CM/EG drabble: Takes place same Halloween night as last scene from Endgame Epilogue

Rated T: Adult Romance ahead.

Masks

Halloween night.

Vlad sighed deeply as he sat back in his large chair and removed his hands off his laptop. Months. It had been ten months and he was no closer to finding any clue or idea on how he could free Skulker and Fright Knight from the Realm of Nightmares.

He had searched all his ghostly books; and had scouted the Ghost Zone for lore or untold secrets regarding the Soul Shredder and that other realm. He had even reached out to other ghostly allies.

But so far everything said the same thing: it was impossible for a ghost to escape the Realm of Nightmares.

His most recent finding had come from his last visit to Ghostwriter. He wasn't exactly allied with the ghost; but he had heard the ghost kept a decent collection of ghost books. It had been a dangerous venture to visit him, especially with his unique powers. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in some fairytale alternate reality as the writer's puppet.

Heaven knows he had more than his fair share of alternate realities…

At the brief thought of his encounter with that evil future Phantom and then reality being altered, Vlad's frown deepened. He hoped he never had to go through anything like it in his lifetime or any lifetime.

He shook his head to dismiss his thoughts on that again and focused on the matter at hand. Ultimately, he had managed to compromise with Ghostwriter to grant him access to his library. Too bad it had proved futile. The new books and their knowledge were wonderful, but not what he had been looking for.

Vlad sighed again as he just stared at his open laptop which currently held a map of the Ghost Zone. It was his personal map he had built over the years with the help of his ventures. But a lot of the information he had on it was thanks to Skulker himself.

The hunter knew so much about the Ghost Zone…

Was it possible? Was he really going to fail the two ghosts who have sacrificed themselves for him when he had not deserved it?

Vlad raised his gaze over to the fireplace and briefly looked at the pictures on the mantle. Even when it had been months since the events with that evil Phantom and the alteration of reality, a part of him still felt like he was living in a dream. And that at any time he would wake up and find himself exiled and isolated in space somewhere.

Or worse… wake up and find he was still a bitter lonely half-ghost monster who was hated by the only other like him and utterly alone thanks to his own evildoings.

The frown on the man's face deepened as he placed a hand against his chest before closing his eyes.

No, he wasn't alone anymore. He felt it in his core. He felt the other young hybrid even when they were physically apart.

It was honestly their link alone that kept him grounded in this reality. And yet, he was still afraid of it. Or maybe he was afraid of himself.

How long would it be until he ruined the good around him?

Vlad felt a soft jolt in his core, and he opened his eyes. He had briefly sensed his link with the boy flare with his downward spiraling thoughts.

It's real, it seemed to reassure him.

Vlad shook his head and pushed away his wandering thoughts again. No, he had to find a way. He could not give up on his ghost friends. There had to be something! There was always an exception to the rule. The Realm of Nightmare had to have some fault, some door.

"A door always opens both ways," Vlad muttered with a slight glare.

He glanced back at his laptop before he leaned forward and grabbed one of the many ghostly books on his desk.

He opened the book to a marked page and read a specific paragraph he had been thinking about for days.

…. The Realm of Nightmares exists in a plane that is believed to be in the sensory world—a place that only truly exists in the layers between reality and fantasy. It cannot be accessed through the world of the living and it cannot be reached from the spiritual world since there is no tangible tie between these realms and the space that houses the Realm of Nightmare…

"Sensory world…," Vlad repeated thoughtfully. "What exactly does that mean? And what else exists in the sensory world?"

"Are you really going to spend all night in here?"

Vlad jolted and almost dropped the book in his hand as he looked up and saw Stephanie leaning against the entrance of his study.

He blinked at her as all thoughts vanished from his mind except one single question...

"What…are you wearing?"

"Halloween costume party, remember? You told me to come get you once I was ready… Well, I'm ready."

"Yes, but…."

