CHAPTER SEVEN

WORKING IT OUT

"Welcome to Amity Park: a nice place to live!"

The platinum blond read the billboard as the bus passed it buy with a bored expression. She twirled the end of her ponytail around her fingers.

"Finally," she whispered to no one.

A faint smirk lifted her face as she noticed the billowing columns of white smoke pouring out of the approaching city.

Something in Danny's elbow tweaked as he threw a rock into the lake with as much force as he could. Tucker and Sam watched from a small distance while he threw another, and another, and another in an angry rhythm. A minute ago they had managed to calm him down enough to stop punching a tree before his knuckles bled. But as he recounted what had happened with the heroes, he lost it again. Knowing that their friend's temper was a force to be reckoned with, powers or no, they opted for letting him vent as he pleased. Sitting at the base of the tree Sam leaned against, Tucker typed away on one of his devices to pass the time.

"I'm really sorry," Sam spoke softly, trying not to disturb Danny.

"Huh?" He looked up from his typing.

"I didn't mean to make you faint back there. We needed the officer to approach us, so that Danny would have a clearer shot. I thought that starting a fight with you would do the trick… Did I shake you too hard?"

"Uh, um. No. I just don't do so hot in tight spaces or in crowds is all. You yelling at me was the last straw I guess…" He shrugged.

Sam nodded, staring at Danny. "Yeah, okay. I'm sorry, I honestly forgot and expected you to fight back."

"It's-it's okay Sam, I mean it worked didn't it? Well, sort of…"

Waving her hand flippantly, she rolled her eyes. "I know what you mean. I would do the exact same thing if we got a do over."

Tucker bobbed his head. "Yeah, only this time I would pretend to faint."

"This is getting ridiculous. How long has he been at it?"

"Huh, including the tree punching or not?"

Before she could answer the question, the sound of someone approaching caught their attention. Her eyes widened when she saw Danny's brother right behind her.

"Dick?"

Tucker quickly leaned around the tree to see for himself. His own eyes bulged when he saw the man in the black leather jacket and a helmet tucked under his elbow.

Dick gave them a grim smile. "Hey Sam, hey Tucker. How's he doing?"

"Not well." Sam stated a little defensively. "Which is to be expected when heroes shut you down when you're asking for help."

Danny yelled angrily as he chucked another rock, not noticing the new arrival.

"Yeah," Dick agreed. "How long has he been throwing rocks?"

"A while," Tucker answered. "Before this, he was punching trees. He usually would… He usually would calm down by now."

"Have you guys tried talking to him?"

"Yeah," Sam scoffed. "He's not punching trees anymore, is he?"

"Thank you, guys. He's lucky to have you as friends. I'm going to try and talk to him, alright?"

"Your funeral," Tucker muttered beneath his breath.

Sam watched silently as Dick set down his helmet at her feet and slowly approached her seething friend.

Getting closer, Dick could hear Danny muttering something with each toss.

"Stupid.

Good for nothing.

Superheroes.

With their stupid.

Good for nothing.

Faces."

Placing a gentle hand on the teens shoulder,Dick stopped him from chucking the next rock. Danny spun on him, surprise melting away the furious snarl.

"Dick!?"

"Hey there, kiddo," the older brother chuckled softly, then frowned. "I've been told what happened."

Danny dropped his gaze to glare at the lake. "I guess everyone's going to hear about it."

"If you didn't want everyone knowing about it, then you probably shouldn't have done it in front of the national news cameras."

Eyes widening in shock, Danny stared back up at his brother with a growing mortification, before he stepped away, burying his face in his hands.

"Why? Why? Why? Why do I have to be so stupid!?"

With a growl he ripped his hands away and suddenly chucked the rock he had been holding. He yelled at the sky and bent over to scoop up more rocks. He angrily tossed them one at a time.

"Hey, hey, hey, Danny. Stop. Stop for a second, alright?"

Danny stopped, but refused to make eye contact. Hesitating, Dick watched the tension quaver in the teens muscles. He also noticed the knuckles of the tight fists gripping the rock had skin missing and torn in different places. The hurting fury burned in his furrowed brow and blue eyes.

