Author Note: Sorry- slight surprise how Danny died, eh? But that's why Clockwork didn't tell him- the cause of death was something Danny needed to remember on his own. He wasn't just a ghost because he was a halfa when he was alive, but because he killed himself- it was a tragic death that caused Danny to be a ghost along with the ectoplasm already in his veins. Gear thought the GiW killed him- they did a good cover up. Even he thought he was killed by them until he remembered. But eh- sorry for the surprise with a dash of angst.

~CWA

Chapter 22:

Third Person:

Gear coughed gruffly, wincing when the action caused her lungs to burn. She gargled and spit at the floor- seeing a bit of blood in her spit, most likely from her busted lip. The two agents in front of her had the guff to stand proudly as if they achieved something- as if they weren't beating a girl for information. She noted the camera in the corner that was recording the session (and facing her directly)- standard, nothing extraordinary. A second camera was by the door- it moved around, scanning the whole room. If she hoped to get out, she would have to take out the corner camera first while the second camera was turned away. Then take the door camera out from the blind spot. It would be simple if the two goons left the room. She remembered the halls and rooms she saw when she hacked their cameras- she knew where the nearest exit was.

She just had to wait. She would get a chance to leave- somehow. With her brains, maybe help from Clockwork if he was watching, and some miracle, she would escape before Danny did something stupid like rescue her and end up getting captured himself. She had to get out before Danny showed himself- or worse, both Danny and Dani showed up. Then the Guys in White have both Phantom's to torture (and possibly kill Dani), and they'll kill her before she had a chance to get them out.

"So tell me, do you guys realize how cliché it is," Gear said, "I mean, you have me tied to a chair. All for what? Because you think I'm in league with ghosts?"

She coughed again, sending another burn to her lungs. The rough rope was burning her wrists and cutting off circulation to her fingers, but that didn't stop her from trying to untie it. Agent O sneered at her and yanked her by the hair, jerking her head to the side roughly.

"We don't have times for your games, Miss Gia. Tell us where Phantom is."

"Phantom? I thought you guys were looking for Casper the friendly ghost."

The agent yanked her hair harder and got into her face,

"You're a smart, beautiful woman Miss Gia. It'd be a shame if something were to happen."

"I think you guys can do a better threat than that," she coughed again, "Mess my face and body up all you want, it won't keep people away from me. I heard I have a dazzling personality."

She tried to smirk, but it just caused her face to hurt. Her body was already hurt enough from them- the bruises and cuts on her wrist from the rope, the cuts on her arms from their rough handling, the bruises forming on her ribs and her chest along with other various cuts from their 'methods of interrogation.' She didn't care. She would keep quiet even if meant becoming a ghost herself. Danny was her little brother- as was Dani. They were the only family she had left. She'll be damned if she tells people like the Guys in White, or anyone for that matter, where they are or what their weakness was.

"Miss Gia, I don't think you understand the seriousness of the situation," Agent K said as he smirked, "You will tell us what we want to know… Or you can join Phantom as a ghost. Then we'll see even more of each other as you're tied down and being experimented on."

Gear yawned, causing a bit of pain in her mouth. She smacked her lips.

"Sorry did you say something? Because all I am hearing is 'blah, blah, blah.'"

The other agent yanked on her hair again, causing her to cry out.

"Take care of this annoyance Agent O," Agent K said, "Continue to question her. You know what to do to make her talk."

"And here I thought I was talking to much, man you guys are never satisfied are you?"

"Oh I can be satisfied," Agent O whispered in her ear, "After all, fear is a good way to make someone talk… And I know what pretty young woman like you fear."

A trickle of fear started to ignite within her. She continued her façade- she was a normally witty, smartass person, but the façade was that she wasn't scared. Yet she was- terrified even. Scared for herself, scared for Danny. Scared about what he was going to do.

"Cockroaches?"

"Something like that," Agent O smirked.

His breath was still hitting her neck and she tensed realizing just what he was going to do to make her talk. He could have hit her. Beaten her. Cut her open. Bruise more of her ribs. Break a bone. But no. He going to most likely do all of that, plus one other thing- the one that that, for once, caused her to be solemn and serious.

"You sick motherfucker," Gear spat.

"You're not my mother."

Professor X rubbed his temple with a sigh. What young Daniel planned to do was dangerous- for both himself and the other X-Men. They were all going to be in great danger. However, young Gywn was in much more danger since she was already in their enemy's clutches.

Currently, he was watching as Danny, Dani, Kitty, Kurt, Logan, Storm, Jean, and Scott all got into a helicarrier. It was too dangerous to send everyone, even if it would higher the chances of Gywn getting back safe. All of them, aside from Danny and Dani, were dressed in their X-Men uniform. Dani claimed that she already had her 'own spandex' which she proved when she 'transformed', shocking everyone but the Professor and Danny. Of course, Professor X was going to just send Logan, Jean, Scott, and Storm to get Gywn as to lessen the danger of Danny and Dani getting captured. However, Danny insisted and Dani, Kurt, and Kitty were going to stow away so it was best to just go ahead and let them come along.

"Daniel," Professor X, "Be careful. This is a very dangerous mission. Any one of you could be captured so it's imperative that you all stick together and work as a team."

"Understood Professor," Danny nodded, "And with all due respect, I think we can do it… We just have to keep a positive mind."

Mostly because it's a positive mind that's keeping me from thinking about what they may be doing to Gear and keeping from losing my anger, Danny thought. His fists clenched briefly and with one last nod to the Professor, he joined the others on the helicarrier.

As they were about to take off, Dani turned towards Danny. She bit her lip slightly,

"Danny," she whispered, "What if I said I knew about something that could help?"

Danny turned towards her quickly,

"What? What do you mean?"

"…Gear was working on something, with your blood samples and pure ectoplasm."

"What about it?"

"Gear said that it could make you more powerful," Dani explained, "If this is as dangerous as I think it is, I think we could use the extra power. But she doesn't know what it may do to you for sure or what the side effects may be. You know what? Forget it. Forget I mentioned it."

She ran a hand through her hair. Danny knelt down and put a hand on her shoulder.

"…Dani, go to the house- get the pure ectoplasm and bring it back to me. Hurry."