Chapter 2- When the Mist Clears

"There are people you can pass that, to you, are just a face in a crowd; then you meet them and suddenly... that other face in the crowd becomes clear." -Matt Wilson

There are sayings that everyone hears at least once in their life. Expressions that are handed down from generation to generation and have found a common place in everyday life. The truth of such sayings doesn't always hit you until it really hits you. For Madeleine Fenton that statement was 'hind sight is 20/20'.

The next few months following the symposium were eyes opening for her. With Phantom no longer wearing the discriminating label of 'ghost' the young scientist really looked at him and saw things that she, in her blind hatred, had previously missed. The most glaringly obvious were the physical similarities. Besides the hair and eye color difference, Danny and Phantom were identical. Height, build, hair style, facial structure. If you could get rid of the unnatural glow temporarily and stuck the two side by side they would pass as identical twins. Phantom's banter with the other apparitions was another thing she noticed soon after watching him fight. He always had a witty come back ready and waiting whenever he engaged an opponent, the same kind of jokes Danny had been telling his whole life.

Phantom however wasn't the only one under closer observation; Maddie paid his human side almost as much attention as his ghost side and now little pieces added up. The before school physical this year showed that Danny's body temperature was 94, a degree lower than last year and 3 degrees lower than the year before that. His heart rate and blood pressure were also slightly lower than the previous year and she figured that the two halve weren't done fully integrating with one another. After his teen years the two halves would likely be stabilized completely and his vitals wouldn't change anymore.

In some areas though Danny was way above average. His senses were one place, though she wasn't sure his being part ghost had much to do with that. Any well seasoned warrior's eyes and ears naturally picked up alertness after countless battles and Maddie honestly couldn't understand how one's sense of smell and taste could improve from being half dead. If anything, she would have assumed those senses would dull.

Phantom also had incredible physical strength and Maddie had tried to discretely test how much transferred over to Danny. For her experiment, she lined up four boxes on the kitchen table and asked Danny if he could be a dear and bring them down to the lab for her. To her son they looked like regular boxes filled with old inventions and scrap parts, nothing out of the ordinary in their household, but the bottom of each box contained weights. Box 1 weighed about 100lbs, and each box after that had 100lbs more added to it so the last box weighed 400lbs. For boxes 1 to 3 Danny seemed perfectly fine. It wasn't until box 4 that he struggled, but even then he had still managed to carry it all the way downstairs.

What intrigued her more than anything was his healing rate. She could think of several particularly nasty fights that had left Phantom more than a little worse for wear with the wounds transferring to his human side. Maddie remembered his latest fight against Skulker; Danny had been fighting a bad cold and the result was a brutal smack down against a normally not so tough ghost. She was positive he had dragged himself through the door with several broken ribs and a fracture in his left leg if the half floating when he thought no one was looking gave any indication. The next morning when she went by his room and looked in she saw him running around like usual trying to get ready for school appearing just a bit stiff and sore. It gave Maddie great comfort to know that her baby could take quite a beating and simply sleep it off, he seemed to be in no danger of permanent injury or death and that could not have been a bigger relief.

Of course Maddie wasn't the only one to have more peace of mind these days, Phantom was obviously glad she wasn't shooting at him anymore. She could still remember their first run in after the discovery.

Flashback- Two and a half months ago-

Maddie whistled as she walked home from the grocery store enjoying the beautiful weather amity park was having before the hot sticky summer arrived. The period of baby bear just right temperatures was short, so why drive on a day like today and waste a chance to enjoy a lovely Saturday morning stroll? She made it a block before her ghost detector started beeping and the pleasant mood she had instantly vanished. Maddie looked down at beeping gadget strapped to her right thigh and the faint dot blinking on the screen and decided to investigate. Setting her groceries in an alley where no one was likely to disturb them she followed the digital directions to where the ghost was; a new store named Gift Box Emporium. The store was so new that it still hadn't been set up and for the most part it was boxes and shelves. Maddie broke in through a window shortly before the detector gave a small beep and a second, much brighter and larger dot appeared.

"Oh God, not you again! How many times have I thrown you into the ghost zone because I have seriously lost count."

"I AM THE BOX GHOST!" he stopped and paused. "and it had been 671 times."

"..."

"..."

"Why have you been counting?"

"So that I may repay you exactly that many times one day!" *face palm*

"Look can we just get this over with? I'd like one Saturday I can enjoy this month."