After looking over the small, flat clearing, and the soft grass with a silent sigh, Dick spoke with the barest hints of sarcasm, "While taking out your anger on the the lake seems like a great way to vent, may I suggest something else?"

The blue eyes glanced at him doubtfully.

"Punch me."

Danny's arms dropped as he gaped at him.

"I'm sorry, what was that?!" Sam yelled from over by the tree.

Ignoring her, Dick got into a fighting stance with his fists up, and said it again.

"Punch me."

"Wait. What? Why?!"

"Sparing is therapeutic. Now go ahead and hit me."

When the bewildered look on Danny's face stayed, the vigilante decided to goad him on.

"Or are you too scared to try and hit a cop?"

Dick realized he struck cord when Danny's face dropped into a glower and he faint heard Tucker say, "oh. Oh snap."

"I am not scared!" Danny roared and charged.

While the speed Danny came at him with was surprising, Dick easily knocked the punch aside and stepped out of the way. Taking several steps backwards to give them space from the water, Dick smirked as Danny came at him again.

"Is… is this actually happening?" Tucker squawked.

"Yeah," Sam answered with awe. "And it's amazing! Kick his butt!"

"Who are you routing for?!"

"I don't know, honestly."

Tucker looked from the tense excitement on Sam's face to the brothers, who went at it, holding nothing back from what he could tell.

After every swing, Dick would knock Danny's fist to the side, then give him a shove while he was open, causing him to stumble.

"You've got a fantastic swing. But you've got to loosen up if you want to hit me. You're too tight and you keep trying the same thing over and-"

Danny surprised him while he spoke by faking a punch, dodging the shove and landing a solid round house kick on his side. Danny stumbled back out of the kick, glaring smugly. A grin stretched excitedly across Dick's face, before he launched forward in a relentless assault of kicks, punches, and jabs, easily gaining ground. The shorter willingly took a jab to the ribs to get in a punch to the gut. Separating for a second to recover and catch their breath, Dick tried to berate Danny for knowingly putting himself in harm's way for chance to hit back, but Danny charged again.

Dick quickly went back on the defensive, easily blocking almost blocking every hit. He chose to let a few land, if only to help the anger dissipate. But as the fight went on, Danny's punches became faster, harder, and erratic.

"Quit patronizing me!"

Dick grabbed the fist meant to emphasize the demand.

"I will. As soon as you figure out your footwork."

To prove his point, Dick swiped Danny's legs out from under him.

"Try again. But this time, keep your feet firmly planted, and make sure your footing is solid before you try and come at me. If you've got to keep your feet moving, stay on the balls of your feet and off your heels."

Danny sent him a scowl as he stood, but thoughtful contemplation softened it considerably. Shrugging his jacket off, Dick controlled his breathing and tossed the jacket aside.

"Ready to do this again?"

For the better part of an hour the two spared in the grass. The fight had been fairly mobile as Danny never stood still while he fought. By the end, Danny lay on the ground huffing for air with a smirk on his face. Dick sat sprawled out next to him, also winded, but not nearly as bad off as Danny.

Much of the fight had perplexed Dick. Danny clearly knew how to fight, and well. He also learned much faster than most; it had been astonishing to watch as the match progressed. But it was almost as if Danny kept forgetting he even had feet; stumbling in and out of attacks, and tripping on rocks or slippery patches. He even tripped on his own foot at one point. But it never slowed him down. No, Danny had been able to dish out as much as he took.

Dick knew he would have a number of bruises in the morning.

"That…" Danny paused to let a long breath out.

Dick sent him an amused glance.

"..was awesome. We should do it again, but, you know, later."

"Definitely," Dick chuckled.

Falling into a comfortable silence the two sat there, just breathing. Danny's friends sat at one of the wooden picnic tables near the water on the other side of the clearing. Having gotten bored of the fight rather quickly, Tucker had his eyes locked onto a screen, while Sam seemed to be intently weaving twigs together. Dicks helmet sat on the end of the table.

Danny watched the leaves above rustle and sway in the small breeze, contently relaxing his sore muscles. When his mind began to wander back to the events prior, he noticed Dick looking at him with a small frown.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

While he contemplated whether or not he could, Danny studied his brother's face.

