Vlad rushed around and made a few preparations for Saturday's lunch, namely checking how much food he had. His fridge, as usual, was stocked. Vlad looked at what he had and started creating a mental list of what food he could make for the lunch. Vlad wrote himself a note and left it on the bench for later while he waited for the kettle to boil. Once he had a new cup of tea and a sandwich Vlad grabbed the new ghost shield and phased up into his office. He still had so much work to do. He had reports to read before a video conference in an hour, then more reports to read before he had another video conference a few hours after that.
It was ten minutes until Vlad's second conference started, and an hour after school had ended for the day when the doors to his office were kicked open.
"I hope you're going to pay for that," said Vlad without looking up from his reports.
"I know you're up to something Vlad," exclaimed Phantom.
Vlad hummed and continued to read the report, he was almost finished.
Danny stomped up to Vlad's large oak desk and slammed his hands down onto it, hard enough to rattle the very heavy, very solid desk, "Skulker said he was hired to keep ghosts out of Amity Park. You're the only one I know who hires Skulker."
Vlad knew that it wouldn't be kept a secret for long, Skulker was far from the best at keeping things discreet. Vlad looked up coolly from his papers, "Yes I did hire him."
"Why? What do you have planned?" demanded Danny, "What are you up to?"
Vlad lent back in his chair and gestured to the desk covered in paper, that was now out of its neat piles thanks to Danny's need to slam the desk, "Work. You think I am doing this for fun?"
"You always have a plan, you're always scheming something, tell me what are you doing!" yelled Danny.
Vlad's breath caught for a fraction of a second and for a moment he saw burning red eyes and flaming white hair.
"Not everything is about you Daniel," retorted Vlad with a scowl as he sat forward once again.
"Yeah you're right, it's also about flirting with my mom," snarked Danny.
Vlad winced. That, unfortunately, used to be true.
Vlad sighed, "I have a company to run, and if my company is getting destroyed while I am in town it is a bad look. Not to mention it involves so much more paperwork."
Danny scoffed and folded his arms, "So you're what, just trying to run your business?"
Vlad laced his fingers together on the desk, "Believe it or not I am. I am very busy this week, I have a job that needs to be done. Don't you have school or something that can keep you occupied while I am sorting out this logistical nightmare?"
"Making sure you're not about to hurt someone is more important," replied Danny firmly.
"How very noble, but I will not be hurting anyone until I can get this done, and that will take until the end of the week at least. I'll likely still be finalising things next Monday," said Vlad lacing in a hint of anger.
Danny scowled at him, "You're up to something."
Vlad sighed a heavy weary sigh, "Little Badger, just take the temporary truce, I don't have the time or the patience to deal with you and your nonsense right now," Vlad looked at his watch, "I have a video conference in five minutes and I still need to finish this report, so if you are going to fight let's take it outside and make it quick."
"So you're not going to hurt anyone, or try and flirt with my mom?" asked Danny tentatively.
"I assure you I am very occupied by the task at hand. I don't have time for that, nor do I have plans to do so until this problem is resolved."
Danny narrowed his eye, "Fine, but if I see anything suspicious from you or your company I will come back and beat your ass."
"You can try young Daniel," said Vlad with a sly grin.
"You won't be so confident when I wipe that smirk off your face," said Danny just before he phased out of Vlad's office.
Vlad looked at his watch. Three minutes to finish reading the report.
On Thursday around mid day Vlad got his office doors fixed. Early afternoon Vlad finally got the lab report with the stabilising compounds for the secret sauce. The rest of the day was spent making a plan to safely remove the sauce and ordering the necessary compounds to be delivered to every Nasty Burger branch.
The removal of the sauce would take place on Friday. That was far too close to the date for comfort, but Vlad knew the compounds and even had them in his own lab. If necessary he could neutralise and remove the sauce himself. However, Vlad would wait to see if his company could do it correctly first.
