9/7/2024: Next chapter!

Trigger Warning: This chapter might be hard for some who have dealt with terminally ill family or friends. Please feel free to skip to the first break in the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom!

–

Chapter 4: Until We Meet Again

–

Two weeks later, Danny got the call he'd been dreading.

When Sam answered the phone and her face paled, he knew. Before she had even hung up with Tucker, he had picked her up and flew straight to his sister's house.

The ghost descended through the ceiling directly into the guest room and found both Jazz and Tucker by the bed.

He set Sam down and felt his core lurch at the frail and sickly man in the bed. He and Sam went to the other side of the bed.

Vlad reached out, arm shaking, and the young ghost took his hand.

This wasn't unexpected. They had all watched the billionaire deteriorate quickly over the last couple weeks. He'd barely been eating for days and Sam had actually started giving him heavy pain meds. The ailing man had refused to go to the hospital, choosing instead to pass where he could be comfortable.

But the fact that it was expected didn't make it easier. Danny didn't have as much time to spend with him as the other's had, but he had surprised himself with how much he had begun seeing the older half-ghost as a mentor and father-figure. It made this that much harder.

To Danny, Vlad was a shining example of redemption; a lesson on what could be if you simply let go of hate and embraced the good. It gave the ghost hope that someday he could be that example for someone else.

Danny reached up and pushed the billionaire's long gray hair from his face. "Remember your promise," he said.

Vlad smiled weakly. "I'll do my best…little badger."

The young ghosts's core constricted at the moniker, finding that he had begun to cherish it, instead of hate it.

Danny smiled. "Don't be scared, death isn't as bad as you fear."

Vlad squeezed his hand before looking around at everyone gathered. "I've split…my fortune between…all of you. Please…use it as you will."

They all looked shocked, with Jazz even gasping at the revelation. She shook her head. "You'll need it when you return," she chastised lightly.

He turned his attention to the redhead. "I've set aside some…should I need it if I return…but I will not need all of it."

Tucker frowned. "I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I'd rather have you."

The older man smiled gently. "I appreciate that," he responded.

There was a knock at the door before it opened, revealing Maddie and Jack. Jazz and Tucker moved down some to give them room next to the bed.

The billionaire looked around at everyone gathered and was surprised when he felt tears going down his cheeks. "I always believed…I would die alone. Seeing…you all…makes me so happy."

"Even me?" Jack joked.

After Danny's death, Jack and Maddie had had questions for the billionaire they had been burning to ask since he'd come to help save their son after the attack in their home. Vlad had been forthcoming in his answers. No matter how hard it was, he refused to lie to them, and so told them of his own half-ghost nature and who his ghost half was.

Initially it hadn't gone over well, but the testimony from Jazz and Tucker had smoothed it over. While Vlad still could not relate well with Jack, he had overcome his animosity towards the larger man, and, in turn, had been accepted and forgiven by his once-college friends.

He smiled. "Even you," he responded.

Sam reached over and placed her hand over the hand Danny was using to hold Vlad's. "Just make sure you come back, okay?" she said, getting the man's attention. "Danny and I talked, and we want you to be the baby's Godfather."

Vlad's eyes teared up again and he nodded, too emotional to form words to express his gratitude.

The group spent the next hour in conversation, each noting as the hybrid became weaker and weaker. Every one of them remained by his side until the moment Vlad closed his eyes for the last time.

At that point tears were shed. Danny stood and brought Vlad's hands together over his stomach before leaning over and putting his forehead on the billionaire's forehead, closing his eyes. "Until we meet again."

– (Start here for those who skipped the first part)

Vlad's funeral was small but beautiful. He hadn't had any blood family, and outside of the Fenton's, Sam and Tucker, he didn't really have any friends, either. He truly would have died alone if he hadn't changed, and the ones who attended his funeral were grateful the man had.

Danny gave the eulogy, something he never thought he'd do for the man. But the ghost felt he owed Vlad that much at the very least.

As the funeral was winding down, Danny found Sam sitting in a chair outside the venue watching the first of the spring birds flit from one tree to the next. She was wearing a long, slightly flowing black dress and flats, and had a hand on her stomach with a sad smile on her face.

"You doing okay?" he asked as he sat in the chair next to her. He was in a black suit with a white button down shirt under the suit jacket and dress shoes. Sam thought he looked extremely handsome in nice clothes.

