Chapter 4- Face to Face
"The first step towards knowledge is to know that we are ignorant."
~Richard Cecil
Danny kicked his dangling legs back and forth as he sat waiting on the docks. His aura flickered a bit in agitation and the half ghost was sure that if someone were to take his blood pressure (or ectoplasm pressure) it would be through the roof.
'What was that saying about how waiting's the worst part?' For his sake, as well as Jack's, he sincerely hoped that waiting would be the most tooth-pulling part of this experience. 'For God's sake I've stared down Dark Pariah and looked death in the face, what the hell am I so nervous about?' As if it would serve to answer his question, Danny examined his reflection in the relatively still waters; how his green eyes sparkled with an unearthly light, how his snowy skin had a moonlight like luminescence despite the new moon that night.
To Jack those to things would likely stand out the most, but Danny knew that if it was his mom meeting him here, with her warmer disposition towards Phantom she would see the life and mischief in his emerald orbs and the gentle warmth emitted by his dim aura. Hopefully by the end of the meeting, Jack would to.
The distinct sound of the Fenton RV's engine caused Danny to close his eyes and suck in a deep breath. He took two more when he heard the heavy metal door slam followed by the crunch of gravel under feet. It took all of Danny's self control to stay perfectly still as his Dad crossed the remaining distance and stood behind him silently for a minute before breaking the silence. "Phantom?"
Danny looked up over his right shoulder at the hulk of a man that was his father. "Uh, hi. Nice of you to come."
xXxXxXxXxXx
(Just over a week ago, last Friday morning)
Jack walked into the kitchen and poured himself a bowl of spooky-O's while his wife finished washing the bowls Danny and Jazz had used that morning. His eyes automatically found their way to source of his internal irritation.
"The flowers are nice."
"They certainly are. They have that personal-touch feel to them and smell wonderful. Such a nice blend on the eyes and nose. I have to admit the vase is also pretty stunning, have you seen the detail on it Jack?"
No, he hadn't. Last night his attention had been mostly on the note, and the part that wasn't trying to pour over the words was simmering over the fact that a ghost he didn't like had given a hand picked bouquet of flowers to his wife. In his annoyance, confusion, and concern Jack hadn't stopped to inspect the seemingly ordinary vase. "No Mads, but it looks like a nice vase, matches the flowers well."
Maddie put the dishes in the drying rack and came over. "Oh I know. Such good taste."
Knowing that cutting to the chase was more his style Jack decided get to the point. "Maddie, I wanted to talk about who gave you the flowers and the note." He looked his wife in the eyes. "I want to discuss Phantom."
Maddie blinked. "Alright. What do you want to discuss about him?"
"Getting chummy with and keeping him company. Enough so that he's bringing you flowers and willing to offer favors and weapons testing. He's dangerous Maddie I don't want you spending hours on end with him, especially if I'm not there. And before you give me the lecture on how he's different and that he hasn't done anything to hurt anybody in a while, I would like to point out that he's still a ghost that he is more than capable of forming a new obsession that could drive him over the edge and to violence. I don't want you being that other obsession honey, they never end well."
Maddie sighed. "Jack, I know you mean well and I'm touched, it's a sweet sentiment, but it's alright. I've seen Phantom around and yes... I have sat with him and talked with him and I guess you can call it 'getting chummy', but that's only happened a few random times and I haven't done anything other than talk with him. I'm pretty positive he won't form an obsession over me solely as a result of that. Besides, you know I can take care of myself. I'm always fully armed and alert around him."
The auburn haired scientist picked one of the carnations, a white one, and gave it a smell. "I think he's seeing a change in us and taking an initiative Jack, that's why he offered to help if we ever needed it. I haven't been asking him or bringing it up and I was just as surprised as you were by the note and flowers. We're suspicious of ghosts and there motives because that's all we've ever known- there always was some underlying cause or meaning in the past, but I'm telling you, I am convinced that this is simply Phantom being nice." She offered her husband the pristine flower.
Jack took it and gave it a frown. "I know you can take care of yourself Maddie," he paused and gave her a small smile "and me, that's why when we're short on weapons during a fight I give you the gun. I just... I don't really know anything about Phantom other than he's a ghost and you see something in him. I trust your judgment, you know I do. But I don't like taking chances with my family just as much as I believe in your intuition. Sometimes seeing is believing and well, I don't see."