On Friday Vlad had a duplicate complete his office work while Vlad went to observe the removal of the sauce. He also had a duplicate observing Jack and Maddie the best it could from outside the Fenton's home. Vlad had never cursed the ghost shield so much as he did now that he wanted to watch his friends and make sure they were safe. Vlad would have sent a duplicate to the school too, but Danny would detect him and that was not something Vlad wanted. The duplicate at the Fenton home was also keeping enough of a distance that Danny wouldn't be able to detect it when he was home. Vlad really needed to bug the Fenton house the next time he entered it.
Like a guardian ghost, Vlad watched over the workers as they added the stabilising compounds and then drained the vat of sauce. All while a bomb squad was on standby. Vlad knew that even with him running intervention this would make the news by next week. There was very little he could do about it when it was required to have a bomb squad present. Vlad had tried to argue against them, but the health, as well as the safety inspectors, insisted they had to be there. People were bound to talk about something like this. Vlad could only try his best to ensure that his company wasn't publicly named as the new owner. In fact, his duplicate was shelling out hush money at the moment to ensure that at the very least VladCo wasn't named.
It was a slow process, but it was being done during school hours. Vlad could only hope they finished before school was out. He didn't want the chance that Danny and his friends could be nearby while there was still the possibility of danger. Even if the sauce was supposed to be stable now, the thought still made Vlad anxious. Vlad wouldn't be able to rest properly until it was Sunday. He needed to make sure that fate wouldn't screw him over again.
Fortunately, the sauce was removed safely and taken away to be properly disposed of. Vlad followed the truck till it was well out of Amity Park. He left another duplicate to watch over the worker's pack up and to ensure that they locked up the Nasty Burger correctly.
Everything was completed just before school was over. Which did ease Vlad's stress levels just a bit. But it brought them up higher for tomorrow. Vlad needed Saturday to go well. If it didn't, Vlad didn't know if he could take it a second time. However, he would not allow young Daniel to fall into darkness like the first time. Vlad hoped for the best but was preparing for the worst.
The day arrived. Saturday. The one Saturday Vlad had never wanted to relive. Now he was, but this time he had changed things. Vlad rose before the sun did. He didn't sleep much last night.
Vlad immediately sent a duplicate out to keep an eye on the Fenton house. It would stay and keep an eye on Jazz for the entire day. But it was also keeping an eye on everyone until Danny left, and Jack and Maddie arrived at his home. Until his friends arrived Vlad cooked. He tried to keep his mind off how wrong everything could go and just tried to plan the best lunch he could.
Vlad was deep in piles of food when the doorbell rang. Vlad froze and looked over the platters and platters of food. Did he make too much? Vlad knew that he could eat quite a large amount if he wanted to, and last he checked Jack could eat almost half his weight in food if he wanted. Vlad phased out of his apron, washed his hands, and put on his suit jacket before heading to the door.
With a deep calming breath Vlad opened the door.
Jack beamed at him as soon as he saw Vlad and Maddie gave a polite smile.
"Come in," said Vlad, stepping aside so Maddie and Jack could enter.
They were in regular clothes for once, which took Vlad by surprise. Jack was in jeans and a nice button-up while Maddie wore slacks and a simple blouse.
Jack stepped in and scooped Vlad up into a crushing hug, "V-man you're looking so much better!"
Vlad tensed at the sudden contact but let himself relax into the crushing grip. It wasn't like he needed to breathe much anyway.
"Good to see you again Jack."
Jack put Vlad down as Maddie stepped inside and closed the door.
"I'm sorry that wasn't too tight was it?" asked Jack looking a little worried.
Vlad gave his friend a small smile as he straightened up his suit, "I'm hardly fragile Jack."
Jack grinned back at Vlad.
Honestly, that hug probably would have crushed any normal human. But Vlad was not a normal human, and it had been so long since anyone had hugged Vlad. Any hugs, even rib crushing ones were welcome.
Vlad turned to Maddie, "It's wonderful to see you again Maddie. Thank you for accepting my invitation."
"Thank you for inviting us," replied Maddie with a put-on smile.
