Sorry I had to repost this chapter I made a major fopa, I misquoted Dan Phantom thinking it was Clockwork. It isn't a big deal in the storyline, but just to be correct.

Two in a row. Virtual high fives for chapter five!!!

Disclaimer: *sighs*

"So Danny how's life treat'n ya," asked his Dad leaning forward around Maddie to look at him.

"Do you mean today or in general?" asked Danny hoping for the first.

"I meant today. Hasn't it been a blast," shouted Jack with a fist bump which slightly rocked the lift.

"Well, I for one would like to know in general," said Maddie, "We don't talk like we used to."

"There's a reason for that, " thought Danny slightly nervous about this topic. Then he said out loud, "Umm, you know… school's kinda hard *among other stuff * but I've really enjoyed this little get away ski trip. We'll have to thank Jazz, it was a great idea."

"We will and I'm glad to hear you're having fun. I'm having, as your father says, a blast. We haven't been skiing since our college days," said Maddie, as she fondly looked at Jack.

"Yup, just us… and Vladdy," said Jack proudly.

"Really," suddenly Danny's smile vanished and his eye's got wide. "Vlad and the… operator," he whispered as his mind mentally put the pieces together. He protectively grabbed his Mom's hand and looked every which direction.

"What is it sweet- WHOA," shouted Maddie as the lift stopped so suddenly that it swung back and forth dramatically.

"What was that?" questioned Jack.

"Oh crud, oh crud!!!" said Danny looking around in a complete panic.

"Oh don't worry honey," said Maddie as she squeezed Danny's gloved hand with her own "They'll get the lift working again soon, they always do," she said in full confidence of the lift operators.

"They won't this time."

"Now why would you think that?"

"Because… ," he said still frantically looking around trying to catch the slightest amount of movement in the trees, in the sky, anywhere, "In the words of someone I don't like… 'It's only a matter of time', but how much time before he makes his move," Danny said worriedly to himself and getting antsy.

"What's he talking about?" Jack asked Maddie.

"I…I don't know." Maddie said as she looked at her frantic son. Is he afraid of heights? was her first thought but with a closer look at his face she saw that he was alert and attentive.

It's almost like he's bracing himself for something, but what?