"You can enjoy your doom at the hands of-" a blue beam of light cut him off as he was sucked inside the Fenton thermos 2.0. Phantom caped the thermos and paused, looking like he was thinking about something. "Well since he's the only one in here..." he trailed off. Shrugging his shoulders he tossed the canister in the air a few times before retracting his hand and letting it fall the ground with a clang. Nothing. Silence. "Awesome! It really does have sturdier metal." he smiled floating down to the ground and picking up the cylinder.

"That must be our new thermos." Maddie said stepping out of the shadows to show herself. Phantom's first thought, leave, caused him to retreat back in to the air. He faltered a bit however seeing that Maddie was unarmed, something he never saw unless he was in his human form, and decided stayed (at least until she started shooting, then he'd take his leave).

"I uh... I didn't steal it." he said commenting on his mom's first statement.

She smiled at him, "I believe you. My Danny probably didn't want to carry it everywhere and just left it somewhere. I assume you found it and picked it up intending to put it to better use."

Phantom got a pouty look on his face. "He wouldn't do that. He's responsible and really appreciates the inventions you give him and-" he stopped realizing that he had no other explanation he could give Maddie beside the one she had come up with without giving something away. "I mean, I'm sure he honestly just forgot it and it was completely unintentional."

She got an amused look at his response. "I bet."

"So... why are you here?" Phantom asked timidly. "Not that there's anything wrong with you being here!" he added quickly.

"If you must know I was headed home when my ghost detector went off and I decided to investigate. I am a ghost hunter, do you find it odd that I would show up when a ghost does?"

"No, it's just that there are plenty of other times when ghosts show up and you don't come charging in." Phantom pointed out.

"I come more often than you think. The problem is I arrive right after you've finished and there isn't anything left for me to do." Maddie looked him over. "What about you? It's a beautiful Saturday, I'm sure you have better things to do than look for fights."

Phantom glared at Maddie. "I don't go 'looking for fights'. You think I enjoy chasing pests like the box ghost around all day or going up against some of those stronger ghosts and getting my ass kicked? I'll tell you I don't, it hurts and it's embarrassing. Plus I take the blame when anything gets damaged because no one ever bothers to think that if I didn't show up and put an end to the other guy, the collateral would be even worse!"

Maddie crossed her arms. "Did you ever consider that people blame you because you are at fault, even if only partially? I've seen you fight; it's sloppy and leaves much to be desired. As a ninth degree black belt I cringe at a lot of the moves you make. If you took the time to learn to fight cleaner there'd be less damage to both you and your surroundings." Phantom snorted and floated down to the ground a lot less leery of Maddie.

"Never thought I'd see the day you started lecturing me." Or ghost me rather. "What happened to shoot first, ask questions later? Not that I mind you not trying to put a hole through me."

"You aren't doing anything obtrusive and I'm not in the mood to go picking fights. I have a family and I plan on spending this Saturday with them since I've been busy. We haven't done anything together in a while so I thought it would be nice to go to the park and play some board games, maybe swim in the river or throw a ball around."

"You sure you can get everybody to go?"

"Oh yes I'm quite positive." At Phantom's doubtful look, "I can drag Danny and Jazz if I have to, but I'm going to make sure we make some memories-" Maddie's phone started ringing. She pulled it out her jump suit (which now included it after the whole Dalv fiasco) and looked at the ID. Jack. "That would be my partner in crime, I'll see you around Phantom. Stay out of trouble." With that she turned her back and walked to the window she had come through and climbed out.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Maddie hung up the phone and continued walking home with groceries in arm. 'I wonder if that'll get Danny to ask me for lessons? If not I can probably think of some other excuse for forcing karate on him. He'll thank me in the end, I know he will...I hope he got the hint and goes straight home because I will drag him if I have to.' She rounded to the corner and smiled as her home into view. The young scientist walked up the front steps and opened the door. She went to the kitchen and set the groceries on the table before starting to put them away in the proper cabinets. When Maddie was done she checked to see where everyone was and gather the family in the living room for a shot discussion. "Being that it's such a lovely Saturday I thought we could all go to the park and have a family day. I hope none of you have any objections."

"I think it's a wonderful idea mom, doing something family oriented that isn't related to ghosts." Jazz said from her spot on the couch. Maddie looked at Danny next.

"No complaints. It sounds like fun."

"Good! Jack can help me pack the food. Danny, you and Jazz can get some board games, towels, a blanket, frisbee and ball. Everybody also needs to grab a bathing suits and feel free to take anything else you think you'd use. I'd like to leave in twenty to thirty minutes."

. . . . .

While in the kitchen with Jack, Maddie decided it would be good to share what had transpired earlier. "I was talking to Phantom today." She said opening a loaf of bread and spreading the slices out.

"What'd you manage to get out of him? Anything useful?" Jack said walking to the refrigerator and opening it.

