Don't shoot me! I am so so SO sorry! I had... not writer's block, but motivation block, for what seemed like an eternity, and so I WAS going to beg you to let me write a quick one-shot for another idea I have. When I actually sat down and started to write it, though, C.B. just WOULDN'T get out of my head! So I actually owe you two updates, because today is the day that Ch. 10 should have come out... Which I have! Haha, I've done so good I'm almost two chapters ahead! I should post the next chapter in a few days, but things are hectic at home. I made drama president for my school (bows to imaginary clapping) and now I'm in a play (it's awesome, called 'Fools' look it up) and IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! (Screams 'Hurrah!') I am now at least at the legal age to drive!!!
Disclaimer: If I owned Danny Phantom... people would have deeper emotions...
Dedication: To JosephineInLove, for some awesome reviews. She has so many questions that make me think of great additions to the story...
Okay, read!
Chapter Eight
Love, S.M.
"…and so he is unbelievably, inexcusably, frustratingly infuriating!" Sam shook her head in sympathy, overwhelmed by the story her companion had relied to her. She and Kitrina were in Amity's local seamstress's shop, browsing materials and styles.
Sam, in desperate need of an escape from her flighty mother and the mirror-image women that were Pamela's 'friends' (who had gathered for their monthly luncheon), had quickly fled to Clockwork's when no other option was presented. Valerie had to cater to the whimsical women Samantha was fleeing, and Star was at tea with another local heiress in Amity. And Heaven forbid she try to interact with Dash, who was quite preoccupied with his occupation of chasing skirts; he was hardly an acquaintance beyond cooperating with her plans of evasion for their wedding.
So instead she flew to her old refuge, slower this time to avoid damage to her dress, especially since it was one she was rather fond of. It wasn't pink and it wasn't low-cut; it was a dark, mysterious purple that had more than a hint of black in it and was tied in the front like a corset with black ribbons. And it had nothing to do with the fact that it was one of the only dresses her mother hadn't been able to alter to her liking, nothing at all.
When she had reached the enchanting cottage in the woods she was relieved to find it empty of Daniel and, unfortunately, Tucker. She had become almost dependent upon seeing him now that he was back, although she felt guilty that Valerie knew nothing. More than once Sam had wanted to tell her friend of his return, but Tucker, upon first hearing her urge to reveal all, had made her swear to bite her tongue.
She had found Clockwork sitting at his kitchen table writing in his alluring but untouchable journal and chuckling at the argument happening behind his closed bedroom door. Many times Valerie and Tucker and Sam had tried to read that treasured work of literature, only to have Clockwork appear before them knowingly. Finally they had given up, leaving it to fate if they were to ever discover its secret contents.
Sam had stood in silence when she first heard the two voices through the door, amused. Jonathon was begging an apology of Kitrina, but she didn't seem to be listening. Kitty was too busy ranting to him about boundaries and personal space, and when there was a moment of silence Johnny must have done something to enrage her because she gave a shriek and a distinct 'slap' was heard.
Although Sam had been greatly enjoying herself listening to the two, she had a feeling that if Kitrina were to further injure Jonathon she was going to regret it in the end. That is, if she didn't want to have to nurse him longer than need be. So, like the wonderful person she was, Sam had rushed into the bedchamber, thumped him soundly over the head for whatever unknown crime he had committed, and dragged Kitty out of the cottage with a wave to Clockwork.
They had both stood staring at each other for an eternity of seconds, a little confused as to what to do. Kitty just wanted to go back inside and give Johnny a firm talking to; Sam had no idea what to do with the other girl after she had performed her good deed for the day. What was one to do with a person that was a complete stranger that knew things about one's best friend that one didn't? Especially since the person wanted to harm another stranger one felt deserved it?
Take them shopping. Which led them to where they were now, Kitrina going on about Jonathon as they both looked at sketches of dresses that Kitty would most likely never wear and Sam wouldn't get past her mother.
