Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danny Phantom.

Note (9/10/2020): Not sure if any of you noticed, but the notebook Danny gave to Vlad is a small nod to an amazing though sadly unfinished fanfic that really inspired me called "Running to the Enemy's Arms" by "deadlydaisy8o8." That fanfic has a notebook in it too where Danny wrote down many of his innermost thoughts and feelings on certain issues. I gave mine a different design so it's nothing as fancy and this one is purely about his initial experience meeting the evil future version of himself, aka Dan, and jotting down the nightmares that followed since Danny didn't feel comfortable talking to his sister and friends about how much it actually bothered him on a deeply personal level. Well ok, Danny told Jazz a little about those things when she noticed he was having nightmares about Dan, but the rest is only written in that book.

P.S. I'm still smoothing out some story details but I wanted to get another chapter out after leaving you guys with that cliffhanger before so when I get the chance I'll get to the contents of the notebook itself. But for now, Vlad and Danny both need to give themselves time to unwind but it's easier said than done sometimes. You'll see why in this chapter.

Chapter 23: A Father's Love

"Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of advice." ~ Unknown

Vlad's POV

"Hmm, your blood-sugar still a bit too low for my liking, but I'm sure that's nothing a few days of eating proper meals again won't cure. As suspected your ecto-energy hasn't fully recharged either, but given the power your expended trying to 'flee' the situation in Amity Park I can't say I'm surprised. Personally I wanted to leave as soon as Dan was dealt with since I can only stomach your father's company for so long," I sighed, doing my utmost to keep the irritation out of my voice with that last comment while reaching for the next medical instrument I needed.

Daniel was still being awfully quiet which concerned me, however, I did not want to draw too much attention to it so I asked him casually, "Maddie seems to be beside herself with happiness that you're home, I must say I'm a little jealous. Now even the cat I named after your mother adores someone else more than me, what cruel irony. Still, I've been thinking, would you like me to move her bed and such to your room Daniel? Or would you actually prefer to adopt a pet of your own instead? Someone told me once that animal companions are very therapeutic..."

That finally got his attention since Daniel looked straight up at me with a stunned look on his face before blurting out, "Wait, are you being serious or were you just trying to cheer me up? Because for a second there I thought you said you'd let me get a pet-"

"As a matter of fact, I did Daniel. Is that really so hard to believe?" I replied and without missing a beat I paused to give him a brief warning before checking his reflexes. And despite his drowsiness, Daniel was quick to respond when I hit his knee with a small mallet so to avoid getting kicked sharply in the leg I simply went intangible.

Shocked into silence for a moment both because Daniel felt embarrassed by the fact that he nearly kicked me reflexively and because he needed a second to let my offer sink in, when Daniel finally recovered he sighed heavily and shook his head, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I guess I'm just so used to people saying no or assuming that I'm not responsible enough. My parents made plenty of excuses about the reason why no pets were allowed in the house too. But when I was five I finally gathered up enough courage to tell them I really wanted a puppy for my birthday but they still said no because supposedly it would damage the furniture and chew on their ghost fighting equipment or something stupid like that."

Laughing nervously Daniel added sheepishly, "I kinda see their point now after dealing with Cujo. You know about him right? He was a security dog at Axion Labs before they put him down. Poor guy, I mean he's well trained but kinda unpredictable sometimes like any puppy. Kinda makes me wonder how old he was before they...you know."

Shaking his head and covering his face with one hand Daniel continued, "Ugh, I shouldn't be bringing this up now. It's way too depressing. I guess my point is that I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment even if I wanted a pet. I guess I wouldn't mind sharing my room with Maddie-the-cat though provided she doesn't get cat hair on everything I own, which I know isn't all that much."

Realizing that something was wrong I knelt down in front of Daniel and ordered, "Daniel, look at me."

He obeyed after only a moment's hesitation and I could see how glossy Daniel's eyes were and how hard it was for him to stay upright. Following my instincts I reached up to support his shoulders, holding them firmly but gently I asked, "What's this really about? What are you afraid of, little badger? Tell me so I can fix it-"

"You can't-" Daniel choked out, his breath quickening. "I just didn't want to leave them behind like this again, ok? I really didn't, and I can't stop thinking about it! I thought this time around things would be better! I thought my friends finally understood how much I've been dealing with since the day they tried to 'save me' from you in your other mansion and I thought my parents understood why I couldn't stand living in their house anymore, but it just feels like I'm right back where I started! I feel like I'm broken beyond repair this time and even though I want what you're saying to be true SO BADLY I'm terrified of letting my guard down because whenever I do, I remember..."