At seeing the man just staring at her at a loss for words, Stephanie smirked at him. "What? I thought you liked cats."

Vlad still gawked at the woman who was wearing a black full-body cat costume. However, on her face she wore a masquerade mask shaped as cat-eyes that further curled upward into pointed ears but also dipped down in a 'V' to cover the tip of her nose. Her black hair was down and the dark make-up around her eyes just brightened her already beautiful eyes. The mask further accented her eyes with the diamond jewels that shaped around the upper part of the mask and also that created the 'cat-nose'. Naturally, her lips were a seductive red that just popped amongst all the black.

And then she slowly walked closer to him, her high-heeled black shoes lightly clicking on his wood floor.

The man felt his face grow red as she grinned at him with that cat-ate-the-canary look.

"Well?"

"Ummm…?" he answered back, his throat completely dry.

"Do you… like cats?" Stephanie questioned slowly, placing a hand on her hip and playfully narrowing her eyes at him.

Vlad's expression finally melded into a sensual smile. And gathering his wits again, he answered, "It depends… cats can be such fastidious animals… I think the question is, does this cat like me…?"

Stephanie just narrowed her eyes again. "Tonight? No… However, if you possibly have seen a very handsome, say… vampire or ghoul around here… I might just be interested."

Vlad grinned as he stood and abruptly morphed into Plasmius.

"Something like this?" he asked mischievously as he made a note to show off his fangs.

Stephanie approached him and gently grabbed his chin. She pulled closer, her high heels allowing her to reach his eye level much easily.

Vlad's smugness faltered as she drew close. She considered his appearance in such a way that he blushed again. But then she abruptly released his chin and pulled away.

"Ehh… It's not that impressive."

Plasmius mocked indignation as he quickly flew around her when she turned away from him. "I'll have you know I am considered one of the most impressive beings in existence. Ghosts and humans everywhere stare in awe at the mere sight of me!"

Stephanie just crossed her arms, unimpressed.

Plasmius rolled his eyes dramatically. "As I said… so fastidious."

Stephanie jolted when the ghost in front of her abruptly vanished.

"Better?"

The woman quickly turned her eyes to the doorway where Vlad Masters now stood. But now it was her turn to be taken by surprise when she saw he was no longer dressed in a usual suit. But had now changed into some kind of warlock outfit.

He was dressed in almost all black with a hooded cloak that touched his feet. His silvery white hair was surprisingly down, and the gold masquerade mask that also covered the upper part of his face curled upward into spikes and its shape further sharpened his eyes. In his hand he held a spiked staff that held in the middle a golden sphere with VM engraved into its center.

She had no idea when he had gotten changed; or maybe the Vlad she walked in on had always been a clone. She never knew with him when he got sneaky like this.

"Oh, that's better," she replied with a grin and finally pulled forward, pushing back his hood, before she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

He happily kissed her back. He had been so wrapped up in his research, he had almost forgotten about the party. Luckily, he had laid out his outfit hours before; so changing was hardly an effort especially with ghost powers on hand.

And now with Stephanie here to distract him, he was more than willing to release all his worries and tensions even for just an evening as long as he could spend it with this captivating woman. Plus, it was nice to pretend that for a moment this was how things were meant to be…

Honestly, it hadn't been long since he had finally told her how he felt. Actually, only weeks. He had wanted to do it from the moment he had returned to Wisconsin so many months ago. But several things kept him from telling her. Mostly guilt.

But he had stayed close all these months though. At least as friends. He had told himself if she did not accept him as something more after all he had done, he would at least beg her for her friendship. He would beg her not to push him away as he had done to her for so many years.

And by some miracle, she hadn't. She somehow still cared about him after everything.

He didn't deserve her. He never would.

But she didn't need to know that. Just like, for now, she didn't need to know how reality had been altered. He had told himself before he would get romantically involved with her, he would first tell her everything he had not yet…. But Annabelle knowing about that erased reality was hard enough.