Sam paused as she came across a cute pattern in a book the seamstress (or more likely her slave) had made of hand-drawn sketches of the things she could create, interested. With an ivory fabric with gold threadwork, the style, a daring three-quarter sleeves bodice and extra petticoat bottom, would make Star look like a golden goddess. Sam wouldn't look anything but skeleton thin and slate chalk pale, but no other color would look as charming. It would be a perfect gift for Starra Anne's birthday in three months, as well. However, the thought of Pamela thinking the dress was for her daughter and that Sam had finally started to change her ways made the young woman pause and Vlad's disapproval make her abandon the idea altogether.
"I just don't get it." Kitrina's softer tone and dejected sigh made Sam aware of her companion's presence once again and the raven-locked youth turned to her. "If it weren't for his overwhelming past and precautious appearance, not to mention his all-too perverted ways, Johnny would be a great catch. Why is he so… him?"
Samantha didn't know what she meant about his past, but Kitty was right about Jonathon's looks. With a little soap, a good haircut, or at least a ribbon to tie his hair back, and smarter clothes, he would certainly be pleasing to look at, even if they could do nothing about his personality. Oh, he wouldn't compare to the foppish Dash or, Heaven help her, handsome Daniel, but it would be a nice change all the same.
"I don't know what to do about him, Kitrina. Pompous fools like Johnny and Daniel have little that could change them." From what Kitty had said, Jonathon had broken a promise to keep from fondling her an entire day. They had made the deal in hopes of actually avoiding an argument for once, especially because Clockwork had said Sam would be coming by, although neither could figure our how he knew.
Johnny had actually made it through his bandage changes and breakfast, but when Kitty had brought him dinner he 'lost control'. By the way Kitrina had said it, heavy with sarcasm, Sam had to assume that Johnny had been the one to utter those choice words. Kitty finally grew so angry at his treatment of her that she flew into a tantrum, demanding respect. She had almost forgiven him when he did it again, causing her to slap him across the face and Sam to come to the rescue.
There was silence in the shop for a moment, both girls dwelling on Sam's words. And then something struck Kitty as odd and she turned to Sam without looking at the page she had flipped to.
"What do you mean Danny? He's the sweetest, kindest, most considerate man I know!" Was she insane?!
"What are you talking about? Since I've met him, he's been nothing but cocky and arrogant. His ego is so big I'm surprised he can fit through the door!" The mental image would have made her laugh if Sam hadn't known they were talking about HIM.
"Wait, are we even talking about the same person here? Danny, my Danny? Tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, mysterious Danny?" Sam almost snorted at Kitty's description, something the lady customer a few feet away would have thought very inappropriate.
"Yes, him. Rude, so tall he'd hit his head on the doorway of my house, laughing-eyed him. And how is he mysterious to you? You're in on whatever secret Tucker and Danny are sharing, I know it."
"Trust me, no one will ever not consider him a mystery." Kitty's reply was low and muttered, like she was saying it more to herself than Sam. "I don't know what he's like when he's around you, Sam, except for that one time in the cottage, but he truly isn't like that the rest of the time." This time Sam really did snort, though luckily their fellow browser had already made her purchase and left.
"I'll believe that when I see it." She turned back to the book, flipping through pages absently for a moment. Then she turned back to Kitrina, who was gazing at a gown with a wide, decoratively belted dress that would have done wonders for her already wonderful figure. "Not that that with ever happen." Kitty glanced at her a moment before glancing through her money clutch absently and sighing. She wouldn't have enough for the pattern, let alone the material and labor she would have to pay for.
"Why ever not?"
"Because I'm never going to set my eyes on Daniel Fenton again." Kitty truly looked at her then, intrigued. "He didn't tell you what he did when he came to call?"
"No. Nothing improper, I hope."
"Oh, it was certainly improper; scandalous, definitely."
"Whatever did he do?" Kitty completely abandoned her browsing, leaving it turned to her dreamed-of but never attainable dress.
"Oh, it was nothing horrible… at first. I was a little miffed because he hadn't come calling since I had met him, which is both insulting and unacceptable in Amity Town, but I got over it rather quickly. I wish I hadn't, now." She went off into silence, and Kitrina had a hard time deciding whether she thought Sam was acting or not.
"Well?"
