his throat.

"So uh, I was wondering exactly what it is your parents do." He asked. Dani went bright red.

"Well they… They hunt ghosts." She admitted quietly. Vincent blinked.

"They hunt ghosts?" He asked and Dani nodded, not looking at Vince.

"Yeah it's kinda embarrassing honestly, if you bring it up around my dad it's all he'll talk about for hours. I mean it's nice that he likes his work and everything but really?" The comment almost made Vincent laugh, especially with the shirt she was wearing. It was a gift from Tanya and read 'Dead Girl Walking' in bright red letters. Vince shrugged.

"I think it's kinda cool. That they like their job I mean." They glanced at each other and both laughed though neither was sure why. Over Dani's shoulder Vince spotted his father's car pulling up to the building. He frowned slightly, wishing that he'd had a bit more time. He'd been debating if he should tell Dani that he was hunting ghosts now too. But she didn't seem to think too much of her parent's profession so maybe he should keep it to himself for now. He stood holding out a hand to help her up. "Thanks for having me over." She accepted his hand and they headed inside. Vince got into his dad's car with a grin and Damon smiled at his son.

"Have a good time?" Damon said with a teasing smile. Vince grinned blushing lightly.

"Yeah I did." Damon smiled and they set out for the house. As they did Vince turned on the radio. A song he'd never heard before echoed from the speakers. He blinked and turned up the volume. "This is a really good song!" He said and Damon shrugged.

"It's some new artist, Ember Mc-something I don't remember her name." Damon said and Vince nodded, not really paying attention to his father, instead listening to the song.