The Fenton family vacation started off terribly. Thanks to a tip, by their family friend, Vlad, the Fenton parents decided to spend half of the trip ghost hunting near the great lakes. However, as predicted by the Fenton Children, they were attacked. Leaving the youngest Fenton, Danny, almost powerless, and the two separated from their parents.
Batman crash landed soon after, following up on a lead to the mysterious battery that was floating around in the black markets. Danny and Jazz found the injured Batman, and took him back to camp. They fought ghosts, repaired the ghost shield, and established communications with the bat-family.
Upon the group of bats' arrival, they were attacked by a giant blob ghost that was feeding off the mysterious battery from Batman's plane. After the fight, Danny's half-ghost status was revealed and left him crying when Batman promised he didn't have to fight alone anymore.
The bats and Fenton siblings then infiltrated Vlad's base. After constant struggles, fights, and reveals. Danny manage to outsmart Vlad, defeating him with the help of the Bats. Their parents were rescued and the base was destroyed.
However, not all was well by the end of the adventure, as the Fenton parents made it known that they were not intending on leaving anytime soon. Jazz and Danny were distraught by this, and left with the Bats back to Gotham City. Where they were taken into Wayne Manor as guests.
-This is a continuation of Vacation Crashers. So it will contain references to the previous story. Though I'll try to make this story be able to be read on its own.
"Here you are, Miss Jasmine. Stephanie was kind enough to lend some of her clothes. I do hope they'll work for now." Alfred said as he led the tired Fenton children to their rooms.
"Thank you, Mr. Pennyworth." The red-head girl smiled, then yawned out loud.
"You are certainly welcome. Let me know if you need anything else."
"All I need is a shower and some sleep." She chuckled, then turned to her brother, ruffling his hair. "Goodnight Danny."
"Night Jazz." Danny muttered running his fingers through his black hair, watching Jazz disappear into her room.
"Your room is just next door, Mister Daniel."
"Can.. Can you call me, Danny? .. Please? A certain billionaire kind of ruined it." Danny asked, wondering if it was too late. He kind of had enough of being called Daniel, from Vlad.. and being in a manor was just resurfacing those feelings.
"Of course, Mister Danny." Alfred smiled.
That was a little better, or at least Danny guessed it was.
"And, here you are, sir. I have clothes laid out for you. Luckily I do believe Timothy's old clothing will fit." Alfred spoke as he opened the wooden door to his room.
The room was rather large, but the decor was plain. Nothing like Vlad's nor did it follow the decor of most of the mansion. Looked more like a nice hotel room. Which did ease Danny's anxiety some. Still, he rubbed his arms as it was starting to sink in that they were staying here for at least two weeks. Probably more because his parents were notorious for being late.
At dinner, he was too hungry to focus on anything. So he ate his fill with the rest of the bats, and his sister, but now that gave his brain room to focus on things around him. His exhaustion doing very little to stifle it.
He side glanced at Alfred, noticing he hadn't said a word. "Thank you. Sorry. Just.. tired."
Alfred gave a smile, though kept a worried glance. "Your very welcome, Mister Danny. If there is anything you need, please, do not hesitate to ask."
Danny gave a nod, watching Alfred leave. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, once the door closed. Slowly, he walked out to where his clothes were laid out on a chair, a little note on top adding extra detail. Fresh new underwear was in the drawers and clothes were hung in the closet. It was only a few outfits for now, the clothes laid out were pajamas.
There were towels and hygiene products in the bathroom, and a laundry basket by the door to it. Which was nice.
Danny, out of habit, checked out the room for cameras and bugs. He didn't like the open space. Then he moved to the bathroom, grabbing the pajamas and underwear.
He must admit, he missed having a warm shower. It felt nice to wash the leftover residue from his time turning into slime. Even though Jason did a pretty good job, rinsing him in the sink. He hoped to never have to be in that situation again, but knowing his luck, he probably will.
Danny massaged the shampoo in to his hair, as he recounted the day's.. and last night's events in his head. His face scrunching at every screw up he did. No one should have been in the position of being almost killed, if he-
He shook his head, leaning back to let the water rinse the soap from his hair. He needed to stop blaming himself for every mistake, but when such a tiny one could literally cause the end. He just couldn't help it. The Butterfly effect sucks.
He stared at the ceiling, as he stood with his hair flung back into the fall of water. He let out an angry huff of air, as he reminded himself of how Vlad got away. It was ridiculously stupid. If he had kept a tighter hold on the thermos.. then-no.. Dad hugged him... it was an accident.. a stupid one, but an accident.