"Right, sorry." Sam snapped back into reality quickly, berating herself for falling into memories she had sworn never to dwell upon again. "We even got along fairly well, talking about Tucker and my friend Valerie. When it was time for him to leave, for he had already stayed far too long to be innocent, I sent him off with a curtsy, just as I should have. But then he had the nerve to ask for his 'special' farewell.
"I had no idea what he was talking about, and I told him so. The… the imbecile had the nerve to tell me I had kissed him goodbye at our first meeting! I mean, really. For one, I would never be so forward to a complete stranger. For another, I would never be so forward to him!"
"Hmmm." Kitty hummed softly, amused. Sam really didn't remember, just like Danny had guessed she wouldn't. "Well, let's not dwell on foolish men. I rather think I would like a pastry from the baker, and that I can afford." Sam looked at her new friend, sympathetic. She often forgot that the decent, level-headed girls she liked to associate with, instead of the shallow, ditzy plantation daughters usually didn't benefit from great amounts of wealth like she did. A sudden idea struck her, based from a comment Kitty had earlier made. She turned to the pattern book quickly, thumbing through it.
She found what she was looking for quickly, but it was the dress opposite it that held her attention. It was… gorgeous. Old fashioned, yes, and not generally something she would wear daily, but… Sam made a rash decision and rushed over to the seamstress with both hers and Kitrina's books in hand.
"Have you come to a decision, my lady?" The seamstress didn't lower her eyes like a slave would, but she did curtsy to Sam out of respect of her higher position.
"Yes. I need this dress in that ivory satin with gold, there. Yes, that one." Sam showed her the dress for Star and pointed out the correct fabric before gazing at the others hastily. A blue…no, to demure. It definitely wouldn't suit Kitty. A pink was out of the question, but… a hint of a bright color drew her attention and she knew. "And this one," she tapped Kitrina's dress sharply, "in that red, to your left."
"Red, madam?" The seamstress seemed shocked, but Sam just barreled on. If she didn't do this quickly she was going to lose her nerve.
"Yes, the red. Now I need these here in white silk, eleven of them." She tapped what she had originally been looking for distractedly, refusing to think of the bill as she gazed at more fabric. "And pair them with some tan, some black… two in blue, and… let's be a bit adventurous and say a single red."
"Whatever pleases you, my lady." The seamstress shook her head, amazed. She and Loretta, her slave, certainly were going to be busy.
"Oh Sam…" Kitty had finally discovered Sam's plan and she shook her head, refusing. "You don't—"
"Hush, you. I have plenty of allowance for all of this; it won't even make a dent. Now… make sure you put in matching hair ribbons, please."
"Of course, madam."
"And now for this." She put the dress pattern forward. "I want…"
Forever, D.F.
"I don't know what has you acting so peculiarly around Sam, Danny, but if you don't stop she's really going to get mad."
"So her huffy, 'I'm ignoring you except when I call you insulting names or act all superior' attitude isn't her being mad?" Danny didn't mention that he didn't know why he was acting that way either or that he couldn't stop. The two young men were moving rapidly through the forest, following some unseen path. Danny was leading the way, holding branches out of the way of Tucker's path and trying to ignore his limp.
"No."
"Wonderful."
"Not that you shouldn't beware that mood, either."
"Oh, that's really wonderful." The black snickered at his friend's plight as they continued and Danny sulked childishly. The next time they came to a low branch, thicker than before, Danny moved it out of the way for him but snapped it back in place right as Tucker reached it. The former slave leapt back with a yelp, grabbing his cap and clamping his hand onto one of the knives in his waistband that was sliding a bit too low for comfort. Maybe Sam was on to something, he was insane to load up like this constantly… especially when he was around Danny.
"Come on, we're going too slow." They continued on in silence, Tucker silently gasping for breath. He was pushing his limit with how fast they were moving, but he could tell his companion was getting impatient. Even with his injured leg Danny could have gone at least three times as fast as they were going now if he hadn't insisted on Tuck coming. And that would be without getting the slightest bit winded…
They passed quickly by their surroundings, Tucker vaguely recognizing the scenery. The trio of friends, Sam, Tuck, and Val, had gone out farther into the woods than most of the men in Amity, but they hadn't often gone past Clockwork's cottage. They had always ended up trying some new mischievous plan to get a hold on the hermit's journal; they always failed, as well.
