Here's that promise update! Though not much action in this chapter I'm hoping for a dramatic next chapter(: I know I haven't been updating as fast as usual, but that's because I don't want to rush this story. Also, I'm a senior in high school and have been drowning in scholarship essays, homework, projects, and working out.

I don't own DP so please, enjoy!

Waking Up Sick

"It's almost dinner time," Danny pointed out. He had woken close to lunch time and Sam had followed suit an hour later, yet Dani stayed asleep. Her breathing was normal, her temperature similar to his, and the smaller cuts had vanished overnight so nothing seriously wrong was happening with her body or powers.

"I understand, but this is exactly what her body needs. Maybe her healing powers are helping her stay asleep?" Sam turned the flame down on her Alfredo sauce before turning to drain the noodles. Danny had been pacing and worried none stop today, irritating Sam to no end. She'd been able to keep it together though, for his sake, but she didn't know for how much longer she'd be able to do so.

"You mean like a coma?" Danny asked. Comas were not a good thing. He didn't want Dani in a coma. He wanted Dani awake so he could talk to her and ask her how she was feeling. He wanted to hear her and needed to make sure she could hear him. He wanted something tangible.

Sam sighed, shaking her head as she dished out their dinner. Carrying the bowls over to the table she answered, "That doesn't sound right, but for lack of a better word yes. However, she's moving and mumbling so that's a good sign that she could probably wake at any second."

He stared at Sam as she sat in her seat with one bowl, debating what to do. If Dani could wake at any second he'd like to see her; be there when she awoke. But the second bowl that Sam set across from her was getting cold and she'd surely berate him for skipping a meal. Normally he'd jump at the chance to eat alone with Sam, as though some sort of date, but circumstances differed.

Even so, he figured the best way to keep everyone happy would be for him to eat, though quickly, before heading up to check on Dani again. "Thanks for cooking Sam."

"Thanks for eating," she replied. They made small talk and cheesy jokes, but mostly they allowed a comfortable silence to fall in place. As the last few noodles were eaten and Danny stood to take their bowls to the sink, the power flickered off. Sam stared at the lights in shock, not expecting her highly expensive electricity to fail, as Danny quietly gulped.

Whoops, he thought. He'd asked Tucker if he could power down the mansion for a few days to give off a more romantic feel, but now that Dani was here…A bright ring appeared around his waist splitting into two as he changed from Fenton to Phantom. Close to pitch black inside the large house, Danny's ghost form gave off some light allowing him to set the dishes down before making his way back to a confused Sam.

"What just happened?" she asked. She squinted her eyes as he came closer, reaching out to him so she could get up and walk. He took her hand and pulled her close, ignoring the startled gasp, before phasing through the ceiling to land by Dani's side.

"The power went off," he smartly replied, flashing the confident smirk that came easily to Phantom. She rolled her eyes as he let her go to check on Dani. She looked a whole lot better now, and Sam assured him the bumps on her head had disappeared. "So when do you think she'll wake up?"

Sam didn't have to answer as Dani suddenly sneezed and her eyes flew open. Immediately she changed to her Phantom form and flipped into the air to settle into a battle pose. Danny had grabbed Sam from habit, unsure if Dani would attack before she noticed her surroundings, lighting a ball of ectoplasm to bring light to Sam's darkened room.

It took Dani half a second to realize she was in no danger before she felt her cheeks flush and a sheepish grin slid in place. "Whoops," she offered as she phased back to human and fell onto the bed, bouncing a few times.

Danny calmed, shooting mini sparks towards each candle in Sam's room before letting his glowing limb power down. His left hand went to run through his hair as he welcomed Dani back to the world of living. "How're you feeling?"

Wiggling around a little she answered, "Sick, sore, hungry, and clean?" She was brushing her hand through her locks amazed that no bugs, twigs, nor dirt could be found beneath her beanie, which also felt clean.

"Sick?" Danny asked. Dani slouched, her nose running again now that she'd awoke. He went to the connected bathroom to grab a Kleenex box and returned in time to witness Sam tucking in the under-the-weather younger girl. He smiled. "Here Dani."

Sam took the tissues and set them next to Dani as she felt for a temperature. Sam was good at taking care Tucker and Danny when they were sick so it felt natural to assume her 'nurse mode' for Danielle too.

