Hi!

Like I said, I've managed to pick things back up for the moment. Yay! Thank you to all reviewers, and welcome Trumpet-Geek. To those of you who pointed out my spelling error with Desiree, aka Desire', thanks. I thought I had the spelling right, but I should have checked. It honestly didn't occur to me. I'll try to avoid that problem in the future.

That's everything, I think. Again thank you to all reviewers, I hope to hear from you all again.

Smile!

HiddenAuthor

Chapter 7-Secrets

Danny threw himself through his door and frantically jogged through the stone maze of his lair, up down and sideways. It was some time before he finally calmed down and focused. Slowly, following that weird sense he seemed to possess regarding his lair, he walked through his second home with his eyes closed. A few short minutes later, he heard soft breathing coming from up ahead. Opening his eyes, he walked towards the sound, and found himself in the only finished room in his entire lair. Sitting by the full-length window and looking sadly up at the moon, his mother rested, sniffling. Hearing the sound of her son's feet on the stone floor, the desolate woman turned to see her son standing between the two carvings of his greatest fears, moonlight on half his face. She smiled slightly.

"Hi Danny." Her voice was soft and sad. Her tone was different. Usually there was a 'sweetie' or 'honey' involved. Not this time. Just 'Danny.' He smiled sadly in return, and sat down in the stone chair he'd made, rotating it with a thought to face his mother.

"Why did you come here?" His tone was not accusatory, but curious. He honestly had no idea she'd planned to explore in here. Or that she'd find this room. Given the size of the place, the odds of that were very long. Still, somehow she'd found her way to the room that showed his fears and insecurities plainly carved upon the walls. Maddie looked down, frowning.

"I had my reasons. I needed time to think, and something to do while I thought. I wanted to understand the nature of a ghostly lair; I think I told you that before. And," Maddie sighed, "I wanted to understand you, too." Danny's face turned concerned.

"As far as I can tell, you didn't leave any path, and I didn't know you'd be here. How were you planning to get out?" Maddie chuckled quietly.

"I wasn't. I knew you'd find me in here. Jazz and Jack both knew I was coming in here today, so I decided to wait until you came and found me. I have supplies for a few days, I could afford to wait." Now it was Danny's turn to frown.

"I don't understand, mom. Why? Why did you need to be alone? Why not just talk to me?" His mother shuddered slightly, pale and completely exhausted.

"I haven't been sleeping lately." She whispered, almost to herself. "I've been so confused, so guilty. Everything I knew about ghosts is wrong. Everything I knew about Vlad is wrong, or at least it fell short. And worse, everything I knew about you is wrong. I know you keep saying you understand, that you forgive me, that it isn't my fault. But," Maddie looked up. "In a way, it is my fault. I've been trying so hard to help this town, to learn more about how the world works. And in the end, I almost destroyed my own son. Twice." Her voice grew bitter. "Worse, I'd become so obsessed with my research, so blind to the suffering I might be causing, that I drove you away from me. I made you too afraid to tell me the truth, and I caused so much pain. So many lies. You've been trying so hard, and I've only added to your burdens. It wasn't fair to you, it wasn't right. You can forgive me again and again, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't deserve to be forgiven." A single tear trickled down his mother's face. She was absolutely exhausted, mentally and physically drained. Danny stared, shocked that she had hidden this so well.

"How long?" He asked, in a distant voice.

"I haven't slept since you told Jack and me the truth. Every night I try, but every night is worse than the last. Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw something new. Your constant absences, the nervousness. All of those times I threatened to do horrible things to you, and how you just took it, hiding your fear. Then when I went back further, I found the truth about Vlad. It was just so obvious, after I knew about you. Once I knew it was possible to change a human so much, the similarities between you and Vlad just started flashing before my eyes. The accident, the hidden messages when you talked to each other, the occasional slip. And then I started hiding the truth from Jack. How could I tell him such a horrible thing? I know you hate Vlad, Danny. But despite how much I loathe the man he is today, I remember being his friend. We used to be so close, Vlad your father and I. Like you Sam and Tucker are now. But he's changed so much. He's committed so many terrible crimes. He's hurt you; he's tried to kill Jack. It just…hurts. I miss who he used to be." Maddie sighed to herself, and looked back up at the moon.