She glanced his way and nodded. "He'll come back, just like you did," she responded, her gaze going back to the birds. "He has to, now that he's going to have a Godchild waiting for him."

The ghost gave her his own somber smile, before looking at the billowing clouds above them. He was surprised when the goth stood and moved his legs to the sides so she could sit in the chair with him, situated in front with her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned back, enjoying her warmth while watching the clouds.

Sam could feel the thrum of energy in his chest, the gentle pulsing of his ghost core as it circulated his ecto-plasm, much like a heart would with blood.

She snuggled her head back into him. "How long do you think it will take for him to come back? It's already been a week."

He hummed, the vibrations tickling her back. "I'm not sure. I think it's different for all those who come back."

She turned to look at him. "Do you have to just want it hard enough?"

Danny shrugged, giving her an uncertain look. "I don't know. I do think there's a catalyst to coming back; something that makes it happen. Otherwise, everyone would come back, but that isn't the case."

The goth turned back around, now looking at the clouds as well. After a pause, "What made you come back?"

"I don't really remember my time there, wherever I was. But," he started, wrapping his arms tighter around her. "I do know that I remember a feeling; this warmth that was so inviting. I think it might have been your soul."

Sam blushed, suddenly feeling emotional. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes while saying, "Stupid hormones. I can't wait until that's over."

The ghost chuckled causing her to bounce a little, which in turn made her laugh as well. He reached down with a hand and placed it gently over her stomach, imagining what that little baby might look like. "When did the doctor say you were due again?"

"November 12th," she answered. "I'm ten weeks now."

"It feels so far away," he commented softly, his deep voice reverberating through her back.

Sam had a wistful smile on her face. "It'll be here sooner than you think."

Then Danny's ghost sense went off and she felt the moment he went rigid, on high alert. It was the first time his ghost sense had been triggered since he had returned to Amity after being taken, and the feeling that came with it, while familiar, was not a pleasant one.

Danny gently urged Sam up before putting her behind him and looking for the danger. He knew ghosts were something the goth could handle, but now that she was pregnant, his protectiveness over her had increased tenfold. He ignored her look of indignation and kept her back as he scanned the sky.

"I am not here to fight you, Phantom," a deep disembodied voice said.

Danny glared. "Skulker. Long time, no see," he greeted, with just a hint of hostility.

The mechanical ghost materialized with his hands up in a placating gesture. "As I said, I am not here to fight you."

"Why are you here?"

"To see a friend," Skulker explained, lowering his hands. "He was supposed to have more time. I didn't think he'd be gone so soon."

Danny raised a brow. "Vlad was your friend?"

"Even ghosts have friends, Phantom," the older ghost said, annoyed.

Danny shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I just didn't realize you two were friends."

"Hmmm," Skulker hummed. "It was a friendship born out of mutual gain, but a friendship nonetheless," he said, inclining his head. "Hence why I am here. Again, I do not wish to fight you. Every ghost in the zone felt your formation. I doubt you'll have much trouble with any of us in Amity."

Danny gained a contemplative look, gaze looking out over the clouds. "Vlad said he'd never sensed such a powerful ghost."

"He's not wrong," Skulker said, regaining Danny's attention. "You rival Pariah in power. So long as Amity is your territory, you'll not have much trouble."

The young ghost nodded. "I don't wish to fight any of you either, but I will if I have to. So long as you don't make trouble, we're good."

Skulker smirked. "We have a truce then."

Danny flew closer and extended his hand. The mechanical ghost raised a brow, but took Danny's hand and shook it.

"We have a truce," Danny confirmed.

Skulker nodded, letting go of Danny's hand. "May I pay my respects?"

The young ghost glanced towards the door to the venue. "You may, just try not to freak out my family."

The hunter smirked, going invisible. "They'll never know I'm there."

Danny waited until his ghost sense told him Skulker had left them before turning to Sam, seeing the slightly annoyed look she was giving him. He gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry, habit," he explained.

The goth sighed before changing the subject. "That was weird."

"Tell me about it," Danny replied, looking back towards the door to the venue. "Never expected that."

Sam nodded in agreement. "Vlad wasn't evil these last few years. Skulker is the last person I expected Vlad to be friends with."