"Whatever did you do to frustrate Sam so in the first place, Danny?" If the more experienced masquerader happened to notice that Tucker seemed a little out of breath he didn't mention it. The black was lugging around an extra twenty pounds in weaponry, after all.
"I… happened to… ask her if she would tell me good-bye the way she did when we first met?" He was hesitant as he replied, turning his answer more into a question than a statement.
"You asked her to kiss you?" Tucker exploded, his head spinning in rage. How could Danny even think of suggesting such a thing to darling Samantha?! Protective old brother thoughts crept into his head, utmost and forward on the list trying to maim, no kill Danny. Forget about best friends or the fact that he would be forced to run drills for eternity once Lancer found out his precious weapon was dead; this meant justice!
"Yeah." Danny's voice was quiet and if it weren't for his iron resolve and training he would have been trembling in absolute fear. The outraged look on Tucker's face would have been comical if it weren't aimed at him and he hurried to reassure the black before he got any ideas. "Look, calm down. She slapped me across the face as soon as I told her what I meant."
A grin suddenly came onto Tucker's face and Danny relaxed. "I'm surprised you don't have a bruise; she may be little, but Sam can definitely hit."
"She couldn't reach high enough to leave a mark, but it did sting." The slight at her height made them chuckle and they started to move on from where they had paused. Danny gave a silent sigh of relief at the near escape, watching the now-relaxed Tucker out of the corner of his eye.
Suddenly an acorn fell a foot in front of Danny; another hit Tucker's hat a moment later. The former slave didn't pay any thought on it, but Danny paused. A rustle above him in the trees made him glance up and he sighed.
"Come down, Damien!" He yelled up into the trees, uncaring that he had just broken his own rule of trying to keep from raising his voice above a whisper. There was silence for a moment, and then a 'bang!' sounded and a bullet hit the ground right between his feet. "You―!" He jumped out of the way as another one landed an inch closer, livid. "Damien! I'm going to murder you!"
A laugh above them just made Danny turn red and Tucker looked around, confused. "Why…?" Danny walked forward, leaving the gleeful voice above them for a later time.
"We're here." Danny's voice was emotionless and Tucker recognized his 'soldier' look; Jazz had always teased her brother for how grim he looked when he wore that expression, saying he gave the impression that something he ate had made him sick.
"But… it's too quiet."
"They've actually learned to hide; the only tent is the sick tent now. Even the General is sleeping under the stars." They went on in silence, Danny heading to the center of camp instinctively. "They haven't perfected everything. Look over there." He pointed at a random tree and Tucker glanced over at it; nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "See the pits in the park? They're knife marks, most likely from Damien. He can swing through the trees with ease, but he can't climb them. He probably uses knives to pull himself up. And there." Danny pointed somewhere at the dirt to their right, and once again Tucker saw only the forest scenery. "Someone dumped water on the ground; the dirt is fairly wet, and there's a ditch from where the force of the water pushed it away."
Tucker just shook his head, watching Danny point out a number of small things he never would have noticed. A hint of gun powder residue against the forest floor. A trace of flame scorches from a fire. Indents in the grass that now looked too much like a human form not to be suspicious. Every once in a while Danny would glance into the trees and wave, but when he looked up Tucker never saw anyone.
As they seemed to get closer to the invisible center, however, actual people revealed themselves. A number of front-line gunmen who were a 'special' shooter group with men masters like Tucker, were everywhere. They didn't have to worry about hiding for some unspoken reason, but were instead cleaning their already gleaming guns by campfires that were barely visible. Nurses and doctors, as well as the wives that had refused to be left behind when their men joined up, were filtering around, faces betraying their boredom.
The large medical tent was set up in the middle of a clearing, relatively quiet except for when a fit of coughing started. Danny and Tucker started toward it, throwing nods at random people that called out. Tucker bent down to coo at a baby that a young mother held, watching the small hands with sad, faraway eyes. When he looked up again Danny was outside of the large tent, looking back at him. Tuck started to stand and follow his friend but Danny waved him off, silently telling him to stay. The former slave bent back down to the infant, watching Danny enter the tent as the mother started to talk to him.