"This place. It's so beautiful, Danny. It's so much more than a reproduction of the old print. This place is you, Danny. It's a part of you. I felt that the first time I came in here. And that's what I found when I came. Ghost lairs are a part of their creators, an extension of their very selves. Yours is no different. Exploring this place is as close to talking with you as anything can be. But it's so jumbled and confused, and so empty. You're filling it one room at a time, but this is the only real detail I could find. And it's so sad in here. You've been so alone, and I could have helped you if only I'd paid attention." Danny walked over to his mother's side and sat down.

"These carvings; they're what I'm afraid of. Not how I feel. I don't feel that you've abandoned me. I don't think you hate me, or fear me. Even if you don't, or can't understand me, I know how much you care. Don't doubt that." He cocked an eyebrow. "You haven't slept since Thursday night?" Maddie just nodded. "You need to rest, mom." His mother sighed.

"Later. I want to understand you again, Danny. I don't yet, but I think I can. I thought that exploring in here would help me to catch up, but it hasn't, not really. Please talk to me, Danny. I want to understand, to know you again." Danny's expression grew confused.

"I don't understand what you want. You know who I am, and what. What don't you understand?" Maddie shook her head.

"Why?" She said quietly. "I don't understand why. Why did this happen to you? Why didn't you fall like Vlad? Why are you still good, still trying so hard to fit in when it might not even be possible?" Seeing his disbelieving stare, Maddie paled at what she had said. "I'm not disappointed. I'm overjoyed that you're still you, Danny. I just don't know why. And I want to know." Danny leaned back, deep in thought. Trying to answer the impossible question, he let his eyes and mind wander. His gaze fell upon the carvings, clearly visible from the window. At all the happiness on the left, and the suffering and pain on the right. Finally, he had an answer. It didn't explain as well as he wanted, but it came closer than anything else he could think of. Lightly touching his mother's arm to get her attention, Danny gestured towards the dark, ghost-filled wall.

"That is what I could become." He said, half terrified. Slowly, he let his arm shift to point at the left wall, full of moonlight and loved ones. "And that. That's why I don't." Maddie's eyes came to rest on the large carving of Sam in the center of the piece. His fear of losing her was very strong, to make such a perfect carving. She smiled.

"You really love her, don't you?" She asked quietly. Danny's face grew confused.

"What?" Maddie repeated his gesture.

"Sam. You love her. Why else would you fear to lose her so much?" Danny just sat in silence for a moment, staring off into space. Finally, he smiled too.

"Yeah, I do. I care about you and Dad and Jazz. And Tucker's like family. Everyone in this town is important to me. But Sam, she's…special." His smile faltered. "I don't think I could survive if I lost you guys." Maddie's eyes grew confused. Danny gulped, and continued.

"I did once." He whispered. "There is a ghost out there that controls time. The way things used to happen, all of you died, and I was alone. It hurt so much, knowing I would never see you again. Talk to you, hear you. In the end, I became that." With a shaking hand, Danny pointed at the dark, ominous figure in the center of the other wall. Cut crudely into the wall was the vague outline of a powerful, evil ghost. Flames danced across his head, and his cape billowed behind him. But the truly terrifying thing was his eyes. They, more than anything, had been cut deeply and precisely. And as detailed as they were, they were still empty.

"I stopped him." Danny finished quietly. "He came back here from the future to make sure I would become him, and I stopped him. When I did, I made a promise to never become that…thing. Ever. I don't know if the future has changed, but I like to think it did. What I do know is that you, and everyone else I care about, are what make me keep that promise. I don't think I could do it without you." Maddie stared at the carving, face pale and terrified.

"That's…you?" Danny's face hardened.

"No. That could have been me. It's not. I won't become that monster." His eyes softened. "But now you understand why I need you guys. You keep me me. And no matter how often you say you don't deserve my understanding or forgiveness, I know that you never needed it. There's nothing to forgive. If there was even a chance I could become that, it was right for you to hunt me. And despite your attacks, I knew you loved me, and that kept me going." Maddie looked down.

"I'm glad you're not like that, Danny. And I do love you. Please, I'd…I'd like you to promise me again. I don't remember the last one. Promise that you're telling the truth, that you're not just trying to make me feel better, to give me an excuse for my actions. And promise that if it is the truth, that I won't lose you to that creature." Danny smiled softly.

"I promise. But promise me something. Promise you'll stop blaming yourself. You're a good mother, and a good person. You don't deserve hatred or blame, especially from yourself. Promise?" Maddie was quiet for at least a minute.

