Thank my rabid plot bunnies for this continuation... also, I don't own DP.
Time seemed to slow down as Valerie pulled the trigger.
Danny shut his eyes tightly. There was only one possible option he had left- one that would either save his life, or destroy it completely.
He really, really didn't want to do this. But right now, he had no other choice.
In a split second, he made his decision.
Then his whole world went to hell.
There was an explosion of sound. There was a flash of blinding, white light.
Time sped up again as the blast slammed into his body, tearing through him as it hit.
Then mostly, there was pain. Lots and lots of pain.
And then, there was nothing...
-o-o-o-o-o-
Valerie froze. She couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
This couldn't be possible. This wasn't possible.
And yet, there, where Phantom had been lying, was Danny. Her Danny.
And he was so very, very still.
Valerie reached out towards him, trying to ignore the sick feeling in her stomach as she searched desperately for a pulse.
Carefully, she pressed a shaking hand to his chest and waited.
... Nothing.
"Come on, Danny..." she pleaded, pressing down a little harder. After a few still, terrifying moments, she felt a faint thump against the palm of her hand.
His heartbeat was weak and thready, but he was alive.
He was alive.
Valerie let out a breath she realized she hadn't been holding.
Had he still been in ghost form, the blast would've killed him. As it was, he was barely breathing, and his stomach was bleeding profusely.
Valerie felt absolutely sick.
This was her fault. This was all her fault. She'd never even given him a chance.
Had she just listened to him, let him explain himself... then none of this would be happening.
Valerie swallowed hard. She wanted to scream.
Now, however, wasn't the time. Danny needed help, and he needed it badly. With great difficulty, Valerie pushed all thoughts of guilt away and set to action.
Very gently, she scooped Danny up and stepped onto her board, flying faster than she'd ever had in her life.
She couldn't let him... she wouldn't let him die.
She refused to fail him again...
So... should I leave it at that? Or should I continue this?