"What?"

"When you interrogated him, did you find out any useful information?" He clarified searching for mayonnaise and some meat for the sandwiches.

"Jack I didn't interrogate Phantom, I ran into him coming home from the store and we had a simple chat. No force or any unpleasantries." Now Jack was the one who didn't understand as he came back to the table and set down the mayo, lettuce, tomato, ham, turkey, and cheese.

"You just talked? Like small-talk talk?" She nodded opening the jar and reaching for a knife to spread the mayo with. "Why? He's an evil ghost, what could you possibly get from talking to him?" Jack took the now mayo-ed bread from Maddie and put two pieces of lettuce on before adding a healthy hunk of ham.

"I don't think he's evil honey, he doesn't go out of his way to cause trouble and we've been observing him for over two years. I'll take turkey instead of ham," she handed him two more slices of bread. "We both know how powerful he is, if he meant to cause harm he would have done so already. I know all our other research says that ghosts are unintelligent, obsessive beings that only cause harm and destruction but there are always exceptions to the rules. I really think Phantom is an exception here."

Jack put a finishing tomato slice on before putting Maddie's sandwich aside and cutting more ham for the next one. "I know he doesn't go out of his way to brother people but he's always fighting and damaging things. Besides Maddie, what about when he robbed those banks or took the mayor hostage or how about when he shot at us? He's dangerous and still a ghost at heart. I don't trust him." She handed him the bread and he handed her the turkey.

"Maybe you're right, but you have to admit he's different. He is intelligent, when he fights he thinks of strategies and if they don't work he evolves his fighting to make them work." She stacked two turkey slices on the lettuce and tomato while jack arranged the ham on the wheat bread in front of him. "And there's two sides to every story, maybe those black spots aren't as dark as they seem." Jack seemed ready to object and Maddie added, "They might be evil acts like everyone assumes but sometimes people are framed." She put Jazz's sandwich on the plate with the others and got up to grab a picnic basket. "We don't know and can only speculate. I'm just asking that you not shoot at Phantom simply because you see him. If he appears to be causing trouble," she sat down with the woven basket "and I mean real trouble Jack, then discourage him, but promise me you won't blindly fire away because he's a ghost. We might learn from him because he's different. I talked to him about his fights today, but if there's a next time I can ask about other ghost who are a problem. Can you do that for me Jack?"

He smiled at his wife lovingly and opened the basket lid to put the sandwich plate inside. "Maddie, you know I love you and I trust your judgment. You're brilliant and sometimes you're way ahead of everyone else in your thinking. I know for a fact that you can see things in others that nobody else sees- that's why you chose me even with all my faults. If you think this is best and you seriously believe that Phantom isn't just some evil ghost... then I'm willing to give him a second looking at and not shoot on sight." He stuffed a bag of lays chips that were on the table in the basket as well and closed the lid.

"Oh Jack..."

"Now, we just need some juice and we'll be set."

"I'll take this out to the car. Why don't you fill the cooler bag while I'm doing that? And pack some water to please." Maddie said pushing her chair in.

"Can do!"

xXxXxXxXxXx

Danny and Jazz were stowing their assigned items in the back and talking when Maddie silently came out. She paused to hear what her kids were discussing.

"She didn't shoot at you at all?"

"Nope. We just talked. It was nice, she seemed to be in a good mood. Mom said I wasn't doing anything and that she saw no reason to pick a fight."

"That's wonderful Danny. Maybe she's finally coming around and won't attack anymore." 'So Jazz knows. I wonder if Danny told her or if she figured it out on her own... or if he was careless and she just saw.'

"Thanks Jazz, I'm hoping so to. If Dad starts showing more acceptance I might even tell them. Not right away of course, I still want to Mom and Dad to accept Phantom on their own, not just because he's there sort of son before I say anything. But today was definitely a start."

"Yeah. Anyways, I'm really glad we're going to the park. This is the first thing in a while that we're doing as a family that doesn't involve ghosts."

"I know, I'm tempted to ask what the occasion is." At this Jazz giggled.

"I don't think there's any special reason Danny. Mom just wants to enjoy us while we're still around."

"She must be having one of her my-kids-are-growing-up-so-fast-and-I-don't-want-them-to moments." At this Maddie laughed, startling the two. "Uh... hi Mom, when did you come out?"

