6/29/24: I just learned some tragic news and would like to take a moment to remember Martin Mull, the voice of Vlad Masters/Plasmius (among other roles). I just learned that he passed away today. To be honest…it's a little ironic for this story…which you will learn later. But I'm very sorry for his family. He will be missed.

I have officially begun posting this story as of a few days ago. I really wasn't sure I could, given it's taken so long to write what I have so far…but I have most of it written and I hope it will give me the kick in the butt I need to keep writing, especially as I get some reviews, favs and follows.

I got my first 3 reviews as well! Y'all really are great. I blushed! I also can't believe I have 265 hits in less than a week! Might have been more had I actually posted this years ago…but it is what it is!

Most of the notes (that don't actually have a date on them, or have previous dates on them) I am keeping. You'll see like a progression of my life over the last 18 years lol.

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Ok second chapter to Taken. I know it's been a bit slow…but it picks up I promise, just not here. Lol the beginning sets the stage, the rest is, yes filler. But it's worth the wait, I promise! Thanks for reading!

Also, I KNOW the characters are OOC. While I'd like to keep them as close to in character as I can, I believe that what all four (Sam, Tucker, Danny and Jazz) have experienced over the last four years of their life would have a great impact on all of them, especially Danny. You will eventually see small moments of what they had as kids, but they're 21 now, and just a little bit jaded after what happened.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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Chapter Two: The Forbidden City

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Sam's fingers moved swiftly over the buttons as she dialed a number she'd known most of her life. Putting the phone to her ear she tapped her foot with impatience. "Come on, come on."

She paced around the room, DJ following her every move. Finally hearing the click on the other end, she practically screamed. "Tucker!"

"Sam?" he sounded confused. "Why are you screaming?"

"You have to come over! I saw something on the news, you've gotta see it!" She was speaking too fast for Tucker to comprehend. Her excitement was making her hyperventilate.

"Sam, calm down. What about the news?"

"Just get over here! I'll explain it then!" Sam shouted into the speaker. She didn't give him time to answer before she hung up. She placed the phone on her coffee table and placed her hands on her hips. Sighing she wiped a hand across her forehead and noticed DJ at her feet, his tail wagging.

"Oh, DJ, I'm sorry." She rushed to the kitchen and grabbed his food bag from under the sink. DJ barked happily as the food was poured into his bowl. Sam placed the bag back and scratched the border collie behind his ears.

She stood and anxiously went back over to the computer and turned on the video. She watched it several times to make sure what she saw wasn't an illusion. After about her eighth time watching the video, her doorbell rang. She paused the video and ran to the door, tripping over DJ's toy and cursing on her way.

She grabbed the doorknob and pulled the door open. Tucker raised a brow and then quickly protested as Sam grasped his wrist and yanked him into her foyer.

"Sam! What's so urgent that you felt the need to pull me away from Jazz?" Tucker frowned.

Sam stopped mid-step and blushed. It never crossed her mind that she may have interrupted something intimate. Shaking the thought from her mind she walked over to her computer and motioned for Tuck to follow. He threw his arms up in surrender and did as he was asked.

Sam was lucky Jazz had known them since they were kids and understood their relationship. Most wives would not be okay with their husband rushing off late at night to another woman's home.

"I was getting ready for bed when I heard something on the news. Remember all those murders over in the eastern Asia region?" Sam said quickly in her excitement.

Tucker nodded. "Is that what you brought me here for? An update? Because I could have gotten one at home," he pointed out.

Sam shook her head, frustrated with his impatience. "No, Tuck! There's this video they showed; someone was able to capture a glimpse of who they think is doing it." She pressed play and the video started again.

As it had when she saw it, the blur flew across the screen and a green flash followed it soon after. "I think it was recorded by a cell phone, hence the bad quality, but that's clearly someone flying and using ecto-blasts," Sam explained as she pointed to the blur. The video cut off and Tucker merely stood there staring at the screen.

After a few moments Sam raised a brow. "So…what do you think?"

Tucker sighed and rubbed his temples. "Frankly, Sam, I think you're grasping at straws. That could be any ghost, not just Danny."

Sam became instantly furious. "It's a black and white blur! It has to be him!"

"No, it doesn't, Sam. Danny doesn't have to be the only ghost who wears black and white." He reasoned.

The raven-haired girl stepped threateningly towards her friend. Tucker took a step back. Provoking her certainly wasn't a good idea, but he could no longer skirt around the truth and tread lightly with her. It no longer mattered if her emotions were fragile, she needed to understand!

"Why are you constantly denying that he's still out there?!" She screamed. DJ whined and hid under the coffee table. "You were his best friend too; have you given up on him?!"

Tucker grabbed her shoulders and shook her lightly. "He's dead, Sam! I don't like it either, but you have to face the facts! It's been four years; he's not coming back! Besides, do you really think Danny was the kind of person who would murder all those people? No, he wasn't." He let go of Sam and turned away. "You've got to face it sooner or later, Sam. He's gone and he's never coming back." Despite Tucker's firm words he was choking up inside. He missed his friend very much, but he had the sense to accept that he'd never see him again.

Sam balled her fists at her side, a sign of her quiet fury. In a low voice she said, "I'll never give up on him, Tuck. I'd know if he was dead, I just would. He's out there somewhere, and I'm going to find him."

Tucker sighed and turned back around, his eyes studying the girls' for a long while. Defeated, he shook his head. "If that's what you believe, Sam. I can't stop you."

