Short chapter this week, sorry.

Chapter Seven: Where was he hiding that?

Clockwork checked his monitors. Danny had tried studying, but was now fast asleep at his desk. Sam had given up on trying to wake him up hours ago and was now studying on Danny's bed. Tucker and Valerie were enjoying their first date at the neighborhood Nasty Burger. Dani was watching television quietly in one of the Fentons' guest rooms. Alphonse was seated at the Fentons' kitchen table with his nose buried in a book. Edward was behind a stage curtain watching a speech. The speaker, Mustang, had come as a surprise to Clockwork, but he supposed it was just as well. Mustang was a natural leader and he and his cohorts could be valuable assets in Daniel's time of need.

'Good,' Clockwork thought, 'all of the pieces are on the board.'

Clockwork felt some small measure of guilt concerning what he was about to do. After all, things were just starting to look up for the teenage halfa. Left alone, the Elric brothers would find their way back home within a month's time. Even now, he could see Izumi seated on the edge of bed while her fiancé slept. Edward's words resonated in her head, making it impossible for her to sleep. It was only a matter of time before she led them to the right resources.

'I can't hold him indefinitely,' Clockwork thought, rationalizing his actions. 'It's best that he gets out now, while Daniel is surrounded by friends and allies.'

Clockwork walked down to the dungeon and its heavily fortified vault. The vault doors were visibly shaking. Dark Dan broke out of his thermos three days ago. It took him another two days to break free of the wards on the safe. The last barrier between Dan and freedom was the vault doors and the wards Clockwork had placed on them.

The wards were failing. The enraged ghost had been pounding on them tirelessly for the last twenty-four hours. Bolstering the wards would be about as effective as using duct tape to repair a leaking pipe. It might hold for an hour or two, but the end result is still the same.

Clockwork gathered his resolve and knocked on the outside of the door. The pounding stopped immediately. From the other side of the door, Dan replied, "I'm listening."

"I will release you on one condition. You must leave this place immediately and unharmed," Clockwork answered.

Dan considered Clockwork's words carefully. He wanted revenge against Clockwork, but Clockwork was not a ghost to be trifled with. Perhaps it was better to take his revenge on Danny first. He could gather power in the human world and return to deal with Clockwork at his leisure. "Very well, agreed."

Clockwork began walking away from the vault, but a shout stopped him. "Wait! I thought we had a bargain!"

"We do," Clockwork replied, "but first, I am moving to a safe distance."

"What?" Dan replied mockingly. "You don't trust me?"

"Of course not."

"You truly are wise," Dan replied snidely.

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Maddie called the teens downstairs for dinner and was surprised to find herself short two family members. "Where's Danny and Ed?" she asked.

Sam answered first, "Danny's fast asleep, Mrs. Fenton. I don't think there's any force on Earth that could wake him right now."

"What happened?" Maddie asked.

"Ember showed up in the middle of our Gym class. Danny took quite a beating, but it's nothing too serious. He'll be fine after a couple hours sleep." Maddie visibly winced.

"Brother's downtown at the mayoral debate," Al answered. "He won't be home until late. Mrs. Havoc agreed to bring him home."

Jack walked in from the basement lab and his eyes lit up when he saw Dani. "Now you really are a Fenton!" he said excitedly.

Jazz glared at him. "I can't believe that you're making her wear one of those ridiculous jumpsuits," she said, tilting her head to indicate Dani.

Dani blushed. "I don't mind. It makes me feel like I belong somewhere. Like I'm really part of—" she stopped abruptly and appeared even more embarrassed.

"Dani, you really are a part of this family," Jazz reassured. "And you don't need some stupid jumpsuit to prove it. Tomorrow, you and I are going shopping."

Jack watched the entire exchange with his mouth hanging partially open. To be honest, he didn't understand half of what was going on initially. Then, the light bulb finally came on. "Oh, I get it! My little Jazzypants is jealous!" Jack whipped out a black jumpsuit with turquoise trim.

Sam leaned over and whispered to Al, "Well, at least he got the colors right."

"I'm more concerned with where he was hiding it," Al whispered back.

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Sig woke to the smell of bacon. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he found his beautiful fiancé cooking bacon and pancakes. He snuck up behind her and wrapped her up in a warm hug. "I didn't expect you up this early," he said and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"Couldn't sleep," Izumi replied hoarsely.

Sig took a step back and examined Izumi more carefully. Her hair was a tousled mess and there were prominent bags under each of her eyes. Sig sighed, "Is this about that kid?"

"No. Yes. I don't know. I just can't stop thinking about what he said," Izumi replied.

Sig looked at the clock, "It's Saturday, why don't you head up to the university and talk to your advisor. Heck, take the brats with you. Dr. Armstrong will set the records straight."

"I dunno—"

"Look," Sig said. "You have nothing to lose. You'll get some piece of mind, the doctor will get a good laugh, and you'll be able to ruin those monsters' weekend."

Izumi chuckled, "Ed's the only monster; I think you'd actually like Alphonse. I'll call Dr. Armstrong and make sure he'll be in his office today."

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Things are about to get a little hairy in the Fenton household.

Until next time, thanks for reading and please REVIEW.