Looking back up at the leaves, Danny sighed, "not really."

"Alright."

Dick sent Sam a small wave and a smile, when she looked up from her weaving, curious about the prolonged quiet. She only quirked an eyebrow at him and went back to weaving. She said something to Tucker that made him snort out a laugh.

"Hey Danny." Dick looked back down at him.

"Yeah?"

"Jazz was really worried about you and fairly upset."

Danny didn't answer right away. Instead he dropped eye contact and sighed.

"Yeah… I should probably go back…" His face twisted in discomfort at the thought.

"DANNY!" Sam shouted across the clearing.

Face clearing, Danny sat up and shouted back, "WHAT?"

"I HAVE TO GO HOME!"

"WHAT? WHY?"

"MY FARENTS ARE JERKS THAT'S WHY. THEY ARE THIREEN TO START TAKEAWAY DRASIC HUMAN RIGHTS 'PILVIGES'."

"WHAT?"

"MY PARENTS ARE THIREEN TO START TAKEAWAY DRASIC HUMAN RIGHTS 'PILVIGES'!"

Tucker pipped up, "I SHOULDER OMTOO."

"Oh, for the love of…" Danny huffed. "I'M COMING OVER THERE."

Dick laughed as Danny hoisted himself off the ground and jogged over to his friends. Dick followed at a slower pace.

"What are you guys saying?"

Sam answered while furiously texting, "my parents want me home and are threatening to take away basic human rights, but calling them privileges."

"I was saying I should go home too. Mom and Dad didn't want me out too long." Tucker swung his legs out from under the picnic table and stood.

Dropping his shoulders a bit, Danny nodded. "Alright. Will I see you guys tomorrow? We didn't really get to have that 'not dying' celebration…"

"Tomorrow might be iffy for me," Sam informed, finally looking up from her cellphone. "My parents are pretty pissed. We'll figure something out later. Right now, I have to go."

"Okay, see you later, Sam."

"Later, Danny. Dick." Sam offered them a smile before heading back to where she had parked her scooter.

Tucker jogged after her and called over his shoulder, "see ya, guys! Oh! And Dick! You have some sick moves!"

Dick chuckled and waved. "Thanks, Tucker!"

Even though his friend was out of hearing range, Danny grumbled defensively, "I have sick moves…"

Smile broadening, Dick placed his elbow on top of Danny's head like an arm rest. "Yes, but they look cooler when your not tripping over your own feet and when, you know, you're taller."

"Hey!" Danny shoved him off. "I'm not that short!"

His brother just laughed, taking a few steps backward. "You just look like a creepy little gremlin when your short and good at fighting."

Danny chased after him, voice cracking as he protested, "I'm not short!"

Throwing his head back and laughing, Dick didn't notice Danny lunging for a tackle. They both tumbled to the ground. Danny, fully prepared to wrestle with his brother, suddenly flopped down onto the grass.

"You know what?" He panted, "never mind. I'm too tired for this."

Dick chuckled.

Danny sent him a harmless glare. "You're a jerk and you're wrong."

"Sure, sure, whatever you say."

After a few minutes of silence, Danny sighed.

"I guess now would be as good a time as any to go home."

"Alright. Would you like a ride home?" Dick asked as he stood up.

"Uh, sure, yeah. That would be nice."

"Cool. Let me get my helmet and we can get going," he replied pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

Eyes lighting up and sitting up, Danny asked, "you have a motorcycle?"

Dicks grin broadened.

"Thank you kindly, sir!" The blond woman waved to the bus driver with a flirtatious smile and stepped off the bus.

As the bus lumbered away, she spun to face the city, firmly planting her feet, and putting her hands on her hips. Her smile stretched across her face as the fire department clamored by in a flurry, stirring up the thick air that smelled of burning leafs.

She momentarily broke her inane grin to let out a low impressed whistle.

"Now… if I were a hormonal, stuck up, ninny, that just had the biggest temper tantrum in her life and is currently hiding from the bat…. Where would I go?"