Trailing off, Daniel clenched his fists before dropping out of his chair and wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. I didn't hesitate to return that hug regardless of how surprised I was how sudden his mood darkened and I didn't try to reassure him with my words. If I've learned anything about Daniel, it's that words need to be backed up with action otherwise he was so used to disappointment that he never dared to hope for anything he asked for. And he's right, the turn of events that brought us back here to my castle was alarmingly similar in some regards to what happened before when I brought him here to give him a safe haven away from his meddlesome friends and parents. But while his life wasn't in any danger even after exhausting his ghost powers, Daniel still regretted what led to his meltdown in the first place and blamed himself for not being careful enough.

I hated seeing Daniel reduced to this, seeing him question if he was still making the right choices or if he was doomed to repeat more mistakes. But that is exactly the problem. Daniel isn't the one who made the mistake, it was Samantha and Tucker Foley, this was THEIR doing. And as far as I've seen in my reports they haven't even attempted to contact Daniel once since I brought him here and I couldn't figure out if it's because they were being smart to avoid getting caught due to my restraining order on Samantha, or if they've given up and don't want to 'deal with' being friends with him anymore...

At least Jack and Maddie seem eager to step up and Jasmine has been nothing but supportive of both her brother and even myself. It's easy to fall into the trap of blaming his friends for what Daniel is feeling right now, but I know it runs much deeper than that. Daniel has been wounded, deeply, by those he loves to the point of wondering what's safe to ask for without being 'too selfish' which even he knows is the wrong way to look at this. But considering what Dan put him through especially his self-destructive mindset of not daring to ask for what he wants or needs at the time has only grown worse.

I know medication will help Daniel, but the rest is my responsibility. As much as he dislikes the idea Daniel needs SOME sort of counseling or at least someone to talk to besides me or my cat Maddie. I'm no good at counseling a traumatized teenager obviously, especially since Daniel also has a habit of writing me off as well from back when we were rivals which is my own fault. But there had to be something I could do to help him! There just had to be!

"I don't get it, I just woke up from a nap but why am I still so tired?" Daniel asked aloud, resting his head against my chest. "What's wrong with me Vlad?"

Supporting the back of his head, I told him quietly, "Nothing's wrong with you Daniel. You've only just woken up from a coma so it's only natural that you're still tired, not to mention how mentally draining all this is. This is partially my fault as well, I expected too much of you right away even though I've tried to stay within the limits of your endurance. I'm just so glad that you're here, with me. And I want to do everything in my power to make you happy. I suppose the most I can hope for right now is that I can help you get the rest you so desperately need-"

Reaching around with my hand that was resting against the back of his head, I covered his eyes and kissed Daniel's brow before whispering in a calm soothing tone, "-don't worry about having dinner with me tonight, just go to sleep little badger. You've earned it. We'll worry about the rest tomorrow."

The effect was almost immediate, I felt the tension uncoil from his shoulders and Daniel's breathing evened out less than a minute after when I removed my hand from his eyes, it was clear that Daniel had fallen fast asleep. Scooping him up into my arms, I teleported straight to his room and tucked Daniel into bed after phasing off his shoes. Not long after Maddie brushed past my leg like it was only natural before settling into place in the crook of his arm, purring.

Smiling at the endearing sight before me, I stroked her soft fur and whispered, "Take good care of him for me, would you? It's been a long day for both of us."

She leaned into my touch but kept her eyes closed as she snuggled closer to Daniel while I closed the door with a soft click behind me before pinching the bridge of my nose. "It seems that even I have much to learn about parenting, don't I? I shouldn't have pushed my luck trying to get so much done today. But still, it's a start. For now, I think I'll skip dinner as well and do a bit of light reading," frowning I recalled the notebook Daniel gave me and sighed, "Or perhaps my time would be better served reading THAT instead, but the question remains, will reading his notebook actually help Daniel or am I better off hearing what this Clockwork has to say...?"

Buying myself ample time to brace myself for whatever horrors I was about to read about by sitting down for a modest meal anyway, I had to remind myself that I had no right to feel lonely without Daniel enjoying it with me since I'm the one who told him to forgo dinner so he could get some more rest. As soon as I finished my food, though I could hardly taste it, I carefully retrieved the notebook from where I left it then made my way back to my private study. This is all for Daniel's sake and he trusted me enough to give this to me when it's something he hasn't even shared with Jasmine who is one of the few people Daniel feels comfortable confiding in. And the fact that Daniel isn't afraid to seek comfort from me when he couldn't keep it together anymore warmed my heart and reminded me just how close he and I have become.

