And another chapter of Taken! I'm glad you guys like this so far, I'm trying very hard to make it detailed and to not rush it.
And you know what I said last chapter about taking too long to post and it's been four years since I started writing this? Yea…now it's been five! A whole year since the last chapter! Can't blame me though, I got engaged and have been planning my wedding!
Disclaimer: In the words of Yoda: Own it, I don't. Sue me, do not.
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Chapter Four: Reunion
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Sam twirled the rose while smiling. Danny had certainly perfected this power, as the flower was flawless. It was mesmerizing, really. But then Tucker's words brought her back to reality.
"Wait, what?" she asked in confusion.
"I'm heading there on the next flight."
Sam jolted. "But what about work, Tuck? You just got that contract!"
The man sighed. "It's not as important as this. I'm going to tell them it's an emergency and that I'll be taking an extended leave. I haven't had a vacation or used any sick days in 3 years. I have enough saved up for a few months."
Sam laid the rose on the end stand next to the chair. "And Jazz?"
There was a pause. "…I have to tell her."
The goth cringed. "I'd point out that that's probably not the best idea, but you can't really tell her you're flying off to Beijing with no idea as to how long you'll be gone and not give her an explanation why."
"Exactly. Plus, I never lie to her. And this is no exception."
Sam rubbed her forehead and paced the balcony. "You know she's going to want to come with you."
The man sighed again. "I know, but at least she hasn't found a job yet. As awful as that sounds, it makes it easier if we don't have to explain to two jobs why we have to leave for a while."
Sam silently agreed.
"And the Fenton's would gladly watch Chase. They're always begging us to bring him over anyway."
The raven-haired girl smiled. "They'd be more than happy. In fact, they may not give him back when you return."
She heard a small chuckle. "Yeah. Ok, I'm looking at the flights now, I can actually land one in 3 hours. I'll take off early from work and call Jazz on the way home. With her efficiency, she'll have us both packed and Chase ready to go."
"I honestly don't know how she does it. She's like the energizer bunny on crack."
Another laugh. "Alright, I need to tell my boss and call Jazz. I'll call you later!"
"Alright, see you, Tuck."
"Later!"
Sam hung up the phone and placed it on the stand. She took a deep breath and let it out in a puff. With a last look at the ghostly rose on the stand, she went inside.
DJ had long since gone inside and was curled up in his bed fast asleep. She grabbed DJ's leash and went over to the sleeping pooch to wake him. He whined and rolled over as she nudged him. Sam shook her head and smiled, giving the dog another nudge. The collie lifted his head and looked at his owner, a huff of indignation indicating his want to stay in bed.
"Don't you give me that look." She wagged her finger at him. Hooking the leash to his collar, the collie yawned and reluctantly got up from his warm bed. Sam grabbed her jacket and went to the door.
Now that DJ realized he was going for a walk he didn't need to be enticed out the door. As soon as Sam opened it, he went bounding out and down the hallway before he reached the end of the leash and was abruptly brought to a halt. He whined with anticipation and Sam could only giggle at his antics.
As they exited the hotel DJ made a beeline for the park across the street. There was a large decorative clock at the entrance and Sam admired the intricate carvings. She loved seeing it every time she took DJ for a walk.
She stopped and let DJ go about his business. Another dog had obviously come by since they had been here last and marked the same tree DJ did. The collie was sniffing furiously, his lips curling every so often as if he was disgusted at the scent.
The goth tried to keep her mind focused on anything she could to keep the vision of the dead man from her mind. Tried being the key word. She eventually gave up and let her mind wander over the scene. Despite his escape attempt, the kill had been clean and swift. Danny knew just where to place the blast. He had obviously tried it in the alley, but the man must have been able to thwart the attempt. Sam snorted. That clearly had been a futile endeavor, as his body was currently being cleaned off the pavement.
Sam shook her head; she was getting off topic.
The clean way he was killed showed Danny's experience with the matter. It disheartened her to realize that. This was something he was an expert in, and it made him very dangerous. She had faith he'd never hurt her, but it showed he was capable, and perfectly willing to take a human life; something he had been adamantly against before he was taken. He never even destroyed the ghosts that tried to kill him.
She sighed and rubbed her forehead. She could go around and around on the subject, but she would never understand what could make her sweet Danny kill.
DJ startled her out of her thoughts, signaling he was done. She smiled and looked at the decorative clock, surprised to see that an hour had passed. With a shiver she headed back to the hotel.
After settling back in she went back to the balcony and took up her usual spot. The lights of the Beijing skyline were beautiful, and she smiled despite herself.
Sam sat like that for a while. One hour passed and then two. After what seemed like an eternity to her she yawned and stretched.