She squinted, placing a delicate finger on her chin, and popped her hip out to the side.

"I really haven't a clue…"

Dick entered the doorless house right behind Danny who shuffled in awkwardly with his hands stuffed deep into his pockets and his head slightly tucked. Nearly all of the dead plants had been cleared, the glass had been swept up, and one of the living room walls had been torn open, revealing a tangle of roots weaving itself through the insulation. The Fentons' muffled voices came from the kitchen as they discussed the state of the house.

"…structurally sound. We'll just be replacing most of the floors, insulation, and walls, Madds."

"Yes, Jack. But there's also the electrical work, and the plumbing, and the security systems we need to account for. Plus the windows and the hole in the wall upstairs. This is going to take some time. Besides, he could use-….. Danny! Dick!"

Maddie stood from the kitchen table that had a stack of sandwiches on a plate and a package of water bottles, while Jack turned around in his chair to face them. Dick gave them a small nod and a smile.

"Hi Mom, hi Dad…" Danny scuffed his shoe on the floor. "Um.. where's Jazz?"

"She's upstair, cleaning out her room. Would you like me to go get her?" Maddie asked softly.

Danny shook his head without looking away from the floor.

After a stretch of silence he spoke up, "I'm really sorry… I didn't mean… I mean I don't…"

Maddie rushed around the table and pulled Danny into a tight hug when he subtly opened his arms for one.

"Oh, Danny! My baby boy! I'm so sorry! We'll put more ghost security systems up this time! Not a single ghost will ever get into this house again!" Maddie's voice quavered and she sniffed wetly.

Danny stiffened. "Uh, mom? That isn't really-"

"And we'll fix up the house to exactly what it had been before! Don't you worry about it, Danno!" Jack comforted.

"Guys, that's not why I was upset!" Danny exasperatedly stated.

Maddie pulled away to look at him, but didn't let go.

"Then what is it, baby?"

He couldn't meet her misty eyes as he tried to find the words to explain. Scanning the house again, Dick noticed Jazz sitting on behind the balcony, intently listening. They made eye contact and she blushed profusely, but made no move to leave or stop eavesdropping.

"I just… I tried to talk to Superman…. I wanted… I thought that if they stayed a little longer they could help keep the city safe, you know? Because, what if this happens again and… it isn't safe?" Jack suddenly stood up looking serious and Danny continued talking. "But they didn't listen and they left…"

Maddie let go of him right before Jack's enormous hands grabbed onto Danny's small shoulders. He knelt down and looked Danny in the eye.

"I, Jack Fenton, will never let anything hurt you. Ever. Human or ghost. I know I can be a bit slow sometimes, but you are my son and there is nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe."

A weird unreadable string of emotions filtered across Danny's face, before he disappeared in a protective hug.

Getting close to Dick, Maddie whispered, "thank you for bringing him home and talking to him. I don't know what you said to him, but thank you."

Dick shrugged. "You're welcome. I didn't say much. He just had some things to work out."

"Dad!" Danny choked out, "Dad! How about keeping me safe from asphyxiation! I can't breathe!"

Jack let go and Danny stumbled back coughing.

"Every time, Dad!"

"That's the only way to hug!" Jack beamed, putting his hands on his hips.

"What? You mean with attempted murder?!"

"Killing 'em with kindness!"

Chuckling, Maddie interrupted the interaction. "Would either of you like dinner? It isn't much. But Jazz managed to put some sandwiches together for us."

"Yes, please!" Danny darted to the table and grabbed three sandwiches from the stack.

He turned and gave one of them to Dick, chomping down on the other two at once.

"Danny! Manners!" Maddie reprimanded.

"Uh, thank you?"

Maddie sighed tiredly, then turned to Dick. "Is there anything else I can get you? We have water and.. oh dear, I'm afraid we don't have much else to offer."

"A water would be wonderful. Thank you so much. Is there anything I can help with? I came all this way, and I would like to help out where I can." His politeness radiated, making Danny narrow his eyes at him.

"If your sure, it would be lovely to have more working hands!" Maddie clasped her hands together.

"It would be my pleasure, Maddie."

