A/N: I'd first like to explain a few things regarding some recent scrutiny. Danny Phantom has a hero complex. Even if he refused to be Phantom he'd still feel the need to help people in some way, and becoming a detective was an easy way for him to do that. He's assigned his missions and it's easier to fight off other humans than ghosts. He's an Ex-Hero, not a retired officer. He has no problem fighting crime and he blames himself for what happened to his family, hence why he doesn't use his powers anymore. Some people make decisions that they think are best and are blinded by their own grief and stubbornness. Yes I know it seems a little ironic, but I think I can do something good with this plot line. If however you all think that I should not continue I will not waste my time writing something that you do not want to read. So after this chapter I will be taking a break. Your reviews will be a deciding factor as to whether or not I continue the story. Thanks guys!
Chapter 3
Danny walked carefully down the street near the site of the disappearances. It was a dark alleyway that led to a few buildings. Danny noted it was close to a bar.
He wore dark jeans and a black jacket with a white undershirt. He knew the bar was a beacon for criminals. There were many cases that led him to find a convict here. His goal was to infiltrate the bar undercover and look for any possible connections.
He continued walking down the path as his eyes continually scanned his surroundings. There were rumors of a mafia gang in this area, and Danny wanted to find more information on that as well.
The Titans were out, but Danny didn't stay or care long enough to know where. Robin had given him a communicator if anything happened to go awry. Danny left it back at the tower. It was crucial for him to ensure that no one there suspected him of having any alliance with the Titans whatsoever.
He noticed the slight chill in the air and he shoved his hands in his pockets. He reached the front entrance and the guard there eyed him as he walked by into the bar.
After a moment of scanning the room his eyes landed at the bar. He walked up and ordered a drink, showing his I.D. It may have been fake but they didn't know that. He snorted slightly in disgust as he looked around seeing a few men leering at a couple of women in the corner. He knew the women were most likely convicts but it still didn't make it acceptable.
For a few minutes he listened in on a conversation between the bartender and a few people as he leaned against the bar. It was about miniscule things, relationships and normal life predicaments. Danny didn't bother to join in, he already knew he couldn't relate. He was out following a lead. He was looking for someone specific, and if he was correct on his theory (which he usually was) they would be coming tonight. They came every Monday evening around 11:00 pm for meetings.
A slight movement to his left caught his attention and he narrowed his eyes when he saw a few men inconspicuously walking to the back. It was them. What looked like to be the owner stood in their way and they paid him off quickly while continuing towards the back. Danny followed behind, making his way through the crowd. They slipped through a door in the back that led to storage room. Danny slipped in and hid behind some stacked boxes before the door closed. With his sensitive hearing he was able to catch a few phrases.
"I don't care how long it takes, I need them alive." A voice ordered and Danny didn't recognize it. He tried to look above some of the boxes but they were out of sight. He saw a shadow of movement.
"Money won't be an issue. I'm willing to pay the price for him."
Danny was disgusted, whoever the men were, were negotiating prices for someone.
"I expect him to be here in two weeks." The voice continued leaving no room for argument. Danny cursed that he couldn't seem him but he couldn't get any closer. It would be too dangerous, unless he turned invisible. He considered it but then ducked after the shadows drew closer. He strained his eyes to make out someone in black wearing a mask. Danny crouched back and silently cursed when his foot stepped on some bubble wrap.
"There's someone here." He growled and Danny widened his eye. Everyone stilled to listen for movement. The guy suddenly turned and shot a round of bullets at some boxes next to Danny who barely jumped out of the way. Danny cursed, his cover was blown. He took the gun out of the holster at his side and aimed hitting the guy in the leg taking him down. He quickly assessed the room, there were four total. Two were running out an exit while two more were fumbling for their guns.
"JC Police, put your hands up!" He ordered, frustrated at the turn of events. The two continued running. Danny took to a sprint and was surprised to see Robin fly down with his grappling hook, taking the other two men down. It was clear they were inexperienced gang members. That didn't make sense any sense.
"They're getting away!" Danny yelled back to Robin who turned to see them running out the door. They were dressed completely in black, they almost looked demonic. Danny continued to sprint with Robin not following far behind. They ran down the alleyway where they were taken, and Danny pushed himself to go faster. It was a dead end, he watched as the two figures turned around to face him and Danny slowed to a stop. Robin threw a birgarang but it passed straight through them. In an instant there was a green flash and then they were gone. Danny cursed as Robin caught up to him, also witnessing the entire event.
"There goes my only lead." Danny growled and Robin stood silent. Danny then turned on him.
"What were you doing here anyway? You could have compromised my plans." Robin looked genuinely surprised.
"Are you kidding me? This is my job, besides you compromised your own plan yourself."
Danny snorted and walked past him, not wanting to admit that he was right. It made absolutely no sense. How were they disappearing like that? His ghost sense didn't even go off. Damn bubble wrap.