Pulling away, he stroked her lower cheek near her lips with his thumb, and asked her softly, "Do you really want to go to this party?"

Stephanie chuckled. "Annabelle and Danielle are waiting for us, remember?"

Vlad sighed. Of course he did. Danielle had gone to Stephanie's house after school, and the two girls had then left to the party with their other school friends and that Henry boy.

"We could always ask Henry's father to bring them home," Vlad suggested with a smile.

"We also have friends expecting us," Stephanie answered, reaching up and pushing some of his loose long hair back away from his face. She then added as an afterthought, "You should wear your hair down more often."

Vlad made a 'no way' face at her, and she chuckled again.

Still, he answered, "It's not like I need to mingle with my 'friends' now-a-days. I'm not that rich billionaire anymore."

"Rich or not, your fame will always proceed you. You should know by now there's no escaping the spotlights, Mr. Masters."

She pulled away and then added, 'Besides, you might not have Dalv or Vladco anymore; but you are looking to start a new company. Face it, you're just too good at it to really stay away from the business world completely."

Vlad sighed helplessly. "Yes, well, this company will be different. It will be an investment in something worthwhile. Something that can help people for once."

"And something that you have always had a passion for," she finished with a smile. "A research facility in Biochemistry and Human Genetics. That was your major in grad school, after all. And it's why you've gone back to finish that doctorate you always wanted… Hmm, Imagine that… Dr. Vladimir Masters… Has a nice ring."

Vlad wanted to answer that he knew what else would have a nice ring with the name 'Masters' at the end of it; but it was too soon for that. It's not like he didn't want to, and obviously, he wasn't a young lad anymore to drag such a thing out; but he did mean what he said when he told Daniel he needed to find his own balance.

And adding marriage into the mix… well, it just wasn't time.

"What about you, Mrs. Hui? An aspiring businesswoman such as yourself must also need to mingle with the rich and powerful… You might be looking into a different area of the business world but influence always plays a factor."

"Oh, I have my connections, don't you worry," she answered. "Although I think I am doing pretty well for myself so far. My agricultural companies are scheduled to inaugurate here and in Florida at the end of the year."

"Indeed. Your parents must be proud. I know I am," Vlad answered, pulling her back into him by her waist. "The only downside to this is that I can't have you as my secretary anymore."

"I don't know… I kind of like this dynamic better…," she answered with a smirk. "But hey, it's Halloween, I am sure I can put on my secretary costume I have back home instead, if you prefer."

Vlad's eyes widened again but then he narrowed his eyes at her. "Woman, are you even wanting to go to this party? Because if you keep saying things like that…"

Stephanie laughed. "Alright, let's go…" But then noticing his open laptop, she moved away from him to go close it. But she paused as she caught a glimpse of what was on the screen.

Vlad cursed in his mind for getting so distracted he forgot to close his ghost map program.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you planning on going somewhere?" And then noticing all the glowing books on his desk, and one in specific, she further asked, "What is the Realm of Nightmares?"

Vlad had already closed the distance and closed the laptop himself before gently pulling her away from his desk as he replied, "It's nothing of importance… Come, we're going to be late."

Stephanie let him lead her out of his study without another word.

They were soon in one of Vlad's fancy cars, though not one his limousine. However, Carl was driving them, and the two sat in silence in the back seat as they headed to the party.

Vlad glanced at Stephanie who didn't seem upset but she was too quiet. And when she got quiet like this, he knew all too well, she was thinking.

The man sometimes wondered if their similarities were because of the amount of time they have been with each other. Was it because they had both learned to adapt to the cold business world? Or… was it him? Had she gotten this meticulous almost scheming ability to decipher the truth from him? Or…. maybe he had learned it from her?

It was a scary thought. One that he sometimes thought true when she just knew when he was either lying to her or keeping something from her.

Maybe he had lost his touch thanks to 'turning good' as Daniel would call it. Or… maybe she was just better at the game.

