Chapter Text
Jazz has everything she needs. She's always prided herself on being prepared for anything.
She has: her birth certificate, a petition signed by Mr. Lancer (it didn't take much convincing for him to agree to sign it), proof that she attends school and makes good grades, a list of all the reasons for her to be emancipated* (of which there are many), a letter from her boss saying she's a good and reliable worker (also proving a reliable income), and her apartment lease.
The letter containing the date for her hearing had come in, along with letters to her parents. She has to tell them in advance that she's planning to get emancipated so they can petition if they want.
It's okay though, because she's prepared for this too. She has a plan for how to convince them to let her leave.
Jazz gets home from work and immediately goes upstairs with her mail. She checks on Danny’s first, the door is open and his room is empty though. After changing out of her uniform and picking up the letters meant for her parents, she takes a deep breath and heads down the stairs.
She isn't sure where her brother is right now, but assumes he's with Sam or Tucker, maybe both. Regardless, it's better that he isn't here. Just in case. She's not completely sure how Jack and Maddie will react, but on the off chance they start yelling or throwing things... it's better than Danny (or anyone else in his body) isn't present for that.
Taking another breath, she opens the basement door and heads down. Her parents are working on something (she truly doesn't care) in different parts of their 'lab'. She can see a dirty towel hanging off a metal table with glass shards on the ground under it.
"Mom, Dad!" she calls. They don't hear her, so she repeats herself. They turn to her, a big grin on Jack's face and a smaller one on Maddie's.
"Jazzy!" Her dad yells, setting down the screwdriver he was holding. Her mom turns off the blowtorch and they both walk over to her. "What's up kiddo?"
"I need to talk to you about something, can we talk in the living room?" She doesn't feel safe telling them down here. Thankfully, they agree.
Jazz sits on the couch-chair while her parents sit on the sofa next to it.
"So, what do you want to talk to us about, hun?" Her mom asks, smiling at her pleasantly. She hates when Maddie acts so nice... it just hurts more than when she acts dismissive.
Holding out the letters, Jazz says, "I'm getting emancipated."
Her parents are quiet, silently taking the letters and reading them. They glance at each other before looking back at their daughter.
"I think you should agree to it instead of contesting my petition. I know you two love me," she reasons, stuttering a little over the last couple words. "However, I think it'd be better for all of us if I am able to be legally responsible for myself. That way, you two won't have to worry about spending money on me... instead of your inventions..."
The adults look at each other again, clearly considering it. "Dear..." her mom starts. "It's not that we don't agree but..."
Jazz's heart breaks a little.
"Would we have to do anything?" Jack asks, not letting his wife continue her thought. The teen silently shakes her head 'no'. Her parents look at each other again. "Alright..."
"Alright?" Jazz repeats after a few seconds. Jack and Maddie nod, and something in her chest loosens. "Okay... well, my hearing is in 17 days, so I'm going to start packing my things to move out as soon as I can."
She doesn't talk much more after that. She can tell her parents are barely paying attention now they know they won't have to do anything. Likely already thinking about what they can do to her room once she's moved out.
★・—・—・—・—・—・★
The hearing goes rather quickly. Most likely because she has everything she needs in a neat folder.
Danny asked if he should come with, Jazz said he didn't need to. Ellie asked if she could come with, Jazz told her it would be very boring and she'd have to be quiet the whole time (Ellie rescinded her offer).
Jazz was a little nervous about the idea her siblings coming with. Not because she's worried about being denied, but because... once she presents her reasons for emancipation, she knows CPS would want to take custody of them. Jazz can't let Danny get put in some temporary home, he's been through enough.
Besides, as soon as she's 'legally competent' enough to care for herself, she's starting on the process of becoming their legal guardian.
The judge looks over all her papers, going back to her list of reasons once they're done. They go through the list a few times, reading over it and looking at some attached pictures Jazz included.
She included pictures she took of Danny when he was 8, a picture of her own swollen eye at the age of 12, and multiple pictures of their parents' lab from different years.