"Just in time to here that last remark." Danny and Jazz relaxed instantly. "Honestly is that what you kids think?" She got a wistful look and sighed. "I suppose you two are growing up fast, pretty soon you'll be leaving the nest and me behind, but I wanted to do this because I just missed this sort of thing. You know, going places and having fun, sharing laughs and memories. I want you two to be able to look back and have good times to tell your kids about. We've been growing a bit apart lately. Jazz, you're running around getting ready for college. Danny, you're spreading your wings and trying new experiences. Your father and I are still inventing but we've been trying to step it up since we haven't been as involved with the ghost community since we had you two. Times are changing and I want to capture this moment in time while I can." Jazz stared at Maddie.

"Mom that was beautiful. I didn't know you could be so deep."

"I studied philosophy in college to Ja-"

"I got our swim suits Mads! I think we're ready. Did you kids grab everything?" Jack asked as he barreled out the door.

"Yes Dad, we're all set."

"Good! Let's get going then!"

xXxXxXxXxXx

The trip to the park turned out surprisingly well with the biggest relief being that no ghosts showed up. The Fentons enjoyed a heated two hour scrabble game with Jazz winning, Maddie coming in second, Danny third, and Jack dad last. Afterwards Maddie and Jack played frisbee while Danny and Jazz took a swim in the parks fairly shallow river. Maddie added another thing to her 'things to look into' about Danny' list when she hear Jazz give a quiet, surprised "Ah! Danny that's not funny!". Missing Jack's next throw on purpose, Maddie saw her daughter shivering and surrounded by thin layer of ice with Danny laughing to himself when she retrieved the frisbee. When the kids were done with the water (which for Jazz was pretty much after Danny's stunt) everyone ate their sandwiches and talked. The remainder of the time spent at the park had been made productive after a shot conversation between Maddie and Danny.

Maddie raised an eyebrow when her son approached her looking embarrassed. "Uh... Mom, I was just wondering if maybe, you know since I'm out later and I'll probably run into a few ghost every now and then, that you could possibly give me a few hand to hand combat lessons?" He rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"Oh Sweetie I'd be happy to, there's no need to be hesitant if you're asking me something like that. You know your father and I would do anything to keep you kids safe. How about we get your sister and father to join us as well; it'll be good for everyone." She gave him a smile and pat on the back before going over to the rest of the family.

The rest of their day at the park was spent with Maddie giving everybody the first lessons of Karate. With Jack the effort had been just that- an effort. By the end of the session Maddie was positive he was not martial arts material in any way shape or form and that not even the best of teachers could do anything about it. Danny and Jazz were thankfully different. Apparently Jazz had been teaching herself some basics with online help and was pretty spot on, the lesson had been mostly a review for her. Danny was different from Maddie's other temporary students, more of a cross between. He definitely had grace unlike Jack and moved on his feet like a veteran fighter if you knew enough to look. He ran through the series of katas that Maddie had shown the group with no effort at all. However unlike Jazz, Danny's grace was not refined and fluid. It was like comparing a hip hop dancer to a ballerina, both could dance and held a certain appeal but the ballerina had a smoother elegance where as the hip hop dancer had a fluidity to his moves because he had been forced through them so many times.

Most of the time was spent teaching Danny better control and Jack how to not fall when attempting a high kick. By the end of it Jack could at least catch himself on his way down even though he still couldn't perform the kick and Danny had much better control of his moves. For Maddie, that was good enough for now. She could give Danny more instruction next weekend.

The Fenton's went home tired and smiling somewhere around 5:30.

-End Flash back-

A/N-

Ok first and foremost: Everyone (including me) needs to give a colossal titan huge shout out to Hinote Snidget for this chapter. I really wasn't sure what I wanted to write in chapter 2 and in her review she left some ideas for me and they were all pretty good so anyone who wanted a continuation, this happened a lot faster because of her. That being said; if anyone has any ideas feel free to mention them. I don't bit or flame people for suggestions. I know sometimes readers don't gives suggestions because they think A) the author won't use them B) the author doesn't need them C) the ideas aren't good or D) the reader just doesn't have any. To these thoughts I say a) mention them anyway because the author might actually use the idea and even if the whole idea doesn't work they might use part of the suggestion b) um yeah, everyone gets writers block and sometimes a friendly little suggestion goes a long way c) you are your own worst critic, personally I don't think this story is that good. Are there decent parts that I am kinda proud of? Yes. Are there parts that I can't believe I actually wrote and then let myself include? *gets a microphone and clears throat* Oh God yes. d) eh, sometimes you don't have anything you'd like to add.

Next on the agenda- Katas- to any non anime watchers or at least Naruto watchers I'm sorry if this word confused you. Katas are martial art sets. Usually you build on them, so they start out simple with only a few moves and once you master them you add a few more step and then you practice the new with the old till you've got it down and then you add even more. Rinse and repeat.

~Thank you for reading, May Rene