Vlad's heart sank just a little seeing Maddie's false smile, but he didn't show it, "This way, there's no need for formalities, we can start eating right away."
"We brought some wine," said Maddie, holding out a bottle of nice red wine. It wasn't the wine Vlad preferred, but it would go well enough with any food he had prepared.
They had a good lunch and chatted about what was currently happening in their lives, occasionally reminiscing about their college time. It was overall just a pleasant time. Jack ate most of the food, and Vlad ate a good portion himself while Maddie ate a far more human portion. Maddie and Vlad had a couple of glasses of wine each, while Jack insisted that he was driving and wouldn't be having any.
"That was a lovely lunch Vlad, thank you for inviting us," started Maddie looking like she was about to stand.
Vlad beat her to it, quickly standing, "Wait," he didn't want them to leave, "If you can spare any longer to stay I have something fun we could all do."
Vlad clearly had Jack's attention as he perked up and was grinning,
Maddie raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, "What is this 'something fun'?"
"I can get it and show you?" asked Vlad with the slightest smirk as he looked between Maddie and Jack.
Jack looked pleadingly at his wife and it only took a moment for Maddie to say, "We'll see what it is."
Vlad quickly exited the room. It didn't take long for him to reappear. He held up his prizes with a smirk.
Maddie gasped and Jack's eyes widened in delight.
"Vladamir Masters, is that a VCR player?" asked Maddie.
Vlad's smirk turned into a grin of a cat who got the canary, "Why yes Maddiline Fenton it is. Along with the tapes of Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters two."
"It'd be like the good old days! I remember seeing Ghostbusters for the first time. We all went for a night showing in college. It was a great day!" said Jack enthusiastically.
Maddie looked between Jack, Vlad and the movies, then she looked down at her watch, "Well I suppose we don't actually have anything we need to do today and Danny and Jazz are both responsible enough."
"Then shall I get it set up?" asked Vlad with a warm smile.
"Yes!" said Maddie with a light laugh.
"There's some sweet and savoury food in the kitchen if you want snacks," called Vlad over his shoulder as he moved into the living room.
When Maddie and Jack walked into the living room Vlad had his suit jacket slung over the back of the sofa and his shirt sleeves rolled up while he was finishing up plugging in the VCR player.
Jack dumped the food they had taken from the kitchen on the coffee table while Maddie placed a tray of drinks, with a large jug of water and three glasses already filled.
Jack looked at the huge TV screen then down to the VCR Vlad was hooking up, "V-Man why do you have a VCR when you have all this other top, state of the art technology?"
Vlad shrugged as he grabbed the remotes, "It's nostalgic. You really feel like you're in a cinema in the eighties when you have a large TV and an old VCR player."
Vlad took a step back and turned on the VCR and the TV. The screen blinked to life and the licencing started playing.
Jack looked overjoyed and Maddie had a brow raised looking somewhat impressed.
"I see what you mean, it does feel like our own private cinema," commented Maddie.
Vlad grinned back at her, it wasn't an unkind grin, but rather it was closer to how he smiled in college. Back when things were simpler.
"Are we ready to watch the movie?" asked Vlad.
"I need to use the restroom first," said Maddie.
"It's down the hall to the left," said Vlad, pausing the movie before it could automatically start.
"Thank you, I'll be back shortly," said Maddie leaving the room.
Jack sat down in the centre of the sofa, his eyes eagerly on the screen. Vlad sat down on the right side of the sofa and only had a moment to lean back before Jack grabbed him around the shoulders and hulled Vlad right up to himself in a one-armed hug. Vlad was surprised by the contact and just let Jack manhandle him.
"We've watched Ghostbusters a few times, mainly with the kids, but it's just not the same without your comments on the technology," said Jack with a wide smile.
"Well, their technology is hardly realistic. With the power that their packs would use they'd have to be powered by ectoplasm or the pack would have to be taken up almost entirely by the power source, that's not even touching on the components they need to create a consistent beam like that," said Vlad starting an old rant.
Jack snickered, "Oh I know. I remember you and Maddie arguing about it on the way to the dorms."
