Sorry for the pause, I've been working on my mental health a lot and haven't had the energy to do this after everything else. But I will try to keep going now that I'm back.

Enjoy Chapter 12.

(Valerie's POV)

We sighed, tumbling down on the chaise lounge in a mess of limbs and hair. I move my hands, adjusting my pillow under my head and gently scoop up Jazz's luscious locks. The smooth red hair was a bit greasy, neither of us has had a moment of peace since Dash and Kwan left. She sighs, snuggling down into my chest.

"Oh, we should check on-"

"Babe, Sleep." My hands move, gently running through her hair, massaging her scalp.

It had been so long since we've seen each other and I missed my girlfriend terribly. It felt so nice to feel her against my body. I only wished it was in better circumstances.

"But every time I close my eyes-" a deep yawn cuts her off

"I have all the alarms on. We can't do anything for them when we're tired." I pull the blanket up over her shoulders, my fingers moving gently, lulling her to sleep.

"But-"

"Jazz, I will tape you to a bed I swear..." I sigh, pulling her tighter to me.

We were in our regular clothes, the thin synthetic fabric was back in its holders, the gloves and glasses still on our heads. Jazz's were lifted up, resting on her forehead now. I'd gotten her to sleep a bit, tucking her into one of the many large beds, the spare room hardly touched but each time an alarm went of she was down in the medical room. It was like they were dominos or playing leapfrog, Vlad, Danny and Danielle, each one needing something from someone. An annoying fact as all three were still out, sleeping soundly.

"This will end badly..." she snorts

"Don't jinx it."

I feel her grin, snickering as I slap her ass. Jazz had the worst way of killing tension. I feel her relax, melting into my body heat and we both sigh, my eyes sliding close.

WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP!

Both of our eyes snap open, the bright red lights telling us in a second that this was a fight, not a problem. Jazz tosses off the blanket. Were on our feet, wincing as the small needling piercing our flesh and our suits are out, moulding down our bodies. Our vizors are moving across our eyes when the blanket hits the floor.

"You had to jinx it."

Jazz looks at me, a small smile on her lips before they're covered. Her hands move to her wristwatch, silencing the loud alarms.

(Jazz's POV)

A.I. rings through our coms

*Rouge one, Rouge two we have an incoming ghost portal. Forty seconds*

I scan the room, trying to pinpoint the source.

"Where's the portal Ala?"

*The far-left wall rouge one. *

"Activate Phantom Whip," Valerie states, the wheels on her suit spin, creating static and I watch the glowing green rope swirl down her arm and fly out with a crack.

"Are they friendly?"

*I'm not sure, I do not have the starting location in my database. Twenty seconds*

"Ala locks down the house, I want the portal to open up and only here," Valerie states, her voice was scrambled like mine but higher.

"Batons activate" I felt the metal slide out along my gloves, the black static running down the length and I roll them twice, my gloves gripping the handles menacingly "Ala, how many?"

*I'm sensing three cores. One life source is weaker than the others.*

Valerie snaps me a quick look "Life source?"

I spare her a moment's glance "Ala are you saying there are humans as well?"

*Affirmative. Ten seconds*

"What? Did Sam and tucker let themselves get captured just to come here?"

"Possibly" I sigh, dropping into a crouch *7,6,5* "I wouldn't be the dumbest thing they've ever done..."

The booming voice hits our ears before the portal was fully open "Jasmine! Valerie! I need your assistance!"

Out of all the things I'd imagined I never thought I'd see Frostbite walking through a portal carrying a beaten Kwan and a pale bleeding Dash in his arms.

Valerie moves, weapons deactivating and quickly taking the still conscious Kwan from Frostbite. She sinks down against his heavyweight but stays on her feet.

"Don't worry about me, help Dash! He got the brunt of the fight!" Kwan cries out, falling into a chair in pain. Valerie rips open his shirt, quickly assessing the large gash on his shoulder and the cut on his head.

"Go!" She stands, grabbing the medical kit in the counter "I can handle this!"

I nod, moving down the hall to the medical bay, frostbite hot on my heels "What the hell happened?!"