Given time, we would become even closer and I would figure out how to help him put all his fears and doubts aside so he would allow himself to live in the moment more and start to enjoy his new life with me. Going to school and making new friends would help Daniel greatly in this regard, however, I needed to be sure he was emotionally sound enough to keep his wits about him in a social setting again. Clearly his friend's actions have left Daniel feeling hurt and resentful which again, reminds me of how I once felt, but thanks to him I know that I can't let those same feelings poison his heart like they did to me. Daniel is too pure, too good for this world, and while I'm glad he's learning that some things are not meant to be so easily forgiven it's best if he doesn't act hastily only to regret his brash actions later...

That's why I dissuaded him from throwing out mementos from those two because losing them would only hurt Daniel more in the end. And if Samantha and Tucker Foley value their friendship at all, once the restraining order expires they'll be the ones to contact HIM, not the other way around. After all, friendships work both ways, and he's gone above and beyond the call of duty to uphold his end so now it's their turn.

Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Regardless, what Daniel has given me is a level of trust that not even those two have achieved by entrusting me with this notebook. That being said, while he told me to dispose of it upon completion Daniel didn't say anything about not keeping my own record of the contents. And when the time is right, perhaps I'll send them an annotated copy of one or two pages so they'll finally get it through their thick skulls that Dan was NOT just another villain to Daniel...he was the one ghost that he genuinely feared with such a powerful intensity that the very thought of Dan paralyzed him deep in the night or left him crying out into the darkness all alone. They've never experienced that level of fear once in their pathetic lives, not like he has...

And maybe they should.

Since I was already on the subject while thinking about the problem at hand revolving Daniel's mental health and more specifically his nightmares, it brought a certain ghost to mind. I've never met him, but according to my research, there is a ghost named Nocturne with power over dreams that can induce very pleasent ones so I hear or even remove or create nightmares. I've been toying with the idea of striking a deal with this ghost to give Daniel a short reprieve from his nightmares because I know that once he regains his strength, he'll start to feel restless once more and with how much the poor boy has on his mind it's only a matter of time before he starts having them again. As I've told him many times before, there's only so much that I can do for him through normal means, so at times I have to seek other alternatives to the problem.

And yes I know what you're thinking, it sounds like I'm already falling back into my old habits but this is different. I'm only considering asking Nocturne for this second favor to hopefully scare Daniel's friends into taking his position seriously. Maybe if they had proof of what he's been telling them all along about how much he has endured for their sake, they'll get over themselves and finally make things right with their childhood friend. It would take careful planning and timing so that Daniel didn't suspect that I had any part to play in their actions, but if its a ghost that pushed them in the right direction-

"As I recall, Nocturne gains power through dream energy so what can I offer him in exchange for these favors?" I contemplated, "Is this even worth the risk? Unlike before I don't wish to set such a powerful ghost loose on the unsuspecting town of Amity Park because it's taken me this long to make sure it's in safe hands with Valerie and her father and they would be defenseless if Nocturne went rogue and put the entire town to sleep...

"Either way there must be a ghost out there who can help soothe Daniel's troubled mind since he's my top priority. And I really need to stop trying to interfere with Daniel's friends, it is not up to me anymore to repair the bridge they've decided to burn of their own accord. Because as long as Daniel is safe on this side of it, the rest of them can do as they please over on theirs. As for me-" taking a deep breath and opening the first page of the notebook, making up my mind not to over-complicate things either to show Daniel by example to focus on the answers right in front of him when life feels so uncertain, I told myself, "-I am going to do everything in my power to save him from himself, just like I promised..."

I know I should wait to read this until everything settles down again, but I'm tired of feeling powerless to do anything for him and I still want to know everything, Daniel. I want to know how to save him, how to make him smile again, and how to heal the scars on his heart that I can't see or touch, I thought to myself and my eyes widening in shock when they suddenly brimmed over with tears and I had to tilt my head back in the chair to prevent them from smudging these wretched words I was about to subject myself to of one of the worst experiences in Daniel's life.

And for the first time in over twenty years, I found myself silently asking my father's spirit for guidance so I would know how to help Daniel and how to be the kind of father-figure he needs me to be right now. I'll make mistakes, but come what may I'll continue to do my best to live up to Daniel's expectations so that one day when I tell him everything is going to be alright, he'll have no reason to doubt me. I won't give up, not now when I'm so close to becoming the sort of man I've always dreamt of that I hope my father would be proud of too.