A/N: Hi!
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom.
……Thanksgiving, FentonWorks……
The door creaked as a young woman with long red hair crept into the house.
A smile growing on her face, the woman set down her bags and went up the familiar stairs to her bedroom. She looked around at the comfortable surroundings and plopped down tiredly for a quick nap in the early hours before surprising her family. She had purposefully left her luggage in the living room for them to ponder over.
A few hours later, Maddie came down and started to prepare the feast, not even looking in the living room where the luggage was stashed. Jack was, as usual, not far behind his wife, following his nose. So intent on the food was he that she had to swat his hands away to keep him from snatching even a morsel.
Danny and Danielle, ever the cosmic twins, awoke at the same time later in the morning hoping to get a quick bite before they went on morning patrol with Jack. The patrol was more of a way to keep their dad away from the kitchen than it was to actually protect the town, but there was always some little nuisance that they had to catch.
"Mmm, smells yummy, Mads!" Jack said, hoping to woo her into giving him a taste, "Hey, look at that!"
Everyone followed as Jack ran through the living room with a grace that contradicted his size, to look out the window. It was the first real snowfall of the season and Jack's sleepy eyes had lit up at the sight. It was beautiful.
Danny was shaking his head, smiling at his father's childlike wonder, when he saw the suitcase.
"I was wondering when someone would notice," a voice called from behind.
Everyone turned to see Jazz standing, smiling from the doorway.
"JAZZY-PANTS!" Jack shouted, excitedly.
"Jazz!" Dani exclaimed, smiling at her sister.
"It's great to see you again, Sweetheart," Maddie said, warmly.
"Welcome home, Jazz," Danny said, happily.
"Oh, I've missed you all so much!" Jazz said, joining her family in a group hug.
DING DONG
Jazz grinned from ear to ear and headed for the door. Confused, the rest of the family followed.
As soon as the young redhead opened the door, however, her smile disappeared, only to be replaced by a look of disgust.
"Hello, Jasmine," a man's voice said.
"V-MAN!" Jack shouted, happy to see his friend.
Danielle's face turned stark white with fear as she remembered her last encounter with the man. He had reduced her to a puddle of goo!
Seeing his younger sister tense, Danny placed a protective arm around her shoulders. Jazz backed away from the door and huddled with her siblings, also trying to comfort the youngest member of their family.
"Jack! It's been too long," Vlad greeted, slimily.
"Yes, it has," Danny said, glaring at his enemy icily. He didn't trust Vlad; the man never let up unless he was planning something, and then he showed up to watch it unfold.
"Why, Daniel, it has been a long time; you've grown a beard," Vlad said with a hateful glare.
Danny returned the glare. It was then that Vlad saw Danielle.
The girl steeled herself but couldn't suppress a shudder as he said, "Ah, and who might this young lady be?"
Danny held her tighter; an action which did not go unnoticed by their mother.
"Danielle! We adopted her last Christmas; she's our daughter! Hey! Why-" Jack started excitedly.
"Jack, I was hoping that, since it's Danielle's first Thanksgiving with us, it would just be the family," she intervened.
"Aww, but Mads!" Jack pouted.
"No buts, Jack, you can see Vlad tomorrow," Maddie said sternly.
"I guess," Jack said, disappointed, "Vladdy, will you come back tomorrow?"
"Of course. Anyway, I have things to do, people to see, very busy. Ta!" Vlad said, leaving far too easily for Danny's comfort. Again, he thought of the many schemes the older halfa could be up to.
"You okay, Dani?" Danny asked, quietly. He really was worried about her.
She nodded, hugging her older brother as she said, "Yeah, I think so. What is he up to? I mean, for that little time that I was with him, he was always thinking of new and terrible things. I don't want to lose Dad, or you or Jazz or Mom; I love you guys too much."
"I'm not gonna let him get to you, I promise," Danny said, "I'll be right back, stay with Jazz."
…
"So, Little Badger, what on earth compelled you to grow that ratty beard?" Plasmius taunted as Danny flew up to meet him.
"You'll find out soon enough," Danny hinted. (ClockWork had forced him to invite the older halfa to the Christmas Eve party in the Ghost Zone, which he found out was his responsibility to plan.)
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vlad spat, not liking being in the dark.
"It means, wait and see Fruit Loop," Danny laughed.
"You're not powerful enough to stop me, Daniel; I will have what I want," the evil ghost threatened, darkly, forgetting the banter.
Danny shook his head silently and flew back into the house. He felt nothing but pity for his enemy, who let his obsession rule his life.
……inside, same time……
"You two, kitchen, now," Maddie whispered to her daughters.
The two girls followed obediently, exchanging nervous glances.
"Now what do you two know that I don't?" Maddie ordered. She had seen the look of fear on Danielle's face and the protective way Danny was around her and wanted to know what her children were hiding from her.
"Danny, Danny's been meaning to tell you and Dad, since after Christmas last year. He just…never got around to it," Jazz answered, uncomfortably. Danny wanted to be the one to break the news of Vlad's betrayal to them gently, since he was the first to know. Her brother had put off the news because he'd been worried about breaking their dad's heart, and even though he knew that their mom already disliked Vlad, and would agree with him, he didn't tell her. Then, Vlad disappeared for a while and he put it off longer.
"Now, what is it that Danny's been meaning to tell us?" Maddie asked.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," a voice said from the doorway.
"BEN!" Jazz shouted happily.
"I hope you don't mind; your brother let me in," Ben said, nervously as Jazz hugged him.
"He seemed like a nice enough guy," Danny said, a twinkle in his eye. Jack came in behind them.
"Mom, Dad. Dani, Danny, this is my boyfriend, Ben Strawls. Ben, this is my mom, dad, sister, Danielle, and, you've met my brother, Danny," Jazz introduced.
"Jazz has told me all about you, all of you. I'm glad to meet you," Ben said, graciously.
"I wish you could stay longer," Jazz blushed.
"So do I, but I have to get home to my own family," Ben said, smiling. Ben really was a nice guy. He was tall and handsome with light brown hair and warm brown eyes. He was working on his masters in music theory and education, hoping to be a high school choir instructor when he graduated. He also treated Jazz with the respect she deserved and wasn't afraid to voice his opinions to her, because he knew she'd always understand.
……1 week before Christmas……Harvard……
Jazz stepped lightly as she carried her suitcase to her car.
"Fa lalala laa lala la laa…" she sang happily as she put her bags in the back and took her seat.
As she started the car, the radio came to life with the end of Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and started with another song.
Who has a beard that's long and white?
Santa has a beard that's long and white.
Who comes out on a special night?
Santa comes out on a special night.
Special night, beard that's white.
Must be Santa
Must be-
Jazz shook her head and changed the station; that song was just hitting her wrong today.
……………
A/N: Ahhhh! Cliffy! So, what did you think? Did you like Ben? Did Vlad's reentrance into the Fentons' lives make any sense? Tell me in a review, and as alwaysALOHA!