"I promise." Danny sighed.

"Good. I know this isn't a great time, but Dani needs…your…" His mother was breathing slowly, her head against the sill, eyes shut. Danny smiled slightly, and gently picked her up.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." He whispered, as he carried her back to the door. Once through, he took her to her room and tucked her in. Sighing contentedly, his sleeping mother curled onto her side and snuggled into the pillow. Without a sound, Danny floated out of the bedroom and closed the door. After a few short breaths, the ghost boy pensively wandered back downstairs, where Sam and Tucker were watching a repeat news announcement. Seeing his expression, Sam pulled him down beside her and looked at him.

"What's wrong, Danny?" Danny gave his girlfriend a tired smile, and a quick grateful kiss.

"Nothing, now. Mom is going to need some time to sleep. I'll ask her for help tomorrow." Noticing the heavy mood, Tucker perked up and hitched on a grin.

"So, dude. Since we've got time, why don't you tell me what's going on with you, Sam, and uniforms?" Caught off guard, Danny turned a bright shade of red, and started spluttering. Furious, Sam whirled around and cocked a fist. Tucker flinched for a hit that never came. Peeking, he saw Danny gripping Sam by the wrist, laughing.

"Where'd that come from, Tucker?" He asked, still laughing. Tucker managed a genuine grin this time.

"Jazz teased you about it yesterday. I figure there must be something there if Jazz is in on it. So, what's up?" Danny just sat back, gasping. Sam was a furious shade of red. Tucker's grin widened. "Come on, spill it." Sam just glared.

"Danny, we're home." Jack called out from the door. Dani came jogging in, looking concerned.

"So will she help out? I already told your dad, and he said yes. Don't worry," she continued, seeing their shocked faces, "I didn't tell him about Vlad. I just said we'll need to go get some information about how to stabilize me." Danny shook his head.

"Mom's a bit out of it right now. She'll be fine tomorrow." The ghost boy ignored her questioning look. "We should probably get to Clockwork's. We'll need that information." Danny turned to look at Sam and Tucker. "You guys coming?" Tucker shook his head.

"Nah. Valerie called while you were doing…whatever you were doing. I'm gonna go meet her at the Nasty Burger. Later!" Sam hugged her boyfriend and started heading out behind Tucker.

"I don't know how long this'll take, and I have plans with my grandma tonight. Call me?" Danny smiled and nodded. Tucker grinned back.

"Make sure you show up in uni-" Sam violently shoved their geek friend through the door. Danny chuckled.

"Come on, Dani. Let's go." The two headed for the stairs, and met Jack coming down.

"Danny, did something happen? Why's Maddie so tired?" Danny frowned.

"She had a busy day. I ran into her in my lair, and we talked for a while. She just needs to sleep it off." Jack shrugged, eyes on Danielle.

"Well I'm gonna go to the lab and start on a DNA manipulator. It might take longer without Maddie; I'm only good with ghost stuff. But I'll do my best." With that, Danny's father went off to the lab. Dani turned towards her cousin and grinned.

"I haven't seen your lair yet. It sounded cool when you told me about it, but…" Danny smiled back.

"Come on." The two jogged up and back into Danny's lair. Danielle stared around at the stairs and hallways, grinning.

"This place is so cool!" Laughing, the ghost girl stared at the moon and stars through the arches in the walls. "This is totally you." Arm in arm, the two walked along the halls together and out into the ghost zone. Floating along, they came to rest on Clockwork's step. The time ghost was already there, waiting.

"Hello, Danny. Hello, Dani. Please, come in." Danny opened his mouth, but Clockwork raised his hand.

"Don't worry about it, Danny. If it helps, the odds are good that you'll visit me for fun many times." Smiling, the all-knowing spirit led them inside and down into his study. Danny seated himself in his now customary place, and Clockwork waited for him to speak.

"Dani needs help." He said, deciding that since Clockwork knew everything, he could afford to be direct. "She's going to melt unless we get her stabilized, and Vlad is the only one who knows how to do that. You know where Vlad is." He stopped, and gazed at the time ghost. Clockwork merely sat there. With an indignant huff, Dani elbowed her cousin in the side and turned towards the ghost.

"Will you please tell us what you can to help us?" Clockwork smiled.