She turned around and grabbed a piece of paper with a list on it. As she squinted at the paper, humming in thought, Dick met Danny's suspicious look with a wink. Danny gasped in offended shock with a mouthful of food, which ended with him coughing on bits of sandwich.

"Well, once you two are done, you can clear out Danny's room. We're moving everything into the basement while we reconstruct. Oh and Danny? Danny are you all right?"

With a few last coughs, Danny nodded. "Yeah, sorry. You were saying?"

Jack continued for his wife excitedly, "pack a couple of bags of what you'll need, because you're going to Vladdie's!"

"Huh?" Danny's brain stuttered.

"Danny sweetie, Vlad has offered to take care of you while we get the house fixed up. Jazz has a friend she's already planning on staying with. But it might be a week or two, maybe longer, so pack what you can find, alright?"

He stood there frozen for a few seconds, a piece of ham slowly slipping out of one of the sandwiches. The ham dropped.

"I can't stay with him!"

"Of course you can, Dann-o! He said so!"

Dick looked between Danny and his parents. "You mean… the mayor?"

"Yup! I voted for him! Was his number one supporter!" Jack puffed out his chest.

"Mom! I can't stay with him! He's…. he's… old and creepy and lonely! Please mom, I can stay here! I'll do as much work as I can!"

"Daniel Fenton, that is no way to speak about our friends. He isn't old, he's our age. He isn't creepy, he may come off that way, but if you get to know him he's just a big dork with an ego."

Danny let out a laugh so pained it didn't sound much like a laugh.

Frowning at the real panic coursing through his younger brother as he vigorously ran a shaky hand through his hair, Dick spoke up. "He could stay with me."

The three Fentons stared.

"Well, I don't know…" Maddie hesitated. "We've already arranged things with Vlad, and Bludhaven isn't very-"

"Yes! He can stay with Dick!" Jazz called, rushing down the stairs, hopping over the last few steps with plywood covering them in an attempt to make them useable.

She put a protective arm around Danny and continued, "Mom, Dad, Danny and Dick are at a very crucial bonding point in their relationship. The more time they spend together now, the more healthy the relationship will be. If they don't spend enough quality time together in the early stages of their relationship, it's likely a true bond will never be formed! Who knows when the next time they'll be able to see each other will be, but chances are it'll be too late! And then they'll be forever stuck in an awkward 'we're brothers but we don't speak to each other' thing and never be able to-"

"Alright Jazz! Enough!"

"Mom, you can't take this chance for sibling bonding away from them!"

"Jasmine!"

Jazz clamped her mouth shut.

"I understand. It's just Bludhaven is so…" Maddie bit her lip, "I'm sorry, Dick, but it's a dangerous city. I wouldn't want anything to happen…"

Danny threw his hands in the air, "hello! Amity Park! Most haunted city in America! We live here!"

Dick stepped forward looking the apprehensive mother in the eye. "I promise I would let nothing happen to him. I'm a cop and I live in a secure suite. He would be safe. But if it would make you feel better, we can stay with my father, Bruce, in Gotham. I know that doesn't sound much better, but the mansion is in a secluded area just outside the city limits. Or I could have one of my brothers come stay with us so that Danny is never alone."

Maddie sighed and dropped her head. "None of that is necessary. He can stay with you if he wants, just please, keep him safe."

"I promise."

"Hello! You are like the only hotel I've found with a vacancy sign! They're all full!"

The receptionist in a white blouse and a name tag claiming her name to be Becky smiled, "well lots of people's homes were damaged, so lots of them are lookin' for somewhere else to stay."

The blond adjusted her glasses, then flipped her hair. "Well, I'm here for a room. Whatchya got for me?"

Looking down at her computer, she hummed, "well, we only have one room open, but the previous occupants, who left this morning, left some green stains on the south wall that… um… glow in the dark. We can give you a discount for the room, if you take it. It's got two queen beds."

"Well, look at me! Savin' money! I'll take it."

"Okay great, how long will you be staying?"

"Hmm," the blond tapped her chin. "Let's just make it a week and go from there."

"Alright, fill this out and just sign here and I'll get you a key." She handed the blond a clipboard and a pen.