Dani got comfy and tried her best to ignore the pounding headache from her earlier flip. "What's with the candles?" Though the eerie green glow created a calming, supernatural effect to Sam's already gothic room it seemed to make things difficult for Sam, who needed a flash light to check her throat for redness.

"The power went out," Danny explained. "Probably a shortage and probably temporary."

Dani let out a string of dry coughs ending in a sneeze before she was able to comment, "That's weird." Splayed out on the mattress she tried to not be bothered from breathing through her mouth. She wasn't tired, yet she felt exhausted.

"I know right," Sam said. "So, how long have you been sick?" She sat close to Dani's knees as she reached for the first aid kit beneath the bed, debating whether Ecto-Dejecto would help or even be good for Dani. A cold was a human sickness but her ghost half looked pretty wiped yesterday.

"A couple days; I think I got it during my stay in Japan last week," she answered. Congested, she spoke quietly between blowing her nose. "As soon as I felt woozy I left in search for a portal so I could come back. I think the Zone actually made it worse though, feeding me all the energy."

"Strange…normally energy is taken away when you're sick," Danny mused. He hated being sick because he felt weak. He wouldn't be able to protect those he cared for and often prolonged his illness by fighting in spite of his health.

"It probably has something to do with me being a halfa or a clone or something," she brushed off. She could tell she upset Danny by calling herself a clone, something he'd all but convinced her of not being but hadn't believed 'til that fateful Japan trip, though her mind was too jumbled already to care.

Sam spoke quickly, stopping Danny from launching into another winded lecture that Dani didn't seem in the mood for. "So, you're hungry? What'cha in the mood for?"

"Um…honestly I wouldn't mind some chicken and soup. Not chicken noodle soup though," she specified. During her stay in California she'd hung with a group of kids talented in cooking. They had all dipped their chicken fingers, chicken o's, chicken anything in soup and claimed it to be better than actual chicken noodle soup. She took their word for it and fell in love when she'd tried it. She hadn't understood the difference until she tried it and since then she's always eaten her soup and chicken together separately.

"Okay," Sam promised. She stood to start the soup and heat the chicken tenders, leaving Danny to talk with Dani. She knew he had a few things on his mind concerning Danielle, convincing her to stay a top priority amongst the long list, so she figured she could provide them with some time alone.

Danny watched Sam make her way out with an internal sigh before looking to a miserable Dani. Yet somehow she held a smirk large and firm. "So, you two dating yet?"

Glad for the darkened room, Danny blushed at her forward question. Of all things for Dani to ask she had to ask about that. She was just as bad as Tuck and momentarily he wondered if they'd spent too much time together the last time she visited. During junior year spring break, a month ago, she and Tucker had teased him and Sam non-stop.

Before he would've quickly answered no, believing to never have a chance with Sam, but what about now? If Dani was to stay like he hoped, and he had some opportunities to lead up to asking Sam to go steady, she'd find out eventually. Was it really that hard to tell the truth, or what he hoped to be the truth? "Uh, well, no we're not dating right now."

Dani raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"

Choosing to ignore the trap, though ignoring it was practically the same as admitting anyways, he answered, "So you were in Japan?"

Dani closed her eyes, feigning tiredness. She didn't want to go into detail about her visit, not yet. She needed time to build her courage and primp. The only reason she had come so soon after the realization was because she'd been sick. "Ya, but can I tell you about it later? I'd like to rest a little more until Sam comes back with the food."

"Sure, no problem. I'll go help," Danny said as he made his way to the door. He was relieved she finally woke up so he didn't worry as much about leaving her alone. There was no need to stress a chat if she didn't feel up to it right now. They'd have plenty of time later if all went well. Besides, he did feel a little guilty about Sam doing all the cooking. He'd also wanted to make sure she could watch over her while he did a few…things. Like threaten Skulker and seek out Clockwork.

"O, hi Danny. Is everything alright with Danielle?" Sam asked when she heard Danny walk through the kitchen door. She always seemed to know when it was him, whether the chill from his ghost form crawled up her spine or his being alerted her in human form. It used to surprise her, considering Danny had always been light on his feet, but she figured they were just on the same wavelength. Besides, he used to visit her even before The Accident, climbing up her balcony instead of flying, so she'd grown accustomed to his presence.

"Everything's fine. She's just a little tired still so I thought I'd offer some help," he answered, approaching her at the sink to wash his hands. She scooted over, still peeling a carrot over the other drain, smiling.