(Dash's POV)

The world spun slowly, a tangy taste filled my mouth. I swallow roughly and try to focus. The simple action was so hard, the comforting hands of sleep were trying there hardest to lull me back to sleep. I twist my head the slightest taking in the sounds of steady beeping. Wait… beeping? I try to open my eyes again, the simple motion felt impossible. My throat burned and my chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it. What the hell happened? I try to remember the last few hours and jump when a face flashes before my eyes.

Skulker!

I hear the heart monitor increase as the fight comes back to my mind.

"Hello Whelp." A deadly chill runs down my spine, Quan's concerned yelling echoes up the stair and a cold hand clamps around the back of my neck.

I never considered myself a light person but in that moment my feet were tugged off the floor like a small child and I find myself tossed backwards. I see the door, my bed and the floor. My feet hit the end on my bed, rolling me backwards as I hit the ground, knocking over my leather desk chair with a crash. My lungs burned, the simple action of breathing felt worse than not breathing. Skulker turns around, starting to walk over to me when he stumbles forward. Quan was on his back like a baby monkey, wrapping the large ghost in a chock hold.

"Dash?! Where are you?" I roll over trying and failing to get my body to listen to me. My chest burns, the heat ripping through my chest. Blood fills my mouth, the tangy liquid was another reminder of how helpless we really were against him. All my strength was useless, Quan's as well, as Skulker reaches up gripping Quan's shirt and tosses him across the room like a rag doll. He was clearly angry as Quan hits the wall, landing on the dresser and then the floor.

"Kwan…" I whisper, rolling on my chest with shaking arms.

We needed help.

Skulker laughs, stepping over to us

"Not so tough without your hero are you?" I look to my left seeing the yellow garbage bag on the floor. I reach over, trying to grab the bag. I pull it over, bit by bit and feel the soft red ribbon in my fingers. I pull the pendant to me, remembering Frostbite's words "If your ever in need, use this pendant to call me. Say my name and I will appear." I grip the pendant in my fingers, the gold shining in the light

"Frost-"

My scream rips through the air, cutting off my words. Skulker's foot comes down hard on my hand, crushing the bones with ease. What felt like acid ripped down my arm, flooding my senses with such pain it makes my head spin. I hardly notice him kneeling down, yanking the pendant from my hand.

"Now now, we're having so much fun. You really want to spoil it by calling for help?"

He smirks, kneeling down before me, the pendant dangling from his hand and I bite my tongue to stifle another scream as more weight is put on my hand. Every second reminded me of my utter helplessness and despite the danger I reach up again, trying to grab the pendant when a hard kick comes to my chest, stopping my words and my breath. I fly off the floor like a ball, hitting the posters above my headboard. The wall behind me breaks, bending inward from the force and pain rips through my chest. I hit the bed, my broken ribs screaming in pain.

"Dash!"

I felt my world spinning, my chest refusing to rise as the fire continues to spread. Skulker walks over, gripping my neck and pulls me off the bed.

"Now look what you made me do." he states like a tired parent "What did I just say whelp? Calling for help is cheating." when I don't move his head turns "Hey, don't pass out on me now." His hand moves, smacking my face. Each one gets harder than the next, so on the fifth hit, I fly onto the floor, landing beside the door as he laughs.

"Dash…" Quan whines, struggling across the floor to me. Blood was rolling down his nose. I roll over, coughing up what I assume was blood.

Quan screams again. His body is tugged backwards as Skulker lazily tosses him over the bed like an old shirt. Thankfully it wasn't as hard as he rolls over the torn sheets and crashes to the floor instead of the wall.

Quan's cry of pain only encouraged Skulker more. "Oops, did I break something? You humans are so weak... I often forget my strength."

His sick laughter fills the air as my vision blurs, the world was fading from my view.

I feel his hand hitting my face once more "Hey hey, don't go to sleep, we have so many interesting games to play..."

I sigh, running a hand down my face and wince as the burning sensation. I glance down at my hand and see two tubes going into my wrist and elbow. One was clear, most likely fluids and the other was red and I blink, glancing up to the blood bag. I turn my head, hitting the call button for help and lie back down. My ribs were on fire but all the pain couldn't stop the gasp of shock as I turned, coming face to face with Vlad Masters's unconscious form.