"I cannot remember the last time I dressed up for a party… I always hated masquerades and such nonsense. Too much effort needed for it," Vlad spoke up in hopes of getting her to just stop thinking.

"Really?" Stephanie replied a little too innocently as she looked at him at last. "I would think wearing masks would come effortless to you after all these years…."

…. Sometimes he hated being right.

"I've given them up," Vlad answered soberly.

"Have you?"

Vlad stared at her. Her tone still wasn't angry or accusing in spite of her words. But what he did see in her expression was even worse.

Concern. She was worried about him.

He hesitantly answered, "I have."

"Why is that, Vlad? After over twenty years of wearing masks, why did you just suddenly decide to give them up?"

The man sighed. "I told you about my connection with Daniel… I need to change. For his wellbeing… For yours, Annabelle and Danielle. For my own. People can change, Stephanie…."

The woman nodded. "You have changed…" She glanced down and grabbed his hand. "We wouldn't be here if you had not… I would have not accepted to be more than…. your friend if you had not. And it is why I hate to tell you this; but…. "

She looked worriedly back at him as she answered, "You are still wearing masks."

Vlad tensed. If she was not so serious, he would have thought she was just meaning his current mask that was part of his costume. But he knew, she was not talking about any physical masks…

She knew he was keeping things from her.

"I do not know what happened to make you return to Wisconsin… and leave your obsessions with the Fentons behind…. Maybe I'll never know; but if you really want to stop wearing masks, you have to let the people that care about you see you. There's nothing wrong with needing help sometimes… with being vulnerable…"

She smiled warmly at him. "You do not always have to be the powerful Masters or the invincible Plasmius… You can be just Vlad sometimes… around me… Around Annie and Dani."

"I know," Vlad answered with a smile. "And I promise you, I am not purposely trying to put on anymore façades… I suppose it's easier to. And I do not realize when I do it… I want to be transparent with you… I am still working on it…"

She nodded before she leaned her head against his shoulder. She then asked, "Is that why you waited this long to tell me how you felt?"

Vlad didn't reply at first as he quietly stroked her hand; but as he rubbed at her inner wrist, he saw the scar… the burn mark from when Dazzler… No, it had not been Dazzler anymore.

"I don't want to hurt you…. I have hurt you enough," he quietly replied. "I almost did not tell you. I have the bad habit of… destroying everything I touch."

"You are touching me now, and nothing is happening," she reminded him. "You won't break me, Vlad. You should know that by now…"

He smiled a bit at that. She was right. After all he had put her through, she was somehow still here. Still the same strong invincible woman.

There was a long moment of silence before Vlad asked her fearfully, "Have you ever felt like you are stuck in a moment that is so perfect, you fear it's a dream? And you want to be happy but all you can think about—wait for—is the moment when you will wake up and it will be over?"

"Like grasping water?" she retorted softly.

"Yes," he answered.

"I know exactly what that feels like…I did that for over twenty-five years," she answered him, her eyes focused on his hand that continued to rub at her inner wrist. "I kept trying to grasp you… I still am. And I will continue to grasp at you no matter how many times you slip from my hands. I will keep trying. All I am asking you is to do the same. Maybe one day we will both realize we don't have to try anymore. The masks will be gone. And the only thing that will be over is the fear… Because we will realize this is real."

Vlad sighed deeply before pressing his cheek against her head and gripping her hand as if he was afraid she would vanish.

"I hope so… And I promise you, I will keep trying."

She glanced one last time at her wrist. Maybe one day, when the man she loved was in a better frame of mind, she would share with him her dream about how she got that scar… about the terror she had felt when she had once lost him…

For now, she would gladly wear a mask with him. As long as it meant they could pretend together.

Sorry, can't help it. I love these two together. They are fun to write. They are both so flawed, but they just compliment each other well.

hehehe. Don't worry... I am working on DoaS. These are just easier to publish than 90 page chapters.