Quickly skimming over the paper before she signed, the blond asked, "say, you wouldn't happen to have seen a red head with a thing for plants and against men, have you?"

Becky plucked the key off the empty key rack and hummed again. "I'm sorry, but can't say that I have…"

They traded the key and the clipboard while the blond pouted, "I suppose that's to be expected. This isn't going to be easy catching her trail if she's hiding from the bats."

"I'm sorry, what?" Becky scrunched her eyebrows.

"It's nothin'." She dismissed with a flip of her hand. "Thanks for the room!"

"Of course! Enjoy your stay!"

After Danny had finished gushing his thanks to his siblings once they got to his room, they tackled the task of clearing the room. Which took more effort than Danny originally thought it would.

"Danny, I'm going to say this one last time, the amount of garbage in your room was horrific."

"No one asked you to help, Jazz. And it's gone now, isn't it?"

They both sat cross legged with their arms folded in the middle of the now empty room, with only a bed, desk, and dresser left, glaring at each other. Dick sat sprawled out next to them, watching them with a small smirk.

"That's not the point, Danny. Do you realize what kind of psychological effects it can have on a person to live in a pig sty?"

"Do YOU realize what kind of psychological effects it can have on someone to have such a bratty older sister?"

"No. But so far my only case study has shown extremely poor results, but there's nothing indicating that there's a correlation between the preposed cause and the effect."

Danny let out an indignant, "hey!" Then suddenly shivered violently. He hugged his torso and leaned forward until his forehead rested on the floor.

"Danny? Danny, are you okay?" Dick crawled forward and placed a hand on his brother's back.

"Yeah." The reply came out strained.

"Danny are you sure?" Jazz asked, brow crinkling.

"Yep!" He quickly sat up, letting out a breath of relief. "Totally fine."

Just then their mom entered the room. She smiled a little at the sight of Dick with his hand on Danny's shoulder, but drew no attention to it.

"Well, since you're done, we can go ahead and set up some sleeping bags. Dick, you can stay the night in Danny's room if you'd like; I don't think there'll be any rooms left at hotels and I'd hate to see you two drive back in the dark."

"Thank you, Maddie. I think I will, if that's alright with Danny?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. I'm alright with it. You can even take the mattress. I'm used to sleeping on the floor at Tucker's house."

"Wonderful! I'll go get a the sleeping bags. You should be fine without any weapons for the night, Jack's gotten the shield up and running, but I'm going to grab some for you. Just in case." She hurried out the door before her kids could protest.

That night, Dick fell asleep long before Danny had. The halfa lay still on his bed, tucked inside the sleeping bag on his side, looking down at his brother's sleeping form on the floor. The light of the full moon cast a green glow on the floor as it filtered through the shield, creating deep shadows on his brother's face. The surreal air of the still room made everything seem new and disconnected. The barren corners of his bedroom screamed unfamiliarity. His duffle bag stuffed with clothes and ghost weapons lay next to his door, ready to go. Dick's helmet sat in the center of his neatly folded jacket next to Danny's rumpled bag. Staring intently at the older's nose, Danny brushed his fingers across his own. With a sigh, he rolled over onto his back, blinking tiredly up at the ceiling with his forehead creased in thought.

"Good morning, Becky!" The blond sang as she tapped the bell on the counter, causing the receptionist to jump, nearly knocking the computer mouse off the counter.

"Good morning…" Becky's enthusiasm trailed off as she glanced awkwardly at the computer monitor.

She grinned. "Harley. The name's Harley, sugar."

"Right, yes. Sorry. Did you sleep well, Harley?"

She flipped her hair, before she beamed, "Sure did! But you wouldn't happen to have a number for a taxi service would you?"

"Of course! There are multiple pamphlets available on that wall over there. The three on the end are transportation options."

"Perfect! Thank you, sugar!" Harley gave her a wink.

Danny jerked awake, icy air rolling up his throat and through his teeth. Seeing that Dick still slept, now with his back facing him, Danny carefully eased off the bed and tiptoed his way to the door. Once safely closed in the bathroom, he let the bright flash of light shift him into his ghost form.