She frowned, unaware just how tired she was from the day's events and decided it would be a good time to go to sleep. Jazz and Tucker wouldn't arrive for at least 14 hours at this point, taking the flight time and when the flight was into account. Anyway, she had some time to kill and sleeping was a good way to spend it.
–
Her phone ringing finally brought her out of slumber. Sam groggily rolled over and fumbled around for her cell on the nightstand. Eyes still shut, her hands finally landed on the infernal contraption and she hit the screen, pulling the phone to her ear.
"'ello?"
A pause. "…Did I wake you, sleeping beauty?"
Sam scowled at the sound of Tucker's voice. "Look, Tuck, I'm exhausted and would like to go back to sleep, is there something you need?" She rolled onto her back and ran a hand through her locks.
"Uhh, yeah. Can you come pick us up?"
Sam's eyes snapped open. Wait, what? "What?" She repeated out loud.
She heard an exasperated sigh. "Jazz and I are at the airport. Do you want to pick us up?"
Sam shot up in bed, shock reverberating through her body. How long have I been asleep? "Already?"
"Already? What do you mean 'already'? Sam, it's 9 o'clock..."
She glanced at the window and her jaw hit the floor when she didn't see the light of morning, but the evening darkness. "Oh my gosh…I've been sleeping for 14 hours!"
"Holy crap, Sam. I knew you needed your beauty sleep, but I think you overdid it."
The raven-haired girl growled. "Shut it, Tuck."
A small chuckle. "Seriously, are you coming to get us?"
Sam threw the covers off her and hurriedly pulled her boots and jacket on. DJ must be crossing his legs by now! "I didn't get a rental car. I've been walking everywhere. You'll need to take a cab. I'm at the Xing hotel, floor nine, room 913."
"Of course, you would walk everywhere," Tucker commented sarcastically. Sam rolled her eyes. "But isn't that hotel expensive? I looked some up when I booked the flight. I can't afford that."
"Don't worry about it, Tuck." Sam darted for DJ's leash. "I've got it."
"I can't ask you to do that, Sam!"
The goth growled again. "You didn't ask, I offered. Actually, I'm not even offering, I'm telling you I'm paying for it." She stooped to rouse the sleeping collie.
An annoyed sigh. "Alright, Sam. Thanks. It means a lot."
"Don't mention it. I mean really, don't. I hate that." With a click the leash was on and DJ started his usual bouncing. His tail wagged so hard it smacked him on either side of his stomach.
"I know. We'll be there soon."
Sam finally smiled. "I'll be here." The line went dead and Sam ended the call on her end, slipping the phone into her coat pocket.
Again, they headed across the street to the park. She glanced at the large clock and was shocked to find it was New Year's Eve. Her focus had been solely on finding Danny and she had lost all sense of time.
With a sigh she continued around the park. The wind had picked up and she shivered as a chilly breeze ruffled her coat. DJ was otherwise unaffected as he went about his business. Sam pulled her coat closer and waited for the collie to be done.
Fifteen minutes later, DJ signaled he was finished and the two walked back across the street to the hotel, but instead of heading up to her room, she waited in the lobby.
It wasn't long before a familiar red-head and dark-skinned man came in the revolving doors. Sam grinned and ran to meet the pair, of course, not without DJ taking the lead. The collie barked and took off at full speed. Sam apologized to the receptionist who was shooting her a disapproving glare.
"Sam!" Tucker yelled, dropping his bags and meeting Sam halfway. Jazz smiled as she watched the friends embrace. Any other female may feel threatened, but what Sam and Tucker had was unique, and besides, Sam's heart fully belonged to her brother. She waited, petting the overly excited collie, until they pulled apart and then took her turn hugging the goth.
"We've missed you," the redhead breathed.
Sam smiled and gave Jazz a light squeeze before letting go.
The goth ran a hand through her dark locks. "I'm so glad you guys made it. I didn't realize how lonely I was."
Tucker chuckled. "You? The Queen of Darkness, lonely?"
There was another dark glare from the receptionist as a certain techno geek yelped.
On that note, Sam thought it prudent to make it to the rooms before the receptionist kicked them out.
Tucker and Jazz checked in; happy they were able to get a room adjoining Sam's.
It took about ten minutes to complete the check in and make it to the room. Jazz and Tucker gaped at the spacious apartment-like hotel room.
"Jeez, Sam! These are like mini condos!" Tucker shouted as he inspected the small kitchen area. DJ woofed and paced the living area, sniffing eagerly.
Jazz nodded her agreement. "I've stayed in hotels before. I didn't know you could get one that wasn't just a tiny room with two beds shoved in it!"
The goth shrugged. "I was going to be staying for a while. Besides, they let me pay for a month at a time. Kind of like renting an apartment, I guess."
