Chapter 1

Interpolation

Disclaimer: I own neither Danny Phantom nor Smallville

"Hey, my name is Clark, Clark Kent." The boy looked up at him, and Clark was met by a pair of cerulean eyes. The boy held the briefest puzzled expression; Clark only just caught it with his super-speedy vision, the boy briefly shook his head before he broke into a dazzling smile – possibly the first he'd smiled in a month – and said "I am glad to meet you Clark, I'm Danny, Danny Fenton."

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"Well, it looks like those two will get on just fine." Mr Samson said politely. "I'll be heading off now; I've got a long drive back tonight. Daniel, do you want to fetch your bag now? I'll expect a phone call from you in the next few days to see how you're settling in." Danny followed Mr Samson out the door, returning a few minutes later with a single duffle bag slung over his shoulder. It took a moment for Clark to realise that this was probably all that Danny owned in the world.

Danny stood somewhat awkwardly in the hallway for a moment before Martha suggested that Clark show him up to his room, and then they could all meet up in the kitchen to talk. Clark guided Danny up the stairs, towards the bedroom, noting how quietly he walked. "So..." Clark began, rather awkwardly "what do you think of the farm so far?" Danny paused, putting the bag on the bed softly smiling. "It's... beautiful, I never really imagined anyone related to my family living anywhere so... charmingly normal. Not that I've seen it all, but your home seems so... warm." With how much Danny had just said, Clark was surprised that Mr Samson had mentioned Danny's unusual silence.

"Come on, let's head back downstairs. Mom was busy baking this morning, and she'll be heartbroken if you don't at least try one of her muffins." Danny paused for a moment, the smile vanishing in an instant. "What's wrong?"

Danny sighed, staring into space for a moment before shaking his head to clear his thoughts. "My mom used to spend all her spare time baking. She invented so many new types of cookies she could've written her own book. Guess there's proof our moms are related, hey?" he said, finishing with a sad chuckle. "Sorry, just... I miss them." Danny shifted to look up at Clark, the sadness in his eyes disappearing to be replaced by resolution. "Still, I guess it'd be wrong for me to take out my sadness on your mom. Especially when it's obvious she's such a good person." Danny Left the room, hesitating for a moment to allow Clark to take the lead and guide him to the kitchen.

Clark's parents were already seated at the table, a plate of chocolate muffins in the centre of the table and a pitcher of lemonade stood beside it. Both looked up as Clark led the way down the kitchen staircase, with Danny close behind. Both boys took a seat at the table, and Martha was surprised to find so many similarities between the two boys. Both boys had dark hair, though admittedly Clark's was more on the brown side to Danny's raven. Both had eyes of the same shade of blue, dancing between ice and cerulean. One could almost say they looked like long-lost brothers, but that was possible seeing as how Danny had grown up in Amity Park, and Clark was born on Krypton.

"Hey Daniel, Jon and I thought it might be nice if we all got to know each other better." Martha said, smiling at the young boy.

"Danny, please. I know that my birth certificate says Daniel, but I've always been happier as Danny." Danny said with a slight cringe, and a flash of some unrecognisable emotion. "Sorry, just, everyone since the... accident has called me Daniel. Sorta reminds you that they have little interest in you as a person, other than to deal with you as quickly as possible." Something in his eyes said there was more to it than that, but no-one could make out what.

"Well, Danny" Jonathan said "we do want to know who you are, so take a muffin, and tell us a little about who Danny Fenton is." Martha smiled as Danny reached out to grab one, following the trend Clark did too.

"Not much to tell, really." Danny said, "Danny Fenton is shy, clumsy, never been much good at school, or sports, or anything really. Fenton gets picked on by bullies, and is bottom of the social ladder." Looking up at their puzzled glances, he blinked and a look of realisation spread across his face. He continued on, going into the first person. "Well the loser thing was by choice really, I had two great friends, and never really saw the need for popularity. Well, maybe it took a while to get that picture" A small smile crossed his face before he continued. "I only really I feel drawn to pro... helping people. I feel like I need to... I mean like trying to be there for anyone who needs it. I've always been interested in astronomy. I love the stars, I've always wanted to be an Astronaut, join NASA, and fly spacecraft. But I know that could never happen. Not anymore." Danny finished in a quiet mumble, the last two sentences heard only by Clark, and were obviously not meant to be heard.

"Still, I reckon that's enough about me." Danny said, drawing the conversation away from himself. "Tell me about my lovely Aunt, and her wonderful husband. Mom often spoke about you, and the farm. But I've never met you guys that I know of. Mom said I had an adopted cousin about Jazz's age, and that he was a kind boy, but I'm sure there's more to it than that." By now Danny and Clark had finished their muffins, but only Clark reached for another.

So Jonathan, Martha and Clark spoke about the farm, how while it was hard work there was something truly rewarding from working the land and seeing the splendour of a good harvest or reaping a profit off the cows. They spoke about Smallville, how while it was growing it still held the small town charm that was often lost in urbanisation. Clark talked about Smallville High, about the Torch and his senior year on the football team. Clark talked about his friends; the kind, intelligent Chloe Sullivan and her strong self proclaimed "army-brat" cousin Lois Lane. He spoke about his kind, loving, strong but innocent girlfriend Lana Lang, and said that she was coming over later in the afternoon.

After about half an hour Jonathan suggested that Clark and Danny head over to the barn for a while, so Martha could prepare lunch, and Martha insisted that Jonathan took a break for the sake of his heart. Clark led Danny out the kitchen doors and saw the dog Shelby come running. Shelby ran over to Clark, who rustled the fur on top of his head, and then Shelby went over to sniff Danny. Shelby took a whiff, and then backed up a bit, whimpering slightly. Suddenly Danny broke into a wide smile. "You have a dog! That's so cool, mum and dad never let us have pets, 'cause of all their weird experiments... unless you call animated hotdogs pets." Danny leaned down to scratch Shelby under his chin. Shelby brightened up and gave Danny a big lick.