He maneuvered past the shield by shifting to human and back again mid-air. The crisp morning air still hung heavy with smoke. The sun hadn't risen, but Danny could tell that dawn was close.

A deep guttural yowling, caused Danny to freeze in his visual search for the ghost. Slowly pivoting to look behind him, Danny met the eyes of a cat the size of one of Casper High's school buses, sitting on a roof two blocks down. It's eight eyes all hungrily, happily, stared down the halfa. The cat's enormous tail flicked. Danny swallowed.

"Well… I have been wanting to try out my ice powers again…."

He tried moving to the left, away from FentonWorks to the park, but he stopped short when the cat excitedly crouched at his movement.

"Oh boy. Here we go." He said with a nervous smile.

Mustering up the courage, Danny suddenly shot towards the park. The cat quickly followed, silently darting from rooftop to rooftop at heart sinking speeds.

Harley launched herself forward, gripping the drivers seat, and pointing excitedly out the window. The taxi swerved as the driver tried to collect himself.

"Jeez! Lady! Don't do that! Sit back down!"

"Pancakes! Stop there! Stop there! They're open and serving pancakes!"

"Alright, alright! Just stop screeching and sit back down! I'll take you to the restaurant!"

She plopped back into the back seat with a small giggle. The taxi driver rubbed the side of his face, eyes wide with exasperation and uncertainty.

"It's too early for this," he mumbled under a sigh.

A falling figure crumpled the hood of the car with a loud crash.

"Holy-!"

The taxi skidded to a stop and Harley was tossed forward. Ignoring her throbbing forehead, she sat up to look at the figure. A boy moaned and rolled over. Lifting his head he noticed the two in the car gapping at him. He gave them a nervous smile and a small wave.

"Uh, sorry about the-" a monstrous growl interrupted him.

His eyes widened and he flipped back over onto his back. He then quickly sank into the hood of the car. Seconds later an enormous feline dived after him as if the car wasn't even there.

The taxi driver leaped out of the car and yanked the back door open.

"We need to get to cover," he said urgently as he grabbed Harley's elbow and pulled her out.

She let herself be dragged out as she stared at the hood of the car. "What… was that!?"

The short man sighed as he tugged her away from the street. "You're a tourist right? Look, I'll explain it to you after we find a place to hide, okay?"

Nodding, Harley finally ripped her gaze away from the car and picked up the pace, dragging him into a darkened alley.

"Oookay, explain."

"I, uh, I don't think this counts as cover…"

Harley crossed her arms and didn't flinch as a tremendous crash shook the ground. The taxi driver ducked down, putting his hands above his head protectively.

"We have to get somewhere safer!"

Harley grabbed his arm as he tried to dart past and shoved him against the wall.

"I feel safe enough right here. Now explain."

Gaping at her sudden harsh demeanor, the taxi driver had to shake himself out of his stupor.

"Are you crazy!? We could get killed out here!"

Another growl erupted from the beast, proving his point. Harley leaned in close, pinning him against the wall, and smiled.

"Then you'd better get talkin', 'cause we're going nowhere until you tell me what's going on."

He stared at her. A flash of green light illuminated the alley, and the man squeaked.

"You're crazy! It's the ghosts! They're ghosts! It's a ghost attack, okay? The boy that totaled my car was Phantom! He's a ghost and he fights the other ghosts!"

Harley snorted. Her shoulders shook before she threw her head back and laughed.

"It's true! What do you think happened to the town this weekend?"

"What do I think…?" She stifled a giggle. "Poison Ivy, duh."

The taxi driver blinked. "That's actually a good theory. But that's not what happened. Even the league said it wasn't her. They said it was a chemical accident or whatever. But everyone knows that's a load of bull. It was a ghost."

"Wait. The capes were here? $*# ."

"Look lady, I don't want to stick around any longer! Please, I swear on my life it's ghosts. If you want to go see for yourself, be my guest. Just let me go already!"

Giggling again, Harley stepped back. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Tubby."

The man jogged away muttering, "It's way too early for this."

"Just hold still, you stupid cat!" An echoing voice cried from the street.