Danny strode through the door flaps quickly, feeling the familiar connection to his army life return. The cots were nearly empty, littered only by a sparse few people who were too white and had a feverish look in their eyes. Two nurses, who he dimly remember were Bridget and Katherine, were going around to each of the occupied mats with a vial of medicine and a teaspoon and an auburn-haired doctor was listening to another man's lungs. Jasmine stood nearby, observing the doctor's examination silently.
"You're right, it's the same thing; the racking cough is there, and the phlegm. Jazz…" His expression turned from thoughtful to grim. "if we don't do something about this soon, it's going to spread."
"I know! And we don't have enough medicine to treat everyone!" She was silent a moment and then shook her head, giving him a pleading expression. "Will it get any worse." Jasmine seemed to beg for him to say 'no', but he just looked at her. The agitation and worry were clear on their faces, and Danny suddenly noticed the dark circles under her blue eyes.
"It's bound to; the first few who came in with it are still here, going on a week and a half."
"Things keep getting worse and worse. I wish Danny was here…" She looked close to tears, and Danny was suddenly angry at himself. Here he was, sleeping on a soft bed and worrying himself over a single girl, a daughter of the enemy no less, and Jazz was suffering in the wilderness on the last reserves of her energy! He really need to get his priorities straight…
"Wish granted." Jazz spun around, stunned.
"Danny!" She rushed towards him and he enveloped her in his arms. "You always know." Her words were soft and he was startled to feel drops of liquid on his neck where her head was buried.
"It's okay, Jazz; come on." He shook away the feeling that he had just told a lie and gave the doctor nearby a significant look that he nodded to. Danny wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and led her outside. They walked in silence for a time, Jasmine quietly sniffing, until they were a good distance away from the camp. "Now; what's wrong."
"Everything! I'm dirty, and tired, and on the edge of my limit. Everyday another three men come into the hospital, complaining of a cough and a terrible headache."
"Isn't it a head cold, then?" Danny was confused; he didn't know much about illnesses, that was Jazz's forte, but colds had been common in the area of West Virginia where they were from. Something as simple as this shouldn't have Jazz so worried…
"At first we thought it was, but now… Danny, the first man's cold still hasn't gone away! We're afraid… Danny, we're afraid it's turning into pneumonia." Dread settled into the pit of his stomach, churning there with an acid flutter. Pneumonia was fatal in the best of situations; here, in the idle of an army brigade in the forest, it would mean certain death.
"What can I do?" Danny thought briefly of Poppy with her forever supply of odd and end concoctions, but pushed it aside. They may have appeared a posh, comfortable group to Amity Town, but the little scout party only had so much to keep up their charade. And the regiment under Lancer's command had already given them far too much for such an unimportant mission; it would drain everything they had, both the brigade and the scouting party, to supply enough for a pneumonia uprising. And that was only if the midwife had enough!
Clockwork was quickly eliminated as well; he would be suspicious as soon as Danny asked for it, and he was still punishing them for lying to him about Kitty and Johnny. Oh, he hadn't said anything, but Kitty still nursed Johnny, which was both rather improper and seemed to be enough torture for Kitrina. Besides, the hermit had only a minimum supply of medicines because he only had what he could grow himself. He probably got medicines for things like pneumonia from Poppy, anyways.
"Nothing; we'll be fine. We'll figure something out… we have too. But, Danny…" Jazz wiped the traces of tears away from her face, breathing deeply. "there's something else."
"What else could there be besides pneu―"
"Jazz!" The shout reached them before they saw anything, and Danny turned just as a young woman came barreling through the bushes at their left hurriedly.
"Danni?!"
"Danny!"
Yeah baby! I know, not that exciting until about the last four sentences for you all, but really, everything in this chapter IS relevent later on. Um... trivia question: Who is Damien in the actual series? Same prize as always; whoever gets it right first gets a virtual cookie and their idea put somewhere in the story.
Because I owe you the next chapter I should post it in a week, but after that the Next Update will be...
November 3, 2007
...Review?
