Nightingale's Song (Revised)

Epilogue: Explanations, I wouldn't change anything for the world

Warnings for final chapter: None
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Danny wakes up to people gasping and someone enveloping him in a bone crushing hug, "Ow! Jazz, a little tight!" He grunts cringing.

Jazz releases him, only for his mother to come up and pull him into a similar embrace, "Danny! My baby, what happened?! You were floating in the air and vanished without a trace! We were so worried about you!"

"I'm okay mom," Danny says finally getting free, he hears another groan and becomes worried, "Phantom!"

"Phantom? Wha-" Danny pulls away and stumbles past her mid sentence and up to a man laying in the same spot Phantom was when they'd disappeared. Green eyes open and a gasp of disbelief comes from Jazz before she runs over to the two.

"It can't be..." Jazz whispers, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. Phantom is wearing the same outfit as he did in the photograph, long white hair down and all over the place. He blinks a couple of times before he looks around the room.

Danny grabs and hugs him, taking the breath out of the ex ghost. Phantom smiles and strokes his back, though Danny could still feel the confusion in their link, "Nightingale? What's going on?" He asks, his accent strong again as he glances around the room again, "Who are all these people?"

Danny searches the man's eyes, but can see that Phantom truly doesn't recognize anyone but him. He thinks back to what Clockwork said and feels a bit of sadness in his heart. So this was the price huh? Clockwork had literally wound back the clock for Phantom, he now remembers nothing of his time as a ghost; for Phantom never died.

Danny helps the green eyed man to his feet, "Phantom, we have a lot to talk about." he says resigned. Phantom gazes at him curiously, not understanding the look on Danny's face and the foreign feelings he is getting. He doesn't remember that they have a link and it's confusing him more that he recognizes the feelings of relief and resignation are not his own. Danny gazes back at his family, smiling tiredly, "You guys need to hear this to. It's a long story."

Phantom chuckles wryly, "Amore mio, you forget something, I like long stories and if I'm reading this right it appears to be a very good one." Danny rubs the back of his neck, 'Phantom, you really have no idea...'

-o0o-

When Danny had gotten done telling his story, the ship has finally left the Triangle and docked in Bermuda. Everyone stares at him, mouths open in disbelief when he finishes.

"So it is the year 2010, and I've been a ghost for 68 years?" Phantom asks.

"And what we thought was your imaginary friend was actually this man who was protecting you from a demon who used to abuse you in a past life?" Maddie adds when she's able to speak.

"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up." Danny answers sheepishly. He then looks down at his feet, suddenly nervous, "Uh, you remember when you guys asked me if I was interested in anyone?"

His family all nod slowly. Danny takes Phantom's hand in his own, feeling a sense of comfort when Phantom's grip tightens.

"Well you see, the reason why I wasn't interested in anyone was because, subconsciously, I was still in love with Phantom. There wouldn't, couldn't, be anyone else." He confesses slowly, watching his family for any reaction.