Danny raised his head back up and just let the water run over his back and shoulders. His body ached. The food did little to help his core, and his body was trying to replenish the ectoplasm. If only he had access to a portal or the battery.. or even some ecto dejecto.
Well, he won't be flying anytime soon, so hopefully the food will be enough for now. He wasn't the only one hurting, either. He did over hear the others make arrangements to call for a doctor. A personal one. Batman-Bruce..
Danny's face scrunched, uneasy about being in the hands of another billionaire. He had to keep reminding himself of what he was as Batman. Batman listened and promised he wouldn't have to fight alone. He didn't ask of anything of them first. It was not the same as Vlad. He had hoped anyways.
Bruce needed his wounds evaluated by a professional. No doubt, he's reopened them a few times. If he wasn't a seasoned vigilante, he wouldn't have been able to move as much as he did. Jason had a bad burn on his back and shoulder. Tim, Cass, and Dick's wounds were looking better since they could use the salve his parents made, but still would need some tending to.
Danny sighed, feeling the guilt on his shoulders. He should have prepared them better. He just.. didn't expect Vlad to go full FruitLoop on him. He should have expected it though. They knew he was getting worse.. He just thought.. that maybe.. Vlad could snap out of it. He was so stupid! Stupid.. stupid-
Danny shut the water off, hopping out of the shower. He had to stop thinking about it. He grabbed the towel and dried off, then used the towel to wipe up any water on the floor.
He pulled on the clothes, feeling a bit weird in the pajamas. It was nice not to be in clothes that stunk of dead skunk and ectoplasm, but it still was a new scent. Unfamiliar and unsettling. At least the clothes were soft, though Danny couldn't help wonder how much everything cost, feeling strange in it all.
He quickly dunk his old clothes in the basket, so he couldn't smell them anymore, then returned to brush his teeth. Grateful that its been supplied to him. One of the few things he really was looking forward to after all the mayhem...and the vomiting.
He squeezed toothpaste onto the toothbrush, then wield it up to his teeth.
Danny's eyes locked with his reflection, making him flashback to the dead clone of himself. He shivered then shook his head, looking away from the mirror as he brushed his teeth. Only turning around to spit into the sink. Avoiding his reflection.
Yet, his mind still traveled back to the clone. He wondered if it(him) was destroyed in the explosion. He hoped it(he) did, as terrible as it was. If his parents found any trace of his body in the water, it could ruin his chance in telling them he's phantom. They would think Phantom had switched places with their son and then any chances in convincing them otherwise would have flown straight out the window.
Still, he felt bad for the clone. Sad, it(he) didn't exist. Relieved, it didn't succeed. Upset, he couldn't bury it(him). The image of a younger version of himself in a grave popped into his head. He shivered again and shook his head. He turned to spit and rinse his mouth. Danny then took the towel he had and draped it over the mirror. He rinsed his mouth out with mouth wash a few times, before heading to bed.
He checked the room one more time, turning or covering any mirrors he found in the room. Its not like he ever used one to get dress anyways. Only to look at new injuries. Shame though, he had just gotten use to looking in the mirror without imagining his face melting too. At least the image of the dead clone in his arms shouldn't be as bad... right?
Danny turned on the fan, and pulled back the sheets, crawling into bed. He collapsed on the pillow with a tired sigh, rolling the covers back over him. Burying his face into his pillow, it wasn't long for his exhaustion to out run his mind. Drifting to sleep.
-owo-
Jazz did not have as much luck in falling asleep. Her shower was peaceful and getting ready for bed was uneventful. However, it was as soon as she laid her head to rest that her mind buzzed freely.
All the things that could have been done better, what they needed to improve on, but mostly her mind kept focusing around her parents. She loved them dearly, and just like Danny, she did not want them to be out in the wilderness chasing ghosts after what had happen to them.
However, that's what they decided to do at the end of the day. Despite almost dying, they chose their work over them. Again. She didn't even expect them not to go back to work, she just wanted a night.. a couple days to recoup. To know that her family was safe and sound, but now...
Jazz sighed, burying her face into the blankets. She had to let them go, as much as it hurt to watch them potentially get themselves killed. To know one day they won't come back with their cheerful grins. She had to stop clinging to them. Clinging to the idea that one day they'll listen and everything will be okay.
Because she knew real life didn't work the same as in Disney movies. Happily ever after, doesn't exist. Even if they finally listened, it doesn't undo the pain they cause. It doesn't mean their relationship with their kids will mend. It doesn't mean they'll change. It doesn't mean they'll listen again.
