Thanks for the reviews guys! Sorry I didn't update this sooner, I had this chapter done yesterday. But my internet like, comitted suicide on me the other day! No kidding, it even left a note: ERROR, PAGE COULD NOT BE FOUND. 'crys'

As always, thanks to Epona Harper for beta reading! Now, chapter 2--

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I huddled closer to the fire that was burning in our current shelter. I, along with the volunteers that signed up for Vlad's program, am trying desperately to keep warm. I glanced deeper in the cave and shivered at the blackness that inhabited it. Actually the only thing that was keeping the musty cave alit were the green flames in the middle of us: provided by…

Him.

My eyes shot over to the entrance. It was dark in that direction too, but I knew he was still there. He wouldn't leave, no matter how much I insulted him, hit him, and made him feel like he was nothing. He wouldn't leave us. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and the figure of the boy grew with it. My eyes narrowed at the form that lay at the head of the cave.

The form of Danny Phantom…

"No." Danny bluntly stated.

"Danny, you didn't even let me finish!"

"Okay, Mom, finish." I inhaled deeply.

"I want to sign you, me, Jazz, and Jack up for Vlad's Mother/Son, Father/Daughter Community Service Program..."

"No." Danny repeated and he turned to walk away.

"Danny's right, Mom," Jazz said from the couch. I didn't even think that she was paying attention with her head buried in her Congratulations Certificate. "Danny is at a very developmental stage where even the slightest of parental embarrassment could scar him for life."

"Yeah…" My youngest child added, taking seat on the couch next to his sister. "What she said."

"Jazz," I sighed. "You said the same thing when you were Danny's age…"

"Well it worked didn't it?" she asked slyly, poking her head back into her award. "I have more of a social life than he currently does—"

"HEY!" I snickered at Danny's outburst. But we were getting off topic…

"Now…about Vlad's program…"

"Mom, I don't want to go-"

"Why not Danny?" That came out a little harsher than I had intended, but I was getting a little frustrated with him. Especially since I had suspected this was going to be his reaction.

"All you do is hang out with your friends, doing who knows what, and mysteriously get hurt in the process! Danny, this program is going to help the community from the ghost attacks! The least you can do is pretend to care! It's not like you do anything else to help around in this town!"

Jazz snorted for some weird reason. I thought I had imagined it at first, but then I saw her trying to conceal her snickers from behind the paper in her hand. I shook it off though. She was probably making fun of Danny getting in trouble…

"I do care, Mom!" Danny snapped. "And I do a lot of things for this town! More than anyone will ever know! I just don't want to do anything with Vlad! Remember last time? We we're stranded in the Rocky Mountains, being chased around by ghost animals that wanted to tear us limb from limb!"

"Wait…What?" Jazz looked confused. I forgot she didn't know that. Danny seemed to ignore her so I did the same.

"That was with DALV, Danny, not Vlad! It will be different this time!"

"How Mom? How will it be different? It's going to be exactly the same! He's going to annoy me, make stupid comments about Dad, and try to hit on you!"

"I've forgiven him for that! The same day he SAVED YOUR LIFE!"

"HE RUINED IT!" Danny shouted.

"How Danny!" I snapped. "You're not making any sense! How did Vlad Masters ruin your life?"

"Forget it…" He muttered and jumped up off the couch. "You wouldn't understand…." He walked past me and stormed up the stairs. I didn't try to stop him. I was too angry to even attempt to shout something back. Only when he turned the corner did I feel guilty.

"Danny—" I called after him. I was cut off by the sound of his slamming door. Sighing, I turned to Jazz.

"What? Don't look at me! It's not my fault he doesn't like Vlad…" But why doesn't he? Vlad never did anything to Danny…so why would—

'Ding' 'Dong'

How many times did I have to get interrupted today? Irritated and a tad heartbroken, I answered the door.

"Maddie…so good to see you…and Jasmine, congratulations on winning your award."

"T-Thank you, Mr. Masters…" Jazz muttered. She sunk deeper into her chair as I let my old college friend into our house.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as sweetly as possible.

"Oh, I'm in town for a few days and decided that I might as well stop by and say hello to my old friend. Speaking of which… where is that ghost blabbing man… hm?" My eyes narrowed slightly.

"Downstairs." I spat then sat down next to Jazz. I sighed heavily and propped up my head with my hands.

"What's wrong, Maddie?" I didn't look up at Vlad's words, but I felt him sit down next to me. "And I must say, you are looking marvelous today…"

"Okay…" Jazz suddenly shouted. She shot up off the couch and smiled sheepishly. "I-I'm going to go see if Danny's okay… Have fun talking you two!" I watched my daughter speed up the stairs, and I could've sworn with each step she muttered an 'Ew!'. Smiling to myself, I leaned back.

"Is it young Daniel that has you stressed out?" Vlad asked. Maybe he really did care about our family...

I nodded. "He just seems so… secretive lately. It's starting to worry me. His grades are slipping, he's shaking off his chores, he's been breaking curfew, half the time I don't even know where he is, he's been coming home exhausted, and lately I think he's been getting hurt. I worry about him, Vlad, I really do! What if he doesn't come home one day? What then? I don't think I could even bare the thought…" I choked off, holding back my tears. Vlad patted my back sympathetically.