"This is Shelby, and I'm glad to see you get on with him better than the last guest. Lois is allergic to Shelby. But... animated hotdogs?" Clark questioned as Danny stood up, Shelby marching between the two boys as they headed over to the barn. "Yeah," Danny explained "Mom and dad were into paranormal research." Clark started; Danny couldn't be onto his secret already, could he? Looking at Clark, and seemingly mistaking his look Danny continued "They hunted ghosts." Clark silently sighed, relieved. There was no such thing as ghosts. Aliens, yes. Kryptonite infected mutants, yes. There was Bart, who could run faster than him, but there was no such thing as ghosts. His secret was safe.

Danny continued his explanation. "I loved my parents dearly, but the both of them could be... a bit absentminded. They would experiment with ectoplasm, at the kitchen table. They often used ecto-powered kitchen appliances." Danny shivered "It wasn't that un-often that they would inadvertently bring dinner to life. Jazz and I learned quick that it was... safest for all if one of us handled the cooking. Better than being attacked by a killer turkey or some other ecto-mutated food." By now they had gotten into the barn. Clark guided Danny around the tractor and up to the loft.

"Wow" Danny stated, looking around. "I know" Clark said. "Dad calls it my 'fortress of solitude'" Clark explained, ignoring the fortress that Jor-El had 'given' him in the arctic, he still wasn't entirely happy with the circumstances around that. Clark noticed Danny looking everything over, seemingly surveying every gap in the floor to every hidden shadow. Wonder what made him so skittish? Clark mused. The boy talked about himself in the third person, and sized up every room like a veteran detective. "When I'm not in town, I tend to come here to think, away from the bustle of the house."

Seemingly finished his appraisal, Danny's eyes settled on the telescope by the window. His eyes lit up, and he ran over. "This is awesome, you like astronomy too?" Clark walked over to the telescope. "Ever since I was a kid, I always loved the stars. One day I came down to the kitchen and this was there, no particular reason, other than that dad wanted to make me happy." Clark said with a smile. Danny looked up from the telescope and smiled at Clark. "Dads are great like dad. I never got a telescope, but dad'd often find little ways to surprise me and Jazz. Just to see us smile." Danny said with a reflective smile. "I miss him. But I know he's out there, looking out for me." Danny's voice dropped to a whisper that only Clark could have heard "I just hope they can forgive me..." Ignoring the puzzle that came from that comment Clark continued to explain about the telescope. Danny seemed excited to go stargazing away from the city with all the light pollution.

Eventually things quietened and Clark found himself beginning to like the young boy. Soon enough they heard Martha called them in for lunch, and both boys headed over to the house in companionable silence.

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A few hours previous

Danny stared at the dashboard of Mr Samson's car. He was one of the few people at Social Services that even remotely resembled taking an interest in Danny, although his insistence on calling him Daniel frustrated him to no end. "So Daniel," Mr Samson explained "When we arrive I'd like for you to stay in the car until I call you. Procedure requires me to meet both your aunt and uncle before I can trust you into their care. I'm sure you know that they have a son living with them, Clark, he just finished his senior year, and is headed to university this fall." Danny looked out the window as they drove into the farmstead. An archway with the words 'KENT FARM' passed overhead as they drove up to the house.

Danny observed a wooden fence that led up to a stable, a couple of cows just behind it. Just behind was a big red barn, but most impressive was the yellow house that came to meet them. A white picket fence surrounded a charming garden, with flowers peeking through the fence posts. A soft white porch came naturally from the front of the house, with a few hanging flowers adorning the roof. His Aunt and Uncle, who he recognised from the few family albums, were standing on the porch, smiling as their car approached.

Mr Samson stepped out, quietly reminding Danny to stay in the car until he was called. Mr Samson walked over to the Kent's taking a quick breather, and stood in an official looking pose "Mr. and Mrs Jonathan Kent?" Danny observed as the two Kent's nodded; hearing them through the car walls only because of his ghostly enhanced senses. See, Danny wasn't an ordinary sixteen year old. For the past two years he had been living a double life, protecting Amity Park, and often enough the world from invading malevolent ghosts. When he was fourteen he had had an accident, splicing his DNA and replacing half his genetics with ghostly ectoplasmic codes. Since then he has been half-human, half-ghost. According to the ghosts he was a 'Halfa' belonging to both worlds and neither.

When he first started removing the ghosts, he was branded a public menace. Eventually people had seen that he was just trying to protect them, and he had come to be known as Amity Park's own Ghost Hero Danny Phantom. Back then there was a distinct gap between his human form and his ghost form. His ghost half was strong, fast and agile. And it needed to be as ghosts cause a lot of damage. His human half though was weak. It made it easy to distinguish between wimpy Fenton, and powerful Phantom. Eventually though, out of necessity, the strength and power of Phantom had bled into Fenton, to the point where his human form was just as powerful as his ghost form. Unfortunately that necessitated quite a bit of acting to keep his secret safe.

On the porch the three adults continued their discussion. "I am David Samson, from Social Services. I believe I spoke to you, Mrs Kent over the phone in regards to Daniel?" David Samson held a hand out to each of them in turn; the Martha Kent smiled at him, obviously recognising him "You did." She replied, with a hint of a smile in her voice. "How is Daniel?"

