Valerie's mouth hung loose and gaping as she stared wide-eyed at Danny. The momentary shock was quickly wearing off though. Danny watched as her forehead began to scrunch up and her eyebrows slanted in concern and worry. As to what had taken her by surprise, well that had to do with the fact that Danny needed her help, although he couldn't tell her that, and the only way he could get that help was by admitting he knew her secret.
"How long?" Her voice was quieter than he had expected. Certainly not a whisper but also not the aggressive shout he had been expecting. "How long have you known?"
"Since you started, well not exactly since you started but shortly after." Danny rubbed his arm and his feet shifted uneasily beneath him. He watched the expressions on Valerie's face shift as various thoughts and emotions ran through her head.
"And, you never said anything?"
"It was your secret. Besides at the time we didn't really get along yet, and once we did start getting along I thought it best to let you tell me on your terms." It was a half-truth. Danny had never considered letting Valerie know he knew, but he had also been open to listening if she ever decided to admit it.
"So why change your mind now?"
Danny drew a steady breath. Jazz had helped him come up with a few excuses in case questioning such as this occurred. "A few reasons actually, one of them is that it's getting more dangerous. I know you can handle yourself, you're an amazing ghost fighter." Jazz had suggested using compliments to make Valerie drop her guard. She had also said to only say the truth because Danny was a terrible liar. "But," Danny continued, "we're just kids, and there have been times I saw you get really badly hurt while fighting. I...I was hoping maybe you'd stop on your own, but I don't think that's going to happen." Danny drew another breath, forcing himself to not speak too quickly. "If you're going to keep doing this, I thought, maybe your chances of staying safe would be better if you had some training, mentors even, who could show you the ropes and share their experience with you."
Valerie's face softened and then she smiled. "You really are sweet." Her eyes then glittered and her smiled turned sharp with excitement. "Having a mentor does sound good, and don't your parents make all sorts of ghost hunting weapons."
Danny flinched. "Uh, yeah they do. They make stuff like then."
"...Would I have to tell them that I already hunt ghosts?"
"Only if you want too." Danny hoped she didn't. The last thing he needed was the red huntress and his mom teaming up to destroy his ghost half. "But they get so excited over anything ghost-related so I don't think you'll need to."
Valerie was silent. Her hand rested on her chin as her brow furrowed with thought. "I don't know."
"You could just talk to them. It's not like you have to commit to anything. They like sharing their knowledge so you can ask them anything whenever you want, even without officially studying under them."
Danny watched as Valerie's brow unfurrowed slowly. It was an offer for access to knowledge without any strings. Another suggestion by Jazz. Who knew her study of psychology would actually be useful?
"Yeah, alright," Valerie finally nodded. "It won't hurt to at least talk to them."
…
"Why are you cleaning the house?"
Danny looked up mid vacuum to meet Jazz's very confused eyes.
"Valerie's coming over today."
"So? It's not like you guys are dating anymore. You don't need to impress her with a clean house."
"That's not...She's still a guest. We shouldn't let guests see a messy house."
"You never clean for Sam and Tucker."
Danny tutted, "They don't count. Those two are practically family."
"So are you going to clean the lab too?"
Danny froze. He had forgotten about the lab. "Oh, no. That place is a disaster. I don't have time to clean it before she gets here!"
Jazz sighed. "Well too late now. We'll just have to hope messy lab chic comes off as eccentric genius and not mad scientist."
The doorbell rang.
From the second floor, Cujo started barking and moments later he fell through the ceiling and charged the door, launching excitedly against the frame and looking expectantly at Danny and Jazz.
Danny scooped up the small pup, who continued to wiggly and yip in his arms while he fumbled the door open.
Valerie's mouth had pulled into a thin line and her eyes were not focused on Danny.
"Hi, Valerie. Sorry about Cujo. Ghost or not he's still a dog."
One of Valerie's eyebrows lifted itself as her eyes finally met Danny's. "Right," She responded flatly.
"Uh, so my parents are in the lab." Danny pulled back and gestured for Valerie to enter.
"So the basement then?"
"Yeah." Danny closed to the front door and led the way through the kitchen and down the stairs. He tried to remember if Valerie had been in the lab before or not. If she had was when they were dating or during one of the ghost invasions? Or maybe she had never been down here and he had simply forgotten.
Danny shook his head as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Hey Mom, hey Dad, I have a friend who wanted to ask you about ghosts."
Whatever they had been working on sparked as they looked up. They both had their hoods up and goggles on.
"This is Valerie, uh, I think you guys have met before."
Jack pulled back his hood and goggles and squinted his eyes as Danny's friend.
"Valerie? That name sounds familiar." Jack bent down, his large body leaning heavily over the two teens. "This wouldn't happen to be the same Valerie who broke your heart leaving you devastated for days on end?"
"What? No!" Danny had not been devastated for days on end. Maybe a few hours at most. Also, he needed his parents and Valerie to get along. Danny shot a look at Valerie and hoped she got the hint. "This, uh, this is a different Valerie. The one who broke up with me, and did not leave me devastated in any manner, uh...moved away. The two of them have the same name and look very similar but I assure you they are completely different people." Danny hoped he had only imagined his voice rising an octave as he lied, he also hoped no one noticed if it had.
Jack straightened immediately his face brightening. "In that case, welcome new Valerie. So I hear you want to know about ghosts."
"Uh, yeah."
"Excellent! The first thing you need to know is that all ghosts are evil, no exceptions."
Valerie folded her arms. "Don't have to tell me twice."
"Except Cujo."
Valerie's brow knitted and she started to open her mouth.
"Now Cujo is the one exception. He is a good boy. The goodest boy in fact and no one can convince me otherwise."
Valerie tried raising a questioning hand but Jack was on a roll and there was no stopping him now.
Danny turned to escape but found the gentle hand of his mother resting on his shoulder. He turned to meet her worried eyes.
"Danny," her voice was soft. "Are you ok with this?" She gestured to Valerie and Jack. "I know it was hard when you two broke up."
Danny sighed. He could trick his dad but his mom was another matter. It was a miracle she hadn't noticed his biggest secret. "Yeah, I'm good. Valerie's a good person, and even if dating didn't work out she's still a friend."
His mom smiled. "That's quite mature of you." She ruffled his hair. "When did you get so grown up?"
"Mom!" Danny protested pulling away.
Maddie raised her hands in surrender.
Danny frowned and patted his hair back into place. "Well, have fun, and try to keep Dad from scaring Valerie off."
"I'll do my best," Maddie smiled.
Danny started back up the stairs. His father's voice carrying after him.
"So, Valerie," Jack said, his tone surprisingly serious. "How do you feel about hazmat suits?"