Chapter XII:

I'll Stand By You

When Valerie woke up, she simply stared blankly at the ceiling. Her alarm clock blaring in her ears. Monday. With a groan, she went to turn it off before falling into her weekly morning routine. Mondays. Who was the genius that decided that a Monday was a good day to go back to school? What should she wear today? Then she had work afterwards. Should she do her makeup now or when she gets there? Ellie might need to go to Jazz for the day. She'd rather not have another repeat of taking the girl to school with her. Hmm, she'll start it now and do the rest at her locker. What about Danny?

The brush in her hand froze as she blinked out of her thoughts.

Danny!

'Wasthat real?' She thought to herself, recalling the events of yesterday. Had Danny really woken up? The thought itself felt ridiculous. But Danny wasn't here, and she was in her bed for the first time in weeks.

Valerie hurried with her makeup and hair. Taking a brief moment to double check herself before she rushed out of her room

(Her breath was heavy as her head snapped around in different directions. The only sounds that were heard were crickets and the breeze that passed through the woods. Every step she took felt heavier than the last. 'Where was he? He had to be alive. She hasn't been looking all year just for him to-' her thoughts came to a halt as she saw the slumped figure behind the tree next to her. Quick to recognize the platinum silver hair, she called out his name.)

Danny was there. Sitting right where she last saw him. His head pressed back against the couch while his right arm rested on his knee. Awake. She didn't miss the way he froze and snapped his attention onto her, his eyes glowing a sickly green (also a little red for some reason). He was awake, but something was off. Like he wasn't completely awake. Yet his eyes stared at her.

Valerie was unnerved by the silent action. The stare was intense, to say the least. She briefly remembered the conversation she had with Jazz. Slowly, Valerie relaxed and lifted both of her hands. Showing that she was empty-handed. Danny's eyes seemed to narrow. Realizing this, Valerie began to speak in a soft voice. Explaining that she was just there to check on him before she left and that she wasn't going to hurt him.

She thinks Danny was satisfied with that much because his pupils shrank, and his eyes turned back to their regular blue color, just before being hidden by his eyelids.

Huh. Valerie lowered her hands, realizing Danny calmed down. Guess Jazz was right. She'd probably have to show that he's safe here a lot.

Her eyes briefly landed on the table. More specifically, the plate on it. On the plate was a little under half of the sandwich she gave him. There was a wave of relief seeing that he actually ate at least something last night.

Satisfied with all she saw, Valerie grabbed the last of her things and left the apartment. Actually… should she leave them alone? Probably not. Ellie has been fine on her own a few times.

….

Valerie pulled out her phone to call someone.

You know..Just in case.

Huh..

Her eyes lingered on a number she hadn't been in contact with for over two years. She was surprised she hadn't deleted it already. They barely talked in person, unless they were unfortunately paired together.

With a frown, she pushed her other task aside to finally get rid of the number. Then paused. A certain conversation that happened last night popping in her head.

Actually…

Asking for help wouldn't be that bad.

Even if it is Paulina.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

There were two things that came to mind when Danny woke up.

Number one, he had dozed off crying.

Number two, he was no longer on the floor.

Both were true. He had no recollection of anything that might've happened after his.. realization. He was now on the couch. Danny was more focused on the first thought. Did he seriously cry over a sandwich? How embarrassing is that?!

"Let's not think about that right now, Danny," He muttered to himself. Pause. "And.. no more of whatever this is-"

Danny sat up and took in his surroundings for the day. Everything was practically the same, which was good. He and Ellie seemed to have switched spots, with him on the couch and Ellie sitting restlessly on the floor as she watched tv.

Was he alone with her? Of course not. How does he know? Because of the ruckus that woke him up in the first place.

Standing up, he went to the kitchen. The noise getting louder the closer he got. Sure enough, he saw his sister rummage through the kitchen, which was messier than he remembered. Lots and pans scattered on the counter and smoke coming from the oven. If he didn't know better, he'd pin the cause on Jazz. But noting Ellie's behavior, it was simple to see that was not the case.

"Maybe you should consider getting takeout." He said, leaning against a cleaner wall.