(Valerie's POV) two hours later*

"Jazz get off me!" Dash shouts annoyed, her voice follows after

"Well, this would be over ten minutes ago if you'd stop moving!"

"That stuff has Vlad's blood in it. Ghost blood!"

"So did the blood transplant! We had to do something to heal your wounds!" Dash burst into the room, hands flailing left and right in anger as Jazz adds more ecto-cream to his face.

He and Jazz had been going at it for ten minutes. Danny, Danielle and Vlad were over the worst of there problems and were resting comfortably in the medical room. I was sitting beside Kwan, my legs spread out to accommodate his left hip as I fixed the damage the fight had caused. My right leg was draped over his leg, the suture kit resting beside me. Officially ending our moment of peace.

"How can you trust him?" he snaps "that's Vlad Plasmas. The mortal enemy of Dany Phantom. They've been trying to kill each other for years!"

I look back at my task. The cut wasn't that deep but long, the stitching would help it heal faster. A thin ice pack was held around his face, the tender flesh already bruising. Jazz kicks out his feet, knocking him into a chair.

"Dash, you really should stay out of things that don't concern you!" Jazz slaps his hand when he tries to move. She smears more of Vlad's blood onto his bruises, the skin glowing pink. "You have no idea what both of them have been through."

He stops, flabbergasted by her words

"Do you not remember what he did to me?! You expect me to like him because he helps Danny once! Has everyone lost their minds?!"

I look away feeling his eyes fall on me, only they don't move, prompting me to finally acknowledge his gaze. His eyes were intense, all but demanding me to take his side. My mouth opens and shuts, only a chuckle leaves my mouth.

"Believe me, I was like you once..." I smile softly, leaning my head into my hand to hide the small blush on my cheeks as the memories of that night return.

(Flash back)

I stood before Vlad, my ghost hunting gun pointed at his face. Anger raged over my expression, lighting cracked in the skies around us. Still, under the threat of death, only sadness echoed across Vlads. If I hadn't been so angry I might have noticed it. The realization of how alone his actions had made him.

"He's changed?! Seriously, he's the good guy? Don't kid me! He's nothing but a disgusting, manipulating, bitter old man!" the rain poured down, mixing with angry tears "After everything he's done to me and you. I should shoot him!" Still, Vlad did nothing. his but stand there. That sad look on his face "How can you forgive him?"

Danny looks at me slowly, broken.

"He hasn't." Vlad sighs softly, his feet hitting the ground and I watch in shock as he changes back, leaving himself utter defenceless. The rains soaking into his clothes and his tears "to do what I have done and be forgiven so quickly, is unthinkable. He doesn't forgive me, in fact I know he still hates me."

Danny's silence speaks volumes. The younger male had turned away from the fight, allowing Vlad's fate to rest in my hands. I clench my teeth, placing my finger on the trigger. This was a trick, it has to be! Vlad wouldn't change! I shove the gun closer to his face, the end powering up

"Then why did you accept the truce?"

"Because Danny finally understands my reasons for my anger."

"Your reasons?" He looks at me sadly, shaking his head

"It's not my secret to tell Valerie but... I'm sorry I used you, I can't change that."

I tried to keep the burning anger in my heart but seeing his face, eyes cast to the ground in shame and Danny's silence I felt my handshake. The two sides of my brain were fighting with the other. My gun felt so heavy like I was carrying the weight of the world in my hands.

Against my better judgement I felt my hand lowering "You... really trying to change... aren't you?"

"I'm tired of being alone..." I glare at him, slamming my weapon into its holder and stare at him, a hint of anger coming back as I grab his shirt, pulling him to my face

"then change for the better. Because if you don't, I will end you..."

I clip the end of the string, placing the scissors and curved needle on the sterile sheet beside us. I pull off my gloves, my eyes grasping his firmly "It's hard to explain... but Vlad's not a threat. Not anymore. Plasmas is gone."

"But... but..."

"Dash I think if you of all people can gain Danny's trust then so can Vlad."