Danny's reply was cut off when a yell came from within the venue. Then they heard Jazz's shout, "It's Ghost-X!"

Followed by, "My name is Skulker, you infernal woman!"

"Oh, for crying out loud," Danny said in annoyance. "I guess I need to break up a fight. Leave it to Vlad to have a brawl at his funeral." The ghost sighed while Sam tried to stifle a laugh.

–

That night, Sam and Danny were both on the roof of her apartment building just staring at the sky. The ghost had been doing it most nights, but Sam had only recently caught on. When she asked him about it, he shrugged and told her the sky was calming to him. He did not tell her that he also came up here to try and figure out why he felt like things weren't over.

The night was surprisingly warm for mid-April, so Sam leaned against Danny's chilled form as her gaze moved from constellation to constellation. "What's your favorite constellation?" she asked suddenly.

Danny smiled. That was something most people didn't really put any thought into, but she instinctively knew he did, given his love of space. He pointed to a few stars to the right of them, about halfway between their zenith and the horizon. "Leo,"

Her eyes roamed from star to star within the Leo constellation. "What makes that one your favorite?"

He thought for a moment. "Well, you're a Leo," he started, bumping her shoulder a bit. "Which is probably why you're so fiery." That comment earned him a light smack on the arm and an eye roll, which he grinned at. "But I've also just always admired the strength of a lion. The male lion puts his life on the line to protect the pride, so it feels almost like a kindred spirit."

She watched him in the moonlight, noting the peaceful look on his angelic face. He glowed in the dim light, making him stick out like a sore thumb to anyone below. He turned his head, his eyes meeting hers with a sparkle of amusement. "What's your favorite?" he asked.

She hummed and pulled her eyes from his, scanning the sky before pointing. "The big dipper. I know it's cliche, but it's the first one I was able to distinguish as a child." She got a sad look on her face. "Dad and I would stargaze when I was little and he would point it out," she chuckled lightly. "He would tell the same lame joke every time."

Danny grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "What was the joke?"

She kept her eyes on the asterism. "He'd say 'I came out here earlier to find it, but I couldn't. So, I went back inside to do some research and then tried again. The difference was night and day.'"

Sam actually smiled when Danny laughed. "I've never heard that one before," he said.

The ghost calmed and looked at her again, only to notice tears going down her face. His smile turned sad and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. "It's okay to miss your parents, you know," he said softly.

She sniffed and wiped away the tears as best she could. "I feel stupid. They aren't dead."

"No, but you haven't had contact with them for two years. That's almost the same thing."

She sighed heavily, looking down at their intertwined hands. "What parent throws away their only child just because she's different from them?" she asked with both sadness and anger. She was never quite sure what to feel when she thought of her estranged parents.

Danny frowned, unsure of what to say. He scanned the stars again, thinking it over, before he answered. "A lot of people would tell you that they're family, and that you always forgive family. But that's bullshit." She looked up at him at his use of colorful language. "If you three can make amends, then that's fantastic, but it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes you need to cut the toxic people from your life in order to find peace." He looked back down at her. "We're having a child. If you want to reach out to them and give them a chance to be grandparents, then I say go for it. But if you don't want to, then don't do it. I'll support whatever decision you make."

She smiled sadly at him before snuggling closer and closing her eyes. She had no idea if she wanted to reach out to them; the last time they talked, her parents had said some pretty awful things. Her sweet grandmother, who had always stuck up for her, passed away two years ago. It was then that her relationship with her parents went downhill, and quickly. The final clash had happened because her parents had set up a blind date for her–some rich guy who was full of himself–telling her she needed to forget Danny. All that idiot wanted was a trophy wife.

She wouldn't pretend she hadn't said awful things herself, but it was in response to them. After that, she moved out and hadn't spoken to or seen them since.

The goth sighed, deciding to change the subject. "I know it's early, but have you thought of names?" she asked, opening her eyes again and leaning back a little to see him.

Danny rubbed his chin, smoothing out his beard. "A little, but I hadn't really settled on anything. Do you have a preference?"

Sam sat up more, stretching her legs a bit. "After I lost my parents, your family became my family. I think we should honor them somehow."

"Jack and Maddie?"

She tilted her head. "Sort of. I think Madison would make a good middle name for a girl. And what if we changed Jack to Jackson as a first name for a boy?"