"We can at least take in some of the men in for questioning." Robin told him walking along side Danny as they headed back towards the building. He opened the door and narrowed his eyes.
"Not likely." He gestured to the room and Robin peered in. It was empty.
"Daniel." The woman gestured towards him. He watched, captivated by her eyes. A deep ocean blue with just a hint of lavender. Her face looked haggard. Her eyes pleaded with him, wanting to tell him something important, wanting him to understand. The figure stood by at a distance, looming over them. It got closer, the woman panicked.
"He wants you dead, don't give up. I won't be with you. Please understand."
"It's okay." He heard himself tell her. Her eyes filled with adoration. She reached out her hand to cup his face. Her eyes opened in horror, she screamed-
Danny woke up in a cold sweat, not registering his surroundings. He looked up to the clock on the wall. It read 3:27 am. He groaned and picked his head up off his desk. His laptop was still opened to the article he was reading about mafia gangs in jump. He shivered, his dream rocked him to his core. He was so convinced it was real.
He stood up slowly and walked down the corridor towards the kitchen. He flipped a switch to turn on the light and nearly jumped when he saw Raven in the corner. She arched a brow while she nursed a cup of tea.
"Couldn't sleep?" She asked monotonously and Danny sighed. She slid the pot over to him which he gladly took.
"You could say that." He answered and they slipped into silence. The only sound was of him pouring the tea into the cup he got from the shelf. He looked at her to see her watching him. He gave her a small smile,
"Would you like to talk about it?" Raven then asked and Danny nearly dropped his cup. How did she know?
"Empath." She deadpanned.
"Ahh, right." He nodded in understanding though not willing to share. He didn't even want to think about it.
"We're not so bad you know." Raven began another conversation though she didn't know why. It was out of character for her to willingly talk first to someone. Danny raised a brow causing the corners of her mouth to turn upwards in a small smirk. Danny nearly missed it, though when he caught it he saw that it complimented her well.
"Yeah…I just have bad experiences with meta-humans." He told her and she was silent, giving him the opportunity to continue. When he didn't she walked over to the table and sat down. Danny took a chance and decided to sit down with her.
"Not all people are bad, and if you give us a chance we'd really like to get to know you."
He studied her and she looked away after a moment. That was the first time he'd ever heard her say more than just a few words. Raven couldn't tell what he was thinking and she couldn't even tell what he was feeling. He hid his emotions just as well as Robin did.
"How about I get to know you." He then suggested still watching her. She raised her brow deciding to negotiate.
"We can get to know each other." He paused, then grinned slightly thankful for the distraction she was offering him from his dream.
"Alright. A question for a question." He challenged and Raven saw him smirk. She cautiously agreed.
"Favorite color?" Danny asked and Raven deadpanned gesturing towards her outfit.
"Right." He chuckled and sat back waiting for her question. He watched as she slightly pursed her lips in thought.
"What is your favorite food?" She asked lightly. Danny smiled in genuine making Raven want to return it.
"Definitely pizza." He answered and Raven wasn't surprised. She had lived with three growing teens for years, she knew all of their favorite foods.
"How did you become a Titan?" Danny asked and leaned forward. It was a personal question and they both knew it. He was giving her the option of sharing something intimate, something that she could use as an opportunity to build trust. She took a chance.
"I came from Azarath to find help on earth to help defeat my father Trigon. I wandered until I found Robin here in Jump City. When Starfire escaped from captivity to earth we all helped to subdue her…and it went from there. Later Robin asked me to join. He had more faith in me then I had in myself."
She watched as Danny widened his eyes, obviously surprised that she was so willing to share information. She figured that her team knew, if Danny was going to live here with them she might as well trust him too.
"That's…thank you…for trusting me." He finally answered her and Raven felt inclined to nod her head. Trust had to start somewhere right? Robin had taught her that, maybe she could help Danny trust them.
"What is it like to be human?" Raven asked in genuine. Danny snorted in response causing Raven to quirk her brow.
"Being a human is…normal. That's all we know how to do. Survive, live, and feel. It can be vulnerable as a human but it also makes me feel free. There's no weight bearing responsibility to protect, or any real expectations to be anything." Danny looked down at his mug. Raven hoped her silence was encouragement to continue.
"It's probably nothing like being a hero."
Raven looked at him, expression blank before allowing a small grimace to grace her features.
"Being a hero can definitely be weight bearing and burdening, but it's worth it if a life is saved."
Danny nodded respectfully though it seemed cold,
"Unfortunately not everyone can be saved." He got up and put his mug in the sink, bid her goodnight and walked away leaving Raven to her thoughts. The phrase stuck with her, over and over again until early hours in the morning when she finally got up to walk to her room. She didn't know Danny was still awake in his own room, submersing himself in his research trying in vain to forget what happened that day. The day his family was killed. And even as Phantom he could not do a thing to stop it.
A/N: Again, there has been some criticism that has come to my attention and of course I don't want to ignore it. I am seriously considering rewriting it or just scrapping it altogether.