Vlad straightened his posture, "She thought that if they used the right converters then it would be plausible. But that would cause so many other complications."
"It would be possible now," countered Jack.
"Yes, but for the technology of the time, it wouldn't work. Parts have become more efficient and smaller over the years, which you would hope. But it still doesn't change the fact that it would have been impossible for the technology of that time," added Vlad slowly relaxing into Jack's warmth as he continued to rant.
"I should try making their packs sometime. It would be a fun experiment, and if I could get it to work it would be very effective in catching ghosts!" said Jack with enthusiasm.
Vlad snorted, "My dear Jack, please don't set your sights so low. You can do so much better than Ghostbuster technology."
"What about Ghostbuster technology?" asked Maddie as she walked back into the room.
Vlad leant back to meet Maddie's gaze from behind Jack's head, "Jack wants to recreate the Ghostbuster packs."
"Oh honey, you can do better," said Maddie.
"I thought you liked the packs. You always said they were possible to create," said Jack looking surprised.
"I said it was possible to make them, I didn't say they would be good," responded Maddie with a smile.
Jack was pouting now, "It would still be fun to make them."
Maddie sat on Jack's other side, "How about we improve upon them instead."
"If you're making the packs I want to join in," announced Vlad.
"Then I suppose it'll be a collaborative effort," said Maddie.
Jack wrapped an arm around Maddie and then squeezed both Vlad and Maddie in a tight hug, "The old gang is back at it again!"
"Speak for yourself, I look fantastic for my age. I'm hardly old," sniffed Vlad, holding his chin up high.
"Of course you do, Vladdie!" agreed Jack.
Maddie gave an amused snort.
Vlad instantly shot her a sharp glare over Jack's chest, "Do you have something to say, Madeline?" his tone sounded half serious, half playful.
Maddie was softly laughing, but waved him off, "Just play the movie."
Vlad and Jack looked at each other and shared a smile, "I don't know, I think I want to hear what you have to say."
"Yeah Mads, you got something to say?" said Jack as he gently shook her around.
Maddie gave in with a smile curling at her lips, "Fine, fine," started Maddie, "We're hardly in our twenties anymore. But your confidence in your appearance is entertaining Vlad," Maddie finished with a smile.
Vlad smirked, "Why thank you Maddie. I know I look fabulous,"
A large hand came down on top of Vlad's head and ruffled his neatly tied hair, "Do you still look fabulous now Mr Masters?" asked Jack with a large grin.
"Jack!" Vlad cried and battered Jack's large hand away from his now messy hair, feeling very much like a pet cat.
Jack and Maddie laughed while Vlad tried to flatten his hair. It was no use.
"Now I'll need to tie it again," said Vlad exasperated.
Vlad pulled his hair tie out and tried to comb it with his fingers. He glared at Jack through his hair, but it held no venom. Jack's grin was a cheeky one and Maddie was quietly laughing as she looked at Vlad over Jack's shoulder.
Vlad just sighed and let his hair be.
They got to the first Ghostbusters movie eventually.
They finished the first movie and Vlad put the second in the player then paused it while Jack went to the bathroom
Vlad settled back into his spot on the sofa and leant back, draping his elbow over the back of the sofa. His hand came to rest about halfway between himself and Maddie. Vlad let out a soft breath and smiled at the ceiling, just revelling in Maddie's presence and the impression of warmth Jack left behind on the sofa.
"Vlad," started Maddie.
Vlad glanced over at her, not bothering to move. She looked serious. She wasn't going to try and talk more about the 'ghost' that attacked him, was she? Maddie agreed not to.
"What are your intentions?"
Vlad blinked, "What?"
"You've been acting very differently since you came back, and don't deny it, you haven't been this kind to Jack since college," said Maddie, "You've changed your attitude towards me too. So I'll ask again, what are your intentions?"
Vlad was caught so off guard, "I-" Vlad sighed and turned to face Maddie better, "I just want," he couldn't lie his way out of this one, not if he wanted to keep seeing his friends. Vlad looked away, he couldn't look Maddie in the eye for this, "I just want the one thing money could never buy, not in any way that mattered. I want a family."