Tucker emitted an audible gasp as he opened the French doors to the bedroom. "Dude! It's a king-sized bed!"
"Good, maybe you won't punch me in your sleep," Jazz said, only loud enough for Sam to hear. The younger girl giggled.
Tucker placed the luggage in the bedroom and rejoined the girls. All shock aside, his face was now set to business. "It's been a long flight and I am tired, but I need to see the rose. I need to see with my own eyes the proof that he's here."
Sam sobered immediately and nodded. She placed a reassuring hand on Jazz's shoulder as the older girls' eyes watered at the mention of her brother.
The couple followed Sam through an adjoining door to Sam's room. DJ brought up the rear, happily padding over to his water bowl.
Sam led them out to the balcony. She walked over to the end stand and gingerly picked up the still glowing rose, cupping her hand around the petals as if to protect the ghostly object. She turned and held it out to the awaiting couple.
Jazz immediately shed silent tears. She reached out and timidly touched a soft pedal. Tucker stared intently. "It's perfect. Much better than the first one he gave you."
The corner of Sam's mouth quirked up slightly. "He has had four years to practice."
The goth reluctantly let it go, Jazz taking it in her hands and holding it as if the slightest jolt could break it. "I can't believe you found him." More tears flowed down the red head's face. Her eyes rose to meet Sam's. "You were right all along." She sniffed and returned her gaze to the rose. "I'll never forgive myself for giving up."
Sam placed a reassuring hand on Jazz's shoulder. "Don't say that. Not once did I hear you say he was dead."
Jazz shook her head. "No, I didn't. In a way, I sort of knew he was alive. But I gave up looking for him. After four years…I just thought that if he was still alive, we'd never find him. I know the statistics."
Tucker wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed his wife's temple. "The statistics aren't always correct, dear. Nor do they pertain to every situation."
Jazz reached up and brushed her hair behind her ear. "Even so, the chance was remote."
Sam wasn't sure how to respond, so when she saw the older girl shiver, she suggested they go back inside.
Jazz gently laid the rose on the kitchen counter and admired it a moment more before joining her friend and husband on the couch.
Tucker lifted his arms above his head to stretch. "So, where do we go from here?"
Sam sighed. "I'm not sure. I found him completely by chance and it's taken me weeks to do even that. I hope you don't get in trouble with work." She glanced up guiltily at her dark-skinned friend. "It may take a while."
He shrugged. "I've got it covered. No worries, Sam."
"Yeah, and Mom and Dad are thrilled to have Chase for a while." Jazz smiled.
Sam frowned. "Did you tell them why you had to leave?"
Jazz shook her head. "I couldn't. Though you found him, he may not be the same person. There is no guarantee he'd want to come back to Amity. I didn't want to get their hopes up."
"We told them I had a long business trip and spouses were invited."
Sam nodded and took a deep breath. She reveled in the small relief she felt when she released it. "Well what I suggest now is that you two get some sleep. We can head out tomorrow and look for him. Now that he knows I'm here it might be easier to find him."
The words had barely finished coming out of her mouth when the sound of glass shattering made them jump. Jazz and Sam screamed. Tucker reacted quickly and threw himself over the girls to protect them from flying glass. DJ yelped and ran for cover under the end stand next to the couch.
A thump was heard as glass pelted the room. Glass dust shimmered in the light.
It fell silent and the trio remained stationary for a few moments. It was Tucker that moved first. He gestured to the girls to stay quiet and stay down and slowly made his way to the end of the couch. He poked his head up and peered over the back; it was facing the patio and foyer.
A small, almost inaudible, gasp escaped his lips as he glimpsed the glowing figure on the floor on the far side of the room. A glance sideways told him the balcony door was in pieces.
Short, yet shaggy, hair indicated he was male. He was facing away from Tucker lying on his side. It took a moment for him to register the growing pool of green ecto-plasm slowly spreading on the hardwood around his upper torso. A cry next to him made him jump.
"Danny!" Sam threw herself over the back of the couch and rushed to the hybrid's side. Tucker spared a shocked glance at his wife. She only gave him a second before she was after Sam. He followed, the sound of his footsteps ringing in his ears.
Sam knelt beside her injured friend. Gingerly, she rolled him onto his back. A small groan told her he was at least conscious. Carefully, she checked him over for injuries. She noted small cuts from the glass on his face and arms, blotches that would surely turn to bruises and glass shards sticking out from his unruly white locks. It was when her eyes landed on his chest that she nearly caved.
His right hand was pressed tightly to his chest, green ecto-plasm pouring out from between his fingers. "S-Sam…" he tried. His voice was raspy. The goth heard Jazz choke beside her, putting her hand over her mouth. Tucker was frozen gazing at the wound.