"Daniel is..." Samson started, the warm tone that had been in his voice disappearing as he dropped his voice a tone. "He is fairly distant, from everybody. He hasn't said much since he argued about being in the care of Mr Masters." Jonathan and Martha looked at each other, the faintest hint of concern hidden in their eyes. Well of course Danny didn't want to be 'in the care of Mr Masters' not only was the man a complete frootloop, and his arch enemy, but Danny had seen the dire consequences of his staying in the frootloop's care. A world of fire and ashes is not in anyone's best interests.

"Is he alright?" Danny heard his Aunt Martha ask. Samson replied "We are sure he will be, given time. He still seems rather delicate. I have to say, this is one of the few cases I've worked on where I really want to do right by the kid. He's... there's something about Daniel." Awkwardness exuding from his tone, but Danny also heard a faint trace of concern. Danny watched as His Uncle Jonathan looked over towards the car, before turning his gaze back to Mr Samson. "Martha and I look forward to helping him. Martha very dearly loved her sister, and we will do everything we can to ensure her son is safe."

Despite only being able to see his back, Danny heard the smile in Mr Samson's voice. "I am glad to hear that. I think it's about time you met him." With a slight raise in his voice, presumably so Danny would be able to hear him, Mr Samson turned around to face the car and called out "Daniel. Please come out to meet your Aunt and Uncle." Danny climbed out the passenger's side door. Doing a quick glance over the place to ensure there was no danger. Two years of constant ghost attacks had made him overly aware of the necessity to know as much as possible about his surroundings. He paced himself as he walked up to the porch to finally meet his aunt and uncle in person. He looked at each of them, examining them, and feeling as their aura's watched over him.

Ghosts are sensitive to energy, particularly that that comes off from the emotional aura that surrounds a person. This sensitivity is necessary as ghosts feed off the excess emotional energy in the aura. Most ghosts fed off fear, making them parasites where they brought out negative emotions in people. Danny was different. He was only half-ghost, so he needed to get energy from human food as well, but he fed off the positive emotions of those around him. He liked to think of it as a more symbiotic relationship. So long as he could make those around him happy, he was emotionally 'full' so to speak. While he was at social services he was practically starving as there was so little positive emotion at that place. He smiled slightly as the warm, loving glow of his Aunt and Uncle washed over him. It was obvious that they were happy and good people, Danny could see that maybe he could be happy with them. He stopped to stand next to Mr Samson. "Daniel," He introduced "This is your mother's sister, Martha, and her husband Jonathan Kent. Jonathan, Martha, this is Daniel."

Irritated once more at Mr Samson's insistence upon calling him Daniel he automatically corrected "Danny, please" He looked up at his aunt and uncle, softly smiling as their warm emotions began to energise him. "Mom always spoke highly of you, Aunt Martha, and you Uncle Jonathan." His uncle smiled, and leaned forward to shake his hand. Danny grasped his hand firmly, careful not to use any of his ghostly strength, remembering his father always saying that a firm handshake displays a good and strong character. Jonathan replied "It's a pleasure to meet you son. Why don't you come on in and meed Clark, he's been looking forward to meeting you. Mr Samson, why don't you come in too? I'm sure the least we can do is offer you a cup of coffee or tea." Danny knew how long a drive he had to get back to his home, so was unsurprised when Samson laughed. "Thanks for the offer Mr Kent," He explained for their benefit "but really all I can do is make sure that young Daniel here is settled. I'll stay until he has met Clark, but then I really must go. Daniel, you know how to reach me if you need to, right?" Danny nodded "Good"

Jonathan opened the door, and stood aside for them all to go in. Martha went first, then Mr Samson. After a brief moment of hesitation Danny's uncle went in, and Danny brought up the rear, silently closing the door behind him. Danny looked around the room, noticing the happy atmosphere that pervaded the house. Taking a quick glance up the staircase he proceeded to scope out the hallway and what he guessed to be the lounge. He observed every aspect of the rooms, checking for any sign of danger, and making mental notes for later. Finally Danny let his gaze stop on the young man that sat on the lounge. Danny guessed that this must be Clark, his cousin by adoption. Clark wore a soft red plaid shirt that rustled as he moved towards Danny.

Danny let a brief puzzled expression cross his face. Clark's aura felt different, more energetic. Danny had never felt an aura like this, not quite human, but definitely alive. More than alive, full of life, and energy, exuding positivity. Clark was warm and kind, he felt like the sun. Danny puzzled over what made him different from regular humans. Eventually Clark spoke. "Hey, my name is Clark, Clark Kent." Yes, Danny determined. I could definitely get used to being around Clark. Danny smiled "I am glad to meet you Clark; I'm Danny, Danny Fenton."

Danny heard Mr Samson saying "Well, it looks like those two will get on just fine. I'll be heading off now; I've got a long drive back tonight. Daniel, do you want to fetch your bag now? I'll expect a phone call from you in the next few days to see how you're settling in." Quickly nodding, Danny followed Mr Samson out the door, pulling out the duffle bag from the boot of the car. There was very little left after the meteor strike. Danny was able to retrieve very few things, like his photo album which he had left at Sam's house. He also had a spare Fenton Thermos, which he had got from Tucker's house. Danny had figured out how to make the Thermos part of his Ghost form, drawing it into a pocket of energy that acted like an infinitely sized bag. His ghost form always had a Thermos, but his human form needed one too. The duffle bag also contained a few changes of clothes that had been bought after the 'disaster', as well as a few toiletries and a set of pyjamas. Danny sighed sadly as he returned to the house, waving at Mr Samson as he drove off.