His mouth shuts in a firm line, the truth staring him hard in the face. He sits down roughly on the plush couch in frustration, Jazz smiles, cocking her head to the left.

"Dash Baxter, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous." Her amused laughter only has his frown deepening.

"Don't be embarrassed." I continue in a soothing voice, gently sending Jazz a look "Danny has this air about him, he brings people to his warmth. Like the sun."

Her smile grows softer, thinking back to the old days. Despite his embarrassment, I knew Dash couldn't help but agree with her.

(Dash's POV)

I stood outside the door, staring into the medical bay. Three beds and three bodies were staring back at me. I reach up, placing a hand on the glass and stop, looking at the small red wound. Vlad. The source of my pain and salvation. I wanted to go in there to see Danny but the sight of that man lying so close to him made my stomach churn. I pull my hand from the wall, placing it on my ribs. The bones were moulding back together, slowly, painfully.

"You should be resting."

I turn, taking in Jasmine's frame. She looked so different now sporting street clothes. Or as regular as you could get in green cargo pants and a grey tank top. Her hair was pulled up in a high pinky tail. More then a few loose strands were hanging out. I also couldn't ignore the bags under her eyes or the way they went to the glass, staring in at the three of them. Jazz had to forcefully turn her head but her eyes lagged, staying in her brother for a few moments longer. I wait patiently for her to look at me.

"I'm surprised you care," I state gently, sitting down on the bench carefully like an old man. She smiles, sitting beside me

"I could say the same about you and Danny." I breathe out softly, holding my ribs. God, it felt like someone was running a blade across them. Jazz looks at me, her hand on my forehead.

"You should be sleeping." I couldn't help but wonder if this is what Danny felt, the acid blades running over his muscles and bones, healing each break, tear and scrape.

"I can't go in there."

"You mean you can't go near him." I shoot her a small look "Don't look at me like that… I didn't trust him at first either."

I turn, looking at them. My heart dropping in my chest. We both sit quietly, feeling the gravity of the situation on our shoulders. I decide to break the stifling silence first.

"I still can't believe it... We spent the entire weekend talking, I even got him to smile on occasion. He was eating, sleeping, crying. Both my parents are doctors, I've seen dying people all my life. Danny couldn't-" I bring my hand to my mouth, biting the tender flesh. This all seemed to come out of nowhere. Danny was fine! And now… I feel her hand on my leg, pulling me out of my self-destruction. "It's not your fault Dash. If anyone is to blame it would be Danny." she sighs

"You heard what Frostbite said. He'll be just fine."

"It's been three days. He should be awake. I can't help but think that it was me. I should have got him to call you from day one. Why did I think I could help him…" I felt my chest tighten, tears rim my eyes "Oh god, he almost..."

"Dash..." this time Jasmine blushes, placing a hand on my shoulder "I'm sorry we all freaked out. Danny is cared for deeply by all of us and when he disappeared and no one could tell us what happened we flipped out. We- I, I made this so much harder on you then I should have and I'm sorry."

"But he could have died. He was sitting before me, dying."

"That's the downside of being half-dead. One minute you can be fine and the next..." she hands run through her hair like a tired mother "Vlad's done it as well. Twenty years go by and poof, all his ecto-acne comes back. That was an interesting time. Danielle our little sister almost melted into a pile of goo every time she used her powers." My eyes rise at her simple shrug "There's never been anyone like them before, they're going to run into problems along the way. The best we can do is to be there to help."

I smirk softly "You sound like your giving me a lesson in parenting."

This time Jasmine snorts, leaning back with a sigh "Believe me, those two have had their fair share of childish moments." and I find myself smiling with her despite the tension.

A deep breath fills my lungs and ignoring the burn I force myself to relax. Trying not to dwell on what might have happened. Danny would need me when this was over. A simple thought but it didn't stop the smile from growing on my lips. Danny seemed to fill my chest with pride, happiness that I hadn't felt in a while.

When I open my eye I find her eyes on mine. Holding them with so much seriousness I swore I was staring at my mother.

"Now... tell me exactly what happened with Tucker and Sam. Every. Detail."