Poking her head out of the alley, Harley easily spotted the glowing boy. He clipped a metal cylinder to his belt. The cat clung to the side of a building. It's tail flicked excitedly as it watched the glaring boy. The cat pounced and the boy vanished. Landing exactly where the boy had been, it's ears twitched. The boy reappeared in the air above the cat, hands glowing a brilliant blue. As if knowing the boy was there, the cat twisted around and swung a massive paw, whacking the boy out of the air.

He bounced off of the pavement, rolling to a stop. The beast was already running for its fallen prey, but he vanished again. The eight red eyes scanned the area slowly, the cat's haunches in the air.

Harley let out a small "eep!" when the red eyes locked onto her. It wiggled, then leapt. She only had time to brace herself against the wall. A green dome materialized around her. The cat smacked its face on the translucent shield and bounced of with a pained mew.

The glowing boy suddenly stood in front of her with his arms stretched out. Green oozed from his forehead, his face twisted with exhaustion.

"When I drop the shield you should…" glancing at her, the boy hesitated and his face turned a bright green. She got the distinct feeling that he was blushing as his eyes flicked down to her low neckline, then he looked away completely. Harley smiled mischievously

He cleared his throat. "You should get out of here when I drop the shield. I'll keep the kitty distracted, alright?"

The 'kitty' had recovered and was now stalking back and forth in front of the alley, waiting for them.

"Is it true that you're dead?"

Harley folded her hands behind her back, still smiling, as she watched the boy look back at her with surprise, confusion, and irritation dancing across his brightly glowing eyes.

"Yes, I'm dead. I died. I'm a ghost. Okay? I'm going to have to drop the shield in a second because Snowflake over here is getting restless. I suggest you book it and get to safety as soon as you can."

With that, he dropped the shield and took off. Harley didn't move. She watched in fascination as the teenager tackled Snowflake, avoiding its claws. Snowflake writhed and wriggled away, only to tackle the boy. Again, the boy's hands shone blue and he slammed them down on the two front paws currently pinning him to the road. The cat yowled and tried to pull away, but couldn't.

Thick ice locked the monster in place. The cat yowled in distress again. The boy smirked, then sunk down into the pavement. He reappeared a few feet back with the cylinder in hand. Snowflake tugged, rolled, and writhed against the ice in an attempt at freedom.

The boy laughed at it, then hit a button on the cylinder. A bright beam of light engulfed the cat, and it disappeared into the cylinder. He closed the cap and tossed into the air with confident flip.

"I officially hate cats." The statement was said without a trace of malice or anger.

In fact, Harley would say that he had enjoyed the fight by his tone. She started clapping. The boy's face dropped into a scowl when he saw her standing in the exact place he left her.

"Didn't I tell you to leave?"

"I don't take orders from little boys." She smiled when he glowered even more.

"Whatever, lady," he grumbled, then vanished.

"No wait! I have more questions!"

The boy's disembodied voice laughed from a distance. She swiveled around, trying to determine the direction the laughter came from.

"I don't take orders from crazy ladies with a death wish!"

Harley slumped with a pout.

The sun still hadn't fully risen by the time he got back to the house, so he doubted anyone was up. He shifted back outside the shield and walked through the front door in his pajamas. As quietly as he could he shut the front door and tiptoed up the stairs.

His bed creaked as he climbed onto it. Danny froze when Dick sat up, a worried frown on his face.

"Danny?" His brother whispered.

"Um, yeah?"

"Where'd you go? Are you alright?"

"I just, you know, went to the bathroom..."

Dicks frown deepened, but he nodded.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, just tired, Dick."

Again, Dick nodded. "If you're sure."

"Yeah, yeah," Danny crawled into the sleeping bag as he dismissed Dick's worries.

Dick laid back down and Danny let out a sigh of relief as his head hit the soft pillow.

Guys, I can't get over how much attention this thing is getting. I know it's not like, A LOT a lot. But it's waaaaaaaaaaaay more than I had expected.

Thank you all so much for the support. Ya'll always leave such lovely reviews that turn me into a mushy pile of blush.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Until next time!

Date posted: 12-12-17