Danny stepped inside and stood uncertainly in the hallway before aunt Martha kindly suggested that Clark show him up to his room, and then they could all meet up in the kitchen to talk. Clark guided Danny up the stairs, towards what was to be his room, pointing out his parents' bedroom, his room, and the upstairs bathroom. Danny continued his quick inspections as he entered a bedroom. The bed was made with soft looking blue sheets, and Danny smiled as he placed his bag down on the bed, listening as Clark awkwardly spoke. "So... what do you think of the farm so far?" pausing to think of an appropriate reply, Danny began "It's... beautiful, I never really imagined anyone related to my family living anywhere so... charmingly normal." Thinking back to the weirdness of his own home... or what used to be. "Not that I've seen it all, but your home seems so... warm." Danny said, it was true, the positivity that poured not only off its occupants, but the house as well. It was obvious to Danny that there were many positive memories here.

Interrupted from his thoughts, he heard Clark say "Come on, let's head back downstairs. Mom was busy baking this morning, and she'll be heartbroken if you don't at least try one of her muffins." Danny stopped, suddenly missing his mother. Clark must have noticed because he asked "What's wrong?"

Danny sighed, thinking of how to tactfully reply. He really didn't want to upset Clark. "My mom used to spend all her spare time baking. She invented so many new types of cookies she could've written her own book." Danny said realising that he was never going to get to have anything his mom baked ever again. He suddenly felt very alone, but being who he was he didn't want to impose his misery on anyone else. "Guess there's proof our moms are related, hey?" he said, half joking to try and lighten the situation. He chuckled sadly before saying "Sorry, just... I miss them." Danny looked up at Clark, resolving not to do anything to make Clark unhappy "Still, I guess it'd be wrong for me to take out my sadness on your mom. Especially when it's obvious she's such a good person." Danny left the room, pausing outside the doorway to allow Clark to guide him downstairs. Danny noticed they took a different staircase to get to the kitchen than the one they used to go upstairs.

Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Martha were seated at the table, a plate of chocolate muffins in the centre of the table and a pitcher of lemonade stood beside it. Both looked up as Clark and Danny came downstairs to take a seat opposite them. Danny felt the gaze of his aunt and uncle before Aunt Martha warmly began "Hey Daniel, Jon and I thought it might be nice if we all got to know each other better." Martha said, smiling at the young boy.

He automatically corrected "Danny, please. I know that my birth certificate says Daniel, but I've always been happier as Danny." Danny said with a slight cringe, realising that this was pretty rude, and, knowing that they didn't know either about the frootloop's insistence on calling him Daniel, nor that Social Services was so impersonal. By way of apology he explained "Sorry, just, everyone since the... accident has called me Daniel. Sorta reminds you that they have little interest in you as a person, other than to deal with you as quickly as possible."

"Well, Danny" Jonathan said "we do want to know who you are, so take a muffin, and tell us a little about who Danny Fenton is." Danny obediently reached over to grab a muffin, taking a bite – that is delicious – before he explained "Not much to tell, really. Danny Fenton is shy, clumsy, never been much good at school, or sports, or anything really. Fenton gets picked on by bullies, and is bottom of the social ladder." Looking up at their puzzled glances, he blinked oh, third person again. Since the accident Danny had drawn a clear character for Danny Fenton, so he had automatically answered with his image of who Fenton was.

He backpedalled, "Well the loser thing was by choice really, and I had two great friends, and never really saw the need for popularity. Well, maybe it took a while to get that picture" He remembered the brief week when Paulina dated him, and his popularity had skyrocketed. While Paulina was being overshadowed, it made him realise that his friends were what was most important to him. "I only really I feel drawn to pro... helping people." Danny stopped himself in time. He was half-ghost, and like all ghosts was obsessive by nature. An integral part of his being was protecting people. If he didn't... well, that wasn't worth thinking of. That didn't mean he wanted to reveal obsession just yet. "I feel like I need to... I mean like trying to be there for anyone who needs it." Realising that perhaps this wasn't the best conversation line he switched to something less weird. "I've always been interested in astronomy. I love the stars, I've always wanted to be an Astronaut, join NASA, and fly spacecraft." Knowing that with his being a ghost, he no longer stood a chance for so many reasons he whispered "But I know that could never happen. Not anymore." So quietly that no-one should be able to hear it.

Jumping to a different point of discussion Danny said "Still, I reckon that's enough about me. Tell me about my lovely Aunt, and her wonderful husband. Mom often spoke about you, and the farm. But I've never met you guys that I know of. Mom said I had an adopted cousin about Jazz's age, and that he was a kind boy, but I'm sure there's more to it than that." Danny had finished is muffin, and realised that eating anything more wouldn't do him any good he just watched as Clark took a second.

Danny listened intently as his aunt, uncle and cousin explained about themselves and their lives in Smallville; inward laughing over the brief descriptions of Clarks friends. When Clark mentioned Lana, his heart went out to Sam. There were so many things he regretted, not the least of which was that he had only just started dating her, rather than (not so secretly) pining over her before she was gone. Eventually Danny found himself being led outside towards the barn, so that his aunt and uncle could take a break.

As soon as they got outside a dog came running up towards them. Clark gently rustled the dog's fur before the dog turned its attention towards Danny. Inwardly sighing as the dog backed off, it was sad that most animals didn't like ghosts. There was something, perhaps the slight scent of death that made them instantly wary and sometimes fearful. Danny felt sad as the dog whimpered, but poured out some of his own positive aura over the dog and Clark, hoping to make the dog at least feel safe around him. Seeing the dog settle, Danny allowed himself to smile "You have a dog! That's so cool, mum and dad never let us have pets, 'cause of all their weird experiments... unless you call animated hotdogs pets." Danny leaned down to scratch Shelby under his chin. Shelby brightened up and gave Danny a big lick. Yep Danny thought definitely feels safe now, makes me miss Cujo though.