Vlad could see Maddie scowling out of the corner of his eye.
"And what is the family you want?" asked Maddie with an edge to her voice.
Vlad closed his eyes and just let himself imagine, let himself truly think about what he wanted other than for the Fenton's to live.
"I just want any scrap I can have."
Vlad still had his eyes closed, so he couldn't see Maddie's reaction, but he heard her shift position on the sofa.
"I missed you both so much," said Vlad quietly, so quiet it was barely more than a whisper.
Vlad heard Maddie let out a sigh, "I want to ask, but I agreed not to. So, Vlad, whenever you're ready we're here."
Vlad opened his eyes and looked at Maddie, she looked so sincere, "Thank you, Maddie."
Maddie studied Vlad's face for a bit before she spoke again, "Jack and I, we're your friends, Vlad. Don't forget that. We never stopped being your friends."
Vlad felt a jolt in his heart and tried desperately not to let it show, "I- I'll remember that."
"Did I miss anything?" asked Jack as he walked back into the living room.
"I was just reminding Vlad that we've always been his friends," explained Maddie keeping her eyes on Vlad.
Jack dropped between the two of them and pulled them both back in for a hug, "Of course we have, why would we ever stop?" said Jack with a chuckle.
Because I tried to kill you, was on the tip of Vlad's tongue. Because I wanted you dead and wanted Maddie for myself. Because I hated you for your part in the accident. Because I hated that you had everything I ever wanted while I was alone. Because I hated how both you and Maddie were happy without me.
Vlad's thoughts were spinning for a bit before he pushed them aside enough to pay attention to the movie. But paying attention to the movie grew harder and harder. Vlad was very comfortable wrapped in Jack's hug and Vlad had hardly slept this week. Vlad's eyes kept slipping shut, and eventually, they stayed shut.
Vlad woke up with a twinge in his neck. He fell asleep on the sofa again. Vlad groaned softly as he sat up and pushed the sofa blanket off himself. The coffee table was clean and bare. Vlad froze. Jack and Maddie had been here, hadn't they? But where were they? Where were the snacks and drinks they had? Vlad frantically scanned the room from his sitting position. Nothing gave any indication that the pair had been in the room. The VCR player was still plugged in, but Vlad often used it to watch old romance movies. Did he fall asleep watching one? Did Jack and Maddie not come? Did he just dream it?
Vlad's breaths were quick and shallow as he curled up on the sofa and dug his nails into his scalp.
Of course, it was just a dream. Of course, it was a stupid, stupid dream. Of course, he couldn't have any new memories without jealousy bittering it. They deserved better than to have his foolish self around. Why couldn't he have just enjoyed what he had before? He made it all about revenge, and now all he was left with was regret.
Vlad curled up tighter and dug his nails in harder. No one was here. He was alone. Like always.
Someone touched Vlad's shoulder and on instinct, Vlad's fangs lengthened slightly and he flinched so hard he almost flew off the sofa. Vlad spun around to see Jack behind him and Maddie in the doorway.
"Vlad. is everything alright?" asked Jack quietly. It was surprising how soft Jack spoke.
Vlad's fangs returned to their human length before he spoke, "I'm fine," said Vlad, running a hand through his hair and pushing it back while he sat up straighter on the sofa, "I thought you had both already left," Vlad tried to go for dismissive.
Jack didn't look convinced with Vlad saying he was fine, "Vlad, if you want to talk to us you can."
"There is nothing to talk about," said Vlad, standing up smoothly and just catching the glance Jack and Maddie shared.
Vlad saw the glance and a wave of longing flooded through his chest. He wanted to be so close to someone that you could share what you were thinking with just a look. Vlad took a discrete breath, he would never have that. He was here to protect the Fentons. He would never get what they had.
"Vlad-" started Maddie.
"Maddie, please you agreed not to."
Jack looked back at Maddie, "What did you agree to?"