"Daniel is… mysterious… but I'm sure he's not doing anything illegal Maddie. He really doesn't seem like the lawbreaking type."

I smiled at that. Boy was that true.

"If you're really worried about him, why don't you sign up for my Community Service Program? I really think you will bond with Daniel in ways… you didn't even think possible. Who knows… you might just learn something… interesting… about him."

Was Vlad implying something I didn't know about? Wait… did he know what Danny was constantly doing?

"I tried to convince him, he won't go with me. I'm afraid if I force him then he'll just rebel some more."

"Why doesn't Daniel want to go?" Vlad asked slyly. I think he already knew the answer, but I gave it to him anyway.

"I don't think he got over the whole… Rocky Mountain trip that one weekend." And he hates you for some reason.

"Ah, yes… I do apologize for that Maddie. I honestly do not know what had gotten into me that day. I do hope that you can forgive me?" I thought about it for a minute, then smiled.

"Yes, Vlad, I forgive you, but I don't think Danny and I will be able to make it to your Community Service Program."

"Well, I'm sorry to report that I'm not going to be able to make it either."

"What?" But it's your program!

"Yes, I know. Sad, but true. I have to help with a big surprise that I'm planning. I can guarantee that you are not going to want to miss it though—"

'BOOM!'

An enormous explosion from the basement shook the whole house, and was then swept away by an eerie silence.

"Jack!" I shouted as realization finally occurred to me. Jumping off the couch, I darted into the kitchen and down the lab stairs. Vlad followed closely behind.

The first thing I noticed that was different about the lab was the new gigantic, gaping hole in the middle of the wall. About three feet below it was a green, cardboard ghost that had been propped up for target use, and, standing a good two yards away was my husband. He still had my Fenton Bazooka in aiming stance and had just noticed me and Vlad standing in the doorway.

"Vladdy!" He shouted, tossing my weapon aside. I flinched as it clanged on the ground. "How've ya been? I loved your speech by the way! Even though I had no idea what you were blabbing on about."

"Might I ask, Jack, what were you doing during your daughter's award ceremony?"

Leaving the two to bicker, I walked over to the scorched wall. Rubbing my index finger across it, I looked at the black soot covering it and stuck out my tongue in disgust.

"Wow, Jack," I turned to him and smiled. "Your aiming has improved!"

"What do you mean it improved?" Vlad snapped. "He missed! Horribly!" Jack smiled sheepishly and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah," I added. "But he used to hit the ceiling… or the wall behind him."

"Ah… thanks Maddie." I smiled at my husband. "I've been practicing."

"Mom? Is everything okay?" I heard Jazz call from atop the stairs. Before I could answer, both my children came barreling down to the lab. Jazz stopped when she saw the hole.

"Wow, Dad! You're getting better!" I shot a triumphant smile to Jack then turned to Danny. He wasn't looking at me, but frozen and staring at the billionaire next to us. Vlad's eyes narrowed at my son, and I wanted now more than ever to know the conflict between them.

"So, Jack," Vlad started. He finally tore his eyes away from Danny who was now gritting his teeth. "Are you going to sign up for my Mother/Son, Father/ Daughter Community Service Program?" Danny gasped and his attention jumped over to Jack.

"Your what?"

"My Community Service Program. It's to help all the destruction from the ghost kid's battles. What a menace!" Again, he looked at Danny who glared angrily in response.

"Hangout with Jazz all day picking up garbage, and helping old people?" Jack asked, somewhat annoyed. His tone quickly changed into an enormous grin and he snatched Jazz into a bone crushing bear hug. "I'd love to!"

"WHAT? Dad! Come on! Think about this!" Jazz shouted, attempting to pull away from her father.

"And what about you Maddie?" Vlad turned to me. I glanced over at Danny who was mouthing 'NO' and shaking his head furiously. I smiled at Vlad.

"Of course Danny and I are going… we wouldn't miss it for the world, right Danny?" All attention fell on my youngest child. Danny's shoulders sunk and he sighed. He knew when he was beat.

"Yeah, I guess…" he barely muttered.

"Well, it's settled then!" Vlad shouted happily. "I'll see you all this weekend."

I didn't even bother to mention that he said he wasn't going. I was way too happy!

"Vlad," I whispered while Jazz continued complaining to Jack and Danny sulked in a corner.

"Yes, Maddie?"

"Thanks." He smiled and nodded.

"Not a problem, my dear, and trust me, Danny's going to be fine." He vanished up the staircase, leaving me with my family.

Jazz was still rambling on, Jack was trying to comprehend all the extended vocabulary words Jazz was throwing at him, and Danny was currently banging his head on the wall.

"I sure hope so…" I muttered to myself then went to go clean up the mess on the wall and pick up my fallen Bazooka.

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And that's that. I'm off to find something to hit my brothers with. The only way to shut them up is throw something at them... and hope that they don't throw it back. I swear! It's like Smack Down/ Tag Team at my house! (Now who wants to come over?)

-angelofsuspense