"This is Shelby, and I'm glad to see you get on with him better than the last guest. Lois is allergic to Shelby. But... animated hotdogs?" Clark questioned as Danny stood up. "Yeah," Danny explained as they continued to walk to the barn, Shelby pattering between them. "Mom and dad were into paranormal research." Noticing Clark's startled expression Danny said "They hunted ghosts." Wondering what had Clark so concerned when he mentioned the paranormal, but Danny decided that was a concern for later.

Danny continued his explanation. "I loved my parents dearly, but the both of them could be... a bit absentminded. They would experiment with ectoplasm, at the kitchen table. They often had ecto-powered kitchen appliances." Shivering at the memory of so many evil, possessed meals he elaborated "It wasn't that un-often that they would inadvertently bring dinner to life. Jazz and I learned quick that it was... safest for all if one of us handled the cooking. Better than being attacked by a killer turkey or some other ecto-mutated food." Danny followed Clark as they moved up a wooden staircase to the top level.

Whatever he was expecting it wasn't this. "Wow" Danny stated, looking around. "I know" Clark said. "Dad calls it my 'fortress of solitude'" Clark explained, Danny looked everything over, ever vigilant in his awareness of potential threats, he heard Clark saying "When I'm not in town, I tend to come here to think, away from the bustle of the house." Danny quickly finished his observations before noticing the beautiful telescope, framed by the open window of the barn loft. He couldn't help himself but to run over to get a closer look. "This is awesome, you like astronomy too?" Clark joined him over by the telescope.

"Ever since I was a kid, I always loved the stars. One day I came down to the kitchen and this was there, no particular reason, other than that dad wanted to make me happy." Both smiled at each other before Danny said "Dads are great like dad. I never got a telescope, but dad'd often find little ways to surprise me and Jazz. Just to see us smile." Danny reflecting on all the good times he had with his dad, even down to fishing at Lake Eerie.

"I miss him. But I know he's out there, looking out for me." Danny's voice dropped to a whisper "I just hope they can forgive me..." he regretted so many things. He never even told his parents that he was half-ghost. Never told them how deeply he loved them. He never told them that he forgave them for hunting his ghost-half. They never knew. He only hoped his parents could forgive him for what he never told them.

The continued chatting about astronomy, eventually moving on to other things, Danny realised that Clark was a character that he could get to know very happily. Eventually, Martha called them back over to the house for lunch. Danny really didn't need anything more to eat for a while after having the muffin, and hoped he could get through lunch without seeming rude. After all, not many people are used to the appetite of a half-ghost. Heck, no-one needed to be since there were only two in the whole world.

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The three Kent's and the youngest Fenton met for lunch in the kitchen. Martha had prepared a lovely plate of sandwiches, setting the table for the four of them. Taking the same places that they had taken earlier, each grabbed one. Danny seemed to hesitate before taking one. Clark pondered this, as the boy looked underfed, surely he would want more than one sandwich. Then again, thinking back, he looked a little better now than he did when he first walked in the door... chalking it up to a trick of the light Clark reached for a second. One of the few downsides to his powers was that he needed to eat slightly more than your average eighteen year old. Not nearly as much as the super-speedy Bart, but still... He was glad that his powers came from the sun. Standing in the sun always energised him after a particularly rough battle with a 'meteor freak'. Unfortunately it seemed likely that he could expect to meet a few more of those since the second meteor shower had dumped a whole load more kryptonite onto Smallville.

Martha looked concernedly over at her new charge. It seemed her motherly nature to look out for people never stopped. "Danny, there's no need for you to go hungry. I made enough for all of us." Danny's eyes flashed – fearfully? – For the briefest of moments. "Thanks very much Aunt Martha," he said carefully "but I'm still full from the muffin earlier. It was delicious by the way. But I've never really been a big eater. You don't need to worry." Clark thought maybe his small appetite had something to do with the weird animated food that he had mentioned earlier and let the subject drop.

They finished their meal in quiet conversation, Martha and Jon talking about plans for the next farmers market, and Clark telling Danny more about life on the farm. When the four of them were finished Danny offered to do the washing up, much to Jon and Martha's surprise. Where was the troublesome boy that Maddie had been so concerned about? Eventually Jon suggested the boys go out to the barn to work on the tractor, because it had broken down again. To Clark it seemed they spent more time fixing the darn thing than actually using it. Still, soon enough it would be needed, so they did need to get it fixed. So Clark and Danny found themselves out in the barn working on the old vehicle, chatting about nothing in particular.

Clark and Danny found each other on opposite sides of the tractor and actually seemed to be making some progress. Sliding spanners under the tractor to each other as needed they were getting on pretty fast. Clark decided to do a quick spot weld, before going to check on Danny. Walking around the back of the tractor he thought he saw a flash of green light, but passed it off as a trick of the light. He was surprised to see Danny quickly, yet professionally reassembling parts of the engine. Danny looked up at Clark and Smiled, answering his question before he could ask it. "The tractor engine is fairly simple to understand, it just wanted a few adjustments, and a few pieces had gotten misaligned over time. This is much simpler to fix than the Specter Speeder"

At Clark's questioning glance Danny elaborated. "The Spectre Speeder was an invention of Mom and Dads' that was designed to explore the Ghost Zone. It was sorta like... a hovercraft? But it ran off of ecto energy, so the engine was more efficient, but required a different configuration than your regular combustion engine. In order to make sure that the cylinders stayed aligned it needed a different set of specific configurations to the ecto-converter to ensure that the capacitors in the engine didn't get overloaded... and you're looking at me weird." Danny said to Clark's confused glare. "Um, basically, the tractor engine is a simpler version of what I'm used to having to reconstruct on a dime. So it's easy to see the few adjustments that needed to be made." Danny said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think if you jump up now it should run." Clark sat in the driver's seat and turned on the engine. It sounded like it had when his Dad had just bought it, Clark was amazed that this kid, who claimed to be doing so poorly in school was able to get a tractor going as well as the day it was brought home.