A…bad idea on his part.

The sudden voice made Jazz jump and shriek in surprise causing him to jump back with his fists clenched tightly. His eyes wide as Jazz turned and instantly sighed in relief. "Sorry, Danny," She said, her voice wavered, but she was obviously trying to keep it calm. "You startled me there. I didn't even realize you woke up."

Danny blinked. He scared her? That was(what he wanted)n't good. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Jazz said after a moment. "I was too focused on cleaning anyways." She turned around to continue cleaning said mess.

Danny nodded mindlessly. "Right.. need any help?"

Jazz looked at her brother. He could practically hear the conversation that she was having in her head by the expressions she was wearing. 'Who knew people could talk loud with just their face.'

"No. I got it," She eventually said. "I did want to talk to you when you woke up, but we'll have to talk later."

Talk? That wasn't always good, but that was logic from before he even got captured. Plus, seeing as it was his sister talking.. It made him more suspicious. Curious.

With a nod, he (hesitantly) walked out of the kitchen and headed back to the living room.

Or tried to.

He ended up almost running straight into a rather nervous Ellie. Luckily for both of them, he stopped in time.

When he looked down to apologize, he was quick to pick up Ellie's expression. It was practically screaming that she broke the cookie jar. The younger one didn't make it subtle by any means either.

"So, uh… did you guys talk about anything?" She asked with a strained smile.

Danny raised an eyebrow. "Nothing noteworthy."

"Really?" Ellie asked, a hopeful sparkle in her eyes.

"No." Danny said, evidently dulling that spark. "Stop going in the kitchen when you're unsupervised."

Ellie pouted. "But I was doing better this time!"

"That's better?" He sputtered before he motioned to the kitchen dramatically. "How did you even do that?"

"Well…"

.

. .

. . .

Danny stared at his cl-cousin?-one blankly. They had moved back to the couch during Ellie's explanation of everything that happened. And wow. His eyes stayed on hers for a long time. Desperately trying to find out if she was joking.

She wasn't.

Wow…

He quickly shot up a hand to quiet her down, his other hand was firmly against his temple as he processed everything he was told. How did he sleep through all of that? With a sigh, he lowered his head and took a breath. "Okay. One: impressive."

"I know ri-"

"Two: you're grounded."

"WHAT?!" Ellie shrieked. "You can't do that!"

He hummed. "Why aren't you helping Jazz again?"

Pause.

"She kicked me out when I tried the second time."

"Hydrus, El."

"I know.."

He sighed once more and looked at the time. It was close to lunch, and a few hours before Val gets home. "Get some pizza and we won't tell Val." His voice was quiet.

Satisfied with the deal, Ellie nodded eagerly.

Then a bright flash filled his vision. And Ancients was it bright. Hopefully that was just his vision still adjusting, otherwise he needed to check to see if others still had their vision after seeing him transform.

Before Dani left, Danny called out to her saying she was still grounded. The words had earned him a groan, but he just gave her a smug smiled and waved it off. He did make sure to remind the girl to be careful. Maybe too much. Since she disappeared from his sight mid sentence.

Seconds passed and Danny found that smile slowly fading. A long silence filling the room before he eventually spoke to the only person in the apartment.

"You already told Val, didn't you." It wasn't a question, but he wanted clarification.

"I did," he heard his sister sigh. "And you sent Ellie away to talk, right?"

Of course he did. How could he not after she said something like that? He was interested. Curious.

Yet something kept him from admitting it out loud. Only mustering a shrug with a quiet maybe.

"Well, it wasn't anything too important. Just wanted to know how you're doing."

"How I'm doing?"

"Yeah," Jazz said, pausing everything to look at him. To examine him. "Like how do you feel about everything? Or just compared to yesterday. Ellie told me she might have heard you crying last night, so I just wanted to know."

Danny narrowed his eyes cautiously. "Uh-huh.. and is this my sister asking or some therapist?"

A brief look of shock passed by on Jazz's face and with that came forth a fraction of guilt from Danny. But was ultimately pushed back as soon as he saw Jazz smile at him with that warm look he'd seen so often from her. "You're sister," She answered as she walked out of the kitchen and sat down next to Danny.

