Having been wealthy before, Jessica's hotel room wasn't anything special to her. That wasn't saying it wasn't nice. Most people would kill to stay in a room like this. Still, Jessica found herself facing a new challenge as she had no money in her possession. Unfortunately, this wasn't like a movie or a TV Show where she could transfer some money from a Swiss bank account she set up in her past life. She wasn't old enough to even have a Swiss bank account. And she certainly didn't bury any money under a tree or in a unknown spot.

For the time being however, she didn't need to worry about money so she pushed that to the back of her mind. Right now she had to worry about her mission. Danny didn't seem like he was ready to let a new girl into his life. This was going to be hard.

The next day

Danny winced as the hot water stung the multiple cuts he had received from his fight with Spectra. He just stood under the shower, staring off into deep space. Danny finally got out of the shower and got dressed. He grabbed his mp3 player and tried to tune out the world.

(A/N: The following lyrics are to a fictional song I just wrote up. Any similarities to real life songs are purely coincidental (aside from a line from Metallica's Fade to Black). The name of the fictional song is Nevermore (partially based on Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven) if any of you were interested. Yes, I know the lyrics are cheesey. I may be a songwriter, but that doesn't necesarily mean I'm a good one.)

[Verse 1]

Why did you leave me, why did you leave me all alone

I loved you more than you ever would have known

Since you've been gone I've been in a slump

Can't seem to get myself out of the dumps

I can't believe I let you slip through the cracks

And no amount of apologies will ever bring you back

[Verse 2]

I guess it's true, you don't know what you got till it's gone

They say that life still goes on

A part of me hates you for leaving

You're gone, now I'm left grieving

I keep pinching myself, praying that this is just a dream

Just wanna wake up in my bed and scream

[Verse 3]

It seems like an eternity since I've felt happy

For so long I've been a bit moody and snappy

There's nothing more for me to give

I've now lost the will to live

Without you, I just want to die

It was always supposed to be you and I

Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye

I know I'll see you again, I know you're not a lost Lenore

As long as you know you're the one I'll forever adore

And in death we'll be reunited and seperated nevermore

(Nevermore) x 12

Danny wished he had chosen a better song to listen to. He related to it yet the song brought back up feelings of helplessness and despair. The sorrow slowly began building up as anger. Just when Danny thought he was going to explode, his cell phone rang. It was Tucker.

"Hello, Danny? You there?" Tucker asked.

"Yeah, what do you want?" Danny asked.

"I'm at Sam's and there are some things here you need to see" Tucker informed him.

"I'm on my way" Danny said as got redressed, went ghost and sped over to the Mansons. He knocked on the door and waited a few minutes. Sam's mom answered the door.

"Hello, Mrs. Manson" Danny greeted. "Uh, Tucker said I needed to come over immediately"

"Yes, we were going through Sam's room and we found some things we thought you'd like to see" Mrs. Manson explained.

Danny went upstairs where Tucker was waiting for him. He held a sheet of paper in his right hand.

"What's that?" Danny asked as Tucker.

"Hold on a minute, I think you need to see this first" Tucker said handing Danny Sam's diary, which was turned to a specific page.

*Dear Diary

I'm not kidding these butterflies over Danny are pissing me off. If I do say something, he'll probably get all scared at the sudden shock at my romantic outburst. know, people all the time call me his girlfriend, and then I spit back that we're just really good friends with a strong connection. Truthfully I would love to be his girlfriend, but he likes Paulina. But like I said before, if I said anything it would scare him.*

After Danny finished reading, Tucker handed him the letter.

*Dear Danny,

I'm not good with words and I've never been one to put much importance on what is said anyway. We've been best friends and inseperable since kindergarten. I've never been able to tell you how I feel about you. From your patience to the way you always seem to put a smile on my face, I thank God every day that you're a part of my life. There are billions of thoughts that flow through my mind when I think about you but the one thing that stands out is how honest and true you are. You've always been yourself and because of this, you've given me great comfort. I know there can never be another one for me. The only thing that saddens me is that I didn't tell you sooner but I won't dwell on that because I know all of the events that took place throughout the universe was to bring us together. You've always been there for me and you've given me great comfort. I know there can never be another one for me. I hope you know just how much you mean to me and that my heart beats only for you. I love you.*

"One more thing" Tucker said, handing Danny a locket.