"How?" Clark asked, puzzling over this new bit of information. "Did I know how to fix it?" Danny finished the question for Clark. "Dude, my parents were, first and foremost, scientists. I had to learn how to build, repair and tweak all their inventions so that even if they did break, someone could fix them. Not to mention that they often goofed and I had to fix that before anyone got hurt. I understood how the typical combustion engine worked before I set foot in high school, so fixing a tractor was, honestly, no problem." In that sentence Clark found himself having to re-evaluate his view of Danny. The kid may not have gone great at school, but anyone who could do that to a tractor after spending only five minutes looking at it, couldn't not be intelligent.

Five minutes later Jon walked out to the barn. "I thought I heard the tractor going. You two making any progress?" Clark looked to his dad "Dad, Danny fixed it. As in, fixed it, fixed it. Listen." Clark jumped up and switched the engine on. Jon let out a low whistle. Turning to smile at Danny. "She's running better than the day I got her. What did you do?" Danny took a small step back. "Not much, just a few tweaks, I mean, given another few hours and the right... equipment, I could maybe have gotten it a bit more efficient. As it is, it'll probably work 'till the beginning of winter before it needs another adjustment. But, hey, it'll go for the season, so that's got to be worth something." Danny rambled, his hand finding the back of his neck again.

Jon then noticed an oil-stain smearing the blue of his shirt. "Say, son, Shouldn't you have put on something that wouldn't get ruined working on the tractor?" Danny let out a shy grimace. "Sorry Uncle Jonathan, I pretty much have five of the same, I didn't really have much opportunity to go shopping for farm clothes while I was with Social Services, and before that I was pretty much stuck to hospital garb." Danny said, trailing off at the end. "Just 'Jon', son. Clark, do you have a spare shirt that Danny could borrow until he can get something better suited for the farm? Although perhaps one of your old shirts would be best, I think we have a box from your freshman year still in the attic."

Line Break

Half an hour later found Clark and Danny up in the barn loft. Danny now wearing a slightly worn blue plaid shirt that made Martha smile as he walked by. Despite being two years older, something about Danny reminded her of Clark on his first day before going to Smallville high. The two boys were chatting in the loft. Danny was absently stroking Shelby who had come to join them when they were interrupted by a soft, girlish laugh. "So I see that Clark already got you into the plaid." Clark immediately perked up at her voice.

Danny turned to the stairs, observing a dark head of long hair ascending the stairs. Danny watched as she took the final step up to the loft as she turned to face him; her soft brown eyes matching her warm smile. Danny observed her aura, sensing that she was kind, sweet yet strong and independent. Yet there was a dark streak to her. Almost untraceable, but Danny had seen too many people seduced by their own darkness, not the least of which was his alternate future self. But this girl was still good, almost pure. And the warmth that she brought out in Clark made Danny feel content from the positive emotional surge. As much as he hated it, he had been starved in the month that he had lost his family. To be surrounded by so many loving and good people was almost intoxicating.

"Lana" Clark said with an obvious smile in his voice. "You came early. How did you know we'd be up here?" Clark paused, reflecting for a moment. "Firstly, I'll introduce the two of you. Danny, this is Lana, if I dare say so, my beautiful girlfriend. Lana, this is Danny, my surprising cousin." Lana smiled at Clark's obvious flirtation; she opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Clark. "So how did you know we'd be up here?" Lana smiled and looked fondly at Clark. "You realise you practically live up here. As your 'beautiful girlfriend' it is my duty to know where my boyfriend spends most of his time. I just figured you'd want to show Danny the loft, so I came straight here."

Danny looked at the interchange; it was obvious that they loved each other very much. Yet... Danny couldn't quite place it, but their auras didn't quite match up the way perfect couples' did. His parents' auras had, and they seemed to be energised by each others' presence. It was the same with Mr and Mrs Kent. But Clark and Lana didn't seem energised by each other. They loved each other, deeply, he could see that. But they lacked the spark that would make staying together easy. A relationship between the two would be difficult and complex. Still, for now they loved each other, and that was all that mattered.

Clark smiled at Lana, seemingly drinking in her presence, before he looked over to Danny and chuckled. Preventing himself from being overly intimate with Lana in front of Danny, Clark elected to say "by the way, what's wrong with the plaid?" Lana looked over to Danny, laughing softly. "Clark here has worn some variant of plaid every day for the last four years. I can hardly think of a time where he wasn't wearing plaid."

"Hey, there's been a few times, like... graduation and that time in the Metropolis museum. And what about Lex's wedding?" Danny heard an undertone at the mention of 'Lex' but didn't exactly know what to make of it. "Which one?" Lana joked "But still, that's a pretty short list." Danny looked between the two in slight confusion. "Sorry," Lana explained "It's a long standing joke. I think there was even a betting pool that Clark would come to graduation in a long plaid robe instead of the official one."

Both frowned at the mention of graduation, which puzzled Danny. "What happened at graduation?" he asked, but instantly regretted it. Both Lana and Clark sunk deeper into their sullen moods. "It" Lana explained "was a really bad day on every count. I made a mistake that... kept me from the service in the first instance. One of our friends, Chloe got caught up in the mess. Clark was the only one there, and then the army came to announce..." Lana paused, looking over to Danny. Her once happy eyes sparkling with what looked like tears. Hesitating to ask, Danny said "What did the army announce?"