"Thanks. The stove isn't working so maybe we could use your Ecto-energy? It's weird though because the fridge is still on. Why didn't the power turn it off?"

Well, he knew exactly why the fridge still worked. He didn't want her alarm system, fridge, or air conditioner to be turned off so he'd had Tucker keep them running on a separate generator. But he couldn't tell her that, now could he? "It's certainly strange, but you're parents aren't exactly sane. Maybe they're on a separate generator or something?"

"Maybe," she replied after stifling a giggle about how 'sane' her parents were. They've been better since Danny saved the world but they still held their prestigious titles and furiously spent money when given the chance. Who's to say the power shortage wasn't caused by multiple generators? "So I've almost got everything ready, but if you could grab the salt and pepper and add that, I'd be very thankful."

"Salt and pepper coming up!" He dried his hands before retrieving the condiments. Sam combined the broth with the chopped veggies in a large pot over the stove. Though the oven didn't work it still provided a normal place to cook. Danny could put his hands around the pot instead of underneath and probably be able to heat it quicker.

Apparently he had the same idea because after adding the salt and pepper he handed Sam a wooden spoon and put his hands on eat side of the pot. Only thing was, Sam stood between him and the pot, boxed in by his arms.

She clutched the spoon with white knuckles at the position, wondering if this had been on purpose and she was supposed to stay or he was exponentially clueless and she'd have to duck under his arm any minute to escape an awkward moment. Her thoughts swayed her towards the former when he asked her to tell him when to stop before resting his forehead against her shoulder.

Now hyperaware of her shoulder, she fought against the urge to laugh at the ticklish feeling of Danny's hair on her upper arm. She found herself warmed by the heat he created as well as cooled by his abnormal body temperature seeing as her back was forced to lean against his front from the close proximity to the stove. She had a hard time breathing and she feared moving, worrying he'd move away.

She liked this. She wanted more. She needed to show him that she was reacting positively to his actions so that later, when they actually had time to sit down and talk uninterrupted, she might be able to confess her feelings.

Danny had a hard time keeping his silly grin off his face. Sam had tensed immediately at his contact and forwardness, but just as quickly she relaxed against his hold. Had Dani not lain directly above them he would have made a further move. Instead he settled with adjusting as Sam moved to stir the ingredients and check on the meal's progress. He buried his head in the crook of her neck beneath her hair. She smelt wonderful and he soon lost himself in his senses. This is how it should be, he thought.

It seemed they stayed like that for hours, content with each other's touch, when a sneeze alerted them to company. Their heads snapped over to the door to see Dani tugging a blanket behind her to the living room. Maybe she hadn't seen them? What was she doing out of bed? How long had she been there?

Dani made it look like she hadn't seen anything as she headed to the couch, flipping the TV on. Really though, she'd seen them and felt overjoyed. It was about time! If they got together things might go better than expected, especially if they got together on their own accordance without her guidance.

For Sam, the moment had passed and her cheeks burned a vicious heat. Slipping away from his hold, she left the spoon with him as she went to check on Dani. Grabbing a box of tissues in the hall closet she tried to will the goose bumps away from the sudden knowledge that she wasn't surrounded by him anymore.

Dani accepted the Kleenex with a small smile, a little disappointed in her sneezing since it seemed to break up their romantic moment. Sam stayed to keep her company, watching miscellaneous cartoons, until Danny entered the room with the requested meal. She sat up, scooting just a little closer to Sam than normal, and enjoyed the treat. Curious to see Dani's eating habits Danny made a note to try some later, seeing as she happily ate the dipped chicken.

"So, I'm going to have to empty the thermos and I was wondering if you two wouldn't mind me being gone for a little?" Danny casually brought up. He planned on having a good talk with Skulker and he wanted to make sure they wouldn't worry, considering emptying took five minutes tops. He also wanted to talk to Clockwork, get everything done tonight so he'd have time for better things later.

"Not a problem Danny," Sam assured. She was sure Skulker was in for a long talk and the last thing they needed was for Dani to think too deep into that. If she was anything like Sam she'd grow irritated with Danny's over-protectiveness and throw a tantrum; or worse runaway. With being sick that could only end badly.

Hopefully I can update at least one more chapter before xmas, but no promises. Hope you liked(: