Rated: K

The Climb

Miley Cyrus

From the soundtrack of Hannah Montana: The Movie

The Climb

August 12, 2011

"Way to go, Fenton," Danny grumbled to himself. The Box Ghost had just escaped...again. "God, can't you do anything right?"

"Danny?"

Danny whipped around to find Sam standing on the ground below him, staring up at him questioningly. "Who are you talking to?"

"M-"

"If you're about to tell me you're talking to yourself, you better not land. Because I'm going to be forced to smack you. Because if you're seriously saying that kind of thing to yourself, you need to get some sense knocked into you."

"I was talking to myself, Sam." Danny mumbled as he landed beside her. Dejectedly, he flashed into Fenton and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked utterly defeated. "The Box Ghost got away again, and...I'm just starting to wonder if this whole super hero thing is really what I'm supposed to be doing."

"Of course it's what you're supposed to be doing, why the heck else would you be a half ghost?" Sam said jokingly. She nudged him gently with her shoulder when he did not respond. "You know you're good at what you do. Sometimes, people just...get lost on the way to becoming what they're supposed to be. It doesn't mean they're bad at what they do, it just means they're human. You can't let every mistake you make drag you down, Danny. That's not fair to you."

"It's just...this whole thing is such an uphill battle. Everyone is against me, Sam."

"What about me and Tucker?" She asked gently. "We're for you. Always. We're your biggest fans...next to Jazz."

This got a small chuckle from Danny. "I just don't like when they get away. I feel like a failure."

"You can't always win. Sometimes you're going to have to lose. That's just life. It sucks, yeah, but it's life. We can't win every battle we fight. But you know, that reminds me of something my grandma always says. 'Who cares about the destination, when getting there is half the fun?' You said that being Danny Phantom is an uphill battle...well, the climb is what makes you a hero. The fact that you're willing to climb, to get out there and risk your own safety for people who have no idea who you are or why you're helping them...that's what makes you you. You can't let that break you, Danny. Sure, it may knock you down occassionally, but it can't break you. You're stronger than that. I know you are."

Danny stared at her. Since when is Sam so...smart? Well, she's always been smart, but...since when is she so encouraging? God, she's so pretty...she's perfect. What did I ever see in Paulina? I've fallen head-over-heels for my best friend.

"Sorry, I know it's weird for me to be so happy-go-lucky, but...you kind of make me that way, Danny. Seeing you hurt hurts me. I want you to be happy. I'd do anything to make you feel better again. Please go back to being my extremely annoying best friend?"

Wordlessly, he stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug. She snaked her arms around his waist and gently squeezed.

"You're the reason I keep fighting, Sam." Danny said gruffly. "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."

"Just...try to remember, there's always gonna be another fight. You know that, right? There's always gonna be someone else out there who's gonna try to tell you that you'll never be good enough, you'll never reach your goal. You have to promise me that you'll stay strong. No matter what. Seriously, you're the only hope this town has."

"It's moments like this," He tightened his grip around Sam slightly, "that I remember most. Not the victories or the losses. It's the moments that I get to share with you and Tucker in the middle of all of this. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me. I love you."

Sam stiffened. Crap, did I just say that out loud?

"I l-love you...guys," Danny added quickly, grimacing when she pulled away. "I meant to say 'I love you guys.'"

Sam examined him closely, arching an eyebrow. Danny's heart was racing; beads of sweat appeared on his brow.

"I love you, too," She finally whispered. She planted a soft kiss on his lips, leaving him gaping. "Now, if I were you, I would catch the Box Ghost, since he's prowling around behind you,"

Danny spun on his heel and lunged forward, grabbing the Box Ghost by the shirt. He sucked the ghost into the Fenton Thermos and shot into the air, spinning and twisting, shouting in ecstasy. Sam watched from the ground, grinning at his excitement.

"Keep your faith, Danny," She murmured quietly.