Clark looked over at Danny, almost as sad as Lana. Taking over for her he said "they announced that there was four hours left until a large meteor shower. That was the second meteor shower within two decades. The whole town was to be evacuated; Smallville is still recovering from the damage." Danny himself saddened; realising why the two of them were so reluctant to speak. It was an offshoot from that meteor shower that had destroyed his family, his friends, and his home. He still had no idea why, or even how he'd survived. All he remembered was a horrendous noise and then waking up in the hospital two weeks later. Still, neither of the two of them were to blame for his bad luck. If anything he was to blame, after all there had to be something that attracted the stupid meteor to his house of all houses, knowing his luck the deaths of his family were all on his head.

The three of them descended into a sad silence, each reflecting their own problems that day. None of them knew what to say when Clark's phone started to ring. Clark looked at the ID before saying "it's Chloe" Lana nodded and Clark answered.

"Hey, Chlo'. Lana's here." Lana smiled at Clark who continued "she says hi." Danny didn't mean to, but having enhanced senses meant that he heard the other half of the conversation. He heard a soft feminine voice reply to Clark

"Thanks, I was wondering where the two of you had disappeared too. Here's me, sitting at the Talon like we agreed on Wednesday, and neither of you showed up."

"Sorry, Chlo'. Um things changed abruptly on Wednesday night. I haven't had the chance to call you yet."

"What changed so abruptly that you couldn't tell me" Danny could hear the scepticism in her voice. Clark ploughed on. "Remember how bad Graduation day was?"

"No Clark, why would I remember the most hellish Graduation in the history of Graduations. Don't know if it was the fire and brimstone raining down from the sky, or getting stuck in that freaky ice palace of yours, but I have absolutely no idea what bad Graduation day you're talking about. Of course I remember."

Danny realised that he wasn't supposed to be hearing this but couldn't help but wonder about the 'freaky ice palace'. Danny was left with no time to consider as Clark continued.

"Sorry to bring up bad memories, but something more happened."

"More? How much worse could that day possibly have been?"

Clark sighed loudly, looking over to Danny, silently asking his permission to explain what had happened. Danny nodded to Clark, who stated "one of the meteors didn't hit Smallville; in fact it didn't even land in Kansas. One of the meteors hit a small town in Colorado. Amity Park"

Before Clark could get any further Chloe interrupted "That's so weird. Amity Park has its share of the unexplained, I mean Ghosts? Really? But this takes the proverbial cake. Do you want me to look into it?"

"No Chloe, I don't. See, that isn't what changed. The meteor hit the house of my mom's sister and her family."

"Oh God, Clark, I'm sorry."

"Don't feel sorry for me. I'm not the worst affected." "I know you're finding some way to blame yourself for this but..."

"Chloe, that's not why I said that, Mom's nephew was orphaned that day. What changed is that he's come here, to live."

There was silence for a minute as Clark looked once more over to Danny. Danny himself hung his head and focused on not turning invisible. Whatever made Chloe said that Clark would blame himself made no sense. But Danny knew that the deaths of his family were caused by his presence. Sometimes he wished that he'd properly died the first time he stepped in that stupid portal, and then none of the terrible things that had happened in Amity Park or to his family would've happened. Still, he knew better than to play the 'what if' game. Danny quickly asked Clark if it'd be alright if he went for a walk. Holding his hand over the phone Clark just said "as long as you don't go too far." He let Danny get to the bottom of the stairs before he continued the conversation. But Danny decided he had no interest in listening to the rest of it.

Danny quietly walked out of the barn, taking a quick look over at the yellow house, before following the fence-line out for a while. After a five minute walk he stopped, sitting on the fence and looking up to the clouds. This was real. This time there was no Gauntlet to fix it. No wishing it all better. There was no Clockwork to give him a second chance. They were gone. He wasn't getting them back this time. He would never hear his Dad 'blather on about ghosts' again. Never come home to the warm scent of his Mom's cookies and have her offer them to him smiling as only mother's can. Never get to tease Jazz, even as she tried to psychoanalyse him. Never get to chill with Tucker at the Nasty Burger, as he and Sam argue over being carnivorous or ultra-recyclo-vegetarian. Never again would he get to fly with Sam under the moonlight, finally fulfilling the love they shared. Danny flickered out of visibility, sinking through the fence to land on his back on the grass. Quietly at first, he cried; venting the misery and frustration that he had been repressing for the last month. Drawing his legs up into himself he sobbed, just letting the world pass him as he reflected on all he had lost.

Line Break

Chloe finished the phone call, suggesting that they all meet up at the Talon tomorrow, and of course bring Danny. Lana and Clark spent a short while in each other's company before Lana decided to head home. By now it was approaching six, and soon Clark's Mom would be calling both him and Danny in for dinner. Clark did a quick run around the barn to see if he could find Danny. Running so fast as to not be seen, he raced through the house, looking for him with no further luck. It seemed Danny had gone further out than he'd imagined. Stopping to sit on the porch for a minute Clark quietened himself and listened.

From inside the house he could hear the two steady heartbeats of his Mom and Dad. He heard the sounds of the approaching night, the speedy racing of Shelby's heart, the gentle patter of mice in the barn. Echoing in the wind he heard the lowing of cattle in one of their fields. This soundscape was one he was used to, it held the familiarity of evening at the farm. But he couldn't hear the noise he was listening for. He wanted to find the third steady thumping that would signify the heartbeat of his cousin. As he continued to listen he heard it, a quiet sniffle. Listening in that direction he heard a third heartbeat, quieter and perhaps slower than his parents, but there none-the-less. Clark set off in that direction, noticing that at least Danny had stayed close to the fence line.