The ghost smiled. "I like that. What about a middle name for a boy and a first name for a girl? I know you liked Lilith."

Sam shook her head. "I do, but it doesn't feel right," she responded, looking back at the stars. "I want the other names to have meaning to us, but especially to you. You literally died to save me, which, in turn, saved the baby."

Danny got a faraway look before his gaze settled on a particular constellation. "What about Jackson Leo?"

She grinned. "I love that," she said, glancing at him, before she too looked at the constellation. "Something I've always wanted to see is the northern lights. What do you think of Aurora Madison?"

The ghost kissed the top of her head. "I think it's beautiful, just like her mom."

Sam blushed. "We don't know if it's a girl yet," she reminded him.

He gave her a lopsided smile. "What about last name?"

"Fenton, of course," the goth replied without hesitation.

Danny raised a brow. "Fenton is gone and dead."

She shrugged. "Yeah, but we can't really use 'Phantom'. I'm not sure that would be recognized legally. Besides, with all the looks we get, I'm not sure I want to draw that much attention to our child."

The ghost nodded, agreeing with her explanation. "Okay, but you're giving me everything with these names. What do you get from it?"

Sam looked at him with a deadpan look, as if it were obvious. "You know, most people get married before they have kids. We kind of skipped that step."

His cheeks were suddenly tinged green. "Marriage? Are you proposing?"

She laughed. "No, but it is something I want, eventually. I like the sound of Samantha Fenton. Even if Daniel Fenton is gone, I can still legally change my last name if I want to."

The goth leaned forward, a smile on her face as she watched a faraway plane cross the sky.

Danny watched her, feeling that bubble of affection in his stomach. It's not that he was against marriage; it's all he wanted with her. But he still couldn't get rid of this gut feeling that something was coming, and that gave him pause. It also made him terrified. It wasn't just the adults he had to keep safe; now he had a child to protect as well.

He breathed a heavy sigh and decided he shouldn't keep it from her, as it involved her. If she got hurt because she wasn't on alert when she should be, he'd blame himself. She needed to know.

"There's another reason I come up here," he said suddenly.

She turned, looking back at him expectantly before noticing his nervous look. "What's wrong?"

He licked his lips. "I just…have this feeling that it's not over."

Sam furrowed her brow. "The Headmaster is dead, though. The police confirmed it."

He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, but it wasn't just her. She was the leader, but it's a whole group. She had the army and then there's scientists and researchers." He dropped his hand. "They could easily run without her. They would just need a new leader."

Sam thought about it, leaning back again. "Do they have someone who could lead?"

Danny nodded, swallowing hard. "Her name is Mira; she's the Headmaster's daughter."

The goth's head whipped around and she stared at the ghost incredulously. "She has a daughter? Why didn't you ever mention her?"

Danny gave her a pained look. "Because she's someone I'd rather forget. She's obsessed with me, and is not very mentally stable."

"Obsessed with you, how?" Her sudden calm threw Danny off guard. Her body was rigid and still, but her eyes were fire. It was like the calm before the storm.

"Uhh…romantically," he answered warily.

He could have sworn her right eye twitched.

He held up his hands, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "Now, hold on, I never entertained that."

Her eye twitched again. "Alright," she said before taking a deep breath and calming herself. "While I'm glad you didn't have any romantic partners while you were gone, I would have understood if you did. Except with her. The Headmaster's daughter is where I draw the line."

"I really don't have any plans on that ever happening," he assured her.

"Good," she started. "I'm ready for bed and it's getting cold. Can you take us inside?"

He smiled at her, gently picking her up and phasing through the roof. "Your wish is my command."

She rolled her eyes. "Show off."

–

9/16/2024: This one took longer than I wanted. Got stuck!

If it seems like they don't care enough about Vlad's death, remember that Danny just proved that they can come back. If time passes and he doesn't come back, the grief will set in. Otherwise, they're just waiting for him.

BIG shoutout to SamXDanny for the name ideas. I used a few of the ones she suggested to varying degrees and added Leo in there myself because it fit with the constellation narrative (That was actually not planned at all. In fact, the whole constellation conversation was spur of the moment and when I went to type down a middle name for the boy, my eyes landed on Leo and it was just perfect).

And we finally got an explanation on where Sam's parents are!

A little action in the next chapter!