"Then maybe it's time you did." Maddie smiled putting her hand on his. "Maybe it's time you met with him and saw him being... him. Not some evil ghost or an obsessive spirit, but a sincere and genuine being that means well."
"I don't know Mads. I don't think he'd want to. Anytime he see's me he tends to run, which I don't mind but, if you want us to talk then that would be a problem."
"He patrols at night. I think I can run into him in the next few days and arrange something. How does next Saturday sound to you?"
"A little soon. I'm not sure you're even going to be able to arrange anything at all let alone something by next week, but sure, next Saturday is fine if he agrees."
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Yeah, nice of you to come as well, you must be busy with all the ghosts you hunt." Jack said awkwardly.
"It depends, some days are worse than others but today was pretty quiet." Phantom explained.
Jack stood there not sure of what to do or say and feeling somewhat uncomfortable about being near such a powerful apparition. He was sitting instead of floating and had his back to Jack which made the ghost hunter feel less threatened but still the man clad in kill-me-now orange was weary. He didn't know the ghost and had more often than nought seen only fleeting glimpses of black and white when Phantom took off. What exactly was he supposed to say to a dead teenager he had promised to destroy? What exactly was there to say to a spirit in general? 'How's life?' He had no idea what his wife talked to Phantom about but currently Jack was at a loss.
"You can sit, if you want to I mean, I don't bite." Phantom suggested sounding just as uneasy as Jack.
Mulling over what he was going to do Jack decided that he might as well. After all he was here to show some faith in his wife's intuition and give Phantom a chance. 'I have no idea how you managed to arrange this honey.' The ghost hunter thought taking a seat next the young ghost.
xXxXxXxXxXx
(Four days earlier, Tuesday)
Danny was flying through the sky over amity park on his nightly patrol feeling rather ticked off. So far his thermos had caught two ghosts- the box ghost and him.
The halfa hadn't been even five minutes into his nocturnal routine when Tucker had radioed over to him that the box ghost was being a problem at The Gift Box Emporium again. Sighing Danny had flown over just as Tucker finished capping the thermos. "How long did that take you?"
"Maybe 17 seconds."
"Congrats Tuck, you shaved a whole 5 seconds off your record. Now you just need to shave 9 more to beat me and 12 to beat Sam."
"Hey, I'm getting there." The techno-geek had said spinning the Fenton thermos on his finger like you would a basket ball. A second later it slipped off and remembering what had happened last time Tucker made a grab for the metal container so that it wouldn't hit the ground. While he did manage to catch the thermos, his thumb he hit the button in his blind grab and a swirling blue beam of light had erupted and latched onto Danny dragging him in. "Whoops."
Luckily Tucker was able to release Danny after only a few minutes and the box ghost was the only other one in there to get release with him but Tucker's little slip had still put Danny in an agitated mood.
"It doesn't release them if you drop it anymore, that's the whole reason I gave you the upgraded thermos instead of hanging on to it or giving it to Sam!"
"I know, I know! I'm just programmed to not let it take a fall. Beside you only have to catch the box ghost, there's no need to get so mad." Danny's best friend tried to reason.
"When you know what it's like to get crammed into a Fenton thermos, even if its for five minutes, then you can tell me to chill." Danny had flown off after that in search of the annoying ghost he had captured on almost a daily basis.
When he passed by the park play ground he noticed his mom sitting on a swing and decided to say take his mind off of Tucker and say hi. "One of those grown ups I see." He said floating downing into the seat left of her.
"What do you mean 'One of those grown ups'?"
Phantom shrugged. "The kind that never out grow the playground because they're still a kid at heart."
"That's not entirely true. I don't enjoy going down the kittie slides or on the see-saws anymore. I'm too big for the monkey bars as well," she paused "but I don't suppose I'll ever out grow swings which means I'll never give up the park's playground entirely." She gave him a smirk. "What about you? Still dead and still coming over. I don't think you're about to grow up and leave it either."
"I'm technically still a kid so I can play here all I like." He retorted floating up with the swing before letting gravity pull him back down and up again like a pendulum.