Clark ran up, at a human speed towards where he could hear Danny. As he ran, he listened to his voice as it carried on the wind. "I'm sorry. Mom, Dad. I never told you... I'm sorry you never knew. I love you so much, and now, now I'll never get the chance. Jazz. I love you. I know I never told you, but I hope you know it's true. Tuck, every day I miss you, pulling out your PDA or making some lame joke. I don't know what I'll do without you. Sam, god, Sam I wish we'd had longer. I love you. I think I've always loved you, and now I'll never see you again. The moon isn't the same without you under it. I miss you. All of you, so much." Danny finished with a quiet sob.

Slowly, Clark walked up towards where he heard him as Danny's sobs stopped his breath hitching briefly. Danny stood up, suddenly appearing in the long grass on the other side of the fence. "Hi Clark" Danny said, quickly masking most of his sadness. "Hey there," Clark said, concern in his voice. "How are you?" Danny let out a sad smile. Clark continued "we should probably head up to the house soon. Mom and Dad will worry if we don't get back soon. Danny nodded, placing one hand on the fence and agilely jumping it. Clark pondered how Danny was able to do this as the boy didn't seem to be entirely concentrating on his surroundings.

Clark led the way back towards the house. The gravel seemed only to shift under his feet, so he turned to check that Danny was still there. Confirming his presence Clark reflectively said "You know, I was adopted, the Kent's took me in when I was little. I never really knew my parents" aside from a computer-like imitation in the arctic he mused, reflecting on what little he knew of his mother he continued "but I know they loved me. I like to think that even now, they're there for me, looking out for me. I know your family loved you. Wherever they are that won't change. The important thing is to be you, make them proud. Mom, Dad and I are here for you, we want you to be happy."

Clark placed his hand on Danny's shoulder; he was surprised by how cold it was. However he dismissed this for Danny having sat in the cool evening grass. Danny looked over to Clark, allowing a soft smile to grace his face. "Thanks," he said "It's just difficult, knowing I can't see them anymore. I know... people say all things get better in time. I'm just glad that for now you and your parents are happy to have me for the moment." Danny's eyes looked into the distance, it was clear he was thinking of the other people who could have taken him in, and non-too-positively. The two walked back to the house in reflective silence, watching as the sun dipped into the horizon.

Line Break

Dinner was fairly quiet. Martha and Jon were warm, trying to help Danny settle in. Clark silently observed that Danny once again passed over eating too much. Jon was still excited that Danny had got the tractor going so well. Danny shrunk back from the praise, much like Clark did. Having finished before anyone else Danny once again offered to do the dishes. As the four started winding down for the night, each settled into their own quiet musings.

Martha was curious as to why Maddie had said that Danny was so troublesome, always disappearing on them. From what Martha had seen Danny was quiet and reserved, but courteous to the family. He hadn't disappeared on them yet. Still, it wouldn't be the first time when first impressions were misleading in this house. In Smallville so many people were different to how they first appeared. Martha hoped she could help Danny through this difficult time, but reflected on the dual nature of her own son. He was shy and quiet on the outside, but his heart was that of a hero.

Jon was astounded at the glimpses of intelligence that he had seen in the boy. Danny had said that he wasn't smart, but when you spoke to him he'd often say something, almost imperceptible, that made Jon think there was more depth to Danny than he showed. Clark and Jon had been trying to get the tractor working for years, but in an afternoon Danny was able to make it new. No, there was definitely more to his nephew than he showed to the world. Jon wondered at how well he hid his intelligence from the world. He doubted many had seen through it. The question was why Danny chose to hide it.

Clark mused over Danny's peculiarities. He could swear that Danny looked much healthier at dinner than he had when they first met him. Yet he had barely eaten anything all day. Clark remembered eating at least three times as much as Danny did when he was sixteen, and that was on a bad day. Danny seemed to be slightly clumsy, he'd fumbled a couple of the plates as he went to put them away. Yet, he was so graceful as he leaped that fence, with his mind a hundred miles away. Danny seemed kind; he'd gotten on with his parents and seemed to have earned their trust, which was not easily given. He'd gotten on with Lana easily too. Clark smiled as he remembered his first conversation with Lana. It was odd how Shelby had first reacted to him, but it seemed Danny had convinced him too. It seemed Mr Samson from Social Services was right. There was something about Danny.

Danny looked up at the roof, reflecting on the day. The few people he'd met so far in Smallville had been so good to him it was surprising. His Aunt and Uncle were so welcoming towards him, he wasn't sure that he had earned it. He was surprised to have met Lana so soon, but supposed that with how well Clark and Lana got on it had been only a matter of time. Danny pondered Clark. He seemed so kind, already inviting him into his life. Yet Danny could see there was more to him than met the eye. Danny could sense the warming strength that rolled out from his aura. That strength was so different than any of the people he had met. Clark posed a puzzle to Danny, but it was obvious that the whole family were good people, and would look out for him.

Danny rolled over to look at the small alarm clock on the nightstand. He could feel his ghost half itching to get out. He hadn't been able to go ghost since the accident, and it was becoming difficult to subdue so much of his nature. Changing quickly, he decided to go for a flight. He wasn't sure if it was so many ghost fights, or the fact that pure ghosts don't need sleep, but Danny found that more than four hours a night was becoming too much. Floating out the window, he took his first aerial tour of the farm. He spent a few hours familiarising himself with the land before returning to his room. Settling in he decided to rest, for the morning would hold his first venture into Smallville.