A new lease on life

New lease on life

A Danny Phantom fan fic by Wega the blue sun

No copyright infringement is intended, the DP characters don't belong to me nor am I making any money off them. Only the OC's in the story and the fic itself belong to me, and I'm still not making any money!

Vlad goes to desperate lengths to attain his hearts desire. Story contains mature situations, adult themes, crude language and nudity.

A/N: The blue sun is back and the story continues! Leave a review to let me know how glad you are!

Ch. 13

"So what do you think, boss?" the leader of the ghost crew asked nervously, while Vlad carefully inspected the renovated property. The freshly painted farm house dazzled in the warm sunshine as the ghosts assembled to hear their masters verdict on their efforts. "We've done every job just the way you told us!" the spokesghost added.

"I think you should be very proud of yourselves!" Vlad finally announced and the ghosts breathed deep sighs of relief. "Did you notice the landscaping? You like the color scheme?" a small spectre asked eagerly. "The plantings arranged to form the Packers logo are a nice touch, very impressive work considering how little time you had", Vlad said. "Really, I am very pleased. Too bad Olaf didn't live to see this, but I know someone who'll like it even better ..." he trailed off while the ghosts grinned at each other. "Boss has a girl friend!" the small ghost sang and Vlad smiled indulgently. "Yes indeed, and I don't want any of you hanging around for the next few days, understand?" he said as his smile faded away.

"We're free to go then?" the leader of the crew asked. "Did you work out a schedule to guard the portal?" Vlad inquired and the entire assembly nodded solemnly. "Well, go and have fun! Oh, one more thing! Maybe you'd like to pay this fine fellow a visit, if you happen to be in his neighborhood", Vlad said while he pulled out a picture of Olaf's doctor. "He a friend of yours?" a ghost asked. "A very special one!" the halfa replied with a toothy grin. "His home and work addresses are on the back of the photo. Go wild but don't kill anyone - yet!" Vlad added with a flourish and the ghosts squealed with delight as they raced off in the direction of the city.

The ghost crew had truly outdone itself in the last days, and the contractors they'd overshadowed would never be the wiser for it, Vlad thought as he looked around his rural estate. The house was clean, painted, repaired and tastefully furnished. It wasn't Taliesin, but a perfectly acceptable starter home for a young couple. The barn was also repaired and outfitted with some basic lab equipment. The ghosts had even overhauled the old John Deere tractor which he'd recently bought back from it's new owner.

Vlad chuckled when he recalled the occasion. Old man Schlechtwetter at first vehemently refused to sell the tractor, and Vlad knew that reproaches would simply harden the stubborn bastards resolve. Instead of arguing further he'd increased the already generous cash offer and watched the greed rise in the old man's eyes. When he'd finally stepped close to let the farmer gaze deeply into his eyes while holding out the pile of cash, Schlechtwetter's morose disposition suddenly improved dramatically. No further threat nor increase in money was necessary and when Vlad drove the tractor out of the barn he could see the relief plainly in the weathered face of the old man. Judging from his expression Schlechtwetter considered himself adequately compensated and Vlad enjoyed the triumphant drive home to bring the tractor back to where it belonged. "Everything in it's place and a place for everything!" he quoted with a laugh.

Maddie's flight was due to arrive in several hours and Vlad burned with anticipation to meet her and bring her here to admire what he'd wrought during her absence. He smiled while he imaged her squeals of delight upon seeing their new home. She still had no inkling of the nature of the surprise he'd promised her. When she'd called a few days ago he'd told her of Olaf's death, and she'd immediately offered to return early. It had taken Vlad some effort to talk her out of doing so, and the fact that the body hadn't yet been released helped to convince her.

Right now Vlad's lawyer was working hard to close a settlement deal with the hospital, where the administrators had been shocked to learn what a bad boy Olaf's doctor was. Vlad grinned as he thought of the damning evidence the lawyer had discovered. His suspicions had been right on the money. The hospital should have checked the man's claims and references more closely before employing him, but now the damage was done and someone had to pay.

"You'll never pull it off!" the voice of the overshadowed self said menacingly, interrupting Vlad's thoughts of revenge. "You won't be able to fool Maddie, she's too smart for you!"
Vlad didn't bother to reply as he started up the car and steered the vehicle towards the road. He didn't intend to fool Maddie in any way whatsoever, he merely needed to convince her that he was indeed the man she'd left behind two weeks ago. And after all, he'd overshadowed a younger version of himself, so technically he was that same man!
Naturally he'd have to be careful, but Vlad was confident in his abilities.

"She's not worth the effort", the alter ego said. "Believe me, I know. You'd be better off -"
"To return to my own reality? Not a chance, boy! Not when I'm this close to the ultimate prize", Vlad replied firmly. He was at the cusp of starting a new life with Maddie, and he'd given up plenty for this opportunity. The wealth and fame and power he'd left behind so willingly paled in comparison to the very real prospect of facing the rest of his life alone, bereft of the love which Jack had stolen from him. No, the odds were far better here, Vlad thought as he drove towards the city. Nebulous threats and dire revelations didn't faze him in the least. Vlad knew that his younger self was desperately trying to undermine his confidence, and the pathetic ploy merely served to amuse him.

The scenic rural landscape soon turned to ugly urban sprawl and some time later Vlad pulled into the airport parking lot. Maddie's flight was due in less than 30 minutes, and that gave Vlad more than enough time to pick up the flowers he'd ordered days ago. Now he stood in the receiving area, a huge bunch of red roses tightly clasped in his hands while others waiting to pick up their loved ones filled the large room. There was nothing to do now but wait, and he whiled away the agonizingly slow minutes by viewing his reflection in the large windows.

The rigorous diet and exercise program he'd inflicted on the young body of his alter ego had paid off, Vlad noted with satisfaction. He'd even caught a few admiring glances, and he knew Maddie too would be pleasantly surprised by the sleek and stylish appearance of her boyfriend. What was not to like about the tall young man with the jaunty pony tail? A carefully trimmed beard accentuated the lean features and the understatedly elegant clothes flattered the newly chiseled body. Vlad raised his hand and discreetly exhaled into the palm. Yes, even his breath was agreeable, not that he'd left that important detail to chance, the halfa thought while he patted the reassuring vial of breath spray in his pocket.

The announcement of the arriving flight from Arkansas crackled over the loudspeakers and Vlad could see the plane taxi into position. Unable to wait any longer he jumped out of the seat and approached the passenger's gate. An eternity later people began to pour out into the lobby and Vlad strained to catch a glimpse of Maddie as the crowd of passengers and welcomers mingled. There was a flash of red in the very back of the crowd, and Vlad's hearty beat faster as he recognized the familiar, beautiful features. This is it! he thought while Maddie waved and rushed towards him.