The judge asks about each of the pictures, and Jazz explains the context for each of them. That Danny had accidentally broken something they made and their mother slapped him instead of helping him with the bleeding cut on his face; that she had been 'too annoying' to her parents while they were trying to work and Jack got upset; that their lab (located in the basement, which has zero locks on the door) has no safety precautions despite being around for as long as they've lived in that house.
It only takes 10 minutes total for the judge to decide that full emancipation is in Jazz's best interest. Before she's able to mentally celebrate though, the judge asks about Danny.
"It's clear that Jack and Maddie Fenton are unfit to be legally responsible for you, and you've shown me that they've physically harmed your brother as well. I'm inclined to send a social worker to their house and remove him immediately," they say.
"Please, don't do that. I... truthfully, your honour, the only reason I wanted to get emancipated is so I can become Danny's legal guardian. I was fine waiting another two years until I was out of their house but..." she trails off, not quite sure how to explain. "A few months ago my brother had an accident in their lab, and was hospitalized for 36 hours. Our parents didn't care about it once they made sure the bill was paid. I couldn't wait another two years... I couldn't let my brother stay another two years in that house."
"If anything, Jasmine, you're just giving me more reason to have Danny removed."
"I know, but..." she sighs. She knows how it sounds, especially since Danny has never been diagnosed with anything but ADHD (which was only because his 2nd grade teachers pushed for it). "I know most social workers do their best to make sure the kids they place are placed in good homes, but it doesn't always end well. My brother has been through enough, and—” she stops herself, finally realizing why she was so nervous about CPS taking Danny.
If they take him from their parents, the first choice placement would be a relative. The only relative they have is their aunt, who hates kids and moves around way too much. Danny does have a godfather though... one that she's promised him he wouldn't have to see again. One that Jazz would do anything to keep her siblings away from.
With a sharp inhale, Jazz looks back up at the judge (who was waiting patiently for her to collect her thoughts). "They would try to place him with a relative, and the closest thing to a relative who would actually take Danny in is his godfather. His name is Vlad Masters, and truthfully I have reason to believe he's been grooming my brother. Last time he came to visit was about a month ago, and Danny... he panicked as soon as he heard our father say his name.
"I plan to be a therapist when I'm older, and I've been studying psychology for a few years now. I could tell how uncomfortable my sibling was around Vlad, and I discovered not long after that Danny wasn't the one who ran upstairs and away from Vlad, Ellie was. Ellie is my little sister, she and Danny share the same body."
The judge sits upright a little more. "Headmates?"
Jazz blinks. "Yes, and while Danny doesn't remember the incident when he was eight, or anything that Vlad may have done to him, Ellie remembers everything Vlad has done. I can't let them be put into his care, so, please don't send a social worker to take them out of the house."
The judge sighs, rubbing their forehead. "You said you plan to become their legal guardian?" Jazz nods. "Well, you've clearly proven capable of caring for yourself... and am I correct in assuming that you've been their primary caretaker? Since you've also stated that your parents are neglectful and there isn't always food in the house."
"Yes, that is correct."
"Well," the judge sighs again. "Danny is fourteen? And Ellie?"
"Eight, your honour."
"Okay... I'm going to ask that you come back, with your brother, as soon as you can. Since he's fourteen the court takes his preferences into account. Additionally, your parents will need to be informed of the change in legal guardianship as well; I'm aware they agreed to your emancipation, but they could still protest against you caring for Danny."
"Okay," Jazz says, more to herself than anything.
"So, between me seeing your brother and your parents, assuming he agrees, Danny will be placed with you. It will be labelled a temporary living arrangement," the judge says finally.
Jazz feels a smile break out onto her face. "Thank you, your honour." The judge smiles back.
As Jazz leaves the courthouse, she feels nothing but joyful anticipation. She is legally her own person. And soon, hopefully, Danny will be legally hers. She laughs, happy tears slipping down her cheeks.
*Reasons for Emancipation:
misconduct by a parent(s). verbal, mental, emotional, & physical abuse; emotional & physical neglect; unsafe living environment; failure to provide consistent & safe-to-eat food; questionable financial decisions.