"Danny, you could learn a thing or two from her about manners. Just because I know you appreciate my help doesn't mean I don't like you to tell me." Danny flushed slightly. Clockwork's smile faded. He hated bad news.

"Stabilizing Danielle will be difficult. I'm sorry dear, but you were never meant to be stabilized." Dani stared in shock. "You were a means to an end. Vlad needed a relatively stable and human-looking clone to help him lure Danny into a trap. That's why you're a girl. I don't know how much you've learned about genetics, but a lot of the important controlling genes are on the X chromosome. He created a patchwork set of genes based on his own mutation to compensate for Danny's missing mid-morph DNA when he produced the first batch of clones, but all of his male clones came out…oddly. He could partially stabilize them, but the non-compatible DNA made them mutate wildly, and they didn't look even remotely human. So, he doubled up Danny's X chromosome instead when he made you, to make you more stable. While you aren't completely stable, you can maintain your form better than the others could, and you look human. That's also why his 'perfect' clone had to remain in stasis. Without the added stability of a double X or patchwork genes, he melted the second he woke. Vlad wanted a perfect copy of Danny, so he couldn't change a single gene." Dani and Danny stared.

"Okay, let's pretend we understood all of that. Why would any of that make stabilizing Dani difficult?" Clockwork sighed.

"Part of Danny's stable mid-morph DNA is on every gene, including his Y chromosome. Since you don't have one, Dani, the transfer will be much more complicated. And you'll have to work quickly. While the extra X chromosome helps stabilize your form, you are missing the mid-morph DNA. Which means, unlike the original male clones that were given a patch, your form will eventually dissolve whether you use your powers or not. The X greatly slowed the process, but Vlad only meant for you to be a temporary servant. Eventually, you will simply melt away." Dani stared at the ancient ghost in horror. Danny silently stared off into space. "Would you like some good news?" Both of them nodded mutely.

"Vlad has no idea how to stabilize you, Dani. You're a unique case. So you won't have to worry about forcing him to help, or working with him. I'm confident that the Fentons will pull through. I can't tell you the future," he added, seeing both their faces light back up, "but I can tell you that there are more potential futures where you survive than where you don't. You are not in my charge though, Danielle, so I cannot interfere on your behalf. My best wishes are with you, however." Seeing their faces fall, Clockwork groaned inside. He hated bad news. "I suggest you two get back home. And Danielle, I recommend avoiding your ghost powers as much as you can. While some slips are bound to happen, with you going through the same thing Danny is, you should not intentionally use them. You are destabilizing very slowly, but using your powers will accelerate the process. Good day." With that, Clockwork faded from view. The two dejected teens flew off for home, Danielle reverting to human form as soon as possible.

In his main chamber, Clockwork reviewed the potential futures once again. His worry was not now for Danielle, but for Danny, the young ghost boy who was in his charge. Looking into the relatively near future, he saw many possibilities. Great pain and suffering. But in some, his young charge was successful, and ultimately happy. Flickering between these potentialities, the time ghost looked for a common event, something that would make these more possible. Gazing at the immediate future, he gasped, seeing what must be done. Right on cue, a thundering crack rang through his home, and a wicked cackling grew in volume, and receded into the distance. The master of time sighed.

"It seems I must allow you to go free. It is necessary." Clockwork looked at the other potentialities, where his dark escapee reigned victorious. "It is a risk I must take, for Danny's future. I only hope that he defeats you once again. Good luck, Danny." Turning away from the screen, Clockwork phased down into his lower chambers, where a blue half-ghost moped in a dungeon. "A pity, Vlad. Perhaps one day you shall realize the error of your ways." The evil ghost made no response. None of Clockwork's prisoners did. Those still within the time stream were well within the ghost's power, and Vlad, like the others, was frozen in time. When his sentence expired, he would be released. Until then, he would be one more sounding board for the time master's frustrations.

"Knowing everything. It's overrated. And fortunately for me, untrue. I know the future that will be. But I also see all futures that might yet be, but will not, and there is no way to tell which is which. I suppose I must rest my confidence in Danny. He might not ever forgive me for allowing his greatest fear to escape. But if he wins…The risk is worth it for what future that might bring. Isn't it?" Clockwork sat before his silent, unmoving prisoner and pondered, lost in a rare moment of confusion. "Perhaps it would be better if I didn't know everything. I might know what I should do."