A/N: Well here's another update-mainly cause I wanted to update since I wanted my computer*didn't have it last night cause friend was de-virusing it* and then realized I was doing nothing with it. And therefore forced myself to write...Technically I was supposed to update TA...cause I updated this last time too...but I'm...well...a bit stuck on that...so for those of you who follow it ...sorry^^;
One awkward car ride later we found ourselves in front of the resort, the former light clouds now turning dark and onimous-looks like the fruitloop was right about the storm.
"I'll be back shortly with your lugage-but until then please enjoy all the resort has to offer-it's all yours for the next few days after all." Vlad said, playing the part of the gracious host even has almost half of his guests were carried in by the staff to be taken to the doctors on hand.
As he drove back down the road I turned Tuck, who had been watching to see the general direction Sam was being taken, "So how long till he gets back?"
"A couple hours at least at least. I mean, it took like forty minutes to get here, so..." he trailed off, "What're the chances he goes through our stuff?" he asked suddenly.
"So? It's just some clothes and-damnit!" I hissed, "The Thermos! It's in my suitcase!" I face-palmed, "I can't believe I left it there!" It's not like I expected to spend my vacation hunting ghosts-it's just that that's how it usually turned out.
"That's what I was afraid of." he muttered, "At least we have this." he smiled sheepishly as he waved the 'lipstick' in the air. This didn't really cheer me up-and I guess he saw it cause Tuck then said, "It could be worse-what if Sam and I had brought a few more things of your parents? He'd have access to all that-and who knows what he'd do then."
I sighed, "True...you up for taking a look around this place?"
He glanced around, "You know it."
"Find anything?" Sam questioned an hour and a half later.
"Nothing." Tuck answered.
"We've got to be missing something!"
"Relax Danny, maybe this really is just a ski resort."
"Yeah right-I mean, c'mon! Our bus just flips, and Vlad just happens to pick us up and take us to the resort he just happens to own, which turns to be the one we scheduled our trip to! It has cliche evil plan written all over it!" I snapped, Tuck and I had practically turned the place inside out looking for entances to secret labs and the like-not to mention a few intangible trips under the resort itself-and not one hint at his usual nuttiness.
"Well...maybe it's just another publicity stunt-you know, 'Mayor Saves Students!'. It's the kinda thing he'd go for." Tuck suggested, shrugging.
"Maybe..."
"Relax Danny." Sam repeated, "After he drops off our luggage he'll leave and we can just enjoy the vacation."
"Who said he'll leave right away?" I demanded.
"Chill man, you heard what he said about the storm-if anything that'll make him want to leave all the sooner. He'll have to if he wants to beat it." Tuck answered.
"Yeah...that makes sense..." Which meant that all my worries-Thermos included-were void with his departure, I mean, what reason would he have to take it once he left? But there was still that nagging feeling that was up to something-maybe just a force of habit after all this time...
"And that's the last of it!" Vlad proclaimed as the final suitcase was brought in and he pulled the door shut, dusting the snow that clung to his shoulders off.
"Thank you for everything Mr. Masters." Lancer said, shaking Vlad's hand, "I can't tell you how grateful I am."
"Oh it was nothing!" Vlad replied, easily waving the compliment off.
"Well then have a safe trip down! Wouldn't want you to go over the edge after all!" I threw in cheerfully.
"Of course we wouldn't! That would be tragic!" Lancer smiled, nodding. And I'm the clueless one? REally?
Instead of glaring or having a quip ready to throw back Vlad just chuckled, "Oh I wouldn't worry about that little badger." he said as he stepped outside, the wind suddenly howling as the door almost seemed to be yanked out of his hands, "Oh dear." he muttered, smiling faintly.
"Mr. Masters!" the limo driver called out, racing up the steps.
"Yes?"
"I'm afraid I can't take you back down-the wind's picked up and the storm'll start any minute-I just can't risk taking you down in these conditions."
Oh no way...
"Is that so?" Vlad asked calmly, "Well then it looks as if I'm stuck here for the time being." he sighed dramatically, "You don't mind do you Mr. Lancer?"
As Lancer assured the fruitloop that it was alright-he owned the place after all- I checked my bag for the Thermos.
And it wasn't there. Freak snowstorm-no, more like conviently planned cover, I thought bitterly.
"I took the liberty of removing a certain item." Vlad's voice suddenly said, souding too close for comfort-and glancing over my shoulder I found he was, "After all, why should you worry about ghosts out here?" he added soflty as he smirked, then straightened and walked away to talk to Lancer some more.
I glared, gripping my suitcase tightly-there went any hopes for a nice vacation.
A/N: Oooh-plot development! Any comments on it? And sorry it's so short! I really tried to get it longer!