Maddie sighed, "To not ask Vlad about the things he doesn't want to talk about. Like the ghost that attacked him."
"Ah. Ok, then Vlad. But if you ever want to talk to someone, we're here," said Jack, gently placing his hand on Vlad's shoulder.
"It might be best if you get some sleep, Vlad. We need to head home, it's late. But we'll see you again soon," said Maddie.
"Yeah!" exclaimed Jack, "We need to remake the Ghostbuster packs!"
Vlad smiled, but it was a pitiful thing. He didn't want them to go, but Vlad knew he couldn't keep them here forever, no matter how much he longed to.
With a jolt, Vlad remembered which day it was. Quickly Vlad checked the time.
It was past sunset, by an hour.
He did it?
He did it!
His friends were still alive!
But the day wasn't over yet. Things could still go sideways. Vlad's task was not yet complete.
"Right, well I suppose I better let you go. Thank you for coming, it was a lovely time," said Vlad walking them to the door.
"See you around Vlad. Call us about your availability and we can figure out when to start on the Ghostbuster pack," Jack beamed as he gave Vlad a small hug before stepping outside.
Maddie gave Vlad a soft smile as she stepped outside, "Hopefully we'll see you soon Vlad. Today was very nice. Thank you for inviting us."
"It was my pleasure."
Maddie and Jack drove away back home and Vlad closed the door before transforming and following them. He was going to make sure the Fentons were fine. Vlad wouldn't go home until it was Sunday. It might be pointless to watch them from a distance since Vlad couldn't get close to the house without alerting Danny, but that wouldn't stop Vlad. He would keep them safe.
Vlad met up with his duplicate watching the Fentons' house and sent him to keep an eye on the Mason and Foley children. Vlad sat down on a roof invisible. He wouldn't be moving until the sun rose if things went well.
In the Fenton lab, Jack and Maddie sat quietly looking at each other. When they got home from Vlad's house they both went straight to the lab after they checked on the kids. They'd been sitting in silence for the last few minutes.
"We need to do something about the ghost that took Vlad. Whatever it did to him, it was bad," said Maddie, finally breaking the silence.
"Then we start searching, and making better weapons," replied Jack, "The ghost that took Vlad is clearly the worst one out there. Even worse than that Phantom!"
"We have to be careful. It's smart. It stole some of Vlad's technology so we don't know what it's capable of, or even what it looks like. And we won't know till Vlad tells us."
Jack nodded, "We can keep an eye on him when we're building the Ghostbuster packs," said Jack.
Maddie's hands balled into fists, grabbing at the fabric of her slacks, "That'll be only some of the time."
Jack stepped over and engulfed Maddie in a warm hug, "I know," he said quietly, "I'm worried about him too."
"The face he made today Jack, that was the same face he made the other day. He almost cried, Jack. Vlad hardly ever cries in front of us, and certainly not since we got back in touch with him."
"He's better with hugs," whispered Jack.
Maddie frowned and looked at her husband, "What do you mean?"
"He never told me he was uncomfortable before. But since he got back, he's smiled more when I hugged him and seems more, relaxed when I give them. He's better with them. He was like this back in college. He wasn't like that at the reunion. Or other times since then."
"He walked out of the house with the ghost shield on right?" asked Maddie.
"Yeah he did," replied Jack.
"Then he's definitely not a ghost," said Maddie, "We need to find the ghost that hurt him. Whatever happened, it changed him. I need to know what that ghost did to him."
"We will. We'll find it and make it pay," reassured Jack as he hugged Maddie tighter.
-o-
I have had this chapter almost finished for a while, and I thought I'd finally finish it and update it on the last day of DannyMay. Also, I stopped sitting on the fence and I've finally decided to make this a Jack/Maddie/Vlad fic. This will be the endgame. So if that isn't your ship them I'm sorry.
I have sketches I did of chapter 2 as well!
post/685767140537778176/wooo-is-been-a-bit-these-are-scenes-from-chapter
Thanks, everyone for reading and thank you for your patience!