His sky blue eyes met her aqua ones. With the tiniest smile, he nodded. "Good.. I think I'd rather my annoying and overprotective sister rather than some nosey therapist any day."

Jazz rolled her eyes and playfully shoved her brother. A smile on her face seeing Danny's own small smirk. "I mean it, you know." She said, her eyes still on the other. Merely watching as Danny's face turned back to a neutral expression as he sighed.

"I know..later."

Jazz nodded. It wasn't much but it was progress.

And he knew that was all she needed for now.

He thought it would end there, but obviously nothing really goes the way he plans.

"Oh, before I forget." Jazz got up and reached into a bag. She tells Danny to give her his hand and he does so. In the blink of an eye, in that hand was a rolled up piece of paper.

Danny furrowed his brown for a moment. Wait. He'd know that plastic-y feeling good from anywhere. Looked in his hands and unrolled the paper. Sure enough, in his possession was the blueprints to the Fenton Ghost Portal. He looked up at his older sister in surprise.

"What? Didn't- I thought you.."

"Yeah, but," she shrugged. "Gotta start with plan A, right?" When Danny didn't let up on his questioning gaze, Jazz sighed and continued to speak. "Look, What they did was unforgivable, but I want to show that I support you no matter what happens. And while I do think it's the harder option, I'm still going to help. You're my baby brother. It's my job to know to keep you safe."

…huh.

Okay, he'd make an exception for this.

And only this.

For the first time in a year, Danny fully relaxed and gave his sister a full closed mouth smile. One that finally reached his eyes. "Thanks, Jazz."

Just this once.

The door to the apartment suddenly opened and Danny panicked. Was it them? Did they find him? How did they? He needs to go. To leave. He needs to— A chill shot down his spine and goosebumps rose all over his body. He was frozen, eyes wide and pupils even wider. He couldn't see.

"Jazz..?" A voice asked. He couldn't pinpoint who's it was. 'That's not good.'

He briefly forgotten Jazz was with him until he heard her name. He should leave with her, right? But he can't—

"Mr. Gray?"

Danny stiffened as he saw the man walk over to the couch. Not just any man. Valerie's father. Oh, this was bad. He doesn't even remember if he met him when they dated. Does he say anything? What is he supposed to say? 'Hey, remember me? I dated your daughter for a week three years ago and now I'm crashing with her cuz my parents tried to kill me.' …probably not that.

"Were you… talking to someone?" Damon asked with a confused look.

..what?

"What?" Jazz said, just as confused as he was. "No, I was—" She stopped talking the moment she turned her head to Danny, eyes wide. «Danny?» she mouthed to him.

Danny nodded, but only got a nervous look in return. He merely watched, confused, as Jazz turned her head in various directions like she was looking for something. He reached his hand out to her. Then stopped.

He could see through his hand. See through.

Andd he's invisible. Guess there was no exception after all.

"Uhh," Jazz's voice got his attention. He turned back to her. Seeing that she turned back to Damon. "I was talking to." The last word drew out the last word. "Phantom!"

…

He resisted the urge to push her off the couch.

So, I officially hit Writer's Block. I had an awful amount of trouble writing this chapter. But imma still keep writing this the best I can. Please be patient with me if I end up missing another week

I actually don't have much to say for this chapter rn. Had a long day, but since I love y'all I spent a lot of it touching up and adding stuff for this chapter.

But if I had something to say.. I often saw a lot of Danny seeing himself when invisible. Personally, I thought it would make more sense for him to see himself as transparent. Kind of like how Miles does in Into the SpiderVerse

Also, Valerie's little school adventures might be its own mini series if you guys wanna see what she does to Sam and Tucker wink wink

Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Remember to eat and hydrate yourselves! See you guys hopefully next week lol

Have an amazing night/day

Next up:

«The Fenton Portal Blueprints were stuck on the board with added papers scattered around it—

Danny couldn't pay attention to the stares, his own being caught at his hands. Only one thought in mind: Something's wrong..»