It took only seconds for Sam to switch modes. She instantly went into Nurse Mode, surprising herself with how easy it came even after four years. "Tucker, go to my bedroom. My suitcase is next to the dresser; there is a first aid kit in it. I need you to get it now." He nodded and jumped up, his footsteps retreating into the bedroom.
She turned to the redhead that was breaking down beside her. Sam grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at her. "Jazz, I need you to be strong. I can help him, but I need your help to do it, got it?" Jazz nodded, hand still over her mouth, eyes wide with fear.
"Good. Go get me paper towels and some washcloths. Make sure you soak the washcloths in cold water."
Sam was relieved when Jazz promptly stood and ran to get the supplies. She turned back to Danny. He was losing ecto-plasm fast. "Sam I'm…s-so sorr-" He was violently cut off by a cough. Sam reached forward and placed her finger on his lips. She winced at the gurgling noise that rose each time he coughed. "Shh, it's ok. Don't speak."
She tried to look at the wound, but his hand was blocking her view. "Danny, I need to move your hand so I can see." He nodded. As he pulled his hand away the ecto-plasm spilled with renewed vigor. He grimaced.
Pounding footsteps signaled Tucker's return. "I got it!" He handed it to Sam and knelt beside her. She barely heard him say 'Oh man' as he spotted the wound.
Sam looked more closely at the wound. She couldn't tell what created it, but it was deep. There was too much ecto-plasm to tell if an artery was hit, but by the amount, she wouldn't be surprised. She silently thanked herself for taking nursing courses on the side while in college.
Danny coughed again and Sam cursed as ecto-plasm trickled from his mouth. His chest is filling up! She thought frantically.
"Tuck, I need one more thing. In my desk there is a ballpoint pen. Bring it to me, please."
He was up and back with only seconds in-between.
Sam worked diligently knowing Danny was quickly running out of time. She took the pen apart, twisting the cap off and pulling out the ink cartridge so just the shell was left. Going into the first aid kit, she pulled out a scalpel and alcohol swabs.
At this point Jazz returned with the paper towels and washcloths. "Thanks." Sam took the washcloths from the older girl. "Put the paper towels down beside him next to the wound to help clean up a bit."
Once they were in place Sam used a wet washcloth to wipe away some of the blood so she could see. It was coming out almost faster than she could wipe away. Using the swab, she cleaned the scalpel and carefully readied it next to the wound. "I'm going to need you guys to hold him down."
Jazz whimpered but complied. Tucker hesitated but eventually grabbed Danny's left arm and leg. He had a sick feeling he knew what was coming, even though he'd never seen it done before.
Sam took a deep breath and steadied herself. A single tear fell down her face. "I'm so sorry." She plunged the scalpel into his chest between two ribs. The hybrid screamed. Tucker screwed his eyes shut. Jazz was quick and covered his mouth. If the neighbors hadn't heard the glass door breaking, they would certainly hear his screams.
The goth pulled the scalpel out and grabbed the pen shell. With practiced fingers she pushed it through the opening and into his chest cavity. She was amazed that she even got this far considering how badly he was squirming. "Keep him still! I think I got it."
It took another second of maneuvering but soon ecto-plasm was pouring from the pen tube. Immediately Danny started to breathe better, but she had to be careful. There was a delicate balance between getting enough ecto-plasm out and stopping the bleeding and collapsing his lung.
She spent the next hour working meticulously. Arteries were all still intact, but a large vein was severed. She used all her knowledge from her anatomy and nursing classes to sew the vein shut properly and stem the tide of blood. She then set about cleaning and closing the wound. She pulled out the tube last, leaving herself enough room to close his side. Thankfully, Danny was completely out. He had lost consciousness shortly after she inserted the tube. Sam silently thanked anyone who would listen for small miracles.
When she finally finished, she sat back and viewed her work. Judging from the amount of ecto-plasm on the floor, it was going to take Danny several days of recovery before he would be strong enough to get around. He'd make it, but his core had a lot of ecto-plasm to regenerate.
She wiped her brow and placed a reassuring hand on Jazz. The older female was very pale and looked quite sickly. She had never dealt with blood or ecto-plasm all that well. It didn't take long before she was in tears and sobbing into her hands. Tucker went to comfort his wife, rubbing his hands up and down her arms and whispering softly to her.
Sam ran a hand over Danny's face and cupped his cheek. His skin was colder than it usually was in his ghost form. She swiped her thumb back and forth across his cheek. "Oh, Danny. What happened to you?"
–
Aaaaaaaaaaand that's wrap for this one folks! Yay, Danny is back! But what happened to him? Any guesses? I look forward to seeing them!
No, I don't have a ton of medical knowledge. I know this probably isn't technically right but…what the hey, right?