"Good," Sam replied. "I'm heading out on the nearest flight to Beijing. Are you with me?"

Tucker's eyes widened. Then with calm absolution he shook his head. "I can't, Sam. You know that. Not with work and Chase."

The girl nodded. "I understand. I'll be leaving tomorrow. I'm taking DJ with me."

"Alright. Call me as soon as you get there and keep me updated."

Sam snorted. "Now you want to be all supportive."

Tucker rolled his eyes. "Look, if I can't convince you, you'll have to find out on your own. If this is really what you want to do, then so be it. I'll be the ear that listens."

Sam's frown softened. "Ok, Tuck." She walked to him and hugged him tightly, the dark-skinned boy returning the gesture. They let go and he nodded, turned and headed towards the door.

As he headed out, he waved goodbye and got in his car and drove off. Sam shut the door and sighed, deciding to finally retire for the night. Of course, though, not before spending a few minutes out on her balcony watching the stars.

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Sam stood in line for security at the airport. Her flight was in half an hour and she had already checked her baggage and DJ in. As she came up to the scanning station, she placed her laptop and shoes on the conveyor belt and stepped through the scanner. Making it through with no issues, she put her shoes back on and grabbed her laptop.

The goth walked down the corridor searching for her gate. When she finally found it, they were already calling for the first-class passengers. Sam was never one to flaunt her money and typically rode coach, but the 16-hour flight was probably going to be more than she could handle, so she chose first class.

In 8 hours, she had a layover in Germany and that would give her a chance to walk DJ, but the layover was short and she'd have to board again for another 8 hour flight.

She handed her ticket to the waiting flight attendant and then boarded. Finding her seat, she placed her laptop in the space next to her and made herself comfortable. It wasn't long until the plane took off and she was able to turn on her laptop.

She had recorded the video to a DVD and brought it with her. She played it over and over again trying to see if she could find anything new; perhaps something she missed that would give her a clue to who this ghost was. She was sure it was Danny, and every time she watched the video, it simply confirmed her belief.

After a little while she found herself yawning and after requesting some water, she turned off her laptop and fell asleep.

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Now in Germany, Sam was walking the grounds of the airport and letting DJ relieve himself. He was very excited to be out of his cage and had a little more energy than usual. Sam felt awful for leaving him in his kennel for so long, but she didn't want to leave him at a kennel at home or with the Fentons since she had no idea how long she'd be gone.

Of course, work wasn't happy to hear that, and she subsequently lost her job. But she shrugged it off. This was more important to her anyway.

Looking at her watch, she frowned. She needed to get DJ back in his kennel so they could board the plane in time. Pulling out her cell, she sent Tucker a quick text saying she was leaving Germany and then headed back into the airport.

The second plane ride was more annoying than the first. After sleeping through most of the first flight Sam found herself wide awake for this one. She also found that she was quite sick of staring at her laptop screen. Finding nothing else to do, she pulled out a book and began reading.

Reading seemed to do the trick as the rest of the flight went much faster. As she stepped off the plane and looked around, she marveled at the architecture of the building. It was beautiful. Windows were practically floor to ceiling allowing a spectacular view of the city around the airport. The walls were covered with paintings and traditional Chinese sculptures. The floor held captivating designs in tile. Sam noted the large area she was in had a Chinese dragon inlay in tile on the floor.

Following the signs—luckily, they also had English—she found her way to baggage claim and grabbed her luggage and DJ. Once outside, she again was in awe. Forcing herself out of it, she hailed a cab and went to her hotel.

One place she was spoiled was hotels. She hated the typical hotel with small hard beds and a bathroom. Plus, she didn't know how long she'd be here and needed one that accepted pets. She checked in and headed to her room on the ninth floor.

Once off the elevator she headed to room 913. She swiped the card and opened the door, allowing DJ to burst his way in and sniff everything in sight.

The room was large and decorated in shades of brown and gold. The bed was tucked away in its own nook, a door separating it from the rest of the room. Sliding glass doors were on the far wall leading to a balcony with a reclining lawn chair and end table. A door to her left led into the large bathroom with a whirlpool tub. A small kitchen was to her right complete with a small dining set and a little space for DJ was set up near the bed area.

Sam sighed in contentment and smiled at the collie's enthusiasm. Shutting the door, she placed her suitcase next to the bed and began to unpack her clothes into the dresser that was provided.

Beijing was 12 hours ahead of Amity Park and it had taken more than that just to get here. It was evening now, the sun already set behind the unique buildings. It would be very early morning in Amity; she doubted Tucker would even be awake.

After her clothes were in the dresser she headed to the bathroom for a shower. DJ curled up on his new bed and yawned, unfazed by his new surroundings.

A half hour later Sam emerged from the bathroom in her PJ's with her hair in a ponytail. Steam readily escaped from the door and seeped into the large room.

With a small smile at her sleeping companion, she put the dirty clothes and towel in the hamper provided and opened the door to the balcony. The cold air froze her hair but the goth ignored it. She sat into a chair and looked out over the Beijing skyline. The sky was clear, and the moon shone brightly.

With a sigh Sam pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on the top of her knees. As was her ritual for the last four years, she spent the early part of night looking over the skies for any sign of her first love.

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Like I said, the end was pretty much filler. But it sets the stage and now Sam's in Beijing! The next few chapters will pick up.