"I wanted to say thank you." Maddie said as watched her son enjoy his and her long time favorite part of the playground.
"For what?" He asked in confusion as he went higher and higher with each swing.
"For the flowers and what you said in the note." She replied quietly and genuinely.
Understanding hit him in a heart beat and he gave a nonchalant shrug. "I just picked the flowers, it's not like I planted or raised them, and testing something isn't a big deal. You're still going to be the one to fine tune it once you see what stage it's at."
"It's the thought that counts... Could you come down for a moment? I have something for you."
Phantom raised an eyebrow and stopped to the swings momentum before floating it down slowly. "You got me a gift?" He asked in disbelief.
"You could call it that, or you could call it taking you up on your offer. Close your eyes." Phantom shot her a look that said 'Yeah right' to which Maddie rolled her eyes. "I could have shot you while you were flying over the park oblivious to me."
Point taken Phantom closed his eyes and Maddie reached into a little utility box that was clipped to her thigh. Silently she pulled out a black braided cord with a little glowing green object hanging from it by a clasp and put it over Phantom's head so that it hung from his neck. When she pulled her hands away Phantom opened his eyes and looked down at the object hanging from the necklace. He held it up and stared at it as he realized just what it was.
"It's one of the experiments I've been working on, it's called a core amplification capsule... I seem to recall you saying that I don't always show up, and when I do, I'm commonly late. This is for one of these times. It'll give you a quick burst of energy but I'm not sure how effective it will be since it's never been tested. Also it's not meant to get you back at 100 percent, it's more of a you're running on empty and need a last ditch effort to take the bad guy down or to escape and recover."
"Thanks. I... I really don't know what to say. One question though," Phantom gave her a sheepish look "how do I use it?"
Maddie couldn't help it, she laughed. A good belly laugh to, not just one of those you hear a good joke and chuckle a bit types. When she composed herself she motioned Phantom to come over to her. He got off his swing seat and stood in front of his mother looking at her expectantly. She reached for the capsule and, unscrewing the silver top that was attached to the clip, held up the small glass container for him to see.
"That's why it's called a capsule."
"Ah."
She twisted the capsule back into the cap and let it fall against his jump suit as she let go of it. "After you use it I'd like the container back, they're specially made... and I'd like a verbal report of how it worked."
"Sounds fair to me." Phantom agreed.
"One more thing. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind meeting my husband."
"Like set time and place kinda meeting?" She nodded. "How come?"
Maddie sat silent for a few moments searching for the right words. "It would make everyone's life easier if all the ghost hunters of this town could be on the same page and work with each other instead of getting in the others way. I know he's not exactly a supporter of yours but he saw your note and asked me about you. Sometimes seeing is believing and well, he wants to believe." She broke off to give Phantom a minute to stew it over.
"I'm not sure I can get him to give up his weapons but, if you're not doing anything threatening I can give you an almost guarantee that he won't pull them. You said if I ever needed a favor, well Jack doesn't really want me associating with you until he's talked to you. He wants to see for himself that you're different. Please give him that chance." She added in case that made any difference.
Phantom frowned at the ground and kicked his boot at the bare dirt that had long been stripped of it's grass by all the people the went on and off the swings. Sighing he looked up at her. "Did you have a day in mind?"
Maddie gave Phantom a winning smile. "How's this Saturday? Say 8 O'clock at the docks?"
"Dark and secluded. I'm not sure how good of a mood setting that'll be for either one of us." Phantom replied dryly.
"It's beautiful over there, especially on either a full moon with the light reflecting off the surface or when it's a new moon and the water stills. I think calm and tranquil are just what the doctor ordered."
Phantom shot her a doubtful look. "This Saturday 8 O'clock at the docks. Got it." He flew off to find the box ghost so that he could be back home in time for Flash.
xXxXxXxXxXx
"I'm gonna come right out and say it. I don't trust you." Phantom's heart fell. "I've only seen ghosts causing trouble and that includes you. The only times I've seen you when you haven't runaway were when you shot at me and Maddie, robbed those banks, attacked the mayor, chased after my son, attacked the Fenton Family Ghost Assault Vehicle during that family outing and started destroying the Christmas presents last year."