Jazz sat up with a sniffle, wiping at her eyes to preemptively catch any tears that threaten to fall. She pulled her legs to her chest, hugging them. Feeling queasy. She wondered if Danny had already fallen asleep. She didn't want to disturb him, but she was feeling awfully alone.
She waited to see if she heard any sound, but it was silent. Only adding to Jazz's uneasiness. She sighed, shifting out of bed. Maybe Danny was trying not to run to his sister's bed. She hoped that was the case.
Jazz quietly slipped out of her room, leaving her door a jar as she walked down to Danny's. She walked tip toed, to try and not wake Danny, in case he had fallen asleep. Smiling a bit to herself as it brought back memories where she would check on Danny in the middle of the night. He had a habit of going up to the observations deck to stare at the sky, using his book to spot stars and planets. That was one of the things he stopped doing after the.. accident.
Jazz lightly tap his door, not hard enough to alert him if he was asleep. She pressed her ear against the door, all she could hear was the fan. Lightly she opened the door with a whisper, "Danny?"
She shivered as a cool air from the room hit her. The room was dark, but she could make out the lump of her brother's figure in the bed. He was sprawled out, with a foot hanging out, laying face down. Jazz smiled, fighting the urge to check on him, knowing he was just dead tired.. as he would put it. She stared for a moment to see if he would make any movement.
Finding none, she closed the door with a sigh. She silently clicked the door shut, waiting a moment to make sure she didn't wake her brother before walking back down the hall. Rubbing her arms for warmth, she frowned, wishing she could have conked out like Danny. Though, she knew Danny had it just as rough, if not rougher than her today. He needed a full night's rest.
The red-hair teen stopped in front of her door debating on what to do. Maybe a glass of water and a walk might ease her mind. She left her door open, so she could find it later. Eyeing the area and noting what hall decorations was near her door, then walked down the hall. Trying to retrace her steps.
On her way through the manor, she paused as she heard noises coming from the end of the hall. She squinted her eyes, as she saw shadows round the corner.
"Master Bruce, if you keep fussing then I'll have no choice but to extend your bed rest regimen."
"I have a duty-"
"You have a duty that will be there when you return from your rest-"
She could make out Alfred's voice as well as Bruce's. It seems to be scolding. Either way, she didn't want to interrupt them. They didn't need to worry about her restlessness.
Quickly she turn around the nearest corner. Maybe she'll find another staircase down, or piddle around until one of them was free. Instead she found herself lost, peering into big rooms, until she found one that intrigued her. A library. She could make out the shadows of bookshelves lining the walls in the darken room.
Fumbling for a light switch, Jazz turned on the light to get a better look. She glanced around the room, there were comfy reading nooks and a fireplace for cozy place to read. If one didn't feel like leaving the room. Jazz looked back into the hallway before making her way in. Her eyes gazing back at the large bookcases filled with a selection of books.
She recognized a lot of the book titles as being classics, like Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice, Huckleberry Fin, etc. There were some Shakespeare mixed in too. Though most of the books that filled the shelves, had discount stickers still on them. Some were newer buys and the others she faintly remember seeing at her local bookstore when she was little.
She smiled a bit seeing the Space Odyssey on the shelf. One Danny really wanted to read, but he never finished. He started it after Jazz stressed the importance of reading even in summer. He didn't finish it because of the..
"Can't sleep?-"
Jazz screamed jumping to the side, arming her self with the nearest item which was a lamp. She stared, with her makeshift weapon at the ready, only to find a shirtless and bandaged Jason standing in the doorway.
Jason had his hands up defensively, a book in one hand. He had his eyebrow raised, locking eyes with Jazz.
Jazz stood there for a moment then turned red from embarrassment. Letting out a squeak, she gently put the lamp back. She ran her fingers through her hair sheepishly, while staring at the floor. "S-sorry.. um.. so -so what did you say? Ahaha.."
Jason glanced her over, lowering his hands. He put one on his hip. "Asked if you couldn't sleep?"
"O-oh.. uh.. yeah.. kind of." Jazz smiled weakly, as she twirled her hair around her finger. Avoiding looking at Jason, still feeling silly for how jumpy she was.
Jason sighed, walking further into the room to put up the book he had in his hands. He made a grunt as he knelt down.
Jazz had stepped back to give Jason more room. Her eyes snapping to him, as she noticed the painful grunt. Just now realizing how bandaged up he was. His whole torso was wrapped in bandages, and it looked like ointment covered his forearms. They were red. Probably from the ghost repellent when he and Danny got sprayed.