Inside the locket was a picture of Danny and Sam at the big school dance. The memories were tok much. As if he weren't feeling bad enough, now Danny felt like killing himself. If only he had taken advantage of the time when Sam was alive. Time.

"That's it!" Danny thought. He couldn't bring Sam back to life, but he knew the one person or ghost who could.

Thinking of a quick excuse, Danny retreated home. He had to hurry, school started in one hour. Fortunately, his parents were gone giving him time to activate the Fenton Portal. Since Danny knew the Ghost Zone like the back of his hand, Danny took the quickest shortcut to Clockwork's lair

Clockwork already knew Danny was coming. Clockwork was waiting for Danny as soon as he entered the clocktower.

"You're late" Clockwork joked. "You were supposed to have arrived ten seconds earlier"

"Clockwork, I need to ask a favor" Danny said.

"You want me to send you back in time so you can save Samantha, am I correct?" Clockwork asked, already knowing the answer.

"Please, I can't live without her" Danny said.

"I'm afraid I can't do that" Clockwork told him.

"What? Why?" Danny asked.

"I'm under orders from a "higher power" not to interfere in this situation whatsoever" Clockwork answered.

"What? But you're the Master of Time and you know everything," Danny retorted. "Who could possibly have more power than you?"

"Someone who exists outside of time" Clockwork replied.

"So there's nothing you can do to help me save her" Danny asked.

Clockwork simply nodded. Danny, in an act of rage and sorrow, threw an explosive ectoball at Clockwork. Clockwork, of course saw the attack coming from a mile away and easily dodged. Danny turned to leave, his eyes glowing dangerously. Clockwork wasn't worried and ignored Danny's violent outburst, knowing he simply needed more time to mourn.

He knew that Danny blamed himself for Sam's death. That Danny could quite possibly fall into a deep depression. But he also knew that this was necesarry. Danny would learn that despite being a superhero, that he couldn't save everybody all the time, sometimes not even the ones he loved.

Danny, predictably wasn't in a better mood when he arrived at school. Tucker was waiting for him at his locker.

"Hey Danny, what happened earlier this morningbat Sam's house, why'd you leave?" Tucker asked.

"I thought I had found a way to bring Sam back" Danny said. "I thought that maybe I could get Clockwork to send me back in time and give me a chance to save her"

"And?"

"It didn't work" Danny said disappointedly. "Apparently Clockwork's under orders from higher powers"

"Hi guys" Jessica greeted.

"Hey Jessica" The boys replied.

"Hey Danny, you feeling any better?" Jessica asked.

"Not really" Danny said. "I'm really considering giving up being Danny Phantom."

"What?!" Tucker exclaimed. "Why would you do that?"

"Because living this double life has put too many people in danger. Sam's death is like a wake up call. A reality check." Danny said. "All this time, I thought being a superhero was all fun in games. No matter what the threat I'd always come out on top. I had nothing to worry about. I was more worried about being a celebrity and spying on the girls' locker room than protecting Amity Park… and that ended up coming back to bite me in the ass."

"Dude, how long are you going to sit around and blame yourself for Sam's death? She wouldn't want to see you like this. She'd want you to move on" Tucker said.

"If I hear someone tell me that one more time" Danny muttered.

"So you're just going to give up? You're going to let Danny Phantom die with the girl of your dreams?!" Jessica asked. "Instead of wallowing and feeling sorry for yourself, why don't you keep being a superhero in her honor! You know, dedicate your life to her! Even if her death was your fault, you didn't let her down but you sure will if you just give up!"

Jessica's suggestion would be the catalyst to reigniting the fire in Danny's heart. He decided to take Jessica's advice. Jessica was right, Sam might of been gone, but the least he could do was live his life and dedicate to her memory.

jim89: I hope this chapter answers your question as to why Clockwork didn't intervene. If it doesn't, then the only only reply to that question is "If he did prevent Sam's death or resurrected her, we wouldn't have a story.

Alright, time for the disclaimer.

Voice in my head #2: Ooh! Ooh! Can I do it this time, please?

Huh, what's the worst that can happen?

Voice in my head #1: You really want to tempt fate by asking a question like that?

Voice in my head #2: Jack Moxley. (Real name: Tim [surname redacted]) does not own Danny Phantom. If he did, do you think he'd be a loser with no life and no chance of ever succeeding in life?

I just had to ask, didn't I?