"That wasn't me! Or at least it's not what it seemed like. I was being mind controlled to rob those store, I shot at you two because I thought you were being overshadowed, the mayor who was in fact overshadowed attacked and framed me, those presents were haunted, and-"
"I don't care. I'm sure some of those excuses are valid. I'm sure some of them also have holes and aren't completely true. Whatever the case may be I promised Maddie I'd over look them and give you a second chance, a fresh start if you will since we were giving you reason to shot at us and and our children and RV."
Phantom looked at his dad with hope in his eyes, hope that this conversation would be the beginning of a journey that would lead him towards being able to tell his parents the truth one day. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me just yet. If you go after my family, you won't be thanking me when I lock you up as an experiment for the rest of your after life." Jack growled.
"I promise not to abuse this little trust you've given me and just so you know, I've helped you before. When you were trapped by that ghost Plasmius and your house was going to explode I freed you or that time all the adults were brainwashed and I got everyone safely off the ship. I kinda borrowed your exo-suit when I battled Pariah Dark and I'll grant you that I didn't ask permission to use it, but I got the town out of the ghost zone and beat one of the toughest ghost around with no fatalities to your town. I know to you I've done some sketchy things, but there are acts of justice and mercy that I've also done that you've seen in fleeting and that other people have seen."
"Yeah I get it, you're an exception to the rules, that's why I told Maddie I'd put some faith in her intuition about you being different."
Phantom raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm different because I'm not bad? Or at least not evil and hell bent on death and destruction?"
"Well yeah. That's what all the other ghosts want. You battle them you know they're up to no good." Jack pointed out.
Phantom snorted. "You only see the bad ones that's why they all seem so awful. Typical, but understandable. Listen Jack, I'm not an exception when it comes to my disposition. They are other ghosts who are just as friendly, some of them more so. It's just that those ghosts stay away from you because they don't want to get into a fight. Most of them actually stay in the ghost zone so that they can't cause a problem over here, but sometimes they to come over to this world and just explore. They don't go around committing crimes and the only trouble they make is when someone freaks out seeing them. The majority of ghosts just want to be left alone. It's only a small percent that fall into the good and bad categories."
"I'm assuming you're friends with some of these 'good' ghosts?" He asked.
Phantom nodded. "Yeah. Ghost are like people. You'll meet a few who are ill-natured and bent on using other people as a means to achieve there goals, another few who are true heroes and go out of there way to always do they right thing, but most people you meet are neutral. They don't have a hero complex and aren't out to get anyone. I know several good and neutrals I'd be willing to introduce you to, provided you don't meet them with guns blazing." Phantom offered.
"That sounds like it would be a good experience, but I'd want to wait. Staring to trust one ghost is enough for me right now, but if you don't do anything to kill it, then maybe I'd be trusting enough for you to bring a ghost or two over."
"Believe me, it would take some time to convince them anyways."
"By the way, I read that note too, the one you wrote to my wife with those hand picked flowers."
Phantom suddenly had a coughing fit and Jack looked at him unsure of what to do. 'He can't honestly believe I was hitting on mom. Eww that is so Vlad.' He though. "What about the note?" Phantom finally managed to get out.
"You said you'd be willing to help if she needed help. Well she needs something for her main project, something from a ghost. I haven't pried since it's her pride and joy, but..."
"You want me to give her what she needs." He surmised. "Just saying, I'd be more willing if she was the one to ask. Did you ever consider that she didn't ask for a reason?"
Jack looked at him in thought. "I'm not pushing you to do anything and I don't know what Maddie needs or what she's going to do, I'm just throwing what I do have out there."
For the next several minutes silence passed between the two as they watched the limp waves lethargically lap at the wooden poles supporting the dock. The rhythmic sound was enough to dispel some of both parties previous discomfort. "So how'd you die?" Jack finally asked.
"Uh, that's a bit personal but... ...I was electrocuted. Hurt worse than anything I'd ever felt. Couldn't describe it to you even if I wanted other then I'm positive that if heaven and hell do exist, I have an idea of what damned souls go through on a regular basis... So what about you? How did you get into ghosts? It's not a common or well known field and honestly ecto activity has only picked up in these past few years. Before this there couldn't have been much work opportunity."
"I don't feel much like getting into that either, but long story short, I wanted to get into a different field. One that didn't have too much ground work already laid because I wanted to make an impression. You may have noticed I'm a pretty big man. Well, people were always telling me what I couldn't do and I wanted to prove them wrong. I wanted to do something that others hadn't yet managed to do and the ghost field was a developing area that sparked my interest." He paused as something hit him. "How did you get into ghost hunting? It's a bit unusual seeing something fighting there own kind."
Phantom snorted. "Please. People are constantly fighting and going to war with each other over the littlest things, they're just as violent. I don't know how I got into it. It was something I was just thrust into but I continued with it because I don't like ghosts picking on humans." He gave Jack a pointed look. "I also don't approve of people picking on ghost just because they can either."
The scientist had nothing to say to that and remained silent.
Neither knowing what to talk about, they instead opted to spend their time getting used to being near one another without ecto energy being fired.
Minutes ticked by like sands of an hour glass. At some point, Jack didn't know when and Phantom likely didn't know either, their silence had become comfortable as they got more used to sitting next to each other.
"I'm not exactly sure what to talk about and I have some other business I have to take care of so maybe we should both get going? Meeting you was... interesting. Mads is right, you're different but it's more of a good different. You know where we live and Maddie seems pretty apt at finding you so I'll see you around. Maybe we can do this again sometime."
"Yeah. I think I might like that. Well take care, tell Maddie I said hi. " Phantom said taking to the sky.
xXxXxXxXxXx
(Home- FentonWorks, Kitchen)
"There you are Danny. I was looking all over the house for you." Jazz said entering the kitchen.
"Something you wanted?"
"Not in particular. I was just seeing what you were up to. I had thought about seeing a movie tonight and was wondering if you'd like to come. I know I'm not Sam or Tucker but we are siblings." She walked over to Danny. "I'm surprised this thing isn't melting." Jazz commented picking the vase up.
He shrugged. "Ghost ice, it doesn't melt so easily. It would take either ghost fire or an extreme heat wave to melt it. Anyway it depends what movie you were going to see. I'm not sitting through to any chick flicks."
The elder Fenton snorted and set the frozen vase down. "Since when do I watch those movies?"
"Love Letters to Juliet, The Devil wears Prada, John Tucker Must Die. Do I need to list anymore?"
Jazz narrowed her eyes. "I watched those movies so I could psychoanalyze the characters, not because I thought they were any good." She said annoyed. "You're safe from any of those kind of movies and as long as were on what's not getting watched, I'm not watching any horror movies or tragedies. Something happy would be good."
"Comedy it is. The three stooges still playing?" Danny asked.
"Last I heard yeah and I'd say that sounds like a perfect match for us."
Danny smirked. "I couldn't agree with you more Moe."
A/N: Well Phantom and Jack have had their first realencounter and they're both alive and in one piece. What more could either one ask for? I really wasn't sure how I wanted to organize this other than I knew that it was going to open with Danny and Jack first meeting and then the flash backs would show how they got there. It turned out fine so I'm happy. Also couldn't help but squeeze that little Jazz and Danny bit at the end because well, Jazz really cares about Danny and as much as he complains about her, Danny cares for Jazz as well. Most siblings get on each others nerves from time to time but in the end they're family. I always pictured the two becoming a bit closer after Jazz learned the secret because she was going to be there for her baby brother whether he wanted it or not.
I have an early dismissal today and my group (or rather one person in it) didn't do there part because they figured we wouldn't be going since we were supposed to present last... but since every other group had that idea of 'I don't have to go' because they thought we wouldn't have class at ALL my group will likely have to present as is. *sigh* AP and Honors kids are truly the laziest bunch, myself included. Good luck to people who get snowed in or face any other snow related problems in the coming days. Drive and walk safely people. My sympathies to all like me who will be made to shovel snow for hours on end, especially those currently sick or getting over being sick, I fall in the latter category.
Reviews and comments are always welcomed and loved. Ideas, suggestions, or things you want added, will be very much welcomed as well. If you see any spelling/grammar mistakes let me know. PM me any questions you have about the story or anything else.
~Many thanks to all the readers, May Rene