She could only imagine what his back looked like under the bandage then. She didn't get a good look before, but she did remember having a hard time seeing where his skin and suit began and ended. She crossed her arms over her abdomen, feeling a bit queasy. Not that she had a weak stomach, she just felt terrible that Jason gotten hurt.
"Its not the worse injury I've gotten." Jason spoke up, recognizing she had been staring at his back, though he didn't look back at her. He kept his eyes on the shelf, pretending to browse the titles.
Jazz gave a soft smile, "I bet. Still must be uncomfortable though. I've only seen Danny with wounds like that, but his wounds heal so quickly. So I can't always tell how bad they are."
Jason rolled his tongue in his mouth, relaying the information in his head. Sour taste in his mouth thinking about it.
"So... you can't sleep either?" Jazz asked.
"I can sleep fine. I just like to read before bed." Jason stood up slowly, hand on one of the shelves to keep him steady.
"Oh. I was thinking of doing that.." Jazz's eyes glancing back at the shelf, "I'm surprise how many fictional books they are."
"If you want a reference book, you can go to the main library." Not that many of the bats use it as much anymore. Most of it was filled with outdated books.
"No-no I.. there's more than one library?" She looked stunned for a moment.
Jason grinned, "Yep. This one's mine. Not that I mind if you borrow a book, just remember there are bookmarks inside the bedside tables. I swear if I find one book dog-eared after I put in the trouble of filling this manor with them-"
Jazz laughter bubbled, interrupting Jason's words. "Oh you don't have to worry about me. Danny might need a reminder though. He doesn't even dog ear the pages anymore. He just keeps the book open, upside down. Or worse! He folds the page, not even the corner!"
"The fuck he will!"
Jazz chuckled more, "He probably won't touch a book though. He hates reading."
Jason took a moment to take in Jazz's expression. She seem happy to talk about her brother, but... he doesn't recall her talking much about herself. All they knew from the Demon Brat was she figured out their identities and probably suspected as such before they met.
"What about you?"
"Oh, me? Heh. Well I haven't read a fiction book that wasn't for school in a while. I use to love them all the time as a kid. Now I mostly read anything that has to do with the mind, and theories about it. Sometimes I read historic accounts of people with PTSD or other disorders. Its both fascinating and kind of sad how people dealt with and saw these disorders." Jazz swayed while talking about her interest, a bright smile on her face.
"Fun." Jason commented though he was suspecting she didn't do it just for recreation.
Jazz glanced away a bit, "Heh. I know its not the.. usual but.."
"Unusual? Have you met us? You don't need to explain." Jason glanced away, trying to look nonchalant.
Jazz stared for a moment, relaxing her shoulders with a smile. Jazz turned to look at the bookcase. "I did like reading fantasy books, when I was little."
"Like what?"
"Oh just the generic.. princess in the castle or kid going on a grand adventure. Witches and wizards. The idea of being whisked off to be someone important. It was a nice escape. Or I read mystery novels like Nancy drew. I love reading her."
"I think there's some of hers in here, last I check. Unless someone ran off with them." Jason suggested, glancing at where he last put them.
"Oh, really?" Jazz haven't read one of hers in a while. It would be a nice nostalgic read. Maybe she could analyze it too-well maybe not tonight. She should sleep.
"Mhm, right here. Here's some. I think I found them in a thrift store." Jason wiggled his fingers across the shelf until he found them, and pointed them out for Jazz. He stepped aside to let her look. "Though mystery books don't stay on the shelves for long around here."
Jazz walked over, and then glanced at the titles. She then snorted a laugh at one of the titles, deciding to pass on that one. Noticing Jason's stare, she pointed. "Danger on the Great Lakes."
"If only they knew what was under the surface, huh?"
Jazz snorted with a nod, "Mmhm. Oh, I remember this one. I think I'll read it tonight. Thank you, Jason."
Jazz pulled out 'The Message in the Haunted Mansion'. Jason raised a brow, thinking that's still oddly on brand. "Don't mention it."
He turned back to the shelf, going to find what he was planning on reading tonight. More so, he was just going to pick at random. Either it'll be good or he'll bash it. Either way it be something to get his mind off of the events. Pulling a book from the shelf, he noticed Jazz still standing there. She tilted side to side, staring at the ground like a patient child, despite her being 18.
"Got something on your mind?"
"Oh um.. I didn't come here.. intentionally." Jazz was embarrassed to admit she had gotten lost and side tracked, "I wanted to get a glass of water."
"...There wasn't a pitcher in your room?"
"..."
Jason snorted, "Come on, I'll show you."