A/N: I know it's been awhile since the last chapter, but…good things come to those who wait, right? At any rate, my life's getting more…interesting by the moment. Whether or not I've said this before, I'm saying it now: I'll try to get work out when I can, but I won't make promises I'm not sure I can keep. As always, any and all reviews greatly appreciated!

4|\/|3|2!(4

DING-DONG

"Come in!"

Valerie Gray entered the house, smiling as she met eyes with her long-time friend. "Glad to see you're still doing well."

Standing by the kitchen island, Sam winked. "You know me. I can take care of myself. Having Danny as a back-up isn't bad, either."

Val smirked, walking up to the bar. "No, I suppose not"

Sam sighed. "…you sure you're okay with-"
Val held up her hand. "Please, Sam. I dunno if I'll ever bee one-hundred-percent peachy with who he is, but Danny's my friend. You are, too. No one's perfect. If we expected anyone to fit our ideal mold exactly…we'd quickly be either isolated or dead."

Valerie Grey was Amity's resident 'pureblood' ghost fighter. She didn't have any ghost powers of her own to speak of, but that didn't stop her from using her own…methods. She still felt some…apprehension towards Danny, leftover from the early days of her chasing Phantom around the city. However, the two had come to some form of understanding: thanks in no small part to her close friendship with Sam.

"…if you say so."

Valerie locked eyes with Samantha. "Trust me, I do. So…how're you feeling?"

Sam shrugged, letting out a little sigh. "I dunno, honestly. It's not as though I can go on previous experience. Neither can I really distinguish anything I may be experiencing between what comes from a 'normal' pregnancy versus a…not-so-normal one."

"…point taken."

"Still, it will be a journey. At the risk of sounding a little gushy, I'm really blessed to have such a great guy to share it with."
Valerie gave her a look. "Sam, I'd practically slap you if you weren't 'a little gushy'. Your wedding was, without a doubt, the highlight of really any goings-on in Amity. Not to say that it was much of a surprise to anyone…"

Sam blushed. "…Heh. I suppose most people could see through our little denial phase"

Val's eyebrow arched. "Your 'phase' only made the truth more visible to the rest of us. You were only fooling yourselves. I suppose Jazz would chalk some of it up to something like 'proximity in conjunction with mutual interests'."

Sam blinked. "…not bad, Val. Are there any other impressions I should know about?"
The young woman smiled. "…perhaps. I've had some experience in psychology over the years, but nowhere near as much as Sam."
"That's certainly true. I don't think anyone's had as much…training as her!"

"…touché"

"So, how are you doing these days?"
Val shrugged. "Same old, same old, I suppose. Ghost Zone must be on lock-down, since I've not had much challenge these days."

"Interesting…maybe they're waiting for the new arrival, too!"

4|\/|3|2!(4

*KNOCKKNOCK*

"Come in!"
Danny Fenton entered the room. "So, what're you working on?"

"Not much, really. We're trying to work out a mock-up of a warp drive and other items from the show. I've read preliminary reports indicating someone, somewhere may have created a prototype tricorder."
"I think I read something about that. Almost surreal, if you ask me."
"…dude, your parents are the epitome of surreal. You're saying something like this really surprises you?"

"Believe it or don't, yeah." Danny walked over to the desk. "So…are you mixing business with pleasure?"

Tucker smiled. "Why do you think I chose this line of work? You've heard the adage: 'if you love what you do…'."

Danny shrugged. "True. So…are you working on building your own android?"

"I wish. I would be set for LIFE if I ever created anything near the level of Dr. Noonian Soong."

"…yeah. Of course, I don't think anyone could live with your ego if you ever succeeded." Danny ducked, as a dart whizzed past his head. "Using force does not increase the legitimacy of your argument, amigo."

"So what?"

"So, your approach is ineffective."

"No, it isn't. My approach makes me feel better. Hence, it is very effective."

"…whatever. So, what're you working on lately?"

"Actually, I'm trying to create my own version of a phaser. Might not come out exactly like those in the ubiquitous series, but…it's a start."
"Is that so? You trying to find a way to literally stun Valerie?"

"…maybe…."

Daniel chuckled. "Well, it isn't completely outside the realm of possibilities. We already have the technology to use directional sound weapons, and the like"
"How many times have items been developed for military use, then declassified for personal availability?"

"Touché."

"Basic principle of consumer electronics: It gets more powerful all the time, and it gets cheaper all the time."
"…Trip Hawkins"

"…actually, yes. Civilization five?"
"Of course!"

Tucker laughs. "You certainly wouldn't be thinking of joining the ranks of NASA, would you?"
Danny scoffed. "Please, Tuck. I've got enough going on without getting involved in your pet projects. I'll leave the sci-fi stuff to the experts. I'm more weekend warrior than true soldier."

"True. I still can't believe how good you are in firefights on Reach."

Fenton shrugged. "When you're good, you're good. Hey, where's your visor!?"

Foley sighed. "Y'know, La Forge wasn't tethered to that thing for the entire series!"

"Can't help it, man. He definitely made it look good, though!"

"…I suppose…."

4|\/|3|2!(4

"C'mon, Sam, give me a break!"
"Not a chance! If you want to face me in Halo, you need to bring you're A game!"

Valerie sighed. "I see some of Danny's competitive nature has rubbed off on you."

"Please. I was competitive before we got together. If anything, he helped me show it more readily."

"…oh, joy…."

Sam chuckled, "You want to try something else?"
"Hmm….how about SET? We both know I'm worse in Ghost Recon than I am in Halo."
"Alright, you get the deck."

4|\/|3|2!(4

Made in America!

Daniel Fenton picked up his cell. "Hey dad, what's up?"
"Just checking in, son."

"Everything's okay on this end. I'm hanging out with Tucker, while Sam's resting at home."

"That's nice, Danny. You're keeping an eye on everything, I trust?"

Dan let out an audible huff. "Yes, Dad. We're both keeping an eye on the situation."

"Hah. You know your mother likes to be reminded of these things, son. She'd kick both our butts if anything happened to her grandkids!"

"…true."

"Well, as I said, just checking in. Give Samantha our love."

"Will do. Talk to you later, dad."

Click!

Tucker smirked. "Parents, right?"

"Totally!"

"Won't be long now, man!"

Dan shivered. "…wow…you're right…darn…."

"You'll do fine, man."

"I hope so…I certainly won't design a machine with the 'on' switch inside the contraption!"

4|\/|3|2!(4

A/N: As always, rate and review! If anyone has any ideas – any whatsoever – send them my way! I have some idea where I want this fic to go, but I'm open to any suggestions. Two heads are better than one, and all that jazz. If life has taught me anything thus far, it's that no one person is ever all-knowing: as soon as you think you can't know any more about something, life comes along and shows you just how wrong you are! Btw, the song for Jack's ringtone is "Made in America", by Toby Keith. Great song!