11/18/24: I can't believe we're on chapter 23 already! Taken is 30 chapters (though admittedly more pages).

11/28/24: Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! I'm currently writing chapter 26 so I'm still staying a few chapters ahead.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.

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Chapter 23: Surrender

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It had been a week since Danny's last run in with Shade/Sam. It was now a week to Christmas and Danny was losing hope she would be home in time to see their kids' first Christmas. His core was back to normal, though his wound still needed a day or two; it was closed and no longer a gaping hole, but it was still sore and scabbed. Danny wondered idly if it would create a new scar pattern over his death scar.

He'd been helping Skulker out the past week–carefully as he healed–with the issue of the ghost's disappearing, but just like before, they had been unable to uncover any useful information.

The rest of his time was spent taking care of the twins and thinking of ways to help Sam. His family was a little worried because aside from participating when needed, he was quiet. Jazz had come to learn early on, even as a teen, that this generally meant her brother was stuck deep in thought, and often not in a good direction.

The truth was Danny had already decided what he needed to do, but he knew from the last time that it wasn't going to go over well. Vlad wouldn't vouch for him this time, and everyone would be against it.

But as he looked at his children he knew they needed Sam. Jackson couldn't tolerate being held by him for long, even through a blanket, but Aurora could tolerate Sam holding her with the cooling blanket. They both needed to be held and comforted by a parent, and he simply couldn't do that for Jackson.

He knew that if he actually went through with it that there was no going back; Sam might never forgive him. But that was better than the alternative.

Danny was on the floor of his living room. He had the twins on a play mat in front of him, both awake and staring at the dangling toys above their heads and making cooing noises now and then. Jack and Maddie had taken DJ for a walk, both enjoying the time for each other.

The young ghost was waiting for everyone to arrive. His parents had looked apprehensive when he requested they call everyone over, and for good reason–though they didn't know that yet.

Danny watched his eight week old twins, soaking up every moment of it. He looked over their faces, memorizing every line and detail. They looked so similar that, without their eye color, they would be hard to differentiate from their face alone. He wondered what they might look like when they got older. Then his expression turned sad, and wondered if he would see what they looked like when they got older.

He startled when the front door suddenly opened and his parents walked in with DJ, Jazz and Tucker following. "We found these out on the street, thought we'd give them shelter," Jack said with amusement.

Jazz rolled her eyes, taking her jacket off and hanging it up, before startling as well when Vlad materialized in a puff of smoke.

"My apologies, Jasmine," he said with a spark of mirth in his eyes.

Maddie took the leash off DJ, glancing over and finding herself relieved to see a smile on her son's face for the first time in what seemed like weeks.

"Where's Chase?" Danny asked, noticing the young boy absent.

"We left them with my parents," Tucker answered, removing his shoes. "They haven't seen him in a while and we figured it would be a good chance."

Jazz didn't miss the crestfallen look on her brother's face. She found it a bit odd that he seemed so upset that his nephew wasn't here and it raised her suspicions.

All of them filtered into the living room, Jazz taking a seat on the floor opposite Danny and grinning at her niece and nephew. Tucker and Vlad took the loveseat while Jack and Maddie took the couch, DJ happily hopping up with them.

At first it was light, all trying to avoid what they knew was likely to be a hard conversation; Danny wouldn't summon them here without purpose. But, at least for a short time, they could talk and smile and pretend the situation wasn't so dire.

All too soon, the conversation died down and Danny cleared his throat, his family looking at him expectantly. "I've come to a decision," he finally said.

"Nope, don't say it," Jazz spoke up.

"Why?"

"Because I know you and you've probably decided on some grand heroic gesture that's probably going to get you killed. No thanks, next please!" she said, shaking her head.

He looked at her seriously before sighing. "I've thought about this a lot and I think this is the only way."

Maddie furrowed her brow in confusion. "What way?"

Her son glanced at her soberly. "Giving myself to Mira."

Jazz nearly choked on her own spit. "You mean actually surrendering yourself to her, instead of it being a ruse? Becoming their weapon again and never coming back for real this time?!" she shouted.

"It's not like I haven't killed before; my hands aren't clean," he explained calmly.

"And what the hell would that do?" She asked, gesturing wildly with her hands.

"I would trade myself for Sam," her brother answered, eyes gleaming in agitation. "It would give Aurora and Jackson their mother."

"And what of their father, my boy?" Vlad chimed in.

"That doesn't matter. Aurora's fine with the cooling blanket, but Jackson can't tolerate me for long."

"Really?" His father asked. "I'm sorry, Danny-boy, but that's stupid reasoning."

"I agree with Dad," Jazz said quickly.

"Dude, you have to know that's not a good idea," Tucker reasoned.

Jazz nodded. "It's not happening, simple as that."

"Like it or not, this isn't your decision," he said angrily, glare pointed at his sister.

"But it should be theirs!" she pointed to the twins. "But you're taking that decision away from them all because they're too young to make it! You know exactly what they'd say if they were old enough!"

"For all we know Sam is possessed by another entity and she's screaming from the inside," he responded.

"Is this why you looked so upset that Chase wasn't here? Because you don't plan on seeing him again?" she accused.

Her brother scoffed but didn't respond because she was right. She sniffed at his silence, trying to hold back the tears. "How dare you do this to us, Danny," she said. "The first time you were taken from us, how dare you do this to us again on purpose!"

Danny couldn't meet her eyes, and instead looked down at his kids. He could feel the tension in the air, and the disappointment. He knew they were angry at him, but he'd already decided; they wouldn't talk him out of it.

Silence reigned for several minutes before Maddie spoke up, her voice loud despite being soft. "You've always been noble and heroic to a fault. Why can't you step away from that this time?"

"Because it's Sam," he responded, deep voice gentle. "And I know Mira. Sam wouldn't be able to survive what I was put through, not mentally. If Mira made her kill like I was forced to, there wouldn't be anything of Sam left to save," he explained, reaching out and gently caressing his son's hair. "I've already been through it."

"So that means you should be the one to never watch your kids grow up by default?" His father's voice was full of sadness and confusion.

"Did you forget Sam has killed, too?" Tucker added.

Jazz nodded. "She even handled it well."

Danny lifted his gaze, green eyes meeting Jazz's teal ones. "That you could see."

"You think she lied?"

"I think I died and she had other things to occupy her mind with," he answered.

His sister's glare hardened. "I think you're still stuck there mentally and looking for a way back."

Danny's eyes widened at her words. He was both shocked and disgusted at her accusation.

"Jazz!" Tucker admonished.

Danny growled low. "Think what you want, but it won't change my decision."

"Why can't you think of your family!" Jazz cried.

"Sam is my family!" he countered. His sister went quiet, ashamed of herself but still angry at him. "You're all my family, but so is she, and she deserves the same treatment as I would give all of you. I'd die for any one of you; hell I did die for you."

The room was quiet. Danny was right, but even so, they didn't agree with his plan.

"Why do you always have to be the one to sacrifice?" Maddie asked.

Danny took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he thought. Finally, "Because there's just some things that leave a man no choice. She's my rock, my soul, my everything. I'd give every life I get for her," he said as he looked down at his children.

He tenderly reached out and placed a gentle hand on his twins' stomachs, smiling softly at their coos and arm waving. They were eight weeks old now and both were able to smile with purpose. As he lightly tickled them, both their faces lit up in a toothless grin, one their father reflected back at them.

"See?" Jazz said. "How can you leave them?"

Her brother sighed, her words breaking his trance with his kids, and looked up at her. "Because I am doing it for them."

Jazz set her jaw and looked away, a tear slipping down her face. Danny knew this was hard for her; for everyone. He stood then, going to her and kneeling in front of her. She refused to look at him, but was surprised when she felt his strong arms envelop her, pulling her to him. She felt so small in his arms, and again, it hit her just how grown up her baby brother was. The tears came freely now before she surrendered and snuggled into his chest.

"I understand why you're upset, but I need to do this, and even if you can't understand that, I hope that you'll at least let me leave on good terms," he pleaded softly.

She sniffed. "No matter how mad I get at you, and no matter how much I don't understand, I'll always love you," she responded.

He held her tightly and smiled.

–

Saying goodbye to his family was bittersweet, especially to his kids, who couldn't understand. Despite this, he truly believed it was the best course of action.

Danny did as he had before: he waited in the shipping port area for Mira to realize he was there and come to him. This time, he didn't have to wait long. She materialized within twenty minutes of his arrival.

"What do you want, now?" she asked, voice betraying her annoyance.

Danny gave her a sober look. "I'm surrendering," he said.

Mira looked him over, circling him as if she was a predator stalking her prey. After a complete circuit, she stopped in front of him. She noted his lowered head, his deflated shoulders, and the desperation in his eyes. "You're actually serious this time," she commented.

"I am," he nodded.

She smirked. "Let me guess, you want to exchange yourself for Sam like last time?"

He nodded again, keeping quiet.

She shook her head. "Not going to work," she said. "She's my most powerful creation yet, aside from me, of course." She held her hand up when Danny started to protest. "You can be rest assured that I will keep her alive. But I could still use you," she said, looking him up and down in appraisal.

The young ghost clenched his fists. "No."

Mira raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"You won't use me like that. I won't allow it." He expected her to get angry, to threaten him with Sam's life if he didn't give his body to her. But, instead, she laughed, confusing him.

"See, this is how I know you are serious. You would never give yourself to me in that way willingly," she said. "I am impressed that you would deny me even though I have your precious pet."

Danny watched her carefully, baffled at her statement. What did she mean? Hadn't he given himself to her willingly years ago? Suspicions began to surface in his mind, but for now, he pushed it aside. He was probably reading too much into it.

She clicked her tongue, crossing her arms and cocking her hip. "But you're right: your pet is too valuable to me for me to use her to threaten you. You can keep your body, at least in that way. I'm too busy these days to make much use of it anyway," she explained. Then she placed a finger on her chin in thought. "But, I could still use a weapon."

Danny was getting annoyed now. "If you won't kill her, but won't release her either, what leverage do you have to use me as a weapon? If you won't give me what I want, I'll just leave." He turned, ready to fly away, but stopped, body going rigid at her words.

"Your children," she stated simply.

He remained facing away from her to hide the look of terror on his face. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, hoping his voice sounded calm.

She scoffed. "Come now, sugar, I can feel your core in distress at my words. That confirms what I already know: you have two little babies at home." Since he wouldn't turn around, she walked around him, donning a triumphant air when she saw the look on his face.

It didn't last though, as very quickly his expression turned from one of horror to murder, green eyes suddenly blazing brightly as his glare set on her.

She held her hands up. "All you have to do is what I say and they stay safe."

He reacted quickly, hand shooting out and grabbing her neck. "What's to stop me from snapping your neck right now," he asked, his deep voice full of malice.

She glanced down. "Well for one, my hand on your chest," she said. She'd done it so quickly, he hadn't even noticed. "I could inject toxin directly into your core this way. Even if you snapped my neck, I'd have just enough time to inject a small amount, and it only takes the tiniest drop directly to your core to be fatal."

Danny's glare deepened. "Vlad says your toxin isn't fatal."

She shrugged. "Not when used in an ecto-blast, but injected directly into the core is another story. Besides, even if you don't believe that, believe this:" Her features darkened. "I have someone watching your place. If I die, they're instructed to kill those babies and everyone with them."

That got the young ghost's attention, eyes widening. With a sneer he let go of her, balling his fists in barely contained rage.

Mira smirked, crossing her arms. "I like the way you look when you get all murdery," she said, shivering. "You'll be needing that."

Danny clenched his eyes shut for a moment, calming the raging tempest inside, before opening them, a little calmer. "What do you need me to do?"

"You'll come when I call and do whatever I ask, if you want those little ones to see their first birthday," she said, deadly serious. "And don't even think of trying to move them, or double cross me. My associate watching you is extremely adept at hiding and I will know if you try anything."

He swallowed hard at the threat. "You're not keeping me here?"

She waved a dismissive hand. "I don't need you around here mucking things up with Shade. I need you both alive and if she sees you, she'll do whatever it takes to kill you," she explained.

He nodded slowly, digesting this information. Did Mira know Sam was still in there? He dared not ask in case she didn't know and it ended up causing issues.

Mira approached him, placing a single finger on his chest. "Just remember, come when I call, or your precious brats will pay the price."

Danny clenched his jaw and nodded, feeling dread seep into every crevice of his being.

–

The living room suddenly lit up in a dazzling display of neon green, the light reflecting off any shiny surface, sending bright beams of light scattering across the room. Smoke popped into existence and Jazz, who was still there, stood, surprised but expectant, as her brother materialized from within the smoke.

He looked so defeated. "What happened?" she asked tentatively.

"She wouldn't do it," he answered softly.

Jazz looked at Tucker, who had also stood from the couch. "She wouldn't exchange you for Sam?" he asked. Danny nodded, looking at the ground. "What do we do now?"

The young ghost sighed. "I'm not sure, but I need time to think," he said before lifting his gaze to his sister. "Where's the twins?"

She pointed towards his room. "Mom and Dad went to put them down for a nap."

Again he nodded, before shuffling off that way. Jazz watched him go. She wanted nothing more than to run to him and hug him tight because just minutes ago she believed she might never see him again, but she could see he was deeply troubled, and so she granted his wish for solitude and let him go.

–

The young man was in the rocking chair in his bedroom, a twin in each arm sleeping peacefully. As he rocked, thoughts swirled in his head like water going down a drain.

He didn't tell his family of the deal he'd made with Mira. Instead, he'd told them that she had declined. The ghost knew he shouldn't be lying again, but he didn't want to tell them about the halfa watching them in case they subconsciously changed their behavior. He absolutely did not want anything to happen that could put his kids in danger, even if that meant keeping the truth from his family.

Of course, he'd have to find excuses to leave when she called him, but he could probably do that without raising too much suspicion.

Still, he couldn't do it forever. He needed to find a way to Sam and a way to keep his kids safe. He didn't know how closely he was being watched, which meant he didn't know how much information he could reveal to his family, or how he could reveal that information without being caught. This was the second reason he didn't tell his family about the deal; he didn't know if there would be repercussions from Mira if he told them.

Danny sighed, looking down at his sleeping children, hoping he could be strong enough to protect them.

–

11/22/24: Took longer than I wanted. Losing some cushion between posting and what I have written…

Oh well, on to the next!