This fic was originally posted on Archive of Our Own. I am more consistent with my writing on there because the format is easier to use. So if you want more regular updates you should go there. The information is the same.


Danny sits in his class for the day writing idly in his notebook. That morning Dani had been uncharacteristically quiet, refusing to talk about whatever had happened when she used the amulet. She had promptly disappeared after he turned away from her. It was still bothering him, the way she had looked at him, her eyes filled with betrayal like he had hurt her somehow.

A paper slams onto his desk, startling him out of his thoughts.

Mr. Lancer is frowning down at him, "Mr. Fenton, I'm sure you can answer number 16 since you're looking so intently at your notes."

Gulping he takes the paper and reads the 16th question. In George Orwell's 1984, why was the diary so important?

His mind momentarily blanks, what diary? Was this in the book they were supposed to be reading?

Danny looks up with a frown, "Uh, because he could write in it?"

Mr. Lancer lets out a long suffering sigh but continues anyway, "Though you aren't entirely wrong, there is a better answer." The man walks up to the front of his class, "The diary was important because he wasn't supposed to have it."

Danny looks down at his notes and grimances, most of it was random propaganda no one else would understand, but the very obvious ghost drawings and symbols littering the paper meant he was definitely not paying attention. Pulling out a new sheet, he starts trying to focus on the class he was supposed to be learning something in.

Just after the last bell goes off he gets a text asking if he's free from Sam. Thinking about it he remembers his sister is supposed to be leaving and lets her know before dashing to the bathrooms. Once in, he changes into his ghost form and leaves the school, flying home quickly.

Jazz meets him at the door, "Hey Danny."

He smiles sadly at her, "Hey Jazz."

She wraps her arms around him in a hug that he reciprocates, she leads him in by his shoulders, "So, uh. Last day huh?"

Jazz winces but nods, "Yup. I leave in a few hours."

Danny takes off his backpack and tosses it at the stairs, "Well, then I guess we have to do something to celebrate?"

His sister opens her mouth to respond but doesn't get anything out before she barreled over by their dad, "Oh Jazzy pants! Your leaving today?!"

Their mom is quick to follow, "We talked about this Jack. She's off to college today."

The man wipes in imaginary tear away, "My little baby is growing up so fast." He them moves away with a smile, "I've gotta make surprise meatloaf to celebrate."

Panic floods Danny, "NO!" "NO!"

The siblings look at each other with surprise before smiling sheepishly.

"Actually," Jazz fixes her headband, "I was wondering if you would take us to Jhonanna's Kitchen before I left? We used to go there all the time when Danny and I were kids and I kinda miss it."

Their mom puts a hand over her heart, "Oh honey, I thought you didn't like that place? It was so old and rundown you two would complain about all of the old people there."

Jazz blushes, "Well, yeah, but we were kids. Please? For old times sake?"

Danny is mildly impressed with how she got them to change their mind. Usually it took a lot more convincing to stop dads surprise meatloaf but her sad story must have been nostalgic enough to warm their hearts.

"Of course we can! Let's get into the van and go now!" Their dad runs out the door, keys in hand as he bounces his way down the stairs.

Giving his sister an impressed look, he quickly follows them out, "Wow. You didn't even need to try with that one. Where did you come up with it?"

She gives him a devilish smirk, "I drove past the place this morning to pick up the last of my paperwork. It was pure coincidence I could use it to get out of meatloaf night."

They laugh as they sit in the back of the car. It's a mostly quiet ride there, aside from the music they play in the front.

"I'm really going to miss you Jazz."

His sister puts an arm around his shoulder, "I'm going to miss you too. You're welcome to call me at night if you need to?"

Danny leans into the touch, "You and I both know I'm up later than you."

She scoffs, "Yeah yeah. Just remember to eat as often as possible, drink tons of water, get your work done before going out-"

He pushes her over, "Really? You're lecturing me?"

She laughs, "Sorry, I couldn't help it." She leans in close to whisper, "Heaven knows mom and dad won't be doing it." the jovial voice is greatly offset by the worry in her face.

He whispers back, "I'll be fine Jazz. You can't stay in the backwash of a town any longer than you have to. You can't succeed like you want here, it's a dead end."

Her frown deepens, "But I don't want to leave you trapped here either."

Danny sighs, "I'm half ghost. Short of doing what Vlad does, I won't be able to leave here anyway."

They go silent after that. They both knew that if he left, then one of the two portals that exist would be unguarded. Meaning all of humanity could be overrun by ghosts within weeks if he wasn't there to stop it before it started.

They arrive at the restaurant in no time at all. It's an older shop, few people are in it but it's enough to keep it running. They are seated immediately and get their food almost as soon as they order. Next comes the small talk Danny was dreading.

"So Jazzy, I have a gift for you to take with you when you leave!" Their dad pulls out a photo, "It's at home but it's our brand new ghost shield! Completely improved! It'll zap anything with ectoplasm that tries to come in! It even has a safety feature that will turn it on even if you don't want it to!" His fingers point to a small panel, "It's even solar powered!"

Their mother smiles, "We also have a large turn we want you to take that has a full set of ghost weapons in it. They aren't our biggest ones but they should do the job."

Jazz smiles weakly, "You guys are aware that I can't have weapons with me right? It's illegal?"

Both of them frown, "Well, then I guess we will have to just send some of the armored ones." Their mom tilts her head in thought, "and the ghost shield isn't a weapon."

Danny rolls his eyes, "Isn't that thing the size of her car?"

Their dad perks up, "Actually, we managed to shrink it down to the size of a mini fridge! It's even as quiet as one!"

Jazz looks less than thrilled, "Alright, then I guess I can take it."

Both of them cheer before continuing on that same line of thought, discussing what she can and can't take. It's only Danny's offhand comments on size that stop some of the more outrageous ideas from getting to their heads. Luckily, they aren't smart enough to wonder how he knew some of them were bigger than Jazz could logically carry but for all he knew they chalked it up to him being interested.

When they finally leave, the sadness and dread of his sister leaving amps up to an uncomfortable level. As soon as they get home, she would be leaving for the last time, possibly forever if she decided not to come back. He wouldn't blame her.

The process of loading all of Jazz's bags into her car is easy. Put the bags in, leave room for extra just incase, let their parents argue about what goes where. But the emotional turmoil it leaves Danny in, once the last bag is packed? He sits on the steps while their parents fight over where to place the ghost shield and if she really needs the Fenton Taser, knees to his chest and head low.

"Danny?"

He looks behind him at his sister. Her purse bursting at the seams with snacks for the trip and her phone in hand, he gulps, "Yeah?"

She sits down next to him, putting her arms around him in a tight hug. They don't say anything as they embrace, just trying to commit the moment to memory.

Finally, she pulls away enough to push something into his hands. Looking down, he laughs at the ridiculousness of it, "Bearbert Einstein? Really?"

She blushes hard, "Hey, I will admit that it's a little childish, but I love this bear to death, and I would do anything to make sure it's safe." She makes eye contact with him as she says, "It's supposed to be symbolic Danny. It means I will always come back."

His heart warms as a small smile plays across his face.

"Since I know you don't think I would come back for you," She pushes it into his hands, "I would definitely come back for Bearbert."

He laughs as he takes it, "For Bearbert."

They hug one last time before he walks her to her car, "I uh, have something for you too."

Their parents finish up with their argument, giving Jazz a hug before backing up.

"What is it?"

Pulling it out of his pocket, he hands his sister a necklace with a glowing green rock at the end, "I got it from the Yeti's in the ghost zone. It doesn't do anything except glow but I figured you would be ok if it doesn't do anything crazy."

She takes it with a grateful smile and hugs him one more time, "Thank you, Danny."

She pulls back, "I'll see you later ok?"

He smiles back, "Yeah. See you later."

With a final pat on the shoulder, she climbs into the car. Waving as she starts the engine and drives down the road. Danny holds the teddy bear closer to his chest, longing and loneliness already setting in.